UltraViolet Sept. 08

TheUltraVioletMarlborough School 250 S. Rossmore Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90004

The

Monday, September 29, 2008 Volume 39, Issue 1www.theultraviolet.com

INDEX

News. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2C o m mu n i t y. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6Feature. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10E&A. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13Spor t s. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16Opin ion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18Bac kpage. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20

Students, faculty shuttle to school

College Board introduces eighth grade PSAT

GREEN THUMB: Emily ‘10 takes a moment to play with the hose while watering the new modular village vegetable garden. History instruc-tor Martha Schuur designed the project in August in order to teach Global Studies students about sustainability and to grow vegetables to donate to soup kitchens. See full story on Page 5. Photo by Rosie

School offers offsite lot with shuttles stopping at Rossmore and Larchmont

School joins LA Team Mentoring

• The College Board in August revealed plans for a new eighth grade version of the PSAT.

• Current seventh graders could be the first to take the exam if the school decides to administer it.

• Supporters say the exam will build confidence for students before they take the PSAT in tenth or eleventh grade.

• Others worry that it might be too soon to expose students to standardized test-ing related to college placement.

INSIDE THE UV

Almost everyone has had to adjust to one consequence of the construction: no parking on campus. Students and teachers who drive to school are now shuttling back and forth from an off-campus parking lot.

The lot is located at the Ebell Theater on the corner of Wilshire and Lucerne Blvd., and there is an additional lot for staff members on Arden Blvd. and 6th Street.

Students call wait time the most inconvenient aspect of the shuttle, but overall, the community has been adjusting well, said auxiliary services Manager Clinton Oie.

“It’s a shift in culture. Students are used to going to their car and getting out of here; it’s an inconvenience. It’s just an inconvenience that we’re hoping we’ll pull together with,” Oie said.

Kendall ’10, who takes the shuttle daily, is pleased with the abundance of spaces, but not with the wait time.

“You never have to worry about space, you have to worry about getting here on time [to catch the shuttle],” Kendall said.

Katie ’09 said she appreciates just having parking.

“The shuttle is what it is, so we’ve got to accept it. At least we have parking somewhere,” Katie said.

Oie said that accommodations have been made to ensure that athletes can use the shuttle. Katie ’09, who plays volleyball, said that the arrival times for the shuttle have gotten better.

“It was really tough at first because it never got there on time, and we were always late to practice,” Katie said.

After school, she said, the shuttle is usually fine, although she calls it a definite inconvenience.

Oie said that one added benefit of the shuttle has been that faculty members have more time to socialize with one another.

“Employees in the past have said that they don’t have enough bonding time, so

To help John Burroughs middle school students overcome their unique challenges and succeed in middle school, some tenth and eleventh grade students will become mentors through the Los Angeles Team Mentoring program. Marlborough is the first high school to participate in the program.

The program is geared towards high-risk middle school youth in disadvantaged communities. Program organizers said starting middle school is difficult for everybody, but for these kids in the Los Angeles public school system, it’s an especially difficult transition. Many become lost in the crowds and later drop

out of school. It is the goal of Los Angeles Team Mentoring to change this.

Once a week, a team of mentors works with 10 middle school students through a 30-week curriculum focusing on leadership development and team building. Originally, mentoring teams consisted of one teacher from a participating middle school, one business professional, and one college student. This year, however, the program is adding one more mentor to each team, a Marlborough sophomore or junior.

According to Los Angeles Team Mentoring program Director Colleen LeCompte, the program began at Horace Mann Middle School in 1992 and has since expanded to include 15 middle schools throughout Los Angeles. Mentors

By Brianne

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By Julia

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By Celine

The UltraViolet

Pilot program will work with John Burroughs studentsELECTION TIME:Students volunteered or interned for Democrat Barack Obama and Republican John McCain’s presidential campaigns over the summer. See 0.

The class of 2014 might be the first to take the College Board’s new PSAT for eighth graders in 2010. While supporters of the test argue that it will benefit students by exposing them to the format of the SAT at an earlier age, the test has also raised concerns as to whether eighth grade is too early to begin standardized testing.

If the focus of the test is on practice, then it’s a good idea and can be a confidence builder, said middle school Director Robert Bryan. “My concern is if the eighth graders were to draw too many conclusions from the results,” he said.

The purpose of the test is to “better prepare students for the testing experience they encounter in tenth grade on the PSAT, and SAT in the later grades,” said associate Director of college counseling Monica DePriest.

Co-president of the Parents Association Funke Ojuri agrees that the new test could potentially be beneficial.

“If you took the exam just as a baseline so it helps you determine where you’re deficiencies are that gives you time, you have four years to work on your problem areas as opposed to finding out in eleventh grade that you have a problem,” she said.

Adam Ingersoll, founder and principal of Compass Education, said that the benefit of the test would depend on how the school emphasized it to the students.

“It’s all about how it’s presented initially and what is the purpose behind it on the part of the school that’s having the students take it,” Ingersoll said.

The PSAT can be discouraging, even when sophomores and juniors take it for the first time, so it’s important that the school makes sure students understand the purpose of the test and don’t take it too seriously, Ingersoll said.

Although some students already take the SAT as seventh or eighth graders for the Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth program, DePriest is unsure whether students should be taking the test in eighth grade because they have to do so. While exposing students to the test at a younger age may prepare them better for the actual

SENIORITIS:Seniors exhibit their artwork at “Suite Violet.” See page 11.

SEE “NEw pSaT” pagE 4

SEE “MENTORINg” pagE 9

SEE “ShuTTLE” pagE 8

2 Monday, September 29, 2008News

Volume 39, Issue 1 www.theultraviolet.com

Munger Hall rises into view

NEwS IN BRIEF

Seniors gathered on the field on September 22 to sign the final three beams of Munger Hall’s structural skeleton and watch as a giant crane hoisted them into place.

What was formerly a hole in the ground is now the two-story steel frame for Munger Hall, made up of 375 steel beams and columns, and Head of School Barbara Wagner thought that seniors should add a lasting, personal touch.

“I’m glad they let us sign the beams,” said senior Zoe. “It’s the least they could do, especially after all the trouble the construction has caused us.”

The beams went in the northwest corner of Munger Hall, just about where the non-senior student lounge will be located.

Over the summer, workers completed two underground parking levels that will almost double the school’s parking spaces.

Additionally, workers laid the cement foundation for the base floor of Munger Hall. 70 cement trucks delivered over 700 yards of concrete to the construction site over the course of August 29, when the final pour took place.

Director of finance and operations Nick Hernandez said the school continues to work toward certification with the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System.

Hernandez believes that the School will be LEED certified, but in the end, “it’s more important for us to be green than LEED certified,” Hernandez said.

Robert Bryan, Nick Hernandez, Barbara Wagner, and Andres Nyquist discussed everything from solar panels to termite hills.

Nyquist, a renowned architect and designer from Sweden who specializes in healthy, sustainable buildings and green planning, is in Southern California to attend the San Diego Green 2008 convention. He came to Marlborough on September 15 through a connection with Dr. Diana Fletcher-Hoppe (Colette Fletcher-Hoppe ’11) who has a foundation that funded part of Nyquist’s stay in Southern California. Nyquist is also an associate with former guest speaker Gunter Pali.

The general discussion involved Nyquist’s ideas on “closed systems” as opposed to “linear systems” and how this mentality should be applied to growing urban areas.

Nyquist gave an example of a natural model for a building: termite hills. Their specific shape and location, he said, cause air to flow naturally within them. Nyquist believes that this model provides an efficient way to consume energy. His concept of “closed systems,” meaning circular patterns for energy use, is a way to sustain resources for growing populations.

These concepts, however, will not be applied to the new academic resource center since it is so far along in construction.

Nevertheless, Hernandez said, “His designs could play a role on future projects.”

“Green” architecht visits school Who’s actually following the new cell phone law?

Lewandowski stays for fall

Ortiz takes over honors research in humanities

Marlborough in the news

Teacher recs go online

The UltraViolet conducted a poll of 49 juniors, 43 seniors, and 74 faculty members. The results below reflect the 26 juniors, 31 seniors, and 73 faculty members who responded that they actually drive cars. We asked whether or not responders still use their cell phones while driving, even after the no-cell phone laws (VC 23123 and 23124) went into effect on July 1,2008. Those who responded that they did still use their cell phones were asked why and given the choices, “The cell phone speakers are on and I put it in my lap,” “The speakers are on and I put it in my hand,” “I use bluetooth,” or “Other.” Responders were then asked whether they have gotten a ticket for the violation, and if so, whether it has changed their minds about using their phones.

• Drivers under 18 may not use a cell phone or any other electronic communication device to talk or text while driving, EVEN WITH A HANDS FREE CAPABILITY, except in emergency situations to call police, fire, or medical emergency services.• If a minor drives while using a hands-free device, it is a secondary offense, meaning officers may cite you for the violation only after pulling you over for another offense.• Using a hand-held device, on the other hand, is a primary violation.• The fine for the first offense is $20 and subsequent offenses are $50.

Latin instructor Dr. Victor Ortiz is the new head of the Honors Research Program in the Humanities, replacing English instructor Dr. Reid Cottingham. Cottingham will be serving as 11th grade level leader this year in addition to her other duties, so could not continue to be a part of the program. Ortiz said he is still learning about the program and getting to know his students and their projects, but is looking forward to the year. “It’s exciting to be a part of this,” Ortiz said.

STEEL AND TRADITION: Above, construction workers put up the steel beams which will serve as the frame for the new Munger Hall. The frame consists of 375 stell beams. Below, Mandy Rosen-thal ’09 leaves her mark on the final beam. The senior class signed the steel pieces, and their names will be built into the wall. Photo above by Rosie, below by Colleen

Angeleno Magazine and LA Times Magazine both recently printed favorable articles about Marlborough.

Marlboroughs Student Charitable Fund’s event “Putting on the Ritz” was featured in Angeleno Magazine as a successful event organized by students for students. Co-chair Asha McNab ’08 said she is thrilled to see and read the positive result of all the hard work, stress, time, and energy MSCF put into the event.

Also in the news, LA Times Magazine highlighted Marlborough as one of the top ten high schools in Los Angeles. Head of Upper School Laura Hotchkiss believes that our low student to teacher ratio was one of the many reasons we received this recognition. She credits Marlborough’s small class sizes along with our excelled educators in creating an intimate, distinguished learning environment.

By Taylor

The UltraViolet

By Ileana The UltraViolet

Director of College Counseling Susan Lewandowski will remain at Marlborough through December 2008.

Lewandowski initially intended to retire at the end of last year, but she has extended her stay at Marlborough by a few months.

“I’m thrilled to be able to stay until the end of December to work with all of the students whom I began working with last year,” she said.

Co-Director of College Counseling Monica DePriest will assume responsibility of all seniors in January, while Kim Renfrew, who previously filled in when DePriest was on maternity leave, will begin working with the junior class on an interim basis. A search for Lewandowski’s replacement will begin in October.

“I am excited to see the seniors through college,” Lewandowski said.

-Sally, UV Staff

-Amanda, UV Staff

-Julia, UV Staff

Students and faculty members who use cell phones while driving

Survey by Julie, UV Staff

-Brooke, UV Staff

SOURCE: www.dmv.ca.gov/cellularphonelaws/

Seniors and faculty members breathed a sigh of relief this year upon learning that college recommendations can now be sub-mitted online via commonapp.org. In previous years, students provided their teachers with a stamped and ad-dressed envelope for each school to be sent in the mail, but now, teachers write their letters electronically and can submit them to as many schools as the student wishes, assuming all those schools take the com-mon application. English instructor Reid Cottingham felt the effects of the new, simpler system. “There are not piles of envelopes on my desk. I can just click a button,” Cottingham said.

Uv Poll

Deconstructing construction

Number of people

Juniors

Seniors

Faculty

News 3Monday, September 29, 2008

Marlborough Schoolwww.theultraviolet.com

‘09 exactsnew “Pledge” for 2008-09

New teachers, new voicesFirst-year teachers bring a fresh per-spective to curriculum discussions

Seniors get back on the school bus

Guerin winner Sallas-Brookwell meets hero

To alleviate Marlborough’s parking crunch and help the environment, the school is allowing seniors to ride the school bus virtually free, after the regular deposit of $200.

Auxilary services manager Clinton Oie said that 14 members of the class of 2009 have taken the offer. In previous years, he said, only about four seniors have ridden the bus. He promoted eliminating the fee for seniors even before construction because, he said, “The most valuable tool that the school has to ‘go green’ is the school bus.”

Oie said that he feels the new

policy has had an enormous effect. “That’s 14 less polluting cars, 14 less possible traffic accidents, and it’s 14 less cars parking, whether it’s on the street or in our lot. That is huge,” Oie said.

The policy has about a $2000 value, Oie said. The bus usually costs between $1860 and $2180.

Senior Talia ’09 said that the financial benefit of the policy was her reason for choosing to ride the bus this year.

“I take anything that’s free and saves the environment,” she said. “It’s easy, and it saves gas.”

Darcy ’09 agreed, although she noted that the bus wasn’t completely free because of the $200 deposit.

“It’s nice because I get to do homework and I can’t when I drive,” Darcy said.

Monica ’09, on the other hand, that she has decided not to ride the bus because she finds it inconvenient and uncomfortable. Monica lives in Brentwood and, including 15 minutes of shuttle time, it takes her 40 minutes to get to school.

Monica said that she had enough of riding the bus in middle school. Tailia, on the other hand, was excited at the prospect of partaking in what she considers a high school rite of passage.

“My mom took pictures of me getting on the bus on the first day,” she laughed.

“[Dr. Suran’s]level of energy and excitement about every-thing…it made me sort of sit up and take no-tice.”

-Les KleinENGLISH

INSTRUCTOR

THE WHEELS ON THE BUS: Darcy ‘09 boards school bus number 128. Darcy is one of 14 se-niors who have given up the freedom of their cars to ride the bus this year. The school encour-aged seniors to take the bus by charging them only $200 instead of the usual $2,000. Photo by Colleen

By Cami

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By Sally

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By Sally and Cassidy

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By Ali

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If the English department were a Kung-fu movie, English instructor Les Klein would be the wise, experienced Karate master. Dr. Justin Suran, on the other hand, would be the “young grasshopper.” New both to Marlborough and to teaching high-school English, Suran added a fresh perspective to planning discussions for English II, a class which Klein has taught for 18 years.

With 21 new teachers and administrators joining many experienced, veteran faculty members this year, the dynamic between the guru and the grasshopper has wrought changes to curriculum and atmosphere on campus. Many departments have felt the effects.

In the English department, Klein and Suran teamed up with Mark Krewatch, English and journalism instructor, to teach the tenth grade American literature course, English II. Klein said Suran’s presence was a driving force behind changes to the course.

“His level of energy and excitement about everything…it made me sort of sit up and take notice. I’ve been, in many ways, sort of relaxed about teaching American literature because I’ve done a similar thing every year, and this year it’s very different,” she said.

Many of the changes resulted from the question of whether the course should be organized thematically or chronologically. Suran, who has almost exclusively taught history thus far, had a definite opinion on the subject.

“I do have this almost ingrained intellectual preference for a chronological perspective, combining historical perspectives [with literature],” Suran said.

To introduce a more chronological perspective into the course, the tenth graders started Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter a month and a half earlier than usual.

“It’s very exciting, but it’s also making me a little nervous,” Klein said of the change.

Some English II standards were changed or eliminated. The tenth graders will not be reading Henry David Thoreau, for example. Such changes were difficult for Klein.

“That was like wrenching something very dear out of my heart,” she said.

Still, she believes that the new blood has been very beneficial.

Suran agreed that the process has been exciting, and said that he feels he can learn from Klein’s practical knowledge and “almost innate sense of timing and pace.”

He feels that this year may have been the first step in a longer, gradual process of change in English II as questions about the purpose and structure of the course are brought to the surface.

“It’s a different cast of characters, so these questions, I think, are being re-opened,” he said.

A new cast of characters is affecting the dance program as well.

“With the new dance teacher, it’s a good opportunity to take a new look at the curriculum,” said dance instructor Mpambo Wina. “We’re hoping to bolster and

strengthen the dance program.”Wina and new dance

instructor Laura Iacuessa, who has taught at dance studios and colleges for 18 years, will spend a year evaluating the program.

“We both have our perspective of the arts and very strong ideas – we’re excited to really collaborate and see what contribution we can both make,” said Iacuessa. “With new people, the dynamics are sometimes different.”

The two hope to make the progression of dance classes at the school more continuous and “pull a straight line from discovery to dimensions,” Wina said.

In the history department, on the other hand, new instructor Michael Gwaltney is teaching AP US History, a course he taught ten years before coming here. Gwaltney said he can’t change the course content because of the curriculum the College Board sets.

“The difference would be in style of the teacher and presentation,” Gwaltney said.

ONE BIG SORORITY: Ruby ‘14, along with every other non-senior to go through the front gate, got a “pledge” wristband. For the traditional senior prank, the Class of 2009 created a “Rho Tau Sigma” sorority, standing for “Respect the Seniors.” Photo by Colleen

Two steps onto the front bricks, seniors accosted girls with “Pledge” wristbands, marking them as lowly plebs beneath the ruling class of 2009. Police tape with the phrase “Kids Play Zone” lined the seventh and eighth grade locker hall, the Junior gallery was labeled the “Animal House” and the Seniors marked their territory with banners saying, “This is our world.” The senior’s theme for the day was sorority. Student council also came up with a theme for the year: “Recess.” “We wanted a theme that was relatable, one that highlighted fun and encapsulated the ideas we had for the year,” said Maddie

‘09, all-school president. “Once we chose the theme, we assigned watching Recess as homework to find usable parallels between the show and Marlborough life.” At all school meeting, run by new assembly coordinator Hay-ley ‘09, the council presentation included upper school director

Laura Hotchkiss dancing. “The dancing was fun and it was nice that Mrs. Hotchkiss wanted to do it with us,” said Miriam ’11, middle school president. “It was good to be back and I am excited for the upcoming year,” said Rita ’13.

TRY THIS: Sophia samples cherries at a farmers’ market with Alice Waters. Photos courtesy of Sophia

Guerin Prize winner Sophia ’09 savoured fresh currants and discussed the garbanzo beans at the Hollywood Farmers’ Market with her American hero Alice Waters, owner of world-renowned Chez Panisse restaurant in Berkeley, CA.

“It was a phenomenal experience,” Sophia said. “I

learned so much.” Sophia and teacher

chaperone Dr. Suzanne Shimek spent three days in Berkeley with Waters. Waters is instrumental in the movement to cook with organic, locally grown, small farm ingredients and Chez Panisse, was rated the best in America by “Gourmet Magazine” in 2001.

“Not only is she amazing in terms of how she thinks about food, but she combines

her passion with philanthropy,” Sophia said.

At Chez Panisse, Sallas-Brookwell watched as the chefs prepped for dinner service. She and Shimek sampled all of the fresh ingredients, and even got extra dinner dishes.

“Everyone was so congenial and friendly,” Sophia said. “They kept saying ‘try this, try this!’”

4 Monday, September 29, 2008News


Students have noticed a different sound emitting from the modular village: the chime of bells.

The bells were set up at the end of summer before school started.

Head of technology Ida Dahan said the bells were put in place because of complaints last year by teachers and students who said they couldn’t hear the bells from the main school building.

Village Vegetables

New “Harry Potter” bells in Village

THE GOOD EARTH: Mikaela Gilbert-‘13, Jamie ‘13, Alexandra ‘13, and Rachel ‘13 transplant carrots during

Global Studies. Below, two visual arts students draw the plants for their class.“I think it is the best way for people

to appreciate where food comes from,” said history and social sciences instructor Martha Schuur. Photos by Colleen

The Tibetan bells, which were chosen by Dean of Faculty Martha Schuur, are programmed to ring through PC computers, although some teachers in the village have MAC computers: Art teachers Chelsea Dean, Kathleen Rea and Judith Tanzman don’t hear the bells.

Because the new bells are on a different software program, the chime of the bells cannot be changed to that of the main campus buildings.

In the village, there are two different chimes: one for Monday-Thursday and a separate

one for Friday that sounds like the “Recess” cartoon bell.

Visual Arts Department Head Gina Woodruff said that the “sounds are odd.”

“The Friday sound is awful. [My class and I] have decided that it sounds like Harry Potter,” she said.

Still, students and teachers agree that the bells are useful. Sarah ’11 said the chimes are “both creepy, but it’s good that we can hear the bells from the modular village.”

By Cassidy

The UltraViolet

By Brianne

The UltraViolet

Students and teachers planted an organic vegetable garden over the summer to teach the community about sustainability and appreciating the process of food production.

History instructor Martha Schuur ’74 coordinated the planting of the vegetable garden with HeartBeet, a gardening company run by alums Megan Bomba ’02, Sara Carnochan ’02, and Kathleen Redmond ’02. The alumae at HeartBeet will visit twice a month to help with the garden and plant new produce each season.

Schuurr was inspired by alum

Johanna Bloch ‘01, who lectured on her professional gardening in Maine to the eighth grade Global Studies class.

“I think it is the best way for people to appreciate where food comes from, and it also stimulates a lot of learning,” Schuurr said.

The school funded the project, and ValleyCrest landscapers built the beds. The garden includes edible flowers, tomatoes, broccoli, cauliflower, lettuce, carrots, radishes, peas, beans, spinach, and herbs. The plants were chosen because they are the best for late summer and fall.

Children from Third Street School will come when the food is ripe to play in the garden, help maintain it, and pick the food.

The rest of the crop will be given to the neighbors to appease them for the construction hassle, and to local food kitchens.

The garden was designed in long rows so an entire class can work on it at the same time. Schuur hopes it will help many students explore and learn. The global studies classes help maintain the gardens, art classes can often be seen drawing the plants, and biology classes will examine the boxes to check for worms affecting the plants.

Continued from cover

With new PSAT, some see learning opportunity, some see traumatest, it also may create additional pressure earlier than necessary.

DePriest is concerned that if students start to focus on standardized testing in the eighth grade, they may “lose the value in the here and now.” This is the challenge Marlborough faces as a college-preparatory school, she said.

Maddie ’09, who is in the midst of the college admissions process, said that while she would have been in favor of taking the PSAT as an eighth grader, but after having experienced the reality of the testing process, she is opposed to the idea of the new test.

“Now that I look back on it, I should have enjoyed my earlier years,” Maddie said.

Although Amy ’09 saw some potential benefits to eighth graders getting early experience with the PSAT, she also had some worries.

“It would have seemed really foreign to me as an eighth grader to start thinking about the PSAT, which is connoted with the SAT, which is connoted with college,” she added.

Hayley ’09 feels bad for

younger students who will have a harder time getting into college and who might have to take the PSATS in the eighth grade, she said. While Fager feels as though she should have perhaps taken more APs and challenged herself more in that sense because she would have had more options, “at a certain point you have to see where it takes you and live your life. PSATs in eighth great don’t

seem very natural,” Fager said. When The Los Angeles Times

first released news of the test to the public in August, sources in the story went so far as to claim that the College Board may have had ulterior motives in designing a new test.

“If you’re cynical, then you’re feeling that the College Board is doing this to expose students to their brand,” said Ingersoll.

Attrition rises to 3.17%, but doesn’t match rumorsThe 2007-08 rate is about half the national average. The largest loss of students is from the Class of ’11.

“I was looking for a greateropportunityto find myself,and there were more outlets for creativityat a largerschool.”

- Eve Bilger FORMER

MARLBOROUGHSTUDENT

By Brianne and Cassidy

The UltraViolet The school’s attrition rate in-creased from 2.83% to 3.17% this year, with the largest transfer rates coming from the class of 2011. The increase was not nearly as high as last year’s hallway ru-mors would have suggested, and the rate still remains dramatically lower than the Na-tional Association of Independent School’s average of 7-8%, said director of admissions Jeanette Woo Chitjian. Last year, three eight graders, nine ninth graders, and five tenth graders left. Woo Chitjian said the rate is so low be-cause of the overall strength of the appli-cation process and the overall happiness of the community. “It’s really low be-cause everyone is pret-ty happy here. During the application pro-cess, parents and stu-dents get to know the school and the academ-ics, [so] there are no surprises when they walk through the door,” said Woo Chitjian. Eve Bilger, a junior at Harvard -Westlake, left Marlborough last year because of the environment. “At a bigger school, I would have more opportunity for dif-ferent things. I was looking for a greater opportunity to find my-self, and there were more outlets for creativity at a larger school,” Bilger said. Bilger only applied to Harvard -Westlake. “The hardest part was making the decision [to apply.] Once I ap-plied out, I knew that if I was ac-cepted, I was going. Leaving my friends at Marlborough was hard, but the actual applications weren’t too bad,” Bilger said. Though teachers and students asked her not to go, Bilger had already made her decision, she said. Looking back, Bilger recom-mends Marlborough work on its school spirit. All-School Vice President Hi-lary Ash believes that students

love their school, but under stress and pressure, they don’t remem-ber to say it. “As a member of all school council and as and athlete, there’s so much school spirit that we have that we don’t tap into. I think people have so much love for the school and the people at the school,” Ash said. Anna Rajo-Miller, a sophomore at LACHSA, left last year.

“I wanted to focus on the arts, and I felt I could do that better at LACHSA, where I spend three hours a day in various acting classes,” Rajo-Miller said. Rajo-Miller didn’t find applying out challenging, but leaving the Marlbor-ough environment, her friends, and Mar-lborough’s traditions was. “The hardest part was making new friends...and miss-ing out on traditions such as Hawaii and Ring Ceremony,” Rajo-Miller said. Sophomore Rose Greenberg ‘11 is ap-

plying to Hamilton High School and LACHSA this coming win-ter. “I want to go to a school that’s more involved in art,” said Greenberg. “I’ve also never really been to public school except for elementary school for two years and I want to try the new experi-ence.” Visual Arts Department Head Gina Woodruff, however, said that “we actually have a very strong art program and I think it’s better than most schools. I think when people leave to focus on arts they really just want to have less academics.” An anonymous sophomore con-sidered applying out after eighth grade because she didn’t feel like it was the “right school,” but her opinions soon changed. “I adjusted a lot better. At Mar-lborough, they really do help you individually and always try to make everything work out for you,” said the sophomore. “I love Marlborough now.”

News 5Monday, September 29, 2008


Brown sees Chimoza money in action

Middle-class tuition breaks mean tougher competition at top schoolsBy Sophie

The UltraViolet

By AliThe UltraViolet

Seniors will face tougher competition to be accepted into Harvard, Stanford and other top schools this year, following the decision by several universities to increase financial aid for middle class families.

Harvard and Stanford announced last spring that they would drastically cut tuition for families that fall in the middle-class income range. After that announcement, several other universities took similar steps, though not necessarily to the same extent.

Yale, the University of Pennsylvania, Swarthmore, Haverford and Pomona reduced tuition for students in the $180,000-per-year income range. Yale has

even taken into consideration family size and medical bills as part of their equation for potential additional aid.

Co-Director of College Counseling Monica DePriest said that the increased numbers of students across the country who can now realistically consider these schools will create a ripple effect that will impact Marlborough students. Affected schools will be harder to get into.

“The application numbers will definitely increase. When a top college makes itself more accessible to the population, the applicant pools increase,” DePriest said.

The increased number of applicants, however, will not be coming from Marlborough, DePriest said, because most students who wanted to apply to

those schools would already do so regardless of the tuition break.

“There are about three thousand institutions in the nation, and Marlborough students look at about a hundred twenty-five to one hundred fifty of those schools… many of which they would have applied to before these financial changes were implemented,” DePriest said.

It remains to be seen if many of the smaller private institutions that more Marlborough students are applying to will follow the tuition trend set forth by the Ivys. Most of these schools, which often lack large endowments, cannot afford to offer such large financial aid. For example, Dickinson College, a small liberal-arts school, cannot offer aid of the same extent to middle class families without endangering the school. President

of Dickinson College William G. Durden, in an interview with the New York Times, said that even though small schools do not have the money to match Harvard’s new financial aid program, they will be under tremendous stress to follow the trend, or even increase the price of full tuition to pay for the all the aid packages.

“A lot of us are going to be under huge pressure to do these things that we just can’t do,” Durden said.

Although financial aid for middle class families allows more middle-income families to apply to top schools, some say this trend decreases the opportunity for lower-income families to apply, stripping the schools of financial diversity.

Harvard officials argue that with so much attention on

financing the tuition of lower class families, few middle class families will apply because the price is unaffordable. Because these families didn’t previously qualify for financial aid, there was a lack of applicants from the middle- to upper-middle class range.

As the middle-class families get a break from the high cost, the wealthiest are forced to pay more to make up for it. On the other side of the spectrum, the lower class families are ultimately left in the dust, unable to handle the increased tuition prices even with aid.

While Harvard’s thirty-five billion dollar endowment ensures that the tuition break does not cause a financial issue for the school, many other colleges cannot afford such a large leap.

WELCOME COMMITTEE: Students wait outside the Chimoza school in Zambia to Laurie Brown. Photo courtesy of Laurie Brown

Community Service Director travels to Zambia to visit the children who attend the school that was built with funds raised from the 2005-06 fashion show

Laurie Brown, community ser-vice and internship director, spent a month this summer in South Africa, Botswana, and Zambia, where she visited the Chimoza School. The school was largely built by donations from Marlborough in the 2005-2006 school year. Brown’s trip was inspired by her desire to see the kindergarten through seventh grade school in Ndola, Zambia that was built with $25,000 raised by Marlborough students’ bake sales, Dance En-

semble performances, Chamber music recitals, the Art Council’s fashion show, a swim-a-thon, var-ious interest clubs’ contributions, and a gift from a parent. Through teaching a math class, reading to students, meeting with teachers and the principal, and touring the school and sur-rounding areas, Brown and her daughter, Alison ’95, were able to see Marlborough’s contribu-tions affecting the lives of AIDS orphans. “The children are the most vi-brant, friendly, enthusiastic peo-ple in spite of the fact that they have nothing. They don’t see

themselves as poor and neither should we,” Brown said. So far, Marlborough’s dona-tions have gone to building bath-rooms and part of a classroom, along with buying desks and school supplies. Brown said, however, that much more needs to be done, includ-ing building a library, eight more bathrooms, a water tower and re-moving a collapsed building. “There is a great deal of work to be done before Chimoza School is complete,” Brown said. To help with the needed im-provements, Marlborough stu-dents in Junior Service League

(JSL) and Community Service League (CSL) are holding a “Car-nival for Chimoza” on October 17 with various food vendors and games. Brown said, however, that there is more than one way

to help. “Not only are our financial con-tributions important, but the way we keep in contact with letters and pictures means everything to the children,” Brown said.

6 Monday, September 29, 2008Community


HANGING TEN WITH OCTAVIAN: On a beach in Bali, history and social sciences instructor Andrea Drobnick and math instructor Alison Moser still can’t get away from Marlborough as they read the all-school book ,“Octavian Nothing.” Though Drobnick and Moser visited to the exotic country to relax (mostly), other teachers traveled outside the country this summer as part of the Fulbright program. See story below.

Wagner gets a bird’s eye view of Los Angeles

Fulbright takes teachers to Greece, India

Face-It gets new blood

Reporting to the Los Angeles Police Department’s air command station in downtown Los Angeles, Head of School Barbara Wagner boarded a helicopter with two LAPD officers on July 24. Though she has flown in helicopters in Hawaii, Florida, Alaska, and Colorado, this was her first flight over Los Angeles.

“At a silent auction I attended for charity, I thought the helicopter ride that was featured was a great idea,” Wagner said. “It was a win-win situation for the LAPD and me, so I bid on it and won.”

Circling the air for four hours, Wagner witnessed several crimes in action. Hovering above, she and the pilots watched six people breaking into a house. Once the robbers realized they were being watched, all six ran in different directions, prompting the helicopter officers to call in two more police cars to manage the situation. Without the air support, the police officers on the ground never could have caught all six offenders, Wagner said.

“I am impressed with the ways the helicopter and the officers in the helicopter are used to help the people on the ground do their job,” Wagner said.

By Ileana

The UltraViolet

Performing arts instructor Anne Scarbrough delivered a monologue at a Greek theater, while history and social science instructor Catherine Atwell sat next to India’s “next top model.” Both teachers traveled through the Fulbright program this summer.

Visiting important sights, such as the Acropolis of Athens, the Monasteries of Meteora and Mount Athena, Scarbrough hoped to deepen her knowledge of Greek history while also gaining more perspective on the culture of modern day Bulgaria and Greece.

“I got a real context for the Greek [plays] that I’ve been teaching for so long,” Scarbrough said.

Scarbrough said she got exposure to sights and tours that wouldn’t have been possible without the Fulbright program. For example, though the Acropolis Museum was closed for the day, the Fulbright group was able to go in.

One of her most memorable days was in Delphi, where the

Delphic oracle is. An archeologist was there that day and had just excavated a slab that was the oldest form of musical notation found to date, and had not yet been made public knowledge.

“Talk about going behind the scenes,” Scarbrough said.

Atwell spent one and a half months in India and Sri Lanka this past summer on a Fulbright trip. With the goal of gaining a better perspective on the countries’ diverse religious practices, Atwell visited schools, temples and other

By AliThe UltraViolet

Smiling faces greeted me from behind desks at cubicles, which were lined with neon blue, orange, and yellow posters, all reading: AIDS WALK LOS ANGELES.

If the company motto of the AIDS Walk involves friendly service provided by employees with enthusiasm and spirit, the AIDS Walk office at Wilshire Blvd. in L.A lives up to it. When I visited the office on Sept. 16 as the Kids Who Care Marlborough representative, I was impressed with what I saw.

Started by 11-year-old Leo Beckerman in 1990, the Kids Who Care coalition is made up of LA high schools including Marlborough, Oakwood, and 10 others. They combine the total sponsorship money that they receive for walking in the AIDS walk and give one team donation to Aids Project Los Angeles (APLA).

Team coordinator and fundraising specialist James Leahy invited me and other school representatives to attend a workshop and talk about the coalition’s goals.

Before becoming involved in the walk, I honestly knew nothing about the event or APLA other than the obvious: they raised money to help find a cure for HIV.

But at the meeting, I was inspired. What impacted me the most was meeting the other school leaders who attended and seeing how involved they are at their schools. We all had a conversation about just how effective our coalition is and how significant the walk results are. I learned that there are estimated to be over 20,000 people living in with HIV/AIDS in Los Angeles, and also that last year’s AIDS walk raised a record total of $3,905,723

Looking at the data, speaking with the staff, and listening to stories of how active certain schools get when it comes to participating, I realized that the walk is truly a worthwhile way to serve the community and help people who really need it.

“In our political climate people, especially kids, have the power to impact their community,” said Leahy.

Though I learned a lot at the meeting, it didn’t hurt to inform myself a bit more on APLA and the walk itself by going to www.aidswalk.net and www.apla.org. Hopefully on Oct.19, we’ll have a lot of Marlborough walkers all pumped up to work for a great cause.

After all, registration is only 3 steps and free.

Ileana ‘11, Julia ‘11, and Kat ‘11 sat down this summer as new upper school students planning the upper school diversity retreat. Along with about twelve other sophomores, Ileana, Julia, and Kat helped plan “Face It.” While the structure and content of the retreat are similar each year, new blood brings new opinions.

“My first time at ‘Face It’ was a great opportunity for me to express and put my thoughts out into the community. Once you attend for the second or third time you end up becoming more a listener to the new opinions,” Ileana said

The planning committee and Director of Admissions Jeanette Woo Chitjian met several times over the summer with the group who provided the program, Encompass, to come up with an agenda for the retreat. The planning committee members gave ideas of what they interpreted diversity to be and decided how apply those ideas to the activities, Ileana said.

“The first meeting over the summer was a review...returning members explained what the event was like and their favorite aspects while new members offered a fresh perspective,” Kat said.

Furthermore, it was the

planning committee’s duty always to be able to respond to a question, and their job to step in when there was an awkward silence. They were trained over the summer to deal with momentary pauses.

“Diversity isn’t something you talk about on a daily basis nor is it a comfortable conversation starter,” Ileana said. While she recognized this as a challenge, Ileana felt it could be a good opportunity to speak her mind.

Moser agreed. “At first, I was a little

intimidated by all the older kids, but then I realized that everyone is here to learn about diversity. No one judges you,” Moser said.

She believes the girls’ honest and open communication might have been due to them only getting two hours of sleep the night before.

“The first day everyone was a little hesitant but the second day everyone let down their inhibitions and was really honest,” Moser said.

With plenty of positive feedback from this year’s Face It, Woo Chitjian, along with a core group of enthusiasts, wants to do more to dispel misconceptions about race and ethnicity in the hopes of educating and strengthening individuals and relationships within their communities.

By BrookeThe UltraViolet

By AmandaThe UltraViolet

Scarbrough and Atwell gain new perspectives on art, religion and educationcultural sights.

“I learned that so many of India’s challenges are rooted in past historical circumstances,” Atwell said. “People need to figure out a way to move beyond old grievances and learn what unites them rather than divides them.”

Atwell even went to a fashion show that India’s “Next top model” attended, which will be featured in the documentary movie “Fashion.” If her section isn’t edited out, look for Atwell in the movie.

Traveling for professional development doesn’t always mean leaving the country, or even the state.

Photography instructor Judith Tanzman took a four day workshop at the Brooks Institute in Santa Barbara, one of the leading photography schools in California. The workshop, which focused on both digital and traditional photography, was tailored specifically for high school and community college instructors.

“I got to see what art schools are teaching at a college level so we can better prepare Marlborough students for photography classes in college,” Tanzman said.

Not only did Tanzman get to work closely with Brooks faculty, but she also learned a lot from other teachers.

“It was a great opportunity to network with other photography instructors and see how their programs are organized,” Tanzman said.

- Ali Slagle

Tanzman attends Brooks Institute

A first-person perspective on community service

After receiving a radio call, the helicopter banked sharply and took off immediately. Before long, it arrived at its next location.

Wagner and the helicopter officers also followed a car that was presumed stolen until the police apprehended it on the ground. There was a situation with one person being held at gunpoint in front of a store and another domestic violence case. At one point, she was face-to-face with the top of Downtown Los Angeles’ towering skyscrapers. Of course, her helicopter ride would not have been complete without flying over Marlborough.

“I would go again in a heartbeat,” Wagner said.

Sophomores take planning role in diversity retreat

Kids Who Care takes on Aids Walk

Community 7Monday, September 29, 2008


DOUBLE DUTY: George Ortega holds the script he reads from when making telemarketing calls to sell and service air-conditioning and clean-ing products for NRG Air Quality Control. Ortega is an aspiring artist who hopes to attend the highly selective art institute Cooper Union, and dur-ing calls he taps into his inner muse. He says his drawings help relieve the stress of hearing “no” over and over. Photos by Julie Huh

Haven’t You Wondered ...What it’s like to be a telemarketer?By Julie

The UltraViolet

Makes about 16• ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted, plus more for pan• 2 ¼ cups all –purpose flour• 2 ¼ teaspoons baking powder• 1 teaspoon coarse salt• 1 ½ cups packed dark-brown sugar• 3 large eggs

• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract• 1 cup miniature marshmallows• 1 cup semisweet chocolate, coarsely chopped• 1 cup white chocolate, coarsely chopped• 1 cup butterscotch chips• 18 soft caramel-candy cubes, coarsely chopped

STEP 1: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly butter a 9-by-13-inch baking pan. Line with

parchment paper, allowing a 2-inch overhang on the longer sides. Brush parchment with butter (excluding overhang). Set aside.

STEP 2: Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl; set aside. Using a wooden spoon, mix butter and sugar in a medium bowl until fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add eggs and vanilla; mix until well

combined. Mix in flour mixture until combined. Fold in half of each of the marshmallows, chocolates, butterscotch chips, and caramels.

STEP 3: Spread batter in prepared pan. Scatter remaining marshmallows, chocolates, butterscotch chips, and caramels on top. Bake until top is golden brown and a cake tester inserted into center comes out clean,

Toffee or chocolate, marshmallows make the Rocky Ledge Bar irresitibleWhen I made these bars for our first Community Service Council meeting, I was told they needed to be cut into smaller pieces because they are

obscenely, outrageously, out-of-this-world rich. That didn’t seem to stop the seniors, who devoured the leftovers on the first day of school. The beauty of these decadent bars is they can be topped with almost any sugary substance. Last time I made them, I used toffee, butterscotch chips, and white and milk chocolate - though the marshmallows really make the dish.

Rocky Ledge Bars

By Ali The UltraViolet

about 35 minutes. Let cool on a wire rack. Life out of pan, and transfer to a baking sheet. Refrigerate until set, at least 30 minutes.

STEP 4: Remove parchment, and cut into about 16 triangles. Bars can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature up to 1 week. Modified from Martha Stewart’s Holiday Cookies, 2006

I’ve always wondered how a telemarketer must feel when I hang up on them and how they survive the boredom of repeating the same few words hundreds of times a day. When I started to make calls to find a telemarketer who would actually actually talk to me about it, I started to get an idea of the frustration they go through.

“Good (Morning, Afternoon, Evening) (Mr. Mrs.) _______, my name is Julie Huh. I’ll be very brief… it’s just a quick call, I’m writing an article about telemarketing. I was wondering if I could, perhaps, interview one of your telemarketers and take a tour…”

“Sorry, we’re not interested.” (Click)I jumped over several bureaucratic

hurdles to find out. Responses like, “You’re kidding me, right?” “Really?” or a straightforward “NO” were typical at first. One company raised my hopes, making me drive 45 miles during rush hour for an interview, then rejected me because the boss didn’t want a third party to see what his telemarketers were doing. The secrecy made me more curious. What did he have to hide?

Finally, I found a company on Craigslist that let me interview George Ortega, a telemarketer at NRG Air Quality Control in the San Fernando Valley. Twenty-three year old Ortega has worked at about twenty-five telemarketing companies over seven years (most telemarketers move around to avoid burning out from boredom, he said.)

Ortega calls approximately a hundred people per hour to extol the virtues of air conditioner cleaning. Most calls last about ten seconds, but Ortega occasionally sells his product to the “pitched” customer. It does get boring, he said.

“You gotta find ways to entertain yourself. You gotta be self-motivated. You gotta talk to the person and don’t sound like a computer. Talking is not always about business. You can converse here and there and still get the information you need,” advises Ortega.

So how does Ortega entertain himself? Drawing. While on the line, Ortega pulls out his manila folder, labeled “Drawings,” and draws intricate, colorful sketches. He hopes to one day go to art school, but for now, he needs his day job.

“I like money, and telemarketing is usually about the money,” Ortega said.

Ortega works the morning shift from 8-12 am and the afternoon shift from 3-8 pm. He starts his day by using the dialer, a machine that directly connects him to a direct line with his “lead,” or customer.

Ortega is a sales telemarketer,

meaning that he has a different personality than a mortgage telemarketer when on the phone, he said. I thought all telemarketers sounded the same, but Ortega said that sales marketers are like your best friends trying to sell you an iPod, whereas mortgage telemarketers are machines, describing the features of the iPod in a more straight-forward and serious voice.

“Mortgage (marketing) is a scam,” Ortega told me matter-of-factly. When I asked him to explain, he said something about how telemarketers are related to the

current housing crisis, but I didn’t really get it. Maybe that’s why telemarketers are so secretive, though.

Although the income is a plus ($9 to $11 per hour, excluding commission and bonus), Ortega has to deal with the rude responses of customers on the other line.

“If I get a nice person, then she’ll say, (he imitates a falsetto) ‘Oh. No thank you, honey.’ But if you get a mean person, he’ll probably say ‘F*** off’’ or any other mean stuff about your mother or your family” Ortega said.

Nonetheless, Ortega has maintains the rule of thumb: never lash back at your customers because the company’s name is on your shoulders.

Despite the fact that many people criticize him for not having a “real job,” Ortega hopes to graduate from Pierce College and use his money from telemarketing to transfer to Cooper Union, an art university in New York.

“If you’re going to put your mind into something, you’re going to accomplish it. I don’t believe in obstacles,” said Ortega.

8 Monday, September 29, 2008Community


Proof that new staff is (somewhat) normalElizabeth Ashforth, ChemistryCollects antique fountain pens.

Jocelyn Siegel, FrenchAlso fluent in Spanish and loves the artists Gauguin and Vlaminck for the rich colors they use.

Elizabeth Vitanza, FrenchShe has 118 days of music on her iPod and 400 movies on her Netflix list.

Michael Gwaltney, HistoryTrains and coaches for triatholons and is finishing his Ph.D at Claremont McKenna College.

Chelsea Dean, ArtBoth a rock climber and a DJ.

Judy Storm, PhysicsKnows how to pop a wheelie on a lawn mower.

David Long, EnglishHis uncle, who he suspects could be in the CIA, gave him night-vision goggles.

Elena Cortez, AdmissionsAfter over two years in Minneapolis, she found out, the hard way, that if you step outside with damp hair, you will end up with icicles in your hair.

Amanda Kissinger, MathA native Canadian, she at one point knew three national anthems, including one in two languages.

Eryn Hoffman, HistoryTraveled to Croatia and Slovenia this sum-mer and is working on her Ph.D at USC.

Laura Iacuessa, DanceShe is the founder and artistic director of the dance company Intersection Dance.

Connie Chen, BusinessOnce shot the winning basket for the wrong team.

Beverly Thrall, DevelopmentBoth of her daughters went to Marl-borough, and she’s grandmother of current student Olivia Clifford ’10.

Laura Monjoy, DevelopmentThe 1998 alumna once “walked the plank” into a water tank to win a DVD of “Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl” in a radio contest.

Jim Astorga, LatinLikes to collect Mexican wrestler masks and watch old Mexican movies or bad telenovelas.

Nari Kye, DevelopmentEats dessert before her meal.

Karla Kitchel, DevelopmentA devoted fan of college basketball who roots for Duke in particular, she can be seen in her Duke blue during basketball season.

School implements new shuttle

Staff members added new members to their families over the last few months, through both marriage and new babies.

Science department head Jennifer Garrison is awaiting the arrival of a baby girl, due on Dec. 12.

“Hopefully I’ll be here all of first semester,” said Garrison. The name is undecided.

Joanna Grossman, senior assistant director of alumnae relations, said her 2 ½ year old son, Jack Maurice Grossman, is now the older brother of Max Howard Grossman. Born in Santa Monica on April 14, 2008 at 12:20 pm, Max weighed 7 pounds 13 ounces and was 20 1’2 inches long. He had a full head of dark hair and long eyelashes.

“Jack used to think Max was pretty great, before Max started to reach out and grab things from Jack,” Grossman said, “but mostly Jack likes to give baby Max hugs

and baths.”English instructor Kyanh

Tonnu is expecting her second little boy, due to arrive just before Thanksgiving.

“I have no names yet. I’m hoping something will come to me before he arrives, and I expect a lot of help from my 7th and 8th graders,” Tonnu said.

As of June 8, dance instructor Mpambo Wina is happily married to David Shaw. The ceremony, presided over by the same minister who married Wina’s aunt and uncle 40 years ago, was held in the garden of Michael’s Restaurant in Santa Monica. The reception took place there as well.

“It was an intimate affair with family that came from all over the United States,” said Wina. The couple later spent their honeymoon in Banff in the Canadian Rockies.

Gleason Bauer, DramaWhen she eats something sour, a red streak appears on her right cheek.

Justin Suran, English Last lived in walking distance to the Berkeley Psychic Institute and now lives in walking distance of the Church of Scientology.

Janice McKinnon, Head-of-school’s officeAt 8, appeared on the Popeye car-toon show and won a new Schwinn bicycle in a “squiggling” contest.

Philip Burns, FacilitiesMight look familiar. He’s on his second go-round as Director of Facilities after a two-year hiatus.

Summer brings births, marriage for facultyBy IleanaThe UltraViolet

HELLO MAX: Joanna Grossman, senior assistant director of alumnae relations, gave birth to Max on April 14. Photo courtesy of Grossman

Continued from cover

this actually provides that,” said Oie.

After a few weeks of testing the shuttle, changes have been made in response to student and faculty suggestions. There are now only two shuttles running throughout the day that have two stops, the Ebell and Marlborough. Previously, there were three morning shuttles, one lunch shuttle, and one afterschool shuttles.

A committee composed of director of finance and operations Nick Hernandez, Oie, and Schuur,

have been meeting to problem solve issues that arise and to make sure that students aren’t parking on the street. The committee is working to reduce wait time.

“The shuttle can’t always be circulating. At end of the day, the shuttles should be out at the front and ready, and they need to be filled before they go,” Schuur said.

She added that tardiness because of the shuttles is not an excuse. A guard at the Ebell lot marks down when the shuttles arrive and depart.

Some students suggested having timed stops. This change will not be made yet because,

Oie said, in a recent email to the student body, that “we feel we are able to shorten the wait times between stops by eliminating the Arden stop and by running two shuttles continuously throughout most of the day.”

However, this change will be looked at again after the new changes are tested.

Oie also said that the school “will see what happens” with regards to more environmentally friendly options. As of now, the shuttles run on gasoline, he said, but there have been many requests to explore fuel-efficient alternatives.

- By Amanda ChanPhotos by Colleen, Brooke, Ileanna, Rosie, Celine, and Martin

Community 9Monday, September 29, 2008


School bonds hold strong for 54 yearsBy Illeana

The UltraViolet

explorer: Big Mama’s and Papa’s Pizzeria

Students Go Far, Literally

New mentors must make 30-week commitment

The phrase “best friends forever” is an over-used cliché for close friends, but for Ann Newark ’58, the phrase ideally describes her fifty-four year friendship with Paula Leard ’58.

A Southern California native, Newark first attended Marlborough in 1953 and met her pal Leard for the first time in 1954, when they were both freshmen.

According to Newark, the duo gravitated towards each other from the start. “We saw eye to eye,” she said. With many classes together, Leard living close to Marlborough, and early-dismissals on Fridays spent hanging out together, their friendship got off on the right foot, Newark said.

Over the years the friends shared many unforgettable times. One in particular that happened in their sophomore year was their friendship with Newark’s then-boyfriend, Ron Newark.

“Ron was good friends with Paula. The three of us grew up together and went out together,

at least when we were allowed by our parents,” said Newark, “Paula ended up marrying one of Ron’s friends, but it didn’t last. Well, it lasted for a while, you know, but then they divorced. Paula had her three kids with him, and together we raised our first-borns.”

Other good times the pair shared together included cruising down Hollywood once Newark got her driver’s license, and going “goo-goo eyes” over the late actor Marlon Brando.

“Marlon was a heartthrob. All the girls were in love with him”, said Newark, “Once Paula and I found out where he lived we would drive up to his house whenever we could until we finally saw him.”

As their bond progressed, Newark recalls that there never was a time when the pair was in conflict. “We never fought. We never got tired of each other. Never.”

Now, even with one living in Santa Maria, CA, and the other in Carlsbad, CA, Newark and Leard keep their friendship alive.

“We remember old times and we always have something to

say. There is never a lull in our conversation,” Newark said. “We just kind of sit back and go on like we saw each other last week.”

This year the pair celebrates their 50th high school anniversary. As Newark recalled all the memories she made in her high-school years, she summed up why her friendship has lasted so long.

“I think it’s a girl thing. Girls are very important in your life and always will be. Somehow or other, women have a bond, and you’re always going to need a girlfriend. Whether it’s a sister or an aunt or just a friend you had forever. Men will never understand that.”

After having met her best fiend at Marlborough 54 years ago, Newark said that she wouldn’t trade her years at Marlborough for anything. She said that attending an all girls’ school was a wonderful experience and thinks that all girls should do so.

“When I was there I thought, oh boy, I wished I was at a school with boys and all, but no, you’re going to really appreciate it as you get older. Trust me.”

By RoseUltraViolet Contributor

As I enter my fifth year at Marlborough, I have gained a very special privilege: one off-campus lunch per week. This has made me very aware of the fact that everything on Larchmont is overpriced. So, in my free time (ha!) I began to search around the general Marlborough area for other options.

I have long been a fan of the Pasadena branch of Big Mama’s & Papa’s Pizzeria, and had seen other scattered about the city, but I have only recently discovered a branch within fifteen minutes of school. The pizza is cheaper and much better than either Z or Village, and if you’re not yet lucky enough to have off-campus lunch, they deliver.

Big Mama’s & Papa’s is on the corner of Hollywood and Mariposa. There are tables inside and out, plus the options

of takeout and delivery. It’s not fancy, but it’s clean and bright. There are seven sizes of pizzas on the menu, but the restaurant is best known for the Big Papa’s pizza, which is a full three feet in diameter and is made up of sixty slices. The Big Mama’s Slices are single lunch-sized pieces, so for about $5 you get a slice of pizza bigger than your head and a soda to boot. The best part is that

it’s not just a big piece of pizza. It’s a really delicious big piece of pizza, some of the best around LA. Almost everything else on the menu is just as good, from sandwiches and salads to calzones and desserts (try the canoli).

There are two downsides to this wonderful place of wonder. First, parking can be a bit limited, and an “oh-I’ll-just-be-gone-five-minutes” red-zone move is ill-advised: it’s a heavily ticketed area. Second, while the night staff is extremely pleasant and friendly, the day staff is a different story. You’ll get your food in a timely manner, but that’s about it. They’re busy, especially at lunch, so don’t be put off if you don’t get the red-carpet treatment.

I’m sure some loyalists will still insist on going to Z or Village, but trust me when I say that Big Mama’s & Papa’s Pizzeria is definitely worth a try. It’s open from 11 am to 10 pm, and their number is 323-661-1122.

By Ali Slagle

The UltraViolet

Check out these three students and their travels abroad:

Even though she had no idea how to properly put on a kimono or speak a word of Japanese, Natalie ’09 spent a month in Japan this summer through Rotary International.

The first week, Natalie went sight-seeing in Kyoto and Hiroshima. She then spent three weeks in home stays with families who didn’t speak English.

Not only did Natalie pick up some Japanese, but she also learned how to make authentic green tea and participated in a Shinto festival, which she called one of the highlights of the trip.

Natalie still keeps in contact with her host family, and one of the Japanese girls lived with Natalie for two weeks in August.

Andie ’12 spent ten days in a village outside of Udon Thani, Thailand doing community service through the Rustic Pathways program. Her fondest memory was of the day she worked at a boys’ orphanage.

“I met some of the sweetest, most gracious kids ever,” Andie said.

Boys ages four to nine lived and went to school in the orphanage. Each had a shoebox full of personal possessions, one of the most memorable being a Jackie Chan movie in Thai that one boy loved. One boy stole her camera for about two hours, and when she was leaving, the boy ran and gave her her camera back.

“My camera was filled with about fifty photos of him and his friends,” Andie said. “Some of the most amazing, hilarious photos.”

Andie said she learned a lot during her time in Thailand.

“We all understand that there is poverty in the world, but only

once you actually see it can you really understand what

extreme poverty is,” Andie said.

Anna ’11 is spending the first semester of her sophomore year in France while her father works there as a Fulbright scholar. She is keeping up

with school by taking internet classes from different programs and colleges that match up closely with Marlborough classes.

Anna did take biology over the summer, so she is spending her time improving her French and immersing herself in French culture.

Natalie ’09, Andy ’12, and Anna ’11 visit Japan, Thai-land and France.

FITTING IN: Natalie ’09 wears a kimono while visiting Japan for a month as part of an exchange program. Photo courtesy of Natalie

“I was as close to being Japanese as I could get.”

- Natalie

’09

GELATO: President Aro Agakh-anyan poses with gelato sign. Photo courtesy of Mark Krewatch

from Marlborough will meet with students from John Burroughs Middle School.

Sixth and seventh graders from Burroughs who are extremely shy, exhibit leadership potential, or are troubled and at high risk of later dropping out of school are chosen for the program. These three “types” are mixed together and divided into groups of ten, said Director of Community Service Laurie Brown.

After six hours of training, Marlborough students in their mentoring teams will meet with their Burroughs students every Wednesday. The team will lead activities with the group for 1-½

Continued from cover hours and then discuss the day’s progress for a half hour.

The 30-week curriculum consists of ten weeks focusing on team building, ten weeks on leadership development and ten weeks on learning to plan a community service project. Each period ends with a field trip: one to a ropes course, one to a college campus and a final trip of the students’ choice, Brown added.

LeCompte said that Marlborough was chosen as the “pilot” high school because they are “motivated, capable students, ready to make an impact on the community.” She added that since high school students are closer in age, they can provide the middle school youth with a mentor whom

they can not only admire, but also relate to.

Izzy Sanderson, a sophomore applying to become a mentor, believes she will benefit from interacting with her group of middle school students.

“I look forward to helping these children and seeing what I can learn from them in return,” she said.

Brown agrees. She said that while the girls can make a difference in these children’s lives, they will also learn about their own potential as leaders.

“I am most interested in the question ‘how do you teach these children leadership?’ The best answer I can find is that you need to model it yourself,” she said.

10 Monday, September 29, 2008Feature


This summer Keeley ’09 and Lyric

’10 said goodbye to their swimsuits and sunglasses, and hello to business casual, 9-5 hour days, and working for America’s two main political candidates. Keeley helped set up offices and went door-to-door for Republican hopeful Sen. John McCain. M c H e n r y worked in D e m o c r a t i c

Sen. Barack O b a m a ’ s

f u n d r a i s i n g office, tracking donations

and attending many exclusive big ticket events costing

contributors up to $25,000 a seat.

L y r i c decided she

wanted to work for

O b a m a

towards the middle of this year after she realized a strong connection with the campaign. “I was originally going to Paris, but after I saw that this man was going to change history I immediately knew this is what I wanted to do,” said Lyric, “not only do I agree with almost all of his policies which I’ve become very familiar with this summer, but I love that he is an agent for change.

Unlike most political candidates, Obama represents and cares about the youth, even those of us who can’t vote. He doesn’t cast us aside just because we can’t win the election for him,” Lyric said.

Keeley has wanted to do this

kind of work for a long time. She said, “I’ve always kind of been involved in politics. Years ago I kind of identified myself as a Republican.” She also strongly believes in McCain and supports many of his standings on political issues such as his views on the surge in Iraq. “I think McCain is the best man for the presidency, he has the experience to lead our country and I think he is going to go change Washington.” and thinks McCain “knows how to be our Commander in Chief.”

Although both girls will be ineligible to vote, each felt that helping out the campaigns would make a difference and

help achieve change. Said Keeley, “Since I won’t

be able to vote, this is one of the ways I can

support (McCain)…I believe in him and

his candidacy and I would love to do anything I can to get my candidate elected.”

Robert Cole, Sen. Obama’s director of African American outreach in Southern California also agreed that teenage participation is a big component to every election. “Each person brings something different to the table…when young people get involved they affect other younger people to get involved, it shows that it is something for their generation to be involved in” he said.

Even though these Marlborough girls worked very hard, neither of them viewed their summer internships as boring or tedious. Keeley, who found her summer very rewarding, said, “I learned a lot about politics this summer, and made great connections.”

Keeley set up LA’s support for McCain starting from foundations. She started off working in the general California headquarets while simoultaneously decorating and organzing the opening of the Los Angeles office, and she was even one of the first people to work in it. In the office “It was usually a ton of phone calls, but it could be anything they needed. I would sometimes sort e-mails from the various coalitions for McCain…it changed on a day to day basis,” said Keeley “I also did some work going door to door.” Keeley said that out of 100 doors knocked

Junior and senior help out at the political campaignsReporting by Rosie and Erica

on; only 15 were Republican supporters of John McCain. Still, Keeley said, “It just made it feel all the more rewarding when we finally found one of the few McCain supporters.”

Lyric, on the other hand, encountered the many LA democrats. She answered some very serious anti-McCain calls, she said once she even got a call asking what John McCain’s life expectancy is, and politely replied that she was not qualified to answer such a question.

Lyric spent a lot of time on the phone, RSVPing big whigs for events, and collecting money and donations for the campaign. .”

Both girls at some point in time have met the political candidates. Over this summer, Lyric had a few chances to meet Obama, through the many events she a t t e n d e d , f o r

fundraising. “Although I only got to shake his hand, it was the highlight of my summer realizing that I have met who I believe is the most promising political candidate I’ve ever seen,” said Lryic.

W h o a r e y o u e n d o r s i n g ?

- Go to www.johnmccain.com to register and receive e-mails with news from the

“Obama. I feel like he’s the right can-didate. He is the change we need.”-Chessy ‘09

R o c k t h e v o t e : G e t i n v o l v e d

-Go to http://my.barackobama.com to set up a homepage and sign up for e-mails with news from the campaign

- Once you’re logged in, check “campaigns available to me” on the left side of your screen. By clicking the “get started” but-tons, you’ll be able to start calling unde-cided voters in your neighborhood or in the swing state of Nevada.

- Call the Los Angeles political office for volunteer information at (310) 836-2009 or the Westside office at (310) 458-4340.- Attend a phone-bank at the Farmer’s Mar-ket on Third and Fairfax from 2:30-4:30 on Sunday, September 28 to call undecided voters.

- Click “Visit Your State Homepage” in the top right corner to find out about events and opportunities to get involved in California

-Volunteer to work at a polling place. -If you’re 18, register to vote! Go to www.rockthevote.com.-Watch the presidential debates to educate yourself on what the candidates think. They’re airing September 26, October 2, October 7, and October 15.

If you’re a Democrat

If you’re a Republican

By SallyThe UltraViolet

campaign. Find the “Volunteer HQ” on the right side of your screen to sign up.- Once you’ve signed up, click the red “Recruit” button to send e-mails to your family and friends to tell them why you support McCain.- Under the “Action” button, click “Campaign internships” to find out internship information. E-mail a resume and preferred start and end dates and location to [email protected] Call the Burbank “Victory Office” to get information about volunteering at (818) 238-9550, the Pasadena office at (626) 793-2018, or the Westside Office at (310) 651-0474- Under Action, Click “In your state,” select California, and enter your zip code in the bottom left corner to find events near you.

If you just want to help out

NOW IT’S YOUR TURN.

VOTE.

Mock Election

11.4during break

“Obama because I choose sides based on my parent’s opnions.”-McKenna ‘14

“I’m undecided. I need to do more

research.” -Natasha ‘09

“I don’t like Barack Obama’s plan for

the economy...less government inter-vention the better”

-Ashley ‘09

Obama and McCain photos courtesy of Wikipedia Commons

Lyric ‘10

Keeley

Student photos by Cassidy and Colleen

Feature 11Monday, September 29, 2008


Every year, there are Marlborough seniors that apply to highly

selective colleges, such as UCLA, USC, and UC Berkeley, and are rejected. If a student is determined to attend a particular college, despite not being accepted, there is an alternate viable option: community college.

An overwhelming stigma against community colleges exists at Marlborough and other Los Angeles private schools in general. Co-director of College Counseling Monica DePriest explained her view on thsi trend.

“students and parents invest a great deal in private school education and want the best option available,” DePriest said.

Yet DePriest also noted that there are some cases in which a community college is a legitimate option. Many community college students can easily transfer to UCs after completing their two years, so schools like Santa Monica College (SMC) can potentially lead you to your dream college. Community colleges also provide you with economic benefits, and in some cases, help complete required courses before enrolling in a four year college.

“The word is out,” DePriest said. “Community colleges give some students the opportunity to make some schools that weren’t options now options...Admission to places has become so selective

the road

not taken

that parents are much more open even if their daughter chooses not to go [the usual four year college] route,” DePriest said.

Last year, 11 out of 33 Marlborough students were accepted to UCLA, 14 out of 34 were accepted to UC Berkeley, and 24 out of 36 were accepted to USC, DePriest said.

If a student decides to attend a community college and then transfer, she should follow the IGETC: I n t e r s e g m e n t a l General Education Transfer Curriculum.

This path puts her in a very favorable position for UC acceptance. Also, community colleges give potential transfer students a second chance to get into the “dream college.” If a student completes 30 units (about a year at a junior college) with a GPA that meets a particular college’s standards, then her high school grades and SAT scores are not referenced at all.

The admittance rate for some colleges is also higher for transfer students than that of high school students applying to the same college. USC accepted 25% of the 8,250 transfer students in 2007, and only accepted 22% of the 35,880 high school seniors who applied. SMC was one of the top nine transfer institutions to USC, along with Pasadena and Glendale Community Colleges.

The economic benefits of attending community colleges are also significant. Semester long courses at SMC cost only twenty dollars per unit, with an average total cost of $900 per year. The average UC costs $25,300, while USC costs $49,742, both including on-campus living.

In addition, if a student doesn’t know exactly which field

she wants to major in, she can get her General Education requirements out of the way by fulfilling those courses at a community college.

“Think about all the different ways there are to achieve the same goal. There is the traditional method and the community college method, and the road through community college is just as successful,” DePriest said.

THE EXPERIENCEPristine, without any trash

on the floor, the campus at SMC looked professional when we walked through it for our first person experience at community college. Despite the professional atmosphere, it was buzzing with excitement. The students were dressed as if they were in a runway show: from American Apparel outfits to vintage dresses, almost every person at SMC had his or her own personal sense of fashion, giving the community an eclectic style.

Reporters explore Santa Monica City College

Reporting by Julie and Colleen

We entered room HSS 102 for Western Civilizations II. Inside, the lights were dim, and the lecture hall gleamed like a small movie theater. Fifty cushioned, light gray Caswell Hall chairs lined up the front half of the room and fifty in the back. The afternoon sunlight radiated through the huge, shaded windows. The dim lighting and the humidity emitted the indolent aura of a Tuesday afternoon.

At the front of the room, the pensive Professor Stiles, who was wearing a teal, button-up shirt and jeans, was stroking his small Fu Manchu, reviewing his copious notes about the era of English King Charles II.

“Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. Now, I won’t bore you with details, but…” started Stiles.

As the lecture commenced, students straggled to take out their yellow legal pads and pens. Unlike Marlborough classrooms, no one used a laptop.

In addition, we saw no frantic “Marlborough-esque” students running into class late and apologizing profusely fifty times for tardiness. Instead, some SMC students just strolled right into class ten or maybe even fifteen

“The word is out. Community colleges give some students the opportunity to make some schools that weren’t options now options.”

-Monica DepriestCO-DIRECTOR OF

COLLEGE COUNSELING

UPGRADED: The newly remodeled campus opened on the first day of school at Santa Monica College, one of the top nine transfer institutions to USC, along with Pasadena and Glendale Community Col-leges. For more information about the transfer program visit http://www.smc.edu/apps/comm.asp?$1=25. Photos by Julie and Colleen.

minutes later without a sound. While students in the front

paid attention, many in the back propped their legs up on the chair in front of them, whispering to each other. One girl with black gladiators read and took notes at the same, while a couple to Colleen’s left shared a bag of “Flaming Hot Cheeto Puffs.” Obviously, some just didn’t want to be there.

Nonetheless, Colleen and I learned a lot from Stiles’ informative lecture. Spewing out important dates and events, Stiles knew his history. Modernizing the description of Charles II as a “frat boy who’s had too much fun,” Stiles would relate history in colloquial terms to attract the attention of the class.

It was an uncanny similarity to our own Marlborough professor, Dr. Langdon, “Doc.” For example, Stiles explained that hereditary monarchy in England during the 1600s was a problem because the heir wasn’t ready to rule the country. Stiles subtlely alluded this same problem to America’s current president.

Overall, the class was manageable, and students who wish to take supplemental studies

Facts about community colleges

- At SMC, it costs $900 per year to attend, while the annual average cost of a UC and USC is $25,300 and $49,572, respectively.

- USC accepted 25% of the 8,250 transfer students in 2007, and only accepted 22% of the 35,880 high school seniors who applied.

12 Monday, September 29, 2008Entertainment and Arts


SENIORITISSeniors debuted their art at Suite Violet on Sept. 9. Pictured here, clockwise, is art by Seniors Single-ton, Janelle, and Amanda. All types of art were featured. Photos by Col-leen and Cassidy.

New Seaver art gallery named after $3 million donationBy Julia

The UltraViolet

By SophieThe UltraViolet

Students see Terra Cotta war-riors at the Bowers Museum

Polaroid photography project discontinued

TERRA COTTA: Students saw some of these Terra Cotta warriors. Here are the real ones that are found in China. Photo courtesy of Sacha

By JennyThe UltraViolet

The students of the Chinese language and culture classes visited the Eighth Wonder of the World, the ancient Chinese Terra Cotta warriors from a third century B.C.E. mausoleum, on September 16.

Art history instructor Lu Wenneker said she decided to take the classes on this trip to see the warriors that over 3,000 years ago, took 700,000 people almost forty years to create.

“It is such a wonderful opportunity to see these things because most of us don’t have the opportunity to go to China,” Wenneker said.

The Terra Cotta warriors

were discovered in the early 1970s. According to Wenneker, most of the artifacts have not been excavated.

Chinese instructor Xiaoli Zhou said she thinks the students will benefit from actually experiencing the “incredibly rich history of China” and seeing the largest number of Terra Cotta soldiers ever on exhibit in the U.S.

“This is one of the most incredible archaeological discoveries of the twentieth century,” Zhou said. “Nothing like that has ever happened. It is extremely remarkable. Every soldier has a unique facial expression. The craftsmanship is really amazing.”

“Think of the man-power involved,” Wenneker said.

After representing a globally iconic photography technique for 60 years, P o l a r o i d ’ s instant film is off the market. With its demise also comes the discontinuation of a thirteen-year-old tradition within the photography program at Marlborough.

Visual Arts Instructor Judith Tanzman will discontinue the Polaroid project in her Advanced Photography and Senior Thesis class after this year. The project consists of an emulsion transfer in which the students shoot color slides and transfer them to Polaroid film before peeling it apart and rolling it onto watercolor paper. The process yields in an interesting, one-of-a kind result unique to Polaroid film.

The discontinuation of the film on the market was decided when the company chose to focus on the emerging, increasingly lucrative digital market, while leaving the dated film behind.

Although the Polaroid company has enough film stock to continue selling throughout 2009, the price for the cameras and film will skyrocket, and the

In fall of 2009, artwork will hang from the ceiling in the Seaver Art Gallery. The new space will include five arts classrooms as well as a gallery space. The new building is expected to bring many changes to the arts department, faculty, and students.

The gallery is named in honor of the Seaver Institute’s $3 million donation to the “Leadership in Learning Campaign.” Several members of the Seaver family have attended the school, including Mary Seaver Wade ’41, Joan Seaver McAllister ’47, president of the Seaver Institute Victoria Seaver Dean ’70, and Martha Seaver ’72. The Institute was established by Frank Roger Seaver, and previously headed by Richard Seaver.

For the time being, art classes have been held in the Modular Village and “Senioritis,” the annual exhibition of works by the senior class, was held at “Suite Marlborough” on Wilshire and Lucerne.

One of the five classrooms in the building will be reserved for the Digital Arts program, which is currently held in the computer lab. Ceramics instructor Gina Woodruff hopes that the new classroom will allow for the Digital Arts program to grow and develop, she said.

Woodruff is excited about the new features in the gallery itself, which will create new opportunities for students, allowing them to hang pieces from the ceiling, she said. This option will allow for students to display different types of art they were previously unable to hang.

Another feature of the gallery allows for students to project digital media for art shows and displays, Woodruff said. Whereas previously, students had to set up monitors in the gallery, they will now be able to do digital installation with two or three pieces of artwork at the same time.

“We’ll have a more flexible gallery,” she said.

Also, the new gallery, which will be located on the ground floor of Munger Hall, may attract more students than the old gallery.

“I’m hoping that because it would be more prominent…that more students who don’t normally come to see artwork will come into the gallery,” Woodruff said.

The new gallery might encourage more students to take art, said AP Photo student Cathleen ’09. Cathleen is positive about the larger spaces for classrooms, including the photo darkroom and the metals and ceramics rooms.

“I know that the metals area will be bigger so we won’t have to share the space with ceramics anymore,” Cathleen said.

“The Polaroid is an instant snap-shot. It’s an icon in society and a part of history.”

- Judith Tanzman

VISUAL ART INSTRUCTOR

availability of the products will decrease. After next year, Polaroid film and cameras will disappear from the market. Tanzman

recently purchased a year’s worth of the film, enough to do the

project once more. After Polaroid film is no longer produced, the project will be replaced with a digital transfer project.

“The Polaroid is an instant snapshot. It’s an icon in society and a part of history,” Tanzman said.

Despite the changes in the photography market, artists use Polaroid film to capture an irreplaceable effect that no

other technique can compete with. Even though the camera company dictates to the consumer market, there will always be a population of artists who respect the more dated, original photography technique that the mass population does not.

In addition to the profession of photography, the film is also used in other ways, such as in the fashion and modeling industry. The ability to document faces and clothing quickly and efficiently serves as a priceless resource. During fashion shows, Polaroids are used to keep track of what the designer’s outfits should look like before the models go out on the catwalk. Other surprising users of the film include dermatologists, who use Polaroid to watch their

patients’ skin over a period of time, and researchers, who use it to x-ray ancient mummies inside tombs. Regardless of the situation, Polaroid film has secured itself as a creative and significant aspect of many professions, as well as a basic cornerstone of photography.

“Artists will always go back to the roots of photography. They appreciate the uniqueness of Polaroid film and still use the old technique,” Tanzman said.

Artists such as Chuck Close and David Hockney have spent years centering their work around this single medium. Students in Marlborough’s photography classes have also enjoyed this type of photography, viewing the project as an exciting and memorable part of the year.

Lizzie ’09 believes any photography technique, no matter how dated it is, has value in a class.

“I know I’ve created some surprisingly great work by working with different mediums. In today’s technology-driven world, being able to experiment with different types of film often results in great outcomes,” Lizzy said.

Lindsey ’10 agrees.“Future classes will definitely

be missing out on this; I had a lot of fun,” Lindsey said.To listen to NPR’s report on the end of the era of Polaroid film, visit: http://www.npr.o rg / t e m p l a t e s / s t o r y / s t o r y.hp?storyId=19344432&sc=emaf

Entertainment and Arts 13Monday, September 29, 2008


If you’ve ever been to a concert before, you’ve experienced this rush: the exhilaration and the energy that fills the theater, the base so loud your whole body vibrates, your chest pulsating with the deep boom, and the strobe lights illuminating the stage in shattered moments of distorted brilliance followed by blackness. By far one of the greatest moments ever is the moment you first feel a connection with the artist.

I get to live this experience three to four times a week when I usher shows at the Wiltern Theater on the corner of Wilshire Blvd. and Western Ave. I want to share some of these moments with you through a behind the scenes look into shows I’ve ushered and

AT THE MOVIES

By RoseUltraViolet Contributor

“3Y” Choir for 3 year members

Appoggiatura. It was the winning word for the 2005 Scripps National Spelling Bee. Few know how to spell it and even fewer know what it means (in case you’re wondering, it’s a type of musical ornament that displaces the normal note of a chord to create dissonance). The members of Marlborough’s new choir group “3Y” not only know what it means, but they even know how to apply the concept when singing harmonies.

For several years, Chamber Choir, an audition-only group open to the Upper School, has been Marlborough’s most advanced vocal program. However this past summer, Chamber Choir instructor Ernie Scarborough created an exclusive choral group, only open to seniors who have been a member of Chamber Choir for all three years of Upper School, called “3Y.” The five members (Amy, Michelle, Elana,

SING SING: Amy ‘09, Elana ‘09, Amanda ‘09 and Michelle ‘09, four of the five 3Y members, rehearse during a lab period. The group will have two performances this year. Photo by Colleen

By Celine

The UltraViolet

Amanda and Sarah) are still part of Chamber Choir, but they pull themselves aside every lab rotation to rehearse more difficult pieces accompanied by Scarborough. Currently, they are working on Billy Joel’s “Lullaby.”

Scarborough said that because many of these senior girls have been singing together for five years, since Choral Concepts in 8th grade, “they have developed an intuitive sense about each other’s musicality.” He realized that he needed to give the girls an even higher goal to strive for.

Amy ’09, a member of 3Y, compares the experience to a small college acappella group. She said, “we get to put into practice the skills we’ve learned throughout the many years with Mr. Scarborough since we are learning the parts ourselves.” Additionally, she said that while Scarborough is always willing to give suggestions, the group is given more freedom in choosing their repertoire.

Another member, Levine ’09,

Ortiz’s haiku world Technology Curriculum

Coordinator Victor Ortiz’s haiku, “Suture Scars,” was published in the haiku anthology The Red Moon Anthology in 2004.

Ortiz planned on participating in a group reading, but medical reasons prevented him. He is part of the Southern California Haiku Study Group and has read and published his haikus.

Ortiz began writing haikus in the late 90’s. Writing haikus helps Ortiz “keep a balance in the crazy work day.”

-Heather

Tanzman’s photosexhibited in summer

“Cell Block 1” and “Cell Block 2,” two of photography instruc-tor Judith Tanzman’s photographs, were exhibited in the Palos Verdes Art Center’s All Media Juried show.

The slightly manipulated digital images were on display from July 25th to Sept. 3rd.

In 2007, while in a professional development class, Tanzman

E+A IN BRIEF

upcoming concerts you shouldn’t miss.

With no real travel plans this summer, I decided to go on a job search, and I happened to land upon a job that has turned out to be a crazy adventure. The blue-green terra cotta tiled historic Wiltern building was built in 1944.

It’s hard to truly appreciate the beauty of the Wiltern or a concert in this venue without having the experience of standing alone in the art deco space surrounded by the emptiness of 2,600 missing bodies. There’s static in the air and the lights are dimmed on stage, and you look up at the ceiling and are faced with a giant sunburst, an elaborate mural. The ambiance is breathtaking and transports you back to a long-ago era. But then reality sets in, with the screaming throng of pierced and tattooed

also enjoys the freedom 3Y offers and views its small size as a “way to stand out and showcase what we’ve learned and accomplished in the last three years.

According to Scarborough, the future of 3Y depends on who is available in years to come. While only two girls qualify for the group next year, the following year could have as many as twelve members.

Both Amy and Amanda hope that 3Y will continue to grow in the future. They expressed their positive experiences in Chamber Choir, saying that the group allowed each of them to grow as a singer as well as a person. As a result, both girls plan to continue singing in college next year.

“What I like so much about singing is that even after Chamber Choir and 3Y, I will always have my voice with me,” Amanda said.

3Y will be performing in a lunchtime concert on October 16 and in the Winter Choral Concert on December 5.

visited the abandoned prison, Santa Fe Penitentiary, where she captured the photos. For the past few years, Tanzman has been photographing abandoned locations, as she is intrigued by the mysterious quality.

“The photographer knows the context [of the photo], but the viewer interprets it in a new way,” she said.

-Heather

head-bangers pushing their way through to the mosh pit.

I’ve worked shows of all genres of music including metal, hardcore screaming, rock, hip-hop, pop and Indie, during the time I’ve had this job. The Fratellis, She Wants Revenge, Airborne Toxic Event, Idina Menzel from Wicked, Paul Weller from the Jam, Hot Chip, and Fergie are a few of the artists I’ve seen, and I’ll be seeing many more.

I get to experience sound checks, take tickets, show people to their seats, control the mosh pit and meet a lot of the artists after shows. When I go to work, I’m basically getting paid to listen to music, and there’s nothing more I wish for.

Death Race: Sick, yes. But satisfying?

Sloan’s Writing GrantBetween her responsibilities as

an English instructor and a writing specialist to the college counseling office, Eliot Sloan still finds time to write a book, which is a memoir about teaching memoir classes.

This summer, Sloan received a grant for her book from The Wurlizer Foundation. The grant, awarded to writers and artists, is a 12 week fellowship in Taos, New Mexico. Sloan hopes to go next summer.

-Amanda

By ColleenThe UltraViolet

The most disturbing movie to come out this summer was writer/director Paul W.S. Anderson’s Death Race. It has been enjoyed thoroughly by the blood-and-guts contingent, but generally considered terrible by critics.

The basic premise of the movie is a brutal race to the death among inmates in a prison. The winner gets their freedom, while a global audience enjoys the bloody antics on television.

The consensus seems to be that the remake lacks the political message of the 1975 cult movie Death Race 2000, but when it comes to the actual race, critics are raving and audiences are enthralled. The New York Times reviewed it as “simple, sick, and satisfying.” Memorable moments include a man’s head being hit so hard that it explodes and a man in a car being impaled by enormous spikes sticking out of a wall.

Sick, certainly, but what does the last adjective, “satisfying,” say about a culture that earns this movie well over $33 million at the box office? What can be satisfying about a movie worth seeing only for its own special brand of ultra-violence?

In the (admittedly weak) plot line, Death Race starts as pay-per-view in a 2012 America where prisons have been privatized due to a failing economy. The race is America’s favorite pastime, with millions of viewers tuning in for each installment. The audience is never onscreen, but the viewer count is displayed often, and the number climbs as the race becomes progressively more and more violent. The audience is effectively cast as one of the villains. Each person who subscribes is an enabler. This, to me, was the truly sick part of the movie.

Isn’t any person who paid ten dollars to see this movie, knowing that viewing it is like watching a public execution, just as bad as any person who, in the film, subscribed to the Death Race? Almost every reviewer has said that the only reason to see the movie is for the race. It’s the same thing the audience in the movie is paying for, except that moviegoers paid a few hundred dollars less for the same spectacle. The movie is what the Death Race is: “simple, sick, and satisfying.”

I am appalled by this movie’s popularity, and by the hypocrisy that caused its success. If Anderson had intended the movie to be predominantly political, we might be hailing it as a mirror of America’s fascination with violence and an adamant warning about the economy and lowest-common-denominator entertainment. However, I have seen no indication from the director that he intended the audience of the movie to walk away examining their values or feeling a little cheap—though I certainly did—or feeling anything except exhilarated and a little grossed out. Accordingly, the public opinion upon seeing the movie has been, “Well, there was no plot, but did you see how that guy died?!”

Maybe it is my perpetual worry about the steady decline in the quality of reality television, or maybe I’ve read too many really fabulous novels, but this is the kind of movie that wakes me in the middle of the night. Not because it is superfluously violent, but because the American public enjoys it. I urge any person who sees Death Race to look at it critically. We are dangerously close to the kind of world described in the movie. Do we want our generation to be the kind of American public the movie depicts?

14 Monday, September 29, 2008Entertainment and Arts


Gossip Girl addiction more extreme than everBy TaylorThe UltraViolet

According to Blair Waldorf, all girls care about are the four G’s: guys, girlfriends, and Gossip Girl. With the addition of a fifth G, (that would be “grades”), Marlborough students seem to fit Miss Waldorf’s stereotype perfectly. The hit show’s second season premiere on Monday, Sept. 1st spawned some extreme cases of Gossip Girl mania.

Marlborough’s Gossip Girl-hungry students, ranging from 12 to 18 years old, marked their calendars and lapped up the long awaited premiere. With school starting just six days earlier, GG relieved the back-to-school aches and pains.

“The premiere really cushioned the blow that was the first day of school,” said Karen ‘09, an avid Gossip Girl viewer.

With the tragic end of summer came the absolute craze for “the scandalous lives of Manhattan’s elite.”

The hit show, not exactly intellectually stimulating material, is one of those indulgences that the student body just can’t resist.

“It’s such a guilty pleasure, but I just can’t stop,” said Mary ’13.

Despite somewhat shallow plot lines, it’s the lovable (and hate-able) characters that keep students coming back.

“It’s a great way to zone out after homework. Don’t we all need some mindless activity sometimes?” said Mackenzie ’09.

Gossip Girl is like one of Cafe M’s giant chocolate chip cookies: lacking substance, but just too darn tasty to resist.

Any girl who has stepped outside of her house this summer has probably seen the second season’s advertisements. Sexually suggestive photos of Gossip Girl’s lead characters adorn bus stops across the country. The photos are paired with quotes about the show from various newspapers: “A nasty piece of work,” (New York Post) and “Every parent’s nightmare,” (Boston Herald) among them.

“The ad campaign was absolutely brilliant,” Karen said. “Every time I saw a sign, I anticipated that Monday night even more.”

Karen wasn’t the only one preparing. Arielle ’09 set an

alarm on her cell phone to ensure that she’d be in front of the tube at 8:00 PM for the premiere.

You might even see the show’s influence on graduation day. Katie ’09 brought a picture of Serena van der Woodsen’s white Oscar de la Renta party dress to Mathematics Instructor Alison Moser as a possible graduation dress design.

“It’s absolutely gorgeous. It doesn’t seem like there’s even one senior who’s opposed to it.” A GG-inspired graduation dress would prove that “the show has become an element of our generation, rather than a simple fad,” Katie said.

Gossip Girl is on a roll. There’s no stopping of the school-wide obsession. Danielle ’13 said that there are “usually around 20 Gossip Girl-related Facebook statuses” after each Monday night episode. One can hardly walk through the halls on a Tuesday morning without hearing a discussion about Marlborough’s favorite fictional NYC crew. According to Ramos, the story lines are “delicious,” and Marlborough girls are eating them up.

URINETOWN Studio 7/8MaRLBOROugh DRaMa

When Amy’s ‘09 grandmother heard the title of the all-school musical, her immediate response was, “Oh dear!”

“Urinetown,” under the direction of new drama instructor Gleason Bauer, will go up on the weekend of November 20.

The musical is a satirical comedy set in a future time in which water has become so scarce that people have to pay to pee. If they are caught violating the law, they are sent to “Urinetown” and never heard from again.

Kyle ’11, who plays “Hot Blades Harry” in the production, said that the music is something the Marlborough community should be looking forward to.

“It’s a lot of fun to listen to and sing. It’s very upbeat,” Kyle said.

The play will run a week later than usual this year, on November 20, 21 and 22.

After four years of entertaining the middle school, the 7th grade play has been replaced with Studio 7/8, an after school drama group taught by Drama instructor Gleason Bauer.

Students perform drama games after school on Tuesday, allowing students to participate in other after school programs said Performing Arts Department Head Coach Scarbrough.

Anna ’14 said she likes socializing with 7th and 8th-graders.

Bauer said her plans are “to have fun and to give the girls the foundations of improvisation that will lead them to improve.” She hopes that they will perform at the “Evening of Scenes.” Scarbrough said commitment was a problem before.

“It’s a lot to bite off for the first six weeks of school,” she said.

Scarbrough thinks Studio 7/8, which currently has 24 members, is a “big plus” because it’ll give “students the chance to explore.”

By Sally

The UltraViolet

By Brianne

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Opinion 15Monday, September 29, 2008


byline here

The all-school book assignment was implemented to unify the school, but because of the obstacle of multiple reading levels and the few reasons to actually read the book, it is more of a hassle than a help to the Marlborough community.

We respect the work that is put into selecting the book, but there is no way one book can be appealing to the entire Marlborough community, a book that is equally interesting to both seventh graders and seniors.

The only way we are going to get more students to read a summer book is if the book is engaging to the readers. In order to accomplish this, we should have a middle school and an upper school book. Unlike a faculty delegation that currently chooses the book, the upper and middle school books should be decided upon by a group of students who will give their input as to what kind of books they would read and give suggestions on the book that will become required summer reading.

We know the all school book is carefully chosen after much labor, but most of us don’t read it. Not only is this unfair to the faculty who spent the time to choose the book, but also to the various people on campus who actually did read it, only to find out they are one of a few.

The idea of summer reading is great, but how it’s applied at Marlborough is ineffective, since a majority of girls do not participate. We don’t like the books chosen and we have no interest in spending our summers reading a book of no relevance. The school book was created to instill unity throughout the Marlborough campus; however, the only unifying factor of the school book is that no one reads it.

School unity cannot be displayed through intellectual conversation. It just doesn’t make any sense. Seventh graders don’t take AP Literature, and juniors have long advanced past English 7. There is a reason these two grades don’t learn together, and the all school book tries to contest this fact. However, this is not to say that there is no value in trying to attain school unity. Fun, non-intellectually motivated activities like Helen Howe’s “Stepping Out Day” are more useful in bringing the entire school together. Seniors and seventh graders will not bond over “Octavian Nothing” or the “Golden Compass,” nor will they get anything out of the perfunctory 10 minute discussions in their advisories.

As a way to initiate conversation between students on return from summer, a middle school book and upper school book would work better than a school wide one. If students were able to voice their opinions while selecting these books, they would actually read them and be able to talk about the books within their grade and in the upper or middle school. Summer reading should continue, but not for the purpose of uniting the whole school.

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EDITORIALAll school book selection process should be changed

By CassidyThe UltraViolet

On Diversity

By AshtynnThe UltraViolet

Cartoon by Kat Lee

To be black today can be confusing and bewildering. How do you “act black?” Is it sitting in the hall beat boxing in a circle with your girls, or is it walking, talking and strutting your stuff with an attitude, being loud, or is it wearing the latest Jordans and Nikes to school? What is it?

If you think you’re the only one that is confused, think again. Many African Americans like me are confused about how to see themselves.

Despite the common stereotypes, not all African Americans uphold the same values and cultural traditions. We all come from different backgrounds and realities. Those in upper, middle, and lower class neighborhoods can have totally different experiences from one another. Essentially what I am trying to say is that not every black person will have the answers to your cultural questions and will “act black.” We all really are different.

Take a journey in the shoes of middle class black America to understand what I am saying. In today’s society, there are many black middle class kids. Speaking as one of these kids, at times it can be confusing to figure out where I belong. Do I revert to the so called “bouche” side where I would be considered acting white? Or do I revert to the side where I’m considered “ghetto”?

Being black and in the middle can mean a hard road and some get-lost-in-confusion, losing your true identity. Middle class black kids, as well as many others, have it hard when they are forced to figure out where they stand. We’re a little too bouche to be “acting black” and not bouche enough to be upper class, “classy”. But do we really have to stand on any side of the line? No! There is no way to “act black.”

People do not walk around saying “Hey, you’re acting Asian because you got an A on your test.” It’s the same concept. We cannot make such broad generalizations.

There is no way to “act Black.” Sure, there are certain parts of our culture than many Black people embrace and accept as a part of themselves, but that doesn’t mean that all the stereotypes are true, or that it’s OK to stereotype.

On a real note, there is no way to act anything except to act like you. Being real is being you. It’s not fronting about who you are. It’s feeling like wearing purple and green high tops and feeling like you look good in them and not caring what other people think. It’s not trying to be all of the stereotypes that have historically burdened your race. You are so much more than your race and this world would do so much better without just looking at what people look like and judging. Don’t let others hold you to a standard and degrade you to a judgment. Acting black, Asian, white, Latino, and any other race, means being yourself.

Eight grade is far too early to take the SAT exam

One of the most dreaded, or (dare I say) the most dreaded test of the Upper School is the SAT. Students feel pressured to take intense SAT preparation, from private tutors to extreme prep centers such as Elite, along with the numerous PSAT and SAT practice tests. It is accepted at the Marlborough community that all of this college prep is normal and just a stressful part of being in the upper school.

But now, the College Board wants to take it one step further.

In 2010, they will introduce the new eighth grade PSAT, expanding college preparation expectations into middle school. The test is, in fact, a pre-pre-pre-SAT. Preparing yourself in eighth grade for preparing yourself in tenth grade for preparing yourself for the Junior PSAT to prepare

yourself for the SAT. It’s simply ridiculous that SAT prep should begin in the middle school, and that students should be expected to take a standardized test in order to know what’s coming… in four years. The test will only create more stress in younger grades, without really fulfilling a purpose.

Yes, the new PSAT is voluntary. But honestly, has that ever stopped Marlborough girls before? We trudge through numerous voluntary AP Classes, PSAT’s, SAT’s, and SAT prep courses already. When the College Board releases this test, it will become standard procedure.

The College Board says that part of the reason they are introducing the test to assess a student’s potential – and help students smart enough to enroll in numerous AP’s to do just that.

“This test will help schools identify students who have some talent and could likely succeed if

they take honors or AP courses, but have not been recognized,” said Wayne Camara, the College Board’s vice president for research and analysis, as quoted by the LA Times.

But does the PSAT really measure that kind of intelligence? Does getting a good score guarantee that you will do well in AP Biology or AP French? The fact is that some students are just born as good standardized test takers, and some aren’t. The SAT doesn’t assess how well you will do at school or how hard you will try at your schoolwork. The tests aren’t going to help students decide what classes they take.

The test will spark, instead, even more preparation for the SAT. With parents and students being reminded so much earlier that they will have to tackle the SAT later, more Marlborough girls will be signed up for more expansive, more difficult, more

expensive, and more time-consuming test prep than ever.

Which brings up an even more pressing issue: is high school at risk of changing from a place of learning and education to an institution solely devised to prepare students for standardized tests? Sure, it may seem ridiculous, but looking down the line, I can imagine SAT prep becoming even more rigorous and important earlier, even becoming a regular part of school curriculum.

Do I sound insane? But there’s already proof.

Head of Princeton Review test prep in Southern California Paul Kanarek says that even eight grade is too late to start preparing for college.

“Eighth grade is not the key year for college assessment. That’s sixth grade,” said Kanarek.

Well, at least they’re not aiming at kindergartners. Yet, that is.

16 Monday, September 29, 2008Opinion


Should the drinking age be lowered?

PRO

CON

In seventh grade, I envisioned my senior self as a unit in a wondrous twelfth grade conglomerate, but in the amoeba that is the class of 2009, I’ve managed to feel like a lost organelle.

Unfortunately, the notion of class unity now seems a foreign concept. Have the people I used to relatively enjoy spending time with changed before my eyes? Have I been infected with leprosy and no one has told me? Have I become the doomed, hopeless loser I used to so enthusiastically mock?

Maybe it’s because as a senior, I’ve begun to completely reject the idea of

VIEW FROM THE TOP

Let’s be upfront about this: kids drink before the legal age of 21. The U.S. drinking law is making alcohol consumption more appealing to underage drinkers and also making it harder to monitor. The U.S. government needs to get realistic and lower the drinking age to 18 in order to improve alcohol problems in universities and across the country.

Citizens need to be taught about drinking at an earlier age. If the drinking age was lowered, citizens of the United States could be raised on responsible, mature drinking, leading to a decrease in alcohol-related problems on college campuses and on the road. According to the Centers for Disease Control Prevention, “men

ages 18 to 20 (under the legal drinking age) are reported driving while impaired more frequently than any other age group.” We can’t simply ignore our youth’s problem with drinking, and to make our roads (as well as student’s lives) safer, good drinking habits need to be instilled.

The higher drinking age in the United States, compared with other countries, also brings up the question: if we are legal adults at 18, able to die and kill in war, and vote, why are we not allowed to consume alcohol at this age? It simply doesn’t make sense.

A “Lower the U.S. Legal Drinking Age to 18” petition, created by college students and written by Andrew Mark Lisa, was signed by 41,693 citizens as of press time. “So, an 18-year old is given the responsibilities

of voting, being selected for jury duty, and possibly being drafted for war. If and 18-year old citizen is to be given these responsibilities, why is the legal drinking age 21? Does the U.S. Government not trust those of us under 21? They trust us with their votes, yet they cannot treat us like full adults for another three years!” Lisasaid in the petition.

It doesn’t make sense that 18 year-olds are considered adults by law but are denied alcohol. If the U.S. were to lower the drinking age, citizens would learn how to drink responsibly, so that when they hit college the abundance of alcohol would not create such thrill and hysteria on campuses, and less students would participate in excessive and dangerous binge-drinking.

The Chicago Tribune recently

reported that more than 40% of college students “report at least one symptom of alcohol abuse or dependence.” There is a problem with drinking at colleges, and until drinking is up-front and out in the open, universities can’t deal with it. If the drinking age was 18, universities would be able to regulate binge drinking on campus and better educate their students on mature drinking habits.

Instead of lowering alcohol consumption, the older drinking age in the U.S. has pushed underage citizens to drink under the radar.

“When the drinking age went up, the spigot wasn’t turned off, it was simply moved underground—to homes or cars or frat-house basements—where no adult could keep an eye on things,” said Lisa.

If college students were legal

drinkers, colleges could control and monitor excessive drinking, and binge-drinking related deaths and accidents would decrease.

Some of the appeal of under-age drinking is the rebellion aspect, and if that was taken away, there might be a lowering in the drinking age as well. When the drinking age was lowered in the early ‘70s by about 29 states, drinking among high school seniors was reduced by 13.3%

John McCardell, president of Middlebury College, said of the drinking age, “The 21-year drinking age has not reduced drinking on campuses, it has probably increased it. Society expects us to graduate students who have been educated to drink responsibly. But society has severely circumscribed our ability to do that.”

Marlborough girls debate over the contreversial issue

Last month, the presidents of several colleges petitioned to re-open the debate on the drinking age. The presidents cited binge drinking and alcohol-related deaths on their campuses, claiming that lowering the legal drinking age from 21 to 18 could mitigate these problems. Underage binge drinking has increased slightly in the last few years according to several studies and some college kids claim lowering the drinking age would prevent college-year alcohol problems. But despite this, everything--including statistics, science, and rationality-- points to the conclusion that lowering the drinking age would improve

nothing and worsen the situation.Here’s some food for

thought: according to a recent poll, 77% of Americans are opposed to lowering the drinking age. Here’s why: according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, since 1984, when the law establishing 21 as the minimum drinking age was passed, driving deaths of people between 18 and 20 have fallen by 13%. In 2006, a study of the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine discovered teens that who began drinking before 14 had a 38% higher risk of alcohol dependence than people who began drinking at 21. In 2001, the National Institute on Drug Abuse determined that college students who reported

alcohol consumption fell 15% between 1980 and 2000. In 2007, a survey at the University of Michigan found that drinking by high school seniors had lowered 11% between 1991 and 2007.

Statistics never lie, and these obviously indicate that a lower drinking age keeps more people alive and out of Alcoholics Anonymous. Were we to lower the drinking age, these numbers would change. More newly licensed teenagers would drink and drive and high school seniors could legally serve alcohol at parties. This in turn would mean more alcohol-related deaths or alcohol-dependence. In these situations, lowering the drinking age does nothing to mitigate the issues of binge drinking or the

effects of bad decisions under the influence: it only allows them to happen out in the open, instead of behind closed doors.

Scientific research has discovered that an adolescent’s brain, which is not fully developed until early 20s, are adversely affected by alcohol. Hence, teenagers who drink are more prone depression, suicidal thoughts, violence, academic downturn, and alcohol dependence.

We should also just use common sense. Should teens who are dying for their country be able to drink? Although it might sound silly to answer “No,” there is no reason why, when they are injured or dying in the battlefield, we should let them injure or kill themselves by giving them the

freedom to abuse alcohol. Will changing the legal age actually change the amount of drinking? I don’t think so. Some say lowering the drinking age allows teens to experiment earlier on with alcohol, hence lowering the chances of their abusing it in college. But lowering the drinking age to 18 will simply allow teens to abuse alcohol earlier, and to feel its abuses on their mental faculties more acutely.

A teenager, legal or not, won’t make as smart a decision as a 21-year-old will. So allowing one to buy alcohol earlier is more damaging than beneficial. And who’s to say that if this change is made, 16-year-olds won’t soon be lobbying for an even lower drinkin age?

By CassidyThe UltraViolet

By RoseThe UltraViolet

Lowering the drinking age in the United States will decrease drinking problems by promoting responsible alchohol consumption at an earlier age.

A high drinking age keeps drinking-related deaths and alchohol dependance reasonably low, and so therefore shouldn’t be changed.

“the acquaintance.” Hallway “hellos” become meaningless – Have we ever even talked about anything more than the upcoming history test or so-and-so’s party antics? I’ve realized how much more value one real friend holds than a hundred insignificant contemporaries. Mentally stimulating conversation has become a precious gem among layers of idle chatter.

The senior living room is the vortex of idle chatter, the eye of the senior hurricane. Throughout high school, I greatly anticipated the day I would inhabit the senior class’s own Mount Olympus from whence my classmates and I would reign over Marlborough with iron fists. Our Mount Olympus

isn’t so epic after all, unless your definition of “epic” includes the stench of a freshly soiled diaper filled with marinara sauce. It resembles a landfill, and upon opening the door, an unpleasant symphony of squawking voices and Disney music. I truly want to

love it, even with all its flaws, but I’m consistently disappointed.

The fact that I am even writing a column about seniorhood is a mystery to me. I am Marlborough’s worst senior ever! I don’t care about which cartoon character best represents my grade. I haven’t started meticulously planning prom night months in advance. I’m uninterested in the dress I’ll wear on graduation day. Instead, I dream of burning said dress and achieving ultimate freedom from these violet shackles.

Graduates often urge me to “enjoy this year – it’s the best one of your life,” but I just can’t wait to get out. The fact that my high school career ends in just shy of a year elates me, because so far, twelfth grade hasn’t been all it’s cracked up to be. After

May, I’ll never see most of these faces ever again, and yet, I find myself emotionally unaffected. I absolutely believed that I would grow closer to my classmates, but instead, I’ve drifted apart from them. I’ve chosen to be an outcast and haven’t savored the time I spend with my fellow seniors.

My excessively cynical outlook prevents me from reaping all the benefits of seniorhood. I hope to look back on this year fondly, but I cannot do so if I continue to alienate myself. I must embrace the class-wide gossip and eruptions of hysterical laughter in the living room, rather than try to shut them out. Within this first month of school, I’ve realized how optimism and acceptance are crucial to appreciate one’s high school years. I definitely need an attitude adjustment.

By TaylorThe UltraViolet

Class unity? Not for me.

The Back Page17 Monday, September 29, 2008


Beijing 2008

While most of Marlborough watched the Olympic Games on a computer or a television with a time delay, Sarah ’09, Natalie ’09, and Anjoum ’12 were among the thousands to actually see the games live and in person.

All girls went to China on family trips. Sarah stayed at the apartment of one of her father’s students and Agrama with family friends at Hotel Cote Cour.

Beijing welcomed the world, allowing foreigners and the media to flood the city, and citizens welcomed the thousands of tourists with excitement.

“It wasn’t like going to other countries where the locals make fun of tourists. The people in Beijing were genuinely happy to see us. Everyone was on their best behavior,” Anjoum said.

“You could tell they were trying. You could see them think before acting. Things that might have been okay before, like spitting, were just not done,” Natalie said.

The events that each girl saw reflected their own personal interest. Both girls watched diving, but individually Sarah saw weightlifting, fencing, and soccer

Before the Olympics started in China this summer, Jackie ’11 and Sacha ’10 traveled to Beijing to perform with the Los Angeles Children’s Choir and the Stanford Symphony at the Pre-Olympic Music Festival.

Sacha and Jackie visited Beijing, Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Xian on their two-week cultural exchange tour during the end of June. The choir performed “Carmina Burana” and Beethoven’s fifth and ninth symphonies. Jackie said that hearing the combination of a full choir and orchestra was an amazing experience.

“It was definitely a different experience. We sang in more prestigious halls and venues than when it is just choir,” Finn said of performing with the Stanford Symphony. “Rehearsals took four times longer than just choir rehearsals.”

Sacha and Jackie even got to perform for the President of the United States.

Jackie said the performance was “nerve-wracking.”

“It was definitely an honor. Everyone took it seriously and there was a lot of security. We didn’t actually know the president was in the audience until after the performance,” Sacha said. “Two rows of police were guarding him.”

Sacha said the performances were very

By Jenny

The UltraViolet

By Cami

The UltraVioletwhile Anjoum went to gymnastics and swimming.

“Seeing the events in person was really exciting,” Sarah said.

Sarah plays for the Marlborough soccer team and Anjoum for the swim team. Their favorite events were the sports they play themselves.

“Watching swimming was the highlight of the whole trip,” said Anjoum.

In the U.S. media many news story focused on the U.S. wins, and among those stories Michael Phelps’ name was often in the headlines. With 8 gold metals at the Beijing Games alone Phelps broke the record for the most number of metals at one Game.

“It was interesting being in China and watching the games on TV, because the only events they showed were the ones China won and Michael

Phelps. Then when we got home the events we could watch were the U.S.’s wins and Michael Phelps,” Sarah said.

“He deserved the attention, but the nice thing about actually being at the games was that it allowed me to see athletes compete that I had only heard about before and never seen,” Anjoum said.

Singers perform in Chinese festival

THE GREAT WALL: Anjoum ’12 stands on the Great Wall of China. Photo courtesy of An-joum

“A LITTLE BIRDIE TOLD ME...:” The National Museum, the main Olympics stadium, is often referred to as the“bird’s nest” because of its architecture. Photo courtesy of Anjoum

Students see Olympics live

big and that she thought the tour helped her choir bond and have fun. According to Finn, she developed an insight to a different culture and grew musically.

Jackie and Sacha left China before the Olympics began, but they got to see the bird’s nest and water cube.

Jackie said China’s Olympic preparations included building new stadiums, cleaning up streets and airports, and tightening security.

“There was a lot of pride and banners everywhere and street vendors. They were clearing up the fog and organizing things,” Sacha said. “Everyone was really happy and so excited.”

They visited villages, market-places, and factories to observe the way the Chinese truly lived. Referring to classes with history teacher Dr. John Langdon, Sacha said that she and Emerson saw “everything Doc talks about, like the Summer Palace and Mao Tse-Dong’s Square.”

“It wasn’t like going to other countries where people make fun of tourists.”

-anjoum agrama ‘12

OF HER EXPERIENCE IN

BEIJINGGREAT WALL: Sacha ’09 poses with the the Shanghai Children’s Choir at the Children’s Palace. Photo courtesy of Sacha

FLYING LUIKEN:

Above, women’s all-around gold medalist

gymnast Nastia Luiken performs her uneven paralell bars

routine. Natalie Abshez ’09 got to see Luiken perform. Photo cour-

tesy of Natalie Abshez

A REAL OLYMPIAN: Right, Katherine Kim ’11 poses with

teammate Gerek Meinhardt. Photo courtesy of Katherine Kim

Sacha ’10 and Jackie ’11 sing at Pre-Olympic Music Festival

Three students visit China over the summer to watch Olympians

Graphics by Justine

UltraViolet Sept. 08

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