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Girl’s Field Hockey: Fighting For The Win

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Above: Senior Casey Arsenault passing the ball with support from sophomore teammate Caitlyn Leonard. All photos taken by Meagan Sullivan.

Above: Senior Casey Arsenault passing the ball with support from sophomore teammate Caitlyn Leonard. All photos taken by Meagan Sullivan.

This fall, the Malden High School girls field hockey team is work-ing hard to grow as a team, on and off the field. A primary goal for senior captain Robyn Santo is to “improve endurance levels and offensive skills.” Along with that, a personal goal the whole team can agree on is maintaining the close relationship with all of the players and motivating each other to get better. The girls have a very close relationship, and that helps them push each other on the field.

The MHS field hockey team won their game against Salem with a 5-0 victory. Goals were scored by seniors Casey Arsenault, Haley Hoffman and captain Jillian Powers, in addition to juniors Megan Gilligan vital role in preventing the Witches from scoring against them.

The team has mostly agreed that they have improved greatly since the start of the season. The beginning was said to be difficult because it was hard to get everyone on the same page and the communication was weak; however, they have been working on it and ever since they have been scoring and getting stronger. The girls enjoy experiencing the “face-paced action,” and their coach, Kimberly Barber, enjoys assisting the girls and watching them grow just as much.

Coach Barber and her team bonds greatly and being in that fun and comfortable environment has proved to improve their focus in the game. Their record is not where they want it to be, although Santo and Powers agree that they are both extremely proud of their team, and are honored to be the captain of a team of “such well-rounded, talented girls.”

In a recent game, the girls unfortunately lost 5-1 to Tewksbury, though they believe that they are progressively growing as a team and their skill is getting notably better. As Coach Barber tells the players, “baby steps, keep with it, and never give up.”

Both Santo and Barber believe that the team’s persistence and special bond sets them apart from other teams. The girls have learned, through each other, to never quit and to always use their aggression on the field in a positive way.

Ever since their game against Melrose, which they lost but scored their first goal of the season, the girls’ overall moods have brightened and the game was considered the turning point of their season. The game motivated them to work hard, which lead to their first win against Salem.

As a team, the field hockey girls will not give up until they are where they want to be. Even though they do not qualify for states with their record, they continue to work hard and aspire to win more games this season. As Santo states, they are “inspired by their desire to win.” The coaches and teammates motivate each other as a whole to grow little by little, together.

 


Boys Cross Country: 3.1 Miles to The Finish Line

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The boys cross country team at the meet against Somerville.

The boys cross country team at the meet against Somerville.

Even after a senior runner broke his ankle, the boys cross country team proved to be a formidable force on the road to GBL’s.

On their winning game against Medford on Sept. 23, senior Jonathan Ye fractured his knee two hundred meters before the end of the race. Despite this, Ye and the team beat Medford “convincingly,” according to coach David Londino.

With successful victories against Somerville and Medford, Malden High School’s boys cross country team is in good shape and ready to work their hardest to attain the title of Greater Boston League champions.

Senior captain Nahom Ghile was outscored by his Somerville opponent, but attained a safe second place while running a great race at an outstanding speed. Ghile was followed by Angus Mo, whose season has also been bright and positive. Junior Jonathan Solomon was right behind Mo taking fourth place, and Senior captain Jonathan Ye figured in the scorings coming in fifth place. Also, Junior Jackie Wang figured, obtaining sixth place.

Victories against Medford were highlights for both the girls and boys team. Continuing his outstanding season, Ghile scored first place, followed by Mo in second place and Solomon in third. Wang attained fourth place, and Senior Blue and Gold member Jonathan DeCicco later scored coming in seventh place.

Although the season has come to an end early for Ye, the dedication of the team shows throughout the season, and the love they have for each other is easily seen.

Next the boys team will run against Everett with the girls. Londino comments that they have “done well in the league,” but the “true test” will be at states. “We will see how much they develop,” he says.

Volleyball: Setting Up A Path To Become GBL Champs

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Malden team prepares a serve against the Medford team.

Malden team prepares a serve against the Medford team.

The Malden Girls Varsity Volleyball Team is starting off the season strong and hoping to become GBL Champions this year. Led by coach and MHS guidance counselor Matthew Sadowski, the girls are feeling confident in themselves this season. Sadowski has been coaching girls volleyball for 4 years now and he feels confident that the girls will qualify for the state tournaments this year. He knows that the girls are determined to practice hard and work on their communication to plow through the other teams.

Sadowski had played volleyball during high school and college and has developed a passion for the sport which is why he decided to take up coaching it. He appreciates this year’s team commitment to the sport, their teamwork, their hard work, and their great attitude. There are still some things that the team needs to work on such as communication, serving, and passing the ball to others. He feel that there are some very strong players on the team like seniors Kaitlyn Weng and Aryzona MacDonald for defense, junior Brianna Grant as setter, senior Diamond Jones for points, and junior Victoria Tortora as blocker.He has set up goals for his team to improve their skills and to win the GBL for Malden.

Weng tells newer players to “never give up, always work hard, and to work for what [they] want because nothing is… free.” Weng is confident that the team will make it to the State tournaments and become GBL Champions.  She enjoys volleyball because of the stress-free atmosphere and the fact that she can spend extra time with her friends. She also feels that her team is more of a big family that always stick together, even when they lose a game. Weng will make the most of this school year because it is her last year here at Malden High School.

Jones wants the team to improve in their skills like passing and serving so they can later become GBL Champs. Jones herself wants to improve on her passing skills even though she says that she will probably never be able to. When asked what her favorite thing about volleyball is, she responded,” The game itself.” Last year, Jones says that everyone was shy and not so motivated, but this year she says that everyone is very motivated to become GBL Champions. She says that the players on the team believe in each other and believe that they could do better.

The girls spend lots of time practicing their skill sets before game to help improve their setting, blocking, passing, and serving. They are really determined to become champions because last year was not a good season for them. They reflect on their past mistakes to better improve themselves so they can make it to States this year. They’re confident that they’re going to do the best that they possibly can this year as opposed to last year. We wish the volleyball team good luck on their journey to the state tournaments and representing Malden when they become the GBL Champions.

Kicking The Season Off Right

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Captain Vinny Silva dribbling the ball away from  Lawrence.

Captain Vinny Silva dribbling the ball away from Lawrence.

With the blow of a whistle, the Malden High School Boys Soccer team hit the ground running and do not have intentions of slowing down anytime soon. Starting the season off with an undefeated record of 8-0-1, they only need to win one more game to qualify for the state tournament for the third straight year. Head coach Jeremiah Smith returns for his 11th year as varsity coach, alongside senior captains Felipe Calad, Vinicius Silva and Blue and Gold member Julio Da Silva.

MHS has defeated Methuen, Lawrence, East Boston, Melrose, Everett, Medford, Lowell and last year’s Division One North Champions, Somerville, who had eliminated MHS from the semi-finals of the 2013 state tournament. Outscoring the other teams 24-2 during this season so far, with six goals apiece are Da Silva and Calad, followed by sophomore Felipe Cypriano with four goals. MHS’ one tie came against Brookline in a well-played game on both sides of the field by both teams ending in with a score of 0-0. Whereas the highest scoring game they have played was against Lawrence, winning 6-0 being led by Da Silva, who scored four goals, as well as Calad and sophomore Josh Crespo both with one goal.

The team is run by 11 returning senior players, along with a talented underclassmen coming off the bench. Giving the team a variety of ages and players, along with some new faces.   

Senior Mark Ortiz has had seven shutouts already this season and is a key factor to the team’s success as well as the defense including seniors Anthony Caceda, Gabriel Tiago, Silva, Matt Silva and junior Mateo Ruperti. Ortiz stated that “the defense is strong this year and without them, the team would fall apart. They know how to play together. If [they] continue to play the way [they] are, [they] should have no problem making it to the state tournament.”

With their season starting off on a high note, MHS is now ranked 17 in the state and with more wins to come, that ranking is likely to improve. The team is also number one in the Greater Boston League with a 3-0 record; winning the GBL for the second time ever in MHS history looks promising. The last time they won the GBL was in 2006 when Da Silva’s and Cypriano’s brothers were on the team. This season has a lot in store for the team as they continue to make history for MHS.

Girls Cross Country: Determined to Make Fourth GBL’s

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Left to right: Juniors Deborah Kibazo, Gillian Willcox, seniors Victoria Hannafin, and Helen Chin at the meet against Somerville.

Left to right: Juniors Deborah Kibazo, Gillian Willcox, seniors Victoria Hannafin, and Helen Chin at the meet against Somerville.

The Malden High School girls cross country team is back in action, and ready to defend their Greater Boston League title. Returning this season with returning runners alongside a lot of new faces are all striving for one common goal: their fourth consecutive GBL title. With a record of 2-0, the girls are looking great so far being led by captains senior Victoria Hannafin and juniors Gillian Willcox and Deborah Kibazo.

To many of the new runners, the atmosphere and concept of being on the team can be hard to adapt to. “The first two weeks are the hardest, but then it gets easier.” says Hannafin. “You just gotta stick with it.. it pays off.”

Willcox took first place in the meet against Somerville on Sept. 17. Other important contributors against Somerville were Kibazo taking third place, and right behind her was Hannafin taking fourth, allowing sophomore Phuong Nguyen to take fifth place.

Kibazo took first place against Medford, followed by Hannafin, and although Willcox was “nervous for the race” just like she is for any other race, she took a strong third place. Senior Helen Chin came in sixth place, and right behind her was Nguyen.

“The girls have been GBL champions three years in a row, so [they] are hoping to get the fourth title, and [they] are also hoping to have a good show in states,” says Hannafin.

Every athlete can agree that being part of a team is more than just showing up to practices and games, but rather bonding together and creating a family. Kibazo describes the team as a “family” that is really close. Hannafin added that  “the atmosphere of the team” brings joy to the team. “ You know somebody is always there,” and that is a great feeling for Hannafin.

Coach David Londino asserts that the team has a “good depth at the top” – where they used to rely on one or two people, they now have a strong core of runners. He noted that it would be great for the seniors “if they could go a year without losing a game.”

The track team’s next meet will be against Everett, where they will need a win to achieve their goal and become GBL champions for the fourth time in a row.

Creepy Cupcakes!

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You will need

 

  • 1 1/4 cups of water
  • 1/3 cup of vegetable oil
  • 3 1/2 eggs with yolk
  • 1 box of Betty Crocker’s Super Moist Vanilla Cake Mix
  • Duff’s Camoflauge/Purple Rain Cake Mix

 

STEPS

 

  1. Heat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
  2. In bowl, pour the ingredients (cupcake mix, water, oil, and the 3 eggs)
  3. Mix them together for 2 consistent minutes.
  4. Pop it in the oven and wait for it to bake. 45 minutes or until it is done.



* Tip: Stick a toothpick into the cake, and then take it out. If the toothpick is clean, your cake is ready. If not, put it back into the oven.

 

  1. Let your cupcakes cool 5 minutes.

 

6.Enjoy!

 

Cheering Into A New Season

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Cheerleading

MHS cheerleaders getting the crowd excited before the game.

The Malden High School cheerleading team has had a very successful start to this fall season. Lead by head coach Diane Buonopane and senior captains Olivia Verdone and Rebecca McCabe, and junior candidate Santina Solis, the girls are heading in the right direction.

With an amazing turnout of over 65 girls showing up to tryouts in late August, Buonopane explained how “[she and the other coaches] picked 40 talented and motivated girls between varsity and junior varsity.” When compared to previous seasons, Verdone stated how “[many of the girls] have cheered with each other before,  [therefore] having developed a bond with [one another].” In addition to the numerous returning veterans who “bring a lot a experience and have more drive than ever” explained Buonopane, the various new girls add to the team.

Solis stated that the team has been on a “bumpy path because of various changes that needed to be done to adjust routines”, but the girls have the drive needed to face adversity. The challenges coming throughout the season are pushing the girls to perform their best.

A shared and common  goal throughout the team is to make it to the state tournament, and to bring a title home to MHS. Buonopane hopes for the varsity team to compete in November and “hopefully move on to the the Regional Tournament.”  “Our goal is to come together as a team and do the best we can and perform hard at our competitions” stated Solis.

  The girls are training harder than ever, preparing to execute their best at every performance.  With high hopes for this season, the team continues to improve with intentions to better with each and every practice and competition.

Golden Tornadoes Touch Down

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The Malden High School football team prepares to challenge the Oliver Ames Tigers.

The Malden High School football team prepares to challenge the Oliver Ames Tigers.

By CASSANDRA REYES & LUCIA QUESADA NYLEN

For the first time in 24 years, the Malden High School football team stands at the start of their season undefeated with a record of 5-0. The team is being led by head coach Joseph Pappagallo and this year’s senior captains Isaac Bethea, Jarad Accardi, Anthony Boulay and Joshua Bessey.

With talent stretching among both the offensive and defensive sides of the team, the boys are more than likely to have a successful season. Accardi expresses that “for [the team] to keep winning games [they] need to keep working harder and harder every day in practice and just keep playing [their] hearts out every game.”

Still early into the season, the team has defeated Methuen with a final score of 14-10; the Oliver Ames Tigers, who were ranked 18th in the state before facing MHS, with a final score of 27-15; and Revere, with a final score of 14-7. To add onto their undefeated record, the boys faced Malden Catholic High School, a game that attracted city-wide attention, on Sept. 26th, 2014, with a final score of 40-21.

On Oct. 3rd, 2014, the boys continued their winning streak by defeating Somerville, one of their Greater Boston League rivals, with a final score of 35-14. Sophomore Marvens Fedna had highlight plays, scoring four touchdowns. This pink out GBL game was dedicated to Karina Moreira, a sophomore who passed away after battling cancer for three years on Oct. 2, 2014. The MHS Malden Against Cancer Club hosted the game with all proceeds going to Moreira’s family.

Fellow student athletes, parents, faculty and more have all been showing their tremendous support for the boys at home games, filling the bleachers at MacDonald Stadium. The momentum from the crowd and overwhelming cheers surely assure the team that their school and city is behind them throughout this exciting season.

The efforts and successes of the football team are not going without notice. With a visit from former Patriots linebacker Andre Tippett, the football players and cheerleaders were called to the high school gymnasium on Sept. 23rd, 2014, to support Coach Pappagallo in his naming of that week’s New England Patriots High School Coach of the Week.

Having this be one of the best starts to the season in years, Bethea sees “dedication [as] the biggest improvement” in this year’s team, adding that “everyone shows up to get better.” Bonded by the common desire to strive for greatness and have successful turnouts at both practice and the games, Bethea seems to be achieving his goal for the team, which is to “come together as a family and to play [their] full potential.”

Junior running back Danley Exilhomme expresses his goal for the team to be “to make a run in the playoffs and [for the team] to no longer be considered an underdog.” Exilhomme spent a part of his summer playing for the United States U17 National Football Team in Maryland, along with Fedna and junior James Knox; all three of these MHS football players had the privilege of playing for the U.S. team this summer.                                                                                                                                                   

Malden football players congratulating each other after a good play.

Malden football players congratulating each other after a good play.

With all of the players on the team aiming high and achieving their own personal goals, it is important for them to maintain a shared common goal in order to have a successful season for the team as a whole. Exilhomme says that the boys “don’t care about who’s making touchdowns…all [they] care about is the win at the end of the day.” The excessive effort and success that has shown in these early season games by all Malden players on the field surely supports Exilhomme’s statement.

Next, Catholic Memorial will face the boys on their home turf on Oct. 17, 2014. Until then, they will continue training mentally and physically in order to continue having successful turnouts for the rest of the season. The boys are determined to make a name for themselves this year by working together, “because together is when [they] are at [their] best as a team,” states Bethea.

Under the guidance of coaches and captains, junior Lincoln Ibanda states that the team’s exceptional performances at the start of this season have been achieved by “staying focused on what the goal is and that is to make some noise in the playoffs.”

For these high schoolers, football is truly more than a sport. With the help of their teammates and coaches, all of the boys are using the passion they carry in their hearts for the game to put their effort into every play of the game. With the start they are having, opponents of the Golden Tornadoes should take them everything but lightly.


Ebola: Slowly Destroying West Africa

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Ebola; such a small word for a big disease that has infected the lives of many residing in Africa. Ebola is a rare hemorrhaging (causes mass blood loss) disease that is currently out of control in West Africa. From 1976-2013, there has been a total of 1700 fatalities from the disease. However, this year the outbreak has been tremendous, a total of 2,246 deaths by Aug. 31, 2014, which is by far the biggest outbreak in history. Without further aid to the victims, the number can reach 1,000,000 in the next 12 to 18 weeks.

The first outbreak of the disease was located beside the river Ebola, in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in 1976.

Dr. Petr Piot of Antwerp, Belgium, received ebola blood samples in ice from victims in the DRC by post, in 1976, prompting him to visit some Belgian nuns in charge of a hospital in the DRC where there were no doctors in practice.

In said hospital, caregivers were washing and reusing syringes because they had no health supplies to replace them. Dr. Piot named the virus from the river it was found by.

The realization that ebola could be an effective biological weapon ensured that doctors from various nations sought and secured a vaccine. The U.S., Canada and Russia were engaged in harvesting the antibodies from ebola survivors, so that a successful vaccine could be made against ebola.

Dr. Kobinger, residing in Ontario, Canada, developed a vaccine for the rare virus using antibodies from the survivors in the 1976 ebola outbreak. Perversely, any alteration of the genome may have generated a deadlier ebola subspecies. These countries that harbored ebola were kept in secure locations so that doctors could create vaccines quickly.

Currently in Monrovia Liberia, the virus is fully out of control. Many victims die at the gates of the hospitals because there is no rooms or beds for them. In West Africa, there is only one doctor to every 71,000 patients. In Atlanta, Georgia the CDC (Center for Disease Control) is monitoring the outbreak, and has recently sent a team of physicians to Senegal, West Africa.

Statistics say that each ebola victim generates at least one more victim. The doubling time for ebola is now down to four weeks. Within a month the doubling time will be down to seven days.  The current number of ebola victims – over 2200 – will double to 4,000 in one month, then to 8,000 and then 16,000 as we reach a 7-day doubling time. However, if we get more medical assistance, the doubling time will slow. Even then, the victims could raise to 1,000,000 within the next few months with hundreds of doctors working on the patients.

 

Sure, Call us the “Selfie” Generation -But First, Let Me Write This Editorial

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High school is a journey of courage, self- discovery, and taking a decent selfie once in a while.

Since social media began its takeover of the impressionable minds of young adults, the youngest generation, professionally labeled Generation Z, earned the nickname: “The Selfie Generation.” Whether a picture is taken at the beach, or before a music concert, or during a routine walk to class in a crowded hallway, taking a worthy selfie can change the overall mood of a person’s day. So, what on earth can a person who cares about “Instagram likes” possibly do with their future?

People from Generation Z were born after 1995, which makes most of them adolescents, yet they have been dubbed many different things despite being a young group; by molding expectations, older generations confined the youth.

Why isn’t the story of Eqbal Asa’d, who is currently the youngest doctor at the age of 14, defining the younger generation?

A doctor traditionally goes through years of schooling before they earn the prefix “Dr.,” a dream to many, an honor to few. Doctors age with years of knowledge, but Asa’d is a different story. As a Palestinian Muslim woman, the young prodigy “started… Medicine school when she was just 14 years old,” according to Radiance Weekly. With will and motivation, Asa’d received her Bachelor Degree in Medicine, and she will continue her education in Ohio to move closer to her goal of becoming a pediatrician.

Is it her age that makes it insignificant? Ironically, that is the exact reason people should be talking about Asa’d. Underestimating the youngest generation is not only a waste of time, but laughable. The potential they have has been tainted by the turmoil the older generations have left behind.

There are stars of our generation at home. Karina Moreira, who recently passed away at the hand of cancer, served as a role model for Malden students and beyond. Using social media and blogging, she spent her ultimate years fulfilling her love for fashion online, inspiring people and roping the attention of celebrities like supermodel Gisele Bundchen and Taylor Swift. Moreira is a role model who highlights the social media aspect in the youngest generation, a role model who should define the greater aspects of Generation Z.

Our younger generation always seems to repeatedly fail to impress the older generation, also known as the “Baby Boomers.” The years following World War II experienced a high birth rate, creating an overpowering force in the government, the economy, and the lives of the younger generations. Before they start to judge the selfie-takers, they should take a look at their own hands and realize who raised them.

Let me be clear: age is not an excuse nor an entitlement.

Age does not signify maturity: an older person is not simply more cultured or better suited for the harsh realities of the world because he had the chance to gain a few more years of experience, similarly to the case of a younger person, who should not be subjected to the confines of society’s expectations. When someone mentions he are sixteen, there should not be predetermined thoughts or expectations. Simply being an age should not mean something. As Yoko Ono once said, “time is a concept that humans created.” An older person should not allowed to dictate the minds of our youth, or train them to take their places because they are trying to improve the world.

Do not think “Baby Boomers” are original in often believing that the younger generations are selfish and consumed with maintaining meaningless conversations with their friends. Once upon a time, “Baby Boomers” were once considered egotistical by generations who raised them. The difference between the two generations is highlighted by Generation Z’s extensive use of cellphones and computers. Social media entered the roots and veins of American culture and exceeded all fads and trends; it has become a social norm.

Generation Z adapted to the technological advances, and is using the changes around them to learn about world events and connect with people. Each time young people take selfies, or tweet, or update their Facebook statuses, they are connecting with peers, as well as people from all over the world. The connections are revolutionary, and those from Generation Z have the power to grow.

The next time you notice an adolescent taking a picture of himself on their phone, prevent yourself from thinking negatively. Remember that he does not even realize the heights of his potential, and it will only be a few more years before the youngest generation keeps its promises to work with each other, and build better connections.

Kim Jong-un Makes Appearance After Month Long Absence

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KimJong

 

After 40 days of speculation, Kim Jong-un finally reappears in the public. It is reported that he was giving guidance to the new Wisong Scientists Residential District and visiting the  Natural Energy Institute of the State Academy of Sciences in Pyongyang.

Kim Jong-un is known from the period in which he threatened to start a nuclear war with the United States and South Korea in April of 2013. He is also known as the man who executed his own uncle because of his attempt to start a military coup.

The leader had not been seen since he was seen at a concert with his wife in early September. Since then, he has missed an important anniversary of the Korean Worker’s Party and the Foundation Day of the North Korean State. These missed events have caused lots of speculations concerning either a terrible health issue or a political coup.

Before his disappearance,  he had been limping with a cane in many photos but with no evident cause of pain. This fueled the speculations about his health such as diabetes, a broken ankle, an issue with his hip, or possibly gout, but it appears that he has not said anything about his condition.

The Korean Central News Agency has been working hard at to update Kim Jong-un’s current state with photos of him in public. They say that all has returned to the usual daily business in North Korea with no mention of the possible reason why he was not present at the important events. Since North Korea has a history of editing publicly released photographs, many still believe that the nation is hiding the true nature of his going missing.

Caramelize Your Carving

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By: LEILA GREIGE & ANNA POWERS & ANA DE SOUZA

 

Caramel Candy Apples

You will need…

~ Dozen Apples

~ Topping (caramel, sprinkles, cherry syrup, etc..)

~Popsicle sticks (make sure they’re sturdy)

1432

 

Instructions

~Start by washing all the apples.

~Begin to prepare the toppings.

~Put cherry syrup in a pan, then heat it up to 375 °F for 25 minutes, continue to stir until it melts.

~Heat up caramel in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, then wait till it bubbles.

~While person could be preparing toppings, begin to stick popsicle sticks into the tops of the apples.

~Then when everything is all set up …

Take your apples and decorate them anyway you want. Make sure their creative and yummy, Have Fun!

 

 

Pumpkin Carvings

You will need..

~Pumpkin

~Knifes/Cutting Material


pumpkin1pumpkin2pumpkin3pumpkin4

 

Instructions

~Set up all materials(Knifes, cutting materials and a bag to put the seeds in)

~Get pumpkin and cut a circle around the stem to create a hole

~After cutting the hole, take out the seeds and remains in the pumpkins and put it in the bag to not make a mess

~After the pumpkin is clean on the inside start carving a face or anything you’d like

~Have fun!!

Nedlam’s Corner

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Nedlam's Corner

 

Dear Nedlam,

 

I sit next to an obnoxious and annoying person in one of my classes, and I can’t stand their remarks! It is distracting me from paying attention in class, and I get really irritated. How can I deal with this person?!?!!!

 

-Super Annoyed

 

Dear Super Annoyed,

 


If I’m being completely honest I think in every class there’s that one kid who tends to get on everybody’s nerves. Normally I would say just try to ignore them and talk to your friends, or, if it got really bad, transfer out of that class. However, since it’s affecting your schoolwork, this is a situation where you can definitely talk to your teacher about it. If the person sits near you, ask the teacher if your seat or the person’s seat can be moved. In the case where this person makes remarks during the lesson, tell your teacher how it distracts you from the lesson and I’m sure they’ll be happy to talk to the student about their behavior in class, or address the whole class about appropriate behavior. Going to your teacher might seem a bit extreme for some people, but the teacher won’t mention your name, and if you’re serious about doing well in that class I highly recommend you consider it. If it gets more serious and your teacher doesn’t do anything about it talk to one of the counselors or a house principal. Those are the extreme measures, if you don’t want or need to go that far then you can always try to take notes on the lesson, even when your teacher doesn’t tell you to so you are focused on writing down what she’s saying and have a reference for later in case you forgot something. If you’re really committed, and you ask your teacher for permission, you could also record the lesson in case you missed anything. Unfortunately, there’s not much I can tell you about how to handle this person, because you can only change your own actions, and this person can only change his/her own actions. Hopefully what I’ve told you might help. Good Luck!

“The Giver” Book and Movie Review & Comparision

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The Giver Book-Movie

You have most likely heard of the title “The Giver”  at least once in your lifetime whether it was from reading it in middle school or a younger sibling reading it now. The 1993 novel written by Lois Lowry is a popular American novel often read by young adults. The Giver has sold more than 10 million copies and won the 1994 Newbery Medal. The book is about an Utopian society, following a boy named Jonas through his 13th year of life. In this society, they have eliminated all emotions such as pain, happiness, sadness, and love because society leaders felt that the idea of uniformity would be the safest for their people. When children turn 13, they are assigned the jobs that they will have for the rest of their lives. Jonas is chosen as the Receiver of Memory which is a position where he has to receive all the memories of their society before there was “sameness,” given to him by the current Giver. Jonas learns the truth about his society and struggles when realizing that his entire life has been a lie.

I really loved this book, in fact, it was one of my favorite books that I read in middle school. It is a great novel to read if you are looking for a story about trust, courage, and love. Towards the end of the book, I felt myself getting attached to many of the characters such as Jonas and Gabe, who is the child that lives with Jonas’ family because he was not fit enough to be given a new family yet. It really made me think about the world that I live in, and how different it would be to live in Jonas’ world. It also made me realize how awful it must have been for Jonas to figure out how he was missing emotions his entire life. I truly loved the ending of the book because it left the reader to create their own idea of what happened to the characters you had grown so close to.

The movie adaptation of “The Giver” has been talked about for the past few weeks. Director of “The Giver”, Phillip Noyce, shows more of a vague story in the movie rather than digging deep on what it is really about. There were various scenes that were added and  scenes that were not included. For example, if you watched the movie without reading the book you would describe “The Giver” more as a love/adventure film rather than it being a book with a purpose. For example in the book Jonas has these “stirrings” for Fiona after being chosen as the next giver, but in the movie it is taken to a different level. They actually experience a physical moment with one another when they kiss, which did not occur at any point in the novel. The movie did show many scenes with purpose and actual events from the book, but not entirely. Of course directors have to keep  movies alive and interesting, but one can also do that by including important scenes from the book. In my personal opinion the movie was very entertaining to watch, the only thing that really angered me were the unmentioned events in the book that gave the book purpose. I would recommend to watch “The Giver” but only if you have not read the book, otherwise, it will pale in comparison to the novel. Overall, both the movie and book were amazing and I would read and watch both again whenever I could.

 

Administrator Judi Allen Retires This Past Year

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From attending Malden Public Schools to retiring this past year as an administrator in Malden, Judi Allen has come a long way in her impact on the Malden community. After graduating from Malden High School, Allen attended Salem State College and  majored in Business. There, she also received her Masters in Education from the  Salem State College in Guidance.

Allen was very excited to come back to Malden Public Schools as a teacher after graduating. She began teaching at the former Lincoln Jr. High School and then transferred to Malden High School soon after. She described how “many of [her] former teachers became [her] mentors and took on the daunting task of developing [her] teaching skills” as well as teach her “the importance of teaching the “whole child,” long before it was an educational trend.”

As her teaching career progressed, Allen had the opportunity to work with many student teachers and interns, one of which was Gregory Hurley, a current MHS history teacher. He was a student teacher at MHS about ten years ago, and worked closely with Allen. Even after their time as student teacher and teacher was up, Allen and Hurley stayed close throughout both of their careers.

As the director of social studies, Allen made important changes and impacting alterations to what is taught in History classes today. Hurley claims “everything you like about your social studies class, it is because of what Ms. Allen did.” These developments include Generation Citizen, National History Day, Model United Nations, and many more.

Through her ideas and planning, the students became better writers, speakers, and learners. Her passion for history is apparent, along with her goal to demonstrate the importance of studying history to students.

Allen has worked with other history teachers and supported a shift from “a teacher centered classroom to one that is driven by inquiry and students are at the center of their learning.” She outlines some of these changes such as “integrated project-based learning, and the continually use of technology to captivate and involve all students in their learning.”

Her influence on the education system in Massachusetts, however, is not limited to Malden Public Schools. As an administrator, she has “changed the way and importance of social studies teaching across the state and is way too modest to admit it, but she has” according to Hurley.

However, Hurley also emphasized how above all, she was as a teacher. She “still loves hearing and talking to students” and truly loves teaching. As for MHS, she will most miss the people. She speaks of how she has worked with students, teachers, and administrators alike and has developed many close friendships through these interactions.

She will also miss how “as soon as you step in the door at MHS there is a buzz of excitement about what you hope to accomplish for the day, week, or even the year”.”There was always a sense of “accomplishment, and very often exhaustion!” at the end of the day.

In terms of her work in the history department, she claims that they “have made some strides in achieving [their] goal, but [they] are not there yet” and passes “the touch and the challenge to the rest of the outstanding educators at MHS!” Allen also described how she will miss working with the MHS community -and the MHS community will surely miss working with her as well.


Brazil Heading For A Second-Round Runoff

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Brazil Elections

Candidates Dilma Rousseff and Aécio Neves. Photo edited by Felicia Fallano and all images found on Wikimedia.

The candidate in Brazil’s general election both received less than 50% of the votes at the beginning of October, resulting in a second-round runoff later in the month. Dilma Rousseff, the current president of Brazil, and Aécio Neves, a former governor of Minas Gerais, Brazil, are the two candidates running for president.

Marina Silva, who was in third place with 21.30% votes after the preliminary election, is apart of the Partido Socialista Brasileiro (Brazilian Socialist Party). Silva joined the race to replace Eduardo Campos, a former socialist candidate and her running mate, died in a plane crash. The Brazilian Socialist party had recently gained more supporters and it was predicted by many that Silva had a better chance than campos did at beating Rousseff because of a poll held before the election began.

Rousseff, a candidate for the Partido dos Trabalhadores (Workers’ Party), is running for a second term. The Workers’ Party is a party that was launched in 1980 and promotes the practice of a new type of democratic socialism. She was able to make access to electricity more common for the people of Brazil. Rousseff has been known for her effort to reduce federal taxes on the energy bill and taxes on consumer goods.

Although she has been a popular candidate, Rousseff has been criticized for the amount of money that went towards the 2014 Fifa World Cup, held in Rio, Brazil. Some of Brazil supported this decision, but some may argue that the money should have gone towards infrastructure projects. Even though the issue of spending money on the World Cup has worried many people, Rousseff herself has said that she has helped Brazil rise out of poverty.

Neves won 30.60% of the votes in the preliminary election, putting him in second place to Rousseff who won 41.56% of the votes. He was the 17th governor of Minas Gerais and is also related to Tancredo Neves, who was elected to be the president of Brazil in 1985 but died before he was able to take office.

Neves is apart of the Partido da Social Democracia Brasileira (Brazilian Social Democratic Party). The party has grown faster than any other party in Brazilian history and has gained popularity because it promotes the defense of democracy, wealth distribution, and economic growth.

The fight in this election has been tough, especially when it comes to advertisement. Like any other election, there have been false accusations. Rousseff was reported to have falsely accuse Silva of trying to take down a anti-poverty program that Rousseff had created to help the country rise from poverty and have a higher number of middle-class people in Brazil. Many believe that the advertisements are a big part of the reason why Silva came in third.

The two Minas Gerais-born candidates will go head-to-head in the second-round runoff on October 25th. Many say that Rousseff is likely to win, but it may be a close race. The preliminary election had been in Rousseff’s favor and her advertisement tactics have helped her get ahead in the race. It has been said that her strength is debating, but her public speaking is a weakness.

Even though she was first in the preliminary election, Neves and Rousseff have been statistically tied when it comes to the polls. Some people have said  he race was mostly in Rousseff’s favor for multiple reasons but many people believe that they are uncertain of who will be the next president of Brazil at this point, and are eager to see the end results of this election.

MHS Boys Soccer Wins GBL Title

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With the 3-1 win over Somerville on Oct. 20, the Malden High School boys soccer team won the Greater Boston League title for only the second time in MHS history. Goals were scored by sophomore Joshua Crespo and junior Bruno Da Silva. The last time the boys soccer team won the GBL title was in 2006, making this a great accomplishment for the team. Continuing the undefeated streak, with a guaranteed spot in the state tournament, the team stands in at 14-0-1 and will face off against Wilmington on Oct. 21. The included video is from their game against Lowell on Oct. 8, which resulted in a yet another win for Malden.

Nedlam’s Corner

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Nedlam's Corner

 

Dear Nedlam,

 

I’ve been having a hard time with my parents. They just don’t seem to listen or care about what I have to say. How can I help them see my point of view?

 

-Unsure

 

Dear Unsure,

Parents were kids once, but unfortunately as you get older, you gain a different perspective on life and it can be harder to see things from a previous point of view, and vise versa. Adults have been there, and done that, so they believe they know what is best, or what will be better for you, based off of their own experiences. You were not very specific about your situation so I do not know if your parents are enforcing rules on you that you do not necessarily agree with which causes you to feel like they don’t listen. If this is the case, as annoying as it is, some rules parents enforce are for our own safety and protection. Teenagers sometimes tend to act first and think later, and most times adults are strict with rules to prevent their children from dealing with the consequence of something that could have been avoided. However, if your parents are being completely unreasonable, to the point where their rules have less to do with your safety and more to do with parental opinion or they infringe on your rights then my first suggestion would be to try to logically reason with them. If the only way you have backed up your arguments is through arguing and yelling, they will only see you as more of a child and not take you seriously. But if you sit down and map out a logical explanation to why their ruling is unfair to you, and discuss it with them, your chances of success are at least slightly higher. If that does not work, try to receive outside help from someone you trust, perhaps an older sibling or a counselor. They can give you a fresh, third party perspective on your situation and may be able to help you either understand your situation, or give you tools to fix it. Hope this helps! Good Luck!

 

Fall Playlist

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The Cinematic Orchestra - To Build A Home (cover)Lay me down 2fireproofbw

-Thinking Out Loud, Ed Sheeran

Release Date: June 23, 2014

This song is written by British singer and song-writer Ed Sheeran, and is on his new album “X”. One of our favorite love songs of the year with its meaningful lyrics and Sheeran’s beautiful voice to compliment them. Recently on October 8, 2014, the Thinking Out Loud music video was released. Professional dancer Brittanny Cherry stars in the music video along side Ed Sheeran.

 

-To Build A Home, The Cinematic Orchestra

Release Date: November 5, 2007

This song is on The Cinematic Orchestra’s album, Ma Fleur. To Build a Home is describing an actual home and where they actually feel safe to be in. It’s comparing the house to someone they love. The composer also wrote that he built a home just for him and his lover, to live forever in. But things don’t always work out the way they want it to.

 

-Fireproof, One Direction

Release Date: November 17, 2014

This song is one of the tracks on One Direction’s new upcoming album “Four”, written by Liam Payne, Louis Tomlinson, John Ryan, Jamie Scott, and Julian Bunetta. The song is about being “fireproof”, in the sense to have to the perfect relationship where they are so in love, if any problems arise, they can work it out.

 

-Lay Me Down, Sam Smith

Release Date: February 15, 2013

This song was written by British singer and song-writer Sam Smith, on his debut album “In the Lonely Hour”. This yearning love song, about missing someone so much that you wish you could relive the moments that you had with them. Smith’s amazing vocals in this song will definitely make you want to hear the rest of this talented new artist.  

China vs. Pollution

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smog

For years China has dealt with high levels of pollution in some of their cities such as Beijing, Linfen, and Urumqi. The pollution has reached an all-time high when the smog over China went 20 times over the safe level. People are wearing masks daily because they’re becoming more and more concerned with the quality of the air. China’s Prime Minister Li Keqiang says that they will, ”declare war on pollution” and try to reduce levels of smog in areas near Beijing. Smog has become so thick that it is hard to see buildings anymore.

On October 19th, around 30,000 runners gathered in Beijing to run the 34th annual Beijing International marathon. That day, the smog covering Beijing was hazardous to human health. The marathon could not be cancelled because many people came from distant countries to participate in this race. To protect themselves, the runners were forced to wear protective gas masks. Many runners dropped out of the race because they were concerned for their health as well as others. After the race, over 40,000 sponges were handed out to people whose skin had been exposed to the air.

The prime minister of China has made it his top priority to defeat the country’s environmental crisis. Most of the country’s pollution comes from factories that burn coal in order to generate electricity. Mr. Li has promised that 50 thousand small coal furnaces will be shut down and 6 million high-emission cars will be taken off the roads by next year. China is also the place where most of the world’s steel is smelted has also caused large quantities of pollution to be released. The prime minister has also promised that they will cut 27 million tons of steelmaking capacity this year. So for there is no sign that China has reduced the footprint that it’s steel industry has created.

 China has suffered through a thick haze of smog which has caused visibility and health problems. All of this pollution has been pushed to 20 times over what the World Health Organization deems as safe. Around Beijing, concentrations of pollutant particles called PM2.5 have reached over 500 micrograms per cubic meter. WHO considers the healthy limit to be 25 per cubic meter. If levels of PM2.5 are between 301 and 500, they are considered hazardous and can cause many respiratory issues. These particles are dangerous because they lodge themselves deep inside the lungs. This is why people who must go outside should be wearing a gas mask or they’ll breathe in the harmful particles.

The smog get more intense around the fall and winter times because cold, heavy air traps pollution near the surface. People are flying in bags of fresh air to China to help the citizens of China breathe. The PM2.5 particles are so tiny yet very toxic to human health. Something must happen about the copious amounts of pollution being produced by factories and coal furnaces. We hope that what the prime minister promises to occur by 2015 is true and pollution decreases and life can return to normal.

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