Volume 6 Issue 10

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

The Stuyvesant Standard “Your School, Your World—Your News” 

Volume 6, Issue X How Many Legislators Does It Take To Change A Light Bulb? Page 2

Free

Friday, February 16, 2007

Getting Through Binge Eating Nation Page 8 Program Changes

Harry Potter Bares All, 7th Book is Announced

Page 4 Corbis

Page 6 corbis

American Dream Drifts Farther From Reality Corbis

BY SANGHEE CHUNG COLUMNIST

The American dream may not become a reality for some a plan by the Bush administration to increase immigration plans by an average of 86 percent comes into effect. According to the director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Emilio Gonzalez, immigrants would be charged $905 to apply for a green card or to change residence status, compared to the current $325. The cost to apply for naturalized citizenship would be $595, as opposed to the current $330 fee. The agency stated that this increase in revenue would improve customer service, reinforce the security of the system, and modernize the agency’s business infrastructure. “Anytime you have to raise a fee, you understand it's going to affect people,” Gonzalez said.

The USCIS has often been criticized for its backlog, creating a delay in customer service due to slow processing and failure to properly track applications of

slow processing and failure to properly track applications of immigrants. At the same time, the 2004 Government Accountability Office report said that the agency receives no money from Congress

“We also have a necessity to create a system that will process… people in a streamlined way.” The USCIS has often been criticized for its backlog, creating a delay in customer service due to

Continued on Page 3

Can It Be True: Cure for Colon, Liver, and Other Cancers Discovered? Most doctors cannot even dream of accomplishing the enormous task of curing a fatal prevalent disease. This disease is the all-too-well-known condition named cancer. Many doctors across the world have raced to discover a cure and many of these specialists spend their entire existence and put all of their energy into looking for a solution. All have failed, and those who believed that they possessed the cure were seen as either ineffectual or lying for publicity, until now. And in this case, the remedy was found in a greatly unexpected place.

Doctor Katherine Schaefer at the University of Rochester Medical Center was searching for new medications to treat inflammation of the intestinal tract and problems such as diarrhea. Ordinary human cells would not be able to sustain themselves for testing long enough to be sufficiently examined. She attempted using single mouse cells, but to no avail. An idea formed in her mind as she prepared her slides. Schaefer decided to use cancer cells because they are not known to die during experiments, as there had been no way to kill the cells at all. To her annoyance, Schaefer applied too much of the chemical Continued on Page 8

Stressed Over Stress BY RAMMIYA NALLAINATHAN STAFF WRITER

Corbis

BY OMAR AHMAD STAFF WRITER

and is not able to cover its own costs. Some professionals and immigration advocates were in strong objection to the proposal, believing that rising costs would severely affect members of the lower socioeconomic levels. “This drastic increase will price the American dream out of reach for qualified immigrants wanting to be citizens of our country,” said Senator Edward M. Kennedy of Massachusetts. “We are a nation of immigrants, and Congress should recognize its responsibility to support the vital work of immigration services by appropriating the necessar y funds.” Furthermore, White Plains immigration lawyer Susan Henner pointed out that, in addition to the basic fees, immigrants must also pay for fingerprinting, medical exams and photographs.

Just as you get on the escalator, you turn to your friends and ask them how they are doing. However, rather than getting a quick response like, “Oh, I’m doing fine,” you listen to a long

list of things they have to do. First, you hear the different papers or projects that are supposed to be handed in. After that you get a list of tests within the next week. Finally, they go on to tell you about all the extracurricular activities they have to do on top of all that. By that time, the escalator ride has ended and you wonder what kind of life your friends are going through. In most cases, you see that you are in the same situation and try to make them feel better. In reality, everyone knows they have to go through doing everything one way or another. Although we use the term “stress” often, most people feel that they do not know how to actually deal with it or even avoid it. In fact, there are people who do not even know what is going on inside their bodies when they undergo stress. Continued on Page 9

Page 2

Friday, February 16, 2007 NEWS

THE STUYVESANT STANDARD

THE STUYVESANT STANDARD  How Many Legislators Founded 2001

      “Your School, Your 

Does It Take To Change A Light Bulb?

World—Your News” 

BY HESHAM SALEH STAFF WRITER

DR. JOHN NIKOL JENNIFER SCHLESINGER DEREK WENG DIANE CHEN KHOI NGUYEN FANNY TANG DANNY ZHU JIMMY ZHANG PRISCILLA MELO EMMA RABINOVICH ERIC MAYO JOSEPH KRUTOV HANFORD CHIU LADA KUKUY JESSE ZHANG BENNETT HONG DANIEL EGERS (‘03) ERNEST BASKIN (‘04)

FACULTY ADVISER EDITOR IN CHIEF MANAGING EDITOR CO-CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER CO-CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER LAYOUT EDITOR COPY CHIEF 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 ©2006 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

If you would like to advertise in THE STUYVESANT STANDARD, please e-mail [email protected] to request an advertisement form. We offer a broad range of options including full color capability for your advertising needs.

Subscription THE STUYVESANT STANDARD SUBSCRIBE TODAY 1 YEAR — $15 Delivery Information Name:______________________________________________ Address:____________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ Billing Information Please circle your choices below: Check Money Order Cash Billing Address:______________________________________ ___________________________________________________ Please cut and mail to THE STUYVESANT STANDARD, 345 Chambers Street, New York, NY 10282-1000 OR send the above information to [email protected].

The Californian legislature is trying to pass an act, known as the “How Many Legislators Does it Take to Change a Light Bulb Act.” Led by Assemblyman Lloyd Levine, Californians are trying to ban the sale of the traditional incandescent bulb, and replace it with compact fluorescent bulbs. If passed, the bill will not take effect until 2012. In a world where resources are dwindling by the minute, it is necessary to conserve whatever is remaining of these resources. The fluorescent bulbs, according to Levine, use only 25 percent of the energy used by the incandescent bulb. Levine showed his support for fluorescent bulbs in a recent statement. “Incandescent light

bulbs were first developed almost 125 years ago, and since that time they have undergone no major modifications. It’s time to take a step forward.” This seems like a wise part on the part of the government; 20 percent of the electricity consumption in the United States comes from lighting. This is not the first act aimed at decreasing the consumption of resources. Last year, Arnold Schwarzenegger, the governor of California, signed a bill that compelled all supermarkets to recycle plastic bags. Schwarzenegger, however, has not yet commented on the bulb act. The passage of this act will most definitely be a positive step for the United States. Although it seems such a minor topic, especially in a world filled with war and oppression, it will significantly slow down the consumption of our resources, and thus allow us to save them for the future. ◙

Mexican Tortilla Protest BY LIWEI MAO STAFF WRITER

On January 31, the central square of Mexico City contained over 75,000 Mexican people passionately protesting against the rising prices of their tortillas. For us, the word “tortilla” brings to mind images of crispy tortilla chips dipped in spicy salsa sauce, or of a hot, delicious wrap at Taco Bell. For many Mexicans, however, tortillas are as important a food source as rice is to the Chinese. It is therefore unsurprising that these Mexicans would be so angry over the high price of tortillas, which had increased over 400 percent in the last year. Many of the protesters blame the price increase on the economic policies of their newly elected president, Felipe Calderon. One banner of the protest reads “Calderon stole the elections, and now he’s stealing the tortillas too!” When the president goes on visits to poor neighborhoods, local housewives take turns screaming at him and pleading with him to put a restraint on the tortilla prices. In response to this, Calderon pledged to intervene and lower

the price of tortillas. He recently signed a number of pacts with different business groups to cap the price of a kilogram of tortillas at 8.5 pesos (77 cents). However, because the pacts are not legally binding, most business groups ignored it as soon as they signed Corbis

Advertising

Corbis

Executive Leadership Team

Tortillas are a staple for Mexicans.

it. Calderon and other government officials blame the price increase on private hoarding and other monopolistic practices of unscrupulous merchants, though no evidence of that has been found yet. A more likely reason for the price increase is America’s demand for corn oil as a base of ethanol fuel. Mexico is the land where corn Continued on Page 3

THE STUYVESANT STANDARD

Tornado in Florida BY NEETA MALVIYA STAFF WRITER

Mexican Tortilla Protest Continued from Page 2

was first found, but a large part of its imported corn today still comes from the United States.

He claims that there is really nothing people can do, except “live with it and know how to deal with it.”

For many Mexicans... tortillas are as important a food source as rice is to the Chinese. With more and more American corn being diverted to produce ethanol, the supply of corn available to make tortillas is dwindling, making a price increase inevitable. Ken Shwedel, an agricultural economist in Mexico City, believes prices are unlikely to drop.

While this outlook is disappointing, it is not entirely untrue. Even now, America’s production of grain-based ethanol is increasing, with the corn supply gradually diminishing. From this viewpoint, the future looks bleak for the Mexican poor. ◙

American Dream Drifts Farther From Reality Continued from Page 1

“I’ve had people call me today and ask me if they can file their applications sooner rather than face these fees,” she said. The previous immigration fee increase was 76 percent in 1998. “We've never seen regular fees that were this high,” said Fred Tsao from the Illinois Coalition of Immigrant and Refugee Rights. “I think a lot of people are going to get discouraged.” ◙

Meet Dr. Nikol! BY SANGHEE CHUNG COLUMNIST

Classes Taught: AP European History (H3XG), Global History 3 (H3G) John Nikol has always had a passion for history and has tried to foster a love for the subject within his students as well. Nikol received his master’s degree and his Ph.D. from Fordham University, with a major in European history and a minor in American history. Before entering Stuyvesant High School, he taught history at a private school for 15 years and had worked as a parttime faculty member at a college. This year will be Nikol’s twenty-first year at Stuyvesant. Up to this date, he has taught a wide range of classes, including American Government, Music Appreciation, and English. He ultimately decided to come to Stuyvesant because he wanted the challenge of teaching smarter students. “It’s just like teaching col-

lege,” he said. “I feel very privileged to be able to teach the top students of the nation.” He felt that Stuyvesant had a very warm and positive sense of community. However, he expressed concern over the competitive atmosphere of the school.

My goal here at Stuyvesant is to inspire an interest and a love of history. “My least favorite thing about Stuyvesant is its competitive nature,” he said. “Some students are just too gradeconscious.” On the other hand, Nikol enjoys the challenge he gets in trying to give his students an exciting lesson and trying to get them more involved in the classroom. “My goal here at Stuyvesant is to inspire an interest and a love

of history,” he said. “I especially want them to enjoy European and world history.” Nikol’s efforts in the classroom have been successful. Students found his lessons to be dynamic while making history an exciting class. “Dr. Nikol is a teacher who not only makes the subject interesting, but he inspires a love for it in his students,” said junior Michele Plastrick, a former student of his AP European History class. “He is also very charismatic. He has a great talent for blending a straightforward textbook with such humor.” Outside of the classroom, Nikol has two major passions: tennis and classical music. He enjoys spending time both playing and watching the game. In addition, he has used his enjoyment and knowledge of classical music to teach the Music Appreciation class. Nikol enjoys any type of classical music from any time period, with the exception of overly-modern music. ◙

Gender-Old Question: Who Is Smarter? BY HUI TING JIANG STAFF WRITER

Women have long been oppressed by the degrading comments and expectations of men. The female population is expected to be obedient, docile and supportive. In addition to that, women are expected to be the maids, chefs and personal assistants of their husbands and families. That mold of “perfection” has long been broken with the help of the famous Seneca Falls Convention, which led to the formation of the Equals Rights Association, which in turn guided the ratification of

the Nineteenth Amendment, otherwise known as the Susan B. Anthony Amendment. Occupations that were once held exclusively by men now include more females. Take Oprah Winfrey for example. She is one of the most influential, wealthy and well-known people on Earth. Although Winfrey is a female, she has make numerous differences in this world. She has continued her voyage to make South Africa a better place and informs her viewers about the daily horrors occurring in Darfur and other places. Continued on Page

teachpol.tcnj.edu

The governor of Florida declared a state of emergency in four counties in southern Florida on February 2 due to severe storms and a tornado. The storms killed at least 19 people, damaged hundreds of houses, and left 10,000 people without electricity. All of the deaths reported occurred in Lake County, where the worst of the damage was reported. It will take a few days to determine the exact number of people killed. At least 1300 homes and buildings were destroyed by three tornadoes. It is estimated that there was a total of $68 million of property damages. The storms hit at about 3:15 a.m., when most residents of the affected areas were sleeping. Many were awoken by the violent lightening and thunder. “We have complete devastation of homes, of businesses, [and of] religious institutions,” said Christopher Patton, an emergency official. Rescue teams with dogs were deployed to search through the rubble for any survivors. According to officials, the first priority was to find trapped survivors and recover bodies. A disaster recovery center was set up by the Federal Emergency Management Agency on February 4 near Lady Lake. Supplies were distributed and counseling was provided. Two hundred FEMA workers were set up in the disaster area to help those in need. Fifty National Guard troops, consisting of residents as well as volunteers, joined in the cleanup after the storms. The Salvation Army brought in mobile canteens to provide counseling and meals to the residents and rescue workers. A hundred people gathered at the wrecked Lady Lake Church of God on February 4 in the wake of the disaster. “We felt this is where we needed to be today for ourselves, for other people, for this church,” said Elden Jefferson, who was one of the gatherers. Currently, there are no warning sirens for tornadoes in place in Florida. Some officials were arguing that they might have helped save lives if they had been installed. Others say that sirens would be ineffective because the sound would not be able to pass through the heavily wooded areas. If sirens were to be installed they would cost between $4 million and $9 million per county. ◙

Page 3

Friday, February 16, 2007 NEWS/OPINIONS

Susan B Anthony worked for women’s rights.

Page 4

Friday, February 16, 2007 OPINIONS

BY DAVID MANNES STAFF WRITER

Often, when students at Stuyvesant get their schedules, there’s something about them that would be nice to change. These changes usually have to do with switching teachers, or getting free periods with friends. However, anyone who asks for these types of changes at the program office will

switch that granting these requests would be impractical. On the other hand, when requests to change free periods are denied, simply because they are considered unnecessary, students are forced to come up with ridiculous excuses in order to get their requests approved. During my second term at Stuyvesant, I had fourth period

When a student wants to switch a lunch or free period, I don’t see why they shouldn’t do so. almost always be refused. I can understand why they wouldn’t let students switch teachers, but when a student wants to switch a lunch or free period, I don’t see why they shouldn’t do so. Requests for teacher switches are often based on that teacher’s reputation, how strict he or she is, or how much work he or she gives — not on how well he teaches. In addition, there are a couple of teachers out of whose classes so many students want to

lunch and all my friends had fifth period lunch. So, when it was time for schedule changes, I went to my grade advisor and told him that I’d had fourth period lunch first term, hated it, and wanted to have lunch later in the day. However, when he offered me sixth period lunch and I didn’t want it, he realized I just wanted to have the same lunch period as my friends. But instead of telling me that I didn’t have a good enough Continued on Page 5

Gender-Old Question: Who Is Smarter? Continued from Page

Winfrey is not only an inspiration to females everywhere, but living proof that women can achieve anything they put their minds to. The fact that women were oppressed for more than hundreds of years is the main defense against women’s lack of “intelligence” compared to that of men. Freshman Jason Shum said, “Girls are smarter I guess.” He later hesitantly added, “But boys have more potential.” If anyone bothered to research, they would find that a woman by the name of Marilyn vos Savant is listed as having the highest intelligence quotient in the Guinness Book of World Records. According to Dr. Lucia Jacobs, a neuroscientist at the University of California at Berkeley, men’s brains are on “average fifteen percent larger than women’s.” However, this does not mean males are more gifted or intelligent than females. Brain size is attributed to the distinction in body mass. While women are typically of smaller build, men are usually of larger build. Take a look at a football player and the difference is apparent. On the other hand, Jimmy Yang insists

corbis

Getting Through Program Changes

THE STUYVESANT STANDARD

O p r a h Winfrey, one of the most influential, wealthy and well-known p eopl e on Earth, is an inspiration to females everywhere.

that there is “no gender difference” because “everyone in the world is stupid.” Dr. Jacobs also noted the difference in the way female minds work. Women’s brains are more apt at multitasking and speaking due to the fact that “language ability is stored in both hemispheres.” I agree with her stance on this subject. Although males are seen as being more intellectual and having a greater cranium mass, this does not in any way mean they have greater aptitude than women. Females can be viewed as “intelligent” in other areas besides academics. Women usually have a better understanding of communication, photography and organization. These can be seen as superfluous skills, but come in handy later in life. ◙

THE STUYVESANT STANDARD

Page 5

Friday, February 16, 2007 BUSINESS/A&E

“Revenge of the Mooninites” in Explosive Publicity Stunt zibland.com

BY HANFORD CHIU BUSINESS EDITOR

In a marketing scheme gone awry in Boston, Turner Broadcasting Systems and Interference Inc. were ordered to pay up $2 million in fines for causing bomb scares throughout the city. In January, TBS placed “bomblike” blinking boxes of characters of “Aqua Teen Hunger Force,” an unconventional cartoon broadcast on various networks such as Cartoon Network. Over the course of two weeks, this “alternative” TV series got mainstream (and not so mainstream) attention that such guerrilla marketing techniques rarely attain. More than thirty blinking

Ignignokt and Err, two pixelated villains from the moon.

boxes of Ignignokt and Err, two pixelated villains from the moon (hence, Mooninites), were set up in Boston and various other American cities over the last few weeks, conjuring up old fears of bombs and terrorists in a post9/11 world. Bridges and tunnels

Disney Fulfills Financial Dreams BY SI HONG HUANG STAFF WRITER

Walt Disney reported huge gains in sales and profits for the quarter ending on Wednesday, February 7. The gains came mostly from the promotion of Disney’s “Pirates of the Caribbean” and “Cars” DVD’s and strong progress in its ESPN and ABC networks. Disney’s reported sales were $9.7 billion, ahead of the $9.5 billion estimated by expert analysts. The California-based media giant reported its net profit to be more than $1.7 billion dollars (79 cents a share). Its earnings on Wall Street were 11 cents above the general feeling among the investors, who thought the shares would be around 39 cents. Bob Iger, Disney’s CEO, said, “ I am very pleased to report such strong quarterly earnings to kick off 2007; these results are particularly gratifying given the great year we had in 2006 and are another clear sign our strategy is driving growth and creating shareholder value.” Among all the prosperity that Disney achieved this fiscal year, its cable networks continued to

perform well during the second quarter, its studio entertainment division created the majority of the profit, and its ads during popular shows such as “Desperate H o u s e wi ve s, ” “ L o s t , ” a n d “Grey’s Anatomy” helped add to sales. Expert investors are predicting that Disney will have another good year; they expect Disney to report revenues of $35.7 billion (up 4 percent from a year ago) and earnings per share of $1.73 (up 7 percent). Investors think their predictions will come true due to the belief of another solid year at the box office for Disney movies. According to Joseph Bonner, an analyst with Argus Research, “Given the film slate this year, it’s highly feasible that Disney can match last year’s performance. There is another ‘Pirates’ movie coming out and another Pixar movie coming out,” referring to the final movie in the “Pirates of the Caribbean” trilogy and “Ratatouille.” It seems that Walt Disney is not only realizing the dreams of young children, but also of itself. ◙

were closed, traffic and public transportation were in chaos, and both the mainstream media and more unconventional venues of information, such as blogs, reported heavily on the story. Two marketers were arrested for the scheme, and many of the “bombs” found themselves being auctioned off on sites like eBay. However, for all the trouble and frenzy it cost, the publicity stunt did what it was designed to do: reach the group of young adult viewers who do not react to conventional marketing techniques. Given the show’s late-night schedule and the fact that its audience comprises mostly eccentric college students, mainstream advertising

probably wouldn’t draw many more viewers, whereas a marketing ploy such as this presents the twisted sense of humor that the show entails. “Aqua Teen Hunger Force” is an animated television series, first released in December 2000, which revolves around the random misadventures of a wad of meat, a milkshake and a floating carton of French fries. A movie spin-off of the show is set to be released in March, which is the reason for the timing of the advertisements. The movie’s budget is only $750,000, while the advertising stunt cost over $2 million. ◙

Getting Through Program Changes Continued from Page 4

reason to switch my schedule, he decided to give me fifth period lunch. Having an enjoyable lunch period and a schedule you like makes the school day a lot easier, which in turn allows you to work much harder during your classes. The story I gave was one of the more run-of-the-mill excuses used at Stuyvesant — however, some of the excuses are really

absurd. For example, a student I know said that his health would be at risk if he didn’t have friends in his lunch period to protect him, and, using that excuse, he got his lunch period changed. If you are going to accept reasons like that, which are obviously lies, then it really would save everyone a lot of time and energy to just let students tell the truth and still get their schedules switched. ◙

Do you want to earn some money? Are you desperate to get rid of those review books that you will never open again?

There is a solution to your problem! The Stuyvesant Standard is now introducing new section – Sell Your Review Books, at the affordable and cheap introductory rate of 3 percent of the selling price. You can advertise your review books to not only the student community at Stuyvesant High School, but also to parents, teachers, the surrounding Tribeca area. An email with your books listed will also be sent to The Standard’s web group.

CNNmoney.com

Interested? Email Khoi Nguyen, The Chief Finacial Officer, at [email protected] with your Name, ID, contact info, and list of books with prices and conditions the books are in that you want to sell. This is an opportunity that cannot be missed. Disney had better results on the stock market than most of its media rivals.

Page 6

Friday, February 16, 2007 A&E

THE STUYVESANT STANDARD

Mugglenet.com

Ugly Betty BY AMY QIU STAFF WRITER

TV.com

Harry Potter, portrayed by Daniel Radcliffe, taking Occlumency lessons in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix the movie.

Scooping up the ratings in its first season, “Ugly Betty” has turned out to be a hit show for ABC. This refreshing series revolves around Betty, a girl from Queens who becomes an assistant for Daniel, editor of top fashion magazine Mode. One of the best things about the show is the cast, who all seem to fit their roles extremely well. The characters they play are all such, well, characters that their

rocky relationship with her daughter. In the end, we see that the characters are really just human beings and that they all have something for viewers to relate to. Another plus is the fact that “Ugly Betty” does not attempt to overwhelm the audience with heavy drama. It also does not resort to the “all the characters have been with each other at some point” formula. Even without these things, the show still manages to hold your attention and surprise you in ways impossible

Harry Potter Bares All, 7th Book Is Announced BY GARRY CHIEN STAFF WRITER

This year ought to be good for fans of Harry Potter: not only is the fifth movie in the series, “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix,” coming out in theaters this summer on July 13, but the release date for “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows,” the seventh and final book in the series, has finally been announced. Announced on February 1, the book quickly rose to the top spot on both Amazon and Barnes and Nobles preorder lists within a few hours. The deluxe edition, which cost a whopping $65, rose to the number 2 spot. However, her last novel will not be available on the Internet anytime soon as an e-book. J. K. Rowling has stated that she wants her novels to be read in book form, as the experience is totally different. Although most details regard-

ing the book have been kept under lock and key, Rowling has revealed that the last word of the last chapter of the last novel will be “scar” and that two important characters in the world of Harry Potter will die in the last book, while one will get a reprieve. In other news, Daniel Radcliffe, the actor who plays Harry Potter on the big screen, has been making big headlines for his role in the London's West End revival of the play “Equus” (the Latin word for “horse”), which opens on February 27. “Equus” is the story of a teenage boy who mutilates horses. A psychiatrist begins to analyze the boy, soon learning that he has a sexual fascination for the animals. Playing the lead role in the play, Radcliffe will bare all. Promotional photos of the play have stirred up quite a bit of drama

America Ferrara plays the intelligent and down-to-earth Betty.

personalities really draw you in. Actress America Ferrara plays the intelligent and down-to-earth Betty, who doesn’t quite fit in with her superficial coworkers. Despite their intolerance for poor fashion and their conniving ways, beneath the surface we find that there’s more to them. Mode staff member Wilhelmina is not only the woman who has plotted to take over the company, but also a single mother who has only recently begun to smooth over her

Continued on Page 7

to anticipate. “Ugly Betty” fans may remember the completely unexpected twist of Sofia’s betraying Daniel in order to write her article. Admittedly, parts like this are also completely unrealistic. Then again, a show doesn’t have to be realistic to be good. Everything happens for a reason in all the episodes, which is good to know for those who would rather not watch conversations that don’t have much sigContinued on Page 7

The Pursuit of Happyness It is very rare to see a movie with a genuine plot make people shed tears in a theater. Yet, walking out of “The Pursuit of Happyness,” I realized that it was truly a touching movie. Based on the real-life story of Chris Gardner, it follows the character played by Will Smith and his struggle to keep his family together. The movie was an emotional roller coaster, filled with highs and lows, and points where all hope seemed lost. Yet the message of a man being able to overcome all odds resonates throughout, creating a memorable picture. Chris Gardner is a man stuck in a failing marriage and with no

stable source of income. He decides not to go to college, so he starts selling bone density scanners, with little success. This causes a lot of friction between him and his wife, who is concerned for their only child, Christopher. After numerous marital problems, Chris’s wife leaves to New York, leaving him to take care of Christopher. He believes that he can get a great job, as long as he is able to survive six months without stable income, while he is in a competitive internship with Dean Witter. His quick mind, skill and determination are all he can rely on while he and his son struggle to find a home and a meal each day. “The Pursuit of Happyness”

gets more passionate, emotional and inspirational every minute. There are many scenes that make you laugh and others that make you cry, but it is not for a moment cliché or over-the-top in any way. Will Smith truly plays an Oscarworthy role. Unfortunately, even though the great acting makes it very entertaining to watch, the story is too predictable at times. Every time anything happens, you can immediately tell what the next high or low moment will be. Despite that, the film proves that the story of Chris Gardner is one that everybody should experience in theaters. (By the way, “Happyness” is meant to be spelled like that, and you’ll see why.) ◙

movies.yahoo.com

BY ROBERT COLBOURN STAFF WRITER

Will Smith stars in Columbia Pictures' The Pursuit of Happyness.

THE STUYVESANT STANDARD

Harry Potter Bares All, 7th Book Is Announced Continued from Page 6

among parents worrying for their children. Revealing pictures of the Harry Potter star feeling up a horse have caused quite a stir but Radcliffe feels the drama is uncalled for. “Equus is an iconic play. The nude scene is part of it. I can’t do it with my pants on. That would be rubbish. We’ve done the scene a couple of times in rehearsal. I had no particular qualms. There's nothing that would stop me getting my kit off if that’s what the work demands. The key to serious acting is to lose your inhibitions, to become free and fearless.” Emma Watson, the actress

who plays Hermione Granger, will be following Daniel Radcliffe as she stars in a movie about St. Trinian, a fictional girls’ school. She will play a rebellious ringleader, but will be keeping her clothes on. She will star along with Rupert Everett, who will play the role of the cross-dressing headmistress Millicent Fritton. Much is anticipated in the world of Harry Potter this year, with the possibility of an eighth Harry Potter book. Rowling has said, however, that such a book would not be a novel in the style of the first seven books, but rather in that of an encyclopedia. ◙

Ugly Betty Continued from Page 6

nificance to the plot. This also goes for the characters, who all have some sort of purpose. Even Christina, who at first only seems to be the seamstress and Betty’s friend, eventually becomes the one who unknowingly turns the company upside-down.

Page 7

Friday, February 16, 2006 A&E/LITERARY

Though there are some moments of strong emotion here and there, the show for the most part is very light and humorous. The fashion theme along with the witty lines are a unique combination. Overall, it’s quite a fun show to watch! ◙

The Truth BY STEPHANIE TAM STAFF WRITER

It’s always so hard To understand The things we feel The things unplanned

They’re aspects of life We just can’t control Where fate can hurt Our minds and souls

Life is a game Played by mankind One we cannot escape For its walls keep us confined

A little mistake Can cost a life So be careful And play the game right This is the truth

Riddles BY JEFFREY LIAW PUZZLE COLUMNIST

So a couple comes home from a trip and is exhausted. The plop down and built a fire to keep warm. The wind outside is below zero and is gusting at 40 mph. However, the fire was cozy and they soon fell asleep. A few hours later, both were dead… why? 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

The house didn’t burn down The house wasn’t blown down No suffocation They were not burnt No burglaries, suicide, or foul play.

BY LILLIAN SU STAFF WRITER

Riddle 1

"I'm telling you, Hobbs," said John Dough, "inheriting the Dough millions has had some nerve racking moments. Do you remember Frack, the butler?" "A smiling and mild mannered chap," said Hobbs "That's the guy. I fired him after inheriting the house in the Hamptons. Well, two days ago he came to my office and demanded one hundred thousand dollars. He claimed to have been in the study when my father drew up another will, naming his brother sole heir." "You believed him?" "I confess the news was quite a shocker. Dad and I had an argument over Marilyn sometime during the last week of June. Dad opposed the marriage, and it seemed possible that he had cut me off." "Frack said he has this second will, which he said would be worth a lot more than the blackmail money he was asking for. He said the new will was dated June 31, only one day newer than the old will, but it would be legally recognized he claimed." "You didn't pay him, I hope?" asked Hobbs. "I paid---with my boot to the seat of his pants." "Perfect," agreed Hobbs. "Imagine trying to peddle a story like that!? Why did they decide not to pay Frack?

Riddle 2

Detective Palumbo had just ordered a drink at the bar in the Tahoe motel when a young man with sun-bleached golden hair and tanned cheeks sat on the stool beside him. After ordering a scotch and water, the sunburned man nodded toward the gaming tables. "My name is John Patmos," he said genially. "It's great to be back in civilization and hear people and money talking out loud." Palumbo introduced himself. "I guess you've been out in the desert?" "Yeah, I got back yesterday," said Patmos. "Washed the dust out of my ears, had a barber shave off my seven months of whiskers and trim my hair. Then I bought a whole wardrobe on credit. All I had to do was show my assay report. Boy am I going to celebrate." "You found gold?," inquired Palumbo. "Yes sir. Hit the big load." Patmos stroked his bronzed chin thoughtfully; then in a low voice he said, "if I can find a backer, I'll take enough out of those hills to buy ten pleasure palaces like this one. Of course, I'm not trying to interest you. But, if you know someone who'd like to get in on a sure thing, let me know. I'm staying in room 510. Can't give out the details here, you understand." "I understand," said Palumbo, "that you'd better improve your story if you want to sucker someone into a deal that's worthless." How did Palumbo know the story was fictitious?

Riddle 3

A Hard Decision by Robert Stevenson

Detective Hobbs was on his way to the big Detroit auto show when he decided to visit his old friend, Dr. Sam. At Sam's home he was shocked to learn that just two days earlier his long time friend had hanged himself. "Sam was in excellent health and spirits when I heard from him last week," Hobbs told the sheriff. "I can't believe he committed suicide." "But he did---I investigated it myself," said the sheriff. "Here's how it all happened." "Pete Porter, Sam's manservant, was returning to the house late that night when he spotted a light in the attic. As Porter got out of his car, he saw through the open attic window Sam knotting a rope around his neck. The other end was tied to a rafter. Then he saw Sam calmly kick away the small stool he was standing on, and that was the end. "Porter found the house locked. He had forgotten his key; so he went to the neighbor to call me." "He repeated to me exactly what I've just told you," said the sheriff. "When I arrived at Sam's house, I had to force the front door open." Porter and I then ran up the three floors to the attic. Sam was dead. The coroner has no doubt that death was from hanging." "The attic floor was clear except for the little stool that lay overturned by the door," concluded the sheriff. "Let's go out to the house," said Hobbs. "From everything you've told me about Porter's story, I can tell you he's lying!" How did Hobbs know that Porter was lying?

Page 8

Friday, February 16, 2007 PUZZLES/SCIENCE

Sudoku

Binge Eating Nation

BY JEFFREY LIAW PUZZLE COLUMNIST

BY SANGHEE CHUNG COLUMNIST

6 8

You have all heard about bulimia, anorexia and many other eating disorders. However, according to a survey, frequent binge eating is the most common eating disorder in the United States, and is far more widespread than the other, more well-known disorders. The study, conducted by readers at the Harvard University Medical School and the McLean Psychiatric Hospital, is the first national census of eating disorders. The results have been published in the medical journal Biological Psychiatry. “I suspect that the connection

5

4

6 9

1

6

8

4

2 1

9

2

5 2

5

3 5

3

that we have drawn in this study is just the tip of the iceberg of the problem of out-of-control eating and its relationship to obesity,” said Dr. James Hudson, the study’s lead author. “The most striking find of the study is the emergence of binge eating as a major public-health problem.” According to the researchers, binge eating is prevalent in 3.5 percent of United States women and 2 percent of men. Binging is defined as regularly uncontrolled eating, exceeding the point of being full. In comparison, fewer than one percent of women and 0.3 percent of men were diagnosed Continued on Page Corbis

1

3 9

THE STUYVESANT STANDARD

6

7

Marijuana and Its DietRelated Possibilities BY RICHARD SHYONG STAFF WRITER

Ever look at yourself in the mirror and wish you were just a little bit skinnier? You are in luck, because a new kind of diet is soon on its way, and it is a surprising one. Scientists in Europe have discovered that cannabis, also known as marijuana, may help prevent hunger. Ever since the 1980’s, doctors have known that marijuana does in fact have a direct impact on appetite. In fact, by controlling the chemicals present in marijuana, it is possible to actually

help solve the obesity problem. Chemicals called cannabinoids, found in both marijuana and the brain, play an important role in regulating appetite. Scientists at Sanofi-Synthelabo, a French pharmaceutical company, have been experimenting with marijuana-derived drugs, and have found ways to block the cannabinoid receptors to prevent hunger. By doing so, it is possible to dissuade people from eating more, and thus hopefully prevent obesity. The drug is already showing promising signs, but testBinging is defined as regularly uncontrolled eating, exceeding the point of being full.

Continued on Page 9

Can It Be True: Cure for Colon, Liver, and Other Cancers Discovered? Corbis

Continued from Page 1

she was testing, known as PPARgamma modulator, and destroyed the cancer cells. At first, she continued working on a new set of slides that she prepared. Then, a curious colleague came by her side and asked her a question that she had not considered: “Did I hear you killed some cancer?” Schaefer then became excited at the destruction of the epithelial cells. Epithelial cells are the cells that make up most of the gastrointestinal tract. These epithelial cells were in the form of cancerous tumors. The astounding result of this occurrence is that all the healthy cells in the compound remained alive and unharmed. After this odd event, Schaefer performed an experiment and said

Human lung epithelial tumor, cancer cells. Magnification of x440.

“pretty much every [one] of the epithelial tumors” was killed. The tumors were those of mice with colon cancer. PPAR-gamma modulator is indeed helpful, but there is no clear explanation for its ability to destroy cancerous cells and tumors. It mainly targets a structure

known as tubulin that is in the cytoplasm of an ordinary animal cell. This substance maintains the structure of the cells in the body by organizing it into microtubules. Most cancer treatments involve the usage of a drug known as Taxol or other similar drugs called taxane drugs. These drugs attempt to slow or end the production of tubulin in cancer cells. The problem with these drugs is that their use is only temporary. After normal use of these products, the remaining cancerous cells adapt to the loss of tubulin and acquire resistance mechanisms against tubulin-removing drugs. This is where PPARgamma modulator plays a crucial role. PPAR itself is responsible for disabling all ability of produc-

ing more tubulin and removing that which is already there. The characteristic of PPARgamma modulator that makes it a natural marvel is the how it cause8 tubulin to disappear. Many scientists have begun studying this experiment and cannot come to a conclusion as to why all the tubulin leaves the cells. This topic is being further examined and may set a milestone in cancer research. This lucky occurrence may just open the door to completely curing gastrointestinal cancers. It may also provide crucial information about conditions involving other cancers. Only time and research will tell the outcome of this scientifically spectacular event. ◙

THE STUYVESANT STANDARD

Page 9

Friday, February 16, 2007 SCIENCE

Biofuels—Not So Safe After All Corbis

BY PAUL ROZENBERG STAFF WRITER

As the price of fossil fuels skyrocketed in recent years, a search began for an alternative source of energy that was both cheap and eco-friendly. Palm oil, a biofuel derived from plants, quickly emerged as a front runner because its carbon dioxide emissions are lower than those of traditional fossil fuels. However, when scientists examined the production of palm oil in Southeast Asia last year, they found that the practices at palm plantations all but negated any benefits that using the biofuel could bring. But just how much damage are the methods used in countries such as Indonesia and Malaysia causing? Rainforest land is often drained and burned to clear ground for palm plantations. This releases over two billion tons of carbon dioxide gas into the atmosphere per year, equivalent to eight percent of the annual emissions caused by burning fossil fuels. A loss of biodiversity also results from forest clearing. Indo-

Palm oil plantations are in competition with food crops.

nesia became the third-leading producer of carbon emissions in the world, largely as a result of the palm plantations. European countries that use the palm oil are recognizing that with such consequences, the production of palm oil may cause overall more harm than good. Peter Jensen of the European Environment Agency in the Netherlands stated, “It’s important to take a life-cycle view, and not to just see what the effects are here in Europe.” Several companies in the Netherlands now want to de-

velop programs to certify plantations that produce palm oil responsibly. When made properly, biofuels decrease greenhouse emissions. They absorb carbon when grown and release it back into the atmosphere when they are used, which neutralizes their effect. Palm oil produces so much energy when it is burned that it can even be used as a substitute for diesel fuel. The countries of Europe are the chief importers of palm oil; therefore, they are the ones that need to take actions to ensure that the catastrophe in Southeast Asia stops. The major importers, such as the Netherlands, have to buy palm oil only from plantations that satisfy basic environmental safety requirements. In this way, they will be able to ensure that biofuels will achieve their original goal of reducing the overall carbon dioxide levels, and not just serve as another cheap fuel source. ◙

Stressed Over Stress Continued from Page 1

According to the Webster’s dictionary, stress is difficulty that causes worry or emotional tension. When I asked random Stuyvesant students to describe stress using another word, the majority of them simply answered school. There is no doubt that schoolwork can easily stress out teenagers, especially when their grades count for college. However, while we sit worrying about our grades, there is more going on inside us than we might think. There are certain situations that cause one to become scared or excited. These are called stressors. When stressors are present, the body’s adrenaline level rises and lets out a stress response that makes the body respond to the sudden change that has happened. The hypothalamus then alerts the adrenal glands to produce more adrenaline and cortisol. These hormones increase breathing rate, heart rate and blood pressure. Stored glycogen is also released in the form of glucose. These sudden changes allow the person to be ready to respond or react to the stressor. Stress cannot be completely avoided in reality. However, certain situations that put people in a lot of stress can be avoided in many ways. One major thing that many people in Stuyvesant are known for is procrastination. Students

tend to leave everything for the last minute. For example, if a test ends up on the same day a paper is due in another class, that student will just end up typing the paper all night for the night before it is due, and then end up studying for the test in school for an hour before it is given. Apparently, this seems to be the case for many students. Some of these major procrastinators are actually very good at doing what they have to do. They will be able to write a decent essay that will receive an A, and end up passing the exam they studied for at the last minute with flying colors. However, not everyone is like this. Some people have to take time to absorb information for a test in order to do well and they need time to think to come up with a great essay. So, if you qualify as one of the worst procrastinators, then you should think of rearranging your schedule. It takes very little time to write a decent schedule for yourself. However, the hard part is actually following that schedule to the very end until you have actually accomplished what you have to do. Another piece of advice to many students would be to take a break. A break does not mean that you have to literally stop what you are doing and go play games.

A wise break would actually be a nap. Many students complain that they have to stay up all night doing work and therefore cannot get enough sleep. However, taking a nap for just fifteen or twenty minutes helps the body refresh itself. With this extra sleep, students can work more efficiently and therefore get their homework done faster. Finally, one other important piece of crucial information is to watch what you are eating. If you see yourself eating or drinking food or beverages that contain large quantities of sugar, you should try to start avoiding that habit. If you are hungry, eat a sandwich instead of a candy bar. If you are thirsty, drink water instead of soda. By changing your diet, you can help control your sugar level.So, if you find that you are experiencing a lot of stress, take some time to consider what it is that you are doing wrong. You may actually be able to easily solve the problem by following a simple formula. In the end, your accomplishments can be quite rewarding, especially if you take your time and enjoy doing whatever it is you are doing. Make sure not to become stressed about being in so much stress. Just take a deep breath and relax. Deep breath. Relax… ◙

Binge Eating Nation Continued from Page 8

with anorexia, an obsession to be thin by refusing to eat. Furthermore, only 1.5 percent of women and 0.5 percent of men had bulimia, a syndrome where the person overeats and purposely vomits. The study shows that anorexia lasts, on average, 1.7 years, unlike 8.3 years for bulimia and 8.1 years for binge eating. The researchers interviewed over 9,000 people nationwide from 2001 to 2003 about their eating habits and psychological backgrounds, said Hudson. However, the research team believes that the conditions would be underrepresented in the results, since many people are ashamed to reveal their eating habits. “You can't think anymore, you can't function, you can't laugh. It just steals everything away from you. It makes it very hard to concentrate and hold relationships,” said Johanna Kandel, founder of the Alliance for Eating Disorders. “It was the first thing I thought about in the morning and the last thing I thought about at night.” Currently, there is no exact science to understanding the causes of binge eating, but the constant images of thin movie stars, fast-food advertisements, and genetics may play a role in the development of such disorders. ◙

Marijuana and Its DietRelated Possibilities Continued from Page 8

Marijuana may help prevent hunger.

ing will not be completed for a few more months. By August, the world may no longer need another Atkins diet or another exercise machine. Instead, we will turn to an unexpected but nevertheless important source to solve our problem: marijuana. After all this, marijuana does seem to have a positive effect after all. ◙

Page 10

Friday, February 16, 2007 SCIENCE/SPORTS

THE STUYVESANT STANDARD

US Figure Skating Championships: Victories and Losses Continued from Page 12

from the audience and the highest score of the night. Weir skated next, with a large amount of pressure on him. He had an error on his triple axel and his program went downhill after that, with a two-footed landing on a quadru-

to gain their third championship. Naomi Nari Nam was looking to win another medal since her last one eight years ago in the ladies’ division. Since then, she has dealt with injuries and made a switch to pairs skating. The team of Brooke Corbis

Beatrisa Liang. Emily Hughes was in third place and Alissa Cziny was in fifth place behind Katy Taylor. In the free skate, Meissner put her hand on the ice on her opening triple jump. However, she did manage to finish strongly. Hughes, in her free skate, fell on a triple jump, but still skated well. In terms of the free skate, Cziny stole the show, skating flawlessly and bringing the crowd to a standing ovation. Cziny won the free skate with Hughes placing second and Meissner third. In the end, Meissner won the close competition by less than a point. Hughes placed second and Cziny third. Of the competition, Meissner said, “The third-place finish in the free skate was a bit disappointing but winning the title means a lot.” In comparison to the closeness of the ladies’ competition, the men’s competition was clear cut. Evan Lysacek was looking to the gold coming in to the competition after placing third in 2005 and second last year. Johnny Weir was looking to capture his fourth national title. Lysacek skated first for the short program. He gave a near-fla wless program that brought the audience to its feet. Weir skated after him, also performing almost perfectly. In the end, Lysacek was in the lead by less than a point. In the free program, Lysacek also skated first. He skated flawlessly, including landing his first clean quadruple jump in competition. He was rewarded with a standing ovation

Gold medal winner Evan Lysacek (C), silver medal winner Ryan Bradley (L) and bronze medal winner Johnny Weir pose during the medal ceremony for the men's competition at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Spokane, Washington.

ple jump, and a jump that was missing revolutions. Of his skate, Weir said, “I fought for every inch of that program, and that’s something that I am very proud of. I know I fought for this day, and I’m very proud that I could be a fighter.” Lysacek won the championship with a large lead and Weir placed third, behind Ryan Bradley. In the pairs’ competition, Inoue and Baldwin were aiming

Castile and Benjamin Okolski was looking to show the improvements they had made in their skating since last year. In the short program, Nam and her partner Themi Leftheris skated nearly perfectly, but the winners of the night by less than a point were Inoue and Baldwin, who made some minor errors. Castile and Okolski were third with a nearperfect performance that lacked some of the advanced moves of

the other teams. In the long program, the two leading teams both had falls, leaving an opening. That opening was filled by Castile and Okolski, who skated a solid program. They won the long program with enough points to take home the championship. Of the win, Castile said, “This is unbelievable. It feels great.” Ice Dancing is the only category where skaters perform three programs. The first program is the Compulsory Dance, followed by the Original Dance, and then the Free Skate. Coming into the competition, four-time champions Belbin and Agosto were looking for another championship, while last year’s silver medalists, Melissa Gregory and Denis Petukhov, were hoping to beat Belbin and Agosto. Meryl Davis and Charlie White were excited to be at the competition for the first time and were looking to do their best. After the Compulsory Dance, Belbin and Agosto were in the lead by three points over Davis and White. Gregory and Petukhov were in third. In the Original Dance, Belbin and Agosto boosted their lead to almost five points and Gregory and Petukhov skated nearly perfectly, moving to second with a 0.2-point lead over Davis and White. In the Free Dance, Belbin and Agosto skated wonderfully and held on to the gold. Gregory and Petukhov skated near-flawlessly and received a standing ovation. They held on the silver medal. Davis and White placed third. ◙

THE STUYVESANT STANDARD

Page 11

Friday, Feburary 16, 2007 SPORTS

Sports Calendar Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

February 15

February 16

February 17

February 18

February 19

February 20

February 21

February 26

February 27

February 28

Boys JV Basketball

Indoor Track: The Borough Championships @ The Armory

Vs. Martin Luther King Jr. @MLK 4:30 PM

The City Championships Vs. Brooklyn Tech @ NYU Pool 5:00 PM

February 22

February 23

February 24

February 25

Indoor Track: The City Championships @ The Armory

THE SPORTS BEAT

Just Too Good Continued from Page 12

Roger Federer of Switzerland holds up his trophy after defeating Fernando Gonzalez of Chile at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia. Federer won the three straight sets 7-6, 6-4, 6-4. .

ary 28, he will surpass Jimmy Connors’s all-time record for spending 160 weeks as the #1 player in men’s tennis. Roger Federer reminds me of the “perfect” student. You know the type. They’re the ones who have a 99 average, have five extracurricular activities, and volunteer on the weekend. They then have the nerve to tell you they’re concerned about getting into an Ivy League school. Roger Federer is all of that with a 120-mile-perhour serve. Something must be done to

stop Federer. None of his current adversaries on the men’s tour are even close to his level. Nadal can beat Federer on clay because that is Federer’s worst surface and Nadal’s best. Andy Roddick relies on a blistering forehand that is rendered useless against Federer’s range. James Blake is too busy complimenting Federer and gushing over how great he is. If no one’s going to beat him, someone’s going to have to change the rules. Personally, I’d make Roger Federer play left-handed. Every time his right hand touches the racket, his opponent gets a point. Sure, it would be hard at first for him. But I’m sure he could win every other tournament with enough practice. Tennis, unlike football and baseball, has no mechanism for inducing parity. Tournaments can only be as competitive as the players who play in them. All the players have to raise their level of play. Unfortunately it probably won’t be enough. Fifteen years from now, we will be calling Roger Federer the greatest tennis player who ever lived. He will have doubled the record for career majors won, including a career grand slam. There is nothing that can be done to stop him. He’s just too good. ◙

Boys JV Basketball Vs. Louis Brandeis @Stuy 4:30 PM

Manning and the Colts Win The Big Game Continued from Page 12

a 4-yard pass to Muhsin Muhammad for another Bears touchdown. At the end of this quarter, the Bears were winning 14-6. In the second quarter, the Colts answered with a field goal from Adam Vinatieri and a 1-yard touchdown run by Dominic Rhodes. At half-time, just before Prince performed, the Colts took their first lead of the game, 16-14.

Indianapolis Colts kicker Adam Vinatieri (R) tries in vain to tackle Chicago Bears kick returner Devin Hester (L) as he returns the opening kick-off for a touchdown in the first quarter of Super Bowl XLI in Miami, Florida.

During the third quarter, Vinatieri scored two field goals. Robbie Gould, the Bears kicker, also had a field goal during the quarter. During the fourth quarter, Kelvin Hayden intercepted a pass from Grossman and returned it 56 yards for a touchdown, putting away the game. In the end, the Colts won, 29-17.

The Colts definitely outperformed the Bears, especially on offense. The Colts ran for 191 yards and Manning threw for 247 yards. The Colts had three turnovers — one interception and two fumbles. They converted on 8 of 18 third-down plays. The Bears, on the other hand, had five turnovers — three lost fumbles and two interceptions (both at crucial moments during the fourth quarter). The Bears had thirty-three fewer offensive plays than the Colts had. Their total time of possession was 16 minutes less than that of the Colts. Whether the Colts won or the Bears lost, Manning, coach Tony Dungy and the Colts are the Super Bowl winners. Manning, after several record-setting seasons, has finally managed to win a championship ring. Dungy became only the third player in NFL history to win a championship as both a player and a coach. When asked about his great accomplishment, Manning, who was named MVP, replied, “It’s all happening pretty fast right now. I'm excited. It’s something we’ll enjoy for quite some time.” ◙

Page 12

Friday, February 16, 2007 SPORTS

THE STUYVESANT STANDARD

Manning and the Colts Win The Big Game BY HESHAM SALEH STAFF WRITER

On February 4, 140 million viewers from around the country watched the Indianapolis Colts and the Chicago Bears battle it out for Super Bowl XLI. Peyton Manning and the Colts defeated Rex Grossman and the Bears by a score of 29-17. Manning, without a doubt, outperformed Grossman in nearly every category. But that does not mean that the Colts were perfect; in fact, they were far from it. Many believe that the Colts did not win the game, but rather that the Bears lost it. The Bears could not have wished for a better start to the game. Devin Hester returned the

kickoff 92 yards for a touchdown, giving the Bears a quick 7-0 lead. This was the first time in Super Bowl history that an opening kickoff was returned for a touchdown. The Colts looked like they were intimidated on their first drive, and one of Manning’s passes was intercepted. The Colts regrouped quickly, however, and managed to not let the game slip through their fingers. Manning connected with Reggie Wayne for a 53-yard touchdown pass. The Colts couldn’t convert the extra point, however, and were down 76. During the final minutes of the first quarter, Grossman completed Continued on Page 11

US Figure Skating Championships: Victories and Losses Corbis

BY JENNIFER SCHLESINGER EDITOR IN CHIEF Indianapolis Colts players rush onto the field during the pre-game show at Super Bowl XLI in Miami, Florida.

THE SPORTS BEAT

Just Too Good Corbis

BY ERIC MAYO SPORTS EDITOR

Another tennis major, another win for Roger Federer. In case you lost count, that’s his 10th Grand Slam title, nine of which have occurred in the past four years. He’s an unstoppable force of tennis mastery. Take a look at this incredible record. Last year, Federer won 92 matches. He lost four times to Rafael Nadal on clay in finals of tournaments including the French Open (the only major he has yet to win), and once to Andy Murray in a tune-up tournament for the U.S. Open. There was only one final he did not reach. On FebruContinued on Page 11

Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts during a semi-final match against Roger Federer of Switzerland at the 2006 Masters Cup tennis tournament.

Both sorrowful and joyous memories were made as the best skaters from across the United States took to the ice to compete in the 2007 State Farm U.S. Championships in Spokane, Washington. For some skaters, the opportunity to compete was awe-inspiring. Other skaters had their eyes set on medals. For Kimmie Meissner, it was her chance to claim her gold medal. For Johnny Weir, the Pairs team of Rena Inoue and John Baldwin, and the ice dancing team of Tanith Belbin and Benjamin Agosto, it was the chance to reclaim gold medals. The most popular of the four events was the ladies’ competition. After finishing third in 2005 and second in 2006, Meissner was predicted to reach the top of the podium. However, it was uncertain whether she would feel the pressure of her position. Emily Hughes, after placing third last year, was also eyeing the gold.

Gold medal winner Kimmie Meissner stands on the winners' podium for the ladies competition at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Spokane, Washington.

Alissa Cziny was also looking for the gold after a disappointing seventh place finish in 2006. After the short program, Meissner was in the lead by three points over Continued on Page 10