Midwinter concert preview pg. 3

Boys' gymnastics pg. 6

WARRIOR Niskayuna High School

Niskayuna, New York 12309 December 5, 1980 Vol. VII Issue VII

Phoros by Scott Dales

Center City's image of polished, modern architecture is in the making at the downtown skating rink . Other related stories on pages 4-5 .

~ . See pg. 4-5

, Plaza 400,Proctor's, breathe life into city

2 Warrior December 5,1980 Niskayuna High School

More than just hockey Hockey fans will be pleased to

find an interscholastic hockey team at Niskayuna. But, there is more to this new program than hockey. This self-funded team should clear the way for other self-supporting sports clubs.

There are a variety of sporting events not yet enjoyed at our school for lack of large scale interest, or some other factor. Self-funded sports clubs would provide oppor-

. Letter to the editor

tunities for students to experience athletic events different from those traditionally offered at schools. For example, lacrosse, rugby, or arch­ery clubs are not uncommon in other countries of the world.

This expansion of athletic acti­vities through these clubs would not be unhealthy for players or tax­payers, and would add to the already extensive selection of extra-curricular activities at NHS.

Student annoyed over concert concellation Dear Editor:

Recently, Dean Coleman stopped a rock concert in the auditorium. The performers, four Niskayuna students, were scheduled to play through all lunch periods, but the concert was halted halfway into fifth period . Dean Coleman's complaint was that the concert was tlJO loud .

I think that this action was not only unfair to the band, but totally ridic­ulous. Three periods of one day is a very small amount of time to disturb a few people for the .sake of some expression and enjoyment. It's not like these concerts were a daily occur­ance. And I thought that cultural

Letter to the editor

experiences of any type were benefi­cial to the "personal growth and development" which Niskayuna tries to promote. Besides, concerts of this type have been held in the auditorium before, so the admini·stration should have known what to expect.

The Niskayuna staff repeatedly asks for suggestions on how school could be more enjoyable for students. I suggest that the administration show a reasonable amount of tolerance and allow rock concerts, or any other kind of concerts, to be held in the auditor-ium.

Thank you, Andy Liss

Town needs

offers activities, suggestions

Dear Editor: The Niskayuna Recreation Dept.

has much to offer as far as activities for the youth of the town. However, most of the youth are middle school age or younger. Most of the activities are sports related . The high school youth is involved in working for the Recre­ation Dept. as leaders, referees and counselors. Not much is offered to this age group. What can the Recreation Dept. do to help the older youth? Recreation involves many types of activities, not just sports. Such activi­ties include drama, music, arts, and

crafts , etc. If you have any thoughts on how the Recreation Dept. in Niska­yuna can serve you, please contact the department via a letter. If we don't hear from you, we won't know your feelings.

Address: "Concerned Youth"

Niskayuna Recreation Dept. 1135 Balltown Road

Niskayuna, New York 12309

Sincerely, Frank A. Cannizzo Dir. of Recreation

Editorial Work ruins vacation

Vacation is not an extension of school; it is a time to relax and visit family and friends. Unfortunately an overabundance of homework has become a tradition at NHS.

Some teachers use vacations as an opportunity to give lengthy, involved aSSignments. These tea­chers don't take into account that students go away during vacations which makes it difficult to use libraries. They also don't consider that students may be visiting family and friends whom they don't see very often.

The objection is not to typical length assignments, but to the long involved ones that make vacations less enjoyable.

WARRIOR Niskayuna High School

1626 Balltown Road

Schenectady, N.Y. 12309

Signed letters to the editors and

art icles are welcomed from all and

may be left at the Warrior office in

room F-202. All articles must be

typewritten and double spaced. We

reserve the right to edit all copy and

letters for length and grammar, but

we will not alter ideas . The Warrior

staff meets every Wednesday after

school. All interested writers and

artists are urged to attend .

Editors-in-chief: Susan A . Jaffe

Christine A. White

News editors: Barry Jacobs

Kenneth C. Budka

Feature editors: Leslie C. Meiselman

Maureen M. Roncevich

Sports editors : John Wilson

Charlie Young

Business manager : Michael Robert

Photo editor: Scott W . Dales

Correspondence editor : Nina Brand

Advisors: Mary A . Jewett

LeRoy D. Jewett

News Niskayuna High School

Students run news show By Tim Sieber

Six students from Niskayuna High School produce their own television news program . The program airs every Thursday at 6 p.m. on Schenec­tady Access Channel 16.

Each week these students look through the local newspapers and pick out news suitable for broadcast. They then rewrite and reword the stories so that they can be read on the air with understanding.

On Thursday evenings, around 5 o'clock, the news team goes to the Channel 16 studio in downtown Schen­ectady. At this time, producer Steve Barrie, and his production assistant Mark Johnson are at work in the control room preparing the technical end of that night 's broadcast. Mean­while Managing Editor and Anchor­man Tim Sieber is in the studio making final revisions and additions to his script. Also in the studio with him are

sports caster Chris Sheridan and the program's weather reporter Amy Van­Vost. Periodically the program in­cludes movie reviews. by Daryl Mix. The only member of the crew who is not attending Niskayuna High School is camerawoman, Linda Murray.

At about two minutes to six, the studio suddenly becomes silent. Everyone takes a deep breath. Then, with a cue from Steve Barrie the show is on the air. There is no room for mistakes because the show is on air live!

Even is everything runs smoothly there is always a sign of relief in the anchorman's voice when he finally says, " That's the news, good night."

It's not I ikely that all these students will go into broadcast journalism careers, but all the students agree that the show is an interesting and fun experience.

Winter performances noted By Deborah Berard

On December 11, the Music Dept. will hold their annual mid-winter performance. The performance will include the varsity band, Stage band, chorus , and Studio Singers.

The varsity band, conducted by Mr. Promuto, formerly of the Middle School Music Dept., will perform excerpts from . Fiddler on the Roof', and holiday music. The Stage Band, conducted by Mr. Schiff, plans to perform a tribute to Duke Ellington and a few other pieces. The Studio Singers and the chorus directed by Mr. Christensen , will be singing 'Winter

I' Briefs

David Lapp, David Edelfelt, and Daniel Zimmerman, attended the New York State School Music Association's annual conference held at the Concord Hotel in Kiamesha Lake, New York from November 30 through December 3. The three earned the privilege to attend last year at the NYSSMA competition held at Niskayuna High School .

Time a Glow", "We're getting ready for Christmas" and other selected pieces.

Another concert set for December 17, will include the Symphonic Band, Symphony Orchestra and the choir.

The Symphonic Band, conducted by Mr. Schiff, will perform English folk songs by Vaughan Williams and possibly a trombone section. The Symphony Orchestra, directed by Mr. Tebbano, will playa Ballet Firebird by Stravinski, and a Concert Grosso. The choir, directed by Mr. Christensen, has yet to choose their songs.

The Senior class will be electing this year's Senior Show directors early this month. Watch announcements on applications and voting dates.

WMHT will be presenting a monthly' talent show, SHOWCASE, for persons under the age of 21. Anyone interested in auditioning for SHOW­CASE should call the station at 356-1700 to obtain a questionnaire and receive an audition .

Warrior December 5,1980 3

Recycling cycle

changed for unnter By Steve Chillrud

Representatives from the National Honor Society and American Field Services are continuing to run their recycling center every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the high school's front parking lot.

Item being collected include news­papers, telephone books, magazines, aluminum products, and car batteries. It is asked that the recycleable materials be dropped off only during the hours mentioned, and that maga­zines are separated from newspapers.

The proceeds from this program will help support both the American Field Services' student exchange pro­gram and the National Honor Society's student scholarship program .

After November 22, a winter sch­edule will be in effect where the center will be open every second Saturday of the month: December 13, January 10, and February 14. Starting on March 7, the center will return to its current schedule.

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4 Warrior December 5, 1980 Niskayuna H igh School

Proctor's plays new role By Leslie Meiselman

"I t used to be that you cou Id shoot a cannon down State Street , at 6:00 , on a Saturday night , but not an y more . " This comment , made by Denn is Mad­den, executive director of Proctor 's, reflects the recent excitement in downtown Schenectady .

Proctor 's is the Vaudeville theatre on the new 400 block . Proctor 's saw its former hey-day in the 1920 's when Vaudev i lle was popular , and in the 1930' s when it was a movie palace , but Proctor 's lost its audience . In the years following , people were watching TV and going to suburban movie theaters for entertainment.

According to Madden , " Proctor 's has had financial difficulties for a long time. It was repossessed by the city of Schenectady for back taxes in 1977, but the city couldn ' t afford to keep i t open either. In 1979 the city rented it back to the Massaroni 's, the orig inal owners , for $100 a month . "

Madden says , " The Schenectady Arts Council got the ball rolling by forming ACTS , Art Center and Thea­tre of Schenectady , which now owns and operates Proctor 's. The theatre received Federal funds for renovation , but most of the money came from volunteer r:r ivate corporations and :ndividuals in the community. "

Proctor 's is not the same theatre it

was a few years ago . Madden points out , " Cosmetic things have been done to make the place look clean . We ' ve painted and restored the gold-leaf and installed new carpet. " Proctor 's w i ll not take on a modernistic look . The chandeliers, the stained glass , and the old fashioned marquee w ill remain. " It costs roughly $500 ,000 to restore the plaster ins ide. The new lights , the stage effects , and the sound-proof ing cost one million dollars. The seats are still in desperate need of repair , and it costs $54 ,000 a year to heat the place. " Madden concludes that reno­vation is far from being completed .

He would like to clarify the miscon­ception that Proctor ' s is getting cheap production companies . " You ' re seeing the National and the Internat ional Tour ing Companies . These are the same compan ies you ' d see on Broad­way . In fac t , the " V iennesse Gala" opened in Schenectady , and four days later it was playi ng in Carneg ie Hall . " A Chorus Line " has had three world premieres . Bill Edwards , an ac­claimed critic , who was at all three premieres said that the Schenectady premiere was as good as the one in London and better than the one on Broadway .

" We ' ve had 98 % fu-II -houses. but there al l still peop le who don ' t know about us . For all of them I 'd l ike to say , we ' re here , we ' re happening. "

Citizens comment on city By Maureen Roncevich

With the large amount of activity in downtown Schenectady, one may won­der what part the merchants and citizens are taking and what they have to say about it.

Glen Horstman is the owner of Crabtree & Evelyn Ltd. and Le Choclatier in Center City . " Business has been good despite the construc­tion . " Horstman said . " I think we ' re catching on . The success of this project has a lot to do with the convenience of the skating rink and Proctor 's, " he commented . " I am a new member of the Downtown Schenectady Merchants Association which is a part of the Chamber of Commerce . The Associ­ation is playing a big part in the revi­tali zation downtown ," Horstman added . When asked why he brought his shops to Schenectady , Horstman replied , "We opened in Robinson's

Square in 1978. We were approached over a year ago and asked to come to Schenectady . We chose Center City because it is spacious and has the attraction of a skating r ink . " Michael Evans , manager of Just a Song on State Street echoed Horstman's en­thusiasm. " Business has been very good and we haven ' t even had ou r Grand Opening sale yet. We came here because it was the logical place to come . We get business from all over the Capital District. "

While speculating the plans for the completion of the 400 block: however , one man expressed his d isapproval of the project. " They won ' t finish it in 100 years , " the man who wishes to remain anonymous said . " They are just wasting money and time ," he commented . " I ' ve lived in Schenec­tady for 30 years and it is fine the way it is . "

Downtown

1.

5. Photo,. b)' Scott Da les

1. Proctor 's Theatre in Schenectady , 2. A 30 year resident expresses his opinion of the project saying , " it is fine the way it is. " 3. Center City 's State Street face. 4. Senior Elizabeth Leach working at Crabtree & Evelyn , Ltd . downtown. 5. The site of the future canal basin as seen from the Plaza 400 complex .

Schenectady

2.

3.

4.

Niskayuna High School

Plaza

Warrior December 5, 1980 5

400 'booms' By Jessica Potts

" Schenectady is going to be a boom town . It is once again going to be an excit ing place to live", explained Dennis Madden, manager of Proctor 's Theatre in downtown Schenec­tady on State Street. He was talking about the Plaza 400 and the total revitalization in the downtown area.

What is Plaza 400? It is a relatively new concept for a commercial , business, and recreational center. Many merchants pulled together to form a corporation to rejuvenate this distressed community. The corporation is supported by private and federal investments using absolutely no local or state tax money.

The Plaza consists of the buildings on State Street between Cl inton Street and Broadway. When it is finished , it will house over 65 shops and restaurants , a large number of offices , Proctor's Theatre, a skateboard park , all connected by lovely courtyards and the State Street Canal. The Canal takes its origin from the Erie Canal and has been rebuilt to flow through the courtyards and around the block along Smith Street. It will sport gondola type boats and will have bridges to connect opposite sides of the Plaza. The opening of the skateboard park which is still in the planning stages, will be publicized later.

Most of the old buildings have been rejuvenated, preserving the historic architecture, and new buildings have been constructed to complete the Plaza and house its special facilities.

The Grand Opening is being planned in conjunction with that of the Center City Plaza. This will take place in late March or April , in time for the Easter shopping season.

All of the space is hoped to be rented by this time according to Beverly Kleczek of the Chamber of Commerce who is helping to plan this celebration .

Shop, skate • In City

By Jessica Potts Center City, the federally funded complex in downtown

Schenectady, is much more than an ice skating rink. It is also an office building , a shopping mall , and a recreation center.

Architect Greg Crozier came up with the idea of Center City in 1975 when the city bought the Wallace, Grants, and Kresge buildings which had been closed . . " The idea was conceived to attract people to downtown Schenectady, " explained Crozier who considers this unique structure " a public living room available for many things." There is nothing like it in the Capital District with only five similar buildings in the U.S.

There are plans to cover the ice, for the farmer 's market conventions , and possibly tennis courts. This will make totai use of the 20,000 square feet of floor space and stands which seat 1,100 people.

The upper floors of Center City are offices, and the fourth and fifth floors are occupied by Terr, Bush, and Powell Insurance. The other two floors contain shops and the skating rink. Le Chocolatier, Crabtree & Evelyn Ltd. and CVS Pharmacy are already open, and many more stores are coming .

Warrior 6 December 5,1980 Niskayuna High Schoo l Sports Girls finish

• sWIm season By Ellen Schuler

The Girls ' Varsity Swim Team ended their season with a 4-4-1 record . On November 14 and 15 the team placed fifth in the Sectionals . Every member improved in at least one event.

The highlight of the Sectionals was in the diving competition . Senior Linda Conley placed second with a score of 323 .45 . This second place performance qualifies her for the Intersectionals at Nassau Community College.

The Sectionals began with the 200 yd. Medley Relay . Niskayuna's team , consisting of Beth Wilkinson , Robin Shafer , Laura Cohen , and Ellen Schu­ler placed seventh with the t ime of 2:14.95 .

Co-captains Zandr ia Currin and Claire Beaulieu tallied for the team with their efforts . Zandria 's time of 27 .79 earned her fifth in the 50 yd . freestyle . She also placed seventh in the 100 yd . freestyle with the time of 1 :00.51 . Claire placed fifth in the 100 yd . butterfly and seventh in the 200 yd . freestyle .

Lance Mian (left) executes an ' Iron Cross ' on the still rings while Brian McCary performs on the Pummel Horse. Both Lance and Brian placed second in the Sectionals competition at Shaker.

Not only d id the upperclassmen do well in the meet , but so did the under-

classmen . The Ferriera twins , Ann and Libby , also did well . Libby, a freshman , placed seventh in the 500 yd. freestyle . Ann placed fourth in the

200 yd. freestyle and fifth in the 100 yd . backstroke. Sohie Lee placed ninth in the 100 yd. breaststroke with the time of 1 :21.4.

McColl, Ray take By Jessica Potts

Figure skating is growing rapidly in the Capital District. Within the past five years , two nice new ice rinks have opened in Schenectady alone. Many Niskayuna students enjoy public skating sessions at both the Center City Ice Skating Rink and Achilles Rink at Union College. Two seniors, Meg Ray and Carol McColl , love figure skating and spend a lot of time with it.

Carol rides horses and has been a member of Nisky ' s varsity field hockey team for the past three years , but when she puts down her reins and stick , she picks up her skates and heads for the rink .

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• Ice skating seriously Since she was four years old , her parents have built a

skating rink in their yard where Carol got her start. Now she skates about three times a week and takes lessons with the Mohawk Ice Skating School once a week. Carol says that skating has taught her how to work hard . " I fall and get back up and do it again." She can do a variety of jumps and spins, but she is most proud of her spread eagle because not many people can do it well.

Meg started skating about five years ago when Achilles Rink first opened. She has been tak ing private and group lessons for the past two years . She is a member of the Achilles Figure Skating Club (AFSC), and skates five times a week. She also skates in the summer at the Salfi-Kemp Summer Ice Skating School. Her best move is the sit spin.

Meg enjoys skating for an audience. She said, " I'm beginning to be a real ham. " This is important when she skates in the annual Achilles ice show and as a member of the AFSC exhibition team. The team works together on routines which they perform around the Capital District and as far away as Lake George. The team also performs between periods at the Union College home hockey games. These events are fun and rewarding, "especially when they clap," Meg commented .

Both Meg and Carol plan to continue skating through college. " Skating is a really good sport for everyone, even elderly people ," Carol said . "I'm going to have my kids skate .. . if they want to . "

Sports Niskayuna High School Warrior December 5,1980 7

Schwarznegger pumps iron for clinic By Joe Gardner

Arnold Schwarznegger held a sem­inar on bodybuilding at the Steel Pier Athletic Club on November 9 as part of the grand opening of the new gym.

When Arnold entered, the crowd was silenced just by his presence. To the crowd, he seemed close to a god. When he spoke, a" eyes were glued on the 6'1", 228 lb. bodybuilding cham­pion.

Schwarznegger started the seminar

Photo rounesy Joe Gardne,r

Arnold Schwarznegger gives ad­vice during his seminar on body building at the Steel Pier Athletic Club.

Skiers plough into season

By Donna Lyons The Niskayuna X-C Ski Team,

under its new coach Mrs. Beverly Kingsley, held its first practice on November 12. Coach Kingsley is putting forth efforts to prepare the team for its upcoming season.

Before the season started, mem­bers of the team went to Lock 7 to clear trails on the Schenectady Museum Land. The squad has started pre­paring their skills for the snow season.

There is a slight problem that Coach Kingsley brought up; the X-C Ski budget has been reduced from about $1,000 to $30. This leaves just enough money for the team to pur­chase glider wax. Even though the budget was cut, there is still enough' other supplies left over from last season.

Despite the loss of five members, Dave Casey, Charles Breiter, Carole Yunick, Julie Scheib and Colleen Heagherty, the 1980-81 ski season looks optimistic because of many talented underclassmen .

by discussing mental attitudes. He ing out before and after working out. emphasized the importance of not "If you don ' t, you can become muscle letting one's workout get monotenous. bound", he explained. He said a bodybuilder should think Schwarznegger is going back to about the reason for training every Santa Monica, California, to train for time he goes to the gym. He also his next movie, Conan the Barbarian. recommended competitions between He has starred in three other motion training partners. "Training without a pictures. They are Pumping Iron, Stay goal is worthless training." Schwarz- Hungry, and The Jane Mansfield negger said . Story. He has also written two books,

He then demonstrated the indivi- but his fame has come through his dual lifts, and a volunteer from the t itles in bodybuilding. His titles crowd tried the lift. Schwarznegger include Mr. Europe, Mr. World, and supervised and made corrections. He Mr. Olympia, which he has won seven emphasized techniques rather than the times. Schwarznegger is retired but to weight used. Schwarznegger also many he is still the king of body-mentioned the importance of stretch- building ..

Warriors, Bisons clash tonight in hoop tip off

By Bart Ryan The Niskayuna Boys ' Varsity Bas­

ketba" team wi" start the 1980-81 campaign at home tonight against arch-r ival Shaker at 8:00. Although this is early, this match-up could be a determining factor in the race for the Suburban Council title.

The Council figures to be a four way race between Mohonasen, Shaker, Saratoga, and Niskayuna. Shaker, which was the 11 th ranked team in the country at one pOint last year, boasts of two returning starters. They are· 6'3" forward Jeff Teuke and 6'7" center Tim Cain. Cain is an honorable

mention A"-American this year. Their supporting cast wi" consist of mem­bers from last year's JV first place team and returning varsity non-. starters.

Now that Sam Perkins has departed to North Carolina, Shaker's two year unbeaten streak in the Council appears to be in jeopardy. According to player Steve Adam, "Shaker's streak wi" definitely be snapped this year. The team that breaks it remains to be seen. We have as good a chance as any." It promises to be an exciting contest between the two teams tonight.

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8 Warrior December 5, 1980

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