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Spread the Word to End the Word

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On Thursday, Apr. 28, 2016, Unified Sports, with the support of Captains Council held their annual “Spread the Word to End the Word” assembly. The assembly was held in Malden High School’s Jenkins auditorium with the support of PACE teachers and students. Hosts Manuel Quesada Nylen, Melyssa Ferreira, Barbara Scibelli, and all other supporters/volunteers agree that the afternoon was a great success.

Unified Sports is a student-run class in MHS, that aims to unite student athletes both with and without mental disabilities. The assembly however, was about much more than that, it was about using athletics and other forms of competition to promote social inclusion. The assembly was held in the belief that participating in athletics is a quick and efficient way to build friendship and understanding.

When asked about what this event means to him, principal of MHS, Dana Brown stated that the event shows that “[MHS] walks the walk and talks the talk.” He also adds that “we say we’re respectful and we say we’re inclusive, and then we try to show it every day. It’s not always easy, it’s not perfect, but we try to show it” he continued. One of the hosts of the event, Barbara Scibelli stated that to her “[the event] shows the values at MHS, and that it is mainly about “acceptance, dignity and being kind” she continued. Brown also mentioned how MHS students can learn from seeing “regular education students interacting with special education students, and really caring for each other.”

Host Ferreira mentioned how “[some students] don’t know how to treat other people with disabilities, so [she] thinks this is the best way to practice that.” Ferreira also stated that “[she thinks PACE students] benefit from this because a lot of the [students] are shy at first, and [she thinks] they really open up to [students from Unified Sports] when they have a schedule every day where they see [them]…it kind of brings out that wild side in them, and [she really thinks] it helps them out with living in the real world” she concluded.

When asked about what this assembly/movement means to him, host Quesada Nylen stated that ¨the assembly introduces unified sports to students who might not take the class, and then the class itself, unified sports, it prepares students like [himself] to realize how lucky [he is] to have legs that function well, that [he has] a brain that processes things differently.¨ This event is always a success, and allows MHS to unite all students.

Unified Sports volunteers pose for picture.  Photo by Tatum Skiffington.

Unified Sports volunteers pose for picture.
Photo by Tatum Skiffington.


Red Carpet Photo Gallery 2016

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One of the most memorable moments for seniors is prom. A huge factor to prom is the red carpet. Here, the seniors show off their prom suits and dresses before the festivities. Prom night is always something to remember, and is a privilege to be able to capture these moments. Check out the prom photo gallery here. 

 

13 Things To Do Before Leaving Malden High School

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1. BEFRIEND A TEACHER It’s always good to get to know a teacher, whether you are going to see them during a free period or after school. Get close to your teachers because they have a lot of resources for you. MHS teachers are unlike any other; there has to be one teacher on your schedule that you actually like.

2. GO TO ALL SEASONS OR DOO WOP DINER ON A HALF DAY OR LATE ENTRY. All Seasons isn’t exactly a hidden treasure of Malden, but it definitely is a treasure. And Doo Wop Diner beats IHOP any day. It’s no $3 Dunks or New York Pizza meal, but it’s worth the couple extra bucks to sit down and enjoy a meal with a few friends, and get the chance to catch up. These restaurants were popular destinations for my friends and me when we got the chance for a few extra hours before or after school.

3. AUDITION FOR JV’S OR WORK BACKSTAGE. JV’s is the biggest event that your class will ever have. Working together behind the scenes for junior varieties was one of the best experiences of my junior year. I got closer to friends in my class, and got the chance to do many different things. Be sure to sign up to work backstage if you don’t have any talents you’d like to showcase, but also take the chance throughout your four years to audition for junior varieties if there is any part of you that wants to perform. Don’t miss this opportunity!

4. DRESS UP FOR SPIRIT WEEK OR HALLOWEEN. Whether it includes sporting your favorite footie pajamas on pajama day, wearing your wildest attire on wacky tacky day, painting your face blue and gold on spirit day, or all three, spirit week is a week you don’t want to miss out on. Dressing up on these days will earn points for your class, and you don’t want to be the one person dressed normally because they think they’re too cool to participate in class events. On Halloween, you’re sure to find at least a dozen people in your classes who have gone all out. Overall, there is no shame in dressing up and having a little fun; in fact, people will commend you for it!

5.SIGN UP FOR SPIRIT TEAM. Pep Rally is one of the best days in the entire year. Even if you don’t see yourself as the athletic type, sign up for the spirit team. You’ll have your whole class behind you cheering you on and chanting your name. Take the risk, don’t fear missing the basket or falling off of the pyramid, just have fun.

6. GET INVOLVED WITH YOUR CLASS. Make things easier on the class officers and on yourself. The more volunteers at an event, the smoother the event will go, and the more money the class will raise. All of the money the classes raise goes towards decreasing the price of prom tickets and other senior year expenses. As a class officer myself, I loved when we had support from students in our class. Whether it be a car wash or a concession stand at a football game, class events are an amazing way to bond with people outside of your inner circle. Also, make sure to keep an ear out for the morning announcements so you can know when the next meeting is heard. Your voice can’t be heard unless you show up.

7. VOLUNTEER AT SPECIAL OLYMPICS. We are so lucky to go to a school that is truly a diverse one. Special Olympics is a day dedicated to special needs students from MHS and other schools from Malden, as well as our neighboring cities, where they compete as olympic athletes. It’s a humbling and fun experience. I’ve done it for four years and I wish I could for four more. The excitement on the athletes’ faces, the music blasting at MacDonald stadium, and even the setup/take down, makes it such a memorable day.

8. GO TO PROM RED CARPET OR ATTEND YOUR SENIOR PROM. Even if it isn’t your turn to go to prom yet, red carpet is something you want to be at. Go and take pictures with your friends in their beautiful gowns and spiffy tuxedos. If you’re a senior, I would definitely say your senior prom is a must. It’s one of the farewell nights to high school. Go and dance with your friends, take pictures in the photo booth, and strut down the red carpet.

9. GO TO A GRADUATION THAT ISN’T YOUR OWN. Before you graduate high school, witnessing another class graduate- whether it’s a friend or family member is something that  is definitely worth seeing. MHS always has great luck with the weather on the day of graduation. Whether you’re helping out with your class or just sitting in the stands, the graduation speeches are worth hearing.

10. JOIN A SPORT OR CLUB. One of the best things at MHS is all the activities that are offered. There is a club for every interest and if you can’t find one, all you need is an advisor and members and you can create your own. It definitely is one of the best ways to meet people that you normally wouldn’t associate with and become closer with the friends you already have.

11.  TAKE AN AP CLASS YOU’RE ACTUALLY INTERESTED IN. One of the biggest misconceptions about AP classes is that people think that the more you take the better it looks. Taking a class that you’re interested in pushes you to learn better. MHS offers a huge variety of classes and AP’s are meant to challenge you. Taking a couple and doing well in them goes a much longer way than packing right onto the course of your four years and struggling to be intrigued by them.

12. GO TO AN MHS PLAY, CONCERT, OR OTHER EVENT.Some of the best memories are created in the Jenkins Auditorium. Whether you go to watch the Junior Varieties which is one of the best high school talent shows out there, a Play Production play, or one of the choral arts concerts, you’re bound to have a great time. So many clubs at MHS are very talented and they deserve just as much support for the school as any sport team.

13. READ THE BLUE AND GOLD, FROM FRONT TO BACK. We aren’t saying this to promote ourselves, but reading the Blue and Gold is a way to stay informed about your school and community–the place you spend most of your time. We are the second longest running high school paper in the country, so take some time to show pride in your school and flip through the paper to get to know what’s going on. Most of the questions you have about the school are actually answered in the paper. Check our website, Instagram, and Twitter for more frequent updates. You might even see yourself on one of the pages!

Overcoming A Challenge

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With a final record of 3-15, the Malden High School’s boys lacrosse team has demonstrated nothing but stability, courage, and perseverance throughout this season. Being one of the most challenging sports that MHS offers, and one of the few sports without a youth team, they have grown dramatically since the beginning of the year, until the end of May, improving with every practice and every game.

Coach Brendan Maney admits how “they came together and they knew each other’s strengths and weaknesses. They learned to support each other. [They] had a lot of losses for anyone to endure but they showed tremendous grace in very difficult situations.

He also adds that “they never lost their cool, they never lost their temper, they demonstrated a great deal of maturity in a great deal of those difficult situations. This was their major accomplishment.”

Dedicated and team-reliant, working together and playing as a team has always been a passion for them. Because, as any sport requires dependence on others, trust and learning new techniques is a huge part of lacrosse. Sophomore Joseph Costa acknowledges how “It’s actually great learning from the juniors and seniors who have been a part of the program for a couple of years and learning from their past experiences. It teaches [him] a lot as a person and as a player, being an underclassmen on a varsity team.” Junior Captain Andy Tham says that “almost all [his] relationships are built off this sport. [He has] made friends with the entire lacrosse program.” Junior Brenno De Oliveira admits that this season has “definitely humbled some of [them]. [He] noticed a lot more modesty among [his] teammates.”

Compared to last year, the amount of underclassmen on the team has called for more growth and improvement through the team as a whole. “There [was] enough underclassmen. It may drive them to work harder between now and next March. That’s where [he] feel like it’s a little bit different, as soon as the season was over, a large number were already looking forward to next season” mentions Maney. As they are already thinking about next year, the boys will plan and set up for success.

As the seniors move forward from the high school sport, they have left behind their studied talent and advice with the team of juniors and sophomores. Senior Marino Dipietrantonio says how “[his] favorite memory has probably got to be the bus rides back home from away games, because no matter if [they] win or lose, [they] always have a good time on the way home.” Senior Ralf Jean claims his favorite was during “[his] sophomore year against Lynn, [their] only win of the season and [he] won every single face off. That was the best game of [his] life.”

Jean turns over some advice to the underclassmen and boys interested in joining the program in the future. “Never be discouraged,” says Jean. “No matter how hard it gets, just continue to push through. Out of all, that’s the most important, that’s the way to get better.” Maney has learned and experienced some things himseIf from the overall season and from the athletes themselves. “[He doesn’t] always see how much it means to them until it’s over, then [he] can see how much they’ll miss it, especially the seniors. In some ways [he guesses] they remind [him] that it does all matter to them very much, even though it doesn’t always appear to be that way” says Maney.

Team photo. Photo taken by Leila Greige.

Team photo. Photo taken by Leila Greige.

Top Ten: #7 Madeline Lam

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Madeline Lam is in the top 10 of the graduating class of 2016, and was an active student during her time here at Malden High School.

Lam was a rower on the Crew team, an NHS member, a lover of art, and a winner of the Posse Scholarship. She explains that she will, “miss some of the teachers that [she has known] for a really long time,” such as Art teacher Joseph Luongo. Luongo had been Lam’s art teacher from since the time she was in third grade at the Linden-STEAM Academy in Malden.

Luongo explains that he will, “really miss [Lam],” since he feels that he really has a connection with some of the graduating class this year, who have been with him since he taught art at the Linden-STEAM Academy.

He also explained that Lam, “always put a lot of effort into her projects, even if she didn’t think she could do a good job she tried very hard.” Luongo explains that Lam possessed this characteristic from the time she was in middleschool, up until she took Studio II with him. He expressed that Lam has, ‘blossomed into a very confident, and smart young lady.”

Other than art, Lam enjoyed subjects like Choir and English. She explains that taking AP Language & Composition with Yahaira Marquez was very beneficial because, “She’s really hard but you improve so much as a writer, and she’s truly has good intentions.”

Marquez explains that she enjoys, “Having students in general who do what they have to do in class, truly want to apply the feedback, and work at improving and being better in whatever aspect of class.” She expressed that, “[Lam] was the Epitome of that.”

Lam recently won the a full tuition scholarship from The Posse Foundation earlier this year. Posse is a foundation that offers scholarships to students in public schools, and MHS happens to be one of these schools. Lam explains that, “[She is] really grateful for [her scholarship] and the people in [her] Posse.

Even though Lam has been academically impressive and is in the top 10 of her graduating class, she still feels that grades and GPAs aren’t as important than we all think they are. She expressed that, “at the end of [her] high school career, [she feels] like the educational system can definitely be reformed, but [she doesn’t] know how realistic that is.”

Lam is leaving MHS and starting a new chapter in her life this fall at Centre College in Danville, Kentucky. She has not yet chosen a major, but she does want to keep pursuing her passion for art after high school. She explains that the most important thing she learned here in high school is that, “self love is so important. We have to be our own cheerleaders. But it’s not to say that we can’t ask for help.”

Senior Madeline Lam.  Photo taken by Manale Zouhir.

Senior Madeline Lam.
Photo taken by Manale Zouhir.

Worth Every Ounce

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Like most who are able to complete the rigorous four years required of them from high school, my rapidly approaching graduation did not come without struggle. All manner of problems from social to academic and extracurricular have tried their best (and at times succeeded) to derail my life until I came crashing down in a full 90 degree nosedive. This is of course to be expected in high school however; we meet face to face with over-whelming odds, we best them, and we move on. It is no big deal really though, we just all do what we have to do. At least, this is what I thought.

It only took me four years, give or take a few weeks, to realize that the challenges that not only I but almost all my fellow student body faces, are a whole lot more than just what we have to do. It is a tremendous deal, and an impressive achievement no matter who the student is. All my time at Malden High School, all the tests, the club meetings, the uphill struggle against procrastination, it all actually meant something.

Okay, now maybe some would say “Well, duh!” but this took me a long time to actually realize. Personally, my own accomplishments have seemed to go as far as I could imagine, and the impact of these events is what seemed to have such a delayed impression on my mind. I got accepted to every school I applied to, managed to get through the college process without tearing my hair out, and even got accepted into the honors program of a relatively competitive school. These of course did not come without setbacks either (failing the easiest math placement test at said competitive school, ouch) but ultimately it is safe to say I am allowed to feel pretty good about the way things are going.

The funny thing is, for a while when I recalled these events, I shrugged them off as if they were no big deal. Accepted into college? Yeah of course. With a great cost of attendance? Yeah you’re supposed to do that. Honors program? Cool. I do not think it was so much ignorance or cockiness that lead me to these unenthusiastic conclusions, but rather the preconceived notion that yeah, this is what I was supposed to do, and should not make a big deal out of it. Everyone goes through these motions.

It was not until just over a week until graduation, that the real gravity of what I had done had hit me. Now this is not to just toot my own horn; I understand that many have greater accomplishments than mine and I am lucky to have what I do, but I think many students (myself included) really have to stop brushing off our own accomplishments, and take pride in what we have done. Because really, what most if not all of us have done as graduating or nearly graduating students, is amazing. The feats we have been able to accomplish, athletic, academic, or otherwise, are feats that we should be proud of, and we have earned the right to be proud of!

This is an extremely important sentiment to not only understand and hold onto now, but to proudly wear as we as MHS students move on to the next chapters of our lives, whether it be college, the workforce, the military, or even another year of high school. We as students are not just doing our jobs, we are accomplishing pretty amazing things. It is about time that we all started giving ourselves a little more credit for what we have been doing. Now get out there, and change the world.

Much Ado About Nothing

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On May 26 and 27, Malden High School’s Play Production, performed Much Ado About Nothing in the MHS courtyard.

The play was first performed in 1612 and written by famous playwright William Shakespeare. With the stage and lights put outside in the courtyard, performers like senior Sarah Bendell explained how ¨it was a bittersweet experience.¨ The production team was inspired to create a  play that took place at Camp Messina, a late 70’s-80’s camp. As senior Kamila Regalado explained,¨Hero and Claudio catch each other’s eyes and fall in love.. Don Pedro sets Claudio and Hero together and gets everyone to help him get Beatrice and Benedick together. ¨ Don Pedro, the main character portrayed by Ali Fletcher. Senior Ricardo Melgar portrayed as Don John interpreted the experience as ¨ a surreal feeling.. [Melgar] felt that [he] needed to try and leave a mark on stage for what [he has] learned as an actor.¨ Regalado also shared, “Don John is miserable so he gets Borachio in on a plan to tell Claudio” all about it without Claudio knowing that “Hero slept with another man the night before their wedding.” The day of the wedding, Claudio knows and humiliates Hero calling her names in front of her friends and family. Suddenly “Hero’s family makes everyone else think Hero is dead” and makes Claudio guilty. Towards the end of the play “Benedick thinks Beatrice is in love with her so then Hero comes in and reveals herself” to everyone that she really is alive. “Benedick and Beatrice finally confess their love towards each other.”

Although this production dates back almost four hundred years ago, MHS’s play production decided to keep it modern. As Bendell and FitzGerald put it ¨[they] wanted to keep it modern enough that people would really enjoy,be family friendly [and have it be]fun to watch¨ which led them to the conclusion of having a summer camp appropriate.

The performers along with the stage crew worked endlessly in order to carry out the last production of the year. Whether is was old English or playing their parts, as Regalado stated ¨ Shakespeare switches around the structure of real sentences¨. One difficulty the performers like Regalado faced were ¨[as performers you’re] suppose to say one thing but another naturally comes out because that’s how we’re use to talking so you have to work a little harder to remember the lines.¨ At the end of the day, this production opens its performers to new environments and helps them create new experiences.

When it came to the performers and their roles Bendell expressed how ¨ [Beatrice] felt so relatable and it wasn’t hard to get in touch with her at all.¨ Many of them really enjoyed playing their roles because of how similar they were from previous productions. However, performers like Melgar had to switch things up as he explained ¨it was fun being evil and petty. Most of [his] roles in the past are either lovable and flirty. [Melgar] got to switch it up and see a different side of [him] which was fun [for him to] perform.¨

At the end of the play.director Sean Walsh emphasized how ¨almost two-thirds of the class is made up of seniors¨ so many of them will be moving on to college next year. Most of the seniors like Regalado expressed how “[i]n preparing for this last show [they] treasured every moment so much. Everything [they] did [they] would remind [themselves] it was [their] last time[s] doing it.”

Seniors like Regalado, Melgar, and Bendell along with others have a bittersweet feeling as the year comes to an end. Next year as a senior, Fitzgerald hopes “to be a leader in the class who can help others,grow and learn from [her] peers and directors as well. [As a performer she] wants to have another great year of play production and I hope we get a lot of new faces to join and if not at least a lot of new faces at the shows because in the end we’re doing it for the audience and that means so much to me and everyone else to perform a successful show for our audience.”

As their performances came to an end, every senior came to the reality of performing for the last time. Walsh expressed himself, wishing them the best and good luck. Angulo ended his year off by expressing that he  “ [is] extremely grateful for the people [he] worked with. When [he] think[s] about the crew and directors, all [he] can think about are good times. They were an amazing support system and they surely have made [him into] a better person. [He] can never fully express how good play pro has been to [him] but one thing [he] can say is, if you’re thinking about joining the class, do it.”

Junior Paul Araiza and senior Ali Fletcher. Photos taken by Meghan Yip.

Junior Paul Araiza and senior Ali Fletcher.
Photos taken by Meghan Yip.

Boys Volleyball: Year 2

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Memorable is a perfect word to describe the boys volleyball team’s season. Eight weeks worth of hard work, hardships, memories and improvements. All dedication the team had was put into every second they were on the court. Every moment they had spent together was well spent, from inside jokes with “Big Z” also known as senior Zewudu Megerssa to sophomore Arthur Kossoski’s “fire” moments.

Easily said by Junior Mateus Silva that the “friendships [he has] made with the team are ones to never be forgotten.” Many inside jokes and comical moments were made within the few weeks the boys have grown into a small family. Sophomore Manuel Quesada-Nylen says that, “the team this past season made [him] realize that you can make the most unlikely friends through high school.”

Being part of a team is a great high school experience, especially being able to connect with the other players on a different level rather than just being another peer at school. Senior Captain Lin Wunna mentions how, “being able to connect with the different people on the team and learn to adjust our plays with new teammates was something interesting and a new experience for [him].” Having to create chemistry within the court was difficult, but the team managed to make it happen. Although this years’ team is not as large or as experienced as last years’ the boys still made it a learning experience. All players can easily agree that this season was one to never forget.

The team as a whole and as individual players have many to be proud of, although it was not the season they expected to have. Having to work hard and communicate with new people and have the old ones leave can make things go out of order or harder to deal with. But that is what they have to be proud of, still being able to feel comfortable and making it work is what really matters.

Coach Dan Jurkowski can agree that the team has a long way to go, but he is privileged to work with such a great group of kids. Although the season just ended, goals are already being made for the boys next season. Jurkowski mentions that his goal for next season is to, “qualify for the state tournament. The only way [they] will be able to accomplish that is if [they] play more consistent. [They] had a difficult time this season putting quality sets together. It was always one good set, one or two bad sets.”

Being Jurkowski’s first season with the boys made it one that he will never forget. He mentions, “[he] really enjoyed coaching this group. For a few of [their] guys, it was their first time ever playing competitive volleyball, and the veterans on the team did a great job of teaching and encouraging them.” There were never any dull moments during the season especially during practices, Jurkowski mentions, “practice was always competitive and spirited.”

Regardless of their final record, it was evident that they worked hard and tried to make it memorable season. For it only being their second year in the league, all hard work was paid off and they now know what to expect for the years to come. MHS wishes them the best and to work harder as seasons go by, and good luck to all the seniors who are graduating.

The team posing for a picture. Photo by Ana Kerr.

The team posing for a picture. Photo by Ana Kerr.


Crew Goals!

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This spring, the crew team has worked hard despite their late start on the water due to the closing of the Malden river. Since the river was reopened, the team has been training six days a week. The seniors all agreed that they had high hopes that the team would preserve through their challenges of adversity and still compete at their top performance. They had been working together as a really great team, whether on land when they are practicing, or on water when they are competing with others.

Due to a minimum amount of regattas, the team’s biggest competitors were themselves. Fifteen different cities competed against Malden during the season. The girls novice one won gold, the girls novice two won gold. The boys novice one won silver and the varsity boys two won bronze. Their regatta that was held in Cape Cod got cancelled due to the wind being too strong.

Coach Shauna Campbell was proud of the growth the team had this season even there was little practice on water. Although she was disappointed that some of the regattas got cancelled, Campbell feels that the team worked well and was really strong and she is going to “miss the seniors because they have great leadership skills and they are hard working”.

The members of the team feel that crew is a really fascinating sport because not many people know what it’s about. The season is different from previous seasons because many of the events got cancelled due to the boathouse being unavailable, which made it more difficult for the team, but made them determined to give it their all.

Captains Samantha Forestier, Stephan Lafauci, and Michael Light wish that the entire team feel a sense of accomplishment, due to the fact that not many sport teams lack an area to practice.  The team is strong, whether it’s on land or on water. Varsity member junior Vivian Nguyen says that although this season is ending, but it feels as if it is  actually just starting since the first two regattas they had were on Saturday, May 21 and Sunday, May 22. Nguyen “enjoyed it for the most part despite the adversity [they] had to face regarding the river contamination.” She did not really set a goal for herself for this season except for dropping her time for the 2k test. She hadn’t gotten a personal best yet since she already set it when she was a sophomore.

Despite difficulties that came up during the season, the team continued to row and complete the season with a positive attitude.  

Boys Varsity members rowing. Photo taken by Jesaias Benitez.

Boys Varsity members rowing. Photo taken by Jesaias Benitez.

       

 

Top Ten: #6 Jasper Haag

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As much a connoisseur in robotics as he is programming, top 10 senior Jasper Haag has truly used his time at Malden High School to its fullest extent to say the least. As he closes in on the final stretch of the trials and tribulations that encompass the 4 years of high school, Haag is finishing fifth within the top 10 in a class of over 400 competitive students nonetheless.

As with most tales of high school, Haag began his journey with an average outlook, stating that “when I got to high school I was actually quite directionless,” however despite this he had always been a “very competitive person.” It was this that would grant Haag his unbreakable resolve and intense desire to “[push himself] to [his] limits in all of [his] classes.” To follow this, Haag stated that he did not choose to pursue independent studying or exceed consistently within his Advanced Placement classes because anyone told him he should: he did it because was not satisfied with “stagnating academically,” and quite simply because he loved what he was doing.

Outside of the classroom, Haag was just as determined as ever to further expand upon his wealth of knowledge, “[dabbling]” in speech and debate throughout Junior and Senior year, and heavily investing himself and his skills into both robotics club as well as his own personal programming work. He claimed leadership positions in both robotics club and computer club. Fortunately, these exploits proved not only to be efficient and diversified usages of time, but “loads of fun” as well, as they “ended up being [Haag] and [his] friends hanging around and working on interesting technical projects.” Haag believes however that the most significant activity outside of class he has had the pleasure to participate in, would be his personal time spent “working on various programming projects, or reading up on new technologies and techniques,” as this has “proved to be invaluable in preparing me for my studies and work in the future.” Fortunately enough, Haag has already been able to begun pursuing benefits of said studies, as he has managed to land an internship in Vista Higher Learning this coming summer, where he will be working.

No excellent student is without an equally excellent team of teachers behind them, of course, as Haag explains that MHS teacher Paul Marques “served as an invaluable motivator in my programming studies.” Marques has deeply impacted Haag, contributing to a mentality Haag has followed closely, moving at his own pace in his studies as opposed to staying only within the time parameters of the class.

MIT bound, Haag “fell in love with MIT” as soon as he began taking a look at his post-secondary options. Online student blogs furthered to feed his fervor, as Haag even began taking online courses offered through MIT Open Course Ware. Haag was accepted into MIT on Pi Day (3/14) and immediately committed. “In the fall, I will be entering MIT as a 6-2 (Computer Science and Electrical Engineering major),” states Haag, “and I’m planning on exploring a second major in course 16 (Aeronautical and Astronautical engineering).”

As a last word to those still at MHS, Haag had some advice to offer: “Don’t try to keep up with the Jones’.” Haag continued, explaining that while “we’d all like to be the best at everything, we can’t, and so there is no use in trying [to be the best at everything.]” Haag instead suggests that one should do what they are most passionate about, and do the best they can with everything else. Haag also recognizes that while he may be great at many things people consider valuable for a multitude of reasons, he knows he certainly is not the best. “I realize this, and internalize it, and don’t let it affect me in my life and my academics. […] you will at least be happy and satisfied, and you’ll probably find that you get much more back than that.¨

Senior Jasper Haag. Photo taken by James Valente.

Senior Jasper Haag. Photo taken by James Valente.

Boys Tennis: “You Just Got Served!”

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This boys tennis season has been tight for Malden High School. They had a rough start at their first match but have been working hard since to get back to the top.

The boys started off the season with confidence in becoming Greater Boston League Champions and with the hopes of getting to the second round at playoffs, something that has not happened for the boys tennis team in the past. The team worked hard this season, practicing every weekday as long as they did not have a game.

The boys were “a very close-knit community” according to co-captain Edward Gu. They like to joke around with each other before the games. This does not exclude the coach who also has a very good relationship with the players. Co-captain Tri Pham even describes her saying he feels like “she is like [his] second mother”.

Since the team is mainly made up of seniors and coach Julie Briggs is going to lose almost the entire varsity team. Briggs feels sad to see the players all go since “they’ve become a family” throughout the years they’ve been together. Briggs “[wishes] them well and [wants] the best for all of them”. She says that they are all going to fabulous schools and is going to miss them a lot.

At the beginning of the season Pham had said that “this season [was] going to be a tough one from looking at the teams [they had] to play [although] he still had high hopes for [the team] and really [believed they could] do very well in the end.“ On Monday, the 23rd, Briggs was nervous going into the last two games. She felt that the team had to go in at their best and give it their all. They had lost their match the Wednesday before against Somerville and was not sure what the outcome would be at their final game Thursday, May 26th.

Going into the last match the score was 7-8 with 8 losses. The team becoming GBL champions and finding out if they qualified for states was all riding on the last game. The last game ended up with them finding out that they did not qualify or make it to states with the loss to Somerville.

Senior Rory Milan. Photos taken by Ailin Toro.

Senior Rory Milan. Photos taken by Ailin Toro.

Senior Awards

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Tuesday May 31st was a very special night for seniors, as they were given their senior awards and scholarships they have worked to earn for the past four years. Principal Dana Brown as well as the House principals introduced sponsors of various scholarships who praised and awarded hundreds of seniors throughout the night. Parents, teachers, friends, underclassmen and others came to watch as seniors proudly walked up onstage to acknowledge their achievements throughout high school.

Senior Class President Samantha Forestier opened the awards show and welcomed all who came. She proudly claimed that, “each and every senior who worked hard deserved whatever award or scholarship they would receive that night.” She also acknowledged the different kinds of scholarships that were being given to seniors, whether they were for academics, sports or a particular business. Principal Dana Brown then came onto the stage, and described how important the evening was not just for the seniors, but for him as well since this would be the last Senior Awards ceremony under his leadership as principal. He also recognized Superintendent Dr. David DeRousi’s absence, and claimed that “[DeRousi] sends his regrets and [his] best wishes for the Class of 2016”. Jenkins House Principal William Shevory called the scholars onto the stage to present their awards to students.

Many seniors were called onto the stage throughout the night to receive their awards or scholarships. Seniors that won various awards include Alexis Brown, Haley Hoffman, Liam Elliot, Ronnie Luke, Sarah Bendell, Jessica Spadafora, Bruno De Silva and many more. Hoffman, Elliot, Brown and Luke won scholarships based on their performances and dedication to the sports they’ve played throughout their high school career. Hoffman played field hockey and softball. Brown played softball, while Luke and Elliot played baseball. Bendell won a business scholarship based on her performance in the Malden High School Play Production, and Spadafora won an award based on academics but she also participated in ice skating.

Scholars were just as happy as the seniors and their families to be there that night. One scholar thanked everyone who came and the seniors for working so hard to be there that night. Most scholars congratulated all seniors, not just the recipients of their scholarships, for making it this far. Some scholarships represented an organization such as Comcast Leaders or Kohl’s Cares, some represented a specific college such as Salem State, others were based on clubs such as Key Club or Zonta Club  and others were given out in memory of deceased citizens of Malden.

Stick It To Win It

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The girls lacrosse season has come to and accomplished and successful close.  Varsity and junior varsity teams have created an unbreakable bond with each other. The team has a tradition known as  “Littles,” which is when a varsity member partners with a new member of the team and bond with them all season. Senior Sabrina Barreto says that she will “definitely miss [her] Littles the most, Camila & Dijana. Even though they’re new to lacrosse [she] can see why coach paired [her] up with them, as such young players they have so much potential and will greatly improve in their lacrosse career. They are the cutest people, fun to be around and just overall have great personalities.”

Though the bonding does not just end with ‘Littles’ overall both teams are both very close. The lacrosse team strives on such great teamwork to help make it through the season. With such strong connections made off of the field it makes it a lot easier on the field to communicate when passing the ball as well as executing the plays that Coach Jessica Prickett makes.

Most of the most memorable moments consist of high points during the games as well as silly little moments during practices. Coach Prickett describes a time where “the other team was not playing with the sportsmanship and integrity that we demand of our team.  It felt good to look at [her] girls and know that they were not going to lower their standards in spite of that.  [She] felt proud to coach this team because they have that class and integrity that makes people good people.”

Prickett has grown a very strong connection with this years’ seniors because they are the first group of girls that have been with her since freshman year therefore, they will always “have a special place with [her].”

The seniors describe nothing less of the strong bond Prickett describes. Senior Sarah Rosatone says that the best piece of advice that Prickett has given her is that “nobody is going to push you, you have to push yourself and find the fire inside yourself. Nobody can give you passion.”

Junior Victoria Moore. Photo taken by Anna Powers.

Junior Victoria Moore. Photo taken by Anna Powers.

Boys Lacrosse Senior Profile: Ralf Jean

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What are some relationships you have that were built off the sport?

My coach Mr. Maney got me to love the sport so much, I thank him for that because I don’t look at him as just a coach, I look at him as a role model because he teaches me everything about the game and about life in general.

What has lacrosse taught you through life in general?

It’s not all about size, everything is literally about heart and how much effort you decide to put into things.

Do you think you will continue to play lacrosse after High School?

Yeah, definitely. I love the sport so much I thank my coach for that and I’m definitely going to play after high school.

Before the season ends, what’s something you would like to accomplish?

I think I’ve already accomplished it to be honest, we won a game and I hope to win more. I was hoping we would qualify for the state tournament but I’m not too sure if it’s too late for that, depending on how many games we have left.

What advice do you have to younger boys wanting to join the team next year?

Never be discouraged no matter how hard it gets. Just continue to push through and out of all most importantly that’s the best way to get better.

Is there anything you’d change about the season?

To be honest, no. I feel like I’ve learned so much from my coach and my teammates. I’m thankful for them because without them I wouldn’t be the person I am today.

Senior Ralf Jean. Photo taken by Leila Greige.

Senior Ralf Jean. Photo taken by Leila Greige.

Girls And Boys Track Finish The Season Strong

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In a short yet eventful season, the boys’ and girls’ outdoor track season was . The girls’ team was undefeated in the Greater Boston League for the 2 consecutive year and had a number of girls qualify for states. The boys’ team, while they were not GBL champions, had a successful season, with a number of members of the team qualifying for states.

The GBL closing meet was successful for many members of the team. The girls won, beating nearest competitor Somerville 192-189.

Individual league champions were: sophomore Allie Russo in the 800 meter dash, sophomore Jasmine Gray on the mile,  senior Gillian Willcox in the two mile, junior Cleverina Cong in the 400 meter dash and hurdles, freshman Shataeya Smith in Shot Put, freshman Genny Murphy in discus, and junior Aigul Fitzgerald in javelin.

The boys were runners up to Somerville and individual league champions were senior Allen Liang in javelin, discus, and shot put and senior Daryl Loreus  in the long jump.

When asked, senior Angus Mo stated that he felt “the last track season was a bit rushed for time,” and senior Timothy Nsubuga claimed that “[he is] truly grateful to [his] coach, teammates and everyone who supported [him]. [He is] confident that the team will be in good hands because of that same culture.” Head coach David Londino stated that “The boys had a great season full of personal bests.  Their efforts in training have been second to none and [the team] couldn’t be prouder of their achievements,” and “the girls had a great season, coming out with the rivalry win against Somerville and going undefeated.  [The team has] a great group of underclassmen, and to see state qualifying performances and even a new school record from them has [the team] feeling really good about the future.” With this being the last season of high school track for the seniors, a number of them will continue track in college while some have decided against it.

Out of the boys’ team, senior Daryl Loreus qualified for states in the 200m dash, the long jump, and triple jump and senior Allen Liang qualified for the shot put, discus throw, and the javelin as well as breaking the school record by throwing 153’ in discus. On the girls’ team, Rachel Eaglin qualified for the 100m hurdles and high jump as well as breaking the school record by clearing 5’ in the high jump, Marie Sylvain qualified for long jump, freshman Shataeya Smith qualified for shot put, and freshman Genny Murphy qualified in the discus throw. The girls’ team also had a 4x100m relay team qualify for states, which included Allia Julien, Aida Ali, Marie Sylvain, and Rachel Loreus. 

While the seniors are leaving, both the boys’ and girls’ teams have runners in lower grades with a lot of potential and a lot of young talent. Coach Londino claimed that “it’s funny, [the] senior boys and girls are quite different in that the guys have quietly led by example and the girls have been vocal leaders, full of personality.  Both approaches have proved effective and they’ve done a great job leading their teams.”

The division 1 state competition will be on May 29 and the all-state competition will take place on June 4. The team members who qualified will continue to practice hard and do their best in the meet, challenged by a lot of talented competition from around Massachusetts.

Freshman hurdler. Photo taken by Alysha McDevitt.

Freshman hurdler. Photo taken by Alysha McDevitt.


All About That Base

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The softball season is coming to a close with only three more games left. Throughout the season, the team has demonstrated outstanding positivity and support towards one another during their games. The team has grown and succeeded with a record of 8 wins and 4 losses. They have grown closer together and have created unbreakable friendships.

Regardless of the current 4 losses on their record, the team members did not refrain from keeping a positive attitude throughout the rest of the season. Sophomore Mackenzie Furlong explained how “[she] learned that the game is never over until the last out in the last inning, and to never give up because a lot can happen when working as a team”. This positive attitude is also echoed by senior captains Haley Hoffman, Megan Gilligan, and Alexis Brown.

Both the individual and team growth is apparent. Furlong stated that “although it wasn’t [their] best season, [she] created a bond with each and every one of the girls.” Freshman Taylor Bozzi learned to “never put [her] head down when [she] make[s] an error”.

Many team members, especially the captains, maintained goals this season to help exert effort from the season’s beginning through end.  One of the main goals as Furlong stated earlier in the season was to make it to GBL’s. As for Gilligan who is one of the captains, her goal was to “be a good captain to [her] teammates and also come across as approachable, and to spread positive energy to the team, and [she thinks she] was able to fulfill that.”

In continuation of the team’s success, they’ve also demonstrated great respect for opposing teams in which they’ve played against. On Wednesday May 18, the team played a game against Somerville. The game was dedicated to the seniors of both teams. Malden’s softball team gifted each senior from the Somerville team a flower, and recognized their hard work as a team. The team showed great effort and positivity and played a winning score of 14 to 0. 

Many of the members that are on the team are excited to come back next season with more energy and determination to win. Furlong expresses that,“[her] biggest advice to anyone who would like to try out next season is to definitely come ready to work each and everyday, and to be a coachable player. Pick one another up. Just come and be positive.”

The positivity and encouragement from the captains will remain until the last game. Though the season is finally, MHS looks forward to what becomes of the future of the softball team.

Senior Alexis Brown pitching the ball. Photo by Nada Tuffaha

Senior Alexis Brown pitching the ball. Photo by Nada Tuffaha

School Committee Meeting 6-8

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The School Committee met June 8 for the eighth time to discuss the continued budget cuts. The last meeting had resulted in a leftover $550,000 to be cut. At the end of this meeting, the budget was set at another $266,500 to be cut.

As usual, the meeting began by allowing public comments. The President of the Malden Education Association, Bonnie Page,  stated that “every educator is connected” and expressed her concern for protecting the teachers and faculty around the city. Salemwood nurse, Cathy Donahue, asked the council to reconsider their prior decision on cutting the position for nursing supervisor, due to the fact that in Salemwood alone, she sees about 130-150 students at day; she stated that the schools don’t meet recommended guidelines, especially the high school, and without a nursing supervisor, the situation will only become more difficult. Beebe teacher, Leslie Morrison, claimed that “cuts affect [teachers] directly… more and more cuts… more responsibility on faculty… [and] less supplies.”

The Committee then began discussing and voting on more cuts. They decided to cut funding for custodians and custodial duties, which was a $200,000 position. A $65,000 technology position is also being cut, which concerned some members of the Committee because $100,000 had been cut from the technology department at one of the previous meetings.

The Superintendent then broke the news to the public that every seventh and eighth grader in the city will be receiving a Chromebook, so technology is being funded and maintained.

The Committee suggest cutting the STEM director, but it was vetoed twice. The idea was brought up to cut a $140,000 assistant superintendent position by Tara Beardsley, as she claimed the district had run with just one before. David DeRousi, the district Superintendent, discouraged the idea claiming that because the one Assistant Superintendent is the Director of Special Education. In the end, the Committee vetoed the idea.

In the end, the Committee decided to meet again to find a way to make the additional $266,500 of cuts.

Sliding Out Of The Season

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After a long season filled with ups and downs the boys varsity baseball team finish with a record of 7 and 13. Although their record came up short and they did not make the tournament, the team showed a positive improvement from last year as they ended with two more wins under their belt.

Their wins this year came from beating: Medford, Newton South, O’Bryant, Somerville, Haverhill and East Boston twice. Many boys on the team would agree that their biggest and most exhilarating win came from beating Medford baseball away at Medford’s field with a score of 9 to 1. This win showed promise for the team for not only what they were capable of doing but what Malden High baseball can do in the future especially in their Greater Boston League.

Five seniors, including Miguel Ortega, Christopher Ansaldi and Senior Captains Ronnie Luke, Liam Elliott and Nicholas Andreucci, will be leaving the team this year but they have left an impact on the team both on and off the field. Offensively, captain Ronnie Luke completed the season with a batting average of .528, the highest on the team.

The team as a whole finished off the year with a total batting average around .266 and a combined total of over 140 hits. Following Luke is sophomore captain Jared Martino who ended his season with an average of .486. Martino’s season, however, was cut short due to an injury. Martino was not only a game changing bat to have in the order, but he was also an ace pitcher. Not being able to play did not stop Martino from helping out his teammates as he came and supported his team throughout the entire rest of the season.

Injuries forced the team to make many adjustments. Their shortstop James Pandolfo had been injured much earlier in the season during a game against Lawrence. The way the team was able to bounce back from these injuries as new people, especially underclassmen, were brought into new positions gave a glimmer of hope for the upcoming seasons. “Not making the tournament was a tough pill to swallow since our team was poised to make it, injuries to multiple teammates and close games not going our way was our luck, it was a disappointing ending to a season but it was an awesome team to be part of, wish the very best luck to the team in the future” emphasizes Andreucci.

Although errors seemed to be the downfall for this team, the returning boys will focus on their defense this offseason and come back next year with a purpose.

 Senior captain Ronald Luke pitching. Photo taken by Jesaias Benitez

Senior captain Ronald Luke pitching. Photo taken by Jesaias Benitez

Top Ten: #5 Merjem Rizvancevic

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Ready to start a new chapter in her life, senior Merjem Rizvancevic will be graduating as one of the top ten students for the class of 2016.

Rizvancevic has chosen to start this new chapter at the University of New Hampshire and she will be studying biology with a minor in animal science. Taking care of animals, with her experience in horseback riding and having a dog was something that she was always, “super passionate about, but it is also really challenging and [she] always [likes] a challenge.”

As for any student, Rizvancevic was faced with many obstacles that she was able to overcome with the help of her good friends and teachers. One important lesson that Rizvancevic has learned over the years is, “you have to be committed to yourself before anything else” she had taken part in many clubs such as Malden Against Cancer, and Multicultural Club and had been a two season athlete, being a member of the crew team for three years and the volleyball team for all four years. During the beginning of her senior year, she really had to pick and choose what she could do and that it was best if she chose what was, “best for [herself] instead of what is best for everyone else.”

The highlight of Rizvancevic’s high school career is “definitely the friends that [she] is leaving high school with,” she has made so many memories with the friends that she has made on teams that she was on and the clubs that she has participated in and that is was really made Malden High School home to her. All the great people she had met really contributed to the high school experience that she had. Rizvancevic feels nervous to leave MHS, knowing that, “most the people [she] is around every single day, [she] will not see anymore,” but she does feel prepared for the future.

Coming to the end of her high school career, Rizvancevic feels, “proud of [herself],” and that she has worked so hard to get to where she is now. English teacher Abbey Dick was someone that she would, “go to for anything that [she needs] for the past two years,” and that Dick would, “keep her calm throughout the high school experience.” Dick believes that she will truly shine in college and that “some people have natural intellectual talent, and some people work really hard, [Rizvancevic] is the perfect combination of excellent natural talent and working incredibly hard and that is what is going to make her successful for the rest of her life.”

Leaving with a bright outlook ahead, Rizvancevic is ready to do what is best for herself and to continue to work hard at the University of New Hampshire. She advises the underclassmen to “not do things you don’t want to do to make other people happy, challenge yourself and take AP Physics, it’s not as bad as it seems.”

 

Merjem Rizvancevic pictured to the right of classmate Sabrina Harrath.Submitted by Rizvancevic.

Merjem Rizvancevic pictured to the right of classmate Sabrina Harrath.Submitted by Rizvancevic.

Top Ten: #4 Patricia Luong

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Patricia Luong is another member of the top ten in the class of 2016, and has been a very active student throughout her career.

Luong has chosen to take this career to University of Massachusetts at Amherst in order to study in their Commonwealth Honors College. Luong said she wasn’t sure what she would pursue later on, but is considering a major in public health, and possible minoring in either education, sociology, or urban studies. ¨All [Luong knows] is that [she is] extremely passionate about community organization and advocacy¨.

Luong has left an impact on her peers and on her teachers, including Martin Berryman, a chemistry teacher at Malden High School. The most striking quality he found in her as a person was her empathy and generosity with other students, along with her perseverance. ¨If there were times [Luong] was struggling, with AP classes, college applications, whatever it was, she was still able to work through that¨, stated Berryman. While he sees the skills she had in many students, ¨in her, it was much stronger¨.

Luong has always worked hard at what she does, whether it was academic or in her extracurriculars. In her sophomore year, Luong participated in both the marching band and the crew team, both experiences that ¨gave [her] a sense of belonging¨ and a feeling of having a second family. Whatever activity she committed herself to, Luong has always ¨had this intrinsic desire to succeed¨.

One of the most memorable pieces of advice she has been given at MHS was in the form of a Maya Angelou quote: ¨I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel¨. This quote has impacted Luong as a person, stating that it reminds her ¨that [it is] okay to be yourself even if it goes against the majority¨.

The title of being in the top ten does require much hard work, though. Luong states that there isn’t necessarily a rewarding feeling about being a good student, because she feels that ¨being a top student or not being a top student is not an indicator [of] intelligence, work ethic, or worth¨. Rather, Luong feels gratitude when it comes to her grades, because she has ¨been extremely fortunate to be in the right circumstances that pushed [her] to work hard¨.

However, keeping up this hard work has not always been easy for this student. One of the great challenges that Luong has faced, despite the hard work and discipline of being a top student, was the death of her best friend Candy Lee. ¨There hasn’t been a eureka moment when everything clicked and [Luong] was suddenly okay,¨ she stated, ¨but [it has] been three years of self care and accepted support from others that make each day a little bit easier¨. It has been this kind of work that has kept Luong going throughout high school.

Altogether, leaving MHS leaves Luong with a mix of feelings — terror, excitement, anxiety, elation, bewilderment, and nostalgia. She says that while ¨high school was an interesting part of her life, [she] is ready to move on¨, and ¨start the next chapter in [her] life¨.

Photo by Meghan Yip.

Photo by Meghan Yip.

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