May/June - Weston Public Schools

Wildcat Tracks
May 2012
Megan Moran
STAFF WRITER
There has been a lot of
buzz over the past few weeks
about the rising price of gasoline.
People are hearing it on the
news, reading it in the paper, and
feeling it at the pump. Absorbing
the cost is inevitable with
driving, and room has to be made
in family budgets for the rising
prices, but Weston High School
students are still concerned about
how long this rise will last and
what authorities are doing to
alleviate the strain.
The average price
around the Bay State area is just
under $3.80 and is expected to be
higher when summer hits. While
it may seem high, the numbers
seen in Massachusetts are lower
than the national average, which
is around $3.99. In California the
average price is just above $4.30
per gallon, just above the cost
in New York and Connecticut,
where the price is just above
$4.10 per gallon on average.
“Some analysts believe
gasoline prices may have peaked,
but I am not at all confident
in such words. I still maintain
that prices will likely not peak
until we get closer to the month
Gas prices reach new highs
efficiently, like running all
of May, as a majority of locals
of their errands at one time.
around the United States make
eventual switch overs to summer However, it is not just drivers
who are taking the hit. When
spec gasoline,” said GasBuddy.
students went on April vacation,
com Senior Petroleum Analyst
they too were feeling the price
Patrick Dehann in an interview
increase as airlines passed the
via phone with wickedlocal.
extra cost of fuel off to the
There are several
consumers.
reasons why the gas price
Recently, many major
is rising. Concerns about a
airlines have increased their
potential military action by
prices as much as $60 per ticket
Israel or even the US against
due to the gas
the country
hikes, and travelers
of Iran in
have suffered the
February
consequences
caused a spike
of higher price.
in the price of
Weston families are
crude oil. This
feeling the pinch.
has a direct
“My mom
correlation
has always booked
with the rising
tickets for trips well
prices of gas
in advance, but even
in America
with that precaution,
and other
the prices are much
countries.
higher than they
Stability in the
have been in the
Middle East
Spending money at the pump
past. It is definitely
is critical to
PHOTO / 123rf.com.tif
a cause for concern
American oil
in the economic
companies, as much of the fuel
times,” said sophomore Stephen
comes from these areas.
Babcock.
Many affected are
No matter what is
giving up four wheels for two,
happening around the globe,
using bicycles or scooters as
there is still a cause for concern
a way to get around. Others
at WHS as the high prices make
are simply planning trips more
students consider where they are
driving and whether or not it is
worth it.
“The prices are crazy.
It is hard for students who go to
school all day and work a few
hours a week to be able to afford
the ridiculous price of gas,” said
junior David Valle.
But it is not just
students who are affected by the
rise of gas. The faculty and staff
of Weston High are having to
make changes especially those
who have to travel long distances
to work.
“Students often forget
that they are not the only ones
that are affected. Teachers are
too. Some of the teachers come
from out of state, and others
come from Worcester. There
are students that come from the
Boston area, the North shore,
and the South shore, and it is a
huge financial hindrance on us
as well. We have had to change
the way we go through our daily
lives to adjust to the hikes, ” said
tutor Cindy Neal.
Students have taken
innovative approaches to the
problem. For example, they
have gotten into the habit of
carpooling to and from school
as well as sports activities and
CWI offers unique experience
during weekends.
While there are no
definite ways to combat the
prices, there are steps that can be
taken to save money. After all, a
penny saved is a penny earned.
In order to do so, one
useful tip is to stay away from
gas stations near the highway.
While these may be better-known
stations, they count on desperate
travelers and truckers and often
are able to charge more than
other stations.
Another tip offered by
ABC News Analysts suggests
that checking prices online
can save your wallet. Websites
such as GasBuddy.com and
FuelMeUp.com provide the most
recent prices, and taking a few
minutes on fill up date to review
these websites and planning an
effective route can save you a
few dollars over time.
Analysis shows that
the prices are going to remain
at a steady rate of increase from
where they are now through the
summer months. Though it is
expected that summer travel will
be lighter due to the price hike,
it is important to plan ahead to
look for the best prices and the
least expensive modes of travel
in these times.
people happy all over the world, to discuss ideas. That is why Contemporary World
of the class.
current events and issues affecting the
Issues is the best class,” said senior and
“We did so many things to
STAFF WRITER
world today, to identify a need to address, contemporary world issues student Jared
prepare for the tournament. We talked to
especially in the area of development (for Fong.
the school administration, the custodial
Contemporary World Issues
example
poverty,
hunger,
malnutrition,
This
class
also
holds
fundraisers
staff, the nurse, teachers/chaperones, gym
(CWI) is a unique class at Weston High
health,
etc.),
and
to
empower
the
students
and
school
events
from
time
to
time.
teachers and chaperones to make sure we
School that allows students not only
to
take
action
to
address
that
need,”
Kurata
On
Mar.
2,
the
class
hosted
a
dodge
ball
could hold the event,” Kurata said.
to learn about current events but also
said.
tournament
attended
by
many,
all
of
whom
Students were responsible for all
to have a positive social impact on
While
it’s
considered
a
history
agree
that
is
was
a
great
success.
of
it
and
rallied
the school population to
the world outside of Weston. Students
course,
it
isn’t
like
any
other
because
of
its
“We
had
27
teams
participate
participate
in
the
numbers they did.
hold fundraisers, such as the dodge ball
unique
focus
on
what
is
happening
today.
in
the
tournament,
and
since
there
were
“We
made
posters that were
tournament that took place on Mar. 2,
“Contemporary
World
Issues
5
people
per
team,
that’s
135
people.
practically
everywhere
you turned,
which turned out to be a huge success both
is
different
from
other
history
classes
We
had
at
least
4
teams
that
included
contacted
friends,
families,
and
financially and in creating school spirit.
in
its
explicit
focus
on
current
world
teachers,
and
1
cafeteria
staff
team.
About
organizations
for
donations
(money, food
The class, taught my Michiko Kurata, truly
issues.
Most
history
teachers
etc.),
had
to
fill
out
tons
of different
allows for students to make a difference.
allow
the
discussion
of
current
forms
to
try
to
get
the
dodgeball
“This is a course designed to
events in their classes at some
tournament to be allowed, and then
allow students to learn about what is
point,
but
that
is
not
the
focus
tried to get people in school really
happening in the world today, and to do
of
their
courses,”
said
Kurata.
into it by having raffles and sign up
something constructive to address a need,”
“This
course
requires
students
sheets,” said senior and CWI student
Kurata said.
to
engage
in
a
community
Bianca Tocci. In the class students go in-depth,
service
project
that
the
class
The class raised $2800 and
learning about issues that are happening
designs
and
implements.
So
donated all of it to a cause called
around the world. These students are not
students
need
to
be
interested
Heifer International.
only taught about the issues, but talk about
in
engaging
in
a
community
“Heifer donates animals to
ways in which to have a positive impact in
service
project,
and
be
poor countries, and meticulously
helping to improve conditions particular
interested
in
taking
charge,
monitors the progress of all of its
to certain cultures through this discussion
instead
of
just
passively
doing
projects. Through their efforts,
based course.
CWI’s dodgeball tournament raised money for Heifer International
what
the
teacher
expects
them
countless communities have been
“Contemporary World Issues
PHOTO / heifer.org
to
do.”
lifted out of poverty and are not
is a mostly senior class that focuses on
100
spectators
showed
up,
consisting
Contemporary
World
Issues
not
only
able
to provide for themselves
issues around the world as well as cultural
of
students,
teachers,
parents,
and
some
only
brings
knowledge
to
the
students
with
food,
but also are able to attain a
anthropology,” said senior and CWI
younger
students,
so
overall
it
looked
like
about
what
is
happening
around
the
world,
sustainable
source of income and share
student, Derek Shay.
there
were
about
250
people
in
the
gym,”
but
also
allows
them
to
express
their
own
their
gift
of
livestock with a different
In order for this class to succeed
Kurata
said.
feelings
about
these
events.
community,”
Shay said.
and run smoothly, Kurata sets specific
This
much
participation
itself
“One
of
the
things
that
I
truly
Contemporary
World Issues
goals, employing them to ensure a great
shows
the
success
of
this
fundraiser
in
enjoy
about
this
class
is
that
we
get
to
talk
offers
both
academic
qualities
and handslearning environment for the class.
financial
terms.
Those
who
attended
said
about
our
views
on
the
current
events.
on
opportunities
for
interested
studnets,
“The four main goals of this class
that
it
went
very
smoothly,
though
it
took
This
opportunity
is
awesome
because
it
proving
to
be
one
of
the
most
unique
are to study the various cultures in the
world, with a special focus on what makes brings out different people’s opinions and many months of planning by the members classes in the school.
Danny Dinno
Wildcat World
May 2012
Page 2
WHS students earn coveted awards
competition,” said Fishman, who has won clay all four years, with the addition of
Gold and Silver Key awards even before three independent studies. I spend most
STAFF WRITER
her senior year. “My Writing Portfolio frees doing something related to ceramics.”
Some have even developed
is the culmination of my best work from There is a lot of artistic and
high school, and most of it was written an interest earlier on and intend on
creative talent at Weston High School in
in the last year and a half. It focuses on further developing their skills in art
the graduating class of 2012, especially
coming of age and understanding love. or writing as they move on to college.
seen through the 2012 Scholastic Art and
“I’ve always enjoyed reading and
My short story “Soap” is an experimental Writing Awards results. Many student
piece about a sixteen-year-old girl who writing - since elementary school - and
artists, designers, photographers, and
studies abroad in Nicaragua and becomes I’ve always wanted to be a writer. I began
writers from schools in the region submitted
involved with an older boy there.” writing seriously in ninth or tenth grade,”
pieces to the Scholastic Art & Writing
Branndon Chen, a senior well- said Fishman. “I do plan on pursuing
Awards this year and were recognized for
known for his excellent work in ceramics, writing as a concentration in college and
their outstanding work. Eleven seniors
many of which have been displayed in either working as a writer or working with
from WHS were recognized this year. the art showcases in the hallways, also fiction in the publishing business. Even
Students from grades 7-12 submit
submitted pieces to Scholastic, receiving if I won’t be writing for a living, I will
entries to the Scholastic Art & Writing
four Gold Keys, three Silver Keys, and two be writing anyway because it’s a natural
Awards each year, and their works may
Honorable Mentions in the Boston regional impulse, and I might as well put it to good
receive Gold Key, Silver Key, or Honorable
use. I’m going to
awards. The four
Mention awards. There are 15 categories of
college in New York,
pieces that won Gold
art and 10 categories of writing. Works that
so along with taking
Keys were moved on
are awarded Gold Keys are placed in the
courses in writing,
to national judging,
national competition in New York City for
I’m hoping to gain
and two of them
judging and may earn Gold or Silver medals.
internship experience
received awards - a
Seniors can also submit art,
in publishing houses
National Gold Medal
photography, and writing portfolios with
or literary magazines
and
a
National
eight pieces each. These can win a Gold
in
the
city.”
Silver
Medal.
Key award as well as scholarships to college
Many
other
Such talent
and universities. The Boston Globe awards
Gold Key piece by Branndon Chen
seniors were also
really comes down A
PHOTO / Branndon Chen
$2,000 scholarships to two outstanding
given
awards
to
experience,
participants. Carolyn Shin, a senior, was
practice, and passion. All three seniors who and distinctions for their works in the
awarded a Gold Key for her art portfolio
won awards on the national level started categories of visual art, photography,
in the region, and it won a Silver Medal
taking an interest in either art, ceramics, or design, and film/animation (a class
in the national competition. Lily Fishman,
writing several years ago and have pursued which just opened up this year at WHS).
also a senior, submitted her writing
their interests throughout high school. Matt Atkins received a Gold Key for his
portfolio, consisting of three poems and
“It all started in ninth grade when portfolio in photography, and Scott Alperin
five short stories, and won a National Silver
I signed up for clay. Then when introduced received an Honorable Mention also in
Medal with Distinction for her portfolio.
to the potter’s’ wheel, I became drawn in photography. Molly Burchard won three
She also won the Boston Globe Writing
with what I could make. Over the years, I Gold Keys in photography and also an
Scholarship and $1,000 nationally for her
have just kept making forms and refining Honorable Mention in painting. Margaret
Gold Medal short story, entitled “Soap.”
the pieces I made. As I kept exploring, I Wiss and Diana Zhao each received
“I first started submitting to
always found something new to experiment an Honorable Mention in drawing and
Scholastic as part of my independent
with, whether it be glazes, firing methods, mixed media, respectively. Colin Minigan
study in Creative Writing as a sophomore.
clay bodies, and much more,” said Chen. and Jenna Weissman each received an
In my high school career, I think I’ve
When asked how much experience he has Honorable Mention in film/animation and
entered nine pieces in the Scholastic
had with ceramics, he said, “I have taken design, respectively. Kevin Bae won a
Diana Zhao
Gold Key, a Silver Key, and an Honorable
Mention for his self-portrait drawings.
Art teacher Julie-Hom Mandell
is very involved in encouraging her
students to submit their works to the
Scholastic Awards. She enjoys seeing
students grow through their artwork and
feels that their hard work and creativity
should be supported and praised.
“Students need an intrinsic
motivation to love what they do, and
as a teacher, my primary focus is to
give the external motivation. I want
to support creative growth, and I want
students to keep up the good work,” said
Hom. “I encouraged a lot and actually
maxed out this year, asking twenty of my
students to submit their work. Fourteen
got recognized. I was very fortunate.”
Mrs. Hom, however, also
realizes that competition is a huge
factor to this contest, but she does not
want that to affect a student’s progress.
“Competition is a double-edged
sword. Some students get recognized; some
don’t, but I want to encourage students to
make art even if they don’t get recognized.
It’s all about the timing. Everyone grows
at a different rate, and personal growth
means more than anything. It’s not a
comparathon,” said Hom. “Keep making
art regardless of the awards and medals.
Art, to me, is connected to your life. It’s
reflective of how you understand yourself.” More than 8,000 students
submitted work to Scholastics this year.
There were more than 9,500 works of
art and almost 700 writing pieces, not
including those in portfolios from more
than 600 seniors (Daniells, Boston Globe).
Despite the large numbers of
entries to the Scholastic Awards, WHS
seniors and other students were very capable
of representing the school very well this
year both on a regional and national level.
Youth vote becomes imporant as Nov. 2012 approaches
Molly Hickey
right now. It’s the basis of our future, and if we don’t get it fixed,
it’s going to be a problem finding jobs,” said junior James Reohr.
STAFF WRITER
Additionally,
teens
seem
tired
of
the
With the 2012 Presidential election quickly gridlock
and
indecision
that
exists
in
Washington.
approaching, many teens are finding themselves in
“I think that there really needs to be more bipartisanship
the position to voice their opinion in the American within
the government,” said senior David Freeman.
government for the first time ever. Voter turnout for
Another
trend
commonly
seen
in
the
Americans aged 18-24 is the lowest of any age bracket
youth
vote
is
a
strong
adherence
to
moral
values.
in the country, according to the US Census Bureau.
“Young people, more than any other group, look
Weston High Schools students, however, seem eager to …
more
at social issues; they may be concerned with
cast their ballot. The so-called “Millennial Generation,”
things
like
abortion or the death penalty, and those types
makes up a considerable part of the national electorate.
of
moral,
social
questions. They see the world in a certain
As young
people
make
their ways
light,
and
try
to
make
a change in that way,” said Cochran.
to the polls, they rely on a variety of influences
The
socially
conscious
world view of the “Millennial
in making political choices. Generation”
is one that has been
“[Young people] are influenced by their
shaped
in
the
wake of September
parents, depending if they have a good or bad
11th,
and
witnessing
the effects of
relationship with their parents. If it’s good, they
wars
in
Iraq
and
Afghanistan,
as well
probably feel the same way, if it’s bad… maybe they’re
as
the
aftermath
of
Hurricane
Katrina.
rebelling,” said government teacher Monny Cochran.
Young voters usually tend to vote
Weston
High
School
students
Democrat,
supporting Democrats by
tend to see the influence of their parents’
a
two
to
one
margin, according to
political views reflected in their own.
the
Young
Democrats
of America.
“I think everyone’s political views are
The
Democratic
viewpoint
is in line
influenced at least a little by their parents, but I
with
that
of
the
majority
of
today’s
try to make my own decisions,” said senior Laura
youth.
Generally,
this
population
has
Beaudry. Studies tend to indicate this as common.
less
access
to
financial
wealth
and
are
As students are granted the right to vote, they’re
more
concerned
with
social
issues.
A
youth
voting
poster
charged with the responsibility of extrapolating which
PHOTO/ gw-bw.com “Those with lower incomes
factors they will take into consideration when casting tend
to gravitate towards Democrats.
their vote. Just like the United States government,
Since
young
people
don’t
have
the financial support of their
students are divided on what issues are the most pertinent.
parents
anymore,
they
don’t
have
much money, and tend to
Possibly the most discussed issue is the current
find
Democrats
more
appealing.”
said
senior David Freeman.
state of the economy, and what role choosing a new
Democrats
generally
favor
higher
taxes in order to
President will play in its development. As many high
provide
more
services
and
create
less
income
inequality.
school seniors plan on entering the job market in
Junior
Aubrey
Kief
believes
that
young
people’s
affinity
for
just four years, it’s an issue on the minds of teens.
Democratic
economic
ideals
is
related
to
the
fact
that
youth
“The economy is the most important issue for me
often aren’t obliged to depend on themselves.”said Kief.
“We have the luxury of being liberal in our views,
because we don’t have a family, or a job; we don’t have
to depend on ourselves. Kids don’t have the same kind of
worries and issues that older folks do. They’re worried
about their personal finances, if you’re doing well you
want to stay doing well, you’re worried about the taxes,
you’re worried about getting the right stuff for your kids.
We have the liberty of being concerned with people other
than ourselves because our needs are being taken care of.”
According to the Democratic National Committee,
Democrats aim to “end discrimination in all forms including discrimination based on race, sex, ethnicity or
national origin, language, religion, sexual orientation,
gender identity, age, or disability,” something which
strongly appeals to much of America’s youth population.
“The issue of gay rights is one that’s really important
to me, and it’s something where the Democratic views are
line with mine. […] I think that the Democratic mindset
is seen as more modern, and more freethinking, and our
age group tends to go for that,” said junior Georgia Parker.
This generation tends to place a high value on
equality and morality, which the Democratic party plays to.
Even here at Weston, it’s nearly impossible to find
a student who identifies themselves as a real Republican.
“A lot of students are interested in and concerned by
social justice, and if you look at the Democratic party, they
are the ones with more of a social conscience in this country.
When they’re younger, it’s the social issues, and I really think
that the Democratic party speaks more to the social issues
that concern the younger generation,” said Cochran. No matter for whom they vote, it is imperative that
young people involve themselves in politics; it’s one of the
few ways to have a real say in the future of our country. Don
Benson, a History and Government teacher at Weston High
School explains: “The earlier that one will vote and become
informed, the more likely they will continue to vote later in
life; a healthy democracy only works with active citizens.”
Opinion
May 2012
Lily Fishman
Tomorrow is a hope, not a promise
STAFF WRITER
If I had any last words to say
to this school, they would be:
tomorrow is not promised.
In Ms. Collins’ poetry
class, we listened to a poem by
Omar Musa. This is what he says:
“This is a message
to
everyone.
Tomorrow
is
not
your
friend.”
In Weston, as across
the country, we are taught to see
tomorrow as our friend. Many
think we have been coached and
corralled onto a track that will
split off in many directions, and
each of them, we think, is open
to us. Many of them are, but the
time we spend in reaching them
is worth just as much. We can
do anything we wish; we think
of high school as only a starting
point, something to be worked
through and escaped. Whether
we love it or hate it, it is, we
hope, the seed of greater things.
The traditional high school trope
glares at us from every media
form: when I get out of here…
But
tomorrow,
remember, is a hope, not a promise.
While being encouraged
to run as fast as we can, we have
been told, many times, that we
are part of an unhealthy race to
an ambiguous end. I will not you owe it to yourself to try. The of it as desire, and the ability to
say that you should abandon this likelihood is that you will have fulfill it. Don’t rely on everything
race because it is futile. I will not many years to celebrate what you imagine is open to you;
pretend that I will stop running, or your life has become and laugh you might lose it all. You might
ask you to stop working for your at your years in high school, never get the chance to take it.
dreams and your ambitions. But I but not everyone is granted this. I’m like anyone else:
do ask that you still yourself and
Remember, you are most days, I don’t want to be
breathe, right now, while you read. only human. In the scheme of in class. It’s beautiful outside;
This moment will be this world, your life is the length the work we’re doing is a waste
over very soon. You will stop of a mayfly’s. Whatever you of time. But I can make those
reading. Most things will end believe in, your time is valuable. hours count, instead of stewing
before you can quite hold them We
are
constantly in boredom, by noticing the better
in your memory properly. But reminded that we are young. things. Maybe someone wrote one
take the moment,
line of a poem in
while it lasts, to
between the initials
look up at the
and dug-out lines
imperfections in
in the wood of the
the ceiling where
desk in front of me;
you are sitting
maybe the teacher
or at the sky.
is particularly kind
Look down at
to a sad student.
your own hands,
Maybe there’s one
because they will
finger of sunlight
never look quite
coming in the
the same as they
window
during
do today. High
the winter. There’s
school is not
no reason to rush
something to be
through an hour
worked through Stop and smell the flowers.
PHOTO / stockphoto.com like this. So many
and
escaped;
things
around
by the time you
you
are
gorgeous.
Sometimes this is a compliment,
are done with high school you and sometimes it is a warning or A teacher asked me
will have four years less to live a dismissal. The truth that goes recently if, at just eighteen years
than you had when you started hand in hand with this is that we old, I feel I know myself. I said
in freshman year. Four years are are mortal. Don’t think of youth yes. She told me that the beauty
worth something. You cannot as possibilities, as paths to choose of life is that every year I will
love every day—some days do from. Think of it as strength, realize I have never truly known
not lend themselves to you—but now, as you sit and read. Think myself before. I will never be the
same person I am today; neither
will you. We have all been shaped
by this town, by our parents and
our teachers and our friends. We
are all amalgams of everything
we have known, together and
independently, in our shared
years in this community.
Once we leave it, we will find
ourselves
wholly
different.
Omar Musa the poet
is right, but his message is not a
warning. It is a spectacular truth.
Tomorrow is not your friend;
today is. Remember that this
moment, right now, is all you can
truly hold on to, and appreciate
that it is yours. You are sure, as
always, that nothing will happen to
you, but remember that anything
can change in the next instant,
and this is not hyperbole, it is
truth. Look at yourself now. Look
at yourself hard. You are young,
fresh, vibrant, smart, ready, able,
beautiful, and wide awake. Yes,
you must figure out what to do
with your energy; that is the great
challenge of young people’s lives,
what everyone wants out of you,
and you will work it out. There
is no lack of faith in you; the
world trusts you to continue its
legacy. What matters is that this
energy is there, that it is yours,
and that today you are alive to
feel the sun on your shoulders.
Happiness is a choice
Sophia Wirth
STAFF WRITER
Nothing seems to come more
easily to human beings than complaining.
Complaining about work, complaining
about school, complaining about sports,
complaining about projects, complaining
about life. I do it myself and have found that
oftentimes, it can be a pretty good catharsis. It
would seem to me, however, that many around
Weston complain to the point of excess; to
the point at which their lamentations are no
longer cathartic, but arguably have become
harmful.
Nobody
will escape this
life
unscathed.
Everybody
will
have trouble and
challenges
and
tragedies they must
overcome, but as
things go, our lives
are not the worst
they could possibly
be. We have warm
beds to sleep in at
night, electricity to
run our lights and
heating, fresh water Stop and smell the flowers.
that keeps us clean
and healthy and a good education that awaits
us at school if we decide to take advantage of
it and the opportunities it provides us. What I
think is interesting, however, is that we don’t
seem to complain about the real trials of
life. When a tragedy occurs, when a family
member is lost, when a true misfortune is
brought upon us that we must triumph over,
we seem not to complain, but rather most
of us bear the burden with a stoic face and
continue on. It seems to me that what we
complain about the most are the little things.
The tiny elements of life like homework, or
losing an hour of sleep, or having to wake
up at 6 o’clock in the morning, or having
to deal with a teacher we don’t like. We
complain about those things more than about
anything else… but why is that? Why is it
that we waste the energy to complain, when
instead we could be throwing that energy
into much more worthwhile endeavors, such
as overcoming those troubles that prompt
complaints in the first place?
Many people think I’m a bit strange.
I love Monday mornings. In fact, Mondays
are my favorite day of the week because they
mean I have five more days of school left.
to be, because it won’t be, ever.
take days off to do just that, is that really
But that’s not such a bad thing.
what you would want every day of your
Perfection gets pretty boring after
life? Human beings operate the way they do
a while to. Accept the little things
because of curiosity and the desire to strive
in life that aren’t perfect, and try
for better lives. If we stop trying. If we sit
to find happiness.
back and accept our existence rather than
Complaining is easy, but
pushing to make it better, we have nothing.
it
rarely
solves anything. Make
We amount, to put it plainly, to nothing.
a
choice
to be happy. Make a
Being happy isn’t easy. It takes
choice
to
see the good, instead
work. There are definitely days when I’m
of
dwelling
on the bad. A wise
feeling down, or simply lack the motivation
teacher
once
wrote
in my 8th grade
to get out of bed and put a smile on, but most
yearbook, “Listen always to the
of the time there seems to be little excuse not
voice of your heart and soul and
to. Happiness isn’t about life being perfect
look for that image of goodness
all the time. In fact, I’m pretty sure everyone
and love in everyone, everyday
will agree that most of the time, life is far
and always.” That’s what it takes
from it. But that’s not the point. It’s the
and that’s really all I have to say.
little things like smiling to someone in the
Just be happy.
hallway that can spread smiles everywhere,
because they really are contagious. Turn on
a good song
with friends,
go
outside
and
breathe
Editor-in-Chief
the fresh air,
Mark
Fishman,
Kristina Tagliente
look up at the
blue sky, think
about
how
Editors
great it is that
Catherine Cebulla, Julia Braginsky, Molly Hickey,
you’re alive.
Avery Kelly, Megan Moran, Sindhu Sreedhar
Happiness is
a choice. It’s
in your hands.
Photo and Graphics Editor
You
decide
Catherine Cebulla, Molly Hickey
w h e t h e r
you’re going
Faculty Advisor: Peter Banker
to be happy
with
what
you have, or
Staff Writers
always
be Akash Argawal, Danny Dinno, Lily Fishman, Molly
frustrated
Hickey, Megan Moran, Halle O’Conor, Kimeu Scott,
that life isn’t
Jackie Tayabji, Sophia Wirth, Diana Zhao
perfect.
My
advice is, stop
expecting it
Wildcat Tracks
PHOTO / stockphoto.com
Now that probably sounds ridiculous, but
truth be told, I love school. I love coming in
in the morning and talking to my teachers.
I love coming in and hugging my friends.
I love being able… truthfully… to learn
something new each and every day. Now, I’m
not saying I love everything about school…
I hate homework, for one, and definitely
complain about it more than I should, but
generally speaking, I’m delighted to be here.
The alternative to school is sitting at home
and doing nothing, and while that may sound
pretty appealing, and I do, from time to time,
Page 3
Page 4
Nadeen Abu-Hasan- Simmons College
K. Sarpong Adu-Gyamfi- St. John’s University
Akash Agarwal- MIT
Scott Alperin- Syracuse University
Matthew Atkins- Pennsylvania State University
Kevin Bae- The School of Visual Arts
Alison Barenholtz- Emory University
Laura Beaudry- The College of William & Mary
Elizabeth Becker- Trinity College
Victoria Benitez- Roanoke College
Robert Bennett- St. Lawrence University
Emily Berkes- Undecided
Antoine Bichara- University of California Berekely
Hayden Bock- College of William & Mary
Olivia Brackett- Colgate University
Tod Brackett- University of Vermont
Emily Brady- New York University
Meredith Braunstein- Tufts University
Katharine Bruce- Tulane University
Stephanie Bryson- Unreported
Khanh Bui- Georgetown University
Molly Burchard- Tulane University
Ashley Burke- Smith College
Nathaniel Burke- Northfield Mount Hermon School
Alexa Burkus- Santa Clara University
Marquis Caesar- Lynn University
Jorge Castro Jr.- University of Hartford
Abigail Chan- University of Pittsburgh
Katya Checkovich- Northwestern University
Branndon Chen- Alfred University
Matthew Chernick- Brandeis University
Abigail Clutz- College of Charleston
Chad Cohen- Rollins College
Jordan Concannon- University of New England
Elias Condakes- Boston University
Sarah Connor- McGill University
Tyla Corfield- Quinnipiac University
Ilana Cramer- University of Vermont
Good Luck,
Emma Dagres- Vanderbilt University
James Dana- Harvard University
Brendan Eappen- Harvard University
Austin Ebel- Loyola University Maryland
Laura Emmenecker- Going back to France
Katelyn Engler- Colby College
Crystal Evans- New York University
Lillian Fishman- Barnard College
Thomas Fitzgerald- Bates College
Douglas Fligor- Syracuse University
Elizabeth Flynn- University of Richmond
Jared Fong- Gettysburg College
Harrison Fontaine- Purdue University
John Foody- University of Michigan
Jesse Foote- Landmark College
Katherine Freedberg- Harvard University
David Freeman- Hamilton College
Michael Gannon- Vanderbilt University
Reid Gilbard- New York University
Daniel Glauber- Brown University
Caroline Glen- University of Virginia
John Goguen- Undecided
Andrew Gold- Undecided
Samuel Goodman- Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Allison Gosman- George Washington University
Samantha Gosman- University of Michigan
Timothy Grant- Elon University
Adam Guerin- University of Massachusetts Amherst
Alessandra Haley- Western Washington University
Gage Hartman- Miami University
Lucy Hastings- Northeastern University
Jonathan Heinlein- Hobart and William Smith College
Melissa Hill- Brown University
Rachel Hirsch- Northwestern Un
Grace Huckins- Harvard Univers
Robert Hughes- University of Ne
Emma Hulings- University of So
Igwe Igwe-Kalu- Trinity College
Stephen Iodice- Saint Anselm Co
Loni Jackman- Simmons College
Kyle Kachadurian- Dickinson Co
Robert Kalajian- University of M
Alex Kane- Bentley University
William Kauppila- Lafayette Col
Kento Kawai- Emory University
Julia Kee- Harvard University
Kaeum Kim- Wellesley College
Tara Kulas- Undecided
Christopher Kussmaul- Bates Co
Edward Kwiatkowski- Carleton C
Thomas Le- Northeastern Univer
Ryan Lee- Cornell University
Maxwell Legocki- University of
Matthew Levine- Albany College
Tyler Lewtan- Colby College
Thomas Liao- University of Chic
Nelson Lui- University of Pittsbu
Avik Maewall- Purdue Universit
Matthew Martin- Elon University
Katelyn Martinez- Unreported
James Maselan- Syracuse Univer
Kevin Mathers- University of Ve
Grace McCurdy- Franklin and M
Myles McMann- Salem State Un
Emily Mead- Dartmouth College
, Seniors!
niversity
sity
ew Hampshire
outh Carolina
e
ollege
e
ollege
Massachusetts Amherst
llege
y
ollege
College
rsity
Rochester
e of Pharmacy
cago
urgh
ty
y
rsity
ermont
Marshall College
niversity
e
Julia Meehan- High Point University
Julia Mello- Loyola University New Orleans
Libby Menders- Brandeis University
Mina-Mark Micheal- WPI
Thomas Mielewczyk- Brandeuis University
Monica Mikael- Wellesley College
Colin Minigan- Skidmore College
Sundaram Mishra- Unreported
Melissa Moore- University of Massachusetts Dartmouth
Alexander Morgart- University of Southern Maine
Noah Norbash- University of St. Andrews
Zachary Norbash- University of St. Andrews
Navid Nowrouzi- Union College
Halle O’Conor- Undecided
Stephanie Palocz- Stanford University
Vanessa Panagakos- University of Kansas
Joseph Pasquale- University of Hartford
Victoria Piccione- Harvard University
Madeline Pierce- Middlebury College
Lucas Pomerance- Middlebury College
Nicole Poritzky- University of Southern California
Rashaan Powell- Unreported
Meghan Racklin- New York University
Emelie Reeves- Louisiana State University
Alexandra Rigobon- MIT
Elizabeth Robson- Vanderbilt University
Jarett Rowe- Bridgton Academy
Aashna Saini- Duke University
Gregory Sanda- Wake Forest University
Trevor Sands- Colgate University
Adriana Sarocco- Santa Clara University
Peter Scarpato- Providence College
Kimeu Scott- University of Hartford
Paul Scott- Colby College
Andrew Seto- Boston College
Page 5
Derek Shay- Brown University
Spencer Shea- St. Lawrence University
Carolyn Shin- Rhode Island School of Design
Kristina Sievert- Hobart and William Smith College
Tanner Skenderian- Harvard University
Ella Stephens- University of Vermont
Olivia Stranberg- University of Vermont
William Symonds- Queen’s University
Jonathan Tamburro- High Point University
Jaclyn Tayabji- Emory University
Lily Teplow- Furman University
Mathew Timperio- Unreported
Bianca Tocci- Boston University
Grace Truscott- Miami Univeristy
Alicia Tzau- Babson College
Deandre Usher- Unreported
Mark Valovcin- Unreported
Kyra Vinik- Santa Barbara City College
Emily Von Der Heyde- Providence College
Charlotte Walmsley- Brown University
Christina Warner- Undecided
Richard Webb- Wheelock College
Dana Weintraub- University of New Hampshire
Jenna Weissman- Washington University in St. Louis
Kristen Welby- Fairfield University
David Westerberg- Quinnipiac University
Alliyah Wheaton- The School of Visual Arts
Alexandra Wile- Quinnipiac University
Sophia Wirth- American University
Margaret Wiss- Mount Holyoke College
Charlene Wiyarand- University of Massachusetts Amherst
Bonnie Wong- University of Rochester
Kyoo Eon Yang- St. Lawrence University
Emily Yue- MIT
Diana Zhao- Johns Hopkins University
Kevin Zhao- RPI
Page 6
Senior Reflections
May 2012
What I’ve Learned
Senior journalism students share advice and experiences
Meredith Braunstein began taking journalism her freshman year,
was Photo Editor her sophomore and junior year, and was Editorin-Chief her senior year. She will be attending Tufts University in
the fall.
Senior Editor-in-Chief, Meredith Braunstein Lily Fishman joined the paper this year as Copy-Editor. She will be attending
Barnard College in the fall.
PHOTO / Molly Hickey
Senior Copy Editor, Lily Fishman
Plans never work out like you think, so all you can really do
is make the most of the time you have. Make an effort to get to know
as many people in your grade as possible and find a way to get out of
your comfort zone, whether by taking soc. class or trying a new activity.
Treasure the friends that you’ve had going into high school and be
open to meeting new people. You don’t have to be best friends with
everybody, but a lot of times you’ll be happy you made the effort. Four
years go by quickly, so make high school your own because you’ll only
regret the things you didn’t do.
PHOTO / Molly Hickey
Sleep is more important than anything you think you need to do (unless
it involves food). Don’t stress about anything people tell you not to stress about
(they’re right). Falling in love is always, always a good thing, even when it
unravels you to the last thread. There are many more paths than the one you think
you’re on (as Mr. Konsler says, “Reality is not limited by your imagination”).
Anything can be accomplished with Nutella and a good playlist.
Jackie Tayabji has been in journalism for two years and
has been the editor of the Front Page/Hard News sections
for one year. Jackie will be attending Emory University
in the fall, where she hopes to continue with her passion
for communications and journalism.
I’ve learned to go into new situations with an open
mind. My senior year has shown me that my preconceived
judgments about other people and the way I thought things
were supposed to be actually prohibited me from having my
best high school experience. Looking back on the past four
years, I realize how much time I spent focusing on trivial
matters: insignificant fights, an ever-growing wardrobe and
having the coolest friends. Now, the lasting memories with
which I will leave Weston include only those of the strong
friendships that have survived through it all, and those
times that I stayed true to myself and not to societal norms.
My experience at Weston has been amazing, and I am now
confident that I will embark on my next adventure more selfassured, well rounded and open-minded.
Senior Front/Hard News Editor, Jackie Tayabji Nicole Poritzky has been in journalism for four years, and is the editor of the
Sports section. She will be attending the University of Southern California in
the fall.
PHOTO / Molly Hickey
Halle O’Conor has been in journalism since her freshman year. She is
editor of the Arts and Entertainment section and is still deciding what
college is best for her. Senior Editor of Arts and Entertainment, Halle O’Conor
Senior Editor of Sports, Nicole Poritzky PHOTO/ Molly Hickey
I’ve learned that high school throws various things at you, and the only
way you’ll get out happy is by making the best of everything. Take the courses you
want and the extracurriculars you’re interested in- not what colleges want to see on
your application. Try hard, but remember to let yourself be carefree sometimes, and
enjoy all that surrounds you.
PHOTO / Molly Hickey
I have learned not to worry too much about little things. In life,
especially in high school, a lot of stuff will upset you that doesn’t really
matter. The best thing to do is to be open to everything you will go through
and accept things for how they are. I like to think everything happens for
a reason and when I think that way, it is much easier to go through the ups
and downs in life. High school is only the beginning to more out-of-the-box
experiences, and the best thing to do is embrace them.
Senior Reflections
May 2012
Page 7
What I’ve Learned
Senior journalism students share advice and experiences
Akash Agarwal joined Wildcat Tracks this year. He will be attending MIT
this fall.
Senior staffwriter Akash Argawal PHOTO / Molly Hickey
I’ve learned that life and school can be taken too seriously. It’s
important to realize that high school is just four years of your entire life.
It may seem like a long time, but it really flies by. Take advantage of the
opportunities you’re given, you’ll never know what kind of doors you can
open up for yourself
Sophia Wirth has been working for Wildcat Tracks for two years and is
currently the editor of the Opinion section. She will be attending American
University in the fall.
Diana Zhao joined journalism as a senior and is a new writer this school
year. She will be attending Johns Hopkins University in the fall.
Senior Staffwriter Diana Zhao
PHOTO / Molly Hickey
I think the greatest thing I’ve learned during my time here at Weston is
to better know who I am, what I hold important, and accept that. After four years
of facing enjoyable moments and really trying ones as well, I’ve better grasped
how much I can handle emotionally, mentally, and physically as a person. There
have been countless times when I was overcome with extreme stress to the
point that I believed I could no longer handle the workload and wanted to give
everything up, but I’ve come to realize that some of that burden was coming from
my own emotions. Actively seek to adjust your lifestyle accordingly to help you
maintain a positive attitude. Strive to not only find that fine balance between work
and fun but also really define what is most important to you early on, and this will
definitely make high school a much more enjoyable experience.
Kimeu Scott has been a writer for Wildcat Tracks for two years in high
school, freshman year and senior year. Kimeu will be attending the
University of Hartford in the fall.
Senior Editor of Opinion, Sophia Wirth PHOTO / Molly Hickey
Happiness is a choice. While it isn’t always easy to find that which
elevates the spirit, I believe that we have been given the means with which to
overcome any degree of sadness or despair, no matter how deep it may run,
and a long history of human beings triumphing over adversity proves that to
be true. Our lives are so busy that we often overlook the small elements of
existence that bring joy, but as I’ve learned over time, it is often the smallest
things in life that make the biggest difference. My favorite quote reads:
“Peace. It does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble, or
hard work. It means to be in the midst of those things and still be calm in your
heart.” If we strive for this peace and dedicate ourselves to the happiness that
we hold within ourselves… then I believe that we can overcome any hardship
and truly become content within our lives.
Senior Staffwriter Kimeu Scott PHOTO / Molly Hickey
Through four years at Weston High School, I’ve learned the
importance of self-preparation. It is said that 70% of success is based on how
prepared you are. In high school, preparation comes in the form of homework
and studying. If you do your homework every night, and put serious effort
into studying, quizzes and tests given in class will come easy, and you will be
successful academically in school. Preparation is the x-factor in life. Those
who are prepared will simply perform better when the time comes to do
whatever needs to be done.
Top 20 Countdown
Before the underclassmen graduate in the coming years, here are some suggestions of things to do!
20. Challenge Mr. McLaughlin to a Rock,
Paper, Scissors duel.
19. Make a movie with Mr. Garland.
18. Notice how much work has gone into the
courtyard. Use it to relax.
17. Visit your favorite middle school teacher
again and thank them for putting up with your
nonsense.
16. Become friends with a custodian.
15. Pull an all nighter for no reason or for good
reason and don’t tell a soul.
14. Go to a concert and don’t wear the shirt the
next day to prove how cool you are
13. Join the Funky Bunch even if it means
you’re playing tambourine.
12. Go in the practice room during the
winter for the warmth and the solitude of it.
11. Sit on the turf for an entire period when
the temperature is over 80 degrees.
10. Go to the METCO office for cake.
9. Shave your head when the swim team
does. In fact, go the distance and wear a
speedo to school.
8. Try out for a play. If you don’t make it,
involve yourself in one production, even if
it is just handing out programs.
7. Sit at a table with people from other grades
and offer sage advice.
6. Get candy from Mr. Parker’s office and
smile at him while he is on the phone with an
angry parent.
5. Be a contributing writer for “Wildcat
Tracks.”
4. Sit down and introduce yourself to Mrs.
Kaskon. You will not regret it.
3. Leave your cell phone at home.
2. Get into a college that makes good sense for
you. Remember what you learned here.
1. Count your blessings. There are many.
Page 8
Sports
May 2012
Seniors take their talents to the next level
was definitely one of the things I looked
at while getting recruited,” said Fong. “I
still wanted to enjoy the whole college
experience.
STAFF WRITERS
Similarly, Steve Iodice, a multi
The graduating class has myriad
sport athlete who is very devoted to
amounts of talent. We have actors,
lacrosse, had an important decision to
singers, and academic stars, people who
make.
have shown genuine commitment to
“I’ve played lacrosse since sixth
community service. Among those as
grade,” said Iodice, who will be attending
well are the athletes, the seniors from
St. Anselm
the class of 2012 who have
in NH in
dedicated most of their
the fall. “ I
free time in the pursuit of
have been
excellence on the athletic
on varsity
field. As the year comes
lacrosse all
to a close, it’s important
four years
to recognize these athletes
of high
as a large number of them
school and
have been recruited to play
am captain
their respective sports at the
this year.”
next level. The application
On
process to college is stressful
the girls
for all, but even more so
side of
for athletes as they have
lacrosse, the
to package their skills and
team boasts
successes in their respective
a lot of
sports in such a way as to
talent that
make themselves attractive
will move
in a competitive field of
on to the
applicants, These individuals
next level.
are asked to prove themselves Senior Emma Dagres racing down the field. PHOTO / Mcclellandmiscellanea.wordpress.com To a person,
both acasdemically and
they are
athletically.For some recruits,
right away based on the potential he
excited about this new opportunity.
the process was overly demanding, others
has to make an impact in college. Scott,
“I’m most excited about playing
had a more pleasant experience.
both an offensive and defensive lineman
with a new group of girls for the
“The college process was pretty
on the WHS football squad, received
next four years,” said Julia Meehan, who
easy for me. I visited the types of schools
numerous letters from coaches in the mail
will be playing lacrosse at High Point
I thought I wanted and some others, too. I
last summer and plans to attend Colby
University. “Every year will be different
narrowed it down to three and weighed all College in Maine.
and each player will teach me something
of my pros and cons,” said Tyler Lewtan,
“I got a few quality starts [in
new about the game of lacrosse.”
who will be swimming at Colby College
football games] this year, which got me
Emma Dagres, an extraordinary
in the fall. “The swimming part was
attention from coaches,” Scott said.
athlete in the school and an accomplished
secondary. What really attracted me to the The key for some was to see
soccer player, could have played that
program was that the team had a bunch
a variety of options, talk to different
sport in college as well. Receiving offers
of great guys and the coaches were very
coaches and then to make a decision.
to play both lacrosse and soccer at a D-III
nice as well. In the end, it was the school
“Visiting all different kinds
level, or to play lacrosse D-I. She took
itself that drew me in.”
of schools from D-III’s to DI’s was
the latter option. Notably, Dagres was
Each year, the swimming
awesome, but it also opened my eyes to
talented enough to be recruited during her
program at Weston High School brings
what I really wanted to do, and that was
junior year.
forth college level talent, but few have
to play Division I lacrosse,” said Joey
“I have been a varsity lacrosse
enjoyed the success of Bianca Tocci. A
Pasquale.
state champion, both as an individual and
Pasquale will
as a member of a relay, it is no surprise
be playing lacrosse
she will continue the sport in college.
at the University of
“I’ve been swimming for so long Hartford. He was
that it was almost without thought that I
recognized as the top
would go to school for swimming,” said
scorer on the Boys
Bianca Tocci, who will be a student at
Varsity Lacrosse team
Boston University.
last year, and has
The recruitment process for
worked hard to make
swimming is very different from that of
it at the next level.
other sports, as the coaches do not need to
“Playing in
come watch the athlete perform in person
college is going to be
to assess their talent and viability for their a huge adjustment,”
team.
said Pasquale. “In
“Your time is your time, so
high school, there are
coaches don’t get to see how you train or
a few stars on each
how you act with your teammates. They
team, but in college,
know you as a number and if another
and especially at
number is faster than yours, they don’t
the Division I level,
want you,” Tocci said.
everyone is talented.”
Other WHS athletes sought their
On the other
respective schools for a variety of reasons
hand, some athletes Previous WHS students who are now playing collegiate sports that appealed to them.
chose to go in a
Igwe Igwe-Kalu will be playing
different direction than
player each year of high school, and this
D-III athletics as a football player at
a D-I school in order to avoid having an
year am captain. I also play for Revs, a
Trinity College next year. While he does
overwhelming schedule.
lacrosse club,” said Dagres. “Vanderbilt
love the sport, Igwe-Kalu recognized the
Pasquale’s teammate Jared Fong
was really a one hit wonder,” Dagres said.
opportunities associated with his athletic
gave serious consideration to playing at a
“ I wanted them and they wanted me.”
abilities as well.
competitive D-I colleges to play lacrosse,
She will be attending in the fall.
“Since freshman year, my goal
but chose instead to enroll in Gettysburg
Will Kaupilla arrived to WHS
was always to be able to get my way into
College.
this year and has already proven his
college by playing football,” said Igwe
“I chose a D-III school
prowess on the tennis courts. He was
Kalu.
because I wanted to balance my social
recruited by Lafayette College, a school
He has endured many injuries
life, academics, and lacrosse and not
with D-I athletics, and committed earlier
and recovered from surgeries in order to
overwhelm myself. The time commitment
in the fall.
Jackie Tayajbi &
Nicole Poritzky
play to his potential.
“I knew it would take a lot of
work, so instead of playing other sports
freshman year, I decided to work out
to get stronger and faster for football
season,” Igwe-Kalu said. “The hard work
was definitely worth it to get the quality
education that I will next year at Trinity.”
Teammate Paul Scott, relatively
new to the sport of football, got attention
“I’m really excited to have the
unique experience of a small liberal arts
school, combined with the D-I athletics,”
said Kaupilla. “It will be a larger team
commitment than I’ve had in the past,
but tennis is a short fall season and a long
spring season, so I think that will help me
adjust.”
Senior Ashley Burke, a member
of the girls tennis team is certain to haver
an easy transition to the college game.
“I’ve played tennis ever since
I could walk,” said Ashley Burke,
who plans to play DIII tennis at Smith
College in MA next year. “Right now,
I’m captain of the school’s varsity tennis
team and also am a part of the US Tennis
Association (USTA), which means I
compete in tournaments in this region.
I’m ranked 128th in New England.”
The recruitment process varies
slightly with each sport and athlete.
Sometimes athletes reach out to coaches,
while others are pursued.
“I reached out to a lot of
coaches. I had a video and a biography
that I sent out to coaches with a schedule
of my summer games, requesting that
coaches would come see me play,” Iodice
said.
While coaches do respond
to students and come out to see their
games, many have specific teams that
they consistently watch. These teams are
usually prestigious, so by playing on one
of these teams, athletes can have a better
chance of getting seen and then recruited.
“Some college coaches were
at tournaments I played in with Revs,”
Dagres said.
Once recruited, the student
usually attends an overnight, where the
student stays with the team at the campus.
If the student likes the school, he or she
has the opportunity to commit.
“Committing is when you sign a
letter of intent saying that you’ll play the
next year,” Iodice said.
Even though getting recruited
is a long and stressful process, these
athletes seem more than satisfied by the
outcome as
they have the
opportunity
to utilize all
their skills at
the next level.
“I’m
so excited
for Colby.
It’s going to
be great to
be a part of a
football team
at college,”
Scott said.
As they
chose to do
during their
experience
here at
Weston,
PHOTO / Molly Hickey these student
athletes will
be challenged to balance the tremendous
workload associated with being a
collegiate athlete along with maintaining
a full load of courses. It’s not for
everyone, but certainly these individuals
will continue to thrive and continue to
provide the the leadership and drive they
showed at WHS. Future athletes have
large shoes to fill. Best of luck to the
graduating WHS athletes, and to all of the
members of the WHS class of 2012.