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“ Singapore American High School December 12, 2007/vol. 27 no. 4 Singapore American High SchoolSingaporeAmericanHighSchool December 12, 2007/vol. 27 no. 4 One thing they could improve on is letting us learn about cultural things ourselves. Don’t force- feed us the facts on boring tours Winter Collage kicks off the holidays with Christmas Cheer. Story pg. 7 -- junior Adrian Bautista [email protected] Photo by Mallivika Singh
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theSingapore American High School December 12, 2007/vol. 27 no. 4
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thetheSingapore American High School
eyeSingapore American High School December 12, 2007/vol. 27 no. 4
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“It’s beginnning to look a lot like Christmas”
by Nick LesiukIn a little over five weeks
the mass exodus will begin. At least 20 planes carrying around 800 students to four continents and over 23 countries.
“Its self d i s c o v e r y, ” junior Adrian Bautista said. “You take away all the variables of everyday life when you go away to some random place like Tibet or Nepal. Besides learning about the distant cultures that you usually only see on TV, you also get to learn about yourself.”
Others valued Interim for its fun factor.
“It’s basically a school vacation,” junior Patrick Bousky said. “It’s almost a joke. I mean
you go for a week with your best friends with virtually no authority. It’s awesome.”
Student’s opinions varied on how Interim could be improved.
A few had some ideas to better the experience.
“I think it’s almost perfect as it is,” Bautista said. “But one thing they could improve on is letting us learn about the cultural
things ourselves. Don’t force-feed us the facts on boring tours.”
Bautista didn’t like the long bus rides and monotonous museum tours that accompany the cultural-educational trip. Others felt the variety of trips was limited.
“Make trips longer, and more trips to places that are wanted,”
Photo by Mallivika Singh
Winter Collage kicks off the holidays with Christmas Cheer. Story pg. 7
One thing they could improve on is letting us learn about cultural things ourselves. Don’t force-feed us the facts on boring tours
“
”-- junior Adrian Bautista
sophomore Young Rock Lee said. “Also students should be the ones creating the schedules.”
Others had some interesting destination choices in mind.
“I’d like to see a two week trip in Amsterdam,” Bousky said, “but it’s just not going to happen.”
Deputy Principal Doug Neihart said that the Interim trips were not the limiting factor - the student body was.
“So many students travel anyways, it’s become commonplace,” Neihart said. “Traveling has become so common that it doesn’t seem like such a cultural experience to such a well traveled and culturally enriched student body as our’s. To anyone else, the trips we go on are a great cultural experience, but we don’t realize that.”
When given the choice, most students said they would prefer a vacation-like interim than an educational one. There were a few exceptions though.
“If I had to pick I would
take an educational trip than a vacation, but I prefer a mixture of both.” Bautista said. “I did adventure racing in Thailand and not only did we do physical stuff, we learned about the culture of the local people.”
When asked should the “service to others” element be more stressed on interim trips, most students were indifferent.
“If you want a service trip, then you just pick one. It shouldn’t be mandatory in every trip,” Bautista said.
Bousky added that the service trips were ineffective and should be taken out of the program.
“Who says these people need houses anyways? Schools, government stability and a sturdy economic system are what these places need, more than just sympathy. I think it’s all just an excuse to make us feel like we are helping and to feel good about ourselves.”
Neihart said there were currently no discussions about
revising interim to make it more student-controlled and independent like the United World College (UWC) program. On the UWC junior year Interim program, the students plan the itinerary, organize tickets and reservations, and travel on the trips completely independent of teacher control or supervision.
“There are not any right now,” Neihart said. “First of all you have to have a parent population to buy into that, but what a great learning experience it would be. Not all parents feel comfortable with their kids doing that.”
While students said that they enjoyed Interim and thought it was a worthwhile experience, they also said that there is definitely room for improvement.
“There’s nothing that wrong with Interim as it is, but there are so many things they could do to make it better,” junior Ali Schuster said.
Clockwise from top left: Steve Bonette signals the audience to clap during the ‘Radetsky March’; SAS Singers belt out a Christmas tune; Helen Knight reads from a ‘Chriistmas Story’; Senior Evan Semones on the tuba; Violinists perform to a hushed crowd. Photos by Malavika Singh
Students say reduce Interim academics, increase fun factor
2 December 14, 2007 a the Eyenews
plastic bottles concerns science teacher and SAVE sponsor Martha Began who wants the sales of plastic bottles prohibited. Blacklaws agreed.
“Instead of recycling plastic, get rid of it.” Blacklaws said. “I’d like to see students carry water flasks and refill them.”
Many students buy disposable water bottles daily.
“I like to carry a bottle around with me all the time,” freshmen Matthew Taylor said. “And since a bottle is only eighty cents, why not?”
Blacklaws would like to see students carrying reusable bottles but said the campus has “dry zones” where quick water access is impractical.
“There should be water fountains near everything so it wouldn’t be a hassle for students.” Blacklaws said.
Students said that SAVE Club and other environmental groups at school could do a little more where plastic is concerned.
“SAVE has done amazing work with the recycling of paper and [aluminum] cans in the past one-an- a-half years that I’ve been
by Rohin DewanEnglish teacher Troy
Blacklaws daily moves among students queued at Mr. Ho’s Caf counters asking them not to use plastic, thanking them when they choose washable plates and
utensils.“I’ve been trying to cajole
students into using a plate,” Blacklaws said. “Hopefully we can create a food court environment at school where a plate is used and
then returned after the meal is finished.”
Blacklaws said he started his personal campaign against plastic when he reached a point of nausea.
“I just got tired of seeing black bins overflowing with plastic that I knew wasn’t going to be recycled,” he said.
Blacklaws hoped to prevent Mr. Ho and The Eagle Zone from distributing plastic takeaway containers as well as stop the sale of plastic bottles.
“For the first day or two, I felt like a voice in the wilderness.” Blacklaws said. “I was ignored.”
Blacklaws persuaded both Mr. Ho and Eagle Zone to move to cardboard takeaway containers which are environmentally friendly, but come at a higher cost.
Eagle Zone’s new cardboard containers now cost two-and-a-half times more than the plastic plates. Mr. Ho is paying twice as much for his plastic substitute. Both containers are biodegradable.
The sale of drinking water in
Recycling no longer a joke for Blacklaws
here,” Blacklaws said. “If I wasn’t so involved with Peace Initiative I would join SAVE.”
Blacklaws said that the other alternative would be to convince Singapore to recycle plastic.
“A delegation of students should approach the government,” Blacklaws said. “It’s quite ironic that a country that hosted a United Nations environmental award ceremony doesn’t recycle plastic. They’ve got to get their act together.”
Blacklaws’ ambitions don’t stop with plastic containers. He hopes that the spoons for coffee will be made of wood instead of plastic, that the electric fans in the toilets will go off automatically and that the bright lighting in certain areas of school will be dimmed or shut off all together.
“I think students are too focused on their image, their iPod, and their lifestyle to care about the environment,” Blacklaws said. “I keep saying ‘It’s your world, you’re the ones that are shooting yourselves in the foot by wasting-throwing away plastic.”
by Amanda TsaoLike most six-year-old children,
he pushed his food away at dinner. Though at sixteen, it was still the same.
Three years ago, when senior John Ratley decided to become vegetarian, his parents opposed the idea, arguing that it was against their religious beliefs. It was only when he refused to eat at home that they allowed him to do so. He wanted to take it one step further, so eight months ago, he decided to switch from vegetarian to vegan.
“I’ve always wanted to become a vegan, but it’s the transition that’s really tough,” Ratley said. “It’s a lot easier for you to tell your parents that you’re vegetarian first, and then switch to being a vegan.”
For Ratley, vegetarianism only means not eating meat. Vegans do not use any animal by-products in addition to not eating meat. This includes wool, leather, fur, honey, gelatin, and dairy products.
“I think it’s unnecessary to eat animals, and we should preserve the quality of life,” Ratley said. “By becoming vegan you can help the environment.”
To ensure that he gets enough
calcium, iron and protein, Ratley takes calcium tablets, drinks vegan vitamin shakes and eats lots of soy products. Soy products are high in protein, cover all eight essential amino acids, omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, and complex carbohydrates, making them a favorite among vegans.
Senior Kea Scullion was vegetarian for one semester in her freshman year.
“As a ninth grader, you’re not really sure how to eat right, so when I started getting sick my mom said I had to eat meat,” Scullion said.
“You can’t just say, ‘I’m going to be a vegan and eat fries all the time.’
You have to do the reading and be in the know,” social studies teacher Jason Adkison said.
He and his wife became vegan five years ago after seeing the movie, “Meet your Meat,” on the PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) web site. In it, chickens have their beaks sawn off so they can’t peck workers, calves are sold at livestock auctions so young they can’t stand yet, and pigs are crammed into cages they can’t even turn around in.
“It was so graphic that I said there is no way I would support these huge multi-industrial farming companies. My [pregnant] wife is
due in a month, and we’re totally going to raise the child vegan.”
Adkison said that he would eat meat as long as it is ethically treated.
“My wife and I decided that if we knew where the meat came from, we’ll eat it,” he said. “When we go back in the summer and live in the country, I’ll eat the chicken because I know it’s free range, and I’ll eat the fish I catch.”
Senior Alison Tan considered not eating meat for health purposes, but was never vegetarian.
“I have vegetarian friends who have told me that your skin clears up, you lose weight. They also say that
Viva Vegan: humans aren’t physically created to digest meat,” Tan said.
“Whether we’re created physically or not to eat meat isn’t as big an issue as the volume of meat we eat today,” AP Biology teacher Kim Melsom said.
She cited “The Evolution of the Human Diet,” a book by Peter Ungar, a professor of anthropology at the University of Arkansas. She said that carnivores don’t have to spend as much time eating. They have temporary discontinuous feeding, which means they can fill themselves up at one time as opposed to feeding continually, because there is more energy found in fat than in carbohydrates. Herbivores spend most of their time eating in order to obtain sufficient nutrition from their food. She said that humans show both traits.
“For carnivores, no matter how much cholesterol you feed them, they won’t get heart disease,” Melsom said. “We do. We need to eat fruit and vegetables in higher proportion to the animals we’re consuming.”
According to the U.K.’s Food Standards Agency web site, starchy foods such as bread, pasta, rice, cereals and pulses (beans, soy nuts, lentils, peas) should make up about a third of a vegetarian diet. Vegetables, fruit, dairy products and sugars should make up two thirds of their diet. A vegan’s diet should consist of half starchy foods and pulses, and half fruit and vegetables. They are also recommended to take iron, protein and calcium supplements.
“It’s awesome if you know how to cook vegan food,” Adkison said. “I never missed meat, and that was the biggest surprise to me.”
EAT RIGHT FOR YOUR TYPE:Vegan Jason Adkison eats a wholesome meal ofcauliflower, broccoli, soy cheese and bread crumb casserole with a side dish of kiwi and grape salad.Photo by Amanda Tsao.
Blacklaws relentlessly lobbies for the use of the Caf ’s washable and reusable orange plates and bowls. Progress has already been made in the replacement of plastic containers with paper ones. Photo by Brit Hvide.
Social Studies teacher plans to raise his first child as a vegan. That means no Big Macs, no pepperoni pizza.
Concerned students, teachers embrace animal-friendly meals and healthy lifestyles
3the Eye a December 14, 2007 features
By Amanda Tsao
by Devin HardeeMore girls are
going to college. They’re earning better grades and graduating more often. In high school, girls are dominating honor rolls, holding more positions of leadership and getting more academic recognition.
“I don’t think anyone will deny that girls are academically superior as a group,” Christina Hoff Sommers of the American Enterprise Institute said in the August issue of “Time” magazine. “They make the grades, they run the student activities, they are the valedictorians.”
This emerging trend has people concerned about boys. A string of books and essays suggest that they are falling behind. Many experts share the concerns of Harvard psychologist William Pollack whose book “Real Boys” claims that they are “scared and disconnected” and “severely lagging” behind girls in academic achievement.
Research prompted by this growing phenomenon puts the blame
on schools and the restructuring of the SAT. According to an article in “USA Today,” school environments have become better suited for girls. More emphasis is now placed on verbal skills. Reading and writing, areas in which girls tend to excel, dominate classroom activity, and standardized tests now require a writing component.
At SAS this difference is less apparent.
“I’ve found that girls and boys have different strengths,” counselor Nathan Schelble said. “It’s hard to make generalizations.”
Based on the average SAT score at SAS, boys and girls are about even according to counselor Dale Ford. In general, boys do better on the math section by 20 points and girls to better in the reading and writing section by 20 points.
Most SAS students tend to
assume that girls do better academically than boys. The number of students in supervised study would seem to s u p p o r t this belief. Students are placed in s u p e r v i s e d study if they earn an F or D- in any subject or have two Ds. Of the 62 students currently in the program, 47 are boys. Of the students on
a c a d e m i c p r o b a t i o n ,
over 60 percent are boys. Some students believe that girls
are getting better academically because they are better organized, more mature and do not spend all of their time playing video games.
“I think one of the reasons girls do better is because they don’t play [World of Warcraft],” senior Andy Szombathy said.
Deputy principals Doug Neihart
and Lauren Mehrbach said they see more boys concerning discipline issues. Jeff Devens, the school psychologist, also sees more boys than girls for issues like disruptive behavior in class, learning problems or not finishing assignments.
“Out of all the students that I see, I would say that seven out of ten are males,” Devens said.
While Devens agrees that school environments are better suited for girls in kindergarten, he sees this as less of an issue in high school. Although there are more boys in supervised study and academic probation, the students that fit into this category represent a small fraction of the school population. Ultimately, boys at SAS are not academically far behind girls. They are simply excelling in different areas.
In the U.S., boys are improving their test scores, which had led a number of critics to retract the assertion that boys are struggling in school. In an August “Time” article, Sara Mead, a former senior policy analyst at Education Sector, said that girls are merely improving faster.
“A good-news story about the achievements of young women has been turned into a bad-news story about laggard boys and young men,” Mead said.
Senior Chae Ho Park and junior Danny Kang attempt to study in the library, but are easily distracted by the technology that surrounds them. Photo by Megan Anderson
Jay Kumpel trades lab coat for a pair of boxing gloves
BOYS STILL LAG:
by Alex BootheJay Kumpel visualizes his
first attacks on his opponent just moments before entering the ring. Three months of intense training and workouts have led up to that moment.
“I’ll tell you what, I’ve never been lonelier than when I walk into that ring,” Kumpel said.
Thirty-four year old science teacher Jay Kumpel began taking boxing lessons at the Singapore Police Academy in March 2007, after reading an ad in a magazine that had peaked his interest. When he first started boxing, he had no intentions of actually competing. When a spot opened up in a local charity event, the charity’s president
turned to Kumpel to fill the spot after watching him spar at the gym. In that June, 2007 match, Kumpel competed mainly against rugby players who were accustomed to heavy physical contact. On the night of the event, Kumpel had four supporters while his opponent seemed to have the rest of the crowd. Kumpel, focused on the match, later learned that he was
actually booed when he entered the ring.
“Win or lose it’s awesome because you know that whatever happens, it’s all on you,” Kumpel said, “That’s a great feeling.”
After the match Kumpel began training for an even larger tournament that took place over Thanksgiving. This tournament consisted of white
collar boxers - professional men who trade in their suits and ties at the end of the day for a pair of boxing gloves. To prepare, Kumpel trained seven days a week, four of which were spent in the gym. P.E. teacher Ursula Pong and her husband, who is a personal trainer, helped him with weight training, workouts and diet. English teacher Andrew Hallam assisted in track running and sprints.
“Boxing gets you in fantastic shape, I’m in better shape than when I was in college,” Kumpel said.
It wasn’t just the physical aspect for which he had to prepare; there is also a mental aspect of training that is key for all boxers.
“It’s a mental challenge of trying to be better than you are; it’s more a battle within yourself,” said Kumpel, “And if you make a mistake, you get hit.”
On November 22, he competed for his second time in a Thanksgiving charity event for Sporting Chance and The Spastic Home. This time Kumpel had more supporters in his corner cheering him on. By the end of the night, after several blows to the head and stomach, Jay Kumpel was announced the champion, winning both his matches by unanimous decision.
“It was great, but I must admit I wanted that knockout,” he said.
When asked why he boxed Kumpel said it was because of the
great shape it got him in and the rush of it all when he’s in the ring, but he also does it for more personal reasons.
“I sometimes ask myself [why I box],” Kumpel said, “For me it’s really about facing my fears.”
girls at head of class, boys not far behind
Science teacher Jay Kumpel spars with his partner in the gym as a part of his weekly workout in preparation for his next match. Photo by Scott A. Woodward
By Amanda Tsao
4 December 14, 2007 a the Eyeop/ed staff editorial
Please sir, may I have some more (Tabasco sauce?)From Ladakh and Langkawi to
Soweto and Switzerland, February will see SAS students travel to the far reaches of the globe in what social studies teacher Bill Rives described as “the premier academic experience in the world.” Interim Semester will expose students to the poverty of Cambodia and the ruins of Jerash, as they witness architectural marvels and monuments to human depravity. While students gaze at the Mona Lisa and the Sphinx though, the conversation may centre on another triumph of human ingenuity.
On last year’s Bhutan trip, as students sat in a temple 5000 feet above sea level, watching their breath spiral out in front of them, conversation turned from the stone carvings on the wall to Facebook and shopping. Mark Zuckerberg’s creation of Facebook revolutionised social networking, and his ingenuity deserves every accolade it receives. However, a Bhuddist monastery might
not be the best place to discuss Zuckerberg’s achievements.
A disparaging look from the guide momentarily steered attention back to Bhutan’s cultural traditions, but the tide of cultural insensitivity proved impossible to stem, and the pressing need to exchange Facebook info took over. What else, after all, could students travel to Bhutan for?
Apparently for American food. Students were served cups of melted butter, which Bhutanese drink to fi ll themselves and keep warm in the absence of fast food parlours like Pizza Hut and McDonalds. Some students found the yellow liquid distinctly unpalatable.
Bhutanese food is an acquired taste, but complaining loudly didn’t endear students to locals. “If I have to drink another drop, I will have to like throw up or something,” one student said, as a deathly quiet fell over the room. It is the cultural equivalent of going to a French restaurant and asking for Tabasco sauce.
It is every sponsor’s nightmare
Student disagrees with Deven’s comments about SAStress We got m@il:
To the Editor: I’d like to respond to Dr. Devens from a student’s point of view.
I am one of the stressed students you described. I took four A.P. classes as a junior, and this year I am taking fi ve.
I do agree that it’s self-imposed stress. However, the problem isn’t that we don’t set reasonable limits for ourselves; the problem is that a reasonable amount of class levels are not available.If students had more choices of levels, then they could choose an appropriate class where the pressure level is not ridiculous, but there is still an inspiring challenge available. I propose the introduction of honors courses.
A problem I faced when picking out my schedule for senior year was that if I followed the typical track for the level of classes I picked junior year, I would have ended up with six A.P. classes. I took A.P. Language and Composition as a junior, so naturally, I wanted to take A.P. Literature. I know I couldn’t handle the demands of six A.P. classes, so I had to ‘sacrifi ce’ A.P. Literature. What class could I take instead?
I knew there were many senior English options, so I was sure I could fi nd something that gave me a rigorous program similar to an A.P. class, but was less of a pressure-cooker. However, out of all the senior English options, I did not fi nd an honors course, an accelerated course, or any I’m-a-post-A.P.-Lang-student-so-I-want-more-of-a-challenge-but-I’m-not-willing-to-take-AP-Lit courses. Many of us post-AP Language and Composition kids did not choose to take AP Literature because we weren’t prepared for the time commitment needed. However, we still wanted something that would be challenging.
When choosing science or math classes, it’s easy to fi nd a class that suits an individual’s specifi c level. If Algebra II with Trigonometry is too tough, one can opt for Algebra II. In science, if Accelerated Chemistry is moving along too slowly, a student could try the A.P. Chemistry class; or if Accelerated Chemistry is too fast-paced, maybe a Chemistry class, or a Introduction to Chemistry class. There are many levels for students to choose from for math and science courses, which is great because they can fi nd an appropriate niche with students of similar skill, drive and standard. Where is this choice in English or Social Studies? Our choices lie in front of us: a ‘regular’ course that’s been dumbed down to suit the decreasing skills and desire of some students or a lightning-pace, intensive, and prestigious AP exam prep class.
The level of the course can determine those who really want to be there and those who are just doing it for a graduation credit. In Chemistry, some students may be there just to pass and graduate with a chemistry credit. It is frustrating for students in Chemistry that have their passion for learning brideled by those who are more apathetic.
I’m glad stress reduction ideas have been discussed among faculty, but we need to look beyond reducing the immediate frustrations and pressure and instead focus on the root of the cause. We’ve been forced into dead ends where A.P. courses follow the motto: “do or die.” We either take the A.P. courses or we fret about academic suicide. With the addition of honors courses, students can enjoy a less stressful course, while maintaining a similar challenge offered in A.P. courses.
Sincerely,Chi-Chi Lin, High School Student
Editors-in-chief: Megan Anderson, sr. editorAmanda Tsao, Ravi ShanmugamNews editor: Amanda Tsao
Op/Ed editor: Ravi ShanmugamFeatures editor: Amber Bang, Alex Boothe
Eye In Focus editor: Devin Hardee, Hee Soo ChungA&E editor: Jon Cheng
Sports editor: Barbara Lodwick Photo: Megan Anderson, Brian Riady, Jin Yoo Kim
Reporters: Megan Anderson, Amber Bang, Alex Boothe, Jon Cheng, Hee Soo Chung, Rohin Dewan, Devin Hardee, DJ Hartman, Lorenzo Holt, Jin Yoo Kim, See Young Lee, Nick Leisiuk, Alex Lim, Barbara Lodwick, Akhilesh Pant,
Ravi Shanmugam, Amanda Tsao Adviser: Mark Clemens
Assistant adviser: Judy Agusti The Eye is the student newspaper of the Singapore American School. All opinions stated within these pages are those of their respective writers and do not necessarily refl ect the opinions of the Singapore American School, its board of governors, PTA, faculty or administration. Comments and suggestions can be sent to the Eye via the Internet at [email protected]. At the authorʼs request, names can be withheld from publication. Letters will be printed as completely as possible. The Eye reserves the right to edit letters for reasons of taste and space.
Singapore American High School40 Woodlands Street 41Republic of Singapore 738547Staff: (65) 6363-3404 x537Adviser: (65) 6363-3404 x539Fax: (65) [email protected]
Editors-in-chief:
eyethe
— a group of culturally insular students more interested in shopping and iPods than stopping to marvel at their surroundings, whether they are the sheer cliffs of Queenstown or the desert wilderness of Australia. Things occasionally get so bad that guides have to step in to defend their traditions from the advent of iPods and Abercrombie.
Michelangelo and Botticelli demand quiet reverance, and one guide, showing students around the Louvre in 97’, decided to intervene and stop the ceaseless chatter of students doing a chicken dance before the Mona Lisa, which he felt dishonoured Da Vinci’s masterpiece. “What’s wrong with you children? Are you barbarians?” he shouted with characteristic French politeness, ensuring every eye swivelled to stare at the offending kids. His methods, albeit incongruous with the “Please be quiet” signs hanging on the walls, were effective. Rembrandt and Monet were silently appreciated for the rest of the morning.
Other interim trips have seen kids sneak out at night for beer and cigarettes, breaking curfews and a few underage drinking laws to boot. Beer and cigarettes are easily available in Singapore, and giving your liver and lungs a respite for two weeks is not a huge sacrifi ce. Anyone who fi nds that diffi cult should check out of school and into rehab.
Not every rule is made to be broken. A hangover precludes a proper appreciation of monuments in Vienna and the slopes of Switzerland. It would seem illogical as well as illegal, unless kids take the view that different cultures have nothing to offer them. Who cares if they are too drunk to understand what they see the next day?
Such a view is an indictment on the ethnocentric lives many students lead. SAS’ diverse student body and the exposure to other societies that third culture kids have should preclude ethnocentrism. Interim trips, though, are replete with distasteful anecdotes.
Recently, a professional band of Chinese musicians came to SAS and were watched by a handful of students as they performed around the school. The throng that cheers appreciatively every time a heavy-metal band plays were nowhere to be found, showing just how far cultural appreciation extends.
Interim can correct this by demonstrating the possibilities of different cultures, and teaching students the value of diversity. This concept of exposure is what makes interim a premier academic experience. But for this concept to work, it requires the cooperation of every student on a trip.
Only a concerted effort can see an Interim without blemishes, and cultural insensitivity put to bed. If we forgo the chicken dance and beer for two weeks, we can revel in the experience of travelling to exotic locations and meeting exotic people. Together, we can appreciate the fi nesse of Caravaggio and the breathtaking beauty of South Africa.
We got m@il:To the Editor:To the Editor:
I am one of the stressed students you described. I took four A.P. classes as a I am one of the stressed students you described. I took four A.P. classes as a junior, and this year I am taking fi ve. junior, and this year I am taking fi ve.
I am one of the stressed students you described. I took four A.P. classes as a junior, and this year I am taking fi ve.
I am one of the stressed students you described. I took four A.P. classes as a
set reasonable limits for ourselves; the problem is that a reasonable amount of class set reasonable limits for ourselves; the problem is that a reasonable amount of class
Have a great, safe holidaySee you back in 2008
COMMENTS?Email the reporter
5the Eye a December 14, 2007 op/ed
Sitting in a warm, cosy restaurant and munching on a succulent leg of lamb, I found myself fending off a nascent yawn, which may have been excused by jet lag but would still have put off the friend I was talking to. We were involved in an uninspiring discussion on why Indian culture requires kids to touch their elders’ feet. I erroneously assumed we were in total agreement on the point.
“A person is defi ned by the way she behaves to her elders,” my friend said, chasing all thoughts of sleep from my brain. I silently thanked her for ensuring I didn’t nod off, even as I disagreed with her assertion in the strongest possible terms.
“Respect thy elder.” It could be the eleventh commandment, ingrained in the brain of every child from the moment they form their fi rst words. In society’s hierarchy those without hair are above kids with lurid green mops, as grey has become the new
black. I am not arguing for green dye or overlong hair, yet I don’t think
having either is a mark of immaturity. As I asked my friend, why does age demand deference?
Every human being deserves respect. What I take issue with is the assumption that those who are older deserve more of it. Having traipsed the surface of the earth for longer does not
entitle a person to greater deference. My friend argued it does, because elders have more experience, and much to teach us.
Taking two equally intelligent people, the older one’s greater experience gives him an advantage. However, experience is not the sole determinant of ability. Intelligence, general knowledge and control of emotions are also vital. My friend argued that older people are generally better qualifi ed, but to extend that as a general rule and say that people should defer to their elders would be akin to saying those who didn’t go
to college should defer to those who did. It goes against a bastion of humanity—the equality of man.
“All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others,” Napoleon, the dictatorial pig from George Orwell’s “Animal Farm” said, adulterating the principle of equality and segregating Animal Farm. It is an adulteration we must all guard against.
As a student, I see a signifi cantly older teacher every time I step into class. My friend is right—older people have much to teach young whippersnappers like me. But, with the progress of technology and innovation in today’s society, we too have much to teach our elders. Every time I visit my grandparents, they have a question on email or computers for me. And which teacher knows more about Facebook than his students?
Has anyone got a pigsty? My future residence beckons
Ravi Shanmugam
Every person should be judged on merit, irrespective of his age. As author Gloria Pitzer said, “About the only thing that comes to us without effort is old age.” Perhaps in an age where surviving itself deserved commendation, age deserved veneration. Today, all one has to do to survive is learn how to line up in a Social Security queue. If my friend were right, every bum living on a beach somewhere in southern Wyoming deserves deference, because he has lived a useless life for 50 years. I dread the result should Orwell’s satirical brilliance be released on that argument.
Unfortunately, neither my friend
nor the man whose feet I was required to touch (and who probably knew two words of English) had read Orwell. India, as a society, demanded I show deference to greater age. Without an extensive analysis of the merits of the
person I would be bending down to touch the feet of, I couldn’t, in good conscience, feel the gesture justifi ed. I have a moral objection to it—he is in no way my superior.
“I like pigs. Dogs look up to us. Cats look down on us. Pigs treat us as equals,” Winston Churchill said, and, if society continues to command me to place my hands on unshod soles, I might have to take Churchill seriously and search for a suitable sty, preferably with a generous trough. If any of you come across one, please give me a call.
Acting a must for students who are serious about college
Every student should take acting.
Not because you want to, but because it’s the only skill that will really get you into the college of your dreams.
It’s been drilled into our minds since freshman year to be different, distinctive in order to have that extra edge over all those mediocre applicants. So let’s be frank; saying in your application that you like Shakespeare won’t get you into college, even if he really is your favorite writer. You have to be inimitable, unique. Instead you should put down Guaman Poma, an Andean fiction writer, perhaps. Who cares if you’ve never heard of him before? It’ll get you into college, and isn’t that what’s most important? So let’s dedicate this small space to addressing the skill we all want to learn. Let’s learn to act. Let’s learn how to get into college.
1,) Before your senior year, make sure you take up one of the following instruments: the tuba, the French horn, the harp, or the bagpipes. That way, if the Harvard bagpiper gets run over in a freak steamroller accident (see 4), you will be a prime candidate
for his replacement. 2.) Other ways of pantomiming
your star quality include lying about your family history. After c o n s i d e r i n g the plethora of possible heart wrenching stories, this is the best scenario I came up with:
You live in a cardboard box in Singapore, a third world country (don’t worry, half the world can’t point it out on a
map) with your twelve siblings. Every morning you wake up at 5 a.m. and pick mangoes for the whole family while it’s still dark so that the leopards can’t see you. Then you rummage through the landlord’s trash in case you might find any more books he’s thrown out, (because that’s how you taught yourself to be literate) and if you’re lucky enough, you’ll smuggle it under your shirt so that your fifth stepmother won’t find it, beat you, and sell you to an internet bride order service. The only thing that keeps you going is clutching a thrown away sweatshirt of <insert college name here> whilst you sleep so you can dream of one day attending.
3.) Right before your college interview, rub Tabasco sauce into your eyes. The searing pain should make you cry, a vital
ingredient in convincing your alumni interviewer. From here there are two options:
Option 1 (tears of joy): You’re simply overwhelmed by the handshake of someone who attended the college you were nearly named after. To think that the same hand that once turned on a faucet in the boys locker room, or clutched the banister of a sorority house, is shaking your hand. It’s too much. The last time you cried was when your grandmother was mauled by a leopard (a great chance to launch into your false family history in 2.)
Option 2 (tears of grief): Your grandmother was just mauled by a leopard. Assuming your interview takes place in Singapore, and assuming your interviewer sort of knows that Singapore isn’t a province in China, make sure you relocate the place of your grandmother’s death. Better yet, make up the name of that remote place: Swegermania, say. That way you’ll seem more exotic and smart for knowing the whereabouts of your heritage.
4.) Run over Harvard bagpiper with steam roller.
Not that you have much to worry about though. Because at seventeen, you should have tons of life experiences, right? All they request of you is to put “Olympic gymnast” down on paper. That’s all.
BRENDED
Amanda Tsao
“Fourth Element” by brendan lam
6 December 14, 2007 a the Eyearts
BOOK MARK: Eulogy for Marissa Cooper by Nathan Nedorostekby Amanda TsaoRemember when Marissa overdosed in Tijuana, or when she had a lesbian affair with Olivia Wilde, or when she shot Trey? Almost a picture book, the story is told through photographs taken of Hollywood celebrities channeling the grief of a die hard “The O.C.” fan at the close of season three. The forward is by Dr. Rosalind Kim, Dean of Students, Harbor High School.
accidents, causing confl icts among the girls. In another, “Bratz” restores order to the clique crisis by having Meredith socially excommunicated. How very heartwarming.
Bad movies fall into two distinct categories – so bad it’s good, and so bad it’s offensive. “Bratz” is defi nitely falls into the latter. But if you enjoy a cheese-slathered, faux high-school movie butchered to the extreme, then you might fi nd this movie remotely watchable.
by Jon Cheng In a typical high school movie,
all the different cliques are depicted – the dumb jocks, the nerdy Asians, the popular cheerleaders and the clueless blondes. But “Bratz” explores the polar extremes of “cliquishness,” adding environmental freaks, yoga-obsessed dieters and loners. There is a scene in the beginning were the oh-so-popular blonde class president (Chelsea Staub) assigns incoming freshmen to their respective cliques.
As the name explicitly suggests, “Bratz” are a group of four BFF’s (that’s really just an acronym you have to be familiar with) who tackle the fi rst day of high school as freshmen, despite the fact that they strangely resemble university undergrads (the ages of the girly actresses are nineteen, twenty-one, eighteen, and fi fteen). The Asian girl is, not surprisingly, a math whiz (Janel Parrish) who happens to dress fashionably (sound familiar?) One can almost predict who the other characters are – all-American “blondie” (Skyler Shae), a black athletic soccer player (Logan Browning), and a shy singer/loner (Nathalia Ramos).
The opening scene is a telltale sign of worse things to come. The four girls, engaged in a web-cam conference, eagerly discuss how to dress for their fi rst day of school. Later, the seemingly evil, uppity class president, Meredith obsesses on the clique division system. She separates “Bratz” into their correct groupings – nerds, soccer girls, singers, loners. It is only after three years that Bratz realize that they miss each other, and decide to band together and rebel
against Meredith’s totalitarian policy. How very original.
Any daft female tween could identify “Bratz” as a cross between a typical Lizzie McGuire episode and “High School Musical,” obviously targeted at middle-schoolers who wish to gain insight for their upcoming years.
If you happen to relish watching incidents that are tritely orchestrated, you might be in luck. In a classic scene, one of the Bratz members – unsurprisingly, the Asian girls – slips on a pile of spaghetti and starts a massive chain reaction of
BRATZ:the verdict Rated D-13 Some material may be inappropriate for children over the age of 13
For explicit depictions of dim-witted and
Close encounters of the dumbest kind
Just another animated blockbusterby Jon Cheng
Over-the-top gore + 3D animation (for U.S. audiences only) + a certain scene with Angelina Jolie + a ridiculous PG-13 rating = the ultimate action fl ick for every guy.
That fl awless formula certainly has been Beowulf’s unique selling point, at least for kids.
Often marketed as a fi lm snugly suspended between “300” and “Lord of the Rings”, “Beowulf” successfully captures “300’s” ludicrousness but lacks the beauty of the latter.
Pronounced as “Bay-yoh-woalfe,” the movie, set in the 6th century, is a simple tale of a brave warrior, Beowulf (Ray Winstone), who travels to present day Denmark with his crew on a request call. He is told of an eerie monster that wreaks havoc on the town whenever he is disturbed from his sleep
Hrothgar (Anthony Hopkins in a minor role), the ruler of the town, eagerly accepts Beowulf’s help in return for a golden dragon horn.
At this point, it seems like a typical Hollywood brainless thrill ride. The impeccable animation is a major improvement over director Robert Zemeckis’ animated feature, “The Polar Express.” The character motions are lifelike and elegantly executed, and the cinematography is seamless and epic.
Even Beowulf, a wry egoistic warrior, is wonderfully fl awed. Unable to keep his composure, his emotions fl ow like wildlife. Perhaps one of the more hilarious scenes is when he decides to fi ght the monster Grendel (Crispin Glover) in the nude, without any weapons. He claim’s he just wants a fair match. (As you can imagine, the creative camera angles and objects coincidently hide his
nether region).After severing one of the monster’s
limbs, the blood-hungry warrior decides to take on the monster’s mother (a dragon who morphs into the body of a sultry looking Angelina Jolie).Predictably, Beowulf falls prey to her lust and her promise of eternal riches.
It is a distinctly different take on the classic age-old poem translated by Seamus Heaney (taught in British Literature here in SAS). Every literary aspect has been ripped to shreds and given an American Hollywood facelift. Here, the movie seemingly captures the frenetic thrill and dazzling pizzazz rather than the simplistic beauty of the poemj. In the 2nd act, the plot and characters, even Beowulf himself, grow dull. Clearly, the magic of Hollywood does not seem to work this time.
“Beowulf” had been a fairly successful hit in the United States because it was released in IMAX 3D; however, even in 3D, the movie grows fl at and soulless.
Zemeckis is a talented director, but his latest is just another animated action blockbuster.
B-Verdict
Fprepostrous dialogue
Movie Reviews
I-Spy dance a montage of innovative and colorful dancersDancers with red fans
Center: Tina KirwinRight: Jelita Adams
Photo by Jin Yoo Kim
by Akhilesh PantI spy with my little eye: SAS
dancers. The mysteriously themed “I-Spy” dance performance was an upbeat showcase of the talent of both Dance Club dancers and choreographers.
Each dance was uniquely themed with a “Where’s Waldo,” game-like feel. In the dance titled “I spy with my little eye something black,” a single dancer held a black fan that the audience had to “spy.” With each display having an interactive nature, the performance as a whole was a unique experience.
“I found it really fun to watch the show, even though I wasn’t expecting it,” junior Adrian Bautista said. “Having to look at the little details in each dance made it more
interesting overall.”A total of 110 dancers were
involved in the production of the show with many other students working offstage with tech crew or stage setup.
“It felt great to fi nally be up on stage in front of the crowd,” junior Priyanka Arya said. “It was nerve-wracking at fi rst, but the energy from the crowd motivated us to perform at our best. That energy let us know that our work had paid off.”
The Dance Club had been preparing for this performance since early in the year, with practices becoming more frequent and longer as the performance neared.
“By the last few weeks before the performance, we practiced for three, four or even fi ve hours per week,”
senior Max Lian said. “Sometimes we stayed after school every day for dance practice.”
During both the 4 p.m.. and 7 p.m. shows, the auditorium nearly full of students and parents all coming to discover what the mystery was behind the title.
“We weren’t expecting a whole lot of people to show up to the show,” Lian said. “We were all surprised and excited when the fi rst group of dancers came backstage and told us how many people were out there.”
Fueled by the unexpected interest that was shown at “I-Spy”, the Dance Club hopes to attract an even larger crowd to future performances. The next showcase scheduled for April.
7the Eye a December 14, 2007 arts
by Amanda TsaoWritten by Sophie Dahl, ex-
supermodel and granddaughter of Roald Dahl, the book at fi rst seems like cheap chic lit, with its sparkly dancing fairies on the cover and blurb describing the p r o t a g o n i s t as a “silver-eyed beauty.” A pity, since the book is actually quite good as a fun read.
D a h l creates a b o h e m i a n fantasy world t h r o u g h the eyes of Kitty, the protagonis t , who grows up with her m o t h e r , Marina, who is “a beauty, a painter, and weeper.” Her children are all born from different fathers.
Time goes quickly, as Kitty changes from an 8-year-old bookworm in overalls who has tea with her English grandparents, to a 15-year-old pregnant teen who hangs around an elderly Russian sleazebag with his string of buxom blondes as company. Of course, her mother doesn’t exactly help, dumping Kitty in boarding school as a child to join the all-consuming cult of “Swami-ji.” Her hilarious parade of men, ranging from a “lion tamer who left her for a woman with strong thighs,” to a crazy-haired, short magician named Jenkins, all lend to her
melodramatic, helter-skelter life. Although the reader is too often
reminded about how beautiful all the characters are, Dahl is talented in describing the feel of drug-induced, soft happiness; an Arcadia where
life is free and easy for all who have won the genetic l o t t e r y in looks. S e n t e n c e s like: “Her mother lay in the sitting room on the huge lily-pond rug, Thumbelina dissolving,” lend to the pretty, breezy tone and imagery.
In terms of depth, Dahl fails
at striking a message. The book is as superfi cial as its characters, as mediocre as most coming of age novels are. But when Dahl lets go she’s quite funny, exemplifi ed by the straight-up insouciance of, “He likes me to wear my school uniform and call him Daddy.” “Doesn’t that make you feel sick?” “A bit, but then we go to Cartier, and I feel better.”
But painting with words aside, the book lacks the intelligence needed to promote it to great-all-round-book status. The title is apt; it’s a book only deserving of a grown-up’s playtime, nothing more.
Not for grownups
by DJ HartmanFollowing up their sub-par 1995
“I Heard They Suck Live,” punk rock quartet NoFX released their second live album “They’ve Actually Gotten Worse Live,” Nov. 20. Contrary to the claims made by the album titles, NoFX’s sophomore attempt as a live record surpasses expectations.
The album comprises of 26 tracks of varying lengths, none of the tracks overlapping with their fi rst live album. Some fans will be disappointed in the absence of NoFX’s bigger hits from their new album or older favorites like “Bob” or “Dinosaurs Will Die”. Nevertheless, “They’ve Actually Gotten Worse Live” is full of great NoFX songs.
The vocal and instrumental mix is perfect, with just the right amount of ‘crowd noise’, a far cry from their poorly produced “I Heard They Suck Live.” A NoFX album wouldn’t be complete without the off-color banter about from the band of 40-year-old teenagers. Think twice about picking up this record if you have an adversity to vulgar humor about drugs and alcohol. Sometimes the banter is irrelevant and hard to understand without the accompanying imagery, but for the most part the on-stage shenanigans are hilarious and fi tting.
The album has all the traits of a good NoFX record. Opening up with “Glass War” followed shortly by a
full band version of the originally acoustic “You’re Wrong” (a punk rock tirade on topics including Christianity, Sean Hannity, the war on drugs,
Reaganomics, fur, reproductive rights and religious extremism). Several other acoustic songs make the transition to full band performances.
They play an amazing dub version of “March to the Beat of the Indifferent Drum” from their latest album “Wolves in Wolves’ Clothing.” A cover of Herb Alpert’s “What Now My Love?” adds variety to NoFX’s sometimes homogenous set. This album avoids one of the pitfalls of most live punk albums. It’s much more than a glorifi ed greatest hits with bad sound quality. NoFX’s style has not changed much in the past few years but they still fi nd ways to completely reinvent songs.
For a band like NoFX with such
an extensive catalogue, there is a tendency of quality older songs being forgotten or overlooked by newer fans. Songs like “Green Corn” and “I,
Melvin” return on this album, sounding much better and more polished than when they were released in the band’s infancy (Matt Hensley, of Flogging Molly fame, makes an appearance playing accordion on the latter song). Songs like “Monosyllabic Girl” (“She said ‘sure’ and ‘cool’ and ‘yeah’, she’s a monosyllabic girl.” sings front man Fat Mike) reminds us that NoFX can write catchy punk-pop songs that are uniquely NoFX.
At the heart of this album’s shortcomings is the last track. The band comes back on stage after their last song and tells the
crowd, “This next one’s pretty long.” The crowd cheers because they know what’s coming. Yes, NoFX begin to play “The Decline,” an 18-minute punk rock epic on drug laws, the status quo and gun violence. Christmas has come early for NoFX fans. But wait, the song begins to fade out after about a minute-and-a-half. Like an infant torn from its mother’s breast, I despair.
Fans of NoFX will enjoy this album, as will fans of the 90’s ska-punk scene. Classics mixed with a few new songs remade make for a winning combination of punk rock awesomeness.
No FX Album: For FANS onlyNo FX Album: For FANS onlySophie Dahl, model & author of “Playing with Grownups”
Drunken escapades result in live albumDrunken escapades result in live albumMusic Review Book Review: Playing with Grownups
CHRISTMASTIME IS HERE: SAS String EnsembleTop: Stephen Bonnette signals the audience to clap in time with the orchestra’s performance of “The Radetzky March”Above: Superintendant Dr. Brent Mutsch presents a commemoration award to Stephen RiadyPhotos by Malvika Singh
Concert assembles over 300 musiciansby Jon Cheng
As Stephen Bonnette signaled the audience to clap in time with the Eagle Symphony’s “Radetzky March,” nearly 800 people joined in on his rhythmic gestures.
It was evident that this year’s Winter Collage immensely entertained the audience. At the end, the audiences applauded and cheered on their feet
The concert started with director Brian Hill conducting “Christmas Jubilee” by the Concert Band. The band piece was followed by Chanterie and Jazz Ensemble performances. Both performances were colorful performances – the standout being the impressive performance by the Jazz Ensemble, with a short sax-solo performance by junior Michael Jeong. The Chorale, conducted by Nanette Devens, sang Christmas classics such as “Silver Bells,” while the Symphonic Band added “Away in a Manger” and “Fum, Fum, Fum” by Ken Dye.The pieces, although awkwardly adjusted for an inequality of wind instruments, were a unique rendition of the traditional carols.
After intermission, the concert re-opened with “Sleigh Ride” and “The Polar Express” by the Wind Ensemble. The String Ensemble (conducted by Stephen Bonnette) emerged shortly after, and wowed
audiences when the violins played along the paths of the fi rst and second fl oor while the rest of the strings group played on the center stage.
Coordinating the movement of the approximately three hundred – band and string players, choir groups –was evidence of intricate planning. The transition from one performance to the next was almost seamless, the notable exceptions a long tumble with a microphone and a seemingly lost musician wandering the stage.
The Winter Collage Concert ended with a traditional piece – Handel’s “Hallelujah Chorus” played by a combined symphony of the SAS choirs, orchestra and selected winds. The subtle nuances of the strings and the powerful performances by the choirs produced a majestic sound that was well received by the audience.
Even with several hiccups here and there, no one could argue that the concert wasn’t successful -- judging by the minutes-long standing ovation.
Before the intermission Superintendent Dr. Brent Mutsch presented a commemoration award to Stephen Riady, who has donated four million dollars for the building of the Riady Center of Performing Arts.
8 December 14, 2007 a the Eyesports
After a rough four days of non-stop, aggressive competition the SAS boys and girls basketball teams waited to board the plane back to Singapore. In one corner, with the windows framing the massive airliners behind them, the boys team formed a circle and played hacky-sack. Next to them, the girls team compared and photographed the bruises, cuts and scrapes they had so proudly attained over the weekend. Looking like victims of domestic violence Coach Chad Brekke observed his players’ injuries with disbelief. He then asked, “was it worth it?” The girls responded easily with confi rmation that they would do it all over again to medal at the prestigious Hong Kong Basketball tournament.
Every year when the rest of the SAS population gets to enjoy a relaxing thanksgiving weekend with family and friends the Eagles varsity basketball teams travel to Hong Kong to compete in a tournament with tougher competition than IASAS. Eight teams are invited from various countries across East Asia to compete in the boys and girls division. Those included Kubasaki and Kadena high schools from Japan, Faith Academy from Manila, Seoul American School from Korea, St.Mary’s boys from Japan, Heep Yunn girls from Hong Kong, host school HKIS and fellow IASAS competitor Taipei American School.
“The players are mainly from the American Army bases so they are bigger, meaner, and faster,” senior guard Adam Frogley said.
Compared to most IASAS teams, the competition in Hong Kong is tougher and more physical. After having only a few practices before the tournament the Eagles were daunted to say the least.
“The Hong Kong Tournament is such a high level of competition. IASAS is going to be nothing compared to Hong Kong,” junior all-tournament Elle Marsh said.
“Unfortunately we didn’t get enough prep time because of the October Break,” boys coach Mike Norman said.
Starting the tournament for SAS were the boys who faced Kadena. In the past, Kadena had always come out strong, the boys hung in the game until the end when Kadena pulled away with a 45-40 win. Next in the day were the girls with their opening game. The girls faced IASAS runners-up from last year, TAS. TAS didn’t put up much competition and the girls came away with a victory 40-21. Also playing Taipei, the boys knew their competition well, and fi nished the day 1-1, 58-42. In the fi rst of many heartbreaker games the girls played Kadena and despite last minute free throws, Kadena scored an
easy basket with one second left and the girls lost 47-46. Friday, the girls started the day with the fi rst game against an unknown Seoul team. The Seoul girls were rough and aggressive, and despite a close game, the score was 35-44, the Eagles had lost
Hong Kong toughest play of year for Eagle boys, girlsSenior David Small grabs the rebound and puts it back for an easy two in the game against Kadena. Photo by Nanda Navis
Senior Chris Hussey attempts a shot against a Kadena defender. Photo by Timothy Zhou
two in a row. The boys had to face a home crowd in their afternoon game and ended up losing 56-45. It was a match up of old rivals, the girls faced Faith Academy, and for the fi rst time in the tournament, both teams played with class and respect for the other team. It was another
heartbreaker, but this time Singapore was the team who
did the breaking, 38-39. In the last game of the day,
the SAS boys faced the Seoul team.
“We were winning throughout the game, the refs just made bad calls at the very end,” Frogley said.
Junior Brady Baildon went for a lay-up in the last seconds of the game and made the shot, however the call was that Baildon fouled the person guarding him after the shot. This call was justifi ed as a continuation foul and the Seoul player shot free throws, which ultimately won the game for Seoul, 53-51. The girls started Saturday against the undefeated Seoul team if the girls won they would go to the championships, the Seoul coach shut down the Eagle’s offense and the girls were down by twelve at the
half. After half time the girls came out strong and decreased their lead by four, but Seoul was the better team and won the game 50-33. The boys had yet another close game and beat Faith 44-41. The boys would go to the next round to play for fi fth. The girl’s next game was
them, the girls team compared and photographed the bruises, cuts and scrapes they had so proudly attained
victims of domestic violence Coach Chad Brekke observed his players’
asked, “was it worth it?” The girls responded easily with confi rmation that they would do it all over again to medal at the prestigious Hong
the SAS population gets to enjoy a relaxing thanksgiving weekend
travel to Hong Kong to compete
from the American Army bases so they are bigger, meaner, and faster,” senior guard Adam Frogley said.
Kong is tougher and more physical. After having only a few practices before the tournament the Eagles
“Unfortunately we didn’t get enough prep time because of the October Break,” boys coach Mike Norman said.
Starting the tournament for SAS were the boys who faced Kadena. In the past, Kadena had always come out strong, the boys hung in the game until the end when Kadena pulled away with a 45-40 win. Next in the day were the girls with their opening game. The girls faced IASAS runners-up from last year, TAS. TAS didn’t put up much competition and the girls came away with a victory 40-21. Also playing Taipei, the boys knew their competition well, and fi nished the day 1-1, 58-42. In the fi rst of many heartbreaker games the girls played Kadena and despite last minute free throws, Kadena scored an
and aggressive, and despite a close game, the score was 35-44, the Eagles had lost
fi rst time in the tournament, both teams played with class and respect for the other team. It was another
heartbreaker, but this time Singapore was the team who
did the breaking, 38-39. In the last game of the day,
the SAS boys faced the Seoul team.
“We were winning throughout the game, the refs just made bad calls at the very end,” Frogley said.
Junior Brady Baildon went for a lay-up in the last seconds of the game and made the shot, however the call was that Baildon fouled the person guarding him after the shot. This call was justifi ed as a continuation foul and the Seoul player shot free throws, which ultimately won the game for Seoul, 53-51. The girls started Saturday against the undefeated Seoul team if the girls won they would go to the championships, the Seoul coach shut down the Eagle’s offense and the girls were down by twelve at the
half. After half time the girls came out strong and decreased their lead by four, but Seoul was the better team and won the game 50-33. The boys had yet another close game and beat Faith 44-41. The boys would go to the next round to play for fi fth. The girl’s next game was
against the home team and would play for third place. HKIS played rough and dirty, however the girls grabbed the win and the medal 35-32. The boys played Taipei again for fi fth place and made it obvious who the better team was, SAS handled the tigers 56-39. All-Tournament selections include senior point guard Andrew Debell, and junior center Elle Marsh.
Besides the tougher competition there are many other factors that set Hong Kong apart from IASAS and make it more enjoyable for many of the players. For one, Hong Kong is a lively and convenient city with an abundance of shops and restaurants to explore. Unlike at IASAS players have more time to relax before, in between or after games. Going out to dinner or lunch every day is not uncommon.
“Hong Kong is different than IASAS because we get more free time and a later curfew,” senior all-tournament guard Andrew Debell said.
The lower temperatures in Hong Kong are another factor that many players look forward to. Compared to Singapore the temperatures in Hong Kong are much cooler at around 65 degrees farenheit. The combination of better competition, more free time and cooler temperatures makes Hong Kong unique and enjoyable. For Norman the tournament is somewhat of a tradition. He has brought a team since 1986 and has returned eight times with the gold.
The tournament is just a stepping stone on the way to the ultimate goal- IASAS.
With IASAS just after Winter Break, both teams still have half of their season left.
“[The tournament] is a wonderful way to conclude the fi rst half of the season,” Norman said.
Senior Andrew Debell drives against a Kadena player in the round robin portion of the tournament. Photo by Timothy Zhou of HKIS
by Megan Anderson and Barbara Lodwick
Sophomore Rachel McCabe jumps for a rebound. Junior Elle Marsh sets up for a free throw. Photos by Nanda Navis
