Palisade PreParatorY school

Transcription

Vol. 4, No. 3
Hear it through the Grapevine at Yonkersrising.com
Friday, April 29, 2011
Double the Pleasure, Double the Fun: Lincoln’s 6 Sets of Graduating Twins
Continued on Page 9
Photo by Cristal Reyes
Lincoln’s six graduating sets of twins are (l to r) Nadira and Navita Gooljar, Jahaira and Jasmine Clark,
Shannan and Shanice Christie, Joseph and Anthony Lauria, Matthew and Rose Rivera and Jasmine and Javona Wilson
By Cristal Reyes
Perhaps there was something in the water
back in 1993, or maybe Lincoln High School
simply attracts doubles! Believe it or not, there
are six sets of twins in Lincoln’s graduating
class!
That’s right! Not one or two, but six. These
twosomes aren’t exactly your stereotypical
twins; they are all unique. The pairs are Shannan and Shanice Christie, Jahaira and Jasmine
Clark, Navita and Nadira Gooljar, Anthony and
Joseph Lauria, Rose and Matthew Rivera and
Jasmine and Javona Wilson.
The Christie twins are identified by their
classic fashion styles and their intelligence.
Shanice (one minute older) is number five in
the graduating class and Shannan is close behind at number twelve. Unlike many twins, the
Christies aren’t planning on staying together in
college; they’re actually going to be more than
a thousand miles apart. Shannan wanted adventure and decided to enroll at the University of
Palisade Preparatory school
Photo by Stephanie Fernandez
Miami: Shanice preferred the Big Apple and enrolled at NYU.
The Lauria boys don’t seem to agree about
much of anything. When asked if they considered themselves to be twins or regular siblings,
Anthony (10 minutes older) said lovingly that
they were twins. However, Joseph disagreed,
saying that they are just regular siblings, nothing
out of the ordinary. The boys are a comedic pair.
Joseph loves to make fun of his brother’s ego,
“It’s out of control; he’s beyond conceited!” To
which Anthony retaliates by pointing out that
Joseph is a copy cat! “Joseph only cut his long
hair so that he could look like me.” In the end,
however, both agreed that nothing compares to
a brother’s love.
What’s better than one pretty girl? How
about two! Lincoln’s only identical pair is the
Gooljar girls. The Gooljars are very much in
sync with each other, from their style to their
quiet demeanors. They both agree that Navita (a
Continued on Page 12
Early College H.s.
The Love of Track
Photo by Wakim Torjani
ECHS’s Momadu Jobe running at the Penn Relays
Grapevine writer Stephanie Fernandez’ nephews, Andrew Thomas and Randy Santana,
posed with Clifford the Big Red Dog at PPS’s arts & crafts fair, held by the Jewish
Council, which promoted reading among youth
More Palisade on Page 10
Yonkers Student Grapevine’s
Third Year: Better Than Ever
As we wrap up our third year of the Yonkers
Student Grapevine, I want to thank all who have
made this student newspaper, the largest in New
York State, possible.
First, congratulations to the Grapevine student reporters, photographers and artists on providing the 26,000 students in the Yonkers Public Schools, as well as school faculty and staff,
families and all of the residents of Yonkers, with
an inviting and interesting monthly newspaper.
Great job — be proud of your work and extra
efforts.
In addition to the Grapevine students,
thanks to the teacher liaison’s from each of the
high schools for helping put together the Grapevine content and helping your students create
and complete their stories and photos.
There are two people who read each story
and caption and look at each photo in every issue of Grapevine. Special thanks to Maura Lamoreaux from the district office for her diligence
and persistence in making sure the content is in
on time and ready for our review. And thanks to
Yonkers Rising and Grapevine Copy Editor Andrew Tobia for his long hours and hard work in
getting the Grapevine content ready for print.
Finally, on behalf of the students and the
people of Yonkers, thanks to Grapevine Publisher Nick Sprayregen and Rising Development
Yonkers, LLC, for their sponsorship and underwriting of the Grapevine for the past three years.
Printing and delivering 26,000 newspapers every
month is a costly endeavor, and Sprayregen and
Rising Development bear most of the burden.
Anybody who has read the seven issues
of the Grapevine in this 2010-11 school year
should come away with one underlying thought;
the students in the Yonkers Public Schools are
dedicated, intelligent and ready for the future.
We wish our senior Grapeviner’s, some of
whom have been with us for all three years, all
of the best.
Too often, we hear bad news about the City
of Yonkers and its schools in the media. The
Yonkers Student Grapevine, for the third year,
has achieved its goal of providing the people of
Yonkers something good and positive to read
about.
Sincerely,
Dan Murphy
Editor-in-Chief
By Wakim Torjani
When you first start, you explode to get there
first. In long distances, you race as hard as you can
to fly over to lane one because lane one is the best.
Lane one makes it easier to run around the turns.
The straightaways are no problem from any lane,
but the turns? You need to be in that first lane.
There are about 25 runners on the ECHS/
Roosevelt Track Team. Coach Jerrel Jones (Jay)
and Coach Yam Yam are not easy on us. They
want us to be the best that we can be as runners
and as people.
Really, we are what we do. Therefore, we
are runners. And we want to be the best and have
the fastest times. To get there, we run daily during
practices for about three and a half hours, indoors
when the weather is lousy and outdoors whenever we can. Even in weather that the weatherman
might call “too cold,” Coach Jay says, “Outside.”
We begin with warm ups and stretching. We
run laps and have to beat certain times set by the
coach. Then we run hills. The hills are the hardest,
but you have to run hills to be the best, to be the
fastest, to win races.
Four of us run long distances, equating to one
or two mile races. We jog and sometimes it’s even
fun. For example, we run to CVS, get there in unContinued on Page 4
More ECHS on Page 4
Yonkers middle high school
YMHS Students are
Crazy for Chemistry
YMHS Chemistry Students
By Sherin Vaidian and Marissa Alsaloum
With clouds looming, the Chemistry Olympiad participants anxiously awaited the start of
their competition. After weeks of preparation,
it was finally their chance to demonstrate their
understanding of chemistry.
On March 5, 12 Yonkers Middle High
School students put their chemistry skills to the
ultimate test. The Local Chemistry Olympiad is
the first step of a multi-tiered process. The exam
consisted of 60 multiple choice questions, and
each student had 110 minutes to complete the
rigorous assessment.
Continued on Page 8
More YMHS on Page 4
Page 2 - yonkers student grapevine - Friday, April 29, 2011
The Grapevine Contributing Staff
Early College H.S.
Aisha Abulteen is outspoken and very
much her own person, She uses her creativity
to support her intelligence.
Tamir Boddie likes to ask, “why?” An
outstanding writer, he values his education
but is also quite interested in being noted for
his athletic abilities.
Marquise Bulford is motivated to success. He gets animated when he speaks about
subjects he is passionate about. He thinks
clearly and quickly on his feet.
Maggie Buenaflor is an outstanding
writer and hopes to head towards a career that
utilizes both her intelligence and her creativity.
William Castro is quiet, focused and
successful. He brings his talents out in academics and basketball.
Eddie Cintron mixes words as well as he
mixes ingredients, and has proven himself to
be a master writer and chef.
Kevin Henry is an excellent dramatic
reader and the writer of inspiring prose.
Kalia Laforey is a wonderful student
noted for her leadership qualities. Fun, on task
and driven, she does as much as she can to the
best of her ability.
Martin Li is shooting for a career in film.
Fluent in Chinese and English, Li brings his
intellect and work ethic with him on everything he does.
Sade Marquis is creative, serious and
attentive to detail, Her compassion is welldocumented and appreciated by those who
know her.
Justice McKnight shines in his classes.
The fire department might get quite a hero in
their ranks someday if he stays firm in this career goal.
Askash Patel can help you if you need
help with technology or a better understanding of computers, robots, or just about anything.
Nicholas Poppiogalle is exceptionally
curious and knowledgeable about a vast variety of subjects. He is gentle, selfless, creative
and intelligent.
Stephanie Pratts is known for her intelligence, kindness and sense of humor. Her
friends know her as compassionate and trustworthy.
Jada Rivera and cameras are synonymous. Ask her about photography and expect
a lecture.
Alexcia Reid is always concerned about
her style and has the wardrobe to prove it. She
has a cocky-but-likeable attitude and an air of
confidence about her.
Michael Sanders is soft spoken, wellliked and loves his insight into the mysteries
of mechanical engineering and design.
Sanjeev Singh’s talent lies in art and anime. Although he’s no slacker in English and
writing, it’s his creative talents that consistently impress.
Muhammad Tariq is intelligent and has
a quietly thoughtful approach to life. There is
no a concern that only the best will be his.
Wakim Torjani is a hard working student who loves doing well. He was successful
this year in academics and is a long distance
runner.
Kevin Henry is an outstanding interpreter of fiction. Maybe he hears voices in his
head? Intelligent and searching still for his
muse.
Treymaine Stewart is a lively, sociable
young man. Intelligent, he lives by what he
believes and expresses.
Roberto Ramirez; The expression, “Still
waters run deep,” fits Ramirez like a glove.
Jonathan Morales’ sense of humor and
his easy going attitude help him to make loyal
friends. Morales is in pursuit of reasons.
Ricardo Rivera and integrity are one and
the same. This intelligent writer knows how to
turn a phrase and turn a head with his insight.
Ms. Barbara Litt, ECHS Liaison
ROOSEVELT High School
Afua Boadu, a 16-year-old junior, loves
to dance and write poetry.
Shamin Khan, a 17-year-old 11th grade
student, who loves to dance and write, plans
to attend medical school after graduating from
college on a path to becoming an MD.
Kapembwa Kapambwe is Valedictorian
of the senior class and member of National
Honor Society. She has a creative mind and
plans to enter a field that combines creativity
and traveling.
Christopher Nunez is a 15-year-old
sophomore who enjoys writing and plans to
get a degree in English or Technology.
Faith M. Rodriguez is a 17-year-oldsenior who excels in the arts. Faith will attend
college in the fall and plans to become a spe-
saunders H.S.
Amna Siddiqi is a senior who will be attending Pratt Institute and majoring in Fashion
Design.
Amel Hariri is a senior who will be attending Polytech Institute of NYU this coming fall.
She will be majoring in chemical engineering.
Bark Laskawski is a senior who will be
attending CUNY Lehman this coming fall. He
will be majoring in History and aspires to be a
history teacher.
Bianca Beltran is a junior in the Bio-Chem
Tech major. She will be graduating from Saunders in June of 2012. Her passion is writing.
Vasilios Koulouris is a junior in the Architecture major. He recently won third place at the
Architecture Open House for his Junior class.
Sameera Mayat is a junior in the BioChem Tech major. She will be graduating from
Saunders in June of 2012.
Stephanie Durgaprasad is a senior in the
Chem Tech major. She will be attending St.
Johns University in the upcoming fall
Melissa Lam is currently a senior and is
the salutatorian of the senior class. She will be
attending NYU.
Mr. John LaSusa, Saunders Liaison
Lincoln High School
Cristal Reyes is currently employed by
YPIE, will be attending the University of New
Haven and hopes to become a high school teacher.
Storm Henry has been a regular contributor to Grapevine and will attend Mount St. Mary
College.
Arta Gecaj intends to study nursing at the
Borough of Manhattan Community College
next year.
Jonelle Ford has been a contributor to
Grapevine. She will study communications at
Westchester Community College.
Marvin Lopez spent the first half of this
year writing the Book Review for Boys.
Josue Mendez, a junior, took over as columnist for the Book Review for Boys in Janu-
ary.
Chris Toribio, a junior, intends to pursue
science as a career and hopefully continue covering Lincoln sports for Grapevine.
Alika Douglas is bright and ambitious. She
will write a Grapevine colum next year.
Sicarah Fields has been a wonderful twoyear contributor to Grapevine who will attend
University of New Haven next year.
Jamal Johnson has contributed to Grapevine for two years and will attend Dominican
College next fall.
Justin Melendez, the only freshman on
Lincoln’s Grapevine staff, has established himself as an up and coming journalism star.
Mr. H. Blair Minyard, Lincoln Liaison
Palisade Preparatory
School
cial education teacher.
Joel Epps, 17-years-old, is an active participant in community service such as Children’s Village and will attend Stony Brook
next fall to major in arts and social science.
Chevelle Tuthill, a junior born in Yonkers, will use her creativity and organizational
skills in college and beyond,
Jose Alvarez, an intelligent young writer,
is an athlete who plays several sports and enjoys playing the piano, and who plans to study
criminal justice in college.
Malek Zeq; Curious, friendly and humorous, this junior plans to attend college in
the future,
Mrs. Patricia Ortega, Roosevelt Liaison
Stephanie Fernandez is an honor roll student involved in many activities. She is a hard
worker with a caring personality who wants to
help others.
Lourdes Bohorquez, a sophomore, is an
avid basketball, softball and volleyball player.
She works hard in all her academic fields and
plans to be a nurse.
Yalkiria Vasquez, whose favorite subjects
are math and science, plans to be a physical therapist. Quiet and reliable, she is someone you can
easily get along with.
Brian Aquilar, born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, is ranked #1 in his class. He is hardworking and strives to pursue great things in
life, like becoming an engineer.
Kade Alexander Holder, a basketball
player, is an intelligent and creative student who
aspires to be an English teacher after college.
Christyn Danielle Brown’s inquisitive
personality, sensitivity and interest in others will
make her successful in her future as a forensic
psychologist.
Ms. Patricia Aoukar, Palisade Liaison
Friday, April 29, 2011 - yonkers student grapevine - Page 3
Yonkers middle
high school
Jibbin Abraham is a member of the Superintendent’s Club 90, the National Honor Society,
and will attend SUNY Binghamton, majoring in
Accounting and Finance.
Teena Alex has been a member of Grapevine staff for two years and will attend Union
College.
Marissa Alsaloum enjoys learning and
traveling. In her spare time, she likes to read and
shop.
Matthew Alsaloum has been a member
of Grapevine staff for two years and will attend
Stony Brook University’s Honors College, majoring in Bio-Chemistry.
Bayan Baker has been the Editor-in-Chief
of the school newspaper for four years and a
member of Grapevine for three. She will attend
Sarah Lawrence College.
Johny George enjoys playing sports and
cooking. He will attend Stony Brook University,
majoring in Biochemistry.
Monika Glowacki enjoys reading, listening
to music and playing sports. She plans to study
History, English or Psychology in college.
Lucy Hatem, a full IB junior at Yonkers
High School, is in her second year writing for
Grapevine. She enjoys history, playing piano
and listening to opera.
Jennifer Joseph is a junior and full IB diploma candidate. She likes to paint and sing.
Farrah Joshua likes to bake and swim. She
enjoys laughing and entertaining others. She has
been a member of Grapevine for one year.
Plamen Kamenov enjoys photography,
reading and mathematics. He is a sophomore
and will be taking full IB next year.
Sydney Levy enjoys reading news articles
and fixing computers. He will attend the Polytechnic Institute of, majoring in Computer Sci-
ence.
Bria McDaniel is a senior on the school
band and track team. She will attend the Fashion
Institute of Technology.
Jenny Mullakary enjoys volunteering at
Westchester Medical Center and dancing. She
will attend Siena, majoring in Biology.
Ariah Noetzel loves English, improv and
her dogs. She will attend New York University.
Jaimie Parambil, YMHS’ Valedictorian,
enjoys dancing and reading. She will attend
Siena College, majoring in Biology.
Joel Pike has been a member of Grapevine
for two years. He enjoys reading books, writing
poetry and playing the piano.
Victoria Ranaudo enjoys playing guitar
and writing poetry. She endeavors to pursue a
career in law.
Aditi Shah enjoys reading, traveling, and
dancing. She plans to be a full IB student next
year.
Monica Suleiman enjoys writing, singing
and music. She will attend Iona College. She is
determined and always works to her full potential.
Yalile Suriel enjoys keeping up with current events. She will attend Stony Brook University, double majoring in Political Science and
Psychology.
Sherin Vaidian enjoys history, singing,
and reading. She plans to take full-IB in the
September.
Pheba Varghese enjoys reading. She will
attend New York Institute of Technology in the
Fall, majoring in life sciences/biology.
Jesmi Varughese enjoys playing sports and
dancing. She will attend Saint John’s University,
majoring in Physician’s Assistant.
Ms. Lucia Libutti, YMHS Liaison
RIVERSIDE High School
GORTON High School
Kayanna Bonte is a sensitive person who
loves to meet new people. She finds it very interesting to think about to what level each new
friend might take her.
Veronica Degree is a unique and welleducated young girl. She looks forward to going to Cornell University and making a splash
in the world.
Audriana Rivera is fiercely loyal and
generous to the people that are close to her.
She is highly competitive and her passion
comes out on the softball field.
Jessica Santana is a very independent
young woman who loves to have fun. She also
loves to draw, write poems and play both softball and basketball.
Priscilla Torres will be entering the junior class at Charles E. Gorton High School.
She enjoys writing poems and short stories
and loves to travel.
Tamica Wayland is shy at first, but when
a person gets to know her they find that she’s
actually very outgoing.
Araba Aidoo-Apau’s passion and greatest interest is writing. She loves exploring different things and then writing about them.
Amanda Daley will be entering the senior class in September. She enjoys reading
as well as being with family and friends. Her
goal is to become a registered nurse.
Maddie Lala; her ideas and actions express who she is. She loves to read, write and
learn new things everyday.
Bridget Mensah loves to cook with her
family. In the future, she wants to study accounting and hopes to be a CPA some day.
Jamice Miller; overcoming life’s obstacles keeps her going. She plans to use her
ambition to accomplish her dreams.
Heydi Morales’ life is made up of friends
and family. Her dreams and goals include being the best psychologist that she can be.
Moona Nadeem is a poetry fan who loves
music, art and literature. Her goal is to pursue
a career as a cardiologist.
Julian Nuñez’s acting skills serve him
well in that they hide his shyness. He places
great value on his closest friend, apart from
whom he hopes never to drift.
Marymilt Restituyo loves writing. Her
goal is to study journalism, the law or business.
Crystalynn Rodriguez has been a Gorton cheerleader for two years; next year is her
last, but she will always have a cheer in her
heart for Gorton.
Marianne Ruiz’ friends and family members make every minute of her life exciting
and amazing. She plans to pursue a career as a
Marine Biologist.
Tiara Worrell will be entering the senior
class in September and is on the cheerleading
squad.
Nematou Zongo, 17 years old, is a big
fan of football. She loves R&B and plans to go
to UConn to become a nurse.
Gifty Addo loves listening to music and
cooking, but her guilty pleasure is watching
Korean dramas. She will be attending Stony
Brooke in the fall.
Jillian Bruno will be going to Westchester
Community College, where she will study to
be a veterinarian. She can’t wait to get started!
William Lin is involved in many activities, from sports to cancer research and fundraising and tutoring. He will be a Biology major at NYU next year.
Tyyani Torres is a senior at Gorton who
enjoys re-reading books and has memorized
every single line from “Harry Potter and the
Sorcerer’s Stone.”
Anthony Valverde is a graduating senior
at Gorton. He aspires to become a U.S. Navy
SEAL. He doesn’t want fame; he just wants to
make a difference!
Ms. Dawn L. Williams, Gorton Liaison
Yonkers Montessori
Academy
Brianna Rohlehr is wise beyond her years,
yet silly as a goose. She’s probably the oldest
16-year-old you’ll ever meet.
Chelsey Mathew strives to be a good person, whether it helping with a paper or carrying
a box. Education is important, but being a good
person is her highest goal.
Enjoli Delarosa is very independent and
has a lot of ambition. She enjoys writing for
Grapevine, providing students with important
information.
Kadijah Spence; chores are her responsi-
bility, but writing is her passion. She is a student, daughter and an avid writer.
Sierra Bangari likes to help the environment whenever she can, a real tree hugger. She
takes pride in knowing her education will help
her change the world for the better.
Adana Gibson is not a girly girl with rainbows and glitter flowing through her veins; she
is sarcastic and unemotional, but that’s what
makes her who she is!
Ms. Anne Mastropolo, Roosevelt Liaison
Ariel Bujans, a Rangers fan, belongs to
Art Club. Also a member of PETA, she is passionate about animal rights and enjoys writing
about them.
Agostinho Camacho is the Grapevine
photographer. He is a member of Art Club and
an Elvis Presley fan.
Joseph Cocchiara is a high honor roll
student and Manager of YMA’s baseball team.
He is working toward becoming an Eagle
Scout.
Ceaira Cruz is the President of SGO. She
is a member of the “Heroes and Leaders” team
and a photographer for the YMA Yearbook.
Antonela Dedi, very persistent, is a high
honor roll student and is training to run in the
“Teens Run Yonkers” marathon. Her favorite
subject is Global Studies.
Jasmine Medina is a high honor roll student who has learned that researching all types
of topics gives her a broader perspective of the
world and human behavior.
Farida Mohamed wants to study journalism in college and pursue a career in writing.
She is a high honor roll student and member
of Art Club.
Aileen Moore is an honor roll student
who would love to attend UCLA. She is training for “Teens Run Yonkers” and participates
in community service projects.
Tiana Navarro is an honor student. She
assists with YMA’s “Heroes and Leaders Program.” Art, fashion and country music are
among her favorite interests.
Ms. Laura Hopkins, YMA Liaison
Get Yonkers Student Grapevine online at www.YonkersRising.com
Early College H.s.
The Little Things:
Photographic Essay
ECHS on Broadway
ECHS takes over Times Square (l to r, front to back): Jada Rivera, Aisha Abulteen,
Ellem Garcia, Einette Feliciano, Eric Colon, Jesus Hernandez, Kashmil Lopez, Kyseam
Thomas, Itzel Toledo, Antonio Paulo, Claudia Gonzales, Stephanie Rodriquez, Cydhoni
Harris, Evanie Pereira, Gary Rodgers, Marquis Bulford, Raymond Torres, Jonathan
Ramirez, Karina Cruz, William Cameron and Dante Garcia
Photos by Jada Rivera
By Jada Rivera
Many people walk around with a meaningless life. They seem half asleep, even when they’re
busy doing things they think are important.
That is because they’re chasing the wrong
things. The way you get meaning into your life is
to devote yourself to loving others and to devote
yourself to creating a life that gives you purpose
and meaning. Sometimes it is the little things that
matter, and that’s true when it comes to education,
too.
This year in high school, I’ve noticed the
smallest things that make a difference to me.
“Like what?” you ask.
I’ve noticed how seriously education is taken
here at ECHS. I’ve also noticed that teachers here
are working extremely hard. I’ve noticed how welcoming and accepting most of the teachers are.
I’ve noticed that students are working their
hardest and taking their educations more seriously
than in middle school because, all of sudden, we
want to become someone/something good in life.
I’ve noticed the custodians are keeping up with
their work and taking pride in making the school
look good. I’ve noticed that the secretaries keep
everyone on track. I’ve noticed how each person
has their own kind of style and way to represent
themselves.
No one could convince me that there’s anything better than noticing the smallest things in
life. Just take a second and look around you; see
all the little things you, too, just might notice.
Photography is a way I captured and savored what
I have noticed.
Looking Toward the Future:
Hofstra University
By Alexcia Reid
You have to ask questions. OMG! Exactly
how large is this university? Why are there so
many white and Asian students? Where are the
other races?
These are some of the questions that flashed
through my mind as Early College High School
and Roosevelt High School students walked
through the north side of the Hofstra University
campus.
Assuming that this campus is more diverse
than it looks, I would absolutely consider going
to this university. First, there are 2,150 courses in
more than 145 undergraduate programs in liberal
arts that you can take.
“Liberal arts” means that during your first
year of college, you have to take math, social studies, science, foreign language and English. In college, you get to choose the specific main courses
you want to study. You may have to study English,
but you can satisfy the requirement with a drama
class. Or, you might want to elect debate. Either of
these courses would give you credit in English.
Further, Hofstra has a lot of academic courses
from which to choose, and in your second year,
you begin to focus on your major. You begin to
take specific classes in your major. I’m thinking
about majoring in law or psychology. Hofstra offers courses in both majors.
Secondly, there are sports at Hofstra. Football, cross country, cheerleading, tennis. You
name it, Hofstra has it. Not all colleges finance so
many sports teams, but Hofstra expects a lot from
its athletes.
Some teams are especially good year after
year. One of these is women’s volleyball. Having so many sports teams brings students together.
Further, Hofstra supports its athletics through its
television production facilities. There is a class at
Hofstra for students interested in pursuing television and radio production, and students then receive on-the-job training by broadcasting games.
Half of the staff of Hostra went to school
there. They returned to Hofstra because they really
liked being there. They loved the school so much
that they returned there to work. Hofstra becomes
home for students who go there. Home means a
place where you’re comfortable, a place where
there’s a “family,” and you feel like you belong
somewhere. No matter what time of night, there
is always someone there with you or for you. You
can always get what you need.
Hofstra University is one of the main colleges that I plan to go back to and see a second
time. This school has everything I want, from its
courses, to its sports, to its community feeling.
Hofstra would be a good place to study. It’s high
on my list of college choices.
Love of Track
and we practiced, ran and conditioned just like
the team members who actually were running the
race. Next year, we’ll get our chance to be competitive. This is what Coach Jay has called, “Paying your dues.”
Our runners did great! We took first place in
the four-by-four. Our team’s runners who competed that day were Adrian Prichett, Momadu Jobe,
Aby Da Nclar and Abdul Sumbu. The race was
close, but they held on to win.
I run because I enjoy running, it keeps me
in shape, and one day I know my hard work will
pay off. Perhaps next year I will be a member of
the four-by-four or the long distance runners who
have their names recorded in history as the winner
of the prestigious Penn Relays.
Continued from Page 1
der 25 minutes, buy a bottle of water and bring
back the water. Once, at the BeeLine bus station, we found an envelop that said, “Get back to
Roosevelt safely, as fast as you can, check in with
the coach and then run around the block.” Yes, we
work hard, but Coach Jay and Coach Yam know
that hard work pays off.
The Penn Relays took place in May. This is
the best track event we went to so far this year.
Twenty of us went and we stayed in Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania. Eight team members entered to run,
but we all got to go in case anyone was injured.
We earned the right to go through our hard work,
By Einette Feliciano and Kashmil Lopez
There’s a guy, Mike, and this woman, Margie,
and they were childhood friends, growing up in a
lower class Boston neighborhood.
They dated for a while and, shortly afterwards,
Mike went off to Penn State University and pursued medicine. Margie stayed behind in her Boston
neighborhood. She was pregnant, and she gave birth
to a severely handicapped girl. She claimed the father of the child was not Mike but a second man she
dated. Money was always an issue for Margie and
she lived hand-to-mouth. Marjorie finds herself unemployed, in desperate need of a job, and, through
luck or fate, her path cross’s Mike’s. What’s going
to happen?
Luck, fate and a person’s character are all determining factors in what happens in the Broadway
play “Good People.” Ask a former drama teacher
to plan a field trip for ECHS English students,
and what did she do? Barbara Litt called Manhattan Theatre Club (MTC) and worked with the
education department and provided students with
a unique opportunity to participate in four theatre
workshops and the chance to see a Broadway play.
MTC’s production of “Good People” stars
Frances MacDormand and Estelle Parsons, and the
show is a thinking person’s comedy, well-written
by David Lindsay-Abaire. The theme of the play
concerns somebody who got left behind and what
happens to her compared with somebody who
moved on. The questions posed include whether
fate, luck or circumstances play the most significant role in determining what happens in a person’s
life. Further, peer pressure to keep a secret plays a
significant role in the play.
The workshops were held three times before
we saw the play and once after. For homework, we
wrote monologues and short scenes for plays. Our
actors were sent copies of our work before they arrived so they could study and determine how to best
act in our scenes and monologues. We were told to
write about a time when your community had kept
a secret.
Although it could be made up, Allison Daugherty Smith, an actress and teaching artist, suggested
that we work from truth but change details to make
the script more effective.
Kashmil Lopez wrote a monologue about
keeping a secret from her mother regarding choosing the military over college.
Marquise Bulford wrote about a boy who ratted out his brother, causing him to be arrested and
sent to jail.
Kyseam Thomas wrote about keeping a secret
about the circumstances behind a brother’s drowning.
The benefit of doing these workshops was to
gain a better understanding of the play we would
eventually see. By having to learn how to write
a specific dramatic scene, we were challenged to
write for the stage and for actors who had only our
script, not us, as coaches. Therefore, the writing had
to be clear and specific. We had to include a cast of
characters and a setting and a theme that matched
themes from “Good People.” Ironically, nobody
wrote comedy. Yet, “Good People” is comedic. Is
it harder to write comedy than tragedy?
The trip, the workshops, everything, was well
worth the time. Ms. Veronica Bazemore, Litt and
Ms. Janice Young chaperoned us and were delighted with the matinee audience’s questions about
how well this group of ECHS students represented
the best behavior.
It was a rare experience to learn about theatre
and plays and the world of the actor. To actually
see the play performed after we studied it made the
play understandable. Furthermore, it was fun, and
you could see what the actors were talking about
during the workshops.
For example, there were 40 characters who,
although never appearing on stage, were mentioned
by actors during the course of the play and were as
real to the audience as those who actually appeared
on stage. Each character could easily be imagined
because of the way the actors expressed themselves.
Being coached about what we would see made us
better understand the acting techniques that made
the play a success.
Still playing on Broadway, you can buy a
ticket for “Good People.” But it’s not an easy ticket
to get because the play is having a successful run.
However, it is well worth your trying.
The Time I Kept a Secret
By Kashmil Lopez
Keeping this secret was like pulling a piano
with no wheels up a hill.
When I decided that I wasn’t going to college, I was thinking, how am I going to tell my
mom about this? As I was walking home from
school, I was confused. I was thinking that if I
had gotten to the point where I made my decisions, I needed to decide between going into the
army or going to college.
I really believed either would lead me to be
successful in life. But my mother did not want
me to go into the army. How was I going to tell
her I had made up my mind to sign up?
When I got home, my mom asked me,
“So, how did it go today?” and I answered saying, “Oh, it went great,” but as I answered her,
I hurried to my room as fast as I could so she
wouldn’t notice that I was avoiding her.
The next day, when she called me on my
cell, I said, “I need to talk to you later.” So,
when I got home, she was ready to talk. I sat
down in the chair across from her and she said,
“All right. What’s happening? I know you have
something you need to tell me.” She waited. I
had no choice but to tell her what was going on.
Before I began, I was thinking that if I tell
her I chose the army, to her, it was taking a path
to die. But not to me. So I started telling my mom
that she needed to consider that my future was
mine. I, not her, needed to make my choices. But
then, as I spoke, I could see she wasn’t taking it
really well. So I didn’t finish telling her.
Three days later, I finally reached another
decision. I chose going to college. Before I
made that decision, I was thinking really hard
about how to choose the right path. As I started
walking that path in my mind, I thought about
my mother. I realized that, maybe, she was right.
Maybe this wasn’t the time to choose the army.
I saw my whole future in front of me and all the
accomplishments I had in mind.
What I really saw was how proud I am to be
myself. If I went to college first, maybe I could
join the army later. That, too, would always be
a possibility. I felt so relieved. I couldn’t wait to
tell my mother my decision.
Consequence
By Erik Colon Urbina
As I came out of that place and into the
hands of a person wearing blue scrubs, I knew
I was small because I heard my mom say to the
doctors, “He’s all right? He’s so small!”
That made me cry. I cried and cried because
I didn’t know where I was, if I was OK or too
small, and I was super scared. But, of course,
you’re probably wondering “How does he know
all this? He was just a baby!”
I know all this because my mom never
stops talking about it, even now that I’m older
and bigger. Well, now in present day, I’m still
small, but I’m all right with it because I get a
lot of attention because of it, and I love it. I’m
just kind of small for my age and that’s mostly
because my parents aren’t that tall.
It seems to me that being small turned out
to have a great positive consequence. My height
is a very positive consequence because I help
people get into tight places like behind refrigerators, into file cabinets, and I can scare people by
hiding in a cabinet nobody would ever suspect
and popping out!
It’s also positive because I have many nicknames, like “Shorty,” “LiL Man,” “Midget,” and
“lil Mack.” I like being called all these names
because they single me out. I’m noticed.
Sure, there are some negative consequences
to it, too, like when people meet me for the first
time in my school and ask if I’m only in second
grade and they’re being serious. People need to
stop asking stupid questions and think before
they open their mouths!
But, other than that, it seems to have been
real positive for me to be smaller than most other
people. In reality, it seems like this was a great
consequence that life handed to me.
Yonkers Montessori Academy
Teens Run Yonkers
Quinceañera: A Rite of Passage
Photo by Agostiho Camacho
L to r: Teens Run Yonkers founder Robert Grable, English teacher Eric Rothstein,
Aileen Moore, Alessia Dolgetta, science teacher Stacey Hess and Antonela Dedi
take a break from training for the Yonkers Marathon
By Antonela Dedi
Marathons began in Ancient Greece with
the legend of a Greek runner named Pheidippedes.
Pheidippedes was sent from the town of
Marathon to Athens to announce that the Persians had been defeated in the Battle of Marathon. It is said he ran the whole distance without stopping, but that after he gave the message
he collapsed from exhaustion. This story was
passed down for centuries until, eventually, it
developed into a sport during the first modern
Olympics held in Athens in 1896.
Since then, running has continued to be a
popular sport and an inexpensive way to stay fit,
since all you need to run is a good pair of running shoes and perseverance.
Here in Yonkers, Robert Grabel started and
coordinates the program known as “Teens Run
Yonkers.” It all started when he was running in
the Philadelphia Marathon in 2008. Toward the
end of the race, he noticed young teens being
encouraged to reach the finish line by adults and
knew that this was something really special.
When he found out that this group of children was part of a very successful program
called “Students Run Philly Style” modeled after “Students Run LA,” he wanted the same for
his hometown. He thought, “Why not bring this
program to Yonkers?”
In 2009, he started “Teens Run Yonkers,”
which provides teens an opportunity to train for,
and compete in, a marathon. It encourages them
to be more active, set goals for themselves and
try to do something they had never done before.
At Yonkers Montessori Academy, 12 students train two days a week for an hour with
Grabel and YMA teachers Eric Rothstein and
Stacey Hess. They work hard and try to do better each day. Along with Grabel, Rothstein and
Hess encourage the students to keep going so
they will have a sense of pride and accomplishment when they finish the marathon, which is
scheduled to take place September 24.
They are also teaching the students about
good eating habits and how important it is to eat
healthy so they will have enough energy as they
train. Rothstein sees a difference in the runners
already.
“They are more physically fit, mentally
alert and have developed positive relationships
with each other,” he proudly reported.
The YMA students participating in this
event want to set an example for other teens who
think they would never be able to run a marathon. They hope to show them that if they get up
off the couch, put down the TV remote, spend
less time playing video games, do something active and improve their diets, they too, can be a
part of this life changing experience.
A Day in the Life of a Teen:
Living with Allergies
Sarah Crucitti checks a food package to make sure
that she isn’t allergic to any of the ingredients
By Sarah Crucitti
I suffer from food allergies.
When I was seven years old, I had a severe reaction to the shellfish my parents made
for dinner. Halfway through the meal, my face
broke out in a terrible rash which began to
ooze and I had to be rushed to the hospital.
While in the hospital, I was tested for
other allergies and discovered that I was allergic to several other foods. A food allergy, or
hypersensitivity, is an abnormal response to a
food that is triggered by the immune system.
As a result, I now know that if I drink milk
it will result in a very unpleasant itchy mouth;
while consuming any seafood, berries, eggs or
nuts will result in anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis is
a sudden, severe allergic reaction that occurs
when you are exposed to a substance that your
body was sensitized to during a previous exposure.
In some cases, anaphylaxis may have
mild symptoms, causing only hives and itching. But it can be deadly. Blood pressure can
drop severely, leading to loss of consciousness.
Swelling of the throat and airways can cause
difficulty breathing, speaking and swallowing.
Anaphylaxis is a medical emergency.
Having an allergy can be an unpleasant
or even frightening experience. But I am not
alone in having to live with and manage my
allergies. Approximately 55 percent of all U.S.
citizens test positive to one or more allergens.
Many people suffer seasonal allergies
from grass, pollen, molds, cockroaches, dust
mites, animal dander and saliva; some have
allergies to insect stings, latex and penicillin;
but only about five percent of children have
clinically proven allergic reactions to foods. In
adults, food allergies occur in about four percent of the total population.
This may seem like a lot for a teen to
handle but, growing up, I was always taught
“Safety first!” That is why I carry an EpiPen
wherever I go. An EpiPen is an autoinjector
needle that delivers a measured dose of epinephrine (also known as adrenaline) to treat
acute allergic reactions and treat or avoid the
onset of anaphylactic shock before seeking
medical help.
I also learned to be vigilant. It is extremely
important for people who have food allergies
to identify them so they can prevent allergic
reactions which can cause devastating illness
and in some cases, death. I am never embarrassed to ask questions, because my health and
safety are at stake.
For example, I always ask what is in my
food when eating in a restaurant and especially
what kind of oil they will be using to cook my
food. I also read the labels of any processed
foods I eat. You would be surprised to find out
what is in your food! Berries, nuts and eggs are
often in things you would never suspect.
There is one ray of hope; while adults
usually do not lose their allergies, approximately one percent of children can outgrow
them. I am going to keep my fingers crossed
about that!
Sandra Solario (left) and Jasmine Medina review
menu options for Solario’s Quinceañera
By Jasmine Medina
The Aztecs didn’t consider a woman human
until her 15th birthday, at which time she was admitted into tribal society with elaborate ritual. T
his tradition was later Christianized and became known as the Quinceañera. This rite of passage is still followed today by many Catholic Hispanic families and is one of the most memorable
events in a young woman’s life.
“A Quinceañera takes as much preparation
as most weddings,” says YMA freshman Sandra
Solorio, who will be turning 15 on August 12.
“You have to put together a guest list, decide on
a menu, buy a formal dress, order invitations and
flowers, book a hall, schedule a band and select
attendants.”
Solorio has been planning her own Quinceañera for several months and has been trying to follow as many of the traditions that are involved in
a Quinceañera as possible.
Traditionally, the young lady carefully
chooses 14 of her girlfriends or relatives to be in
her court, along with escorts for each girl. Each
of the 14 girls, or “damas,” represent one year of
her life.
After a court is put together, the girl has to
choose a dress. A traditional Quinceañera dress is
very similar to a wedding dress, but can vary in
color. Once all of the clothes and couples have
been assembled, the court meets frequently to
practice dance routines, including the waltz.
Solorio described one of the most important
parts of the celebration: “On the day of the party, the transition from childhood to adulthood is
made when the girl’s mother changes her daughter’s shoes from flats to high heels. It symbolizes
the daughter stepping into the world as a woman
and departing her childhood.”
Solorio is just one of many young Hispanic
girls celebrating their Quinceañera this year.
“I am going to celebrate my Quinceañera
because my mother never got to celebrate her
Quinceañera,” Solorio reported. “She wants me
to be able to have the experience she never had.”
There are some girls, however, who choose
not to celebrate their Quinceañera. I am a young
Hispanic American, myself. My family has lived
in America for three generations, and they want
me to embrace both my American and Puerto Rican culture.
But I am unsure that I want to celebrate my
Quinceañera with a big party. Planning a Quinceañera celebration is very expensive and time consuming. I am not certain that I can handle all the
time and work it would take to plan for the party
and still keep up with my school work and extracurricular activities. Also, I feel the great amount
of money it would cost for just that one day could
be better spent, maybe on a trip to Puerto Rico.
My family has left the decision as to how I
to celebrate my 15th birthday entirely up to me. It
is a decision I will not make lightly.
Is Nuclear Energy Worth Its Risks?
Photo by
No
Yes
Agostiho Camacho
By Jasaya Arroyo
By Doud Marji
The recent disaster
Personally, I do not
in Japan, causing panic
see what all this hype
over the Fukushima
about using nuclear enDaiichi Nuclear Power
ergy is about.
Plant, leaves me to wonSimply put, nuclear
der; Is nuclear energy
energy is the energy reworth the risks to the
leased by nuclear fision.
environment and human
Recently, the Fukishima
life? I believe the answer
Nuclear Power Plant in
is no, and that nuclear
Tokyo leaked radiation
energy should not be
into the atmosphere, afused at all!
fecting its citizens. Now,
First, nuclear enpeople all over the world
ergy’s safety issues start
are panicking, fearful
with its main ingredithat a nuclear meltdown
ent, uranium. Place that
will cause harmful dammain ingredient inside of
age to them, especially
Daud Marji (left) and Jasaya
power plants vulnerable
if they live near a power
Arroyo have different opinions
to nature’s fury and we
plant.
about nuclear energy
are in for what could be
While their fear is
an uncontrollable disaster resulting in damage to understandable, the recent meltdown at Fukishipeople and the environment.
ma and the meltdown at the Chernobyl Plant in
Uranium is a radioactive heavy metal. If the Ukraine in 1986 are sporadic incidents.
used improperly, or in large doses, radioactivThe pros of using nuclear energy far surpass
ity can spew into our atmosphere. How safe are the risks. Nuclear power is a clean, abundant and
these plants if they blow up or melt-down? The inexpensive way for us to produce energy.
recent events in Japan answer this question; we
Among the many benefits of nuclear energy
are in real trouble.
is that it is a clean way to produce energy. It does
Second, nuclear power plants have trouble not result in the emission of any poisonous gas,
getting rid of the waste they produce. Let’s face pollution being one of the worries to our enviit; it is not as simple as dumping old coffee ronment. Burning fossil fuels, an alternative to
down the drain. Most of the waste cannot be re- nuclear energy, causes much more air pollution.
processed, so it’s not useful for anything. Most
In addition, the waste of nuclear energy is
importantly, since we can’t destroy it, it needs to small when compared to its alternative, fossil
be deposited safely until it loses its radiation.
fuel waste. In fact, environmentalists consider
Not to mention the possibility that terrorists nuclear energy to be “environmentally friendcould obtain waste and make nuclear weapons ly.”
used to wage war against us. We have witnessed
Also, there is a much higher rate of deaths
the extremes others would go to in their quest and accidents which occur in the fossil fuel into cause mass devastation; in the wrong hands, dustry which include coal mines, oil and gas
nuclear waste can cause more damage and long pipelines. Is anyone calling for us to stop using
term devastation than the energy it produces is oil because of the BP oil disaster in the Gulf of
worth.
Mexico?
Lastly are safety concerns. Nuclear radiaNot only is nuclear energy clean, it is an
tion harms the cells of the body, causing people abundant and fairly cheap source of energy. The
to become sick or even die. People who are ex- source of nuclear power is uranium. Uranium
posed to radioactivity may experience minor is available in the crust of the Earth and most
sickness such as nausea, vomiting and head- recently has been found abundantly in Canada
aches. But there are more severe consequences, and Australia.
illnesses such as cancer or physical, mental and
Do you understand the size of the Earth’s
genetic changes that strike people days, or even crust? We will not run out of uranium for centuyears, after their exposure to nuclear radiation. ries, it is virtually inexhaustible.
Changes in the genes of a pregnant woman can
Finally, many people are misinformed
be transmitted to future children and succeeding about the effects of radiation. I bet you would
generations.
be surprised to know that radiation has been a
We cannot afford to be complacent about part of our environment since the Earth’s existhis issue. If you think that what happened in Ja- tence and, in moderate amounts, is not harmful
pan could not happen here, think again.
to our health.
Saunders High School
Acting Bug Comes to Saunders
Building Their Way Up!
Photo by Amna Siddiqi
Photo by Bianca Beltran
The Architecture Open House was packed with excited students and onlookers
Alimi Ballard (left) with his former teacher, Mr. Vernon Byron
By Amna Siddiqi
We recently had the opportunity to welcome
a special guest speaker to our school, actor Alimi
Ballard.
Ballard, who is known for his roles in “Sabrina the Teenage Witch” and the new movie “Fast
Five,” is a former student of our own Mr. Vernon
Byron. He came to speak at Saunders about his
career and the importance of education.
By 9:15 a.m., the library was filled with eager students and teachers when Ballard entered to
a burst of applause and high-fives. Ballard began
speaking about his childhood in the Bronx and being raised by a single mother (who he says is his
“biggest hero”).
His mother had him working at 12 years old
to instill a sense of purpose in him. At 14, however, he began to rebel to fit in with the “cool
crowd.” It was during these teenage years that
he met Byron, a new teacher in the Black Studies
Program at Truman High School in the Bronx.
At around the same time, Ballard got an offer to work at a Creative Arts Center for $30 a
week, and as a teenager in need of money, he took
the job. Though he was never interested in dancing, singing or acting, he said attending the center
changed his life. He began getting involved in the
acting scene and realized that he really enjoyed
it.
For Ballard, acting was an outlet to help him
release anger and frustration. Ballard said that at
the time when he discovered his love for acting,
Byron was very supportive, while his mother preferred him to reach for a more stable career.
The first play he acted in was “No Laughing Matter,” for which he toured New York City
schools and prisons, bringing entertainment to
countless people. The rest is history.
He acted in soap operas on ABC and moved
to California, had a role in “Malcolm X,” and got
a big break as the Quizmaster on “Sabrina the
Teenage Witch.” He recently scored a “dream
come true” role as Fusco in the new movie, “Fast
Five” (part of the “Fast and Furious” series).
Though he found his love in acting, Ballard
always valued his education. Although he cracked
many jokes, he turned serious to stress the importance of education and teachers.
“A country that does not invest in education
has no future,” said Ballard.
After asking different students in the crowd
what they wanted to be, he advised, “This is the
time in your life to be strong, whether you turn
right or left.”
Wise words from a successful yet down-toearth actor.
Plans, Plans and More Plans!
By Bianca Beltran
The Graphic Design major at Saunders Trades
& Technical High School is finishing off the year
with a list of objectives for students in the course.
The first objective on the list is to develop
their portfolios. Students will critically evaluate
their current work, work on it further, print quality output and also trim and develop new pieces to
represent their file set. Students will present their
work to best display their strengths and arrange
their pieces in a professional portfolio suitable for
showing at a college interview.
They will even have to practice their verbal
presenting skills when addressing their portfolio in
front of others. A digital version of their portfolios
is being worked on as well, so they may submit it
online or by DVD if they can’t turn it in by hand.
The next objective on the list deals with working with the corporate world. In the design field,
corporations are one of the most common clients.
These corporations hire designers to create their
“faces.” In other words, designers provide these
corporations with a corporate identity, contributing
to marketing strategies and brand cultures.
This objective explores the corporate world
with the goal of obtaining a corporate job, behavior
and attitude for a successful career as a corporate
employee and role requirements and responsibilities of a corporate designer. Marketing, branding
and communication strategies will be examined
and explored during the events.
The last objective on the graphic design student’s list deals with a Communication Design Internship. This internship course is intended to help
students in graphics take their first steps into the
professional design world.
This class serves as a bridge providing both
a professional and academic experience. It serves
to promote a community of designers and learners who share their experience, opinions and resources.
The internship gives them a hands-on view
of what it will be like working in the career of a
graphic designer. It’s crazy to think they can do it
all, but they have proven their talent before, and
they’ll do it again when they have everything done
and ready.
Tick Tock: Tech Prep Day
By Melissa Lam
Picture this; you are sitting in a room as you
hear the clock sound, “Tick Tock. Tick Tock. Tick
Tock.”
You count down the last few seconds, knowing that this moment has finally arrived. You hear
yourself breathing aloud and the anticipation is
killing you inside. You cannot wait any longer.
Your stomach is not tied up with knots but, rather,
with satisfaction.
Being a student in one of the technical majors
here at Saunders, everyone knows what event is
right around the corner before graduation — Tech
Prep. This year at Saunders, Tech Prep Day is held
on June 2.
Technical majors such as Chemical Technology (Chem-Tech), Environmental Biology (Bio),
Electrical Computer Circuitry (ECC), and Computer Industrial Design (CID) participate in this
Valedictorian
Throughout these two years, Daugherty has
exhibited a strong commitment to improving
the world in a plethora of ways, including being
a member of the Yonkers Unified Varsity Girls’
Swim Team since 2007, becoming the captain of
the swim team in 2009 and fighting for the reopening of the Mark Twain Pool — a difficult, yet rewarding feat — in the fall of 2010. Daugherty has
been the manager of the Yonkers Unified Varsity
Boys’ Swim Team since 2007.
Daugherty is an honorable member of both
the National Honor Society and the Hispanic Honors Society. She reflects upon her extracurricular
time spent in YMHS and states that both the Student Government, of which she was a class senator
during her senior year, and the Yearbook Club, for
annual event.
On the day of the event, in Saunders’ library,
two students from each major of the chemical
technology magnet, as well as from biology, are
selected to present their findings among their
class, teachers and a selective group of judges!
They will have to give a PowerPoint presentation
of their project, whether it is informative, interesting or appealing.
In the auditorium is ECC and CID setting up
their tech prep assignments. Using their creativity
and knowledge from the past few years, they present their projects to a panel of judges.
As it does every year, Saunders invites and
welcomes you to our annual Tech Prep Day. The
seniors of the graduating class of 2011 have worked
extremely hard for a number of consecutive years
researching and modifying our projects.
We hope to see you. Enjoy!
which she has been an editor, brought about new
outlooks on life for her. She enjoys volunteering
for the community and has been an avid member
of the Celtic Club, Habitat for Humanity and Students against Destructive Decisions.
Daugherty has been selected as a National
Merit Scholarship Commended student, has received the Frederick Douglass and Susan B. Anthony Award and the Classic Residence by Hyatt
Investing in Youth Scholarship. She plans to attend
the University of Virginia this coming fall.
Like the average teenager, Daugherty enjoys baseball, swimming, reading and traveling.
She is proud of being both a lector at Immaculate
Conception Church in Tuckahoe and a Harry Potter fanatic! Her achievements and contributions
to YMHS will be remembered long after she has
graduated and she will no doubt continue her involvement in student activities and social issues in
the years to come.
By Bianca Beltran
Saunders’ Annual Architecture Open House
is a momentous occasion that many make sure to
attend.
Sophomores, juniors and seniors in the architecture major have the job of making a constructed
design of a certain landscape as their final project
for the year, the biggest and most important of
them all. In the Construction Facility Management
division, seniors paired up to create a commercial
site development while juniors were in charge of
putting a golf course design together.
For the Architecture students, seniors teamed
up to make commercial designs, juniors made
residential designs and sophomores made park designs. Some made AM park designs while others
handled PM park designs.
The one thing each student had in common,
though, was their goal to impress and capture the
judges’ attention. That’s right. Each grade was
judged on their projects and three lucky people
from each left with the reward of being placed
as first, second or third. Many came to judge the
amazing projects themselves, crowding the Saunders Auditorium in anticipation for the award results.
It was a difficult decision for the judges this
year, but they chose the winners after a day’s discussing and debating.
For the sophomores who made the AM park
designs, Linette Prasad took first place, Jonathan
Cato took second place and Ashley Joseph took
third place. Two honorable mentions included
Francisco Wilson-King and Jose Ramirez.
For the sophomores who created the PM
park designs, Elias Dejesus took first, Jaime Fontalvo took second and Jennifer Bustamante took
third. The honorable mentions for this category
were Christos Tsachalis and Tamara Van Lesber-
ghe. Another look at their projects will prove that
they’re deserving of their titles.
For the Architecture juniors, Virginia Marie
Nunez took first place, Francesca Messina took
second place and Vasilios Koulouris took third
place. The honorable mentions include Tonathzy
Solorio, Melissa Vazquez and Luisa Ferreras.
In the CFM Junior department, Christian Colon took first place, Alejandro Barrera took second
place and Daniel Hunter took third. The honorable
mentions were Christopher Torres and Danielle
Dinardo. Amazing work deserves some serious
props.
And finally, to announce the senior winners:
for the Architecture Seniors, Nichole Christian and
Nicholette Murray took first, Klarissa Hernandez
took second and Densley Ledesma and Melanie
Lopez took third. Honorable mentions went to Pamela Luna and Emily Cruz for their project and
Akram Lahlouh and Manuel Zapata for theirs.
For the CFM Seniors, Stefhany Roman and
Nicole Gannon took first, Luisana Marcelino and
Amanda Ricardo took second, and Carly Mascetta
and Karl Stellmacher took third. The honorable
mention for this group was Vanessa Lanza and
Claudia Reyes, as well as Nelson Rosario. Once
again, their amazing projects defined their pride.
Based on the outstanding turn-out for the
open house and all the incredible projects, it is
safe to say that the students of the Architecture
major at Saunders High School are going to have
even more competition to come for next year and
the rest of their careers.
Their abilities never cease to amaze everyone
and the enhancement of their skills is shown each
year the Architecture Open House comes around.
Make sure to mark your calendar for next year’s,
because it’s going to be a great one; you can bet
on it!
HVAC Take Home Gold!
By Bianca Beltran
On May 3, the Heating Ventilation and Air
Conditioner (HVAC) magnet participated in the
Service And Installation Competition, run by the
National Oil Heating Service Managers N.Y.C
and Westchester chapters.
The competition included students from
Alfred E.Smith, William E.Grady and Saunders
Trades and Technical High Schools. Saunders
walked away with winners from different fields
of the competition.
For the Oil Burner Competition, John Marietti took both first and second place and Robert
Papale took third. For this test, students had to
dismantle each burner and reassemble them with
given tools and rules.
For the Hydronic Boiler Piping Competition,
Jeffrey Santos took first place and Jeffrey Kaufman took second. In this test, the participating
teams were each given a piping diagram with parts
that they were expected to connect to the boiler at
each station. They had to use their own methods
to get the job done smoothly and efficiently.
In the Combustion Analysis Competition,
Peter Vargas took first place. For this test, competitors were required to perform a complete combustion analysis on a live fired boiler. They had to
demonstrate their ability to conduct the analysis
using a Fyrite analyzer, adjusting it for more efficient results while verbalizing their actions.
For the Pipe Fitting/Parts Identification test,
Michael Manzo took first place. Students in this
competition were given a list of fittings and/or
oil burner parts that they had to retrieve from the
crate and display in the listed order while being
timed and scored.
For the wiring test in front of the Steam Boiler Panel, Arber Hysenas won first place, and finally, De’Vante Layne took third place in the Service
Ticket event. Students in this test had to re-wire a
simulated steam boiler on a work panel.
HVAC students did a great job and worked
to their best potential, which is all we could ever
want from them. However, the competition wasn’t
all about winning or losing.
It is true that there were individuals who
took home titles and awards that day, but in reality, everyone came home with something. About
40 people from the industry gave up a day from
their work to help and give back to their field. For
many, that satisfactory feeling of giving back to
the community would be enough.
But that’s not all. To be split evenly among
each other, three brand new boilers, 20 new circulators and multiple lengths of copper pipe were
donated to all three schools. Each student even
received their own gift bag.
Throughout the whole event, the media was
on the scene taking information and pictures from
all the smiling people enjoying what they love doing. That was the most marvelous thing about the
whole event.
The fact that so many people came together
to enjoy this day of fun competition just proves
the HVAC major has a very tight business community that provides support to schools to continue in this field.
Doing what they love is what really makes
them all winners.
Asian Club
By Amna Siddiqi
Saunders has many clubs to offer, but our
Asian Club is definitely one of the most active
and diverse clubs.
This year we’ve expanded to mroe than 35
members, from freshman to seniors, and each
member has learned something new from our
various interactive meetings.
Our weekly meetings have ranged from
hosting an origami session, taught by our own
Vice President Melissa Lam, to learning about
Asian attire, presented by our South Asian members. We’ve even learned the basics of speaking
Arabic.
Aside from enlightening our own club, we
have fundraised to help the disaster relief program in Japan. We held a bake sale, where we
raised almost $200 from selling simple goods,
such as cookies and cupcakes, and Japanese
candy. The Asian Club has been very enthusias-
tic in the fundraising for Japan and is planning
on setting up even more ways to raise money.
Many associate our Asian Club with our
annual Asian Show, during which we showcase
many different Asian dances, song, skits and
more. However, this year turned out a little different. We recently had our auditorium remodeled and were unable to hold our Asian Show
there.
Though this came as a huge disappointment
to not only the club but many Asian Club supporters, we found an alterative. We found out
that Riverside High School was hosting their
first Culture Collision Talent Show and some
of our Asian Club performers showcased their
talents (ranging from Indian to K-Pop dances)
there on May 20.
Though we may have had a few disappointments, the Asian Club has proven to find alternatives and will only get better next year.
RIVERSIDE High School
CERT at Riverside High School
Riverside Earth Day 2011
Photo by Kadijah Spence
L to r: Officer Walsh instructs Ariel Castillo and Pedro Betanzos during CERT training
By Kadijah Spence
Community Emergency Response Team
(CERT) has given Riverside High School students the opportunity to train for disasters.
Every Wednesday, firefighters from the
CERT program taught students during their
health classes. CERT managers, such as Sean
Walsh, trained students to do the job a firefighter or police officer would do. CERT has three
standards; search and rescue, safety measures
and Emergency Medical Service (EMS).
During the Search and Rescue sessions,
students learned that firefighters wear a fire resistant suit and gloves, oxygen mask and helmet. Students were able to try on the equipment.
The suit doesn’t look that heavy but when you
try it on it’s a different story. Imagine scaling a
ladder while wearing heavy equipment.
The students were also instructed on Search
and Rescue procedures. The procedures are
as follows. Before entering a room, one must
place his/her hand on the door to feel if it’s hot.
If you can’t count past “one Mississippi,” with
your hand on the door, don’t enter the room. If
the door is too hot, put an “X” on it, and then
square the “X.” If you can enter the room, put
a “/” mark on the door so that firefighters will
know that someone is still in the room.
Remain low to the ground; smoke stays
above the ground so you can see if you stay
low.
Use your voice: “I am here to rescue you,
if you can hear my voice come to me.” If you
are with someone, it is a good idea to split up
(the job will be done faster).
When searching, always keep contact with
the wall. When exiting the room, complete the
“/” to make an “X”. This will let a firefighter
know that the room was searched and that it is
safe to enter and rescan.
There is also an incident procedure to follow. Mass Causality Incidents, sort of a triage,
will maximize the amount of people you can
help. Sorting injured people is helpful and is
usually done by color; each color represents the
severity of injuries.
Red is for immediate care, yellow represents that the person can wait, green means the
injuries are minor, and black is representative
of death. If a blue color is spotted, that person
is expected to die.
The students were told to remember their
ABC’s when sorting; airway, breathing, circulation. There are several ways to check airways; chin lift/head tilt, lift mandible and a
modified jaw thrust. The following steps must
be followed:
• Airway: check lungs, trachea, mouth and
nose;
• Blockage of airway: check for vomit,
food, blood or swelling of the airway;
• Checking if person in breathing: ask, finger by the nose, feel the abdomen;
• If person is not breathing proceed to
CPR: 2 breaths (mouth to mouth), 30 compressions (apply hands with pressure on the chest).
There are also several types of bleeding.
They are arterial under pressure bleeding, oxygen which transports blood to the heart — if
there is extensive damage there would be blood
squirting everywhere. Venous, which is when
veins transport deoxygenated blood from the
heart — if they are damaged blood will pool.
Capillary is when a blood vessel is broken.
If bleeding does occur, there are procedures to follow to help stop the bleeding:
• put direct pressure to wound;
• if bleeding continues, lift arm up with applied pressure;
• find pressure point and squeeze.
Students were able to do search and rescue
activities. They had to find a dummy that was
hidden in the room. The dummy was placed
in several places in the classroom; behind the
door, in a corner and even placed between the
desks.
Students had to remain low and searching
for the dummy while communicating with an
assigned partner. Communication with your
partner and splitting up the search are the most
effective ways to conduct a search and rescue.
Always check behind the door, all the corners
of the room and underneath the beds/desks.
All of the activities were interactive and
informative. This information was invaluable
and could hopefully be of some help one day.
Tips for a Successful Year End
By Enjoli Delarosa
As the 2010-11 school year approaches its
end, many students are looking forward to their
summer jobs, staying up late and heading out to
the area’s beaches and pools.
Conversely, Regents exams and finals are
among some of the things that students are not
looking forward to. The preparation for Regents
exams and finals, however, is very important. It
takes total concentration, especially at this time
of the year, to accomplish goals. And the nice
weather makes it all the more difficult.
There are several tips that students can use
to stay focused at the end of the school year.
For example, one major tip for staying
focused is organization. Staying organized
throughout the whole school year, especially
toward the end, is very important. Students re-
ceive countless bits of information from their
teachers regarding test review for both finals
and Regents exams and the various summer
programs that are offered throughout the district. Organization, at this point, has a huge affect on student’s performance.
Creating a study schedule is another tip
that will certainly pay off. A schedule can help
you manage your time and prioritize your responsibilities. The better the schedule, the more
successful the student will be.
Consistency is also very important. Remaining consistent in your study habits will
keep you focused and set you on a great path
to success.
Remember, study hard and stay focused,
and everything else will fall into place. Good
luck everyone, and have a great summer!
Going Green
By Adana Gibson
During the past few years, the “green”
movement has caught on like wildfire.
The faculty and students of Riverside have
especially embraced this initiative. As important
as the idea of going green is, one can argue that
there is no point in going green if you cannot
stay green. Here at Riverside, students have not
only taken on the initiative to go green, but are
working together to see that Riverside remains
a green school.
Students who belong to clubs such as
Habitat for Humanity have helped to launch
programs that continually assure that Riverside
remains environmental friendly with ideas such
as composting. Composting is nature’s way of
recycling decomposed organic materials into a
rich soil. It is a constructive way for items that
would usually end up in a garbage can, such as
vegetable matter, grass clippings and leaves.
Slowly but surely, the composting system
will begin to take shape as Habitat for Humanity donated a composting machine to get this
movement running.
Ideas like green roofing, which is a roof
that is covered in plants and reduces stormwater run-off and lowers cooling costs, is also a
great way to utilize space. Even solar paneling
devices that convert light into electricity are being suggested.
Though these suggestions have not yet
begun to take shape, no one can tell what the
future holds. At Riverside High School, where
R.E.D is green, students are ever determined to
reduce, reuse and recycle like never before.
L to r (back row) Brian Boyd, Lindsey Ayanruoh, City Council President Chuck Lesnick,
Habitat for Humanity of Westchester Executive Director Jim Kallorian, Lia Council
and Charlie Cruz with Students from PEARLS and School #25
By Sierra Bangari
What’s greener than a leaf? Riverside High
School.
Located at 565 Warburton Ave., Riverside
has been celebrating Earth Day since it became
the high school for Environmental Engineering
& Design four years ago. This past Earth Day,
April 22, fell during spring break, so Riverside
celebrated on April 15 instead.
Starting with the Pledge of Allegiance and
a couple of patriotic numbers performed by the
Riverside Band, the school recognized all of the
green activities that are taking place throughout
the district. Wonderful environmental displays
were provided by classes, clubs, organizations
and even other schools.
Aside from the Riverside Habitat for Humanity of Westchester Club, Groundwork Hudson Valley, AmeriCorp, Yonkers Land Conservancy Committee and Yonkers Paddling and
Rowing Club, members of Hawthorne Pearls,
Paideia School 24, Museum School 25 and the
Foxfire School also attended.
With the help of Habitat for Humanity, the
new composting system was displayed. The Robotics Club of Riverside showed their energyfriendly inventions and cooled everyone off
with their environmentally friendly fan.
The Honor Society’s Friends of Cambodia
Child’s Dream, chaired by Riverside’s Kadijah
Spence, was on hand to raise money for wells
in Cambodian villages while students planted
flowers, cleaned the marina and cut invasive
vines outside the school on Kennedy Boulevard.
The event was a huge success, and many
friendly and familiar faces, such as Habitat for
Humanity of Westchester Director Jim Killoran,
Yonkers City Council President Chuck Lesnick,
Yonkers Green Policy Task Force and Lesnick
Aide Laura Fahrenthold and Riverside’s Library Media Specialist and Grapevine Liaison
Anne Mastropolo, who does double duty as a
committee member of the Yonkers Land Conservancy and as organizer of the event, enjoyed
themselves.
There was a lot of information and many
activities for both adults and children to do
while discovering what each display had to offer. Lesnick even helped out with the composting bin by adding apples to the pile.
All in all, the event went very smoothly
and was enjoyed by all who attended. A short
video about the day’s event can be seen on the
Habitat for Humanity of Westchester’s Youtube
Channel.
To the Seniors
By Andrew McFadden
As my senior year winds down and the
temperature climbs up, it seems like there are
only two things on my classmates’ minds; summer and college.
And as much as I’d like to write this article about the summer, I’m afraid that doing so
might upset my chronic senioritis and send me
into a spiral of procrastination. Instead, for my
fellow seniors, my last Grapevine article will be
about the mysterious, foreign world of college
and everything they don’t want you to know
about it.
If your high school career was anything
like mine, you’ve probably heard things like
this before: “College is in your future!”; “You
need to get a bachelor’s degree to succeed!”;
and “Wake up! The bell rang 5 minutes ago!”
Clearly, college is important. Otherwise, our
educated educators wouldn’t be so determined
to make sure we all get accepted. Right?
As it turns out, nearly half of all college
students drop out before obtaining a bachelor’s
degree. For whatever reason, 54 percent of all
degree-seeking students decide it’s not worth
staying there. Unfortunately, it’s definitely
worth it to the schools who will happily take
your money, no matter how long you’re there.
With tuition plus room and board reaching
as high as $50,000 at some institutions, many
schools are allowing their underclass students
to fail or drop out because financially, it doesn’t
make a bit of difference.
Every year, there is a new crop of freshmen willing to become an average of $24,000
in debt by the time they graduate, so why would
a college bother solving the problem? With fat
paychecks in hand, the educational executives
in charge of these schools don’t bother to lift
a finger to help the students struggling to stay
afloat in a sea of debt.
Every day, these schools take advantage
of people just like us, who work hard and pay
through the nose for the opportunity to get a degree with their name written on it. Are we going
to let them do the same to us? Not if President
Obama has anything to say about it!
Currently, Obama is working on a massive
undertaking to dramatically raise college graduation rates in what will be the most drastic push
that higher education has seen since the GI Bill
paved the way for veterans to get a college degree. But while Obama’s calling the shots in the
Oval Office, we’ll be the one’s fighting for our
futures in class.
Think of it this way; if it’s a fight you’re
paying $40,000 for, you better fight that fight
right.
Happy summer, seniors.
SACA Does India
By Chelsey Mathew
The South Asian Cultural Association
(SACA) was founded in 2010 by Jason Cheru
and Science teachers Ancy Franks and Tamara
Singh.
The club quickly grew and began making
its mark within the school community. SACA
meets once a week and club members spend
time sharing different aspects of their culture,
be it music, food, film or language.
The 2011 school year marked the beginning of a legacy within Riverside. SACA began
opening its doors to all members of the Riverside Community. SACA started hosting Movie
and Dinner Nights, during which savory Indian
food was served while attendees enjoyed viewing Bollywood movies.
The club’s programs expanded, and SACA
soon held its first “Henna and Chai Afternoon,”
where students of SACA did henna tattoos on
curious hands while sipping Indian chai.
SACA continued to make itself known in
the school community as it also held bazaars,
where members sold Indian jewelry and clothing that came straight from India! In addition,
the club couldn’t forget about the wonderful
teachers who have helped to make Riverside
what it is today, so they held a teachers’ luncheon, in which all faculty and staff were invited to a delectable lunch.
SACA upholds values such as honor, culture and tradition. The club holds these virtues
in high esteem, all while having a good time
with each other. And what better way than music?
Indian music is one of the most remarkable and enchanting orchestrations in the world.
Music plays a major role in Indian culture,
whether it is of spiritual importance, an expression of the culture itself or just because of the
pure entertainment.
SACA could not help but to celebrate the
wonderful measures of Indian song by hosting the first Cultural Collision Talent Show on
May 20. SACA made itself known among the
Riverside community, and all of Yonkers, as
this competition is opened to all Yonkers high
schools.
For more information, visit www.redsaca.
com.
YONKERS Middle High School
YMHS Reaches for the Stars:
Congratulations, Valedictorian
and Salutatorian!
YMHS Valedictorian Jaimie Parambil
By Bayan Baker
Congratulations to our Valedictorian Jaimie
Parambil and to our Salutatorian Eleanor Daugherty for their fine and honorable achievement!
Warm wishes are expressed upon these two
bright scholars as they embark upon life’s journey
and experience all of the opportunities the world
has to offer.
Parambil ranks number one in the school. She
has successfully completed one of the most rigorous high school programs available as a Yonkers
International Baccalaureate Diploma Candidate
and has maintained a high GPA, as well as a position on Principal’s List from grades 9 to 12.
Parambil is a vital contributor to the culture of
the school and the community, having served as a
member of the Biodiversity Club, Environmental
Awareness Club and Open Door Club since 2007.
She has also been co-president of Habitat for Humanity Club since 2007 and has been a member
of the Key Club since 2008. In her second year of
high school, Parambil joined both the Varsity Track
team, where she learned the meaning of teamwork
and comradeship, and the Newspaper Club, writing for the school newspaper, The Broadcaster and
the district-wide newspaper, The Yonkers Student
Grapevine.
Additionally, Parambil is an honorable member of the National Honor Society, the National
Junior Arts Society and the Hispanic Honor Society. She was named Student of the Month in Modern Language for January, 2009 and in Science in
March, 2010. She has also received the George
Eastman Young Leaders Award in April, 2010.
Parambil enjoys staying actively involved
throughout the community and has volunteered
at the Hebrew Home for the Aged and Dr. Dagli’s
Pediatric Clinic in the summer of 2010. For two
consecutive years, she has successfully completed
the five mile walk for the American Cancer Society
Breast Cancer Walk and also completed the March
of Dimes Walk in May of last year. She also participated in the YMHS Blood Drive in assisting
students prior to donating.
Parambil plans to attend Siena College in the
fall and endeavors to pursue a career in the medical
field, majoring in biology. She hopes to help other
countries by providing medical aide with Doctors
without Borders. She recollects about her passion
in reading fantasies and fiction, watching romantic
comedies and playing the piano during her spare
time.
Although she is not a professional player,
Parambil enjoys playing volleyball and badminton
with her friends. Her mark on YMHS will not be
soon forgotten. Parambil will be dearly missed by
friends and staff at YMHS; she was a true inspiration to all those around her, and never without a
smile on her face.
Daugherty, YMHS’s Salutatorian, is a student and amiable friend who conveys ease while
achieving so outstandingly. For the past two years,
Daugherty has faced the challenges of being a candidate for the International Baccalaureate Diploma
with an impressively positive outlook on the journey.
Ladies of YMHS
‘Sine’ Off On Math Day
By Marissa Alsaloum
On April 1, 60 Yonkers Middle High School
female 10th and 11th graders, along with five female educators, attended the Sonia Kovalevsky
Mathematics Day event held at the College of New
Rochelle.
Hosted by the College of New Rochelle’s
School of Arts and Sciences Mathematics Department, the women enjoyed an eventful day that
highlighted the roles of women in mathematical
and scientific fields.
Since 1985, Sonia Kovalevsky Middle
School and High School Mathematics Days have
been scheduled nationwide by the Association for
Women in Mathematics to inspire young women
to continue and further their study of mathematics.
Kovalevsky is an extremely motivational figure
herself.
Growing up in Russia, Kovalevsky had remarkable mathematical talent, but during the
1800s in Russia, only men were allowed to attend
universities. In need of permission from either her
father or husband to continue her education overseas, she engaged in a fake marriage and then emigrated from Russia in 1867.
In 1888, she was awarded the prestigious
Prix Bordin award for her paper, “On the Rotation
of a Solid Body about a Fixed Point.” She is the
most renowned Russian mathematician of the late
19th century. She also became the first women to
achieve a full professorship in a northern European
university when she was chosen to be Professorial
Chair holder at Stockholm University in 1889.
Upon their arrival at the College of New Rochelle, the YMHS female students and their accompanying teachers were greatly moved by an
inspiring biography on Kovalevsky.
The female students were then divided into
four groups: the Dividends, the Polynomials, the
Integers and the Decimals. They enjoyed a workshop on Forensics and were able to conduct scientific experiments. At the same time, mathematics
teachers Gina Garcia, Keasha Bodrick and Aileen
Foglietta, guidance counselor Marya Smith-Rossi
and English teacher Maryann Napolitano attended.
During the workshop titled, “Be Nspired! An
Intro to the TI-Nspire Calculator,” students also
received tips on how to integrate such technology
into the classroom. Following that, the women
came together for lunch and a game of Math Jeopardy. YMHS won all but one award, including three
iTunes giftcards and a TI-NSpire CAS Calculator.
The last event on their agenda was a Career
Panel, during which three women in the mathematic and scientific fields spoke about their professions, real world applications of mathematics and
the role of gender in job searching.
When asked about the experience, Garcia
said, “It was a wonderful opportunity for the young
women of YMHS to develop a passion for mathematics and all that it entails. The students were
exposed to forensic science and mechanical engineering, which are all based on knowledge of mathematics. This event allowed the students to see and
apply mathematics in a real world setting.”
YMHS Youth Action Convention
By Monika Glowacki
On March 17, the Yonkers Middle High
School Human Rights Coalition, under the supervision of history teacher Brigid McMaster, travelled to Pace University in Pleasantville to attend
the 2011 Youth Action Convention.
The event was organized by the Westchester
County Youth Councils (WCYC). It is an organization that gives teenagers the opportunity to meet
with youth from all of Westchester County. Their
mission is to allow students to speak to county leaders about various social issues, including gang violence, drugs, bullying and budget cuts in schools.
The members gain leadership skills that facilitate
their growth into adulthood and throughout their
search for a career.
The main theme of the day was empowering
youth and helping them find their inner strength in
order to persevere through difficult times. Following a breakfast and welcome speech, the students
from the Human Rights Coalition, as well as others who were present at the convention, dispersed
to the various workshops led by teens from the
WCYC.
The workshops covered various social matters like health and nutrition, media influence and
self-image, alcohol and drug abuse, self-injury
and self-abuse, teen sexuality, relationships and
bullying. The teens leading the workshops all emphasized the importance of being aware of these
problems and taking the initiative to combat them
in the community.
“It was a very enriching experience,” said
Presty Philip, YMHS senior and member of the
Human Rights Coalition. “I saw how even teenagers like me are capable of being leaders in the
community and doing meaningful work.”
After a lunch break, there was a performance
by the talented students of the Theodore D. Young
Community Center Readers Theater.
However, the most inspiring part of the day
might have been the speech by Terrie Williams,
author of “Stay Strong: Simple Life Lessons for
Teens.” She shared her own personal experiences
of being depressed and overcoming it by talking
about her feelings and finding her inner strength.
The author wants to help and support teens
through similar stressful times. She wrote her book
to show teenagers how they can pursue their ambitions and make a difference in the world. What
made Williams so relatable was the fact that she
has worked with people from all walks of life, including celebrities like actor Eddie Murphy, author
Stephen King and NBA and NFL athletes, as well
as regular everyday teenagers.
The 2011 Youth Action Convention was a
great success. This was the second year that the
YMHS Human Rights Coalition attended the gathering; the club looks forward to participating next
year.
YMHS Hosts 11th Annual
International Gala
Photo by Mariya Pugacheva
Erikson Bujaj (left) and Azra Omeragic modeling traditional Eastern European fashion
By Plamen Kamenov
On April 1, Yonkers Middle High School
once again hosted its 11th International Gala
under the guidance of foreign language teacher
and department chair Patricia Carris.
The show is an extravaganza of cultural
practices from throughout the world. It serves
to vividly display the immense diversity of the
student body at YMHS, as well as their talents
and representations of their respective cultures.
The gala is held in the arena of YMHS,
which is decorated with posters celebrating the
event as well as many flags representing the diversity of the students and faculty, as well as the
many nations from which they have originated.
The gala’s performances change from year
to year; this year there were several cultural
dances from regions such as the Middle East,
India and Korea. Acts ranged from a traditional
Indian solo dance by Aditi Shah to ultramodern
K-pop influenced by popular Korean music.
Other performances included a song eloquently
sung in Italian by Jeanine Carriero and a lively
Irish jig performed on the accordion by Seagda
Coyle, who performed the dance in full Irish
dress.
One of my favorite parts of the show is the
fashion show, which serves to display traditional and modern cultural garments that represent
the rich cultural backgrounds of the students
who perform in it.
At the end of the performances, all of the
guests strolled down from the YMHS arena to
the cafeteria, where they enjoyed a variety of
desserts made by students that represent their
cultural backgrounds and cuisine. In this portion of the International Gala, students, parents
and visitors had the opportunity to interact and
socialize with performers, asking them about
their cultural heritage and how their performances allow them to express their traditions in
our multi-cultural society.
The International Gala is a two-fold event,
one that keenly demonstrates the cultural exuberance of YMHS as well as one that avidly
demonstrates the unique talents that students
from all walks of life possess. The Gala is, in
essence, a microcosm of the diverse talent and
cultural acceptance witnessed daily in the hallways of YMHS.
The students of here aren’t afraid to demonstrate to their community their own personalities and traditions on any given day. The International Gala serves as a forum for us all to
celebrate our unity in our diversity.
To witness this fantastic event first-hand,
you are welcome to attend YMHS’s 12th annual International Gala, to be held again next
spring.
YMHS Technology Review:
Motorola Xoom, the Best of Android
By Sydney Levy
Many people were skeptical about the release of Motorola’s new Android device in the
beginning of this year.
The Motorola Xoom would be the company’s first tablet device. People in the tech world
wanted to know what made it different from the
rest and how could it ever stand a chance against
Apple’s anticipated iPad 2.
The Xoom is a solid competitor, as it comes
with Android’s newest platform, OS 3.0 (Honeycomb). The Xoom is the only tablet with this OS
as of right now, which makes it the holy grail of
all Android tablets at this point.
Like the iPad 2 and other revolutionary
tablets, the Xoom has two cameras; front-facing
(2MP) camera that can be used as a webcam and
a rear (5MP) camera that has the capability to
record 720p HD videos. Now that is one sweet
feature. The Xoom also has flash player capability, giving its owner an advantage over an iPad
2 owner.
There are two versions of the Xoom, a WiFi model and a 3G/4G model which requires a
monthly contract with Verizon. The Xoom has
a built-in Android music player that can play
numerous audio file formats. Also, the Xoom allows its users to be entertained with streaming
media, whether by radio, audio or video.
Another feature that makes it a good device
is that there is built-in video editing software
called Movie Studio. With a strong, fast-charging battery, anyone using the Xoom can enjoy
almost 10 hours of video playback, 3.3 days of
continuous mp3 playback and nearly 10 hours of
web browsing using Wi-Fi or 9 hours with 3G.
This makes the Xoom very convenient to the everyday user who wants a tablet but does not want
to be stuck next to an electrical outlet for hours.
There are also email apps like Gmail already
built in, and Instant Messaging with Google
Talk. Or, you can download the AIM app. In addition, the Motorola Xoom has Bluetooth connectivity, syncing options and a micro USB and
HDMI port, allowing it to be connected to your
computer or TV with an HDMI cable.
The Xoom uses the standard 3.5mm headphone jack port, so there is no need for a specialized set of headphones, and the best thing about it
is that its users can access Android Market which
has numerous apps for different functions, making your tablet experience even more enjoyable.
With a 10.1 inch screen — larger than that of
the iPad 2 — a built in microphone and a multitouch responsive screen with a virtual keyboard
for easy typing, the Xoom is the best Android
tablet device for the socialite, businessman or
average person.
Plus, with a sleek finish like the one the
Xoom has, it is prone to catch the eyes of anyone
who passes it. What more could you ask for in
such a device?
Chemistry
gold standard for education, setting a precedent
for nations worldwide, it is no longer so. According to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the United
States ranks 29th in science worldwide. Our future lies in the children filling classrooms in our
schools. It is increasingly important to develop
an understanding in these subject areas, especially as technology is advancing exponentially.
When asked why she leads programs such
as Chemistry Olympiad, 10th grade AP Chemistry teacher Diana Cherian said, “Students should
take advantage of as many opportunities as possible. I can only open the door, but students must
take the initiative and enter.”
It is through the support of teachers such as
Diana Cherian, who spend their valuable time
preparing students, and YHS Assistant Principal Antonia Falcone, who provided the means
of transportation, that the Chemistry Olympiad
was made possible.
Success in our district is largely due to
the efforts of our dedicated faculty and student
body.
The YMHS participants consisted of students from the AP Chemistry class, who were
among the approximate 10,000 U.S. students
taking this exam throughout the month of
March. Only 10 students from each local section
are allowed to move on to the National Chemistry Olympiad Competition. The competition
can even continue to an international level, a
remarkable feat to attain.
The many weeks leading up to the exam
were spent studying, reviewing and researching
the vast array of topics that were to be found during the Olympiad. When the participants were
asked about their experiences, they all seemed
to feel the same way.
“Sure, it was a lot of work to add on to our
demanding curriculum for AP Chemistry, but it
was a tremendous opportunity that I would undoubtedly repeat,” said 10th grader Alex Marta.
While the United States once represented a
GORTON High School
Nurse Shadowing at St. Joseph’s
Photo by Amanda Daley
L to r: Kiara Smith, Christabell Nti, Daliksa Polanco, Latasha Smith,
Shirley Castro Guasp and Cecil Hughes, RN
By Amanda Daley
Being a member of the Academy of Medical Professions at Gorton High School opens up
many opportunities for students to interact with
the real world of medicine.
One such opportunity is a program this reporter had the honor of participating in called
“Shadow-a-Nurse.” This program took place at
St. Joseph’s Hospital near downtown Yonkers.
Every Wednesday from November 11 through
December 22, 2010, a bus picked up seven students from the school and delivered us to the
hospital.
There, our advisor for the program, Mrs.
Cecile Hughes (who is the program coordinator
between Gorton and St. Joe’s), gave us our assigned places for the day. Each week, we rotated
among various specialties. One of the specialties
within which I had the pleasure to work was the
Family Health Center. There, I shadowed two
nurses, Barbara and Judy. These two women,
who are licensed nurses, kindly allowed some of
us to shadow them and gave us a bird’s-eye view
of what their jobs are like.
On another rotation, in the emergency room,
one nurse even allowed a student to call patients
and help with basic procedures. The nurses were
extremely kind and friendly and helped make our
experience even more enjoyable.
The “Shadow-a-Nurse” program is one that
I thoroughly enjoyed. This is so because I am
considering the nursing profession as a career.
Being able to participate in a program like this
was extremely helpful to all who took part in it
because we were able to see exactly what it is like
to be in the shoes of a nurse for a few hours each
week. It also has the potential to help us make
informed decisions about our future careers.
This is just one example of the many opportunities that are available for Gorton High School
students to get a head start in the world of medicine.
More YMHS
YMHS Library Program Wins Award
By Lucy Hatem
The Westchester Library Association annually presents its School/Public Library Cooperation
Award to deserving programs. This year, one of
three recipients of the award was Yonkers Middle
High School’s “Village Literate Program.”
For the past eight years, YMHS has collaborated with the Yonkers Public Library (YPS) and
the Sarah Lawrence College Library (SLC) to
bring this program to our students. Coordinated
by YMHS librarian Barbara Hough, the program
aims to help IB juniors develop the research skills
that they will need for their IB History classes and
also for the Extended Essay, a crucial part of the
International Baccalaureate Diploma.
The program is facilitated by Hough, the
history teachers of Yonkers, Riverfront librarian Aurora Cruz and SLC librarians Carl Reglar,
Kate Angell and Charlotte Price. The experience
is great for students who may not be aware of all
the resources both libraries have to offer or how to
do effective research.
In October, IB History students spent a day
at the YPL Riverfront branch, taking part in research workshops and finding sources for a history
paper. In March, students spent time at the SLC
library, working in groups of five with librarians
in order to find topics and begin research for their
Extended Essays.
“Students come away from their experiences
at both libraries with a much greater appreciation
of the role librarians can play in the academic
life,” wrote Hough in her submission for the
award. “This collaboration is considered to be one
of the important components of the success that
the International Baccalaureate program has experienced at Yonkers and it reflects in the high rate
of our students who achieve an IB diploma along
with their Regents diploma.”
Congratulations to Hough and all the librarians and teachers involved in the “Village Literate
Program.” The IB students are grateful to everyone involved, and the award is much-deserved.
YMHS Movie Review: ‘Mooz-lum,’
A New Spin on an Old Tale
By Bayan Baker
Life is full of opportunities and experiences
that hold valuable lessons to be learned.
“Mooz-lum,” a potent feature debut by writer
and director Qasim Basir, targets Islamist extremism and the tragedies which resulted from the attacks on 9/11 while depicting the difficulties of life
as a Muslim in America. Yonkers residents had
the opportunity to watch “Mooz-lum” during the
month of February at the Yonkers Riverfront Library. From that moment on, “Mooz-lum” became
a valuable epidemic and it traveled nation-wide,
spreading the lessons and teachings of staying true
to oneself.
“Mooz-lum” opens with a warm scene between the African-American Muslim father Hassan and his son Tariq, skillfully played by Evan
Ross, in the midst of their prayer. The tranquil ambiance quickly disintegrates and the start of varying viewpoints begins to seep through to influence
the mood.
The protagonist of the movie, Tariq, is later
seen to be heading off to college, a crucial point in
his life, and viewers notice that Tariq, influenced
by modern American society, yearns to leave behind his father’s religious rituals and connection
to Islam.
As the film continues to display its meaningful purpose, viewers begin to discover what it truly
means to be a Muslim African-American man in
pre-9/11 America. Through a series of flashbacks,
“Mooz-lum” reveals various stages of Tariq’s life:
his years spent in middle school; his father’s unilateral choice to send him to a school for Muslim
boys; his father’s eagerness for his son’s future as
a hafiz, a person who has memorized the entire
Qur’an; and his parents’ divorce due to the father’s
religious dogma.
Tariq’s mother, who was portrayed as the
comical figure, for she provides the audience a
means of tension relief, breaks free from Hassan’s
domineering spirit and attempts to rescue her son.
She offers Tariq wise reasons for her actions which
are considered impractical by the Islamic religion:
“You need a man in your life in order to become
one.”
The audience begins to understand that the
central conflict of the film is a deep and personal
one: How do African-American men, already cultural outsiders, live in America as good Muslims,
too?
“Mooz-lum” is a powerful film that depicts
a lesson about community, living together and
working alongside one another in order to promote
unity, comradeship, understanding and harmony.
Dogma, both religious and social, emanates as the
ultimate “villain” throughout this film; the film
sometimes suggests equivalence between Muslims
who use intimidation to inspire and encourage
other Muslims to become more devoted and true to
their faith and those who threaten Muslim Americans for being different.
A great deal of credit must be given to Basir who, through the film, taught the meaning of
acceptance and demonstrated the negative consequences of ignorance and violence. The impact as
a result of the 9/11 attacks furthered the tension
between college student Tariq and other Muslim
Americans, as well as the family members of those
who suffered the loss of loved ones as the World
Trade Center towers collapsed that tragic morning.
Ultimately, “Mooz-lum” centers on the life
lessons of forgiveness and of finding faith in others. “Mooz-lum” offers the public a new twist on
the well-known and quite familiar narrative of
tolerance. It is with one simple phrase that both
Tariq and the viewers come to the understanding
that family and friends are the best protection one
may carry against a country about to turn more and
more inward.
GHS Medical Magnet Visits
the Tolerance Center
formed the crowd of the services
we offer to the wider Yonkers
community. Eight Gorton students
participated in the presentation. It
was exciting to see other service
learning kids from the Bronx,
Brooklyn, Manhattan and other
schools in Yonkers.
Those students shared various experiences, including completing the Avon Breast Cancer
Walk and giving workshops in
which they taught others how to
prevent bullying. Additionally,
students reported about attending
L to r: Paul Opawoye, Brittany Lloyd, Cheyenne
block fairs where they provided
DeGree, Amanda Daley, Antionette Donald, Nematou
health-related information, going
Zongo, Moona Nadeem and Derrick Uhunmuangho
to shelters on Christmas to help
By Nematou Zongo
feed the homeless and fixing their
On April 14, Academy of Medical Profes- school’s greenhouse and nurturing with beautisions students went to New York City to visit the ful plants. All in all, this was yet another great
Museum of Tolerance at the Simon Wiesenthal experience we had.
Center Museum.
Being a member of the Academy of Medical
The purpose of our trip was to talk about Professions is very rewarding and definitely has
Gorton’s Community Wellness Center. We in- its privileges.
Cell Phone Cases – Simple
Accessory or Complex Market?
By Priscilla Torres
Everyone loves a unique and colorful cell
phone case, but what is it about these cell phone
cases that make us totally ignore the price? Can it
be the catchy slogans on the front? The lustrous
rhinestones on the back? Or the numerous colors
that we can use to coordinate with our clothing
and shoes?
Whatever your reason for purchasing a cell
phone case, sales of these must-have accessories
increased by 28 percent in 2010 from the year before according to the Wall Street Journal. These
plastic and silicone sheaths fit so well that they
need to be redesigned for every new phone that
comes out. Case makers say that this particular
marketplace is brutally competitive.
But why are the case prices so high, you ask?
The need to frequently make new versions of cell
phones is the reason why what seems like a fun
accessory can sell for up to $30.
Every 12 months or so, new cell phones are
being released onto the market. For instance, each
and every Smartphone that is released into the
marketplace has specific requirements. Where
does the headphone jack or the charger get
plugged in? How is the keyboard laid out?
Case makers are often reluctant to start production on new models until they see the final
version of the phone. When the final version is released, it usually takes about month for the production of a new cell phone case to fit that particular
model. While materials used to make most cases
are relatively inexpensive, the cost of building the
tools for mass production can run anywhere from
$2,000 for a simple mold to tens of thousands of
dollars for a “dual-injected” mold. Tooling costs
can run more than six figures, depending on what
the manufacturer is trying to make.
As long as we’re willing to pay high prices
for cell phone case manufacturers will continue to
do whatever it takes to supply us with them. The
market speaks… loudly.
Finally, Some Good News
on the Horizon
By Julian Nuñez
All my fellow students listen up! A couple
of months ago, Congress passed a bill just to
look out for students all over the United States.
Like many teens, I’ve never really followed
politics or paid close attention to policy discussions on the evening news. I didn’t think they
had anything to do with me. However, since I
will be applying to college in the not-too-distant
future, I made it my business to try to understand the impact HR 4872 (also known as the
Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act
of 2010, or HCERC) will have on me.
The HCERC expands Pell grants and makes
it easier for students to repay outstanding loans
after graduating. The law will also invest $2 billion in community colleges over the next four
years. This will provide us with education and
career training programs.
These types of programs are much needed
by both high school and college grads just starting out in these uncertain economic times. This
bill also calls for an increase in the maximum
Pell award, from $5,550 to $5,975 by 2017. Additionally, according to the White House, it will
provide 820,000 more grants by 2020.
Another key feature of this bill that will
greatly benefit us is the fact that students who
borrow money starting in July 2014 will be al-
lowed to cap repayments at 10 percent of income above a basic living allowance, instead of
the present 15. What that means is that you will
be able to keep and save more of those first paychecks you earn after graduation.
Moreover, if the student borrower keeps up
on their payments, the balances of those loans
will be forgiven after 20 years instead of the current 25, or after 10 if you enter public service,
like teaching, nursing or serving in the military.
That means that whatever is left on that loan after 10 to 20 years of repayment, the remainder
of that loan disappears, and you are no longer
responsible for paying it.
Last thing to note is that the bill extends
dependent healthcare coverage to 26 years of
age, unless the dependent is covered by his or
her own employer. This means that we no longer
have to consider going without health coverage
and risking financial ruin if we have a chronic
condition or if we should get ill before we can
get coverage through an employer.
Overall, I think I am beginning to like how
things are looking for my entrance to college at
the end of next year. I think we should all be
excited about this. It’s not often that we’re given
such a gift from our government, so if there were
ever a time for Yonkers Public School’s students
to rejoice, I think the time is now.
GHS Senior Makes Gorton Proud
By Moona Nadeem
The title of Lin’s
Saturday,
March
project research was
12, was a very important
“Computerized Quantiand memorable day for
tation of Synergism and
Gorton senior William
Antagonism of SynthetLin.
ic Ingredients of GinLin competed in
seng, Iso-Oxazol-Fludethe Westchester Science
lone, and Taxol against
and Engineering Fair
Human HCT-116 Colon
(WESEF) at Sleepy HolCancer Cell Growth.” In
low High School. He
his studies, he observed
was one of 250 students
that the ginseng derivafrom more than 30 high
tive used in conjunction
schools whose research
with Taxol was most
was evaluated by judges
effective in destroying
from local science firms
tumor cells.
and professional instituDue to this syntions. Some of the areas
ergy, the doses of Taxol
Gorton senior William Lin
of research were behavand Iso-Oxazol-Flueioral and social science,
done required to affect
biochemistry, computer science, earth science 97 percent of the cells could be reduced. This
engineering, mathematics, computer science, study suggests that the generalized toxicity of
medicine and health and space science.
chemotherapeutic drugs when used in vivo
Lin began his research in the laboratory of might be reduced when administered in this
his uncle, Dr. Rong-Tsun Wu, at the National synergistic combination.
Yang Ming University in Taiwan. After learnLin stated that his experience in the laboing technology and laboratory skills there, he ratory was great and has taught him various
continued his research with Dr. T.C. Chou at things that he can use as he goes on to colMemorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.
lege.
Palisade Preparatory School
An Administrator With a Kind Heart
Photo by Stephanie Fernandez
L to r: Assistant Principal Karen DesSoye with students Louis Nunez, Amanda Patterson,
Emery Mitchell, Jahun Newton, Kareema Shell, Jordan Rowe and Leslie Ramos
By Lourdes Bohorquez and Yalkiria Vasquez
“Walking into the building, I would’ve never
thought it was Mrs. DesSoye’s first year being Assistant Principal,” said freshman Kevin Sabino.
Mrs. Karen DesSoye has been with Palisade
from the moment it opened its doors, but she had a
different role then; she was the school’s guidance
counselor. This year, she stepped into the position
of assistant principal and many students feared
they had lost their go-to person; that person who
would listen to them no matter what the situation.
Time has proven otherwise. It has shown how
the genuine devotion of an individual remains true,
no matter what the situation, and it has shown the
adaptability of others in their ability to recognize
what is good and embrace the positive that is to
come it.
“Mrs. DesSoye is very compassionate. Her
ears are always open. It’s an important quality to
have, especially when you are working with children,” stated sophomore Sherese Morgan.
DesSoye’s commitment comes from seeing
each student as a valuable individual and believing
in his or her purpose.
“She’s a counselor at heart. Being a counselor
gave her an advantage. It signifies how easily and
honestly she relates to students,” stated Principal
Michael Angrasano.
This is something her students also recognize. Palisade student Daniel Akandu said, “I think
her transition into the role of A.P. is good for the
school because she knows the kids better than anyone. She’s knowledgeable about the things that go
on and she puts the rules into effect. The students
do actually want this and they respect her because
she is fair.”
“She is invaluable to me and the school. I
can’t say enough. She’s the hardest, most dedicated
person I’ve ever worked with,” said Angrasano.
Her commitment to the students made it difficult to simply leave one role and take on another.
She wanted to see her students through it all. This
meant being involved in their college exploration
and preparation process, seeing them through any
situation that might distract their focus on school
and making sure they stayed in line while they
were in school.
“Even when she is busy being an A.P., she
stops to talk to us and answer all of our questions
or get us the information we need. You can ask any
student and they’ll tell you that if you ask DesSoye, she’ll get it done,” stated Palisade student
Ruben Camacho.
DesSoye was balancing two roles and she
was doing it exceptionally well. She had double
the work load and would take on anything else that
need to get done.
“She does a lot. She has a lot on her plate, but
she can handle it. She’s strong and level headed,”
said sophomore Alize Harding.
From the beginning, DesSoye has been dependable. She has proven herself a worthy counselor, an excellent and fair administrator and, most
importantly, a kind person.
“DesSoye is close to the students of Palisade
Prep. She is a loving and caring mother and treats
each child as if they were her own; with compassion fairness and tough love to aide them in their
adult life,” stated Palisade staff member Helen
Borrelli.
This kindness extends to and is appreciated
by all members of Palisade.
English teacher Ms. Laura Della Rocca stated,
“Mrs. DesSoye always makes an effort to ask how
we are doing. She makes our work environment
comfortable and positive.”
Living environment teacher Ms. Alex Romero
stated, “Mrs. DesSoye wants to see these students
succeed, as she is working just as hard as we are in
our classrooms. We have her support and the students have her support. There’s nothing more we
could ask of her.”
PPS Animal Relief Club members plant flowers for Earth Day (l to r, front to back):
Taqiyah Gibbons, Joy Allen, Mrs. Amie Stamatellos, Christine Bonilla, Mrs. Alexandra
Romero, Yarbrielle Ingram, Ryan Gotia, Jan Karlo Lingas, Crystal Garcia, Mariella Ruiz,
Brian Aguilar, Terrique Registre and Marvin Phattanachitchon
A Student Who Gives Back
By Kade Holder
recognized by sophoWhen it comes
more, Brian Aguilar,
time for college, most
who said, “Stephanie
schools look for what
influences us all in a
they call an all-around
way. Her welcoming
student; someone who
personality and the
is intelligent, does volsmile that she shows
unteer work, and they
each day makes us want
feel will bring a unique
to be someone like her;
personality that would
someone whose work
be an advantage for their
ethic and level of matuschool to have.
rity makes those she is
At Palisade Prep,
around want to live up
Stephanie Fernandez helps
junior Stephanie Ferto their potential.”
Destiny Ridore with her homework
nandez embodies an all
The dedication she
around student. Besides being very smart and hard shows towards her work also impresses her teachworking, she does a variety of extra-curricular ac- ers.
tivities and possesses an attitude towards school
“When she puts her heart into it, Stephanie’s
and life that motivates her peers.
work is outstanding,” said Ms. Alexandra Romero,
“Stephanie is like a big sister to me,” said science teacher at Palisade. “She has a strong and
sophomore Manuel Richiez. “She always helps me confident character and is a reliable student who
pick up my grades if they are down and she has strives for perfection. However, she also knows her
really looked out for me at times. Sometimes she limitations, which is why I see her succeeding in
pushes me too hard but I know she has good inten- the future.”
tions.”
Math teacher, Mrs. Rose O’Connell shared
Fernandez is involved in a host of activities the same sentiments about Stephanie; “She’s an exrelated to student government, in which she is con- tremely bright, respectful and thoughtful student.
stantly working to benefit the school and the com- Her work ethic inside and outside of the classroom
munity.
is impressive.”
“Stephanie has participated in many activities
The work she does in class translates to the
we’ve been a part of, such as Midnight Run and amount of work she does in the community. FerPennies for Patients,” said Mr. Vernon Alexander, nandez is an avid volunteer who stated, “I enjoy
science teacher and leader of student government helping others. It’s good to know that I’m doing
at Palisade Prep. “She has worked to raise a lot of something positive with my time and something
money for these causes, as well as other organiza- that’s appreciated by my community.”
tions we support. I believe she will go far and do
When asked what makes her strive to succeed
great things because of her intelligence, work ethic and be an individual, Fernandez said, “I’ve always
and respect for those around her.”
had a sense of maturity. I feel what makes a person
That respect that Fernandez gives is well re- an individual is not following the crowd and doing
ceived by her peers and teachers.
something that benefits you but it’s hard to be an
“It is part of what makes up her character,” independent. I want to be a positive example for
said fellow junior Besjana Hoxha. “She’s is very those in my life. I also want them to be proud of
much her own person and presents herself in a me in the future. I appreciate how my fellow peers
mature way. Something about Stephanie makes admire my hard work, persistence and positive inpeople around her want to succeed.”
fluence. It encourages me to always put my best
This influence Fernandez has on others is also out there.”
Is America Still a
Male-Dominated Society?
By Brian Aguilar
In many countries around the world, the people in power are women.
Here in the United States, we have many
female leaders, such as Yonkers’ State Senator
Andrea Stewart-Cousins, Westchester Congresswoman Nita Lowey and NewYork Senator Kirsten
Gillibrand. However, we still haven’t had a female
president, even though we came really close in
2008 with Hillary Clinton coming in second as the
democratic bid.
When asked if hopeful about the prospect of a
female president in the United States, social studies teacher Ms. Nikisha Scott stated, “I believe that
when the climate is right, we will have a female
president here in the US.”
Scott continued on to explain how the United
Kingdom already had a prominent female prime
minister and how, in comparison to America, Britain is extremely similar to our culture in many
ways. Therefore, it was only a matter of time and
the right circumstances before the US followed this
trend.
Perhaps surprisingly to some, countries such
as Liberia and Kyrgyzstan, which are considered
third-world, currently have women as heads of
state. These underdeveloped countries might still
have gender roles leaning more towards men, but
they have a prominent female leader on board. To
understand this, you must delve a little into their
culture.
In Liberia, women are known to be the centerpiece of family stability. They are always available to provide financial and moral support, serve
as peacemakers and ensure social stability for the
family and the entire community.
English teacher Ms. Laura Della Rocca stated,
“Women in America are allowed so many freedoms
and yet we are still expected to play certain roles or
be subordinate to men. We have seemingly come a
long way in society but really both men and women
have predetermined rigid ideas about the role of
women.”
Foreigners see the United States as a liberal,
free and accepting society. However, it seems that
some countries have, in a way, surpassed the US.
This is evident in the more than 20 current female
leaders in power around the world, either as president, prime minister, chancellor or governor-general.
Sophomore Shallena Cordero said, “I feel that
currently, women don’t get as much respect. It’s
one thing to say we are equal and have the same
privileges and it’s another thing to be able to see
this in action. If this were really true, we would
have had a female president by now. Perhaps it’s
true that the male-dominated society in America is
diminishing, but it’s definitely not gone.”
While there are always aspects of a culture
that need to be worked on in a growing and changing society, Palisade freshman Mariana Pineda feels
women have what it takes to move things forward.
She stated, “I think women are as powerful
as men. With self-esteem and confidence, everyone can contribute the essential things they have
to offer. And really, we all do have something to
offer. Women are capable of doing as much as men
and actually, in some cases, women in our society
have surpassed what men have done over the many
years in the course of history. America is no longer
a male dominated society. In time, people will recognize this.”
Did You Know?
Junior Achievers (l to r) Erica Fuller, Frank Thomson, T’Keyah Burton, Dana Sutton and
Marvin Phattanachitchon with the Junior Achievement Instructor (2nd from right)
Photos by Stephanie Fernandez
PPS’s Student Government held a Spring
Dance for middle school students
Shannon Holness, Jenea Royster, Dominique
Dickerson, Tyeisha Bowen, Angie Bargon,
T’keyah Burton and Dana Sutton do
community service at Iona College
Christyn Brown
It is very true that we do learn new things
everyday, but don’t be fooled into thinking you
have an understanding of all things around you.
The amount of knowledge possessed by the
average person does not compare to the amount
of information there is to be gathered. So here’s
a little trivia to test how much you know. Did
you know that:
1. All polar bears are left handed?
2. Coca Cola translated to Chinese means
“to make mouth happy”?
3. There are one million ants for every person in the world?
4. One gallon of used motor oil can ruin approximately one million gallons of fresh water?
5. A person uses approximately 57 sheets of
toilet paper each day?
6. Venus is the only planet that rotates
clockwise?
7. A tortoise can live up to 140 years old?
8. The tentacles of the giant arctic jellyfish
can reach 120 feet (36.6 meters) in length?
9. Humans blink more than 10,000,000
times a year?
10. Swallowed gum is not digested by the
gastrointestinal system. It passes through it
within 24 hours:
11. Only one person in two billion will live
to be 116 or older?
12. 40 percent of McDonald’s profits come
from happy meals?
13. Most elephants weigh less than a tongue
of a blue whale?
15. Abraham Lincoln faces to the right on a
penny while all the other presidents face to the
left on US coins?
16. Mosquitoes are attracted to the color
blue more than any other color?
17. Mosquito repellents don’t repel. They
hide you. The spray blocks the mosquito’s sensors so they don’t know you are there?
18. Butterflies taste with their feet?
19. Dr. Seuss’ name is actually pronounced
“soice,” because it’s German?
20. The microwave was invented after a researcher walked by a radar tube and a chocolate
bar melted in his pocket?
21. Every cigarette smoked cuts at least 5
minutes of life on average, which is roughly the
time it takes to smoke 1 cigarette?
22. An average person laughs 15 times a
day?
23. You burn more calories sleeping than
watching T.V.?
24. Americans, on average, eat 18 acres of
pizza everyday?
25. No word in the English dictionary
rhymes absolutely perfectly with the words
“month,” “orange,” “silver” or “purple”?
ROOSEVELT High School
Unemployment Taken
Seriously by Students
By Jose Alvarez
be wrong to regard the
Unemployment is
latest data without exa plague on American
treme caution.
families.
Unemployment
Laid-off workers
is declining. February
are feeling the stress
records show that unof this plague more
employment had dethan those who are
creased to 8.9 percent
just receiving pay cuts.
from nine percent in
Families that have had
January and 9.7 percent
both parents laid off
a year ago, according
are struggling to make
to a New York Times
ends meet. The diffieditorial of March 4.
cult task of job searchUnfortunately, the iming has taken a toll on Photo by Jose Alvarez
provement is a direct
many and caused some
result of the size of
Klaudio Salimaj has been weighing
folks to just throw in
the labor force. This
job prospects for the future
the towel.
shows that people are
This outburst of
simply throwing in the
unemployment is a result of the banking crisis, towel and are giving up their stressful search for
the lack of regulation in our financial system and work.
the fall of the real estate market. These past four
Added in February were 192,000 jobs,
years have been difficult for adults as well as marking 12 straight months of private sector
teens.
job gains. All in all, a total of 1.3 million new
In 2007, the economy had only minor jobs have been established over the past year.
flaws. The unemployment rate was only at five However, even at this rate it would take nearly
percent. It was easier then to find a job. In a eight years to return to the pre-recession unemfour year span, the financial markets plunged ployment rate of fiver percent set in December
the world into recession, showing people how of 2007. The economic recovery is fragile and
increased household and government debt is a faces a fight over the 2012 budget and the vote
recipe for disaster.
over raising the debt ceiling.
Businesses failed and those that remained
Klaudio Selimaj, regarding his job search
viable cut jobs by the millions. The jobless rate experience over the past two years, said, “My
soared from five to 6.1 percent in 2008. In Au- job searching experience has been very difficult.
gust of 2008, a total of 84,000 jobs were lost. I have applied to many places but they’re only
While these numbers are disappointing, what is hiring people who can offer them the most for
most important is the overall direction the econ- what they’re paying. However, it is difficult to
omy is headed.
balance school and sports while having a job.”
The economic issue of job loss has caused
Considering the kinds of companies that
families to lose their homes and vehicles due to will be hiring in the near future, Selimaj said,
the lack of payment. Even putting food on the “the companies I see hiring in the future will
table has become a daily struggle for some fami- be construction companies because there will
lies. This economic downfall has reached every- always be a need for reconstruction of houses
one in some way. People ask themselves each and buildings with earthquakes and hurricanes
day if there is a light at the end of the tunnel.
occurring throughout the world.”
Dina Santana, college advisor at Roosevelt
Asked if companies will require a college
said, “I think engineering companies will be hir- education he replied, “Yes, I believe so. There
ing and searching for new ways to be energy ef- are new machines that will need to be operated
ficient. The new ‘thing’ for companies is to go and you can’t just put any teen up on them. There
green, which is great. These jobs will definitely will always be a need for licensed engineers.”
need some college education. These companies
In time, the economy will recuperate.
want employees with college degrees so they Americans will need some college education to
can be as successful as possible.”
compete in the global economy. America will
The job market did not get any worse in have to create jobs for the 21st century in order
February and has shown some new life. It would to continue as a superpower.
2011 Fashion Trends for Teens
Roosevelt Rocks the House
Photo by Thomas Stefanchik
L to r: Tiffany Bailey, Ixcel Del Rosario-Santana, Samantha Schechter, Jelissa Olmedo,
Gianni Almanzar, Shanice Martin, Lorraine Lifumbe, Raue Ignatius, Mrs. Rioto,
Christopher Atanacio (top), Derrick James, Hassan Hitulah and Marvin Luna
Photo byThomas Stefanchik
Proudly displaying their trophies are (l to r) Shanice Martin, Lorraine Lifumbe,
Ixcel Del Rosario-Santana, Chris Atanacio, Hassan Hitulah and Gianni Almanzar
On April 13, Roosevelt High School’s SkillsUSA team traveled to Syracuse for the annual
state competition and came home victorious.
After full days of intense competition,
Roosevelt’s team finished the event with five gold
medals. Although they were the smallest team,
the 12 members came home with the most gold
medals won by any team — quite an accomplishment.
Hassan Hitulah and Christian Atanacio
won first place in 3-D Computer Animation. The
First Place prize for Community Service went
to Shanice Martin and Derrick James. In the Job
Skills A competition, Ixcel Del Rosario-Santana
won first place. Gianni Almanzar won first place
in Job Skills Open and Loraine Lifumbe won first
place in Prepared Speech.
The students had spent most of the school
year preparing for their presentations. They
proved that hard work pays off.
Mr. Frank Leonetti and Mrs. Noreen Riotto, SkillsUSA advisors, accompanied the team
and were extremely proud of how their students
performed.Leonetti stated, “They all represented
Roosevelt with honor and class.”
SkillsUSA is an organization of more than
300,000 members across the nation. It focuses on
developing both vocational and leadership skills
in high school students. SkillsUSA is offered at
many colleges across the United States as well.
In the past, Roosevelt has won national championship titles in various SkillsUSA competitions.
They are a strong team with a great work ethic.
After three days of hard work, fun and celebration, the students returned to Yonkers with
memories that will last a lifetime. Congratulations
to the winners!
Future Leaders Learn
How Government Works
Photo by Afua Boadu
English teacher Jason Sileo flashes
a true fashionista’s smile
Photo by Chevelle Tuthill
Trendsetter Shalove Taylor models one of
her spring outfits
By Kapembwa Kapambwe
• Animal hats
• Military
• Boots (combat, moccasin)
• Plaid
• Metallic nail polish
• Bold block colors
• Button down shirts
• Crop tops
• Prints
• Lace
Ah! Winter time is in the past and as much
as most of us constantly hoped for snow days,
we couldn’t escape it. As the frosty breezes
whipped our faces, there was only so much we
could do to “cheer up.”
But now that spring is here, let’s see how
Roosevelt High School students can show they
are staying on top of the trends this spring 2011
season by modifying styles from the winter
fashion season.
It’s a monkey! It’s a cow! It’s a panda! Animal hats became a popular trend in Roosevelt
and among teenagers around the country. These
statement hats show a certain humor and are
the perfect accessory for a gloomy, dark winter
day. Animal hats are knitted and have faux fur,
making them cozy and cute while still friendly
to the environment. It may be the bright colors
or the concept that have made many students
interested in these animal hats, but they have
definitely helped make this winter season less
miserable.
The winter season saw an increase in the
military trend. From jackets and coats to boots,
this trend screamed chic. With snow covered
grounds and the occasional slush on the roads,
lace-up combat boots were seen everywhere
around school. These boots can make any one
look instantly like a rocker chic! As it became
warmer, this trend proved to be even more popular in the spring season.
Keeping with the rocker chick look, metallic nail polish is one of the top spring 2011
trends according to Glamour magazine. Whether it is gold, silver or blue, a number of nail polish companies such as China Glaze, are using a
metallic finish to a lot of their polishes.
Keeping with the boyfriend trend from last
spring, plaid and button-down shirts are still
popular. These shirts can be worn in a variety of
different ways to showcase one’s personality.
Around Roosevelt, students have been
seen wearing them with jeans and a cardigan
for a laid back look, while some wear them
with leggings and boots for a more sophisticated look. Button-downs also come in a variety of fabrics making it easy to find some to
wear in the winter and more light-weight ones
to wear in the spring.
A transition piece that has been seen a lot
is the crop-top. Popular in the 1990’s, this trend
is back and people love it! Students have been
seen making this look “school appropriate” by
layering the crop-tops with tank tops or cardigans.
Whatever fashion trend fits your personality, it’s time to show it off in the spring!
By Faith Rodriguez
Photo by Ellen Paz
Selectestudents from Roosevelt
High School, as well as students
from surrounding schools, had the
opportunity to visit Fordham University and participate in a leadership
workshop called Angelo Del Toro
Puerto Rican/Hispanic Youth Leadership Institute.
The goal of the institute was to
expose students to the government
process with the help of local New
York State representatives.
The leadership workshops gave
multiple students the ability to learn,
study, and discuss six bills currently
Students Rayne Savino (left) and Amy Maldonado
on the Senate docket. The classes
show off their scholarships
also gave the students an opportunity
tions. The bill suggests that the popular vote
to learn about leadership in the Lashoud be the primary vote for the president and
tino community.
The workshops were set up as training ses- that the electoral vote will have less say within
sions for the meeting in Albany, which took the presidential vote.
Across the three sessions, the students
place from April 2 to 4. After three workshops,
learned
the proper way to give a presentation.
12 students and two alternates were selected to
One
of
the
concepts that the students presented
discuss the bills being debated in the Senate.
was
a
slide
show of corruption within the govThe Albany weekend was filled with activities.
ernment
and
police force.
On Sunday, the great debate was held in the asIt was created to be a 15-minute presensembly chambers.
Bill #A02333 concerned adding teaching tation but was changed to a seven minute presessions to address teen violence. The legisla- sentation in order to challenge students’ time
tors hoped these sessions would reduce violence management skills. The altered presentation
in schools while teaching students about the im- reminded students that adaptability is the key to
portance of speaking out. The bill also presented functioning well in any job.
The sessions taught students about the imthe idea of enforcing a “safety hotline number”
pact
Latinos
have in politics. They also learned
where the students with advance knowledge
about the legislative process and the steps incould report future teen violence problems.
Bill #A00278 deals with gang awareness. volved in the process. At the end of the three
The bill requires that certified teachers attend a workshops, the students understood six bills in
class to increase their ability to recognize gang depth.
After the workshops, the 12 students sebehavior. These classes would be mandatory.
lected
for Albany were ready to present their
Bill #A00867, regarding bilingual electoral
perspective
on the bills. They were ready to repmaterials, proposed that all voting material be
resent
Latino
youth as well as their county repbilingual. The state presented the idea that votresentatives
in
front of the NYS Assembly. This
ing materials should be in multiple languages,
opportunity gave them a good sense of how the
resulting in an increase in voter participation.
Bill #A01140 expands the safe area around government works.
The hard work resulted in the awarding of
“school grounds” so that if a person is found
two
$500
scholarships to Roosevelt participants
with a weapon, he or she could face jail.
Rayne
Savino
Tapia and Amy Maldonado. All
Bill #A00952 proposes a new “three year
of
the
effort
made
the process a great success.
graduation program” where students achieve a
According
to
Tapia, “This experience has
high school diploma in three years and obtain a
taught
me
how
important
it is to speak your mind
full scholarship for a local community college,
and not to feel embarrassed to express what you
if eligible.
Bill #A00489 addresses presidential elec- really think about an issue.”
LINCOLN High School
The Theater Club’s
Broadway Production
Science Class honors Earth Day
Photo by Jamal Johnson
Photo by Storm Henry
Jessica Lee, Selena Delgado, Shanay Webb and Abigail Gonzalez
enjoy a laugh during a break in rehearsals
By Jessica Lee
For the past few years, Lincoln High School
has been known to have one of the best drama
programs in Yonkers.
However, it appeared that that was going to
change when beloved drama teacher Ms. Barbara
Litt relocated to Early College High School.
Fortunately for Lincoln students, special
education teacher Mr. Daniel Borghoff joined
the staff and the Lincoln Theater Club was born.
In January, several dedicated students began
meeting with Borghoff after school to discuss a
spring production. Over the next few weeks several new students began to join and production
decisions were made.
Lincoln’s “theeks” (theater geeks) are seniors Helen Yu-Holguin and Susan Sarmiento,
juniors Dylan Guma and Merc Rodriguez, sophomore Selena Delgado and freshmen Angel Binet,
Lena Dabsheh, Abigail Gonzalez, Jessica Lee
and Shanay Webb. And they have put together
a musical showcase of hit songs from Broadway
masterpieces “Moulin Rouge,” “Wicked” and
“Rent.”
These dedicated participants have been
working on the show since the beginning of February and recently they have been staying after
school well into the evening hours almost every
night for more than a month.
The Lincoln Theater Club has grown into
a very close-knit group. “We’ve become like a
family. There are so many silly little personal
jokes we share because of all the time we’ve
spent together,” said Webb.
“It’s been so much fun,” agreed Delgado.
The students, nonetheless, are a hard working bunch, but they also love to have a good
time. Despite all of the serious and repetitious
rehearsing, these are the most relaxed kids one
would ever see. Their dedication is for their love
of the theater club and the skills they are gaining
because of it.
When hearing Borghoff speak about the
students, one can’t help but hear the pride in his
voice; “On the first day they all said `Mister, I
can’t sing’ but to hear them now, you wouldn’t
believe it. They have all come such a long way.”
Lincoln High School Shoots
a Three for Autism
MSgt Vargas snatches a rebound while
junior Kelsy Martinez helps up a fallen
referee in the background
By Justin Melendez
Right now, we’re coming close to the NBA
Finals and, while fans are following the Bulls,
Mavs and Heat, the Lincoln High School staff
and students were playing not for bragging
rights but for a true purpose. That purpose was
to raise money for the non-profit organization
Autism Speaks.
The goals for Autism Speaks are numerous. They raise funds to find treatment options,
methods for prevention and eventually a cure.
Another big thing the organization does is raise
awareness for this disorder.
Autism isn’t actually one disorder. Autism
is a term used to describe a group of complex
brain disorders known as Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD). Other PDDs are PDDNOS (Not Otherwise Specified), Rett syndrome
and Asperger’s Syndrome. Parents and doctors
often refer to this group as Autism Spectrum
Disorders. The causes are unknown. Apparently
Lincoln’s Twins
minute older) is shyer and Nadira is more playful
and bouncy. The two, however, behave like your
stereotypical twins; they are always together.
Jasmine and Javona Wilson try to be different from each other. They dress differently
and at one point they even dyed their hair different colors. Jasmine (2 minutes older) dyed hers
blonde while Javona went with red. “They are
a pain,” said younger brother and LHS junior
Devin Wilson, with a smile. “They gang up on
me.”
When the Clarks tell people they are twins,
1 in every 110 children has some form of autism.
On Thursday, April 28 LHS hosted a Staff
vs. Students basketball game to help raise money for Autism Speaks. Playing for the students
were Rafael Nacaj, Jamal Johnson, Conner Augustus, Joseph Lascaibar, Kevin Asiamah, Shakira Cooper, Donasia Farmer, Jessica Denny,
Terrence Gittens, Wilson Talavera, Jayquan
Bannister, Chris Hernandez and Kelsey Martinez.
The opposing team of faculty and staff
members included Ramon Martinez, Isaac
Richardson, Master Sergeant Jimmy Vargas and
Gunnery Sergeant Guarionex Perez, who run the
Juniore ROTC, Christine Hees, Ryan and Kyle
James, Jack Lockhart, Ian Sherman, William
Sweeney, Lee Faust, Peter Hatem, Dean Saghafi,
Jill Katz, Greg Savino and David Jenick.
The students were coached by ESOL teacher James Rodriguez and the staff was coached
by varsity basketball coach Mike Young. Section 1 referees Margaret Fraina and Sam Riti
volunteered their services to officiate the game
and Dionis Lopez and Julio Soler provided extra
support.
This memorable occasion would have
never happened if it weren’t for Ms. Christine
Hees, a global history teacher and mother of an
autistic daughter, who worked with 11th grade
Assistant Principal William Shaggura to organize the event. “We raised a little over $700,”
said Hees, “It is apparent that Lincoln showed
their love and compassion in order to make this
fundraiser a hit.”
In spite of the generous nature of the event,
the game had moments of both intensity and
humor; neither team was giving an inch. The
crowd was surprised about the skills of some of
their “old teachers.”
One of the highlights of the game was when
12th grade Assistant Principal Ian Sherman made
an “Alley Oop.” With Principal Edwin Quezada
running the scoreboard, the game ended with a
questionable score of 79-65 with the staff victorious, of course. But overall, everyone knew that
this game was really for the game of life.
people are surprised. These two are beyond different, not only in looks but personality as well.
Jahaira has a laid back, tomboy persona while
Jasmine, “is a diva,” according to her sister.
Despite differences, the girls definitely share a
close connection.
The Rivera twins are Lincoln’s only brother-sister combo. Rose and Mathew are a unique
duo. Rose (9 minutes older) is known for having
bright lime green hair while Matthew is known
for his incomparable and colorful fashion choices. Although not always seen together, it’s clear
that they’re amazingly close.
Lincoln was blessed to have so many twins
in the same graduating class. Who knows when
another such phenomenon will occur?
L to r: Marcos Alvarez, Saleh Abdulla, Jonathan Lopez, Ms. Leona Faust, Roemello
Douglas, Casandra Hernandez, Donovan Chin, Jason Rodriguez and Adam Young
By Jamal Johnson
In 1962, Wisconsin senator Gaylord Nelson came up with the idea of Earth Day because
“the state of our environment was simply a nonissue in the politics of the country.”
Since then, this country has become more
aware of the environment and a variety of ideas
have skyrocketed. Solar energy, recycling
methods, TV show promotions on channels
such as Nickelodeon and many other methods
have been established to promote and enhance
Earth Day.
At Lincoln High School, we have made
several contributions to maintaining a healthy,
clean environment. Students have participated
in programs such as the recycling club and the
Botanical Science Program. Teachers in the
building are encouraged to make use of natural
light from the sun rather than having on all the
lights in the classroom.
They are also encouraged to monitor the
usage of the computers in the classroom. If they
are not being used, computers should be turned
off in effort to save as much electricity as possible.
A recent project that has caught the eye of
numerous members of the student body, faculty, and administration is a study that was done
by Ms. Lee Faust’s science class. Students used
school resources and research methods to gain
information about Earth Day and share that information with the population of Lincoln.
As part of their study, the class created an
image of the earth and hung it in the hallway
along with their views on Earth Day. I asked
the class what they would like society to learn
about helping the earth. They all replied, “We
would like people to learn about the carbon
footprint.”
Naturally, they were more than willing to
discuss what they learned concerning the carbon footprint. “For the past five years, scientists
have been talking about the carbon footprint,”
shared Jonathan Lopez.
“The carbon footprint is the amount of
pollution a person has put into the earth in their
lifetime,” added Roemello Douglas. Studies
show that the average person produces three
pounds of waste per day.
Faust’s science class and the students of
Lincoln High School are making a huge attempt
to decrease that amount of waste each day.
The Program for Scientific Inquiry
Participates in ACT-SO Competition
L to r: Christopher Toribio, Marie Ceus and Ahmed Rodgriguez
By Christopher Toribio
The Program for Scientific Inquiry came
into existence at Lincoln High School in
2007 by the director of the program, Dr. Dean
Saghafi. The program is intended to give students the opportunity to explore different fields
of science by conducting an experiment of his
or her choice.
Only the top students in the program get
selected to work in outside science labs. The
top students do not necessarily need to have the
best grades, but they do need to be the most
responsible, trustworthy and their capability
of working in a lab should be demonstrated in
class.
Juniors Ahmed Rodriguez, Christopher
Toribio, Marie Ceus and Rachel Daniel were
four students selected to work in labs last summer and, on April 23, three of them competed
in the Academic Cultural Technological Scientific Olympics (ACT-SO).
Rodriquez, Ceus and Daniel worked at Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva
University, and Toribio works at the University
of Massachusetts at Lowell. Rodriquez studied
the effect of fat intake on the fetus and placenta
of mice, while Daniel and Ceus isolated novel
high concentrated mycobacteriophages with
mycobacterium smegmatis (M.smegmatis)
mc2 155 in soil samples.
At the University of Massachusetts at
Lowell, Toribio worked in the Baseball Research Center, testing the performance of baseball bats. Ball Exit Speed Ratio and Bat-Ball
Coefficient of Restitution are NCAA testing
protocols that each bat must go through before
the product can be sold in stores. These pro-
tocols are meant to limit the performance of
baseball bats.
According to Rodriguez and his study on
the fat intake in mice, “I found that the amount
of fat in the diet does not have a significant
effect on the weight of the fetus and placenta
but may have an effect on future development
of the pup.” However, this could not be determined with the data that he collected.
Toribio investigated the effect of temperature on baseball coefficient of restitution (COR)
performance. It was found that as the temperature rises during baseball games, the COR of
each baseball rises as well. This means that
each baseball becomes “bouncier.” Although
there are a lot of other things that can affect the
COR of a baseball, the rise in temperature can
have a significant effect on the game of baseball.
In Ceus’ project, she found that Mycobacteriophages are essential for mycobacterium tuberculosis research such as diagnosis and drug
resistant testing. Ceus hopes her findings can
help find a cure for tuberculosis.
The ACT-SO award ceremony was held on
April 30, and by the end of the night, Rodriguez had won a bronze medal in the category
of Medicine and Health. Toribio won a silver
medal in Physics and the Clarence Ross Incentive Award for Excellence in Science. Ceus
won the gold medal in microbiology and a trip
to Los Angeles to compete in the nationals to be
held from July 20 to 25.
And as these students continue to strive
for success, they are helping the Program for
Scientific Inquiry grow throughout the Yonkers
Public Schools.

Palisade PreParatorY school

Transcription

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