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Book Club

More thanjust reading!

page 3

February 24, 2012 Kingston High School, 403 Broadway, Kingston, NY 12401 www.kingstonhighlights.com Volume 81, Issue 111

Review

Don’t fall ifyou plan on

jumping page 7

GSA

A club for oneand all!

page 6

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Giordano Giordano Giordano

G:G:More than More than

just a letterjust a letter

2 EditorialHIGHLIGHTS February 24 2012

HIGHLIGHTSHIGHLIGHTS

EditorCody Naccarato

StaffWilliam BartonCody NaccaratoAlexis Parkhurst

Nate RingRobert Pugliese

Joe PuglieseNate Ring

Justina SchoutenJohn Villielm

Club PresidentJohn Villielm

Club TreasurerRob Pugliese

AdviserTed Leach

Editorial Policy: Highlights is afree and open forum for studentexpression edited entirely bystudents. The views expressedhere do not reflect the views ofthe Kingston City SchoolDistrict. Letters from readers arewelcome. All letters must besigned. The staff reserves theright to edit letters for lengthand clarity. Letters may be sentto Highlights, Kingston HighSchool, 403 Broadway,Kingston, NY, 12401, or bedelivered to Room 204.

Memberships: Highlights is amember of the NationalScholastic Press Association.

Advertising: To advertise inHighlights, please contact us atthe above address or telephone(845) 331-1970, extension 7686.

Some content courtesy of AmericanSociety of News Editors / MCTCampus High School NewspaperService

visit us online atKingstonHighlights.com

The following editorial appearedin the Sacramento Bee onTuesday, Jan. 31:

Over the years, Apple hasbuilt a loyal following becauseof its ingenuity and willingnessto buck norms. Its customer basetends to be highly educated, con-cerned about conditions in for-eign countries and affluentenough to afford the latest, coolnew Apple product — such as aniPad or iPhone.

Yet many of Apple’s mostdevoted customers are angry atthe moment, and rightfully so.Last week, the New York Timespublished a searing expose ofworker conditions at Apple sub-contractor plants in China, whereiPads and other Apple devicesare assembled.

Many Americans are oblivi-ous about factory conditions inChina, partly because that coun-try makes it hard for workers toreport abuses and for outsidegroups to monitor them. But theTimes was able to document anappalling pattern of worker mis-treatment by Apple subcontrac-tors at several factories, includ-ing ones owned by FoxconnTechnology, one of Apple’sbiggest partners worldwide.

The list of abuses includesworkers exposed to poisonous

chemicals; workers forced towork excessive overtime sevendays a week; workers stuffedinto overcrowded dorms andlaboring at risk of deadly explo-sions. Within seven months lastyear, the Times reports, four peo-ple were killed and 77 injured intwo explosions, including one ata site where employees polishthousands of iPad cases eachday.

As the Times noted, othershave documented grim workingconditions at factories affiliatedwith Dell, Hewlett-Packard,IBM, Sony and other tech firms.

Apple put itself ahead ofmany companies by adopting acode of conduct in 2005 that hasled the company to audit subcon-tractors, report problems andreveal plans for preventing viola-tions. In its latest report, Applereports: “We have a zero-toler-

ance policy for underage labor,and we believe our system is thetoughest in the electronics indus-try. In 2011, we broadened ourage verification program and sawdramatic improvements in hiringpractices by our suppliers.”

All that is good, but if youcomb through Apple’s reportsfrom previous years, you’ll findnumerous vague references tounnamed suppliers who commit-ted violations. That kind ofobfuscation makes it hard foroutside groups to verify the com-pany’s findings, particularly itsclaims of improved conditions atcertain plants.

Even more troubling isApple CEO Tim Cook’sresponse to the New York Timesstory. In an email to employees,Cook didn’t dispute any factualfindings in the report, but hesounded personally insulted thatanyone would question Apple’scommitment to worker safety inits supply chain.

“Any suggestion that wedon’t care is patently false andoffensive to us,” Cook wrote.“As you know better than any-one, accusations like these arecontrary to our values.”

What should be really offen-sive to Cook and Apple is notaccusations but reality. All toooften, Apple’s products are built

on the backs of overseas workerswho are mistreated, overworkedand exposed to dangerous workenvironments.

Yes, Apple is ahead of manycompanies in monitoring andcorrecting problems. But it isalso the fastest growing of anytech company. The sheer volumeof products it assembles and sells— especially in a country assprawling and closeted as China— posits questions aboutwhether Apple can track abusesin real time.

On the other hand, Apple isknown for achieving the unimag-inable and holding itself to high-er standards. Any company thatcan create something as innova-tive as the iPad should be able toensure its supply chain protectsthe environment and human dig-nity.

There ought to be an app forthat.

©2012 The Sacramento Bee(Sacramento, Calif.)Visit TheSacramento Bee (Sacramento, Calif.)at www.sacbee.com Distributed byMCT Information Services

Photo: Apple /MCT

Earbuds are aplenty, and cell phonesvibrate in the pockets and bags of themajority of students who attend the highschool. We live now in a time where theselittle hand held Star Trek like devices are apart of the culture. People take photos withthem, they shoot videos, they check emails,etc. We sometimes forget that they arephones, and while we are blinded by theworld that exists around us, we need toremember.

Years and years back it was proba-bly understood that you couldn’t walk intoschool with a boom box on your shoulder.There are certain rules that were unwrittenbut understood, people still broke themthen, as they do now. Events have unfoldedas of late that have created for us a policyto permit the use of electronic devices, inwhat is being called “an experiment.”

For those who didn’t attend theschool wide assembly, the policy permitsthe use of electronic devices in the lunchroom. You still cannot use cell phones forthe purpose of making phone calls, and/ortexting somebody. You can however playgames, music (as long as it isn’t disrup-tive.) and watch movies (again, as long itisn’t disruptive.) Enjoy this privilege, butremember; it is a privilege, not a right.

It is interesting to say the least that a

need for a policy should exist. The mainfocus for a student while they are at schoolis that they should enjoy learning and try tobe attentive. Whether one likes it or not,that’s ultimately why we’re all here. Thereare other aspects of school that arise, suchas clubs and activities, sports, etc. but theyaren’t why students come to school. Thestudents should give their attention towhere it belongs; the classroom. That beingsaid, in periods where students are able todo something other than learn (for exam-ple, lunch periods.) it seems more thanacceptable to use devices there.

It is understandable why there was, forlack of a better term, a “zero tolerance”like policy in effect over the use of elec-tronic devices. Nobody wants to be the per-son who drops a $500 piece of plastic andmetal on the ground and breaks it. Nobodywants that. As well as being in lunchrooms, it seems to be leading towardssomething larger. It should be up to the dis-cretion of the teacher who is teaching toestablish their own policy, per their ownindividual room. The policy as it existsnow, suggests that this practice is againstthe rules, although the policy as it stands isinconsistently enforced and is the pseudo-rule. The ways we think the policy wouldbe fair and acceptable are already in place.

Now it’s about keeping hold of it.Seniors now should remember the

events that unfolded while we were fresh-man. Those students who were not aroundshould be informed, if they do not alreadyknow, that the campus once was open. Itwas free for students of a certain grade togo off and get lunch. Somewhere along theway, the beloved privilege was planned onbeing revoked.Diplomacy broke down, andstudents partook in the infamous 2009“Walk Off”. A truly unacceptable action bythe students. It was soon there after, thatstudents could not go off campus. This setsthe stage for our message: be careful.

Rules can change. This is a privilegewe are given to be allowed to use our elec-tronic devices in school to play games, andenjoy other forms of media. We have theseprivileges now, but as quickly as it was towalk through the front door this morning,is as quick as it can go back to the waythings were, or worse. School is moreenjoyable when people observe basic eti-quette and attempt to mind the rules. Pleasebe respectful. Do unto others, as you wishothers do unto you. I.e., if you want certainprivileges, and you want to go to schoolwhere you can listen to music at lunch,don’t be rude, and don’t abuse it. It is afterall, a privilege, not a right

Editorial: Electronics in school

Guest editorial: Apple must raise bar for worker safety

News 3HIGHLIGHTS February 24 2012

By Joe PuglieseHighlights Staff

Bible Club’s not just for TimTebow.

Anyone exploring spiritually,whether Christian based or not,can come, for anyone is welcome,according to Suzanne Timbrouck,the advisor of the Bible Club.

“I joined the club freshmanyear,” said junior AnthonyVincent, “because it’s a groupsimilar to one at my church.”

Which is exactly what theclub is about. Spreading the‘good news’ and giving back tothe community truly defines what

the bible club’s mission is,according to Vincent.

Bible Club is active outsideof the school as well as inside,participating in bothHomecoming and WinterCarnival.

Being involved in most ofthe school’s big events, the clubis constantly looking for andaccepting new members.

In order to do so, the bibleclub meets every Tuesday ninthperiod to share ideas, socialize,and prepare for events such asHomecoming and WinterCarnival.

“Last year we provided 1500

meals for Numana,” Said RobertMitchell, the Vice President ofBible Club. “What we’ll do thisyear depends on how WinterCarnival is for us, but we willdefinitely continue to help asusual.”

Numana is a nonprofitableprogram that donates food tothose that are in need of it.

With Winter Carnival comingsoon, the organization wants tokeep this newly started eventgoing for it truly is a fantasticway to benefit the community.

“We want to continue help-ing the whole community, notjust our school.” said Mitchell.Anissa Garcia, Jonathan Vicent read the bible Joe Pugliese/Highlights

By Rob PuglieseHighlights Staff

"I want to change miscon-ceptions about reading" saidMrs. Burns, advisor of bookclub.

Book club is a group thataids students by agreeing on abook to read, reading it andtalking about what they likedthe most about it and if itrelates to them. Their keyword that they have to repre-sent the group is R.E.A.D. Themeaning of this acronymchanges every year by the clubmembers. This year it standsfor "reading excites academicdreams." This meaning meansa lot to the group and is areminder that helps themremember to keep reading.

This group meets everyThursday 9th period in room612 and is advised by Burnsand co-adviser Mr. Royer.According to Burns, anyone isfree to join the club as long asthey have an interest in read-ing and a desire to improve thecommunity.

Book club member andjunior Taylor Alexander isenjoying the club a lot. With alot of enthusiasm, Taylor spokeher opinion on the club. "It's agood way to get help withreading and grammar. I abso-lutely would recommend it tostudents."

Burns has been helpingstudents in this club since itstarted. Not only does shewant to help the students, butshe also wants to help thecommunity. "This is a club fora reader, non reader, peoplewho want to give it a chance,not only to help themselves,

but the community too in orderto make things better."

A new member of the clubhas also shared her opinionson the group. Senior AkielaAllen loves to read booksabout romance and because ofher love of reading, she joinedthe club. "I feel comfortablethere and not only can I read,but it's good for college.Would I recommend this clubto everyone? of course. Thereare nice people and its cool tolearn differentviewpoints."Akiela said.

Due to Burns desire toimprove the community, theclub also has the ability to helpstudents with community ser-vice. If a student joins thisclub and shows enough hardwork and dedication, they areeligible. Some of the commu-nity service they provide ishelping by doing drives, wintercarnival, and by doing a stu-dent reading program at JohnF. Kennedy elementary school.Burns then replied "All wewant to do is help the commu-nity."

One way that the groupaids its surroundings is bydoing a book drive early in theyear. In the library there areboxes where books can be

donated to kids in JFK elemen-tary school. This helpsyounger kids with learning andimproving their literacy skills.

The club also has bigplans for winter carnival. Theyplan on making an awesometheme from the great movietoy story. Also, they plan ondoing part of a recycling driveduring this too. This is just oneof the many ways this groupplans on creating a better com-munity.

The group has a spellingbee that is on the way in theupcoming months. There willbe tryouts to see who can com-pete and each participant thatpasses into and is eligible for

the competition will receivemoney for trying. This is tohelp students with their pro-nunciation and their ability tospell. For more information onthe spelling bee, its prizes andany other questions, see Mrs.Burns or Mr. Royer.

If a group member missesout on a meeting there is a wayfor them to catch up on whatthey missed. At readtigersand-cubs.webs.com, the membercan check up on the photos,videos, reviews and even blogto see and talk about what theymissed or what they want.

As advisor and co-advisor,Burns and Royer help themembers choose a book they

want to read or if they alreadyare reading they can talk aboutthat book. The twist on this isthat the students then get tochoose the book the advisor'sread as well. So not only is it achallenge for the students, butalso it is for the teachers. Theyalso help the members orga-nize its community service andprovide advanced help foreveryone there.

This club is there for thebenefit of the students and istrying hard to bring aid tothose that seek it. Anyone isfree to join as long as theyhave enough dedication andenjoyment of reading and help-ing to better the community.

About to get biblical!

Burns thinks of a topic to discuss relating to the book while the members read. Rob Pugliese/Highlights

Reading books in a club? Oh my...

more thGBy Joe Pugliese

Highlights Staff

Just like a Rembrandt, Lara Giordano, an artist and art tekind.

Currently teaching Chemistry for Artist, Introduction to Painting, Advanced Drawing, and Senior Seminar her schedupacked. Along with this, and having taught 22 years, Giordanwhat she’s doing.

Even though she wasn’t aware of it when she was youngpractically destined to become an educator.

“The option to become a teacher was always there,” saiddidn’t like school at the time, so it didn’t attract me.”

In high school, Giordano taught a youth group, and heldences with her liberal religious youth group, the Unitarian UAssociation.

Teaching at such a young age helped propel her to wherbecause by teaching fellow community members, and organiences, she was elected to work for the youth group again, aft

“The option of becoming a teacher was always there,” sthe time I just didn’t like the school.”

Deciding to go as an art major, Giordano attend both Kaand Boston Museum School of Fine Arts.

The reason for making the switch from Kansas to Bostomon nowadays though.

“It was right around the time of the feminist movement, outnumbered the women,” said Giordano. “There was one feand the rest were sexist men with ancient ideas.”

In the long run though, this may have been the best thinbecause it enabled her to find something she loved, that she’day of her life; painting.

“I attended the college as a weaver, but occasionally I discreens and print makings,” Giordano stated. “My teacher toing, so I did, and I loved it.”

Painting quickly became her favorite study, even with haRhetoric, Philosophy, and Art History while in college.

After discovering her new found passion, she decided toclasses, which would help her springboard to become a set p

4 FeatHIGHLIGHTS www.KingstonH

(From top left to bottom left. G has a hands on approach with Rebecca Lopez. G andMaddie Gartenstein have a coversation, one would think it’s very important. DarsenHover and G cover her plate and prep it for the printing press! G shows Chester Roseanother way to get the job done.)

Photos by Joe Pugliese Page Design by Cody Naccarato

han just a letter

teacher, is one of a

o Drawing anddule is prettyano certainly knows

nger, Giordano was

d Giordano. “I just

d many confer-Universalist

re she is today,nizing these confer-fter high school. said Giordano. “At

ansas University

on isn’t quite com-

, and men clearlyfemale instructor,

ng for Giordano’d be using every-

did some silkold me to try paint-

having learned

o take paintingpainter in New

York City.At 30 years old, living in New York City as a set painter in a gigantic loft

apartment was fantastic, according to Giordano, that is, until her lease ended.Having to get out of the city life, Giordano made the decision to go back

to college, but this time for a degree in education at the State University ofNew Paltz.

Here not only would she be receiving an education on teaching, but shewould also be experiencing it first hand at the Women’s Studio Workshop inRosendale.

“It was at the workshop where I got my first teaching job with a class onpaper making,” Giordano said. “But also, it was here where I met the Directorof Fine Arts for the school district.”

Once she was able to get her foot in the door, she completed essentiallyher early life journey into what would become her job for the next 22 years.

“It was absolutely worth it,” said Giordano. “I make art every day, and Ilove teaching, I can’t imagine where I’d be without them.”

According to Giordano, you have to be an artist, before you can becomean art teacher. When you actually experience what it’s like to make art on yourown, and doing it for a living it allows you to bring a whole new level to yourjob, as it did for her.

But that’s just one of the factors that makes Giordano one of the best thereis.

In Giordano’s opinion, you also have to reinvigorate yourself, somethingthat she takes part in every summer. Going to national conventions to learnfrom others who are at the top of their game will make you become so muchbetter, because you can combine ideas.

This upcoming summer, Giordano and Christine Marmo, a chemistryteacher, are going to the New York City National Art Education AssociationConvention to present about the class that they teach together, Chemistry forArtists.

A unique class, for they do projects that combine the material fromChemistry, and use it to create art, learning from their creations. According toMarmo, the projects are on the subjects such as atomic structure or solubility,but the key is to have 25 different answers.

“The class isn’t just a learning experience for the students, but for bothGiordano and myself,” said Marmo. “I myself have “art phobia” but over the 6years I’ve taught the class I’ve gained a great appreciation for art. ”

When she’s not in conventions, she’s usually found in room 400, which

Giordano describes as ‘the eye of a tornado’ because of all the people constant-ly moving around, herself included.

“Overall, the class is good because she goes around explaining things toyou if you don’t understand,” said Junior Torin Parmelee. “She gives advice,feedback, etc. to help you, she’s a good teacher and a good person.”

One class that is a bit more developed is her senior seminar class.The reason behind this being that it replaced the A.P art class, and is a

class filled with seniors with an advanced level of education in the arts.“The class overall is a challenge,” said Kelli Sillik, a Senior Seminar

Class student. “If you’re dedicated though, you’ll learn a lot very quickly.”The class recently just finished their midterm critique, which involved

each student displaying a 20 minute presentation on the artwork they’ve madein the first semester.

Surrounding a theme of a human survival need, the students spent two tothree periods a day in Giordano’s room in preparation for the event, accordingto Giordano.

After this individual, general critique, held for all the community to see,the students will be able to explore possibilities formed by others ideas, andcreate a more hybrid project.

The students have to pick up the pace though, according to Giordano, forthey have their project’s deadline in May, in order for them to prepare for themajor event of the year, in just three months.

“The class, whether through their writing or artwork defines who theyare,” said Giordano. “There’s nothing like this class in all of Ulster County.”

The Senior Seminar show is a combination of the entire class’ projectsthat they’ve developed all throughout the year. The students are also responsi-ble for all of their ideas and projects, which will be displayed for the entirecommunity to see, on June 6.

“G encouraged me to explore with my projects,” said Sillik. “Everyone inthe class pushed you to keep trying, and they’re always there to help.”

The nickname ‘G’ was actually Giordano’s own creation.“I instigated the nickname pretty early into my career as a teacher,” said

Giordano. “People have trouble pronouncing ‘Giordano’, and ever since ‘G’has just stuck with me.”

With a majority of her students referring to her as a letter of the alphabet,it’s just one of the many things that makes Giordano unique.

ture 5nHighlights.com February 24, 2012

6 FeatureHIGHLIGHTS February 24 2012

EEvveerryyonee should be

entitled to a ffairr

cchhanccee.We need to make

everyone llovvee PPeeaccee iss

tthhee anssweerr..We are a

ssuupppporrtt ggrrouupp to address

issues with bbuullllyyingg,

sstteerreeottyyppingg, anything

dealing with someones

feelings gettings hurt.

By Rob PuglieseHighlights Staff

Do you ever feel like you’re being bullied either for your sexualorientation or for no reason at all? If so, don’t be afraid or scared,there is help. The group that our school has that is there to supportyou is GSA or also known as Gay Straight Alliance.

This group is run by Amy Kapes and Bill Tubby is a club that isthere to help people who need support, are being bullied for or wantto feel comfortable if they are not sure of their sexuality. It has beenavailable for students benefit for several years.

”We are a support group to address issues with bullying, stereo-typing, anything dealing with someones feelings getting hurt,” saidTubby. “We try to come up with proactive ways to deal with thesesituations.”

GSA meets every Friday 9th period in room 006, Tubby’s room.Everyone is free to join and not every member does not have to goevery week. They just go whenever they feel like they should orhave a topic they would like to discuss with the group. The groupthen talks about the topic and come up with positive ways to addressit proactively either by making fliers, t-shirts, etc.

One big topic they discuss and go after stopping is bullying.Bullying is one of the worst forms of negativity that someone couldgive another person. It has brought people to the point of no return

and its terrible. We all need to work to remove it for the better.“We need to make everyone love each other. Peace is the

answer.” said freshman Aiden Constable. As treasurer of the group,he helps make posters to raise awareness and helps the group discusstheir topic. Constable, like every person in high school, just wants tobe understood for who he is rather than his orientation, looks, etc.“People just need to be more understanding.”

Two others that had much to say about this were seniors DebiRamos and Robin Brodhead. Both of these people agreed that it isunfair to judge others. “Everyone should be entitled to a fairchance.” Brodhead said. Following that answer, Ramos said “Yeah,people just need to me more accepting of others.” Ramos andBrodhead feel very strongly towards improving the situations thatsurround them at school. Brodhead said that he is currently workingwith his social worker to possibly begin an anti-bullying club andRamos is telling people that the best way to make things better is to“Speak up! Bring Awareness!”

The president of GSA is sophomore Shelagh Sweeney. She is incharge of helping the group design posters, helping the group discusstopics, etc. Sweeney is very happy she is president of the groupbecause she wants to give support. Her, as well as everyone else inthe group is extremely against bullying, labeling, etc. Most of theirtopics are against those mean things and try to bring awareness topeople that it’s a problem and we need to remove it

G.S.AG.S.AAA storstory of a gry of a group that stands foroup that stands for both sides of the same coin.both sides of the same coin.

Page Design by Cody Naccarato

Entertainment 7HIGHLIGHTS February 24 2012

Sam Worthington tries to keep balance atop a deadly drop in Man on a Ledge. Highlander productions

Whatever you do, don’t jump!By Cody NaccaratoEditor

Something that I always think aboutwhen I'm writing, or reading is a quote byJohn Steinbeck. Steinbeck said "There areno new stories and I wouldn't like them ifthere were." I like to think that life is moreoriginal, but it's not. The same things hap-pen day in and day out. And even the occa-sional curve ball, like a natural disaster, oran explosion end up looking like fourseams down the plate. It's because therereally hasn't been a thought that somebodyhasn't thought of. Man on a Ledge may bethe best example for why we don't havenew stories.

Nick Cassidy (Sam Worthington) is acop who is accused of stealing a pricelessdiamond from multi millionaire DavidEnglander (Ed Harris). He is sent to prison,and then comes up with a plan to provehimself innocent, or die trying. The lastpart, maybe quite literally. Involved in hisplan, willing and unwilling, are his brotherJoey (Jamie Bell), Joey's girlfriend (GenesisRodriguez), and suicide counselor LydiaMercer (Elizabeth Banks) respectively.

Here's the only positive note for thismovie; it tricked me. I normally can figureout the plot twist or major event that's goingto happen. I even get into contests with myUncle Scotty sometimes to see who canspoil what's going to happen next (betweenthe two of us, of course) in the theater.When I'm stumped, I get a little confused

because its either something that doesn'tmake sense in the story that they'll explainaway later, or the twist was something thatreally wasn't relevant to what you thought itwas going to be. Man on a Ledge explainedit away.

It's true, and I acknowledge that thereare no new stories. And by no means am Isuggesting that Man on a Ledge is a com-pletely different story than anything that hasever been told. Quite frankly, I'm fairly sureit was adapted from another story. And it'snot that it's even that great of a movie, it'sjust different. It may be different because it'sabsurd, but that still makes it different.

The acting is uninspired, the plot is rid-dled with holes, and I'm pretty sure that anysemi competent rent-a-cop from the mallcould've stopped their plan with no problemrelatively speaking. The action wasn't a bigpart of it at all, and it the main characterreally did nothing but stand on a ledge 95%of the movie. They even had to include aflashback to prove that he's actually abadass. They couldn't even show it in themovie.

And above all that, you find yourselftrying to pay attention to 50 different char-acters at once, and honestly, some of thecharacters start to look the same at thatpoint. This movie is god awful, but I feltthat the curveball, made it a very uniqueidea. It may not be an original idea, but it'snot a common one.

Realistically, when you walk into amovie with Worthington, you can pretty

much guesswhat's goingto happen.There isgoing to be aweird brood-ing accentthat comesand goesand subse-quently dis-tracts people(probably

just me) from what's being said. I'm notexpecting a stellar job on his part, because Iknow that as an actor, he really can't deliver.The reason that there is Clash of the Titans,and apparently a sequel coming soon, is foractors like him. Worthington is potentiallybest served dodging fire and ripping theheads off mythological creatures for crowdsof people to cheer at.

Banks is the girl in this movie. Soobviously, if the other girl is in a relation-ship, she's going to be the love interest.There's nothing more attractive than tryingto convince the guy you like not to turnhimself into a human pancake. What astupid idea to have.

Rodriguez is a complete throw awaycharacter. Her only purpose is sex appeal.And you can tell that she’s so shoved intheir, that they have to almost write her intothe plot at the end. It’s so pathetic it makesme upset that my eyelids have to retract andthat my ears can’t.

The only thing this movie has goingfor it, is that it's not a cheap knockoff ofsome other better told story. When peoplelook back 30 years from now they'll see thismovie and the knockoff of this movie. Thetentative name for the knockoff is going tobe Guy on an Awning. They will like Guyon an Awning better, because it will servethe purpose of getting this movies bad tasteout of our mouths.

Congratulations, you were original.And see what originality brought you? Youhave your integrity, but you also only made10 million off a 42 million dollar budget.While they all sit at the unemploymentoffice, you can learn something from this.Don't reinvent the wheel, just release oldmovies again and again. It may get boring,but people don't respond well to different.

Man on a Ledge, in my opinion,deserves 1 ledge, out of 5. They don't getanything for being original. They can allgrimace at their failure in bed tonight.

By Nate RingHighlights Staff

Christopher Paolini was 15 years old when hebegan writing his first book, Eragon. Released in2003, it quickly became a bestseller, a remarkableachievement for one so young. The first book inthe Inheritance Cycle, it told the tale of a boy andhis adventures with his dragon, learning how tofight and use magic in the hopes of somedaybeing able to kill the tyrannical king Galbatorixwho ruled over the land of Alagaesia. Eight yearslater, the epic conclusion to the Inheritance Cyclehas been released. Eragon is no longer a young,impoverished farm boy struggling to put food onthe table. He has become a powerful DragonRider, and he and his dragon Saphira have adaunting task ahead of them: they must confrontGalbatorix and rid the land of his evil once andfor all.

Though Paolini is still quite young, he hasgrown tremendously as a writer, and Inheritanceis a testament to his rapidly increasing writingskills. This book is extremely well written. Thecharacters that readers have been following sinceEragon possess a henceforth unseen depth andmake believable decisions throughout. The sto-ries of these characters intertwine in an intricatespider-web of a plot that is exciting and full ofaction and suspense, as well as a fair bit ofromance. There is also a morality seen in many ofthe characters that is absent in other great worksof fiction. Paolini has always had an eye fordetail, and this is ever present throughout thebook. Descriptions are beautifully worded, andthe imagery is vivid and cinematic.

Though strictly speaking a fantasy story,Inheritance is full of ruminations on life, love,death, belief systems and, of course, magic.These add several layers of depth to the world inwhich the story takes place. The many culturesthat coexist within Alagaesia are often discussedin great detail, with customs, styles of dress, waysof speaking and everyday life all being addressed.There are many religions practiced by the peopleof these cultures, and their differing beliefs onhigher powers, rituals and the afterlife provide aninteresting perspective to several of the problemsEragon encounters. Morality is also an issue thatfrequently arises. Characters often talk about theimmense loss of life brought about by war. Itpains them to have to take the lives of others.Instead of counting their kills with pride and com-peting with fellow warriors, they mourn thosewho have fallen to their blades. It makes thecharacters even more believable and the battleseven more heartbreaking.

There is rarely if ever a dull moment to befound in the pages of this epic adventure, which isno small feat considering the length. At 849pages, Inheritance is a very big book, and this isnot including the extensive translation section inthe back. This section is used for deciphering themany words and phrases written in the Ancient,Dwarven and Urgal languages. While sometimesa little pretentious and seemingly unnecessary, thepresence of these other languages adds yet anoth-er layer of depth to Inheritance that makes theworld of Alagaesia seem almost real.

(Want more? Check out the rest of this story,and more at www.KingstonHighlights.com)

Book review:Paolini’s Inheritance

Phot

os a

nd c

opy

by J

oe P

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se

After the dust has settled and thesmoke has cleared from the past week ofschool, the halls still remain adventurous.Even though it may seem to be boring,empty and dark hallways, what goes onafter 3 P.M may be seen as more excitedthen the school day.

As I first started my journey throughthe building it appeared that mainly just thecustodial staff was left. All of whom weredoing their daily routine. In just a shortamount of time, the halls were becomingclean and I had stumbled upon extremlylarge brooms and piles of trash ready to betaken out to the dumps, but nothing trulyfascinating.

That is until I made my way into theband hallway.

I found it very eriee to hear a pianoplaying throughout the band hallway. Whichsounds odd, but when a majority of them

are away in Florida, it makes you wonder. So I stumbled on down, and to my

amusement John Schofield, the KHS bandpaino tuner, was tuning the piano!

Honestly, before this I had no clue weeven had a piano tuner.

But, according to Schofield he hasdone this for "many moons".

So after my short chat with Schofield, Imade my way back to the main entrance.

That's when I stumbled upon sopho-more Christain Pavlov.

A little bit weird seeing that it was aquarter after four, and there was still a stu-dent here.

Pavlov told me how he not onlymissed his bus, but another ride after that.

Seeing how it clearly wasn't his day, Imade my way back to the Highlights head-quarters and examined what had just hap-pend to me.

KK HH SS 8 The back pageHIGHLIGHTS February 24 2012

AfterAfter HoursHours[3:30 and beyond photo essay]

by Joe Pugliese