issue 2, February 2016

VOLUME 1, ISSUE 2
GIRARD COLLEGE
EDITORS-IN-CHIEF:
TIYANNA BROWN AND DIANA SAKA
WINTER 2016
Inside the Walls
Girard College
SIX NEW MEMBERS INDUCTED INTO NHS
Kelandra Murphy
SPECIAL POINTS OF
INTEREST:

Senior Spotlight

Teacher Spotlight: Ms. Brady

New Year Resolutions

Ask Stephen!
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
On Wednesday, January 6, 2016
the National Honor Society induction was held in the chapel.
The lower school choir performed We Shall Overcome and
received a standing ovation.
Following the choir performance, students heard from
guest speaker, Kipp Bradford.
Mr. Bradford discussed the
challenges he faced in life and
provided advice to students
about characteristics each
should possess to overcome
challenges or obstacles.
Ms. Considine, NHS advisor, started induction of new members by introducing
current senior members of NHS, Tiyanna
Brown and Omotara Odedere, both active
members of Girard’s community
Six students were inducted to the National
Honor society this year. Congratulations
to Jai’lyn Beaufort, Muqtadir Idowu , India Watson, Makayla Lowe , Ismail Rivera-Sabir,, and sophomore Remiah Hughes.
SENIOR SPOTLIGHT
2
BOY SCOUTS GO FOR A HIKE
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
3
By William Logan
FIRE AND ICE DINNER 4
WINTER CONCERT IS
A HIT!
4
SEND OFF TO MS. MAC 4-5
TEACHER SPOTLIGHT
5
ASK STEPHEN
6
The Girard College boy scouts enjoyed a day of hiking in Valley Forge in December. Valley Forge was not only a great place to hike, but played an important part in American
history, as it served as a camp for General George Washington’s Continental Army during
the Revolutionary War.
The following boy scouts and chaperones went on this outing: Deandre Porter, Sakai Smith,
Brock Lyles, Andre Davis, Jamir Eleby, William Logan, Lamin Mansaray, Dorian Butler, Mr.S,
Alford Sanford, and Bob Miller.
The boys learned where the troops camped, how to load and reload a musket and saw a
demonstration of how to shoot a musket ball.
Omotara Odedere
Colleges of Interest: University of Maryland, Syracuse
University and Spelman College
Major: Biology
Dream Job: Family Practitioner (Physician)
Fun Fact: She has an ever-growing gummy bear addiction.
Diana Saka
Colleges of Interest: Stony Brook
University, Syracuse University,
Rutgers University, Howard
University, & Morgan University
Majors: Biology, Dentistry
Dream Job: Orthodontist
Aaron Cook
Fun Fact: Her birthday is the first
day of the Scorpios.
College of Interest: New York
University
Majors: Film Production
Brandon Phillips
Dream Job: Owner of Record
Label or Film Studio
College of Interest: University of
Pennsylvania
Fun Fact: ….. He doesn’t know
Possible Majors: Engineering
Dream Job: Engineering Mogul
(wants to design his own creations)
Fun Fact: He would like to own a
horse.
9th Grade:
Kyanna Blunt-Cooper
Kimhai Eng
10th grade:
Sadaqah HarrisGaines
Zimira Jackson
STUDENT
SPOTLIGHT
11th grade:
Khayyiel Smith
Stanton Hare
Winter 2016
Elise Phipps
9th – Kyanna Blunt-Cooper & Kim Hai Eng
10th –Sadaqah Harris-Gaines & Zimira
Jackson
11th - Khayyiel Smith & Stanton Hare
To nominate a student for
the student spotlight,
contact Elise Phipps at
ephipps@girardcollege.edu
INSIDE THE WALLS
PAGE 4
When It's Dark Out by G- Eazy
It looks to me like we have ourselves a Caucasian Drake on our hands! When It's Dark
Out is G’s second studio album, following his debut album These Things Happen (2014).
This album really hits hard! IThe beginning opens with the recitation of a poem
written by Dylan Thomas, Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night, set to the same beat
used for Random, the track that follows it. I love this track. I can relate to Sad Boy on a personal level. The lyric “Gerald, what you sad for?” is repeated after every other line in the
hook. This particular lyric hits me pretty hard. I’ve noticed that when you are very successful
or at least doing good on your own, people (in some cases yourself) tend to make you feel
like, you can't be human anymore. It's like you are not allowed feel, hurt, or at the least bit
make mistakes. His thoughts are so conflicted, one side of him wants to be happy and enjoy
his newfound fame while the other just wants to… feel. These thoughts “make an appearance” in the video for Me, Myself and I (Track 3) in the form of multiple G-Eazys who are, in
fact, arguing. (Continued on page 5)
FIRE AND ICE AT GIRARD COLLEGE
KELANDRA MURPHY
The Fire and Ice Dinner went off without a hitch. The dining room was divided into two
sections, Fire and Ice! Students entered and found themselves in the ice section, where
they were served appetizers, socialized, and listened to music.
After mingling, students were escorted to the Fire side of the dining room, where dinner
was served. Students enjoyed chicken, fish , mashed potatoes and string beans.
Dinner was followed by a party in Ice and raffled prizes in Fire led by Ms. Clark and residential advisors. A great time was had by all celebrating the winter season with friends,
dancing, good food, and prizes!
WINTER CONCERT IS A HIT!
Elise Phipps
The 2015 Winter Concert,
led by Mr. Eaton and Ms. SloweyJohnson, at Girard College was a
sight to be seen. As this was my
first concert at Girard, I can say
that it was very impressive and
performers were outstanding.
The concert opened
with a classic reading of The
Night Before Christmas to a
handful of lower school children by Judge Shmelly. .
The Upper School Choir performed the Pentonix version of
Mary Did You Know , along
with by I’d like to teach the
World To Sing, and Joy to the World.
The lower school choir charmed us with
performances of Kwanzaa Celebration,
What a Wonderful World, and the Run Run
Rudolph Competition Song.
The lower school band played Jingle Bells
and the Bell Choir played Carol of Bells.
The concert ended with both choirs joining
to sing Silent Night, Seasons of Love,
Goodnight and Christmas Prayer.
VOLUME 1, ISSUE 2
PAGE 5
(Continued from page 4) I'm pleasantly surprised and happy with this album. On a
scale of 1-10, I would rate this album a solid 9. I believe it flows quite
nicely and G really stepped it up from his last album. I would strongly
recommend this album to anyone who is a Drake fan, since their styles
are so similar! I'm also still waiting on this collaboration like, get it together and make a song already, I’m dying over here!
Teacher Spotlight: Ms. Brady
Where are you from?
“Durham, NC”
What brought you to Philadelphia?
“My wife got a job at the University of Pennsylvania and Girard College offered me a nice job so I
took it and we moved up here together.”
Do you have any hobbies?
“It was gardening but now it would have to be cooking. I love it!”
How has your experience been at Girard so far?
“Very Good. I enjoy the students. They are polite, pleasant, positive, and hardworking. I think
they are fantastic! I like that the school is small and I get a chance to meet and interact with the
whole student body, even the kids I don’t teach.”
How did you become interested in becoming a math teacher?
“I was always a math nerd. The day I graduated from high school, my math teacher told me that if
I didn’t “get a job that I can do math everyday it would be a waste of my life”. So, I would like
to share the passion and love I have for math with others and give students the experience I
had with my math teacher.”
What is your favorite area of math?
“Although it’s a tough decision, it would be basic Algebra & Calculus”
FUN FACTS:
I HAVE 2 DOGS
I USED TO PLAY RUGBY IN COLLEGE
I ALSO PLAYED OTHER SPORTS BUT I HAD PLENTY OF INJURIES SO I TOOK UP GOLF!
Get closer to God and take
“To stop drinking soda” Tennyson Reid, 2016
spiritual life seriously.
“I want to average 45
miles per week of
running.”
"My new year resolution is to be
able to finish the book that I am writing." - Myah Ridley-Gaymon, 2019
-Mr. Vechik
"My new year resolutions are to lose weight, get better at makeup and
fashion, save more money, and explore new things."- Takira Smith, 2016
“Count my blessings, complain less, be the
best I can be, live everyday like its my last.
Life is too short" ~Siddiq Rivera-Sabir, 2017
What is a new year resolution?
A tradition that dates back to ancient times, new year goals or promises were made
between people and gods to ensure a good year of harvest and peace. Today,
resolutions are made as a way for people to improve themselves.
GOODBYE MISS MCINERNEY!!!
Ms. Partricia McInerney, our beloved Ela teacher, has proved herself to be a wonderful addition to the Girard family. She, as you all
know, is retiring soon, but before she goes she had a few words to say.
What will you miss most about Girard? I will miss seeing and interacting with everyone at Girard. My time at Girard has been a beautiful chapter in my life. 2)
What was your favorite moment? I have had so many favorite moments at Girard it is difficult to choose just one, however I will always remember and
treasure the first time I walked through the gates of Girard.
Which class was your favorite class? My favorite class is the one that I am teaching at the time. Each class is unique and I have loved them all!
Do you have anything to say to GC family? Respect yourself and others, have good manners, be kind and thoughtful, smile,
enjoy life, and always find the time to read! Thank you for all the memories – it has been an honor to be a member of the
Girard College Family.
What are your plans for retirement? Take time to smell the coffee and enjoy it! I hope to travel, spend time with family,
and be a substitute teacher (at Girard).
How many years have you been at Girard? 36 years at Girard- ( total years of teaching: 42).
We love you Ms. Mac AKA our Peppermint Princess and we wish you
the best of luck with all your endeavors!!!
Ask Stephen
Ask me anything, I’ll “see” what I can do!
There is no topic for this month so, ask anything!
Q: “What do you do when people can’t seem to mind their business?
A: You just keep doing whatever it is that you are doing because whatever is going on with
you must be just that interesting. Most people tend to do this to entertain themselves when
they’re bored so, if you find yourself in this position just laugh at them because that person or
those people have nothing better to do with their time!
Q: How do I tell my sister’s mom ‘I don’t like her?’ ”
A: You could tackle this situation one of three ways: come right out say those exact words in
the nicest tone you can manage, drop really simple hints that would help guide her mom towards the conclusion that you don’t like her, or convey the message through your sister. I, personally, prefer the 1st way.
Q: Mr. Vechik asked “What is the best way to marry a rich woman?”
A: Wow, well that was just random… It depends on how much you’re willing to spend on said
woman. You could grab a fishing rod and hook onto it a Michael Kors bag filled with diamonds and a wedding ring. A,fter this, you can go ahead and dangle it outside one of the windows of the Waldorf Astoria. If you are on cheap side, you can just walk up to any woman you
find walking out of the same hotel and make them laugh! The rest, my friend, is up to you.
Q: “What do you do when your family is putting too much pressure on you when it
comes to school/college?”
A: Let them know that you appreciate their concern and you are doing best (hopefully), but
they also need to give you some breathing room seeing as though school is already stressful as
is. When it comes to choosing a college, just choose the one that best satisfies your needs for
a college and that isn’t too expensive.
How well do you know your favorite celebrities?
1. Tyler Joseph (Dec. 1) is the leader singer of
which band?
A. All Time Low
C. The Decemberists
B. twenty one pilots
D. Pierce The Veil
2. Jay- Z (Dec. 4) is from which borough in New York
City?
A. Queens
B. The Bronx
C. Brooklyn
D. Staten Island
3. Tori Kelly (Dec. 14) was born in which city/town?
A. Sacramento
B. Pittsburgh
C. Oklahoma City
D. Wildomar
4. Manny Pacquiao (Dec. 17) is from which Asian country?
A. Thailand
B. China
C. Philippines
D. Singapore
5. Nicki Minaj (Dec. 8) recently released which album?
A. roman reloaded
B. Pink Friday
C. Pinkprint
7. Paul Revere (Jan. 1) helped
start with organization?
A. Secret Service
B. Knights of Templar
C. Sons of Liberty
8. Zayn Malik (Jan. 12) recently left which band?
A. 5SoS
B. Panic at the disco
C. R4
D. One direction
9. Martin Luther King Jr (Jan.
15) gave his “I have a dream
speech” in which city?
A. Washington, D.C.
B. Selma
C. Philadelphia
D. Chicago
10. J. Cole (Jan. 28) is from which “ville”?
A. Fayetteville
B. Danville
C. Morrisville
D. Greenville
6. Dean Ambrose (Dec. 7) was formerly part of which
WWE stable?
A. the shield
B. d-Generation X
C. Nexus
D. 3MB
Answer Key: 1. B
2. C 3. D 4. C 5. C
6. A 7.C 8. D 9. D
10. A 11. A