Issue 04 - October-November 2012

Issue – 4 – October - November 2012
Principal ’s Note:
I would like to take this opportunity to
welcome all our students: new and returning
ones who come from different parts of the
world.
This great diversity at BHS was the main
reason behind the successful International
Day that was held at the Upper School, on
October, 19th. Our students once again,
celebrated multiculturalism, and exhibited a
high sense of creativity and a myriad of
talents.
In today's world, especially the tormented
Middle-East, BHS' message and values gain
even further importance. We will continue to
teach and promote peaceful conflict
resolution in the face of intolerance, wars
and bloodsheds that surround us.
May I ask you to join me in praying for peace
and for all the innocent victims of violence,
in Lebanon and the rest of the world.
I serve,
Walid khoury
A Word From the Manager…
A word From the Advisor…
Following the spectacular jump performed by the
now-famous Felix, I had many discussions with
students, who were so impressed with this
achievement. Many considered Felix to be their new
hero and role-model. With all due respect, a hero to
me is one who makes a significant change, a positive
one, to his community or to the world. Felix jumped
for advertisement purposes. He even used already
existing physics, and thus, didn't achieve any
scientific breakthrough. At almost the same time the
spectacular jump was being massively advertised,
with less media coverage of course and in a lost
corner of Pakistan, a real hero, at least in my opinion,
was born. Her name is Malala.
This 14-year old
Pakistani girl has been an activist for the
empowerment of women in her country mainly
through equal chances in
education. While the world
was watching the
jump,
Malala was attacked by
a
terrorist
fundamentalist
group, and received several
deadly shots. Since then,
she's been hanging between
life and death. The attempt on
her life, caused a wave of protest around Pakistan,
and inspired millions of women to follow in her
footsteps. Now who do you think is more of a hero? I
personally salute Malala, one of my heroes from now
on...
Chadi Nakhle
Speak Out is officially a complete student newspaper! Partaking in our school newspaper team is not only
a great experience, but would moreover look great as an extracurricular activity when applying to
universities. I highly encourage students to participate in order to have a chance to express themselves
and portray their true talents. Many thanks to our adviser Mr. Chadi Nakhle, our editor Noura Rahbani, our
designer Rawan Deeb, and the whole BHS Speak Out team for making out first issue a great success.
Appreciate all the support.
~1~
Jude Massaad
News & Events
Countries of the World Unite !
It was an exciting day for all, as
students of BHS realized that our
world is much bigger than what we
are exposed to in our everyday lives.
Twenty-two
countries
were
represented in our school's annual
International
Day,
proving
Dr.
Khoury's opinion of the beauty of
"people from different
backgrounds and cultures coming
together in peace and harmony". We
even had Turkey and Greece side by
side without a catfight breaking out!
A Lebanese tanoor oven, a British
queen, and a Saudi tent, the only
thing missing was an Indian army
legion -- oh wait, we had that too !
The music was rocking, the dancing was grandma-blushing good, and my favorite part, the food, was out of
this world. We managed to prove in our unique way that here at BHS, we are the world. Basmah Naaisah
~2~
I Run Beirut
The “I Run Beirut” Nike 5 k event
took place in Rawsheh on the
30th of September. Mr. Rabih
Awwad had informed all the
students about it a few weeks
earlier, but hardly anyone was
willing to get up at 5:30 am,
put on their running shoes, wear shorts and head to
school where the bus was waiting. Luckily, those
students who really enjoy running were more than
pleased to join. The group consisted of four girls and
two boys: Myself, Lana Fadel, Clarissa Baramki,
Mayssaabou Khalil , Dana Nasrallah, Sami Fadel, and
Michael Abou Jaude. We headed to Beirut with Mr.
Rabih, took our numbers, shirts and timers, and ran
the race with all the motivation and determination to
continue until the last step at the finish line. It was
strenuous and relieving at the same time. We felt the
burning in our muscles, the sweat dripping into our
eyes, the ache in our lungs… in addition to the
humidity and claustrophobia due to the attendance
of almost two thousand runners. We crossed the
finish line in agony and went to look for Mr. Rabih. A
satisfying breakfast was offered to all the runners.
We got back on the bus feeling contented and proud
to have participated in such a wonderful event. We
extend our thanks to Mr. Rabih for his part in the
event.
Dina Al-Rubaye
BHS MUN Club
Back and Better than Ever!
Since school started, Christina Farhat, Nicole
Helou, Natasha Ghawi, Michael Abu Jawdeh, Fredric
Azar and I have been working on this year’s MUN
club in hopes of preserving our school's legacy
while simultaneously expanding the club and
improving it. Last year only fifteen secondary
students participated, and from these only twelve
were chosen arbitrarily. This year we're working
with more than sixty students, who we meet with
every week to discuss interesting assignments.
Everyone in the club will learn what it takes to be a
diplomat, and when the time comes to choose who
will represent BHS at LAU’s MUN, the selection will
be based on observation
~3~
during club meeting as well as a private interview
with each club member later on. We give a big
thank you to Ms. Sarah Mink, our advisor, and
everyone else who's made this possible.
Pio Ibrahim
Keeping Hope Alive
Rita is a social castoff, one of those people we're
taught to take pity on and keep our distance from.
Her life started out in Bekaa, as Takla. She doesn't
know how old she is. She had worked as a house
maid, giving all the money she earned to her
family, until one day her beloved father died, and
her siblings, who'd visited them at least
occasionally, all but abandoned her. Alone and
unwanted, she moved to Baabdat to look for work,
but ended up living in the forest, eating out of the
garbage.
She's lived there for ten years, enduring the
freezing winter and the icy rain in the sorry
equivalent of a cardboard box. Many of you might
have seen her some mornings, scrounging for
food by the roadside, and thought about helping
her.
Our school mate Karl Kaloustian did more than
that. He saw her, saw the condition she lives in,
and decided that she deserved better. All Rita
asked for was to be taken to her hometown, or to
see Beirut. But Karl convinced her to let him build
her a small house, to shelter her from the
elements. He and other students from BHS have
been working together to provide Rita with a
decent house. They hope to raise enough money
to significantly improve her lifestyle. So far, they've
organized a bake sale, which Karl asserts was a
huge success. He has been asked to appear on
television with Rita for an interview of her life. We
wish them all the best of luck!
Georgette
Naufal
Articles & Short Stories
21st December 2012 – Is There Really
Anything To Worry About?
The 2012 phenomenon, 21st December 2012, the
Mayan prophecy and Doomsday are all different
terms for what we know as the end of the world. At
least that’s what people are calling it. But what do
we really know about December 21st? Here’s a
little historical knowledge for you. The 2012
phenomenon comprises a range of theological
beliefs according to which transformative events
will occur on 21 December 2012.This date is
regarded as the end-date of a 5,125-year-long
cycle in the Mesoamerican Long Count calendar. A
New Age interpretation of this transition is that this
date marks the start of time in which Earth and its
inhabitants may undergo a positive physical or
spiritual transformation, and that 2012 may mark
the beginning of a new era. Others suggest that
the 2012 date marks the end of the world or a
similar catastrophe. Scenarios suggested for the
end of the world include the arrival of the next
solar maximum, or Earth's collision with an object
such as a black hole or a passing asteroid.
However, the question is, can we really believe this
Mayan
prophesy?
Scientists
say
that
a
phenomenon will occur, one that happens every
25,800 years, in which the center of the Milky Way
galaxy, the earth, and the sun will be in direct
alignment, causing the poles of the earth to shift
about 45 degrees. But scientists believe that
something huge wont happen in 2012. No one
really knows what this rare occurrence will have on
the Earth. Yet there is reason to suspect that the
Mayans believed it would be catastrophic.
There is a theory that once Earth passes through
the galactic equator, it may be Earth’s magnetic
currents that will spin it in opposite directions.
Although this theory seems unlikely and more
suited for the plot of a science fiction film, it is
backed by science. Albert Einstein first suggested
it in 1955. And a new study by Princeton University
reveals that the Poles have shifted before. For
example, in the past, Alaska rested on the Equator.
~4~
December 21st marks the countdown to what ancient
prophecies call “the end of time”, which may mean
the end of the world or the end of the world, as we
know it. What if I told you that the end of the world
was meant to be seven years ago? The end of the
world was predicted on the Mayan Calendar but since
we shifted between the Julian and Gregorian
calendars, dates and years were not correlated right,
and so in a sense, we’ve already survived the “end of
the world”. While there is much speculation about the
imminent end of the Mayan Calendar, it does remind
us of the similar speculation as the world approached
the year 2000. But should we really fear for our lives?
Or is it all a bunch of nonsense?
Nicole Helou
Is it a Bird, or a Plane…
No it’s Felix Baumgartner !
Breaking the sound barrier in a 120,000 ft jump over
New Mexico:
Felix Baumgartner is an Austrian skydiver who has
made record-breaking parachute jumps from the
tallest human-made structures on the planet,
including Taipei 101 and Rio de Jianero’s Cristo
Redentor statue.
The 43-year-old just broke the world record for
highest skydive. He jumped from an altitude of 39km,
in a capsule taken up to the edge of the stratosphere
by an extremely large helium balloon, before
stepping out in a pressurized outfit to fall back down
to earth. He achieved the fastest-ever free fall speed,
at 706mph during the four minutes nineteen seconds
of free fall. Baumgartner attempted to set four
records:
the highest manned balloon flight, free fall from the
highest altitude, supersonic speed in free fall and the
longest free-fall time.
After many delays, Felix did it! On Sunday the 14th of
October 2012 he jumped from the highest altitude
ever reached. Although he knew the jump could
result in his blood boiling and his brain exploding, he
did it with great confidence. He broke three out of the
four records he meant to break. It was an absolutely
stunning achievement, one of the best pieces of real
time drama we would ever watch in our lifetime!
Masara Touza
Certain Records Should Never
be Broken
According to the U.S. National Snow and Ice Data
Center in Boulder, Colorado, the Arctic sea ice caps
have reached a new record low, beating the previous
one set in September of 2007 when sea ice extent
was at only 5.01 million square kilometers. It is not
unusual for the sea ice to melt in the summer months,
but this August, sea ice disappeared at a
rate twice faster
than usual – at
91,700
square
kilometers per day.
And that’s not all;
the sea ice covering
the area around the
North
Pole
has
shrunk to
4.1 million square kilometers. In the 1970’s and 80’s,
it was normally at an excess of 7 million square
kilometers during August, according to NSIDC
scientist Julienne Stroeve.
So what’s the big deal? You don’t want ice-free
summers in the Arctic. The Arctic cools the Earth’s
atmosphere by reflecting the sun’s rays back into
outer space, regulating the weather systems.
Moreover, it keeps the ocean currents circulating
around the planet. The sea ice extent has shrunk
dramatically – and is still shrinking. In fact, according
to Mark Serreze, senior scientist at the NSIDC, there
might be no ice at all in the Arctic by 2030.
What can be done? Organizations and committed
individuals are calling for the North Pole to be
declared a global sanctuary.
~5~
That way, world leaders will take steps to reduce
the impact of human activity on the planet, and
this will prevent companies from taking advantage
of the melting Arctic ice for exploring and drilling
for oil. When we think of global warming, we think
of polar bears. We must take into account that
human lives are at risk, too.
Yasmine Saad
Lebanon Sinks Its Electricity
Troubles
360 Million Dollars. That’s the sum the Lebanese
government has granted the Turkish powergenerating ships for a three-year contract. The
ships will provide 270 Megawatts of power during
that period of time, which would mean a 10%
increase in the hours of electricity we receive.
Currently Lebanon suffers from blackouts that
range between six to ten hours daily; the ships
should cut two hours of this blackout. At the same
time, Electricite Du Liban will be renovating two
power stations. The factory restorations should
be completed within these three years and be
ready to produce more power than before. Aside
from the renovation, EDL also promises to
construct at least one more station. We can’t wait
for the ships to arrive in late October; Lebanon’s
electricity problem needs to be resolved as soon
as possible and these ships will be the first step
toward a brighter future.
Pio Ibrahim
Elephant’s Graveyards
Legend has it that when elephants are able to
sense their near death, they leave their herd in
order not to hinder its progress and go to die in
what is known as the elephants’ graveyard.
This myth was speculated because elephants are
known for becoming agitated once they identify
the bones of their species and caressing them by
smelling them, touching them with their trunks,
and occasionally rocking the ivory with their feet.
Therefore, this care can indicate that they visit the remains of the dead occasionally in order to mourn.
Another theory as to why this myth had started is the possibility of the simultaneous death of a large
group of elephants in the same area because of water shortage or a natural disaster.
Some groups were also found
without their ivories. This can be an
indication of a traveler’s success in
rounding a big number of elephants
and slaughtering them at once to
reduce the amount of traveling he
had to do. Another theory is the
ability of the strong winds of the
savannah plains to blow all of the
elephants’ bones into one area,
making it seem as though the
elephants gather in one place to
die.
The reason why this myth was never turned into a fact is that every time an explorer ventured out to find a
graveyard, he either never returns or is unable to find it again in order to prove himself. Some explorers
can be easily fooled by the elephants, following them days on end only to figure out that the elephants
have been leading them in circles only to confuse them.
The attraction of the elephants’ graveyard can simply be a greedy hunter’s dream to find a large amount
of tusks and ivory gathered in one place. The elephants’ graveyard myth is far from being proven but that
does not change the remarkable fact that elephants are able to sympathize with the death of others of
their species.
Grace Abou Abdallah
Skip the Midnight Snacks…
Skip Obesity
Beans, onions, broccoli, spinach, peas, mushy
green stuff floating around in soups….all of these
things we forced ourselves to eat as kids either in
order to get dessert later or to become strong like
Popeye. Sure eating healthy is important, but do
we really need to go to such extents as self
torture? Personally I try to eat healthy most of the
time and I believe in the power of a good diet, but
there are just some things I can’t stand to put in my
mouth. Top of the list: beans, lentils, onions, and
garlic.
This brings me to the question of which is more
important? What I eat, or when I eat it?
Is there a time of day when we can eat whatever
we want?
For example, if someone has a high fat diet but ate
only from 9am till 4 pm, will that person be
healthier from someone who eats all day long?
Rejoice the answer is yes! As long as you keep off
the tar, molten plastic, cyanide, other poisons, and
the nuclear waste you keep under the bed in
secret, you can eat whatever you
want as long as you do it in a small and early time
frame!
A recent study by scientists in the Salk Institute for
Biological Studies in California was carried on two
groups of mice. The first group was allowed
access to the food at all times, the second group
had access to the same diet but only for an eight
hour period during the early phase of their day.
The first group of mice developed obesity,
diabetes, and altered sleep-wake rhythms. Now for
the good news: The mice that had restricted
access were much healthier. They lost body fat,
had
normal
glucose
tolerance,
reduced
cholesterol, increased bile acid production,
improved motor function and normal sleep cycles.
What’s worth noting is that the daily caloric intake
of
both
groups
was
the
same!
Most of us only stop eating when we sleep and it’s
impossible for us to do so. This pattern is very
unhealthy for both mice and humans. So eat
whatever you like early, but skip dinner and never
have late night snacks.
Noura Rahbani
~6~
Superman Exists !?
Dennis Rogers entered high school as the smallest
freshman. Today this former high school weakling is
the strongest man in the world! He uses his sheer
strength to achieve superhuman feats like bending
hammers and horseshoes into hearts. Dennis was
truly recognized when he stopped two US Air Force
T-34 Aircrafts, 285 horsepower each, from taking
off, then successfully prevented four Harley
Davidson motorcycles from moving at full throttle for
12 seconds. Not willing to stop the thrill, he bent a ½
inch thick, 17.25 inch long steel bar around his neck
into a “U” shape then went on to bend an 8 inch
adjustable wrench into the shape of an “S”. His
ongoing exploits are too numerous to count. Dennis
Rogers, the former weakling, is living proof that all is
possible, even the existence of superhuman
strength.
Nour Nader
What Would You Have Done ?
Okay, I have to admit that the killer mannequins were
a bit too much for me.
Yesterday, my life was normal, and I was just working
at a clothes shop with mannequins that were actually
inanimate, but today, I’m travelling in a spaceship
with a 900 year old alien that looks a lot like a human,
except for the fact that he has two hearts.
Did I mention that his spaceship is actually a blue
police telephone box? Don’t worry; it’s much bigger
on the inside than it looks.
You must think I’m crazy.
I think I’m crazy, too.
Last night was insane.
My eyes widened, staring in shock at the alien who
had saved my life. I had to say, he was a funny
looking man, with messy brown hair, bright green
eyes, and a handsome face. He was dressed in a
striped black suit and a pair of Converse shoes. I
don’t know why or how he had found me, but I sure
was glad that he did.
He called himself “The Doctor”, as though it were a
name. He explained that he was the last of his
species, the Time Lords of the planet Gallifrey and
that his spaceship was actually a time machine, one
that could take you anywhere you would like to go, in
the past or the future. I thought that he was insane.
I looked out of the shop window to find four masked
Christmas carolers dressed up in Santa outfits, and
the Doctor was staring at them, horror in his eyes.
He tugged at my sleeve and told me to run. “Why
are we running from Christmas carolers?” I
screamed at The Doctor, almost out of breath as I
tried to keep up with him.
“Those aren’t carolers, and they definitely are not
humans!” He shouted, and when I turned my head to
see what was going on, I realized he was right. Their
masks had fallen, and all I could see behind them
was machinery instead of a face, but what terrified
me is that each was holding a grenade launcher.
“Quickly,” He said and pointed at a blue police box
across the street, “In here!”
“WHY WOULD WE GO INTO A POLICE BOX!?” At
first, I thought he was joking, but when he opened
the door, I understood. It only looked like a small
booth, but on the inside it was a spaceship about the
size of a comfortable apartment. I still don’t believe
it.
He sealed the door just as the grenades were
launched, but no harm could come to his time
machine. He pulled at levers and buttons and we
took off in space. Now, we’re somewhere among the
stars and the planets. He asked me to stay, to travel
through space and time with him.
If you were given a chance to go anywhere and
everywhere you’ve ever wanted to, would you take
it? Would you leave everything behind for a chance
to discover what you once thought never existed?
This is what had happened:
“Run!” He said gruffly, in a somewhat British accent.
Of course, he was telling me to run because the
mannequins had come to life and had tried to attack
me. He pulled out what looked like a shiny
screwdriver from his trench coat, and he aimed it at
the dummies. Suddenly, they stopped moving and
there was no sign of them ever being alive.
~7~
Based on “Doctor Who”
By Laudy Issa
The Tech War !
If you haven’t yet heard about the conflict raging
between the technology giants Apple and
Samsung, then you certainly do live under a rock.
The two companies have been at it for a long time
now, holding continuous law suits and court
hearings over who copied who. The last we heard,
Apple
won a law suit against
Samsung that will ban
the sale of most of
Samsung’s Galaxy Series
in the US, as well as
force Samsung to pay
Apple a billion dollars for
damages.
Apparently
all
rectangles
with
curved edges, a touch
screen, and a button are exclusively Apple's
designs. Does that mean Samsung has to start
producing triangular phones? Luckily, no; licenses
can be given for these “innovations”. By late
August, Samsung had won its first law suit against
Apple in Japan. Samsung’s derisive advertisements
have also insulted Apple a great deal.
Samsung is constantly fighting back with new and
remarkable products like the S3 and the new Note.
It’s good to see such competition as it leads to
companies to provide better, cheaper products. We
don’t want to be stuck with a monopolist that lacks
innovation.
 The Wii U, a console that has the potential to
shock the gaming world. It’s been a since we've
encountered a new console and the Wii U would
open the doors for Microsoft and Sony to start
work on their PS4 and Xbox 720. The Wii U is a
combination of portable touch screen control
pad and the infamous Wii controllers with a little
improvement.
 The MacBook Pro with Retina Display 13”.
We appreciate Apple’s integration of Retina
Display with MacBook, but so far only one
model exists and it's just too big. The 15” Pro
with Retina Display needed a little resizing,
therefore a 13” is most welcome.
Pio Ibrahim
Gadgets We Can’t Wait For !
 The iPad Mini—the most anticipated tablet this
year—set to target the reading tablets market.
We're hoping for some
new features that would
make the tablet worth
the hype. Most likely to
be announced on
October 23.
~8~
Pio Ibrahim
Book Reviews
The Maze Runner
by James Dashner
This story is about Thomas, who is taken into a
place called the Glade, where there are many
just like him, some older and others younger.
When these boys are put in the Glade, they don’t
remember anything about the outside world, all
they know are their names. All they care about is
survival. They don’t know
why they were put
there; they don’t know
who put them there.
They just have to find a
way out. Every thirty
days a new boy comes
to the Glade, but the
day after Thomas’s
arrival, a girl is sent–
the first girl ever to
arrive to the Glade. And
this girl comes with a
message. As the story
progresses, you will find out how these boys
and this girl survive day by day in the difficult
situations they are living in.
The story is ambiguous from beginning to end.
All the characters are very intriguing. Some you
will hate others you will love. At the end of the
book there are more questions that you cannot
figure out the answers for, because this book is
part of a trilogy. The Maze Runner is a thrilling,
mysterious, Sci-Fi book. This book is a page
turner because it moves in a fast pace; there’s
something new going on every single page.
I would recommend this book to anyone who
likes thrilling, dystopian genre books. But this
book has some delicate content, so I would
recommend it to mid to late teens, maybe fifteen
and older.
Christine Tenkerian
~9~
Music Reviews
Bruno Mars returns with a new single "Lock Out Of
Heaven", the single
is fresh and upbeat. Bruno has proven after the DooWops and Hooligans
album, that he can still bring new music to the table,
and to the
charts.
One Direction debuts their new single on the top
spot on the digital
charts, it sold 341,000 downloads in its first week.
Rihanna's single Diamonds is the first one of her
upcoming seventh
studio album "Unapologetic". This single is more
laid back than what
we usually get from Rihanna, but its too repetitive
and bland.
Taylor Swift releases her fourth single from her
upcoming album,
"Red". The album's American release date is
October 22nd. Let's hope
Lebanon's Virgin Megastore gets the albums. So far,
she has been
releasing singles keeping her fans on their toes. She
has been
preparing this album for two years, and she said that
its a fresh new
sound from what everyone is used to.
The Script has released their new album entitled
"#3", it is currently
in stores now.
Adele's new single "skyfall" is featured in the new
James Bond movie,
also entitled "Skyfall".
Leen Rihani
…Of The Month
Teacher of the Month
Mr. Assaad El-Helou
This month , SpeakOut chose to dedicate the head of the Science
Department as teacher of the month. This interview will give you a
chance to get to know him better .
1. When did you decide to become a teacher?
"My plan from the beginning of my studies was to become a secondary
school teacher. It was a decision I made from the very beginning."
2. Why did you choose to become a teacher?
"I like to help students understand the concepts I am teaching. I try to
keep science relate-able. I want my students to understand the concepts I
am teaching rather than memorize them".
3. Why did you choose to teach physics?
"I find that the concepts taught in physics are related to everyday life".
4. How many years have you been a teacher?
"I have been a teacher, officially, since 1984".
5. When did you start teaching at BHS?
"Since 1989".
6. Is teaching better than you expected it to be?
"It depends on the students. But you need to be patient with them, and
locate each student's strengths".
7. What is the greatest thing about being a teacher?
"When the concepts I teach are well understood by the students, and they
use it in their daily lives".
8. Would you recommend teaching as an occupation to anyone?
"Only if you want to be a star teacher, one who embraces new concepts
and applies different approaches depending on student levels, but not if
you want to be a normal one (traditional)".
9. If you could have any other job in the world, what would it be?
"I would want to be a civil engineer. During my schooling days, the many
fields that are offered today in engineering were not available."
10. Did you teach at any other schools before BHS?
"Yes, Adventist Secondary School".
11. What has your favorite part of teaching at BHS been?
"I like BHS because here we live like a family".
12. Who is your role model?
"Einstein".
13. What is your favorite movie?
"I do not have one, but I enjoy comedies".
14. Do you have any hobbies?
"Yes, reading".
15. What is your favorite book?
"The Prophet by Gebran Khalil Gebran; I am currently re-reading it for the
third time".
16. What is your favorite quote?
"'Nothing is impossible' - Napoleon".
Interviewed By: Basma Naaisah
~10~
Mr. & Miss Oct / Nov
Michael Abou Jaoude
Grade 11 IP, MUN Instructor, Rizkallah House
Q: How long have you been in BHS?
A: Around 11 years though I left a bit around
the 1st grade.
Q: What do you like about BHS?
A: The people mostly, everyone is really nice
and fun.
Q: What universities would you like to attend?
A: I have my eye on New York University.
Q: If you could pick anywhere in the world to
live where would you go?
A: I’d probably live in Geneva, Switzerland.
Q: In your down time what do you like to do?
A: I Like hiking, Jogging , hanging out with
friends, and coming up with the next big idea.
Hala Nasri
Grade 12 IP, Captain of the Football Team,
Rizkallah House
Q: How long have you been in BHS?
A: Since the Third grade so around 10 years.
Q: What is your nationality?
A: My mom is Indian and My Father is Iraqi.
Q: What activities do you like to do?
A: I like football obviously and just chilling
with my friends.
Q: Where would you take your best friend on
a vacation?
A: I’d go to Italy for the ruins and its culture
and also its decent looking boys.
Q: How many kids would you have? And
what would you name them?
A: Two. I would name the girl Helen and the
boy Gabriel
Interviewed by Yasmina Aswad
~11~
Drawing of the Month
Coming Soon…
 Go See The Amazing Pop Legend STING Live at Biel
on 28th of November.
 Catch Skyfall the new 007 movie; in theaters
November 1 2012.
 The Final Installment of the Twilight Series Hits
Theaters November 15 2012
Maxime Chalhoub
As it is a certainty that the world will come to an end
in 2012, a girl was overcome with a sense of
generosity.
She’s decided that she will give away $100 to everyone
who replies to her story! SERIOUSLY!!
She’s going to liquidate her college and the first 500 or
so people who reply will get $100!!!!
As a mere formality, she requires that you sign a
legally binding agreement stating that on January 1st,
2013, you will either pay her back $527,000 (18.3%
APR) or sign over the deed to your house. It's irrelevant
of course since 2013 is never going to happen, but it's
the only way her parents will let her cash out her
college savings.
-A Modest Proposal.
Yasmina Aswad
Where Are They Now ?
There's more to life than people think. BHS was a significant part
of my life. It taught me which books were a real page turners and
what true friendship was like. But nothing really made sense to
me at school. As I walked through hallways to History, Chemistry
or Arabic, I knew that none of that was for me. Things in the
corners of my eyes burst with neon colors and everywhere I sat,
and I saw the world around me as a movie. Sometimes I morphed
people’s voices in my head. I really was in my own world most of
the time.
On my fifteenth birthday I got a little compact point and shoot camera. Obviously it's nothing like a DSLR, but
it was a starting point from which I was shuttled off to where I belong. Photography is my head and my world.
Living and going to university with so many creative people has both inspired me and motivated me to be
more myself than ever before. Throughout my younger teenage years, I went out and photographed things
that made me happy, but little did I know that the magic in my eyes would make now possible. Today I have
opportunities I never had, shooting for vintage stores, portfolios and independent clothing lines as well as
documenting the world around me for my own personal enjoyment. I have had the chance to meet and
converse with famous photographers at their exhibitions. I really am living the life I’ve always wanted.
Though it's only been two years, high school feels like a lifetime away. Times have changed a lot since
school. The security net has vanished, but that has made me so much more adventurous and less afraid of
pushing my boundaries.
People rarely take a few steps back to see life as a whole. If you love something, you should go out of your
way to do it, notwithstanding how silly it may seem. If you’d rather skip than walk, then do it.
Olivia Jabra, Class of 2011
~12~
Horoscopes or Astrology, is a pseudo-science often confused with astronomy, the science of celestial
bodies.
Astrology was founded on many erroneous bases. Astrologers considered that Earth is the center of the
universe. Thus, they had set a celestial map, based on this wrong assumption. Furthermore, astrologers
consider, that a certain position of celestial bodies, relative to our position on earth, has an effect on
people's life chances, wealth, success, etc... A correlation that has no scientific basis till our present day.
Based on all the above, our Speakout "Astrologer", has made the following predictions, just for fun...
Yet no astrologer can claim to have more "serious" predictions than these. It is a pure matter of belief.
Chadi Nakhle
Aries: March 21st - April 19th
Arians, a bird will come nest in your hair today. You can stay inside, but it will find you anyway.
Taurus: April 20th - May 20th
Taureans, your sign ruler is Venus, goddess of love. Try not to make eye contact with anyone today
because they will most probably fall madly in love and follow you everywhere, and that can get awkward..
Gemini: May 21st - June 20th
Geminians, you have been hexed by someone. The only way to save yourself is by painting yourself
purple, barking at cats, and eating lots of Life Savers -- or you could just surrender to your doom.
Cancer: June 21st - July 22nd
Cancers, your pet is evil. Go home, look deep into its eyes, and you'll see its demonic soul. So just flush it
down a toilet, leave it on the doorstep, or give it to your enemy as a birthday present. Whatever you do, do
it fast!
Leo: July 23rd - August 22nd
Leos, you are being stalked by a lion. It's in the bushes, outside your window, wherever you are it is just
one step behind you. So watch out and don't keep meat on you.
Virgo: August 23rd - September 22nd
Virgos, you are a dancing god. So stop being selfish and start busting some moves, in the hallway,
wherever -- just get funky!
Libra: September 23rd - October 22nd
Libras, stay away from the letter "S". The letter "S" is not your friend! Do not use it today -- or else.
Scorpio: October 23rd - November 21st
Scorpios, eat only purple-colored food today. No, blueberries don't count. This is your only chance at
love, happiness, and winning millions of dollars. Try it, what have you got to lose?
Sagittarius: November 22nd - December 21st
Sagittarians, if you want to pass all of your tests today, just write Justin Bieber lyrics as the answer to
any question. Let's face it, you can't go wrong with the Biebs.
Capricorn: December 22nd - January 19th
Capricorns, your zodiac symbol is the sea goat. Therefore, it would make sense for you to spend the day
speaking like an underwater goat. Do that, and great wealth will be yours.
Aquarius: January 20th - February 18th
Aquarians, you need to start carrying around a balloon named Sir Balloonington with you at all times.
When Sir Balloonington pops, you’re in trouble. So stay away from pins, knives, and girls with really long
nails.
Pisces: February 19th - March 20th
Pisceans, your zodiac symbol is the fish. The only way your soul mate will find you is if you rub a fish all
over your body every morning. You can keep spraying your Chanel or your Boss but unless you get
yourself some “Eau de Poisson”, there is no hope for your love life.
Basmah Naaisah
~13~
They’ve shackled your truth in chains
And left its voice to drown in sorrowful rains.
They’ve made the earth beneath you rattle and shake,
To swallow you up with every step you take.
Will you stay silent as they throw their sticks and stones?
Will you let them cut through your skin and drill at your bones?
Or will you fight to survive,
To keep your truth strong and alive?
Break through the binds that have kept you weak,
And cut the ropes that would not let you speak.
Let it be known that from this day and on,
Anything holding you back is dead and gone.
With every travelling wind, let your truth be heard,
Let the mountains be shaken by the power of your word
Laudy Issa
Hyde Park
1- Overload on tests, around 8 tests a week, even on careers week.
2- Overcrowded classrooms, over 30 students in some classes.
3- No indoor playgrounds for winter time.
4- You die on your way to the nurse because it’s so far.
5- Students want more village leave during free periods.
Yasmina Aswad
~14~
By Rawan Deeb
Lebanese Halloween
~15~
By Joy Labaki
4 – Seasons – Mr. Rabih
Summer
Winter
Fall
Spring
Advisor: Mr. Chadi Nakhle - Manager: Jude Massad - Editors in Chief: Noura Rahbani, Georgette Nawfal - Head
Designer: Rawan Deeb - Photographers: Rony Andrew Georgi , Dina Al Rubaye - Marketing: Michael Azar, Kamal
Abdel Nour
The Team: Pio Ibrahim, Grace Abou Abdallah, Joy Labaki, Mounir Saridar, Laudy Isaa, Nour Nader, Masara Touza,
Yasmina Aswad, Nicole Helou, Basmah Naaisah, Leen Rihani, Yasmine Saad., Christine Tenkerian, Christina
Farhat
~16~