More Inside:Limewire shuts down, page 7

GSA raises awareness, page 14

Profile: Angel Rodriguez, page 17

Dr. Michael M. Krop Sr. High • 1410 Countyline Road • Miami, Florida 33179 December 15, 2010 • Issue 3 • Volume 13

str keTHE lightning

page 13

IN MEMORY: TOP: JROTC members stand at attention in respect for Gonzalez, a former student who died defending our country in Iraq. BOTTOM: Principal Matthew Welker plants a tree in memory of Gonzalez. Gonzalez’s family attended the ceremony where chorus performed in his honor.

page 8 ...

By Lauren Maldonadostaff writer

MOvIE REvIEw:

Top FIVE hoLIday gIFTs

COMMEMORATE

Almost 100,000 heroic service men and women are in Afghanistan sacrificing their lives every day in the “War on Terrorism.”

Navy Hospital Corpsman Edwin Gonzalez was one among the 100,000. He lost his life after only two weeks of service when an improvised explosive device struck him in southern Afghanistan.

As a 2007 Krop graduate, Gonzalez served four years in the JROTC and was a part of the drill team and color guard.

As a tribute to Gonzalez, SGA organized a tree planting ceremony to celebrate his life. Gonzalez’s family and friends participated and Master Chief Alberto Sosa and Chief Daniel Tyson attended as well.

Friends wore t-shirts they designed displaying Gonzalez’s superman tattoo; however, the “S” of the original superman logo was replaced with an “E” for Edwin.

“We called him ‘Superman’ because he would come out alive from such dangerous accidents,” friend Brenda Campos said. “He was in a coma when he was two

PHOTOS BY JAvIER STORCH

because of a car accident, but God gave him a second chance to live.”

When asked about how she felt about her son enlisting in the Navy, Cecilia Gonzalez said, “At first I was hesitant about him joining, but I told him if it was something that made him happy then he had my full support.”

Two trees were planted on the south patio by the butterfly garden accompanied by a wooden bench and a plaque that will be added soon after the ceremony.

Gonzalez’s parents, Cecilia and Julio Gonzalez, and Gonzalez’s older brother, Eric Gonzalez, all joined in shoveling soil onto the newly planted trees.

Krop celebrates lives of two students

It has become an all too common nightmare at our school, but another Krop student has tragically passed away. Senior Christopher Belle was struck by a car on Nov. 19 and died due to complications a week later on Nov. 27.

Belle was a valued member of the Krop symphony orchestra, wood ensemble and pep band in which he played the French horn, considered one of the most difficult classical instruments to play.

Belle’s death has struck a somber tone into the hearts of all those who knew him.

“I never saw him sad. He always wanted to make everyone around him happy,” senior and fellow band member Clinton Hobbs said. “The ensemble won’t be the same without him.”

Several band members fed off of his positive attitude and energy that, they say, fueled their success.

Senior Alec Kreisberg and Belle met each other through their music in middle school and remained good friends.

“If you were feeling down, he would ask you what was on your mind and talk you through it,”

Kreisberg said.As for his future, Belle

had recently been accepted to Florida A&M University and received a full scholarship by the band director.

“He was a very giving individual,” Krop band and orchestra conductor Bringle Cidel said. “His character was what impressed me more than anything.”

In Chris’ absence the band and orchestra members must rally together and continue to play without him.

“For us music is everything. We use it to find joy and comfort,” senior band member Guerdiana Thelomar said. “From this point on everything we do as a band will be in dedication to Chris.”

Now the family he is survived by must endure the pain of a lost love one and all the financial struggles that go along with it. The orchestra collected donations at the Magnet Program’s perfromance “Visions” on Thursday, Dec. 9. A slide show was created and shown at the performance to further commemorate Belle.

Anyone who wishes to help out further is welcome and encouraged to send donations to the school.

See page three for more information on the “Visions” performance in the brief titled “Visions attracts large audience.”

By alexander stellasports editor

School plants tree in memory of graduated student and Corpsman Edwin Gonzalez.

Christopher Belle is remembered by those who knew him best.

Six times a year homeless people from around South Florida crowd the Miami Beach Community Church where volunteers distribute food and clothing, eye glasses and hair cuts, first aid, HIV tests, and other supplies that would alleviate the plight of those living in the streets and shelters. Information about events reaches the homeless mostly through word of mouth and posted fliers.

This year, the Social Studies Honor Society was among the volunteers who gathered on Dec. 7 for the three hour event.

“I saw a family; a mom with two daughters. It broke my heart,” junior Maria Patino said. “I’m glad I can make a difference, but they do multiple events a year, and going to only one event is not enough. It was great to go with the Social Studies Honor Society, but I think we should get the whole school involved.”

The event was coordinated by Housing Outreach Prevention Education (H.O.P.E) in Miami Beach, in partnership with Miami Beach Community Church. The goal of the organization is to prevent and reduce homelessness in Florida by equipping individuals and families so that they can

become self-sufficient.“The homeless were really

nice and funny. They called me the ‘Michael Jordan hair-cutter,’” junior Nora Westberry said. “One homeless man there used to be the star basketball player at North Miami Beach High and had Coach Schiffy…It’s just so sad to think about how that could happen to someone.”

Social studies teacher John Zoeller who is a co-sponsor of the club along with his colleague Judith Gelber, is proud of the members who showed up to support the cause,

“We were out there, we did a great job and everyone is to be commended,” Zoeller said.

HELPING HANDS

Social studies honor society helps homelessBy sharon sabbaghstaff writer

SMILING FACES: Junior Brooke Milo speaks with homeless people on Lincoln Road. For more information about H.O.P.E. and future events, log onto http://hopeinmiamibeach.org/

JUDITH GELBER

Page 12 The Lightning Strike • November-December 2010

FRANCE

Krop student studies abroad in Paris

Wanting to study in a foreign country, Krop student Maria Estrada, exchanged her junior year to study at Institut Sainte Geneviève, a high school in Paris, France.

Estrada studied French for two years prior to leaving, but was overwhelmed when she first arrived at the school.

“Everyone was speaking so quickly and I couldn’t understand anything anyone was saying,” Estrada said.

Estrada was nervous about making friends but, despite the language barriers, she felt welcomed by her new classmates from the first day.

At Institut Sainte Geneviève, Estrada faced both the language difficulties and the extremely rigorous curriculum.

“The level of analysis that they do in their French class seems like something you would do in a college literature class,” Estrada said. “It is

literally leaps and bounds over anything that would be expected of [American students].”

At Estrada’s school, exams are only given once a week on a different subject. Her French literature exam, which takes up to four hours, is her longest.

A sample homework assignment is to analyze a half page text from a 17th century French play for rhetorical devices. None of her assignments are typed.

“One of the biggest differences between the French and American system is that the American system is very technological while the French system is very old fashioned,” Estrada said.

In many of the classrooms in Estrada’s school the teachers are still using chalkboards.

Première, the equivalent of 11th grade in France, is especially important because it is the first year when French students are on a specialized academic track that will determine their future careers.

There are three tracks

to choose from: literature, economic, and scientific.

Estrada, who is on the literature track, takes ten hours of French literature classes a week but only an hour and a half of science classes.

High school students in France also prepare for The Baccalaureate (BAC), the American equivalent of the SAT.

Students take a BAC for each subject that they learn, however, the track that they are on determines the difficulty of each BAC.

For example, a student on the Scientific track would have a more difficult math BAC than a student on the Literary track.

“The track you take will determine what BAC you will take, and that will determine what colleges even look at you,” Estrada said.

There are no preparation classes for the BAC but some French students do have tutors to help them prepare. Students take their first few BACs in Première, and according to

Estrada many of her classmates are already freaking out.

“They make note cards for every singe French lesson to study for the BAC,” Estrada said.

Students apply to universities based on the track and BAC they took.

“If I were to compare the school systems in both the US and France, I would definitely say that the French are ahead when it comes to the workload and the depth of what is taught in class, Estrada said. “On the other hand, the American school system is based not on making us work like maniacs and know everything, but more on the idea of making us well-rounded individuals, capable of succeeding in whatever career and work environment we may choose in the future. Though this year is such an exciting adventure, I can say, without a single doubt in my mind that I will be returning for my senior year to Krop, with its American school system and everything.”

by Leigh Markowitzstaff writer

SCHEDULES

A Day of School: Comparing Krop (US) with China, Mexico, & France

7:20-9:20 a.m. Class 19:20-9:25 a.m. Homeroom9:30-12:15 a.m.

Class 2

10:45-11:25 a.m.

1st Lunch

11:30-12:15 a.m.

2nd Lunch

12:20-2:20 p.m.

Class 3

6:50-11:40 a.m.

4 Classes

11:40-1:00 p.m.

Lunch Break

1:00-4:30 p.m.

4 Classes

8:15-9:15 a.m. Class 19:15-10:30 a.m.

Class 2 Library Time

10-30- 12:30 a.m.

Class 3

2:30-1:15 p.m.

Lunch

1:15-2:15 Class 42:15-3:15 Class 53:15- 4:15 Class 6

7:00- 7:50 a.m.

Class 1

8:00- 8:50 a.m.

Class 2

9:00-9:50 a.m. Class 310:10-11:00 a.m.

Class 4

11:10-12:00 a.m.

Class 5

12:10-1:00 p.m.

Class 6

1:10-2:00 p.m.

Class 7

ENGLAND

Q & AArt teacher Derek Piliotis

from London answers questions about education at his school.

Q:

A:

Q:

A:

Q:

A:

Q:

A:

Q:

A:

Compiled by Nathalie Prieto and Alexandra Feuerman

FRANCECHINAKROP (US) MEXICO

Please include the name and location of the school, as well as your position and the subject you teach.

Somerset College of Arts and Technology

Wellington RoadTauntonSomerset TA1 5AXPosition: Course Leader,

Graphic Design (Lecturer)

What is the bell schedule? (How long does each class last? How long are breaks?)

9.15 am to 3.45pm- ClassMorning break: 11.00am to 11.30am1.00pm to 2.00pm- Class

What is the method for select-ing classes? Do students have a lot of freedom in picking their own classes and organizing their own schedules?

All classes are chosen by staff. Students have basically no free-dom in selecting their classes.

How are the high school stu-dents prepared for college? Is there a special program for select-ing their future studies (major in college)? What standardized tests do they take?

Advice is given by teachers based on a particular specialism ability, showing aptitude and tal-ent. There are no tests but I would assess their portfolios to judge their suitability for the course.

How rigorous are the courses? What is the homework load?

There is one day a week for private study when all homework should be done. Throughout the course there are some 16 projects which are each marked, and stu-dents must pass each project.

Comments: We are constantly revising parts of the curriculum in line with the future professional needs of students going into the world of art and design.

CoUrteSy oF yeArbooK news.xinhuanet.com

www.msnbc.msn.com

Spread

www.the-two-malcontents.com

KiK messenger is a text messaging program that allows smartphone users to text anyone for free.

KiK, which is downloadable for free from any Blackberry, iPhone or Android smartphone, creates a PIN for each user and then matches that PIN with other users to create a friends list. Similar to Blackberry Messenger (BBM), KiK automatically adds users based on someone’s PIN.

For example, if a student is a KiK friend with one football player, KiK would add the whole football team to that

Students get a ‘KiK’out of new KiK messenger text messaging program

Abandoned, rejected, confused and isolated. *Marianne, local coordinator of Alateen, often felt this way during her teenage years. Living in a household of alcoholics is not easy, but Alateen offers hope.

Alateen, part of Al-Anon, helps the family and friends of alcoholics. Answering the campaign question, “Is your life affected by someone’s drinking?” is the first step towards joining the program.

student’s KiK friends list. This program also uses the same conversation tools as BBM, such as status updates and smileys, but features instant responses by time and date, so a KiK user knows exactly when s o m e o n e r e p l i e s to their message.

“ M a n y people buy Blackberries because of BBM, and now that Blackberries, iPhones and Droids can speak within themselves, it’s pretty cool,” senior Maya Klein said. “Everyone wants to have BBM,

“In my mind, my family was perfect,” Marianne said. “Once you get used to living with alcoholism, you think it’s not a problem.”

Alateen’s main concern is to get family members of people with drinking problems to achieve “detachment” and to understand that you are not responsible for another person’s actions, no matter how closely related they are.

“Meetings start with a moment of silence and the serenity prayer which begins with ‘G-d grant, me the serenity to accept the things I cannot

change,’” Cliff, local Alateen coordinator and volunteer, said. “There is detachment in that very saying.”

Although last year Alateen meetings were held at Krop, they are currently taking place about five minutes away on Wednesdays from 3-4 p.m., in the “Back on Track” Clubhouse located off Ives Dairy. The reason for this change was to provide members with a greater sense of privacy and comfort.

“In the meetings, nobody judges or interrupts,” Marianne said. “No cross talking is allowed because we learn from listening

and since not all phones have it, KiK fills in for it.”

According to KiK.com, KiK messenger was created in April 2010 by former BBM product

manager Ted Livingstone at the University of Waterloo in Canada. The original plan was to make the Blackberry m u s i c e x p e r i e n c e better, but after college commitments he

changed his idea and planned a rerelease. Just 15 days after the rerelease on Oct. 22, KiK gained more than one million users worldwide. Popularity gained

as many Facebook statuses read “add me on KiK” and “here is my account name.”

KiK also features free international texting. Senior Victoria Benichou uses KiK to text her friends in France.

“International [texting] plans are really expensive and talking through KiK is a great way to talk at any time of the day for free,” Benichou said.

Senior Daniel Tcherfas says that because most people use smartphones it’s easier to communicate with them.

While KiK is only supported on a Blackberry, iPhone or Android for now, the staff hopes to improve the product.

“We know we’re not perfect, but we’re aiming to be,” the KiK support message reads.

TECHNOLOGY

By Anthony Caveweb editor

WEATHER

to others’ experiences.” Alcoholism develops when

one’s craving for alcohol becomes as important as the need for food or water. It can be treated by several medications to prevent cravings and withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety and insomnia.

“People get a chance to get together and share their experiences,” Cliff said. “Everyone keeps in confidence, and this makes people feel more comfortable to share what is really going on in their homes.”

*name has been changed

PROGRAM

“Talking through KiK is a great way to talk at any time of the day for free”

Victoria Benichou, 12

By Maria Carla Canizares Oterophoto editor

Students brace themselves against one of Florida’s coldest wintersThis year marks one of the coldest winters in Florida in 30 years. Students prepare by layering up with hats, sweaters, boots, and coats.

I hate everything about the cold. Miami is supposed to be hot, not the other way around.

I love the cold because I get to wear my favorite jackets and different colored scarves.

It is so cold, I can’t even wear my slides anymore until the weather changes.

I like that it’s something different instead of the typical hot weather.

This isn’t even my jacket, but it was so cold that I couldn’t even feel my lips or legs, so I took this one.

Alateen offers hope to those affected by alcoholism

Sony internet TV powered by Google- Features: Built in Wi-Fi, keypad remote

Apple Ipod Touch 4th generationFeatures:video chat,

sharper resolution and HD video recording

Flip video cameraFeatures:Captures high quality videos and audio

Apple Ipod Nano with multi-touchFeatures:

Built in FM radio with live pause and shuffle

Microsoft Kinect for Xbox 360Features: Motion sensors that allows user to be their own remote control

$99

$229

T p 5 h liday gi ts

$150

$149

$600

senior, Jonathon Michanie senior, Guerdiena Thelomar freshman, Aaral Camal junior, Jose Anjos freshman, Marie Joseph

Compiled by Gabriela Mckenzie

Compiled by Gabriela Mckenzie

“ “ “ ““

”””””

The season for giving has arrived. Surprise your family and friends with some of these special gifts that they are sure to enjoy.

Pictures by Maria Carla Canizares Otero

Feature Page 13 The Lightning Strike . November-December 2010

Insertion Date:Client:

Job Number:Product/Pub:

Size:Production:Work Date:

Revision 1 Revision 2 Revision 3 Revision 4

Creative Proofer 1:

Creative Proofer 2:

AS Proofer 1:

AS Proofer 2:

11/1/10Keiser-Ft. Lauderdale233-9105-MMKSHS-search-hs-4x4Michael M Krop Sr. High School4x 4MF10/6

www.KeiserSuccess.com

Call toll free to speak with an Admissions Counselor

1.888.438.5504Admissions Hours: Mon - Thurs 9am - 8pm, Fri 9am - 5pm, Sat 9am - 2pm

Call for a complete list of programs

Your Search Is Over!An exciting education

Health Care u Business u Legal Studies u Criminal JusticeComputers & Technology u Interdisciplinary Studies

PrePAre FOr A degree In:

PLAY

The Gay Straight Alliance presented Living Rainbow to teach the school about the importance of equality. Billed as a socio-dramatic play, students displayed an array of raw emotions and voiced their personal experiences.

GSA members strive to promote safe schools, but even more they want to teach acceptance of all sexual orientations and gender identities.

They hoped to accomplish this in the play and performed it for the faculty and student body.

Living Rainbow was the brainstorming idea of a GSA member last year who wanted to reach out to the public and advocate equal rights. Another student thought that the play might communicate the overall issue to the school’s population. Both concepts eventually morphed into the socio-drama that consisted of two “machines” showing reactions to discovering one is gay.

Socio-drama is a unique approach to address social issues through improvisation. It begins with an idea and then with events on stage both movement and words planned to touch the audience.

The audience is introduced to 12 students dressed in colors of the spectrum who form a “living rainbow” on stage. The “machine” meant to represent homophobia, shows the negative side of society that discriminates against people who are different. The second is the “affirmation machine,” which shines light on understanding and acceptance of all sexual orientations and gender identities.

Using nothing but a chair and white masks, characters connect to the audience through the use of raw emotion. Various times, director Lisa LaMonica calls out “Freeze,” and the audience can ask students questions, or respond to what they have just watched.

“The audience’s reaction was overwhelming,” performer and vice president of GSA, Newval Nelcha, said. “I saw teachers cry because they did not understand why people would be so hateful toward others.”

The students’ main objective was to wake up the audience and allow them to see the reality of others who are bullied for being different. Not only did Nelcha feel he was getting his message across, but he learned through the process as well. The kaleidoscope of emotions expressed during the performance captured the cruelty towards gay youth. When Samantha Eackheim

screamed “your dead to me” three times in a row the audience could identify with the outright hatred those who are gay or transgender experience in a lifetime.

In the play no elements are written down and students don’t memorize a script. The performers were well coached by Lamonica.

“A young man I knew from Safe Schools was doing something similar in Broward called One Heart,” Lamonica said. “He helped our students create their own act.”

GSA performers were able to represent team-work and the art of expression through Living Rainbow. President Nicole Elimelech believes the play was successful because more members have joined the club.

“I think Living Rainbow will go on as long as GSA exists and as long as people keep advocating equality,” Elimelech said.

By Alice Neirastaff writer

New officers of the class of 2014

CLUB

Brianna LindenLIVING RAINBOW: Each student acted out a word that might be offensive to someone of different sexual orienta-tion or gender identity. This is GSA’s first performance of the play ‘Living Rainbow’.

I feel that freshman are often misrepresented. We need a voice; I want to be that voice. I want to show that it’s everyone’s school.

I wanted to be able to make an impact on my class. So as Treasurer, all fundraising for our class is in my hands, and I hope to raise as much money needed to give the class of 2014 the best four years they could ask for.

Being an officer gives me a chance to get involved in school from the beginning of my years at Krop. I look forward to motivating other freshman to become active in our class through social and community service activities.

As Recording Secretary, it is my responsibility to take notes during all the meetings and keep track of important events, and as a freshman I wanted to be able to make a difference in my class.

GSA presents ‘Living Rainbow’

Chelsea Katz-Recording Secretary

Javier Storch-Senator

Danielle Mackson-Corresponding Secretary

Blake Mars-Treasuer

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”

”

”

”

Compiled by Pablo Storch

Guadalupe Suarez- Historian

Tal Harel-Vice President

I want to encourage freshmen to get involved in the 2014 club because we make decisions every week regarding all of the events for this year, and it would be a big help if we had more people come to our meetings.

“

”

I am historian, so I want to have as many pictures as memories for our senior year.

“

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Pictures by Maria Carla Canizares Otero

Feature Page 14 The Lightning Strike . November-December 2010

Eat This, Not That

1

Science & HealthPage 15 The Lightning Strike • November-December 2010

People aren’t always aware of what they are consuming since large restaurant chains work hard to cover up the nutritional information of unhealthy products. Here are some food items sold at popular local restaurants and foods they can be replaced with. They may surprise you in their calorie and fat content.

By Helen Goldsteinscience and health editor

2

3

4

NUTRITION

First Lady promotes Let’s Move! initiative

HEALTH

An Einstein Bagels Eggway with bacon (a plain bagel, bacon, egg and cheese)contains 580 calories and 11 grams of fat.

Replace this with a McDonald's Egg McMuffin which only has 300 calories. It contains 12 grams of fat but is stacked with 18 grams of hunger-fighting protein.

A Whopper at Burger King has 670 calories and 40 calories from fat.

Replace this with a Wendy’s ¼-Pound Single which contains 430 calories and 20 grams of fat. For a burger that’s portioned to be a meal in and of itself, this is the best option.

A Krispy Kreme raspberry frozen blend has 590 calories and 19 grams of fat.

Replace this with a Dunkin donuts strawberry coolatta which contains 290 calories and zero fat grams.

A “like it,” or small cup, of vanilla ice cream at Cold Stone Creamery contains 340 calories and 170 grams of fat.

Replace this with a small cup of low-fat vanilla frozen yogurt at Yogen Fruz which contains 120 calories and 2.5 grams of fat.

Caffeine can be lethal if consumed in large amounts

DRUGS

By Helen Monterostaff writer

5 A bottle of Lipton Green Tea contains 136 calories.

Replace this with a bottle of Honest Tea Green Tea which has only 34 calories and is sweetened with organic cane sugar.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT: First Lady Michelle Obama speaks to students at Riverside Elementary in Little Havana about eating healthily. She came to Miami to kick-off her Let’s Move! program, which brings salad bars to schools and promotes healthy living and an active lifestyle. Riverside Elementary was the first out of 6,000 schools to get the new salad bar. “Turn off the T.V. and start moving,” Obama said. “Put down the chips and pick up carrots.”

ALEXANDRA FEUERMAN

Caffeine is a drug that many underestimate, but if enough is consumed it can result in lethal consequences.

Michael Lee Bedford, a 23-year-old man in Mansfield, England, was offered caffeine in powdered form at a party. 15 minutes after washing down two spoonfuls with an energy drink, he began sweating and vomiting blood. He later died in the hospital. The two spoonfuls are equivalent to drinking 70 cans of an energy drink.

According to the National Coffee Association, 54% of adults 18 years and older drink

coffee daily. But coffee is not the problem. The problem lies in the levels of intake.

A moderate intake of caffeine for an adult is considered to be about 300 mg a day.

Caffeine occurs naturally in plants which are used for tea and the cocoa beans used to make chocolate. But caffeine can also be consumed through caffeine pills sold over-the-counter at most supermarkets, convenience stores and pharmacies. As a result of their accessibility, it is easy to underestimate them.

Sophomore Laura Zuluaga has experimented with them before.

“Last year a friend gave some to me when I was tired and said they would work because she used it to stay up all night for her

research paper,” said Zuluaga. “After I took them in the morning, I was so hyper!”

Caffeine is a legal substance and sales are not limited in the United States. VarietyShoppe.com allows you to buy a ½ oz of 100% Pure White Crystalline Powder Caffeine for $12.95. A half ounce of caffeine can be found in about 44 cups of a large Starbucks b r e w e d coffee.

Science & Health The Lightning Strike • November-December 2010Page 16

Expires 1/31/11

of equal or lesser value. One coupon per customer visit. Not valid with any other promotion or offer.

Natural Remedies A closer look into AutismAUTISMMEDICINE

People feeling the wrath of the cold winter months often flock to the drug store to stock up on medication for something as trivial as a sore throat. Before becoming reliant on medication, look to some more all-natural options. Here are some natural remedies for different conditions:

Acne

Calendula, aloe, tea treeAllergy

Chamomile

Anxiety and stress Hops, kava, passionflower, valerian, chamomile, lavender

Asthma Coffee, ephedra, tea

Attention-deficit disorder Evening primrose oil

Bad breath Parsley

Burns Aloe

Colds Echinacea, andrographis, ginseng, coffee, tea

Constipation Apple, psyllium seed, senna

Depression St. John's wort

Type 2 Diabetes Garlic, beans, cinnamon, eleutherococcus, flaxseed

Diarrhea Bilberry, raspberry

Dizziness Ginger, ginkgo

Flu Echinacea, elderberry syrup

Insomnia Kava, evening primrose, hops, lemon balm, valerian

Lower back pain Thymol, carvacrol, white willow bark

Menstrual cramps Kava, raspberry, chasteberry

Migraine Feverfew, butterbur

Capsicum, wintergreenMuscle pain

Sore throat Licorice, marshmallow, mullein

Stuffy nose Echinacea

Willow, clove oilToothache

By Leigh Markowitzstaff writer

By Maria Carla Canizares Oterophoto editor

Chemicals in foods can affect brain transmitters

NUTRITION

By Devin Rosarioentertainment editor

Cough Eucalyptus

• T h e current cold front helped break long-s t a n d i n g w e a t h e r records as

t e m p e r a t u r e s went as low as 39 degrees on

the morning of Dec. 7. This is the coldest the temperature has dropped in any year since 1841.

• On Wednesday Dec. 8, a commercial spacecraft was launched into orbit and returned safely for the first time ever. The spacecraft was designed to take cargo to the International Space Station. Soon, it w i l l be used to bring astronauts to the station. This is the first time ever that private c o m p a n i e s have been used to ferry cargo and supplies to the space station.

• Over the past few days, proof of alien life has been steadily building. Scientists have revealed that there are three times as many stars in the universe as expected. They have also found that a type of bacteria can live on arsenic, a semi-metallic chemical, expanding our understanding of how life can thrive in different environmental conditions. Astronomers have also found a potentially habitable planet for the first time.

New in science...By Helen Goldsteinscience and health editor

You see them all the time around school, selling bagels, picking up the recycling, and delivering messages. The special education students are perhaps the most known students in the school, but are you aware about what goes on in their minds?

A study performed in San Diego revealed one of the underlying reasons why autistic children have trouble c o m m u n i c a t i n g . According to the study, the messages received from the brain of autistics are delayed in the frontal lobe, before going to the left side of the brain.

“It might look like they did not hear you, but in actuality they are processing what you said,” coordinator of autistic students in our school, Manuel Quiroga said.

Autism can be detected before three years of age, and mainly affects social and communication skills, resulting in repetitive behaviors.

The lead study author Ashley

Scott-Van Zeeland describes the phenomenon as if the brain were talking to itself. The frontal lobe is so active, that it makes it hard for autistics to pay attention to

anything in their surroundings.“The best thing for

communication impairment is patience,” Quiroga said.

Repeating a question or a phrase will only further torment

the student, because the message keeps arriving to their frontal lobe.

This “lag time” as Quiroga calls it, varies per person. He recalls a student from a couple of years ago, who took 45 minutes to respond, but when he did, it was always the correct answer.

Quiroga and the SPED (Special Education) faculty help autistic children gain life skills such as filling out a job application, or calculating the change after paying for lunch.

Autistic children are integrated into the

student population. Like Quiroga said, “Through inclusion, [we] are educating all stakeholders about differences.”

Got an AP test during 6th period? Tuna might be your best choice for lunch that day.

People tend to associate cer-tain foods with feelings or emo-tions. Recently, MIT researchers looked into the theory. It turns out that chemicals released from certain foods do affect the trans-mitters in the brain.

The chemicals tested were dopamine, norepinephrine

(proven to cause alertness and concentration) and serotonin (induces relaxation).

Dopemine and Norepineph-rine are more commonly found in foods rich with protein, hence the suggestion of a full break-fast in the morning. The protein found in such foods as cheese, eggs and meat can boost alert-ness in the early hours. Sero-tonin, however, is found in foods loaded with carbohydrates, such as pasta or tomato sauce.

Another part of the study

suggested that women are more prone to the effects of chemicals than men. Since women’s hor-mones are more irregular than those of men, they are more like-ly to suffer mood swings or crav-ings. Serotonin regulates hor-mones through caffeine found in coffee, chocolate and ice cream.

While some foods have ef-fects on your mood, healthy foods positively affect the body. Now more than ever, it’s ap-parent that “seratonin everyday keeps the doctor away.”

frontal lobe of cerebrumcorpus callosum

parietal lobe

amygdala

hippocampus

cerebellum

Brain structures involved in Autism

Sports The Lightning Strike • November-December 2010 Page 17

For many students, dedication to sports does not

end at graduation. Krop’s athletes train in hopes of being signed to Division One (D-1) collegiate athletics.

D-1 schools are those with the

highest level of intercollegiate athletics authorized by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). Carly Marcus, Krop’s former varsity

softball captain, was offered the chance of a lifetime. Florida Atlantic University signed her last month to play as a utility player for its softball team.

“Only 4,000 girls in the country get the opportunity to play D-1 college softball, and I’m extremely grateful to be a part of that,” Marcus said.

Although the contract does not allow participation in sports outside of her school, Marcus stays focused with practice 20 hours a week, compared to the approximate seven hours that Krop high school athletics required.

The level of difficulty is higher in college and is more time consuming, but Marcus feels that her experience on high school sports teams gave her the discipline and sportsmanship necessary for college softball. She received input from private batting coaches as well as althletic director Michael Kypriss and softball coach Krista Latessa.

“Being able to manage her time and balance the things that are important to her will make her go far in life,” graduate and sister Sarah Marcus said, “Carly makes it a priority in her schedule to come home weekly to visit her family and boyfriend.”

Cameron Webman, a former varsity basketball player who originally signed with the D-1 school Alabama State

University, has also worked his way up and hopes to become a professional baseball player and later a strength and conditioning coach for baseball players.

“With 10-15 hours a week of workouts, practices and conditioning followed by class and homework, the balance of social life and sports is pretty tough,” Webman said. “Luckily, Coach Larsen and Sullivan instilled a lot of discipline and mental toughness in us.”

Another Krop high school graduate who is making history is Garrett Wittels, Florida International University’s shortstop who committed to play for them his senior year in high school. His 56 game hit streak has made him number two in D-1 history and led him to be nominated Best Male College Athlete in the 2010 Excellence in Sports Performance Yearly (ESPY) awards.

Wittels’s last season ended before his 56 game hit streak, which leaves him time for next season to beat the record. With two more hits, he would be tied with the 58 game hit streak record. With three more, he would set a new record.

“Being mentioned in the same sentence as people like Robin Ventura and Joe DiMaggio is just an honor,” Wittels said, “I never expected this to ever happen, but with hard work, good coaching and a great team, it has.”

High school athletes shine in the NCAA

Boys’ Basketball led by an “Angel”by Alexander Stellasports editor

by Daniela Guenoun opinion editor

With high hopes of success this season, the boys’ Lightning basketball team will be lead by an “Angel.”

Like a character from some biblical tale, Angel Rodriguez’s passion and commitment to the game has this year’s basketball team feeling as confident as ever.

“I realized I really had a gift for the game last year after I had a good season,” Rodriguez said.

Rodriguez has been playing basketball since he was 11-years-old, and has always put the game before everything, to which he attributes much of his success.

“To be honest, I can say that basketball is the only thing that keeps me really focused, more than anything else in the world,” Rodriguez said.

For the past three seasons, Rodriguez has been a leader for the Lightning basketball team and now, in his senior year, looks to take this team to the next level.

“I’ve been very successful up to this point in my career;” Rodriguez said. “But I still have a lot to accomplish, like winning

a state championship, so I have to stay focused.”

The dedication and work ethic Rodriguez possesses impacts his level of play on the court and those around him, including the man who knows him best on the court, head coach Marcos “Shakey” Rodriguez.

“Angel is a tremendous competitor and a tremendous teammate,” Shakey said. “Day in and day out he not only makes himself better, he also makes those around him better as he leads by example.”

Shakey has coached Rodriguez throughout his high school career and has watched him develop.

“Angel has become a much more dynamic player; instead of being a straight shooter he has developed much better ball control,” Shakey said.

Angel’s hard work and devotion to excellence are reinforced by dominant performances on the court. Each and every game Rodriguez inspires his fans and teammates with his exceptional skills. Senior Jacob Muskat has had the pleasure of watching Rodriguez

baffle his opponents, and he is a huge fan.

“Despite his height, he manages to stand his ground with good body control, an automatic jump shot and smooth ball handling,” Muskat said.

Senior guard Patrick George plays against Rodriguez in practice and feels that this had benefited him.

“He [Rodriguez] is one of the most underrated point guards in the nation, and is the hardest player I’ve ever had to guard,” George said. “He challenges me and has made me better.”

In the future, Rodriguez looks to take his game to the collegiate level and then dreams of making basketball his profession. “My future goals are to go to a college and have a great career, and then who knows,” Rodriguez said. “But for right now, I’m playing for a high school state title.”

SHINING STAR: Former Krop baseball star, Garret Wittels, follows through on his swing. Wittels went on to have a hit streak of 56 games for Florida International University.

SHINING STAR: Right: Senior guard Angel Rodriguez jumps to attempt a lay up. Rodriguez has been a leader on the basketball team for the past three seasons.

COLLEGIATE ATHLETICS

GOOGLE

HOOPS

GOOGLE

Page 18 The Lightning Strike • November-December 2010

Sports

Ricky Hemingwaymassage and PeRsonal

TRaining(305)458-1628

The girls’ varsity volleyball team made history this season by being the first north Dade team to make it to the state finals since 1994. They strove but were unsuccessful in their attempt to be the first to win a state title in fifteen years.

Coach Jackie Torano claimed the team’s rush of determination and mental preparedness for victory came when they lost to Palmetto in the championship at the GMAC playoffs.

“I think had we won that game, and won GMAC – which we never have – we wouldn’t have been out to get them so

badly.” Torano said.Despite the initial loss, the

Lightning volleyball team went on to beat Palmetto and advance all the way to the semifinal round in the FHSAA State Volleyball Championships, where they played Orlando Boone. Both teams were making their debut in the final four, and Krop would have been the first district team to win at a state match since Braddock in 2002.

The Lightning endured the 22-2 odds that were against them, with outside hitter Stephanie Harris leading the team to what was almost an underdog comeback.

“Harris had a huge part in

helping us get to states,” Torano said, “She was probably our strongest, most consistent hitter the whole time and played a big part in the offensive attack of each game.”

Harris, on the other hand, feels the team did not rely on any specific player to get as far as they did.

“We all took a leadership role at one point or another,” Harris said, “and all our hard work is what got us into the final four, not so much just me.”

The girls’ lightning volleyball team withstood the clash with Boone, but in the end was defeated in a four-set match.

“When we lost [to Boone], half the team was laughing, half was crying,” libero Dylan Yarchin said. “We all had different expectations for the outcome.”

The mixed reactions were unexpected, but one aspect of the season that the team embraced was the support system they received.

“For us, something that was very important the day we beat Palmetto was our fanbase.” Torano said. “We had a good crowd, something that we’re not getting often. Anytime we had a crowd, the girls always played better.”

by Sebastian Elejalda staff writer

SPIKE: Senior and outside hitter Stephanie Harris leaps for and spikes the ball on the way to a Lighning win. The girls volleyball team reached the state finals, the first North Dade team to do so since 1994.

FINALISTS

SERVING UP HISTORY

With longtime tennis coach Damon Halback leaving, who will take over the tennis team?

We will be bringing back two of our Krop alumni who shined on our tennis team when they were here. For the girls, Tanya Vucetic, a 2006 graduate will take over. Vucetic was a standout in her four seasons at Krop and went on to play in college at Brown. For the boys, Vinny Barros, a 2005 graduate who also was a top notch performer at Krop will take over. Barros is also the beneficiary of collegiate level competition as he went on to play at Florida International University. Barros has also competed in several professional tournaments and has been an assistant professional coach at Turnberry Isle. Halback is scheduled to leave at some point in mid-January, around the time when tennis season begins. Until that time, Halback will remain in complete control. Both coach Halback and I feel that through their collegiate and professional experience both Vucetic and Barros are perfect for the job.

In retrospect what are your thoughts on the 2010-2011 Lightning football season and how might we improve for next year?

I think the team did a tremendous job. We were able to make the state playoffs for the second consecutive season so a 7-5 record is certainly nothing to be ashamed of. I think Marvin Jean had another outstanding year. As we look to the future for improvement we already have a good nucleus from our Junior Varsity team that went 4-1 this year. Over the last three years our overall Junior Varsity record is 14-3 so the kids who will be juniors and seniors next year will already know how to win because they have been brought up winning.

How do you feel about the basketball season thus far and in the coming months?

We are currently ranked at number one in the state of Florida and number eleven in the nation. We’ve always had a good basketball team here but this year we’re really good. We’ve never been nationally ranked so this is a level above. The ultimate goal for the team is a state title and we’re definitely on the right track this year. Coach “Shakey” just has to keep the boys goal oriented. They can’t get too caught up in their success. You’re always one loss away from being lost to oblivion.

What sports have you played in your life and how have athletics shaped who you are today?

I received a scholarship in high school to play quarterback at the University of Kentucky. Unfortunately I was injured during my freshman year with a torn rotator cuff. I was soon forced to retire from my football career but I decided to always remain involved in sports because it was my passion. Sports have shaped me in regard to the structure and discipline that runs my life each and everyday; that same discipline that makes me who I am. For having not been able to play sports professionally, staying involved as a coach and director has been the second best thing.

Is there any athletic figure who has greatly influenced or inspired you?

In my day one guy I really admired and looked up to was Joe Namath, the quarterback for the New York Jets. He had a certain flare about him that combined with his substance and ability brought about the term “swagger.” In baseball I grew up a Yankee fan and idolized Mickey Mantle because he was the symbol of the team. I also admired football coaches like Don Shula and Jimmie Johnson. I respected how prepared their teams always were; Shula with the perfect season in ’72 and Johnson with his National Titles at the University of Miami.`

-Compiled by Alexander Stella

CornerKyp’s

Q:

A:

Q:

A:

Q:

A:

Q:

A:

Q:

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JACKIE TORANO

An exclusive interview with athletic director Michael Kypriss

For the first time in 16 years a volleyball team in north Dade made it to the State Finals competition.

Fun and Games The Lightning Strike • November-December 2010 Page 19

candy cane cornucopia Hanukkah kinarapresents turkey Christmas dreidelmistletoe Thanksgiving Twenty-ElevenKwanzaa tree latke

Christmas trees are edible. Many parts of pines, spruces, and firs can be eaten. The needles are a good source of vitamin C. Pine nuts, or pine cones, are also a good source of nutrition.

During holiday times at the end of the year, Visa cards alone are used about 5,340 times per minute in the United States.

Candy canes were initially just white peppermint sticks used to hang on Christmas trees and to keep kids quiet in church. In the 20th century, the candy cane got its red stripes.

The original ball that is lowered in Times Square on News Year’s eve was made out of iron and wood and decorated with 100 light bulbs.

www.twinklebulbs.comfun.familyeducation.com

chris dougnac

chris dougnac

The Lightning Strike • September 2008

NewsPage 2 The Lightning Strike •November-December 2010

From local to global: What’s going on around the world?

Compiled by Alexandra Feuerman

sources: MSNBC.com

AcApulco, Mexico: Officials are teaching students how to duck for cover in the event that they come under fire from the violence resulting from fighting between drug gangs.

TAipei, TAiwAn: Liu Hui-fen, a worker at the Justice Ministry’s Investigation Bureau, spent seven days piecing together 200,000 Taiwanese dollars that had been accidentally shredded in an industrial scrap machine.

ShArM Al-Sheikh, egypT: In the past few weeks, this tourist city has had a plague of shark attacks, which has led to one death. Egyptian officials believe that someone deliberately placed the shark there to sabotage their tourism industry.

ViennA: Former Croatian Prime Minister Ivo Sanader was arrested for allegedly conspiring to commit crimes and abuse of office.

Compiled by Sharon Sabbagh

topsKROP’S

TEACHERS

Through collective efforts of faculty, students, and parents we raised $4000 for Christopher Belle’s family.

750 reemes of paper were collected in the paper drive for the pep rally.

In a collective effort of all 4 classes, approx. 150 toys were donated to NBC6/Telemundo’s Caravan of Joy. The toys will go to children in the community. The class of 2011 lead the way with the most toys raised.

Homerooms and clubs donated a total of 26 food baskets to various organizations and krop famileis. Ten boxes to Stop Hunger, 8 boxes to Kids in Distress, and additional 8 baskets to Krop families.

MiSSiSSippi, uniTed STATeS: Five years after Hurricane Katrina, Scrub, a gray and white cat, was returned to its owner. They were able to find the cat by an implanted microchip.

Teacher leaves school after a decadeBy Helen Goldsteinscience & health editor

It is not easy to command the attention of a room full of teenagers, but social studies teacher Damon Halback does it with ease.

Halback has taught at Krop for 10 years and has gained a renowned reputation for being one of the schools top-notch teachers. To the dismay of his students and fellow colleagues, Halback has announced that he will be leaving the school in Jan.

“I am going to miss Halback’s dashing good looks and his sense of humor,” senior Alexander Faron said.

Due to “personal and professional reasons,” Halback will move to Boston where he will earn his master’s degree in history with a track designed specifically for teachers.

Halback will attend UMASS-Boston, where he first began his master’s ten years ago before moving to Florida.

“He teaches in-depth and makes himself approachable,” senior Eric Lew said about Halback. “He is more of a friend than a teacher.”

Not only do his students believe he is a great teacher, but he has the awards to prove it. In 2004, he received the Coca-Cola Educator of Distinction award, an honor given to only 250 teachers in the country. Halback has also received numerous awards for his work as the girls’ and boys’ tennis team coach which includes the Miami Herald Girls’ Tennis Coach of the Year for the 2009-2010 school year, the Miami Herald Girls Co-Coach of the Year All Sports for 2007, the Miami Herald Girls Coach of the Year All Sports Finalist of

the 2008-2010 school years and the Florida Dairy Farmers Girls Tennis Coach of the Year from 2007 to 2010.

As of now, there are no plans for who will replace Halback as the girls’ and boys’ tennis team coach or teach his classes for the second half of the year. Because he teaches AP classes, a substitute will most likely not be assigned.

Halback says he will miss many things about being a teacher at Krop.

“I work with likely the most eccentric and talented department in Florida,” Halback said. “My colleagues have so many personality disorders that it allows me to blend in without too much notice.”

Halback does not rule out the possibility of teaching at the high school level again after he earns his master’s degree. Teaching gives him a

feeling of gratification unlike anything else. He says that there are too many things to list about why he loves teaching, but one example would be how “intellectual achievement and athletic success empowers young adults.”

“I am surrounded by talented students from all walks of life,” Halback said. “I am constantly moved by my students’ experiences and family stories and by their drive to succeed. In class and on the court, it motivates me to earn their trust and respect by expecting a high level of performance and setting the example of dedication and hard work. The experience at this school has made me much more thoughtful and tenacious in many areas of my life.”

The renowned Halback leaves his students with some important words of wisdom: “The answer is 42.”

New teachers: What they say about school...

Math teacher Stephen Allen

“I want my students to understand that math is simply another language. We may not master the language, but at least get a better grasp of it. ”

Math teacher Erica Drybread

“I love experiencing the other side of the classroom. It’s very fulfilling to see students get nice grades and understand the material. ”

Biology teacher Yuliana Dominguez

“ I’m personally more concerned with teaching the essentials well and providing a good class experience than being right in step with the other biology classes. ”

Social Studies teacher Michelle Kypriss

“ The major reward I have teaching at Krop is that I am coming home. I spent four of the most influential and important years of my life inside this building and it feels wonderful to be back. ”“

Science teacher Yvetot Antoine

It’s been really tough to get started in the middle of the year, getting on the same page as everyone and trying to catch up. ”

“ I hope that my students are able to pick up some of the knowledge that I have taken in from my teachers, because without knowing the proper way to write or speak, it can hurt you in the future.

Language Arts teacher Apryl Montford”Compiled by Maria Carla Canizares Otero

Krop high has officially become a grade “A” school based off of the recent returns of student FCAT scores.

The Audio/Visual Club have begun their project, recording video of after school hours and activities. They also plan on forming some kind of morning anouncments.

The debate team brought home many victories after competing in the George Mason University Patriot Classic debate tournament.Winners include:Abraham TalmaciuIzaak LustgartenHannah GutmanBrett CurtisJack MelehAndrea Plat

JanuaryTuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

4 5 6 7

10 11 12 13 14

17 18 19 20 21

24 25 26 27 28

31

Monday3

No SchoolTeacher Planning

Day

PHOTO OF THE MONTH

MARIA CARLA-CANIZARES-OTEROFORGET ABOUT FLIP-FLOPS: Junior Joy Morales sat with her leather jacket in the north patio during lunch, enjoying the cold front. “It’s good weather for my hair and I love riding my motorcycle to school in the morning because the wind feels cold,” Morales said.

First DayBack From

Winter Break

Krop vs.North Miami Basketball Game

Krop vs. Miami High Soccer Game

Meeting for AP Students in the

Auditorium Tri M Madrigal Dinnerin the Auditorium

•Chess Club at 2:25in 2186•Quill & Scroll at 2:25 in 2233

•National Honor Society at 2:25 in Auditorium

•Social Studies Honor Society at 2:25 in 2228

•Genshiken Club at 2:25 in 2259

•Gay-Straight Allianceat 2:25 in 2243

•FBLA at 2:25 in 2186

•Creative WritingSociety at 2:30 in 2235

•Debate at 2:25 in 2228

•Best Buddies at 2:35in 2215•Step Club at 2:25 in 2254

•Chess Club at 2:25in 2186•Quill & Scroll at 2:25 in 2233

•Mu Alpha Theta at 2:35 in 2228

•Spanish Honor Societyat 2:30 in 2203

•ELF at 2:30 in 2244•English Honor Societyat 2:25 in 2217

•Best Buddies at 2:35in 2215•Step Club at 2:25 in 2254

Midterm ScheduleJanuary 14- Midterm for Periods 1 & 5January 18- Midterm for Periods 2 & 6

January 19- Midterm for Period 3January 20- Midterm for Period 4

News The Lightning Strike • November-December 2010 Page 3

News BriefsECO FRIENDLY

MICKY TRUJILLO

-CARLA HASSON

CLEAN FOR GREEN: Students pick up trash and take part in numerous events for Green week. Green week is one of the many events Krop will have this year as part of spirt week.

CORRECTIONS:

.

.On last issue’s first page, we wrote Jean Rosenfeld, but it is spelled Jean Rosenfield.

In the article about Ms. Lorenzo’s grandchildren, the picture is of her son, Sebastian Alberto Ramirez Romanii, not her daughter.

Florida goes conservativeGovernor-elect Rick Scott’s victory over Democrat Alex Sink,

along with Republican gains in the cabinet and legislature, mark the beginning of a conservative stronghold in Florida’s state government. The Miami Herald outlined the multimillionaire businessman’s plans for a “new era” in education, involving an increase in taxpayer-backed private school scholarships, charter schools, home schooling and virtual education. Scott stated that more funding will not save an “outdated system.” He plans to invest in school choice and parent-oriented teacher evaluations, including merit pay for teachers. Since he controversially declared his support for Senate Bill 6, which was vetoed by Charlie Crist in April, he is expected to propose a new teacher tenure and merit-pay bill.

Krop goes green for spirit week

By Ariana Rogersfeature editor

A “Go Green” themed spirit week was launched the third week of Nov., designed to save the planet’s resources and raise awareness among the student body.

Activities director Michelle Russell brainstormed with SGA about ways to help the school "go green" and decided to involve the entire school in their mission.

“The purpose of this spirit week was to just get people to think about recycling and the state of our planet,” Russell said.

With combined efforts from clubs like Earth Club and Ecology Club, they decorated trash cans, held a recycling competition, cleaned portables and planted a tree in the butterfly garden to commemorate the

death of Cadet Edwin Gonzalez. The week ended with an Earth Day assembly.

Junior Jennifer Thelusma helped decorate a trash can for both Octagon Club and the class of 2012.

“The idea was that if we decorate trash cans we could encourage people to throw their trash away instead of on the ground,” Thelusma said.

Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) member Leah Behar spray-painted a trash can with SADD’s slogan, "Don't let alcohol be your last taste of life.”

"It's important to support our school in going green by helping promote safe environments and showing we prevent destructive decisions not only in drugs but in the environment," Behar said.

The clubs got involved by removing excess light bulbs in the hallways and placing thermometers

throughout the school to assess temperature variance.

Environmental science teacher Sue Green is also passionate about going green.

“Every human being needs to know where water comes from, where energy is produced that they get electricity from, and where their waste goes,” Green said.

As a participant of a Dade County program called Green School Initiative, Green helps the school join efforts to save the school’s energy, water and waste.

“Dade County wants schools to reduce their waste, their electricity and their water and that’s difficult because we are only one small part of that,” Green said.

She stresses the importance of students continuing to stay involved with the school efforts to “Go Green.”

“We all need to know how we impact the planet,” Green said.

Students and faculty alike were baffled by the outcome of the Magnet Program’s performance “Visions” on Dec. 9. With people sitting in chairs, on tables, and covering the floor, it was safe to assume that the Magnet Program did not expect such an amazing turnout.

“I’ve been to many of the magnet performances, but with the emphasis on Christopher Belle, I half expected this place to be packed,” former Krop student Mark Meneses said.

The performance took an especially moving turn when Belle’s own sister played the flute

during her brothers tribute, under the direction of Orchestra Director Bringle Cidel.

Its only once a season that the whole Magnet Program will come together to put together a jaw dropping performance. From the monologues, skits, and intermissions, to the dances, singing, and applause, the Magnet members put together a truly inspiring show to bring in the holiday season.

SAMANTHA MEISTER

-Devin Rosario

In the midst of a tightly budgeted year, an SGA paper drive was held on the week of Dec. 5, allowing students to bring in a ream of paper to gain admittance into the winter sports pep rally.

This drive was set up as an effort to benefit the school, as a creative alternative for those students who continually shell out cash in order to get out of class.

Activities director Michelle Russell praised the success of the drive which resulted in 750-1,000 reams of paper. The objective of the drive was to save funds that would normally go to buying supplies.

Besides entry to the pep rally, students are helping day to day operations of the school.

“Every school hasn’t been given as much money as past years for supplies,” Assistant Principal Pamela Clappier said. “Because of that, we’ve fallen short of things like paper.”

-Sebastian Elejalde

“Visions” attracts large audience

Krop solves own paper problems

Editorial Page 4

THE LIGHTNING STRIKEVisit us online at thelightningstrike.net

Eric EidElstEin News Editor

daniEla GuEnoun Editorial Editor nicKY minsKi dEvin rosario Entertainment Editors

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pablo storch Business Manager Ad Editor

editorial policyThe Lightning Strike is the student newspaper of Dr. Michael M. Krop Senior High School: 1410 Countyline Road, Miami, FL 33179; (305) 652-6808 Ext. 238. Opinions expressed in the editorial section do not reflect the viewpoints or official policies of the school. The Lightning Strike welcomes readers’ opinions on all topics. However, we will NOT print anonymous letters. please keep letters under 150 words and saved to disk if possible. The editors reserve the right to reject, edit and condense letters. all letters should be turned in to room 2-233.

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LETTERS

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staFF Editorial

School’s sanitation relies on us

The Lightning Strike • November-December 2011

Many of us complain that the halls are dirty or that the cafeteria floor always has leftover food, wrappers, and bottles all over it, but what do we do about it? Nothing. Well it’s time we stop complaining and do something about it. Pick up a bottle and put it in the recycling can or pick up a wrapper and throw it in the trash can. I’m sure not many students would like to come home to a dirty house, so why come to a dirty school? We spend almost our whole day here. Encourage your friends to also do the same. Don’t throw paper on the floor when you can go to a trash can or throw wrappers on the ground that will get stuck to branches on a bush. What good will come from that? It’s time we act like civilized people and be responsible for our actions. If we want this school to be clean, we have to help make it that way. Jhanai Frasher

Grade 9

The air conditioning inconvenience in classrooms should be getting on almost everyone’s nerves by now. In some classrooms, it is freezing and in others it is very hot. In one of my classrooms, the air conditioning blows so hard the door will not close. Not only is this annoying, it also affects our education. In the classrooms that are very warm, it is hard for me to concentrate on learning when there is a horrid smell of body odor surrounding me. In the classrooms that are cold, it is a little hard for me to focus on school when all my focus is on trying to stay warm. Needless to say, the air conditioning needs fixing.

Adam Seit Grade 9

Air condition needs fixing

Freedom of speech should not be abused when directed towards others

Every year, freshmen complain about how their “Tools for Success” class is a waste of time, but, rather than a curriculum error, I am more concerned about the lack of sanitation among the student body. Luckily, I have a solution to both issues: Replace the mandatory ninth grade class with a personal hygiene course.

The smells that linger in our hallways are absolutely revolting. It seems that none of the students in this school understand the concept of deodorant or, much more importantly, showers. When I get stuck in the overcrowded math hallway, I am not particularly pleased about being shoved into somebody’s sweaty armpit.

By teaching impressionable ninth graders how to properly apply soap as soon as they enter high school, we can ensure that their future will be full of “success” (since they will not be creating a force field of odor that does not allow anyone within five feet of them), and my nostrils will not have been burned to cinders.

Andrea Plat Grade 11

Hygene class should be offered The lunch lines here are extremely

long. Everyday my friend and I run to the cafeteria for a great spot in line. This slow moving line is caused by the lunch servers who are easily distracted by little things. You start to get pretty angry when you wait ten minutes for your lunch and the server leaves to go talk with the cashier. I’ve had many experiences going into the lunch line, which have showed me that it is not a one time thing. If you’re really lucky you can see one of them leave the line and go to the sitting area. These little things may not seem like a huge issue, but they are. Minutes add up at lunch and most of it is taken by waiting in the line. This is a huge problem that could be easily solved if recognized.

Briana Knowles Grade 9

Lunch lines move too slowly

chris douGnac “rEachinG across thE islE”

Ah, freedom of speech. It’s a beautiful thing and one of the most important rights we have as American citizens. My biggest pet peeve regarding this right, however, has to do with those who make every situation into a soapbox effort to convince others to “see things their way.” What they fail to realize, however, is that they cannot change everybody’s mind no matter how hard they try, or no matter how much freedom they are granted.

I experienced some of this frustration as I ate my lunch the other day. The girl next to me shot me a look of disgust before barking at me “You know that Jell-O you’re eating is made of pig bones.” I contemplated a witty response, visualizing a stinging comeback along the lines of “But it’s not as good as the bacon and egg McMuffin I had for breakfast.” But, I kept my mouth shut. I didn’t care enough to get into an argument with a high-strung animal activist preaching the words of her Vegan bible.

Continuing her harsh and offensive

rampage, she didn’t even notice me slip on my iPod headphones. I didn’t have the heart to tell her I simply didn’t care what she had to say. I might sound heartless and insensitive, but is it so wrong to eat whatever I want without receiving a lecture? I don’t go parading around to vegetarians waving some ham in their faces.

This conversation, or lack thereof, represents society today. While one group shouts and protests, another group tries desperately to ignore them. Similar to feuding political parties, the Vegan and I represented different ends of a spectrum. But, as the meat eater doesn’t want to be criticized for eating Jell-O, a Republican doesn’t want a Democrat whispering in his ear suggesting who he should vote for in an election.

These passionate individuals should keep the audience they’re preaching to in mind, and accept that some leopards can’t change their spots no matter how hard they persist. From now on, when someone voices their beliefs, I’ll try my best to be more tolerant and attentive. I realize that everyone is entitled to their opinion as long as they aren’t shoving it down my throat, especially when I’m trying to enjoy my lunch.

In My OpInIOn

Taylor

Silver

sTaff wriTer

Opinion The Lightning Strike • November-December 2010 Page 5

SGA OPINION

Dear Incoming Class of 2014 Officers,

After a week long campaign, it is over. The class officers of the freshman class have been chosen.

Winning an election is no minuscule task. It not only involves making plenty of campaign posters and flyers, but also spreading your ideas to your peers, many of whom you rarely know. I imagine that you must be filled with a mixture of exhaustion and joy.

However, know that an election is not an end but a beginning. The importance does not lie in your class of 2014 title, but rather what you do with that title. So take the weekend off and recharge your batteries because the success of your class relies on you. Here are a couple of suggestions:

1. Do it for the love, not the resume. If you became an officer for title, you are in the wrong place. Colleges want to know what you did as an officer.

The College Board advises students to “not worry about being president of the club, or captain of the team. The key is doing something significant - center stage or behind the scenes.”

In order to “do something significant,” you must have a passion for Student Government and the improvement of student life because it is this passion that will make your time as an officer fun and productive. So take this as a hobby not a task.

2. Work with your sponsors, don’t have them work for you. The class has been blessed with Michelle Russell as its main sponsor, who is the activities director and has sponsored multiple classes including Classes of 2010 and 2009. The sponsors are there to advise you, not to do your job. If you leave all the work for the sponsor, he or she might quit (as it happened with the Class of 2011) or the class activities will not be as genuine because they are organized by an adult.

3. Communication is the key. Not just among the officers, but to every member of your class. In a good class, the officers are aware of what is happening in their class organization and they then spread the word to the rest of the class members. Nothing looks worse than being an officer and not knowing what is happening in your organization.

I recommend creating a Facebook group for the officers allowing them to discuss issues that affect the class and a separate group that allows officers to communicate to the students and hear their concerns. A class website that has pictures, links documents, and other information can also be helpful. Look at the Class of 2012 website for help and advice.

HEALTH

SGA President advisesincoming 2014 officers

In My OpInIOn

Pablo

Storch

business editor

In My OpInIOn

leigh

Markowitz

staff writer

PARENTING

POLITICS

Students’ stress leads to the cycle of diseasewhen sick right before a test).

It is almost inevitable that students will continue to feel pressure to go to school on those sick days when they need to be home, but in order for them to retain their sanity, here are some helpful hints:

1. Let teachers know about multiple tests in one day. You may be surprised by how understanding some teachers can be.

2. When choosing classes for next year, be realisitic. Don’t load up on too many difficult classes if you are not sure you can handle them.

3. Only focus on a few clubs or other extra curriculars. That way, you can put forth maximum effort into each instead of spreading yourself too thin.

4. Sleep. Your body cannot function as efficiently without it, and you will be less likely to retain information.

Obama deserves more credit than he gets

Parent involvement is necessary for student success

No sickness fits into anyone’s high school schedule.

I speak from experience because, as I write, there is a painful pounding in my head and soreness in my throat, but I can’t think of anything besides the lesson I will miss if I stay home from school.

I am not the only one with such an experience. Students are so pressured by teachers and parents to either take the hardest classes or sign up for too many extra curricular activities that they are defeated by stress and left sick. These students then come to school and infect others. It is a vicious cycle.

Once sick, all students, no

matter what classes they are taking, fall behind if they miss a day in order to heal. So imagine how far behind they will fall if they take a full week off, which, according to pediatrician Dr. Leonard Cremer, is the amount of time one needs to stay home in order to be sure that they will not contaminate anyone else.

Teachers o f t e n argue that students can miss school for illness as long as they get their absence excused and make up the work. However, there is a bit of deception intertwined with the concept of “make up work.”

(1) Make up tests are often more difficult than the initial test;

thus, students feel punished for getting sick. (2) Students have a certain amount of time when they get back to school to bring in make up work, but during t h a t time additional work

continues to be assigned. (3) Although given an opportunity for “make-up work,” students do not always receive make up time (the class time when teachers lecture and the study time lost

President Obama, currently wobbling beneath the heavy burden he has inherited from the Bush administration, has yet to be given his due credit. While I admit I was critical of Obama, I believe he should be recognized for all the good he has done in the last two years.

While campaigning for the presidency, Obama filled his speeches with stirring words like “hope” and “change,” with the true intention of reshaping America to restore its former

glory. Since then, Obama’s popularity has decreased considerably, as evidenced by the Republican majority in the mid-term elections.

The opening sketch of a Saturday Night Live episode depicted Obama addressing the nation, saying “When you look at my record, it’s very clear what I’ve done so far and that is nothing. Nada. Almost one year and nothing to show for it.” As the live studio audience laughed throughout it, I decided to do some research regarding just what Obama has done in the last two years.

He has created tax cuts for up to 3.5 million small businesses to help pay for employee health care coverage. He added

$4.6 billion to the Veteran’s Administration budget to recruit and retain more mental health professionals. I still wasn’t sold. But, as I went down the list and saw just how many projects he has completed, how many reforms he has passed, how much money he has allocated to worthy causes, I began to disagree with the criticisms directed towards his administration. People are quick to assume that Obama has done nothing in the last two years. It’s not like he’s sitting in his oval office twiddling his thumbs or Facebook-chatting Joe Biden.

Many early Obama fans saw him as this sort of magician who could easily eliminate the

deficit and get our troops out of the Middle East with just the snap of his fingers - an unrealistic expectation. He’s simply America’s dartboard: constantly being pinned with his back against the wall. Major proposals he has made to Congress have been denied, and because of this lack of significant “change,” Americans feel Obama isn’t getting anything done. If we can all agree that there’s no “delete key” in politics, why do some people assume that the problems we face as Americans can dissipate in just one half-term? I’ve never held strong political views, but I know to give credit where credit is due. And so should other Americans.

With issues like budget cuts in education and struggles to meet Class Size Amendment, students are the ones suffering. Now more than ever, students need their parents to step up and help make a difference.

However, parent involvement in school affairs is currently at its minimum.

The Michigan Department of Education reports that 86 percent of the general public believes parent support is the most important way to improve schools. Yet the U.S. Department of Education states that parent involvement drops 55 percent by the time children reach 14 and

continues to drop throughout high school. Despite the fact that being a parent is a 24/7 job, it seems that from 7:10am to 2:30 in the afternoon, parent responsibility is relinquished when it comes to their child’s education. This leaves the school to raise their children approximately five days a week for eight hours.

A combination of reasons contributes to why parents allow this disconnection between school and home to take place.

For instance, some parents are intimidated by the higher level curriculum their child is learning and would rather “leave it to the experts.” But this transfers responsibility to teachers who might not be able to cater to each student personally, so parents often have tutors help fill in the gap. What the child really needs are standards.

According to a study done by

Harvard, students with parents who have high expectations perform better in school and are successful in the classroom.

Some parents become involved only when a personal problem arises at the school such as skipping class. However, they risk sending a subliminal message that only when the child performs poorly in school will they take notice. This is a problem because students develop the mindset that if they just do enough to get by, parents won’t realize that their best isn’t being put forth in school.

Parents may also be under the impression that after a certain age students no longer need help in school matters. Yet studies from the Harvard Family Research Project have shown that parents still have a strong influence on their teenagers and make a greater difference than presumed.

Granted, some students are self-motivated enough to strive for success regardless of the extent of parent support but the majority of students still do significantly better in school when parents are involved.

Schools have plenty of soccer parents, overbearing parents, lenient parents and the strict parents, but what students really need is an involved parent.

The best way to do this is to create an effective means of communication between the child, teacher and parent so that they are always aware of what’s going on in their child’s school life.

This way, the next time parents hear about community service and weighted and unweighted GPA’s during parent night senior year, they won’t have to turn to their child and ask, “Did you do that?” Hopefully, they will already know.

In My OpInIOn

ariana

rogerS

feature editor

In My OpInIOn

taylor

Silver

staff writer

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EntertainmentPage 7 The Lightning Strike • November-December 2010

Epitome of Rock

Local bands performed at a not-so-ordinary venue Saturday, Nov. 13.

Chelsea Diaz of Hissy K, a local band, hosted the event. The show, located at ID Tattoo Company in North Miami, included eight performances spread throughout the night.

Tattoo artists’ paintings, which depicted morbid images in neon paint, were displayed on the walls of the small tattoo parlor.

“The paintings were quite scary looking,” Rokas Leskevicius, senior concert goer said. “It gave the show a weird ambiance.”

The show brought young music lovers together in one,

small studio. “I was invited by Chelsea

Diaz. She was organizing the show and asked me to come,” singer Kendra Day said. “We’ve played a couple shows together before, mostly Unplugged Wednesdays at Churchill’s Pub.”

Although the set was small and there was not a consistent crowd, many of the performers still enjoyed the venue.

“It was fun and chill,” Mary Richard, a singer/guitar player, said. “My kind of setting!”

People who did not want to pay $5 to get in stood outside the entrance to the tattoo shop, next to the bullet hole which complimented their logo. Motorcycles lined the street in front of the shop, making the setting out-of-the-norm.

A night for the Artists: In-boxes performs one of their eclectic songs using a violin bow with a guitar, a glockenspiel and a cow bell, among other instruments. The performances took place on Nov. 13 and displayed local bands.

Each band played about three or four songs, and while the next band set up their equipment, the tattoo shop played songs ranging from “My Chick Bad” by Ludacris, to “Light My Fire” by The Doors.

The bands included Humen, Mary Richard, Nick Ladas, Kendra Day, Xela Zaid, In-boxes, Hissy K, Sam Friend, and The Trilobites (featuring Krop’s former co-editor-in-chief, Katie Condon).

“I would definitely play there again,” Day said. “It was a pretty good setup and it allowed me to try playing with a full rock band.”

A night of piercings, tattoos and live, local music might become a monthly event at ID Tattoo Company.

LoCAL shoW

By Alexandra Feuermaneditor-in-chief

By Taylor Silverstaff writer

ALexAndrA feuermAn

For those music lovers who grieve the loss of LimeWire, have no fear – it has been resurrected (for now, at least). LimeWire, which started in 2000, is a popular file-sharing software notorious for its abundance of pirated music. It was ordered to shut down by the federal court after it was issued an injunction regarding copyright infringement.

In Oct., LimeWire users were caught off-guard when a legal notice appeared on the software’s homepage that

described the court-ordered injunction and explained that downloading copyrighted content is illegal. A new version of LimeWire, called LimeWire Pirate Edition, emerged in early Nov.

According to TorrentFreak .com, the s o f t w a r e developers , like “a horde of piratical m o n k e y s , c l i m b e d aboard the abandoned ship,

mended its sails, polished its cannons, and released it free to the community.”

TorrentFreak believes this new-and-improved version will soon be shut down as well.

The software and its founder, Mark

Gordon, have been under i n v e s t i g a t i o n for the last four years and the

damages will be determined in Jan. They are

expected to be about $1 billion.

Limewire Gets The Wire Pulled

A night of tattoos, piercings, and music

Justin BieberDec.18

American Airlines Arena

Usher Dec. 31

American Airlines Arena

Supervillians Dec. 26

The Culture Room

Linkin ParkJan. 20

Bank Atlantic Center

Barry ManilowJan. 28

Bank Atlantic Center

Entertainment The Lightning Strike • November-December 2010Page 8

CONCERT REVIEW

Roger Waters: 67 years old and still rockingFormer Pink Floyd front man celebrates The Wall’s 30th anniversary with a world tour

MOVIE REVIEW

When the previews finished and the lights dimmed, the theater erupted in applause. Hands and wands were raised in the air in collective anticipation, then lowered in hushed reverence. It’s not often that one sees this kind of response to a movie that hasn’t even begun.

The midnight premiere of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 marks the beginning of the end for one of history’s most beloved and lucrative movie franchises. Harry Potter’s redemptive epic filled with magic and fraught with villains returns with its darkest installment yet.

It begins boldly.

“These are dark times, there’s no denying,” announces Minister of Magic Rufus Scrimgeour in intense close-up, admitting the evil Lord Voldemort’s rise to power after his cronies murdered the wise Albus Dumbledore. Voldemort has gathered his minions, called Death Eaters, to hunt down and kill Harry Potter, the only individual with any hope of defeating him.

Harry’s face is plastered on posters labeled “Undesirable #1” after Voldemort seizes the Ministry of Magic, the propaganda reminiscent of other evil empires. With treachery pervading every aspect of their lives, Harry, Ron and Hermione flee to the wilderness to destroy Horcruxes, the source of Voldemort’s immortality.

In their moment of lowest despair, Ron abandons the mission and leaves Harry and Hermione without direction. The stretch of time felt unnecessary, but Ron’s return bolts the plot

forward once again.One Horcrux is destroyed

and three more are left. The trio makes an informative visit to Luna Lovegood’s troubled father, Xenophilius, and a captivating animation reveals what the Deathly Hallows are.

But the friends are betrayed when Xenophilius trades them in the hopes of retrieving his captured daughter. They are imprisoned in Malfoy Manor (and reunited with Luna and an ex-professor) by the bloodthirsty Bellatrix Lestrange, who tortures the Muggle-born Hermione by carving the word “Mudblood” into her flesh. But the innocents are rescued by the faithful house elf Dobby, managing to disappear but at the cost of Dobby’s life.

Dobby’s death and Voldemort’s acquisition of the powerful Elder wand finish the movie with a cliffhanger-esque guarantee for more magical madness this July.

What I believe sets this film apart from the others is how faithful the screenplay is to J.K. Rowling’s novel. Whatever the reason – extra time or extra care – the authenticity of Deathly Hallows makes the plot more understandable to those who haven’t read the series. The absence of the series’ gifted supporting actors in this film was felt, as focus falls on Harry, Ron and Hermione, but David Yates has redeemed himself as a director after Half-Blood Prince’s lapse into mediocre teenage drama.

When that film finished on premiere night, a stranger behind me sighed, “that sucked.” But Deathly Hallows began and ended with anticipatory applause, and the stream of exiting moviegoers excitedly told those wrapped patiently around the theater, “It was unbelievable!”

In My OpInIOn

Carla

Hasson

Copy ediToR

In My OpInIOn

EugEnia

nikitina

GuesT WRiTeR

Former bassist and lyricist of the 1960’s band, Pink Floyd, Roger Waters decided to bless the North American continent by performing one of the band’s most honorable albums, The Wall. His tour throughout the country celebrates the album’s 30th anniversary, and has brought tears of joy to all critics and childhood fans.

Ladies and gentlemen of the juror, I would like to present you with a case that proves pure musical brilliance still subsists within this generation of seemingly dying musical talent. Within the pool of Ke$has and Lady Gagas reemerges an old musical legend that has survived over the last three decades. I present you with the one and only Roger Waters.

The ShowIt is 7:58 pm, Nov. 13, at the

Bank Atlantic Center in Fort Lauderdale and I am surrounded by thousands of eager fans. I search the crowd to see who is present. I see thousands of people around the age of 50 in over-worn tie dye shirts: old fans keen to relive their childhood dream. Surprisingly, it is rather difficult to find any one my age. As I turn to face the stage, a flash of lights explode. Fireworks explode from all sides of the stage and World War II battle music is blasted throughout the massive stadium. Troops appear on a riser with quasi-Nazi flags in hand as

a vintage World War II fighter plane glides across the stadium on a string, diving into the right side of the stage before it bursts into flames. Waters appears on stage in a Hitleresque costume, and so, the show begins.

A conceptual album designed to be listened to from the first song to last, Rogers plays the first song “Thin Ice.” Despite his 67 years of age, he still sounds as young and alive as ever. His back up band played as lively and well as the original members did, making no mistakes and receiving applause from the audience. Behind Waters I can clearly see parts of a gray wall being put together. The band used to build a large wall between themselves and the audience when performing shows in the 70’s and 80’s but had to stop because their act became too costly. Now it became evident as the show went on that a large wall stretching from the right end of the stage to left was going to be built.

The wall was used as a canvas for creatively innovative art and animation synchronized to the music of the show. Everything from paint, to the vines of ominous flowers subdued the massive wall as it became obvious that this was not just a concert, but a musical play filled with art created by the minds of genuine brilliance.

During the renowned song, “Another Brick in the Wall Part 2,” children ran on stage as a conformed puppet the size of a Macy’s Day Parade float appeared from the ceiling. The children began to point and shout the lyrics at the monster, “We don’t need

no education, we don’t need no thought control.”

After several repetitions of the lyrics, the children broke into an interpretive dance on stage, further intoxicating the audience in a sense of awe as their gasps and cheers only grew louder.

As the show continued, the production only got more complex and arrousing.

“My favorite part of the show was when he played the song “Goodbye Blue Sky” because of the prevalent symbolism of the dropping bombs that were displayed on the wall that was being built as the concert progressed,” senior Susana Restrepo said.

War and its undeniable destruction is a predominant theme in the album, along with existential ideas such as isolation, alienation and insanity. All ideas

were conveyed through the acting and production of the show; in one moment, Roger picks up a fake machine-gun and begins to shoot at the audience while the lights accompanied by the sound of the gun create the illusion that some are being shot. Several songs, such as “Nobody’s Home,” allude to the insanity of former band member Syd Barrett, who had to leave the band because of his schizophrenia, which he developed in the late 60’s. To communicate this part of the band’s history, Waters is bangs on the gray wall for escape.

The climax of both the movie and the album, “The Trial,” is the second-to-last song and has Waters singing and recreating voices of various characters of Pinks the Protagonist Trail in the movie which happens to decide his sanity. This, and the last song

to follow, “Outside the Wall” are supposed to be the only songs seen from an observer’s perspective in the movie, the show and the album.

As the song ends, a loud noise is heard and the colossal wall in front of the audience topples over as all the members of the band climb over the fallen bricks to finish the show off with the last song, “Outside of the Wall.”

“Roger Waters modernized The Wall while conveying tragic and disheartening past historical events that have shaped our world thus far in a creative and inspiring way,” Restrepo said. “I’m so glad I had the opportunity to go because this was Roger Waters’s last tour. It’s put my life into perspective and now I’ll make sure that I don’t end up as just another brick in the wall.”

JUST ANOTHER BRICK IN THE WALL: Roger Waters graced the stage at Bank Atlantic Center to perform pink Floyd’s The Wall while simultaneously building an illuminated wall behind him for the massive crowd. pink Floyd originated in 1965.

NICKY MINSKI

NOWHERE IS SAFE: part one of J.K. Rowling’s seventh installment in the Harry potter series is now out in theaters.

SpreadPage 9 The Lightning Strike • November-December 2010

CHINA

Exchange student lives life at Krop

Among the 3200 students at Krop sits one girl with almond –shaped eyes studying for the TOEFL, an English proficiency test. She often has her English/Chinese dictionary in hand as she stumbles through the halls to her classes.

Senior Ma Bowen is a foreign exchange student from Shangdong, a city located in the Jinan Province of China. She arrived at the United States in Aug. and has since been adjusting to life in America.

In China, Ma attended the Attached Senior School of Shangdong Normal University (SDNU), high school that is connected to a university. SDNU has inter-school exchange links with 51 schools in 13 countries. It is one of the first groups of universities approved by the Ministry of Education of China to enroll international students, including those who hold Chinese government’s scholarships.

SDNU’s exchange program has a long and competitive selection process that includes tests and interviews.

“I really had to prove that I wanted to go by demonstrating my academic abilities and English speaking skills,” Ma said.

Ma saw the exchange program as an opportunity for her to grow into a self-sufficient and independent person.

“My parents didn’t want me to be a typical Chinese teenager who depended on her parents for everything until she got married,” Ma said. “Although they both miss me badly, they are really happy and proud that I was able to make it to the US.”

Ma’s host family consists of a single mom, Maria Del Real, and her 7 year old daughter, Sophia Del Real. Maria Del Real became interested in Chinese culture when she studied in China five years ago; she wanted to host a student that could enrich her family culturally.

“I adapted really well into her home,” Ma said. “Maria is extremely nice to me in that she is always trying to help get to know the place around me better. Her Colombian food is also really similar to Chinese food, mostly rice and vegetables.”

Student life at Krop surprised Ma; she was taken aback by the amount of freedom students have. In China, students follow strict rules such as the prohibition of hair no longer than shoulder length, no makeup or jewelry, and no tolerance for displays of affection on school grounds.

Ma used to be flooded with so much schoolwork that she was up every night until one or two A.M. Now, she is able to maintain a healthy sleep cycle because of the shorter school hours compared to China.

School in Shangdong ended around five p.m. during weekdays and three p.m. for Saturday classes.

“We start the day with a half hour of silent reading/studying without a teacher,” Ma said. “Then the teacher arrives at eight a.m. and we start classes. We have six to seven classes per day in the same classroom.”

Ma’s schedule includes AP classes such as AP Physics and AP Calculus AB. Although language barriers hinder Ma’s ability to excel in her classes, she had learned most of the material in China and is still able to do well.

“My favorite class is

actually Spanish,” Ma said. “I really like learning foreign languages, and I hope to become an interpreter/translator in the future.”

Unlike the US, teachers do not have their own rooms in China. Rather, the students stay in one place and the teachers go from room to room. A regular class is made up of around 60 students who take the same classes together throughout high school.

Principal Matthew Welker found the difference between schools in US and China fascinating.

“They have a room full of teenagers in silent reading without an adult for half an hour?” Welker asked Ma. “That’s incredible.”

Ma will attend Krop until June of next year. She is excited about senior graduation, wondering if it will be like the one shown in “typical American teen movies.”

Of course I feel lonely and lost sometimes,” Ma said. “But I don’t regret coming here at all. I’ve learned so much in just four months. I hope to take in as much of this place before I go back home.”

AFRICA

In the middle of the sole ninth grade classroom at the SOS Children’s Village in Tema, Ghana, hangs half of a chalkboard. The other half of the severed board is across the school, in a Kindergarten classroom. Students sit with varying levels of attentiveness. They learn; some toy with their erasers as they think.

I saw all this when, in the summer of 2009, I volunteered at New Life Orphanage in Ghana and taught at a nearby school located at the SOS Children’s Village, sponsored by a relief organization of the same name. Students wore uniforms, composed of khaki pants and pink shirts; some had shoes, some came to class barefoot.

As in the U.S., it takes an average of 20 years for a child to complete his or her entire education in Ghana. The system begins with six years of primary school and four years of middle school. Children start school, in theory, at age six.

This, in practice, is not always the case, perhaps to due to the poverty that characterizes so much of Africa. If anything it is more of an ideal than a reality for a large, if indeterminate segment of Ghana’s population. According to the United Nations, the total literacy rate is 74.8 percent and

the population lives on roughly $709 a year – slightly more than $1 a day.

“We do the best we can with what we have,” a teacher at Ghana’s Rosharon Montessori School said. “We try not to think about the worst of it, but sometimes it’s just right in front of us, like all the children without food. It’s painful.”

Painful. That is the word best used to describe the experiences of many children – and it is the plight of the children that is most poignant. When I was teaching, I became close to a child named Godwin. Named after an 18th century philosopher, he was found in a graveyard. No one knows how old he is and he didn’t start school until came to New Life Orphanage at an estimated eight years old.

According to the Ghana Education Service, this is unfortunately more common than not. There is an initiative, known as the Universal

Primary Education Completion initiative, that is meant to combat this issue. It pledges to ensure that all primary school age children their education by 2015. Enrollment at the primary level, however, is not increasing with the speed and efficiency necessary to complete the initiative by 2015.

As I was leaving Ghana, Godwin leaped into the van I was in, latching onto my leg, crying, “Don’t leave me!” The trouble, of course, is that we do tend to leave Africa’s education alone – and it’s the children who pay the price.

“The education of a child in Africa is just as important as the education of one in the U.S. We have a lot we are up against,” English teacher J. Kitching, who works at Tema’s SOS Hermann-Gmeiner International College, said. “But I believe the students do the best they can, often exceeding expectations. That’s what it’s all about.”

by Stephanie Liuspread editor

INTERNATIONAL TESTING

2010 PISA Results

The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development released the 2009 results of its PISA (Program for International Student Assessment) test, which tested 15-year-old students in 65 countries. China outscored all participating regions in the Math, Science, and Reading sections.

www.nytimes.com

From my perspective: Education in Ghana, Africa

But I believe the students do the best they can... That’s what it’s all about.- J. Kitching

MATH

READING

PISAScore

Shanghai, China 600Singapore 562Hong Kong, China 555Korea 546Taiwan 543Finland 541Liechtenstein 536Switzerland 534Japan 529Canada 527Netherlands 526Macao, China 525New Zealand 519Belgium 515Austrailia 514Germany 514Estonia 512Iceland 507Denmark 503Slovania 501Norway 498France 497Slovakia 497AVERAGE SCORE 497Austria 496Poland 495Sweden 494Czech Republic 493Britain 492Hungary 490Luxembourg 489United States 487Ireland 487

PISAScore

Shanghai, China 556Korea 539Finland 536Hong Kong, China 533Singapore 526Canada 524New Zealand 521Japan 520Australia 515Netherlands 508Belgium 506Norway 503Estonia 501Switzerland 501Poland 500Iceland 500United States 500AVERAGE SCORE 494

In My OpInIOn

AlexAndrA

GArfinkle

MAnAgIng EdItor

The Lightning Strike • November-December 2010 Page 11 The Lightning Strike • December 2010 Page 10

public education

Budget cuts threaten public education

In a state that faces over a $1 billion deficit, budget cuts are inevitable. However, too many cuts are at the expense of the Florida’s education.

Principal Mathew Welker feels education is inadequately funded in Florida because it is not one of the state’s priorities.

“You don’t end up at the bottom of just about every list you could imagine that points to education nationally and say that we believe that education is important,” Welker said.

The $200 million gap in Miami-Dade Public School District budget generates uncertainty over success of the future of public education.

Lack of funding has already compromised education at Krop. Teachers trade extra credit for supplies such as reams of paper, bottles of glue and antibacterial wipes because the school cannot afford them. Krop has also had to rely on grants such as the Jobs Act just to hire sufficient teachers for its students this year. But there is no guarantee the school will retain these same grants next year.

The continued erosion of school budgets may result in a less

educated society and a bleak future for America.

Miami-Dade Superintendent Alberto Carvalho, in an interview with Local Channel 10 News, expressed worries over the funding of Florida’s education.

“A decline in state revenues at the same time tax contributions are defaulting,” Carvalho said. “If they do not find a viable solution for that, education in the state of Florida could be in a reckless position.”

Ailing public schools are not confined to Florida’s borders. The United States’ education system barely holds international standing. Time Magazine reports that in 2006 the U.S ranked 21st in science literacy and 25th in math literacy out of 30 developed countries.

The world’s developed nations are in a race for technological advancement, which can only be achieved through academic innovation. Unless leaders in our states make education of the next generation a priority, America runs the risk of lagging behind in the 21st century.

by Sharon Sabbaghstaff writer

Better teachers for a better education

“Pick material that interests

students and make it relevant to society and life,” English teacher Jessica Fishbein said.

Fishbein has taught for 16 years and attributes

her success to Marianne Kjos or “The Guru,” and Advanced

Placement (AP) coordinator who was rated the 23rd best teacher in the nation by Newsweek magazine. Fishbein was lucky to have been mentored by “the Guru” twice while attending two one-week long, intensive AP seminars.

Despite endless opportunities for teacher training, and yearly innovations to improve education, the United States has fallen from top to “average” according to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development

The current state of the U.S. education systems in the world has made way for programs like Teach for America (TFA).

TFA was created by college student Wendy Kopp in her senior year at Princeton University as her thesis. She believed that classrooms would benefit by hiring new grads from top colleges.

Now, TFA helps promising grads and places them in low-income communities with failing public high schools.

In the 21st century, a degree in education is considered the easiest degree to obtain, and that knowledge

in a particular field benefits student more than four years of study methods of teaching.

TFA helps recent college graduates skip the standard teacher certification process and puts them right into classrooms.

Although the idea behind TFA’s is one way to improve education, , Time magazine has reports that the root of the problem might have to do with the lack of esteem the teaching profession of teaching seems to hold in the United States.

Countries like South Korea and Finland, which have statistically better education systems, regard teachers as someone in the United States would regard a doctor.

One way to help education is to listen to what students have to say.

“An effective teacher is someone who interacts with students to make sure they are comprehending material,” senior Micaela Montero said. “As well as someone who is committed to helping students and is flexible and open minded with his/her teaching strategies so that those students who are willing to learn will do well.”

What makes an effective teacher is a subjective topic, but it is one being examined from the White House to the governor’s office in Tallahassee.

Perhaps the problem could be solved if they would listen to experienced teachers like Fishbein, who insists on making her material relevant to her students. Or to Principal Matthew Welker, whose mantra is the three R’s. Relevance, rigor, and relationships.

Newly elected Governor Rick Scott has announced plans to introduce a revamped version of the unpopular Senate Bill Six (SB6). Last year, opposition to the bill caused students to participate in a school-wide “walk out.”

The bill required students to pass end-of-course exams in order to receive credit for a class. It would have also implemented a merit-based-pay policy in which teachers’ salary would no longer be tied to their experience or advanced degrees, but be dependent on their students’ passing rates.

Teachers and their unions who united against this bill received a reprieve through Governor Charlie Crist’s veto of the bill.

However, if Crist had been less worried with appeasing teacher unions and more concerned with improving the quality of students’ education, he may have rethought the veto.

According to the documentary Waiting For Superman, only 15-30% of 8th grade students across

the country are proficient in reading and math. By vetoing SB6, Christ vetoed our state’s opportunity to raise that percentage.

Social studies teacher Tom James was thankful for the veto, but worries that since Republicans now have the majority in the House of a Representatives, the passing of a similar bill is inevitable.

James said SB6 turned teachers into the scapegoats for the nations inept education system, and unjustly removed the blame from parents and students.

“I could be the best teacher since sliced bread, but if students don’t want to learn and sleep through my class, nothing can be done,” James said.

For James, trying to send everyone to college “is like trying to fit a square peg into a circle.” It can’t be done.

The problem with public education is that a student who learns nothing can still receive high marks throughout a class. This is either due to the fact that the student has mastered the art of cheating, or more

likely, the teacher has not followed a sufficiently rigorous curriculum.

Students with “easy” teachers earn “easy” As, while students with teachers more concerned for their students’ education, need to study in order to earn that same A.

The merit-based-pay policy and end-of-course exams advocated by SB6 would have eliminated such corruption.

End-of-course exams would weed out ineffective teachers and a merit-based-pay policy would pressure them to follow a more rigorous curriculum. Students will be forced to either pay attention and learn the material in a course, or fail it.

If the students who participated in the “walk out” last year were interested in improving their education rather than just skipping class, they may have stayed in their seats. For now, I cross my fingers and hope Scott keeps good on his vow to boost education achievement by passing a bill similar to SB6.

by Sharon Sabbaghstaff writer

The return of Senate Bill 6

shaken in its roots

Americans are devoted to amusement. My students ask me to make class “more fun.”

Have you ever thought about the etymology of the word “amuse?”

“A” = “not”“muse” = thinkHow many remember the national beer

campaign “why ask why?”Now ask yourself “What do Iran,

Iraq, Egypt, Greece, Portugal, Spain, France, Great Britain, and the US have in common?”

They were all super-powers that at one time or another ruled the world.

By many indications, the US baton of super-power is being passed.

A few weeks ago we learned that China has the world’s fastest computers.

Then we learned they have achieved 300+ mph commuter trains.

Then we learned they are keeping US skyscraper construction companies in

business with their repeated contracts to build the world’s tallest buildings, replacing the US as the country with the largest percentage of the world’s skyscrapers.

On Pearl Harbor Day, I reminded my students that “freedom isn’t free.”

It would be impossible to field a winning soccer, football, track, or wrestling team by allowing our students to prepare athletically with how we let them prepare academically.

Yet, we allow them hours of TV, Facebook, cell phones, iPods, and Xbox each day (national average is eight hours per day for students 8-18 years old).

And they wonder why they can’t pass our material or do our homework.

And slowly, we curve their grades higher and higher to compensate to avoid the ugly prospect and inconvenience of dealing with their parents and our bosses over their performance.

Ask a coach what it takes during the season and out of season to make a winning athlete.

Ask a nutritionist, a doctor, a dentist, what it takes to make a healthy body in the office and at home.

And ask yourself, an educator, why we allow anything less for our children academically.

What makes a good teacher? #1 Student Response:

“A fun teacher.”by Shawn E. Beightolguest writer

by Eric Eidelsteinnews editor

2010 Student Climate Survey Results

I feel that the E2020 classes and Florida Virtual School are good replacements for actual classes and that students in these classes are getting sufficient structure and encouragement.

Strongly Agree Strongly Disgree

56%

11%18%

6%5%

The 2010 Student Climate Survey asked questions pertaining to students’ views on classes, counselors, and the school overall. It reflects the state of education at Krop.

This year overall has been more stressful than previous years in school.

53%

9%7%

10%18%

Strongly Agree Strongly Disgree

I feel MKHS is preparing me for life after graduation.

22% 21%25%

16%11%

Strongly Agree Strongly DisgreeContributed by: Alice Neira and Christian Dougnac

The very bill that caused student walk outs, teacher strikes,and hours of news coverage, is back for round 2 in Dade county