Maspeth Messenger March 2015 Edition

Maspeth
Messenger


 
CHAMPIONS!VolumeIIssue3 Maspeth High School March 2015

Maspeth Boys Basketball Wins Title

The Boys Are mance as well moving the ball blood off the court. Thanks to Photo by: Neil Miller
unselfishly.
Heading to In addition, the assistance the her incessant dedication to this Maspeth Girls Basketball
team received off the court was
States! a major factor in the boy’s title team, as well as that of Assistant Finishes Run:
run. The support of the Maspeth
By Raphin Shapon, Staff Writer Argonauts fans has always been Coach Daniel Franchese, the
monumental, and a chance to win
THEY’VE DONE IT! its first school title only gave the boys pieced together their first The Maspeth Girls Basketball team in its
The Maspeth Argonauts have fans more of a reason to show
made Maspeth High School his- their support, yelling at the top of title. The scary part is they’re not first season outside of the developmen-
tory, clinching its first ever Boys their lungs, starting a myriad of done yet. Going on to the State tal league reached the semi-finals of the
Basketball “B” PSAL Champion- chants, and ultimately giving the Championships, the Maspeth PSAL Girls Baskeball “B” City Champi-
ship Title! After a valiant semi-fi- team the home-court atmosphere
nal’s performance at Queens it needed at the Baruch College Argonauts are looking to make a onship. After leading his team to a magi-
College against South Bronx gymnasium. vehement State debut and im- cal 17-1 season, Coach Fabian Suarez and
High School (Maspeth, 71-64), The fans are not the only
the Argonauts were determined ones to be thanked. Leading press scouts and spectators alike. his team fell to the East Harlem Pride. It
to continue its run into the finals this organization to its first title, It may be all celebrations for us was still a tremendous season for the girls
against Frederick Douglas Acad- Anastasia Bitis, coach of the fans for now, but every player on and bodes well for continued success in
emy III, and ended up doing so Boys Varsity Basketball team, that roster has his eyes set on the the future.
with flair, defeating FDA, 57-42. was another big reason why this bigger picture and, as seen in the
Paolo Tamer led the team won. Waking up just as
team with 13 points, followed early as her players, writing up last 20+ victories, will pull out all
by Michal Bugaj with 12 points. countless game plans and work-
Damian Piszczatowski, Matthew outs, and pushing every player to stops to taste something as sweet
Nickel, and Tamer Tamer all his limit and further, Coach Bitis
finished with 11, 10, and 8 points, put together a team that not only as a State Championship. The Exclusive
respectively. The team displayed showcased excellent skill on the amount of dedication on this ros-
a spectacular passing perfor- court but also a bond as thick as ter is unmatched, and this is the
Interview withprimary reason for their success.

Continue to make us
proud boys. You all have shown
us that the impossible is possi- Bobbi Joe

ble, and each and every one of

you have left your legacy here at

Maspeth High School. On behalf Page 5

of every student and teacher alike
at Maspeth High School, good

luck!

Page 1

News


 

Pi and Funeral Games:

A Maspeth Classics Week

By Victoria Panata, News Editor The Pie Eating Contest, held on Pi The Latin Department organized
Day, had four contestants compet- the Funeral games on the Friday of
Held during March 9th to March ing for a chance to win the title of Classics Week. These games in-
13th, Maspeth High School cel- Maspeth High School’s ultimate pie cluded many physical challenges as
ebrated its third annual Classics eater. Students all had the opportu- well as a special brand of Certamen
Week. The last two days, Thursday nity to pie teachers in the face for where students had to race to an-
and Friday, entailed a series a nominal fee, and this opportunity swer questions.
of exciting events where both Mas- was taken advantage of by many
peth students and staff members students. Many teachers braved the
volunteered. barrage of sweet whipped cream
pies.

The Official StudTehnet MNeawspseptahpeMr eosfseMngaesrpeth High School
54-40 74th Street
Maspeth, NY 11373
(718) 803 - 7100
[email protected]
EDITORIAL BOARD

 

Editors: Staff Writers: Advisors:

News: Victoria Panata Ethan Cardona Matthew Coleman
Sports & Entertainment: Anda Stafa Raphin Shapon Stefan Singh
Features: Zabia Choudhury Melanie Medina
Michelle Muriel Burmeo
Jainam Mehta
Julio Almonte
The Salty Gamer

Page 2

News

 

The Large Hadron Collider On Its Next Mission

By Jainam Mehta, Staff Writer has been hypothesized to be 85 percent of catch a glimpse of the universes
matter in the entire universe. While Dark intricate workings. The in-
As Douglas Adams puts it in the Matter hasn’t been observed, physicists creased energy usage of 13TeV
widely renowned The Hitch- claim its existence because of gravitation- will provide greater collisions
hiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, the al anomalies and radiation emitted from and more enhanced viewing ca-
answer to life, universe and ev- celestial bodies. pabilities rather than the 8TeV
erything is the number 42. Sadly, The Large Hadron Collider (LHC) from 2012. Lamont added that
the number 42 isn’t the answer, is the largest particle accelerator in the even though billions of protons
in this universe …at least. To entire world, spanning 17 miles (27km) in are sent hurdling in the Collider
answer “the ultimate question” in circumference. Now after a one-and-half- at a rate of 11,000 per second,
this universe, physicists have yet year wait, the LHC has been upgraded to only a several dozen will ac-
again begun work at CERN, the a more refined product. With the LHC’s tually collide and generate an
European Organization for Nu- new magnets, powerful energy beams, and effect worth studying by sci-
clear Research, in Geneva, Swit- tighter vacuum, physicists are hoping to entist. “The experiments need
zerland. This week, the Large this because the interesting stuff
Hadron Collider will be fired up like the Higgs is extremely rare.
and is on a collision course for a Only very rarely do these col-
new adventure. lisions produce something interesting and
Fresh off the success wagon, with this is the big challenge for us – to trigger
the discovery of the elusive Higgs Boson the interesting stuff,” he said.
particle – a fundamental particle in the While the LHC runs at optimal
Standard Model of Particle Physics, which velocities today, the scientists at CERN are
was postulated in 1964 by 6 scientists, already planning for an upgrade in the early
namely Peter Higgs for whom the particle 2020’s. Lamont even goes to states that the
is named after – physicists are now con- program is going to be planned out until
ducting research on Dark Matter. “Higgs the 2030’s.
was the final piece of the jigsaw of what Lamont and all the other scientists
we call the Standard Model of particle are optimistic, believing that the universe
physics, but we know that this model is not may be simpler than previously thought.
complete,” said Dr. Mike Lamont, opera- Maybe simple enough to be the number 42.
tions group leader at CERN. Dark Matter

NET NEUTRALITY: HAS THE FCC CROSSED ITS BOUNDARIES?

By Julio Almonte, Staff Writer would “reclassify consumer broad- the authority to enforce such acts. President Obama himself supports
Net neutrality has been a band Internet as a utility under Ti- In addition to this contemporary the proposal made by Mr. Wheel-
hotly debated topic over the past tle II of the Communications Act”. issue, the FCC has not publicized er. Net neutrality will indefinitely
year-- although now it seems that Ultimately, if the rules are to be its rules for net neutrality. The increase internet usage as well as
it has been gaining popularity. Net passed, Internet service providers rules for net neutrality remain un- provide a source of free speech,
neutrality guarantees people the cannot charge content providers known, and only the commission which is guaranteed by our First
right to an open-service internet for ‘more reliable’ Internet access. is permitted to read them. The rule Amendment. However, could the
where ‘we the people’ do not have This would also extend to mobile remaining unknown has amounted new rules potentially hurt inter-
to pay for pay-to-play service lanes. service providers as well; however, for much of the controversy in the net usage? People who oppose the
With net neutrality, companies Congress is in disagreement with capitol. innovative applications of Tom
such as AT&T, Verizon, and Com- the proposal. Recently, Represen- With the new enactments Wheeler believe the internet must
cast cannot charge their customers tative Greg Walden (R-OR), who is in place under the Title II Com- be regulated for the benefit of
extra for creating service lanes. chairman of the House Communi- munications Act, the people will society. Giving too much freedom
Essentially, net neutrality preserves cations and Technology Subcom- gain access to open-broadband could potentially lead to chaos
one’s right to communicate free- mittee, claimed that the FCC’s net networks, allowing for faster within the cyber world. While it
ly across the Internet, and allows neutrality rules are “ill-advised, communication through the is too early to argue whether net
them access to open networks. illogical, and illegal”. Walden web—‘free of charge’. Recently, the neutrality is more harmful than
Currently, the Federal strongly believes that the FCC has Democrats voted in favor of the act the benefits it provides, Congress
Communications Committee crossed its boundaries, and lacks 3-2 against the Republicans. Even will formulate a decision upon
(FCC) is being challenged by the issue. In addition to this, only
Congress for proposing the new the FCC knows the new rules
net neutrality rules. The chair- proposed, but the rules have not
man of the FCC, Tom Wheeler, is been publicized. Essentially, what
advocating that people should have this means is Wheeler’s proposal
the right to access open networks remains widely unknown, and no
without having to pay extra dol- one is really ‘aware’ of what rules
lars. Wheeler’s new proposed rules are to be carried out.

Page 3

Page 4

  Features

Who is Bobbi Joe?
By Zabia Choudhury, Features Editor Q: MHS has some...animated students. What’s Q: If you could be a superhero and have any
some of the interesting things you’ve heard/ power, what power would you have and why?
Bobbi Joe is known as one of the sweetest seen students say/do?
ladies to walk down the halls of Maspeth High A: I want to be a superhero that can create
School. The students adore Bobbi Joe because peace and take away violence. I mean, who
of her easygoing nature, soft smiles, and gentle wouldn’t want world peace?
mannerisms. I had the incredible privilege to
sit down with Bobbi Joe and ask her a few Q: Where did you grow up?
questions about her life, hoping that students
will feel even more connected to her than they A: I grew up in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.
do now. Now, let’s get the inside scoop on
Bobbi Joe! Q: Finally, if you could give one piece of
advice to the students of Maspeth High School,
Q: What’s the story behind your incredible what would it be?
name?
A: I would tell them to work hard but stay true
A: I am the fifth child of a family with four to their morals. Growing up in these times, it’s
boys and my dad’s name was Bobby, so that’s hard, but in the end if you work hard, you’ll
where the ‘Bobbi’ came from. I’m not quite succeed. Do whatever you want but stay true to
sure where the Joe came from though. yourself. There are going to be ups and downs,
but you just need to persevere.

Q: What’s your favorite thing about MHS?

A: I love the students, but I also like the teach- A: I mean, I’ve seen dancing in the cafeteria; Interested in Writing
ers because they give extra time to the students students come up to me and ask me for a kiss for Maspeth
and they go above and beyond unlike a lot and then hand me a Hershey Kiss. They also Messenger?
of other schools. The teachers care and that’s want me to do the ‘Bobby Shmurda Dance’,
amazing to see. whatever that is? Come to Messenger
Club Meetings on
Q: What’s your social life like compared to Mondays at 2:45 p.m.
your school life?
in Room 412.
A: I’m married with two children, and I just Q: Describe the relationship that exists be- Become a Messenger!
really love spending time with my family. tween you and the students of MHS.

Q: You have thirty seconds to sell yourself. Go. A: I feel like the students respect me and they
feel comfortable around me. They can ask me
A: I’m definitely very dedicated, I’m loyal, and anything without feeling shy or timid. I’m very
I do my best. I’m reliable, and I’ll do anything approachable.
to help you out to the best of my ability.

Black History Month? African Americans have that most of my peers
OPINION gone through in the histo- have never heard of Mal-
ry of the U.S.? colm X is or Dr. Bobby
By: Michelle Muriel All the years of enslave- E. Wright.
Bermeo, Staff Writer ment, all the years of Yes, we may have to
discrimination, and all prepare for the regents,
Black History Month the years where African and I understand that we
ended in February. Did Americans had to fight can’t focus every lesson
you know that? If you against white oppression; to this, but how about
didn’t, that is not surpris- why is it that we can- in different ways: the
ing. The Maspeth High not focus a month to the school announcements,
School community did plight of African Amer- assemblies and speakers,
not focus enough atten- icans? I know we learn creative projects from the
tion to it! For the year about Martin Luther King entire student body? The
and a half that I've been Jr. and Rosa Parks and, of school could have at least
in Maspeth High School, course we cover the Civil mentioned it. I really
I haven't learned enough Rights movement, but hope we don't ever forget
about African American why not focus on other what these people had to
history during February. I African American revolu- go through and that this
question if we have com- tionaries. It's sad to hear doesn't go unseen again.
pletely forgotten what

Page 5

In The Workforce Now: 10 tips for your first job
By MCU Times Staff
The professional world can be an intimidating place. For first-timers, it can be very different than
what you expect. That's why we've compiled ten tips for navigating your first job from those of us
who've made it through.
Get used to getting up early. The workday starts around 8 am, so those noon o'clock wake-ups are
out. Arriving on time or early shows dedication and responsibility, which makes you look like a good
candidate for advancement.
Don't ask for free stuff. Restaurant employees typically receive free food, but some owners are more
tightfisted. Don't assume perks from the higher-ups unless otherwise informed. It will save some em-
barrassing questions later.
Pack a lunch. It might mean getting up earlier to do so, but packing a lunch will save your paycheck
from getting gobbled up by takeout tabs. Just because you're employed doesn't mean you're rich.
Always dress professionally. Work is usually not the place for fashion statements. When representing
your employer, professionalism shows that you value your¬self and the company.
Ask where to park. This may seem like a no-brainer, but it's easier to ask up front than fumble with
parking tickets or dirty looks from the boss before discovering the employee parking lot.
Stay until your boss says to leave. Leaving early (or on time in some cases) can come back to bite you
if any work is left unfinished. On the other hand, while hard work and tenacity can earn respect, ask
permission and check the overtime policy before working past your hours.
Prioritize. It's tough when the daily grind kills your social life, but having a job in today's economy is
a privilege. Don't ditch scheduled work for play. When you're settled in and clear on company rules,
then schedule time off.
Take advice and criticism professionally. Better performance equals more efficient workflow for you
and the company. Plus, arrogance or defensiveness won't fly in the workplace, especially from those
low on the totem pole.

Page 6

Sports & Entertainment


 

MASPETHANGO: “Insurgent” Review
By Anda Stafa

NOW PLAYING COMING By: Melanie Medina also does not conform to the gov-
in theaters near SOON to the-
you! aters near you: Staff Writer ernment. In the movie, the viewer

Cinderella Get Hard witnesses a transformation in Tris

“Insurgent,” the sequel to the Di- Prior. This female heroine portrays

vergent trilogy titled was released self-conflict with choler and regret

March 20 of this year. The major as we see her overcome obstacles

motion picture series is based on with extraordinary bravery.

of the novels written by author Ve- The movie was an action-packed

ronica Roth. Co-Producer Veronica thriller that many should go and

Roth introduced the idea of a dysto- see. Not only does this film keep

pian world that involves individuals you well awake and at the edge of

who struggle against conforming to your seats but also it portrays strong

the society in which they inhabit. young female actors that in oth-

(PG) 1 hr 45 min Fri, March 27 The movie first shows the charac- er movies are not seen. However,
Get to the theater early to (R)
watch a 7 min. Disney short ters Tris Prior (played by Shailene one negative aspect some may feel
film ’Frozen Fever’ – based Furious 7
off of ‘Frozen’ Woodley) and Tobias Eaton - aka while watching the movie is that

The Divergent Series: Four (played by Theo James) es- the scenes were rushed. Also, as ex-
Insurgent
caping the dystopia in hopes to find pected, many scenes from the book

sanctuary and safety because they were taken out, but, of course, all

have been persecuted by their gov- the necessary elements of the plot

ernment for a heinous massacre on were included. Overall the actors

a faction that was previously dis- did a wonderful job fulfilling the

played in the movie prior to insur- traits for all characters as well as

gent. These characters eventually the directors who pieced together a

created an army that formed allianc- respectable film.

Fri, April 3 es with the factionless group who
(R)

(PG-13) her a character to care about by the end before she so hard to make in this game, you only reno-
dies. Did I mention she dies? Yeah she dies and vate 7 CAFES. Let me repeat that. 7. CAFES.
Assassin’s Creed was completely pointless isn’t that just great? No And once you get all 7 it’s like 50,000 francs, but
its horrible moving on. weapons and equipment is so expensive that you
Unity Review just end up waiting for hours to get your payroll
Graphics: 7/10 and get the best weapon. And you want to know
By The Salty Gamer Now this is where it needs explaining. This is Mi- how to get these things faster? MICROTRANS-
crosoft’s fault, because the Xbone couldn’t handle ACTIONS. FOR THE LOVE OF CHRIST WHY
You know something? I’ve had too many good 60 fps at 1020 pixels, they cut the framerate in ARE THERE MICROTRANSACTIONS IN MY
reviews, I gave my first game a 10, the second half and brought the graphics from 1020 pixels to CONSOLE GAME WHEN THEY ARE SUP-
one wasn’t even a game, it was a demo, and I 920. This doesn’t seem so bad, until you see how POSED TO BE IN STUPID MOBILE GAMES?
gave that a good review too….I can’t just come badly a toll it gives to the gameplay. Graphics are UBISOFT KNEW HOW HARD MONEY
off as some guy who likes everything he comes at least decent. WOULD BE TO GET SO THEY MADE MI-
across then no one will read this column… CROTRANSACTIONS. ARE YOU KIDDING
hmm….I know! The new Assassins creed game! Gameplay: 2/10 ME!? UBISOFT GET THE HELL OUT OF
Unity! Everyone’s been saying it’s horrible! Oh, oh man do I hate this gameplay. Parkour, the HERE YOU ARE DEAD TO ME. This games
Might as well jump on the bandwagon! (One play main center of travel for this game is horribly ONLY saving graces are the combat and stealth,
through later) SWEET CHRIST ON A BICYCLE off, you sometimes float in the middle of the air, stealth is incorporated and you feel like Tom
THAT WAS HORRIBLE! and you will clip through buildings. PEOPLE Clancy and combat is no longer streams of count-
WILL CLIP THROUGH BUILDINGS. I did this ers, which I love.
Story: 4/10 mission right? Go into this guy’s house, murder
This story is bad. Really bad. So bad it’s horribly him, job over, but people are dancing outside his Overall: 3/10
predictable. Why exactly? Because its assassins basement. So I’m in his basement poking around This game is probably the worst game in the AC
creed two with a shoehorned love story sub plot. for money (WHICH I WILL GET TO THIS series, as much as I like the series this is a horri-
So you got this guy, his names Arno, and his dads MESS LATER) and I suddenly see a woman and ble game. Buggy, and no fixes in the new patch-
an assassin, and then he dies. Then he’s taken in a man stuck in the wall. I got stuck in a bridge es, only thing good about the game is the expan-
by the Templars and then the guy who adopts him once. Guns floated around me and knocked over sion, Dead Kings, where you’re basically Indiana
dies and he’s thrown in the bastille, escapes, then things stopped falling and froze midair. This is Jones. But other than that, terrible game, do not
meets his girlfriend who’s the Templars daughter laden with glitches and bad framerate! Framer- buy under any circumstance.
who knows what he is and then sends him off ate drops from 30 to 10 and in big crowds, and
never wanting to see him again. She reappears in revolutionary Paris, it’s not exactly in short
and so do shoddy attempts at chemistry between supply of large crowds. And now the money. It is
the 2 return in about 8 grueling sequences, and
stays for the next 4. 4 sequences to actually give

Page 7

Sports &
Entertainment.


 

Maspeth Spring Sports Preview

Maspeth High Schools’ Boys Varsi- Maspeth High School’s Girl’s softball Maspeth High School’s very own Boy’s Lacrosse
ty Baseball team is swinging for the team, coached by Nicholas Scales, is antici- Team began its first season as a full varsity team on
fences! The team expects to hit home pating a good season. Mr. Scales, previously March 2nd. The team of more than 20 boys will be
run after home run after home run. The having coached baseball, and participating competing on March 16 in its first varsity game, and
team is a determined bunch of individ- in softball during college, is experienced in intends to thrive throughout the entire season. Hav-
uals. The season for the Boys Varsity equipping a team’s members with the neces- ing coached developmental lacrosse last year, Coach
Baseball Team started on March 1 and sary skills in order to hit and pitch well. Weinberg is excited to take the next step towards
their first game was on March 23. The helping the team become successful with the goal
season is running until May 14, not to help the players “learn how to play lacrosse as a
including the playoffs. Students and team.” Teamwork is indeed crucial to athletic pros-
staff should come and support the Boys perity!
Varsity Baseball Team whenever they
have a game! Mr. Lacoff states, “We Don’t forget to keep an eye out for MHS’ brand new
hope to have a fun, competitive, and Girl’s Lacrosse Team – they’ve already begun prac-
hardworking season.” ticing!

New York Yankees
Preview

Maspeth High School’s Cricket By Ethan Cardona, Staff Writer time at the DH position and Maspeth High School’s all
Team is currently continuing its 3B Chase Headley would be girls tennis team, coached by
second season as a Co-Ed varsity 2014 was not the season the number one third baseman Mrs. Jabbar, is having their first
team. The season officially began the Yankees thought it would be. going into the 2015 season. The game on March 26th. There
on March 2 and the MHS cricket It all started at the beginning of second story is replacing former are currently thirteen members
players are practicing hard to pre- Spring Training when shortstop Yankees captain Derek Jeter. on the team. The team hopes
pare for their first game on April Derek Jeter announced that he The Yankees took care of that in to find success this season and
1! The team’s enthusiastic coach, would retire at the end of 2014 the offseason in a trade with the will look to ace opponents!
Coach Baker, states, “our goals are after 20 seasons with the Yan- Arizona Diamondbacks where
to improve and demonstrate growth kees. they acquired shortstop Sir Didi
from last year.” She also presents a The injury bug bit the Gregorius (he was knighted in
wonderful opportunity for any MHS Yankees early and often as first 2011, seriously). The third story
students that are interested in the baseman Mark Teixiera and involved the health of the team,
sport by explaining, “more players centerfielder Carlos Beltran more specifically the Starting
are welcome to join the team in order continued with their previous rotation. With pitchers Masahiro
to learn a new sport that is growing injury woes as they went down Tanaka and C.C. Sabathia still
in popularity throughout New York.” multiple times throughout 2014. recovering from surgeries in the
So make sure you reach out to her if The Yankees rotation was also 2014 season, the Yankees made
you’re interested in joining the team! struck hard, and by the end of a number of moves in the offsea-
the season, 4 of 5 members of son to acquire pitchers to either
the Yankees opening day starting start or work in the bullpen.
rotation was on the disabled list. These moves included the acqui-
The Yankees now look sitions of Nathan Eovaldi, Justin
ahead to 2015 with many stories Wilson and David Carpenter.
looming over them. First,third
baseman Alex Rodriguez returns The Yankees have made
to the Yankees following his a lot of different moves in the
162-game suspension for PED offseason and if they can stay
use in 2014. Yankee skipper healthy the team will look to
Joe Girardi made it clear at the make a big splash in the A.L.
beginning of Spring Training East.
that Rodriguez will be treated
just like any ordinary player and
would earn most of his playing