Smack That! - South Huntington School District

June 2009
Walt Whitman High School
Huntington Station, NY
Volume II/ Issue IV
PAW PRINT
Tehreem Rehman: Scholar, Leader, and Altruist
Kimberly Shen
“It is not your aptitude, but your attitude, that
determines your altitude.” This quote by the
renowned author—Hilary Ziglar, truly exemplifies
Tehreem Rehman—the valedictorian of 2009.
Although blessed with extraordinary intellect,
Tehreem has proven through countless experiences
that her determination and work ethic are what truly
set her apart from Whitman’s best. However, who is
Tehreem Rehman, and what has she accomplished to
earn her place as an inspiration for future graduating
classes to come?
As a student with a passion for science
research, Tehreem hopes to pursue a career in the
environmental engineering field. It was this interest
which propelled her to apply for the Simons Summer
Research Program at Stony Brook University during
her junior year. Once accepted, Tehreem acquired the
opportunities to work with renowned faculty
members, learn how to utilize laboratory tools and
techniques, and experience life at a research
university. Throughout her eight-week stay, Tehreem
explored the effects of methyl mercury in our
environment’s food chain. Her research focused on
how mercury accumulated in human mothers can be
transmitted to their human infants and fetuses.
“Recently, scientists have noticed a drastic drop in IQ
rates of children and are keeping methyl mercury on
their radar,” explained Tehreem. “Apparently, the
amount of this toxin in human infants is five to ten
times greater than the amount found in the mother.”
Alarmed by her newfound discoveries, Tehreem has
since been involved in the fight to ban the use of
bisphenol-A, an endocrine disruptor, in baby bottles
of Suffolk County. A chemical widely used in plastic
bottles, bisphenol-A is often released into the liquid of
the bottle when heated.
Tehreem has also proven throughout her
high school career that she is not content simply
having her face buried in books. One particularly
noteworthy instance was her establishment of the
South Asia Fundraiser. Founded in 2008, the club
mainly serves to raise money for building a school in
Pakistan. Scarred by an earthquake in October 2005,
Pakistan overflowed with children deprived of basic
necessities, among them education. To increase the
publicity of the cause, Tehreem and other club
members sacrificed countless weekends circulating
flyers throughout towns and sending letters
requesting donations. The club members, guided by
Tehreem’s skilled leadership, persevered and
gradually convinced many prominent figures to
donate their time and money to the cause. To further
advertise the fundraising, Tehreem even summoned
the power of the media by utilizing resources like
Long Island News Channel 12 and Pakistan Post.
Thus, on the night of the club’s first fashion show,
Tehreem was greeted by the standing ovation of over
300 attendees, all pronouncing their faith in the South
Asia Fundraiser, the Pakistani earthquake victims,
and most of all, her. After learning that the event
raised over $2,300, Tehreem remarked, “In the end,
all I had to do was believe.”
With her unique combination of intellect,
perseverance, and leadership, Tehreem received her
well-deserved acceptance letter from Columbia
University in December 2008. Prestigious for its Ivy
League name, Columbia is a very competitive school
in terms of acceptance rate. This year’s acceptance
rate reached its nadir at below 10%. However, out of
the thousands of hopeful applicants, Tehreem was one
of the lucky few. When asked her reaction on being
selected, Tehreem expressed some worry with the
challenges that an Ivy League education will present.
Although Tehreem is sure to encounter obstacles in
such a competitive environment, we cannot deny that
her undying willpower has served her well in the face
of past difficulties. Surely, the time when Tehreem
needs her determination the most is not the moment
that it will fail her.
Alyssa
Melillo:Salutatorian
Matthew Moran
As the school year draws to a close, and the gap
between education and vacation dwindles, many
students cannot wait for the summer; the season not
only brings warmer weather, but also BBQs, exciting
trips, first jobs, and relaxation without the fear of
What's
Inside
Page 2 - Prom Pictures
Page 3 - Junior Prom
Page 3 - Science
Olympiad
Page 4 - Beyond Whitman
Page 5 - S.Asia Fundraiser
Page 6 - At Whitman
Page 7 - Whitman Voices
Page 8 - Farewell Seniors
exams or detention. But the pre-summer hype for
under classmen pales in comparison to that of the
seniors- for them, leaving school is not only an
indication of a new and exciting future, but also
symbolizes passage into adulthood.
A stunning example of this is Senior, Alyssa
Melillo, who is graduating June 26th. Alyssa, who is
the Class of 2009’s salutatorian, holds the second
highest academic ranking in the graduating class.
When Alyssa was asked how she achieved such an
R. Rehman
Tehreem has been involved in a variety of activites at Whitman, including The Long Island Challenge and The Paw Print!
honor, she replied in her unremitting cheerfulness: “I
studied A LOT. I communicated with my teachers. I
learned from what I did wrong.” She also mentioned
that her ability to stay actively involved in her courses
was due, in part, to the fact that she took classes that
matched her interests. Alyssa urges students to do the
same. When asked if she had any other advice for
aspiring students in Walt Whitman, she
empathetically remarked: “Be true to yourself- don’t
give up even though it’s hard; you’ll carry on
(through) to the other side.”
In addition to her scholastic feats, Alyssa
devoted much of her time outside of school,
volunteering at numerous events at the South
Huntington Public Library, her local church, and
school clubs like Walt Whitman’s Light and the Book
Club. She racked up countless community service
hours in the process. When asked if she expected to
become salutatorian, she candidly answered “Not at
all! [I was] just doing my personal best.” Ms. Mellilo
went on to say that her determination and
commitment to academia and society was not for any
reward, but simply “ to meet my own goals-it had
nothing to do with rank.”
Planning to attend Hofstra University, in
Hempstead NY and hopeful of becoming a music
teacher, Alyssa straightforwardly commented that, for
her, the college experience seems “Exciting, nerveracking. I’m excited to become a teacher.” Excited
she should be, as she is certainly qualified to be an
educator in music. This year, Ms. Melillo (who plays
the oboe) won a NYSSMA award for All County
Band, and recently played with the Metropolitan
Orchestra at the exalted Carnegie Hall in Manhattan.
If she could be summed up in three words, Alyssa
Melillo would be nothing short of: well rounded
student. Musician, humanitarian, and scholar; she is
certainly a shining example of Whitman’s best, and
unquestionably deserves the honor of being
salutatorian although her modesty may lead you to
believe otherwise.
Smack That!
Rubab Rehman
On the day of badminton tryouts, the North
Gym was completely swarmed with students,
all hoping to impress the coach with their
racquet abilities. Many consider badminton
to be an easy and laid-back sport, attending
tryouts with the assumption that making the
team will be simple. However, they are
misled; badminton is a game of deception that
requires extensive footwork and stamina. In
fact, the sport, which is seemingly
noncompetitive, is the most difficult team to
be a part of. Coach Wolf stated, “The
badminton team makes the most cuts out of
any other sports team in Whitman.”
Compared to previous years, the
badminton team has grown much larger,
introducing new players from every grade.
Although they lack experience in the sport,
these new players are already winning match
after match. Currently, the team is working
on developing skills to improve their game.
Every day, the players practice various shots
with the shuttle including clears, serves,
smashes, and drops. New player, sophomore
Samantha Augustine says, “I always look
forward to attending practice and have a great
time whenever I play.” With such a large and
diverse team, new friendships and memories
are bound to be formed. Laughing, Kate
Emproto reminisces on the day when she
“accidentally hit [her] teammate on the head
with a shuttlecock.”
Both the boys and girls badminton
team kicked off the season with a win against
Commack. Single victories for the boys
badminton team were earned by Matt
Simone, Jesse Levy, Stephen Voltz, and Ernie
Lee, double victories were earned by Zack
Barotta and Mike Flynn, Doug Judd and Mike
Stango, and Jonathan Costa and Derek Kim,
and victories for the girls badminton team
were earned by Megan Ulrich, Gianna Costa,
Danielle Milione, and Kristina Maimis.
While unfortunately similar wins were not
earned in the other games, the team remains
optimistic for success in the future. When
asked how the team reacts to wins and losses
Jen Kielawa says, “Losing a match generates
no hard feelings between the players, but
simply provides motivation to perform better
next time.” With consistent practice and hard
work, the badminton team hopes to reign
victorious.
Seniors!
Page 2
o
r
P
s
t
n
i
r
P
m
Year End 2009
Whitman Scene
Junior Prom Comes to
Whitman
Year End 2009
Page 3
JiWoo Lee
The Junior Prom was a remarkable
accomplishment. Although previous
proms were integrated, this year, separate
proms were held for juniors and seniors.
The class of 2010 was up to the challenge
of designing a prom, held right here at
Whitman.
The planning for the Junior
Prom commenced in early spring of 2008.
Issues of location, fundraising, themes,
and most importantly, participation, were
thoroughly discussed. For more than a
month before the prom, the class committee held meetings every Thursday after
school. During these meetings, the first
consensus was made regarding the prom’s
theme. The theme was “A Starry Night in
Paris.” It was simple and creative, making
future planning easier than expected.
However, some issues at hand remained
unresolved.
The ticket price was the center
of much controversy. Some argued the
price should be raised in order to ensure a
greater profit. Others sought to reduce it,
fearing that high prices would repel
potential attendees. Eventually, they
reached a compromise as they set the
price at $40. In fact, more than $1000 was
earned for the Junior Class.
Perhaps the most pressing
issue faced by the prom committee was
the number of participants needed to
make the prom possible. Holding the
Junior Prom in the South Cafeteria turned
off many students. To make matters
worse, the budget was not sufficient to
cover the expenses. Although ticket sales
were intially weak, they skyrocketed during the last week. Due to the committee’s
persistent devotion, ticket sales were
more than sufficient.
With over a hundred tickets
sold, the prom was definitely in sight.
Had it failed again, this event would perhaps have been cancelled permanently.
Despite the increased tension and pressure, the class still rescued the event.
Although many students
hoped for a dance floor, the cost was prohibitive. So, Mr. Donlon single-handedly
endeavored to create one. With Donlon's
oversight, the "home made" dance floor
came out beautiful. It was divided into
nine huge square pieces, and it was to be
held by brackets underneath the board.
However, during the setup, the brackets
were not strong enough to hold the board
together. After much effort to hold the
dance floor together, the committee had to
face the unfortunate reality — it could not
They KNOW they can dance! Junior prom attendees showed off their moves, and had a blast in the South Cafeteria.
be done. Leading the expressions of disappointment was the Class President himself, who dejectedly stated, “We tried very
hard to make it happen.”
It took around sixteen hours to
decorate the prom. Many students sacrificed their weekends to ensure the prom’s
success. One of the most time consuming
constructions was the model Eiffel Tower.
It came to be the highlight of the night.
The tower was humongous, and its luminosity was impossible to miss. The cafeteria was adorned with stars honoring students who contributed their time and
money to the Junior Prom.
The time had come; it was
7:00pm on March 21, 2009. As students
lined the entrance to enter and experience
the thrill, they could not believe what they
saw. The shock was especially felt by
Yakov Gaberman, who exclaimed, “This
prom, by far, exceeded my expectations!”
The four hours of dancing and dining at
the elegant round tables beneath the starry lights were reminiscent of an exotic
night in Paris.
The students were dancing before they
even set foot in the South Cafeteria.
Some, like Christy Brenseke and Lauren
Williams awed spectators with their ener-
Science Olympiad
Rubab Rehman
Kimberly Shen
Can
you
differentiate
between a glass lizard and an
alligator lizard? If you can
answer this question correctly,
beware. The sprightly Ms.
Oldenborg is likely to hunt you
down to become the next
Science
Olympiad
star.
Throughout the course of its
history, the Science Olympiad
Team has demonstrated its scientific expertise by displaying
outstanding performances at
various local and regional
competitions. This year has
certainly been no exception.
On February 7th 2009,
Whitman’s Science Olympiad
team, joined by other schools
from all over Long Island,
streamed through the double
"This team
was inspirational! Their
efforts truly
paid off!" Ms. Oldenborg
doors of Half Hollow Hills
East High School to participate
in the annual Science
Olympiad
competition.
Donning black sweatshirts that
read “E=MC2”, the Walt
Whitman students flaunted
their love for science as their
competitors gazed in awe and
perhaps, envy. Week after
week, the Whitman team arduously prepared for a variety of
Olympiad events in subjects
ranging from Herpetology to
Rocks and Minerals. Even on
the morning of the competition, students took a last
glimpse of their notes before
heading anxiously into the
rooms for their first round of
competition.
At the conclusion of
the contest, students boarded
the bus and eagerly swarmed
around their advisor, Ms.
Oldenborg, to find out the
results enclosed in the yellow
envelope she held. Cheers
welled from the team members
as they discovered that freshman, Kimberly Shen and senior, Tehreem Rehman clinched
4th place in the Ecology event,
taking home Whitman’s first
win in years. When asked her
gy and creative dance moves. This continued all night. Some notable events included a dance-off which was a competition
between the girls and boys. The girls won
perhaps because Lauren and Christy outdanced Zach Rotter, Matt Carter, and
Yakov. Near the end, there was a "rose
game" where the centerpiece on each
table were given to the winners. One rose
would circle the table until the music
stopped. The winner was the person holding the rose when the music stopped.
Special thanks to Emily Fulfarr’s mom for
the generous donation of the centerpiece
flowers.
Mrs. Kenney
The Prom Prince was James Walsh,
and the Princess was Christy Brenseke.
They were crowned by Mr. Donlon himself and then danced a slow dance together.
The Prom was more than just an event
but also an inspiration. Mr. Cusack, the
dean of upperclassmen, said, “The Class
of 2010 has set the bar real high for the
future.” This achievement is a change that
will be practiced by Whitman’s future
classes for years to come. As the Junior
Class President stated, “Tonight is a victory.”
2008-09 Science Olympians experienced great success due to
their hard work.
Yearbook Photo
reaction to winning, Tehreem
Rehman exclaimed, “It was an
awesome feeling knowing that
I was finally recognized after 4
years of hard work. This
achievement was certainly a
great way to conclude my
Science Olympiad experience
at Whitman.”
Thus, before departing
Half Hollow Hills East High
School, the Science Olympiad
team huddled in the bitter cold
before the camera for one last
group photo, forever united by
the bonds cemented by their
hard-earned victories on that
momentous day.
Year End 2009
The Rise
of Khan
Slumdog
Stars
Beyond Whitman
Page 4
Future
Uncertain for
Child Stars
Kate Pigliacelli
Genghis Khan
Adam Manson
During the past month, I had
the pleasure of seeing one of
my favorite movies, “Mongol:
The Rise of Genghis Khan.”
The movie revolves around an
epic hero and conqueror, who
must fight his way through a
troubled childhood and ruthless enemies. Critics of the
New York Times praise this
masterpiece as a creation of
“grand scale movie making.”
Produced by Sergei Bodrov,
“Mongol” was nominated for
“Best Foreign Language
Movie” in the 2007 Academy
Awards. The actors who
starred in this movie included
Tadanobu Asano, who played
Temujin, Khulan Chuluun as
his wife, Borte, and Sun
Honglei, as his enemy
Jamukha, all did an unbelievable job.
At the start of the
film, you meet Temujin, a
young boy who would later be
known as Genghis Khan.
After his father, Esugei is
killed by an opposing tribe,
Temujin must take his place as
khan (tribal leader). Upon his
arrival at his campsite, he discovers the tribe being attacked
by their adversary, Targutai.
After fleeing, he encounters a
new tribe and befriends an
older child named Jamukha.
These two become brothers
through an unbreakable oath
of blood. As Temujin grows
older, he is once again captured by the Targutai. But,
with the help of a traitor to
Targutai, he escapes and meets
back with Jamukha. Soon
Temujin discovers his wife,
Borte, was kidnapped and asks
Jamukha for help to retrieve
her. After launching a successful
rescue
campaign,
Jamukha’s tribe wishes for
Temujin to be their khan. The
killing of Jamukha’s brother,
Taichar, sparks a war between
the two blood-brothers.
This movie was marvelous and stunning from
beginning to end. The storyline and the amazing war
sequences will keep you
awestruck and entertained.
The movie is all in Mongolian
so be sure to keep the subtitles
turned on. This movie will not
fail to entertain you.
Expectations were not high for
Slumdog Millionaire when it was
released last winter, but against all odds
it went on to make $4.3 million on its
opening weekend and win eight out of
the ten Oscars it was nominated for,
along with a host of other awards. It’s
not hard to see why Slumdog was so
popular – the American people have a
deep and persisting love of underdog
stories (i.e. Rocky, Pursuit of
Happiness), even now when our own
underdog status is dubious at best.
The makers of Slumdog Millionaire
attempted to capitalize on this fact by
portraying the movie itself as an underdog, a low-budget movie struggling to
make it in the box office and win the
hearts of the critics. While the movie’s
$15 million budget, provided by Warner
Bros., is indeed small when compared to
other blockbusters, it dwarfs that of
more conventional low-budget movies,
such as Clerks, which writer and director
Kevin Smith paid for by maxing out his
credit cards.
The real underdogs in this story are
Rubiana
Ali
and
Azharuddin
Mohammed Ismail, nine-year-olds from
the real life Indian slum of Mumbai
Google Images
Azharuddin Mohammed Ismail,Rubina Ali, and Ayush Mahesh Khedekar returned to
the slums, not sure of what their future holds.
where Slumdog Millionaire takes place,
who starred as the protagonists’ younger
selves. These children come from some
of the most abject poverty that exists in
the world today and, following the completion of Slumdog Millionaire, they
returned there.
The producers of
Slumdog did make
provisions for these
children. They have
stated that they will
pay for the children’s
education until they
reach the age of 18,
at which time they
will be given housing
and a large sum of
money. This type of arrangement is not
unique, and there are, in fact, several
children from Indian slums who earned
trust funds from their participation in an
American movie. For many of these
children, the trust funds were not the
“one-way ticket” out that one would sus-
pect. For many, years of ingrained habit,
greedy relatives and the pressures of
slum life kept them from pursuing their
education and the better life it would
earn them. With few exceptions, these
children fell back on their old survival
habits of skipping
school, stealing and
scamming tourists,
among other unsavory professions.
Things are already
looking down for
Rubiana
and
Azharuddin.
Rubiana’s
mother
and stepmother have
been locked in a custody battle over her since her sudden
success and Azharuddin was reportedly
slapped by his father when he refused to
do an interview due to overtiredness.
They have both been suddenly thrust in
to the public eye, and must deal with
being under constant scrutiny from the
"If they stay in
school until they're
18, a substantial sum
of money is released
to them." - Director
Danny Boyle
Two Women,
One Fate
media, as well as the effect the attention
has on their families – quite a lot for a
nine-year-old to deal with.
The producers are doing what they can
to ensure a brighter future for their two
young stars – enrolling them in a local
school and paying for a rickshaw to
bring them to ensure they don’t skip out.
It is unclear at this time how things will
turn out for young Rubiana and
Azharuddin. Will they grab hold of the
opportunity they have been offered and
claw their way to the top? Or will they
be unable to deal with the stresses and
pressures of being in the spotlight, as
well as the changes once the attention on
them inevitably fades, and fall back into
the old habits of the slums? Only time
will tell.
Kimberly Shen
Khaled Hosseini’s “A Thousand
Splendid Suns” is a stunning literary classic whose heartbreaking
message will echo long after the
last pages are closed. Set in
Afghanistan, the story twists
through the chaos following the fall
of the monarchy in 1973 and the
rise of the Taliban. Amidst the turmoil, the lives of two very different
women are intertwined by fate and
ultimately, changed forever.
The main character,
Mariam, begins life as a “harami”—the illegitimate child of a
wealthy man and a housekeeper.
Forced to live in a small shack with
her emotionally disturbed mother,
Mariam loves nothing more than
Thursdays—the days that her father
visits with his arms full of gifts and
affection. Regrettably, her efforts to
gain her father’s acceptance as his
"Amidst the turmoil, the lives of
two very different
women are intertwined by fate
and ultimately,
changed forever."
legitimate daughter unexpectedly
lead to personal tragedy and an end
to a life she has known for 15 years.
Against her free-spirited will,
Mariam is forced to marry a middle-aged shoemaker—Rasheed,
whose views on women’s rights
would reflect the laws that the
Taliban will soon enforce.
While Mariam is dutifully
enduring a cheerless marriage, a
neighbor gives birth to a beautiful
girl named Laila. Although more
loved and accepted than a harami,
Laila too suffers from neglect as a
child. Her mother, who undergoes
severe bouts of depression, lives
only for the day that her sons will
return from war. Fortunately, Laila
finds solace in a friendship with a
boy named Tariq who is her confidante, defender, co-conspirator, and
eventually, paramour. Alas, the two
are forced apart as bombs start
falling on their hometown, and
through a strange turn of events,
Laila ends up in Rasheed’s household. After an initially hostile relationship with Mariam, Laila finds a
friend and mother in the older
woman. The two realize that they
have truly become virtual slaves to
an
increasingly
oppressive
Rasheed, whose domestic abuse
make their household a living
Google Images
Khaled Hosseini awes his audience with a riveting novel
of love, loyalty, and friendship.
embodiment of hell.
Approximately
40 years of Afghanistan’s riveting
history is unfolded in graphic detail
before the eyes of two extraordinary women. The uprising against
the Afghani monarchy triggered
similar revolutions, resulting in a
Communist regime as shown by the
Soviet takeover of Afghanistan. The
relatively tranquil Soviet occupation is then succeeded by a bloody
civil war amongst warlords and the
rise of the Taliban regime. All of
these events are intricately woven
into the tragic experiences of the
two heroines. Yet, Hosseini illustrates that even in the darkest of
times, there is a light by ending the
tale on a hopeful note—one fitting
for a novel portraying the limitless
scope
of
a
fictionalized
Afghanistan. Thus, this bewitching
narrative is truly a must-read for
those seeking to explore the compelling aspects of human emotions
and life.
Colorful
Culture
South Asian members gather for a group photo.
Cheers swelled from the crowd as several models lined the stage. Through the darkness, white
flashes of light blossomed as the audience strove to photograph the fleeting moments of an unforgettable show. Vibrant swirls of color and intricate beadwork adorned the models as they
flaunted their unique tastes for South Asian attire. After striking several poses, they finally retreated to the back of the stage. As a new wave of models advanced into the spotlight, the audience’s welcoming applause ricocheted throughout Whitman’s Performing Arts Center, leaving no
doubt that the Southeast Asia Fundraiser of 2009 was indeed a success.
For months before the event, members of the South Asia Fundraiser met regularly to
discuss issues like clothes supply, food contributions, etc. During the final days before the show,
the models rehearsed their carefully organized routines. The time and effort dedicated to the cause
finally paid off on the night of March 6, 2009, as many attendees swarmed through the double
doors of Walt Whitman High School. When Hassina Naeemi, the president of the South Asia
Fundraiser, approached the loudspeaker to announce the beginning of the show, she was met by
an avid audience that pronounced its unwavering belief in the future of the South Asia Fundraiser
through the lasting applause. When asked her opinion of the night, Hassina remarked, “It was truly
rewarding knowing that everything we did that night went toward a noble cause—building a
school for earthquake victims in South Asia.”
In the aftermath of the show, fundraiser members assembled in the South Cafeteria
to sell chooria (bangles), mathai (traditional Pakistani sweets), and traditional South Asian jewelry to attendees wishing to commemorate this event. Amidst the buoyant bhangra music, people eagerly traveled from table to table, trying on a handmade Afghani necklace or savoring a
spicy kebab. One attendee, Rubab Rehman, stated, “With the enriching cultural performances
featured tonight, you can be sure that I will attend for years to come.”
Taylor Pashkoff and
Samantha Ortiz model
traditional South
Asian attire.
Fiza Hussain, Rubab
Rehman, Tehreem
Rehman, Suniya
Qureshi, Redha Khan,
and Areeba Thakir.
Photos by Fiza
Hussain
Fiza Hussain and Taylor Pashkoff showcase
the vibrant colors of
South Asian culture.
Sophomore Fiza Hussain
shows her flair for South
Asian fashion.
Hassina Naeemi,
Rubab Rehman, and
Fiza Hussain glow
with pride at the success of the second annual South Asian
Fundraiser.
At Whitman
Black Violin at the PAC: Music
and a Message
Year End 2009
Page 6
Christina D. Mc Intyre
If you attended the PTA Cultural
Arts presentation, you witnessed one
of the best Walt Whitman has ever
had. Who would have thought that
two violinists and one DJ could get
the whole senior class to have a good
time? The group known as The
Black Violin has been traveling from
school to school, showing off their
unique skills. Additionally, they have
performed with major musicians like
Kanye West, Fort Minor, Fifty Cent,
Aretha Franklin, and P. Diddy and
many others. However, on March 25,
2009 they decided to share their talent with the senior class of Walt
Whitman High School.
Black Violin is made up of Wil
B and Kev Marcus. At the age of nine
and fourteen, respectively, each
member realized they had a passion
for performing. Wil and Kev met
while attending high school in Fort
Lauderdale, Florida. The name
"Black Violin" stems from the one
man who inspired them to take their
talents to the next level. Their inspiration, Stuff Smith, was born in 1909
and is considered one of the best jazz
violinists to ever take the stage. Wil
and Kev viewed Stuff as the Jay-Z of
the 1900's, so to demonstrate their
appreciation for his music; they
named themselves after Stuff Smith’s
final album, “Black Violin.”
After graduating high school,
Wil and Kev were both offered full
music scholarships to Florida State
and Florida International University.
The group met their manager, Sam
G. while in college. Together, the
group, with Sam G, gave birth to the
production company DKNEX. This
production company would be the
stepping stone to making their
dreams a reality. In 2004, Black
Violin gained notoriety when they
played with the beautiful and talented songstress Alicia Keys. Not only
did they deliver a phenomenal show,
they introduced the world a new perspective of violinists.
Not long after performing with
Ms. Keys, Black Violin went on to
Google Images
Lifelong friends, Wil B and Kev Marcus, brought their unique brand of music to the PAC stage. Students were dancing in the aisles to their
blend of cover tunes and original sounds.
perform at the Apollo Theater in
Harlem, New York, where they won
the title of
“Apollo Legend.” Linkin Park’s
lead singer, Mike Shinoda, took
notice and decided to invite them on
tour with his group, Fort Minor.
Afterwards, the group has gone on to
perform with a multitude of legendary as well as, lesser known
musicians.
In 2007, the group went on to
release their first album, which featured famed rapper DMX. Although
the group already has a successful
career, Wil and Kev agree that
they’re just getting started. What
they have in store is way more
impressive than their past performances. That’s going to be hard to top,
because when they performed at Walt
Whitman, they played songs like
“Stronger” by Kanye West,
“Dead and Gone” by T.I. and Justin
Timberlake, “Like a Boy” by Ciara,
and “I Get Money” by Fifty cent.
Black Violin was just the
Cultural Arts Presentation the senior
"...the money our
school raised
could pay for the
treatment of a
child with
melanoma for
nearly a year!"
School among them.
Last year, our “shavees”,
author included, raised over
$5200 for St. Baldrick’s day,
even Whitman's Principal,
Mr.Polansky joined in the
effort.
Now, as winter is but a fond
memory, and as 2009 kicked
into full gear, the students of
Walt Whitman High School
were called upon once again;
to shave their heads in order to
prevent a few more heads from
losing hair to chemotherapy.
And answer the call they certainly did, but instead of the
moderate 10 participants as in
2008, this year over 30 people
volunteered to be shorn; largely due to the exceptional
efforts of Mr. Rogers and the
Walt Whitman Robocats to
St. Baldrick's 2009
Matthew Moran
When one is at the doctor’s
office, the last prognosis anyone would want to hear is cancer. But for the nearly 12,400
children each year in the U.S.
who are given such dreadful
news, this is a harsh reality. In
1998 however, three friends
decided to make a difference;
Tim Kenny, Edna McDonnell,
and John Bender, three insurance executives in New York
City, decided to convert their
St. Patrick’s Day party into a
fundraiser for children with
cancer, the main attraction of
the event being the shaving of
the participant’s heads to symbolize the loss of children’s
hair during chemotherapy.
Recruiting friends and
coworkers, they set a goal of
$17,000 to be raised for cancer
research funding, but instead
were shocked and delighted
when they learned that over
$104,000 had been collected.
St. Baldrick’s Day was born. It
quickly became a sensation,
and has been hosted annually
every year by many schools
and businesses across the
globe, Walt Whitman High
class needed! Seniors like Nick
Marotheire, Amanda Cantaves,
Shanise Terry, Anthony Ocasio, Kim
Green, Lakiendra Fields, and Terrell
Frasier, were out of their seats, dancing and having a blast. Even teachers
and administrators, like Mr. Cusack,
couldn’t hide their enthusiasm for
Black Violin’s music.
Although all the students
appeared to have had a great time at
this show, the bigger picture was
Black Violin’s message to the seniors: Be the best at what you do. Yes,
there are many expert violinists out
there but we are unfamiliar with
them, perhaps because Wil B and
Kev Marcus are dominating that
industry; they’re the best at what they
do. So whatever it is that you do,
work hard at it to become the best
that you can be. Black Violin wanted you to experience their passion, in
doing so, others can experience your
passion.
Newsday Photo
Freshly shorn sophomore, Theo Goodman has a laugh while Mr.
Rogers shaves Tom Berger's head.
promote awareness of the
event.
As the last fibers of hair fell
to the floor and the humming
of electric razors ceased, the
money was counted up, and in
the end, our courageous participants were able to raise nearly
$3,000! Every little step
counts, and to put this in perspective, the money our school
raised could pay for the treatment of a child with melanoma
for nearly a year!
So, on behalf of the Print
staff and the students of Walt
Whitman High School, kudos
to Tim, Kenny, Edna, and John
for their creation of this wonderful event, and especially to
our own selfless baldies!
Whitman Voices
Paw Print
7
Senior Advice to Underclassmen
Lila Ijaz
It seems like only a short time ago we were
all starting Kindergarten. The end of our school
days seemed to be eons away. We counted the
days until we’d start high school. And now that
we’re here, we realize it has gone by so fast.
Some of the graduating seniors have
provided their thoughts on Whitman, as well as
suggestions for underclassmen.
Whitman offers so many opportunities to
its students and has truly inspired me to become
a leader in my school and community. I hope
everyone cherishes their four years at high
school because you can only get to experience
them once. Live it up, the experience is what
you make it! ~Caitlin Meuser
Whitman truly is a melting pot. It is one
of the most amazing experiences that’s possible
to have. I have gained so many friends that I
cherish and know will lead me to become a
better person. One word of advice is to not take
your time here at Whitman for granted because
it will pass quickly. I will truly miss Whitman.
~Doug Judd
Whitman is a great place to grow and
learn. It offers an amazing selection of classes,
extracurricular activities, and opportunities. If
I could offer any advice for the underclassmen
It would be to start college applications early! I
did and I could not have had a better high
school experience. ~Samantha Friedman
I have made a lot of great connections with
teachers and administrators who have truly
gone out of their way to help whenever I
needed it. I know Whitman has prepared me
for whatever may happen in the future and I am
truly grateful. ~Nicole Schneider
Get involved in school activities and
enjoy yourself. This place is what you
make of it and I know I’ll always look
back, and say those were some of the best
times of my life. ~Danielle Schwartz
I will always look back to my four years
at Whitman and smile. Being involved with
student government, the varsity dance team,
and other activities provided me with
memories of a lifetime. Time goes by fast so
take the time to enjoy the moments.
Absolutely, get involved! Don’t forget to
remember me. ~Melanie Londono
WWHS will always be a part of me, no
matter where I go. It’s surreal to know how
much I’ve done these past four years. A word
to the Juniors- Don’t stress too much about the
S.A.T.s! They’re important, but it’s not the end
of the world! Just continue to work hard and
you’ll be amazed to see how everything will fall
into place. Sophomores- Work hard. Every
year is important! Get involved! It will make
high school a lot more enjoyable! FreshmenKeep an open mind. You will become
acquainted with the school and you will make
new friends! It is a huge transition from
Stimson, but you WILL adjust, I promise!
~Tracy Ann Edouard
Whitman: The most awkward, time
consuming, annoying, redundant part of my
life. - I wouldn’t trade it for the world. ~Kim
Basil
Whitman has something for everyone. It’s
amazing that we have so many different people,
interests, cultures, characters and activities.
Different groups of people have come together
senior year either through powder puff, senior
follies, fashion show, or even prom. I’ve
learned so many new things, heard such
different music, seen different dancing, and
observed
so many different
groups of people this year. But
on June 26th, we’re all going to
be graduating as one. It’ll be
the most colorful, diverse, and
united group to cross that
graduation stage. And I’m so
excited about it. ~Megan
Ulrich
U.S. Troops Coming Home?
Kimberly Shen
“By any measure, this has been a long
war. It is truly time to bring our troops
home with the honor they have earned.”
On the morning of February 27, 2009,
President Obama conveyed these words
before thousands of cheering supporters in
Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. Ever since
the day he was sworn in as president,
Obama has been working hard to keep his
campaign promises, among them ending
the Iraqi War. Although his decision to
withdraw the troops is often the center of
much debate, Obama insists that U.S.
troops could be put to better use
elsewhere—specifically Afghanistan.
During his presidential campaign,
President Obama, an opponent of the Iraqi
War, often talked about withdrawing U.S.
combat forces from Iraq within 16 months.
In the aftermath of the election, Obama
assessed the 16-, 19-, and 23- month
options with his military advisors. After
much negotiation and debate, Obama
finally chose the 19-month withdrawal
plan. Although a bit slower than his
campaign pledge, the plan would still end
a 6-year war that has not only divided the
American public, but also consumed
billions of dollars and thousands of
American lives. Additionally, Obama has
indicated that such a withdrawal would
help him reach his goal of halving the
trillion-dollar-plus U.S. budget deficit by
the end of his first term in 2013.
Within the military, Obama’s
decision stirred a great controversy.
General Ray Odiemo, the top American
commander in Iraq, recommended the
slowest possible withdrawal, arguing that
conditions in Iraq are still fragile and that
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Always on thier minds. Soldiers are greeted by excited loved ones.
recent security gains there are not yet
permanent. Nevertheless, other senior
officials, including most members of the
Joint Chiefs of Staffs, prefer a faster
drawdown. They contended that reducing
U.S. military presence in Iraq would
reduce manpower strains on the armed
forces, which have been linked to rising
rates of divorce and suicide within the
army.
Furthermore, due to deteriorating
conditions in Afghanistan, military
officials hope to station as many troops as
possible there. The President himself has
already announced hopes to ultimately
deploy as many as 30,000 troops to
Year End 2009
Afghanistan before the end of the year.
Recent polls demonstrate that most
Americans back Obama’s assertion that
U.S. troops can best be utilized to fight the
war in Afghanistan, which Obama dubbed
“the central front” in the war on terror.
Obama’s defeated challenger in the
presidential election, Republican John
McCain, voiced his support for the
president by declaring,”When you aren’t
winning in this kind of war, you are losing.
And, in Afghanistan today, we are not
winning. Let us not shy from the truth, but
let us not be paralyzed by it either.”
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Graduates reccommend participating in extra curricular activites to
enhance your time at Whitman.
Chic Spring &
Summer Couture
Now that the warmer season is here, you might want
to dress a little bit lighter. There are many chic things
to buy in a variety of price ranges. Some cute designs
from Abercrombie and Fitch include gingham scarves,
which come in two colors; grey and navy. The scarves
are very lightweight and airy. They’re made from
100% cotton and are super soft; they can be purchased
for $58.00. To make a complete outfit, you might want
to think about getting the new “Adelle” skinny jeans.
Colors range from a very light wash to near-black, each
are sold for $90.00. Also, you might want to get a
trendy top to go with the jeans and scarf; one stylish
option that matches well is the “Kathleen”. It comes
in an assortment of colors, and the price is $50.00. You
could always just go into Abercrombie, pick out some
things you like, and mix and match!
The blues, grays, whites, and blacks of the cooler
season are always in because those colors go with
everything. It’s time to break out the COLOR! You
might want to try colors like orange, yellow, bright
green and pink, and aqua blue.
Another store brand you could try, if you like haute
couture for teens, is Juicy Couture. The store is a bit
pricey,but if you like designer clothing that is really hot,
then you should definitely try this store out. They offer
comfortable clothes in a vast variety of colors. The
Juicy Couture tracksuits are really fitting for vacation
because they are light and comfortable. The prices
range from $58.00-$168.00.
Juicy Couture also has really cute handbags in all
different colors, sizes, and materials. They have velour
and terry, leather, and canvas and nylon. Every bag has
its own unique style, shape, color, and a few extra
accessories on it. The price range is very dramatic,
ranging from only $55.00 all the way up to $398.00.
When you shop at Juicy, it’s nearly impossible to buy
only one item. You’ll browse and probably find other
items you “must have.”
If you have a lot of cash to burn and are heading to
New York City, you might want to shop some stores
like Prada, Louis Vuitton, Burberry, Chanel, Dior,
Versace, Marc Jacobs, Michael Kors, Givenchy,
Valentino, Dolce and Gabbana, and Cavalli. These
fashion designers use the highest quality materials in
their products. All of the jewelry is handmade and the
leather work is also hand-done. The price range is
extremely high, from only a couple hundred dollars to
a whopping hundreds of thousands of dollars!
But at our age and the way the economy is, it’s
unlikely that many high school students will be
shopping at these stores. Some more affordable and
local options may include Aeropostale, Macy’s, or Old
Navy. These stores offer up to date, colorful spring
fashions at more modest prices. If you are on the
lookout for fashionable apparel, then be sure to stop by
some of these stores.
8
Year End 2009
Good Luck Seniors
Seniors
Farewell Seniors
The Paw Print Staff wishes the best of luck to Walt
Whitman High School Class of 2009. In the words of Walt
Whitman, we remind you, "Keep your face always toward
the sunshine - and shadows will fall behind you."
Lila Ijaz
Justin Katz
JiWoo Lee
Adam Manson
Christina D. McIntyre
Matthew Moran
Kate Pigliacelli
Rubab Rehman
Kimberly Shen
Jeff Haber - Editor
Tehreem Rehman - Editor
Miss Kluepfel - Advisor