A LOOK AT BULLYING AND ITS IMPACT ON MHS p 8-9
EDITORIAL SCHOOL BUDGET CUTS p4 ENTERTAINMENT THE HUNGER GAMES p12 SPORTS ICE HOCKEY WINS STATES p16
MARCH 23, 2012 Vol. LX - ISSUE 3
Massapequa High School 4925 Merrick Road Massapequa, NY 11758
www.thechiefonline.com mhsthechief@gmail.com
District faces millions in cuts during 2012 budget crisis BY TOM STRONG-GRINSELL MANAGING EDITOR
posing problems for districts around the state—especially on Long Island— where districts are facing major cuts to staff and in some cases, programs. Due to the tax cap limitations, the district is facing a budget deficit of approximately 4.7 million dollars.
The largest portion of cuts was made in the areas of personnel, with 62 unknown positions eliminated come the 2012-2013 school year. “Change is difficult; we have some of the finest staff members anywhere and this is difficult,” Sulc said. “It’s
those 29 [teaching] positions going to be lost, as you point out there’s going to be a lot of movement,” Smith said. Other districts have been forced to face similar cuts in this new fiscal austerity as well. Continued on page 11
popular idea.” MHS students are in agreement with the idea being the more “popular” one. Losing the February break would have created roughly 12-13 full weeks of school from January until Spring break. “School starting in August is a little annoying,” sophomore Zach Zimardo said. “It takes time out of the
Most students feel that keeping the February vacation is the overall better choice for their health and the quality of their academic performance. “You need that break in there,” sophomore Jeremy Dreyer said. “It’s better to have that time off in the middle of the year so you can clear your mind. You’re not going to be able to function if you’re constantly going and going.”
news spread; however, many students and parents are getting ready to potentially alter some of their usual summer vacation plans. “It’ll affect families who take that last week off for a vacation. Hopefully word gets around about that to avoid any confusion or delays.” Above all, it has been stressed that the calendar change is solely a one-time deal for next year, and any alterations to the schedule in the future will be completely dependent on the way in which the days fall. “I don’t think anybody wants to make this a permanent change but, if the situation should come up again we’ll have to take a look into it.” And of course, one thing on everyone’s mind is not to be forgotten: air conditioning. “School is already a sauna,” Zimardo said. “I suggest that people bring fans and lots of water bottles to school.” Questions as to whether or not any air conditioning implementations will be made for the first few days have risen, as have questions about whether or not the school is significantly warmer than it is the following weeks. “It depends,” Williams said. “We can have some very hot days in May and June. So, it can be hot.” The temperature may be a little warmer, and the days may be a little earlier, but the Massapequa Public School District remains positive in its steps towards the 2012-2013 academic year.
hard to lose staff because of something such as this.” MFT Union President, Tomia Smith, echoed Sulcs’s statement about the change this tax cap will bring. “This is going to drastically affect the quality of education, not only are
Deputy Superintendent Alan Adcock and Superintendent Charles Sulc unveiling the 2012-2013 budget at the March 15 Board of Education meeting
School may not be out for the entire summer next year BY JENNA FRATELLO EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
is it?
School’s out for the summer. Or
This summer, students will be returning to Massapequa High School earlier than usual summer, but it’s better to have February break. The district chose the better option.” Ultimately, that week was chosen as the one to be taken out of the calendar because of its lack of religious affiliation. “Particularly with the breaks, when there are holidays that have a religious significance attached to them, you can’t pick one over another,” Williams said.
TOM STRONG-GRINSELL//THE CHIEF
For the upcoming 2012-2013 academic year, MHS will open its doors on August 28 for teachers, faculty, and staff, most of whom are already accustomed to beginning their school year a few days earlier. However, for students, this will be something new. On August 30, all will go back to school. “It was a necessary implementation,” Principal Dr. Williams said. “It’s a matter of figuring out how many instructional days you need, and we’re required to have 184 days.” Typically, the district begins its first semester the Tuesday or Wednesday after Labor Day, falling anywhere between the fifth day and the eighth day of September, according to the district. “School would have started right after Labor Day—it would have been that Tuesday,” Williams said. “And so it really was just a matter of a few days difference.” The reasoning behind the change is simple: it was necessary. The district was presented with two options due to the way the calendar fell: begin on September 4, or begin on August 30. Had September 4 been chosen, this would have meant eliminating February break. “I know from the teacher’s union standpoint, they did survey their membership” Williams said. “And keeping the winter vacation was the far more
In terms of the student’s traditional schedule of starting the first semester with the expectation of handing in multiple summer assignments within the first two weeks of school, any change to that schedule has yet to be decided. “That would be something that the departments would consider,” Willams said. “But we expect everyone to be here, especially athlete’s, they’re back anyway. For them it’s not a change.” Few concerns have risen as the
TOM STRONG-GRINSELL//THE CHIEF
As the 2012-2013 budget has unfolded, District Superintendent Charles Sulc has continually promised that there will be no program elimination for the following year, but the same promise could not be made going forward. “We haven’t been a school district that’s closed a school, eliminated programs, or cut middle school sports, or any of the other dastardly things you see in the news every day and will continue to see as this budget season unfolds,” Sulc said. Whether it’s taxes, costs of operation, or any other facet of life, it costs a lot to live in Nassau County. Recently, however, residents have lobbied for tax relief and received it under Governor Andrew Cuomo’s tax cap plan. According to Forbes, Nassau County has the highest property taxes in the state and the fourth highest property tax rates in the entire nation. Making a property tax cap may seem like a good idea to lessen the burden that is currently put on homeowners in the county; however, there has been some internal debate as to whether or not this tax cap will work. School districts and local municipalities are now only able to raise taxes
by two percent plus certain additions or the rate of inflation, whichever is less; based on a five-step formula. The proposed tax levy increase for Massapequa Public Schools for this year, based on this formula, is 2.22 percent—the maximum allowed without achieving a supermajority vote. Sulc and Adcock both explained how this isn’t an individual property tax cap; the increase in year to year tax value is based on a proportional assessment of the community. “Your taxes may actually go up eight or nine percent and yours may go down,” Sulc said. The New York version of the tax cap plan was sold to taxpayers as a replica of the Massachusetts plan that had proved successful for the state. Deputy Superintendent, Alan Adcock disagrees. “It’s absolutely not similar to the Massachusetts plan, if it was, we would not be having the problems we are with these restrictions,” Adcock said. Sulc spent a great deal of time explaining the direct implications that the tax cap will have on the district this year and in the years to follow. “This is a bill that penalizes school districts,” Sulc said. This new tax cap legislation is
MARCH 23, 2012
NEWS
THE CHIEF 2
Why MHS takes precaution: an interview for security BY KARAN CHHATPAR
ASSISTANT MANAGING EDITOR
whoever is there, actually belongs there, and we report what we see to building administration. KC: What kind of qualifications do you maintain on the staff? Mr. Flynn: Everyone has an active or retired cumulative experience of at least twenty to twenty-five years in law enforcement, including myself. In addition to that, we have been doing our job for other schools for the past eight years. Our three main guys, Tony
Massapequa Public Schools’ exclusive security system surrounds the building daily
ALLIE GIORDANO//THE CHIEF
The school day goes on monotonously as students tap their pencils, send quick text messages to their friends, and watch the clock tick down to the bell, allowing their release from class. Unfortunately, for a handful of students at Chardon High School, Ohio, their classes were about to end too soon. Student Thomas Lane, brought a .22 caliber pistol to his high school and shot five random students, three of whom have died and two of whom have been traumatized. Chardon High School is an average school, just like Massapequa. Who’s to say it couldn’t happen here? I interviewed our principal, Dr. Williams, to address this issue. KC: What are some things Massapequa School District does to prepare for an event like what occurred in Chardon High School? Dr. Williams: All the drills we do, especially the lockdown, lockout, and evacuation drills, prepare for any event where a threat is near or inside the building. KC: Does any preparation take place outside of the school day? Dr. Williams: The police frequently inspect the schools and make suggestions as to how we can better secure the school. When the police aren’t monitoring the schools the security department workers we implemented at the beginning of the 2010-2011 school year are sort of hidden, but they’re there. They all have police training, and are skilled at observing and managing crises. They look for any possible threats, and investigate them immediately. KC: What about students who
have an out period? How can they be alerted of any nearby threats? Dr. Williams: Currently, we make sure to e-mail anybody currently signed up to receive them if anything sudden were to occur, and Parent-Link notifies parents immediately via phone call. In the future, we hope to obtain the correct cell phone numbers for each student so that we could notify each of them through call and/or text, since cell phone usage by high school students
has gone up drastically and continues to do so. After my interview with Dr. Williams, I interviewed the head of the security department for the Massapequa School District, Don Flynn. Dr. Williams provided me with the facts about the school in a general sense, and I hoped Mr. Flynn could further educate me in terms of our security department. KC: Where do you operate? Mr. Flynn: We operate everywhere, but our main function is outside, where we can stop any potential threat from getting inside. Our staff of trained observers makes sure that whatever or
Mirra, Tom Lyons, and George Ritter have a combined experience of at least seventy-five years. KC: About the Ohio State school shooting, what do you do to prevent similar occurrences here in Massapequa? Mr. Flynn: Our staff of trained observers with experience in crisis management, inspects and resolve small problems to prevent them from escalating any further. KC: Some schools have metal detectors or card swiping. Could those come here? Mr. Flynn: I’m not really a fan of either, since any system we implement
sounded very similar to a presidential candidate of four years ago who was battered much of the night by his most successful challenger thus far. “When he was campaigning President Obama said he would create jobs but for the past 36
“Let’s say Romney keeps on winning 40 percent of the proportional delegates—which is his average. In that case, he comes in at 1,022 at the end of this. That is a path to a contested convention in Tampa,” CNN analyst John
must have some way of being bypassed, such as weapons being made out of nonmetal materials. I would trust a human with compassion to protect the students and staff in Massapequa over a machine any day. If students and staff cooperate with school and safety rules, nobody will have to face the fear of swiping in or having to empty his pockets every day. KC: What kind of changes have been made in the school district since you’ve been employed here? Mr. Flynn: Before we were employed, security in the Massapequa School District was comprised of teachers and other school faculty. Since the beginning of the 2010-2011 school year, when we were employed by the district, we have replaced faculty with personnel trained for emergencies and observation. Since then, our personnel size has increased, and Massapequa can feel more assured of its safety. KC: Could a replay of Chardon High School come to Massapequa? Mr. Flynn: One common thing I read in all the reports of the school shooting said: “I never thought it could happen here.” Never say it’ll never happen here. But with the cooperation of the students and staff with our well trained security personnel, we can make Massapequa certainly ready for any potential danger. Dr. Williams and head of security Don Flynn have made the situation at the school clear in terms of safety. Nothing is ever certain, but we are as well protected as we can possibly be. The security personnel and trained staff at MHS are well-equipped to prevent a tragedy, and with their assistance we can be sure that we are as safe as possible.
GOP voters fail to back solid candidate on Super Tuesday BY JOE ZAPPA
ASSISTANT EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
MANDI WRIGHT//MCTCAMPUS
Super Tuesday was not so super. A day that has in the past brought great surprise, triumph, and decisiveness on the campaign trail for presidential nominees merely perpetuated the trend this year in the race for the GOP’s nomination. While 24 states held primaries and caucuses in 2008, only 10 did so on March 6. Romney won six states (MA, VT, ID, VA, OH, and AK), Santorum won three (ND, TN, and OK) and Gingrich won one, his former home state, Georgia. The spotlight of the night fell on the ever-volatile Ohio. The Buckeye State proved to be quite the contest, as news stations waited late into the night to call the victory for Romney. According to CNN, he outspent rival Santorum four-to-one in the battleground, only to come out on top by one percent of the vote. Despite reason for doubt, Romney’s campaign remains assured in the public eye. On Super Tuesday night, Romney said, “These times may be tough but our citizens still believe in the promise of America and they need a candidate who believes in them. Real change is finally on the way.” Romney’s message of change
Mitt Romney and his wife, Ann Romney at a recent rally during his primary campaign months unemployment has been over Avlon said. eight percent...he said he’d halve the “The voters are saying Romney deficit and he’s doubled it.” isn’t conservative enough, Santorum is The MA moderate’s strong cam- too extreme, and a convention fight will paign funding and considerable poise make the party look totally disunified,” have left him in an auspicious position social studies teacher Mr. Thieke said. now that the race is winding down. AcA split party going into the Repubcording to realclearpolitics.com, Rom- lican National Convention on August 27 ney’s 404 delegates accumulated after is exactly what challenger Santorum is Super Tuesday outnumber the totals for hoping for. The former PA senator has the other three candidates combined. been making waves in the conservative However, there is still a possibility for faction of the party with traditional some controversy. values and support for the blue collar
worker. When asked about the strength of his campaign, Santorum boasted just that. “I was the guy who was in Steubenville, Ohio last night. I wasn’t in Boston; I wasn’t in Atlanta. I was in the heart of blue-collar America talking about the jobs and the opportunities for those river and mill towns in the heart of America,” he said. Despite the fervor some social conservatives are displaying for Santorum, most Republicans agree that Romney is the clear choice if electability is the major issue in selecting a nominee. According to MSNBC, he led polls across the country in terms of electability—even in states he did not win. In Georgia, where Gingrich won forty-seven percent of the vote, only thirty-six percent of voters considered him the most electable, while forty-three percent assigned that title to Romney. In the past few elections, Super Tuesday has decided the candidates for president, but this year that end seems nowhere in sight. With no one willing to back down and the party’s electorate divided between an electable moderate and a strong conservative, it seems the only man benefiting from the turmoil is the man all Republicans desire to defeat: Barack Obama.
MARCH 23, 2012
NEWS
THE CHIEF 3
Potential 2012 Mr. Massapequas crowned BY TOM STRONG-GRINSELL MANAGING EDITOR
It’s that time of year again. The seventh annual Mr. Massapequa nominees were officially crowned on March 8 and the big event is only days away. The big question still remains: who will come out on top and take home the title of Mr. Massapequa 2012. “We’ve really tried to take this years Mr. Massapequa to a new level,” senior Mike Cantalupo said. The bar is set high after last year’s event, full of unexpected twists such as host, Rich Staubitz becoming a participant at the last minute. However, it’s something we can expect at this years Mr. Massapequa as well. Senior
Class President, Mike Cantalupo will also be doubling as both the host and a participant. “My opening act should be something that people will talk about the morning after,” Cantalupo said. Though no one can say whether or not Cantalupo’s performance will be all the rage until the night of the event, one thing can be said: there is a lot being kept under wraps until the night of the event. “I could tell you the secrets,” Cantaloupo said. “But then they wouldn’t really be secrets, would they?” And there’s even a new player on the block this year. The Chief will be playing a role in the show. For the first time ever the event will be blogged
From past to present
live from the gymnasium. Also, a new addition is the fact that attendees of the event will have the opportunity to vote on who they believe should be the winner of Mr. Massapequa before the actual winner is crowned. Though these results will not affect the outcome of the event, we will finally be able to compare the judges results with the voice of the people. In keeping with last year’s newlyfound tradition, students can expect a Mr. Massapequa Mash-Up video to be found online shortly after the event on TheChiefOnline.com. A lot may be left to the imagination for now, but come March 29 all will be revealed, and a new Mr. Massapequa will be crowned.
2011 student winner: Alex Breslau
2011 teacher winner: Mr. Schwartz
ALLIE GIORDANO//THE CHIEF
Potential contestants senior Richard Brown and Math teacher Mr. Diehl were crowned for the 7th annual Mr. Massapequa competition
2010 student winner: Matt Buchheit 2010 teacher winner: Mr. Kabelka Photos provided by: The Chief
Hello, Dolly, it’s so nice to have you back at MHS BY JOANNE JOSEPHSON JOURNALISM STUDENT
Seniors Alexa Arent and Andrew Dacunto and junior Nick D’Agosta dancing at rehearsal
Members of the cast rehearse one of the largest dance numbers in the show
JENNA FRATELLO//THE CHIEF
Lights, camera, action. It will take much more than some stage equipment to prepare for Massapequa High School’s production of Hello, Dolly! this winter season. A cast made up of approximately 87 talented kids from grades 9-12 are preparing for a successful show this March. Hello, Dolly! is about a matchmaker named Dolly Levi who is very well known by everyone around town. Mrs. Levi is going to visit the very rich and unmarried Horace Vandergelder. During this trip, she convinces two of Mr. Vandergelders store clerks to take a trip to New York to meet two fine women, Mrs. Irene Molloy and her assistant Minnie, and Mr. Vandergelder is out to the marry the former. Through all the music, scenes, events, laughs, and dancing you find love between the characters as well as a love between Mr. Vandergelder and Mrs. Dolly Levi in the end. “I think the show is going to be a great success as it always has been in the past. We always work so hard and this is such a great play that I hope everyone will enjoy,” senior Alexa Arent said. Arent has the part of Mrs. Irene Molloy in this year’s production. There is certainly a lot of work to be done. The cast list was posted Tuesday, January 10, and rehearsals started January 18. Long weeks of hard work go into this production.
“We practice every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 2:45 to 5:00,” Arent said. “As the performance gets closer the hours get longer, we have full run-throughs until 10:00, as well as an added all-day rehearsal the Saturday before.” Aside from two student stage managers, seniors Jenna Fratello and Stephanie Rollens, the main faculty director is English Curriculum Associate, Mr. Harrington, who is the producer of the musical. “I love directing the musicals. Being involved in theatre transformed my life. I am so grateful that I can share my passion for musical theater with the students of Masapequa High School,” director Mr. Harrington said. And although the theater can be very stressful, it is certainly very rewarding. “I feel the most important part in getting ready for a performance is being focused,” Arent said. “The last couple of weeks are always crazy for a performer because you have to remember all your lines, remember all the blocking, remember all your songs, get your costume changes and dance moves down, and of course stay healthy.” The play is going to be performed Friday, March 30 as well as Saturday, March 31 at 8:00 p.m. Given the work put into this production by directors and students, it is sure to be a hit.
MARCH 23, 2012
EDITORIAL
THE CHIEF 4
EDITORIALS
How the 2012-13 budget affects students It’s that time of year again – the prospective budget for next year has been announced, and the general public has two months or so to mull it over before making a decision on it. However, thanks to a two percent tax cap set by New York State, next year is shaping up to be the beginning of a period of time involving numerous program cuts. This is uncharted territory for the Massapequa school district and its students. Unfortunately for Massapequa, there is not much that can be done to prevent this misfire regarding the budget. NYS mandated a two percent tax cap that prevents taxes from being raised
devastating effects on the district, and it is more than likely that various programs within the school will suffer. Adcock stated that he does not yet know how sports or extracurricular activities will be affected, but the cap is “likely to have impacts on many areas in the school system.” Adcock remained reluctant to cut programs, stating that he is a supporter of the music and arts programs in our schools and has no interest in cutting them. When asked about the Magnet program in the elementary schools and other enrichment programs, he said “those are programs that we would not
“If a student is in need of certain services, the student must be provided with those services.” any more than two percent, regardless of how much a school district would need to raise them in order to keep all of its programs running smoothly. In other words, should the cost to keep programs running increase by more than two percent year-to-year, the district will not be able to raise taxes a sufficient amount to pay for those programs – they will be left with no choice than to cut spending. Deputy Superintendent Alan Adcock described it, saying that the situation is all about, “balancing with the mandates that they have… and the increases in those mandates.” However, the district is determined to make this tax cap impact the students as little as possible. “If a student is in need of certain services, the student must be provided with those services,” Adcock said. Superintendent Charles Sulc echoed these sentiments at the Board of Education meeting on Thursday, March 15. “There are no recommendations coming from yours truly to eliminate any program,” Sulc said. Regardless of what Sulc and Adcock want, this cap is going to have
want to impact.” He also conveyed that class sizes may be marginally affected in the coming year, but there will probably be no substantially detrimental consolidations. Despite these attempts at reassurance, it does not change the fact that the tax cap exists, our budget will be impacted, and therefore no matter what they say, the programs in our schools will also be affected. The student body realizes this as well. Many students still fear cuts in the music program – which is known for being extremely successful, sending multiple people to the All-State Music Festival annually. “Life for me at MHS would be nowhere near as enjoyable without all the spectacular ensembles I’ve participated in as well as the teachers I’ve grown to know and love,” junior Adam Davi said. “Our music program is ranked in the top 50 in the country for a reason, so I would hate to see it shrink and wither away.” Programs like these are what inspire students to delve into their creative abilities and discover their talents. They foster intellectual growth, and the
Respect: a sense of the worth of a person, or a personal quality or ability. By definition it seems simple, yet we hear about the consequences of bullying and hazing among children and young adults more and more frequently on the news, and even in our own schools. Recently, New York State approved the Dignity for All Students Act in order to address issues such as harassment and discrimination on school property, and during school sponsored activities. The law entails new amendments made to the code of conduct, and expands the State Education Law in reference to education under tolerant instruction. But what does DASA really imply about our modern society? The stark reality is that society has laid dormant the seeds of morality. We’ve managed to place a man on the moon, even create super tomatoes that never spoil, yet we have not differentiated what moral conduct is and is not acceptable. We’ve either experienced or studied
historical examples like the passage of women’s suffrage, and the Civil Rights Movement--so much so that one would not dare to tip the scale of justice; it has been engrained so deeply into us that everyone should be entitled to their rights as a human being no matter what race, gender or religion. However, it seems our youth is in a state of amnesia. We’ve forgotten all about respect, and have replaced it with cheap jokes, and offensive behavior. Just recently, a Rutgers student was tried for the death of his roommate who committed suicide after a video tape of his homosexual encounter was leaked to other students on campus. It is truly a tragedy when a person’s very own privacy becomes the subject of ridicule. With the rise of teen suicide rates DASA promises a safe community for students to receive their education, but how well can the law prevent and protect students on the internet? We live in a world where our cell
student body recognizes that should our school lose these programs, it would be a tremendous detriment. Students are not the only ones worrying about the potential cuts. Visions advisor Mrs. Curiale is very concerned about what the state of the budget will mean for the future of her club, and the impacts that this would have on the club’s members. “Since our club is product based, should we lose funding, we wouldn’t have a magazine,” Curiale said. “Visions provides an opportunity for writers, artists and photographers to have their work published and viewed by the entire school. There really aren’t any other venues for this.” Only time will tell what the actual impact the budget will have on extracurricular activities will be, but it is clear that cutting any activity will not be seen positively by anyone involved. In fact, The Chief has already been informed that due to district budget restraints, our budget will be cut drastically next year — there will be fewer print issues being distributed and the paper will begin shifting onto online. The tax cap is already beginning to take its toll on extracurriculars, and no one knows where it will stop. Lastly, students must remember that it isn’t just these elective and extracurricular activities that are at risk – regular courses are at risk. Over the course of the next four years, according to Adcock, there will be a “possible reduction of course offerings or consolidation of course offerings.” Overall, it remains unclear as to what effects the new budget will have on the school. What is clear, however, is that students and teachers are not looking forward to finding out how this budget will negatively impact them. As of now, layoffs are being made to recover the largest portion of the deficit. It’s imminent that the students will be directly negatively impacted; it’s just a matter of how much.
Do we need a law explaining the obvious?
phones double as iPods, even triple as networks—all at the touch of a button. We’ve turned face time into FaceTime, “hellos,” into instant messages, and making friends into sending requests. As social networking becomes faster and simpler, society virtually perpetuates yet another medium for bullying and hazing to channel itself. So what jurisdiction does DASA possess when a child faces a cyber bully? Well for one, schools are directed to appoint a board member as a Dignity Coordinator that should be available to students and employees for advice as needed, and nurses must keep school logs of both self-reported and peerreported injuries (both physical and emotional), illness, health implications, and other complications that result from an act of violence or aggression. But the problem is that computer screens don’t reveal emotional scars. Due to shame or embarrassment, the act doesn’t reduce the likelihood of the very
March 23, 2012 Vol LX Issue 3
The Chief Editorial Staff EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Jenna Fratello ASSISTANT EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Joe Zappa MANAGING EDITOR Tom Strong-Grinsell ASSISTANT MANAGING EDITOR Karan Chhatpar CHIEF COPY EDITOR Nick Barbieri LAYOUT EDITOR Ashley Adler GRAPHIC DESIGNER Jessica Graff SPORTS EDITORS Jon Grant Matt Hirsch BUSINESS MANAGER Spencer Nord ADVISOR Elyn Coyle
The Chief Editorial Policy
The Chief, the student newspaper of Massapequa High School, is an open forum to discuss the student body’s issues and concerns. Members of The Chief will make every effort to publish following the legal definitions of libel, obscenity and invasion of privacy. Consistent with the first amendment of the United States Constitution, the staff also will refrain from printing material that may incite students, be a violation of MHS’ Student Code of Conduct or disrupt school operations. The editorial board of The Chief welcomes and encourages submitted letters, stories, cartoons and/or any other student feedback to the editor. Please send all submissions to mhsthechief@gmail. com. Letters sent by email may need to be verified by student signature before publishing. •Although letters to the editor are not printed, names will be published upon request. The Chief has the right to deny publication of any editorial, column, review or comment. •Grammatical and/or spelling corrections will be made; however, the content will not be altered. All columns, reviews or commentary are strictly the opinion of the writer and may not represent opinions held by the school board, administration, sponsors, parents, student body or advertisers. However, all editorials reflect the viewpoint of The Chief editorial board. Distribution: 1600 copies
Massapequa High School 4925 Merrick Road Massapequa, NY 11758
same thing from happening. Schools are granted the right to violate Federal civil right statutes if a student’s safety is questioned or jeopardized. Perhaps new systems of monitoring suspected aggressors would help to eliminate the barrier between schools and the cyber world. DASA is clearly another measure towards creating an equal learning environment, and has great potential to save lives. Unfortunately, our generation doesn’t seem to realize the importance of human uniqueness. The fact that these acts of violence even reached such a threshold as to influence legislation is a sad query society imposes. But we are all individuals with our own qualities, our own strengths, our own weaknesses, and our own rights to all of the former. Under the Dignity For All Students Act, the future becomes a brighter sanctuary for students seeking their very own dignity.
OPINION
MARCH 23, 2012
THE CHIEF 5
Can a GOP candidate challenge President Obama? BY JOE ZAPPA
ASSISTANT EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
they did not pull the typical party line on every issue. Mitt Romney, Newt Gingrich, and Rick Santorum may have different histories, but they all preach the same thing. Though the historically more conservative Gingrich and Santorum have persistently sought to quash Romney’s front-runner status with his more moderate voting record, he has abandoned any trace of what once was an individual, progressive thinker. According
STAFF WRITER
proven himself pre-eminent in the political field regarding a strict code of values. Whether one agrees with Paul or not, his tenacious defense of the principles he has preached for decades is unquestionably admirable. He is the only Republican that has taken a step away from the party line. According to ronpaul2012.com, he opposes capital punishment and federal use of torture and supports the legalization of marijuana, three stances which are uncom-
Prom talk at MHS:
“It’s going to be boring, and I don’t want to pay for that. It’s completely pointless. I’ll go to senior prom, because I think that has more meaning to it, but junior prom? No go.” -Madelyn Nicolini Junior
“I’m going to have fun, and this is what you’ve been looking forward to in your junior year – to have one night when you can hang out with everyone.” -Lena Pollich Junior
“I think that it’s part of being a senior. When you’re older, you want to be able to look back and say, “Oh this happened,” and have those stories. And I think just being a girl; it’s everything leading up to it to, too, that becomes just as fun. It’s one of the last weekends of high school that you get to spend with all of your friends before going off to college, so it’s a good way to have one last experience with everyone to look forward to.” -Kelsey O’Brien Senior
ALLIE LATINI//THE CHIEF
Will you be taking out a prom loan this season?
JENNA FRATELLO///THE CHIEF
Prom-it’s considered a rite of passage in high school. Girls and boys alike (okay, mostly girls) spend months preparing for the big night. Many high school students see prom as the highlight of their high school career--the one night where they get to be on top of the world. But do we really realize how much we are spending in time, effort and especially money, preparing for a just few hours of adolescent glory? The number one reason why prom is so stressful: the cost. Hundreds of dollars go into the event. Usually prom costs from $400 to $3,000 per person, according to USA Today. Prom-goers spend excessive amounts of cash on tickets, clothing, accessories, photos, flowers, transportation, and after-prom parties. “Prom is overpriced,” junior Corinne Lizzio said. This is unfortunate, but true. Prom tickets at MHS have usually been about $90 dollars per person. If you add that number to all of the countless other expenses related to prom, you will have spent well over several hundred dollars. “It’s extremely expensive,” senior Ashley Hogan said. “My dress last year cost $150, I can’t imagine what it’s going to cost this year.” Transportation is also a huge financial burden. Many high schoolers choose to forgo their SUVs for classier vehicles. “The limo is costing my group
$480.00,” Hogan said. Many people are splurging on limousines and party buses to get to prom. Prom-goers should be prepared to spend at least $400.00 on transportation, according to msn.com. That is almost half a thousand dollars for a few minutes of stylish cruising. The word “prom,” according to the dictionary, is simply defined as “a formal dance.” Considering that prom really is just a dance, it is ironic that teenagers across the country are paying $10-$125 on tickets, according to USA Today, to listen and dance to music that they have on their iPods. Here is another issue to ponder. Does anyone consider that the big night can pose a number of potentially embarrassing moments for prom-goers? Those expensive dresses and tuxedos can easily be subjected to wardrobe malfunctions. Your date could be a horrible dancer. Or worse yet, your parents could sign up to be chaperones; here at Massapequa, we don’t do this, but the list still goes on. The bottom line is that prom is essentially viewed as the coolest social gathering of the year, but you should really think about whether this event is right for you. If dressing up, dancing and spending a ton of money is your thing, go for it. If not, you may want to consider a more low-key activity. There are many alternative ways to have fun, and your wallet will probably thank you. Here’s hoping nobody runs into too many promblems.
mon among Republicans. Unfortunately, Ron Paul still opposes same-sex marriage and the right to abortion, stances which may be attributed to his age and the state in which he serves. Paul still follows the party line on most major issues, but at least he has demonstrated capacity for some individual thinking. The travesty of this race for the Republican nomination is that Ron Paul seems to have no chance to win. Most Republican voters disliked him from the start, as his stances seemed to be too radical. This is what American politics have come to—if you do not pull the party line on every issue, you are a radical. Therefore, there is only one option left for Republican voters. It is the Romney-Gingrich-Santorum vote, which would produce an extremely similar presidency if all three candidates mean to enact the policies they have proposed on the campaign trail. Free-thinking Republicans will be left without a choice in November 2012. It will be the generic GOP party pawn, President Obama, or an ineffectual third-party vote. Since most politically conscious Americans would not abstain from voting in a presidential election and most Republicans strongly oppose the bulk of the president’s ideology, they will vote for Romney, Gingrich, or Santorum. Bereft of a free-thinking candidate, we will perpetuate the trend that has become our demise.
CHRIS WALKER//MCTCAMPUS
The GOP candidates battle it out for the nomination to challenge President Obama
The promblems of prom BY ALLIE LATTINI
to whyromney.com, the man who once emphasized “making equality for gays and lesbians a mainstream concern” and stood up for Roe v. Wade has sat down. He is no longer a man—he is a party pawn. The only candidate who has strayed from the status quo is Texas Representative Ron Paul, who has
NAKAHODO//MCTCAMPUS
America was founded on the ideas of distinct individuals. The Founding Fathers had unique ideas on how the country should be run, and specific visions for the ideal United States. Before two political parties dominated American politics, politicians stood for something. Today’s politicians stand for very little, and this inauspicious trend has manifested itself in the Republican race for the presidential nomination in 2012. Over the last few months, the wide field of candidates has dwindled down to four but I only see one option. As a conservative libertarian, I like to see Republican candidates with a twist. Many in the Grand Old Party share my viewpoint that the most important quality in a candidate is his support of limited government—a people’s government, more dedicated to maintaining the liberty of the market and its people than anything else. That is where the libertarian wing of the Republican Party—a wing I believe to be growing with the new generation of conservative thinkers—differs from what many see as the archetypal Republican. I believe in the freedom of the individual. Secular humanism is my mantra. That means that if there are Americans who desire a personal right that will not greatly harm the whole of society, I support it. Many Republican libertarians
(especially younger ones) support samesex marriage, a woman’s right to abortion, and the legalization of marijuana. However, this is not what you will see on the national stage—especially not among the GOP candidates. Three of the Republican candidates seem to have decided early in the race that they had no chance to win if
MARCH 23, 2012
FEATURES
THE CHIEF 6
What it really means to join Spotlight on: Kelsey O’Brien BY DANIEL DIBENEDETTO JOURNALISM STUDENT
For many MHS students, senior year is spent filling out long college applications and eagerly awaiting letters of acceptance. Some students, however, are running miles, doing push-ups and pull-ups, and memorizing their General Orders. These young adults are the few who seek futures within the military. Just like applying to college, it’s a long and difficult road to a life in the military. Instead of studying for their SAT’s and ACT’s, they are studying for the ASVAB. The ASVAB, or the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery is a test that determines how qualified potential enlistees are for certain jobs
preparing for a life in the service, and are heavily emphasized even before recruits leave for boot camp. Applicants can expect plenty of running, lots of pull ups and push-ups, and many abdominal crunches in preparation for enlistment. However, as important as physical prowess is, having a strong mind is just as crucial. It’s one thing to be able to go the distance, but it’s a whole different level to have the willpower and the drive to do it. Joining the military is a difficult decision for many, since it involves signing a very important contract that will essentially determine the next four or more years of a young adult’s life in the Army, the Marines, the Navy, the Air Force, or the Coast Guard.
BY KARAN CHHATPAR
“But I am ready for the challenge.” The Naval Academy will prepare her for service in the Navy, where she is mandated to serve for at least five years as an officer. “USNA offers one of the best educations in the country and the world, yet it’s in a class of its own due to the discipline, structure and morals upon which the Academy is built,” she said. O’Brien added that recommenda-
ASSISTANT MANAGING EDITOR
Most high school students continue on to college, and some bypass further education to pursue a career immediately. A rare few, like senior Kelsey O’Brien, attempt to do both at the same time. O’Brien has decided, after thorough consideration, to join the United States Naval Academy to play lacrosse,
within the military. The ASVAB tests applicants on a variety of subjects, including reading comprehension, vocabulary, arithmetics, mechanics, engineering, and more. The ASVAB can be just as important as any other test a high school student can take, as it determines their future in the armed services. The higher a person’s score is in these categories, the more jobs that will be open to them. After taking the ASVAB, the potential recruit takes the oath of enlistment, and officially becomes a part of the United States Military. The test isn’t the only thing that potential recruits must prepare for. Any individual joining the military must be ready to face their physical limits, and work toward getting into top physical shape. Physical endurance, upper body strength, and abdominal strength are some of the most important parts of
Senior Zach Solomons has enlisted in the Marine Corps and is set to leave for boot camp soon after graduation. “I can’t wait,” he said. “It’s awesome knowing what you want to do right out of high school, not many people do.” Every week, Solomons does physical training with other men and women who also aspire to become United States Marines, running up to five miles along with other excruciating exercises. “It’s hard, but it’s all about motivation.” While it’s an uncommon choice, many high school students consider joining the military as a way to kick-start their lives. The armed services can teach discipline and good work ethics, as well as many other technical and practical skills, all while earning a paycheck. To read Dan’s full journey into the services, go to TheChiefOnline.com.
Senior Kelsey O’Brien has been preparing to enter the Naval Academy for months but lacrosse will be a component at most to her college experience. Like other colleges, athletes must still take challenging classes and maintain a good GPA. The title of the Naval Academy brings one of the most rigorous lives for Kelsey, as she will have to balance out schoolwork, a Division I sport, and preparation for service in the Navy. “Next year, balancing all of the separate requirements of being a plebe (freshman) will definitely be a strenuous task and adding school work and lacrosse will be difficult, O’Brien said.
tion letters, a high school transcript, an interview with a representative from the Academy, and a physical test, among other things, are all required to apply, making the application for the Naval Academy just as strenuous as that of other colleges. “Despite the stress that comes with all of this and the work that will be required of me,” O’Brien said excitedly, “I am very excited and ready to go to college just like any other high school senior.”
Army Strong: options, consequences, and inner strength BY ASHLEY ADLER
SENIOR LAYOUT EDITOR
and worked his way up to his title of Sergeant First Class today. His story is just one example of how life after high school can venture into any one of multiple facets that all stem from our personal choices, and the Army is one path that can be applicable
Members of the armed forces visit the high school periodically to offer information “I was supposed to join [after graduation], but decided to take a job as a sheriff,” he said. Instead, Sfc. Crossland decided to join the military at the age of 23,
ASHLEY ADLER//THE CHIEF
Life after high school provides an array of possibilities. For most students, graduating high school means either college, or entrance into the work field. But there is something more. For men like Sergeant Scott Tulley, Staff Sergeant Eli Henderson, and Sergeant First Class Marcus Crossland, there was the U.S. Army. From time to time, you may have seen tables set up in the gym lobby with members from the armed services speaking to students about joining. “I couldn’t afford college before, and now I can,” Sgt. Tulley said, who was able to pay for college through his career in the Army; a comforting notion for those unwilling to sacrifice a college degree for a career. Yet college wasn’t the only enticement that lead to Sgt. Tulley’s committment. “What made me want to join the Army was the job security, and the ability to rise through the ranks,” he said. No matter what the economic conditions, the military will always have available positions, and better yet, positions that promise mobility. It is here that both men and women can begin as a private,
and work his/her merit towards, lets say, even a Sergeant. As seniors, there are plenty of us who are unsure of their educational or career paths. Just ask Sfc. Marcus Crossland who was in the same position after graduating high school.
TOM STRONG-GRINSELL//THE CHIEF
“It’s one thing to be able to go the distance, but it’s a whole different level to have the drive to do it.”
at any age. And maybe you’re the adventure seeking student like Staff Sergeant Eli Henderson. For someone who enjoyed travelling for a major portion of his life,
the Army provided the perfect opportunity to suit his interests. “For me, many of my relatives had been involved in the military [patriotic],” he said, in reference to maintaining a career choice tradition within his family. A patriot himself, Ssg. Henderson not only completed his rotations, but is now trained in equal opportunity leadership. This means he, along with Sgt. Tulley, and Sfc. Crossland are able to participate in volunteer work, mentoring, and for Ssg. Henderson personally, devising prevention plans for corporations involving racism, prejudice, sexual assault, and substance abuse. The future may seem hazy; after all, we’re only just beginning our journeys. The opportunities are vast: job security, mobility, an affordable college education, and even travelling are only some of the benefits that Sgt. Tulley, Ssg. Henderson, and Sfc. Crossland exemplify. So, whether you’re plans after graduation include college or a career, the Army is one path that makes both aspects feasible. For more information visit www. goarmy.com, or call 1-800-USAARMY.
MARCH 23, 2012
THE CHIEF 7 ADVERTISEMENT
THE CHIEF 8
MARCH 23, 2012
Paws up, bullying down Did you know...
10% of students have dropped out of school or change schools from bullying? 28% of LGBT students want to drop out of school due to fear of bullying? 80% of high school students have encountered being bullied online? 33% of children have been cyberbullied or threatened online? 10-20% of victims of bullying are attacked on a daily basis? 56% have witnessed bullying take place at school? 90% of fourth to eighth graders are victims of bullying? 90% of LGBT children are victims of regular bullying? 14% of bullied students have had a severe reaction from being bullied? Source: bullyingstatistics.org
Bullying at MHS
BY MATT HIRSCH SPORTS EDITOR
the cause themselves. “I had heard of the Paws Up project when it first started,” sophomore Erin Gallagher said. “I haven’t seen any of the videos but now that I know an MHS student is involved, I definitely want to see it and find out how other people can spread the word.” According to the Paws Up Forever Project’s official website, over 100,000 people have gotten involved with the cause. With more awareness growing in the battle against bullying and discrimination, Pieprzak and other selfless citizens at MHS hope that one day the world will achieve equality and peace, and bullying will be a thing of the past.
James Pieprzak,
an anti-bullying
activist
//THE CHIEF
ALLIE GIORDANO
“If we all come together and use our voices to spread love instead of hate, we can achieve anything we want in this world.” This is just one of the many inspirational philosophies adopted by Massapequa High School senior James Pieprzak. For as long as he can remember, Pieprzak has protested bullying and prejudice towards children and has even spoken actively about its negative effect on the world. “Enough is enough,” Pieprzak said. “People don’t really see and understand what bullying does to people. I believe that this issue has to be pushed further and further until something is done about it.” Pieprzak did, in fact, do something about it. Jamey Rodemeyer, a 14-year old antibullying activist who committed suicide after being bullied for his sexuality, influenced the creation of the Paws up Forever Project. This movement was led by selfless teenagers such as Pieprzak along with Rodemeyer’s inspiration and favorite singer, Lady GaGa. During the movement, Pieprzak was featured in one of Lady GaGa’s music videos with the rest of the project team. “The video contained 300 people from all over the world; some people were given a line to say and some people just put their paws up.” Pieprzak says. “When the creators gave me my line, even though it was a small line, I took pride in what I was saying, hoping that I could convince someone to stop bullying and start accepting one another.” After Pieprzak’s participation in this campaign, many other students at MHS have begun to recognize his mission and support
Bullying for cowards: cyber bullying BY CATHERINE ANDERSON JOURNALISM STUDENT
A poll conducted on TheChiefOnline.com prompted readers to report the forms of bullying they have encountered in their lives.
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Bullies are cowards, period; even worse are people who feel the need to torture someone online. Cyber bullies hide behind their computers and put down others, either through social networking sites or instant messaging systems. They are the most cowardly of all bullies and are so insecure about themselves that they have to put down others. Throughout middle school and high school there have always been school assemblies on bullying and how no one in school should be doing it to other classmates. Students AN IEF
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always agreed to never bully anyone when the truth of the matter is that most bullies don’t realize that what they are doing is wrong. Cyber bullying exists throughout MHS. It can be seen on multiple Facebook pages. Others are constantly put down on sites like Formspring, where people can anonymously write stuff about classmates directly to their account. Statements such as “You’re ugly,” and “I hate you,” are nothing out of the ordinary. Too many times have we all heard about someone who took their life due to being cyber bullied. It is happening in Massapequa, and it should not be ignored. Notices someone being bullied Facebook? Do something about it. The only way to stop cyber bullies is to get help. It’s so easy to catch them— everything they say can be copied, printed, and given to a school official. It can be stopped. It’s just up to students to stop it.
Graphics and Page Design by: Jessica Graff
MARCH 23, 2012
THE CHIEF 9
Awareness Week teaches reality to students BY JESSICA GRAFF
but that some stresses are eustress, which are positive forms of stress which help push students to excel. Pupil personnel Joanne Waters and Diane Marascia want to thank the administration for their support for Awareness Week, the teachers for bringing their classes to the workshops and the students for participating in the presentations. “We want to thank secretaries Debbi Csajko and Annette Polly for all their help this year,” Marascia said. “Through everyone’s combined efforts, we had our most successful program this year,” Waters said. “It proves once again that when we work together for the benefit of our students, we are the most successful.” Awareness Week at MHS was once again a success and continued the vital tradition of educating students on how to approach situations, make the right decision, and learn lessons that go outside of the classroom.
GRAPHIC DESIGNER
Students today face obstacles that previous generations have gone through as well as some that they haven’t; however, Awareness Week gave students the opportunity to learn life lessons that will assist them in any situation, for any generation. March 5 to March 9 was Awareness Week, and many of the students got involved as well as outside organizations and Massapequa High School’s own WMHS. “Thanks to the WMHS Broadcasting club for again creating PSAs and a playlist to reflect the topics of each day,” MHS social worker Joanne Waters said. Throughout the week students were given the chance to participate in workshops that helped them understand important life lessons in acceptance, responsibility and courage. During Responsibility Day the workshop Fatal Vision, thanks to YES Community Counseling, got students involved in a drunk-driving simulation. Students put on specialized goggles and tried doing simple tasks such as walking in a straight path or having a catch. The simulation allowed students to understand the difficulty of doing tasks while under the influence. Students who participated walked away with the understanding that doing the easiest of tasks is a new level of difficulty while drunk; therefore, driving while under the influence is a poor decision. At Mr. Labella’s stress and meditation workshop, students learned how to properly handle stresses that may come about in life. The workshop not only taught how to relieve and avoid stress,
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//THE CHIEF
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ALLIE GIORDANO
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Stones break bones but words hurt too BY AMIE BICOCCHI JOURNALISM STUDENT
Words hurt. Picture being bullied every day—endless torture to endure from people who don’t understand what they’re doing. Now, just imagine the damage all that bullying can do to someone’s brain and emotional stability. What exactly can happen to someone’s physiological structure due to bullying? Be prepared; these facts are shocking. There is a strong connection between bullying and depression, according to bullyingstatistics.org. Some signs of depression as a result
of bullying include irritability, changes in sleep patterns, restlessness, feelings of worthlessness, and laziness. Students who appear to be vulnerable are the usual targets of bullying, according to MHS social workers, Diane Marascia and Joanne Waters. Once students are being bullied,their relationship with school is corrupted. They become deathly afraid to come to the one place they should feel safe. They will get anxiety, they will have trouble sleeping, their grades will drop, and they will have anticipatory nervousness to go to school, because they are too afraid about being bullied. Nationally, 160,000 kids miss school every day due to fear of being bullied. As a result of bullying, that once bright, happy kid could turn into someone who feels hopeless, tired, and in some cases, suicidal. On the surface, bullying hurts, but the place it really hurts is the mind.
Artwork taken from pieces provided by: Lindsay Kendrick
MARCH 23, 2012
FEATURE
THE CHIEF 10
Mr. Garone: Fifty years of teaching and still going strong BY JENNA FRATELLO EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
to know everyone’s favorite teacher through sharing the office. “He is a funny, funny guy,” Sulc said. “He talks about his trips to China, he talks about his family, and he’ll talk about growing olive groves in Italy one day. He is one of the most interesting people out there.” Indeed, from my twenty-minute
Mr. Garone can be found at many corners of the building, singing some tunes. History teacher, and now a Government and Economics teacher. “Eventually, I became Chairman, and then I became Coordinator,” he said. “It was like my fifteen minutes of fame.” Mr. Sulc remembered these “fifteen minutes,” too, noting that this was the time when the two encountered each other yet again. “Social Studies and Math shared an office,” Mr. Sulc said. “When he was assigned to the high school here from Berner High School, I welcomed him into the office, and it took off from there.” “We got into a conversation about how I was a student at Bishop Loughlin; he didn’t remember me–but I remembered him,” he said. Though he never became personally acquainted with Mr. Garone, or as he called him, “Vinny,” Mr. Sulc came
conversation with him, I felt that I had read a book from cover to cover–Mr. Garone is certainly interesting. Perhaps the reason why our conversation felt so natural was because of his outlook on the curriculum. “Social Studies is a way in which you can converse with people,” he said. “I’ve traveled the world–Asia, Europe, Africa, the Middle East–you share stories with people, you learn about history, and you create it.” If there’s one thing that is certain, it is that Mr. Garone has made history in this building. As he reflected on the teaching style that he has created throughout the last fifty years, he focused on the idea of adaptation, and that we must become accustomed to what is old and what is new all at once. “I think teaching, in society, is a very important factor,” he said. “I think you can shape individuals, or points
but these are only the beginnings of the laundry list of environmental injustices mankind has created. The world’s population reached seven billion this past October. But seven billion means nothing in comparison to the resource use (or perhaps misuse) this large population demands. Our exponential growth is directly correlated with the means we use to sustain such a large amount of people. In the United States alone, people use 110 gallons of water per day, which is divided up among showers, bathtubs, sprinklers, sinks, and dishwashing, even though the average person only requires 2.5 quarts of water to maintain basic health. Another billion people also means more cars on the highway, which also means a larger demand for fossil fuels to power those vehicles. Not only will the atmosphere trap more heat when these fossil fuels are burned, but their scarcity as a resource takes a toll on your pocket. “I think we can expect more unpredictable weather, things like longer
droughts, latent hurricane seasons, more snow…probably less agricultural output which means prices will raise in the economy,” AP Environmental Science teacher Mr. Dempsey said. And a rise in prices in the economy, as we’ve seen at the gas pump, affects everyone. Think about all the worksheets your teachers seamlessly hand to you and dozens of other students, multiply that by about seven periods per day, and there you have hundreds upon thousands of trees cut down only to be thrown away at the end of the school year. Now, think of the amount of Snapple cans and water bottles you witness thrown away during the year. How many do you think are actually recycled? If not, then where do they go? If there is one concept that cannot be stressed enough, it is that there is no “away.” Every water bottle tossed in a landfill, every plastic bag you find rolling in the street does not simply disappear. They harm organisms, contaminate the soil, and even affect our water supply. So what can you as a student do to
of view. You gain many insights into people.” “I’ve had many different students and many different philosophies and many different religions, and I’ve been able to adapt to them,” he said. “I balance what is old with what is new and I go from there.” He emphasized the atmosphere in his classroom, saying that he often gives “extreme leeways,” not because he is going easy on his students, but because he wants them to be able to have those leeways and continue to be responsible with them. “It’s interesting to feel that you want it. Today, many students have instant gratification–they look at their phones and their computers, and that’s it. Years ago, students were really studious. I teach as though you are in a college classroom–you complete the class on your own terms,” Garone said. “But I am not your friend; I am not your buddy, though I will never squelch a student’s idea. I want them to think for themselves.” While learning about his teaching style, Mr. Garone made sure that I understood that he truly cares for his students and his coworkers. When asked if it has felt as though fifty years had gone by, his response was given without a second thought. “Oh, certainly not,” he said. As far as leaving MHS, Garone was taken aback by the question, saying that he hasn’t even given it a single thought. “I don’t believe I will leave teaching because someone’s going to tell me I have to leave. I will leave on my own time, when I want to leave, and on my own terms. If I feel that in the long run I am no longer able to communicate with my students, I will stop, and walk away,” he said. “But I’m not even thinking about it yet.” And as the conversation came to a close, he left me with three simple words. “I love teaching.”
LAURA CREAVEN//SACHEM
You may have heard that familiar whistle and hum as you walk up the stairs…or through the main hallway… or past room 306. The 2011-2012 school year marks Mr. Garone’s fiftieth year of teaching in the building that he has called his “sanctuary” ever since he taught his first class. Before arriving here, he began his teaching career at Bishop Loughlin High School in Brooklyn, where he crossed paths with Superintendent Mr. Sulc for the first time. “I met Mr. Garone when I was a freshman in high school. He was a teacher at the Bishop Loughlin. All freshmen received one study hall per week and he was my study hall teacher,” Sulc said. Sulc reflected on Mr. Garone’s presence as a new teacher, believing that he has continued his ways ever since. “I never had him as a classroom teacher. He taught World History, and he was known there as an outstanding teacher, but a very strong and firm educator–and he still is,” he said. “It was a learning experience, and I was a teacher, look at that,” Garone said, as he reflected back to his first years of teaching. The two both described the encounter as just a coincidental act of fate stepping in, although neither of them knew they would cross paths again for a while. It was 1962 when Mr. Garone came for a job interview at MHS, with two job interviews for Levittown and Hicksville scheduled just a few minutes after. Massapequa was the first stop on his list that day, and he came prepared for his interview with the Superintendent at the time. “I had a ten minute conversation with him, and then I said ‘Could you tell me where Levittown is?’” he said. “I told him I had an appointment there in ten minutes, so I asked him if he could
please expedite matters.” “Then he told me that I wasn’t leaving the office until I had signed a contract, ‘I don’t want to lose you,’ is what he said to me,” Garone continued. On that day, he began his first year as a European History teacher, and eventually AP World History, AP U.S
Global warming is why it’s getting hot in here BY ASHLEY ADLER
SENIOR LAYOUT EDITOR
Whether or not you believe that 2012 marks the end of the world, there is one thing we know for sure that the ancient Mayans accurately predicted: climatic shifts. Global warming, rising sea levels, and new weather patterns are just some of the environmental issues Earth faces this year. The past year, especially, serves as an indicator for what we can expect to experience. So, believer or nonbeliever, be prepared to see what 2012 has in store. When we think of global warming, we tend to be skeptical. However, it doesn’t take a December 21, 2012 conspiracy for scientists to study changes in Earth’s atmosphere. We revert back to textbook explanations of carbon dioxide emissions trapping heat in the atmosphere causing glaciers to melt, and therefore, sea levels to rise. We also blame deforestation lowering levels of oxygen and removing essential nutrients from the soil inadvertently for the environmental shifts we’re noticing,
help? For one, you may believe the daily water bottle is a necessity, but reusable bottles do just the trick. You can save money and a water bottle from making its way to the ocean. Recycle. It’s as simple as that. Paper, glass, and canned goods don’t require any extra energy to be placed in a recycling receptacle rather than a regular garbage can. If you’d like to take it a step further, the next time you go food shopping try to buy from local businesses. Purchasing locally reduces the amount of fossil fuel emissions, and with our population reaching seven billion, every small reduction counts. As just one out of seven billion, you may feel like your ecological footprint doesn’t make a difference—that you cannot single-handedly save the world. But it only takes one to start. We’re a community, and it’s our responsibility to keep our community clean and sustainable for the future. Massapequa can be an example for the rest of Long Island, and it begins here.
FEATURE
MARCH 23, 2012
Dignity for All Students BY TOM STRONG-GRINSELL MANAGING EDITOR
Ten years ago, bullying took place solely in the classroom and on the playground; now the epidemic has evolved into cyber-bullying via text messages and the Internet. The general definition of cyber bullying is: the use of information and communication technologies to support deliberate, repeated, and hostile behavior by an individual or group, that is intended to harm others Come July 2012, New York State will have a new education law called Dignity for All Students, or DASA for short. This law, set to be education policy in NYS, is implemented to afford all students in public schools an environment free of discrimination and harassment. The act states, “No student shall be subjected to harassment, discrimination, or bullying by employees or students.” The interesting twist of the act is that the discrimination does not have to be blatant for action to be taken against the “bully.” The act also protects against perceived actions against: race, color, weight, nationality, ethnicity, religion or religious practice, disability, and sexual orientation or gender identity. Student Government officers have been taking steps to prepare the district’s current Code of Conduct to match DASA, by taking appropriate actions in changing and amending the wording of it. “Student leaders on the secondary
level have also realized the many positive and meaningful activities that occur throughout the District that continue to promote the essential aspects of the Dignity Act,” said Dr. Thomas Fasano, Assistant to the Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction. Student Advisory Committee meetings have been held to discuss other ways of implementing and publicizing DASA to the students at large of the high-school as well as the posterity of the high-school. “There are some things beyond the schools control, but with the amount of work that has been put into it, it should make a safer, more enjoyable school year for everyone,” senior class president Mike Canatlupo said. The law takes action and outlines bullying in both a physical and virtual way. “When it’s brought onto school grounds and affects the day to day operations of the building, it becomes an issue that the school has to address,” Principal Dr. Barbara Williams said. “I’ll be honest, I didn’t even know about DASA until just recently, but having that act is like trying to say everything is okay because people are going to follow that act,” secretary of Best Buddies, junior Ben Goess said. “Yet it only takes one simple act of kindness to the next, not a written statement, for the bullying and harassment to stop.”
Budget Crisis, continued from page 1 has excessed approximately 100 district employees. These position eliminations that have been referred to as “excesses” reduced the deficit by 3,977,549 dollars, accounting for the majority of the cuts the district had to make. “Some of you may want to blame the unions and the salaries. Even if we agree to freeze salaries for a number of years, that’s not going to help this tax cap,” Smith said. “We are going to be losing more and more, you will not be able to recognize Long Island schools and that’s why so many people live here.” Central Administration also explained the fact that there is a real inequity between the treatment of downstate schools compared to upstate schools. Based on an independent report by Rockefeller Institute of Government, downstate sends eight billion dollars more to Albany in taxes than it receives back in aid, creating a tremendous shortfall in the fiscal equality of schools. The 2011-2012 State Education: Regional Cost Index suggests that the consumer price index for Nassau County is 68 percent higher than it is in Albany. “They don’t tell you this in the tax bill; this isn’t on the cover of Newsday. It’s complicated stuff,” Adcock said. This inequity also extends to the state aid portion of the budget. In Massapequa, the state provides aid totaling 13.9 percent of the budget, while taxpayers account for 81 percent. This cut comes despite the fact
THE CHIEF 11
that the average district receives approximately 35 percent of its funding from state aid. “If we got what the average district got, it would bring in an additional 38.6 million dollars,” Adcock said. “On the average home it would be a 1,700 dollar tax reduction.” The public openly opposed the vast cuts that the district made in teaching reductions. “Why wouldn’t we err on the side of the children and these educators—to me this is a basic question with a simple answer,” Denise Anderson said. Some residents stated that they would have rather seen a supermajority budget proposed. “I’m sitting here, listening to this, trying not to cry,” former President of the Board of Education, Christine Perrino said. “My kids benefited so much from this school system.” Many individuals, both professionals and residents believe that this tax cap has the potential to ruin the reputation that education carries in New York State, proving to be a repeat of California’s Proposition 13. “Everybody in this room is going to lose—especially our children, especially our teachers; if I were a young individual I would never want to go into teaching the way these young teachers are set up to fail day in and day out,” one resident said. “We need to invite our elected officials; they need to hear our voices.” Visit The Chief Online for continuing coverage on the impact this budget will have on education in Massapequa.
MARCH 23, 2012
ENTERTAINMENT
THE CHIEF 12
Has Glee crossed the line and become too risque? Point
A trashy melodrama that has lost its values BY KELLY SMESTAD STAFF WRITER
“Kids tend to idolize and imitate who they see on television, but this behavior is not always acceptable for people their own age, or just people
difference between entertainment and reality. It is also unrealistic in the sense of their performances. No high school has the budget for the elaborate staging,
The cast of Glee squeezed in for a picture, thrilled to have won their first Golden Globe award increasingly provocative, as well as the overall storyline. This show that has been popular amongst tween school children is now far too mature for their viewing. If these ideals and images are imprinted in their minds and considered acceptable behavior, they will most likely try to recreate these seemingly perfect yet completely inappropriate relationships in their own lives. The show also promotes pre-marital sex, which leads to teenage pregnancy, STDs, and girls losing self-respect.
in general,” junior Alexa Toyas said. Characters on Glee are looked up to. Kids around school wear shirts advertising them, and when their behavior is provocative, young children will follow because they think that’s acceptable when a famous person does it.” People may say that the show is entertaining and they can tell that it is strictly for that purpose and shouldn’t be relied on for morals, but younger audiences may not be able to tell the
BRIAN VANDER BERG//MCTCAMPUS
Glee. It started out as a fun, lively, wholesome comedy, full of singing and dancing. Now it has turned into an unrealistic, risqué show. These dynamic characters started out as somewhat normal, yet intriguing, high school students with the common interest of musical theater. Recently, however, these characters have spun out of control and have been acting as if they were adults. Glee is advertising itself as a trashy soap opera. For example, many of the Glee fans were shocked by Finn’s sudden proposal to Rachel. Not only was it improbable, but it suggested that marriage in high school is normal and can be a fairy tale. It is not. If people get married or plan to get married in high school, chances are they will stay home for each other and not go to college. Without a college education their chances of a high-paying job are slim, and they will eventually find themselves working menial jobs to support their household. Although it may seem like a nice choice, the reality is that neither of these people will be living to their full potential. It is definitely important to be independent for at least some time in life, and further one’s education. Not only do we have high school marriages in Glee, but we also have some questionable behavior. Although Glee does offer some controversial topics to be discussed
and leaves you to question some moral values, overall it portrays a negative and impractical lifestyle. Since the start of the show, the choreography has become
costumes, and background performers that are shown in practically every song. Regular high schools don’t even put on that kind of performance for a formal concert. Glee was meant to be an entertaining show to watch, yet unfortunately it has taken a downturn and has started to affect certain audiences adversely. The producers of Glee should consider reverting back to their original plans, and hopefully they will be able to clean up their act.
Counterpoint
An appropriate and realistic portrayal of high school life BY NICK BARBIERI CHIEF COPY EDITOR
It’s something that every show struggles with – how do you keep viewers interested and invested in a show season after season? The team behind Fox’s hit dramedy Glee, Ryan Murphy, Ian Brennan, and Brad Falchuk, has tackled this problem head on, and their show has not faltered one bit. However, this has not stopped conservative groups like the Parents Television Council from giving the show heat for supposedly becoming more risqué in a ploy to increase viewership. According to Entertainment Weekly, the PTC has been outraged at the current season of Glee, saying that they have gone far over-the-top in terms of depicting the sexual lives of the high school students on the show. This specifically references the show’s fifth episode of the season, “The First Time,” in which four of the characters lose their virginities. Also according to Entertainment Weekly, the Culture and Media Institute has come out opposing not only Glee’s depiction of teen sex, but the show’s depiction of a same-sex couple. They have stated that Glee has “waged a relentless campaign of liberal propaganda and pushing the boundaries of what’s acceptable on broadcast TV… the show is now stepping up its campaign of homosexual promotion.”
Both of these conservative groups are way out of line – Glee is hardly the only show that depicts teenagers having sex, and in all honesty, Glee has depicted it in the most realistic, heartwarming manner. Two couples that are in love engage in sexual activity – nothing that is uncommon for high school students today. Glee tackles this issue in an appropriate and respectable manner, and is simply showing what actually goes on in high schools. Not only that, but the Culture and Media Institute is absolutely offensive in declaring that Glee has a “campaign of homosexual promotion” – the sexuality of the characters is irrelevant. To say otherwise is prejudicial, homophobic, and blatantly wrong. It’s disgusting that today’s society cannot look past the genders of couples and just let people be happy. Glee star Chris Colfer addressed the issue in an interview with Entertainment Weekly, stating, “Teens are having sex, there’s not that much you can do to stop it, and we’re just showing a story about it…. It’s about an experience in these teens’ lives that everyone has… it’s promoting safe teen sex.” Some people are also claiming that this supposed increase in risqué behavior has led to an increase in melodrama in the show – but this makes absolutely no sense and holds no merit. How exactly has Glee become more melodramatic?
This is the show that in its first season, dealt with a teenage pregnancy (oh, that’s right – Glee has already tackled teen sex and shown the potential downside to it), a divorce, a failed wedding, coming out stories, love triangles, love squares, you name it. And that’s just the first season. If anything, the show has become less melodramatic and more realistic. MHS senior Mike LiBretto said, “Shifting the paradigm of the show from an ‘underdog’s tale’ to one of real people makes the show that much more enjoyable.” While the show has certainly evolved since the first season, it has changed for the better and has become a show that everyone can find a way to relate to. Yes, many people have been complaining about the recent storyline involving Finn and Rachel getting engaged, touting it as ridiculous – but that is exactly the point that the Glee writers are trying to make, that it is ridiculous. Finn and Rachel have a tendency to dream big, and don’t realize that they are rushing things, but as the storyline has progressed it has been made clear that their parents do not support their decision, and neither do their peers. So how exactly is it a problem that the storyline is showing that teen marriage is a bad idea? It isn’t a problem at all – people are just failing to grasp the full concept of what is occurring.
Even in the final seconds of its winter finale, Glee delivered yet another important message – not to text and drive, as Quinn gets into a car accident because she was texting while driving. Quinn’s fate is as of yet unknown, and it will be interesting to see what the writers decide to do with her character. As MHS senior Christine Apicella stated, “It’s not overly risqué and it doesn’t show anything ridiculous like other networks. That aspect of the show doesn’t deter from its overall value, it simply portrays another aspect of teenage life.” Teenage life – that is what Glee is really supposed to be about. This season, the writers of Glee have chosen to make the show more about teenage life than ever before, unafraid to tackle major issues and pushing forward through the season with no boundaries. The show, which has already won four Golden Globe awards and six Emmy awards, is better than ever. It is now successfully combining its clever wit with real-life drama and, of course, fantastic and elaborate musical numbers – some of this season’s biggest hits were covers of “We Are Young” and “Rumour Has It / Someone Like You.” The show returns on April 13 to wrap up this controversial season, and it is sure to go out with a bang.
MARCH 23, 2012
ENTERTAINMENT
THE CHIEF 13
The Artist astounds without saying a word
star and co-writer of The Descendants, silent film, was undoubtedly the best when he went up to accept his award for film of the year, and was awarded five CHIEF COPY EDITOR Hollywood’s biggest night of the Best Adapted Screenplay along with his major awards – Best Costume Design, Best Original Score, Best Director, Best year has come and gone once again. On co-writers. Actor, and Best Picture. All other films But now onto what’s most imporSunday February 26, the Eighty-Fourth Annual Academy Awards were held at tant about the night: the awards. Early paled in comparison to The Artist, and the Hollywood and Highland Center, in the evening, Hugo, Martin Scorsese’s the mood in the room was truly jovial and The Artist and Hugo emerged as the 3D family film about a young orphan at every win for the film. However, MHS sophomore Ryan big winners, taking home five awards in Paris that paid homage to silent film, picked up five awards, all in technical Schulte felt differently about the win, apiece. The ceremony was hosted by Billy categories – Best Cinematography, Best saying “the deep, emotional level that Crystal, and in his ninth time hosting the awards show, he certainly didn’t drop the ball. He opened the show with what seems to have become tradition – a montage of the year’s Best Picture nominees (and other popular films) that he inserted himself into, followed by a clever musical number. It felt very familiar, but it was still very funny. He kept up the humor throughout the night – especially making jokes about the “Chapter 11 Theater” that the ceremony was being held in. As reported by Entertainment Weekly, the Eastman Kodak Co. filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, and as a part of their court agreement, the company ended its sponsorship of what has long been the Kodak Theater, and what is now Meryl Streep takes home the Oscar for Best Actress after overcoming stiff competition the Hollywood and Highland Theater. Crystal took advantage of this fiasco and Art Direction, Best Sound Editing, Best The Descendants touched was better incorporated it into the show numerous Sound Mixing, and Best Visual Effects. than the medium used in The Artist or times, successfully getting laughs each Without a doubt, Hugo deserved every the entirely innocent feeling of Hugo.” last one of these awards, as it was a The Descendants did manage to pick up time. Of course, he wasn’t the only truly visually stunning masterpiece – one win in the evening – Best Adapted source of laughter or entertainment for Scorsese has proven himself time and Screenplay, which was co-writer Alexthe evening. Emma Stone was hysteri- time again as a master of film, and has ander Payne’s second win in the catcal in her first time presenting an Oscar. now done so in a 3D family form, a true egory, following 2004’s Sideways. None of the major awards were Angelina Jolie also turned heads, wear- change in style for the director. While Hugo led the pack with all too surprising – The Artist’s sweep ing a sultry gown that exposed her right leg and posing as if she were modeling eleven nominations, it tied The Art- of Best Picture, Best Director, and Best when she presented an award – this was ist for most wins – both earned five Actor (for Jean Dujardin) was seen then mimicked by Jim Rash, Community awards. The Artist, a black-and-white coming, and Christopher Plummer and
Octavia Spencer had been winning the awards for their supporting roles in Beginners and The Help, respectively, nonstop throughout the entire awards season. However, there is one category that did shock many – frontrunner Viola Davis lost Best Actress for her role in The Help to Meryl Streep, who won for The Iron Lady. Streep accepted the award with an heir of pretentiousness that only she could get away with, having been nominated for more Academy Awards than any other actor (seventeen). She got up to the microphone and said, “When they called my name, I had this feeling I could hear half of America going ‘Oh no! Oh come on, why? Her. Again. But, whatever.” No doubt about it, the woman is a legend, and as MHS senior Devin Muckley said, “Meryl has a phenomenal body of work. [They] couldn’t not give it to her.” Her performance was definitely fantastic, but it’s always a bit frustrating when a film that is mediocre, as The Iron Lady was with its poor narrative structure, walks away with a major Oscar. Viola Davis would have been a better contender for the phenomenal The Help, but in actuality, both women were outshined by Michelle Williams’ portrayal of Marilyn Monroe in My Week with Marilyn. It’s unfortunate that she was hardly recognized for her perfect and dazzling performance. All in all, this year’s Oscar ceremony was full of laughs, joy, few surprises, and many memorable moments. And now we have another year of great films to look forward to, which will lead into yet another Academy Awards ceremony.
phenomenal.” she said. Having seen the performance with both Radcliffe and Jonas, Finocchio thought that Radcliffe played the role better than Nick Jonas. During Jonas’ performance, the music was slower and his dancing was not as confident as Radcliffe’s. Nicole did say, however, that Jonas gave a strong singing performance. As she saw him perform in only his fourth show, she believes that if she were to see the show again in a few months, Jonas would perform just as well as Radcliffe, or maybe even better. Nicole
also thought that John Larroquette’s comedic timing made several of the scenes, especially the “Grand Old Ivy” scene. How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying is an upbeat musical with energetic dance numbers; the “Brotherhood of Man” number is a highlight of the show. It’s a fun show and Nick Jonas lovers will not be disappointed to see him take on a new kind of role. How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying is playing at the Al Hirschfield Theatre; don’t wait, go see it soon.
BY NICK BARBIERI
ALLEN J SCHABEN//MCTCAMPUS
How to Succeed in Business is a surefire success BY KRISTIN FINOCCHIO STAFF WRITER
“How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying is an absolutely amazing musical comedy,” freshman Nicole Finocchio said. And she’s right. The story of a young windowwasher trying to make it big in the business world by following the advice of a book returned to Broadway in 2011. It is an energetic musical that transports you back to the office environment of the 1960s. Daniel Radcliffe, Darren Criss,
and Nick Jonas have played the role of J. Pierrepont Finch, the windowwasher, while John Larroquette and Beau Bridges have played J. B. Biggley, the president of the World Wide Wicket Company. Nicole was lucky enough to see this revival two times with the duos of Daniel Radcliffe and John Larroquette and Nick Jonas and Beau Bridges playing the lead roles. Nicole, a die-hard Harry Potter fan, went to see the show in the fifth month of Daniel Radcliffe’s run. “His acting and dancing were
Photos provided by: Kristin Finocchio
Marquees of How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying starring Daniel Radcliffe (original cast) and Nick Jonas (current cast)
ENTERTAINMENT
MARCH 23, 2012
THE CHIEF 14
MHS students are starving for The Hunger Games BY DOMINIQUE DIBARTOLO STAFF WRITER
games, and watching Katniss.” This may be something the movie can surprise hungry fans with. “The characters for the movie from the trailer were just as I imagined them, and I found the brief look of the Capitol
Jennifer Lawrence portrays Katniss Everdeen in The Hunger Games Hunger Games over the winter break. “I thought it was going to be predictable, but as I read on I was shocked and surprised,” Ms. Fagan said. She thought it was entertaining and well-written for the reading level, but she had one disappointment. “I wanted to see Gale more in the novel. How he was feeling watching the
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MURRAY CLOSE//MCTCAMPUS
The Hunger Games will boom into theaters on March 23 to unequaled anticipation. A New York Times bestseller and one of Publisher Weekly’s “Best Books of the Year,” Suzanne Collins’ story has been adapted into a film that will set theater screens across America ablaze, as eager fans swarm in to witness the event they have been waiting for since the project was announced. Teenagers all over the world anxiously and joyfully read through Collins’ trilogy and are counting down the days until the March 23 release of the movie. The book takes place in the future in a land called Panem, comprised of twelve districts and a powerful Capitol with a dictatorial leader, President Snow. The president forces a boy and a girl from each district to fight to the death in “the Hunger Games” to show the power and control the government has. Focus in on District 12, where a girl named Katniss Everdeen has to take care of her family in Panem’s poorest district. Katniss goes outside of District 12’s barriers and hunts illegally with her best friend Gale. The day of the reaping approaches, where names and faces are picked to fight in the seventy-fourth annual Hunger Games. Primrose, Katniss’ sister, is picked to fight in the Games. Katniss explodes emotionally in front of the crowd, volunteering to take Primrose’s place. More suspense, drama, and plottwisting changes occur in The Hunger
Games, much to the reader’s delight. But many fans of the book worry if the movie will live up to their expectations. Ms. Fagan, an English teacher at Massapequa High School assigned her 11 AP class to read The
to be captivating. It gave the viewer a feel of a depressing, post-apocalyptic setting, like in 1984 by George Orwell,” Ms. Fagan said. Junior Noelle Ferrara shared her opinion on the book. “I feel like the author could have taken a different approach in some situations,” she said. “I feel like she rushed some of
the ideas and described others in great detail--for example, when Katniss starts to reflect on her relationship with Gale,” she said. “It could have been written completely differently. It also has the reader thinking ‘is this a love story? Or is it about society and government?’” Noelle went on to say she enjoyed the trailer, and hopes to see reactions from Katniss’ mother, sister, and Gale while watching the games in the movie. Caitlyn Gibbons, a die-hard Hunger Games fan complete with a mockingjay pin, is currently reading the trilogy again, drawn in another time by the suspense and the charm of Peeta Mellark. “I have seen the trailer and the movie looks so good! The only disappointment I have with it is the fact that it looks like Primrose gives Katniss the mockingjay pin, not Madge, Katniss’ friend from school,” Caitlyn said. Madge plays a larger, more significant part in the second book, Catching Fire, which currently has a November 2013 movie release. Caitlyn also agrees with many fans that the characters look wellcasted and the movie looks true to the book so far. “I also can’t wait for the part where Katniss finally finds Peeta during the Games,” Caitlyn said about the events leading up to the cave scene, her favorite part of the book. So the boy with the bread will not be slipping away anytime soon, and the girl on fire will long live on beyond the books and beyond the movies. Expect this movie to captivate the nation and create obsession in our nation’s hearts.
NBC’s newest SMASH hit BY JULIE EXPOSITO STAFF WRITER
“I just wish I could play that part!” sing the hopeful performers who want nothing more than to be a Broadway star, in NBC’s newest show. SMASH, which premiered on February 6, follows the production of a musical based on the life of Marilyn Monroe, and two women striving for the main role as Marilyn herself: Karen Cartwright (Katharine McPhee) and Ivy Lynn (Megan Hilty). After the show’s producers cut countless potential Marilyns, these aspiring starlets are the only girls left standing. The producers of the musical, Derek Wills (Jack Davenport), Julia Houston (Debra Messing), and Tom Levitt (Christian Borle), find themselves in heated arguments as they attempt to agree on which woman to pick for the role; the confident Ivy Lynn has many years of performing experience, and emulates Monroe with her light blonde hair, yet Karen is exactly the fresh, somewhat naïve character they are looking for. So which to choose? In the first episode, SMASH already demonstrated many of the scandals involved in show business. An assistant working on the project records Ivy Lynn singing on his phone, and leaks it to the internet in his excitement to be involved in such a production. Soon after, Derek Wills asks Karen to perform the racy “Happy Birthday” scene with him in the
privacy of his own home late at night-as he says, to prove to him that she can be a convincing Marilyn. Thankfully, the already taken Karen knows when to draw the line. Only one episode into the first season and the story is already heating up. But the drama doesn’t stop with the Marilyn Monroe production. Tensions in the characters’ personal lives also add interesting twists to the show. Julia Houston and her husband are set on adopting a child, a process which is taking what feels like an eternity to them. However, Julia’s workaholic tendencies as well as her passion for the theatre lead to frequent disagreements between her and her husband. Such issues that come with producing a major Broadway show as well as the conflict in the lives of the characters behind the scenes are sure to keep audiences interested. And of course, you can’t forget the element that really defines the show: the music! In the premiere, McPhee delivers stunning performances of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” and Christina Aguilera’s “Beautiful.” As the season continues, there is no doubt that there will be many more amazing renditions of pop songs and show tunes to feast your ears on, not to mention the scandal and excitement that comes with producing a musical. Haven’t seen SMASH? It’s not too late. Tune into NBC this Monday at 10 PM to join in on the drama, literally.
SPORTS
MARCH 23, 2012
THE CHIEF 15
Girls basketball falls short at counties
All-Stars ‘12
BY MELANIE SHEEHAN STAFF WRITER
Photo by: Island Photography
Morgan Roessler goes for a lay-up
Photo by: Island Photography
The Massapequa High School Girls Basketball Team, though coming up just short in the playoffs, had a great season overall — finishing in first place in their conference with eleven wins and only one loss against teams in their conference, according to msgvarsity.com. “I’m very proud of the way we’ve played and improved throughout the season,” Coach Roessler said. “Hopefully we’ll carry that into the playoffs.” The Chiefs’ momentum did carry them through the playoffs, as they
The girls continue participating on the sidelines by cheering on their teammates reached the Nassau Class AA cham- players were in the game or on the pionship game, which was played at bench, according to Coach Roessler, C.W. Post. However, they lost the final who added that the team’s biggest game to Baldwin by a score of 62-41, as strengths were balance and depth. they struggled against Baldwin’s stellar Moreover, the highlight of the season defense, according to Newsday. was the team’s trip to Disney in DecemThe team’s leading scorers this ber, where they began to build momenseason were junior Danielle Doherty, av- tum, Coach Roessler said. In Disney, the eraging 11.6 points per game, and junior Chiefs won the KSA Holiday Classic Morgan Roessler, averaging 10.4 points tournament. Doherty was even chosen per game, according to msgvarsity.com. to be part of the all-tournament team. Although the individual players Even though the team didn’t go all were phenomenal, the team’s biggest the way in the season, they gave it their focus was on teamwork, whether the all and had a great year.
March Madness hits MHS BY MATT HIRSCH SPORTS EDITOR
Boys Swimming: Trevor Dearstyne All-State Athlete Set MHS Record 50m Freestyle with 21.38s
Girls Basketball: Danielle Doherty Lead Scorer, Avg 11.6 PPG Morgan Roessler Averaged 10.4 PPG
Hockey: Nick Mangone Scored 43 Goals Bobby Oldmixon Scored 36 Goals
Boys Track: Joe Caraciolo NYS Champion in the Long Jump
Rifle: Chris Esposito All-State Athlete
Spring track preview BY MIKE LETZTER STAFF WRITER
After a strong last season, the Pequa track boys are ready more than ever before. Last spring they placed second in their division and at counties. They are currently ranked 31st overall in the country; some of the returning runners include Joe Caraciolo, Ryan Cooney, Andrew Maione, and Danny
his team as well. “We have been training very hard and are looking forward to breaking school records and winning a county championship,” Nord said. The team is coming back from a devastating loss by one point to Uniondale in the winter season’s conference final. Coach Richard Degnan, Nord, and the rest of the team plan to take back what is theirs and win every event that
Photo by: Anthony Brennan
March Madness: this highly contagious infection is the annual excitement that emerges when approaching the NCAA Men’s Division I Basketball Tournament. This legendary tournament, beginning in mid-March, consists of 7 rounds, 68 teams, and millions of passionate fans. A great amount of the hype surrounding March Madness can be attributed to the rise of bracketology. Bracketology, a study that many students probably wish they could major in, involves studying statistics, seeding, records and other variables to try and fill out the perfect tournament bracket. Fans across the country, like celebrities such as Charlie Sheen, David Letterman, Katie Couric, Jesse Eisenberg, and even President Obama have all entered brackets before. Bracketology isn’t the only reason why March Madness is such an amazing sports-related experience. Many large schools, such as Duke, North Carolina,
Syracuse and defending champions UConn, have gained tremendous followings not only within their own students, but all over the nation. These loyal fans add feelings of team pride and spirit like no other sports fans do. Just take a look at the painted bodies, roaring fight songs, and creative signs that fill up the stands of every arena. On the contrary to the loyal fans of giant schools are the fans that get behind Cinderella teams. The NCAA Tournament seeding system puts small, sometimes unknown teams against some of the best teams in the nation, which creates great excitement and surprise when they actually occur. Cinderella teams produce some of the most memorable victories. These teams always add amazing stories and thrilling games to the tournament. Whether you are a fan of the game, a devoted enthusiast of a specific school, a sucker for Cinderella stories, or simply enjoy filling out your bracket, you can find a reason to love the NCAA tournament.
Kyle Smith, Jake MacAvoy and Mike Puleio running at the first meet of the season
CHUCK LIDDY//MCTCAMPUS
Duke Blue Devils fans going all out for the game
Deluna. These veterans look to guide their teammates to more victories. Joe will be running in the 400 meter race as well as participating in the long jump and triple-jump. Junior Ryan Cooney will continue to excel in the mile and two mile run. As for Maione and Deluna, Maione will be running in the 100 and 200 meter dashes and Deluna will be running in the 800 meter race. Not only do these five astounding runners feel that the team is in for a season of success, but senior Spencer Nord, a team captain, has a bright outlook on
they participate in. This year they will be participating in the Under the Lights Meet, which is a huge invitational meet held at Massapequa that showcases 40 teams across Long Island. This meet will certainly not be easy as Massapequa will be competing against the best track teams in the tri-state area. Also, the team will be heading down to the University of Pennsylvania to participate in the rigorous Penn relays. This year, the MHS track team seems to be better than they have been in many years. The team is in for an amazing season.
THE CHIEF 16
MARCH 23, 2012
Boys Ice Hockey brings the heat this season BY SPENCER NORD BUSINESS MANAGER
The Boys Ice Hockey team celebrate their State Championship win on and off the ice perseverance and determination paid off and seventeenth state wide. as goalie Dana DeMarco led the Chiefs After several disappointing losses, to a 3-1 victory by finishing with a .963 the state tournament victory serves as save percentage. Nick Mangone scored a true testimony of why the game is in both the semi-final and final games played, because on any given day, any and also had an assist to seal the deal for team can prevail. the team, ending the season ranking the Chiefs third in Nassau’s power rankings
Boys track leads an impressive season BY JON GRANT SPORTS EDITOR
Photo by: Kelly Macgilvary
State champion Danny DeLuna running the 1000-meter race
SPENCER NORD//THE CHIEF
The Boys Track Team is one of the best in New York State and has consequentially sent two of the best runners to the state championship meet: Danny DeLuna and Team Captain Joe Caraciolo. The meet was held at Barton Hall, Cornell University. After state qualifiers, the two boys were completely ready to take charge in the state championship meet, and they did just that. Senior Joe Caraciolo participated in the long jump and won the entire event, making him the New York State champion in the long jump. He jumped twenty-two feet and six inches, edging out another athlete by just a half of an inch — an impressive victory for him. He was both public school and federation state champion in his event. When asked how he felt in re-
sponse to receiving the most prestigious award in New York State for Track and Field, Caraciolo said, “It was an amazing feeling, especially because I missed all of last year with an injury.” A huge congratulation goes out to Joe — his hard work and dedication led him to overcome even the hardest of injuries. Caraciolo missed two entire Track and Field seasons and still managed to become the state champion in his event the following year. “Everything felt right and I knew it was a good jump as soon as I saw the officials measuring it,” he said. In addition, Danny DeLuna ran in the 1000-meter race with a time of two minutes and thirty-seven seconds to win the second heat. He came in sixteenth place overall in his event; this was an amazing feat for any athlete merely in his junior year. The track team expects
Captain and state champion Joe Caraciolo Danny to do even better next year, as he did incredibly well this season. Both Caraciolo and DeLuna qualified for the national championship meet at The Armory in New York City. The boys went against the best runners in the country and put up a fierce fight. Next season they will most likely go to nationals again and challenge those very same runners with even more effort and experience under their belt. When asked about his team, Team Captain, senior Spencer Nord said, “The team performed really well in the postseason and I think that we will reload well and compete for a county title during the spring season. Our loss to Uniondale by one point in the conference championships is making us work harder to achieve our goals.” Coach Degnan and the rest of the team are determined to work harder towards next season and send even more runners to the counties, states, and national championships.
Photo by: Robert Cummings
The Boys Varsity Ice Hockey Team enjoyed a successful season on the backs of tremendous play by its seniors. Leading the team with 49 points was senior Pat Luongo, whose 31 goals also led the team. Other outstanding players included seniors Anthony Mangone with 31 points, defenseman Nick Walker with 21 points, and juniors Nick Mangone with 43 points, and Bobby Oldmixon with 36 points. Each athlete helped lead the Chiefs to an 18-7-2 record. Carrying on the team’s tradition, the Town of Oyster Bay championship trophy was carried through the halls of MHS before the team headed to the AAU Club Team State Championships in Amherst, NY. There, the Chiefs went undefeated by posting victories against state powerhouses such as St. Joseph Prep and Hutchinson Tech --and advanced to the tournament’s semi-finals. In a well fought game, the Chiefs took St. Francis into overtime and secured the victory with a score 4-3. “Advancing to the finals of the tournament was thrilling enough, but we wanted to finish what we started,” senior Joe Giammarino said. He had a key goal in the semi-final match up. The championship pitted the Chiefs against perennial power Lancaster, a heavy favorite to win the title. However,
Swim Success BY JON GRANT SPORTS EDITOR
Massapequa High School has recently taken the winter sports season by storm. The Boys Swimming Team placed twelfth out of twenty-two spots with astonishing racing from many members of the team. Both team captains, senior Diamantis Petkanas and junior Trevor Dearstyne did exceedingly well in their respective races. Dearstyne did well enough to advance to States, but was unable to go further. The team is led by two of the most caring and powerful leaders. Reflecting on this past season and awaiting patiently for next season, Dearstyne said, “This past season was a rebuilding year for the team, with half of the team being new swimmers. Overall, the team’s performance shattered the coaches’ expectations.” All of the swimmers did great work this past season. The coaches, swimmers, and students expect more great races next season. “There were also six school records that were broken in the past three months, and everyone had vast improvements and drops in their times,” Dearstyne said. “I think we’re looking pretty good for next year.” At Counties, Dearstyne swam in the fifty-meter freestyle race and the one-hundred meter freestyle placing second in both of them. Petkanas swam in the two-hundred meter freestyle and the five-hundred meter freestyle races, placing twenty-ninth and thirty-fifth, respectively. Junior T.J. Soregaroli swam in the five-hundred meter freestyle race, placing thirteenth. He also swam in the one-hundred meter backstroke race, placing eleventh. Although Trevor did not progress further from States, his sixth place finish and new MHS record in the fifty-meter freestyle of 21.38 seconds was more than impressive.