the COURIERdouglascourier.com Index

News.....................1-5Feature.................6-9Entertainment......10-13Editorial...............14-15Sports...................16-20Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School 5901 Pine Island Road Parkland, FL Volume 25 No.3 December 2012

Opinion: Malala’s battle should inspire students

Page 15

Follow Liz Miles’s love for travel and books Page 6

UK influences present day humor, music, and TV in US Pages 10-11

Student receives custom Nike shoes

Page 5

Sophomore Shynelle Agaran wins fourth place in Junior OlympicsPage 20

Taking flight

Page 2 December 2012The Courier News

Students contemplating cheating in Jaredd Wilson’s Biology or AP Environmental Science class might want to rethink their actions. Wilson knows martial arts.

In 1996, Wilson began practicing Chendokan Aikido and Sogestu Ryu Kenutsu, eventually earning black belts in both.

Chendokan Aikido, a fighting style, originates from Japan.

It focuses on the motion of the attacker and redirecting the force of the attack rather than opposing it head-on.

Sogetsu Ryu Kenjutsu involves a Japanese sword and defensive techniques such as evading and

coming back with a cut.“I’ve always liked

swords,” Wilson said. “Swords are the symbols of honor, nobility, and higher esteem. Knights and samurai had them and the status symbol and ethical symbol that came with it.”

Obtaining his black belts took six years in Kenjutsu and 13 years in Aikido.

Beginning when he went to University of Florida, he practiced Bujutsu, a Japanese term describing martial arts, which combined the fighting styles.

He practices with an array of weapons including wooden practice swords, the katana, a long, single-edged sword once used by Japanese samurai, wooden swords, and the iaito, an aluminum sword.

“There are other ways to apply this knowledge for every-day life from the philosophy and fighting,” Wilson said. “It teaches dedication and to endure something that you did not think you were able to do. If someone is arguing with you, you can either argue back or go with the flow.”

In 2002 he transferred to Atemi Ryu in Hollywood, Florida where different martial arts styles are taught.

Wilson occasionally teaches classes there due to the requirement of all black belts to share knowledge.

“Although I never got in a fight, it could be looked at like this: it is better to have turbo on your car and not use it unless you need it, than not having turbo at all,” Wilson said.

AARON SAGERStaff Writer

Science teacher black belt martial artist

Photo courtesy of Jaredd Wilson

Wilson practices the “breath throw,” Kokyunage, in a class at the Atemi Ryu Dojo in Hollywood on December 3.

Page 3December 2012 The Courier News

News Briefs

In partnership with Alumni David Gussack of Exotech, MSD Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA) will reimburse the $39 fee that teachers paid for their Teacher Web accounts. “David Gussack had a positive experience at Douglas,” PTSA president Jan Hediger said. “He felt that he needed to give back, so he donated to PTSA, but told us that he wanted money to go towards something that might not be funded.” In order to be reimbursed, teachers submitted their receipt to the PTSA and agreed to update their websites on a regular basis. This plan will only be active for this school year. “We believe that teacher websites are a great tool,” Hediger said. “We would like every teacher at Douglas to have a website so that parents, teachers, and especially students can get the resources they need.”

--AMANDA GAINES, News Editor

PTSA pays for teacher websites

Save What’s Left Club hosted its school wide cleanup on December 1. This project gives the students an opportunity to get involved with the school. “We are hoping to clean up the school and invite students to get involved in keeping our school clean,” senior Alexander Teichen said. “I have done this before and seeing how much we need to pick up and how much gum we need to scrape off the ground made me see that students don’t treat the school as well as they should.” Sponsored by science teachers Adeena Teres and Joanna Pearce, the club completed the cleanup with the help of Key Club, Interact Club, DECA, and JROTC. Last year’s Save What’s Left school cleanup had a large impact on the school. They scraped gum, picked up trash, and helped restore the gardens. A total of 40 plus students attended.

--ALEXANDRA BARRY, Staff Writer

Save What’s Left holds annual school cleanup

As tensions between Israel and Hamas heightened for a week in mid-November, Jewish Student Connection Co-President Noah Peskin wanted the club members to fully understand the importance and magnitude of the conflict.

“We had two club meetings in a row; the first was just discussing the con-flict, and the second was more interactive,” Peskin said.

The second club meeting, members played a game called “Jump into Israel”, where a map of the Jewish state was created on the floor using duct tape, and club members were split into groups with maps of the region.

“The groups studied the maps for a few minutes, and then the board would call out cities in Israel for them to physically jump to,” Peskin said.

After members were at the city, JSC board members would explain the effect of the conflict onto the respective city called. JSC meets every other Monday in Room 936.

--ELYSSA RONIK, Staff Writer

JSC studies international affairsTwo flat-screen, 50-

inch televisions, a video camera, and a high-definition microphone: every student’s dream classroom, right? The Distance Learning Room is just that.

“The Distance Learning Room is used so that [students] can connect with classrooms around the world,” media specialist Janet Pryczynski

said. “[Students] can connect and have video conferences with different people from different places from all around the world.”

“Teachers can sign up for different opportunities to bring their class, whether it might be an opportunity to meet with an NFL player to ask questions, or how last week I saw [a video conference] between a class from Cypress Creek and a class in Guam,”

Pryczynski said. Three faculty members

run the DLR: Rosario approves the use of the classroom, Pryczynski finds opportunities for classes to take part in and advertises those opportunities to teachers, and technology specialist Joseph Otero makes sure that the technology connects as they should.

The Distance Learning Room is located in room 173 and is accessible to any teacher.

JACOB FELDMANStaff Writer

New classroom connectsstudents with the world

November 1 marked the start of “Movember,” an annual contest that encourages men to grow mustaches and raise awareness for health issues such as prostate and testicular cancer.

Last year, 854,000 men participated in the contest and raised over $126 million dollars for the cause.

The Movember foundation, which began in Australia in 2004, holds the contest each year, primarily through their online community at us.movember.com.

Once registered for the site, men receive their own “mo page,” where they can post pictures, write statuses,

form teams and accept donations.

This year, English teacher, Darren Levine, became involved.

“I’ve had a few friends do this before and I wanted to do something that would serve a cause,” Levine said.

Levine invited students to join the contest with him.

He formed a team with his friends on the website and has raised $50 so far.

According to the Movember foundation, the contest “raises awareness by prompting private and public conversation around the often ignored issue of men’s health.”

Women, too, have stepped up to educate and spread awareness

about health risks men face.

In 2003, only 30 women registered on the site, but by 2011 over 900,000 women became members to raise money for the foundation.

Female members who raise the most money can also win any of the cash prizes on the site, which range from $50 to $500.

This year, corporate sponsors joined to support the cause.

The Art of Shaving company pledged to match all donations up to $25,000 and offered free shaves before the festivities of Movember began.

TOMS also created shoes and shirts and donated the profits to the foundation.

21%

Page 4 December 2012The Courier News

MEGAN ROBBNews Editor

Photo courtesy of Darren Levine

‘Movember’ mustaches raise cancer awareness

YES NO

Do you know what cause Movember supports?

150 students polled graphic by Brandon Ponczek

English teacher Darren Levine participated in Movember for the first time this year. He raised $160 for the foundation and recruited a team of three of his friends.

79%

Page 5December 2012 The Courier News

Student’s letter inspires Nike designROBBIE KRAVECEditor-in-Chief

Junior Matthew Walzer, born two months premature with a mild case of cerebral palsy, can’t tie his own shoes. Frustrated at this lack of independence, Walzer wrote a letter to Nike CEO, Matt Parker, addressing the need for a comfortable, supportive athletic shoe that physically challenged people could put on by themselves.

“I can’t articulate my foot down or wiggle it into a shoe,” Walzer said. “Tying shoes may seem like such a simple thing for some people, but for me and others with disabilities, it is not.”

On August 7, he posted his letter to Facebook, Twitter, and

his personal blog, while also reaching out to Nike designers, Tinker Hatfield, Leo Chang, and Jason Petrie.

Three days after the letter went viral, Walzer received a voicemail from John Poyner, a product manager for Nike’s Jordan brand sneakers.

“I was getting out of the pool during a vacation, and my mom told me that Nike had called,” Walzer said. “I was floored that they called me back.”

Poyner, who also has a mild case of cerebral palsy, proceeded to discuss the next step in the process. He proposed that Walzer correspond with top designer Tobie Hatfield, who engineered 2012 Olympic track runner Oscar Pistorius’s prosthetic

legs.“I feel so much gratitude

toward Nike as an entire company,” Walzer said. “I am so thankful for the grace they’ve showed toward what I’m trying to accomplish, and I can’t believe they responded so quickly.”

On October 28, Walzer received a pair of custom Nike shoes in the Hyperdunk 2012 style with his name embroidered on the zipper tab.

“With a zipper enclosure in the midfoot, along with a velcro strap around the ankle, they are the first pair of shoes in my life that I have been able to get on with minimal assistance,” Walzer wrote on his personal blog.

Walzer corresponded with Nike PR representative, Heidi

Burgett, to comment on Hatfield’s prototype.

About a month later, Walzer came home to a pleasant surprise: two more pairs of custom Nike basketball shoes.

“I had no idea they would get here so soon,” Walzer said. “When I got home, I saw two Nike boxes sitting on my bed, and I couldn’t believe it.”

Nike’s latest innovation comes as a direct consequence of Walzer’s feedback about his first pair, including suggestions of increased ankle support and easier fastening of the zipper. The model Lebron X shoes also have reversed straps that cater to Walzer’s left-handedness.

“They originally made this shoe with enough padding for

Lebron when he comes down on his dunks,” Walzer said. “I come down hard on my feet when I walk, and these shoes make me feel like I’m walking on clouds.”

Along with the shoe, Walzer received a letter from Burgett in which she and Hatfield requested a skype conference to see Walzer put on the shoes and hear additional feedback.

The date of the conversation has not yet been determined.

“They’re making a lot of great progress super fast,” Walzer said. “I don’t know what their plans are, but I’m hoping they get enough positive responses to make these shoes available to the public.”

Page 6 December 2012The Courier Feature

Senior’s love for literature, travel brings unique experiences

Senior Elizabeth Miles is editor-in-chief of the literary magazine, president of French club, co-president of philosophy club, co-president of English Honor Society, and vice president of National Honor Society. She has also played violin in the Florida Youth Orchestra (FYO) for five years.

“I always wished I could do something with singing, but playing violin really well takes a lot of practice by itself, so I chose to concentrate on that,” Miles said.

When she is not participating in school activities or performing in the FYO, Miles takes on foreign adventures.

In summer 2012, Miles won a free trip to Berlin, Germany for 10 days, with 20 other high school students, through an essay competition. Her essay was chosen out of hundreds of entries.

“I could not believe I’d gotten there completely on my own,” Miles said. “It was perfect and lovely, and I don’t think I can top that.”

Her other travel ventures with her family include France, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and multiple trips to Colombia since Miles is half Colombian.

“I’d love to go back to Paris, which is in general my favorite city ever,” Miles said. “Ernest Hemingway said it is ‘a movable feast.’ The food is really good and the museums

are beautiful.”Miles quotes literature

from years of reading the classics, but also enjoys satire, history, and publications such as Foreign Affairs and Time.

“I do read some science fiction, historical fiction, and mystery, but mainly nonfiction at this point,” Miles said. “I don’t go anywhere without making sure that I have a book.”

Miles considers expanding her love for language in college by learning Mandarin, Chinese, or Arabic, and eventually visiting other countries.

“I would love to go to China because I think the history is more evident in China than anywhere else in the world,” Miles said.

SABRINA REISSStaff Writer

Senior Elizabeth Miles visits a reconstruction of the Ishtar Gate, the eighth gate to Babylon. Originally built in 575 B.C., the gate is preserved in the Pergamon Museum in Berlin, Germany.

Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Miles

Page 7December 2012 The Courier Feature

From animal faces and flowers to glitter and polka dots, fingernail art allows wearers to express themselves and show off their creativity and artistic flare.

Sophomore Ashley Ferraro, a two-year nail artist, usually does her nails once a week. Bored with solid nail polish colors, she looked up interesting nail designs. Nail patterns she sees on YouTube, nail design blogs, and Instagram inspire Ferraro.

“I’ve always been creative and enjoyed drawing and painting and since I’m into nail polish and make up, nail art is the perfect combination between my interests,” Ferraro said.

“My favorite design is called galaxy, which consists of a black background with pink, yellow, and blue mixed in with white dots and glitter as stars. It’s basically how space is perceived. It’s a fun challenge that takes a

lot of concentration and skill.”

Tools used for nail art include regular nail polish brushes, smaller detail brushes, dotting tools, and makeup sponges which can be bought from stores like Sallies, Target, Michael’s, and WalMart.

“Nail art is really unique and not a lot of people have the patience, discipline, or skill to do it,” senior Devin Bielski said. “I’m honestly not artistic, so it’s cool that I can do it and show people.”

Popular nail designs consist of chevron (zigzags and stripes), ómbre (one color fades into another), glitter, galaxy, and holiday inspirations (anything from Santa Claus on Christmas to candles on Hanukkah). In the “accent” nail trend, one nail, usually the ring finger, has a different design or color than the other ones do.

“I think [the accent nail] is nice because it’s not too simple, but not too complicated. I do it when I don’t feel like doing an actual design,” Ferraro

said. “It never gets old, especially when you spice up the ring finger with glitter.”

To junior Amanda Boukzam, the benefits of nail art consist of saving money because it’s a “Do It Yourself” task, finding something to cure boredom, practicing concentration, and standing out amongst the crowd.

“You have to be good at tedious jobs and making things symmetrical,” Boukzam said.

Both Boukzam and Bielski believe that beginner nail artists should look online for different designs and tutorials and acquire more intricate tools as they work their way up to higher levels of difficulty.

“I would advise to always use good quality nail polishes along with base and top coats,” Ferraro said. “If a person tries it for the first time and thinks it looks bad or messy, the more they practice at it, the nicer and more professional their nails will look.”

RACHEL KAHN

Staff Writer

1. Apply a clear base coat2. Apply black nail polish over the entire nail

3. Paint a white object shaped as a tombstone4. Paint two black dots for the eyes on the white area (using either a nail pen or a

toothpick)5. Paint two dots at the bottom of the white area to make the feet

6. Paint an orange triangle slightly below but in between the eyes for the beak7. Apply a clear top coat

8. Let your nails dry for at least 30 minutes and enjoy!

Senior Devin Bielski uses her nail pen to complete a multicolor design, a combination of varied colored loops.

Photo by Christina Sileo

Students nail individualism through art

Supplies: Black nail polish, white nail polish, orange nail pen, toothpicks (if orange nail pen is unavailable), clear coat

Penguin Design

Page 8 December 2012The Courier Feature

Students create web businessesAt age 13, Bill Gates created his

first computer game. Forty-three years later, Gates is ranked among the world’s wealthiest people. In middle school, Mark Zuckerberg began writing software programs as a hobby. The founder of Facebook, Zuckerberg is named among the 100 wealthiest and most influential people in the world. Senior Dylan Endlich and juniors Zach Weingarten and Brian Weissman are building their own companies, dedicated to success.

In late 2009, Weissman and Weingarten created TekWik, an online technology network that provides content such as news, tutorials, and reviews. TekWik reaches 1,500 website views daily and has nearly two million YouTube views.

According to Weissman and Weingarten, hosting a website that is supported by advertisements, being a YouTube partner, receiving donations from people via Pay Pal, and paid services support the business and

provide a profit. Making $300 to $500 per month, the duo can easily maintain servers and purchase tech content to cover the website.

“I originally started my own business doing local computer repair and tech support. I created social media pages and a website,” junior Bryan Weissman said. “As time progressed, I began to make tutorials and other various tech help articles and videos. While continuously making content and improving quality, the amount of views increased.”

In March 2012, senior Dylan Endlich created Bro Buffet, a website aimed for males ages 16 to 40, covering sports, technology, and entertainment.

“I developed a detailed blueprint of not only what I wanted to create, but also a timeline of how we would continuously expand both our content and traffic,” Endlich said. “We have produced 440,000 views in just eight months. We also have 4,500+ fans on our Facebook page.”

Endlich plans to take his business skills learned from his experience with Bro Buffet and turn them into a career.

He plans to become involved in finance and possibly marketing in his future. He is currently involved in DECA which helps teach the skills needed in creating businesses and other ventures.

“Part of the Academy of Finance is teaching entrepreneurship and in our financial planning honors class we bring those skills when the students participate in DECA events such as districts or states,” Financial Planning and Marketing Management teacher Sharon Cutler said.

According to Cutler, students come up with their own idea, a marketing plan

that accompanies it, and the metrics (all the numbers that go into creating a business plan), making sure that it all makes sense.

Similar to Weingarten and Weissman, Endlich makes money based on advertising. In the beginning, he made $30 to $50 a month, but after several months he began to make a few hundred dollars a month, sometimes having revenue reaching over $800.

“If you are looking to create a business, find something you like to do, work hard at it, and never give up despite what others may tell you,” Weissman said.

RACHEL EPSTEINFeature Editor

Senior Dylan Endlich explores his website Bro Buffet. “I have a large amount of inner motivation,” Endlich said. “I treat my site like everything else I do in life and I aim to do my best.”

Photo by Rachel Epstein

Page 9December 2012 The Courier Feature

Taking the plunge: two seniors go skydiving

High school is full of “rights of passage.” You have the standard permit, license, admission into R-rated movies, voting, and for some, skydiving. Seniors Chris Mancini and Michelle Pagnotta skydived on November 11.

“It was my idea. I got it for Chris for his 18th birthday and then we planned to go a week later for our anniversary. So it was for both events,” Pagnotta said.

“I had to ask his parents, obviously, and at first his parents were like absolutely not, but one day out of nowhere his dad said, ‘Alright you can go.’ My parents both think that I am crazy.”

Pagnotta and Mancini fell from 10 thousand feet at a maximum speed of 120 miles per hour.

“I was expecting to feel like a roller coaster drop, that weird feeling your stomach gets, ” Pagnotta said. “You don’t get that feeling at all; it feels like you’re flying.”

Pagnotta and Mancini skydived in Palm Beach off an unpaved runway and jumped out of a C182 Cessna flown by one pilot.

It cost them $200 per person to skydive and then another $200 to buy the video and photos.

“I prayed the whole plane ride up and I really was only nervous when we were sitting in there and the guy strapped on to me,” Pagnotta said. “Nothing went through my head. Right when I stepped out I wasn’t really thinking, I just jumped.”

While skydiving, Pagnotta and Mancini were attached to an instructor, and they had to watch an instructional video beforehand.

“When they first opened the door and I saw Michelle go, I was nervous. I couldn’t keep my feet on the little step [outside of the plane], and that’s where I kind of got afraid. I was like ‘Oh my goodness, we are crazy,’” Mancini said.

It took the plane seven minutes to get to 10 thousand feet. The dive lasted for about four minutes with a free-fall period of 40 seconds.

“When the parachute opened I just thought ‘thank god’. I was really relieved, but it kind of hurt and was more than a bit uncomfortable,” Mancini said. “Michelle wants to do it again, but I’ll do it in a little while from now, maybe when I’m 50.”

ADAR LIVNI

Feature Editor

Soaring over Palm Beach county, senior Michelle Pagnotta falls 10 thousand feet. Strapped to her instructor, Pagnotta was guided to her landing spot.

Photo courtesy of Michelle Pagnotta

Would you rather skydive or bungee jump?

Skydive68%

Bungee Jump32%

112 students polled

Illustration by Jordan Paul

BRITISH INVASION10 The Courier Entertainment

American television production companies frequently recreate British series with a twist to fit American societal mannerisms.

American Idol, originally known as Pop Idol in the UK, premiered in the US in June 2002.

Brought to America by producer Simon Fuller, American Idol received over 22.8 million viewers in its first season and continues to receive an average of 25.8 million views each episode, as reported by Entertainment Weekly.

According to the New York Times, a growing number of television executives regard American Idol as a programming force unlike any seen before.

Because of its major success, American Idol triggered a chain reaction of similarly successful, reality-formatted TV series to come to America from Great Britain including Dancing With The Stars (2005), America’s Got Talent (2006), and The X-Factor (2011).

British series “invasions” occur not only in true reality TV but also in scripted reality TV.

Both Skins and The Inbetweeners come from the United Kingdom and share similar, controversial plots depicting high school student life struggles.

In 2011, Skins premiered on MTV and presented characters’ lives in which they cheated, lied, and performed illegal activities.

The British version continues to air in its sixth season, but the American

take on Skins terminated after just three months due to multiple controversies, poor reviews, and few viewers.

The Inbetweeners, new to America this fall, follows four high school boys through the schooling, dating, and unauthorized parts of their lives.

For most of the first season, the show mirrors its British counterpart. According to Digital Spy, MTV’s Inbetweeners has a rocky road ahead because of uneven performances, US censorship, and, for UK viewers, a sense of déjà vu.

When they come along with a script and illicit humor, the British recreated shows need to invent appealing concepts to an American audience.

Scripted shows should stay in Great Britain because that’s whom they were written for.

RACHEL KAHN

Staff Writer

The original British invasion of the mid-1960s consisted of pop and rock ‘n’ roll brought by bands such as the Rolling Stones, the Beatles, and the Who.

The 21st century invasion is characterized by indie flare shown by artists including Ed Sheeran and Florence and the Machine.

Some of the British talents that have had a breakthrough in America include Mumford & Sons, Ellie Goulding, and Adele, who has three number-one hits on the US charts.

“I got into British music a few years ago,” sophomore Nicole Clement said. “It’s good to spread your musical horizons, and British music is definitely an excellent way to do that. Coldplay is my favorite British band because their lyrics are deep; the lyrics are about emotion, the hard times we go through, and being in a dark place and finding the light.”

English alternative rock bands Keane and Coldplay laid the groundwork for success in America with one of Coldplay’s most popular songs “Yellow” in 2000 and Keane’s gold album “Hopes and Fears” in 2004.

One Direction has made US chart history twice this year as the first UK band to have its debut album enter the US Billboard Albums chart at #1 and by achieving the fastest selling single by a UK artist with “Live While We’re Young.” One Direction’s overwhelming fandom in America can be compared to that of The Beatles.

“British artists have more integrity, because in the UK it’s more about the music than the image,” junior Jesse Sedbury said. “My favorite British band is the Beatles because they revolutionized rock ‘n’ roll, my favorite genre of music.”

SABRINA REISS

Staff Writer

US favors UK ideas

British artists invade US charts

From Plymouth Rock to classic rock, British society has infiltrated American culture. The United States glorifies musicians, actors, and television shows from the United Kingdom, such as Coldplay, Adele, Hugh Laurie, Robert Pattinson, and American Idol. Despite the significant difference in humor, British reality television and teen dramas find success amongst the American audience.

BRITISH INVASION11The Courier Entertainment

Do - a party; to prosecute, to sell

- “I’m on my way to a do” (party)

- “Do you do paper?” (Sell)

- “I’ve been done in by the police” (prosecuted)

Hot, Cute - Fit, Lush, MintChild - Nipper, little-un, sprogHello - Alright, Safe, What’s gwarnin, Hey upGoodbye - Inabit, Tadah, Tarah, LaterzNarrow Minded - BlinkeredExpensive - Bomb - If something ‘costs a bomb,’ it is really expensive

Slang Converter

British and American humor are very different from one another.

American humor, usually stated in an obvious manner, can sometimes be mistaken as more blunt and somewhat in your face whereas British humor depends mostly on the use of understatement and irony.

According to Time magazine, British humor tends to have a dark or sarcastic undertone.

Their jokes usually have a hidden meaning to them, using extreme satire and irony. This can be shown in Mr. Bean and The Office both on BBC.

“I tend to love everything British; One Direction, The Beatles, I love them all,” junior Mary Prayther said, “But when I

saw some British comedy show, I couldn’t even stand to watch it.

All the jokes were hard to understand and none of it made sense.”

American humor on the other hand tends to be more slapstick such as Paul Blart: Mall Cop. The Guardian refers to it as a comedy based on deliberately clumsy actions and humorously embarrassing events.

“In America, when someone asks how you’re doing, you would say, ‘I’m fine’ whether you are fine or not,” English teacher Steve Osher said. “Whereas in England, we don’t usually intrude on personal space.”

Americans are more risky when it comes to sarcasm. For example, they are not afraid to say things such as “have a nice day” when they do not mean it whereas the British fear that saying this type of thing will

cause negative and unwanted attention as stated by The Guardian.

Time magazine also includes that although aimed to be humorous, the intention of American humor can sometimes be mistaken as slightly cheesy.

For example, The Three Stooges and Pink Panther can be sometimes considered cheesy.

“I personally don’t find most comedies humorous because the actors and writers make it obvious that they are making a joke,” sophomore Olivia Perron said, “It is hard to miss all the intended jokes with all the phony laughter,”

Overall, American comedy can be mistaken as slightly cheesy, while British as more subtle. However, both have different qualities that make them funny to their particular audience.

ALEXANDRA BARRY

Staff Writer

Put the ‘u’ in humour

Ever wanted to decode British slang? Here’s your guide to the country’s

obscure vernacular.

From Plymouth Rock to classic rock, British society has infiltrated American culture. The United States glorifies musicians, actors, and television shows from the United Kingdom, such as Coldplay, Adele, Hugh Laurie, Robert Pattinson, and American Idol. Despite the significant difference in humor, British reality television and teen dramas find success amongst the American audience.

Page 12 December 2012The Courier Entertainment

RACHEL KAHNStaff Writer

MTV’s new documentary series, This Is How I Made It, captures stars’ journeys to fame. The show premiered on October 13 and featured Ashley Rickards, the star of Awkward, and 2 Chainz, a hip-hop artist.

Formatted as a first person narrative, every segment is introduced with a quote that the celebrity says, and then progresses chronologically through the star’s life.

Each episode, covering two people at once, transitions, between the

featured stars according to the time period.

The half hour episodes begin with discussions of their childhoods and the first moments when they discovered their passions.

The show interestingly portrays the transformation of average people into popular stars in the music or television world.

It focuses on the sacrifices and setbacks. In the end, each story exemplifies that hard work and perseverance always pays off and aims to inspire viewers.

Each episode covers two people at once. Stars featured on the show

include Mac Miller, Gabrielle Douglas, Demi Lovato, Chris Brown, Naya Rivera, B.o.B., and Wiz Khalifa.

Despite the clichéd stories of people coming out of the slums to achieve major success and worldwide fame, the show is very honest and believable. It displays pictures and videos from the stars’ younger years and their sentimental stories.

People can relate to the stars on a new level of truth, compassion, and dreams.

Those who watch MTV’s Made, Behind the Music, and When I Was Seventeen will also like This Is How I

Made It. It makes

it even more enjoyable to know the featured stars and what amazing things they went through.

People in low points of their lives or who attempt to make it in the music or acting industry would also appreciate the show because it proves that success is possible.

Watch MTV’s This Is How I Made It on Saturdays at noon.

New series documents stars’ r ise to fame

Artist Meek Mill (top left), actress Ashley Rickards,

and rapper Mac Miller

discuss their journeys to fame on MTV’s This

Is How I Made It 12/11c.

Page 13December 2012 The Courier Entertainment

Titan: 40 quadrillion times faster than your average computer

Teenagers and college students rely on devices, like the Samsung Galaxy Tab, iPad and Macbook, in order to go about their daily lives, but computers, have not always performed nearly as well in such a small form.

The original computer did not offer the speed and usability that modern devices, such as the iPad, have, and it even took up an entire room. “Supercomputers” still exist, but they are not used for the same things that personal computers are used for.

For the past decade, the United States has competed with countries like Japan and China for the title of “Supercomputer King,” and as of June 2012, the US has the lead.

The newest supercomputer, Titan, resides in Tennessee at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory. This supercomputer achieves speeds of 20 pentaflops, or 20 quadrillion calculations per second, and is currently the fastest supercomputer in the world.

“That’s just way out of my league. I wouldn’t even know what to do with all of that speed,” said media

specialist Jan Pryczynski.Computers like these are used in science to

calculate outcomes to events that would take an ‘inferior’ home computer days, weeks, or years to do on its own.

With Titan, scientists can predict how long neutrons will combine in a simulation of a particle collider, how combustion engines will improve in vehicles, or how something can devastate a country’s economy and environment.

“I think that Titan is obnoxiously big, but I guess that’s why it has so much speed,” said junior Kurtis Litwiller.

Joe Otero, the Micro tech of Stoneman Douglas, thinks supercomputers will allow us to do more than test theoretical engines.

“With supercomputers like Titan, we are one step closer to completing a virtual reality where a

consciousness could be downloaded into a computer system,” Otero said.

Although supercomputers such as Titan are useful, it is possible that it could cost up to $10 million a year to just keep the computer running. The Department of Energy continues to fund Titan and

other supercomputer projects for future research.

What does this new supercomputer mean

for our current technology? Advancements with the speed

and graphics performance of supercomputers are slowly

making their way into modern smartphones and tablets.

Apple’s and Samsung’s tablets increase in speed each year because of advancements that supercomputers are paving the way for, such as smaller chip sizes and increased performance.

It’s possible the speed available in supercomputers will be implemented within the devices we use everyday within the next 10 to 20 years.

United States takes world t it le for largest, quickest processorRYAN BLITZERStaff Writer

“We are one step closer to completing a virtual reality

where a consciousness could be downloaded into a

computer system.”- Joe OteroMicro tech

Colbie Caillat’s Christmas In The Sand gives new spin on Christmas

This Christmas, singer Colbie Caillat’s album Christmas in the Sand, makes even the meanest Scrooge want to sing along with holiday cheer.

Released October 22 and filled with ten reinvented holiday classics, and five original tunes, Christmas in the Sand makes you want to spend Christmas at the beach.

The original song “Christmas

in the Sand” describes jolly Saint Nick as at the beach; the humorous lyrics - Santa wears swim trunks and tries to surf - and catchy guitar accompaniment embody the breezy fun that Caillat portrays Christmas as throughout the album. Classics such as “Santa Baby,” “Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town,” and “Winter Wonderland,” are presented in their true form - word wise - but use the same airy acoustics Caillat has been known for since her first album release in 2007, Coco.

Caillat also incorporates two duets into Christmas in the Sand. The first, a beautiful rendition of “Baby It’s Cold Outside” with rocker Gavin Degraw, with its traditional snowy setting, does not go along with the sunny theme of the album. The other, “Merry Christmas Baby,” features singer Brad Paisley, and presents another genre to the musical masterpiece - country. With that, Christmas in the Sand has flawlessly turned the traditional white Christmas that we all dream of into a beachy paradise.

ELYSSA RONIKStaff Writer

Page 14 December 2012The Courier Editorial

Since the Florida Department of Education Bureau of School Improvement introduced the School Improvement Plan (SIP), Florida’s public schools have implemented new regulations that are intended to provide students with better standards for learning. Our school has decided to enforce a policy for seniors already mandated by the Broward county school system, which states that all students must not miss more than 90 hours of school for the first three quarters. Our administrators have also added that if seniors exceed this 90-hour limit, they will not be able to participate in senior activities.

Letters to the Editor

Many students feel the dress code is unfair and selective. Every time I look around the school I see many girls wearing shorts when they should not be and they are usually juniors and seniors.

This is very annoying because they do not get sent to internal

suspension. Although, the school feels they are protecting us from revealing too much skin, they are actually being excessive about the dress code. It would be nice to wear a tank top around school when it is hot and not have to cover up with a jacket.

Every high school student enjoys having extra money to spend or save. Students can earn the money by having a part time job. Some people believe that students should only focus on school and not have a job. I believe that having a part time job in high school would benefit students.

A part time job allows students to have an understanding of the real world and to have extra money to save or put towards a large purchase. When a student purchases something with their own money, they have more responsibility and care for their purchases.

School dress code enforced unfairlyPart-time jobs benefit students

Samantha Nirenberg, junior

Cassandra War, junior

The Courier welcomes letters to the editor. Letters must be signed. The staff reserves the right to edit letters for poor taste, libel, and space. Drop off letters in room 236 or submit them online at douglascourier.com.

90 hour absence limit raises controversy

Limit promotes better education for seniors

When the second semester of senior year starts, students slack off to the point of missing school. To combat this problem, the school imposed a 90 hour (approximately 13 school days) limit on absences.

At a basic level, this rule will allow seniors to receive a better education. Students go to school for a reason: to learn. If seniors skip school simply because they got into college, they miss a substantial part of the curriculum. Limiting absences forces students to come to school and actually learn. Just because a

student is accepted to college does not mean that finishing courses is pointless.

Shannon Gundy, associate admissions director at the University of Maryland at College Park, said that “we do look at the final transcripts,” and “our assumption when we offer admission is that they will have the same level of accomplishment throughout the year . . . It has been necessary in some cases to take action regarding the application.”

It’s important to understand that students who exceed the limit only miss extra activities such as Grad Bash. These activities are simply privileges

which the school has a right to take away. It can be thought of in a different way: students who come to school get rewarded with these privileges.

The school will implement an appeals process.

The appeals committee will allow students with legitimate absences to regain the right to participate in senior activities, depending on their specific situations.

Reaching 90 hours of absences takes purposeful effort, and diligent students do not need to worry about being unreservedly punished.

The 90 hour rule will only help our school.

MITCHELL FELDMANCopy Editor

PRO

At the end of the first quarter, letters distributed to the senior class informed them about the enforced 90 hour rule that could possibly restrict their access to senior activities.

Although it is understandable that student attendance can have an influence on grades, students whose GPAs are 3.0 or higher should be exempt from the 90-hour rule, allowing them to participate in senior activities, especially if the students have valid reasons behind their absences.

According to Assistant

Principal Ty Thompson, MSD seniors acquire a high absentee rate during second semester.

The goal of administration is to reduce senior absences, so they will do well academically and meet their graduation requirement.

At the end of second quarter, administration will incorporate an appeals committee that will allow students to defend the reasons behind absences. However, such appealing will take time out of the school day for both the student and members of the committee.

Although school-based field trips do not count towards a student’s 90 hours,

excused absences such as illness, college interviews and auditions do.

Some Douglas students seek to attend Ivy League schools and college athletic programs, both of which require flying to a school’s location at a given time and date to prove their abilities.

However, it is unfair to worry students about their chances of attending senior events if their absences exceed 90 hours, approximately 13 days, for legitimate reasons.

With the use of e-mail and teacher websites, students can know far ahead of time what work they’ll be missing and make up work electronically.

NADEEN SALEHStaff Writer

Students can achieve with excessive absences

CON

Illustrated by Rebecca LowyIllustrated by Rebecca Lowy

Page 15December 2012 The Courier Editorial

Christina Sileo & Robbie KravecEditors in chief

Amanda Gaines & Megan RobbNews Editors

Adar Livni & Rachel EpsteinFeature Editors

Roxanne ZechEntertainment Editor

Mitchell KaufmanOnline Editor in chief

Lauren HalpertEditorial Editor

Victoria MalcolmSports Editor

Alex NewmanAds Manager

Mitchell FeldmanCopy Editor

Michelle GideonAdvisor

StaffRachel KahnMatt WalzerElyssa RonikLauren ChabarekSpencer DavisJacob FeldmanSabrina ReissNadeen SalehAaron Sager Alyssa Feller Sabrina EisenbergBrandon PonczekRyan BlitzerAlexandra Barry

the COURIERMarjory Stoneman Douglas High School 5901 Pine Island Road Parkland, FL 33076

douglascourier.com

The opinions expressed in this paper are not necessarily those of the advisor, administration, or advertisers. The Courier welcomes letters to the editor which can be turned into Michelle Gideon in room 236 or online at douglascourier.com. These letters can be edited for content but these changes will not affect their meaning. The publication abides by the scholastic press and is a member of the Florida Scholastic Press Association and the Columbia Scholastic Press Association. If you would like to advertise please call (754) 322-2150.

Contact us at douglascourier.com

Malala Yousafzai, a 14-year-old girl on her way home from school in northwest Pakistan, was targeted on October 9, in an attempted assassination. Malala was shot in the head by a gunman who boarded her school bus. The Taliban eagerly took credit for the attack, claiming Malala’s role as an outspoken advocate for the education of girls justified the attempt to kill her, vowing to try again if she survived.

Miraculously, Malala is recovering from her injuries in a hospital in the UK where she was transferred for her safety. The near-tragedy of Malala has focused attention on the problem of the world’s 61 million children deprived of primary school education, 32 million of whom are girls. Young Malala’s bravery and willingness to speak out for women’s education despite threats to her life should inspire us all to champion her cause.

According to Gordon Brown, UN special envoy for global education and former UK Prime Minister, the worldwide statistics for educational neglect are grim. Fifteen million children who should be in elementary school are working full-time. Ten million girls leave school every year to become child brides, and millions more are sold into trafficking.

In Pakistan, girls make up three million of the five million children denied schooling. The outcry against the violence against Malala has rightly galvanized the Pakistani and the world communities.

On November 9, Brown met with the president of Pakistan, Asif Ali Zadari, and delivered petitions with over two million signatures by members of the international and Pakistani communities in support of Malala. Brown and Zadari agreed on the

shared goal of urgently providing free and compulsory education to all of Pakistan’s children

As students privileged to live in a country where we do not have to fight for the right to attend school, we should support the rights of children throughout the world to an education. Education of girls improves the well-being of the entire community. According to the Brookings Institution, education of girls in developing countries drives economic growth and reduces childhood malnutrition and the risk of HIV/AIDS infection. Education is the best weapon against extremism.

We should encourage our leaders to support the rights of women and children in their international policies, and rally others to the cause of eliminating global educational neglect. The United States should support the efforts of the United Nations to help Pakistan realize its government’s promise to provide education to all its young citizens.

To make a donation in support of the cause of educational access, students may wish to contribute to UNICEF’s Stand with Malala campaign.

According to CNN, other worthwhile organizations promoting education in Pakistan include the Citizens Foundation and Developments in Literacy.

Because in the United States students have a right to public education, we tend to take school for granted. When we find ourselves complaining about having to go to school, we should remember that students in other countries are literally dying for the right to be educated. Students in the United States, fortified with the education and freedoms we enjoy, should champion the cause of universal education for less fortunate girls and boys around the world.

LAUREN HALPERTEditorial Editor

Taliban’s shooting of Pakistani girl should outrage students worldwide

Illustrated by Rebecca Lowy

61 million children denied education, 32 million of them girls

Page 16 December 2012The Courier Sports

SPENCER DAVISStaff Writer

After losing the district championship to Coral Springs last year, the wrestling team expects to finish with a district title this season because of the new additions to the team.

“I’m looking forward to our Coral Springs match to get some payback for last year,” senior captain Matthew Juber said.

“I can’t see us being any less than district champs because we have a large influx of new kids this year.”

According to head coach Ken Gendason, junior captain Chase Cruz will start getting acknowledged

by college coaches this year. Cruz has placed in BCAA competitions twice and was a district finalist last year.

“As long as we stay injury free, I truly believe we are a top 5 BCAA team, and will win districts, make a great run at regionals, place in the top 4, and send several off to the state championships,” Gendason said.

“Last year we had one wrestler go to states, two district finalists, one district champion, and one JV county champion.”

In order to gain an advantage, some wrestlers have to sacrifice normal eating habits.

“The hardest thing I’ve done in wrestling was having to cut 10 pounds in less than a week to make weight

classes in tournaments,” Cruz said.

According to Cruz, he would have to gain back the 10 pounds in two days to regain strength and this process would be repeated each week.

“My parents hated me doing it to myself but it was just something that had to be done for a good season,” Cruz said.

The team only has one home match this season on January 25 at 5pm against rival Coral Springs.

“I want to fill our stands this year,” said Gendason. “The Coral Springs coach and I made a friendly bet that from here-on-out, whichever team wins the match gets to host the dual meet the next season.”

Wrestling team anticipates next match against rival Coral Springs

Juniors Chase Cruz and Jon Diaz (right) wrestle at a practice. Cruz is one of three captains. The other two are senior Matthew Juber and junior Bradley Mullings.

Photo by Roxanne Zech

Page 17December 2012 The Courier Sports

Injuries end seasons early for athletesVICTORIA MALCOLMSports Editor

Every year, high school athletes rack up 2 million injuries, according to the Youth Sports Safety Alliance.

According to athletic trainer Brian Reyes, MSD athletes account for about 5 severe season ending injuries every scholastic year, not including more minor injuries that occur towards the end of the season.

Senior football player

Julian Malka broke his tibia while playing in the game against Deerfield Beach High School.

“At first I thought I got stepped on so I tried to stand up, but I realized my bones were grinding together so I started screaming for help,” Malka said.

According to Malka, his injury did not stop him from supporting his team as they finished out the season.

“I wish I could have been out there with them [for the

end of the season] but I knew I could just be on the sideline and be a coach. I kept going to games because they’re my boys,” Malka said.

Malka had initially planned to pursue football in college, but his injury has caused him to reconsider.

“For me to recover 100 percent, it will be like a year,” Malka said. “I wanted to play college ball but now I’m just interested in moving on with my life.”

According to the National

Senior Billy Marley watches the game against Coral Glades High School from the sideline. Marley broke his leg in the game against Taravella High School.

Photo by Ryan Blitzer

Center for Sports Safety, basketball and football players sustain more injuries than any other high school athletes.

For junior football player Will Megushar, who tore his quadricep during the game against Monarch High School, ending the season early was a disappointment but will not interfere with his college plans.

“When I knew I was out for the rest of the season, it put me down because I couldn’t finish the year with all the seniors who are my great friends,” Megushar said.

“I definitely want to play in college and I still have a whole season left and my stats right now, so I think I’ll be alright.”

According to junior basketball player Josh Topkin, who tore his ACL last season and is now practicing again, his injury gave him perspective on the value he places on basketball.

“I was used to playing basketball every day and then I didn’t get to play for 6 months,” Topkin said. “I realized you can’t take [playing] for granted because you can get hurt at any time.”

Page 18 December 2012The Courier Sports

Photo by Ryan Blitzer

Inexperienced boys’ hockey team starts season with smaller roster

After finishing third in its division with a final record of 12-6-2 last year, the boys’ ice hockey team hopes to improve its record to qualify for the state and national high school championships.

“I hoped that we would’ve been able to go further [in the playoffs],” head coach Ron Lieberman said.

“I thought we had an excellent group of very talented individuals that worked hard and had a strong chemistry.”

Ice hockey is not an official

high school sport but rather a club under the Florida Scholastic Hockey League, affiliated with USA Hockey.

According to senior goalie Blake Lozinski, the team is focusing on puck control, passing, and shooting.

“My personal goal is to lead the team in goals and assists so I can help our team finish in the top four and make the playoffs,” sophomore offense center Kyle Lozinski said.

According to Lieberman, a lack of experience means the team won’t discover its identity until a number of games have been played.

LAUREN CHABAREKStaff Writer

“This is a much younger team than we’ve ever had in the past,” Lieberman said.

“Last year we had about a dozen seniors, but this year we only have a couple to lead the team. We also have a smaller bench than what we’re used to.”

To cope with a smaller bench, the team skates laps for conditioning to compete at a high level for the course of the season.

“Since it’s my senior year, I want to have the best season I can,” right wing Joe DeVingo said. “I just want to have as much fun as possible.”

Senior Joe Joe Devingo plays in a game for his travel team, the Junior Panthers.“Since it’s my senior season, I want to have the best season I can,” DeVingo said. “I just want to have as much fun as possible.

Photo courtesy of Joe Joe DeVingo

Page 19December 2012 The Courier Sports

BRIEFS

Girls’ golf team seeks new players The district champion girls’ golf team lost in regionals at Madison Green

Golf Course. In order for a high school golf team to compete it needs four players on

the team. This year the Lady Eagles had exactly four players and will need to recruit more players next season.

“At districts we all competed against one other team with four players so it wasn’t difficult to win, but at regionals other teams had an unfair advantage if they had more players,” freshmen Alyssa Rocha said.

-Alyssa Feller

Boys’ soccer team record down to 3-4 The boys’ soccer team lost to Pines Charter 4-2 on Monday, November 26, bringing their season record to 3-4. “We played a really good team with phenomenal players while we are still building our program,” head coach Mauricio Lopez said. “Some of our key players can’t play due to other club commitments, so it has been tough.” According to Lopez, the team is having a difficult time finding its iden-tity and strengths. This is a result of lack of participation by key players due to prior travel soccer commitments. “We played well but we are limited in that we don’t have a bunch of superstars, we just have good players,” Lopez said. “We have one superstar, and that is Jason FitzGerald, but we can’t just rely on him. Other players need to pick up the slack.” The team will play at home against South Broward on Monday, December 3. -Spencer Davis

Boys’ golf falls in regional tournamentJACOB FELDMANStaff Writer

After finishing in 9th place in the state tournament last season, the boys’ golf team finished 3rd at regionals and failed to qualify for states as a team this year.

However, junior Alec Herzfeld qualified individually for states, finishing 36th out of 96.

“It was only a matter of strokes,” head coach Darren Levine said. “Everyone could have played better, but Alec just happened to be one of the three players to shoot 75. I think as a collective team, everyone could have played better, but Alec was just able to finish a few strokes ahead of them on that given day.”

In regional play, Herzfeld recorded a score of 75, senior Michael Anderson and junior Matt Newman

77, and sophomore Ryan Torres 85. According to Levine, this season

ended in disappointment for both him and his players.

“We expected to make a good run at states, because we made it last year,” Levine said. “Ninth place was not good enough for us. We came into the season thinking that we had a stronger team than last year, but we didn’t play as well as we should have played during regionals.”

According to Levine, the day of regionals fell on a very windy day, but he does not consider the bad weather a viable excuse.

“I think that they weren’t as successful at regionals this year because the conditions were tough out there, but every other team played in those conditions, too,” Levine said. “We didn’t play as well as we could have, regardless of the conditions.”(left to right) Skylar Thompson, Chris Demartino, Mike Anderson,

Matt Newman, and Alec Herzfeld gather after a match.

Page 20 December 2012The Courier Sports

Student gymnast gains national recognition

SPENCER DAVISStaff Writer

Agaran executes a stag in front of the Washington Monument in the National Mall. Agaran was in Washington, DC while visiting the University of Maryland, where she has since verbally committed.

Photo courtesy of Shynelle Argaran

Sophomore Shynelle Agaran first set foot on a gymnastics floor when she was six years old.

“After a couple of weeks, the coaches suggested for me to join a team and start

competing,” Agaran said. “I always dreamed of being at the top of the podium.”

According to her coach, Gary Anderson, who won a silver medal for the USA in the Pan American Games, Agaran’s work ethic sets her apart from other gymnasts.

Agaran has competed for

10 years, five of which have entailed a 27-hour per week training program.

“I have been coaching for 42 years, have had 33 girls make the ‘elite international’ program, and have gotten 87 girls full college scholarships, and Shynelle is among the top 10 girls

that I have ever coached,” Anderson said.

In the summer of 2009, Agaran competed at an elite level meet, the level that Olympians compete on.

“I hope to receive a scholarship to the college of my choice and that I am able to fully meet their expectations when I represent them in competition,” Agaran said. “After college, I plan to move on from gymnastics and start a career.”

In 2012, Agaran placed 4th in the All Around in the Junior Olympics, 1st on Floor at the Presidential Classic, and 1st on Vault, Floor, and All Around at the Tim Rand Invitational.

“[Gymnastics] is a great and fun sport, but it is also one of the most dangerous,” Agaran said.

“Hard work and determination at the gym are what is going to set you up for a fantastic gymnastics career. Having fun at competitions is the most important thing and you [have to] love what you do to do it well.”

Agaran has verbally accepted a full scholarship to the University of Maryland to pursue gymnastics as well as a career.

“I do gymnastics because I love and enjoy doing it,” Agaran said. “The full scholarship is a bonus.”