MAY 2008
Transcription
MAY 2008
Montclair Journal MAY 2008 ISSUE 5 Summer Olympics In Jeopardy What You May Not Have Known About Mrs. Minasian By: Katie Cryer Staff Writer The past month of March has been politically characterized by the violent riots between China and Tibet. Buddhist monks and Tibetans began protesting on March 10, in efforts to allow Tibet the space to regain its own autonomous rule. This issue of nationalism all dates back to the 13thCentury when Tibet and China were both taken over by the extremely vast Mongol empire. As China became a dynasty within it, Tibet developed close relations. Soon after, revolutionaries overthrew the Qing emperor, China formed a republic, and Tibet took its opportunity to become independent. In 1949 China was taken over by the Communist Party and has held tight reins over Tibet since. In 1950 Mao Zendong’s army took over Tibet and left them in resentment from the Chinese. China’s chronic effort’s to nationalize Tibet has only resulted in Tibet’s chronic efforts to remain independent. Nationalism, as China’s primary motivator, has had much to do with Tibet serving as a buffer zone between China and India, and Nepal and Bangladesh. The Himalayan mountain range provides a national security and military advantage to the Chinese that they are not willing to give up. By: Stephanie Sherman Staff Writer At the faculty meeting in February, Dr. McDonnell granted February’s “Teacher of the Month” award to Mrs. Minasian. Her dedication to her students and colleagues is what makes Mrs. Minasian an outstanding teacher. During her grade school career, Mrs. Minasian had an inspiring math teacher who she now models after. “My 4th through 8th grade math teacher has always been my inspiration. I used to grade papers for her all the time and she always said, ‘You will need this experience one day.’” Although Mrs. Minasian’s 4th-8th grade teacher has had a huge impact on her, the single individual who currently influences and inspires her is Mr. Steele. “Mr. Steele, as a leader, has played a big role in my ca- Continued on page 3 Lily Popkin and Erik Becker serve during a recent match. The Tennis Team Hits Their Way to the Top By: Caitlin Kranzdorf Co-Editor-In-Chief The Montclair Prep Boys Tennis team has been having a very successful season to follow the success of the preceding past three seasons. They have held the last 3 consecutive Alpha League titles but they are not stopping there. The team hopes to bring in League title number four for the Mounties this year. They have put together s string of 30 straight wins in the Alpha League over the last 3 and a half seasons. With a win on Friday, they will be well on their way to wrapping up a 4th straight league title. to at least one of the characters. The set was designed so that it seemed as if the audience was stuck in this claustrophobic cellar with these women. The audience as well as the characters were stuck behind these locked metal bars aching for a breath of freedom. The play touched light on each of these women’s backgrounds and as it unfolded, each character’s struggles, insecuri- The Montclair Prep tennis team had never won a league title in the school’s illustrious athletic history until the first crown was captured 4 years ago. Spurred on by that initial championship, their drive to win has continued unabated for three more successful seasons. With a talented core group of players and excellent coaching, it is no wonder the Mounties have put together the unprecedented streak. Undefeated senior Erik Becker who has enjoyed unprecedented success while playing at Montclair is currently 24-0 in league. Amaz- Trapped On A Ship: Inside Grimes’ Female Transport By: Michelle Marshall Managing Editor Cammie Grime’s honors project, “Female Transport” opened to rave reviews on Tuesday April 8. The production was an ensemble performance starring Camryn Grimes, Ariana Nakamine, Alyx Cohen, Natalie Schetritt, Shelby Frenkel, Jessica Cole, Patrick Lundy, Sam Halote, Dakota Dennis, and Mr. Boles. Introducing many fresh faces to the drama department, this production was a heart felt dramatic performance worthy of a standing ovation. The entire play took place in a cellar aboard a ship of six very different strong willed women convicts. It brought up issues of male oppression on women in the 1800’s and challenged the audience to unwillingly relate Continued on page 4 ingly enough, senior Sam Sobo who played the first part of the season with a broken arm in a cast, is currently undefeated 12-0 in league. Senior Austin Mandel is undefeated as well with two partners in doubles in league. He is 4-0 with senior Brad Richlin in doubles and 3-0 with junior Maddie Hunter. Also, Montclair is unique in that they are the only team in league with 33% of their starters are girls. As a result of his team’s excellence Coach Erenberg has just won his 100th game as head coach. He also reached the same milestone in boy’s soccer this year. I asked Coach Erenberg, “How strong do you believe your chances are at winning a 4th alpha league title in a row?” He answered, “If we win this Friday, I would say we have a 90 percent chance.” If the Tennis team wins a 4th league title in a row, it will be another achievement in Montclair’s storied athletic history worthy of celebration. Continued on page 4 Photo courtesy of Arielle Rapaport Mrs. Minasian teaches 12th grade calculus, using her new smart board. Inside This Issue... ~First Annual Color Week Was A Hit The grades battled each other and the Middle School came out on top pg. 4 Photo courtesy of Paige Johnstone The cast of Female Transport on opening night. ~Our Seniors Are Moving On A list of where the MCP Seniors are going to college pg.5 ~Television Makes A Comeback The strike is over and our favorite shows are back pg.6 ~Oregon State’s New Head Basketball Coach Its Obama’s brother In-Law pg. 8 PAGE 2 Editorials and Opinons Montclair Journal Staff Writing Staff: Josh Rose Taylor Burgess Morgan Engle Stephanie Sherman Kenny Jackson Andrew Cohen Shelby Frenkel Shane Marechal Phil-Woo Roh Ryan Alberts Zack Sokolow Michael Hillel Josh Idell Camryn Grimes Ben Lin Shoeb Mohammed Katie Cryer Adam Jenkala Co-Editors-InChief: Arielle Rapaport Caitlin Kranzdorf Advisors: Mr. Gernes Mr. Erenberg Managing Editor: Michelle Marshall A New Incentive To Cure The Spread of ‘Senioritis’ Senior-Junior Prom: Pricey But Worth It By: Arielle Rapaport Co-Editor-In-Cief In their last year of high school, seniors are often looking forward to the new and exciting experiences that lay before them in college. Many seniors decide where they will be attending college throughout their senior year. By March, most seniors are sure about which college they will be going to. Since seniors have already decided, many experience “senioritis”, which is a term referring to the feeling of senior year not being important. This syndrome makes many students lazy and careless about their classes senior year because most of the grades they receive will not be shown to their college of choice. In the second semester of high school college is more readily approaching. This causes the disease of senioritis to spread more rapidly and may affect almost every student in the class. In June, a few weeks before graduation, senior students take their final exams. However, in many private schools, the administration offers a different option for seniors. This option is that seniors do not By: Shane Marechal Staff Writer It is finally that time of the year and students have been preparing several months for their special high school prom night, spending lots of money. For the girls this means choosing the perfect designer dress and getting hair, nails, make up etc. done for the big night. It is not only the girls spending money, the guys must buy/rent a suit/tux, shirt and a tie that will match their date’s dress along with a corsage for the date. On top of that the price for a limo to ride fashionably to the prom is not a cheap item either. Much stress for young people in high school comes about before this one night and lots of money is spent. The true question is, is all of the money and chaos worth it for the actual night. Junior Shadee Afshar says “Although lots of money has been spent dealing with my dress, ticket for myself and my date, limo expenses etc. I still be- have to take a final if they have a B+ or higher in the class. This option would provide a way to keep seniors motivated to do well in their classes in the months leading up to graduation. This idea had been brought up to the Montclair Administration and is being considered for finals coming this June. Some may argue that senioritis is no excuse to not take a final, but senior students lose inspiration second semester and this option would motivate students to keep working until the end of the year. Being a senior myself, if this option was provided, I would make sure to work hard for the rest of the year even if my college of choice may not see those grades. No final would be the “light at the end of the tunnel” for my senior year. I think that many senior students would work extra hard to keep their grades at a B+ or higher; so they wouldn’t have to take the final. Hopefully our administration board will consider this incentive for seniors and it just might help lessen the senioritis syndrome affecting the seniors this year. lieve it is a small price to pay for a memorable night of my teenage years”. Prom can be one of the most important events in high school. Prom is a memorable night to look forward to for months beforehand. For some people, though, the prom can seem like just another reason to worry and feel stressed out. Even people who are looking forward to it can feel nervous. Whether it is not having a date or not looking as good as planned, prom can be very stressful for a majority of teens. Senior Nicole Miles says “With close to a month left until prom I still have not decided on a dress, hairstyle, nail color and even a date, Prom is stressful but I know things will all turn out once the big date comes. All in all, prom can take a hold of you if you let it, but if you manage everything well and do not wait until the last minute it will be a night to remember. High School Parties Just a Lawsuit Waiting To Happen Senator Hillary Clinton By: Caitlin Kranzdorf Co-Editor-In-Chief Teenage High School parties are no longer just an opportunity to have fun with friends. Teenagers have a compromised sense of reality. We find ourselves acting before we think about the consequences. Parties have become a means by which to facilitate binge drinking and drug use designed to eliminate any sense of inhibition or modesty. A sober party these days is unheard of and if there isn’t any alcohol provided, kids find a way to sneak in their own. Parties have also become a forum for totally irrational behavior including fist fights and even confrontations involving weapons. Unfortunately, innocent kids can be in the wrong place at the wrong time and become seriously injured during a fight. A party today is just as likely to end in a fight with ambulances, police cars arriving and party goers running in fear of being arrested. Parties are now organized to make a profit. Usually attendees are charged between 5 and 40 dollars depending on the event. Girls are customarily charged less than boys and are sometimes admitted without charge. Bizarrely enough the outcome is that partygoers are being charged for the privilege of consuming alcohol when everyone involved is violating a law that requires persons drinking it to be at least 21 years old. In fact, to charge for liquor served requires that a license be obtained from the state of California and the failure to do that is a felony punishable by time in prison. The fact is that consumption of alcohol by minors can lead to severe legal consequences for all concerned including the organizers of the party and the property owners where the party takes place. Tragically, too many times teenagers who get drunk in parties wind up dead in auto accidents or by reason of other causes. In many cases, parents who own the homes where alcohol has been served are sued for allowing consumption of alcohol by minors. Recently teenagers who organize for profit parties have begun to stage them in empty houses that are under construction, abandoned, or in escrow prior to sale. These locations are considered ideal because the houses are empty and there is no possibility of supervision. Teenagers both throwing and attending parties do not understand how severe the consequences can be whether it is drinking too much, overdosing, breaking and entering, drunk driving, fighting, or being arrested. One bad decision whether deciding to attend a party or how to behave after arriving can change the course of someone’s life forever. Next time you find yourself in such a situation think long and hard about the future. Caught In A Lie By: Arielle Rapaport Co-Editor-In-Chief Recently, Democrat candidate Hillary Clinton been forced to take back a statement she made that twelve years ago she landed in Bosnia under sniper fire. When Clinton made this claim, opposing candidate Barack Obama was accusing Clinton of exaggerating her role in foreign policy-making during Bill Clinton’s presidency. Clinton replied to Obama with this story, “I remember landing under sniper fire. There was supposed to be some kind of a greeting ceremony at the airport, but instead we just ran with our heads down to get into the vehicles to get to our base.” A CBS video was released shortly after Clinton made this statement. The video shows Clinton getting off a plane in Bosnia, smiling, waving, and shaking hands with the Bosnian president. When asked about her fal- lacy Clinton said, “I went to 80 countries, you know. I gave contemporaneous accounts, I wrote about a lot of this in my book.” It is obvious that Clinton has been struggling to keep up with Obama in the polls and salvage what is left of her campaign. I think that Clinton’s story was a failed attempt to gain sympathy votes for her presidential campaign. It is sad and pathetic that Clinton is having to stoop to such lows to defend herself to her opponent, Obama. Clinton’s story is insulting to the troops actually fighting and under fire in Iraq. It is disrespectful for her to make a mockery of being in overt danger when Americans are fighting a war and are in danger everyday. If Clinton is willing to lie to gain votes, how can the American people trust what she says. I know that I could never vote for a candidate who would lie and especially lie about something offensive to the men and women fighting in Iraq. News Gas Prices on the Rise By: Michelle Marshall Managing Editor As many of the licensed students have recognized, gas prices have been increasing weekly as time moves on. What once cost you $40 to fill up your tank is now costing you close to $60! Prices have already exceeded $3, and now people are worrying that by the time summer rolls around they will hit the $4 mark. By the end of Jan 2008, gas prices had risen to $3.15 compared to last year’s $2.49. What happened to the times when gas prices were only $1.63, like in January of 2000, or even $2.43 like in October 2006? Unfortunately, the gas prices for April 2008 started around $3.40 and have been increasing daily. As the months roll by, the prices keep raising and America is becoming more and more outraged. The reason behind the gas increase is one full of controversy, however, it all comes down to America’s dependence on foreign oil. People are outraged and have been pointing their fingers at all different targets. However, blaming is no longer an option. Saving gas and oil by using alternate means, such as hybrid cars, is the first step to breaking this dependence, however there is still a lot of room to grow. In the meantime, we are forced to pay the ridiculous amount to fill up our tanks. Hopefully, America won’t have to suffer through the summer paying $4 a gallon and our students will be able to enjoy their summers instead of worrying that all of their money is going straight to their gas tanks. Something Bad Is in the Water Photo courtesy of google.com The people of Tibet protest the upcoming Summer Olympics in Beijing. China’s Actions Spark Outrage and Protests Continued from page 1 Tibet is also one of China’s essential sources of water and also holds a rich mining industry. Beijing has invested billions in Tibet over the past 10 years as part of its strategic economic plan for China’s development. China response to the crisis in Tibet was violent. Security forces penetrated the country wounding and killing hundreds. As of now foreigners are denied entry into Tibet and civilians have no freedom. Rioting against Chinese rule has spread as far as Beijing, and protests to “Free Tibet” have reached the steps of the United Nations. This uprising has thus become a world-wide political issue due to the scheduled 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. The torch has been lit and blown out multiple times, as it has become an international forum for politics. China has now been threatened by numerous foreign governments about the Summer Games if violence persists in Tibet. Bizarre Mistake in Arkansas Law Is Finally Corrected By: Stephanie Sherman Staff Writer An error in a new Arkansas law allows individuals of any age (even toddlers) to get married with parental consent. This law was taken effect last July of 2007 and was intended to set 18 as the minimum age to get married and pregnant minors with parental consent were also allowed to get married. However, a misplaced “not” in the bill allows anyone who is not pregnant at any age get married with parental consent. On April 2, 2008, the mistake was finally corrected by Gov. Mike Beebe, despite that marriages of 17-year-olds had occurred within the last couple of months. Law makers didn’t realize PAGE 3 their mistake until after it had been approved, causing months of embarrassment for the state. The Bill read: “In order for a person who is younger than eighteen (18) years of age and who is not pregnant to obtain a marriage license, the person must provide the county clerk with evidence of parental consent to the marriage.” Although it was only recently approved, legislators wanted to correct the mistake right away stating that it would be easy for pedophiles to take advantage of the law. However, Governor Mike Beebe didn’t see any imminent crisis and that the chances of minors getting married were slim. Apparently Gov. Mike Beebe spoke to soon because a lawsuit was filed by a mother who had allowed her 17-year-old daughter to get married and was denied a marriage license. The lawsuit continued based on this new law and the judge order the mother to be issued a marriage license. “I think this issue needs resolving once and for all. I feel like the commission had done its job and had acted responsibly to fix an error, but the judge has thrown the issue open again. I think it’s deplorable and embarrassing,” said Madison, D-Fayetteville. Fortunately the law had been recently changed and the error was fixed. Although it had created a bit of chaos in the state of Alabama, the governor and the code revision committee had corrected the bill. By: Katie Cryer Staff Writer The Associated Press, the essential global news network, sent their investigation teams out this month to test the water in our nation’s reservoirs, rivers, and lakes. Tests in the major population centers came back positive for numerous varieties of pharmaceutical drugs. These drugs have made their way into our water systems through human consumption. People swallow pills, their bodies absorb some of the medication, then what remains unmetabolized is passed through the body and flushed down the toilet. The wastewater is then cleansed and treated before it is discharged again into our water resources and drinking water treatment plants. Failing to remove all traces of drugs, contamination has affected not only the United States, but also a hundred different bodies of water throughout the world, in places such as Asia, Australia, Canada and Europe. Here in the U.S., researchers have analyzed hundreds of scientific reports and federal databases for drinking water, interviewed over 230 personnel from environmental study sites and treatment plants, and surveyed the nation’s top 50 major cities and their water providers. Results left them to find traces of drug residue including hundreds of different medications for pain, infection, high cholesterol, asthma, epilepsy, mental illness, heart problems, anxiety, sex hormones, tranquilizers, mood stabilizers, and estrogens dispersed throughout our waters. Here in Southern California anti-epileptic and anti-anxiety medications were found in treated drinking water for 18.5 million people in its residence. According to the Department of Health and Human Services, data shows that at least half of all Americans take at least one prescription drug, with one out of six taking three or more medications. Over the past five years, the number of U.S. prescriptions rose 12 percent to a record of 3.7 billion. As drug use is on the rise, it is only expected to increase with age. The federal government has yet to require any testing or safety limits on the presence of drugs in water and the amount of it is predicted to rise. Not only are humans the cause and effect of this global problem, but so too are animals. Veterinary drugs and farming hormones that humans are pumping into animals are being passed through and again consumed by them through their water sources. Wildlife all around the world is at risk. Prominently, male fish have begun to create egg yolk proteins, a function that used to be defined only to the females. Also, the species at the bottom of the food chain are being affected, such as earth worms and zooplankton, that will carry hints of drugs throughout the pyramid of life. “Based on what we now know, I would say we find there’s little or no risk from pharmaceuticals in the environment to human health,” said microbiologist Thomas White, a consultant for the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America. Though because of limited research, the question arises that if fish were so affected ... what might they be doing to humans? Exposure to low concentrations of pharmaceuticals in some of these major drug groups seem to cause some concern. Chemotherapy can act as a powerful poison, hormones can hamper reproduction or development, anti-depressants and epilepsy can damage the brain or change behavior, and antibiotics can mutate human germs into more hazardous forms. While drugs are usually being prescribed for specific amounts of time, our waters are giving us a dose of a lifetime. Hopefully this new global awareness will open eyes and give motivation for this cause to be seriously dealt with. Possibly by starting with the development of new engineering skills to create sewage systems that can remove pharmaceutical drugs from our water systems. Juniors and Seniors Buy Your Prom Tickets Now! PAGE 4 MCP News Mrs. Minasian Awarded for Her Contribution continued from page 1 reer. I have learned a lot from him and I am still learning.” When the award was announced, Mrs. Minasian recalls, “I was so shocked and speechless when I found out that I was awarded ‘Teacher of the Month.’ I was so speechless that I didn’t even thank those who nominated me!” When asked what characteristics a teacher of the month should possess, Mrs. Minasian responded, “You have to be dedicated, patient, and positive. You need to enjoy and love teaching in order to give 110%.” Mrs. Minasian has not only had a huge impact on her students, but also her boss. Mr. Steele stated, “As the Mathematics Department Chair, I’ve had the privilege of working with Mrs. Minasian. I don’t know any other teacher who dedicates more of their free time as Mrs. Minasian does. She always makes herself available to both her students and other teachers’ students. She has always readily and willingly done a variety of extra work when it arises. Also, she has challenged herself professionally by receiving her MBA and attending mathematics conferences. She is a valued member of our department, the school, and definitely a worthy candidate of this award.” Mrs. Minasian is an admirable teacher who ensures that her students succeed. She generously donates her own time in order to make certain that each individual understands the material that is currently being taught. Mrs. Minasian knows how to teach the math material well and has contributed to the success of her students. Ilana Grines, an 11th grader, is currently in her pre-calculus class. Ilana stated, “Mrs. Minasian is a good teacher because she’s patient and always willing to help any student. I really enjoy her pre-calculus class and I’ve learned so much from her.” Senior Sara Weiss is currently in her calculus class. Sara stated, “Whether it’s before, during, or after school, Mrs. Minasian always finds time to help me with math. She’s very dedicated to her work and wants her students to succeed.” Mrs. Minasian is a great role model to her students and colleagues. Her professional and friendly demeanor, avid volunteerism, and willingness to help any student in need grant her the title “Teacher of the Month.” The Senior Class sits together and cheers their grade on. First Annual Color Week Spirit Assembly Was a Hit By: Arielle Rapaport Co-Editor-In-Chief Many students have been complaining about the lack of school spirit at Montclair this year. However, now many efforts have been made to regain spirit throughout the school. On Behind the Scenes of the Production Female Transport continued from page 1 ties, and hopes were revealed. The play was truly an ensemble performance. Each actor contributed greatly to the success of the production. The veterans and seniors, Cammie, Ariana, Shelby, and Patrick mixed perfectly with the new faces and talent brought by Alyx, Natalie, Jessica, Sam, and Dakota. Many people were probably wondering who Dakota Dennis was, in fact as I walked the aisle of the theatre I could hear many of the students talking about how they had never seen him at Montclair before. Surprisingly, Dakota is Cammie’s younger brother. Not having an actor to fulfill the role of “Tommy,” Cammie turned to her brother to fill the shoes. Well, it seems that acting runs throughout the family. The dynamics between the two on stage was riveting and it was exciting to see two family members act together on our Montclair Stage. He was a great addition to the show as a whole. The Montclair Drama department put on a comedy in the last show and it was exciting to see an intense, emotional, drama this time around. This play really showed the wide range act- ing talent of our students and allowed the audience to really see the incredible directing ability of Mr. Boles. This play was not only Cammie’s honors project, but it marked her seventh performance at Montclair, setting a record of the most productions a student has ever acted in. She is truly an incredibly talented actress and this performance just highlighted her abilities. “Female Transport” written by Steve Gooch, produced by Camryn Grimes, and directed by Eric Boles was a touching performance that confirmed the talent that we have in our drama department. It was Cammie’s last production and it confirms that she will be leaving the annex theatre on top. The brilliant ensemble performance could have fooled many into thinking that it was a professional production instead of a high school play. It truly was a job well done. Congratulations to Cammie, Mr. Boles, and the entire cast and crew of Female Transport! Photo Courtesy of Paige Johnstone Camryn in action with her cast in Female Transport. April 14th through the 17th the Junior class sponsored a “War of the Colors” between each grade. Every class was assigned a different color and had to gain as many points as possible by participating in the different activities which were held throughout the week. On Monday each grade was given a section of our campus to decorate. Black decorations, representing the 9th grade covered the M rooms and huge “think green” signs, representing the 10th grade were hung around Mr. Ribiero’s room. On Thursday all students met on the field to participate in a tug of war. The seniors pulled out all the stops and beat each and every grade. On Friday all students were able to wear jeans and a shirt representing their grade’s color. A basketball shoot out was held in the gym and Jassmin Lewis, a senior won the competition. The Middle School won the color war and will get a pizza party sometime next week. This “color week” is just what our students and faculty needed to gain back some school spirit before this year comes to a close. These activities got students to be active and participate in school events. The junior class did an amazing job of setting up each event and hopefully this color week will become a new Montclair tradition. Boys Volleyball: The Fantastic Eight By: Ben Lin Staff Writer Montclair spikers are playing beyond expectations! When the season started, no one speculated that the volleyball team would succeed. Surprisingly enough, Mr. Krupp was able to recruit some promising young players and promote great team work. Before the season began, Mr. Krupp expected to have quite a few returning and experienced players. However, due to the grades, injuries, and some other personal reasons, many older players couldn’t participate. Therefore, even though he expected at least 12 players, Mr. Krupp ended with 8 players some returning and others new, leaving him short-handed. Nev���� ertheless, with the 8 players he had, he made it work. The team leaders Patrick Sheck and Josh Statland are also cooperating and trying their best to lead the team to victory. The fantastic 8 know that 8 players aren’t enough to leave room to slack off, so they practice even harder, keeping the championship in mind. They know getting there won’t be easy, but with hard work and determination, they can do it. Despite the combination of new players and old players, the team is now playing in great harmony, making fans feel as if they are watching a “symphony”, played by the fantastic 8. The team is now 5-5 in the league, and a playoff position is on the line. MCP News Our Seniors Are Moving On Montclair’s First Here is Where You’ll Find Them Next Year By: Michelle Marshall Managing Editor In the beginning of the school year, when you walked into the office, the senior map posted on the bulletin board was empty. Throughout the school year, more and more seniors started to hear back from Colleges and the map slowly started to be bombarded by red string. Now, that same map, is hardly recognizable. It is almost completely covered by the red string that connects each senior with the college that they have committed to attend in the fall. This year, the “college application process” was one of the most competitive that they have ever seen. More than 40,000 students applied for the fall term at the University of California at Berkeley; only 3,000 were actually accepted. This is only one example of the fierce competition that all students were facing when applying to colleges. Most colleges hit a record high of applicants, therefore, lowering their acceptance percentages. Fighting through the odds, our map continued to grow. Now, more than 50% of our seniors know where they are going to attend in the fall. Some students are still visiting the campuses in which they were accepted and many are still trying to decide which college to attend. Here is a list, as of April 21, of the seniors whom have already decided and the colleges they will be attending. Congratulations seniors! Mina Azarnoush – University California Berkeley Dari Bani – University California Santa Barbara Leeran Baraness- University California Berkeley Erik Becker- Sonoma State Taylor Burgess- California State University Northridge Daniel Carnie- University California Los Angeles Lawrence Chen- University California Riverside Steven Chung- Boston University Andrew Cohen- Brandeis University Katie Cryer- University California Davis Chelsea DeHaven – University Colorado at Boulder Morgan Engle- University Nevada Las Vegas Victoria Halote- Wittier College Michael Hillel- University California Santa Barbara Bailey Huff- Santa Barbara City College Joshua Idell- California State University Channel Islands Justin Jackson – University of the Pacific Benny Jacobs-SchwartzUniversity California Santa Cruz Caitlin Kranzdorf- University Colorado at Boulder Matt Laurents – Lewis and Clark Jazzmin Lewis – University California Riverside Ben Lin – University California San Diego Austin Mandel- Brown University Amy Manuwal- California State University Northridge Michelle Marshall- University Colorado at Boulder Gaia Mori- California State University Channel Islands Shoeb Mohammed- University of Southern California Lola Morales- University California Santa Cruz Mollie Morrow- University California Irvine Ariana Nakamine- Marymount University Essence Nixon- San Francisco State University Michael Noveck- University of Southern California Jessica Overstreet – University California Santa Cruz Michael Palmer – University of Oregon Spencer Peck – University of Arizona Jessica Petrullo – Marymount University Stephanie Plaskoff- Santa Barbara City College Arielle Rapaport – Boston University Bradley Richlin – University California Santa Cruz Brian Sapir – Valley College Arpy Sarkissian – Emerson University Daniel Sarraf – University California Irvine Kristie Satzberg – University Colorado at Boulder Patrick Scheck – University California Santa Cruz Kody Sheppard – University of Arizona Stephanie Sherman – University of Southern California Na-Ri Shin – Parsons University Zack Sokolow – University of Arizona Joshua Statland – Washington University at St. Louis Max Stone – University California Santa Cruz Jason Sutton – Santa Barbara City College Lisa Weintraub – Colorado State University Sara Weiss – University California Los Angeles The list of added Universities will be updated in the June Issue. Sara Weiss’s Honors Project Provides Aid to Disadvantaged Children By: Arielle Rapaport Co-Editor-In-Chief Honors Projects are a way for Montclair seniors to reach out and help our school or our community. Now, seniors are finishing up their projects as the school year comes to a close. Many students may not know about the outstanding achievements that have already been accomplished by their fellow students. One senior in particular has made incredible strides, by going above and beyond to help under privileged children living in El Salvador. Sara Weiss has been raising money to buy soccer jerseys for children living in a village in El Salvador. Sara previously worked with a program called Rustic Pathways which offers students the opportunity to travel and perform community service. She volunteered in Costa Rica and it is there where she realized the importance of soccer in Central American countries. After helping in Cost Rica Sara wanted to do an even bigger project to help keep the passion for soccer alive for disadvantaged children. She saw an article about Airline Ambassadors, an organization that provides humanitarian aid to underprivileged communities around the world. Sara contacted Airline Ambassadors and they agreed to help her venture. The organization has donated many airline miles to send Sara to El Salvador this spring. Little Feet, another humanitarian organization is do- nating soccer balls as an extra bonus for the children. Sara will be bringing hundreds of soccer jerseys and soccer balls to children in a special village which she has chosen. Sara has collected close to five hundred jerseys so far, from schools including Crespi Carmelite High School. Sara will be in El Salvador for one week helping to bring happiness and hope to children that may not have it otherwise. Sara has said, “Every jersey helps and every jersey is going to make a world of difference to someone who isn’t as lucky to have what we have.” Sara Weiss’ honors project is an inspirational endeavor, which future senior students should look to aspire to. PAGE 5 Annual Trip to Italia By: Michelle Marshall Managing Editor Italy is known to be one of the most beautiful, historic, and romantic places on earth. It is the home to many famous museums and monuments as well as the romantic gondola rides. For the first time, a group of lucky Montclair humanities students, including myself, are going to be able to experience the unique culture. We are going to be able to indulge at some of the most intriguing places in the world and enjoy true Italian food. We are being given an opportunity to extend our education to aspects found outside of the classroom. The opportunity to experience Italy in the first place is one thing, but to go with your friends and four of the most knowledgeable and worldly teachers makes us incredibly lucky. Joining us will be Mrs. Lejbowicz, Ms. Vinicka, Dr. McDonnell, and Mr. Gika. I don’t know who is more excited, the students or the chaperones. Mr. Steele said, “It’s a great oppurtunity for our students to be exposed to the history, culture, and language. I envy all our students and staff.” As our departure comes closer and closer our meetings get more and more descriptive and the enthusiasm felt by all is overwhelming. We finally have our long awaited itinerary for the eleven day trip which includes stops in Venice, Florence, Rome, and Pompeii. In each of these cities we are going to be able to see, taste, and experience the Italian culture. Prom is on May 16th and we leave the following Tuesday, May 20th. The whole trip is a total of eleven days, including days of travel. We leave from LAX and fly into London where we then depart to Milan. Our final destination is Venice. The first actual day in Italy will be spent in Venice sightseeing. From there we move from hotel to hotel, city to city, meeting people along the way and trying to get the most out of the experience. The whole point of this trip is to experience Italy. As amazing as all of the educational tours are, it is definitely important to be able to just roam around the city. That is exactly what we are going to be able to do. Each student, in a group of course, will be able to branch off from organized tours and get “lost” in both Florence and Rome. During this time, we will be able to go shopping, eat at what ever restaurant we choose, and drink espresso at the little cafes found on the streets. The beauty about this trip is that we are given this opportunity. We are getting the best of both worlds, tours and free time. Some of the places we will be visiting are the Vatican Museums. We will be able to witness firsthand all of the ancient art and sculptures of the Roman Catholic Church. We will go to St. Peter’s church where not only the chief apostle was buried, but also where the first Christian emperor of Rome, Emperor Constantine, ordered a basilica to be built. We will go inside Doge’s Palace and visit the Colosseum where gladiators once fought in front of hundreds of spectators. In Rome we will get the opportunity to visit the monumental Trevi Fountain, one of the most famous aqueducts which provided Rome with pure water for more than four hundred years! We will possibly be visiting the Pantheon, which is a temple in Rome built for all the gods of Ancient Rome. Perhaps one of the most emotional visits will be to Pompeii the ruined Roman city near Naples that was destroyed because of the eruption of the volcano Mount Vesuvius killing hundreds of Romans. Italy has so much history to offer and we are lucky to be able to get a taste of it. Another exciting aspect of our trip is we are able to experience this together. As incredible as it is to be able to go with our peers, we are even more grateful to be able to go along side some of our most influential teachers. Not only do we get to go with one of our Spanish teachers and math teachers, but we get to go with the dean of students as well as the new headmaster! Not many students get the chance to be able to experience a completely different culture and way of life with their teachers. Perhaps one of the things I am most excited about is getting to know my teachers outside of the classroom, in a different setting. I am excited to be able to be chaperoned by enthusiastic educators who are excited to teach me and show me all the different aspects of Italy. In order for everyone to participate in the trip, each student had to get a permission slip signed by themselves, their parents, and each one of their parents stating that they will make up all of the missed assignments. It is our responsibility to keep up with the school work. Our responsibility to make sure that we don’t fall behind especially since we return only a few days before finals begin and only eleven days before graduation. Both Juniors and seniors are attending but for seniors, the month of May is their last “hurrah” as Montclair students. It is a great way to leave our comfort zone that we call Montclair, a positive way to say goodbye. As they say in Italy, Ciao! Entertainment PAGE 6 Everything You Need To Know About This Season’s New Shows Writers outside of NBC protest to finally strike a deal. Photo courtesy of google.com Television Makes A Comeback The strike is over and now your favorite shows are back on air By: Michelle Marshall Managing Editor Finally! Our beloved television shows are returning to the air. After countless months of reruns and reality TV, due to the writers strike, the primetime television series’ are finally coming back! Starting in the beginning of April, slowly each show will return onto almost all of the popular networks, such as NBC, ABC and The CW. Each network’s shows will return to finish out the season. Some have only four episodes left while other have up to eight. Get your tivos ready because while many of us will be preparing for finals and graduation, our favorite shows will be premiering and before you know it they will be showing their season finales! On NBC, “The Office” will be premiering it’s new episodes on Aril 10th at 9 pm. They have six episodes left until the season is over. Also, “ER” will be returning starting April 10th a 10 pm. “ER”’s season finale, unfortunately will be it’s series finale as well! On the CW, “Gossip Girl” returns to anxious viewers on April 21st at 8 pm. It is on a new night, Monday so be sure not to miss the remaining five episodes of the season. Also returning on the CW is “One Tree Hill” on Monday April 14th at 9 pm! ABC has the most popular shows on television right now and they are finally all returning! “Desperate Housewives” returns on Sunday April 13th at 9 pm and has six episodes left for the season. “Brothers and Sisters” returns on April 20th at 10pm! On April 24th, three of our favorite and most popular shows return, “Ugly Betty”, “Greys Anatomy”, and “Lost!” It all starts at 8 pm with “Ugly Betty” and gets even more interesting and exciting at 9 pm for “Greys Anatomy”. “Greys” has only five episodes left in this season! Then at 10 pm “Lost” finally makes it’s debut. It is a triple feature event. Don’t miss out on all of your favorite shows because before you know it their seasons will be over and you will be stuck in the middle of summer watching reruns again. Make sure you are ready because supposedly many of these shows uncover surprises that no one is ready for. Finally, they’re back! By: Kenny Jackson Staff Writer One of the biggest sources of entertainment for the average American is Television. The percentage of households that possess at least one television is in the 99th percentile. The average number of TV sets in a U.S. household is two and a half sets. More surprising than those figures is the average number of hours per day that TV is on in a U.S. home is six hours and 47 minutes. So when the Writers Guild of America went on strike on November 5th, 2007 it affected almost every American. The 2007-2008 seasons for almost every show was either ended abruptly or shortened to a few episodes. The writer’s strike thankfully ended on February 12th, 2008 which allowed for some programs to return for the end of the season with a few more episodes. The following can be used as a guide for the every day American TV viewer: Returns from strike (4 more episodes0 04/23/08 - Wednesday Law & Order (NBC) - Returns from strike 04/24/08 - Thursday Ugly Betty (ABC) - Returns from strike (5 more episodes) Grey’s Anatomy (ABC) Returns from strike (5 more episodes) Lost (ABC) - Returns from strike 04/28/08 - Monday House (FOX) - Returns from strike (4 more episodes) APRIL 04/13/08 - Sunday Desperate Housewives (ABC) - Returns from strike (6 more episodes) 04/14/08 – Monday One Tree Hill (CW) – Returns from strike Dirty Jobs (DSC) – Returns from hiatus 04/15/08 - Tuesday Law & Order: SVU (NBC) Returns from strike (5 more episodes) 04/16/08 - Wednesday Real World, The (MTV) – Season Premiere 04/20/08 - Sunday Brothers & Sisters (ABC) - JUNE 06/08/08 – Sunday Law & Order: Criminal Intent (USA) – Returns from strike 06/12/08 – Thursday Moment of Truth (FOX) – Summer season premiere 06/16/08 – Monday Weeds (SHOWTIME) – Season Premiere 06/17/08 - Tuesday America’s Got Talent (NBC) – Season Premiere JULY 07/18/08 – Friday Monk (USA) – Season Premiere 07/20/08 – Sunday High School Musical (ABC) – Series Premiere MAY 05/12/08 – Monday American Gladiators (NBC) – Season Premiere 05/19/08 – Monday Bachelorette, The (ABC) – Season Premiere 05/22/08 – Thursday So You Think You Can Dance? (FOX) – Season Premiere 05/28/08 – Wednesday Men in Trees (ABC) – Returns from hiatus Three Day Art and Music Event, Where MCP Should Be Eating Coachella, Comes To Town By: Arielle Rapaport Co-Editor-In-Chief On April 25th to the 27th one of the biggest music festivals of our time is coming to town. If you haven’t heard all the buzz already, its that time of year again for the three day music event of Coachella to come to town. Coachella is located in the hot desert valley of Empire Polo Field in Indio, CA. The legendary Coachella Music and Arts Festival features over one hundred and thirty bands, along with hippie art installations. Since 1999, all types of music genres have been represented at the festival such as alternative rock, hip hop, and electronica. Coachella has several stages set-up throughout the valley, with bands playing at the same time continuously. Some big name artists that are headlining include Prince, Jack Johnson, Roger Waters, Justice, and Death Cab for Cutie. Coachella was started eight years ago after the Woodstock 99 festival chaos of fires and riots. It ended up taking the place of Woodstock, becoming one of the biggest music festivals on the west coast. The last weekend of April is the time for thousands of ea- ger music crazed teens to gather in the blistering desert sun to enjoy three full days of music. In 2002 Coachella started to offer tent camping as an option, rather than staying at a motel or hotel. The camping grounds are located near the main stages and hundreds choose to camp out as a cheap alternative. Many students from Montclair Prep will attend Coachella and have the chance to listen to some of the great artists of our time. One piece of advice would be, be sure to bring your sunscreen! By: Taylor Burgess Staff Writer Zin Bistro American 32131 Lindero Cyn Rd. #111 Westlake Village, CA 91361 Zin Bistro Americana features a scenic fire lit patio, spacious bar, lounge and lakefront dining where you can relax in a plush setting, that is sure to make any date special. Everything on their menu, from lobster salad to filet mignon, is superb. Whether its for lunch or dinner, Zin is a great place to eat. Dan’s Super Sub’s 22446 Ventura Blvd. Woodland Hills, CA 91364 Dan’s Super Sub’s located in Woodland Hills has some of the best sub sandwiches in the valley. They make all kinds of sandwiches including hot and cold. All their subs come with the bestmarinated tomatoes on top that is sure to keep people coming back. They have any where from 6 in. subs to 6 ft. long sub sandwiches. My favorite is hot roast beef with cheese. When sandwiches come through someones mind, they should think Dan’s. Entertainment The Other Boleyn Girl ‘Not Objectionable’ PAGE 7 Jodie Foster Linked to Bomb Threat By: Stephanie Sherman Staff Writer On March 12, 2008, Michael Smegal was arrested for mailing a bomb threat to Van Nuys airport. Michael Smegal, 42, has allegedly stalked Oscarwinning actress Jodie Foster for several years prior to the bomb threat. Smegal started sending several letters concerning the bomb threat from his Massachusetts home back in early December of 2007. The threat sent to Van Nuys airport stated in block letters, “Jodie Foster S” and “Going to be a gas bomb in this building.” According to the affidavit, Smegal had sent the letter to the Van Nuys airport because he believed that the Screen Actors Guild is located at airports. Michael Smegal had been sending letters and packages to Foster since October of 2004. One of the packages contained a prepaid cell phone with a letter stating to call a certain number. Foster immediately sent the package to authorities and when an authority called, Smegal had answered the phone. If Michael Smegal is convicted, he could face up to ten years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine. Smegal isn’t the only man who has been allegedly stalking Foster for many years. John Hinckley Jr. had also allegedly stalked the actress and had been recorded stating, “Anything I might do in 1981 would be solely for Jodie Foster’s sake. Just tell the world in some way that I worship and idolize her.” The world would later hear that in 1981 John Hinckley Jr. did try to get the attention of Foster by attempting to assassinate then President Ronald Reagan. His obsession began when Foster played a twelve-year-old prostitute in Taxi Driver and in order to get her attention, he thought of plans to commit suicide in front of her or hijack planes. His fascination with Foster continued, causing him to eventually attempt to assassinate Ronald Reagan, which was unsuccessful. It’s bizarre how these men are so obsessed with the actress that they’ll risk their own lives in order to gain the attention of Foster and the media. A man was willing to gas bomb the Van Nuys airport, an act that would affect schools, hospitals, homes, and buildings located throughout the Van Nuys area. Michael Smegal willingly threatened the Van Nuys area just to convey to the world his foolish obsessed with Jodie Foster. By:Brandon Gayle Contributing Writer One of the most famous historical facts about King Henry the VIII is the number of wives he had. Probably the most important of these six wives was the scheming Anne Boleyn, the second wife. Mother of the future queen and the reason England became Protestant, Anne Boleyn’s actions echo to the modern age. We must also remember the poem about Henry’s six wives: Divorced, Beheaded, Died. Divorced, Beheaded, Survived. The lesser known story of her sister, Mary Boleyn, the mistress to Henry and the bearer of one of his illegitimate sons, is told in this movie. Being told in an appetizing manner, however, is a different story. The movie represents Tudor England as a virtual hellhole of conniving nobles and deceitful women. As the Boleyn family struggle for power in the court, they serve their daughters on golden platters to the king to satisfy his lustful ways. Sisters become enemies, old friendships are broken, and Henry is forced to choose between two sisters, one who he lusts for, the other who loves him. The acting, however, was not objectionable. Scarlett Johansson, who can be seen in Lost in Translation and Match Point, represents the kind and goodhearted Mary Boleyn, forced to be a mistress of the married king directly after her marriage to a noble. Eric Bana, known by many for his roles as Hector in Troy and as Avner in Munich, presents Henry the VIII as a dark man who enjoys the erotic pleasures of women, praying that he will have a male heir to hold the throne after his death. Natalie Portman, the Israeli born actress Photo courtesy of google.com Sisters Johansson and Portman in The Other Boleyn Girl. who played Padmé in the last three Star Wars movies, portrays Anne in the film’s most haunting performance. The movie is based on the novel by Philippa Gregory. It is not completely historically accu- rate, but a romanticized version. The worldwide release was on February 15, 2008 at the Berlin International Film Festival. It is rated PG-13 for mature thematic elements, sexual content and some violent images. Top 5 Hotels Where You Want To Be Spending Your Next Vacation By: Kenny Jackson Staff Writer With summer looming just around the corner, it seems appropriate to let potential vacationers where the best spots are. With lush hotels all over the world it’s hard to know exactly which ones are the best. Travel and Leisure’s 2007 World’s Best Awards make hotel shopping much easier. The surprising aspect of the Hotel Awards is that some of the top hotels are not necessarily in typical vacation spots. Here are top 5 hotels in the world: 1. The Oberoi Udaivilas The Oberoi Udaivilas is located in Udaipur, India and is ranked as number 1 in Hotel’s around the world, Asia, and Small Hotels. The hotel is also ranked number 1 for overall value in Asia and number 3 in overall value in the world. The hotel is described as an “impeccable palace in marble, sandstone, and gold leaf, set on 30 lakeside acres of former royal hunting grounds.” The hotel holds 87 rooms, two restaurants, and one bar. One can also book a dinner for two on a floating pontoon in Lake Pichola. 2. The Singita Sabi Sand The Singita Sabi Sand is located in Kruger National Park in South Aftica. The hotel is ranked as the number one hotel in Africa and the Middle East. It is also ranked as number two in small hotels and hotels overall. Furthermore its ranked as number three in value in Africa and Middle East and ranked 14th in value overall. The hotel consists of 45 rooms, four restaurants, and four bars. It’s described as “four exceptionally well-designed lodges deep in the African bush.” One can also go wine tasting in the 14,000-bottle cellar at Boulders Lodge. 3. The Oriental The Oriental is located in Bangkok, Thailand. The hotel is ranked as number two in hotels in Asia and in spas in Asia pacific, Africa and the Middle East. It’s also ranked as number three in hotels overall and value in Asia. Lastly, the hotel is ranked 13th in overall value. The hotel holds 393 rooms, nine restaurants, and one bar. The Oriental is described as a “legendary 1887 hotel and modern tower, on the bank of the Chao Phraya River. 4. The Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at Sultanahmet The Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul is located in Istanbul, Turkey. The hotel is ranked as the number one hotel in Europe, the number 2 in value in Europe, the number three in small hotels and the number four in hotels overall. The hotel holds 65 rooms, one restaurant, and one bar. It is described as a “Neoclassical former prison with sumptuous Turkish-inspired interiors, next to Hagia Sophia and the Topkapi Palace.” A person can book a reservation for cocktails on the panoramic roof terrace. 5. The Relais Il Falconiere The Relais Il Falconiere is ranked as the number one most valuable hotel in Europe, the second most valuable hotel in the world, the third best hotel in Europe, the fifth best small hotel, and the fifth hotel overall. The Hotel holds twenty rooms, one restaurant, and one bar. The Relais Il Falconiere is described as a “cluster of rustic 17th-century buildings on a working wine estate within easy reach of Tuscany and Umbria.” The hotel is known for its lavish food and wine selection and for their onsite cooking courses. Hide Your Jeans: Beware of Enraged Supermodel Naomi Campbell By: Ryan Alberts Staff Writer Thirty-Seven year old Supermodel Naomi Campbell was arrested in London’s Heathrow Airport Terminal Five on Thursday April 3rd for allegedly spitting and attacking a police officer. Naomi was allegedly tossed off a British Airlines flight after one of her three carry on bags was missing. Naomi demanded the airline staff to help search for her missing carryon, and when Naomi did not receive help she threw a fit and was escorted off the plain, from there she attacked one of the escorting officers. Naomi the british fasion mogol, has a history of getting into physical fights with employers and assistants and has undergone several anger management programs. Last year Campbell pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor assault when she threw her cell phone at her maid because Naomi was missing a pair of jeans. Now, an ABC rep has confirmed that Naomi Campbell will be bringing her arresting screen presence and her own rather infamous brand of drama to the Thursday night hit, Ugly Betty. She has signed on to guest star in the show’s second-season finale May 22. While the show’s brain trust is mum on her role, she presumably will follow the highheeled footsteps of former guest stars Victoria Beckham and Gene Simmons play herself—or at least a version of herself that’s appropriate for family-hour television. Campbell was originally tapped to appear as a guest star last year but, for reasons unknown, that casting coup never materialized. Photo courtesy of google.com She was again due to appear earlier this year, but the writers’ strike derailed those plans. Warning to the wardrobe department: Unless you’re itching for a concussion, guard her jeans with your life. Sports PAGE 8 Worker Tries To Jinx the Yankees By: Zack Sokolow Staff Writer Prior to the Boston Red Sox two most recent championships, their struggles were mainly attributed to the superstition of the “curse.” Recently, the Red Sox fans hoped to share their anxiety of the curse with their biggest rival, the New York Yankees. A construction worker and Boston fan working on the concrete crew at the $1.3 billion new Yankee Stadium buried a Red Sox shirt in with the concrete foundation under what will become the visitors’ clubhouse, in the hopes of jinxing the New York Yankees’ new home, the New York Post reported. “In August, a Red Sox T-shirt was poured in a slab in the visitor’s clubhouse. It’s the curse of the Yankees,” one worker told the Post. “Nobody knows about it. It’s in the floors, it’s buried.” The workers say they’re now afraid that they’ve jinxed the Yankees. “I don’t want to be responsible for sinking the franchise,” said a second worker, who witnessed the burial. “I respect the stadium.” There are precedents for fans strategically burying trinkets for good luck. During the construction of the ice rink for the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, a worker laid a Canadian one- dollar coin at center ice. Canada went on to win its first gold medal in men’s ice hockey since 1952. And Mickey Bradley, a coauthor of “Haunted Baseball,” told the Post that a worker was said to have buried an unknown good-luck charm in a water main trench of the current Yankee Stadium back in 1920. “Prior to that, they never won a World Series,” he said, according to the newspaper. The Yankees said that they were not concerned about the buried jersey, however on Monday April 14, the team took action. After locating the shirt in a service corridor behind what will be a restaurant in the new Yankee Stadium, construction workers jack hammered through the concrete Sunday and pulled it out. “We had anonymous people come tell us where it was, and we were able to find it,” said Frank Gramarossa, a project executive with Turner Construction, the general contractor on the site. It took about five hours of drilling Saturday to locate the shirt under 2 feet of concrete. The jersey was found reading “Red Sox” on the front and Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz’s Number “34” on the back. The New York Yankees took no chances of being “cursed” at the will of the Red Sox. Oregon State’s New Basketball Head Coach: It’s Obama’s Brother In-Law By: Caitlin Kranzdorf Co-Editor-In-Chief This month Oregon State University’s beleagured basketball program reached eastward for a new coach. OSU is hoping their new coach can do for the Beavers who lost 21 straight games this past season (0-18 in the Pac Ten Conference) what he did for Brown University, winning 30 games in the past two seasons at a school that has been for decades the perennial doormat of the Ivy League. OSU’s new coach is Craig Robinson, a former Princeton University basketball player who was an assistant coach at Northwestern University outside of Chicago before assuming the reigns as Brown’s head coach. Brown played so well under Robinson that it gave mighty Michigan State from the Big 10 a competitive game in its 2007-2008 season opener in Providence. Brown athletic director Mike Goldberger knew that as quickly as coach Robinson turned the Brown program around, he would soon be moving on to a bigger school. “I saw how hard we played the very first game against Michigan State and by the end of that first year, I told Craig he’d be a star,” said Goldberger. Thirty wins at Brown over a two-year span is more success than any other head coach has had in school Dodgers Play Red Sox At Memorial Coliseum for Exhibition Game By: Zack Sokolow Staff Writer On March 29, 2008, the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Boston Red Sox played an exhibition game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in front of the largest crowd to ever watch a baseball game. The announced crowd of 115,300 witnessed the beginning to the Dodgers’ 50th anniversary season. The Dodgers moved west from Brooklyn in 1958 and played at the Coliseum for four seasons before they made Dodger Stadium their home field in 1962. The Coliseum was transformed into a baseball field for the exhibition game to replicate the dimensions of the field 50 years ago. The distance to the left-field foul pole for this game was 201 feet and the screen was 60 feet high. And the fences around the rest of the field were far closer to home plate than in the old days. Four home runs were hit in the game and all but one would have cleared most stadium walls. There was also standing room beyond the right field fence to accommodate more fans. All seats were inexpensive Photo Courtesy of www.google.com Coach Robinson smiling for the press. history. He coached the Bears to a school-record 19 victories in 2007-08, winning 10 of the final 11 regular-season games. When Craig Robinson was a high school star, he told his father he was going to attend the University of Washington on a full basketball scholarship, choosing Seattle over the hallowed ivy covered halls of Princeton because it would be free. His father told him that he would be disappointed in his choice if the only determining factor was how much school would cost. Robinson, like his sister Michelle Robinson Obama, chose Princeton and the rest, as they say, is history. Robinson said he went to the Final Four last week thinking he might be contacted by other schools. He received three calls from Providence College, Rice and Oregon State. After he interviewed with each of them, Oregon State made the offer. He accepted the OSU job and was introduced as the Beavers new head coach at venerable Gill Coliseum. The terms of his contract were not disclosed. “I met with those guys and there was a connection right away,” Robinson said of Oregon State athletic director Bob DeCarolis. Brown’s Goldberger said he’s “really happy” for Robinson, but admitted, “I wish this opportunity would’ve come a year or two from now, but it’s very deserving. These are the type of opportunities that you jump at. “We’re in a much better position than two years ago. Brown is now known as a place where you can win. Craig made that clear,” said Goldberger. Robinson is not walking into a strong situation at Oregon State. They’ve won only eight conference games in the previous three seasons and have enjoyed one winning season since 1990, but that’s not the OSU program Robinson remembers. Next year is the first year in the “Robinson Era” in Corvallis. He may just make it one to remember. Just ask the Brown fans in Providence. Lakers Are Short a Limb For the Playoff Season Photo Courtesy of www.google.com Dodgers played the Red Sox for their exhibition game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. too emulate the price of tickets won the game by the score of 7-4 50 years ago. as the Dodgers late rally came up Officials from Guinness short. Many Dodger greats were Book of World Records were on introduced and honored throughhand to possibly enter this his- out the game. Longtime antoric game in their record books. nouncer Vin Scully, who moved The previous record of about with the Dodgers from Brooklyn 114,000 attended an exhibition to Los Angeles, was honored between the Australian national before the game. He referred to team and an American services himself as “an ordinary man who team during the 1956 Melbourne was given an extraordinary opOlympics. The Boston Red Sox portunity.” By: Adam Jenkala Staff Writer In the past weeks many have wondered when the Lakers center, Andrew Bynum, would return. After multiple visits with the team medical staff and the highly respected doctors at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center they have come to the conclusion that his injury has become to severe and may cause serious physical health problems if his leg is not amputated from above the knee down. Andrew started this season as a boy amongst men and has transformed into one of the most promising young centers in the league. With this recent news the team has been confronted with a tough decision. Will Andrew ever suit up in the “Purple and Gold”? Chances are very small but with a prosthetic leg he has a great chance in the D-League. In a team conference Kobe was caught say “I’m glad all the focus will be on me now!” As we suffer through this tragedy we pray for the friends and family of this soon to be overpaid D-League loser. Thanks for hurting your entire team Andrew. Maybe in your next life you won’t fail an entire city.