Volume 5 Issue 6

TO THE COMMUNITIES OF STUYVESANT HIGH SCHOOL, TRIBECA, AND BATTERY PARK CITY

The Stuyvesant Standard Volume V, Issue 6

November 16, 2005

Free

Diwali-Eid Festival Spreads Indian and Bengali Culture area committed to ending violence against women of South Asian origin.” The event began as students filed into the Dining Hall for Indian food. The delicious assortment of rice, naan, chutney, vegetarian food, along with sweet and spicy sauces, was donated by five restaurants. The fashion show came next. Indian and non-Indian Stuyvesant students donned saris, salwar kameezes, lehengas, and dupattas. Boy-girl couples and groups of boys or girls came out on the runway, greeted with yells and whistles from the crowd. Junior Warlito deLeon, a model for the

TSS/Amy Leung

BY AMY LEUNG SENIOR STAFF WRITER On November 10, 275 Stuyvesant students and faculty went to see the 2nd Annual Diwali-Eid Festival, hosted by the Indian and Bengali Culture Clubs. The Student Dining Hall was transformed into a runway and theater, with students walking out in Indian clothes and performing Indian dances. For a $4 admission ticket, students received a plate of food, a raffle ticket, and henna tattoos. All proceeds from the event benefited SAKHI for South Asian Women, a self-described “community-based organization in the New York metropolitan

Continued on Page 3

‘Teacher Man’ Revisits Stuy BY JOSEPH KRUTOV STAFF WRITER Frank McCourt, a Pulitzer Prize-winning author and a former teacher of English at Stuyvesant, has written a new book, “Teacher Man,” about his life as a teacher in the New York public school system. He will begin a worldwide book tour with a talk at Stuyvesant on November 14.

think that he could handle American teenagers. McCourt’s professor at New York University stated regarding teaching, “You think you’re in control? Think again. They’re like heat-seeking missiles. When they go after you they’re following a primal instinct. It is the function of the young to get rid of their elders, to make room on the planet. You

A Chorus Line: A Singular Sensation to her again, to give her another chance. It was one of the most moving scenes in "A Chorus Line," Stuyvesant's exuberant Fall Musical, which enlivened the Murray Kahn Theater on November 4 and 5. The musical, first performed in 1975, tells the stories of seventeen dancers auditioning for roles in a Broadway production. As the director Zach (senior Ian Mur-

BY JACOB ARLUCK COPY CHIEF Cassie (senior Molly RubenLong) wanted to be part of an ensemble, but for once she had the stage all to herself. There was something stark and elemental to the sight: a pale girl with jetblack hair in a white shirt and black skirt, alone on a stage utterly dark except for a single brilliant spotlight, singing and dancing, imploring the world to listen

Continued on Page 13

Ferrer said, “Though of course I ran to win, I knew I could lose. So I ran first and foremost to raise a voice for those without one.” Bloomberg acted in stride

BY JENNIFER SCHLESINGER STAFF WRITER Frank McCourt discusses his new book in the interview with Joseph Krutov of The Stuyvesant Standard.

In 1996 he released his first memoir, “Angela’s Ashes.” He was 66 at the time. The book swiftly became a bestseller and still enjoys tremendous popularity. It won both the National Book Award and the Pulitzer Prize for Biography. “An ge l a ’ s A s h es” and McCourt’s second book, “‘Tis,” describe his miserable childhood in Ireland and his first years in America. “Teacher Man,” available in bookstores on November 15, portrays McCourt’s experiences as a high school teacher. In “Teacher Man,” McCourt writes that ignorance was the only reason he had the nerve to

know that, don’t you?” McCourt decided to take the risk, and that decision eventually led to his teaching at Stuyvesant. His was a tortuous road, and he spent many unhappy years at other schools before finding a better teaching environment at Stuyvesant. At Continued on Page 5

On November 8, millions of Americans across the country cast votes in local and statewide elections. In New York City, Michael Bloomberg, the incumben t mayor, easily won reelection with a 20% margin over Democrat Fernando Ferrer, who received fewer votes than any Democratic mayoral candidate since 1917. In his concession speech,

INSIDE THIS ISSUE -------------News.....................2-7 Business................7-8 Opinions................9 Literary..................10-11

Puzzles..............................11-12 Science……………….......12 Arts & Entertainment........13-14 Sports................................15-16

Continued on Page 4

The City of New York

TSS/Joseph Krutov

2005 Election Results

Mayor Bloomberg was elected to a second term, defeating Democrat Fernando Ferrer.

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November 16, 2005

THE STUYVESANT STANDARD

THE STUYVESANT STANDARD Executive Leadership Team DR. JOHN NIKOL WINNIE LEE SHO UEMURA JESSICA THAM WINNIE DU JACOB ARLUCK LAURA HAN JENNIFER SCHLESINGER YANJ IE HOU JENNIFER WONG OSMAN NEMLI DEEP PARIKH MELISSA CHAN LADA KUKUY KAREN LIU KATIE BANKS DANIEL EGERS (‘03) ERNEST BASKIN (‘04)

FACULTY ADVISER EDITOR IN CHIEF M ANAGING EDITOR CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER LAYOUT EDITOR COPY CHIEF IN SCHOOL NEWS EDITOR OUT OF SCHOOL NEWS EDITOR OPINIONS EDITOR ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR SPORTS EDITOR SCIENCE EDITOR BUSINESS EDITOR LITERARY EDITOR WEBMASTER DIRECTOR OF PHOTOJOURNALISM FOUNDER EDITOR EMERITUS

Publication THE STUYVESANT STANDARD is a nonprofit and nonpartisan publication produced by the students of Stuyvesant High School. THE STUYVESANT STANDARD distributes 2,000 free copies on a bi-weekly basis to the students and faculty of Stuyvesant High School and throughout the adjoining neighborhoods of TriBeCa and Battery Park City. THE STUYVESANT STANDARD welcomes letters from its readers. THE STUYVESANT STANDARD reserves the right to edit any published material. The viewpoints of contributors do not necessarily reflect the views of the Standard staff. Copyright ©2005 THE STUYVESANT STANDARD

Contact Us Please direct all correspondence to: THE STUYVESANT STANDARD 345 Chambers Street New York, NY 10282-1000 [email protected] Find us on the web at www.stuystandard.org

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THE STUYVESANT STANDARD

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November 16, 2005 News

Diwali-Eid Festival Spreads Indian and Bengali Culture Continued from Page 1

event, said that “the crowd was great. This event was more publicized this year, and that’s why so many people showed up.” The co-president of the Indian Culture Club (ICC), senior Nameeta Kamath, welcomed the audience to the Stuyvesant’s first combined Diwali and Eid festival. Diwali is India’s most glamorous and important festival and Eid is Islam’s holiest day. Participant Areeba Sadig, a junior, announced, “We are happy we can bring our culture to Stuyvesant!”

After this, many Indian dances were performed to Bollywood music. Senior Tina Varghese performed an upbeat dance with quick hand and body movements in colorful Indian attire. Groups of girls came out in black pants and glittery tanks over black tops and danced Bhangra to the Taakre song, followed by other groups who belly danced to the Bollywood songs “Salaam Namase” and “Deebar De.” Despite difficulties with the sound system, the dancing was great and well-received by the

audience. A gift bag from the Soda Shop, a Barnes and Noble gift certificate, and an iPod Shuffle were raffled off to lucky students. Finally, as the show ended, some of the dancers continued to dance, having a mini a f t e r -p a r t y of their own. Many members of the audience left commenting

All photos taken by Amy Leung.

that they had a great time. Kamath said, “I am extremely happy at the turnout and success of the event. Everyone worked really hard and it paid off in the end— we’ve raised $700 for SAKHI.” ◙

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November 16, 2005 News

City Teachers Ratify New Contract

Subway Searches on Trial to the deterrence of terrorism. They stated that the unpredictable nature of random bag searches The New York Civil Liberwas the element that would preties Union (NYCLU) filed a lawvent further attacks. David suit against the New York City Cohen, the deputy commission Police Department (NYPD). NYfor intelligence stated that, CLU insisted that the policy of “Unpredictability is the enemy of random searches on the subways the terrorist and the ally of those was unconstitutional, and ineffecwho are trying to prevent or deter tive in combating terrorism. another terrorist attack.” “We have no objection to NYCLU responded to the reasonable searches,” said Chrisclaims made by the Police Detopher Dunn, lead counsel for the partment by stating that, “As common sense would suggest, the program is virtually certain neither to catch any person trying to carry explosives into the subway system nor to deter such an effort.” The civil liberties group stresses that because the amount of searches in the subways are ineffective in deterrence of terrorism, they are unnecessary. The city’s right to conduct random bag searches on The group hired testers, who visited the subway subways is being challenged in a new court case. stations 3,288 times. NYCLU. “But we cannot and Ho wever, they were onl y will not stand by… a program searched a total of 34 times. Acthat subjects millions of people to cording to The New York Times, suspicion-less searches that serve riders selected for a search are virtually no public-safety purpermitted to refuse it and leave pose.” The NYCLU also argues the subway station without interthat these searches violate the ference, but they can simply enter Fourth Amendment, which guarthrough another station entrance antees protection against illegal that is left unguarded. searches and seizures. Judge Richard M. Berman, Random bag searches were who is presiding over the case, introduced in New York City has scheduled the closing arguafter a series of deadly bombings ment for December 2. He stated in the London transport system in that he would issue his verdict July. Michael A. Sheehan, who soon after. ◙ is the deputy commissioner for counterterrorism, stated that the searches were put into place when, “Our level of concern about a possible copycat attack, in this subway system, was at a peak.” Sheehan believes that the New York subway system is a prime target for members of Al Qaeda. “Make no mistake,” he said. “They want to come back to this city, desperately.” The NYPD stresses that the random bag searches are essential

Continued from Page 1

in his acceptance speech, saying “tomorrow, we go back to work. We go back to fighting for a New York where families can live safely…children can learn, with good jobs and housing, and health care for all.” New York City voters chose the five borough presidents. Incumbents won in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island, while in Manhattan, Assemblyman Scott Stringer won an open race. He replaced C. Virginia Fields, who ran for mayor

and lost in the primaries. The New York State ballot also contained several referendums for public approval. Voters approved a bond issue to fund transportation but rejected a change in the state constitution that would have given the legislature more power in deciding on a budget. In Virginia, another gubernatorial race ended in a victory for the Democratic Party. Lieutenant Governor Timothy M. Kaine won 51 percent of the vote against Republican Jerry W. Kilgore. The

United Federation of Teachers

Agence France-Presse

battle between the union and the city. Teachers have been without a The members of the United contract since May 2003. At one Federation of Teachers, the orpoint, union leaders threatened a ganization representing all New strike in violation of the Taylor York City public school teachers, Law, which prohibits strikes by have ratified a new contract with public employees. A tentative the city. The contract guarantees deal was struck in October and a 15% pay raise over four years, the union delegates moved to get as well as an increase in the startit approved. ing pay of teachers from $39,000 UFT president Randi Weinto $42,000 and an increase in the garten said, “It is my hope that maximum regular salary from with this agreement, we can put $81,000 to $92,000. the bitterness of the last few years behind us and work together to provide the highest quality education for our students.” Teachers at Stuyvesant are happy to finally receive a contract, but many have mixed feelings about the contract itself. “I think it is a deceptive contract in that the money Votes for the ratification of the new contract looks good, but other features were counted on November 3. particularly the extra time have been sold to the public The school year will be exdeceptively,” said Ms. Brown, an tended by two days and teachers English teacher. will be required to work an extra Students at Stuyvesant also 50 minutes each week. The conhave mixed feeling about the contract also includes measures detract. “It can be seen as adding signed to help maintain safety one minute to each period, which and discipline in schools and isn’t a lot,” said Michael Chu, a gives principals more power to Stuyvesant student. Sophomore fire and discipline teachers. Jane Yang disagreed, calling the Mayor Michael Bloomberg contract “a weak compromise.” said he was “pleased that the UFT Sophomore Eileen Change has ratified a new contract; it is opposed the increase in class time good for teachers, the city, and “It’s bad - very, very bad because most importantly, our school chilit is adding to the school day. dren.” Plus, it is giving us more work on About 63% of the 86,000 top of the huge Stuyvesant load voting teachers approved the conthat we already have.” ◙ tract, which ended a year-long BY YULIYA FELDMAN STAFF WRITER

BY YULIYA FELDMAN STAFF WRITER

2005 Election Results

THE STUYVESANT STANDARD

Race NYC Mayor Brooklyn Borough President Bronx Borough President Manhattan Borough President Queens Borough President Staten Island Borough President Governor of New Jersey Governor of Virginia

Winner Michael R. Bloomberg Marty Markowitz Adolfo Carrion

Republican Democratic Democratic

Scott Stringer Helen Marshall

Democratic Democratic

James Molinaro

Republican

Jon Corzine Tim Kaine

Democratic Democratic

real winner may have been the current governor, Mark Warner, a Democrat who enjoys a 75% approval rating in his generally Republican state. With his success

Party

in getting another Democrat to succeed him, Warner has been the subject of increasing speculation about a 2008 presidential campaign. ◙

THE STUYVESANT STANDARD Stuyvesant High School, Frank McCourt taught the Creative Writing class and was faculty advisor to the Caliper literary magazine. Below is an excerpt from the exclusive interview with Frank McCourt, in which he speaks about his new book, Stuyvesant, and life in general. The Stuyvesant Standard: It has been many years since you retired from Stuyvesant – Frank McCourt: 1987. TSS: – and I think it is possible that you are better known there now than in the days when you were a teacher there. FM: Well, I was known within the school, but teachers are rarely known outside of school. Teachers don’t get no respect in the society. TSS: Do you know that your book “Angela’s Ashes” is now required reading in the Freshman Composition class? FM: No. Freshmen – What about the seniors? TSS: The seniors – They already read it. They had three years to think about it. FM: Oh, yes. That’s fine, except I wouldn’t want anybody to give a test on it. TSS: No, we just look for the deeper meaning. FM: Yes, that’s another thing. If you find it, let me know. If anybody finds it. I would never want to have it used as a torture weapon. TSS: It is not torture. I am one of the few people who have read your new book “Teacher Man” before its official release – FM: Oh, yeah? TSS: – and I just want to say that it is as fascinating and as moving as your previous books. FM: I am glad to hear you say that. It is good to hear it from the mouths of the young. TSS: How do you feel about “Teacher Man”? FM: I did not like it. TSS: You don’t like it? FM: No, I didn’t like it. And when I handed it in I – I sort of – You know, it is like having a kid, a disobedient kid, a wayward kid, a kid that doesn’t do what you want him to do. I just – I found it hard to control, but then – then I finished it, and my editor, Nan, worked on it with me, and then I saw approval in the eyes of other people. So I said, “Oh, it must be okay,” so I am happy with it. TSS: Did you plan on writing this third book when you were finishing “‘Tis”? FM: I did, yeah, as I felt I hadn’t done enough about teaching in “‘Tis”. I wanted to do what is really a whole book on teaching. And I still didn’t say everything I wanted to say. TSS: Did you think that readers of your books would relate to all

‘Teacher Man’ Revisits Stuy your experiences? After all, you but I can identify with the strughad a miserable childhood in Iregle of gay people. We can all land – identify. You see television stories about people starving in AfFM: A miserable childhood. rica. Well, if you’ve never been TSS: – and American readers really can’t relate to that, and all your life is affected by it – FM: Well, if they couldn’t really relate to it themselves, they had parents and grandparents who could. I talked about that in “‘Tis,” in “Teacher Man,” where all the Jewish kids, whose grandparents had gone through camps in Germany, that kind of thing – it opened up a lot of family stories. So, anybody can identify with anything, I can tell you that. Have you ever read Tom Wolfe’s “Bonfire of the Vanities”? That book is the – different elements of New York life. It’s a novel. He deals with kids up in Pulitzer Prize winner and former Stuyvesant teacher Frank McCourt. Harlem, and he deals with people on Park Avenue. So we see it on television, we see it in the movies, even though we hungry before, you don’t know might not have experienced it. the intensity of that, and I have I’ve never – for instance, I have been hungry, so I can identify never experienced homosexuality, with that – TSS/Joseph Krutov

The Gaga Club

Buch, a senior, encourages people to go to games “to see why Gaga will soon be more popular than basketBY TIMOTHY QUINTO ball.” There is also free soda at SENIOR STAFF WRITER the end of every meeting. The club is growing in popularity, Gaga is an Israeli form of with over 80 active members. dodgeball. The Gaga Club at The club has faced trouble Stuyvesant promotes the sport and organizes informal games getting official sanction. After held in classrooms. members broke a flagpole and Unlike the team sport familannoyed two janitors, the club iar to viewers of was banned from classrooms. A “Dodgeba ll: A meeting with True Underdog Assistant PrinStory,” Gaga is a cipal of Organifree-for-fall. Playzation Randi ers are eliminated Damesek rewhen hit below the vealed that the knee. The ball can not be touched by administration the same person was not aware c o n s e c u t i v e l y , Gaga is best described as that the game unless it comes an Israeli form of dodge- has been played into contact with ball. in classrooms the wall. When for over two years. Club officials there are only two parare considering holding games in ticipants left, the game the dining hall, although some goes into “infinite,” in members are reluctant due to the which players are allowed to dribble the ball. The last man lack of enclosed space, without standing wins. which Gaga would be less kiWith the ball ricocheting off netic. ◙ walls and bodies, and dozens of If you would like to have your people doing their best to avoid club or publication featured in it, games can become pretty chaThe Standard, send an e-mail to otic, although injuries are rare. [email protected]. Gaga Club President Nathan

Club Spotlight

Continued from Page 1

Page 5

November 16, 2005 News

Classic Toys

TSS: You wrote about your entire life in such detail. How did you remember it all? And was it difficult to describe some of the extremely personal events? FM: It was difficult, especially the part about my father leaving us. He was an alcoholic. They say it a disease, but cancer is a disease. You can’t walk away from cancer, but you can walk away from the bottle. People have done that. He did not. He went to England, he did not send us any money, so we were on the verge of starvation. TSS: Many people find it difficult to understand this – it‘s hard to open up like that, to write with such honesty, to tell everything. FM: Stuyvesant High School helped me. I taught the kids there for eighteen years – and you never open up completely, there is always something you hold back. You never tell the entire story. Starting to tell – It’s like training for the marathon. You start telling these stories, and as you are telling one anecdote or a story, there is always another one forming in the back of your head, which might be too private to discuss. And that’s the one you keep for yourself. It’s a very complicated process. TSS: While “Teacher Man”, as well as “Angela’s Ashes” and “‘Tis”, are autobiographical, I have always wondered whether there is some element of fiction in it. Is there? FM: No. There is no need to. I tried to write a novel. I began with a novel about teaching. Didn’t work. It did not work because the reality of teaching is more significant, more vivid than – Look at the movies you have seen about school, teaching. Look at the books you have read about it. They don’t come near the reality. And that’s what I chose to do. Because, you know, if you see a movie about school, you will see one teacher, one class – in any movie, for dramatic purposes. They never show you how the teacher walks from class to class to class to class to class, and what its like to be at the end of the day. TSS: Stuyvesant it is known a “science school,” so there are many students there who do not see the importance, or as much importance, in the humanities and literature as in mathematics and science. What do you have to tell them? FM: I think they did when I was there, maybe they don’t… But we used to enter all the poetry Continued on Page 6

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November 16, 2005 News

MTA Finally Going Your Way!

MTA

‘Teacher Man’ Revisits Stuy Scribner

day discount, with an astonishing 12 approving votes against 2 dissenting ones. As of this NovemIf there is one thing all New ber, the following discounts will Yorkers like, it is free stuff. This be instituted: time, New Yorkers are not receiv• ½ fare on city local buses and ing free stuff, but they are going subways (including the Staten to get nice holiday discounts from Island railroad and Long Island the MTA for their daily travel buses) on weekends from Thanksthroughout the five boroughs. giving until the end of December The MTA has a surplus of • ½ fare on city local buses and around $928 million. This extra subways (including the Staten cash comes from several sources: Island railroad and Long Island revenue from last May’s tax inbuses) during the last week of creases, savings from low interest December rates, and increased revenue from • 4 extra days on a $76 30-Day fees from real estate. “Unlimited” MetroCard bought “It’s not an easy job to decide between Thanksgiving and the where the [money] should be disend of December • 1 extra day on a $24 7-Day “Unlimited” MetroCard bought between Thanksgiving and the end of December • 1 extra day on a $41 7-Day Express Bus Pass bought between Thanksgiving and the end of December • LIRR and Metro North customers purchasing monthly Monthly “Unlimited” MetroCards bought December passes will receive a between Thanksgiving and the end of Decemfree 10-trip pass valid during ber can be used for an extra four days. off-peak hours (good through February 2006) tributed,” MTA chairman Peter • LIRR and Metro North cusKalikow stated. Governor tomers purchasing a weekly pass George Pataki suggested that in December will receive 1 $250 million of the surplus go to round-trip valid during off-peak the city’s transportation system in hours Lower Manhattan, which includes Even after using $50 million the rail link to JFK and Long Ison the holiday discounts, the land. He felt that these downMTA still has $878 million to town projects were critical and spend. They have a general idea that the surplus should be used to of what they want to do with the stabilize the transit system rather rest of the money. Service enthan give city riders temporary hancements, security improvehappiness. The other suggestion ments, and MTA pension plans was to give the city riders a holiare among the ideas being disday discount for the days from cussed. Thanksgiving until the end of If all goes well, this holiday December. discount will continue for at least On Wednesday, October 26, 2 years. New Yorkers may not the MTA Board voted on how to always agree with the MTA, but spend the money. An overthe MTA is finally deciding to go whelming majority ratified a holitheir way! ◙

BY ALICE WU STAFF WRITER

THE STUYVESANT STANDARD

Continued from Page 5

competitions and win them. I had kids send off their work to newspapers and magazines that was published. As a matter of fact, a couple of months ago a there was a book on the bestseller list of a former student of mine, Susan Gilman, called “Hypocrite in a Pouffy White Dress”. I think the girls changed the tone of the school in 1968-1969 – and the boys too. But there is always another aspect to it – scientists, great scientists, are known – often physicists – for their interest in music. So that’s a stereotype of people – Oh, this is science and mathematics school, but we also have to deal with life, and that’s what literature is for. TSS: Since you retired from teaching, your life has changed dramatically – FM: Yeah. AK: –you are a major celebrity– FM: I am the big shot. TSS: – everyone knows your name. Your first two books are bestsellers. Maybe your next book will also be a memoir about your life – life as a famous writer? FM: No. I want to write a novel. Someday I could write about my life as a famous writer. I am a late bloomer, I’m a newcomer. TSS: Newcomer? But you have so much attention already – FM: Yeah. I’d like to write a novel because then you can write about things that you can’t write about in memoirs. I could have written a lot more about Stuyvesant High School. But you can’t – they could sue you for libel. I would be in jail for five years. And then, of course, people would be looking for references to themselves, and they would say – well, obviously, you were writing about me. A novelist does not have to deal with it. That’s why when you write a book like “Teacher Man”, it says

Frank McCourt’s “Teacher Man” was released on November 15.

in the beginning, “Names have been changed.” We spent hours with the lawyer. TSS: Your life now is so different from that of a Creative Writing teacher at Stuyvesant High School. Do you sometimes miss teaching? FM: Yes, I do, because sometimes it is so hard to stop talking. You spend 30 years talking yap yap yap yap. And I find myself sometimes I have to say to myself, ‘Shut up!’ because I sometimes talk too much. I miss that. Being able to go up and stand in front of the class, and work out my ideas before them. TSS: Doesn’t writing give you that opportunity? FM: Yes, but you don’t get the immediate response like you get from the class. That’s the good thing about teaching in a high school – you get this response more than from a theater audience. They paid ninety-one dollars to see you and they’ll give you a standing ovation. High school kids are much more critical and honest, and that’s the hard part of teaching. Continued on Page 7

THE STUYVESANT STANDARD

Page 7

November 16, 2005 News/Business TSS: Do you still keep in touch with any of your students? FM: Yes, I run into them all the time. They call me, email me. capital “F,” and an arrow, and Some of them send me their novthen another “F.” And I write, els. Dozens of novels. “Fear to Freedom.” Not that you TSS: How does it makes you ever achieve it completely, but feel? Proud? that’s the journey. FM: Yes. Yes. Of course, I TSS: Did you learn anything give myself full credit for their from your experiences at Stuyvesuccess. But to see sant? “Find out who them, see that you FM: Yeah, I have had – to see learned to be you are, and that’s they are getting honest. it. There’s nothing satisfaction out of TSS: To the their life by writstudents or to more important ing… yourself? than that.” TS: Do you have a FM: Yes, both. -McCourt favorite writer? You try to put FM: Yes. A numon an act in the ber of them. Mark Twain. James beginning. You know – you are Joyce… William Trevor. Shakethere – you say to yourself, You speare… The big boys. And know you are teaching bullshit. then there is an English writer You know it, and all the kids that you don’t hear about – he is a know. And the teacher very soon marvelous one, David Lodge, and drops the mask – it’s not about he is very wonderful satirical honesty, it’s not because it is the writer. But a very good question best policy, but because it is the is what do I keep by my bed? best practical thing for yourself. And if I am feeling tired, P.G. “Mr. McCourt, that’s not what Wodehouse, the novels about you said last Wednesday…” Jeeves. They will catch you.

‘Teacher Man’ Revisits Stuy Continued from Page 6

TSS: Now so many people are saying that there is more of a sense of competition – FM: Yes, that’s a problem. Competition is unfortunate, because I think there should be more a sense of fellowship, and unity – TSS: What do you think about the No Child Left Behind Act? FM: Ah, it’s the politicians. It’s all bullshit. It has nothing to do with it. It’s testing, testing, testing. There is all this testing going on in this country. They don’t have that kind of testing going on in Europe – TSS: What was your goal in teaching at Stuyvesant? FM: Freedom! TSS: Were you able to connect with students? FM: Yes. Most of us live in a fog – we have blinkers on, we can’t move to the left or right. So my idea, and it is for myself – a lot of it was for me – to get out of this, I used to write on the board

Interested in a CFO career? Behind the newspaper. Behind the articles. E-mail [email protected]

TSS: As a last question, do you have any advice for Stuyvesant students, or for students in general? FM: Yes. I suppose, I could quote this poet Alexander Pope. “Know then thyself, presume not God to scan / The proper study of mankind is Man.” All right, learn yourself. That’s all. Find out who you are, and that’s it. There’s nothing more important than that. For instance, let me give you an example. I had a student at one time who seriously wanted to study jazz guitar in Boston in a – what do you call it – TSS: A conservatory. FM: A conservatory. He was serious, this boy. His father said, “No, I am not sending you to study no goddamn guitar.” His father said, “You are going to be a goddamn accountant.” He asked me what he should do. All I could say to him was, according to Joseph Campbell, “Follow your bliss.” You have to take your chances. Because the kids are bullied, like the No Child Left Behind, they’re bullied into thinking in a certain way and being afraid and worried about tests all the time. It’s hard in high school, but eventually you get through high school, get through college, and then go on the road — Hit the road, Jack! ◙

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The Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania is among the top ten business schools in the country.

University of Pennsylvania

As seniors are applying to college, some have already started looking at the next stage of the game for aspiring millionaires: business school. Here are the top 10 MBA programs in the United States, according to US News and World Report: 1. Harvard University Harvard is an Ivy League private university in Cambridge, Massachusetts. It has an extensive MBA program and is probably the most prestigious school in the country. Their library is the largest of any university’s, containing over 12 million volumes. 2. Stanford University Stanford, located in Stanford, California, is most interested in “a unique combination of high leadership potential, academic excellence, and individual background and interests.” 3. University of Pennsylvania Wharton UPenn has the largest Ivy League budget and a very diverse body of students. It also has a large acceptance rate of minority students.

doesn’t have a formal administration. Students run everything.” 6. Dartmouth College Dartmouth is located in the nice and peaceful setting of Hanover, New Hampshire. Students say the student body is “a unique group of urban sophisticates in a rural setting.” There is a “real family feel.” 7. University of California - Los Angeles* UCLA is often known as the school that “has the connections.” Top recruiters of this school include Lehman Brothers, Goldman

Sachs, and Morgan Stanley. UCLA has the “ability to create leaders through teaching and experimental learning.” 8. University of Chicago The University of Chicago in Illinois has “an amazing, deep network of professionals on all levels, especially in finance and general management.” The classes are flexible and the atmosphere is relaxed. 9. Columbia University “The school is strongly oriented toward Investment Banking and Management Consulting.” and “No other top business school can claim to have the access that Columbia has to the top professionals in Finance -- the New York City advantage.” 10. University of Michigan Ann Arbor* The MBA program at UMich remains “extremely strong in corporate strategy, entrepreneurial studies, management accounting, marketing, organizional behavior… and entrepreneurial finance.” There is always something students can get involved in, ranging from newspapers to parties. ◙ *Denotes a public school.

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November 16, 2005 Business

Google Expands Its Fortified Base

Bush Nominates Bernanke to Replace Greenspan Research. Although some bond investors are expressing skepticism, Bernanke is a solid, nonOn October 24, President ideological, mainstream-oriented Bush nominated Ben Bernanke to choice who understands the econbe the successor of Alan Greenomy and the effects of monetary span, holder of one of the napolicy very well. He has been tion’s most powerful jobs, the published in economic journals Chairman of the Federal Reserve. since 1981 and has served nearly Bernanke, 51, was a former Fed three years on the Fed’s board of governor and Princeton Univergovernors. sity economics professor, and is Although Bernanke’s resume currently the head of Bush’s is impressive, the standards he is up against are equally impressive. Greenspan was not praised by Bush to be a “legend [who has] dominated his age like no central banker in history” for no reason. Ever since his nomination by President Ronald Reagan in 1987, Greenspan has proven himself time after time by bringing the country out of economic disasters in a series of close calls. These disasters include the panic that broke out on Wall Street in 1987 when Ben Bernanke is a nominee for the position of the Dow Jones industrial Federal Reserve Chairman. average fell 23%, a bigger percentage drop than the Council of Economic Advisers. Great Crash of 1929; when RusIf confirmed by the Senate, Bersia defaulted on its debts in 1998, nanke will replace Greenspan on which could have resulted in a January 31, 2006 and may keep chain reaction that would have his post for the next fourteen ruptured the global financial sysyears. tem; and when the attacks of 9/11 The Federal Reserve is an came in 2001, which deeply independent agency of the United wounded the economy. States Government. Its main Bernanke will face an enroles include supervising and tirely new set of crises from regulating banks, implementing Greenspan’s. First of all, the inmonetary policy by open market flation he will face is from energy operations, setting the discount and food causes, dissimilar to the rate and the reserve ratio, maininflation Greenspan faced nearly taining a strong payments system, 20 years ago. Secondly, there and controlling the amount of will be credit problems as the currency that is made and dehousing market cools down and stroyed on a day-toprices weaken; day basis. In esglobal buyers will Although some sence, its greatest start selling mortcontrol over investors are exgage-backed seAmerica’s econcurities. Thirdly, pressing skepticism, omy is its ability will Bernanke is a solid, Bernanke to raise and lower have to deal with interest rates. non-ideological, the rising U.S. Because of credit debt; now, mainstreamthe gravity of this 40% of the counpost to the Amerioriented choice who try’s treasury can economy, it is securities are understands the vital that Greenheld by foreign economy and the span’s successor investors. be highly capable. effects of monetary Although BerBernanke is wellnanke assures policy very well. qualified for the that his “first prijob, having received ority will be to a Masters at Harvard University maintain continuity with the poliand a doctorate at MIT. He was cies and policy strategies estabalso the co-author of a popular lished during the Greenspan economics textbook, and chairyears,” there is no doubt that he is man of the panel charged with different from Greenspan. For dating U.S. economic expansions instance, he is not as opposed to and recessions at the prestigious Bush’s tax cuts as Greenspan is. National Bureau of Economic He talks clearly, and believes in

currently charge their users fees for their services, including auctioning items and posting jobs. Google Inc. has recently creAdditionally, the demand for adated a program called Google vertisements in newspaper publiBase that allows users to upload cations is diminishing with the information from basic descripexistence of all of these internet tions and personal thoughts, to corporations. Since most inforclassified ads. More importantly, mation can be posted online and this service does not require payshown to a much larger audience, ment or transaction fees, creating classified ad and regular ad revea large and free database for gennue for newspapers has been eral public use. steadily declining since 2001 to The new feature links almost 1997 levels. The stock Google’s general search engine, prices for the New York Times as well as Froogle and Local, to (NYT) have been on a large downward trend since 2004. Eric Schmidt, Google's chairman and CEO, From its humble has plans to further expand the company. beginnings, Google has been surprisingly trumping its opponents with its popularity. For the fourth quarter, Google is reporting a 108% yearover-year growth in net revenue. This immense increase shows that Google is generate a large amount of traffic effectively managed and will from the people posting their likely continue to profit from its items to sell, as well as the people user-friendly services. Although looking to buy. With all the new Google Base has not been offitraffic, Google would be able to cially introduced to the public generate even more revenue from yet, insiders report that it has advertisements. This service many user-friendly options to would be great competition for assist in uploading and searching Yahoo and Microsoft, both of for information, meaning that which have their own search enGoogle’s fortress is about to begines that contain advertisements. come even more impenetrable It also adds pressure to sites such than it already is. ◙ as E-Bay and Craig’s List, which

BY HANFORD CHIU STAFF WRITER

Reuters

BY BENNETT HONG JUNIOR STAFF WRITER

Reuters

THE STUYVESANT STANDARD

Questions? Comments? It is the policy of The Standard to remain accessible to its readers. Please contact us at [email protected] inflation targeting, which means announcing the Fed’s target over two or three years, and having that target govern its actions. Although Greenspan has been trying to keep the inflation rate between one and two percent, he has always opposed inflation targeting in order to maintain his freedom to move outside of the percentage range. In spite of these differences, Bernanke is well-accepted. The New York Times and the New York Post actually agree on something–that Bernanke is the right man for the job. Ethan Har-

ris, chief US economist at Lehman Bros, comments, “He is trained for the job…he certainly has the respect of many in the institution [the Fed], so the handoff is pretty smooth” and even Greenspan says, “Ben comes with superb academic credentials and important insights into the ways our economy functions. I have no doubt that he will be a credit to the nation as a chairman of the Federal Reserve Board.” Is Bernanke the correct choice? We will have to wait (not for long) and see. ◙

THE STUYVESANT STANDARD

Miers Folds Her Hand After Senate Calls Her Bluff

Associated Press

BY HANFORD CHIU STAFF WRITER Harriet Miers officially withdrew from her campaign to become a Supreme Court judge on October 27. Since her nomination, conservative groups were skeptical about her blurred record and further repelled when she showed signs of liberal leanings towards abortion. The final strike, however, came when President Bush refused to release confidential documents that the Republicans demanded, detailing a record of Mier’s personal advice when she was serving as Counsel to the President. With this unacceptable breach of confidentiality and the

Harriet Miers

independence of the executive branch, Bush and Miers had no choice but to withdraw her nomination. But, as Sen. Dick Durbin (DIll.) correctly predicted, “I would caution Democrats before they applaud. We must be careful of what follows.” Bush nominated a

new nominee within days. Judge Samuel Alito, a foil to Miers, is a well-established conservative with strong views on abortion. He also has fifteen years of experience serving as an appeals court judge, nominated by George H. W. Bush during his presidency. Although Miers collapsed under internal pressure, Judge Alito has the potential to gain his entire party’s support, as well as a Supreme Court confirmation. Although his extreme stance on abortion limitations might repulse moderate Republicans, his decisions on cases involving free speech and religious tolerance should please some moderate Democrats. However, one must wonder: Is it worse to have a known conservative on the court or an unknown judge who may potentially swing to the liberal side? ◙

Superheroes of the Hallways BY CHETAN CHAUHAN AND RAYMOND XU JUNIOR STAFF WRITERS During your time at Stuy, you have probably been kicked off of one of the floors by a security guard at least once. Even when you are quietly reading a book, or calmly taking things out of your locker, you never know when a security guard will suddenly appear out of nowhere and say, "You are not suppose to be sitting here! Go to the second floor or the library!" In order to stop the security guards from bothering us, a large number of students would have to complain. This was the case with the sixth floor gamers. On a seemingly auspicious day, a pack of security guards suddenly came up to the sixth floor and kicked everyone off. No one expected it; the scene was pure chaos. By the next day, no one was allowed to stay on the sixth floor. A once popular location teeming with students and their hobbies was now a desolate area with no signs of life whatsoever. A few weeks later, someone finally began the protest. Students eventually printed out hundreds of papers petitioning for the demise of this autocratic rule. The ban was lifted after the petition was signed by a few hundred students. From this incident, we can see that if we want to end the dictatorial and unreasonable orders of the security guard, another petition of grand proportions, much like this one, is

Page 9

November 16, 2005 Opinions

raging snowstorm outside, this required. So as much as we, the situation would probably have students, may loathe the security been much less stressful. But guards, there is nothing we can Ray was extremely angry because really do about them. now he had to go home, barelyHowever, despite all my clothed, in below freezing temcomplaints about security guards, peratures. Ray learned one thing I believe that we do need them. I that day: do not will tell you a story about a Security guards not give to charity; it make you freshman named only eliminate noise will lose more than Ra y, which in the hallways, but you gain. shows just how If someone had important the protect our private been there to prosecurity guards property as well. tect our possescan be. sions, the UNICEF One day, Ray box may not have been stolen and decided to go to his locker during Ray may not have died of pneudouble period biology. Much to monia the next day. The security his surprise, Ray found his locker guards protect our belongings opened. At that time, there were because their presence prevents several cases of theft throughout thefts and other crimes from octhe school. The thieves had brocurring. Security guards not only ken into many people's lockers on eliminate noise in the hallways, the eighth and ninth floors. Ray but protect our private property as was afraid that he had become well. Thanks to them, decorum is another victim of locker theft. ensured. Just as he had suspected, Ray Hyperbole aside, Ray did not ended up staring at an empty really die of pneumonia. He lives space where his jacket and UNIto tell the tragic tale of his deseCEF box, which contained $30, crated locker. ◙ used to be. If it were not for the

I Dream BY MOR ROSENBURG STAFF WRITER A crowd of people gathered in an open market in the small town of Hadera, Israel on October 26. Many were at the falafel stand, eager to buy and consume some delicious falafel. However, they never got the chance to because shortly before four in the afternoon, a suicide bomber killed himself, murdering 5 people and injuring 55 others in the process. When I heard the news, I felt my heart stop. My family lives in Hadera, and they shop in that small open market. Whenever I am in Israel, I would often stop at that falafel stand to buy some of that scrumptious falafel. Luckily, none of my family was hurt, but one of my aunt’s former classmates was killed. What had she done to deserve her demise? Wait on line to purchase falafel? Of course, the Israeli government decided to retaliate, which simply means attack by a series of air strikes and arrests. Instead of actually addressing the problem, the government only made the matter worse. The Israeli government blames the suicide bombers. Meanwhile, the Palestinians accuse Israel of usurping their land. So which came first, the chicken or the egg? Who is to blame, the Israelis or Palestinians? Both sides say, “They started it!” It reminds me of a bunch of three year olds fighting on a playground, except that they do not have sand and wooden blocks; they have guns and missiles. Personally, I do not care who started it. I just want the bombing to end. I want to go to Israel in the summer and not be afraid of my head being blown off. I want both the Israeli and the Palestinian government to step up and solve this problem. But most of all, I want no more bloodshed, no more finger-pointing, and no more “He started it!” ◙

Page 10

November 16, 2005 Literary

In New York City BY INNOKENTY PYETRANKER SENIOR STAFF WRITER In New York City There is nothing better Than sitting on the train Sipping Tazo tea Talking to friends Who never agree Than sitting in the park In the morning breeze Watching the birds As they play in the trees Than watching the sunset And the sky painted black The day is ending

Rain Walks on Lanky Silver Feet BY PENNY MALAMUD STAFF WRITER Rain walks on lanky silver feet Through halls of stone and glass. He patters on the concrete; Pelts people as they pass. Music sings of love lost, love found Barely audible beneath the torrents A soothing rhythm, that beating sound Of people mimicking rain’s currents Sorrow, dullness grips people tight That sluggish trafficking of city streets Streetlights shed their dirty light On subway murals and treading feet Rain runs inside, despite shut doors He makes his way in homes and schools He tramps upon the marble floors Through businesses and market pools Rain whistles out a merry tune He ambles with a kind of sass I don’t know if we will meet soon But I know it will come to pass.

Voices of the Forest

THE STUYVESANT STANDARD

I Cried for More BY CAROLINE HUGH SENIOR STAFF WRITER (quick pop hearts stop) he slammed the door I cried for more ran fingers through his twisted hair his breath rasped like pale frozen air my love doesn’t have to have a meaning the Greeks confused lovers careening love for sex the kind that wrecks alarms sound but can’t drop too spellbound tornado drills flurry of scalding licks waves of fleeting thrills fleeting time rewinds our fingers never entwined he said I implored… he slammed the door I cried for more

Emptiness BY STEPHANIE TAM STAFF WRITER The leaves are falling The wind blows strong The birds fly away The flowers are gone The sun shines less The heavens grow dark The end draws near The world is stark The universe is This empty place The planet crumbles With The human race

BY EILEEN L. CHANG STAFF WRITER The swallow crows a melodic sound, The aesthetic chords decry the sun. The crisp note ringing mellow and round. The forest maintains composure. Majestic roosters sing of the day, Voices clear of musical choir. The swallow's song eroding away Swept off by the hollow ocean. The forest listens void of torrent. The rooster voice remains lyrical, The swallow voice weak and discordant Her song has been long forgotten.

BY JENNIFER LEE STAFF WRITER The papered wings of pamphlets rustle and sigh in the undulating voices of ten thousand hits on summer gold. Whereas the dusty eyelashes, trimmed silver eloquent rest on fire heated peach. Flutters once. Twice. A single butterfly kiss. Narcissism, one might say. And one might say just that. The way apples are named Rome Beauties and the sudden contrast of Macintosh, there is a way where aestheticism flirts while playing a role in society. But are mirrors not selves? A poet that writes extraordinary life brings life into this- "I am not cruel. Only truthful." Therefore, eyes are pasted on backs of teenage Vogue or Seventeen. They are all seeing. They are omniscient.

THE STUYVESANT STANDARD

Page 11

November 16, 2005 Literary/Puzzles

Leave Me In Peace

The Incredible Edible Egg Hatched Poached Cracked Easter Fried Salad Drop soup Plant Faberge Nog Humpty Dumpty

BY MONICA LUK STAFF WRITER

BY LADA KUKUY LITERARY EDITOR

Yolk Sunny side up White Scrambled Omelet Benedict Easy over Chicken Shell

Why can’t you just leave me in peace To slowly mend the pain you’ve caused, To make me, step by step, wake up From dreams of love that never was? Why beg for space within my life After the death you’ve put it through? Why speak again such honey’d words? They’re nothing more than sounds to you. Why ask to share my Aura’s glow? Its weakness can’t sustain itself. And from your treatment, now I know That you are not my soul’s sweet half.

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November 16, 2005 Puzzles/Science

THE STUYVESANT STANDARD

Crossword Puzzle BY JESSIE LUK PUZZLE COLUMNIST 2

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Interested in the fascinating world of Science, Math, and Technology? Write for The Standard Science Section! Send all submissions to [email protected]

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Insects May Provide A Cure for Damaged Arteries terial is also durable, capable of returning to its original form even after being subject to intense stress millions of times. Humans have a very similar protein, elastin, interwoven in the walls of arteries. Professor Julian Vincent believes that elastin,

BY DARYL VULIS STAFF WRITER

Have you ever wondered why a flea can jump so far or a dragonfly can beat its wings so fast? The secret of these insects’ amazing abilities lies in a protein called resilin. Although the protein has been Fleas have pads of resilin on their feet which help known for 40 years, them jump. only recently have Australian scientists extracted the gene responsible for resilin from common fruit flies. They then inserted the gene into bacteria, which produced resilin that was extracted and formed into a rubbery mass. Resilin is “as close to a perfect rubber as is found anywhere,” according to researcher Chris Elvin. Scientist which has only recently been culhope to use the protein to regentivated in labs, may be a better erate damaged arteries and material for repairing arteries. spines, as well as in industrial “[Resilin] may have been overapplications like running shoes or sold” said Vincent, who quesmicrocircuit switches, which need tioned why resilin “hasn’t been to be in constant motion. used so far to repair damaged Resilin has several remarkarteries.” Both proteins, however, able properties, including its elasmay offer new hope to victims of ticity, which allows a strip to heart disease in the years to stretch to over three times its come. ◙ length without breaking. The maSpace Daily

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THE STUYVESANT STANDARD

November 16, 2005 Arts & Entertainment

A Chorus Line: A Singular Sensation Continued from Page 1

TSS/Katie Banks

phy) makes his final decision and interviews the dancers, songs and monologues reveal their thoughts and doubts.

wall between Zach and the ensemble is broken. We learn that Cassie, one of the most gifted of the auditioning dancers, is an old flame of Zach's, recently returned

tells her that she can't return, that she is just "too good." He emerges from the audience to talk to her on the stage, and their conversation expresses beautifully

from Hollywood. She is fed up with trying to live the life of the movie starlet and wants to return to Broadway. Zach, who first plucked her from the chorus line and into leading roles years ago,

the power of the desire to perform, to dance, to enrapture an audience. The production was adeptly choreographed by junior Hannah Freiman, who ironically also

The aspiring dancers warm up in the opening scene of “A Chorus Line.”

The directors made the unusual decision of counter-casting almost every character against ethnicity. "A Chorus Line" is among other things a show about diversity, and the results of this jumbling were mixed but generally positive. Sometimes the incongruity was ridiculous – the absurdity of the very white, very redheaded junior Ben Wexler playing a jive-talking AfricanAmerican drew lots of laughs. Other actors inhabited their characters so seamlessly that I nearly didn't notice the difference. Junior Kevin Hu was utterly convincing as a conceited WASP disgusted by his provincial Buffalo upbringing, and senior Rachel Lin ably portrayed a Hispanic girl distressed by an acting class at her LaGuardia-like high school. The play juxtaposes the glamorous fantasy world of Broadway with the depressing reality of the aspiring would-bestar. Except for the stirring finale, when the entire cast dons golden jackets and hats for a soft-shoe number that harkens back to the fabled 1930's heyday of the Great White Way, the characters stick to leotards, and the minimal set is a far cry from the extravagant creations of most shows. Offstage, the dancers have individuality; onstage, they are a happy singing and dancing mass. Yet this is a musical about trying to be in a musical, and it is well aware of its self-referential nature. Zach spends most of the show in the audience, perceived by the actors as a God-like invisible authority issuing commands through a microphone. As he sits and judges the characters, we in the audience cannot but feel that we are judging the characters ourselves. In the show's second half, the

Page 13 played the role of Laura, Zach's assistant and the dance instructor for the show. Except for Carrie's virtuosic dance, most routines involved straightforward line and square arrangements, unspectacular but perfectly suited for a musical that is after all titled "A Chorus Line." The lighting, music and sound were generally excellent, with one notable exception. Few high school actors have the sheer vocal power to fill an auditorium unaided, and the sporadic microphone coverage meant that the band sometimes drowned out the dialogue and lyrics. These are quibbles, though. Despite the sound problems and occasionally dull acting, the musical had a vitality, a poignancy and a flat-out level of enjoyment unsurpassed by some regional tours, let alone by other high school productions. The directors, seniors Liz Livingstone and Deke Hill, put on a really good show. ◙

Museums Set to Sell Their Treasures BY YULIYA FELDMAN STAFF WRITER Museums throughout the United States have placed some of their most valuable pieces up for sale, drawing the ire critics. Paintings by artists such as Picasso, Modigliani and Chagall and photographs by Alfred Stieglitz and Edward Weston will all be on the auction block in coming months. The current round of sales began when the New York Public Library sold “Kindred Spirits” by Asher B. Durand to a Wal-Mart heiress for $35 million. At the time, critics blamed the Library for discarding a part of the city’s rich culture. The library defended itself, saying that maintaining an art collection was secondary to its main purpose of offering books to the public. Now that other institutions have decided to follow suit, un-

ease is rising in the art world. Robert Rosenblum, an art historian and curator at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum said, “History will make a fool of these museums. It always happens. Often the things that are sold are based on inherited prejudices that will be overturned in the future.” Defenders describe the sale of artwork as part of the natural process of renewal. Many of the museums selling pieces say that their only goal is to raise money to buy other pieces. Other curators cite limited exhibition space and the redundancy of having several works by the same artists. Seymour R. Slive, the former director of the Harvard University Art Museums, said that museums should be far more cautious about selling. “Tastes change,” he said. “Two generations ago, preRaphaelite paintings were not in vogue. Had museums gotten rid of them, it would have been a

major error.” John Elderfield, the chief curator of the Museum of Modern Art, defended his museum’s sale of thirteen pieces. He called a Pointillist image of a harbor on the French Mediterranean “very good, but that early part of our collection we don’t wish to develop.” Edward H. Able, president and chief executive of the American Association of Museums, said that he supported the sales as long as they went toward new acquisitions and not operation costs. Other critics have accused museums of taking advantage of the current peak in the art market. Replying to these accusations, Nancy Thomas, the deputy director of the Los Angeles Country Museum of Art, said, “It’s more about the collection and the opportunity to improve than it is about the market.” ◙

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November 16, 2005 Arts & Entertainment

A Look At Julius C. BY HANFORD CHIU STAFF WRITER What do you get when you combine classic rock with elements of funk, hip-hop and pop? You get a delectable fusion of styles present in the band Julius C. Like the student body of Stuyvesant High School, this band’s music is so diversified in style that it is hard not to enjoy the rich assortment of instruments and individualism. This approach to music, rooted in various aspects, caught the attention and enthusiasm of our staff. The band is made up of five members: Jay Stolar on vocals and rhythm guitar, Mike Tuccillo on bass, Jason Wexler on keyboards, Dave Matthews (no relation to the Dave Matthews of the Dave Matthews band) on guitar, and Isaac Teel on drums and background vocals. Each one comes from a unique musical background, from growing up to the Beatles to learning gospel in church. When they blend their styles together, it makes for a large possibility of songs. The songs uploaded onto their website, www.juliusc.com, are different enough that even if you do not like one, you can easily find another one that suits you. Their first song, “Another Canvas Sold,” features a lot of tempo swings from the slow and dark lyrics and guitars in the beginning to the lighter chorus and the faster ending. Their second song, “The Traveler,” is definitely different in comparison. It maintains a faster and lighter mood throughout the entire song, with guitars retreating from the foreground. Their third song, “April Rain,” is slow and light, with thoughtful lyrics and a guitar solo.

get a chance to meet them personally. Also, bring $5 and you can get their first EP (extended play CD featuring seven songs including the three mentioned). Whether you are into funk, hiphop or rock, this band is sure to please. The Stuyvesant Standard: What inspired you guys to start a band? Jay Stolar: It wasn’t much of a choice I think. When I was 13, I picked up my first guitar at a summer camp and I got hooked. So I started writing music and playing songs and got into theater… I needed a way to express myself. Then in my college

Charles Stolar, and he died a year before I was born, and they called him J, and my parents didn’t want to name me Julius so they just named me Jay, which is a shame because Julius is such a cool name. TSS: Whose music has played a significant influence in your own musical styles? MT: We have a lot… I’d say the first influence would be Bach for a couple of members in the band, and then Muddy Waters, then the Beatles. JS: From Muddy Waters to the Beatles? You forgot Little Richard. MT: Yeah, and Sly and the Family Stone. JS: The top four are The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Sly and the Family Stone/Graham Central Station, and Queen. But nothing really from the 80’s aside from Queen

From left: Jay Stolar, Mike Tuccillo, in a live interview with two of the members of the band.

TSS/Hanford Chiu

This band’s music is so diversified in style that it is hard not to enjoy the rich assortment of instruments and individualism. Julius C. was generous enough to grant The Stuyvesant Standard an interview with Jay Stolar and Mike Tuccillo, revealing the inner workings of their band as well as their personal thoughts. Take some time to listen to their songs online, and then check them out live with a bunch of other underground rock bands at CBGB on Nov. 19. You might

sophomore year, I lived with a roommate and listened to the Beatles for an entire year [and] I got into songwriting in rock and pop genres. Mike Tuccillo: For me, it’s the excitement of seeing where music can go. The Beatle’s last recorded album Abbey Road showed, at least in my mind, just a taste of what can be done in these genres. We feel that not many people have done much to continue pushing the envelope in the way that the Beatles were (like extended song forms, medleys, etc.). On top of that, it’s really inspiring to combine genres that the Beatles didn’t even get a chance to touch. JS: After listening to so much music where people were pushing the envelope I feel that it’s my job to try to push this further. Otherwise, it’s just boring. MT: In my mind this band is the perfect vehicle to push the envelope forward. TSS: How did you come up with the name, “Julius C”? JS: My grandfather was Julius

MT: You forgot James Brown! There’s nothing in the 80’s I like. And as far as modern music goes, Muse is very good, as well as Mars Volta, since they’re just pushing lines all over the place, which is what we strive to do right now. TSS: What sets you apart from other bands? JS: Striving to have no fear, and no egos. We have respect for everyone else and we put our hearts into it. MT: One of the ways that sets us apart is the way we approach our influences. I mean, there are a ton of bands out there right now that say they are influenced by the Beatles. But, in my mind, when you say the Beatles influence you, you should take the spirit of the Beatles, not their outfits! They were amazing song writers that were never stagnant. Think about how much they evolved in less than 10 years! They went from super pop, to changing the face of pop. That’s what I take from the Beatles that drive to get to the next place. I don’t want to see another band

THE STUYVESANT STANDARD dress up in suits, and pump out formula songs. Isn’t everyone sick of that already? JS: I think something else we talk about a lot is that, lyrically and musically, we often walk the line between ridiculous and serious, which is a necessity in order to couple craziness with accessibility for pop culture.

When the members of Julius C. blend their styles together, it makes for a large possibility of songs. TSS: How do you feel about your upcoming gig on Nov. 19 at CBGB, a great spot for underground bands? MT: …I love playing at that place. We’ve done it before, and I hope we’ll get to do it again after the 19th. It’s just the history of the club, the fact that the club was made for music that people don’t usually hear. JS: Yeah, like a rebellious movement. Plus, it has a place where people can stand, and it’s a big thing that people can move around and get around and for people to get involved physically. And hopefully, there would be like 150 people so everyone at Stuyvesant should come if you’re 16 years old and over so that you may see the show and we will rock your sock off and your head might just explode, or at least you would have seen some great rock music. TSS: What advice do you offer to musicians at Stuyvesant? MT: Don’t be afraid of yourself. Actually try to find something, that means something to you, not something forced. JS: Don’t think that by spiking hair or shaking your butt would help you in your journey to what you are going to be and don’t look at any of those folks. Be fearless and love and know rock and roll; it’s a raucous tradition. MT: Know the spirit of that music. Don’t just listen and regurgitate the music, regurgitate the spirit, what they are getting at. ◙ For venue dates, and other information on the band, check out www.juliusc.com. CBGB is a venue for underground rock bands located at 315 Bowery, most accessible by taking the 6 train uptown to Bleeker Street and walking west to the end of Bleeker Street. Julius C’s CBGB show is on Nov. 19 and for 16+ year old with ID unless accompanied by adult. Check www.cbgb.com for prices, a schedule of other shows and more details.

THE STUYVESANT STANDARD

Football Frenzy least twice a season. The top few teams in each league are proWorld Cup. moted to the league above, while If you want to the see the the bottom few are demoted. best-played football on the planet, Football is a real meritocracy. you need only watch the English Although football is popular Premier League (or Barclay Prein Latin America, it has never mier League, after the main sponmanaged to become sor). The English a leading sport in Barclay Premier When compared the United League is matchto other leagues States, let alone less in speed, Canada. But it’s exhilaration, and around the world, especially a good excitement. It is the English Barclay time to be a every football proud American players’ dream to Premier League football enthusione day play for a comes out on top ast, not only bePremier League cause the United with its speed, exteam. States team is You might hilaration, and exbetter than ever ask, “Why is it citement. but because of the called the Premier young football prodLeague?” British igy Freddy Adu of D.C. United, football is organized as a pyraone of the best prospects in the mid. The Premier League is on world. Hopefully someone sometop, but dozens of other leagues where will read this article and exist, ranging from the near-top stop by their local pub to watch a Football League Championship to football game along with a pint of two-bit local leagues of enthusiroot beer! ◙ astic amateurs. Each team plays every other team in its league at Continued from Page 16

Laureates of Tomorrow Essay Contest for Juniors The New York Academy of Sciences, in collaboration with the Consulate General of Sweden in New York, Nobelprize.org, the NYC Department of Education, and CUNY invites students to participate in a science essay contest honoring the Nobel Awards and the scientific work the awards recognize. The Laureates of Tomorrow - Nobel Essay Contest is open to juniors attending high school in New York City. Each applicant may submit his or her essay in only one of three categories: Physics, Chemistry, or Physiology/Medicine. The grand prize an all-expense-paid trip to Sweden to attend the Nobel Week Festivities in December will be awarded to three students and announced the preceding June. The essay may be no longer than 2000 words and should address the following: 1. Identify one Nobel prizewinner in Physics, Chemistry, or Physiology/Medicine and discuss his or her scientific contribution, including the novelty and scientific importance of his or her work. 2. How has the application of this scientist's contribution furthered scientific discourse and knowledge between the time of the discovery and the present? 3. Explore the future challenges and/or advancements for society resulting from this scientific contribution. For more information, education_nobel.asp

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November 16, 2005 Sports

visit

www.nyas.org/programs/

Essays and applications are due to Ms. Daves in Room 802 on January 16th. One essay from each category (Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Medicine) will be selected to be submitted to the contest.

g{tÇ~áz|ä|Çz iÉÄâÇàxxÜ bÑÑÉÜàâÇ|à|xá Celebrate the season by helping out at one of these worthy charities! Citymeals-on-Wheels— Thursday, November 25 Volunteers will deliver meals to the homebound or package and serve meals at Thanksgiving Day parties. For a complete listing of meal providers in need of holiday help, visit citymeals.org. Be sure to call your local provider and register in advance. Donate a Thanksgiving Dinner Make a donation to City Harvest and ensure that more New Yorkers will share in the abundance of the season. Your $40 donation will help City Harvest deliver a turkey dinner with all the trimmings for a family of 4; $125 will help feed 3 families for the holiday, and $450 will help 10 families enjoy a holiday meal. Donate online by filling out a simple form. Mail checks to: 575 Eighth Ave., 4th Fl., New York, NY, 10018. Call 917-351-8700, Mon-Fri, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Or fax your credit card number to 917-351-8723. DOROT Thanksgiving Meal Delivery—Beginning Sunday, November 21, 10 a.m. Deliver a Thanksgiving meal and spend an hour with a homebound senior on the East or Upper West Side. Stop by Congregation Rodeph Sholom beforehand for an orientation between 10 a.m. and noon. Pre-registration required. Congregation Rodeph Sholom, 7 W. 83rd St., at Central Park West. To pre-register, call 917-441-5072 or email: [email protected].

The General Manager Wheel Goes Round Continued from Page 16

frontrunner to be GM of the Dodgers. In a publicity stunt, the Brockton Rox, a minor league team near Boston, offered their GM job to Epstein. Though their entire team payroll is five times less than the 25th man on a major league roster, the Rox in a statement said “It's assumed that Epstein is looking for a greater challenge.'' One downside to the job, as noted by team president Jim Lucas `We don't actually have an office for Theo.” They do, however, have a phone and computer for him to use. Keeping on the New York theme, one of New York’s own will get his first chance at GM starting next season. On October 4th, Jon Daniels was promoted to become general manager of the Texas Rangers. Daniels is a Queens native and Hunter High School graduate. He started his

career in baseball as an intern with the Rockies, and since July 2004 he has been the assistant GM of the Rangers. Daniels becomes the youngest GM ever at the age of 28. He’ll look to improve a team with a young core of infielders, but not much pitching. After a disappointing 71-91 season, owner Frank McCourt (no relation to the author) gave Paul Depodesta the boot as GM of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Before becoming GM of the Dodgers, Paul was a loyal deputy of Billy Beane of the Oakland Athletics. Depodesta was done in by poor signings like #55 million for the oft-injured J.D. Drew and $36 million for the inconsistent Derek Lowe. Combined with his failure to re-sign star hitter Adrian Beltre and his trades of Shawn Green and Paul Lo Duca, he was left with a mess. He was also criticized that his “moneyball” strategy did not emphasize team chemistry. ◙

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November 16, 2005 Sports

THE STUYVESANT STANDARD

Football Frenzy BY OSMAN NEMLI SPORTS EDITOR

It’s been more than a month since the football, a.k.a. “soccer,” season began in Europe. Though not very popular in the United States, football is the sport in Europe. It is the baseball, basketball, and gridiron football of the United States all rolled into one and topped with Canadian hockey. Football is to Europe as Hollywood is to actors, or as Dr. Dre is to Eminem. Comparisons cannot do justice to it. Its lack of popularity should not faze people from watching it here in the United States. This year is an especially

important year for football because of the World Cup, the biggest tournament in football, held every four years. In 2006, Germany will host the World Cup. The hosting country automatically gains entry into the World Cup, but other countries must compete for entrance in regional tournaments. This past month, the United States qualified to contend for the World Cup. You might be asking, “why should I care about football if it only interests me every four years?” The answer is that some of the best football to be seen, can be seen every year and not at the Continued on Page 15

Nolan celebrates after scoring the first an only point in the English Premier match on Nov. 7. 4thegame

The General Manager Wheel Goes Round BY ERIC MAYO STAFF WRITER As the Major League Baseball offseason begins, big changes are taking place. These moves aren’t on the diamond, but in the front office. Numerous teams have instituted roster shakeups in hope of improving their fortunes next year. However, one of the biggest surprises was a manager who stayed put. Brian Cashman, gen-

eral manager of the New York Yankees, re-signed for three more years with a salary of $5 million. Cashman, who has been in the Yankee organization since he became an intern 19 years ago, seemed burned out after the Yankees’ game five loss to Anaheim. Many also felt that Cashman would be blamed by team owner George Steinbrenner for not winning the World Series since 2000. Instead, Cashman received an increased salary and a verbal

promise for more control of deciadmits to it or not, is money. The sion making. This was a crucial Red Sox offered a 3 year deal at factor for Cashman. around $1.5 million a year, while The New York Yankees’ Theo wanted closer to the $2.25 archrivals Boston million they ofRed Sox have GM fered Billy Cashman, who problems of their Beane, the GM had been in the own. On October of the Athletics, Yankee organiza31st, their general before selecting manager, 31 year Theo. The second tion since he beold whiz-kid Theo factor was a came an inter 19 Epstein, decided power struggle. not to extend his The o ’s boss, years ago, seemed expiring contract. Larry Luccino, burned out after the has had Theo as Theo was instruYankees game five mental in many of his assistant for the signings that 10 years through loss to Anaheim. lead to the Red Sox Luccino’s various reversing the curse, including jobs. Theo reportedly was tired of signing power hitting DH David his father figure attitude. Theo Ortiz at the bargain rate of five may take the year off from basemillion dollars. ball, but some suggest he is the Two factors were involved in his decision. The first, whether he Continued on Page 15

Got a favorite team? Follow a certain sport? Share your expertise at [email protected] Yankees General Manager Brian Cashman. Agence France-Presse