The Blue and Gold http://www.maldenblueandgold.

com/
Malden High School Our 96th Year
Volume 96 Edition 4 January 2011

Malden Takes On Poetry Out Loud

Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ/8th)

was the victim of a shooting in Tus-
con, Arizona, on Saturday, January 8,
2011. (MCT). Coverage on page 6.

Junior Chung We Dai performs as a period three class winner. Full article on page 10.

Gymnastics Fights Adversity

In This Issue:

TV: An Accurate
Representation?
Page 4

Afghanistan’s
Niqab
Page 5

Monthly Profile
Beverly Nyman
Page 8

Going Green?
Page 11

Posse winners
Junior William Wong running in a
Junior captain Alana Casey on the uneven bars. Photo by Megan Kelly.
Pages 12 - 13 track meet. Contrary to popular belief,
the track team consists of more than

T he Malden High School gym-
nastics team experienced an un-
fortunate beginning to their season
after a close defeat to long time ri-
vals, Medford High School, by only
0.65 points. Although they have had
a minor setback the team is anxious
for their new set of uneven bars to
be installed.
The team currently faces dif-
ficulty when it comes to practicing
and improving because the equip-
ment that they are provided with
now leaves the gymnasts at risk of
“smashing [their] feet on the low bar,
touching the ground when swing-
ing from the high bar, or having Colby-Swayer just runners. More boys track on page
to deal with the bars being slanted Pages 14 -15 24.
and ready to fall apart,” explained
junior co-captain Alana Casey. The NFL’s New Rules
new set of uneven bars will increase
Page 21
the performance of routines for all
gymnasts that participate in that
event, as well as prepare them for Boys and Girls Opinion 2-5
competitions against schools who Basketball
also have high quality equipment. World News 6-7
Page 23
Since the team had been unable to Local News 8-16
practice and have more experience
with such good equipment, it was
Boys and Girls Entertainment 17-19
a setback when arriving at Med- Track Sports 20-24
ford High School and using their Page 24
continued on page 22.
2
The Blue and Gold
Editorials January 2011
http://www.maldenblueandgold.com/

Political Climate is Hot

T wo years ago, 1.8 million people stood crowded
together for hours in the frigid January air, chant-
ing President Barack Obama’s name, undoubtedly
not only for wanting to work through December break
but for attempting to pass legislation that had been on
the floor for months.
Malden High School
with his presidential campaign’s catchphrase running Then, putting a halt to arguments about Con-
through their heads the entire time: “Yes, we can.” The gress and its decision to read the Constitution in all
The Blue and Gold nation (or at least, the 52.9% of it that voted for him) its censored glory, on Jan. 8, 2011, Jared Lee Loughner
77 Salem St. stood united under a vibrant blue flag, hoping that the showed up to Representative Gabrielle Giffords’s first
Malden, MA 02148 next four years would be full of progress toward the Congress on Your Corner event of the year and pro-
left side of the political spectrum. ceeded to shoot 19 people there.
But now, the red white and blue of Obama’s In the same way that Counter Strike was blamed
campaign posters seems ominous rather than hopeful; for Virginia Tech and Marilyn Manson was blamed for
EDITORS-IN-CHIEF
rather than live up to the nation’s admittedly obvi- Columbine, the nation’s political discourse–-specifi-
João Nascimento
ously out-of-reach expectations–-fix the economy; fix cally the overtly partisan so-called debate that went as
Nidale Zouhir
Iraq; fix Afghanistan; fix Iran; fix North Korea; fix gay far as one Fox News anchor and likely 2012 presiden-
rights; fix health care; fix immigration–-Obama found tial candidate placing cross hairs over congressional
MANAGING EDITORS
every bill he tried to pass into law hotly contested districts (including Giffords’s) that disagreed with
Brittany Foley
not only by Republican congressional representatives her views on health care–-has been blamed for the
Alexandra Mathieu
but also by half the nation. Massive crowds of people violence in Tucson.
emerged, protesting everything from tax hikes to First Even Senator John McCain, who spent the weeks
HEAD COPY EDITOR
Lady Michelle Obama’s choice of apparel. Cable news before Jan. 8, 2011 lamenting the repeal of Don’t Ask
Brittany McFeeley
channels were overtaken, not by legitimate debate or Don’t Tell and spouting homophobic tirades before
accurate news reporting, but by overtly partisan news Congress, called for a more civil political discourse
ONLINE EDITOR
anchors bashing those who did not agree with them. in an op-ed a week later for The Washington Post.
Omar Khoshafa
As Glenn Beck lamented socialism and Keith Olbermann, meanwhile, tweeted about his hopes for
Olbermann lamented liars, hopes for the bipartisan a “pledge against violent rhetoric,” but then, unfor-
HEAD LOCAL NEWS WRITER
America Obama had described during his campaign tunately, went on to bash Palin as well as many GOP
Cristina Peters
crumbled, making way for arguments over Twitter, defenders on the same twitter feed.
arguments on TV, arguments in newspapers, and ar- Ominously enough, more of the country appears
HEAD WORLD NEWS WRITER
guments in Congress. Unfortunately, unlike legitimate to be echoing Olbermann’s sentiments than McCain’s.
Dan Holmqvist
political debate, these arguments seemed to yield few Though the media did, during very specific moments,
compromises and instead only fueled the already red attempt to remain as nonpartisan as possible (specifi-
HEAD ENTERTAINMENT WRITER
hot anti-Obama sentiment, leading to the growth of cally immediately following Obama’s speech regard-
Reginah Sanyu
the ultra conservative Tea Party and massive losses for ing the shooting), for the most part it appears as
Democrats in the November 2010 congressional elec- though nothing has changed. If anything, both sides
HEAD SPORTS WRITER
tions. For a month or so, this seemed to be the cure for have been blaming one another for the attacks and
Alfonse Femino
what had been a Congress full of threats of filibusters for the political climate surrounding it. But making
and so-called compromises that only seemed to make the shooting about gun control or about Loughner’s
HEAD OF BUSINESS
most legislation obsolete. After losing power in the political views (which are shady at best) is, in essence,
Alexander Gennigiorgis
House of Representatives, however, Democrats went doing precisely what Americans have grown bored of
on to pass tax cuts, food safety legislation, the repeal of over the last few years: over-politicizing something
HEADS OF PHOTOGRAPHY
Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, an arms control agreement with that was never meant to be politicized. Because at-
Lauren Benoit
Russia, and health care for 9/11 first responders. tempting to assign some sort of blame to the Arizona
Sharon Lee
But even as Congress worked harder than it had shootings is politicizing it. Everyone from Palin to
appeared to for at least two years, the heated political Obama has issued some form of a statement regard-
HEAD OF SPECIAL PROJECTS
climate did not cool down; Beck called Representa- ing the shooting–-and everyone from Palin to Obama
Kayla Bramante
tive Harry Reid and others who thought it might be has been repeatedly criticized by whichever news
necessary to stay in session over Christmas “really bad network disagrees.
COPY EDITORS
people,” adding that he thought that they were “evil”
Haley DeFilippis
Catherine Poirier
Megan Kelly Nidale Zouhir
Natalie Fallano Co-Editor-in-Chief
Paige Yurek Editorial Policy
Joshua Kummins
The Blue and Gold is an open forum for
student expression. It is produced by students
REPORTERS & PHOTOGRAPHERS for the school and the community. The views
Rebecca Broomstein presented in this paper are not necessarily those
Kaela Bryan of the advisor or the school administration. The Corrections:
Freddie DiPhillipo views presented in the editorials are those of the
Johanna Lai editors-in-chief or guests. The goal of The Blue
and Gold is to inform and entertain students as The president of the Red Cross Club, Monika
Kristen Leonard
well as the community regarding issues that we Bashllari was not mentioned in the Red Cross
Jacob Martino
feel are important. article on page 11.
Vicki Ngan
Amalia Quesada Nylen We strongly encourage readers to respond
to material printed in the form of signed letters to Diane Klibansky’s name is spelled incorrectly in
Timothee Pierre the Spirit Week article on page 12.
the editors. No libelous, malicious, defamatory,
Amanda Rosatone obscene, or unsigned material will be printed.
Joel Stevenson The Blue and Gold reserves the right to edit the let- Kerri Shuman, Witchie Valence-Exilhomme, and
Lesley Ta ters. Names may be withheld upon request. Not Dan McClenthen’s name ’s names were mis-
all letters will be printed. spelled. Dan McClenthen’s name in the Powder
ADVISOR Although The Blue and Gold appreciates the Puff and Crew Faces Budget Cuts article on page
Ryan Gallagher support of advertisers, we may refuse any ad- 20.
vertisement that violates the above policy or that
Established in 1915 promotes products questionable to student use. Andrew Terenzi is a distance runner, not a sprint-
Any correspondence concerning this publi- er in the Retaining Their Title article on page 21.
cation should be directed to Mr. Ryan Gallagher’s
Check out our online edition:
room in C339 or to his mailbox in the main office. Photo was taken by Sharon Lee, not Lauren Ben-
http://www.maldenblueandgold.com/ oit on page 23.
The Blue and Gold
c/o Malden High School
77 Salem Street Corrections to the editor can be submitted to
Malden, MA 02148 theblueandgold@gmail.com
The Blue and Gold
January 2011
Loughner and
Gun Control
Dan Holmqvist
Head World News Writer
T hirty-three. That is how many bullets Jared
Lee Loughner’s Glock 19 could fire with-
out having to reload once. Loughner was able
to fire thirty-three bullets within the span of
fifteen seconds, killing six innocent bystand-
ers and injuring an additional fourteen at an
Arizona rally for Congresswoman Gabriel
Giffords. If his second magazine clip had not
been kicked away, Loughner could have used
all three of the extended magazines (containing
nearly 100 bullets) he brought with him on Jan.
8, 2011. What was a tragedy could have been
much, much worse.
This compels one to ask several ques-
tions: What purposes do extended magazines
and semiautomatic weapons serve other than
to aid truly disturbed individuals in mass kill-
ings? How could one possibly justify the need
to have a gun with as much firepower as the
Glock 19 for self-defence? And what kind of
faulty gun control policy gives an obviously
disturbed 22-year-old man, who was denied
a place in the US military for drug use, access
to some of the most dangerous weapons in the
world?
That is not to discredit those who tout
their own second amendment rights. The right
to bear arms has been a fundamental freedom
of American citizens since the drafting of the
Bill of Rights. But this was before the age of
semiautomatic hand guns, which are specifi-
cally designed to kill people with a deadly ef-
ficiency.
The Glock 19 is a favorite among gun en-
continued on page 5.
Opinion
http://www.maldenblueandgold.com/
Letter to the Editor
Harris Zhao
Junior
I s it just me or do you also hate Mark Zuck-
erberg? Well, in case you didn’t know, he’s
the guy that created Facebook, making bil-
lions of dollars annually, connecting people
from different countries to each other, while
changing the way our social landscape func-
tions. I mean, I don’t hate him in the sense
that he’s “hateable,” but I do hate him in the
way that I am not him. Don’t you ever dream
about changing the world someday? Maybe
like Superman or Batman or even Sarah Palin
(maybe). Well, Mark Zuckerberg has done
just that! He has miraculously changed the
way our culture works. I mean honestly, how
many people out there do you know that
don’t have a Facebook? Like 2 … 3 … maybe
4 right? Well not including your parents of
course, but Facebook has seriously changed
the way our lives function.
And starting this generation, we have
started to succumb to developing a new era
in which information is able to travel, con-
necting different countries in seconds, and
connecting different people all in one savvy
network. Zuckerberg has changed the world;
that is obvious. And I am annoyed at that!
Seriously, why couldn’t I be Zuckerberg, or
why couldn’t I do something just as equally
Do you have an opinion?
Submit your letter to the editor to
theblueandgold@gmail.com!
3
life changing? Is it too late for me? Zuckerberg
started all the way back since he was 11, creat-
ing a network that connected all computers in
his own household. I am 16, and I have yet to
do something as prominent as that. Oh the joy
it would bring me to know that I could change
the world, and have over 6 billion dollars in my
bank account.
Oh yeah, did you know that Zuckerberg
doesn’t even spend all his money? He saves
it up, and spends it all modestly on what he
needs, while also giving away millions of dol-
lars to enhance educational resources in Amer-
ica. Example: Newark, NJ where he donated
100 million dollars to a local high school. That
only makes him more “hateable”! We know
you have over a billion dollars in your bank ac-
count, and you can easily spend lavishly while
still having billions of dollars left. Okay? But
you still go on out there like you are so much
better than us. Just because you can spend
modestly, and change the world indefinitely,
and make our lives so much better, you can just
sit there with that condescending smirk, be-
lieving that you are a god in our presence and
I hate you. I hate you for changing the world. I
hate you so much that I want to be you.
Comic by Jimmy Malzone.
4
Pop Culture Lacks Diversity
Alexandra Mathieu
Managing Editor
E ach American household is
reported, on average, to have
about 2.86 television sets, an aston-
ishing number when one considers
that the average American house-
hold is also reported on having
2.5 people. Television has evolved
over the years from a luxury item
to a staple in American culture. TV
shows now cover an array of inter-
ests and topics with programming
for any person, of any age group.
That being said, TV has a very one
sided relationship with the Ameri-
can public: although it caters to the
people’s entertainment needs, it is
not an accurate representation of the
people it serves.
On the one hand, all forms of
entertainment, from television to
novels to films, are escapist media.
Even shows that emulate real life
like Friends and Seinfield are im-
mensely popular because they offer
a life that is different and separate
than that of the viewers. However,
while people enjoy television shows
for this reason, the most popular
shows are those that the viewers
can relate to. Yes, it is fun to indulge
every now and then in a show that
showcases bizarre and unrealistic
characters, but the shows that last
the longest have characters that
people can identify with.
However, now, with the US
more diverse than ever, television
does not seem to be keeping up with
the times as much as it should. To be
more specific, children and young
adult programming seems oddly
homogenous in its racial and ethnic
representation. The popular cable
television network, Nickelodeon,
is the perfect example of this shift.
From the 1990s to the early 2000s,
Nickelodeon’s time blocks geared
towards teenagers, TEENick and
SNICK, offered a particular di-
Opinion
http://www.maldenblueandgold.com/
versity within its programs. My
Brother and Me, Cousin Skeeter,
and Kenan & Kel were shows that
featured African-American fami-
lies; Taina and The Brothers Garcia
highlighted Hispanic families and
cultures. These shows did not just
have a black or Spanish character on
the show, but explored the culture of
each ethnic group. American teens
were exposed to different lifestyles
and cultures, opening their eyes to
the world around them. Even shows
with a mainly white cast still of-
fered a different point of view than
the norm. The show Caitlin’s Way
covered the life of a troubled and
tragically orphaned girl who, opting
out of going to a juvenile detention
center, chose to live with her aunt.
Clearly the programming of this era,
while offering more diversity, also
offered more depth in its characters
and more complexities within the
plots they faced.
Comparing the programming
on Nickelodeon now to the program-
ming from the network’s past indi-
cates the change that has occurred.
iCarly, Big Time Rush, and Victori-
ous are the most popular shows on
the network and share a common
theme. All three depict teens becom-
ing famous in some way, whether it
be through a web show, a band con-
test, or a school for the performing
arts. The issues that the characters
face on the show are superficial and
focus mainly on crushes, fame, and
balancing the two. There is no em-
phasis on diversity or the different
cultures that make up the American
culture. The explanation for the
shift from depth to surface level
content? “Every kid thinks they’re
five minutes away and one lucky
circumstance from being famous,”
stated Marjorie Cohn, executive vice
president for original programming
and development at Nickelodeon in
an interview with The Los Angeles
Times. “We’ve always responded to
what’s out there in the cultural zeit-
geist and spin it Nickelodeon style.”
Yet, time has proven that what
children and people in general,
want are not always what is good
for them. The programming on tele-
vision for children and pre-teens is
the sugar of their “television diet.” It
is not giving children the substance
that at such an impressionable
age they need. Instead of helping
children learn to understand each
others’ backgrounds, Nickelodeon
is feeding them pipe dreams and
instilling in them an obsession with
fame and notoriety at an early age.
While the shows are entertaining
and to an extent funny, they are
hardly filled with substance and
rely more on cheap gags than actual
sustaining content.
Surprisingly, films and movies
targeted at youth are on a converse
path. These films are beginning to
touch upon some surprisingly sen-
sitive topics in a manner that is far
from what it was in the past. Toy
Story 3, which debuted in June 2010,
was received with universal critical
acclaim. Named the “Best Movie of
2010” by Time Magazine, it takes a
humorous look on growing up and
dealing with the changes that come
with doing so. This is a topic that any-
one from all age groups can relate to
because it has substance; it goes past
the surface problems portrayed in
youth television and hits a powerful
chord with its discussion of a hu-
man issue: coping with change. Toy
Story 3 is not alone; Where the Wild
Things Are, Up, Despicable Me, and
WALL-E are all films rated PG that
go beyond shallow discussion and
present meaningful material such as
the pain of loss and the power of be-
lief. As films of this caliber continue
to garner acclaim and bring money
to the box office, perhaps youth
programming will take a hint and
follow suit.
However, youth films, despite
The Blue and Gold
January 2011
their impressive content and depth
of characters, are far from perfect.
They are, like youth television, un-
able to broadcast a variety in ethnic-
ity and even a correct portrayal of an
ethnic character.
The best example is the 2010
film The Last Airbender. Based
on the popularized Nickelodeon
television show Avatar: The Last
Airbender, the film follows Aang
and his friends in an Asian inspired
universe as they try to save the
world from the invasive and heavy
handed Fire Nation ruler, Fire Lord
Ozai. The driving force behind the
show was its East Asian influences;
from the names of the characters to
the foundation for the styles of fight-
ing they use, the show is a homage
to the colorful East Asian culture
and its rich history. However, in
M. Night Shyamalan’s adaptation,
the cast was primarily Caucasian
or Indian. Those who were fans of
the show were displeased and even
enraged at the disregard of the eth-
nicity of the characters in the film.
Dragon Ball Evolution, which came
out in 2008, had the same issue as it
featured a Caucasian lead in a film
that was based off one of the most
popular anime of its time. It is this
lack of appreciation of culture that
youth films and television are both
lacking.
Whereas the previous era in
youth programming is character-
ized by diversity and self-discovery,
this one will be remembered for its
homogeneity and triviality. Who
knows, perhaps as the US heads to-
wards more equality for the people,
youth television shows will follow
suit and have a show on an Asian
family or a homosexual teen. Until
then, the youth of America will con-
tinue to be shocked when it realizes
that attaining fame is not as easy as
the TV shows make it out to be.
The Blue and Gold
January 2011
continued from page 3
thusiasts. The gun is light, reason-
ably priced at around 500 dollars,
and small enough to be concealed
under an article of clothing. But
according to the St. Petersburg
Times, the main draw of the gun is
its extended magazine: “The stan-
dard Glock 19 can hold 15 bullets.
For 60 dollars more, you can add
an 8-inch extension. And double
the ammunition.” Perhaps this is
why this specific model was also
used by Seung-Hui Cho in the 2007
Virginia Tech massacre that killed
an additional 32 people.
It is not surprising that a
mass killing like this happened in
Arizona, considering the state’s
lax record when it comes to gun
control. In fact, last year, Arizona
was the third state that allowed its
citizens to carry concealed weap-
ons without a background check
or any formal training.
But even then, some people
remain unconvinced that the state’s
gun control policy had anything to
do with this month’s shooting. Re-
publican state Senator Ron Gould
controversially suggested that “I
don’t see how gun control could
have prevented that shooting un-
less you take the guns out of the
hands of law-abiding citizens.”
It is time for gun control policy
to be changed in America, and in a
substantial way. Congress, in 1994,
wrote legislation that limited the
number of rounds an ammunition
magazine could hold to 10. But ten
years later in 2004, this legislation
was allowed to expire, since then,
gun manufacturers have made
substantially bigger magazines.
Now, in the wake of the
Tucson shootings, Congress has
once again looked into limiting
the number of rounds a magazine
can legally be allowed to hold. But
why stop there? This new session
of Congress should place an out-
right ban on semiautomatic hand-
guns like the Glock 19, regardless
of whether someone is considered
a “law-abiding citizen”. Even for
less potent handguns, national
legislation should require more
stringent background checks and
more educational courses.
America has been grappling
with how to deal with gun violence,
especially in the last twenty years.
The Tucson shootings, despite all
the grief and suffering caused, has
presented itself as a golden op-
portunity to make America a safer
place.
Opinion
http://www.maldenblueandgold.com/
Oppression, Televised
A display in the Kadhmiyah section of Baghdad, Iraq, warns that women who don’t wear the hijab, or traditional
Muslim head covering, will be punished in the afterlife. The display, shown on December 30, 2010, was erected
by Islamist leaders in Baghdad as part of what many women see as a campaign to limit their role in public life.
Photo courtesy of MCT Campus.
Megan Kelly
Copy Editor
T o a TV producer looking for
the next hit TV show, a title like
“Niqab” (which literally means
“veil”), might mean that coming
up with something catchy is hard
to do these days. Now maybe with
a few TV stars and a good theme
song it could become a hit and
their next meal ticket, although
this Afghani TV show is not gain-
ing popularity over scripted drama
and its graphics. It features the raw
and true stories from the oppressed
female population of Afghanistan.
Saraya, the first woman inter-
viewed on the TV show, told her
lifetime story from behind a blue
and white mask. The blue meant
to be similar to the the Niqab, or
veil that is apart of the Muslim
hijab, the modest dress code from
the Qur’an, while the white repre-
sents the woman’s innocence. For
Saraya, wearing the mask was not
only to protect her but to also apart
of creator Sami Mahdi’s vision for
the show. As he told CNN, “I was
not very sure about the concept
and the format, but I was very sure
about the mask, you know.”
The show caught America’s at-
tention after several major news cor-
porations such as The Huffington
Post, CNN International and CBS
News posted it as front web-page
news. Comments on the articles
range from radical feminism to
insults to the Muslim faith. Mahdi
might have started The Mask proj-
ect to reveal the extreme abuse that
some Afghani woman endure, he
has received reactions much stron-
ger than anticipated .
Since the traumatic 9/11 attacks,
many Western European Countries
have gained a negative view on
Islam, such as Denmark, where
parliament member Søren Krarup
stated in a government session in
2007, “the head scarf [has been] a to-
talitarian symbol comparable with
totalitarian symbols we know from
the Nazis and Communism,” as
sourced from www.earthtimes.org.
In France and Germany, legislature
has been passed banning the Hijab
in public, while Christian crucifixes
were a much harder symbol to band.
With a new TV show expressing the
effect that this “mask” has on Mus-
lim women in certain countries, it
appears that the message being sent
is that the Muslim faith is giving
men an upper hand over women.
In a country where Islam is the
major religion, it would be thought
that Muslim traditions would be
strictly enforced; though Arjuman
Kamal, mother to Malden High
School sophomore Arefin Mohiud-
din, says otherwise. Kamal, who
grew up in Bangladesh, disagrees
with the stereotype on Muslim
women. Translated by her son Are-
fin, she spoke about her practice of
Islam’s hijab. “It’s really much of a
tradition, it’s actually part of my re-
ligion, Islam, which dictates that all
women must cover their heads. Ev-
5
ery women eventually does, some
earlier than others. I didn’t have to
be pushed to wear one, I decided to
at age 14.”
The difference between coun-
tries with large “fanatical” popu-
lations such as Afghanistan, and
countries such as the US, UK and
Bangladesh where there is freedom
of religion is that women are given
a choice. Americans now see the
Muslim women of Afghanistan who
are forced to be the lesser part of
the population as victims; and the
identity of Afghani women is now
being applied to Muslim women in
general. Kamal commented on the
newest stereotype of Muslims, “Just
like every other stereotype about
certain races, ones about Muslims
are simply not true. [The] stereotype
about husbands beating their wives
is not true. There have been cases
about this all over the world, yet
there’s nothing that links this espe-
cially to Muslims. Nothing in our
religion dictates it. ”
What ever happens to “The
Mask” is all up to the viewers. May-
be it will gain so much popularity
that Afghanistan will see the error
in its ways for allowing the abuse of
wives to be such an issue that a TV
show has to be made to reveal these
horrors. This may make people see
the difference between living in a
culturally conservative country and
a country where the sub culture that
Jersey Shore represents is able to
develop. But what this is not doing
is helping the image that Islam has
taken up in the past two decades;
Kamal said on the topic of Muslim
stereotypes that, “one thing people
realize is that there are radicals
from every religion, Muslims, Jews,
even Christian radicals. One group
shouldn’t set the tone for the rest.”
6
Tucson Massacre Stuns Country
Six people are killed and 13 critically injured in a shooting
rampage targeting US Congresswomen Gabrielle Giffords.
Above: Photographs of Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, (D-Ariz.) and slain U.S. District Judge
John M. Roll were displayed at a memorial in front of the University Medial Center in Tucson, Ari-
zona. (Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times/MCT). Below: President Barack Obama makes a speech
honoring the victims of the Tucson, Arizona shooting rampage. (Will Seberger/MCT)
Rebecca Broomstein
Reporter
O n Jan 8, 2011, United States rep-
resentative Gabrielle Giffords
became one of 19 victims brutally
wounded during a shooting ram-
page outside a Safeway Supermar-
ket in Tucson, Arizona. Six of the
19 victims were killed, while 13 of
them suffered severe wounds. Six
of the 13 wounded remained hospi-
talized in critical condition. Many
citizens of Arizona gathered by the
supermarket at a local “Congress
on Your Corner” event to hear Gif-
fords express her views when the
brutality began. One of the victims
was nine year old Christina Taylor
Green, who was ironically born dur-
ing the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Chief
federal judge of Arizona, John Roll,
was also one of the six murdered.
22 year old Jared Loughner is
World news
http://www.maldenblueandgold.com/
Paige Yurek
Copy Editor
suspected to be the monster behind
this malicious felony. When asked
about his motive, Loughner had
no response. Loughner is being
held without bail, and faces either a
death sentence or life in prison for
committing five federal crimes: one
count of an attempted assassination
of a member of congress, two counts
of killing an employee of the US and
two counts of intentions of killing
US employees. Although Lough-
ner does not claim a motive for his
devious actions, some claim his
political views, which differ highly
from those of Giffords, may have
motivated the shooting.
In honor of the fallen victims
during the tragedy, president Bar-
rack Obama led a moment of si-
lence, in which the country’s flags
A program for Christina Taylor Green’s funeral is
displayed at St Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, Thurs-
day, January 13, 2011, in Tucson, Arizona. (Gina
Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times/MCT)
were ordered to be lowered to half
staff, on Jan 10, 2011, at 11 a.m. In
his memorial speech, Obama stated,
“to the families of those we’ve lost;
to all who called them friends; to
the students of this university, the
public servants gathered tonight,
and the people of Tucson and Ari-
zona: I have come here tonight as an
American who, like all Americans,
kneels to pray with you today, and
will stand by you tomorrow.”
Sarah Palin also made a state-
ment about the Tucson Tragedy, say-
ing, “Acts of monstrous criminality
stand on their own. They begin and
end with the criminals who commit
them.” However, Palin continued
with a somewhat defensive, poli-
cally-oriented statement, saying,
“journalists and pundits should not
manufacture a blood libel that serves
only to incite the very hatred and
violence they purport to condemn.”
Her comments caused uproar in the
public, particularly the usage of the
phrase “blood libel.”
On Jan 11, 2011, Giffords took
a miraculous turn in her recovery at
Tucson’s University Medical Center,
taking her first breath on her own
since the incident. She also began
moving both arms, though she is
still reliant on a breathing tube, for
precautionary reasons. On her third
day into recovery, Giffords brain
was expected to reach it’s peak in
swelling, but her doctor, Dr. Michael
Lemole, chief of neurosurgery at
the University of Arizona, stated
that her brain had made no increase
in swelling. This could mean that
her brain is done swelling, though
Lemole says that sometimes it could
The Blue and Gold
January 2011
take longer for the brain to reach its
peak of swelling. After Giffords’ op-
eration that required temporarily re-
moving half of her skull, tests have
shown that she is becoming more
and more responsive. For instance,
when asked to hold up two fingers,
Giffords was able to successfully re-
spond as she raised two of her own
fingers. In addition, according to Dr.
Peter Rhee, Giffords has been reach-
ing for her breathing tube, which is
“a purposeful movement. That [is] a
great thing,” he stated.
If Giffords remains absent from
congress, her seat shall be declared-
vacant, but only by the US house
of representatives, not the state of
Arizona.
Although many innocent lives
were cut short because of Jared
Loughner on that bloody day of
horror, he has no choice but to face
the extreme consequences for his
heinous actions.
Booking mug of Jared Lee Loughner.
Loughner is charged with trying to assas-
sinate U.S. congresswoman Gabrielle Gif-
fords in a shooting rampage that killed six
people and wounded 14, Saturday January
8, 2011. (Courtesy Pima County Sheriffs
Department/MCT)
The Blue and Gold
January 2011 WORLD NEWS 7
http://www.maldenblueandgold.com/

Assassination of Salam Taseer

Kayla Bramante
Head of Special Projects
Could this be the end of democracy in Pakistan?
T he province of Punjab, Pakistan
was in awe when the news hit
them that their governor, Salman
power and the fact that Taseer was
unhappy with the “blasphemous”
law to punish apostates in Islam
stated ”TWENTY-
SEVEN.
the number of
That’s

Taseer, was assassinated. Taseer with a death sentence. bullets a police

was walking through a market in
Islamabad when his body guard
was caught with a gun next to Tas-
eers’ lifeless body. When the news
got out, Taseers political party, the
Pakistan Peoples Party, were found
in the streets of Pakistan burning
objects such as tires and shouting
words defending Taseer. Other PPP
members were found closing busi-
nesses because they did not want to
have a business day on the day their
leader got assassinated.
The PPP members were in
favor of the governors ideas of de-
mocracy. The PPP and the opposing
group, the Pakistan Muslim League,
are vying against each other for con-
trol of the government. The PML’s
want Pakistans people to conserve
the ideas of the Koran and uphold
sharia law. With this controversy no
one is certain what will succeed and
what will fail, but there has been
many attempts to conserve both.
Many have wondered why this
bodyguard wanted to murder Tas-
eer. It started with giving women
Many are also wondering how guard fired into
this assassination is this going to af- my father before
fect the government. Prime minister surrendering him-
Yousaf Raza Gillani appointed three self with a sinister
days of mourning for the former smile to the police-
governor and on Jan. 5, 2011 all men around him.”
schools and institutions were shut He also told that
down. the governor was
Taseers murder will also push killed on his other
back the coming of rights and power son, Shehryars,
of women. One woman, Aasia Bibi, 25th birthday.
converted to Christianity and was “He was an intel-
given a death sentence that Taseer lectual, a newspa-
opposed. As reported by time. per publisher and
com, a citizen of Punjab stated that a writer; he was
“Taseer was doing the right thing, jailed and tortured Chart shows the balance of power in the Pakistani
even though he should not have for his belief in parliament. The second-largest party in the ruling co-
challenged the law. The law should democracy and alition has rejoined the it after withdrawing a few days
decide, and he should have waited freedom” stated earlier in response to higher gasoline prices. MCT 2011
for the Lahore High Court’s deci- Shehrbano Taseer.
sion. He should have hired a lawyer Some people were saying that the and died for Pakistan. To honor his
for Aasia Bibi. Where there are lots governors death was the last hope memory, those who share that belief
of extremists, you need to be more of a “tolerant Pakistan.” Shehrbano in Pakistan’s future must not stay si-
careful, especially if you take a bold went on to say that the new politi- lent about injustice. We must never
position.” cans want to go on and create new be afraid of our enemies. We must
From an editorial of the New amendments to be sure that the law never let them win“ Shehrbano con-
York Times, the son of the assas- is not misused. “My father believed cluded.
sinated governor, Shehrbano Taseer in our country’s potential. He lived

Bomb Blasts Target Copts in Egypt

Natalie Fallano
Coptic Christians are killed in a deadly terror plot organized
Copy Editor by radical muslim extremists in Alexandria, Egypt.

A Coptic Church in the predomi-
nately Muslim country of Egypt
was targeted during a New Years
mass when 21 people were killed in
a suicide bombing in the northern
city of Alexandria.
The bombing took place a
half hour into the new year, right
after the mass when the attendees
were exiting. The blast was strong
enough to damage cars and build-
ings near by, as well as detach body
parts and send them flying. The
bombing was the most damaging
attack made on Christians in Egypt
in decades which is why Egyptian
cops are frightened and outraged.
Many wanted to flee the very next
day. causes issues because a right means
In fact, many Copts in the
United States state they left Egypt
because they were discriminated
against. There is only a small per-
centage of Christians in Egypt, ten
percent, compared to 90 percent
Islam.
The Copts claim that the gov-
ernment does nothing to address
conservative Islamic prejudice in
society. Most American Copts have
some type of Egyptian descent be-
cause that is where the Coptic Or-
thodox Church of Alexandria was
established. It broke off from the
earlier Northern and western Or-
thodox Church due to disagreement
about the nature of Jesus Christ.
When Copts come to the Unit-
ed States the tables turn because
they enter an environment in which
Christianity is the majority, compris-
ing around 83 percent of the popu-
lation, while Islam is the minority,
making up less than two percent.
In the US, many Muslims suppos-
edly feel the same way as Copts in
Egypt. This is due to stereotype that
all Muslims are terrorists because of
events like September 11. In Egypt
and the US, freedom of religion is a
natural right, but being the minority
nothing if it is not enforced.
At Malden High School their
are several students who practice Is-
lam, and live in a Christian majority
area. Around the Christmas holidays
that just passed, many feel left out.
Sophomore Asef Haider explained,
“I don’t celebrate Christmas, so I
feel left out when everyone’s going
on about it, but I don’t mind since
I understand what a craze it is for
Christians.” Another Muslim, soph-
omore Mohammad Anwar, shared
similar feelings towards Christmas
vacation, stating “I feel
like I get a week off
for no reason, which is
great and everything,
but I’m not celebrating
anything.” Both claim
that they don’t feel dis-
crimination but think
it’s unfair that Malden
gives no Muslim holi-
days off. Students get
Jewish and Christian
holidays off, so maybe
it is time for the system
to acknowledge the
minority as well.
In Cambridge,
MA, however, the
Muslims minority
is starting to be rec-
ognized by school
administration. Next
year, the Cambridge
school district plans on
closing once each year
to observe either Eid
Al-Fitr or Eid Al-Adha
because of the number St. Mark’s Cathedral in Alexandria. Photo courtsey
of students that prac- of Wikimedia.com.
tice Islam. Given Mal-
den’s robust Muslim community, ing to the list of religious holidays
maybe Malden’s school system will that are already observed.
soon consider following suit, add-
8
Community Bulletin
Monthly Profile: Beverly Nyman, English Teacher
Johanna Lai
Reporter
M alden High School English
teacher Beverly Nyman has
been teaching at MHS for 23 years.
Born and raised in Malden, Nyman
attended MHS and graduated in
1965. Nyman expressed that she
“didn’t know what [she] wanted
to be at first,” before she became
an English teacher, “because [she]
wasn’t looking into it.” Her motiva-
tion to become a teacher stemmed
from her father’s teaching career
during her childhood.
After graduating from MHS,
Nyman went to George Washington
University, located in Washington
D.C, where she earned her bach-
elor’s degree in English literature in
1969. A year later, Nyman attended
the University of Massachusetts
Boston, receiving her master’s de-
gree in 1970.
Once Nyman received her
master’s degree, she began teaching
at MHS from the 1970s to the 1980s.
She later moved to Connecticut
where she continued teaching at
Naugatuck Valley Community Col-
lege for another eight years. Nyman
also worked as an exchange teacher
at Te Awamutu College in New
Zealand for a year during the 80s as
well.
While teaching in New Zea-
land, Nyman stated that her experi-
ence teaching there was “different
from when [she] was teaching at
The Blue and Gold
Local News January 2011
http://www.maldenblueandgold.com/
MHS, [as] most of the kids came
from a farming background
and it was something that was
important to them. They would
also bring [their] cattle to school.”
She described the school further,
explaining how, “all of the win-
dows were open and the door in
the classroom opened to the out-
doors.”
Nyman also elaborated on
the history of the Maori, revealing
that “the Maori were the first peo-
ple to live in New Zealand,” and
that “these people made [New
Zealand] different from the other
countries.” Several years later, in
2001, Nyman returned to teaching
at MHS where she is today.
When she is not teaching at
MHS, Nyman spends her free-time Beverly Nyman smiles from her classroom. Photo by Johanna Lai.
listening to music, particularly jazz, Nyman worked on the “Pathways to humans but...able to communicate
and traveling. Nyman’s history of China” program, a program created with dogs.” Nyman was likely so
travelling to numerous different to allow Massachusetts students the impressed by the character’s abil-
countries is evidence of her fasci- chance to study Chinese culture, ity to communicate with the dogs
nation with world travel. She has history, and society, with five high because of her fondness for the ani-
traveled to England, France, Italy, schools: MHS, Burlington High mals.
Greece, Belgium, Germany, Luxem- School, Lynn Classical High School, “Mrs. Nyman is surely a phe-
burg, the Netherlands, Colombia, Winchester High School and the nomenal teacher to work with!”
Mexico, Israel, Egypt, and South Beaver Country Day School. stated sophomore Teresa La. “It’s
Korea, to name a few. Nyman has When not traveling or listen- definitely a joy to have her as a teach-
always particularly looked forward ing to jazz, Nyman spends her time er. Everything just flows smoothly.
to traveling to China. “I’ve always reading. Her favorite books include I’m always looking forward to her
wanted to go to China, since I was “The Story of Edgar Sawtelle” by class because she makes English
8 years old, because of a project that David Wroblewski and “Herzog” entertaining.” Sophomore Elizabeth
I was working on at the time,” Ny- by Saul Bellow. Nyman described Fitzgerald also spoke fondly of Ny-
man cheerfully explained. Nyman “The Story of Edgar Sawtelle” as an man as she claimed, “I would have
was finally able to go to China (as amazing book because of the story- to say that Ms. Nyman is an overall
well as Tibet) with a teacher group line being “about a young boy who great teacher. Her personality makes
back in 2005. A couple years later, wasn’t able to communicate with her class more fun.”
The Blue and Gold
January 2011
Self-Expression
of Graffiti, Art
or Menace?
Joel Stevenson
Reporter
T he art of drawing is to see beyond the
mere lines drawn and colors blended
and to take in the picture as a whole. But
while art is about perception, where does
the line cross from expression to vandal-
ization?
“I feel that graffiti is a way to express
emotions through art, albeit it’s some-
times unwanted,” asserted junior Harris
Zhao. At Malden High School, students
as well as faculty have to pay the price
for crimes of vandalization. Graffiti has
affected so many individuals within the
walls of MHS alone. It has caused stu-
dents to miss more class time when leav-
ing to use the restroom or water fountain
as there are few available, what with so
many being closed due to unwanted tag-
ging.
As renovations are coming to a
close, the demand to reduce graffiti is
even more of a priority, expressed Span-
ish teacher Sharon Kalagher, “Not just
on the walls and the hallways, but in the
agenda books; I think it just comes down
to having respect.” With fewer and fewer
bathrooms to go to in between classes,
students are tending to show up later.
Students are also growing frustrated
with the seemingly constant changing
of open bathroom locations, suggested
sophomore Valentine Banor, who finds it
“annoying to know that there is never a
certain bathroom to go to.”
So, what realistic solution exists to
eliminate graffiti as a problem within
MHS? Searching every student for tag-
ging materials? How about creating
places for those whose ideas are too large
for canvases where they are able to fully
express themselves. The city of Malden
has been thinking about this for a while,
and considered having a project in the
skate park for graffiti artists to come to-
gether and work on something, but it has
yet to happen, according to Officer Mike
Polston.
Becoming an artist is hard enough
with the challenge of finding support and
acceptance of that craft. With so many
other obscure art forms, it is unexpected
to think that graffiti is not really consid-
ered as one. If an artist is someone who
creates art, why are graffiti artists treated
so differently?
Graffiti might not be an art form that
hangs upon the walls of a museum, but
just like any other art, it has a purpose.
“It does nothing bad to the city and its
people; it shows that the city has charac-
ter with different designs,” stated junior
John Nguyen.
With so many people not seeing the
art behind graffiti but instead only recog-
nizing the destruction caused by graffiti,
ideas about finding ways to reduce this
defacement of property and find solu-
tions to help individuals express their art
differently are shot down, as so many be-
lieve this art form should not exist at all.
Yet, one must take into consideration the
perspectives of the artists. In response to
this situation, junior Jonathan Silva sar-
castically expressed, “Where are we to
express ourselves, under a bridge?”
Local News 9
http://www.maldenblueandgold.com/
Renovations: A Freshman’s Perspective
The H-house to B-house hallway in the wake of the renovations of Malden High
Timothee Pierre
School. Photos by Lauren Benoit and Timothee Pierre.
Reporter
F
ounded in 1857, it is no surprise that Malden
High School can use a bit of revamping in
terms of its technology and design throughout the
building. Early in the school year, new teachers
and freshmen were very excited about the new
school to come, but did not anticipate paying a
price for the construction underway.
Initially, A-House and B-House experienced
the most of the construction that was going on
during the school day, as there was loud drilling,
hammering, and many other noises that were a bit
disrupting. Some students complained for days
on in about the noise, and how it was distracting
to their work in the classroom. MHS freshman
Anthony Clayton responded when asked if the
construction has become a problem during the
day, saying, “When I am doing my work in class
I hear [the] sounds of them working and it dis-
tracts [me while I] do my schoolwork.” The noise
from the construction sometimes distracts from
learning or classes. Additonally, certain areas are
blocked due to saftey reasons, meaning several
temporary walls and locked doors block access to
different areas of the school.
Freshman Malik Fleming frustratingly stated
“Construction gets in the way …It does not make
sense… It blocks all of my classes.” The maze that
MHS has become also affects students through
their way of maneuvering through different stair-
wells as one of the B-House stairwells is no longer
accessible, causing there to be a great amount of
traffic in the other B-House stairwell, particularly
when students flood out of classrooms to head to pressed their content for the results of the renovations
lunch. “When the stair cases are closed, and lunch so far, all finding them to be great changes despite the
begins, the stairs get very crowded and the only disruption that it may cause during classes.
staircase that leads you straight to lunch is filled Although students have struggled with the new
to the brim of student and it hard to get through,” layout, construction on classrooms is expected to be
responded Clayton. finished by no later than fall of 2011. Over the course
Along with these changes, what was known of the remaining school year, science rooms will be
as A-House is now H-House for Holland. MHS renovated as well as the cafeterias. Along with these
freshman Kelvin Tejeda, was one of the many that two main projects, other areas of the Boyle Building will
stated the feeling of confusion with the change be updated as well. “The final phase will be the library
of A-House to becoming H-House. With the new and the cafeterias,” stated Principal Dana Brown. When
wing open, students had to find their ways to new students heard of the construction being finished they
classrooms for classes in the wings of B-house that rejoiced with happiness. “We are nearing [the] final
are being redone. phase, [and] it’s appears we are [currently] in the big-
Ramses Elyjah Neves Riviere, freshman at gest phase,” Brown stated. With rising anticipation and
MHS stated, “I [kind of] liked the move because excitement, students and faculty look forward to being
B-House is so dark and creepy, but the new rooms welcomed by the new MHS next year.
actually have light.” Other MHS students ex-
10
MALDEN HIGH TAKES ON
Lesley Ta
Reporter
2 011 has finally rolled around,
meaning Poetry Out Loud has
arrived once again at Malden High
School. During the pre-competition,
muffled voices echoed from inside
the newly renovated classrooms.
Peek inside, and there would’ve
been a POL competitor reciting their
poem with the emotions it needs to
bring the words alive.
POL is a poetry recitation con-
test that every student is required
to participate in. Launched in 2006,
this unique challenge is available
once during each school year.
Classmates will be pitted
against each other as they aim to win
their individual class competitions
in hopes to compete in the school-
wide contest. Whether the student
desires the title of “Class Winner”
or not, he must select a poem of his
choice to narrate and winners are
chosen from every class to move to
the period semifinals.
There were about 60 students
competing for the name of Period
Semifinal Champion. Each period
contributed one winner to compete
in the school-wide Competition.
The period semifinal competi-
tion began with periods seven, one,
two, four, and five on Jan. 5, 2011.
Periods three and six sealed the final
results of the contestants the next
day on Jan. 6.
Although only seven students
moved onto the final round, Sopho-
more Kevin Yang (who did not
move on to the school wide compe-
tition) stated that being a part of the
Local News
http://www.maldenblueandgold.com/
60 students who competed was “a
process.”
In a fresh turn of events, the pe-
riod six competition resulted in a tie
between freshman Isaiah Clemmons
and senior Vanesha Darla. Both cap-
tured an equal score and will now
face each other in the final round on
Jan. 25, 2011.
“Well I was not surprised nor
was I upset. I was just happy to move
on,” discloses Darla who performed
“Father” by Edgar Albert Guest. “I
[didn’t] mind because I [know] that
in the end [there] will only be one
winner and it[’s] great to have some
good competition[.] [It] makes you
work harder.”
“I feel very surprised [because]
the competition was very competi-
tive. Honestly, beating Blondel was
questionable. I’ve been asking my-
self ‘how, ‘why’ etc,” stated Clem-
ons who recited “Football” by Louis
Jenkins.
Period one’s winning poem
was “Broken Promises” by David
Kirby. Artfully recited by Junior
Sarah Rose, she declared that in
“Broken Promisesm,” “the speaker
struggles with the guilt and frustra-
tion [he] feels towards promises [he]
had broken in the past. I think a lot
of people can relate to this situation
because almost everyone has made
promises [he] were not able to keep
and regretted it later on.” Now con-
fident and hopeful, Rose stated “I
am proud to say that I have made it
this far, and POL has definitely been
an enjoyable experience.”
Junior Jonathan Silva took the
title of period two semifinalist with
the poem “Grandfather” by Micheal
S. Harper. Silva revealed that he was
“... very [surprised at the results]
and [had the confidence to move on]
with the help of my English teacher,
David Londino. I feel very confident
to move on to at least states.” Silva
added confidently, “I didn’t expect
to win but it has boosted my self-
[esteem] tremendously and it’s nice
to have a class directed on me when
I’m not the greatest in English.”
The poem “Epitaph” by Kath-
erine Philips aided junior Anielly
Zeferino in her quest to take home
the title of period three semifinal-
ist. Undaunted by her loss in the
semifinals last year, Zeferino claims
“Since this year I didn’t care if I lost
or won, I just picked this poem... It
talks about a mother mourning for
her dead child, and I could relate
a little bit to it since I have already
seen something similar with my
own eyes. It’s heart-breaking.”
Upon hearing her success this year,
Zeferino stated, “I would like to
thank: God, my family, and all my
friends who were with me during
the times I was about to freak out,
just thinking about [POL].”
“I was absolutely thrilled [that
freshman Ahn Dam won period 4,]”
explained English teacher Christine
Day. “It always feels good that one
of your students succeeds...espe-
cially because she is a freshman.”
Dam performed “Life in a love” by
Robert Browning.
Freshman Wyler Giordani will
be advancing to the school wide
competition flanked by the poem
“Alone” by Edgar Allan Poe. With
his achievement of acclaiming the
title of period five semifinalist, he
The Blue and Gold
January 2011
stated “win or lose, I’m glad I made
it this far, and wish to do better next
year.” A rapper since nine, Giordani
doesn’t consider POL as remem-
bering words, but regards it as,
“embracing one’s true character by
bringing those words to life. Putting
poetry into your heart doesn’t mean
you show affection, putting your
heart into poetry does.” He added
with a laugh, “[Edgar Allan Poe’s]
view towards life is mysterious
and so I chose that poem because it
brings out my true character, I sup-
pose.”
Senior Alison Nguyen, last
year’s second place finalist in the
school wide competition, has re-
turned as period seven’s semifinal-
ist. Her victory was confirmed with
the poem “To an Athlete Dying
Young” by A.E. Housman. Nguyen
expressed positively “I wanted to do
this poem because I had never done
anything somber or solemn and be-
cause it provided me with another
view on life and glory. I enjoy craft-
ing ways and gestures that help con-
vey the true meanings of each poem
that I perform.” She added with a
laugh “ Ever since I won last year,
people have begun to realize that
I’m not just the stereotypical ‘petite,
quiet Asian’ girl. This competition
has given me a louder ‘voice’.”
The question is: Which one of
these talented students will win?
Photos by Amanda Rosatone, Cris-
tina Peters, Sharon Lee, Catherine
Poirier, Lauren Benoit and Lesley Ta.
Layout and Design by Britany Foley
and Lesley Ta.
The Blue and Gold
January 2011
Keeping traditions alive
The Cost of Going Green
Lauren Benoit
Head of Photography
R ecently, the idea to “Go Green”
is flooding the nation. Schools
are being renovated to conserve
energy, the number of solar panels
being installed has increased, and
the awareness has risen.
Malden High School’s Environ-
mental Club aims to raise this aware-
ness on a local level. At MHS, the
club is involved in strategically plac-
ing recycling bins in certain areas
around the school, so that students
can recycle more often. The city of
Malden started acting on this prob-
lem back in October of 2008, making
the residents of Malden purchase
separate blue trash bags to dispose
of their trash, and place all their
recyclables in their newly obtained
recycling bins, calling it the Pay As
You Throw program. Select super
markets are giving out benefits to
customers if they bring their own
tote bags; for example, some stores
take ten cents off for every bag you
bring. All these acts towards becom-
ing more green help the community
grow and prosper. However, it is
often difficult to monitor how well
these regulations are followed.
Some residents in Malden have
been infuriated recently due to the
lack of commitment in recycling. A
witness reported that when she was
driving by a trash truck one day, the
LOCAL news
http://www.maldenblueandgold.com/
Sharon Lee
Head of Photography
I t was a night of tradition for the
Malden High School Music De-
partment as it presented its annual
holiday concert, Malden Pops the
Holidays, on Dec. 22, 2010, for the
first time in the renovated Jenkins
Auditorium.
Welcoming the audience as
they stepped foot into the lobby was
a flute quintet consisting of flautists
junior and concert band treasurer
Eric Tran, senior and concert band
student conductor Jenna Delaney, ju-
nior Elizabeth Williams, senior Julie
Ringdahl, and senior concert band
vice-president Samantha Saggese.
Both the Concert Band and Choral
Arts Society performed a total of 20
songs, four of which were traditional
pieces that are annually performed.
The four pieces were “A Canadian
Brass Christmas Suite” and “Chan-
nukah is Here,” performed by the
Concert Band, “Silent Night” sung
by the Concert Choir, and “O, Holy
Night” sung by Concert Choir along
with all alumni of the Choral Arts
Society who were present. The song
“Silent Night” was performed with
the customary layout consisting
of several members of the concert
choir to be up on stage as the oth-
workers disposed of the
trash and recyclables in
the same truck. There
was no separation be-
tween the two. Actions
like that go against the
recycling commitment
that the community has.
Maybe in the two and
a half years that PAYT
has been enacted, it lost
its power to encour-
age the community to
keep moving forward
with making the world
a better place. Many
are strong advocates
towards one day using
all recyclable goods, or
decreasing the amount of oil usage.
But there are some who feel strongly
about not “going green.”
Some say that coal fuels eco-
nomic growth. There is a great deal
of people in the world who still rely
on coal for use in their daily lives,
which brings in massive amounts of
money. If there is a decrease in the
use of coal then the economy will
likely plummet as it has in the past.
Aside from the plummeting econ-
omy, the non-believers are positive
that even if they do decide to make
an effort to live “greener” lives, it
does not come cheap.
Although the average middle
class income family cannot with-
stand a $10,000 solar panel renova-
tion to their home, select celebrities
11
ers lined up along the two main Filling the auditorium with
aisles of auditorium seats. This was holiday spirit was done not just by
a typical routine the Concert Choir decorating the auditorium with
does annually, except for the 2009’s colorful and festive décor but most
concert; due to renovations, it was importantly by presenting MHS’s
held in the Finn Gymnasium. Be- talent.
ing held in the auditorium this year
also allowed the band to work with
better acoustics, which concert band
conductor Matthew Tavares calls
“state-of-the-art.”
This year’s song selection for
the Concert Band was a classic yet
professional approach, which was
greatly influenced by the highly ac-
claimed Boston Pops. The idea of in-
cluding the reading of the story, The
Night Before Christmas, as the band
played “Sure on this Shining Night/
‘Twas the Night Before Christmas”
by Barber/Saucedo was based off
one of the Boston Pop’s annual tra-
ditions.
Meanwhile, for the Concert
Choir, song selection was based
mostly on the size of each choir. With
18 Madrigal Singers, 78 members of
Concert Choir, and 100 members
of Mixed Chorus, there is a strong
backbone within each of the four
sections: alto, soprano, tenor, and
bass. This creates confidence within From left to right: Sophomore Joshua
a section since the singers are sup- Gaviola, singing as King Balthazar
ported by each other and it allows in the song “The Sheperds’ Chorus.”
them to be able to perform different Band director Matthew Tavares on
types of choral literature. stage after the MHS band played.
Photos by Sharon Lee.
Everyone should help make the world
a better place to live in. Help local
clubs in this effort to make the world
a “greener” place to live. Left to right
Photos from: Paynow.org and Pur-
are attempting to make the biggest
due.edu.
impact they can. Hollywood A-List-
er Leonardo DiCaprio back in 2007
purchased a unit in New York City
that overlooks the Hudson River.
This home is not like any other of
his. His apartment has a 24-hour an all natural world. DiCaprio is not
air filtering system, water treatment the only one making strides towards
facility, rotating solar panels, and making the world greener.
is finished off with low emission From the west coast to the east
paint. This is not DiCaprio’s first ef- coast people are coming together
fort to go green. He has also served in order to do what is know as the
on the board of directors of the “three r’s,” reduce, reuse, and re-
environmental organization Global cycle. The documentaries from Al
Green USA. Back across on the west Gore’s Inconvenient Truth and The
coast, he also owns a hybrid car, and 11th Hour raised awareness and lit
installed solar panels in his Los An- the flame for the nation wide out-
gles abode. Also in 2007, he released reach to help end global warming,
The 11th Hour, a documentary that and make an effort to “go green”.
stresses the importance of living in
12
The Blue and Gold
LOCAL news

The Posse
January 2011
http://www.maldenblueandgold.com/

3,148 public high school students have continuously been recruited and
trained since 1989 by the Posse Foundation. With each chosen student comes
remarkable academic and leadership potential to become Posse Scholars. Each
receives a four-year, full-tuition leadership scholarship from Posse’s partner
institutions of higher education. 38 of the USA’s top colleges and universities
have donated $334 million in leadership scholarships to Posse Scholars. An
astonishing 90 percent of Posse scholars graduate and make differences on
campuses and throughout their professional careers. This year, four fortunate
Malden High School seniors have received this incredible opportunity to pur-
sue their future careers.

Ana Duque-Chilin

Brandi Belbin
Haley DeFilippis Haley DeFilippis
Copy Editor Copy Editor

M alden High School senior

Ana Duque-Chilin has been
one of the lucky four to win a
Posse Scholarship this year. When
Duque-Chilin found out she would
be attending Bucknell University
in Pennsylvania next fall, the first
thing that came to her mind was
“this really is the land of opportuni-
ties and I finally got mine.”
Although at times it was an
emotional roller coaster for Duque-
Chilin, she found her own strength
through this experience. What
was most difficult for her was the
interview process. She explained
that she was apprehensive about
showing the Posse interviewers and
admissions people who she truly
was and making a good impression
to prove how badly she wanted the
scholarship.
At Bucknell University next
fall, Duque-Chilin is preparing to
major in Chemical Engineering.
Despite often struggling with what
she wants to do with the rest of her
life, Duque-Chilin feels content in
her decision because she “had the
chance to attend a seminar about
women in engineering, and that
really caught [her] attention.”
Duque-Chilin expressed her
enthusiasm and joy for going away
to college. She feels that because
she is already away from her fam-
ily who lives in Guatemala, mov-
ing away from her home now will
not be as much of a stretch. She is
eager to live on her own to “grow
independently, as a responsible
citizen.” Despite that her parents
are not fans of her moving so far
away, they provide her with their
trust and support.
Duque-Chilin is most looking
forward to the campus experience
right now, “I am dying to find out
how it feels to be on a campus and
say ‘I go here’.” She is excited to get
involved in activities and classes,
as well as meeting new people.
Ultimately, Duque-Chilin
hopes her education at Bucknell
University will see that they have
opportunities to be successful as
well. She also plans on giving back
by helping people here in Malden
or even in her home country of
Guatemala someday.
Malden High School senior
Brandi Belbin has been selected
as one of four of this year’s Posse
Scholarship winners. The same
night of her interview was the night
she found out where her future
would take her: Denison University
in Ohio.
Belbin exclaimed that when
she truly realized she had won
Posse, “there was an overwhelming
feeling of relief and accomplish-
ment that came across [her].” Belbin
said that the most difficult part of
the Posse process for her was actu-
ally deciding whether or not she
wanted to commit to it and move so
far from home.
At Denison University in the
fall, she plans on majoring in psy-
chology. Belbin has hopes on be-
coming a social worker. She stated
she has “always wanted to know
about how the mind works and
have a career working with people.”
Belbin’s family has stayed ex-
tremely supportive of her through-
out her decisions. They are excited
that she gets to experience life away
from home, exploring outside of
Massachusetts, and making her
more independent. “Of course my
parents are worried and will miss
me, but they know that in order for
me to learn and develop into an even
stronger, more independent person,
that this is the best decision for me,”
Belbin explained. She is personally
excited to stray away from the Bos-
ton area and meet new people.
Although Belbin is excited to
get going with her life, she explained
that she wants to travel and see the
world or volunteer as a Summer
Search mentor for a couple of years
before she really settles into a career.
From left to right:
Senior Ana Duque-Chilin will be
attending Bucknell University in
Pennsylvania.
Senior Brandi Belbin will be attend-
ing Denison University in Ohio.
Senior Joshua Jerome will be attend-
ing Centre College in Kentucky.
Senior Xi Gao will be attending
Union College in New York.
Photos by Brittany McFeeley, Haley
DeFilippis, and Nidale Zouhir.
The Blue and Gold
Foundation
January 2011
Joshua Jerome
Brittany McFeeley
Head Copy Editor
W ith the college process finally
out of the way, senior and
Posse Scholarship winner Joshua
Jerome will be attending Centre
College in Danville, Kentucky in
the fall on a full scholarship.
When Jerome discovered that
he won, he stated he was at “a
loss for words” and, most of all,
relieved. He jokingly explained
that after his final interview, he was
told he would receive a phone call
with the life-changing news of his
results, and while sitting at home he
had gotten a bloody nose just before
the phone call. As he was on the
phone with tissues in his face, he
had received the thrilling news of
his acceptance, but chuckled when
he explained, “I tried to act excited,
but it was hard because of the paper
in my face.”
The Posse process for Jerome
was “enjoyable,” he said, comment-
ing that he finally got to “show
others who [he was].” But what
was really difficult was waiting.
Jerome was constantly questioning,
“Was I good enough? Was I outgo-
ing enough?” Soon enough, all the
waiting and all the questioning
finally paid off when he found out
that he had won.
Jerome is excited about the op-
portunities that Centre College will
provide him. He is looking forward
to the “new change of scenery” and
being able to “experience a new
part of the country.” When he starts
his college career he plans on ma-
joring in Psychology to learn about
how the mind works, and minor in
Philosophy. After undergraduate
school he hopes to go to law school,
where he later mentioned that he
wants to “go into politics.”
Jerome was also tossing
around the idea of become involved
in sports at Centre College. A big
sports fan, Jerome enjoys played
street football with his friends and
LOCAL news
http://www.maldenblueandgold.com/
just recently got into soccer because
his dad was always a big fan.
Despite the great opportuni-
ties this college will bring to him,
Jerome stated that going to a college
so far away from home is “tough.”
Jerome was born in Boston, then
moved to Cambridge, Florida, and
Randolph, before coming to Malden
in early middle school. Jerome com-
mented that “[Malden is] all I’ve
ever known.” His family is also sad
to see him go, explaining that when
he was younger his parents would
always tell him to go to college
nearby, but now under the circum-
stances they are extremely proud
at the opportunities available to
Jerome, because “education is a big
priority in [his] family.”
Jerome stated that he will miss
his friends the most about leaving,
but later mentioning that he will
“miss everyone equally.” He men-
tioned how he will also miss staying
after school with one of his favorite
teachers, James Valente and his close
friends, sometimes even staying till
six just talking. Valente’s media class
was one of Jerome’s favorite classes
at MHS, explaining how he loved to
“analyze media” because it is “re-
ally interesting.”
When asked about his favorite
teacher, Jerome was unable to men-
tion just one, but instead listed off a
handful of teachers, such as English
teacher Jennifer Clapp, Spanish
teacher Mar Marjomaa, The Blue
and Gold Advisor and Jerome’s
English teacher Ryan Gallagher, for-
mer history teacher Rebecca John-
son, history teachers Ben Max, Rick
Tivnan, Ann Pember, and Jamie
Green, media teacher Valente, and
science teachers Brian Morrison and
Martin Berryman.
Despite the numerous people
Jerome will miss, he will have nu-
merous opportunities available to
him while he starts anew at Centre.
Xi Gao
Brittany McFeeley
Head Copy Editor
E
xcitement consumed senior and
Posse Scholarship winner Xi
Gao when she received the “unex-
pected” call just only an hour after
her final interview, informing Gao
of her acceptance to Union College
in Schenectady, New York.
Nominated by teachers at Mal-
den High School and the Summer
Search program, Gao “ultimately
made the decision to stay in Posse
because of the friends that [she] will
make who will provide constant
support and the resources to in-
ternships/opportunities that Posse
provides.”
Gao looks forward to the new
opportunities that Union College
will provide her with. Gao stated
she “[looks] forward to making a
fresh start, new people, new classes,
new environment. [She loves] the
opportunity to try new things and
correct the mistakes [she has] made
in high school. Also, [she looks] for-
ward to classes like political science
that are not offered in high school.”
Currently undecided on a ma-
jor, Gao looks forward to taking po-
litical science and science classes at
college, and she “definitely wanted
to choose a liberal arts college to
explore the many subjects,” making
Union College a perfect fit for her.
Since Gao is only three hours away
from home, she commented that
should would not have to fly. Yet
living in New York will allow her to
“enter a new and different environ-
ment.”
Her parents have become used
to “the idea of not having [Gao]
around,” since, due to her involve-
ment with Summer Search, she
has spent summers in places such
as North Carolina and even Peru.
Even though her parents will miss
13
her dearly, “they just want [her to]
succeed in school.”
Gao mentioned that two of her
favorite class in high school were
tenth grade English class, taught
by Yahaira Marquez, and calculus,
taught by former math teacher
Christine Nagle. Gao commented
of Marquez’s impact on her high
school career, stating that Marquez
“really taught how to write and
changed my perspective of English
class. Without her I would not have
challenged myself to take AP Eng-
lish classes.” Gao also loved Nagle
and her class, commenting that
Nagle “was an awesome teacher.”
Gao enjoyed the way Nagle taught
classes because “she did not believe
in memorization and taught in a
way that was easy to understand.
Moreover, she was always available
to help, even on weekends.”
Leaving in less than six months,
Gao mentioned that she will miss
“the diversity and faculty at MHS.
It’s hard to find a school as diverse
yet accepting as Malden High. I will
definitely miss the teachers. They
have helped and supported me
through everything.” However, Gao
mentioned that she will not miss the
behavior of high school students,
hoping “college students will [be]
more mature than high school stu-
dents.”
Gao mentioned how she pre-
fers “the outdoors and would rather
choose to go hiking than shopping,”
adding that she hopes that Union
College’s beautiful campus will
hopefully allow her to “enjoy the
outdoors more.”
With such a rewarding op-
portunity in store for Gao, she is
looking to have a fresh new start at
Union College in New York.
14
LOCAL news
http://www.maldenblueandgold.com/
Progressive
Colby Sawyer is a college that selects and offers scholarships to students from high schools in California;
New York; Chicago; Cambridge; and now from Malden High School. Generally, every year a total of 50
students from these five places apply for the Colby Sawyer Scholarship. From there, a total of 20 students are
selected from the 50 that apply. After a series of events, including an interview, a visit and an
Phedorah Rosiclair
Kaela Bryan any school seemed like a great idea to
me. I just got lucky because I ended up
Reporter
liking Colby Sawyer, especially the dorm
rooms and the landscape – there are
beautiful mountains and hills. And all
the people I spoke with about the school
said only good things. I also spoke with
students during campus visits and I en-
joyed what they had to say.
Q:Do you plan to attend Colby Sawyer
now?
A: Yes.
Q: Do you know what you plan to major
or minor in?
A: I’m undecided. Maybe the medical
field or maybe I’ll go into the humanities.
Q: Are there any subjects in school now
that strike your fancy?
A: History and science are my favorite
subjects. I really like to apply history and
Q: What does this scholarship mean to science to life, and I like to help people.
you? That’s why I’m thinking about going into
A: It’s very exciting. I can’t believe I’m medicine or the humanities.
actually going to college. Winning this
shows how much I’ve really grown up. Q: If you could go back and redo this
I’m about to move out of my house and process, would you change anything?
continue on my own. Why or why not?
A: I wouldn’t change anything because I
Q: What did you go through to win? won. I think I did the best I could.
A: An interview, a visit and a lunch
with the admissions officers. [I] got to Q: Is there anyone who is proud of you
know them, and they got to know [me]. for this success?
I had to like Colby Sawyer as much as I A: Yes. My younger sister is proud. And
wanted Colby Sawyer to like me. my parents are, too.
Q: What does it feel like to win some- Q: How old is your younger sister? What
thing like this? Are you happy with the did she say when she found out you
results? won?
A: I’m very happy and excited. I’m not A: She’s 14, and she was very happy for
usually the person who wins things. This me. She said, “Oh my goodness!” I think
is the first big thing I’ve won in my life, my winning inspired her. She has proof
and it applies greatly to my future. that if she works hard, like I did, she can
probably get a scholarship too.
Q: What drew you to Colby Sawyer in
the first place? What do you like most Q: Do you feel any different now that
about it? you’ve won the scholarship?
A: I like everything about it. The schol- A: This scholarship has expanded my
arship drew me to it first, though. I had horizons. I feel more hopeful about the
no idea about Winning money to attend future now.
Alfonse Femino
Partial-Scholarship Winner
“I hope to make a lot of friends, learn a lot of things and see a lot
of places”, states Colby-Sawyer Progressive Scholarship winner
Alfonse Femino when asked about his hopes for college. Femino
would like to major in Education or Communication and also states
that he’s looking forward to “starting over.” “I felt disappointed that
I didn’t win the full scholarship, but I felt privileged to be awarded
so much money from such a prestigious institution.” When the
people in his life found out he won the partial scholarship “both
[his] parents were extremely proud of [him] and [his] friends were
happy for [him].”
Najwan Ismail
Kristen Leonard
Reporter
Q: What/ Who inspired you to apply for
the scholarship?
A: During my senior year, I heard from
my guidance counselor about Colby-
Sawyer college. My friend Tenzin Tes-
phel explained more about it.
I went to visit the college and I liked it
so much. I applied for it, but I didn’t
get it because the of limitations of my
English. The admission asked me to
study one more year of English and ap-
ply again.
In 2010, I graduated from MHS and I
went to Bunker Hill Community Col-
lege to study there; I’m still studying at
BHCC now. At the same time I kept
thinking about Colby-Sawyer, because I
felt in the time that I visited the campus
that I belonged to that place and I could
find my dream in it.
Q:Have you applied to any other schol-
arships?
A: I didn’t apply for any scholarship
except Colby-Sawyer.
Q:Was the application process difficult?
A: I wasn’t that hard, but the idea was
new for me because it was online.
The good thing was almost same re-
quested information and I got good help
from Mrs. O’Connor.
Q:How do you feel about winning the
scholarship?
A: It means a lot for me and my family,
especially since I will be the first person
in my family to enter college in the US. I
am really happy to win the scholarship.
Alternative-Scholarship Winners include: Tricia Aspilaire, Ted Registre
Partial-Scholarship Winners: Charles Saint Jean, Chokyab Sherab, Al-
fonse Femino, Thupten Jigme, Xiuying Zheng.
The Blue and Gold
January 2011
Q: What did you write about in your es-
say that you had to write for
the scholarship?
A: I wrote about what I faced back in my
country Iraq, and how bad it was to live
in a war zone. Also, how it felt when you
live without hope. In addition, I wrote
about my dreams for the future.
Q:What do you hope to achieve in col-
lege?
A: Independence and confidence that
will encourage me to peruse the career I
hope for.
Skills that I will able to apply to my
life. Grades that will help enable me to
achieve my second dream.
Q: What do you want to major in?
A: Biology. I have dreamt to be a doctor.
Q:Did you apply to any other colleges, if
so which ones?
A: The only college that I applied to is
Colby-Sawyer. I’m studying right now at
BHCC.
Q:What are you looking forward to in
college?
A: I am so excited for college. Although
it’s still almost one year away, I feel like
I’m going next semester. I’m ready to get
to Colby-Sawyer College and be more
responsible.
Q:How did the people in your life react
when you won the scholarship?
A: I remember the time when they called
me and told me about my acceptance. I
couldn’t say “Thanks” to the person who
spoke to me. I wanted to finish the call
fast and tell my parents about it. It was
a really happy moment for them. Mom
started to cry and, because she knows
how much it mean to me to be there.
Dad hugged me so hard. I felt they got
happy more than me. I won’t forget their
happiness that time.
I want to thank the people who helped
me win the scholarship: Ms. Doumant,
Ms Han, Ms Commin and also thanks to
my teacher before and my great friend
now Daniel Ginsberg. He is great per-
son, helped me through high school and
also through my personal life.
The Blue and Gold
January 2011 local news 15
http://www.maldenblueandgold.com/

Scholarship
application, winners, partial-scholarship winners, and alternates are chosen. Colby Sawyer looks for students
who have done well academically, who are involved in their communities, who are out-going and who are
motivated. Colby Sawyer looks for people who are, according to Ms. O’Connor, C House guidance counselor,
“going to be a source of positive change at Colby Sawyer.”

Rym Soltani ShanShan Chen

Q:Why do you want to work in a finan-
Vicki Ngan
cial district?
Reporter
A: I took business management class my
sophomore year and I had the chance to
work on a business plan. That made me
realizes that it’s a field that I am really
interested in.
Rebecca Broomstein
Q: How did you prepare for the applica-
Reporter
tion? Could you explain the process?
A: I fixed my essay in about two
months. I also finished the common app.
and begin to look for college s that I
would want to attend.

Q:What was that experience, or change? Q: Do you plan on accepting the

A: I moved from Algeria to the United scholarship, and attending Colby-Sawyer
States and I had to start over. I had to college?
learn English and adapt to change. My A: Yes, I do plan on accepting the
parents decided to move me and my scholarship and attending Colby-Sawyer
sisters here for better education oppor- school, along with the other winners
tunities. who won this year.

Q:How do you feel about winning the
Colby Sawyer award?
A: I feel excited and overwhelmed with
joy, and I look forward to attending col-
lege next fall.
Q:Why did you participate? What moti-
vated you?
A: When I first visited the campus last
year, I loved the environment and the
people surrounding it. I loved how the
administration office wasn’t just about
numbers but they actually took the time
to get to know me.
Q:Was the application process diffi-
cult? about it?
A: The application process is not dif-
ficult but it’s stressful. The due dates,
sending SAT scores, writing a good col-
lege essay, and finding the right teachers
to write you the letters of recommenda-
tions…takes time, but organization and
time management could relief some of
the stress.
Q:What do you plan to major in?
A: I plan to be a business major and in
the future, to work in a financial district.
Q: How did you feel about it?
A: I was just a kid and moving here con-
fused me at the time.The move here was
a big deal for me and it was hard for me
to understand the reasons behind it, but
now it makes more sense. It wasn’t easy
but working hard helped me accomplish
my goals, which are to earn a college
education and build a career.
Q: What is something you miss most in
Algeria?
A: One thing I miss most is my child-
hood friends.
Q:What do you hope to achieve through
opportunity?
A: I would like to pursue an education
and planned to get involved in clubs, take
leadership roles, be part of the commu-
nity, and have a fun college experience.
Q:Is there anything else you want to say
A: I want to thank all my teachers and
guidance counselors for their help and
their belief in me. I couldn’t have done
it without their guidance...and help
from my teachers, Mr. Valente and Ms.
Santiago helped me proofread my essays,
Mr. Bowers and Ms. Nims wrote my let-
ters of recommendation, and the college
career center along with Ms. O’Connor
and Ms. Lessard guided me throughout
the process with deadlines.
Q: What do you plan on majoring in?
Any minors?
A: I plan on majoring in Nursing, and
currently, my minor is undecided.
Q: What are your favorite subjects?
Do you have one, in particular, that you
enjoy most?
Q: What/who inspired you to apply for A: Math is my favorite class. I enjoy it
the Colby-Sawyer Progressive Scholar- the most out of all my other classes.
ship?
A: My friend inspired me to apply for Q: Do you take part any extracurricular
the scholarship. activities such as sports/clubs/etc.?
A: I take part in a few clubs such as the
Q: What was your initial reaction when Biology Club, the Yoga Club and Chess
you were informed that you had won? Club.
A: I could not tell. It was complicated.
Q: Is there any word of advice you
Q: Which one(s) of your teachers helped would give to another student who plans
you accomplish winning this scholarship on applying for a scholarship in the
most? future?
A: Ms. Dumont, Mr. Dibenedetto, Ms. A: I would like to suggest that prepare
Nyman, Ms. O’Connor and Ms. Lessard well for the interview and finish the ap-
are the teachers that most helped me plication on time, so that you have the
accomplish winning the scholarship the best chance possible to win the scholar-
most. ship.
Smeedhley Batraville
Partial-Scholarship Winner
“I wanted to win the scholarship because I needed it, and to avoid
leaving my parents with a lot of debt. It always feels good to win
something, but it feels better to win something big like this. I can’t be
unhappy with the partial that I got because a lot of people would be
happy to get even half of mine. I am only a little disappointed be-
cause I wish I had it all.”

Shannon Howe
Partial Scholarship Winner
Winning a partial in the Colby Sawyer Scholarship Shannon Howe
explains that, “[she] did work hard and even though [she] didn’t win
the Scholarship it was a great learning experience. Howe has applied
to many other collages and is “very thankful for all the teachers that
helped [her].” The Colby Sawyer application process was,” very time
consuming and required a lot of attention,” explained Howe. An es-
say was also to be handed in with the application and Howe explains
that she chose to wrote about her neighbor who is living with Down
syndrome and how that gave her,’ an appreciation for people with
special needs.”
Claude-Patrick Aspilaire
Partial Scholarship Winner
“I feel great knowing that I won the scholarship. It was also a relief
for me knowing that the scholarship took away part of the money
I needed to come up with to pay for college,” states partial Colby-
Sawyer Scholarship winner Claude-Patrick Aspilaire. Aspilaire was
inspired to apply for this scholarship by his friend who applied for
it last year. Most seniors are looking foward to college next fall.
Aspilaire is looking foward to a “place where [he] could study and
[it] feel[s] like home. A place where [he] could be respected for not
only what [he] know[s], but also for who [he is] and [his] actions.”
He wants to to major in Engineering to be a Computer Engineer
and also in Law to be a Forensics Lawyer. Aspilaire hopes to get his
Bachelor degree and his PHD.
16
The Blue and Gold
Local news January 2011
http://www.maldenblueandgold.com/
The Blue and Gold
January 2011 Travel 17
Lauren Benoit http://www.maldenblueandgold.com/
Head of Photography
The first weekend of the new year is a much anticipated
time by skiers and snowboarders who are looking forward to some
action in the mountains. Who could not be excited for the weekend
ski trip to Sunday River in Bethel, Maine hosted by The Peabody
High School Ski and Adventure Club, in which the Malden High
School Ski/ Adventure Club takes part in?

Friday, Jan. 7, 2011

Today, all 27 students who are going on the trip must get up
at least a half hour earlier, just to lug their gear and luggage to the
athletic department. I have one big ice hockey bag, one small duffel
bag full of all kinds of junk food, and my backpack carrying all
the books that will not get cracked open until we arrive back in
Malden on Sunday night. Leading up to our 1:30 p.m. departure, I
kept counting down the hours to the trip. I could not concentrate on
the lessons being taught in any of my classes. I was looking forward
to this trip since the previous year! But once 1:30 p.m. did come I
went downstairs and got my luggage and loaded it onto the bus.
Once the bus had everyone’s luggage packed in, we were on our
way to Peabody High. When we arrived, we had to wait until all
150 students packed their stuff onto the designated buses. At about
2:45 p.m., we departed from Peabody High and started making our
way to Maine. The bus ride up was filled with conversation about
the upcoming trip. Dinner for Schmucks, as well as other movies,
were shown on the ride up. At about 8:30 p.m. we finally arrived at
the Snow Cap Dorms which we were staying in for the weekend.
After going over the basic rules, the students who needed to rent
skis or a board went over to the mountain to get them, while the
others stayed in their rooms and unpacked. Luckily I brought my
own equipment, so I could stay and hang out for a while. When
everyone got back from renting their equipment fun started. From
playing Apples to Apples and Just Dance 2 on the Wii to listening
to music and playing frisbee with bagels, there was never a dull
moment. Once 11:30 p.m. approached, we were told it was time
to simmer down and start getting ready for the full day of skiing
the next day. But the 11:45 p.m. curfew did not halt any activities.
Within the rooms, the roommates still were up too excited to sleep, MHS junior Eric Tran takes a short break to rest on a slope. Photo by Dan Hol-
anxiously awaiting the next day. mqvist.
Saturday, Jan. 8, 2011
Waking up at 7 a.m. was a tough challenge for the students on this trip, but we all dragged ourselves out of bed, motivated by the prospect of going to
the mountain located just an hour away. After breakfast, my roommates and I needed to go back into our room and get dressed up to go on the mountain.
There were a total of eight girls in my room, so getting ready was a long process. We were one of the last groups to exit the dorm, and we caught the last
bus to the mountain that day. We arrived at around 9:30 a.m. and our day began. After putting our shoes and valuables into our locker, we made our way
over to the ski lift. The first run was perfect, and the conditions were fantastic. The trails were not icy, the sun was out, barely any wind, and all seven
mountain peaks were open. Because of our early starting day, I was hungry for lunch, which started at around 11:30 a.m. The group that I was with met
with other MHS students after settling down for lunch. While eating, everyone was sharing their stories of the day so far. I heard many stories about
people falling, or going off jumps, or skiing on black diamonds during that lunch. At about 12:30 p.m., everyone went out to the mountain again for round
two. The second half of the day was just as much fun as the first half, if not better. I went over to all sides of the mountains. When 3:30 p.m. came, it was
about time to start heading back to the dorms. So I finished my final run, and caught the trolley back. Luckily the dorms were located at the base of the
mountain so the ride was not very long. Once I arrived back at the dorms, I got clean and prepared myself for the nights’ events.
Haley DeFilippis
Copy Editor
Friday, Jan. 7, 2011
Words cannot express how thrilled I was to be back at Sunday River for the annual ski trip. I had been waiting for this day since the bus ride home
last year. Minutes felt like hours waiting for 1:30 p.m. to come, but at last it was time to load the bus. After our stop at Peabody High School to pick up the
150 students from there who also go on the trip, the four hour ride up to Maine was full of music, laughter, and excitement for the upcoming weekend.
After we settled in, it seemed as if everyone felt right at home, and we even mingled with Peabody students this year. My cousin, MHS senior Patrick
Keough decided to set up his Wii and let everyone, including Peabody kids, play Just Dance 2 on the big flat-screen television in the common room. My
eventful night carried on into my dorm, where my roommates and I talked and laughed until 1 a.m. when a knock on our door told us to be quiet to rest
up for the big day on the mountain the next day.
Saturday, Jan. 7, 2011
Eight different phone alarms of my roommates went off between 6 and 7 a.m. the following morning, but I didn’t mind getting out of bed knowing
I was going for a full day of skiing. One of my closest friends and fellow Blue and Gold member Lauren Benoit and I provided ourselves with our own
breakfast because we weren’t too fond of the Snow Cap Dorm’s breakfasts the year before. Unfortunately, we were forced to wait 20 minutes for a shuttle
bus to take us to the mountain because we took too long getting ready. However, a sense of relief washed over me as soon as I saw the mountain. It felt
good to be back.
Going up the ski lift with my two ski buddies, I felt a wave of apprehension come over me for the first time. Maybe I was crazy because I thought
the mountains looked a lot steeper than I remembered them to be, but there was no turning back so we started going down for our first run of the day.
I was pleasantly surprised to see that I did not completely loose my ability to ski after taking a year off. For the next few hours, we were up and down
mountains, exploring and adventuring the eight peaks. Then, halfway down a challenging mountain, my day took a turn for the worse. I felt a rush as
I was picking up major speed and I did not want to slow down. Before I knew it I was going so quick that I lost all control of what I was doing and all
I could hear were my skis scraping against the icy slope underneath me and I felt petrified. The next thing I knew, I was doing backwards somersaults
down a patch of rocks on the ledge of a mountain. My skis were no longer attached to my boots. I had no clue where my ski poles were. I sat up and I
saw my equipment sprawled across the slope and my two friends speeding down the mountain to help me. Getting up, I came to discover how dizzy I
was, the rips in my jacket and snow pants, and the sharp pain in my arm. With the help of my buddies, sopohmores Elyse Valente and fellow Blue and
Gold member Catherine Poirier, I went down the rest of the mountain and right into the South Ridge Lodge to rest and recover. The only thing I could
think of was how grateful I was to have been wearing a helmet. After recuperating, we made our way back out to the mountain for a few more hours of
adventuring the slopes.
Want to finish reading about the Ski trip? Check out www.maldenblueandgold.com
18
The Blue and Gold
Style January 2011
http://www.maldenblueandgold.com/

fashion trends are nothing new

Reginah Sanyu wrong material or accessories; wear- is cold, the warmer the garments the printed scarves are now very trendy
Head Entertainment Writer ing cargo pants or just wearing a better. Scarves are now printed and for men. These styles are very dandy-
military jacket with leather leggings one can choose from fingerless to esque, a return of the well dressed
will get one runway ready. lacy gloves. This gives one a chance chic man. Although skinny jeans
Leggings, jeggings, whatever to look warm and fashionable. have been trending for quite some-
2 010 was a big year for the fashion
industry: Lady Gaga wore a meat
dress. Thankfully, this did not trend
one calls them were trending and
looks like they will be for a while.
Sweaters have always been in style
but recently it has been all about
time, it is time to say goodbye to
them because they will be replaced
Despite how hideous this term chunky sweaters. Theses sweaters by flared jeans which are predicted
and hopefully it does not for the
sounds, leggings and jeggings (jean can be worn with leggings or skinny to be trending in 2011. Hopefully
next million years.
leggings) are very fashionable and jeans to fit one’s personal style. Faux now we will have to see less of the
Despite the fact that fashion
comfortable even to those who hate fur has made a surprising comeback boys in just shirts, jeans and sneak-
trends change from season to sea-
dressing up. “I like the leggings, you this season, mostly in vests and ers. For the hair, it is less groomed
son, many of them, like denim,
can wear them with anything,” se- coats. Anything fur can be found for and messier like that of Twilight star
seem to be making it through to ev-
nior Christiana Bortolo stated. a cheap price in stores like Forever Robert Pattinson. This new trend
ery season. Denim is an everlasting
Nevertheless, not all trends 21, H&M and Claire’s. Gratefully the could be reflecting the wild nature
fashion piece as people can’t seem
were inspired by the boys; dresses fur is fake, satisfying the needs of of the vampire trends that are taking
to get enough of it. This material
were a common trend in 2010. This both fashionistas and animal rights over the entertainment scene.
offers people the fashion comfort
trend obtains a cute, fashionable activists. But what is really trending in
they want. Because denim is a very
look. They can be worn with pat- Although there were trends 2011? Whatever one owns is the an-
important fashion piece, it should
terned tights which have the power that were favored, some of these swer. As much fun as it is to keep up
not be left out of one’s closet. Denim
to wake up a boring dress. Ruffles trends need to go. For example, with trends, fashion is about style. It
comes in various bits and pieces:
were also favored by fashionistas. UGG boots. It seems like UGG boots depends on a person because most
from jeans, skirts, dresses, and
Ruffles can be found in dresses of are not going anywhere because people have preferences on colors,
shoes--you name it.
both short and long skirts. Anything they are apparently comfortable materials, and fabrics. Clothing is
2010 was also about glamour
ruffled is just adorable. which only means that sagging the easiest way for one to express
and femininity with most of the
Most of the current trends were pants, sadly part of another popular themselves. Despite the fact that
trends inspired by the males of the
influenced by the 80’s. From high trend, have to go. dressing up might not be important
human population such as boy-
wasted pants, printed t-shirts, mas- Women’s trends have not to some people, a number of first im-
friend jeans, blazers and the mili-
culine blazers and shoulder pads. changed that much, however pressions are made from what one
tary inspired designs. The military
Fashion is now embracing the glam- men’s fashion has had some drastic is wearing. “Style says a lot about
inspired look was also very com-
our and splendors of yesteryears. changes. The male gender has been a person in terms of how they carry
mon and persuasive last year. This
Mixing colors with odd funky acces- wearing boring styles for so long, themselves and who they are as an
trend did not involve one to yell
sories will also make one trendy in it is time to give individual,” stated senior Joshua Je-
like sergeants although it saluted
2011. Statement motorcycle jackets, them a particular rome. “Taking time to make yourself
all seasons. The military look came
pants and boots are to be favored fash- ion sense presentable shows that you have re-
in skirts, dresses, jackets, boots
too. a n d that is why spect for those around you but also
and accessories. Although this look
Thigh high boots have become t h e chic male respect for yourself.” So, dear boys
is hard to re- sist,
a favorite too. They are comfortable h a s returned. and girls, follow your instincts. Who
one must b e
and can be w o r n Blaz- ers, jackets, knows you might start up a trend; as
very careful n o t
with any- thing. cardi- gans and long as it does not involve wearing
to wear it with t h e
B e - meat.
c a u s e winter

Malden high school students showing off some of the popular trends. From
left to right: sophomore and Blue & Gold member Rebecca Broomstein,
senior Kevin Alarcon, senior Frankie Wong and senior Francesca Richardson.
Photos by Reginah Sanyu.
The Blue and Gold
January 2011
2011 Blockbuster Forecast
Brittany Foley
Managing Editor
A pproximately 4,000 pages.
Over 400 million printed
copies. 67 different languages.
13 years of public acknowledge-
ment. 7 world-famous install-
ments. Five acclaimed directors.
Three beloved best friends. And
one out of eight films left.
Since J.K. Rowling pub-
lished her first installment of
the Harry Potter series, she
has dominated the pop culture
scene, forming an entire era
surrounding the children’s epic,
the contemporary literary mas-
terpiece. Now, after producing
seven books and seven films,
embarking on countless book
tours and making world records,
even the constructing an amuse-
ment park based around the
series, the age of Harry Potter is
nearing its end with this last film,
Warner Brothers’ Harry Potter
and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2.
Part 2, directed by David Yates,
who also directed the previous
two Harry Potter films, features
Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson,
and Rupert Grint as the world’s
favorite heroic trio, alongside the
same cast members who have
appeared in every other of the
films, maintaining the promise
of consistency that the magical
world of Harry Potter has al-
ways offered its loyal fans. Harry
Potter and the Deathly Hallows:
Part 2 marks the end up of not
only an era of magic, but infinite
individual journeys, including
yours, if you have stuck with
Harry until the very end.
Entertainment
http://www.maldenblueandgold.com/
W ith each superhero film
trailer that graces the eyes
and ears of moviegoers nation-
wide before their feature presen-
tation, a stunning realization that
there is actually, well, another su-
perhero to base a movie off of
bestows itself upon them. In fact,
just as general audiences thought
their supernatural resources had
been depleted—as producers
actually turned to Greek gods as
their next Hollywood heroes —
out comes the trailer for Green
Lantern. (which includes the universally
The film, produced by
Warner Brothers (obviously), is
based off of the comic books
published by DC Comics, and
is meant to star Ryan Reynolds.
Reynolds’ character is the first
human ever selected to be a part
of the Green Lanterns Corps,
which is a group of warriors
dedicated to protecting the gal-
axy. While the scheme of the
film itself, with its 3D presenta-
tion and superhero base, is pain-
fully unoriginal, it will at least be,
undoubtedly, interesting for au-
diences to watch The Proposal’s
spineless Andrew the Assistant
try to save the world.
The Green Lantern also
stars Gossip Girl’s Blake Lively,
An Education’s Peter Sarsgaard,
and Mystic River’s Tim Rob-
bins, and directed by Martin
Campbell, whose previous films
include Casino Royale and The
Legend of Zorro.
The film will be released
June 17, 2011, in 3D.
C BS Films’ latest project,
based off of the novel by
Alex Flinn, might actually pro-
vide audiences with a modern
fantasy film that refrains from
butchering the idea of the fai-
rytale love story with Beastly.
Despite the fact that the film is
not a Disney animated classic
and costars Vanessa Hudgens,
it still shows some promise as a
film from the fantasy-romance
genre. In fact, as it lacks vam-
pires and has a decent cast
beloved Neil Patrick Harris and
up-and-coming heartthrob Alex
Pettyfer, who, despite his shared
country of origin with a certain
idol of fangirl universes, actually
seems to practice good hygiene)
given its genus, audiences are
likely to find it rather refreshing.
Also unlike recent superfi-
cial, supernatural, super-awful
productions of the romantic
sort, Beastly appears to have at
least enough depth to host some
morality. The story, based off of
the age-old classic tale of Beauty
and The Beast, speaks against
affections based on appearance,
discouraging surface-level judg-
ment and instead encouraging
consideration of character. Un-
fortunately, Pettyfer is blonde
and British, so it is likely that, in
most cases, this moral fiber will
be instantaneously decomposed
by the acidic juices of fangirl
hysteria.
The film will be released on
March 4, 2011.
19
O ne of the most anticipated
movies of 2011 is The Tree
of Life, set to release on May 27,
2011. It is directed by Terrence
Malick, the acclaimed director of
The Thin Red Line (1997) and
Days of Heaven (1978). Details
of the movie’s plot have been
kept quietly under wraps, but the
movie has been labeled a science
fiction drama that chronicles the
life of a Texan boy, his loss of in-
nocence, and his attempt to dis-
cover a new meaning to his life.
The trailer has recently gone viral
and is already causing major buzz
on the web, but unfortunately, it
only serves to show snippets of
the performances made by high-
caliber actors: Brad Pitt and Sean
Penn head the cast, along with
up-and-coming actors Jessica
Chastain and Jackson Hurst.
Malick’s films are often
regarded as impressive works
of art, specifically due to their
spellbinding visuals. Reports
have been made that production
designer Jack Frisk has suggested
that Malick is attempting to cre-
ate something cutting edge, and
visual effects artist Mike Fink
has stated that he was working
on scenes of prehistoric earth.
Though one would think the
overwhelming buzz surround-
ing the movie would trigger the
producers to release more infor-
mation, the production remains
a tight secret; its mystery only
increasing the fascination of the
anxious cinema aficionados.
20
Patriots
Disappoint
Alexander Gennigiorgis
Head of Business
The New England Patri-
ots concluded their regular season
with the best record in the National
Football League, 14-2, however
went 0-1 during the post-season,
where it really mattered.. The team
headed into the playoffs with a very
high level of confidence that they
would run away with an easy vic-
tory over the New York Jets, but the
entire patriots nation was stunned
after the Jets beat the Pats 28-21.
The Pats lineup consisted of
mostly young talent and inexpe-
rienced talent, which may have
been their downfall. The young
talent group includes BenJarvus
Green-Ellis (Running-Back), Rob
Gronkowski (Tight-End), Jerod
Mayo (Linebacker) and Danny
Woodhead (Running-Back), and
many more. The experienced talent
includes “future Hall-Of-Famer”
Tom Brady (Quarter-Back), Deion
Branch (Wide-Receiver), and Vince
Wilfork (Defensive-Tackle), and
more. The young talent shows
that this is not the last season that
the Patriots will be dominant. The
Patriots have many more successful
seasons coming in the future due
to the great leadership, great skill,
lots of effort, and a huge desire to
achieve set goals.
Head Coach Bill Belichick has
shown he has what it takes to lead
the Pats to a Super Bowl Victory
with the 35+ years of experience in
the NFL under his belt. Since the
Pats have been under Belichik’s
wing (2000-now), the Pats have been
three time Super Bowl Champions.
In two of those championships,
the Pats’ record was 14-2 which is
equivalent to this year’s record. Can
the Patriots win their fourth cham-
pionship of the century?
The coach of the day on Jan.
16th was not Belichik, however, but
the underrated mastermind and
Jets coach Rex Ryan, who defied all
odds in pulling off the win over the
Jets.
The game against the Jets was
very important due to the fact that
both teams met twice before and
each won once. Not only was that
game the tie-breaker, it was also
said to be the deciding game. Since
Jets beat the Patriots, this shows
that the Jets have overcome the un-
thinkable because of how much of a
powerhouse the Patriots have been
during the overall regular season.
The Patriots’ successful regu-
lar season ends in disappointment
for the Patriots nation. This is just
one major setback that the Patriots
can only put behind them and hope
to improve for next year so that this
does not happen again.
Sports
http://www.maldenblueandgold.com/
The Lone Tornado
Above: Northeast Metropolitan Regional Vocational High School Knights ice hockey team lined up in
preparation for the game against Minuteman Tech. Below: Malden High school senior Alfonse Femino
skates during the game. Photos by Sharon Lee.
Joshua Kummins
Copy Editor
W ith the major success of hockey
in the Boston area and around
New England, it may seem strange
that Malden High School does not
have an ice hockey team.
However, this was not true up
until a few years ago, when MHS
dropped a cooperative hockey team
with the Metropolitan Regional Vo-
cation High School Northeast Metro-
politan Regional Vocational School
in Wakefield. What most people
do not know is that senior Alfonse
Femino, a member of The Blue and
Gold, is the lone MHS student who
plays ice hockey on a competitive
level in a high school league. Femino
has had success continuing to play
for the Voc’s team, which competes
in the Division III Commonwealth
Athletic Conference.
Femino said that the team is
“improving every single day…and
has enough talent to compete in
the CAC,” but is “still trying to find
identity.” The team was successful
even before he joined the program,
as the Knights have qualified for
the state tournament in each of the
past seven seasons by winning at
least ten games each year. Femino
and his fellow seniors “want to
end [their] career playing in the TD
Garden” during the state champion-
ship, which would make MHS very
proud.
It was a “long, drawn out, and
tiring process” for Femino to join the
Voc team, filled with waiver forms
and approvals from many different
people. Since he made the team his
freshman season, he was able to sign
on to play for the team, while most
others with the same demand were
turned down.
One person that knows a thing
or two about the history of hockey
in Malden is MHS alumni Kevin
Myles, the current manager of the
The Blue and Gold
January 2011
Voc team. He began his career
as the team manager during
his freshman year of 2003-2004
and holds the same capacity to
this day, while completing his
senior year as a history major
at the University of Massachu-
setts-Lowell.
Until Myles’s freshman
year, MHS had its own team,
which was very successful
during the 1970s, winning the
Greater Boston League and
Eastern Massachusetts titles,
but from the 1990s until 2003,
the program struggled to win
games and attract players.
Myles said that one of
his teachers got him started as
manager and then, “the next
day, [he] went down to the Ath-
letic Director, and signed a con-
tract.” He said that “money was
the main reason for eliminating
the co-op, because MHS had
to contribute to paying all the head coach Bill Keefe would be
expenses, so it did not make sense very happy if MHS were to restart
to pay…when the school [was] put- its hockey program and encourages
ting [only] one or two players on sports offerings at school levels, say-
the ice.” Myles noted that Femino ing “there is room for all of them…
is very important to the team’s core [All the schools in Malden] are very
as he is one of eleven seniors, play- different and Malden High [School]
ing on the top line as defense man. would be right in between.”
He adds that he “just fits in as one Keefe explained that 11 of his
of the guys,” even though the play- 18 players reside in Malden, includ-
ers come from different cities and ing one of his senior captains, Evan
towns. Dolber.“I would like to see any
Both Femino and Myles feel school have as many sport offerings
that MHS could have their own as possible to allow as many stu-
hockey team again in the future, dents to participate,” Keefe began.
but Femino says, “it would be an “Especially because hockey is near
honor” if he was the last MHS stu- and dear to my heart…I always
dent to play high school hockey. He remember Malden being one of the
feels that the addition of a varsity key members of the GBL.”
lacrosse team in 2008 may attract Femino said that the youth
hockey players, as hockey players program is currently growing in
tend to play lacrosse, while they numbers, which could possibly lead
both agree that a youth program is a to blue and gold on the ice again.
must in order to reach that goal.
Mystic Valley Charter School
The Blue and Gold
January 2011 sports 21
http://www.maldenblueandgold.com/ Football:
A Changing Game
Wrestling Grapples Competition Alfonse Femino
Head Sports Writer

W hat began as a movement to

A wrestling trainer lifts Shawn Castro off of the ground while
practicing take-downs during training. Junior Brendan Walsh
practices with senior Warren Sharpp. Photos by Sharon Lee.
Freddie DiPhillipo
bers on the team, there is also a lack
Reporter of experience. There are members
on the starting line up for the wres-
ensure the safety of players
throughout the National Football
League has become a hotly debated
issue that is said to be changing the
game of football.
During week six, there were a
number of vicious hits, resulting in
serious injuries that caused league
officials to begin discussing these
highlight hits. One jarring hit in
particular took place when Falcons’
cornerback Dunta Robinson laid a
brutal hit on Eagles wide receiver
Desean Jackson. After the hit, both
players went to the ground, caus-
ing medics and players from each
sideline to rush onto the field. After
several minutes, both players were
able to make their way off of the
field, but did not return to the game
due to concussions.
Game officials stated that Rob-
inson purposely led into the hit with
his head, leading to a $50,000 fine.
On the same day, James Harrison, a
linebacker known for his aggression
and high light reel hits, dished out
two brutal hits to Browns receivers
Josh Cribbs and Mohamed Massa-
quoi. The hit on Cribbs was also said
to be a helmet to helmet hit, leaving
Massaquoi with a concussion, and
NFL officials with a difficult deci-
sion to make.
During the next few weeks,
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell
announced that the league would
not tolerate the vicious hits and
would not hesitate to dole out high
fines to players for hits dee
Reactions to this decision var-
ied amongst players and coaches
throughout the NFL. Many players
are opposed to the new laws, be-
cause they see football as a violent
sport. “I don’t want to see anyone
performances from individual injured, but I’m not opposed to hurt-
members in every loss, including ing anyone. There’s a difference,”
those losses to perennial power-

D
uring the 2010-2011 wrestling
season, there has been some-
what of a repeating theme. This
theme is that there are a number
of athletes on the team, however
despite the talent; the team still
struggles due to its numbers.
On average, a high school var-
sity wrestling squad has at least one,
preferably two, and on the rarest
occasions three wrestlers in every
single weight class. When there is
this much depth of a team, there is
less stress about things like ineligi-
bility and injury, and more time to
focus on more important aspects of
the game.
The Malden High School wres-
tling team, however, does not have
this privilege in their numbers, as
they struggle to even fill one person
for every single weight class. Be-
cause of this, the team starts every
single match at a disadvantage,
and has a bar set higher for every
wrestler, a problem no team wants
to face.
Along with the lack of num-
tling team that are not only new to
the MHS wrestling team, but new to
wrestling in general. These starting
members, however, have adapted to
the sport and stepped into impor-
tant starting roles on a Division 1
wrestling team, no easy feat.
This lack in numbers has al-
ready proved to be a thorn in the
side of the wrestling team, which is
off to a rough 0-4 record. During one
loss to North Quincy, Malden fea-
tured impressive wins from seniors
Shawn Castro, Warenn Sharpp, and
junior Mario Sforvza.”We definitely
aren’t what we could be,” com-
mented Sforvza on his thoughts of
how the team is.
When performances of such a
high level from so many members
on one night are showcased, it
usually results in victory, however
North Quincy High School had a
much larger team, and filled weight
class, which ultimately ended in
their victory over the Tornadoes.
This has been a reocurring act
for the team, as they had strong
house Shawsheen Vocational High
School, and league rival Somerville
High School. The schedule for the
team does not look brighter in the
future either, as they are scheduled
to match off against cross town rival
Malden Catholic High School, who
succed in just about every sport, as
well as Waltham High School, an-
other school known for its impres-
sive athletic program.
One could only look at the
wrestling team with admiration and
respect out of what they are doing.
It is not a common thing to find a
group of teenagers who are more
than willing to compete on a team
that is clearly outmatched in num-
bers and experience in every single
match.
Although the wrestling team
continues to develop the members
still on the team, numbers are in-
creasingly dwindling for the team.
For Sharpp, Castro, and other mem-
bers of the team, there is no slowing
down, no matter how outmatched
they seem to be.
stated Harrison on his style of play,
showing his opposition to the new
laws.
Others, however, support the
idea, claiming that it keeps players
out of harm’s way. “Physical, tough
football is what people are attracted
to,” Anderson said. “Violent, unnec-
essary hits that put people at risk,
not just for the careers but lives...
we’re not subscribing to the notion
fans want that,” stated Ray Ander-
son, vice president of operations in
the NFL. These fines being given for
dirty hits are not the first incidents
in which the NFL has taken steps to
keep the safety of players. During
2009, laws were passed to limit hard
hits on quarterbacks, which result in
15 yard personal foul penalties.
Football is changing, and not
for the better. Football, a game that
has made many rich and famous
because of their ability to deliver
monstrous blows, a sport that is
known worldwide for its brutality,
is now punishing its members for
something that was once praised.
22
The Blue and Gold
Sports January 2011
http://www.maldenblueandgold.com/

Gymnastics Team Fights Adversity

Sharon Lee
Head of Photography

continued from page 1 pating in the other three events:

equipment during the competition.
Junior Justin Pham, a gymnast who
performs the uneven bars and is
directly affected, expressed “we
were jealous of their bars and had to
adjust to the good bars at [the] last
minute.”
To make up for their disad-
vantage, the gymnastics team has
many talented gymnasts partici-
floor, beam, and vault. Casey
confidently encourages the other
teammates knowing “it was such
a big disappointment because it
was so close, but we know we can
do better next time.”
Not only is the gymnastics
team limited to inadequate equip-
ment but also a smaller team size.
Due to no longer having an official
assistant coach, the head coach
Katie Bowdridge was forced to
lower the size to 26 gymnasts
because “safety is [her] main pri-
ority.” Thankfully the gymnastics
team has Jen Malta who helps
assist Bowdridge in coaching the
team.
Of the 26 gymnasts there
are several male gymnasts who Above: Freshman Kayla Deas does a split during practice. Left: Junior Skylar
have brought a positive impact on Collorone gets ready to perform on the balance beam. Photo by Megan Kelly.
the team by contributing to the bar
scores during meets. Bowdridge When one member of the team Their next meet is at the Sa-
said, “Physically, the boys have an learns to do a new stunt like a “fly lemwood Elementary School gym,
easier time on the bars than girls away”, which is a back flip dis- where they will be facing off with
do [and therefore are] able to meet mount, it soon becomes a stunt that Cambridge High School on Jan. 19,
more of the requirements [than] every member learns and is able to 2010, where they the team hopes to
some of our gymnasts that are just perform. Although there are dif- be victorious on their home turf.
starting out.” ferent levels for gymnasts, they all
The one thing that keeps the work together and encourage each
team strong is the sportsmanship other to improve their skills as a
between each and every gymnast. team.

Swimming to the Finish

the main focus. Junior Tai Pham, “….”
And they have a The team this year is lead by tri-
lot of people on captains Karl Dennis Kaela Bryan,
their team which as well as Samantha Saggese. When
equals depth. asked coach why a tri-captaincy this
[Also] they have year he affirmed that, “They got it
like, at least 6-7 through hard work, they did it the
really talented old fashion way, their tremendous.”
kids, which is These three have been as coach
pretty rare.” states, “tremendous”. They have
At this lead the team through rough times
point there is as well as boundary defying wins,
nothing more including that of Malden Catholic.
than the team Malden Catholic being a all
wants to beat boys school, the team over came the
Cambridge. A obstacle of diversity and pulled out
achievement a win. With wins like that there is
they are going no reason the team can not pull out
to have to work a win against Cambridge. It may
hard for. With be a season of rebuilding the team
their upcoming up to its full potential as stated by
meet on Friday tri-captain Samantha Saggese, “We
2011. The Mal- [are] still in a rebuilding era so we
Freshman Bestine Cong prepares to dive into the water with the rest of the team. Photo by Sharon
den High Swim [were are not] expecting to do as
Lee.
team is going to well as we have been, we have been
Joel Stevenson [Cambridge is] a formidable team.” have to work hard if they are to win. pleasantly surprised at our success-
The question to those who are Which is exactly what they are do- es.” With pleasant surprises like that
Reporter there is no reason that the team can
not on the swim team is, why is ing as stated by coach Deinsentos,
Cambridge such a organized team, “Cambridge is good, they have a lot not complete the year on a winning
streak. It is just a positive attitude
W ith the season half way what gives them the edge over all more depth than we do, but at the
through, the team is doing the others teams? Is it just the people time being we are trying to build
what it loves, and not only doing on the team, or is there some sort of up, I feel that we are working harder
and a will to win, and above that
that will enable the team to pull out
another win from under Cambridge.
that, they are doing it well. With the special training they under go? The than any other team, we are hungry
current record of 3:1 with four meets answer is behind the school they for a win.” Not only the coach, the
left in the season, the team now is go to, as expressed by tri-captain as students a like are working their
looking to continue their reign. One well as a member of the Blue and hardest to pull out a win. With
challenge the team faces is over Gold, Kaela Bryan, “Cambridge practice five days a week, they labor
coming Cambridge. As swimming is the swimming town, like how around the clock to make their time
coach Paul Deinsentos? states, “ Malden is the Football town. It’s just and then make it better, as stated by
The Blue and Gold
January 2011 Sports 23
http://www.maldenblueandgold.com/
mhs boys basketball has talent and teamwork
Reginah Sanyu added.
The team also
Head Entertainment Writer gets inspiration and

T he Malden High School boys’ motivation from fel-

basketball team is having a good
season, although it is hanging by a
thread with a record of 3-3. Although
the team was not expected to have a
good season because of the number
of seniors who graduated last year,
the chemistry of the new team has
made the team better and hopefully
striving for a better season. “We
have good chemistry as a team,” se-
nior captain Ryan Donovan stated.
“We are bonding together, getting
closer like a family,” junior Bradley
Applin added. For senior Matthew
Howe, it is the good time they have
as a team that helps them bond.
The team has grown love for
the game, mentally and talent-wise,
especially some of the teammates
who have been playing the sport
for a while. “I’m way better [than I
used to be]. I’m faster. I know the
game better because I have more
experience,” Donovan stated about
how he has changed since he first
started playing. If one wonders
what the team does before a game,
the team mostly listens to rap or gets
“bucked.” “Rodney [Morton] makes
a beat and we get bucked,” Howe
stated. These are chanting sessions
that give us energy, confidence and
motivation,” senior Jean Messeroux
low teammates. “I get
inspired by my cap-
tains [seniors Ryan
Donovan and Teddy
Francois] and coach,”
stated junior Dakota
Pellegrini. “[Fran-
cois] always is play-
ing hard. I always
want to follow his
league,” added Ap-
plin. “I wish I could
dunk like Andrew
Williams,” he added.
The chemistry that
the team has off and
on the court amazes
those who see them
play. Head coach Don Members of the Minuteman High School boys basketball team attempts to block senior
Nally may be cred- Vernon Sanvail. Photo by Reginah Sanyu.
ited for the on court chemistry. plin. having a good time while winning
The boys have a few of his Donovan and Pellegrini get games too. “We are fast, we can run.
quotes that get them fired up to play their inspiration from one of the We have a good defense,” Donovan
the game. “You have to be mentally greatest Celtics players Larry Bird, added. “But we need to play more
tough,” Messeroux commented on while Messeroux does his best together and keep on building on
his favorite quote by the coach. . impression of Rajon Rondo on the out team work.”
“Especially on away games, coach court. It is no secret that the boys With the chemistry and defense
always says ‘this is a business trip, love the game. “We have a good the team has, Malden High students
we have to be focused,’” Pellegrini time,” Howe added. and the fans of the team have to
added. Either they play because of something to buck over when these
The team also gets inspiration the intensity of the sport or simply boys hit the court.
from NBA stars. “I would like to because they want to be like Larry
play like Lebron James,” stated Ap- bird or Rajon Rondo; the team is

Girls Basketball Turns Up The Heat

are about how much talent they have for a
six new girls high school team this season. “Last
on the team year, we had a rough season,” stated
this year, and Richardson. “But with all of the
they’re defi- changes we are sure to have more
nitely helping success,” proclaimed Richardson on
us improve her thoughts of last year compared
from last year. to now, showing her optimism for
However how the team will do not only this
the greatest season, but in the future.
factor in our With the season now in full
improve- swing, and a few wins already un-
ment is the der their belt, the girls basketball
new coaching team has no doubt that they will
staff. Coach achieve and surpass their goal of
[Dwayne] qualifying for the Massachusetts
Bartolucci and Interscholastic Athletic Association
[John] Fur- state tournament.
long have re-
ally reshaped
and reformed
the girls bas-
ketball pro-
gram.” Coach
Furlong is
Above: Salem High School basketball player attempts to steal the ball from senior Ashley Powers. also th father
Right: Senior Samantha Bonvie dribbles down the court. Photos by Sharon Lee. of sophomore
Bridget Furlong.
Kayla Bramante of seasons past, there is no doubt During he first game of the
that the team lacks the talent, or the season the girls eliminated any
Head of Special Projects
determination to achieve the usual doubts about the new staff, with
goal of qualifying for states. an impressive performance against

D ue to the fact of a group of Senior leadership is a key in Lynn Classical High School. Even
new team members and a new this years success, with a number of from the pre-season schedule, the
coaching staff, the Malden High talented upperclassmen, including improvement from last season was
School girls basketball program four year varsity members Filette evident, as the girls team surprised
looks to be moving forward, build- Lovaincy and Samantha Bonvie, as and opened the eyes of many with
ing off the success of re scent sea- well as seniors Ashley Powers, Alex their organized style of play.
sons. Although the team does not Cotto, and Francesca Richardson. The new coaching staff has
have the same numbers or depth According to Richardson “there had the focus of showing the girls
24
The Blue and Gold
Sports January 2011
http://www.maldenblueandgold.com/

Boys Track: Hurdling to Succeess

Natalie Fallano
Copy Editor junior Witchie Valence-Exilhomme,
former Golden Tornado student
athlete junior Christopher Avery,

W hen one thinks of track, vi-

sions of people sprinting
across finish lines and runners in
their ready positions usually come
to mind first. However, many do
not know much about track other
than the running aspects. On every
successful track team, there is much
more than just a talented distance
or sprinting team. The athletes that
usually go unnoticed, as on any
team, are just as vital, as they lay the
base of the team.
In track, these unsung heroes
are typically the shot-putters, high
jumpers, and hurdlers. Much of
Malden High School boys track’s
success is due to the hard, tireless
work of these athletes, and when
a team can manage good runners
along with good shot-putters, high
jumpers, and hurdlers, it usually
ends in embarrassment for their op-
ponents.
In the 2009-2010 season, for ex-
ample, the boys track team finished
with an astonishing undefeated
record. These accomplishments
would not have been achieved had
it not have been for the all-state
performances by former shot-putter
and other members of the team that
did not compete in a single running
event, further showing the impor-
tance of these overworked and un-
seen student athletes.
Junior Kevin Schlegel, who
jumps the 50 meters hurdles, ex-
pressed his feelings about being
underappreciated stating, “I feel
like people don’t recognize us
enough...Everyone always talks
about how great the distance team
is...but we’ve got beast people too.
And some us really do work hard
to be the best. Sometimes I feel like Senior Kelvin Tsang doing the high jump. Photo by Sharon Lee.
we’re just overlooked and go unno- pumped before a meet.”
Nguyen, who runs the 300 meter
ticed.” Junior Lesley Desriviere, on Head Coach David Londino dash, the team “has grown and im-
the other hand, believes that it does emphasized the importance of im- proved a lot this year. There are tons
not really matter because “We [all] provement within the team as well of new freshman who have joined
contribute to winning so there’s no as ofindividuals. He stated, “Every- and who are competing in several
hard feelings.”
one from the top to the bottom has to events.” Undefeated for four sea-
Captains and seniors, Andrew get better everyday if we’re to have sons, and with an already impres-
Terenzi, Patrick Keough, David short and long term successes.” This sive 2-0 record, the team hopes keep
Germaine, and Kelvin Tsang, have improvement has been shown in Greater Boston League champions
so far shown successful leader- this season’s meet for every event. title and be successful in the state
ship according to their teammates. “With nine events and at least one tournament.
Desriviere praised the captains, stand out athlete in every event, I
stating, “They are effective...[Tsang] can’t highlight just a few. They’re all
and [Germaine] are always pushing equally important to the team.”
everyone on the team and getting us
According to junior John

From left to right: Senior More Than Just Running

Vanesha Darla prepares to
step into the thrower’s circle. team this year, by putting a little
Sophomore Iris Feng runs more focus on these events. The
the relay. Photos by Sharon student athletes who compete in
Lee. Headline collage by these events are sometimes over-
Catherine Poirier. looked and under-appreciated.
The distance team is the largest
part of the girls indoor track team.
It is looking to spread this depth
and variety of age in the key play-
ers to the teams of the other events
in indoor. “Outside of the distance
team, the girls team is still mainly
relying on veterans for points,”
stated captain and managing edi-
tor of The Blue and Gold, Alexan-
dra Mathieu. “Underclassmen are
pretty involved, they just need to
stay focused and the team will work
itself out,” senior captain Cynthia
Antenor commented about the in-
volvement of the underclassmen.
Some of those significant veterans
Catherine Poirier are seniors Vanesha Darla, and
Copy Editor captains Antenor and Mathieu. All
three of these seniors are the closest
Track and Athletic Center in Boston,
MA.
The girls are gearing up until
then to make their personal records.
Antenor runs the 50 meter hurdles,
high jump, and sometimes the 4x4
relay, she says she is closest to quali-
fying for hurdles. “I am .2 seconds
away from states, I run an 8.0 and
[the state qualification] is 7.8 [sec-
onds].”
Each member is pushing them-
selves to better their times and their
personal records by expanding
workouts at practice. “To get a state
qualifying time I plan to do more
drills and speed work, and pick up
my speed between each hurdle,”
Antenor said. “I think that the girls
team has the potential of doing bet-
ter than its 2-2 record of last season,”
Mathieu stated. As of now, the MHS
girls team has a Greater Boston
League record of 1-0, beating Everett
High School on Dec. 16, 2010. How-

O ften, a misconception
of indoor track is that
there are only running
events. The events that
do not focus on running
are high jump, 50 meter
hurdles, and shot put. The
Malden High School girls
track team is hoping to rebuild its
on the team to making the Mas-
sachusetts Interscholastic Athletic
Association qualifications in order
to compete in the state competition.
Darla is eight inches and Mathieu is
one foot away from the state quali-
fying distance, 30 feet 6 inches. The
MIAA State Meet will take place on
Feb. 18, 2011 at the Reggie Lewis
ever, they lost to Dighton-Rehoboth,
which is not part of the GBL, making
their official record 1-1. With only
three GBL meets left in the season
until the GBL Invitational meet on
Feb. 12, 2011 at the Reggie Lewis
Center, they are keeping their heads
high and hoping for the best season
close as possible.