Dear Nedlam,

I know the end of the year is basically only a month away but my grades are not doing so good. I really need to pass my classes this quarter, any advice on how to give my grades a much needed boost before the year is up?

-School is a struggle

Dear School is a Struggle,

Even though the school year is almost up it’s not too late to help bring up your grades. Especially with finals coming up, it’s the perfect opportunity to help give your G.P.A. a little boost. For starters, break out your calendar and organize that agenda. I know it might seem like just a glorified bathroom pass, but it serves a greater purpose. However, even if you lost your agenda, you can still buy a planner from any office supplies store or drugstore. While I do recommend having a physical calendar or planner on hand so you can check off everything, you can also use a calendar on your phone or a schedule app. Now write down every homework assignment, test date (especially finals) and project date that you know of. Personally, I like to color code my classes to keep things neat and organized, but do whatever you need to to make your planner interesting and easy to use. Check your planner everyday and make a note to study for exams at least a few days or even a week or so ahead. That way you’ll be prepared enough to ace those tests!

Continuing on with studying, make sure to take care when studying for finals. Those are the last giant boosts for your grade, and can help bring your low grade way up…. or they can push your grade farther down if you don’t study. If you are really serious about wanting to get your grades up then study a lot for your finals!!! Make flashcards (even the process of making them helps you memorize), have a friend quiz you, re-write and color code notes, make up a study game, do whatever you can think of that will help you. And remember to do it ahead of time, cramming the day before an exam is never a good idea and just puts more stress on you, however, taking time a few weeks to slowly go over everything you learned throughout the year, taking extra time for the stuff you have trouble with, can really be helpful.

I know this one sucks to do sometimes but, go after school! If you don’t understand what’s going on in the lesson, or you had difficulty with something awhile back and need a refresher, go after school sometime and ask for help! Most teachers stay after to help students anyways, and will gladly help you. Even if it seems like a lot of effort, try to make it easier, bring a friend, a snack, whatever will make the situation more comfortable for you. Also if your teacher allows you to make up tests or quizzes after school do it, but be sure to study for them, you don’t want to make up the test/quiz and get a bad grade again. Also remember to ask your teacher first before you come after, just to be sure that they will be there and you don’t end up waiting for someone who isn’t coming.

Check your work! The best way to get good grades, is to make sure you have less mistakes. Sometimes when I finish writing a paper or taking a test I just want to be done with it and don’t give it a second glance. But thats usually what ends up costing me the good grade, a spelling mistake, or a forgotten integer. It’s also helpful to have a parent or guardian or anyone who is good at whatever subject you are doing to check over any homework or at home projects, just to be extra careful. I really hope this helps you bring up your grade before the end of the year! Good Luck!

Here are updates for the week of June 1 on current events in Malden.

This is information pulled from morning announcements and the Tornado Times.

• Senior Barbecue is on June 4.
• The boys soccer team is looking to sell 3X3 “I support” stickers for $3 in order to raise money for championship jackets. Contact Mr. Smith in room B236 if you are interested.
• Graduation is on June 7.

• Biology MCAS begins for the freshmen on June 8- June 9. 10-12 graders will report to school at 10:45 for an optional lunch.

• The Starr Center is open every Monday & Wednesday for all of your health needs and questions! Located in the nurse’s office, the Starr Center has a doctor and health counselor available at no cost to you.

Malden High School’s Play Production team not only performed their last show of the year, but the seniors also performed the last show of their high school year; saying goodbye to the friends that they have made memories with, and the auditorium where they have grown as actors and actresses over the years.

Megan Brown (left) and Corey McFeeley (right) performing their last show at MHS. Photo by Felicia Fallano.

Their most recent production, Just A Bunch Of Stuff, consisted of five shows created by the students themselves, “The Red Coat” by Jonathan Patrick Shanley, and “The Dinosaurs have a Request” by Walt McGough. The process of putting the shows together began in early April, and the cast performed Just A Bunch Of Stuff for the Malden Community at MHS on both May 16th and May 19th.

At the end of his ninth year as the director of Play Production, Sean Walsh, also the English Language Arts Teacher Leader at MHS, explained that, “Playwriting is tricky.” The five student written pieces were workshopped with the cast and with the directors.” Walsh also explained that this is not the first time that MHS Play Production has performed student written plays, and that they have a “rich history of producing student work.”

Walsh says that he was mostly hands off while the students put their shows together, and the “students did most of the work themselves— particularly on the technical side.”  Since the students have been working on many shows and have been constantly learning from the experience, Walsh feels that by the end of the year, the “students should be running everything,” while he still made sure “the elements were in place.”

(From left to right) Danielle Lauritzen, Daryl Satterwhite, Maggie O’Callaghan, and Sarah Viera performing “Family Portrait.” Picture By Felicia Fallano.

Junior Joylyn Norris feels that the experience of creating the five student-written shows “highlights [their] strengths, and [improves their] weaknesses as [they] help each other grow in all aspects of theatre.” Sophomore Aigula Fitzgerald felt that the process of creating a show “was tough at times. since it’s easy to get distracted, but [she and her partner] worked really well together.”

The shows written by the students provided a variety of genres, and also included a piece performed and written in Spanish. This portion of Just A Bunch Of Stuff was called  “Este Adiós No Es Para Siempre” (“This Goodbye is Not Forever” in English) and was performed and written by Kamila Regalado, Brayan Angulo and Richard Melgar. Junior Brian Angulo explained that the experience of writing and performing this show with his classmates was, “a great experience because every individual is creative and has their own unique ideas.” When asked about the play being in another language, Angulo expressed that performing as this specific character was, “not out of [his] comfort zone because [he takes] a Spanish class, and [they have] done a lot of presentations in that class so [he] was used to it.”

Senior Dominic Pappagallo stated that “It didn’t really hit [him] or anyone else really until [their] ‘final bow’ at curtain call. It was an indescribable feeling.” Pappagallo took on the role of Shrek in Shrek The Musical earlier this year.

Kasya Jensen and Michelle Foley performing their last show at MHS. Photo by Felicia Fallano.

Senior Michelle Foley also said her farewell at the last show, and expressed that “[she] felt more honored than sad that [she is] leaving. [She thinks] it was an honor to be in a class with so many amazing actors and actresses, and to have [her] final show be with them is the biggest honor.” Foley co-wrote the show with Senior Kasya Jensen, and both of them performed it along with Alana Burdine. Foley and Burdine played two best friends, Rachel and Vicky, who conflicted over Vicky joining the Marines. Jensen, who played both Foley’s younger sister and Burdine’s older cousin, explained that, “it was easier to understand both of [her] characters motives, but the challenge was playing a child. The show was also Jensen’s last show, and she stated that “[she will]  miss everyone in the class they really made [her] high school years complete.”

MHS Play Production may be saying goodbye to their senior actors and actresses, but Walsh believes that “they have brought lots of energy to the program and to the productions,” and he wishes them “nothing but the best in their future endeavors.” Angulo, who will be in the same place as the Seniors next year, says that he wants to “make them proud when they come back to watch [their] shows.” Just A Bunch Of Stuff ended the year for Play Production at MHS, and the up and coming sophomores, juniors, and seniors will continue the legacy that this year’s seniors have passed on to them.

Angelica Carberry performing a monologue. Photo by Felicia Fallano.

Paul Araiza and Aigula Fitzgerald talking during their performance. Photo by Felicia Fallano.

After fifteen years of being at Malden High, the time has come for English teacher Matthew Evans to part ways with teaching.

“I graduated [high school] in 1968,” Evans observed. Upon arriving at MHS in 2000, Evans was surprised to see how similar Malden High was to his own high school. “My first impression [of Malden High] was kind of centered around cafeteria smells, and I was astonished when I was in homeroom and the announcements came on and we all stood for the Pledge of Allegiance because in the real world, that kind of thing doesn’t really happen.”

“I’ll miss my students most of all,” Evans said. “Although I had many collegial and very friendly relationships with other teachers, I’ll miss my students. [Working at Malden High] has had a very positive effect because in the time that I’ve been here, the school has improved steadily and the morale of the staff and students have improved as well and it’s a very good thing to feel to be a part of something like that.”

Fellow English teacher David Londino comments, “Ever since I met [Matt Evans], he’s always come across as a really nice guy. He’ll answer any questions you have. He’s just a great guy to work with. His best qualities are his patience, his understanding, his willingness to help others. He’s always just really level-headed and really cool.”

Evans teaching a class. Photo by Meghan Yip.

Not only has Evans made an impact on his colleagues and older students, but on his first-year students as well.“Mr. Evans is currently and probably always will be one of my favorite teachers,” Freshman Rachel Eaglin remarks. “His dedication [sets him apart from other teachers]. . .Some teachers don’t take as much initiative into making sure the class understands everything but I think [Mr. Evans] does.”

Evans has been shown to push students to their full potential, as shown by Eaglin’s initial reaction to her recommendation for AP Language and Composition. “I didn’t want to do [the class] at first because I was afraid of the workload and how difficult it would be. But, he asked me to come after a few days after school and persuaded me. I’m thankful for him to do that for me.”

“[Mr. Evans] is a genuine person at heart and really wants the best for everyone,” Freshman Cindy Siu added. “When we’re in a class discussion or talking about a lesson, he always refers to his past experiences and it’s just interesting to see his perspective. I think I’m going to miss going to the class. The class itself is pretty relaxing and I can always look forward to it because of Mr. Evans and his teaching style.”

“[After I retire], I plan on reading. A lot.” Evans said with a laugh. “I have a very long reading list. I like The Odyssey and I like Great Expectations and I like Macbeth, but it will be nice to read some other things after all these years reading these texts over and over again.”

Evans at the podium. Photo by Meghan Yip.

Dear Nedlam,

Summer is coming really soon, and while I’m totally excited to not be in school, I’m afraid that I’ll end up doing nothing and leaving all of my summer work for school till the day before we get back. Any ideas on how to make the most of your summer? Thanks

Excited for Summer

Dear Excited for Summer,

Many kids face the same issues as you do, easily getting bored over summer break and leaving summer work to do last minute. However, I feel that getting your summer work done first thing is such a relief, because then you don’t have to worry or think about school work for the rest of your summer! Although it can be difficult to motivate yourself to do so once you are off of school time, it really takes such a big weight off of your shoulders.

The best way to get your summer work done right away is to start off by taking stock of what you need to get done. For some people it is easier to get the bigger projects and essays done first to get them out of the way, others start small and work their way up to the bigger things. Try to see how long it should take you to complete it all if you work on it an hour or two a day. If you are really ambitious you can try to get the majority of it done in a few days and then have tons of time to relax. Other people like to work on their summer stuff a bit of a time throughout the vacation. However, I think it’s faster and more satisfying to get it done earlier. Plus then you can see if you need help on a certain worksheet or project and are able to contact either someone who understands how to do it or a friend to work on it with you. Always allow time for fun, don’t deprive yourself till you get everything done, take some time to enjoy the fact that it’s summer! I also recommend doing your homework in a setting where you have to focus and be studious, like the library, that way you won’t have the chance to get distracted as much as you would at home. If all else fails, try to set up a reward system with yourself. Like, if you do three pages of math then you can go out for an icecream, or if you read two more chapters of your assigned reading you can go to the beach, stuff like that so you will feel more motivated to get your work done.

As for keeping busy during the summer, there are plenty of things to do and try if you know where to look. Maybe you’ve been wanting to take an art class, try out a sport, or get your driver’s permit/license (if you are old enough), do it this summer! If you’re always complaining that you don’t have money, instead of begging your parents for more, try and get a summer job. It might sound like a boring way to spend your summer, but if you find a job that you like it might be more satisfying going to work everyday, plus then you’ll have cash to spend… Or if you’re the type of person that likes to help for free, volunteer. I think that the program is closed now, but the math summer course that Malden High offers is actually a great way to keep your brain fresh over the summer and it gives you the chance to skip a math class. Besides those things, whatever you end up doing with your friends, like going to the pool, the beach, the movies, will be tons of fun no matter what because you are with your friends, and you don’t have to go to school the next day. Hope this helps and hope you will enjoy your summer!

English teacher Sean Walsh presenting an award. Photo by Samuel Martinez.

Malden High School recognizes many of its seniors for their persistence and dedication throughout their high school career with a variety of awards and scholarships.

On Jun. 2, 2015, Malden High School continued its annual tradition of Senior Awards Night. This event took place in the Jenkins Auditorium, where numerous MHS seniors received awards and scholarships based on class performance, leadership qualities, and overall showcase of effort. Students that stand out to staff are recognized for their hard work and dedication.

This year, the event was coordinated by Jim Valente, media teacher and yearbook advisor.

The academic awards given during the night were in relation to core classes. English awards were given in many categories from different senior classes ranging from Through the Looking Glass, Monsters, Mystery, and Advanced Placement English Literature. Lead English teacher Sean Walsh states that he is “always inspired by the accomplishments of our students here at Malden.” He also adds that “this group of seniors have excelled in the classroom and in their community.”

Senior Ellie Cordero received a scholarship from the Malden Education Association (MEA) and another award recognizing her hard work as stage manager in Play Production. Cordero stated that “upon receiving [these awards], [she] was morally gratified and beyond proud of [her] classmates for all that they have achieved.”

Jasnely Bautista received the Paul Famiglietti Memorial Scholarship, which honors the life of Mr. “Fam,” a very influential MHS faculty member who passed away on Apr. 14, 2012 due to a motorcycle accident. Bautista expressed, “[She] cannot thank [the Famiglietti] family enough for all that they’ have done for [her].” Bautista will begin college in the fall at Framingham State University, where she will take with her the memories and lessons she learned from her time with Mr. Famiglietti, who “[she holds] so dear to [her] heart.”

After the whole MHS community grieved the loss of Julia Vanella, who passed away due to a car accident on Jan. 11, 2014, her family decided to create a scholarship as a way to honor her. The scholarship was given to some of Julia’s closest friends. Gabrielle Silva, Devon Laudadio and Nicholas Hames received $2,000 each, Meghan Doherty received $9,600, and Aryzona MacDonald was given a MacBook from the scholarship. Hames, who will continue his education at the University of New Hampshire, expresses that “it meant the world to [him] that her family chose [him] to be one of the people to receive the scholarship.”

House Principal Christopher Mastrangelo presenting an award. Photo by Samuel Martinez.

Julio Salazar was awarded $1,000 towards his college tuition from the Live Like Becca scholarship, a scholarship that honors a 2005 MHS graduate, Rebecca Knight, who passed away on June 4, 2014 while white water rafting. Because of Knight’s thrilling and courageous lifestyle, a scholarship was created in honor of her for students who live life to the fullest, just as Knight had, with a love and appreciation for the countless opportunities life has to offer. Salazar expresses receiving the scholarship was an accomplishment because “[he] never thought [he] would get a scholarship or even get into a university.” Next fall, Salazar will continue his education at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth.

Laura Gomez received both a $300 scholarship from PepsiCo foundation and the Mahoney Scholarship for outstanding achievement in spanish by MHS Spanish teacher Mar Marjomaa. Gomez states that receiving the Mahoney scholarship gave her “a great feeling knowing that [her] hard work in spanish class, one of [her] favorites, paid off.” She adds that “being handed it by Ms. Marjomaa made it feel more real and happy, because she was [her] teacher all four years.” While Gomez continues her studies next year at Boston University, she is glad that MHS has provided her with these opportunities and recognition.

Alyssa Figueiredo states that she was “honored and blessed” to receive numerous scholarships on behalf of Malden Chamber of Commerce, MHS Alumni Association, Jean E. Dickie Memorial, Brunelli Family, Muriel Swimm First Baptist Church, Forestdale School Scholarship, and MHS Business Technology Department Achievement Award. Figueiredo expressed that “as the night was going on, hearing [her] name being called more than once was such a relief,” as her “hard work is finally paying off.” Figueiredo plans on continuing her education in the fall at Framingham State University, where she will be pursuing a double major in Elementary Education and Psychology.

Senior Timur Berilo accepting an award. Photo by Samuel Martinez.

Overall, there were 240 awards to over 100 seniors given throughout the night. Senior Tristar To stated that he was “extremely happy” to receive his awards, and he speaks for many of the seniors when he says this.

Being days away from walking the graduation stage, this award night allowed the seniors to bid their farewells to high school on a positive note, recognizing the tremendous amount of effort needed to succeed these past four years. The event ignited feelings of accomplishment and overwhelming pride as the seniors realized the end of their high school career is fast approaching.

Here are updates for the week of June 8 on current events in Malden.

This is information pulled from morning announcements and the Tornado Times.

• The boys soccer team is looking to sell 3X3 “I support” stickers for $3 in order to raise money for championship jackets. Contact Mr. Smith in room B236 if you are interested.

• Biology MCAS begins for the freshmen on June 8- June 9. 10-12 graders will report to school at 10:45 for an optional lunch.

• Karinaval will be hosted at the Linden School Field on Saturday, June 13.

• The Blue And Gold is hosting the 100 Year Event on Friday, June 12. The commemorative magazine will be sold at the event.

• The Starr Center is open every Monday & Wednesday for all of your health needs and questions! Located in the nurse’s office, the Starr Center has a doctor and health counselor available at no cost to you.

Soldiers walking down Salem Street. Photo by Ashley Leung.

Malden high school held a Memorial Day event in the Jenkins auditorium to share the real meaning of the day and look back to all the students from malden high that took that journey for their country. Being a veteran himself, the ex-principal of the Linden public school William TJ Dempsey spoke upon his experiences and his newly found knowledge as he looked at the past and gave a glimpse of the future. Seniors Ellie Cordero and Michelle Foley recalled parts of “The Gettysburg Address” as they each gave a speech in honor of Memorial Day. The event was followed by Malden High School’s mixed chorus singing the “Pledge of Allegiance” as well as “Star Spangled Banner” and other patriotic songs.

Malden High School Band members marching in the parade. Photo by Ashley Leung.

On May 25, 2015, Malden once again commemorated the heroes that served in the United States military with the annual Memorial Day Parade. This year featured veteran William TJ Dempsey as the Grand Marshall. The parade started with the Boy and Girl scouts, with The Tuney Tornados Marching Band following as well as Malden’s Middle School Band. There were a plethora of people who watched the parade as it went through town from the corner of Salem Street, Main Street, and Ferry Street continuing onward into the Forestdale Cemetery.

Malden’s Little League Baseball team marching in the parade. Photo by Ashley Leung.

A day of remembrance and pride for our country and the veterans that served to protect America’s freedom. Some view Memorial Day as a day off from school, a chance to attend barbecues and parades, however Memorial Day is much more, it is day to look upon our history and think of those veterans that have passed on for the sake of the American people.

Boy Scout Troop 603 marching down in the parade. Photo by Ashley Leung.

Malden High School offers a plethora of classes, many which are offered up to the advanced placement level. Typically a class is offered at both college preparatory and honors, though some are able to go above and beyond the normal high school levels, offering an advanced placement class. AP classes are designed to give high school students the chance to possibly earn college credit and challenge themselves with work much more rigorous than the standard levels of classes offered.    

A variety of AP classes brings along with it a diversity aspect amongst the pool of teachers who instruct. Each teacher has their own personality and teaching style that is able to reach out to these students who wish to test themselves. Thanks to these instructors, many have been educated to a level beyond what they may receive from the usual CP or Honors classes.

In the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, a nonprofit organization exists known as Mass Insight Education. It was founded in 1997 in reflection of the growing priority for leaders of business, government, and education fields. To honor great educators, Mass Insight Education awards teachers and principals within their AP Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) program with the Partners in Excellence Award.

The 3rd annual Partners in Excellence Celebration was held on Jun. 2, 2015, at the Seaport Hotel in Boston, MA. The event was supported by the Partners in Excellence, a group made up of philanthropic individuals, corporations, institutions, and foundations dedicated to educative eminence in AP-level STEM and English subjects.

The head of Mass Insight Education’s AP STEM program, Michael Contompasis, expressed that it was “inspiring that individuals from outside the academic world have established Partners in Excellence to recognize the vital role teachers play in our communities’ economic growth.” The function was co-hosted by members of the Partners in Excellence and the Biogen Foundation. Thermo Fisher Scientific and Vertex Pharmaceuticals supported the hosts.

The celebration gave recognition to 33 AP teachers and 2 principals all across MA. MHS had considerable luck this year, producing 2 recipients for the award. These esteemed and admirable teachers are math teacher Paul Marques and chemistry teacher Martin Berryman.

Marques, whilst technically a member of the math department, works exclusively in computer sciences, teaching students subjects such as Web Development/Mobile Apps, Exploring Computer Science, Advanced Placement Computer Science, and Advanced Data Structures & Algorithms. Berryman, on the other hand, is a part of the MHS’ science department, instructing students in honors and AP Chemistry.

Upon receiving the accolade, Berryman expressed gratitude towards “[his] students, [his] family, and fellow teachers who [supported him] each day.” While he was the recipient of the prize, Berryman humbly stated, “All of the teachers at Malden High School deserve recognition for their exemplary work in the classroom” rather than just him. Marques felt “totally honored” and was shocked when he learned he won because “[he] never thought [he] would win this year.” He cited that “the students here at MHS [performing] very well on the [computer science] exams” and his efforts in the AP program as “what helped influence [the presenters of the awards] decision.”

For Marques, the best part of teaching is conveying the idea of self-education “to people at such a young age and [having] them respond so positively.” Accomplishing that “keeps [him] coming back for more each day.” Berryman mentioned “[enjoying] the daily classroom structure and routines that support opportunities for spontaneity and invention.” MHS is truly proud of its award winners and encourages them to continue in nurturing the minds of Maldonian students.

Malden High School’s girls tennis team has had great years, but this past season has been exceptional. Lead by  senior captains, Tammy Nguyen and Mandy Cheng; and, instead of Coach Diaz coaching alone, Patrice Duggan has joined the team to help coach.

Junior Risako Yonetani returning the ball. Photo by Samuel Martinez.

This year, Duggan started off her first year at MHS as a substitute English teacher for Jennifer Clapp, and her first year coaching girls tennis with a team that she believed “works cohesively together” and had a strong competitive attitude. She decided on tennis because she enjoys the sport and she plays it competitively herself.

Duggan claimed that throughout the entire season the team had continued to work as a team, improved their game both as a whole and individually. The aforementioned win against Medford was one of Duggan’s favorite moments in the season because it was their first match and the girls played their best and won with a score of 5-0.

With the new season, new players joined the team. She wants each of the newer players to “keep playing, keep that competitive spirit and enjoy the game.” Her team supports one another and they work together while at the same time, rooting for one another.

Nguyen strives to set a good example and become a role model for her teammates, which inspires her to continue on improving her game. She hopes to create a tighter bond with each player and “for everyone to be able to rely on each other and talk to each other.” Nguyen wants each player to receive the attention they deserve to ensure each of them succeed in tennis and to make sure that they enjoy the sport.

Sophomore Saeko Yonetani. Photo by Samuel Martinez.

Even though they try their hardest on besting all of their competitors, they also try their hardest to gain high academic achievements. “[The players] not only worry about tennis but on their education. I see how dedicated that the tennis girls are when it comes to education” stated Nguyen.

Unlike last year’s season, communication off of the court is not an issue. Nguyen wants the younger players on the team to never give up because each and every one of them possess a specific talent which will become stronger as time progresses. States are important to every sports team, in order to advance in the game, especially girls tennis, but Nguyen believes that “ tennis is also supposed to be a fun sport that [everyone] can enjoy,” not something very competitive.

Nguyen also declares tennis a sport that is filled with “adrenaline and excitement whenever [she] plays.” As a captain should, she enjoys watching her fellow teammates enjoying each others company and feeling confident about themselves when they serve and hit.

Cheng believed that the new and old players were able to communicate with each other well and have been able to adapt to the changes that came with coach Duggan. Cheng explains that with the loss of five varsity players, the team suffered. However, they managed to come back with recently added players in their roster and a renewed love for the game.

Cheng had hopes that she would improve as an individual throughout the entire season. She also recognizes that each player shows determination when keeping their athletics and their education balanced out, despite all the homework and practices they usually have.

Junior Laura Suarez serving. Photo by Samuel Martinez.

At the end of the season, the team had come to a record of nine wins to six losses. Their wins include two 4-1 wins against Medford, two 3-2 wins against Lawrence, a 3-2 and a 4-1 win against Everett, a 4-1 and a 5-0 win against Somerville, and a 5-0 win against Revere The last game of the season was on May 22 against Lawrence, with a 3-2 win by Malden. The Girls Tennis team remains undefeated in the Greater Boston League.

With the seniors graduating, the team hopes that next year they’ll remain undefeated with their new captains and that they will perform just as well, if not better, than this season.

Here are updates for the week of June 15 on current events in Malden.

This is information pulled from morning announcements and the Tornado Times.

• Final Exams begin on Friday, June 19 for periods six and seven.

• Karinaval will be hosted at the Linden School Field on Saturday, June 13.

• The Blue And Gold is hosting the 100 Year Event on Friday, June 12. The commemorative magazine will be sold at the event.
• The boys soccer team is looking to sell 3X3 “I support” stickers for $3 in order to raise money for championship jackets. Contact Mr. Smith in room B236 if you are interested.

• TEACHERS! Thursday, June 25 is a full day Professional Development Day at Malden High School.

• Saturday, June 20, a fashion show supporting the Prevent Cancer Foundation will be at the Malden YMCA. $15 in advance, $17 at the door.

• For students interested in the Florida trip in 2017, there is a Tornado Travelers Meeting in B442 on June 17.
• The Starr Center is open every Monday & Wednesday for all of your health needs and questions! Located in the nurse’s office, the Starr Center has a doctor and health counselor available at no cost to you.

Robert Taylor, born in Malden, MA, was just eighteen years old when he joined the Air Force in the fifties. He joined because he wanted to “see some of the world” that he “might not otherwise see.” Although, as expected, he remembers that his family was not, “overjoyed with the idea.” One of the things he missed the most was his family and his mother’s “home cooking and baking.” “Although,” he joked, “being away from home helped [his] waistline.”

Taylor’s basic training took place at Sampson Air Force Base in Geneva, New York. There he learned “the basics of military life and discipline.” In the service his work involved, “troubleshooting and [repairing]  aircraft instruments and autopilots.” Some of his most distinctive memories are of, “competition between fighter squadrons.”

Taylor’s squadron, the 431 Fighter Interceptor Squadron,  faced many other squadrons from Southern Europe. “The contest,” he reminisced, “consisted of shooting rockets from the plane at a large target,” that was, “being towed a long distance behind [a] tow plane.” His squadron won first place and he mentioned the pride he felt in their win.

One of his most difficult situations during his time of service was centered around a return trip to Libya after a weekend excusrion to Paris. “It was three o’clock in the morning,” he stated, “ and one of the engines on [the] plane caught on fire.” He and the others on the plane were fortunate enough to be near an Italian air base on the island of Sardinia and they made a safe emergency landing.

Taylor believes that service in the Air Force did not change his perspective. He admitted that he was “too young to form any meaningful perspectives.” However, his advice to those who are considering serving their country would be to “after much thought and careful consideration, follow your heart.” But he also admits that at age eighteen, “sometimes it is difficult to know that direction.” The service that veterans offer in protecting one’s country is invaluable.  Their bravery and courage does not go unnoticed in the Malden community as Memorial Day is celebrated with an annual parade that was held on May 25, 2015. 

In recent years the terms “‘Murica” or “‘Muricanism” have made their way onto the world-wide scene, usually being the basis of satire of modern American beliefs. While it’s all good practice to poke fun at strange social situations, the unfortunate fact regarding ‘Muricansm is that it’s a worse social cancer than Twitter or violent video games will ever be. ‘Muricanism affects all demographics in the U.S, whether it’s immigrant families who are victims of social ridicule and rejection, or young Americans who are subject to indoctrination by their ‘Murican elders.

‘Muricanism takes the idea of patriotism reminiscent of fundamental beliefs that the United States was founded on, and corrupts it with modern bigotry and arrogance that only we could manufacture and consume. Putting it as simply as the television show “The Newsroom” does, America is not the greatest country in the world anymore. ‘Muricanism is the arrogance in seeing the evidence of this and refusing to believe it. Either that, or believing it and putting the blame on anything BUT the American people. The first step in solving a problem is recognizing that there is one.

The American people aren’t always so innocent as ‘Murican beliefs would claim them to be. The fact of the matter is, there’s been way too many instances in the past of the American public being just as morally wrong as the entities they so claim to be fighting. McCarthyism, racism, ignorance, fear-mongering, and even being plain unconstitutional; the American people either have been or still are living examples of these faults and more. Some of these we’ve moved past, like Cold War tensions (for the most part anyway), and some we’re still clinging to as if they were sacred, such as misogyny or racism. The point is, there’s still much that the American people need to work on.

The danger of ‘Muricanism, is that it takes all these faults that could otherwise be forgiven, and embraces them, creating a romantic ideological policy of plain arrogance. An example of this can be seen in uber-conservative beliefs today. Now there’s nothing wrong with thinking conservatively, it’s a legitimate social stance. The risk comes when ‘Murican extremists use titles such as “conservative” or “patriotic” to hide behind, when in fact they are pushing their own racist or outright ignorant agendas. An unfortunate trend indeed, but one clear as crystal to anyone who simply looks for it. Statements like “Keeping America American” seem harmless at first, then ‘Muricanists go at great lengths to supplement the word “American” with “white christian male.”

The result? Shotgun-toting weapon enthusiasts hiding behind the second amendment, racist xenophobes trying to keep the U.S “American,” and extremist capitalists looking to make a quick buck off of anyone they can, whether people can afford it or not. All of these traits and more can be found in a modern-day ‘Muricanist, and all of them are extremely un-American. The sick truth is that unfortunately, being American now in much of the U.S’ mind-set, is really being ‘Murican. Such beliefs can be extremely dangerous in a single individual alone, but the fact that a substantial portion of America’s 1%, who hold 99% of the country’s wealth (and therefore 99% of the country’s power) are ‘Muricanists means that they are now capable of doing an extreme amount of economic, political, and social damage in a very small time-frame.

You know what’s really un-American? Pushing for legislation that robs people of their constitutional rights, such as the Patriot Act. Telling immigrants to “go home” when the only real “Americans” are the Native Americans, not the white conquerors who came and claimed their lands first. Ridiculing people for their religious beliefs, like Muslims, because of extremists like ISIS. Willfully ignoring the need for urgent change for the sake of money, like the global climate change issue. Stopping progress simply because it means change. All of this can be found in today’s ‘Muricanists and all of it is constantly threatening to permanently erase what it means to really be American. There is still hope however, as Americans can put things right just as fast as we may have ruined them. We can make being “American” a badge of honor once more, but first, we have to see that there is a problem in the first place.

More on the speech from “The Newsroom,” which puts why America isn’t the greatest country in the world anymore into better words than I ever could.

As the end of the school year rolls around for 2015, so does the new conversation on what the school budget will be for next fall. Unfortunately, the budget does not always work out Malden’s favor. A rising amount of costs for special education has hit a staggering amount, and the budget now, as of writing this, has a 600,000 dollar shortfall for Malden schools. This deficit could be forcing the schools to have up to 20 layoffs across the city.

If the budget does not change, a proposal that four elementary librarians will be cut off first. With the risk of more cuts, the plan seems to be that the council may cut off four middle school foreign language teachers, four secretaries, and possibly more.

Malden has already been given a 55.6 million dollar budget beginning July 1. However, the jump in special education costs has had a huge impact on the budget, especially since the district is paying for more and more students to study outside of Malden.

Currently, Malden pays 7.5 million dollars to send what is now 110 students with problems from autism to behavioral issues. This number had been only 69 students in past years, and the rise has truly affected the school budget in 2015. However, with reimbursements coming to a total from 1.4 million to 1.6 million dollars, it still falls far short of covering the money that has been used towards this cause.

Currently, there is a group of parents, students and teachers to represent the jobs that will be cut. On Tuesday, Jun. 2, there was about 50 people gathered outside of city hall holding signs that said “Fund Our Schools” in order to bring attention to the issue of our education.

As the government looks for places to gather funding, they continue to look into public work projects. One of these projects includes housing at the Malden Hospital site, which can possibly bring in tax revenue for the city. However, a final decision has not been made on where Malden Schools will get their funding, if at all.

There has not been a final calculation for next year’s budget, as there is still meetings being held to discuss the problem. Many hope that there will be some area that the council can find money to apply to Malden schools, although it is not likely it will cover all of the millions of dollars lost to the rise in costs.

Here are updates for the week of October 5 on current events in Malden.

Some  information was pulled from the morning announcements and the Tornado Times.

Sports:

• Girls Soccer          10/8/15: @Methuen — 10/10/15 @Lowell
• Field Hockey        10/5/15: @Methuen — 10/7/15: Everett — 10/9/15: Triton
• Football                 10/9/15: @Chelmsford
• Golf                        10/5/15: GBL Championship — 10/9/15: Lynn Classical
• Girls Volleyball     10/9/15: Lowell  
• Cross Country      10/7/15: @Medford    

NOTE: @=Away Game

Local:

• The final six choices for the Malden Reads book has been chosen, and the absolute final choice will be made at a meeting on October 13.
• A peer tutoring program is being hosted at the Malden Teen Enrichment Center starting Tuesday October 6 from 3:00-5:00/5:30.
• There has been a flood in City Hall at the Central Office, and the SPED offices and Superintendent’s Office is now located on the First Floor of the Holland Building in the high school.
• Greg Cook has a window design at Malden Access Television (MATV). The design is bees pollinating strawberries, and it will be there until October 12.
• There is a Blue and Gold art sale going on at 350 Main Street, Commerce Place until October 7.

Students prepare next to City Council member Steven Ultrino.

I currently have 7,209 unread emails across all of my accounts. It does not come up often in conversation, but when it does, people are quick to pass judgement and preach their efficient email handling strategies in an attempt to right the apparent wrong that they see in my lifestyle. When I look at my performance in school, I do not see the highest marks across the board. When people hear that, they tout the importance of GPA and academic performance in an attempt to right the apparent wrong that they see in my lifestyle. Do you see a parallel here?

The common thread between these two things is the culture of perfection in which we live. From the time that we are little, we are constantly barraged by an endless stream of evaluations and cut-and-dry situations that train us to see in black and white. Assignments are either turned in on time, or they aren’t accepted. Teams either win or lose. You either succeed in your endeavors or, ‘obviously’, you fail. But that isn’t how the real world works. As I’ve grown older, more of the imperfection in the world has become clear to me. The people who preach these ‘perfect’ lifestyles are always inherently imperfect; the idea that perfection is attainable is naive at best and duplicitous for all intents and purposes.

The severity of this misguided belief has become especially clear to me as I enter the college application process and my peers and I start the arduous task of summarizing our lives in a sales pitch to these institutions. It seems as if there is no hope of getting accepted anywhere good unless you’ve perfectly done alpha to omega and found a cure to cancer while you’re at it. If that is the case, then I am a lost cause, because no single aspect of my character and my academic profile are perfect. Instead of attempting to attain the unattainable, I have lived by a simple creed: do your best in what you love and the best outcome is the only one left. Why spend any precious time on something that you don’t love, on something that doesn’t make you happy or expand your knowledge or fit into the person who you believe you are?

While my optimistic feelings may sour as I face hardships in the future, and as I inevitably question how I could’ve acted differently, I can at least take solace in the fact that my life has been good. I’ve been free of the stress brought on by doing something, anything that I don’t absolutely love, and I can take pride in doing what I love to the best of my abilities. So as your responsibilities in school and in life grow, take care to handpick what matters to you, because the truth of the matter is that no matter what you do, you will be the same person inside. No external force can change your character and your soul, and no matter what you achieve or don’t achieve, it will be wrong if it isn’t coming from the person behind the perfect mask that you don every day.

Principal Dana Brown addressing the panel. Photo by Jasper Haag.

It is the end of an era for principal Dana Brown who has been the principal of Malden High School for 12 years. Brown has contributed greatly to the school as well as the Malden community.

With Brown leaving, MHS is tasked with finding a new principal. The Principal Search Committee is responsible for the process of finding a new principal. The purpose of the committee team is to recommend 1-3 candidates to the superintendent to be the next principal for MHS. The committee team is separated into four different section, consisting of the Community Committee, the High School Committee, the Search Committee and the Interview Committee.

The Community Committees asks the community on the qualities they believe the next principal should have. Concerning the High School Committee’s job, they take into consideration the MHS staff’s recommendations for the new principal. On the search committee, members recommend potential candidates to the Interview Committee.

The team has already met three times. During the meetings the committee has addressed as to where they should look for candidates. The interviewing process starts in December and the superintendent has planned to choose the new principal by the beginning of 2016. MHS students and staff will be sad to see Brown leave this year but he has made a lasting impact on the school and the Malden community as a whole.

The Blue and Gold will continue to cover this process.  There will be A Day in the Life video of Mr. Brown coming soon.

A poster found in the Makerspace workshop. Photo by Meghan Yip.

Last year Malden High School allowed students to sign up for a new elective in the makerspace workshop. Over the summer many of the teachers at MHS collaborated to clean the space as well as became well-versed in the many tools the workshop offers. Because of this, the staff is well equipped to teach there. The space is currently open on Tuesdays and Thursdays where both a Tufts aid and an MHS teacher are always present to assist students.

The Tufts student will be there to help with the more complicated parts of students’ projects. If is one is having trouble to program a robot or fix a circuit, the Tufts student is the one to consult.

The Makerspace workshop. Photo by Meghan Yip.

Brian Gravel, Tufts professor, and Chris Giordano, MHS  have high hopes for the space. They hope students attend the workshop to experience the innovative workshop. Teachers may bring the students down to work there so as to introduce a new, hands-on teaching style. It has caused hype amongst teachers and students alike.

Students such as sophomore Khaya Ashley, who enjoys going to the space, is currently assembling a Deadmau5 head, inspired by the mask the artist Deadmau5 wears. “It is a cool place where [he] can [go] and make something.” Ashley enjoys the atmosphere and the helpful staff and students. Ashley believes more students should join because “it is a great place with great people”.

Other students including junior Victoria Savini-Burke, who is making a Game of Thrones chest, has similar thoughts on the makerspace. Burke stated “[She] like[s] the space because it is filled with [her] friends” where she can collaborate with them for projects.

Supplies in the Makerspace workshop. Photo by Meghan Yip.

Some of the things students can partake in at the space include, but are not limited to: 3-D printing, painting, and robot construction. One could make whatever he wants within reason. If one is not one for group work, then he can take on an individual project.

Burke, Ashley, Giordano and everyone else involved in the makerspace workshop hope for more students to experience the seemingly endless opportunities there.
The workshop will start opening on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays later on in the year.

The boys soccer team is starting out the season strong with a current record of 5-1-1. The players are in agreement that being a part of the team has been great experience throughout the years that they have participated in soccer.

Junior Felipe Cypriano taking the ball upfield. Photo by Ana Kerr.

The boys on the soccer team have different inspirations for joining the team as well as different perspectives concerning soccer. Senior Nicholas Santos explained that his father and grandfather were his inspirations for playing the sport. Santos explained that “[his] family always grew up loving soccer. [He remembers his] grandfather taking [him] down the street to the field to go kick the ball back and forth for hours.”

Senior Bruno Da Silva is passionate about soccer, mentioning that “[his] favorite thing about soccer is the fact that [he] can have fun doing something [he is] in love with while being competitive at the same time.” Da Silva added that “[he forgets] all about [his] problems once [he steps] onto the field.”

In addition, Senior Guilherme Silva has played on the team for the past three years. Some of his best memories have been with his teammates. Silva commented that his all-time favorite memory was when “Malden played against Saint John’s Prep. [The team was] heartbroken because [they] had lost the game, but that did not stop [them] from celebrating. [Senior captain] Mateo [Ruperti] had told everyone to go to his house to have one last team event. This day will stay with [Silva] forever because even though [they] had lost, it was a fond memory because [they] had an amazing time with each other, like [they] were with family.” Silva added, “[The group] is

The Malden boys soccer team running upfield. Photo by Ana Kerr.

more than just a soccer team, [they] are a family and spending time together meant more than the games [they] won or lost.”

The players consider each other brothers, not merely teammates. Ruperti expressed that “[he loves] having the responsibility of leading his ‘brothers’ because the boys are able to trust [him].” Having the responsibility and trust of his teammate drives him to “try [his] best to be a good example for them.”

The boys soccer team has one of the closest bonds out of all the teams at MHS. When one joins, he does not just learn new skills, techniques, but he also gains a family.  All around, the team is excited to begin another exhilarating year of soccer at MHS. MHS wishes the boys all the best for the rest of the fall season.

The Malden Teen Enrichment Center (MTEC) held their second fundraiser on October 2nd, 2015. The fundraiser was held at the Irish American Club in Malden for a night of music, food, raffles, and fun.

MTEC opened around four years ago. “The teen center is driven by the students,” says Mayor Gary Christenson. Talking with valued MTEC teens Ariel Garnett, Omar Khsohafo, and Jason Supris revealed that all of them believed  MTEC was about engaging the community. MTEC holds various programs for teens, including peer tutoring, jewelry making, movie nights, and karaoke.

The MTEC task force states in the Executive Summary found on the City of Malden’s website, “According to the 2010 U.S. census data, the City of Malden has a population of 59,450, including 3,336 teens between the ages of 15 and 19. […] as they struggle to navigate through [life] issues, they must also deal with society’s unresolved stereotyping of teens.” The task force also states that the Teen Center would be a place the youth in Malden could go to for guidance.

MTEC’s mission is to engage the community, care for youth inside and outside of school, and give students a way to relax and have fun, while getting homework finished. When the teen center was being discussed, there were many different issues to choose from. Mrs. Marie Brown (Principal Brown’s wife, who is also the president of the board) came up with the idea for MTEC. Mrs. Brown mentions that the center receives great support, and that the fundraiser this year was the most successful.

At the annual fundraiser, the teens involved at MTEC attended, along with the heads of the board of MTEC, Principal Dana Brown, and Mayor Christenson. “The teen center is one of the best things Malden has ever done,” says Mr. Brown, after expressing how important he sees MTEC for the community of Malden. Ms. Brown says that she hopes to see more people from Malden’s city government at the next fundraiser. Ms. Brown also thanks “everyone who attended and helped out, it was a very successful night”. Regarding the future of MTEC, Ms. Brown would like to expand their programs, and continue to plan fundraisers.

The Malden Teen Enrichment Center is a place very important to Malden, and very important to the teens who go there.

Guests at the fundraiser wait for the event to begin. Photo by Tatum Skiffington.