The Election results on
page 7
The Blue and Gold
Malden High School Our 94th Year
Volume 94 Edition 2 November 2008
The Rematch of ‘05
Photo by Lauren Benoit
Malden lines up versus Everett
Alex Gennigiorgis
Reporter
O n Nov. 14 Malden High School
football lost the league title
against the infamous Everett High
School with a score of 13-7 in over-
time.
Early in the first quarter senior
quarterback Shakarus Samexant
passed to junior receiver Frankie
Dunn to put them on top. After
several failed opportunities, Everett
rallied to tie the game in the final 4
Vachon Renews Vocational Education
Joshua Kummins
Reporter
D ue to the stronger focus in the
core academic subjects, the
Malden High School Technology
Education department, which once
consisted of ten skilled labor shops
has now dwindled down to two
rooms in the basement of Malden
High School, where wood shop
teacher Phil Vachon and auto shop
teacher Christopher Bazzinotti
teach.
Phillip E. Vachon is the new
hire in the MHS Tech-Ed depart-
ment. He only teaches one class
a day, due to his other part time
job teaching tech-ed at Burlington
High School. During his period
continued on page 8
http://alexandram6.webs.com/
minutes of the fourth quarter. Deep
into overtime Everett made their
way down the field to gain the lead.
Malden retaliated with a series of
plays that lead to a touchdown pass
that was subsequently recalled by
the referee.
Going into the game the team
had held a perfect record in the
Great Boston League (GBL), beat-
ing both Somerville and Cambridge
Rindge and Latin High School by
wide margins.
The team’s previous
A vehicle being worked on in the auto shop. Photo by Lynn Tran
More about Malden High School’s new wood shop teacher and technology
classes on page 8.
chance at becoming GBL champions
was in 2005 (when Head Coach Jo-
seph Papagallo last coached MHS,
as the assistant). Malden lost to Ev-
erett 22-18, ending the MHS football
team’s season with an outstanding
9-2 record.
Although, the team’s record
stood at 4-5 following their loss
against Everett; Coach Papagallo
believes the record could have been
7-1 without the loss of MHS star
quarterback Marcos Almeida, who
continued on page 17
Everything you wanted
to know about the
Middle East on
pages 10 and 11
Exclusive photo of
auditorium on
page 14
Fall Fashion on
page 16
Green
Renovations
Megan Kelly
Reporter
A huge craze is now sweep-
ing the country; it helps the
environment and looks cool—
“Green” Architecture. The all
the rage building style has even
been legislated by Washing-
ton State. The legislation now
requires all public buildings
that are over the size of 25,000
square feet must meet Leader-
ship in Energy & Environmen-
tal Design (LEED) standards.
Buildings in Washington State
that have LEED certification are
state agencies, state colleges and
all K-12 schools. The difference
between "green" buildings and
others is that they use 26 percent
less energy than the average
commercial buildings. This dif-
frence also helps save money.
When using green buiding ma-
terials and appliances operating
costs are lower by 9 percent
overall.
Areas where green
building is predicted to rise is
in eduction, goverment and
healthcare. With education an
LEED study showed that stu-
dents with more natural light
coming into the classroom took
math tests 20 percent and eng-
lish tests 26 percent faster than
students in classrooms were
there was less light coming
from windows. The productiv-
ity of students increases with
a more eco friendly school. So
with Malden High School under
renovation, the new look of the
school could help student's test
scores with new classrooms
that will have new technology
and better lighting. Though test
scores are not all that will affect
continued on page 14
Table of Contents
Opinion p.3-4
Local p.5-9
World p.10-13
Style p.14
Entertainment p.15
Sports p.16-20
2 Editorials
http://alexandram6.webs.com/
from paper to air
“Investigative journalists are like the
Malden High School dead rat that was brought to the party. No one
likes us,” expressed Seymour Hersh, often
The Blue and Gold noted as the world’s foremost investigative
journalist.
77 Salem St.
Malden, MA 02148 Hersh’s gritty reporting style has
spanned nearly four decades and has exposed
countless scandals that include the My Lai
Massacre during the Vietnam War in the sev-
EDITORS-IN-CHIEF enties and multiple covert Central Intelligence
David Riemer Agency (CIA) operations against the Soviet
Ayoub Kourikchi Union in the 80s. More recently he has pro-
duced several exposés regarding the United
MANAGING AND DESIGN EDITOR States’ frayed relationship with Iran.
Lynn Tran During his prime, in the 70s, Hersh rev-
olutionized the role of reporting and journal-
COPY EDITING DIRECTOR ism. Journalists became increasingly dignified
An Holmqvist as investigative stories were pervasive during
that war-torn era. Their purpose quickly trans-
ONLINE EDITOR formed reporting on the bare minimum to
Alexandra Mathieu uncover lies and expose underlying truth. As a
result they aroused a newfound sense of curi-
HEAD LOCAL NEWS WRITER osity among Americans and ceased to appease
Nidale Zouhir the government.
Fast forward 30 years later, and we are
HEAD ENTERTAINMENT/ OPINION in the midst of an ailing economy with un-
Brittany Foley employment rates reaching an unheard of 12
percent in some states. Additionally, reputable
HEAD SPORTS WRITER newspapers that include Ann Arbor News,
Alfonse Femino and Arizona’s oldest daily newspaper, the Tuc-
son Citizen, have continued to be laid off. Also
HEAD OF BUSINESS The New York Times, our nation’s quintes-
Haley DeFilippis sential newspaper, administered a five percent
salary cut in addition to 100 layoffs from their
COPY EDITORS newsroom as recently as last month, and even
Dan Holmqvist considered shutting down the Boston Globe
Omar Khoshafa following multiple budget cuts.
Xavier Leo Numerous other newspapers continue
to endure losses of revenue as their audience
Brittany McFeeley
Joao Nascimento shifts from conventional print publications to-
ward Internet blogs that may contain misinfor-
REPORTERS & PHOTOGRAPHERS mation. This form of multimedia has garnered
Amanda Adams legions of subscribers who are essentially read-
Lauren Benoit ing diluted information for free.
Kayla Bramante Despite a lack of resources and funds,
Christopher Brown newspapers continue to send reporters abroad
Freddie DiPhillipo in order to cover noteworthy stories. In Aug.
Natalie Fallano
Alexander Gennigiorgis
Megan Kelly
Joshua Kummins Editorial Policy
Johanna Lai
The Blue and Gold is an open forum for
Sharon Lee student expression. It is produced by students
Cristina Peters
for the school and the community. The views
Catherine Poirier presented in this paper are not necessarily those
Brendan Provitola of the advisor or the school administration. The
Reginah Sanyu views presented in the editorials are those of the
Joel Stevenson editors-in-chief or guests. The goal of The Blue
Alicia Young and Gold is to inform and entertain students as
Paige Yurek well as the community regarding issues that we
feel are important.
We strongly encourage readers to respond
ADVISOR
to material printed in the form of signed letters to
Ryan Gallagher the editors. No libelous, malicious, defamatory,
obscene, or unsigned material will be printed.
Established in 1915 The Blue and Gold reserves the right to edit the let-
ters. Names may be withheld upon request. Not
Check out our online edition: all letters will be printed.
Although The Blue and Gold appreciates the
http://alexandram6.webs.com/ support of advertisers, we may refuse any ad-
vertisement that violates the above policy or that
promotes products questionable to student use.
Any correspondence concerning this publi-
cation should be directed to Mr. Ryan Gallagher’s
room in A103 or to his mailbox in the main office.
The Blue and Gold
c/o Malden High School
77 Salem Street
Malden, MA 02148
The Blue and Gold
October-November 2009
25, 2009, The New York Times Magazine pub-
lished a cover story that documented a hospital
that euthanized patients in the wake of hurri-
cane Katrina. The price tag on the 13,000-word
piece was projected by Nieman Journalism
Lab to have cost a staggering $400,000 by Nie-
man Journalism Lab, a non profit organization
which attempts to help journalism figure out
its future in an Internet age.
Although the story is accompanied by
a hefty price tag, it is representative of good
investigative journalism. As Clara Jeffery, a
member of the Nieman Journalism Lab pointed
out, “it could result in criminal prosecutions
and should result in a national conversation
among doctors and hospitals around their tri-
age and emergency procedures.”
This Katrina story is demonstrative of
how many successful journalistic endeavors
affect the pockets of the newspaper industry,
and it raises the question: how much longer
will this industry be able to shell out large
sums of money to cover momentous events?
Judging from current trends, the future
of the print industry appears bleak. As our
world becomes increasingly reliant on tech-
nology, it is inevitable that the Internet will
reign as the predominant medium for news.
But how will we continue to cultivate and up-
hold journalistic integrity and thinking? Let
us just hope that Hersh and other esteemed
rats continue to use journalism as a potential
vehicle of change.
Ayoub Kourikchi
Co-Editor-in-Chief
Corrections:
Page 1: Marcos Almeida’s last name was spelled
wrong.
All photos on page 7 were taken by Sharon Lee.
Page 5: Ted Kennedy’s was born in 1932 not 1935.
Page 5: The quote from Barack Obama was ad-
dressed on September 8.
Page 6: In the article “9/11: Just another History
Lesson” the relationship that Greg Hurley’s “best
friend”died on flight 11 was misidentified. He
should have been referred to as an acquaintance
Page 7: The names of the people at the lunch
table are Mandy Liao, Jonathan Sit, Kerry Huynh,
and Teresa La
Page 9: Layout and design credit for the fall festi-
val were by Lynn Tran
Page 11: The photo with a missing photo caption
is of Ms. Shadeed.
Page 12: The name of the lunch staff members
are Rossana Agostiavo, Natalie Freeman, Paul
Romeo, and Trisha Selfridge
Corrections to the editor can be submitted to
theblueandgold@gmail.com
The Blue and Gold
October-November 2009 Opinion 3
http://alexandram6.webs.com/

The Present
State of the letter to the editors
Nation’s Future
In response to last the last edition of The Blue and Gold’s focus on domestic and international healthcare
An Holmqvist
items, we received a letter to the editor from Gaelle Wagnac, a senior from Malden High School.
Copy Editing Director

W hen I turned eighteen last

month, I thought “Wow! Now
I can finally vote!” and I was genu-
By Gaelle Wagnac

W
inely excited. But does everyone feel hen I was growing up, I rarely got along with my brother
this way? Young people are not too Kiki. We were the same age and we always competed for
attracted to local elections; however, attention. Sometimes when we were not fighting, we would seat
the elections for City Council this next to each other and tell each other our future plans. Kiki’s plan
past November have a strong impact was to go live in France after his college graduation. Unfortu-
on the community. A vote on the bal- nately, Kiki never got to live his dream. His life was cut short at
lot could have repealed or kept the age 10 when he died of HIV.
Pay As You Throw (PAYT) program. At the time, I was too young to understand what was
For an eighteen-year-old high school going on. I visited him everyday at the facility where he was
student, the School Committee elec- hospitalized for over a month before he passed away. I will never
tion would affect where funding forget one day when my siblings and I went to visit him at the
will go for school. The representa- hospital; he was happy and smiling the whole time. In my mind, it didn’t make sense that someone in
tives for the City Council election his state could be that happy. He was unable to eat or walk to the bathroom by himself, so why was he
would affect whether your younger smiling? What was there for him to smile about? I would never understand why he had that smile on.
siblings would be able to go to the That was the last time I saw him alive.
mall after 8 PM. And what is more? Growing up in Haiti I knew about poverty. I remember the day I went to visit my grandmother in
Your vote for the City Council would the lower part of Haiti and I saw kids running around without clothing and they were very thin as if they
count more – one out of less than ten had not eaten for a month. Some of them were walking around bleeding, and nobody seemed to notice.
thousand – than your vote for State However, until my brother’s death, poverty had never affected me directly. My brother died because we
Senator or your vote for president, could not afford HIV drugs since they are very expensive in Haiti. Knowing that Kiki would still be alive
which numbers as just one vote if he had access to drugs makes me think about all the other Haitian children in the same situation today.
among two hundred million other I know I can’t bring him back but maybe I can help another child live past their tenth birthday.
registered American voters. Ever since I moved to the United States, my goal has always been to get educated and return to Haiti
This is why I ask why students to work with local hospitals and clinics in providing care for HIV positive patients. I especially want to
today do not seem to take their right work with children since many of them have no place to live, they have no health insurance, and since
to vote seriously. Before hitting the they don’t have the money they can’t even go to the hospital. I understand it is a big commitment, but
poll booths, I ran into one of my I’m willing to do anything in my power to help those kids in Kiki’s memory. I know I will not be able to
middle school teachers who told change Haiti but if I can change one child’s life for the better, it will be worth a try.
a nice little story about what her
family does when one of their kids Letters to the editor can be submitted to theblueandgold@gmail.com
goes to vote for the first time. The
parents would take pictures; they
would go out to dinner; they would
say congratulations. For them, vot-
ing was a milestone, a privilege. For
me, however, as well as many other
students, voting is just another fact
of turning eighteen. My mother
stood outside of the Linden School
that day waiting to pick me up and
take me home simple so that I could
finish my homework. I voted for the
first time in my life, and then I went
home to finish math homework. The fall play is Jean Anouilh’s Antigone. The dates are November 20th and 21st @
No celebration was necessary. For 7:00 p.m. at the Malden Senior Center on Pleasant Street. Tickets are $5 at the door.
other students, voting is not really
something worth leaving the house
for – especially if they do not know SPIRIT WEEK IS COMING UP
how to.
Misinformation is a huge part
of why young people choose not to MONDAY 23rd: PAJAMA DAY
vote. “It would be nice if we knew TUESDAY 24th: WACKY TACKY DAY
who we were voting for and what WEDNESDAY 25th: BLUE GOLD
kind of power each position holds,”
explained Malden High School
senior Keith Newman. The city
should tell its first-time voters who
the candidates are and how they can
vote. It should be the government’s
responsibility to motivate the en-
tire population to vote; that should
also include our young residents.
In addition to that, it should be the
media’s responsibility to encourage
young people to vote – not just for PLACE
YOUR AD
their own benefits, but also for the
society. In response to why he opted
out of the local elections this month,
Newman stated that “it wasn’t really
[his] life on the line.” And I agree
with him. As seniors, we have only
HERE
continued on page 4
4 Opinion
Talk is Cheap
Joao Nascimento
Copy Editor
The Effects of Obama’s Nobel Prize
T he Nobel Peace Prize is consid-
ered one of the world’s most
virtuous recognitions. Every year
since 1901, a committee in Norway
decides who should be awarded
for their efforts to promote world
peace. This same committee, on Oct.
9, 2009, announced that President
Barack Obama would be this year’s
recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize
“for his extraordinary efforts to
strengthen international diplomacy
and cooperation between peoples.”
The premature accolade right-
fully elicited controversy and praise
around the globe, as well as a great
debate between Democrats and Re-
publicans. What could Obama have
done so early in his presidency that
merited such an honor?
It turns out that he did not
have the time to accomplish much.
The deadline to submit nomina-
tions for the prize was Feb. 1, 2009,
a date that marked the president’s
mere 12th day in office. Judging by
this fact, it is only fair that political
leaders and the media met his win
with anger and skepticism.
YouTube star Philip DeFranco
posted a video in response to the
public’s reaction in which he stated,
“My problem is people getting
angry. Really? You’re angry that
[Obama] got a Nobel Peace Prize
which literally changes nothing and
It’s Not Easy Being Green
BY CHRIS BROWN
http://alexandram6.webs.com/
affects you in zero way?” The video,
which boasts almost one million
views, reflects how many teenagers
perceive the Nobel Peace Prize. Few
know that Obama received a $1.4
million cash prize to accompany the
“Nobel Laureate” addition to his
résumé. This is valuable money that
could be have been converted into
funds for a worthy institution that is
trying to promote peace with scarce
resources.
The notion that a Nobel Peace
Prize does not have the power to af-
fect us directly is absurd. In 2007, Al
Gore won the prize for his “efforts
to build up and disseminate greater
knowledge about man-made cli-
mate change,” and he has an ex-
cellent track record to show. Gore
helped raise millions of dollars for
institutions that fight against global
climate change when he funded The
Alliance for Climate Change and
organized the “Live Earth” benefit
concerts. It is also hard to disagree
that after his documentary An In-
convenient Truth hit theaters, media
coverage on global warming and
environmental issues exponentially
increased.
Global climate change affects
each and every one of us, and so
does war. Ironically, Obama won a
peace prize when the United States
is deeply entangled in wars in Iraq
The Blue and Gold
October-November 2009
continued from page 3
seven or eight months of residency
left in Malden before we gradu-
ate and move out of the city. Then
why should we vote on the school
committee, if we are not going to
be around for the committee’s latest
measures? But as people, we should
and Afghanistan, and the presi-
dent gave strong indications that
he will raise the number of troops
vote, if only for our siblings and for
our fellow students. As people, we
should vote, and we should vote in
in the latter. Soldiers and civilians
more than just the national elections.
still die under Obama’s leadership,
The greatest example of how
and there is no accurate prediction
young voters affect greater politics
for the end of the wars
happened last year when many,
It would be hard to point
many young voters under the age
out another president whose ce-
of thirty came out to vote for now-
lebrity status matches Obama’s.
President Barack Obama. “Rock The
During his presidential campaign,
Vote” and Barack Obama’s other
thousands of people bought shirts
campaign organizations mobilized
stamped with the president’s face
this particular demographic extraor-
and the word “hope” in predomi-
dinarily well, bringing up the young
nant chain stores such as Urban
voter numbers up by well over ten
Outfitters. Soon enough, the print
percentage points in some states.
designed by Shepard Fairey was
However, this year, during the mid-
used by thousands of teenagers
term elections for numerous gover-
and several Malden High School
nors and state representatives across
students as Facebook profile
the country, younger voters stayed
pictures. Obama also has two #1
home. According to the Los Angeles
New York Times best sellers under
Times, under-30 voters disappeared
his belt, a feat many professional
in margins of up to ten percent of
writers can not achieve. It is safe to
their respective electorates in New
affirm that everyone has their eyes
Jersey and Virginia. Then again, no-
on the president and his policies,
body expected these people to come
and the Nobel committee took ad-
out and vote.
vantage of that.
The mere fact that nobody
The Nobel committee relied
expects young people to vote is un-
on the principle that by observing
settling. They call us the millennial
an entity, one alters how it behaves.
generation; the young people who
By picking Obama as the 2009 No-
are intricately connected to one an-
bel laureate, they picked a symbol
other and to the world by the inter-
for the end of George W. Bush’s an-
net through social networking and
tagonistic world politics and hope-
email. But they do not expect us to
fully a vehicle to prevent nuclear
vote. Generally young people love
proliferation, end the war in Iraq,
going to the polls for the nation but
and focus on a solution for the
not the community. Young people
Israeli-Palestinian conflict. There is
are attracted by big ideas and the
great concern that the prize’s noto-
riety is being used mainly as a slap
thought that they can affect what is
done on the government’s highest
to Bush’s face rather than to honor
level. However, voting should mean
a greater cause. Obama has not
more than picking our president for
accomplished enough to deserve
the under-30s. It should mean choos-
the Nobel Peace Prize, and only
ing the government that will make
nine months in office is not enough
the best decisions for our lives. On
time to do so. This hasty decision
the city level, that means choosing
made by the committee risks jeop-
a council that will affect our daily
ardizing the award’s prestige and
lives after not months or years, but
tarnishing its credibility.
mere weeks.
Obama stated in the Rose
If only local governments
Garden that he does not feel like he
could do a better job of telling us
“deserve[s] to be in the company
young people what to do, or how
of so many of the transformative
to do it, then perhaps young voters
figures who have been honored
and voters-soon-to-be would pay at-
by this prize,” and many agree.
tention. Few people would walk up
Although he has talked about his
to eighteen-year-olds like myself or
ambitions extensively in his cam-
mail a letter telling us: “Go up to the
paign, the world is still waiting
second floor of City Hall and take a
for Obama to make deeper change
left to register to vote.” After regis-
in the US’s foreign policies, and
tering, nobody tells us who the can-
fast. Obama has yet to achieve a
didates are or why we should vote
breakthrough with how America
for any one of them. I have to admit
is viwed in the Middle East.
that I was not particularly informed
The shocking decision of
for my first election. I did not know
Obama’s win is only one of the
more than half of the people on my
many questionable decisions the
ballot. But should I blame myself
Nobel committee has made. Pick-
for that? After all, none of the can-
ing a man to receive one of the
didates for Councilor-at-Large or
world’s most distinct honors due
School Committee decided to mail
to his promising campaign despite
me a letter, even though my family’s
lack of action makes it almost as
kitchen table was swamped with
undignified as Adolf Hitler’s 1939
political newsletters addressed to
nomination.
my mother. Do I not have a right to
know who these people are?
The Blue and Gold
October-November 2009
TRASH TAX: No Votes, No Repeal
Johanna Lai
Reporter
O n June 26, 2008, the trash tax
program in Malden passed.
The trash tax program is also known
as the "Pay as You Throw Program"
or PAYT. Officials of the Malden
City Council stated on Boston.com
for Malden that the main point for
this act was to raise at least $2.5 mil-
lion and save $600,000 in solid waste
disposals. There has always been a
tax on trash, however now, residents
have to pay at least two dollars for
each blue trash bag they buy.
Mayor Richard Howard had a
meeting with Malden’s City Council
October 20th, 2009. “I do believe
that erasing this program will
cause the city council and my office
to make some extremely difficult
budget cuts.” Howard also told the
Boston website that Malden raised
an estimate of $2 million and saved
about eight hundred dollars in the
disposal costs last year.
Malden High School students
have their opinions on the idea of
the trash tax. Sophomore Samantha
Lee stated that, “The trash tax is
basically not a bad idea because it
encourages people to do more re-
cycling. As they reduce the amount
of trash, the more money they can
save.” Freshman Maria Gil stated,
“I think it is a good idea and I ad-
mire it because it is good for the en-
vironment.” Freshman Muhammed
Raja believes “I think the trash tax
Local news 5
http://alexandram6.webs.com/
notes from The Charter Reform
Comittee, Tuesday Oct 27th
Omar Khoshafa
is a bad thing, because I’m throwing Reporter
away trash and now I have to pay to • The City Council made it easier for ballot questions to pass.
do it which does not make any sense • Previous to this year, a vote to overturn an initiative such as the PAYT
at all.” program required at least a vote from 1/3 of the electorate. For upcoming votes,
Several Malden City Council the rule has been changed because only 30% of the population showed up to the
polls this year.
candidates believe that the trash tax
• The Charter Reform Committee voted on Tuesday, Oct. 27, to reduce the
impacts the environment. Council- threshold percentage to 15 percent to accommodate the needs of voters today.
or-At-Large Greg Lucey stated, "The • This is a result of fewer voters coming out to vote on Election Day.
trash program is a good idea; people • It may take a year in order for this proposal to become a law. The pro-
buy less trash bags, and it's good for posal must go through the full City Council for approval, then to Mayor Richard
Howard’s office for signing, then to the State Legislature then finally to the Gover-
the environment." He also said that nor’s office in order for it to become a law.
on "trash day, the city is cleaner be- • This would then come into effect for the Malden city elections in the 2011
cause the program is making people city elections.
recycle more and the streets looks a
lot more cleaner compared to other Councillor Seats School Committe Seats
sites." Councilor At Large Candi- Ward 1 - GARY J CHRISTENSON Ward 1- PEG CROWE
date Deborah Fallon stated that "I Ward 2- PAUL A. CONDON Ward 2- STEVEN ULTRINO
Ward 3- PAUL J. DIPIETRO Ward 3- KEVIN DUFFY
don’t like the PAYT program at all." Ward 4- JAMES M. NESTOR Ward 4- LEONARD V. IOVINO
Councilor at Large Candidate Da- Ward 5- BARBARA M. MURPHY
Ward 6- NEIL C. KINNON
Ward 5- ADAM WELDAI
Ward 6- STEPHEN P. WINSLOW
vid D'Ancangelo expressed “People Ward 7- NEAL ANDERSON Ward 7- KEVIN CASUCCI
Ward 8- JUDITH BUCCI
who are environmental prefer the Ward 8- JOHN H. FROIO
PAYT because it is good for the en-
vironment."
On Election Day, 28, 471 people
registered as voters for the trash tax
question and only 8,508 voters or
30 percent of the registered voters’ Would You Eliminate the Trash Tax?
votes were in the polls. 5,672 voters
said “yes” to repeal the trash tax and 200 190
2,160 people voted “no” on the trash 180
tax repeal and 586 of the voters left 160
the question blank. Even though the 140
ballot question voted yes, the trash 120
90 Yes
tax program is now confirmed that 100
it will not be repealed due to the 80 No
shortage of the required votes. 60
40
20
0
Yes No
MHS students voted on whether or not to eliminate the
trash tax.
6 Local news
http://alexandram6.webs.com/
Photos by Catherine Poirier and Sharon Lee
MHS Class Officer 2010
Pictured from left to right: President Stephanie Apollon; Vice President Elaine Tam
& Sam Warton; Secretary David Riemer; Treasurer Jimmy Vo; Historian Adil El
Karmach
Class Officers 2011
President Kerri Shuman; Vice President Heather Thompson; Secretary Monika
Bashllari & Alisha Hines; Treasurer Brithney Joseph & Phedorah Rosiclair; Historian
Nicole Johnson & Portia Johnson
Class Officers 2012
President Jessica Hien; Vice President Nina Ho; Secretary Juan Watson; Treasurer
Karina Hong; Historian Amanda Adams & Paige Yurek; Editor/Publisher Harris
Zhao; Captain of Homeroom Reps. Immasculate Mutebi
A Streetlight
Photo by Lauren Benoit
Xavier Leo
Copy Editor
O ver the course of the next few
weeks, Malden city council mem-
bers will be deciding on one of the more
controversial issues pertaining to the
youth of the city: a curfew. For the past
18 years, the city has been curfew-free,
and from a statistical point of view, has
not been impacted negatively because
of it. According to Chief of Police Ken-
neth Coye, “Juvenile arrests make up
less than 6 percent of the city’s crime.
954 arrests have been made this year,
and only 55 of those have been juve-
nile arrests. Of those 55 arrests, 11
have been after 9 p.m.,” stated Chief
of Police Kenneth Coye, adding that
he was opposed to having a potential
curfew. If it were to be set, the curfew
would be, would be established at 9
p.m. and would only pertain to those
17 years old and under. Any violation
of the curfew would result in a fine or
community service.
On the other hand, city council
member Neil Kinnon of Ward 6 is a
long time proponent of the curfew
and believes that a clampdown on
young late-night wanderers would im-
prove the study habits of adolescents
throughout the city. According to a
Stanford University researching group,
“Adolescents need 9 hours and 15 min-
utes of sleep. Sleep deprivation can
impair memory and inhibit creativity
making it difficult for sleep deprived
students to learn.” This idea also
supports another of Kinnon’s points;
“If a student is out late at night they
cannot possibly get enough sleep
and thus they are late for school,
miss school or are sleeping through
school. All three lead to bad grades
and in many cases ultimately to
higher chance of dropping out.”
Whether or not it is a lack of sleep
it that has caused this issue, Malden
High School’s statistics over the past
few years speak for themselves. The
drop out rate for MHS is 5.2 percent,
while the state average is 3.4 percent.
Furthermore, MHS’s attendance and
graduation rates are 93.9 percent
and 72.3 percent, respectively. Both
of these numbers are also below the
state average, which are at 94.6 per-
cent and 81.2 percent. In accordance
with these numbers, a curfew seems
to be a feasible option, especially if
one is to consider the future of the
city’s youth.
Nevertheless, one must also re-
flect on the issue from the other side
of the spectrum; that being from a
crime standpoint. As Barbara Dafoe
Whitehead noted in her seminal
article for The Atlantic Monthly:
“High school dropouts are three
and a half times more likely than
high school graduates to be arrested
and eight times as likely to be in jail
The Blue and Gold
October-November 2009
or prison.” Malden’s dropout rate is
38% higher than it was in 2001. If
the statements made in Whitehead’s
report were to hold true, then the
safety of this city in the future ap-
pears to be bleak. Proponents of the
curfew, such as Kinnon, view educa-
tion as part of the solution to break
these trends and believe that setting
a curfew in place would be one part
of the solution.
There has been a rise in the
numbers of dropouts in recent years,
and the number of juvenile arrests
has remained relatively low, making
up about 17 percent of total arrests
this year. When compared to gen-
eral standards of time, 9 p.m. may
seem a little early, but Malden’s city
council suggests that any number of
scenarios may occur where under-
aged individuals could still be out at
that hour.
The city council has deemed it
worthy to continue to have discus-
sions and debates regarding this is-
sue. As those discussions continue
to unfold, more information will
become available, and the city may
indeed begin to find itself under
closer watch.
The Blue and Gold
October-November 2009
City Councillors-At-Large Vow to Change Malden
Haley Defillipis
Business Manager
Cristina Peters
Reporter
O
n Oct. 28, 2009, candidates
for Councilor-at-Large Craig
Spadafora, Jeff Donahue, Brian
O’Boyle, Greg Lucey, Deborah
Fallon, and David D’Arcangelo,
candidates for Councilor at Large,
debated in a forum at the Malden
Senior Center. Hosted by the Metro
North chapter of Massachusetts Se-
nior Action Council (MSAC), Mal-
den Access Television (MATV), as
well as Healthy Malden, the forum
consisted of two one-hour sessions.
In the discussion, the candidates
were asked questions by members
of the MSAC followed by a panel
led by journalists.
All six candidates agreed on a
few things: money from the city ac-
count needs to be put towards the
city workers (policemen, firemen,
etc), the downtown area of Malden
needs to be expanded and modern-
ized, making it more appealing
to the public, and that the issue of
safety must be addressed, as it has
been a rising concern for the citizens
in Malden. Although each council-
or-at-large candidate planned on
addressing these matters in differ-
ent ways, they all believe that these
issues need to be taken care of as
soon as possible, not only to restore
order, structure, and modernization
back into the city, but also to better
the community as a whole. The idea
of working with the Maldonians,
and feeling as though they also need
to remain open-minded towards
trying to “do what the people want”
was something that was greatly seen
throughout each of their campaigns
as well as their responses to the
question asked at the public forum.
The trash tax repeal often came
up as an issue during the debate.
Although voters backed the mea-
sure by an almost three to one ratio,
it failed because the city by law
requires one third of the registered
voters, which in this case is about
9,500, to vote in favor of a ballot
question in order for it to be passed.
Local news
http://alexandram6.webs.com/
This raised the question of what will
be done with the trash tax, with the
concern that not enough people in
Malden are getting out to vote.
The first candidate run-
ning for Councilor-at-Large was
D’Arcangelo, member of the Mal-
den Rotary, the Malden Chamber
of Commerce, the Public Relations
Society of America as well as several
other organizations. Using a system
of incentive based rewards, where
the more waste recycled, the more
benefits received was a more effi-
cient system that he planned to use
in Malden. One of D’Arcangelo’s
main goals as Councilor-at-Large
was to address issues revolving
around Malden’s energy consump-
tion, by planting trees, analyzing the
use of waterways, as well as devel-
oping solar and wind energy pro-
grams and biodiesel. D’Arcangelo
had planned to take action through-
out the city, and improve the traffic
flow, and enhance waste removal.
D’Arcangelo had intended to use
his experience and skill to “move
Malden forward”.
Serving the Malden commu-
nity for several years, Craig Spada-
fora believes that it is “vital for city
officials to focus on the issues that
are most important to residents,
such as keeping up with street and
sidewalk maintenance, parking and
school safety.” After being elected to
one of the three spots for Councilor-
at-Large, Spadafora believes in mak-
ing an effort to improve the Malden
community by using technology to
try and allow the citizens in Malden
to no longer feel there is a language-
barrier, such as by translating the
city website into various languages,
as Councilor-at-Large. His main
focus is to resolve problems within
the city, by stating “my job is to
make sure we have fireman, police-
man, and teachers at schools.” He
also said, “Protecting community
character and encouraging revital-
CITY
O U N C IL
C an equal opportunity to
ization are twin goals for the City of
Malden,” something that he hopes
to do.
Deborah Fallon was the sole
female candidate for Councilor-
at-Large. She formed an award-
winning law enforcement program,
EVAPorate Violence with the Ever-
ett Police Department Fallon was
awarded at the United Nations for
her work to end violent crimes,
leading her to founding the Portal of
Hope, a crisis intervention program
in Malden, Everett, Lynn, Medford
and Winthrop. Fallon stated, “I
am a very different candidate…
for one, I am the daughter of state
representative, Tom Fallon and very
proud of my family’s history as we
have greatly contributed to charity
work.” Using the input of Maldo-
nians to make changes within the
city, Fallon promises to ensure that
each and every citizen in Malden’s
voice is heard.
Jeff Donahue served in the
council from 2000 to 2008. Donahue
stated “We need experience. I have
that experience. I will be the voice
of concern for citizens and residents
of Malden.” If elected, Donahue
planned to propose a limit to spend-
ing, as it is a fiscal accountability.
Donahue believed the money in the
account the Malden dollars are
still going to be spent, but should
be done reasonably. Working with
businesses to secure commerce
and repair the Malden economy,
Donahue stated, “[We] cannot wait
for development to pick up… [and]
need to be proactive with a plan
to encourage responsible business
and commerce developments that
would have a steady tax base while
fostering sustainable jobs for local
residents.”
Life time resident of Malden,
and the re-elected Councilor-at-
Large, who received the most votes,
ELECTIONS
7
Results of Councilor-
at-large election:
Greg Lucey: 1,645 votes
Craig Spadafora: 1,531 votes
Deborah Fallon: 1,446 votes
David D’Arcangelo: 1,000 votes
Jeff Donahue: 897 votes
Brian O’Boyle: 336
Greg Lucey promised to always
have a “strong commitment to and
support our city.” Unlike the other
candidates who plan to take direct
and immediate action on the reloca-
tion of City Hall, Lucey believes that
the improvements being made in the
city of Malden must be “balanced by
a realistic grasp of the challenges of
living within a budget that is always
tight” while being able to accommo-
date citizens with the basic services
and needs that they have the right to.
Lucey plans to serve the citizens of
Malden as skilled and open-minded,
working towards making the most
crucial and beneficial changes to the
city.
Having over 20 years of real
estate brokerage development ex-
perience in the city of Malden, Brian
O’Boyle planned to ensure citizens
with the experience necessary to
address the main issues in the city
during this difficult economic time if
elected. Determined to “invest inter-
est in school and city workers prop-
erly,” O’Boyle planned to give the
citizens detailed information about
city happenings and allow them to
hold their representatives account-
able to what they say they would do.
O’Boyle believed his background in
real estate is exactly what the city
needs to “get back to the way it
needs to be again.” O’Boyle planned
to use the support of the
Maldonians, to allow him
to continuously strive to
remain informed of is-
sues affecting the city so
that each individual has
voice their opinion on
what they believe most
matters.
With Lucey, Spada-
fora, and Fallon elected,
Malden may be facing
some big changes ahead
that could make the city
a safer and more enjoy-
able place to live.
Council Members
Photo by Lauren Benoit
8 Local news
The Future And Present OF
Vocational Education
seven class, Vachon teaches Tech-
nology and Engineering and said
that it “entails designing a system,
building that system according to
your designs, and then testing that
system to make sure it performs the
required tasks.” When asked about
his first impression of Malden High
School, he stated, “I really like the
school and the kids are fantastic.”
He has two daughters, one who
graduated from Syracuse University
and another who studies Architec-
ture there. Vachon, an Assumption
College graduate who grew up in
Worcester and currently resides in
Burlington, aspires “to have an ex-
citing year with [his] students, and
to increase the number of classes
next year.”
Vachon believes that vocational
education is helpful; it offers a more
hands-on classroom experience,
which “gives the student a stron-
ger selling point for either further
schooling or work, whichever is the
correct thing for them [sic].”
Bazzinotti noted that he used to
be one of thirty teachers who taught
skilled labor classes, which ranged
from electrical and plumbing, to
metals and graphic arts/design, but
now he is one of only two left. “There
are a lot of kids that are looking for
career skills, but some might be into
a different trade,” stated Bazzinotti
about Malden High’s lack of choices
in the Tech-Ed department.
Vachon said that Vocational
education has changed greatly and
that over the past sixteen years
many teachers have even fought the
changes. He also said that this has
only made him become more self-
sufficient.
For those that are looking for
more skilled labor options at MHS,
there is promise and hope on the
horizon. Bazzinotti said “Some
people are starting to understand
what we [Vachon and Bazzinotti]
are doing.” Another positive step is
that four Malden school committee
members, John Froio, Lenny Iovino,
Gladys Rivera-Rogers, and Steve
Winslow, along with Malden Public
Schools superintendent, Sid Smith,
Holland House principal Marilyn
Slattery, Director of Guidance Man-
jula Karamcheti, and Bazzinotti have
joined together to help form a new
“Vocational Committee,” which is
discussing some future plans for
these types of offerings at Malden
High. “Not every kid is going to col-
lege…they need job training,” said
Bazzinotti.
Smith said that the committee
is “analyzing where we are now
and where we are going” and that
he wants the programs to lead into
“solid employment opportunities”
for the students that take the cours-
es. He also noted that the commit-
tee is discussing future programs,
The Blue and Gold
October-November 2009
http://alexandram6.webs.com/
continued on page 1
which would provide students with
an opportunity to participate in a
vocational and educational experi-
ence that will lead into employment
or further education. The programs
will also be designed to provide stu-
dents with lasting skills that will en-
hance their lives or future economic
standing.
For those that are looking to
continue their educational careers,
MHS has participated in engineer-
ing programs at the University of
Massachusetts in Lowell. Malden
students have also received articula-
tion agreements from area colleges.
Articulation agreements are when
students are given college credit
for taking a technology class, like
Bazzinotti’s auto shop class, for their The Wood Shop and Auto
entire four years at Malden. Malden Shop Rooms
students have received these agree- Photos by Lynn Tran
ments from schools like the New
England Institute of Technology, the
Ben Franklin Institute, Massachu-
setts Bay Community College, and
Universal Technical Institute.
The school’s ongoing renova-
tions could also play an impact in
the future of vocational education at
MHS, as there is talk that parts of the
building will be renovated for voca-
tional usage. According to Smith,
money has also been set aside in the
renovation budget to help future
programs.
Roger Broddie, the Assistant
Project Manager of the current
renovation project, said that there
about two dozen types of jobs on
the current renovation, which totals
to about sixty people. His full-time
job entitles him to “monitor con-
struction for the
owner’s interest”
and consult with
MHS principal
Dana Brown
about three times
weekly, to get a
sense of what is
going on at the
time in construc-
tion.
Pay of the
workers varies, but
Broddie noted that
each worker must
be paid the prevail-
ing wage. The pre-
vailing wage is a mandatory pay, set
by the state of Massachusetts, which Types of jobs Payscale
ranges anywhere from twenty to 25th%ile Median 75th%ile
sixty dollars.
Most of the workers do Public School Teacher $49,901 $57,192 $66,285
not have a college education, but do Police Officer $47,091 $56,520 $66,683
have experience from a trade school, Firemen $34,432 $45,909 $57,386
like the ones that Bazzinotti men- EMT $29,047 $32,953 $37,523
tioned. In contrast, most of the proj- Carpenter $36,844 $43,674 $53,001
ect management personnel do have Plumber $38,114 $44,339 $52,320
college education, like Broddie, who Electrician $39,796 $47,540 $55,674
studied Construction Engineering Automotive Technician 1 $28,984 $32,571 $38,444
Technology at Wentworth Institute Automotive Technician 2 $42,279 $48,589 $56,403
of Technology in Boston. Automotive Technician 3 $49,591 $58,129 $64,972
The Blue and Gold
October-November 2009
New Program Guides Students To Success
Sharon Lee MHS Welcomes
Reporter
New Tutors
T here has been a new addition to
Malden High School known as
PASS (Providing Academic Student
Support). On Oct. 5th the PASS
program was officially established
as a part of MHS. This program was
designed to offer help and support
to any students who may need help
academically or just a quiet place to
sit and do work. Working with the
coordinators of this program are
MHS staff, Arlene Ceppetelli, Pa-
tricia Laidley, and Manjula Karam-
cheti, are the three in-school tutors,
Paula Valente, John Malone, and
Jenelle Baldassari.
Pass Peer Tutoring is being
sponsored and offered to the stu-
dents of MHS through a grant from
the ARRA (American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act). The grant was a
percentage of stimulus money from
the state of Massachusetts given to
Malden High School towards edu-
cation. After only being in progress
for only five weeks the program is
gradually improving. Currently
there are about a total of a hundred
students that come throughout the
day and of those hundred students,
thirty of them are student-athletes.
This program is especially recom-
mended to student athletes because
it helps keep them on track with
academics as well as being involved
in extracurricular activities. Malone
stated, “We have had difficulty get-
Walking for Diabetes is Key
Chris Brown
Reporter
O n Saturday, October 24, 2009,
the American Diabetes Asso-
ciation hosted the Step Out Walk to
Fight Diabetes in Boston, Massachu-
setts, which was supported by radio
stations and companies, as well as
large volunteer groups including
Malden High School’s Key Club.
After the volunteers finished
setting up and the walkers were all
signed in, they visited the sponsors’
booths to receive free items includ-
ing bumper stickers, notepads and
overnight bags. Booths included
Boston radio station, Mix 104.1 and
Roche Diagnostics’ Accu-Chek,
which is a brand of supposedly
painless blood sugar testing devices
to help those with diabetes. The
walkers then gathered to do warm
up exercises led by Boston dance
instructor, Denise Harrington and
Channel Five anchor/reporter, Shiba
Russell. Local Boston-area band, the
A.M Dials played a classic rock set
including the Beatles’ “Come To-
gether” and Survivor’s “Eye of the
Local news
http://alexandram6.webs.com/
ting the word out and gaining the
attention of the student body by
starting halfway through the first
semester. However, we have had
a positive turnout each day and a
gradual start so we expect growing
numbers in the second semester.”
The PASS Peer Tutoring Pro-
gram is new to MHS and so are the
three in-school tutors. Valente is a
math and science teacher that grad-
uated with a Bachelor’s degree from
the University of Maine. Baldas-
sari is in fact a Malden High School
graduate from the Class of 2000 as
well as a writer for The Blue and Gold
newspaper. After graduating high
school she extended her education
as an English major at Northeastern
University and has become a certi-
fied English teacher. Just last year
Baldassari was an English teacher at
the Ferryway School before coming
to MHS.
Similarly, Malone has also
worked in the Malden school sys-
tem as a history teacher at the Sa-
lemwood School. Although he cur-
rently teaches history in Malden the
Northeastern University graduate
majored in criminal justice. During
his years as a criminal justice major
Malone was involved in co-op jobs
and one of the many were at the
Suffolk County District Attorney's
Office in the Juvenile Unit. As a
juvenile investigator he was able to
Tiger.” Thirteen year old, Travers
Larkin, who was recently diagnosed
with diabetes, cut the ropes to lead
the walk around the Boston Com-
mon area in the drizzling rain.
All of the walkers were re-
minded of what they were fighting:
diabetes. It is a very serious disease
that approximately 23.6 million
Americans have which has led to
over 233,000 deaths per year, the
seventh leading cause of death na-
tionally. The disease affects insulin
creation, which breaks down sugars
and can be caused by poor health
choices.
An event like this needs plenty
of help so that more money can go
to the cause. Volunteers arrived
early to assist set up and stayed
until the event was completely fin-
ished. Of the volunteer groups, the
MHS Key Club contributed greatly
to the volunteer work they were as-
signed. The members who came to
the event were asked to divide into
small groups and stand at different
Jenelle Baldassari tutoring Warren Sharpp
Photo by Sharon Lee
work with many young adults and
that led him to realize the difficulties
and obstacles young adults experi-
ence. After years of working in the
criminal justice system, he discov-
ered that what he really wanted
was to concentrate on how he could
focus on improving education for
young adults. “The transition from
a middle school to the high school
is different because the students are
older and we would expect more
from them. However I love how so
many students and staff help invest
in our program,” said Malone and
Baldassari. All three of the in-school
tutors are kind and strive to offer
support to any student possible but
that can only be done if you let them.
If students are looking for any
help at all in any subject areas, all
three of the in-school tutors wel-
entrances of the Boston Common
to greet the arriving walkers. After
all of the walkers were in the event
area, the Key Club was to give di-
rections when the walk started and
help out with anything the walkers
or officials needed.
Out of the entire Key Club, 32
members appeared which was one
of the greatest amounts of volunteer
groups, according to the event staff.
Junior and Key Club Secretary, An-
drew Chen thinks very highly of the
club this year. “The outputs of the
six walks so far have been very high.
The Key Club has a lot of commit-
ted members this year who want to
work and volunteer, not just for ser-
vice hours and seeing their friends,
but for the joy of helping others,”
stated Chen.
A group of freshmen who
proved Chen’s statement included
Haley Dowdie, Jasmine Ellison, Nat-
alie Melo, Gabby Rocha and Danielle
Aguinaldl. The girls greeted walk-
ers with a creative and entertaining
9
come them to stop by either before
school, after school, or during any
free period of the day (except period
5). Besides offering all day tutoring
in C326, they also travel throughout
the building to help tutor students
in certain areas. Teachers may refer
students to join the PASS Program
by filling out a simple form that is
available at the classroom. There
will be help provided in all subject
areas either by one of the three in-
school tutors or one of the many
tutors. Help is available in various
academic subjects and each in-
school tutor has a specific subject
that they are best in. When students
come for help Valente covers Math
and Science, Malone covers History,
Baldassari covers English, and peer
tutors choose to offer help in which
ever subjects are most suitable.
jingle, which encouraged them to
fight diabetes. The girls agreed that
the Key Club’s volunteer work is
for a good cause and is fun as well.
Another freshman, Tina Dinh likes
doing greeting, but wasn’t thrilled
with the attitude of some walkers.
“Sometimes, no one comes, and if
they do come, they usually ignore
the greeters,” Dinh explained.
Freshman, Hieu Vo on the other
hand, does not like greeting. “It’s
gets me aggravated, I hate talking
to people, but I like helping out and
getting service hours in return,” Vo
stated. The Key Club’s helping hand
at the event was greatly appreciated
by the walkers and the event staff
alike.
10 World news The Blue and Gold
October-November 2009
http://alexandram6.webs.com/

For many years, the Middle East has

been one of the most turbulent regions of the
world, ripe with seemingly never-ending
conflicts. Despite the United States’ near-
constant intervention, most of the Middle
East remains a dangerous war-zone – yet
simultaneously, it is one of the most im-
portant economic areas of the world, with a
surplus of oil and other fuels.
As the amount of soldiers in Iraq dwin-
dles according President Barack Obama’s
hopeful withdrawal date of August 2010,
turmoil in the rest of the Middle East con-
tinues to kill dozens each day.

The Middle East

www.oilempire.us
A Closer Look

Iran: A Country Ready To Talk Or Explode?

The Iranian government still hides from the limelight of world politics – even
Nidale Zouhir as student protests persist - while Western countries such as the U.S. continue
Head of Local News to fruitlessly insist on peaceful talks regarding nuclear proliferation.

W hen former President George

W. Bush called Iran part of
the Middle Eastern “axis of evil” in
2002, he — like most of the world —
was unaware of the beginnings of
Iran’s nuclear developments. Only
four years later, the Iranian govern-
ment announced that it had suc-
ceeded in uranium enrichment, with
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
calling nuclear development Iran’s
“inalienable right.”
Now, despite the Nuclear Non-
Proliferation Treaty that Iran (and
nearly every other recognized coun-
try in the world) willingly signed in
1968, the threat of an Iranian nuclear
bomb returns. Parts of a confidential
United Nation analysis that leaked
in early October 2009 revealed that
Iran not only has plans to develop
this bomb, but has “sufficient infor-
mation to be able to design and pro-
duce a workable” nuclear weapon.
The report also describes this blue-
print, giving the disturbing image of
a missile with the ability to strike the
Middle East and parts of Europe.
On Oct. 29, 2009, Iran issued a
statement detailing a plan to ship 70
percent of its enriched uranium to
Russia. This plan, however, called
for sending the uranium to Russia
in stages as opposed to all at once,
leaving Iran with enough uranium
on hand at any time to create a
bomb. The U.N.-approved version
of the plan included enriching Iran’s
nuclear energy and converting it to
a safe fuel source before returning it
to Iran. Iran, however, rejected this.
In response, United States Secretary
of State Hillary Clinton threatened
“crippling sanctions” on Iranian
trade; however, thus far, it is unlike-
ly that such powerful U.N. members
as Russia and China will follow.
Speaking in Morocco on Nov.
2, 2009, Clinton revealed that the US
is not altering the deal that the U.N.
originally had with Iran, stating that
Iran’s acceptance of the proposal
“would be a good indication that
Iran does not wish to be isolated
and does wish to cooperate with
the international community.” Iran,
meanwhile, continues to insist that
its nuclear developments will be
used purely for research and energy.
However, Iran’s test-detona-
tion of a missile in July of 2008, as
well as in May of 2009, revealed
that any weapons they develop will
be capable of reaching Israel, a na-
tion that (among others) President
Ahmadinejad has revealed hatred
for. Iran’s anti-foreigner sentiment
is so strong that during this sum-
mer’s election controversy, foreign
media was banned from the country,
forcing news outlets in the rest of
the world to resort to traditionally
unreliable sources like Twitter and
YouTube for updates on the crisis.
Meanwhile, while the election
controversy is now rarely covered
in US news in light of Afghanistan’s
recent re-election of Hamid Karzai
and the even more recent American
elections, protests continue among
Iranian citizens. Even Ahmadine-
jad’s opponent, Mir Hossein Mousa-
vi, continues to call for a new vote,
maintaining his disbelief at Ahma-
dinejad’s win. The Iranian govern-
ment, clearly catching wind of this,
has begun what can only be called
an “Internet crackdown,” threaten-
ing to treat cyber-crime – essentially
anti-Iranian government posts on
social networking sites – with the
same harshness as armed robbery.
The Blue and Gold
October-November 2009 World news 11
http://alexandram6.webs.com/

Afghanistan: A War Worth Fighting For?

Alexandra Mathieu
Online Editor

The US has been at war with the Taliban regime for eight years, ever since the
September 11th attacks, and the debate still rages: should President Barack Obama
send more troops to Afghanistan?
As of October, there are 260,000 North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)
and Afghan troops in Afghanistan. Many officials are skeptical on sending more
troops to Afghanistan. They believe that sending 40,000 troops would only secure
the country for a short period of time. Unlike Iraq, Afghanistan does not have a
government stable enough to maintain any gains made.
Iraq, due to the aid from the US, has established a parliament in Iraq. This
parliament elected a 36 member cabinet, filling in key spots in the Iraqi ministry.
However, in Afghanistan, the government is not as steady shown by election in
August of this year. Iraqi President Hamid Karzai won with a fifty-five percent ma-
jority; however accusations of fraud lead to an investigation of the ballots. This in-
vestigation confirmed the accusations, and twenty-three percent of Karzai’s ballots
were omitted, causing the need for a runoff between Karzai and candidate Abdullah
Abdullah. This lack of government leaves Afghanistan in a chaotic state, relying on
US troops to stabilize and protect it. However, US citizens are adamant about their
belief that there should not be any more troops sent to Afghanistan.
Photo by Michael DiGregorio from basic training
A CNN/Opinion Research Corp. survey released in Sept. notes that American
favor for the war has dropped from fifty-eight percent to thirty-nine percent. De-
spite such low numbers, Obama and his war council are still debating the number Alexandra Mathieu
of troops to send, ignoring public opinion. However, on Oct. 31, 2009, Obama and Online Editor
other White House officials considered scaling down the number of troops from
40,000 to 15,000.
The US is not the only country sending troops to Afghanistan. Two years ago,
Malden High School senior and soldier
a Taliban hostage crisis in Afghanistan resulted in the deaths of two South Koreans. in training, Michael DiGregorio, expects to
Since then, South Korea has pulled more than 200 army medics and engineers out be deployed in Sept. 2010. He explained that
of the country. However, now the South Korean foreign ministry is planning on
sending troops in order to protect leftover Korean civilian aid workers there. These
engineering troops from Iraq will be sent
troops will not be participating in combat unless it is to defend the workers. While to fix Afghan bases and help reconstruct
there, the South Korean troops will enlarge a reconstruction team to help rebuild the Afghan nation. DiGregorio concludes
Afghanistan.
Despite the positive effect these troops will likely have on the country, South that there needs to be a rotation of troops
Koreans are opposed to the plan. They are still wary of the country since the Taliban in order to promote fairness. “As a fellow
hostage incident. soldier,” DiGregorio stated, “I believe that
Korea and the US both raise an important question: Is aiding a country in need
the best decision when the helping countries need aid themselves? The US still has in order to eliminate the threat overseas we
to deal with a devastating economic recession, as well as other endeavors in Iraq should push more troops in a shorter time.”
and the uncovering of Osama bin Laden’s whereabouts. South Korea, on the other
hand, is still battling its communist neighbor North Korea in naval battles in dis-
puted water territory. Should they send more of their troops elsewhere when they
need them on the home front?
Despite the debates over sending troops, the US as well as allied countries still
plan on deploying troops in Afghanistan, whether it is the best decision or not.

Pakistan: Problem [Not] Solved

Brittany Foley
Head of Entertainment/Opinion

While recent Taliban attacks
continue to devastate Pakistan,
the United States has decided that
further involvement in military
operations is necessary. It has been
disclosed by senior American and
Pakistani officials that the US has
sent arms, sensors, and other equip-
ment worth hundreds of millions
of dollars to Pakistani forces. Since
Sept. 11, 2001, the US has sent about
$12 billion worth of payments,
military assistance, and equipment
to Pakistan. Pakistan is determined
to fight independently, however, as
Taliban threats towards the Paki-
stani government worsen, the na-
tion has had no choice but to accept
help from the US.
Since October, roughly 300
people have been killed in attacks
across Pakistan, all of which are sus-
pected to have been executed by the
Taliban. A security convoy made an
attack in Swat Valley which resulted
in the deaths of 41 people. Three
sets of bombings killed at least 22
people in northern Pakistan on Oct.
23, 2009. Peshawar, Pakistan is one
of the most deadly attack sites. On
Oct. 9, 2009, at least 50 civilians were
killed after a suicide bombing; a
week later, 12 people were killed in
another bombing. On Oct. 28, 2009,
the Taliban was accused of attacking
a market in Peshawar via car bomb.
The bombing left at least 91 people
dead and 200 more injured.
While the death toll rises,
Pakistan’s struggle to fight inde-
pendently becomes increasingly
difficult. One unnamed Pakistani
officer told The New York Times
how the government was “grateful
for the generosity” of the US, but
feels that the Pakistani government
has “now learned to fight with all
[they] possess and not what has
been promised.” On Nov. 2, 2009
their government released a Taliban
bounty list through a set of national
advertisements, stating that “any-
one who captures [the] people dead
or alive, or provides concrete infor-
mation” will receive a cash reward.
The capture of Hakimullah Mehsud,
Taliban leader, and his two top sup-
porters, Qari Hussain Mehsud and
Rahman wear tags worth $600,000;
the total reward money being of-
fered for the listed Taliban members
is equal to $5 million. Although the
offerings were a strategic attempt
at independent resistance, it only
led to more devastation. Another 35
people—civilians and military per-
sons—were killed on Nov. 3, 2009
only hours afterwards, in a suicide
bombing in Rawalpindi.
Pakistan has begun to cooper-
ate reluctantly with the US and their
plans of aid. In an interview with
daily Pakistani newspaper Dawn,
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton
explained that the US government
is “really trying to accelerate every-
thing [they] can to help the Pakistani
military.” Clinton, who gave the
interview before her recent trip to
Pakistan, was not the only person
in Washington to recognize and
sympathize with Pakistan’s current
situation. An anonymous White
House correspondent shared with
The New York Times that President
Barack Obama “was engaged in this
issue in the spring” and remains
involved. “[The US government is]
doing everything within [its] power
to assist Pakistan in improving its
counterinsurgency capabilities,”
Pentagon spokesman Lt. Col. Mark
Wright also informed The New York
Times.
12 World news The Blue and Gold
October-November 2009
http://alexandram6.webs.com/

Special Election Jan. 2010

Who Will Replace Kennedy? Primary to be held on

I t has been 25 years since there has been an open senate seat in Massachusetts, and now someone will have to
December 8th
fill the shoes of one of the most idolized senators of all time, Ted Kennedy. The primary election will be held on
Dec. 8, 2009. For the time being, Paul Kirk will hold the seat, until the special election, which is set to take place on
Martha Coakley taken from
Jan. 19, 2010. Two republicans and four democrats are vying for the position. All the democrats are pro-choice on
http://www.marthacoakley.
the matter of abortion, and proponents of gay marriage, and the public health option. They oppose the sending of
com/
more troops to Afghanistan and capital punishment. Both republicans oppose another stimulus plan and public
option, as well as support the war in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Natalie Fallano DEMOCRATS

Reporter
Mike Capuano taken from
http://www.mikecapuano.
com/content/home
The front-runner of the race, and first to announce her candidacy
is Massachusetts attorney general, Dem. Martha Coakley. She is the first
female Massachusetts attorney general, and hopes to be Massachusetts’ first
female senator as well. A graduate of Williams College and Boston Univer-
sity Law School, Coakley stated to The Boston Examiner that if she becomes
senator she will ensure people with disabilities have “equal access to hous-
ing, education, health care, and employment opportunities” and vows to
“end housing discrimination and to find ways to increase safe, affordable
housing.” In a debate at the John F. Kennedy Library, Coakley stated she
would be “a new kind of leader in Washington.’’

Coakley’s biggest competition is said to be Dem. Congressman Michael

Capuano, a house representative serving his sixth term. Capuano is the first
chair of the office of Congressional Ethics and graduated from Dartmouth Steve Pagulica taken from
College and Boston College Law School. Before he was elected congressman, http://www.stevepagliuca.
he served as the mayor of Somerville for eight years. He was one of the few com/
Representatives to vote against the United States Patriot Act, and voted against
authorizing the war in Iraq. Capuano believes that he should be elected sena-
tor partly because he has the most experience in Washington and has the abil-
ity to get things done; “I’ve been trained in the House to know the way of
Washington,” he stated at the JFK library debate.

Dem. Steve Pagliuca, known to most as the co-owner of the Boston

Scott Brown taken from
http://www.scottbrown.com/
Celtics, is also running for the senate seat. This is his first time running for
office and hopes to make his first run his first win. He graduated from Duke
University and Harvard’s School of Business. Pagluica vows to use his busi-
ness expertise to do things such as bring more jobs to Massachusetts. “They
have experience in politics; I have experience in business...we really don’t
have anybody that has on-the-ground business experience,” he stated to
the Boston Globe. Pagluica is working on name recognition because he feels
being a co-owner of the Boston Celtics does not necessarily make him an
apt candidate for senatorship.
Dem. Alan Khazei is most commonly known for being the co-founder
of City Year, an extremely successful program for young adults who do
service to revitalize an American inner-city. He has also served as the CEO
until 2006, and is a graduate of Harvard and Harvard’s School of Law. Alan Khazei taken from
Khazei said that if becomes senator he would create more “green jobs” in http://www.alanforsenate.
Massachusetts and supports another stimulus plan, to create more of those com/
jobs. He also is against casino gambling and wants to get rid of all of casi-
nos in Massachusetts.” Casino gambling will irrevocably change the culture
and fabric of our state,” he stated to the Boston Herald.

Jack E. Robinson taken from
http://www.jackforcongress.
us/
REPUBLICANS
Rep. Senator Scott Brown has the most experience out of the other
candidates because he is already a senator. He is a graduate of Tufts Uni-
versity, as well as Boston College Law School, and has been doing Law ever
since. Before he served as a senator he fought in the Afghanistan and Iraq
war which he supports. Brown is a pro-death penalty supporter and says
that a strong military is a necessity. Brown supports abortion, but believes
that the United States should work on cutting down the amount per year
and should use other alternatives like adoption. He opposes gay marriage,
and supports the second amendment and the right for citizens to hold con-
cealed carry. Brown supports the heath reform but opposes public option.
He says he will fight for lower taxes and will be an “independent thinker.”
Massachusetts is mostly democratic ,which will be his greatest obstacle to
overcome.

The Duxbury resident, Rep. Jack E. Robinson is the final candidate in the race. He is a graduate of Brown
University and received law and business degrees from Harvard. Robinson ran for senate in 2000 and lost to
Kennedy, as well as ran for Massachusetts Secretary of the Common Wealth in 2002 and lost. He has worked
as an executive for Eastern Airlines and left to start his own cell phone company. Unlike most republicans
Robinson “support[s] same-sex marriage, [and] support[s] equal rights for our LGBT community,” according
to NECN.com. Robinson is a “progressive” republican which is why a lot of his beliefs are different than most
republicans. Although one belief Robinson has that is like many republicans is he is pro-life and opposes abor-
tion. He wants to bring more jobs to Massachusetts but no through another stimulus plan. The republican party
has shunned Robinson, who hopes to be accepted once again if he wins the primary and special election.
The Blue and Gold
October-November 2009
Stripped of the Right to Marry
Dan Holmqvist
Copy Editor
I n the ten months since President
Barack Obama has taken office,
the gay-rights movement has made
little progress, despite Obama’s own
promise to make same-sex marriage
one of the focuses of his presidency.
Obama, gay-rights activists’ claim,
has done nothing to address the
“Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy in the
United States military, the Defense
of Marriage Act (DOMA) or pas-
sage of the Employment Non-Dis-
crimination Act. Several gay rights
leaders have become incensed with
the President’s inaction, organizing
several protests against his adminis-
tration.
On the state level, in California
and most recently Maine, gay and
lesbian couples have lost marriage
rights only after having gained them
months prior. Going into election
day, the polls suggested Proposal
5 years, 5 billion dollars, 5,000 schools
Kayla Bramante
Reporter
P resident Barack Obama plans to
turn around 5,000 failing schools
by creating an extensive new pub-
lic charter school system over the
course of just five years. A school is
“failing” when it does not measure
up to national statistical standards
such as unprepared teachers, old
and unattractive textbooks, out-
moded computer systems, a need
for renovations, or possibly when
principals are lacking leadership
qualities. He does not just plan to
turn these schools around, he in-
tends to transform them into charter
schools.
A charter school is a public
school with a grant of rights and
an endowment which allows them
to experiment with their curricula.
These schools are still open to the
public, enabling anyone to apply.
They receive public dollars from
local, state, and federal funds, al-
though there is skepticism as to just
where these funds are. The schools
will retain all of the required aca-
demic state classes but they will not
have as many regulations as to how
they are to be taught. Currently,
40 states in the United States have
charter schools programs.
In charter schools there is a
specific way of how they determine
who gets into the school. If one is
enrolling in kindergarten, then a
lottery is used to choose from the
World news
http://alexandram6.webs.com/
After a stinging gay marriage defeat in Maine, the gay-rights
movement is starting to shift its attention towards other states
1, the referendum that would end
same-sex marriage in Maine, would
come down to the wire. However,
the referendum was passed over-
whelmingly with a 53% majority.
This is cause for concern for many
gays and lesbians; not only did they
spend more money and have su-
perior organization on the ground,
the Proposal was passed relatively
easily, with younger voters failing
to show up at the voting booths.
Maine, one of the more libertar-
ian demographically likely states to
support gay marriage, has become
the 31st state in the United States to
block gay marriage.
The Maine vote was certainly
a major setback for the movement,
which has been thoroughly divided
about how to approach voters. In
Maine, campaigners relied on using
their own personal stories of dis-
Failing Schools Getting More Stimulus Money
applicants. If they are enrolling in a
higher grade, they are typically put
on a waiting list, and are entered into
another lottery. Fairness is always a
key component of the charter school
selection process.
Statistically speaking, charter
schools are the fastest-learning and
most successful schools across the
entire country. The charter schools
focus soley on their students’ educa-
tion; everything is about them and
every rule or regulation has a reason
behind it: they aim to maintain and
foster academic interest and respon-
sibilities.
Malden has both public and
charter schools, which allows stu-
dents and their parents a choice in
what type of learning they prefer.
Students attending charter schools
have a higher percentage of becom-
ing successful students in college,
and are found to have greater income
in later years, according to surveys
conducted by independent polling
companies. If the student has been
in the charter system for their whole
life they are between 7 and 15 percent
more likely to graduate high school
and attend a college. The charter
school in Malden is called the Mys-
tic Valley Regional Charter School
and students can attend school there
from kindergarten to grade twelve.
There are both pros and cons to go-
ing to a charter school. One positive
crimination to sway voters. Others
have favored more aggressive politi-
cal tactics, like repealing DOMA and
quickly reversing the ban on same-
sex marriage in California.
Now, the battle is raging on in
states like New York, where Gover-
nor David Paterson has sensation-
ally called for the legalization of gay
marriage in his state before the end
of the year. In New Jersey, similar
legislative steps have been taken, al-
though the election of a Republican
governor in the state will undoubt-
edly hamper their efforts.
At Malden High School, mem-
bers of the Gay Straight Alliance
(GSA) help to “inform and educate
others about sexual orientation and
gender identity issues.” Junior Deb-
bie Ly, President of the MHS GSA,
argued in favor of same-sex mar-
riage, stating that marriage is the
aspect of attending Mystic Valley is
a greater expenditure of funds on
the educations of each individual,
even going so far as to provide the
locks for lockers. Although, a con
that would most likely adversely af-
fect all the public school students is
that candy and soda are not allowed
in the school. Charter schools have
a uniform policy, specified even
down to the student’s very socks.
At Malden High School, students
are allowed to express themselves in
almost any way whereas at Mystic
Valley you cannot dye your hair any
color that is not natural. For a public
school student, going from wearing
whatever you want to being limited
to a uniform would be the biggest
con about charter schools.
According to Zach Riley, a
sophomore at Mystic Valley, there
are unfair rules in place at charter
schools. “Most of us complain about
their rules and how much we cannot
stand it here, [but] we all realize that
it is really helping us get the best for
our future,” Riley explained. Not
only are the students exceptionally
intelligent, they help out around the
school and the community. They
have been seen often at local places
cleaning up graffiti.
When asked if they would or
would not want to attend a charter
school and why, sophomore Nathan
Urban stated, “I don’t want to go be-
13
“symbolism of the bond between
two people,” not necessarily defined
as something that can only occur
between a man and a woman. The
United States, she believes, should
allow same sex marriage because
“[homosexuals] want the same emo-
tional attachment in relationships as
heterosexuals.”
However, gay marriage in
the United States certainly has a
long way to go before it is widely
accepted by American citizens,
especially after their demoralizing
defeat in Maine. So far much of the
“change” the Obama administra-
tion had promised with regard to
gay marriage and gay rights on the
federal level has not arrived; but
for now, the battle over same-sex
marriage will continue to rage on in
individual states, likely taking years
before becoming fully legalized.
cause they get more schooling that
is unnecessary.” Some people think
that this extra schooling really is not
important to be successful whereas
others believe, like Riley, that it is
a great help in preparing for the
future. Most public schools have
comparatively more freedom, like
at MHS, where the students have a
lateentry once each month.
There are also other types of
schools that are available such as
private and vocational schools. A
private school is funded by the in-
dividuals going there; they have to
pay a tuition in order to attend and
they have to be selected from a pool
of applicants. Vocational schools
focus mainly on specific trades that
their students would like to pursue
after graduation. The student is bet-
ter trained to enter a profession or
apprenticeship directly out of high
school rather than attending a col-
lege.
Perhaps Obama’s plan will
help restore the status of many fail-
ing American schools, but many
crucial questions remain. What will
become of the alternatives to a tradi-
tional high school education? And,
of course, where is this money going
to come from, and where is it going
to go? At the present the policy is
too ambiguous to make accurate
predictions.
14 World news The Blue and Gold
October-November 2009
http://alexandram6.webs.com/

The Green Renovations Could

Impact Malden High school
continued from page 1
MHS, the renovations will give us a new roof along with a new heating system that
will keep the classrooms warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer that will
ultimately help lower school energy costs.
Though, could MHS meet LEED requirements to become a green school?
Two requirements that will be met once the renovations are done are lowering
operating costs and conserving energy with a lighting system that shuts off when
classrooms aren't in use. A requirment MHS could meet is being healthier and safer
for students. MHS renovations could use contstruction materials that either have
low emissions which will help air quality. The new heating system might provide
better air quality if ventilation is adequate and filtrates air properly, which would
help keep students healthier.
So with "Green" Architecture becoming more popular, MHS is downsizing its
Photos by Lauren Benoit
carbon footprint by embracing the new style. The fad is not all about the people
Renovations done at the school.
helping the enviroment, the benefits of building green is that with more natural
light and better ventilation students test better and keeps them healthier. Overall
THIS MONTH TWENTY YEARS AGO "green architecture is not just style its the future for a healthier earth.
A day remembered by many across the world:
Nov. 9, 1989

Harmony in Danger
This month, twenty years ago, the Berlin Wall came
crashing down marking the fall of the Iron Curtain
across Europe - a massive event for many people across
the world, including Americans - who had occupied ter-
ritory in West Berlin for many years after World War II. Lynn Tran
Managing Editor

S ince 1987, triadic bells have hanging from the

third rail in Kendall Station. Tuned in F sharp
major and B minor, the aluminum Kepler, teak Py-
thagoras, and steel Galileo bells compose The Kend-
all Band. Although the sound it produces lasts about
four minutes, its legacy has struck a chord in history
for over two decades.
The Kendall Bell is an interactive musical sculp-
ture built in 1987 that was initially developed to
evoke eye contact and shared conversations, laugh-
ter, and enlightenment between complete strang-
ers. This sculpture was developed by Paul Matisse,
Photo by Harald Holmqvist grandson of renowned French artist Henry Matisse.
In the 2009 20th anniversary celebration, Germany set up a However, due to recent damage, Matisse’s sculpture
series of colorful, domino-like concrete slabs across the old is beginning to falter, stripping the musical sculpture
border. of its original message.
Although Matisse’s sculpture embodies innovation for the sound that erupts from the Kendall train station, it is renown for its purpose which is to
unify passengers; anyone can play the bells because they always chime the same tone, blind to the producer. Levers to play the bells are on the walls of the
inbound and outbound platforms. In contrast to the loud, reverberating rumble of the train, this sculpture was meant to bring out the beauty within the
bleak darkness of the Kendall/MIT train station, by creating a sound all passengers can enjoy together. When all three bells ring, they are in harmony with
each other. It was meant to “break the ice” and to replace cold stares with pleasant chimes. Passengers and strangers on either side of the platform work
together, in synchronization to overcome the clash of the train in order to create music. Matisse believes that music can bring people together, because
with the pull of a lever, these chords echo throughout the station, making it hard to ignore by all passengers.
However, due to overuse and lack of care, the sculpture began to collapse in the last couple of years. The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Author-
ity initially invested $90,000 into this project and can no longer afford to make renovations to keep it from falling apart. On many occasions, Matisse has
driven from his home in Groton to Cambridge after the trains stop running in order to maintain the bells. However at old age, he can no longer keep up
with his artwork. Matisse told the Boston Globe that he “is looking for a patron to take over the maintenance.” Despite his pleas, nobody has yet to respond.
The products of art and physics are: Kepler, a ring shaped gong; the Galileo, a vibrating metal sheet, and Pythagoras, a series of chimes, which cur-
rently is the only one that functions properly. With only one out of three bells ringing, does Matisse’s message ring clearly? Today we have wars, terrorism,
and massacres, like the ones in Venezuela, Guinea, Puerto Rico, and Iraq. Matisse’s sculpture’s manifestation of unity is the deviation needed considering
recent occurrences of violence and animosity.
On Sept. 11, 2001 the Twin Towers in New York City collapsed and the Pentagon was struck. The whole world was running frantically as smoke
and smolder congested the air, and as civilians suffered and suffocated. Lives were lost, and on the other side of the world, Arabs were commending
the terrorists. After 9/11 the country revaluated their views of Islam and Muslim people; there were reports of harassment, vandalism, and hate crimes.
Instead of finding solidarity among each other, we pushed other cultures away.
Recently, it was the anniversary of Marcelo Lucero’s death, an Ecuador-
ian immigrant who was stabbed to death by seven teenagers in New York. In
Suffolk County, NY, there were 11 more similar hate crimes, and more around
the world based on color, race, religion, nationality and sexual orientation. Al-
though with varying magnitudes, this hostility exists wherever you go, we enter
the train station, minding our own business, heads down, avoiding people, and
headphones in, hoping to block out the world. We always go to the furthest end
of the station to avoid contact or sit on opposite ends of a bench. Matisse’s bells
are loud enough to overcome any headphones, and their function is interesting
enough to get any passenger to look up and watch. Now that it is broken, less
people are looking up, and enjoying together a musical sculpture built to unify
passengers. It is not just art, or music, but an attempt of saving our “melting
pot” that has been raging towards the brim, ready to spill.

Photos by Lynn Tran

Top to bottom: The lever of Pythagoras and the PythagorasBells
The Blue and Gold
October-November 2009 Entertainment 15
http://alexandram6.webs.com/

Boston Moves Its Hips Like Yeah

Catherine Poirier
Reporter
O n the evening of Nov. 9, 2009,
Boston’s TD Garden was the
host of Miley Cyrus’ “Wonder
World Tour.” The arena was filled
with fans ranging from children to
teenage years, to even a few proud
adults sporting blond wigs and
cowboy hats. As the seats began
to fill, screams of excitement could
be heard. Metro Station, of which
Miley Cyrus’ brother Trace is a
member, was the opening act of the
night. When the lights dimmed as
Metro Station could took the stage,
the arena filled with cheers and
chanting of her name.
After Metro Station’s first few
songs, Trace took the chance to say a
few words, stating, “A lot of people
didn’t want my sister and I to work
together, they said it just didn‘t fit.
But I would like to thank her for
believing in us, because we would
have never been able to go on tour
together without her love and sup-
port.” After Metro Station left the
stage, the crew began to set up the
stage for Miley.
The stage for this tour was some of her outfit choices and dance
end stage, and had a catwalk that moves. At the beginning of the
stretched out ten rows onto the concert, she was wearing a leather
floor, giving the concert a more jumpsuit, with biker boots, singing
intimate feel. After another half a few more of her rock songs.
hour of waiting, the stage hands After a quick outfit change,
had everything in place for the she came out in a floor length glit-
show to begin. tery gold gown, singing “Bottom of
the Ocean,”
a soft ballad
full of sad
lyrics, such
as, “I have to
know why I
had to lose
you/ Now
you’ll just
become like
everything
I’ll never find
again/ At the
bottom of the
ocean.” Dur-
ing this song,
an opening
in the stage
Photos by Catherine Poirier
floor ap-
Miley Cyrus performs and sells out at the TD Garden
peared and
at the end of
the song, she
As the main event began, the threw herself backwards into it.
screens lit up and showed a ther- During the night, Cyrus gave
mometer with freezing tempera- tributes to some of her favorites
tures on it, and a huge block of what songs and artists, including Michael
appeared as ice came out from be- Jackson. In between two of her
low the stage. Then this block of ice songs, Jackson’s hit “Thriller” be-
shattered and Miley came out, sing- gan playing. Cyrus and her dancers
ing “Breakout”, the title track from began doing the track’s trademark
her album released last summer. dance. In addition, in the perfor-
Each song continued to surprise the mance her new single “Party in the
audience with all sorts of props. USA,” she changed the lyrics from
Her stage presence revealed “and a Jay-Z song was on” to “and
how much she was trying to change a Michael song was on.” Cyrus also
her image, to one of more diversity sang “I Love Rock and Roll” by Joan
and maturity. This was shown by Jett; during the song, she was taken
up in the air on a motorcycle and
flown over the audience.
Another highlight of the night
was when Miley brought her brother
Trace on stage. When he came out,
they sang “Hovering,” a track from
Breakout Platinum Edition CD. This
song was different from her other
songs, having much more of a rock-
feel to it than her usual pop songs.
During the summer, Cyrus
filmed a movie called The Last
Song, based on the book by Nicho-
las Sparks. During the concert, the
film’s trailer was presented to the
audience. Before the trailer was
showed, Cyrus informed the crowd,
“I wanted to show you guys a little
bit of my summer. It felt great to get
away from the big city and film this
movie. Even though I did make a
few mistakes, being away from the
city helped me make the changes
and decisions I needed to in my
life.” Her testimony displayed her
maturity, and how her recent at-
tempts to become her own person.
After showing the trailer, she played
one of her songs from the movie,
“When I Look at You,” on the piano,
which was a huge change from all
the songs she had previously per-
formed, which mostly consisted of
pop/rock songs.
Throughout her whole per-
formance, she clearly showed her
enthusiasm at touring again. At one
point, she had to stop between songs
because one of her dancers had done
something funny on stage and she
could not stop laughing. During all
of the songs, she was smiling uncon-
trollably, clearly having a great time.
Cyrus definitely gave the concert at-
tendees a night to remember.

PARANORMAL ACTIVITY Terrifies

and Satisfies
Nidale Zouhir
Head Local News Writer

M ade in 2007 for less than

$15,000, Paranormal Activity
depicts the haunting of college stu-
dent Katie (played by Katie Feath-
erston) and her boyfriend Micah
(played by Micah Sloat).
Set in San Diego over a span
of three weeks, Paranormal Activity
begins with the relatively cheerful
couple describing their recent fear
of what at first seems to be a ghost
haunting their new home. However,
it quickly becomes evident that
whatever is haunting the house has
been following Katie around since
she was very young, and according
to paranormal expert Dr. Fredrichs,
is not a ghost, but a demon.
The two chronicle their days
on camera as the demon gets more
and more active in their home, driv-
ing the couple to various measures
that only serve to provoke the de-
mon, leading to a decidedly creepy
ending and a decidedly creepier
alternate-ending.
Even without the gore and spe-
cial effects of its big-budget counter-
parts, Paranormal Activity manages
to create a real fear of the unknown;
noises and creaks that, in most other
contexts, would seem normal, are
genuinely frightening. Likely due
to the home video technique used
by director Oren Peli, the film is jar-
ringly realistic, down to the eerily
-possessed Katie and the nightmares
she experiences.
Katie and Micah are at first
realistic characters who deal with
their problems accordingly; how-
ever, their drama about how to react
to Katie’s haunting is anticlimactic
and quickly gets irritating, especial-
ly since the demon possessing Katie
does whatever it wants to, regard-
less of the couple’s actions. Their
dialogue throughout is genuine,
likely due to extensive retroscript-
ing (an acting technique in which
the script of a film is written as an
outline and dialogue is improvised
by the actors). However, their char-
acters quickly become stereotypical
horror-film archetypes: Katie is the
naive, frightened female, while Mi-
cah is the annoyingly cocky male.
Despite the fear it invokes,
Paranormal Activity is far from
perfect; the first hour seems overly
long, with numerous night-shot
bedroom scenes that seem to go
on forever, only to display a door
slamming shut or footstep noises in
the hallway beyond the bedroom.
The entire first hour could easily be
condensed into fifteen minutes, thus
creating more drama and invoking
less movie theater walkouts.
Several versions of the film
were created, with the original end-
ing not having much possibility
for a sequel. The version that pro-
gressed to theaters was given more
of a Hollywood-cliffhanger. Either
way, the ending is the scariest part
of a film that is half annoying, half
macabre.
16 Style The Blue and Gold
October-November 2009
http://alexandram6.webs.com/

Funky Fall Fashion

Reginah Sanyu Photos by Paige Yurek
To the left: Shakira Young and Daniel Vo
Reporter To the right: Taylow Wrice

B eing fashionable does not simply

mean wearing the most expen-
sive clothes--it is all about how one
wears their clothes. One can shop
cheap at A.J Wright and still
look like they just stepped
off a Louis Vuitton runway.
The cold seasons are here,
but losing a sense of style
is not an option. Since
2009 is all about recycling,
style is following suit and
doing the same.
Traditional 80’s-era
clothes are back in style,
which means that pearls,
sholder pads, and ruffles are key
pieces to any ensemble. Also,
chandelier earrings, can be worn
anywhere and can change the
flavor of an outfit instantly.
This season is all about ex-
pressing personality in color. The
must-have colors this fall are:
black, metallics, grays, burgan-
dies and dark blues, tweed and
other bold colors like pink and
yellow. All of these colors can be
worn in a mixture to create different
looks, but color-clashing should be
avoided.
Taylor Wrice, a junior at Mal-
den High School, knows how to
combine his colors well, wearing a
black jacket from Ace with denims
and red and black Jordans. He says,
“My style is really laid back, I don’t
put on whatever and I’m always
game ready.”
Lately, it has been all about
prints. Prints are everywhere and
they have shown themselves to be
versatile in leggings, skirts, jackets,
dresses, and nearly
everything
Although
else.
prints
now as well. Popping on a cozy
sweater dress with leggings and
boots on a cold school day will not
are very fash- only warm you up, but make you
ionable, too look good doing it.
many of Something borrowed from the
boys is also very stylish. No outfit
can go wrong with a perfect blazer,
boyfriend jeans or boy shirts. Sorry
guys, the opposite is not really in
style. Shakira Young, a junior at
MHS wears a boy's shirt and boots
stating, “I got this shirt from Urban
Outfitters and I love it. It makes
[me] feel good and comfort-
able.”
Leggings are everywhere
in every color and style. There
them are printed ones, ones in
c a n bold colors, and still more
be a in leather. They make an
disas- outfit look dressy, trendy
ter. Kisla and chic. Although leg-
R a m i gings are in style, plain
evades any white leggings should be
cataclysm thrown away; they tend to
pulling off an make even the leanest legs
ideal printed outfit. Rami look like a little squat. If you
wore a printed shirt with prefer jeans, well there are even
jeans and black boots.”I leggings in denim.
got this shirt from Ex- Boots are a must-have dur-
press; it stood out from ing the cold seasons, but 2009
all others because of its is all about the long knee
printed texture. Wear- boots. They come in different
ing it makes me feel colors and are very stylish.
cheetalicious.” Christiana Bartolo a junior at MHS
Leather maintains its royal agrees too. She says, “Those boots
throne in style, showing up in leg- are amazing, I can wear them for
gings, slim pants, skirts, and jackets. any occasion and the best part is that
Leather is worn best with contrast- they are cheap at Aldo.” For a school
ing textures like knits, velvet, or look, jeans can be tucked into boots
even lace. for a look that never gets old.
Sweater dresses are in fashion Being casual does not necessar-
ily have
to mean
s we a t
p a n t s
and san-
dals. Ask
Nancy
Pierre a
senior
at MHS
who puts
on jeans,
Nikes
and a
cute top
when she is feeling casual. She said,
“I feel dope in my casual outfit,
it’s comfortable and can turn a day
around. It is also best to wear a ca-
sual outfit in your favorite color, in
my case lime green.”
No matter what someone
wears, the true flavor comes from
how they wear it. The more fitting
the clothes, the better. Wearing bag-
gy clothes from head to toe has be-
come unflattering. This is something
that Daniel Vo a freshman at MHS
understands clearly. Vo wears a tie in
a casual way with jeans, gloves and
a vest. He said, “My style is mostly
influenced by Michael Jackson, I
want to be a trendsetter and show
my heritage and style.” Ka Weng
Choi a junior at MHS agrees, saying,
“fitting clothes make you comfort-
able and confident, I get most of my
outfits from Urban Outfitters.”
Even in 2009 amid huge chang-
es in the mode, fashion's golden
rule remains: whether your style is
trendy, classy, chic, or edgy, please
avoid wearing wrinkly clothes.

MICHAEL JACKSON: KING OF POP

A FREE SPIRITED BOY TO A LEGEND

OUR REACTIONS
Reginah Sanyu
Reporter

Malden High School shares reactions to Michael Jackson’s death

Matthew Evans, English teacher at MHS,”I
wasn’t surprised of Jackson’s death. I re-
member seeing the Jackson 5 in a concert at
Yankees stadium in 1966. Jackson is like the
Great Gatsby; their lives were both full of
mysteries, had big mansions but were still
very lonely.”
Thomas Mahoney, D House principal
Jackson influenced the youth of every
generation. Although Jackson was very
strange; his influence has reigned in the
last few years, I wasn’t his biggest fan but
to me, he is one of the greatest entertain-
ers.”
Photos by Catherine and Sharon
Cherise Hope, junior at MHS, “I was sad to
hear of his death because Jackson had and
majorly influence on American Pop Culture,
all the musicians got their style from him. He
is still a legend; I was him for Halloween to
keep him alive.”
William Clarke, senior at MHS: “I listened to Jack-
son once in a while. He had an influence on the
American culture because a lot of these R7B sing-
ers wouldn’t have the same swag is it wasn’t for
him. Jackson [was] indeed the KING OF POP.”
The Blue and Gold
October-November 2009
Sports 17
http://alexandram6.webs.com/

MHS Misses The

GBL Title In OT

continued from page 1

Malden vs. Everett in
the Greater Boston
tore ACL in the team’s first game of
League Champion-
the season, ending his season. Papa-
ship game
gallo stated that “Usually, 1 person
does not make a ton of difference.”
Photos by Lauren
“Marcos worked very hard in the off-
Benoit and Alexan-
season making sure he understood
der Gennigiorgis
the system and processes which
needed to be implemented for our of-
fense to start.” Papagallo also stated
that in addition to Marcos the team
lost a Tight End (TE) because Samex-
ant (former TE) had to take Almeida’s
place as QB. Samexant had the ability
to “block with aggression and preces-
sion” and the team was put in a posi-
tion it wanted to avoid so early in the season. Coach
Papagallo strongly stated that the team “Should
have won them all [of the games]” and that the team
was never out played.
Papagallo believes it is very beneficial that the
league games are at the end of the season because
early on “you can get all the kinks worked out.” Sa-
mexant is an entirely different QB today than he was
in his first snaps this season against Methuen, “he
has an understanding of everything we are trying to
do and has command of it all.” Papagallo expressed.
The week off has allowed the team not only to
get rid of bumps and bruises, but also to make sure
the team is prepared for the Thanksgiving game
against Medford. Papagallo stated that the team will
be watching a lot of film from their previous games
to “make sure we have formation recognition,” and
the team will be doing extra conditioning “to make
sure we can go all 4 quarters… as well as overtime if
need be,” explained Papagallo.
Winter and the holidays are on their way.
Despite the loss against Everett, Papagallo con- The Malden High Crew Team would like
tinues to believe that “the players are talented, disci-
plined, committed, and can flat out
to make decorating easy this year.
play.” He strongly goes
by his theory, “When
you think, you stink”,
which is a football term 4” Christmas Cactus $5.00
meaning “the minute, 6” Christmas Cactus $8.00
on the football field, 6” Amaryllis $8.00
[the players] can 6” Paperwhites $8.00
stop thinking, and 6” Poinsettias $10.00
play by instinct; 8” Poinsettias (3 bulbs) $18.00
[they] are a step or 10” Wreath $10.00
two faster. [Their] 14” Wreath $12.00
decision making 18” Wreath $15.00
within the frame- Bow added to Wreath $2.00
work of the game Decorated Kissing Ball $25.00
is quicker. [Their]
ability to respond
to visual keys is timelier. Our team
has gotten to that point.”

*Wreaths come with no decoration. If

want a bow, please be sure to add to the list.

Total Number of Items: _________________

Cost of entire order: _________________

Payment Method:

Check or Cash

Make checks payable to: Malden High School

18
MHS Athletics Hall Of Fame
Celebrate 25th Year
Natalie Fallano
Reporter
O n Saturday Nov. 7, 2009 the 25th annual
Malden High School Athletics Hall of
Fame Dinner took place at Anthony’s Restau-
Alumni Mary-Joe
McBride speaks to
athletes at the 25th
rant in Malden. With almost 300 guests, the
annual Hall of
hall was full with both past and new induct-
Fame Dinner
ees. The opening words mentioned the first
Golden Tornado fundraiser in 1952 which
raised money for jackets for the football team
if they beat Everett in the annual Thanksgiv-
ing game.
The night began with a performance of
the MHS fight song, performed by the cur-
rent MHS cheerleaders and band. The author
of the song, Peter Carol, was present and the
crowd was surprised to learn that he wrote it
when he was only ten years old. Afterward,
former cheerleaders did one last cheer, and
were all inducted that night.
Ayoub Kourikchi, a senior at MHS,
received the Peter Donoghue Golden Eagle
Award. David Londino, MHS cross country
coach, said that Kourikchi was one of the few
people he has met that is “the kind of kid you
want your kid to be.”
Many people gave praise to MHS ath-
letics and the Golden Tornado organization.
“The sense of community that exhumes this
room is something that should be cherished,”
stated superintendent of Malden Public
Schools, Sid Smith. Craig Spadafora stated
“If it wasn’t for this organization, our schools
wouldn’t have the athletics that it [has].”
Among the new inductees was Sandra
MacMullin, a gymnast who graduated from
MHS in 1989. In her gymnastics career, she
won the all around title in the state cham-
pionships, and also ranked 12th nationally
all around. MucMullin was featured in the
Boston Herald, Globe Scholastic, and in
Sports Illustrated. She went to Northeast-
ern University and now owns a gymnastics
school in Billerica. MucMullin stated “[I was
a] transfer student and the diversity of MHS
had given me friendships that I thought I
Cheering their Way to Sectionals
Amanda Adams Paige Yurek
Reporter Reporter
C heerleaders from Everett, Malden and
Somerville danced and cheered during the
regional cheering competition on Nov. 7, 2009,
to show pride for their high schools. Throughout
the competition sounds of popular songs such as
Miley Cyrus’ Party in the U.S.A., and New Boys’
You’re a Jerk filled the gymnasium. Everyone ap-
peared to have great experience, and knew how
to show school pride. Tainara Giacomini, senior
cheerleading captain representing the Malden
cheerleading squad, explained how it feels to be
part of the regionals, “[It feels] really good, I have
been cheering since I was about ten years old. It’s
an accomplishment.” Cherry Canavan, senior
captain of the Somerville cheerleading squad,
Sports
http://alexandram6.webs.com/
would never have,” and “[MHS] taught me how to
be a team member and to put the team first.”
Also inducted was the 1972 undefeated girls
basketball team. Co-captain, Nancy McGuire, said
the team “was ahead of our time” and “the club was
worth one million dollars.”
Other notable inductees were Jim Tuxbury,
Ken Fulgham, Colleen McBride, Dave O’Brien,
Rich Bransfield, and Lester Morovitz.. The night
was memorable for all that attended.
although on an opposing team, agree with Gia-
comini’s statement; “[Being a part of the region-
als feels] so good, we haven’t won in so long.”
When asked how long it takes to prepare for such
a competition, both girls stated that this year it
took about three months. Cherry explained the
process, “We learned the routine in August and
have been practicing it three to five days a week
ever since.”
Each cheerleader and their squad proved
they practiced long and hard. Clearly, they are all
proud of their high schools; however, Somerville
claimed the prize for best performance.
The Blue and Gold
October-November 2009
Global Climate,
and What It Is
Doing Behind
the Scenes
Alfonse Femino
Head Sports Writer
O f all the things global climate change
has an effect on, who would have
thought the sloppy characteristics of the
21st century would ever be harmful to the
wonderful world of athletics? It is becom-
ing clear that global climate change is not
just a fairy tale, but something that is very
real, and is affecting our generation.
Students of this generation will begin
to see warmer days in the summer and
unexpected temperatures such as the 60
degree temperature this past weekend in
November. Weather is unpredictable, so no
one knows exactly what the future holds
for the weather around us, but I think it will
be a bit warmer than average,” stated ju-
nior Malden High School student Andrew
Chen, on his thoughts about what effects
this generation will see in future years.
This “inconvenient truth” was reflect-
ed on Sunday, Sept. 10 at Gillette Stadium
in Foxboro, Massachusetts. A few minutes
into a cold Sunday game between the New
England Patriots and Tennessee Titans, a
slight snowfall accumulated. Up until this
point in time, it is almost unheard of for
snow to fall in mid October, clearly show-
ing that global climate change is no joke,
but instead it is something that is unavoid-
able.
This incident with the Patriots, how-
ever, is not the only example of global
climate change peaking its ugly head into
professional sports. In 2007, there was a
four game snow delay. That’s right, not rain
delay, but a snow delay in baseball. This
incident marked the first time in history a
Major League Baseball game was delayed
due to snow, giving a small look into what
is to come in the future.
But what could possibly be done by
Americans and the rest of the world to help
cut down the brutal effects of global cli-
mate change? “Other than recycling, there
is a plethora of methods to combat global
climate change. Simple things such as us-
ing compact fluorescent light bulbs saves
a lot of energy than the old incandescent
bulbs that absorb so much energy. Another
method is to at least consider purchasing a
hybrid/smart vehicle because they conserve
vast amounts of energy and do not emit as
much carbon emissions that regular cars
do,” stated Chen. This shows that there are
many simple things that could be done that
would go a long way in keeping the planet
clean.
As somewhat small things such as
a flurry during a football game in New
England in October, or snow in Chicago in
April are natural occurrences right now, the
question of what will happen in the future
years is very disturbing. Will global climate
change lead to building of more domes?
Switching months around for different
sports to avoid hazardous weather? These
are just a few questions posed from global
climate change that the world will just have
to wait and see for an answer. “Our voices
and actions will determine what our futures
will present to us all,” exclaimed Chen.
The Blue and Gold
October-November 2009
Nelson Mendoza kicking the ball.
(top and right)
Photos by Catherine Poirier.
Brittany McFeeley
Copy Editor
A fter a very intense soccer sea-
son, the boys had put their heart
and soul into playing and came out
with a record of 8-11-1. Senior cap-
tain Samuel Warton stated “Every-
one put their heart into the season.
There’s no doubt about that.”
The soccer team was eliminated
from states from the same team that
eliminated them from making states
last year, Dracut. Last year, Dracut
had eliminated the team from mak-
ing states in their last game of the
Winning Is Not Everything
The Varsity Field Hockey
Team reunites after a great
season.
Photo by Sharon Lee
Sports
http://alexandram6.webs.com/
Boys Soccer Team
Completes Roller
Coaster of a Season
season. This
year, Dracut
eliminated
the boys in
the second
to last game
of the year
with a score
of 3–1. Dur-
ing the game,
junior Mi-
chael Rincon
scored the
only goal for
the team. This goal was a very im-
portant goal, because it was the 17th
game of the season and Rincon’s 17th
birthday. And on his 17th birthday,
he scored his 17th goal of the season.
And when he scored his 17th goal
of the season, it was the 17th hour
of the day, five o’clock, which was
definitely qualifies as one of his very
memorable goals of this season.
Senior goalie, Matt Rizzo, had
a few spectacular games against
Medford High School and Glouces-
ter High School shutting out both
teams. Rizzo stated, “It was a great
feeling because of what it meant for
the team.”
The team’s final record was
8-10-1, they finished with a record
of 3-5 in the Greater Boston League
(GBL), coming in last in the entire
GBL. “We had loads of potential
Catherine Poirier
Reporter
W ith a disappointing record of
2-14-2, it is clear that that the
girls Field Hockey team had a very
tough season. Though the team did
not achieve what they hoped for,
19
coming into the
season, we played
with the best of our
abilities, but in the
end, it didn’t work
out,” commented
Warton.
However,
next year is a new
year for the team,
with new captains,
sophomore Dan
Holmqvist and
junior Rincon.
The team looks
to defeat Dracut
in the upcom-
ing season and
rebuild the team,
since they will be
losing about nine
seniors, but with
the loss of the
seniors, it leaves
spots open for new
and younger tal-
ent. Warton stated
“Losing seniors
will always hurt
a team, no matter
what. But I think
as long as the new
captains bring the
team together and
stay on top of their game for next
year, it won’t matter who they lose.”
there was not lack of hard we made] will last for a long time.
work from the players. We had a great group of girls this
One perfect example of year, and I hope to see that carried
their hard work was their out for a long time.”
final game of the season Valente agreed with Der-
on Oct. 26, 2009 against vishian, “I loved all the girls and
Revere. The Field Hockey looked forward to every game and
team pulled away with practice. I always have so much fun
a victory with a score of because we are all so close and my
3-1. The girls were up two best friends were the captains.
one to nothing in the first Even though our record wasn’t all
half with a great goal by that great, I was by no means disap-
sophomore Rebecca Krig- pointed.”
man. Krigman scored Coach Susan Famiglietti was
again in the second half, also extremely proud of the play-
with an assist by Senior ers. “We had a very young team this
Cristina Valente. Senior year, with only six seniors. The girls
co-captain Marissa Gould were getting adjusted to many new
scored the last goal of the things this season too. Even with a
game within the last five new coach, and new team mates,
minutes of the game. they did an excellent job working
This game, along with the together.” Famiglietti acknowledges
whole season meant a lot to the junior varsity coach Kim Barber’s
players on the team, especially to
the seniors on the team. Senior co-
ability to develop young talent,
which will lead to better outcomes
captain Jillian Dervishian said, “The in upcoming seasons.
record was not too good, but all of
the friendships and memories [that
20
Above: Monika Bashllari
Right: Jillann Ceplinskas
photo credit: Sharon Lee
The Struggle to finish
Lauren Benoit
Reporter
C oach Mitchell Abbatessa and
David Londino of the Malden
High cross country team believe that
the season is ending on a sad note.
Abbatessa wishes that they “would
have had a more successful season.”
On Oct. 31, 2009, the teams
competed in the Greater Boston
League (GBL) Championship. To
prepare for competitions, the team
takes practice with more intensity
and seriousness. Starting off a prac-
tice consists of a 600 meter warm-up
run and stretching. Every other day,
the teams will either do a workout,
which just conditions the body, or a
recovery day, which is running four
miles. Their habits change also; the
runners eat “a ridiculous amount of
pasta, drink tons of water and sleep,”
expressed sophomore Cristina Pe-
ters. The outcome of GBL shows
that the team’s preparation has
definitely paid off. Forty competi-
tors from Cambridge, Somerville,
Medford, and Everett high schools
did not frighten the varsity boys
MHS team. Ranking 5th was junior
Andrew Terenzi, 7th place runner
was junior Patrick Keough, trail-
ing in 8th was sophomore William
Wong, 10th place was senior Ayoub
Kourikchi, the 24th place runner was
Sports
http://alexandram6.webs.com/
Volleyball Team Heard Around GBL
Brendan Provitola
Reporter
T he Malden High School vol-
leyball team had a very suc-
cessful run at the Greater Boston
League title this year, however,
they lost to Cambridge Rindge
and Latin School in the playoffs.
MHS was third in the GBL, with
a league record of 6-6 and an
overall record of 6-10. They have
improved from recent years
and worked hard enough to
accomplish six league victories.
According to head coach, Alicia
Fine, “Every girl is a key player;
we have a small varsity team
this year so everyone is able to
shine when they’re on the court.
We are very lucky that all our
girls can play any position, they
can serve, hit, set or dig, and
everyone has served numerous
‘aces’ ”.
Aces are serves that either
immediately hit the opposing
team’s side of the court or the
opposing team fails to receive
the serve. Malden has been
informed by surrounding city
teams that they have the best serves
in the entire league. It is clear that
Coach Fine is confident in her team,
and wants the best for them in the
remainder of the season.
Henry Wong, following, was junior
Anthony Nguyen, placing in 25th,
and sophomore Den-
nis Chin came in 29th.
Out of 32 varsity run-
ners in GBL, ranking
2nd on the MHS girls
cross country team
was Peters, sopho-
more Haley DeFilip-
pis ranked 4th, junior
Jessica Vo came in 8th,
sophomore Anna Tse
ranked 21st, freshman
Rebecca Broomstein
ranked 20th, and fresh-
man Tiffany Sabella
ranked 25th.
Just because
of their successful run
in GBL, the team does
not hesitate to start
training for States two
weeks away.
Two challenges
runners face is to run in the rain and
cold. States was held on Nov. 14,
2009, which was both a rainy and
cold day; which is what the run-
ners mainly had to compete against.
Keough was not phased by the
weather, “the weather didn’t bother
me at all. I’m used to running in
The Blue and Gold
October-November 2009
This year’s group of girls
“have all taken their games to an
even higher level than ever before,”
noted coach Fine. These seniors
who are excelling are Co-Captains
Laura Botero and Jillann Ceplinskas
as well as other seniors including
Kristina Dyer, Evelyn Lopez, Deana
Kovacev, and Thanh Nguyen. Coach
Fine also added that “up-and-
coming underclassmen of note are
Monika Bashllari, Cynthia Antenor,
and Barbara Santos Finamore.”
Recently, Botero has been
honored in a High Five interview,
where Channel 5 came to MHS and
featured her in a news segment.
After being questioned about this
topic, Coach Fine said, “it just rein-
forced how valuable the members of
the team are.”
Coach Fine believes that
the momentum from this year will
carry over to next year, and possibly
build future teams off the current
one. The team will do everything
they can to improve and come out
with a GBL title next year.
the cold and in the rain and I prefer
running in the rain, but the condi-
tions were ridiculous,
posture strong, so we could keep
from falling,” stated Broomstein.
Londino confirmed “Whenever you
everyone, even run- have rain coming down sideways,
ners with spikes were puddles that are seven inches deep,
slipping, and the slip- and mud up to your ankles, you
periness made it really aren’t going to run a personal best. 
dangerous.” Despite Don’t be too concerned with your
the horrible weather time.  Be concerned with your place
conditions, the MHS and pick off as many runners as pos-
cross country team sible.”
was one of the lucky Although the weather condi-
teams to not have a tions were not a desirable choice,
runner taken away Londino stated that the runners
in ambulances unlike enjoyed it for the most part. “It was
some athletes from op- difficult to stay warm and dry lead-
posing teams. ing up to the race, but after the race
A strategy they were swimming in puddles
during the race was and just having fun.  Surprisingly, it
to “maintain strong was a great way to end the season.”
form” stated Vo. The Terenzi thought the race “was a lot
boys race was held of fun, except for running a bad
before the girls race. time. I’m kind of bummed that the
So they had an advan- weather kind of threw away my
tage; the boys “were chance at running a personal best,
able to explain the course and how but the run was awesome…and
to take precautions.” They informed muddy.”
their teammates, “the faster you run,
the slower you’ll go.” This was very
true- because of the mud and pud- Above Left: William Wong
dles. Fast strides would just make
you slide in place. We had to pay photo Credit: Lauren Benoit
more attention to keep our form and