File

A-Merrick-an
Idol
Calhoun junior is headed to Hollywood
first experience in the spotlight.
For years he could be seen performing at local events, talent
shows, and school concerts all in
preparation for this big
moment. Not only
has Rosen been
performing
for live audiences, but he
has utilized
the Internet
to get his voice
heard by thousands of viewers.
His YouTube channel has
over 74,000 views and his video
“Make it Through” for the Sophia’s
Cure Foundation reached over
13,000 views since October.
Like his online videos, Rosen’s
appearance on the popular television show certainly did not go
unnoticed by the Merrick community. Within minutes of the airing
of his rendition of “Yesterday” by the Beatles
for
American
Idol judges,
Randy Jackson, Jennifer
Lopez, and
Steven Tyler,
phones were
buzzing
and
Facebook newsfeeds
were flooded with praise
for the local singer, and everyone
seemed to know the name Robbie
Rosen.
Not only were members of the
(see IDOL on page 13)
Health fair
(with permission from americanidol.com)
Rosen, 16, impressed the judges and made it through to Hollywood week.
by Ashley McGetrick
Staff Writer
Junior year is arguably the most
crucial for high school students,
packed with SATs, driver’s ed,
and everything in between. But for
Robbie Rosen, junior year means
much more than any transcript
could ever portray.
Last August, Rosen, along with
thousands of other hopeful contestants, went to the American Idol
auditions at New Jersey’s Izod
Center with hopes of being the
next big thing in the music world.
For Rosen, this was no last minute
decision. Since the age of 7 he had
been patiently awaiting the day he
turned 16 to be eligible to start his
Idol journey.
And this is certainly not Rosen’s
Students take the
lead in class
page 2
(photo by Dana Reilly)
Freshmen Emily Tenenbaum and Lauren D’Archangelis
performed with show choir at the health fair.
Is prom worth
the drama?
page 12
Girls’ hoops on
playoff push
page 14
Hoofbeats
2
February 2011
NEWS
Learning to be leaders
by Emily Wrynn
Editor-in-Chief
Now in its second year at Calhoun, the Leadership Class features a unique and interactive approach to community service and
emphasizes the development of
strong personal character.
“The objective is to help develop leadership skills within the
student body,” said Social Studies
teacher Brian Joyce, who teaches
the class.
According to Mr. Joyce, Principal David Seinfeld pitched the
idea and asked him to write the
curriculum and teach the class. Mr.
Joyce explained that Mr. Seinfeld
“identified a need for more active
leadership among the students.”
The class focuses on giving
back to the community in a practical and meaningful way. Students
take on individual community service projects, which they run from
start to finish, on their own. The
objective is to encourage students
to assume authority and exercise
independent judgment.
Most recently, the class collected toys throughout the month
of December and donated them in
a visit to the pediatric floor of the
Nassau University Medical Center.
Junior Talia Charidah, who was
enrolled in leadership class during
the fall semester, indicated that,
“It was everything I expected, because I really wanted to do community service that I could take
on myself,” she said. “It was really
rewarding because we did things
like food drives which were really
hands-on.”
Although it is a half-year course,
the class does not fall short in edu(see LEARNING on page 5)
(photo by Alex Foley)
April Strommer, Kelly Gallo, Carley Singer, Kimberly White, and Mr. Brian Joyce at
the Pediatric Unit of the Nassau University Medical Center.
(photo by Alex Foley)
(photo by Alex Foley)
David Cervone and Michael Barry visit with a patient at the hospital.
Alexa Weinblatt and Nicole Simmons bring holiday joy to a baby.
Leaks continue to be a problem
by Kara Iskenderian
News Editor
After a long winter of snow, rain,
sleet, and ice, the roof of the building is having a bit of trouble keeping up.
Leaks are springing up in classrooms on all three floors causing
minor disturbances and major annoyances for staff, students, and
administration alike.
After many leak issues last year,
including the collapse of the art
room ceiling, students expressed
their hopes that the administration
would have taken better care of the
problems.
“After the art room problems,
I didn’t think I’d be finding more
leaks around the school” said senior Celine Katzman.
Teachers, like Mr. Jay Kreutzberger, have faced many disturbances from leaks in his classroom,
number 129. He stated that “there
were a couple of days I’ve had to
change classrooms but there have
been no major disruptions.” He
later added, “It certainly distracts
everyone when you hear water
drips from the ceiling.”
Although the leaks have popped
up across the school, Principal
David Seinfeld said the administration has taken care of as many
problems as possible.
In room 129 the custodial staff
quickly solved the problem but
only days later ”buckets were
just placed under the leaks,” Mr.
Kreutzberger said.
Senior Evan Suval said, “It’s
strange having a class huddled
around buckets in the center of the
room. It makes you wonder what
kind of bad shape the buildings
in.”
On the topic of more long-term
leaking problems the library, for
example, has shown significant
improvement from previous years.
Principal Seinfeld said, “The library has been one of our biggest
issues, and it’s about 100 percent
(see LEAKS on page 4)
News
February 2011
Hoofbeats
3
All’s well at the Health Fair
musical abilities with Rock Band.
These video games occupied the
students, but they were also used
The annual health fair offered a method to encourage teens to
something for everyone, from free get up and be active. Many peofood to rock climbing.
ple had a great time playing and
A unique feature of the fair was shared some laughs because some
the interactive video games that people don’t have the “technique”
lined the walls of the gym. Stu- to play virtual bowling.
dents took turns playing with Wii
The rock wall, often neglected
controllers, or showing off their in the gym, was a main hub of this
year’s fair. Island Rock, a
rock-climbing company
located in Plainview,
sent employees to assist
students in scaling the
wall. Students got the
chance to climb the rock
wall and make their way
to the top. It was difficult and an enduring
challenge, but many succeeded.
Several Merokian merchants turned out to let
students try their food
or services. Souper Fry,
a popular eatery among
the student body, set
up a booth with light
snacks, proving that the
restaurant has an array
of healthy meals to offer. Event organizer Ms.
Keri Cinelli noted, “If
you look further than
the Sazini and the homemade french fries, you
will find their original
and healthy soup and
salad recipes.”
Crave, a new local deli,
was also present with an
assortment of healthy
(photo by Dana Reilly) choices. Their modern
menu includes salads
The rock wall was a favorite activity during the Fair.
by Dana Reilly
Staff Writer
(photo by Dana Reilly)
Students enjoyed taking a break from classes to visit the tables at the Health Fair.
with several toppings to choose
from. Crave’s antipasto salad and
delectable house soups will surely
keep customers coming for more.
Students were partial to the
creamy and creative flavors offered by Moolala, Merrick’s first
frozen yogurt parlor. Moolala
draws in a wide range of customers, by featuring flavors that are either sugar-free, gluten free, or lowfat. Moolala also has an extensive
topping bar with fruit and candies,
making their dessert a special indulgence.
Many teachers were invited to
participate in the health fair, adding to the community spirit of the
event. Participants included Mr.
James Raucci, who helped out at
the egg-white omelet station, and
Mr. Gregg Muscarella, who administered the fitness booth.
Students and faculty seemed
to crowd the cosmetology booth,
where a few skilled students
showed off their talent for curling and straightening hair. This
seemed to add to the health fair,
emphasizing the importance of
self-esteem.
Various educational booths appeared at the health fair, serving to
enlighten students to health risks
and rewards.
Representatives from The New
York State Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee (GTSC) brought special goggles that simulated what it
would feel like to take a sobriety
test at twice the legal limit of alcohol consumption. Students were
instructed to walk in a straight line
without the goggles once and then
with the goggles, to accentuate the
effects of alcohol on the mind.
The Relaxation Retreat Massage
Center has always been a highlight
of the annual health fair, and continues to be a favorite among students. Ms. Cinelli admired their
work, referring to them as “the
cherry on top of the whole event.”
The kids and teachers love the station because they can get an excellent massage free of charge.
Bands battle it
out for glory
by Amanda Glickman
Staff Writer
“The stars are definitely aligned
tonight,” senior Missy Gluck remarked with a smile as she waited
on line to buy her ticket to Battle of
the Bands.
This event meant a lot to both
Calhoun Wind Ensemble and the
fabulous lineup planning to duke
it out on stage. Battle of the Bands
was guaranteed to be even more
successful than last year—the large
percentage of the female freshmen
population seen jumping around
to the pre-show soundtrack music
seemed to prove this true.
The true motivation behind this
event came from the Wind Ensemble’s need for funding their spring
tour to Disney World, where they
will be one of many groups participating in the Magic Music Days
competition. Airfare and hotel
rates are hardly cheap, so what better way to raise money for this musical venture than to do it through
what the band kids know best?
The really cool thing is that the
profits won’t just be placed into
Disney accounts - a fraction of
each ticket’s cost will be donated
(see BANDS on page 7
(photo by Megan Murphy)
“Butterfly Convict” grabbed first place in the second-ever Battle of the Bands.
Hoofbeats
4
February 2011
NEWS
Pregnant pause
Does media glamorize lifestyle?
“You know I don’t need anyone
promoting Teen Mom...I’m not
trying to make a trend out of pregEvery Tuesday night at 10 p.m., nancy I’m trying to prevent it.”
teenage girls across the country
Unfortunately, their rare words
tune in to MTV to watch the drama of caution cannot prevent some
unfold on the shows “16 & Preg- girls from trying to get pregnant,
nant” and “Teen Mom.” For the who are warped into believing that
average girl watching these shows, it is their only way to get attention.
it is evident that being a parent
Only recently has the societal
while still in high school is less view of teen pregnancy changed.
than glamorous, and comes along Girls who became pregnant before
with struggles that are unfathom- marriage used to be completely
able to the average high school ju- shunned by society—so much
nior.
so that girls would do anything
Recently, howto try to “cure”
ever, many girls “TV shows and articles make themselves of the
are
admiring the stress of working, going condition. In the
the new moms to school, fighting custody past few years
on these shows. battles, and parenting seem has young pregStudies
have effortless.”
nancy
become
shown that more
more acceptable.
girls are trying to
Any girls out
get pregnant in order to get their there who think that getting pregchance at reality TV fame.
nant and appearing on a reality
Some say the cause of rampant series will make their lives better
pregnancies is the way MTV and clearly don’t realize all of the life
other media outlets portray these changes and challenges that come
young moms.
with raising a child. Not to menIt’s not uncommon to be wan- tion, teen pregnancy often forces
dering down an aisle in the gro- a permanent, mature relationship
cery store and see the girls from upon an otherwise temporary high
“16 and Pregnant” gracing the cov- school couple—a relationship that
ers of People or US Weekly. There is some are incapable of handling.
always a picture of Maci, Farah,
In 2005, the U.S. reached its lowAmber, or Catelynn, that distorts est teen pregnancy rate since the
the reality of their situations. TV sex revolution in the late 60s and
shows and articles make the stress 70s. Since then, there has been a
of working, going to school, fight- steady incline, rising 3 percent in
ing custody battles, and parenting 2006 and continuing to soar.
seem effortless.
The Lifetime Network’s movie
But the moms themselves aren’t “The Pregnancy Pact,” released
trying to make their lives seem ef- in early 2010, was a starting point
fortless. Farah recently tweeted, of the media’s focus on teen pregby Tessa Patti
Sports Editor
(photo by Holly Lavelli)
Some say the cause of many teen pregnancies is how the media portrays young moms.
nancy. “The Pregnancy Pact” was
based on a true story of 17 young
girls from Gloucester, Massachusetts, who were expecting children
at around the same time. While
neither the girls nor their parents
commented in the Time article
about the pact, a peer from the
high school explained that the girls
just wanted someone to love them
unconditionally.
With the economy hitting hard,
many people also believe that
these girls were getting pregnant
in hopes that child would be the
ticket out of their deteriorating
families and home lives. Pregnancy is now being seen by some
as an escape route from life troubles, rather than a permanent lifechanging challenge.
Along with Gloucester, the city
of Memphis , Tennessee, has experienced a surge in teen pregnancy.
Approximately ninety girls from
Frayser High School have delivered children in the past year. The
school acknowledges that pregnancy is becoming a problem
amongst their student body, but
the real dilemma is why the problem exists.
Terrika Sutton, a student at
Frayser and part of the 20 percent
of girls in the school population
who are or have been pregnant,
commented on a WMCTV Action
News broadcast, “Some girls just
try to do it because they think it’s
cute. For most, it’s an accident.”
The increase in these high
schools, although more drastic
than the rest of the country, corroborates how impactful an increase in the national rate of teen
pregnancy can be. Girls are getting
pregnant before they understand
the responsibilities of being a parent and how permanent the job is.
While pregnancy rates are still
lower than they had been in the
late 20th century, they are on the
rise again. There is no way to pinpoint the reason for the upswing of
teens who are too eager to be parents. Recently, it seems there are
more sources making pregnancy
seem alluring, rather than daunting, which likely leaves an impression on the country’s youth.
Leaks continue
(photo by Holly Lavelli)
Leaks have been a problem all year for classes in room 308,
(continued from page 2)
fixed.” On the topic of the building
as a whole he added, “We’ve had a
lot of tough rain this year. In some
places it’s better, but some areas
are still in need of repair.”
Another problem area is room 308,
where buckets can still be seen underneath a stained wall.
The problem with many of these
leaks is that they can not be taken
care of while snow and ice still re-
main on the rooftops. According locate all of the weaknesses and
to Principal Seinfeld there are two solve every problem, especially
ways to take care of roofing issues. with all the snow and ice piled on
One being the custodians, who can top of the roof.
heal minor issues, piping repairs
In addition, parents and stuand ceiling leaks.
dents have raised
The other being
complaints about
“We’ve had a lot of tough
what appeared
outside contracrain this year. In some places to be mold stains
tors which actually do the roofing it’s better, but some areas are found on the
still in need of repair.”
repairs.
ceiling in some
The roof itself
classrooms and
- David Seinfeld hallways.
is still under warPrincipal Seinrantee, so repairs
Principal
are of no cost to
feld asserted that
these spots have
the district. Under this contract, maintenance is been tested and proven to be free
performed on over 50,000 square of mold spores. He added, “When
feet of roof. Because of the large you see a stain on a tile it’s not a
size it is difficult for roofers to mold spore, it’s just a stain.”
News
February 2011
Hoofbeats
5
Leadership: an inside view
by Shannon Matzen
Staff Writer
Leadership is not your typical
class. There are no tests or homework. It is a half a year course and
often, the students run the class.
The class is taught by Mr. Brian
Joyce, who has experience on the
topic of leadership. Mr. Joyce was
a platoon leader in Iraq and a lieutenant and captain in the military.
Clearly, he has what it takes to
teach high school students about
leadership. However, It was not
that easy for Mr. Joyce to come up
with curriculum for the class.
“It was difficult because I had
to take military, leadership experiences, and military doctrine
and translate that to a curriculum
that’s relevant and understandable
to high school students,” said Mr.
Joyce.
Mr. Joyce said he wants students
to get a lot out of the class and especially “wants them to have a
better understanding of what leadership is and how to take a more
active leadership role in school,
community, and beyond.”
I just ended this class and it was
the most moving, unique, and effective class I have ever taken. I
learned that you need to work
together to get things done and
have trust in the people you are
working with. My favorite and
most challenging part was our
student project. Students had to
come up with a charity they want
to help. This year, one class had a
Thanksgiving food drive, and my
class had a toy drive for the children at Nassau University Medi-
(photo by Alex Foley)
Matzen, bottom left, reported that the Leadership Class was “the most moving, unique, and effective class I have ever
taken. I learned you need to work together to get things done and have trust in the people you are working with.“
Learning to be leaders
(continued from page 2)
cating students on the principles
and characteristics that make successful community leaders.
“The class is divided into three
units,” Mr. Joyce explained. “The
first month is focused on leadership, then it moves on to motivation, and human relations.”
Charidah confirmed, “The class
starts off learning about the basics
of leadership. Then you get more
in-depth.”
Each Friday, the students in the
class engage in teamwork or trust
activities. The class continues to
be a success, with three sections
already planned to run during the
2010-2011 school year.
Mr. Joyce said he noticed that
the demographics of the students
interested in the class have expanded.
“Last year, a lot of the students
who joined were active participants in the school,” Mr. Joyce
said. “This year, there is a wider
variety of students in the class,
from grades 10 to 12. I would hope
that the class continues to grow in
the future—it can truly benefit the
school.”
(photo by Alex Foley)
Kimberly White and April Strommer both visited the NUMC to donate toys.
cal Center. We had to figure out a
way to collect $1,000 in two weeks
and buy toys. We were successful
in the end, but we did have some
problems along the way. That experience helped the students in
my class realize what we have to
do to make a project like that work
more smoothly. The most rewarding part of the class is looking back
on the great thing your class did
for people not as fortunate. For an
hour we got to help the children in
the hospital forget about the pain
they are suffering and make them
feel happy.
One student took the leadership
skills she learned from the class
and used them to form her own
project. Senior Ava Fitzgerald volunteers at a soup kitchen with her
mom and every year they have a
coat drive. She wanted to have the
students in Calhoun help her receive even more coats for the drive.
“Seeing the families lined up
waiting for something as simple
as a coat that we use every day, really made me want to help out,”
Fitzgerald said.
She was successful with her coat
drive, returning to the soup kitchen with a car full of coats.
“I followed a lot of the tactics
we covered in leadership, from
taking initiative all the way to
making a poster that would catch
people’s eye. In leadership class I
learned that there’s a lot of behind
the scenes work that encompasses
being a good leader, and that although a good leader may make
it seem so easy, there are so many
different aspects to consider.”
A new project Mr. Joyce is trying to get to the school is Challenge Day. Many have seen MTV’s
series “If You Really Knew Me”
which shows just 40 minutes of
Challenge Day. The mission is to
“provide youth and their communities with experiential programs
that demonstrate the possibility of
love and connection through the
celebration of diversity, truth, and
full expression.”
Mr. Joyce had the privilege of
witnessing Oyster Bay’s Challenge Day and said it was the most
amazing thing he had ever seen.
Students meet and talk with others they might never have met and
find out things they have been bottling up for years.
We are hoping the Challenge
Day will stop bullying and other similar problems around the
school and make a difference in a
kid’s life. Students learn to look beyond the cliques and really get to
know a person.
Hoofbeats
6
February 2011
Colture
The worst rock bands
by Ben Ross
Contributing Writer
10. Guns N’ Roses - It’s not the
songs that make Guns N’ Roses a
terrible band. While I’m not a huge
fan of the majority of their stuff,
songs like “Paradise City” and
“Sweet Child O’ Mine” are catchy
and knee deep in 80s hair metal,
for better and for worse.
What really makes Guns N’
Roses so bad is the legacy that they
led: they began as a break-out band
and achieved stardom, until front
man Axl Rose drove every member to the point of leaving. Axl has
been the only original member for
the last 14 years, and after the release of “Chinese Democracy” in
2008, Guns N’ Roses earned the
title of the “Axl Rose solo project.”
No longer a band but a display of
musical tyranny.
9. Bon Jovi - Ah, the band that just
doesn’t want to give up. After the
mainstream explosion that was
“Slippery When Wet,” Bon Jovi’s
brand of 80s rock was on top of
the world. It wasn’t until their
fame died down for a while until
the release of “Have A Nice Day”
in 2005 to mixed reviews, but they
experienced a huge resurgence in
popularity.
The problem with Bon Jovi is
their persistence to keep their music relevant in our day and age.
They are a band marked by a spe-
cific time period and have long
outlived their date of expiration.
Bands such as Bon Jovi should realize when to quit.
itself as remotely interesting.
5. Brokencyde - What is crunkcore? That’s the genre Brokencyde
goes by. They repeat vocal tracks
and switch off screaming, singing,
8. Poison - “Nothing but a good rapping, and are just a complete
time!” right? Wrong. I don’t want it waste to the world of music. Their
to seem like I’m solely focusing on lyrics are beyond horrendous, de80s bands I don’t like, but Poison tailing sex, drugs, and partying
is just plain bad.
in the most deThey highlight “Nickelback is truly the rogatory fashion
every poor aspect worst band of all time. Every imaginable. They
of hair metal:
single album they release is are a truly terlame lyrics, overrible band.
exactly the same as the last;
reliance on fast
guitar solos, and they show no evolution.”
4. Linkin Park themes of lust
I’ll admit, I used
and sex. Their songs are meaning- to love Linkin Park. The 7th grade
less, uninspiring, and have pro- “me” thought Linkin Park was induced a generation of poser 80s credibly catchy and great. Howbands like Hinder and Buckcherry. ever, they are the definition of a
“teenage angst” band. Singer and
7. A Day to Remember - This com- lyricist Chester Bennington sings
bination of hardcore and pop punk about being “numb” and hating
was never a good choice. While the everything in nearly every Linkin
genres can be tolerable when sepa- Park song.
rated, combining them leads to diIt’s a shame keyboardist and
sastrous results, especially when occasional vocalist Mike Shinoda
you’re talking about A Day to Re- hasn’t departed the band - he’s
member.
easily the most talented member.
From what I’ve heard, many of Their transition from nu-metal to
their songs follow a strict formula: conventional rock to Radiohead
intro, screaming verse, extreme- rip off has resulted in their deparly catchy and melodic chorus, ture from the mainstream into a
screaming verse, melodic chorus, more forgotten light, and reasonhuge bridge breakdown, last cho- ably so.
rus.
It’s all so generic, and more im- 3. Hinder - The only thing worse
portantly, corny. The combination than 80s hair metal is a band that
of screams and whiney voices is exists in the 2000s and tries to rejust plain irritating and unoriginal, vive this genre, only to ultimately
despite its “original” idea. If you’re fail. Hinder’s songs are greasy,
looking for pop punk or hardcore, dirty, and downright disgusting to
listen to them separately.
listen to. Every song they offer is
either a fast hard rock song about
6. Limp Bizkit - For the love of drugs and sex, or a slow, “moving”
God, let there be no more nu-metal ballad about losing or wanting a
bands. As if Linkin Park wasn’t girl. In this day and age, this stuff
mediocre enough, Limp Bizkit is in just feels so outdated. It worked
the same vein of terrible. Nu metal in the 80s, but doesn’t translate
is essentially rap metal, and while well to the 2000s. It’s a genre that
I’m a bit biased because I gener- should be long gone at this point.
ally don’t enjoy the genre, nothing
Limp Bizkit offers has ever shown 2. Creed - Scott Stapp is a terrible
vocalist, with an incredibly hoarsesounding voice that simply is unappealing to listen to. Lyrically,
the band is cheesy and incredibly
Christian, which will divide listeners. Throw in some generic metal
riffs that aren’t pleasing to the ears
and you essentially have Creed,
a band constantly mocked due to
how awful they truly are.
1. Nickelback - Oh God, where
do I begin? Nickelback is truly
the worst band of all time. Every
single album they release is exactly the same as the last; they show
practically no evolution. Vocalist
Chad Kroeger can’t sing, nor can
he write a single decent lyric: “If
everyone cared and nobody cried,
if everyone loved and nobody lied,
If everyone shared and swallowed
their pride, Then we’d see the day
when nobody died.”
The reason Nickelback is such
a huge band is because every song
is instantly catchy, and eerily identical. They’ve had constant mainstream success over songs that
sound exactly the same as each
other: Certain Nickelback tracks
have been played on top of others
just to prove how similar they are.
It’s the cheese in all of their lyrics that ultimately has led to their
critical undoing, but unfortunately
has formed a bath to commercial
success. I can only hope that the
world will one day wake up and
realize how terrible Nickelback is.
Colture
February 2011
Hoofbeats
7
What’s on your teacher’s desk?
by Kristen Guaneri
Contributing Writer
Let’s talk about impressions. We
all try not to judge someone before
actually knowing them, but the
truth is that we all do. Someone’s
room or desk can speak volumes
way they would keep their home.
The other 50 percent of the teachers probably have their desks kept
in a way they would never have
their homes kept or might wish
their homes were kept that way.
If a teacher’s desk is unkempt
what do you think this means
are organized. Someone may ask,
why do the piles have to be there
in the first place? Think about the
numerous papers that teachers
have, including homework, tests,
lessons and then what the students
have handed in.
In addition, Ms. Sherman also
(photo by Holly Lavelli)
Thienachariya’s desk contains zero
clutter. All that is on her desk are
three personal attributions (such
as picture frames), a hole puncher,
a holder for certain papers, and
Her bags are placed directly in the
middle of the desk because it was
the end of the day and she was
(photo by Holly Lavelli)
Ms. Khan’s desk ironically includes a small replica of the United Nations flag.
Order and functionality are clear indicators that this is Ms. Sherman’s desk.
about the person, and you can
learn about them just from looking
at their desk.
There are many factors that
arise that you must consider when
entering the world of a teacher’s
desk. Mood can be a part of the
conclusion you draw when looking at your teacher’s desk. This
thought can be perceived from the
desk by the cleanliness or what
items occupy it.
Some teachers prefer to not have
any pictures from their home life
in order to not let students link
their teaching to their home life. In
addition to pictures, it is the little
things such as literature, random
knickknacks, and collectibles.
What you have to keep in mind
is that, 50 percent of the time, how
a teacher keeps their desk is the
has an eco-friendly water container upon her desk. As a result, we
learn that Ms. Sherman is someone
who is concerned about our ecosystem. Ms. Sherman’s desk also
contains a bag of calculators and
text books; this is no surprise because she is, in fact, a math teacher.
What else would you expect from
a math teacher?
Similarly, Ms. Seckler has numerous items that give away her
specified profession as well. Some
of these items include but are not
limited to, a box of film canisters,
another box containing camera
parts, numerous pencils, rulers,
and scissors.
Meanwhile, social studies
teacher Ms. Sharissa Khan and
Spanish teacher Ms. Keryn Thienachariya sport opposite desks. Ms.
about them? One idea you have
to consider is that, teachers are extremely busy; they have students’
collected work, future lesson plans,
and their own personal items to it.
Another idea, although rude, is
pure laziness. Some teachers cannot be bothered to keep their desks
relatively clean. Why is this? Maybe it’s a lack of time, maybe it’s that
they simply do not care.
I visited four teachers after
school one day that allowed me
to photograph their desks for the
newspaper.
Ms. Mary Sherman, math
teacher, and Ms. Linda Seckler, art
teacher, both have in common that
upon their desks they have many
papers, yet the papers are placed
into defined piles. These defined
piles say that these two teachers
(photo by Holly Lavelli)
Ms. Thienachariya’s desk includes more of a personal touch than other teachers’ desks.
about to leave.
Ms. Khan has defined piles
upon her desk but they cannot be
seen under the large wooden box
that is placed there. In addition
to a plethora of papers that takeover Ms. Khan’s desk there is also
a United Nations flag sported in
the front. This clearly makes sense
since Ms. Khan runs Model UN.
The realm of a teacher’s desk
jumps into an abyss of deep depths.
Consider the points, analyze the
desks and form the story. On the
other hand if you are a teacher
reading this you might just decide
to have a major clean-up session.
This isn’t to offend but to inform inform teachers of how their desks
can be portrayed by students. And
inform the students of what lies in
front of them.
(photo by Holly Lavelli)
Though it is cluttered, Ms. Seckler’s desk functions well for an art teacher’s area.
Hoofbeats
8
February 2011
Colture
fashion felonies
faux pas in many colleges nation
wide is the trend of wearing pajamas in public. I don’t get it. First of
Fashion trends may come and all, it is just unsanitary. Do you rego, but some will be remembered ally want all the nasty stuff found
forever (and not in a good way). outside to end up back in your
Here are just a few of the trends I bed? Secondly, is this a matter
would like to forget:
of laziness or do people actually
Gaucho Pants - It’s a bird. It’s think it is acceptable to dress in
a plane. Oh no, wait…it’s just your Christmas pajamas all year round?
huge gaucho pants. Whatever posIf you are taking the laziness
sessed the fashion world to bring defensive then I suggest going to
back gauchos in 2006 is beyond sleep in your jeans. At least then,
my understanding. Sure, I say this if you really are that lazy, the next
now, wearing a high-waisted skirt day you’ll only have messy, unand Frye boots, but I admit I was combed hair and bad breathe. Oh,
a victim of the gaucho craze (think you say you brush your teeth?
rainbow horizontal stripes). At the Well, by wearing your pajamas in
time everyone from the PTA-go- public you put off an image that
ing, minivan-driving soccer mom you don’t care about hygiene;
to Paris Hilton
therefore I only
had them. It “Not that the high fashion just assumed. Do
makes me wonyou really want
versions are the problem, but
der: how far
people to think of
will we go in the when the cheap knockoffs are you that way? Paname of fashion? sold in Wal-Mart you know jamas outside of
And when do we we have a problem.”
the house are just
need to step back
not acceptable.
and just say no?
Socks with
Platform Sneakers/Sandals - sandals - If it is warm enough to
Usually paired with the previously wear sandals, then why do you
bashed, gaucho pant is the clunky need the socks? Or vice versa.
sky-high sneaker or sandal. I don’t Anyone who commits this fashknow if there was a sudden short- ion felony is forever labeled in my
age of tall models and platforms book as a shoebee. Yes, I did get
were an emergency fix that turned that from the Nickelodeon show,
into a fashion must have or what; “Rocket Power.” A shoebee is usuwhat I do know is these clodhop- ally a tourist and always wears
pers should have never set foot on socks and sandals.
a runway. Not that all of the high
How anyone would even think
fashion versions are the problem, to wear these two things together
but when the cheap knockoffs are is beyond me, but I guess peosold in Wal-Mart you know we ple just ran out of ways to rebel
have a problem.
against fashion. We get it. You
Almost every closet shown on don’t care how you look. And if
TLC’s “What Not to Wear” has a you think this looks good, may I
pair of this sad excuse for footwear suggest picking up Vogue at your
front and center. If it were up to local CVS. Maybe that will knock
me, those shoes would be the first some sense into you.
item thrown out.
Labels - OMG. I got a new HolPajamas in public - A common lister sweatshirt. That’s cool, what
by Elise Gabriele
Staff Writer
(photo by Elise Gabriele)
right out in the open to get burnt.
So the argument of visors being practical is out. There
is not need for visors,
does
they do nothing
it look
except give
like. Oh
you
(the
well,
it’s
wearer)
grey and says
and me (the
‘Hollister’ across
observer) headthe front. How origiaches.
nal. What I want to know
One size fits
is what is with the obsesall - The last time I
sion over brand names? All a
checked Oprah and
brand is doing by selling you a
I are not the same size.
sweatshirt, tee, or pair of paints
Therefore, saying I can wear
with their logo and name plastered my favorite shirt on Friday and
all over it is using you as a walk- Oprah can borrow it on Saturday
ing advertisement. People get so doesn’t make any sense.
worked up over labels that that’s
Clothing is supposed to be alall they care about. There is noth- tered and fitted to your body type
ing pretty or edgy about a Juicy so when I see one size fit all shirts
Couture sweat suit or Ugg boots.
in the mall, it boggles my mind.
Aside from the fact that they Any shirt no matter what the size
are
comfortable,
they’re is going to fit two people differreally very unapently. This isn’t a matter of fat or
pealing. Sure in
skinny but everyone has a
middle
school,
different body
even I didn’t realshape.
ize it was a waste
So
of money, but
how do
now I have four
manufacpairs of Uggs
turers even
and two Juicy
decide what
sweat
suits
one size fits
that I rarely
all looks like?
ever
wear
What if one size
for the price I
doesn’t fit all? It
paid. But as we get older
just doesn’t seem
(photos by Elise Gabriele)
do we even get over the label
right that a person
craze or do we just do it in a more should try to make a shirt that
subdued way? Grown women wasn’t made to fit them look despend upward of $500 on Manolo cent. Why would you want to even
Blahniks, but I guess it’s different; try? So I suggest next time you
those shoes are beautiful. A Hollis- pick up a shirt that fits no one in
ter sweatshirt? Not so glamorous.
particular, put it down and look
Skorts - From the front it’s a for something that actual has a tag.
skirt, from the back it’s shorts and
from every angle it’s just plain
ugly. What do you think of when
you picture a skort? Seriously,
close your eyes and visualize. Let
me guess: did you envision it on
an overweight grandmother waddling around an amusement park?
I did and personally, that is not
an image I want to come to mind
when I’m thinking about fashion.
Visors - Plastic, wide rimmed,
bedazzled visors. Here’s a tip: anything that can be made with materials from Michael’s, for under
$5, should never be worn. I don’t
care if the sun is beating down and
the only thing you have is a visor.
Don’t wear it. Go to the store and
buy a hat and sunglasses. At least
if you wear a hat the top of you
head won’t get burnt. Confused?
So am I. A visor shields your face
(photo by Elise Gabriele)
but leaves the top of your head
Colture
February 2011
Hoofbeats
9
Defining hipster
by Julia Martinez
Colture Editor
If you’re walking the halls, it
wouldn’t be abnormal to see students sporting oversized sweaters,
ripped tights paired with shorts in
the middle of winter, and berets.
Why you may ask? Simply because of the new fad that has infected Calhoun known as Hipster.
Despite popular belief, this is not
what defines a Hipster. Students
have begun defining themselves as
such without truly understanding
what a Hipster really is.
Flashback to the 1950s when
the word Hipsters came into focus.
Originally hipster was defined as,
“characters who like hot jazz.”
Even rewind to the 60s where
counter cultures such as this were
first noted, where young adults
clamored for change. Or recall
the era where the original punk,
rock and roll teens were fighting
against parental superiority.
Senior Celine Katzman said,
“Due to the fact that our generation has grown so comfortable and
apathetic, we have no real movement or cause but we’re still full of
angst teenagers and thus, the Hipster is born.”
By definition, a Hipster is a rebel with no cause and a completely
dismissive personality. They live to
judge things, and have no passions
whatsoever besides, of course, rejecting anything mainstream. It’s
not just an artsy profile picture
on Facebook, it’s more of a state
of mind. The assumed belief of a
Hipster is one who values independent thinking, progressive politics, art, indie-rock, and wit, when
really the only thing Hipsters do
consistently is hate on pop culture.
So that Juicy jacket that everyone’s just dying to get their hands
on? The hipsters are cursing its existence. Hipsters are those friends
that roll their eyes while you rant
about that new Flo Rida single.
They are those that prefer to stand
slyly to the side while everyone else
dances at a party. The kind where
most of the clothing they wear will
not come anywhere near in resemblance to items sold at American
Eagle or Hollister. They’d much
rather purchase an itchy, pelted
skirt from a thrift shop.
Although Hipsters hate anything mainstream, they need it
to survive. Without pop culture,
Hipsters would have no purpose.
To all of you fashion icons who
believe that that is the only thing
to being a Hipster, I am sad to say
you’re incorrect.
But one thing is for certain, Hipsters are the new teen movement
of our generation.
(photo by Julia Martinez)
The hipster dates back decades to a time when people rebelled through fashion.
Bands battle
(continued from page 3)
to the Wounded Warriors Project, a
charity that works to raise awareness for the needs of severely injured recent U.S. Army veterans.
(photo by Megan Murphy)
Tom Fasano, the bassist for Spiderbyte.
This fine entertainment consisted of five unique bands: Along The
Falls, 42 Reasons, Bassline, Spiderbyte, and Butterfly Convict. In addition to those competing, famed
alum band, The Sliders, treated
the audience to an uber-cool opening set that rivaled The Script or
Maroon 5. Lead singer Eric Goldberg, a class of ‘07, was overjoyed
to “come back home to where it all
started and start more of a local following.” With a stint at Bamboozle
last year, and a slew of upcoming
gigs, these guys are the picture of
what the competing bands hope to
be in a few years.
Kicking off the battle was Along
The Falls, a fairly new group with
an alt-rock-groove sound. Like The
Sliders, lead singer Joe Villafane,
class of ‘10, expressed the importance of creating fans from Merrick—the guys of ATF have been
concentrating their recent efforts
in the out-of-state college circuit.
Next up was a cover band with
lots of heart and the 2nd place
finisher, 42 Reasons. One of the
younger bands participating in the
battle, their old-soul attitude and
(photo by Megan Murphy)
Last year’s winner, Spiderbyte, performs to the delight of many adoring fans.
steady beats put smiles on people’s
faces. Bassline followed 42 Reasons with a similar set, both having
mastered the art of covering Red
Hot Chili Peppers. Sweet-voiced
singer Justin Brower, sophomore,
seemed to be a groupie-magnet,
which caused for a ton of highpitched screaming that said it all.
Last year’s first-place champions,
Spiderbyte, took the stage with a
vengeance. Clad in their signature
neon duct tape, their eclectic mix
of covers and originals were full of
endless swagger, energy, and lots
of guitar-flipping.
The final band, Butterfly Convict, embodies the concept of
friends who jam. They write all
of their music, which is on their
new, self-titled EP. Butterfly Convict won the competition and received a $200 gift certificate to Guitar Center. The standing section
of Convict’s lyric-reciting friends
seemed to agree with the judges’
choice; much screaming ensued
upon their victory. And the jumpy
freshman girls found new bands to
“become a fan of” on Facebook.
Hoofbeats
10
February 2011
Editorial
Time for students to speak
C
alhoun, as a whole, is a
wonderful school and a
great environment — one
that every student is lucky to be
a part of, especially compared to
the millions of other schools in the
world where circumstances are
unimaginably worse.
For all the issues students may
find with Calhoun, legitimate or
otherwise, one couldn’t deny that
it’s a pretty good place to be. Yet,
why does it feel as if no one really
cares about Calhoun? Why don’t
you see more students at basketball games; more students active in
Student Government or Yearbook?
For all the school offers, it seems
the student body is overwhelmingly apathetic.
No one’s expecting Rydell High,
and, to be honest, no one’s even expecting a Friday Night Lights-type
of school spirit regarding sports
(in fact many are relieved that
Calhoun doesn’t center around
sports). But why doesn’t anyone would love to leave, try working
put forth effort to support Cal- with what you’ve got; make the
houn? Is it really just the “Merrick most of your time here.
For everyone else — those
is boring. I hate everyone and can’t
wait to get out of here” attitude? who like Calhoun but don’t love
Because if that’s it, honestly, get off it, or those who complain about
your high horses. Some may view the administration or guidance
department
or
their lifestyles to
Staff Editorial
anything else —
be cutting-edge
we ask: what’s
and highly interesting — something that’s misun- the real problem? Sure, Hoofbeats
derstood in a quiet suburban town. has pointed some out in the past,
But why do students believe that but always with the intention of
they’d be so much happier at an- engaging the student body in relother high school? Why do people evant issues. Why haven’t students
automatically assume that they’d tried to fix what they care about?
If people were so upset, how come
be better off in the Real World?
Here’s some advice: Calhoun, no petition was formed regarding
like life, isn’t perfect; you get out the “removal” of The Bad Seed two
of it what you put in. If you do years ago? If students were conachieve the life that’s supposedly cerned about the security cameras
so superior to the harsh realities installed or the violation of Title IX
of Merrick, Long Island, chances in regards to the girls’ locker room,
are it’s not as magical as you once how come nothing was done by
thought it would be. So instead of the students? Why doesn’t the stucomplaining about how much you dent body unite to improve their
school? There are plenty of complaints, but it can’t be assumed
that these problems will magically
be fixed.
Like countless examples in history, progress will not occur until
the public stands up. No minority
rights or labor rights were ever established until the people joined
together and were heard by the
government. It’s the same thing
here at Calhoun.
You have a problem with the
busing system? Talk to the head of
transportation. You don’t like the
lack of communication between
administration and students?
Contact the administration. Their
doors are open.
What else? The food? Lack of
turf field? We, as the students of
this school, have to do something,
not just complain. It’s our duty to
our peers and to future students.
Stop the apathy that no one thinks
it’s cool. It’s time to speak up.
From the sidelines
by Julie Fliegel
Contributing Writer
Recognized by Columbia University, ASPA, NYPA,
LIPA, and Newsday for journalistic excellence
Editors-in-Chief
Philippa Boyes
Emily Wrynn
News Editor
Kara Iskenderian
Sports Editors
Rachel Tyson
Tessa Patti
Editorial Editor
Leah Sobel
Colture Editor
Julia Martinez
Photography Editor
Tatianna Flores
Faculty Adviser
Jason Boland
Staff Members: Asia Brown, Michele Carroll, Julie Ciccone, Cortina
Florez, Bria Forbes, Elise Gabriele, Sara Gerber, Amanda Glickman,
Lauren Herschbein, Arooj Iqbal, Holly Lavelli, Ashley Lowerre,
Shannon Matzen, Ashley McGetrick, Aidan Meade, Dana Reilly,
Rachel Safford, Nicole Simmons, Kushhali Singh, Sarika Singh,
Nina Thomas, Alex Topper, Kate Valerio, Jocelyn Yu
Hoofbeats
Sanford H. Calhoun High School
1786 State Street
Merrick, NY 11566
(516) 992-1300
e-mail: [email protected]
Volume 53 No. 3
February 2011
Hoofbeats is the official student newspaper of Calhoun High School. Hoofbeats serves
to inform its readers of news and events, and as a forum for the students of Calhoun
to express their ideas and opinions. Hoofbeats accepts letters to the editor, but
reserves the right to edit or refuse the publication of submissions. Letters should be
sent to the school or placed in the Hoofbeats mailbox. All letters must be signed and
include a contact number for the writer. Some visual material courtesy of the American Society of News Editors High School Newspaper Service. The paper also accepts
advertisements for a fee, but reserves the right to refuse advertisements for any or
no reason. The views expressed in Hoofbeats do not necessarily reflect the opinion of
the administrators, teachers, editors, or faculty adviser.
I have never considered myself
a star athlete. I played on the CYO
basketball team with my friends,
and we would joke around as much
as we would practice, but I always
looked forward to the practices
and the games on the weekends.
But I often wonder what would
have happened had I stayed on the
court instead of cheering athletes
from the sidelines.
Don’t get me wrong. I don’t
regret a single moment I had as a
cheerleader for four years at Calhoun and in middle school. Cheering taught me to be confident and
less afraid in front of crowds, and
I made amazing bonds that only a
squad could understand.
Though I loved competitions
and practice, I wish that I stuck
to what I originally loved. I don’t
exactly remember when it stopped
being important, but I gave up
foul shots for toe touches and basketball shorts for a big shiny bow.
It would be so exciting to score a
point when the team needed it
most, or to make an impossible
shot. But I gave it up and never
will be able to experience any of
that.
Once this basketball season
started I caught myself envious
of the girls during their tryouts as
I walked into the locker room to
change for cheer practice. I suddenly had a feeling of regret as I
looked at them doing lay-ups and
putting on their pinnies. I remembered how good it felt to run and
sweat and practice doing something that was so important to me.
Aside from my love for basketball I had another hobby that was
equally important to me, cheerleading. From a very young age I
was put onto a cheerleading squad
where we would practice basic
cheers and then perform at the
Bellmore-Merrick Braves football
games.
It was a fun pastime and I
liked meeting new friends that I
wouldn’t have known otherwise.
This lasted through my elementary school days and when middle
school came I tried out for that
team. Cheering in middle school
taught me a lot and though I was
nervous, I was confident trying out
for the Calhoun team.
At times I think everyone falls
into peer pressure and makes their
decisions based on what will make
them look good. Sometimes, especially with young, impressionable
girls, they decide what they want
to do by what they see everyone
else doing.
If I could do it all over I would
have stuck to trying to succeed in
basketball, I would have practiced
everyday and reminded myself
that this would all be worth it if, in
the end, I was happy.
Unfortunately, I can’t start high
school over, but I hope that for the
rest of my life I stick to what I honestly want and not what I think
will look the best.
Editorial
February 2011
Hoofbeats
11
High heels and hall
choices. One of the most imperative of these choices is which pair
of leggings compliments your low
cut top the best.
And then, of course, the shoes.
I know that I speak for a large percentage of students when saying
that despite being a three-sport
athlete, a trip up to the third floor
can be a bit of a process.
These ambitious young ladies
have decided to go the extra mile
and take on the three flights of
stairs in heels. I’m not exactly sure
what their motives are for wearing
their fancy footwear to school. Perhaps they enjoy making their peers
think a teacher is approaching,
when in reality it is just a fellow
student clanking down the halls;
or maybe they want to really tone
their legs when making that trek
up to the science wing from the
cafeteria. I would suggest investing in a pair of Shape-Ups; you’ll
look a lot less stupid.
My favorite component of these
stunning individuals is the hair.
Waking up 45 minutes early to fry
your hair with hot metal plates is
definitely worth the fact that your
hair is falling out of your scalp.
Now this stereotype obviously
does not encompass the entire female population of Calhoun, but it
is enough to make me wonder who
could they possibly be trying to
impress. Last time I checked there
were no “Jersey Shore” casting directors roaming the halls, and I’m
doubtful that anyone believes your
skin tone is naturally a toss up between a carrot and Cheeto.
So chip off your eyeliner, scrub
off your eye shadow for a change,
and seriously consider getting
those Shape-Ups.
past. Think about it; the women
you donate to may never be able
to grow back those locks they once
cherished. They’re sick, and they
need our help to gain back the confidence they was possessed.
Guilt trip aside, donating your
hair can be beneficial for the soul.
After donating her hair last March,
junior Samantha Baldauf said, “I
experienced a feeling I can’t even
describe. Most people don’t realize that just by cutting eight inches
of hair, which will grow back, can
help change a child’s life.”
Let’s end the stereotype of the
perfect princess and begin the
movement of girls with short hair,
girls who care about the world
around them. Cinderella is no
more, for the short-haired Snow
White has taken her rightful place.
by Ashley McGetrick
Staff Writer
According to most doctors,
Wikipedia, and my mother, we
should all be getting eight hours of
sleep every night so that our bright
and shinning faces are ready to
seize the next school day and enjoy every minute of it. Well, even
if school started at 1 p.m., I still
wouldn’t be seizing or enjoying
much during the school day.
Regardless, eight hours of sleep
seems like a reasonable amount of
time for a proper rest. However,
some of us (particularly females)
have decided to set their alarm
clocks for unheard of hours so they
can look absolutely stunning by
time first period rolls around. Others show up 20 minutes late because they “weren’t feeling well”
to sneak in some extra time getting
themselves ready.
By adding just enough bronzer,
cover-up, and eyeliner (and by just
enough I mean way too much) the
zombie that crawled out of bed at
the crack of dawn is no more! Instead, a shiny (yes, literally reflective thanks to your ridiculous eye
shadow), beautiful runway model
(photo by Ashley McGetrick)
is ready to strut down the linoleum halls of Sanford H. Calhoun
High School. If only someone had
a camera so we could capture this
living piece of art.
This morning process does not
only consist of the application of
layers upon layers of foundation,
but wardrobe selection is equally
as vital in looking like a complete
and utter fool. Teenage years are
a time of decision making, when
adolescents can begin to assert
their independence through their
ays
Show you care
by Leah Sobel
Editorial Editor
When you think about a Disney
princess, what are the first features
that come to mind? Probably beautiful and charming, but most importantly, a woman donning long
and voluptuous hair.
From a young age, we are taught
that those characters are the definition of magnificence and poise.
Her endless locks flow with the
wind as she rides off into the sunset with Prince Charming. That
mane can define a woman’s life.
Now imagine her cutting it all off
and going totally bald. The townspeople start to chatter as they see
their winsome figurehead lose her
attractiveness. Hairdressers are
upset. Curling iron companies go
out of business. Life as they knew
it changes.
Although the princess has
pulled a Britney, her prince is in
still in love with her and she still
possesses the gracefulness of a ballerina. She may be lacking the hair
that made her captivating, but she
is still the alluring girl that made
her prominent in the first place.
Now, what does a shaven prin-
cess have to do with my life?
The St. Baldrick’s event in March
raises money for those who are
cancer-stricken by having men (or
women) shave their heads. At this
annual function, the Pantene Beautiful Lengths charity also comes to
chop off locks for those who need
wigs as a result of their sickness.
These are two honorable foundations, and they accumulate a lot
of money each year. But why is this
year different? I have only seen
seven people signed up to donate
their hair. Last year, 41 girls participated to support those in need.
What can be a better charity than
that? Whatever you give grows
back, and the feeling inside your
heart is like no other.
Don’t think your looks have
gone unnoticed, girls. We all are
aware that your tresses are down
to your backside and even with
just eight inches cut off, your hair
will still be long.
In our superficial and materialistic world, we think good looks
are the most vital objectives in
our lives. I’m a girl who loves her
hair, and I won’t deny this, but
not enough to be selfish with it
and proud to have donated in the
(photo by Tatianna Flores)
Hoofbeats
12
February 2011
Editorial
Pt./Counterpoint:
Is going to the prom worthwhile?
It’s not worth your
time or money
On second thought,
it’s not so bad after all
themselves on crazy diets and
by Amanda Glickman
Staff Writer
lifestyles that aren’t safe. They
barely eat and workout non-stop.
Some people treat prom like a
Prom is one of the most un- It is almost like seeing a walking
forgettable, monumental nights zombie. Not only do they look like career. Girls stalk catalogues daily
of one’s life. Not really. Prom is a they are the walking dead, it isn’t for dress ideas, guys craft überwaste of money and time. It is the safe for one’s body and health. An- crazy schemes for their dates that
most overrated events in one’s life other thing is that girls will find rival marriage proposals, and evthe trashiest dresses, the craziest eryone stresses out over limos and
and there are many reasons why.
First, it is a misuse of money. hairstyles, and pound on spray tickets and flowers and all this
y look good.
g
I’m stuff that is, in the grand scheme of
Would you honestly waste your tan thinking they
comple
irrelevant.
money on terrible food, loud mu- sorry but the awkward cutout things, completely
Thes
hesee aare
hes
re th
These
the people that quickth a cut
u ut bac
uto
ut
ba
k
cutout
back
sic, and a limo for one night that hipped dress with
y become
b om
bec
me jaded,
jad
blind to the true
aren
n’t flatt
n’t
atteri
ering
ng ly
and a tacky printt aren’t
isn’t even that special?
reasson
rea
so fo
or ha
reason
for
having prom: a lastPeople go into prom thinking or pretty.
ditch eff
e ort to
to bring our class toree mor
m
bout
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Most kids care
moree aabout
that it’s their wedding, when it’s
geth
get
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her
befor
ore graduation.
or
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g scammed
sccamm
mmed
ed gether
not. They spend hundreds to thou- ter prom so they can
N
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ow, don’t
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don’
n think that by “lastNow,
ork City
City
y or
or the
sands of dollars on hair, makeup, in either New York
dit h” I me
ea “pathetic.” Lastmean
peop
people
ple
le sp
pend
d al
alll ditch”
spend
dresses, and more. This isn’t a day Hamptons. Many peo
ort
rtts (if
( executed properly)
(i
ditch efforts
fteer-prom
fte
r-prom
r-p
rom
om fe
festi
tiiviv
festiviof any importance - it’s just prom. this money on aft
n into amazing memories
d ’tt wor
do
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ork
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Wouldn’t someone rather spend ties which, in the end, don’t
t t last
tha
as forever.
foreve
that
easons
eas
ons..
ons
their money on a nice vacation with out for many different rreasons.
I for one, think that a chance
I,
es many
y con
confli
fliicts.
fli
cts.
t
Prom also causes
confl
people they want to be around? Or
b
Halston HeriThere are plenty of fights over the to wear a beautiful
save the money for college?
Honestly, you wear the dress limo situations. Who goes on what tage asymmetrical silk gown with
once. The prom dress I have from limo, who they don’t want on the sky-high platform heels and a calla
limo. Other conflicts are where lily corsage (not that I’ve given this
last year is doing
a great job col- “Wouldn’t someone rather pre-prom is, who much thought or anything) while
lecting dust in spend their money on a nice sits at what table, celebrating the end of four of the
and what peo- best/most difficult years of my life
my room and sitvacation with people they ple are wearing. with my best friends sounds pretty
ting on a hanger.
I look at the $400 want to be around? Or save There is even a damn good.
What is prom really about?
Facebook group
dress and wish the money for college?”
just so nobody Maybe the whole “last hurrah”
I saved that for
wears the same theory is wrong. I think that if the
something else or
used the money elsewhere. I regret dress to prom. All these conflicts summer before college is taken full
advantage of, then prom can be
spending as much money as I did are over nothing.
whatever’s most convenient for the
Prom
is
just
like
a
sweet
sixteen
on prom.
According to USA Today, prom but you wear a more expensive group that you’re in; there will be
can cost a teenager $400 to $3,000. dress. The same food, the same more time (two months, approxiTicket prices range from $10 to atmosphere, and the same tacky mately) to make memories.
Still, there is only one senior
$125, transportation $90 to $1,500, songs being overplayed. No diftuxedo $70 to $250, the dress $150 ference except there is no cheesy prom in your life. I, for one, am
going to take full advantage of
to $500, accessories $10 to $400, candle lighting ceremony.
If you want to experience this this fact, and I will inevitably turn
hair $15 to $150, grooming $25 to
$100, flowers $20 to $30, and tan- terribly pointless event, go ahead. into one of those crazy people who
For me I will be going away with take it more seriously than they
ning, which can cost up to $65.
Guys go to many lengths to my friends on vacation. Have fun. ever claim they will. Maybe it’s all
ask the girl he wants to take to
prom. What happened to just saying, “Hey let’s go to prom.” Today
guys ask girls in the middle of basketball games like they’re in some
movie. Some guys bring girls flowers into school just so everyone can
see. Nobody cares that you guys
are going to prom and are going
to be in pictures together. It’s really
great for you that you made this
girl the center of attention for five
minutes of her life and made her
more conceited than she already
was. How about trying something
more sentimental and meaningful?
Girls go crazy over prom. When
the three month mark comes
(photo by Elise Gabriele)
around before the event, girls put Transportation for the prom can cost up to $1,500 for the night.
by Diandra Hanna
Contributing Writer
about the dresses and the corsages
and the awkward pictures. That’s
all anyone talks about after 20
years anyway.
In all seriousness though, my
friends and I have been talking
about prom for years, but have
never actually come to any decisions. Although - don’t laugh - my
friend Val and I have made our
hair appointments. The biggest issue is that we don’t have a defined
group of people; everyone has
inter-dated and inter-fought and
inter-whatevered, and because of
this inter-business, there are no
clear lines dividing us. It’s actually
a giant mess. An anonymous (and
very corny) friend deemed it “proma” (prom + drama). Sure, this
proma can potentially hurt people.
Friendships are put to the ultimate test, but if they escape with
little more than a few scratches,
they strengthen. So in regards to
the proma…we thrive on it. What
doesn’t kill us makes us…more
ready to get crazy on June 23rd.
There are a bevy of opinions
in our prom group. Some people
just want to be broody and go
sulk about life after prom on some
beach with their significant others
(or alone). Some want to be daring
and go clubbing in the city, which
sounds great in theory, but can possibly go wrong in so many ways
(ID issues, limos bailing, not catching trains, not knowing where the
hell you are). Some want to be 5
years old and have light-saber battles and go to “24-Hour Bagel” in
Long Beach.
Of course, there’s the “getting
a house out East” thing, which is
what the majority of the grade
ends up doing. You either need
phenomenal rental-scouting skills
(which at the tender ages of 17 and
18, most of us lack), or major connections (rich family friends from
the Hamptons?). Anti-Hamptons
people and most parents might
conjure up horror-filled images of
multiple rooms trashed and couples fornicating on skeevy furniture. That’s more “American Pie”
than real life. To me, real life afterprom means a night-long celebration that I can still recall the next
day, and the next 50 years.
So to those prom naysayers, remember this: do you want to miss
the first and final time the entire
grade (for the most part) is together on one dance floor? I sure don’t.
That, to me, is priceless.
Editorial
February 2011
Hoofbeats
13
More health lessons needed
by Stephanie Falci
Contributing Writer
Health classes should be year
long, every year. Just as a pleasant reminder to students currently
exhibiting reckless behaviors and
those who have not yet experimented with theses substances.
For high school students health
class never seems to come at the
right time; it’s either too late or
too early. And I say early, not that
awareness isn’t helpful, but when
someone is actually in the situation to drink or smoke, or pressured to do any other substances
when they’re in college, that half
year course they took in ninth
grade seems like a blur.
For some teens, health class
comes too late. Underage drinking is a widely popular pastime
among teens, and recruits are
drafted weekend by weekend. For
three years students can go without any knowledge of the damage
and destruction drugs and alcohol
Science Olympiads
Members of the science club recently participated in the
Nassau County Science Olympiad competition.
have on themselves or their peers, me as odd was how fast the course
but by the time one reaches senior had to move. Considering the time
year it can already be too late. Im- frame the teacher had had to cover
pressionable and thick-headed as so many topics, we were briefly inwe are, health class for a person al- troduced to all of them but never
ready drinking three years seems truly learned in depth. Addiclike the fine-print warning label on tion was just a definition. Sexua beer bottle.
ally
transmitIn other cases, “There is simply not enough ted disease was
health comes too time in 10 weeks to learn simply linked to
early. A fresh- about the devastation in our HIV and AIDS.
man straight out
The basics were
world caused by addiction.”
of middle school
covered and yet
day dreams about
again the imporponies and Hello
tance of this class
Kitty, so the introduction of devas- is completely overlooked. Students
tation caused by alcohol and drugs need to be introduced to the realseems like an impossible prospect ism of these substances, not their
to their cotton candy world. At definitions. Even the best of us will
that age, some students don’t fo- get sucked into peer pressure or be
cus on the reality of the class, but affected by someone whose life is
instead just pay attention to get a engulfed in drugs, alcohol, or disgood grade. Three years down the ease. There is simply not enough
road when they’re introduced to time in 10 weeks to learn enough
alcohol, they’ll have forgotten all about the devastation in our world
about that health lesson much like caused by addiction.
a student would forget most of the
The solution is to make health
information learned during their a year-long course for each and
freshman year.
every year a student attends high
During my experience in health school. This is to inform us, protect
I was inspired by the bound- us, and impact us so that we can
less rules of the class. Students make smarter decisions when we
are encouraged to share stories are out in the real world.
about their personal experiences
We live in this world hearing
and promote openness about sex, story after story about the devasdrugs, and alcohol, as well as shar- tation caused by substance abuse,
ing other traumatic, informative or bullying, depression, and the like,
personal events.
but for someone out there it’s not
The only thing that did strike just a story, it’s their life.
A Merrick Idol
(continued from page 1)
Merrick community admiring him,
but the American Idol judges were
blown away by his performance,
calling him “the best of New Jersey” and handing him a golden
ticket to the next level of auditions.
If his outstanding vocals weren’t
already enough, his inspiring story
of his struggles of being confined
to a wheelchair as a young child
touched the hearts of viewers
across the country.
Despite the high fives in the
hallways and hundreds of congratulatory wall-posts, Rosen still
manages to be the same modest
high school junior he was before
his Idol debut. A dedicated student, athlete, and member of the
choir, Rosen continues to juggle
his academic responsibilities with
his American Idol aspirations as
the school year progresses. He has
a reputation for putting his all into
every task he takes on.
This drive will certainly help
him as he takes the next step in his
musical career. Merrick will be pa-
tiently waiting to watch Rosen represent his hometown as he moves
on to the next round of Auditions
in Hollywood, California.
Mr. Michael Marino, math
teacher and the assistant coach of
the varsity baseball team, called
Rosen “not only a great athlete but
such a humble and nice kid.”
“He was one of the main reasons
we won the county championships
last year. We’ll be missing an allcounty caliber athlete, but we really hope he goes all the way,” Mr.
Marino said.
Rosen has also made an impression on his peers as well. When
asked about her classmate, junior
Kristi Tice said “He represents our
school well because he’s a wellrounded individual. He represents
the ideal Calhoun student.”
Tune in to Fox 5 Wednesdays
and Thursdays at 8 p.m. to follow
Rosen throughout his American
Idol journey. But don’t scramble to
request the up and coming star on
Facebook - his friends list has officially maxed out.
(with permission from americanidol.com)
Rosen, second from left, waits with other Idol hopefuls at the New Jersey audition.
Hoofbeats
14
February 2011
Sports
Season a success for Lady Colts
by Philippa Boyes
Editor-in-Chief
The Lady Colts basketball team
took their best shot, but lost in
the first round of the playoffs to
Uniondale, by a score of 49-32.
The team finished the season
8-6, but several players said the
team is holding their heads high as
they achieved their goal.
“I thought we did really well
(photo by Kate Valerio)
Junior Danielle Losee
this season,” said junior Danielle
Losee. “It was our goal at the beginning of the season to make the
playoffs and that’s what we did.
We got better and better every
game and played our hearts out.”
Leading the team down the
stretch was senior Meghan
O’Sullivan. O’Sullivan scored
20 points in a late-season game
against Kennedy and 18 points in
a loss to Elmont.
In the playoff loss, though, all
the Lady Colts were held under
double-digit scoring, and Uniondale outscored the Colts 14-3 in the
fourth quarter.
Losee was a big contributor all
season, scoring 14 points in a win
against Carey and 9 in the Elmont
loss. In an early season win against
Uniondale, Losee scored 17 points.
Junior Jessica Ruggerio led
the team in scoring several times
throughout the season, including
23 in the Carey win and 19 in a win
against Valley Stream Central.
Teammate Kelly Gallo, junior,
echoed Losee’s sentiments and
believes the playoff loss does not
speak for the season as a whole.
“Although we had our ups and
downs this season, we achieved
(photo by Kate Valerio)
Junior Carley Singer and the Lady Colts lost their first-round game against Uniondale.
our goal of making the playoffs,”
she said. “Overall, I think we had a
very successful season.”
With the year behind them, the
talk turns to next season.
“This year we are losing two
key starters, O’Sullivan and Ellie
Rosenblum, but I think we are going to do just fine next year. I know
the girls will step up,” Losee said.
Lebron still shames the game
by Bobby Lemaire
Contributing Writer
As the first overall pick in the
2003 NBA Draft, the Cleveland
Cavaliers selected hometown hero
Lebron James to save their floundering franchise. It turned out all
he did was break the Cleveland
faithful heart.
After, his seven championshipless years in Cleveland, James became a free agent and took his talents to the Miami Heat. Halfway
through the season, they Heat are
starting to look like a decent team,
but James’s image will never look
the same.
On national television James decided to let his home state of Ohio
down, publicly saying that Cleveland wasn’t a good enough place.
The way he made this decision ruined his respectability.
James went from having the
love of all fans to being compared
to Benedict Arnold and Judas. A
Cavaliers fan said, “When things
get tough, you leave.” Was it worth
it?
The Heat were 41-15 at the AllStar Break. For some teams, that
would be a solid start. But for
James and company, that is far below of what is expected from Heat
(photo courtesy of MCT)
Lebron James took his talents to South Beach, but will he lead the Heat to the title?
fans. They expect their revamped
team to break the wins in a season record of 72 set by the Chicago Bulls during Michael Jordan’s
heyday. It might be possible that
James is under more pressure now
than his time in Cleveland.
Anything short of an NBA
Championship will be considered
a colossal failure for James and the
Heat, and most of the fans will be
rooting against him. Instead of embracing James, they will make sure
that every away game is a struggle
for him for the rest of his career.
That leads to another question.
Can he live with that?
It probably is not fun being universally hated. Its also not fun being a former team leader and now
playing second fiddle to a player
that is beloved in Miami.
With the Boston Celtics still
at the top of the conference and
the New York Knicks improving
themselves the Heat have competition to even get to the finals.
Personally, I think that Lebron
James is a coward. He took cheap
shots at his former team and didn’t
give them a chance to sign another
big time free agent. He didn’t apologize to the fans for humiliating
them. Mr. James, you dug your
grave, now you can lie in it.
Sports
February 2011
Hoofbeats
15
Rifle team on target to win
Bogart qualifies for Jr. Olympics
Now math teacher Mr. Michael lost to will be at counties as well.
Marino coaches the team. Being a
A major component of the disdistrict team, it includes students trict rifle team is Kelly Bogart, a
Everyone knows about the foot- from Calhoun, as well as Mepham junior at Calhoun. Surprisingly
enough, Bogart
ball team, soccer teams, and the and Kennedy.
lacrosse teams. However, some of
For practices “It’s nice to have a balance only picked up
the sports receiving the highest and games, a bus of boys and girls on the team. a gun and tried
recognition are receiving virtually picks up the team It creates an environment shooting a mere
month
before
no credit for their hard work and members from
where there is relatively no
success, including the rifle team.
all three schools
tryouts in her
drama,
everyone
is
having
brings
freshman year.
This year, the first time ever, and
the Bellmore-Merrick District rifle them to Nassau fun, and no one feels left out.” Her father had
earned a scholteam has made it to counties.
County Rifle and
- Kelly Bogart arship to college
Back in the old days, Calhoun’s Pistol Range at
Junior for it, so she gave
basement had its own shooting Mitchell
Field.
it a shot.
range. However, it was closed Practices consist
Beyond what
down years ago after graduate of shooting two
Thrine Kane left. Kane, a shooter, targets, each having twelve bulls she would have expected during
went on to play on the Xavier Uni- on them. Two of these are practice her freshman season, Bogart went
versity Rifle Team and later on the targets called sighters, which are on to win counties last season, as
2000 United States Olympic team, not scored. This season, the team well as finish fifth in the country
went 6-2. Both the teams that they with the average of all her matchcompeting in Syndey, Australia.
es. She received the MVP award on
her team, and was Athlete of the
Month in January.
Additionally, outside of school,
Kelly competed in the Junior
Olympic Trials. She qualified for
states and has qualified to go to
Colorado Springs to compete in the
Junior Olympics in April. Looking
toward the future, Bogart plans to
see how she develops as a shooter
and possibly shoot in college, depending on where
she wants to go.
Kane,who
graduated from
Calhoun in 1999,
also qualified
for the Junior
Olympics
and won
the air rifle event.
The
success
of
rifle
as a team
is due in
part
to
their camaraderie. Being
a smaller team, they are all
able to bond with one another
and really become one, despite the
fact that rifle is an individual sport.
In Bogart’s freshman year, there
were only three girls on the team.
“It was nice because there was no
drama, and pretty much everyone
was friends,” she said.
The next year, the team increased
to four girls. “It began to make the
team feel a little more balanced,”
Bogart explained, “but it was still
sort of a boys’ club.”
(photo provided by Kelly Bogart)
This season, the team is up to
Bogart and the team practice at the Nassau County Rifle and Pistol Range.
by Rachel Tyson
Sports Editor
(photo provided by Kelly Bogart)
Bogart qualified for the Junior Olympics.
eight female players; the most it’s
ever had. “It’s nice to have a balance of boys and girls on the team.
It creates an environment where
there is relatively no drama, everyone is having fun and no one feels
left out,“ she said.
The success continues coming
for the rifle team; it seems that the
well-deserved recognition will
follow suite. As counties quickly
approach, past achievements will
hopefully bring future success.
The rifle team went 6-2 this
season and is made up of athletes from all three schools in
the district, including Bogart,
the junior who also qualified
for the state competition.
As the popularity of
rifle takes off, the reputation of it
being a boy’s sport is starting to
shed.
“Even outside-of-school shooting, there are a lot of girls getting
involved in the sport, and a good
amount of them are beating the
boys,” Bogart said with a laugh.
“Now they even make pink shooting jackets!”
Playoff run
Boys return to post-season
by Dana Reilly
Staff Writer
The boys’ basketball team has
a made a lasting impression. This
season the boys have had a conference record of 9 wins and 5 losses
and qualified for the playoffs.
However, after a third place
finish, they were knocked out of
the playoffs in the first round by
Uniondale, 64-48. It was the first
time since the 2005-2006 season the
boys made the playoffs.
Leading the boys into the
playoffs were captains Andrew
Leif and John Wigand. The boys
are two of the four seniors on
this team. Leif and Wigand have
played basketball since their freshman year. They started out on the
JV team and quickly worked their
way up. In sophomore year they
joined the varsity team and have
been doing great ever since.
“Andrew is a leader. I could
see that even as early as his fresh-
man year when he played on the
JV team,” Coach Kreutzberger
said. “John is our other captain.
He leads more by example. He sets
the tone for us in how physical he
plays. Our success this year is in
large part due to their perseverance.”
Another addition to their success is Coach K himself. He has
been coaching basketball for 11
years, both boys and girls in various schools all around Nassau
County. In 2006-2007 Mr. Kreutzberger started coaching the boys
junior varsity program. The season
after he took over the varsity boys
basketball team, and ever since
they have been doing great.
“I could not be more proud of
the collective effort of the boys. I
knew from day one of tryouts this
season that we would be more talented team, but all of our players
have put in a tremendous effort
and learned to play smart. They
have had a singular purpose since
(photos by Kate Valerio)
Sophomore Tom Joannou shoots a free-throw against Great Neck South.
the middle of November: to end
our playoff drought.”
Junior Corey Sweeney said this
will be a season to remember.
“This season was great - one
of the best Calhoun had in a while.
We accomplished our season goal
of making the playoffs,” he said.
“It will be tough to win on the
road without our great fans in attendance, but the team is proud of
how far we have come.”
Kicking the competition
(photos courtesy of Morgan Gold)
Calhoun’s Kickline finished first in the pom routine and second in the kick routine at the Scholastic Kickline Competition
at Nassau Community. The team is led by captains Jessie Driscol, Val Marchaisi, and Katrina Gutilla.