Spirit Week Coverage on pages 8 -9

The Blue and Gold http://my.highschooljournalism.org/ma/malden/mhs/

Malden High School Our 94th Year

Volume 94 Edition 3 December 2008

Blood Drive midsummer night’s dream

Kimberly Lombard reviews on pg 13

Saves Lives
An Holqvist

Copy Editor

“ Donate blood and save

Senior Taylor Lombard relaxes
up to three lives.” That is
just one of multiple reasons
to donate blood according
to www.givelife.org. Every
two seconds, someone in
the United States needs a
blood transfusion totaling
to nearly five million people
every year. Blood dona-
tion, among one of the best
causes one can contribute Faries look on as Titania and Oberon, played by Candido and Warton, argue.
to, is an event hosted at Photo by E. Chiavelli
many schools in addition
to most hospitals. This year,
Malden High School held malden voted best
place to live in mass
their annual blood drive on
the morning Dec. 11, 2008
in the Finn Gym. The Class
of 2009, in partnership with Patti McClenthen
the American Red Cross picks were based on crime rate,
(ARC) organized and ran Reporter home affordability, and a few mis-
the event. cellaneous categories.

as she donates blood.
Photo by E. Chiavelli
LOCAL NEWS Page 5
WORLD NEWS Page 10
Potential blood donors were
sent to the gym during the day to
Continued on pg 7
A
RECENT ISSUE of Business-
Week magazine included an
article naming the best cities in the
country to raise children. These
Malden was chosen for the best
city to raise children in Massachu-
setts because of these factors as well
Continued on pg 7

Malden Wins 121 st

ENTERTAINMENT Page 12
SPORTS Page 14

Thanksgiving Football Game

Erica Marangos

Reporter

Senior Mary Nguyen at the MHS

T HIS YEAR the Malden High
School football team learned
that even though there might be
Crafts Fair. More on pg 6.
problems, they should never give
up. As the historic Thanksgiving
Day rivalry with Medford contin-
Parker’sWorld Page 4 ues, Malden leads Medford 57-54-10
for the 121st game.
During the season, five play-
ers, consisting of tri-captains David
Freni, Michael Gilardi, and Marcos
Almeida, along with players Lucas
Ingemi, and Ricky Walsh stood on
the sidelines due to injuries.
Throughout the whole course
of the season, the team has suffered
a total of eight losses of players to MHS marching band drummers cheer on the team.
Photo by E. Chiavelli
Continued on pg 16
2 Editorials The Blue and Gold
December 2008
http://my.highschooljournalism.org/ma/malden/mhs/

Malden High School

While watching the news on that historic Elec-
The Blue and Gold tion Day, I became aware of two things: that while I
was glad to be part of the generation that voted to
77 Salem St.
Malden, MA 02148 elect the first African American President of the Unit-
ed States, I was also ashamed at our large step back
in denying our fellow human beings their basic right
of marriage. On Nov. 4, 2008, people around America
EDITORS-IN-CHIEF celebrated the election of our next President and we
Nicole Dhruv hoped for a time of positive change. That same day,
Malisa Saksua Californians not only passed Proposition 2 and voted
to protect the rights of farm animals; they also passed
MANAGING EDITOR Proposition 8 and in turn denied the rights of their
Cynthia Rodriguez fellow human beings by banning same-sex marriage.
California however, was not the only state to
HEAD NEWS WRITER deny rights to its citizens. Arizona passed Proposi-
David Riemer tion 102, and Florida passed Amendment 2, both ef-
fectively banning same-sex marriages. Not only that,
HEAD ENTERTAINMENT/ OPINION but Arkansas passed Initiative 1, which bans all non-
Ashley Ngo married couples from adopting or fostering children;
since Arkansas also has a ban on same-sex marriage,
HEAD SPORTS WRITER the Initiative has been seen as a direct attempt to ban
Paul Collins same-sex couples from adopting, since the proposi-
tion was turned down earlier in the past year.
ASSISTANT SPORTS WRITER I’ve since realized that I’ve been living in my
Alfonse Femino own little bubble, unaware of the struggles that other
states were facing. I often forget that while Massa-
HEAD COPY EDITORS chusetts legalized same-sex marriages several years
Tzivia Halperin ago, the rest of the nation is not in the same mindset
Ayoub Kourikchi as the rest of us here in Massachusetts. It wasn’t until
a conversation with another student that I realized
COPY EDITORS the struggle that the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and trans-
An Holmqvist gender community were facing.
Brittany Foley While I was aware that there were going to be
Nidale Zouhir rallies in protest against the passing of Prop 8 in Cali-
fornia, I wasn’t aware that there would be rallies in
HEAD OF PHOTOGRAPHER
Emily Chiavelli
ASSISTANT PHOTOGRAPHER
Lynn Tran letter to the editors
HEAD OF BUSINESS
Kimberly Lombard
Send your letter to the editors to:
BUSINESS TEAM
Brandon Knight
theblueandgold@gmail.com
Cera Nolan
Massachusetts as well. In a conversation with friend
of mine, she asked if I was going to attend the rally.
Before I could tell her that I had a workshop to at-
tend, another friend of mine intercepted, and asked
what the point was of attending the rally to begin
with; after all, Massachusetts legalized gay marriage
“ages” ago.
That conversation struck a chord with me.
While yes, gay marriage has been legalized in Mas-
sachusetts since 2004, it certainly doesn’t qualify as
being legalized “ages” ago. Looking at the state of
our nation, while we certainly have improved in the
past decade, the recent bans on same-sex marriage in
several states is a major step back. Not only that, but
in the wake of the terrible loss for the GLBT commu-
nity, I find that the media is doing nothing to help the
situation. With the sudden firing of Brook Smith from
ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy and making Melissa George’s
character straight, rather than bisexual, it cannot be
helped but think that the executives of the company
wanted to “de-gay” the show.
And in the wake of Prop 8 passing, what does
MTV do? The network premiered A Double Shot of
Love with the Ikki Twins, a reality dating show star-
ring two supposedly bisexual twins with disturbing
incestuous undertones. With the minimal visibility
the community gets to begin with, it’s no wonder
that California, Florida, and Arizona took away the
right to marriage, and Arkansas took away their right
to raise kids; if the only representation of the GLBT
community is in the form of MTV, even I would have
been tempted to vote against same-sex marriage. So
in the wake of these events, one can only help but
wonder where the state of GLBT rights stands.
Malisa Saksua
Co-Editor-in-Chief

ONLINE EDITORS
Kimberly Lombard
Brandon Knight

REPORTERS
Editorial Policy
Haley DeFilippis The Blue and Gold is an open forum for
Michael DiGregorio student expression. It is produced by students
for the school and the community. The views
Jacquelyn Dillon
presented in this paper are not necessarily those
Alexander Gennigiorgis of the advisor or the school administration. The
Dan Holmqvist views presented in the editorials are those of the
Shannon Howe editors-in-chief or guests. The goal of The Blue
Barbara Jerome-Athis and Gold is to inform and entertain students as
Omar Khoshafa well as the community regarding issues that we
Erica Marangos feel are important.
Alexandra Mathieu We strongly encourage readers to respond
Patti McClenthen to material printed in the form of signed letters to
Brittany McFeeley the editors. No libelous, malicious, defamatory,
obscene, or unsigned material will be printed.
Paul McWhinnie
The Blue and Gold reserves the right to edit the let-
Joan Morabito ters. Names may be withheld upon request. Not
Linda Nguyen all letters will be printed.
Paula Suarez Salamanca Although The Blue and Gold appreciates the
support of advertisers, we may refuse any ad-
ADVISOR vertisement that violates the above policy or that
Ryan Gallagher promotes products questionable to student use.
Any correspondence concerning this publi-
Established in 1915 cation should be directed to Mr. Ryan Gallagher’s
room in C333 or to his mailbox in the main of-
fice.
Check out our online edition:
The Blue and Gold
http://my.highschooljournalism.org/ma/malden/mhs/ c/o Malden High School
77 Salem Street
Malden, MA 02148
The Blue and Gold
December 2008
Got
milk?
Harvey Milk biopic
garners rave reviews
Ashley Ngo
Head Entertainment/Opinion Writer
I N HOLLYWOOD, it is rare to
find a movie with a perfect bal-
ance of controversy, drama and an
overall happy-go-lucky feeling, but
luckily for director Gus Van Sant he
manages to balance out these three
aspects well in his commanding and
persuasive biopic, Milk.
The film travels back in time,
capturing the life of American hero
Harvey Milk and his mid-life crisis:
although he passionately wants
to help people, he can not figure
out what he wants to do with his
life and where he belongs. All of
that changes when Milk rises as
iconic homosexual political figure
and makes a strong point in the is-
sue of discrimination, utilizing his
passionate speeches and charming
personality to win over the hearts
of American citizens. Milk depicts
his chaotic history as the first openly
gay man to be elected into a major
political office, starting with his
freedom from his longtime corpo-
rate job and ending with his final,
moving speech. The film also relies
on archival footage to make its
point, showing police abuse against
homosexuals and Diane Feinstein
announcing the assassination of
Milk outside San Francisco’s City
Hall in 1979.
The film grants the audience
an unapologetic vibrancy, tenacity
and vivacity of Milk’s final years,
of the decade he spent in the public
eye as he helped to define and en-
courage the American homosexual
community, particularly in the San
Francisco Castro district. The rec-
reation of the locations and times
is masterfully conceived, giving
the audience a realistic sampling of
an influential era and a more vivid
illustration of a man that few are
probably familiar with. The script
by Dustin Lance Black deserves rec-
ognition for being brutally honest. It
is filled with memorable lines, often
funny, with a level of influence that
will be embedded into the minds of
the audience.
Sean Penn is one of the great-
est actors of his generation, but that
claim will stand true more than
ever after his performance in Milk.
The transformation Penn takes to
become Milk seems so effortless that
it is extraordinary. Penn employs all
of his charisma and incredible abil-
ity to make the audience connect
with Milk’s extreme character. Penn
yet again delivers a tour de force
performance that is not likely to be
bested before the year is up.
In Milk’s personal life, several
continued pg 13
Opinion
http://my.highschooljournalism.org/ma/malden/mhs/
The ethics Behind Trash
Tzivia Halperin
Head Copy Editor
S
INCE THE “Pay-As-You-
Throw” (PAYT) trash program
was instituted in Malden as of
June 2008, there have been strong
reactions from both advocates and
opponents voicing their opinions.
Many find the program beneficial,
especially in augmenting the city’s
recycling efforts. More, however,
find it an invasive economic bur-
den, a tax feigning as a fee. In order
to circumnavigate the fee, many
Malden residents have taken to
illegally dumping trash in Everett,
incurring a startling $1,800 in fines
as of Nov. 13, 2008. Malden was
therefore put into an impossible
position- filling a $5 million deficit
in the wake of a global economic
crisis.
Accepted with a 7-4 vote,
the PAYT program has become
a means to fill in this monetary
deficit, with expectations of mak-
ing $2.5 million dollars this year
alone. Nevertheless, the current
economic climate has made the
$20 per box a hardship for some
citizens. As Bob Miller, chair-
person of Malden Taxpayers for
Accountability, noted in a phone
interview, civilians deserve other
Has peta Gone Too Far?
Nidale Zouhir
Copy Editor
W HEN A PETA (People for the
Ethical Treatment of Ani-
mals) activist threw flour on the
fur coat of celebrity figure Lindsay
Lohan, she left Lohan’s girlfriend
Samantha Ronson “pissed,” ac-
cording to her MySpace.com blog.
PETA and their many sup-
porters oftentimes criticize to al-
most a degrading point those who
wear or eat animal products. This
is seen in their “Trollsen” cam-
paign, which creates caricatures
of actresses Mary-Kate and Ashley
Olsen to mock their avid fur wear-
ing, along with many other cam-
paigns that they have had over the
past few years. PETA, like many
other blogs and media outlets in
the past few months, even took
the time to make fun of Governor
Sarah Palin, calling her a “moose-
hunting, fur-wearing, pro-aerial-
wolf-gunning governor,” when
she attended a turkey pardoning
in Wasilla, Alaska.
But does PETA go too far
with their fur-wearer bashing? It
is one thing to expose the secrets
of Petsmart; it is another thing
entirely to throw a bag of flour at
someone wearing a fur coat. When
PETA’s freedom of expression is
used through their words, they
seem like logical people who only
want to help the animals they claim
is the trash tax really effective if residents
illegally dump trash elsewhere?
“options and more innovative solu-
tions,” rather than being forced to
abide by the exorbitant program.
This is especially true since the deci-
sion to implement the trash tax was
done rather quickly, with no input
from the voters.
Simply from an ethical stand-
point, the trash tax loses credibility
by not representing the views of its
constituency. Ellen Wendruff, a
long-time Malden resident, believes
the collection program is “outra-
geous!”, both in cost and in prin-
ciple. Had the program been opened
up to voters to discuss, dissect, and
decide on through due “democratic
process,” Wendruff continues, she
would have been more comfortable
with the decision.
While recycling has significant-
ly increased in Malden, growth in
recycling was not a goal of the collec-
tion program. The positives of more
frequent recycling seemed to have
veiled the true purpose of PAYT,
which is simply “a system by which
you, [the civilians], pay for the trash
you dispose,” according to Malden’s
own PAYT website. Rather than
utilizing PAYT to increase recycling,
“other options such as RecycleBank
should be considered,” according
Peta infringing on people’s rights to
bring justice for animals.
are so tortured, but their actions
often prove otherwise. When PETA
supporters “take action,” they act
almost inhumane in their treatment
of others. Regardless of the death
that animals go through when they
are killed for their fur, the people
that PETA targets are human beings.
Just like PETA supporters have the
right to wear man-made products
only, celebrities like the Olsen twins
along with ordinary citizens have
the right to wear fur without having
flour thrown at them or cruel video
games made about them.
There is a definite differ-
ence between protesting the use
of animals for fur and protesting
those who wear fur. There is also
a definite difference between a
peaceful protest and a violent one,
and it seems PETA is toeing the line
between the two. There is a fine line
between freedom of expression and
3
to Miller. If other options were to
be employed to augment recycling,
the positives of the PAYT program
would wane even further. In areas
such as Everett, RecycleBank uses
a computer system to convert the
weight of recycled goods into points
redeemable as discounts at certain
retailers including CVS. These pro-
grams increase recycling without
causing such economic woes for
civilians.
The PAYT program loosely
fused two separate issues: recycling
and Malden’s deficit. Rather than
viewing each issue individually and
consulting with voters for their input
on both, the program glossed over
each problem to find one convenient
solution. Convenience does not
always equate to the best solution
and thus petitions are circulating to
rescind the program and investigate
better options. Nevertheless, the in-
come that PAYT has earned through
trash collection has prevented mon-
ey from being taken from public
works, most frighteningly schools.
Thus, the PAYT program has be-
come Malden’s own catch-22: with
it, social unrest grows, without it our
deficit remains unsolved. It truly is a
conundrum.
harassment, one that PETA seems
to be ignoring completely. The or-
ganization barely ever promotes
positive ways to make a difference;
they almost always target others to
get their message across.
Some of the games on PETA’s
website are humorous; there is one
about bunnies that fight the use of
fur, and there is one in which a chick
runs around trying to stop KFC
from treating animals inhumanely.
Where PETA crosses the line be-
tween funny and obscene, however,
lies in the game called “Dress Up the
Trollsens.” It is an obvious parody of
the Olsen twins, who are often seen
wearing fur. In the game, the player
chooses between “Hairy-Kate” and
“Trashley” to dress up in bloody
animals that still have their heads.
Hating the use of animal prod-
ucts does not justify bringing hatred
upon a person; it is one thing for
PETA to promote their message and
another thing entirely for them to
twist it into one of hatred of people
when it is supposed to be one of love
for animals.
It is basically as Ronson stated
in her blog: “I don’t wear fur, but I
don’t think I have the right to AT-
TACK those who do. No one has
that right.”
4 Opinion The Blue and Gold
December 2008
http://my.highschooljournalism.org/ma/malden/mhs/

MHS Stays True To Wacky Tacky Day

Paul McWhinnie
Reporter

W HY WAS THERE A CHANGE in Wacky Tacky Day this year? It is a

question that was on the minds of many Malden High School stu-
dents when they found out about the change in a traditional part of Spirit
Week. In previous years, Tuesday was known as Wacky Tacky Day during
Spirit Week, where students dressed up in outrageous outfits, ranging in
anything from mix-and-match clothing, different shoes, and even 1970s or
1980s style outfits.
This year, three different options were offered on what was supposed
to be solely Wacky Tacky Day. Tuesday was proclaimed, “Wacky Tacky/
Semi-Formal/Favorite Sports Team Day.” To no surprise, the Wacky Tacky
option was most evident across the halls of MHS.
Statistics show that 68 percent of all students who chose to dress up
decided to dress Wacky Tacky, 20 percent chose to wear sports apparel rep-
resenting their favorite teams, and 12 percent chose to wear semi-formal
outfits.
As a result of the hard work that goes into the hallway decorating
competition, most students chose not to dress in semi-formal outfits. “It al-
lows everyone the chance to express themselves and have fun,” MHS Junior
Jillian Dervishian stated. So why did the administration even attempt to
change the traditional Wacky Tacky Day to something that it is not? Many results of survey taken to measure
staff members say that it is because students have a difficult time concen-
trating throughout the day, due to the crazy clothes and costumes that are
how many students prefer which
worn becoming a major distraction in the classroom. option for the old wacky tacky day.
MHS junior Nicolette Tallent-Maldonado talked about the lack of pur-
pose of the change when she said, “I didn’t like the fact that they changed it With Spirit Week over, MHS students continue to wonder about the
because Wacky Tacky Day is fun, and having three different options ruined plans for next year. Is Wacky Tacky Day coming back? Or is it going to be
it.” Marissa Gould; another MHS junior even claimed that, “Wacky Tacky changed to something different?
Day unifies our school.”

parker’s world

Parker Stallworth
The Blue and Gold
December 2008 Local news 5
http://my.highschooljournalism.org/ma/malden/mhs/

Success followed by failure

An Holmqvist Students from Boston public schools graduate high
Copy Editor school only to drop out of college at appalling rates.

M ORE STUDENTS in Boston are

graduating high school and
going to college than ever, some-
concedes
there is a long
way to go aca-
that

thing that Boston has long prided demically.

itself in. With consistently high
graduation rates compared to the
rest of the country, the Boston Pub-
lic Schools seemed to have an edge
in education. However, a recent
follow-up study on the high school
graduating Class of 2000 from The
Boston Globe found that only two-
thirds of the student body had made
it through college.
The same study found major
discrepancies concerning race and
gender. Hispanics had completion
rates of 23.9 percent and African-
Americans 28.2 percent in contrast
with the 53.3 percent of whites who
earned degrees, while Asians were
slightly below that figure. Young
women were significantly more
likely to graduate than young men.
At the center of the dilemma,
Boston’s public and community col-
leges have indeed reflected the re-
sults of the study. According to The
Boston Globe, in 2006, at Bunker
Hill Community College only 8.6
percent of their student body gradu-
ated with college degrees while at
Roxbury Community College, just
5.8 percent of full-time students
graduated within three years of
enrolling. 64.2 percent of students
from the BPS Class of 2006 attended
these community colleges yet only
35 percent graduated.
These results, well below the
national average at 22.4 percent,
do not bode well for the city. Both
BHCC as well as RCC draw a large
number of students from the Boston
community. However, considering
rising costs in higher education,
many students dropout for reasons
such as financial distress or would
rather graduate high school and
start working immediately. Accord-
ing to Malden High School principal
Dana Brown, a solid majority of
MHS students are going to college
after graduation leaving the school
in relatively good shape, yet he still
Neverthe-
less, in response
to the Boston
study, a concerned
Mayor Thomas
Menino proposed
a major initiative;
starting with this
year’s high school
graduating class,
to increase the
college gradu-
ation rate by 50
percent and then
double the rate
for the current
sophomore class.
The Boston Foun-
dation, which 2 years ago, BHCC graduated fewer than 10 percent of their students, well below the na-
financed the study tional average. Photo of Bunker Hill from the Orange line by L. Tran
along with The
Carnegie Corpora-
tion of New York,
has pledged $1 million this year
toward that goal and hopes to
allocate the same amount for
each of the following four years.
In the coming years, Amer-
ican school systems will also be
receiving input from the new
administration in Washington
D.C. President-elect Barack
Obama’s bold education poli-
cies include a $4000 tax credit
for college-bound students
entering community schools
and calls for a major simplifica-
tion of the financial aid process
for qualified students. The tax
credit involves a requirement
of performing 100 hours of
community service and “will
cover two thirds of tuition costs
at the average public college or
university,” as he had stated in
his “Reclaiming the American
Dream Speech” in Iowa Nov. at the bottom of his agenda. larger one that involves America’s
2007. Hopefully Obama will be able Two years ago, BHCC gradu- fight to stay afloat in a more com-
to implement these plans despite the ated fewer than 10 percent of their petitive world.
many other hurtles that stand before students, well below the national
him. Currently education is almost average. Their struggle embodies a

Malden Residents Have New Furry Neighbors

David Riemer
Head News Writer Influx of wild coyotes shock malden residents

I T IS JUST LIKE in the movies. A

full moon shines on the bald rock
crest of a hill; a crouched figure is
silhouetted by the moonlight; a loud
howling cry pierces the silent night
air, a cry that strikes the listener with
fear of its mystique and ambiguity.
No, it is not a werewolf, actually, it is
not a wolf at all – it is a coyote, and it
could be right in your backyard.
“A coyote, in Malden?” one
might ask, but it is true, the Western
coyote has been moving eastward
from its home in the Midwestern
United States, searching endlessly
for a stable habitat untouched by
human development. In their trav-
els they have found some homes in
large protected parks, but the vast
majority of this migrating species
has yet to find peace.
Ecologists are slightly less sur-
prised than most Malden citizens
are to be seeing such a surge of wild-
life in such an urban area. For over
a decade, habitat destruction in the
Western US has forced many species
of animals into the New England
region, where they can find places
which suit their natural habitats,
and a wealth of their primary food,
deer.
A steep rise in deer popula-
tion in the past ten years as well has
influenced the coyote’s decision to
come to the Northeast. Although
the deer are plentiful, not all of the
coyote population can be sustained
by it. Thusly, many groups have
broken away from the rest and gone
in search of new sources of food,
water, and shelter.
Their findings? Cities have
everything that they need; all they
have to do is avoid the humans liv-
ing there. “They go where the food
is,” Animal Control Officer Kevin
Atkins stated in the Malden Ob-
server, and evidently the small pet
food dishes some people leave for
their pets or small wild animals are
leading coyotes right up to human
doors. While they are not outland-
ishly aggressive animals – preferring
to avoid human contact as much
continued pg 10
6 Local news The Blue and Gold
December 2008
http://my.highschooljournalism.org/ma/malden/mhs/

MHS Hosts its The Polar Express: exclusive on-line article

by Alfonse Femino

26th Annual http://my.highschooljournalism.org/ma/malden/mhs/

Crafts Fair
Joan Morabito
Reporter

O N NOV. 22, 2008,

Malden High
School had its annual
crafts fair, continu-
ing its tradition for
the 26th year. The
crafts fair is a fund-
raiser where volunteer
staff, students, other
residents, and people
from other cities, can
come and sell their The Commuter Rail decorated for the Polar Express. View a slide
homemade items. It Lina Pereziosa selling fudge at the show of images taken by L. Tran online.
provides clubs, such as the Interact Crafts Fair. Photo by J. Morabito
Club, and The Fine Arts Club, an
opportunity to fundraise and sell or- yet once again. Pereziosa and her
naments, candles, jewelry, pillows, beloved fudge have not missed a
blankets, school apparel, and more. MHS crafts fair. The first few years
Main Office secretary Karen Cody she attended the fair, she sold home-
MHS Bulletin
and Boyle House secretary Judy made items such as pillows and Support the class of 2009
Sullivan teamed up as the main ad- ornaments. Afterwards she began Concert Choir:
visors for the fair. As advisors, they to mainly sell her homemade fudge. Winter Concert- Malden High School’s ultimate
were in charge of handling money “So many people just come for the Monday Dec. 22, 2008 prom package raffle.
and booking tables in both of the fudge,” Pereziosa states about her Purchase tickets through Jan.12,
school’s cafeterias where the event costumers, “I feel obligated to do it 2009 from Mr. Fam.
took place. for as long as [I] can, its fun and its Basketball Team:

The day before the crafts fair, festive.” Pereziosa grew up in Mal- Christmas tourney- Cost: 1- $3.00
senior class advisor Paul Famiglietti den and has lived here for 65 years. Dec. 27- 29, 2008 4- $10.00
and a select group of students set up She and her two children graduated 10- $20.00
the tables for the upcoming event. from MHS.
Although classes and clubs Send events to:
Additionally, after school, members
theblueandgold@gmail.com
of the Interact Club also played a raised money, staff from MHS in-
major part in setting up the event. cluding principal Dana Brown, his
“We would not be able to do secretary Karen Cody, and Fine Arts
it without the staff and the student Club head advisor Mary Ann Seager
Parade of Lights
volunteers,” Cody stated. The agreed that this year’s fair was not
class of 2009 teamed up with Mary up to par with previous years. This Brightens the City
Ann Seager, advisor of the Fine is primarily due to the fact that our
Brandon Knight
Arts Club, so children could color country is entering a recession. “I
Thanksgiving Day decorations, get thought that the economy looked Reporter
their faces painted, and get pictures like it had some effect on the fair.
taken with Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus, There were fewer people here this
and various senior volunteers who year,” Dana Brown commented. T HE FIFTH ANNUAL Parade
of Holiday Traditions marched
along the streets of Malden on
Bread of Life, and many others.
The Malden High School Band also
marched during the parade. Adding
were dressed as elves. Seniors Seager believed that, “people are be-
Anthony Alvarez and Eddie Lao ing careful with their money… most Saturday November 22, 2008. The some difference to the usual festivi-
were featured as Santa, Jennifer of it has to do with the economy.” parade, which usually takes place ties, the parade was combined with
Cochran as Mrs. Claus, and Kasey However, the MHS craft fair was not early in the morning, began much the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony,
Motherway, Annie Willcox, Mary the only event going on in Malden later this year, starting at 4:30 p.m. where the city holiday tree is lit.
Nguyen, Rachel Coppla, and Tiana that day. Other schools including This year's parade was held at The Malden Chamber of Commerce
Ly as elves. Moreover, seniors Raul Cheverus and Malden Catholic had night because the Parade Commit- organized the Remembrance Tree
Villanueva, Kelly Bourgea, Kevin their share of events. The Holiday tee thought that the event’s fifth Lighting Ceremony, where names
Vasquez, and Kristen Tran dressed parade was scheduled that day as year should be celebrated in a dif- of Malden citizens who have passed
as MHS mascot Nedlam and walked well. Thus, Seager also believed ferent way. The event was known away were read aloud during the
around, greeting volunteers and that maybe people went to the other as the “Parade of Lights” because ceremony.
shoppers. events, resulting in a less crowded the Christmas lights displayed on There were many people
Like the class crafts fair. the floats were much easier to see who contributed to the parade, in
of 2009, the junior, in the dark. This year, the parade order to make it a success. As the
sophomore, and was dedicated to former Malden parade’s program states, “It is their
freshman classes District Court Clerk-Magistrate Joe [contributors] support that helps
sold sweatshirts, Croken, who sadly passed away raise the pride and spirit of not only
T-shirts, hoodies, last year in 2007. Middlesex Sheriff the holiday season, but our great
scarves, as well as James V. DiPaulo, was named the community.” The Parade Commit-
candy. parade’s grand marshal, for all of tee also played an important role
Among the his support for the parades of the in making the “Parade of Lights”
vendors, Linda past. a big achievement. The Committee
Pereziosa, a dis- The holiday parade was split consisted of Ward One Councillor
tant cousin of the up into four divisions, and featured Gary Christenson, Councillor-At-
school’s principal floats and banners from many busi- Large Craig Spadafora, Ward One
Dana Brown, at- nesses and organizations. Some or- School Committee member Peg
tended the fair ganizations that took part were the Crowe, Richard and Barbara Breen,
Seniors Jason Chen and Sue Tran prepare their table. Middlesex Sheriffs office, Brookline Meghan Drummey, Michael and
Photo by L. Tran Bank, the Aleppo Shriners, North Margie Drummey, Kevin and Traci
Shore Black Women’s Association, Fitzgerald, and Loretta Sullivan.
The Blue and Gold
December 2008
ethics in politics
Brittany Foley
Copy Editor W ITH THE DAWN of a new administration
on the horizon, Americans are optimistic
about entrusting their governmental woes in
the hands of several fresh faces. However, re-
cent allegations of embezzlement and corrup-
Ayoub Kourikchi
tion have run rampant nationally and locally.
Head Copy Editor Plastered on the front pages of newspa-
pers across the country is Illinois Governor
Rod Blagojevich who was arrested Dec. 9, 2008,
Malden Voted # 1
continued from pg 1
as its racial diversity. Malden was
also picked because of its thriving
economy, and how low the unem-
ployment rate is.
In terms of education, which
was part of the criteria, Malden
proves to be better than many other
schools in Massachusetts. It has
recently been awarded the Bronze
Medal by US News and World Re-
port magazine, ranking in the top 13
percent in the state.
The runners up for this honor
in the BusinessWeek article were
Cambridge and Weymouth, which
are both also doing well in all of
these areas.
Maldonian Joseph Gliona, a
Malden resident for over 70 years,
was not surprised by the article.
While commenting on the article, he
nostalgically compared the Malden
of today to the city that he gradu-
ated high school in, back in 1955.
He says that, though Malden was “a
harder working city” back when he
was a kid, he agrees with what was
stated in the article.
MHS Blood Drive
continued from pg 1
find out if they were eligible. There
was nothing trivial about acquiring
eligibility. Potential blood donors
were required to deal with an ardu-
ous wait before finding out if they
were healthy enough to donate.
Unfortunately, many disappointed
students were deferred and sent
back to class, unable to donate. The
rigorous testing is very important
for both the health of the donor
and the recipient, according to the
nurses in charge of blood work and
supervision.
Donors sometimes could stand
the risk of fainting or sustaining
nerve/arterial damage (very rare).
For recipients, the quality of the
blood could mean the difference
between life and death.
After check-in, MHS students
hoping to donate were tested for
iron levels, medication use, blood
pressure, and pulse, and were ques-
tioned carefully on possible drug
use/sexual activity. The tedious
procedure would assess the donor’s
risk for having the Human Immune-
deficiency virus (HIV) or certain
sexually transmitted diseases such
as herpes or gonorrhea. Addition-
ally, donors were questioned about
recent travel activity to ensure
that they haven’t visited a series of
Local news 7
http://my.highschooljournalism.org/ma/malden/mhs/
B.A.S.H.
Brings
on charges of conspiracy to swap money
for political favors in addition to selling
president-elect Barack Obama’s senate seat.
Healthier
The governor’s actions have aroused a pub-
lic outcry, and resulted in a Facebook group
BEVERAGES
calling for his impeachment within hours of Cera Nolan
his arrest. Reporter
Additionally, Massachusetts State Sen-
ator Dianne Wilkerson was caught stuffing
S OME PEOPLE find it nearly
impossible to completely stop
drinking sugary beverages, but
the Beverages and Student Health
CRIME RATE: DIVERSITY:
(BASH) study is trying to prove
Malden’s crime rate was a big Though not an actual factor, otherwise. Researchers at Children’s
factor in being chosen, because there Malden’s racial diversity gave it an Hospital in Boston are experiment-
have been so few major crimes this edge over other cities. Gliona says ing to see if a simple change, such
past year. Though Malden has had that this is the area where Malden as switching from sugar-sweetened
over 500 vandalisms in 2007, there has improved greatly over the past beverages to non-calorie drinks
have been fewer than ten major 50 years. He states, “I like that color could actually impact body weight.
crimes such as murder and abduc- doesn’t seem to matter. Kids in mod- The BASH program is study-
tion. In the past four years, there ern day schools in Malden seem to ing 9th and 10th graders, and half of
have only been six cases of murder accept each other, regardless of the participants will receive weekly
or negligent manslaughter in Mal- race.” This wasn’t the case in 1955, home delivers of non-calorie bever-
den. when, Gliona says, “the school was ages, like water, for one year, which
filled with European kids.” will help researchers at Children’s
AFFORDABILITY: Hospital determine if sugary drinks
OTHER REASONS: affect body weight. Researchers
As the economy continues to from the BASH program went to all
decline and housing becomes more Then, Gliona started thinking 9th and 10th grade English classes
and more expensive, few cities about why Malden was the best, informing students about the pro-
have been able to stay financially based on information that was not gram. The other half will receive
afloat. Fortunately, Malden has part of the criteria. The biggest dif- supermarket gift cards to buy food
been comparatively healthy in the ferences between 1955 and today, he and beverages of their choosing,
economic department, with a low noted, were the changes in morals but are encouraged to make healthy
unemployment rate of 4.7 percent, and goals. Children would be ready selections.
in comparison to the country’s cur- to work at the age of 14, and fewer Participants are required to
rent nationwide unemployment rate people went to college at that time. have three appointments with a di-
of 6.1 percent, despite a rise in house Gliona notes that, “today, people are etitian to talk about their beverage
prices. much more college-oriented, though of choice within their year of partici-
not everyone is ready, or right for pation. A school nurse will record
college.” the participant’s height and weight
at the beginning of the study, at the
end of one year, and a following year
after for a follow-up. Additionally,
countries – particularly the United those who did get the opportunity each participant will receive $150 of
Kingdom that could pose a risk for to donate blood said afterwards that local mall gift cards.
infectious disease donating was not as bad as they had To be eligible for this study,
At MHS, the wait time could expected. Those few who felt other- the student must be considered
reach up to two hours, but for those wise were light-headed. overweight or obese and drink at
who were lucky enough to get ad- The blood drive turn-out was least one sugary drink per day. The
mitted, it was well worth the wait. a success. Roughly 81 people vol- BASH study believes that if teens
“It’s a good feeling to be able to unteered to donate leading into a reduce the amount of sugary drinks
do something for someone else who complete 45-pint donation. This, in they consume, it will lead to less
can’t do it for themselves,” explains turn, could potentially save up to obesity because studies have shown
James Williams, MHS custodian 135 lives – three per person. more than 30% of adolescents in
and veteran donor. For people like Blood needed for emergen- the United States are overweight or
Williams, who has already donated cies and cancer sufferers is almost obese. Hopefully the BASH study
three times this year, the donating always in short supply according aims to encourage not only teens,
process is a gratifying experience. to the American Red Cross. There is but adults as well, to drink fewer
In contrast, however, for some first- no substitute for human blood, and sugary beverages. “Even though I
time donors, including MHS seniors the only way is through the blood of don’t know all the details of this par-
and juniors, the waiting process was other people. Senior Taylor Lombard ticular program, as a health teacher,
nerve-racking. Nervous stu- stated that “it was something I am always in favor of programs
dents were often afraid I could do for other people that try to help our kids become
either of the needle or the that wasn’t much of a loss healthier young men and women,”
sheer amount of blood for me. It was a sacrifice stated MHS health teacher Arlene
that was taken (one U.S. worth taking.” Ceppetelli.
pint; there are about
ten pints of blood in the
average human
adult). Many
were afraid
of passing
out after-
wards.
A n d
ye t ,
Senior blood drive volunteer Kevin Vasquez. Photo by L. Tran
8 Local news The Blue and Gold
December 2008
http://my.highschooljournalism.org/ma/malden/mhs/

Exclusive on-line slide show of

Spirit Week
by Lynn Tran

http://my.highschooljournalism.org/ma/malden/mhs/

Michael DiGreggorio Kimberly Lombard

Reporter Head of Business

The 2008 Spirit National Honor Society accompa-

Week competition in- nied them in the gym all morning
vaded Malden High to assist in the competitions during
School from Mon- the pep rally. NHS organizes the
day, Nov. 24 through Spirit Week events every year at
Wednesday , Nov. 26, MHS, and this year NHS advisor
2008, continuing 121 Paul Marques felt it was a success.
years of tradition. “Everyone pulled together and
The festivities made it a great day,” he proudly
kicked off on Monday stated. “The best yet- too bad the
with Pajama Day at freshmen didn’t win.”
MHS. The senior class Senior spirit team members
came in first place for included Daniel Bitew, Jenn Co-
the Pajama Day com- chran, Spencer Jerome, Marina
petition, followed by Kem, Katie Lopes-Raftery, Eric Mi-
the freshmen in second, randa, Travis Nally, Melchi Noel,
juniors in third, and Kristen Tran, and Tiffany Tran. The
sophomores in fourth. junior class spirit team consisted
This year, MHS created of Amanda Benoit, David Console,
a new competition, and Kristin Cruikshank, Cory Detrem-
the Wacky Tacky/New ont, Judith Jean Baptist, Shaleaka
England Sports/Semi-formal Day, which class came in second place for their Wizard Johnson, Matthew Kane, Rachel Kirchner,
debuted on Tuesday. The seniors once again of Oz hallway, the sophomores in third place Jonathan Tejada, and David Tran. The sopho-
dominated, while the freshmen took second with a Hollywood theme, and the freshmen more class spirit team featured Felicia Amen-
place, and the junior and sophomore classes class in fourth place for their “Road to Suc- dola, Jeff Blanc, Karl Denis, Teddy Francois,
tied for third place. The winner of the food cess” hallway. A-house Principal Marilyn Oresly Joseph, Huy Le, Fillete Lovaincy, and
drive was announced on Tuesday as well, Slattery exclaimed, “I’ve never seen anything Alexandra Mathieu. The freshmen spirit team
with the seniors in first place, sophomores in like it; it amazes me.” had students Eleida Acevedo, Kevin Chan,
second, freshmen in third, and juniors in last Wednesday marked the day of the long Brian Cormier, Amber Ferguson, Eddie Fish-
place. awaited pep rally, as well as Blue and Gold er, Juleen Huguley, Sam La, David Matnog,
That night, MHS students were hard at Day. The seniors showed their spirit and took Rachel Mcleod, and Dina Wood.
work until ten p.m. decorating their respec- first place in the competition, while the ju- The four teams battled it out throughout
tive hallways to present to fellow students niors and freshmen tied for second place and the entire competition to prove their class as
and staff the next morning. The hallway judg- the sophomores took third. While the remain- the best of MHS. Before the rest of the stu-
es walked around the next morning deciding der of the school went to their first two period dents entered the gymnasium, the freshmen
which hallway was best, and the senior class classes, members of the spirit teams went proved their skill on the volleyball court with
came out with yet another first place victory down to warm up and challenge each other a first place win; juniors finished in second,
for their circus themed hallway. The junior in the preliminary games. Members of the seniors in third, and sophomores last. Finally,
after the rest of the students filled up the gym,
both the MHS boys and girls dance team took
to the floor in two spirited performances.
Aftewards, the MHS choir sang the National
Anthem, and a moment of silence was held
for veterans and soldiers in Iraq, the festivi-
The Blue and Gold
December 2008 Local news 9
http://my.highschooljournalism.org/ma/malden/mhs/

Photos by
L. Tran and
E. Chiavelli
page design by L. Tran

ties began. The senior class took the

first event, the basketball free throw;
however, the music and excitement
inspired the sophomores to come in
a close second, while the juniors and
freshmen tied for third.
Next, Staff Sergeants Samuel
Graham and Derrick Westermore-
land came to the floor and ran the
pull up and arm hang contest. The
seniors finished first in the boys’
pull up contest, the juniors second,
sophomores third, and freshmen
last. In the all girls’ arm hang, the
juniors took home first place, the
freshmen second, seniors third, and
sophomores last. Other activities
that day included the new “up and
over” contest, tug-of-war, and the
human pyramid. The sophomores
took first place in both the human
pyramid and the up and over con-
tests, while the seniors earned first
place in the tug-of-war. At the end
of the day, the class of 2009 won the
entire Spirit Week competition with
a score of 38 points. Following the
seniors, the class of 2010 came in
second place with 29.5 points, the
class of 2012 in third place with 28
points, and the class of 2011 in last
place with 24.5 points.
At the end of the competition,
students and faculty alike felt the
event was a success. Dana Brown
summed up the event perfectly:
“Spirit week captures the essence of
what MHS is all about.”
10 World news The Blue and Gold
December 2008
http://my.highschooljournalism.org/ma/malden/mhs/

wildfires President-Elect Chooses Cabinet

consume Dan Holmqvist
Reporter

Californian M ANY FEEL presi-

dent-elect Barack

homes Obama must make

Brittany McFeeley
Reporter
M ANY COUNTIES have de-
clared a state of emergency
due to the raging wildfires invading
many southern Californian com-
munities. Burning over 35,000 total
acres of land, many families have
been forced to evacuate; schools
have been shut down and citizens in
nearby neighborhoods cannot stay
in their homes due to the dangers
of the wildfires, while the poor air
quality has intoxicated many homes
and surrounding communities. Of-
ficials believe that the first blaze was
man-made. They came to this con-
clusion that the fires started because
it was in a popular teen hangout
spot.
"I hereby proclaim a state of
emergency to exist with San Ber-
nardino County," stated California
governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.
In the San Bernardino, Orange, Riv-
erside, and Los Angeles counties,
wildfires have scorched over 28,000
acres of land, and destroyed over
160 homes. The fire raging near San
Bernardino County has been nick-
named the "Freeway Fire" because it
was located near the 91 Freeway.
Oakridge Mobile Home Park
was lost to the flames, destroying
over 500 trailers, many of them
housing senior citizens. Everyone
was forced to evacuate, taking with
them their most prized possessions
and valuables. One resident, Alisa
Romero, age 42, stated to news re-
porters that when the helicopter
dropped water onto her home, it
crushed her roof, giving her mul-
tiple scratches on her forehead and
a black eye. Her mother, Lucrieta,
age 65, grabbed her purse and pearl
necklace as firefighters rushed her
and her daughter out of their home.
Most of the fires are starting to
get under control but homeowners
have been left to pick of the ruins of
their homes, filled with good times
and memories that are now left un-
derneath the ashes.
a decision between
change and experience
as he appoints his new
cabinet. With a large
portion of the cabinet
already chosen, people
are now getting a
sense of what the next
administration might
look like. There have
already been accusa- Obama and Clinton on the campagin trail. AP Photo
tions that Obama has
created an "overly
Clinton" cabinet, which lacks the Treasury, Henry Paulson. The selec- Colin Powell to fill the spot.
change he promised over the course tion of Geithner was generally well The Obama cabinet has so far
of his campaign. However, Obama's received by the media and political produced mixed reactions. Many be-
team is looking to combine the per- analysts. lieve that the president-elect has not
fect blend of individuals, regardless After several long weeks of done a good job of shaking things up
of their party affiliation. speculation, Obama appointed Hill- and appointing people in Washing-
Secretary of the Treasury may ary Clinton as his Secretary of State. ton that will be able to bring about
prove to be the most important posi- Although Clinton was the expected change. FoxNews.com expressed
tion in the cabinet, considering the choice, her selection created a buzz concern over the history over the
United States is in its worst econom- about whether or not she is right for new members of the cabinet, in par-
ic crisis since the Great Depression. Obama. Some are referring to Clin- ticular, Bill Richardson. However,
The day Obama announced that ton as a “frenemy” of Obama, who others believe he is wisely choosing
Timothy Geithner would be the next may try to pursue her own agenda a cabinet that will be able to make
Secretary of Treasury, stock mar- rather than focus on the goals of the informed decisions. For example,
kets saw an astronomical increase administration. Others, however, an editorial in the New York Times
of 500 points, snapping back from say she is a very capable politician stated Obama has had a strong start
several days of negative trading. As that Obama can use to gain political with cabinet appointments pointing
the president of the Federal Reserve leverage. especially to the retention of Secre-
Bank of New York, Geithner was One cabinet appointment that tary of Defense Robert Gates.
instrumental in handling the bank- has not been made yet is Secretary Ultimately, the choice for Pres-
ing crisis, working closely with the of Education. The appointment has ident-elect Obama comes down to
Federal Reserve's Ben Bernanke garnered less attention, but many who he personally believes will best
and President Bush's Secretary of believe Obama may be considering help him run the country.
Ethics
sachusetts Governor Deval Patrick $250, conspiracy to committing lar-
continued from pg 7
elaborated to Fox Boston. Although ceny over $250 and possession of
it is undoubtedly devastating to lose oxycodone. She pleaded not guilty
bribe money in her bra. A camera
a leader that has served for so long, and was released after posting $2500
recording shows Wilkerson stashing
the senate remains strong. bail.
ten $100 bills up her blouse and into
Furthermore, on Nov. 15, 2008, “What she did was abuse the
her bra in a Boston restaurant. The
26 year-old Gia Desantis Cox, a Mal- trust they placed in her and misused
recording was the hard evidence
den city worker, was charged with the access that they gave her to steal,
needed for Wilkerson’s arrest on Oc-
embezzling half a million dollars in over a period of time, money from
tober 28, 2008, in her Roxbury home.
a scheme to steal overpaid property taxpayers in Malden who had over-
On November 17, 2008, she had a
tax funds in order to support an al- paid their real estate taxes,” stated
pre-trial hearing in Worcester. Her
leged drug addiction. Middlesex District Attorney Gerard
actions merit a variety of penalties,
Cox was arrested after she T. Leone Jr.
including spending up to 20 years
received $3500 from one of her co- With several reoccurring gov-
in prison, three years of supervised
conspirers; the man who cashed ernment scandals during a time
release, and a $250,000 fine for each
in the check was also arrested on where our country has entered the
charge.
larceny charges. Cox, was arraigned largest deficit in national history,
“There is a cloud over the
on November 15 in Malden District will Americans newfound confi-
whole Legislature on account of
Court on charges of larceny over dence dissipate as quickly as it rose?
these charges and others,” Mas-

Coyotes in Malden
continued from pg 5
as possible – but they should by
no means be considered domestic.
Only three attacks by coyotes have
been reported in the last year, two of
which were attacks by rabid coyotes
who were not exhibiting normal
behavior. The other was on a person
who got in the way of a coyote and
its food. As they are carnivores and
generally hunters of small animals,
the growing coyote population has
many worried for the safety of their
cats, dogs, and other small pets. At-
kins suggests keeping them inside at
night – when the coyotes hunt – and
not leaving food outside.
Numerous coyote sightings
have been reported throughout the
Malden area, as well as across Mas-
sachusetts, a clear indication that
something is certainly wrong. For
a long time, ecologists have warned
the public about habitat destruc-
tion and its effects on animals. The
coyotes are just one example of the
many species affected by urban de-
velopment encroaching on the en-
vironment. Now these animals are
under constant pressure to adapt to
the strange new habitat of the city,
constantly forced to change their
instincts that have helped them for
centuries.
Massachusetts alone loses
around 40 acres each day to devel-
opment. The New York Times reports
that around the world, two acres are
lost each minute. These facts repre-
sent an environmental crisis on par
with that of global warming but far
less well known. Urban develop-
ment must be controlled and bal-
anced with conservation efforts in
order to halt this rapidly worsening
situation. The coyotes have shown
that their homes are disappearing,
what will it take for us to notice the
same?
The Blue and Gold
December 2008
Auto Industry Crashes
Omar Khoshafa
Reporter
A FTER FOUR WEEKS of deliberation,
the Senate has finally rejected a $14
billion bailout plan that was intended to
keep the auto industry, specifically the
three giant car companies: Ford, Chrys-
ler, and General Motors afloat until next
spring.
On Nov. 23, 2008, the Chief Executive
Officers of “The Big Three” flew to Wash-
ington D.C., where they pleaded for a $25
billion bailout. Congress rejected the plan
and the three executives were given an
extra ten days to write another plan. Sub-
sequently, the CEOs issued another $34 bil-
lion plan that was cut down to $14 billion.
Despite the reduction, the Senate rejected
the plan on Dec. 11, 2008, primarily due to
high concentration of republican senators.
Why was the plan rejected? While pre-
senting their bailout plans, the CEOs of the
three companies failed to give Congress a
“credible restructuring plan that results in
a viable industry…” Basically, they failed
to show Congress that the $14 billion will
save the auto industry from collapsing.
Why should the auto industry be
rescued from bankruptcy? Any company
could be on the verge of bankruptcy and
ask for a government bailout. Senator Rog-
er Wicker stated that “to provide a $25 bil-
lion bailout for some companies isn’t fair to
taxpayers or the American businesses that
have made smart decisions…”
Supporters argue that about 2.5 mil-
lion jobs would be lost if the auto industry
World news 11
http://my.highschooljournalism.org/ma/malden/mhs/
crashes. With unemployment rates increas-
ing dramatically, an increase in jobs losses
will hurt an already bleeding economy.
The money granted to the 2.5 million job-
less Americans might cost the government
more than the multi-billion bailout itself.
Car dealers would also be affected by the
auto industry crash; they would be stuck
with unsold American cars because people
tend not to buy vehicles from companies in
bankruptcy.
While some say that the auto indus-
try deserves to be rescued, others argue
that we should not hand them the check.
Taxpayers should not be forced to finance
any company, especially companies that
consume about $6 billion a month. The jobs
lost from the bankrupt auto companies
would not be as bad as the CEOs make it
seem, and there is a large probability that
other foreign car companies will expand
and open up jobs to the employees of the
Big Three. What Congress would give
the auto industry is a blank check, which
would only delay the failure of these com-
panies. Former governor Mitt Romney
stated, “Detroit needs a turnaround, not a
check.” His view is that these companies
need to drastically restructure themselves
and create new plans to produce more
fuel-efficient cars. Congress also knows
that filing for bankruptcy would be a bet-
ter option for the auto makers because it
would keep all the factories in operation. Foreign cars may soon be the only dealers still in business.
This might pose a problem to retired auto Photo by E. Chiavelli
workers who would lose all their retire-
ment benefits.
12 Entertainment The Blue and Gold
December 2008
http://my.highschooljournalism.org/ma/malden/mhs/

MFA’s New Exhibit

James Bond strikes again Commemorates
Yousef Karsh
Paul Collins
Tzivia Halperin
Head Sports Writer
Head Copy Writer

J AMES BOND is back again

in his 22nd film Quantum
of Solace, which premiered in
movie theaters nationwide on
Nov. 14, 2008. Director Marc
Foster did a great job with his
take on the Bond series. Daniel
Craig played James Bond, and
captured the thrill, action and
adventure of Bond perfectly.
Judi Dench, Olga Kurylenko,
Mathieu Amalric, and Giancarlo
Gianni all assist Craig as either
respectable heroes or his villain-
ous counterparts. As of right
now, the 22nd Bond film has
been nominated for one award, the Golden Trailer
for the best teaser poster.
Although Quantum of Solace lacks Q (the
gadget man) and different electronic devices, the
movie continues to be a thriller for any family
planning to see the motion picture. It is clear that
Craig is no Sean Connery or Pierce Brosnan, who
seem to be the more popular Bonds, however he
brings out different characteristics of James Bond,
which enlightens the audience of other facets of
his personality. This Bond movie is certainly ac-
tion packed but lacks speaking roles and intrigu-
ing lines.
The movie is a sequel to Craig’s former James
Bond movie, Casino Royale, where James Bond
decides to seek revenge for the death of his lover
Vesper Lynd (Eva Green). James Bond’s goal of
the mission in Quantum of Solace is to take down
Dominic Greene (Almaric), who is a businessman
Twilight a big hit at the box office
Haley DeFilippis
Reporter
Daniel Craig as James Bond.
of the mysterious criminal organization ‘Quan-
tum.’ James Bond’s mission requires him to travel
to Austria, Italy, and South America, and along
the way, he learns that Greene, who is trying to
take over one of the world’s most important natu-
ral resources, is forging a deal with the deported
General Medrano. As Bond gets closer to figuring
out who was accountable for betraying Vesper,
he must keep ahead of different organizational
groups competing with the MI6 operations, his
boss M, and in order to do this, he has to stop
‘Quantum’ from succeeding in its ghastly ways.
Unfortunately this Bond movie does not
compare to classics such as Dr. No, or The World
is Not Enough. The movie can be seen as a disap-
pointment, depending on how much the James
Bond series interests the viewers, however, to a
James Bond connoisseur, the movie may be seen
as a typical, action packed Bond film.
$20,636 per theater
in America, put-
I N HONOR OF THE ACCLAIMED photog-
rapher Yousef Karsh’s 100th birthday, the
Boston Museum of Fine Arts assembled an
exhibition of the artist’s greatest portraiture,
entitled “Karsh 100, A Biography in Images.”
Beginning Sept. 23, 2008 and concluding Jan.
19, 2009 the exhibit serves as a photographic
biography and testament to the late Karsh,
with photos grouped together to convey an
aspect of the photographer’s life. For example,
a photograph of Ernest Hemingway was one
of a set that was used to convey the later
cultivation and refinement of Karsh’s style.
An original large-format camera employed
by Karsh was also displayed near the pieces,
granting the exhibit a more personal reality.
The exhibition proved a powerful expe-
rience to both those new to Karsh’s work, and
those already accustomed, as the room was
abuzz with positive feedback. Long-time pho-
tography aficionado Michael Halperin looked
on the photos in awe, especially impressed
by Karsh’s ability to convey “personalities.”
Some of these personalities included the semi-
nal photo of a growling Winston Churchill, a
glamorous head-shot of Audrey Hepburn,
and the famed photo of an inquisitive Albert
Einstein. Karsh also frequently displayed his
subject’s life-work within the photos, thus
further attesting to their distinct personalities.
Pablo Picasso, for instance, was pictured to
the right of one of his own creations- a vase,
while a scowling Alexander Calder was pic-
tured next to his invention, the mobile.
Karsh’s ability to create a comfortable en-
vironment for his subjects allowed them to be
photographed at their most raw, creating the
influential portraits characteristic of Karsh.
As Artdaily.org noted, “The legacy of Yousef
Karsh-the man behind the lens of some of
the 20th century’s most famous photographic
portraits-is illuminated” throughout this ex-
hibition.

B ASED ON Ste-
phenie Meyer’s
best-selling series,
Twilight, the story has
come to life on the
big screen. Kristen
Stewart plays the role
of the teenage pro-
tagonist Bella Swan
who moves to Forks,
Washington from
Phoenix, Arizona.
Bella does not have
a problem fitting
in, but finds herself
drawn to the most
exquisite and charming students
in school, the Cullen siblings.
However, the Cullens, as perfect
as they look with their pale faces
and topaz eyes, hide their perfec-
tion behind their secluded lives.
The Cullens raise suspicions of
being superhuman, especially
when Edward (Robert Pattinson)
rescues Bella from a car crash at
an impossible speed.
Bella becomes suspicious
of Edward and his family and
harasses him for answers. Al-
though he tries to stay away
from her, they both find them-
selves inexplicably drawn to one
The main cast of Twilight.
another. There is sexual tension
between the two and Edward
struggles not to kill her when
they share their first kiss. As the
movie starts to become clichéd,
the two find it dangerous to be
in a human-vampire relation-
ship when rogue vampire James
(Cam Gigandet), becomes de-
termined to drink Bella’s blood.
The audience is left on the edge
of their seats as Edward and his
family do everything they can to
save Bella’s life.
Over the first weekend,
Twilight made $70.6 million in
the box office, estimating about
ting James Bond’s
Quantum of Solace
in second at $27.4
In accordance with the late Karsh’s up-
coming birthday, it seems fitting that the MFA
should host yet another photography exhibit,
million. The movie “Photographic Figures” from Nov. 19, 2008
is rated PG-13 through May 10, 2009. A range of photogra-
and its audience phers contributed to the exhibit, each present-
was comprised ing a distinct and powerful rendering of the
mostly of teenage human form. Photos of all different techniques
girls; however, and styles splashed the walls of the Herb Ritts
ages ranged from and Clementine Haas Michel Brown gallery.
young to old, and The exhibit allowed for many different
both males and fe- photographic interpretations of “photo-
males attended. graphic figures.” The innovative American-
In the case born photographer Phillip-Lorca diCorcia
of Twilight, the presented a ghostly image of a woman in
movie left several what appeared to be a fish-tank world, while
aspects of the story Russian photographer Tofik Shakhverdiev
unexplained. Some say it would conveyed the forbidding presence of Russian
have been difficult to under- police who were devoid of faces based on an
stand the movie without having interesting crop below the neckline. Another
prior knowledge of the book. photo that garnered attention for its sheer
Although some prefer the books intensity was a James Nachtwey photo of a
with good reason, the movie was Rwandan violence victim, displaying deep
still worth watching. Robert Pat- scars from a machete.
tinson played an ideal vampire, In light of the great success that the
while Kristen Stewart played “Karsh 100, A Biography in Images” and
the ideal imperfect girl falling in “Photographic Figures” exhibits displayed, it
love. The two actors combined is apt then that the MFA should open its doors
make their love seem realistic. to a permanent room for photography exhi-
With all of the success, Summit bition. As The Boston Globe concedes, these
Entertainment announced their photography exhibits are “a dual celebration:
plans to film the movie’s sequel, of the human body and of photography at the
New Moon. Museum of Fine Arts.”
The Blue and Gold
December 2008 Entertainment 13
http://my.highschooljournalism.org/ma/malden/mhs/

Play production performs

a new decade’s dream
Kimberly Lombard
Head of Business

M ALDEN HIGH School’s play and another fight between Newman

production brought down the and Keough on the other. Baharloo
Jenkins House with their 80s inter- and Delaney played the perfect catty
pretation of A Midsummer Night’s teenage girls, while Newman and
Dream on Nov. 21, 2008 and Nov. 22,
2008. Keough had stereotypical male egos
Originally a Shakespearian that put the audience in hysterics.
comedy, the play contains two sub- By the end of the scene, Oberon fixes
plots: four lovers whose relation- his mistakes and everyone returns
ships are jumbled by a mystical to normal with the exception of De-
plant, and a play within the play metrius,
performed for the lovers and their w h o
parents. In the main plot, Hermia Ober-
(Jenna Delaney), is
being forced into
a relationship
with Demetrius
(Keith New-
man). How- Coté and Warton as Puck and King Oberon plot against Queen Titania.
ever, Hermia
wants nothing
more than to
be married
to Lysander
(Patrick Ke-
ough). In the
meantime,
while Deme-
trius is seek-
ing out the
fair Hermia,
her friend
Helena (Ba-
har Baharloo)
is in love with Baharloo and Newman argue as Helena and Demetrius.
Demetrius
and craves
his attention. Although both men on left the love spell on.
desire Hermia, she decides to run In the meantime, the secondary
away with Lysander, leaving Deme- plot develops. A group of classic 80s Martocchio and Castillo as Peter Quince and Snout look on in horror.
trius to chase after her, while Helena teenagers, led by Peter Quince (Car-
chases after him. la Castillo), plan to perform Pyramus
A drastic turn of events occurs and Thisbe for Theseus (Martin Doan)
when King Oberon (Sam Warton), and Hippolyta (Casey McLaughlin).
decides to play Cupid and match up The cast consists of Bottom (David
the lovers so that Hermia can hap- Barrows) who plays Pyramus, Flute
pily be with Lysander and Helena (Maya Rogers) playing Thisbe,
can win Demetrius over. He rubs a Snug (Tayla Damon), who plays a
magic plant over Demetrius’ eyes ferocious lion, Snout (Tracy Mar-
so that he falls in love with Helena. tocchio), the wall, and Starvling
However, his aide Puck (Rita Coté) (Andrea Kelly) who plays the role
confuses characters and accidentally of moonshine. The group puts on an
causes both Lysander and Demetrius extremely humorous production for
to fall out of love with Hermia and Theseus, Hippolyta, Hermia, Hel-
in love with Helena. Helena thinks ena, Demetrius, and Lysander.
this is a cruel joke to mock her, while A Midsummer Night’s Dream’s
Hermia believes her friend stole her cast also included Tanaira Candido
true love away, while both men are as Queen Titania, and Geneva De-
fighting over whose love for Helena Colbert, Nicole Fowler, Taf Khan,
is truer. This leads to an entertaining Jessica Melanson, Than Nguyen, Barrows and Candido as Bottom and Queen Titania.
fight scene between Baharloo and Mataya Phillips, Samantha Power,
Photos by E. Chaivelli
Delaney on one side of the stage, and Charlene Ricci as her fairies.

MILK
contined from pg 3
supporting characters do not receive
enough attention, but the actors
pull through. Supporting character
Jack Lira, played by Diego Luna, is
almost treated as an after thought,
even though in reality he played a
prominent role in Milk’s life. But
aside from certain trivial flaws,
James Franco as Scott Smith, Josh
Brolin as Dan White, Emile Hirsch
as Cleve Jones, Alison Pill as Anne
Kronenberg and even High School
Musical star Lucas Grabeel as Dan-
ny Nicoletta deliver their lines with
such conviction and passion that
their personalities as celebrities melt
away and embed themselves into
the lives of their characters.
Hollywood seldom knocks out
a movie that does not sugar coat
nor does it sharpen the hurt of such
prejudiced perspectives, but in Milk
there is a sense of reality that height-
ens the pain and the seriousness of
the situation, a painful reminder
of human standpoints and how
easily it is to overlook what is best
and to take sides in order to please
segments of the population. Milk is
the story of a man who believed in
making a difference and thought he
would never be able to leave a mark,
but proving himself, to the joy of
others, so very wrong.
“Milk was so good that after
it was over, I was willing to sneak
back in just so I could see the whole
thing again,” MHS junior, Consuelo
Toledo stated.
14 Sports The Blue and Gold
December 2008
http://my.highschooljournalism.org/ma/malden/mhs/

boys basketball Female joins the

Starts off The Season With Wrestling Team
confidence
Alexander Gennigiorgis Wrestling Preview
Reporter for 2008 - 2009
Season
I T IS A RARE OC-
CASION at Malden
High School to see fe-
male participants, but
this beginning wres-
tling season freshman
Kristina Kisthart went
to try-outs confident
despite the “doubt-
ing” opinions of being
a girl and wanting to
wrestle. She wants
“respect” and to show
women are just as ca-
pable of wrestling like
any boy or man. Head
Seniors Patrick Urban and Travis Nally Photo by L. Tran coach, Jeremiah Smith,
sees the female addi-
tion as a positive one,
Ashley Ngo when saying “An ath-
lete is an athlete. Male or female, Photo by E. Chiavelli
Head Entertainment/ Opinion Writer it’s all the same.”
senior leadership and confidence.” Tryouts began on Dec. 1 for for their first match on Dec. 13, 2008,

W ITH SENIOR tri-captains

Travis Nally, Steven Suida
and Marcus Armstrong leading the
boys’ basketball team this year, head
coach Don Nally has high expecta-
tions for the team. Nally plans on
winning both the Greater Boston
League in addition to attaining the
state title and winning the EMass
Championship.
In regards to this year’s team,
Nally states that, “We have more ex-
perience than last year’s team, more
The experience, confidence and
leadership skills the team gained
this year allow them to become a
harder working team.
According to Nally, as a cap-
tain, the responsibilities are “harder
because you have to lead a whole
team.”
Although the team far ex-
ceeded expectations last year, Nally
plans “to play more people because
there is more depth this year than
last year’s team.”
the MHS wrestling team. Smith
stated, “The tryouts went very
well despite the fact that at first
there were 22 participants but
now only 19 remain.” Smith then
added, “I am hoping for four or
five state qualifiers and possibly
a qualifier for the state champion-
ship. This year the athletes have
more experience than the years
before.” Smith prepares the team
with condition training, instruction,
and live wrestling.
Kisthart feels “pretty [darn]
good” to be a freshman as well as
the only female on the team; her
goals are to prosper in the wrestling
world and prove all the negative
people wrong. Like her teammates,
she trains for her upcoming matches
by doing, “a lot of weight lifting,”
hard work, and dedication.

Seniors Are Victorious at Powder

Puff Game
Linda Nguyen
Reporter

A N EVENT FULL of fun, laughs, and

spirit to go along with the entire theme
of the annual spirit week and pep rally, the
Malden High School girls’ annual Powder
Puff football game was held on November
26, 2008, at McDonald Stadium. Following
the pep really, MHS junior and senior girls
made their way to McDonald Stadium to
battle it off for the title as “winners.” Al-
though the girls had competitive attitudes,
their playfulness made it an exciting and fun
event for both the participants and the fans.
With a time limit of forty minutes, ju-
nior and senior girls were paired and trained
by MHS football captains David Freni and
Marcos Almeida. Senior girls’ team recieves coaching from senior David Freni. Photo by L. Nguyen
Junior girls were headed by an excited
Almeida whose team started off strong with
the first scoring point. But, Freni and the the girls, and went through and shared coaching a winning team, even just for a
seniors showed their winning pride with a the experience of how organized football playful Powder Puff game, as one of the
24-12 final score. is, and they got a feel for what it’s like to greatest achievements in his senior year,
Almeida took more out of this event play.” Then added, “I also learned how believing the event was definitely a suc-
than just simple excitement when he enthu- hard it is to coach a team.” cess.
siastically stated, “I felt that I got closer to Overwhelmed with feeling Freni, sees
The Blue and Gold
December 2008 Sports 15
http://my.highschooljournalism.org/ma/malden/mhs/
girls
boys track Sets goals
basketball
Gears Up for
for the winter season
the Season
Paula Suarez Salamanca
Reporter

T HE SEASON HAS barely even

started and the Malden High
School girls’ basketball team is
working diligently. Prior to the sea-
son starting, practices were Tuesday
and Thursday in the Finn Gym,
and their first game will be at home
against Burlington High School on
Dec. 17. The team is lead by head
coach Joseph Levine, assistant coach
and MHS principal Dana Brown,
and senior tri-captains: Annie Ab-
ber, Annie Willcox, and Alyson
Macdonald.
This being his sixth year as head
coach, Levine, has a good grasp on
how to train the girls. He hopes that
as the season goes by everyone will
improve and progress in their own
way. “This year I expect a lot from
the varsity team. I expect for them Junior hurdler Martin Doan Photo by L. Tran
to show their advanced experience,
their leadership and their winning Barbara Jerome-Athis
ways,” Levine explained. Losing key during prior to the indoor track train and do advanced plyometrics
Reporter
seniors after this season, the team season, Londino is looking for a in order to take their performance to
trains hard for a successful outcome
and for developing the skills if the
younger players for future success.
T HE MALDEN HIGH School
boys’ indoor track team is
hoping to improve upon their
lot of point scoring this season.
He wants his seniors to have a
winning season and he expects
the next level.
They are getting ready for
their first meet against Arlington on
Willcox is also excited for this disappointing record last season each member of the team to December 18 and their first Greater
year’s season. Willcox, being on of 1-5. come to every practice and give Boston League on January 14. Since
the team for four years, says, “by Co-head coach David Lon- “110% every time they step on it is too early in the season, the cap-
playing basketball I have learned a dino aims to have as many ath- the track.” tains are yet to be chosen. However,
lot about teamwork and never giv- letes qualify for the state meet Presently, Londino along Londino is confident about the team
ing up.” She hopes to win another because he believes they all have with co-head coach Mitch Abba- and says, “I know our seniors are go-
Greater Boston League title and the potential to do it. Due to the tessa are building strength and ing to have a monster season. They
wants to qualify for the state tourna- fact that runners have done pre- endurance in the new athletes are pumped and ready to stand out
ments. Along with her teammates season and other track and sports while the veteran athletes weight as some of the state’s top athletes.”
and coaches Wilcox is eager for suc-

girls track Gets Into Shape

cess.
Wilcox concluded, “As a cap-
tain I hope to be able to keep my
team as motivated and as positive
as I can. But what I want everyone
to come away with this year is good
team bonds and any goals that they
wanted to accomplish.”

Shannon Howe
Reporter

T HE MALDEN HIGH School

girls’ indoor track head coaches
Mitch Abbatessa and David Lon-
dino are starting off the season mak-
ing sure all the new and returning
members have their forms turned in
on time and are ready to tryout. Try-
outs have been completed, and the
team captains have to be decided.
The girls are practicing hard and
preparing for their upcoming scrim- Junior Thanh Nguyen and sophomore Jessica Vo practice for future meets. Photo by L.Tran
mage December 17.
The team’s primary goal is to record. throws and does plyometrics. will be bigger which gives them an
improve conditioning and get in The team is looking forward to Additionally they would like opportunity to develop a strong
shape, so the team is ready for the a winning season, senior Hannah Ye to have some athletes qualify for the team for the future.
season, which starts in January. cannot wait for the 2008-2009 sea- Massachusetts Interscholastic Ath- Although the season has barely
With early practicing and condition- son to begin because she plans on letic Association Division Meet. This begun, Abbatessa hopes for a suc-
ing the team will have successful “beating all her times.” Returning season there are new people joining cessful season and keeping an open
outcomes. The new and returning member junior Thanh Nguyen also and the league is smaller, thus they mind when he concluded, “You
girls have the perseverance and plans on “going to states,” and also will be playing fewer teams. Due never know [what happens] till you
determination to exceed last year’s explains that during practices she to the new people joining, the team show up.”
16 Sports The Blue and Gold
December 2008
http://my.highschooljournalism.org/ma/malden/mhs/

Continued from pg 1

due to inju-
ries.
Freni
expressed, “I
think if you
asked every-
one on the
team, all the
coaches, and
parents that
they would
say the
season was
disappoint-
ing” because
of all the swim team hopes for
injuries and MHS football team on the offense. Photos by E. Chiavelli
let-downs
second undefeated season
that the team Nidale Zouhir
has had this
season. Copy Editor

after
E v e n
the
captains got
W ITH the
Malden
High School
hurt, the swim season
team perse- beginning on
vered and December 1,
had younger 2008, and hav-
players lead ing already
the rest of beaten Cam-
the players bridge, their
that were ultimate hope
still able to is to have
Senior co-captain Matt Zunitch at the deep end.
play. another unde-
Photo by E. Chiavelli
During the first quarter sopho- was still leading the game 19-0 at the feated season,
more Frankie Dunn ran 37 yards and end of the half. according to This season, there are many
scored the only touchdown, ending Medford’s first touchdown was MHS senior and co-captain Mat- underclassmen joining the team.
the first quarter with Malden 7-0 in the fourth quarter at eight minutes thew Zunitch. Zunitch, along with senior and
lead. Senior Colin Power made an and 25 seconds. With the score now The captains, along with co-captain Ramilo Santana, have
excellent play by blocking the kick 19-8 junior Herbens Antenor scored coach Paul Devincentis, hopes to coordinated captain-run practices,
and Malden recovered it with ten a touchdown making the score a beat the teams that pose the big- which were not incorporated last
minutes and ten seconds, left in the whopping 27-8, and minutes after gest threat to their season, namely year. This is a part of an effort to
second quarter. Sophomore Nicho- his previous touchdown Antenor Medford, Cambridge, Waltham, get the swim team in shape before
las Hoyt went air-born for a touch- scored yet again. and Bedford. They believe that the season actually starts.
down, but missed the extra point Although Medford recovered the best way to accomplish this For this particular season,
field goal kick, however Malden still with their second touchdown at four is by consistently working hard everyone hopes to break their own
had the lead with a 13-0 score. minutes and 42 seconds in the last and practicing. This is especially personal records. After having
An interception and clear clean quarter, Malden still won with a 32- essential since last season’s team an undefeated 2007-2008 season,
run by Dunn set the team up for an- 22 final score. Freni ends the season had a very strong lineup of se- there is not a huge amount that
other touchdown scored by junior on an optimistic note when saying, niors. Their strongest obstacle to they can improve on as a team.
David Console. “We had high hopes and think that overcome is the team compensat- However, they do hope to have
With another interception, next year the team will go far. I see ing for the loss of many strong more people qualify for individual
Consol was tackled and later found a Greater Boston League champion- swimmers from last year’s senior events in the Sectional and State
that he had broken his jaw. Malden ship team next year.” class. Championship meets.

MHS gymnastics hopes for a successful season

Alexandra Mathieu mhs gymnastics preps
Reporter their new jv team

T he bars, beam, vault, and gym

floors at the Salemwood Middle
School are getting dusted off as Mal-
den High School’s co-ed gymnastics
team prepares for its 2008-2009
season. Coach Katie Bowdridge
has high hopes for the team as this
will be the first year that the team
will “have freshmen that have par-
ticipated in our Community Schools
Gymnastics Program, so these kids
already have a basic understanding
of high school rules.”
The addition of a junior varsity
team is new to this season. Malden
has had the largest team in the
Greater Boston League for some
time due to the lack of a JV team.
Many gymnasts could not compete
due to the skill requirements and
the limited number of spots on each
event. Bowdridge is excited because
Jessica Fox.
M a -
thieu, who
the new JV team will allow an ad- was a rookie
ditional three Malden gymnasts to last year, is
compete for each event. eager for the
One of Bowdridge’s concerns new season
is that the GBL is shrinking every to begin.
year. Aside from Malden, the only M a t h i e u ’s
cities with gymnastics teams left in goals for the
the GBL are Cambridge and Med- team are a
ford. “Both schools have had strong bit simpler Gymnastics team stretches before practice Photo by L. Tran
showings for the past couple of than Bow-
years,” Bowdridge explained. “We dridge’s. “I Despite not having won any
need to look outside the league for hope everyone learns...something meets last year, Bowdridge feels that
additional meets.” new this season,” she stated. “I just this season will be different. “The
The new tri-captains of the want a girl to leave saying, ‘I learned team works so hard,” she said. “It
team are seniors Kethia Mathieu, something different,’ or at least con- would be nice to see all of that hard
Amanda Dipietrantonio, and junior quer a fear she had.” work pay off with the wins.”