OMIGOD, OMIGOD YOU GUYS!EMHS Legally Blonde is a Broadway-Style Success

By Christopher Alexander Shining with radiance from start to finish, Legally Blonde shows us that you don’t have to be the smartest to do anything you want, but just have total confidence in yourself. With upbeat choreography, energetic vocals, and prominent acting, Legally Blonde proved to be a hilarious, aspiring, and vivacious performance. Legally Blonde left us wanting to dye our hair blonde and go to law school to defend our favorite fitness queen with singing and dancing! Based on the novel, major motion picture, and musical of the same name, Legally Blonde: The Musical outshone its predecessors with its extravagant composition. It not only tackled the overall message of the story, but it certainly had that girl-lish touch of pink to it also. Ekele Ukegbu, who played the star-studded Elle Woods, certainly didn’t hold back when it came to delivering the show. Her extraordinary vocal skills, followed by her energetic choreographic display, had the audience in awe. Ekele had to play the role of a girl who didn’t know where she was headed, but knew well that she wasn’t a fool. The performance that Ekele displayed on stage, matched with her unique spirit, would’ve certainly made Reese Witherspoon (Legally Blonde movie) and Laura Bell Bundy (Legally Blonde: The Musical) proud. As the curtain opens, we are introduced to Elle’s sorority, the Delta Nu’s. The group is led by Margot (played by Maliya Rodriguez), Serena (played by Lisa Fabien), and Pilar (played by Nia Hurt). The overjoyed girls are celebrating the engagement of Warner Huntington III, played by Jayden Ifill, to their sorority president, Elle Woods. Elle is getting ready for her dinner date with Warner, while the girls chant, “Omigod, Omigod you guys! Looks like Elle is gonna win the prize!” When Elle finds the right dress, she heads to her dinner date, where Warner immediately dumps her. He says he is looking for someone more serious. Elle is devastated and heartbroken. She then decides to follow in Warner’s footsteps and go to Harvard Law School to prove that she could also be serious. Elle gets her parents, played by Joshua Greene

and Aaliyah Toussaint, to help her with tuition, if she gets into Harvard. With help from one of her sorority sisters Kate, played by Jamilah Musa, she studies for her LSAT. Instead of writing an admissions essay, she goes to the Harvard Admissions Office with cheerleaders and performs “What You Want,” which was an utter joy to watch. Elle is accepted to Harvard Law, with love being her motivation. Aaron Schultz (played by Shawn Springer), Sundeep Padamadan (played by Kovanish Ramotar), Enid Hoopes (played by Serena Baker), and Emmett Forrest (played by Fabrice Tondreau) make their introductions as a happy, go-skippy Elle enters. Emmett is the only one that wants to help Elle, but is unable to protect her from her class. As Elle makes her introduction, we are introduced to Professor Callahan (played by Jeremiah Omeike). He makes his introduction with a very intimidating performance of “Blood In The Water.” Callahan announces that he will be picking four interns to help in a real courtroom case. Since Elle is unprepared, she is kicked out of class by the command of her classmate, Vivienne Kensington (played by Vianca Melendez). The Delta Nu’s, who act as a Greek Chorus (meaning that they are only visible and audible to Elle), tell Elle to stay positive. Elle feels that being blonde is a problem and decides that she wants to go brunette. Elle then goes to the Hair Affair where we are introduced to Paulette (played by Ayesha Charles). Paulette tells Elle that being blonde is not a problem and that when she is stressed, she puts on her favorite CD and dreams of Ireland. She also tells Elle that her evil boyfriend has her beloved dog. Vivienne is also at the salon and gives Elle an invitation to a costume party. As Elle exits, she still has her blonde hair, as well as her positivity. Elle is dressed as a bunny rabbit for the party, while everyone else is dressed in suits and dresses. Although she is the joke of the party, she looks for Warner, where she is turned down once again. Angry and sad, she leaves the party only to meet Emmett. She tries to tell him her love problems, but he doesn’t understand. He agrees to help her, but her obsession with Warner keeps getting in her way. He then tells her that she needs a chip on her shoulder.

Elle is now freed from her obsession with Warner and defeats him in a class debate. Elle then helps Paulette to get her dog back from her troubled boyfriend, where she is successful and shows that she is beginning to understand the study of law. When Callahan picks his four interns, Warner and Vivienne fulfill two of the positions. Warner then proposes to Vivienne who gladly accepts. Before Elle can become heart broken, Emmett shows her the list and she sees her name. She becomes overjoyed and ecstatic with a performance of “So Much Better.” Brooke Wyndham is the person that Callahan and his interns will be defending. Brooke, played by Tariere Tebepah, is accused of shooting her much older, billionaire husband. Elle, Vivienne, Warner, Enid, Emmett, and Callahan view one of her workout videos where she is performing “Whipped Into Shape.” As they watch, Callahan continues to pause and accuse her of the crime. They then go to the jail where she is being held, where she is leading the inmates into a frenzy. When they ask her for her alibi, she refuses to tell them. As everyone exits, Elle stays back. Brooke then realizes that

Elle is a Delta Nu and tells Elle that she was getting liposuction on the day her husband was murdered. When asked for Brooke’s alibi, Elle refuses to tell. This makes the group shun her and Emmett. Elle then takes Emmett to a department store where she gives him a makeover. While getting a manicure at the Hair Affair, Paulette eyes down the UPS guy, Kyle (played by Deyonté Bass-Patterson). Paulette is in complete awe, but is way too shy to go up to him and talk. Elle then introduces Paulette to an old trick her mother taught her, the bend-and-snap! Paulette, and eventually the entire salon, tries while performing “Bend And Snap.” Paulette then tries it on Kyle, but accidentally breaks his nose. Back in the court, the DA Joyce Riley, played by Douye Tebepah, is questioning Brooke’s pool boy, Nikos, played by David Rueda, who claims he and Brooke had an affair. While he was outside of the courtroom, Elle performs the bend-and-snap in front of him and gets no reaction; she is then convinced that he is gay. Emmett comes up with

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Vol. 2 Issue 4 March/April 2017

The Elmont Phoenix

Principal’s CornerDear Students,

There are few things more important in this world than hard work. No matter the circumstances, if you are determined to succeed and set out to do whatever is needed in order to accomplish your goals, then there will be little that will be able to stop you. In any endeavor, there will undoubtedly be challenges placed in your way. However, because you have set out with a great sense of resolve, you will find creative ways to solve possible problems and conquer the challenges laid before you. This is true for both academic and personal endeavors.

As we enter the final stretch of the 2016-17 school year, it is imperative that we put our heads down and grind out the final 8 weeks of the school year. It is an unwavering commitment to success and excellence that will propel you to great success within the remainder of the year. There are assessments to prepare for, graduation to get ready for, and grades that can always improve. The weather will be getting warmer and the days will be getting longer, however, it is more important now than ever to get to school and class on-time, participate in class, and complete all classwork and homework that is assigned. Only through hard work and determination will you reach all of your academic goals and set yourself up for even greater success in the future. Sincerely, Mr. Dougherty

EDITORIALSMY VISION OF A TEACHER:

A Teacher Through the Eyes of a Student

By Momna Choudhry “Guys, homework tonight is pages 6-10, numbers 1-25!” the teacher says out loud. All of the kids groan. As the bell rings, all the kids walk outside - each saying how they hate the teacher, wondering why she has to be “so hard” on them. “A teacher affects eternity, and can never tell where the influence stops.” - Henry Adams From pre-k until now, I have had so many teachers. But, funny enough, I haven’t forgotten one name. Not one. Why? Each teacher

gives me something to remember. You know, that one who gave you so much work. The one who you said you’d never miss. Or the one who was cool - who talked to you like he or she was your best friend. Or the one who would scream all the time. So many different teachers. Teachers come in all shapes and sizes. But, one thing’s for sure. They all have the same goal: to help us get a good education and shape us into who we will be tomorrow. “It’s a shame, because teachers have the most important job on the planet, yet they’re underpaid? Let’s be honest? Teachers should earn just as much as doctors… because a doctor can do heart surgery, and save the life of a kid. But, a true teacher can reach the heart of the

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Elmont PhoenixELMONT MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL

Principal....................... Mr. Dougherty Assistant Principal....... Mr. Burke Assistant Principal....... Ms. Calabrese Assistant Principal....... Ms. Sotirhos

Phoenix Staff Faculty Adviser: Ms. Martinez

Senior Editors: Sophie Bien-Aimé, Erika Fuertado, Julie Nwaogbe

Junior Editors: Rex Asabor, Kimberly Flobil, Ife Tugbobo

Photographer: Josiah Turner

Reporting StaffChristopher Alexander, Michael Bailey, Bernadine Baptiste, Mikelley Baptiste, Fatima Bhutta, Saarah Braithwaite, Laila Choudhry, Momna Choudhry, Emmanuel Donaldson, Buchi Emeagwali, Imani Favard, Malaika Foster, Karyse Gocoul, Reginald Joseph, Rodney Legrand, Arianna Lekhraj, Wesaun Palmer, Marvia Pressoir, Shaji Rahman,

Melody Randolph, Marco Robinson, Susanna Sanicharra, Tanecia Sears, Venette Simon, Munahil Sultana, Fabrice Tondreau, Ekele Ukegbu, Tochi

Ukegbu, Liliann Ulysse, Gabrielle White

kid.” - Prince Ea Teachers work all day and night. They teach you for 8-9 hours. Then, they go home and grade your papers until three in the morning. Of course, they are probably watching This Is Us or America’s Got Talent, and snacking on chips at the same time, but they are working hard. Then at 4AM, they get the lesson plan ready for tomorrow. Finally, by 5AM they are done. They sleep for an hour and then are up at 6AM. Yeah… I know, it might be a little exaggerated, however, teachers don’t just enjoy coffee - they need it... But, that’s not where the story ends. Teachers may be at the mall with their friends or significant others and are about to go into Brook’s Brothers or Dicks Sporting Goods when they catch sight of a classroom supply store and find cute things for their classroom. They’ll look down at the money they brought and sigh - buying stickers and bulletin board borders and colored paper. They’ll sacrifice their personal time and money for the class and classroom, for their job. They will sacrifice time with their friends and family... for their job. That’s not even close to all that they do. But, if I were to state it all, I could go on forever. “A good education can change anyone; a good teacher can change everything.” - Unknown Within all of my years in education, till this day, I have never seen a teacher ever suck their teeth when I ask a question. Or, when I don’t understand. They will explain again and again, until I understand. They have never rolled their eyes or gotten annoyed. They have always been open to helping me. Whenever a teacher would scold me for having bad handwriting or pester me to correct my uppercases or to stop doing this or that, I would get annoyed or angry. I would say: “It’s none of your business.” And it really isn’t. But, still, teachers will pester. Why? Because they care. I now realize that they want the best for me; they want me to not have those problems in the future. They care. In 3rd grade, my teacher would say to my mom, “Momna needs to practice her handwriting skills,” and then hand my mom packets of handwriting books. She would say, “Momna is a really good student. But, she is chatty. She needs to learn when to talk and when not to talk.” This would get me mad and annoyed. I remember telling my sister, “I will never miss [that teacher]. She is so mean.” And till this day, I remember her and miss her. She cared about me, I now realize. She didn’t have to care. She didn’t get anything from it. But, she did it because she is a teacher. And although we may deny it, they care. “Not all superheroes wear capes…” -Unknown According to the dictionary, the definition of teacher is to “impart knowledge to or instruct (someone) as to how to do something.” But, I think the dictionary is inaccurate; it leaves so much out.To me, from the eyes from a student, a teacher is so much more. A teacher is a superhero. Someone who saves you when you’re falling and believes in you when you don’t believe in yourself. No words I have will be able to do justice to how awesome and amazing teachers are.

DOES WEALTH TRANSLATE TO HAPPINESS?

By Fatima Bhutta Money can buy you anything you want, from the smallest of things to the most extensive. Having money can buy you happiness, but can it actually make you happier? I guess you can say money does make you

happy to an extent, but you solely can’t rely on money to make you happy. There is so much more to happiness than just money. We wake up everyday and go to a job we may or may not like just so we can earn money. We work to earn an income because there are things we want to do - in our lives, to support our families, to have experiences. The more you work, the more money you make, but how much can you work until you will be completely satisfied? Materialistic things cannot bring happiness.You can’t completely depend on your wealth to bring you happiness and joy. Having the proper attitude to strive for what is real and true is what’s most important. Yes, you do need money to buy food and clothes and buy a house and cars, but how much of these things do you actually need to make you happy? Things like friendships, real relationships, helping others and giving back will bring another kind of happiness to your life. What you chose to do with your wealth and how you use it is important also. You can spend money on temporary things, but that won’t make you feel any better. If you chose to spend your money on making others’ lives better, and sharing your wealth and caring for people it will make you happy. Money itself cannot really buy happiness. But, you can buy things that bring happiness. Money can help you afford expensive things like medical bills to keep loved ones alive, or a diamond ring for your wife, a fancy car for your son. These things are all very nice, but to a limit. If you constantly buy your wife diamonds rings I’m sure the novelty will wear off. Some might say that not having to worry about a cash shortage is an advantage, which it is. But, that doesn’t mean that even if you don’t have any money that you can’t live a happy simple life. Living without money will help you value the simple things in life. Money itself cannot buy you true love and people can still be happy even if they are economically disadvantaged. Money is one of the things that can contribute to the process of being happy, although it is not absolutely required. Money is just not just used to buy materialistic items or possessions.You can do a lot of good things with your money, and it is up to you and how you chose to use it. You can help the poor, you can take your loved one or family on wonderful vacations, or you can help save people from dying by donating money; you can even give to charities often too. With all the money you’re giving, you’re making others happy, as well as feeling better about yourself. You don’t have to just give to charity, you can also give money to shelters and food drives. You can also travel around the world to experience life and help others in less fortunate countries as well. To obtain happiness is to obtain one’s desire. Money can technically buy happiness, but that happiness will only be temporary. Everything costs money; if you think about it, you always have to pay for something - even laying at home in bed watching TV. Nothing is free. So, having money allows you to live a more comfortable lifestyle. Don’t let money control your life. If you want to feel rich just count the things you have that money cannot buy. Happiness is a feeling, and a feeling cannot be bought only truly felt. The wealthy spend too much time trying to get wealthier. With so much wealth, simple things lose their pleasure. Money doesn’t make you happy, the things it will buy you make you happy. Money can give you happiness, but only to a certain point. After that, only you can give yourself happiness.

Continued from Page 1...a way for him to admit that he is gay. He questions Nikos and makes him admit his boyfriend’s name. He claims that is his best friend’s name, but his boyfriend Carlos (played by Marven Burles) claims that he is homosexual. While this is all going down, everyone is performing the hilarious song “Gay or European?” At the end of the song, Nikos admits that he is gay. Callahan, Enid, Warner, Emmett, and Vivien are all celebrating Elle’s success with glasses of champagne. Callahan then dismisses everyone except for Elle. He then force kisses her and she immediately slaps him. He then fires her from the trial, as Vivien and Warner witness. Warner then comes in the room and mocks her, but Vivien tells him to shut up and they both leave. Distraught, Elle is ready to leave even though Emmett doesn’t want her to. Emmett finally realizes that he loves Elle, but she wants to go. This goes on while they sang the heart breaking song “Legally Blonde.” At the Hair Affair, Elle is saying her last good-byes to Paulette, but before she leaves Vivienne and Enid convince her to stay. Elle ditches her blue suit, for a beautiful pink dress and leads everyone back to the courtroom. Back in the courtroom, Brooke fires Callahan and hires Elle, with the supervision of Emmett. Brooke’s step-daughter, Chutney (played by

Jamilah Musa), claims that she got out of the shower to see Brooke covered in her father’s blood. She then states that she got a perm that day. Elle then commands that the whole court go back to the scene of the crime. Elle then demonstrates with Enid, who has just gotten a perm; she tells Enid to go into the shower, and Enid walks out of the shower with completely flattened hair. Chutney accidentally killed her father because she thought he was Brooke. The judge, played by Myrna Jean Michel, charges Chutney and she is taken out. Everyone is shocked, even Elle. After the trial, Warner proposes to Elle, which sent the audience into a frenzy. He was dumped by Vivienne. Elle refuses because she was changed by her experiences, while they perform “Find My Way.” Three years later, Elle is valedictorian of her class and is about to make a speech. Paulette sings “Where Are They Now” and says that Vivienne is training for the Peace Corps, Enid is practicing family law, and Warner dropped out of college and pursued modeling. Callahan ran for governor and was defeated and his wife hired Emmett to handle the divorce. Paulette married Kyle and has two kids, with another one on the way. She bought a new salon and lives in Worcester, Massachusetts. In the end, Elle proposes to Emmett and the curtain closes. What a performance! This musical

clearly expressed that you can be anything you want to be, with the right intentions. It was nice to see that a male dominated profession was taken on by a single woman, who showed everyone how valuable she could be. Another round of applause for Ekele Ukegbu; congratulations on your stellar performance! Legally Blonde was a very enjoyable musical to watch, especially the talented dancers and singers paired with the very notable acting and hilarious lines. The amazing ensemble never missed a beat of the wonderful music played, which left everyone wanting to hear more. Conducted by our very own Mr. Persenti, who also played the piano, each song was filled with energy and never failed to impress. Congratulations to Ms. Hudley-Simmons on her first Senior High Musical. Congratulations to Mr. Persenti and Ms. Lynch on directing the show. Mr. Presenti gave quite the praise for the cast of Legally Blonde: “I was absolutely astounded by my students and they made me so ridiculously proud. The level of this musical was very high, the music was very challenging, and the choreography was very difficult but they blew it out of the water. I’m incredibly proud and I’m very happy for them. I hope they remember this experience for the rest of their lives and they go on to create more beautiful art.” When asked about the involvement of the companies

Avalon Sound and Sew Theatricals, Mr. Pesenti added: “Avalon Sound, which we have been using for years, handle the lighting and the microphones. They are extremely professional and they know the business. Sew Theatricals handled the costumes and I have seen their work with other schools. They have done shows for Sewanhaka. I was very pleased with the costumes, the wigs came out fantastic. I thought everyone looked beautiful and it was visually entertaining.” Special thanks goes out to Mr. Miele for building the world of Legally Blonde, as well as Keana Gilles and Maxline Delorme for being student directors, Munahil Sultana for being the student producer, and Tariere Tebepah and Marvia Pressoir for being dance captains and student choreographers. Special thanks to Ms. Johnson for producing, Mr.Ferraro for backstage work, and Ms. Lynch for choreography. It was very exhilarating to see our own peers performing on the Elmont stage. Great job to everyone who performed on that stage; you guys brought a Broadway quality show. Thank you for your endless hours and effort in practices to entertain us. Thank you to the whole music department for bringing Legally Blonde to life - you gave us all a night to remember. It taught us that you can’t use a half loop stitch on China silk; it’ll pucker.

BEHIND THE SCENES: Legally Blonde, The Musical3

By Jeremiah Omeike Now that our we’re all in a “Positive” mood and feeling “So Much Better” due to Elmont Memorial High School’s production of Legally Blonde: The Musical, it’s time to tell you what really goes into an Elmont musical. Well first of all, hours, and a lot of them. We spent about two hours and thirty minutes everyday in the first month of practice, about three hours in the second month of practice, and as we approached the home stretch we got real “Serious” and started spending anywhere from three and a half to five hours practicing for the opening night. This time commitment, on top of school work and homework, makes it hard to find time to dedicate to anything else. Now, what do we do during these three hours you ask? Well, we sing and then dance and then sing some more, and more, and more. Now, this might be obvious, since it’s you know, a musical, but one of the most challenging parts of these musicals is the singing. The vocal endurance required for these musicals, moreso for one such as Legally Blonde, rivals those of professional Broadway singers, especially for characters such as Elle, played by Ekele Ukegbu. Ekele stated: “I really enjoyed being on stage, it allowed me to feel free. I had a lot of fun. All the nonstop singing was tiring at first, but it improved my voice and it was a great experience overall.” Lisa Fabien, a newbie to the renown Elmont musical stage, who played Serena in this year’s

show, stated: “Legally Blonde was my first musical, so getting used to singing so much was really challenging, but I’ve learned that singing with the others (Pilar, Margot no.1 and Margot no. 2) was super fun and the end result of such beautiful music is worth it.” Another major component of any musical is the dancing, and Legally Blonde was surely no exception. Through the help of our wonderful choreographer, Mrs. Lynch, who has helped choreograph In the Heights, The Wiz, and now Legally Blonde, we were able to get numerous compliments just on our dancing alone, from many former alumni - and even people with Broadway experience, such as Mrs. Cleveland, who played in the musical Dreamgirls on Broadway. Tari Tebepah is no stranger to Elmont’s Music Department and she stated: “I loved the dancing the most in Legally Blonde. Because the music was so modern, we were able to have a really nice contemporary feel, and we also put our real personalities in the dance moves. Choreographing by Mrs. Lynch was a real blast, and adding my own choreography as a senior was really fun!” Now, two things make all of this worth it: the first being the environment - being surrounded by people such as Mr. Pesenti. Commenting on the work that was put into the show, Mr. Pesenti said: “When you direct a musical, the process really does consume your entire life. Beyond the daily 3 hour rehearsals (including Saturday

mornings), I dedicated countless hours to working on fundraising, ordering props and costumes, coordinating the construction of the set materials, practicing the piano part for the show, and organizing the pit musicians. There was an incredible amount of work to be done, and this show would not have been a success without the help of my fantastic team: Ms. Hardison (stage directing), Ms. Johnson (producing), Mr. Miele (set design), and Mr. Ferraro (sound and lights). The commitment required of students and teachers alike was immense, however, it was truly a labor of love. Legally Blonde: The Musical was an undeniable success, and I am so proud of every single student that was involved in this production. I’m happy to have my afternoons and weekends back, but I honestly can’t wait to start next year’s show and see what my cast is capable of producing next.” People such as Mr. Pesenti reignite the passion to keep moving forward, to keep coming back to these musicals, even on top of all of the classwork and homework left to be done when we get home. Fabrice Tondreau, who played Emmett in the show, is an AP student who stated: “This musical’s environment in particular was really special. Everyone could recite scenes word for word all

while having the hugest smile on their face. It was in fact these same smiles that gave me the motivation to sleep at 11PM every night and still be able to wake up and enjoy going to school and see their faces again at practice!” Elmont musicals are fantastic to be in, and everyone who has been in one (including myself) will tell you personally that the time and effort you put into these musicals is beyond worth it when you see the smiles and hear the laughter of everyone in the audience. I, along with the cast of Legally Blonde, thank you for supporting us if you came out to see the musical; it means more than you can imagine when the curtains close and all we hear is applause.

Sewanhaka Intra-District MUN Conference - SIDMUN XXIV

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By Munahil Sultana Traditionally, April 1st has been a day replenished with mischief and practical jokes - the most amusing day of the year. However, for over 34 Elmont Model United Nations (MUN) delegates, the day began at the wee hours of dawn as they dressed in Western Business Attire. Arriving at H. Frank Carey High School by 7 AM, these delegates prepared themselves for a day filled with countries’ policies, national sovereignty, intense debate, and - best of all - public speaking. The Sewanhaka Intra-District Model United Nations Conference (SIDMUN) held its 24th annual conference in honor of Lee Marcus - a former Elmont Memorial High School teacher and administrator who introduced the district to Model United Nations in 1978. The organization has been thriving since its establishment, as evident in the recent Outstanding Delegation award given to Elmont at the North American Invitational Model United Nations Conference (NAIMUN) earlier this year. At the 24th SIDMUN, students from the entire district replicated a simulation of the United Nations where they debated issues such as the Syrian Civil War, Gender Equality, Rights to Arm and Defend, as well as the Response to Global Pandemics. Since early January, Elmont MUN participants have been attending daily meetings from

6:55AM to 7:55AM; during these convocations, delegates were permitted the opportunity to develop their country’s policy on several issues, and develop their public speaking skills. These delegates were trained to formulate comprehensive solutions to a plethora of global turmoils that impacted the international community. By conducting extensive research, delegates developed their country policy to efficiently and accurately debate the topic at hand while remaining well-informed on the issue. For several Elmont delegates, SIDMUN XXIV was their first Model United Nations experience. Seasoned club members were ecstatic about returning to the conference that shaped their experiences for years to come. Nneka Emeagwali, a freshman at Elmont Memorial, was elated about the event: “SIDMUN was a wonderful learning experience for all training class delegates. It allowed

all of the high schools within the district to combine their efforts and collaborate while solving world issues. We were extremely delighted by the recognition that Elmont received due to [our] hard work as we received a plethora of awards.” Head Delegates Marvin Pierre and Julie Nwaogbe led the team to success as the team won the title of “Best Delegate” in four out of five committees. The delegates were eligible to receive an award based on four distinguishing characteristics: leadership, distinctive speaking, diplomacy, and caucusing. Congratulations are in order to Munahil Sultana, representing in Security Council, Tosin Fadugba and Isabel Duplessy representing in the Social, Cultural, and Humanitarian Committee, Nneka Emeagwali and Hannah Meikle representing the People’s Republic of China in the Disarmament and International Security Committee, as well as Tore Adebiyi and Buchi Emeagwali representing the nation of Ethiopia

in the World Health Organization. The team would also like to express their gratitude to SIDMUN Chairs Marvin Pierre, Julie Nwaogbe, Genneil Martin, Joshua Phillip and Justin Hendricks, for their persistent training and memorable impact on the organization. Elmont Model United Nations has been prosperous since the establishment of the program in 1978; the legacy has been kept exuberant due to the valiant and unforgettable efforts of not only the delegates, but the advisors as well. The entire MUN team shares a distinct note of gratitude to Ms. Nkenge Gilliam, who has trained each and every member of the club, allowing them to flourish in their endeavors. In a similar manner, Co-Presidents Marvin Pierre and Julie Nwaogbe have had a monumental impact on the entirety of the organization, leading the team to triumph on multiple occasions.

ELMONT MUN RETURNS WITH SUCCESSNorth American Invitational MUN Conference - NAIMUN LIV

By Munahil Sultana From February 15-19, 2017, twelve Elmont MUN delegates embarked on a journey to Washington D.C where they competed in the North American Invitational Model United Nations Conference (NAIMUN) hosted by Georgetown University. Gathered in the Washington Hilton, these delegates competed in six different committee rooms for various awards and ultimately won the Outstanding Delegation award at the second-largest conference in North America. Co-President Marvin Pierre experienced the true success of the club over the past couple of years: “This conference was definitely monumental for our organization. Our hard work and dedication had manifested into a huge win for the team. I can already see that it has instilled much ambition and determination in our newest members. [I], along with all of the graduating club members, hope to continue to see greatness and distinction to uphold the future of the legacy.” Congratulations are in order to Marvin Pierre and Munahil Sultana for winning Best Delegate in the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (SPECPOL), to Julie Nwaogbe and Fisola Aruleba for winning Outstanding Delegate in the Legal Committee, to Venette Simon and

Bianca Coley for attaining Honorable Mention in the UN Habitat Committee, and to Justin Hendricks and Matthew Bediako for receiving Honorable Mention in the Disarmament and International Security Committee (DISEC). We would also like to congratulate Nneka Emeagwali and Isabel Duplessy on their Verbal Commendation award in the Paris 2015 Climate Change Committee, along with Tosin Fadugba and Genneil Martin for their valiant efforts in the Social Cultural and Humanitarian Committee.

Congratulations are also in order to the entire NAIMUN team, including Ms. Gilliam, for winning Outstanding Small Delegation. Co-President Julie Nwaogbe was ecstatic about NAIMUN and the accomplishments made: “NAIMUN was an amazing conference and a more than stellar way to end the away conference season. It was a great experience for all veteran delegates, as we attended the North America’s largest conference. The various cultures that we were exposed to were unparalleled to any other conference previously attended. Although NAIMUN was difficult due to the immensely large committee sizes and robust debate topics, the Elmont MUN team did not hesitate to get down to business and represent our community well. We came home with the prestigious Outstanding Small Delegation award and I assure you, this

will not be the last one we receive. Until next school year, 1978!” While Elmont is incredibly pleased with the outstanding efforts of the entire team, we are extremely heartbroken to bid goodbye to the senior class of Elmont MUN. Thank you all so much for all of your tremendous contributions to the organization and we wish you all success on your future endeavors!

POETRY PAIRING: WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTHA Woman’s Strength

By Imani Favard

Some women are timidOthers are boldEither way we have strength in their backbones.

Some women are long and leanOthers are short and curvy.Either way we are beautiful in every shape and size.

Some view women as “nasty” and repugnant.Others view us as Nefertiti in beauty and power.Either way we are glorious and strong in our own eyes.

The earth rests on the hip of a womanThere its problems travel to her heart They evoke emotions in her heart.They evoke changeChange that she makes for the better.Never does a problem escape the site of her heartFor that is where the peace and happiness is.

Her strength lies in no man.No government.Nothing.Nothing else but what she sees in the mirror.She is her own strength.

When people try to bring us down we soar.We soar like an eagle.We are as high as a mountain.As fiery as a volcanoAnd a force to be reckoned with.

No matter what we riseLike Angelou “Still I rise”Still We RiseStill She RisesBecause that is a woman’s strength.

By Liliann Ulysse “A woman must not accept; she must challenge. She must not be awed by that which has been built up around her; she must reverence that woman in her which struggles for expression.” – Margaret Sanger In the United States, the month of March has been set aside to celebrate the many achievements of women around the world. From Sally Ride, the first American female astronaut, to Sojourner Truth, a former slave who is well-known for her anti-slavery and pro-suffrage activism, we are compelled as a nation to consider the many women who revolutionized our world. But, before Women’s History Month, there was International Women’s Day, first celebrated in 1911. Many years later, in 1978, a school district in Sonoma, California took part in Women’s History Week, a week coordinated around March 8, which was International Women’s Day. A year later, a fifteen-day conference was held at Sarah Lawrence College (initially an all-girls school), with an agenda of discussing women’s history. Participants at the conference soon learned of the success of the Sonoma County’s Women’s History Week celebration, prompting them to launch their own celebrations with their own organizations, communities and school districts. They also started to support an effort to make the week of March 8 National Women’s History Week. Their efforts proved successful, as in February 1980, at the time President Jimmy Carter issued a presidential proclamation which declared the week of March 8,1980 as

National Women’s History Week. For the next couple of years, Congress passed joint resolutions which designated a week in March as National Women’s Week. Schools nationwide had their own local celebrations of Women’s History Week, and even Women’s History Month for some schools. An organization named the National Women’s History Project petitioned for March to be officially designated as Women’s History Month, and their efforts proved successful, and Congress passed a resolution which designated March as National Women’s History

Month. Since 1988, U.S. presidents issued proclamations annually which designated the month of March as Women’s History Month. State departments of education soon recognized Women’s History Month as an opportunity to encourage equality of the sexes in schools. Many states, such as New York and Pennsylvania, have implemented materials of Women’s History into the curriculum, which inspired many education events and contests about women’s history. Within the next few years, thousands of communities and schools celebrated Women’s History Month, with a variety of different programs and activities to teach communities of the many accomplishments of women throughout history. Today, Women’s History Month is widely celebrated in various ways, from online campaigns by large companies such as Google, or fundraisers to achieve women’s rights for all women. Women’s History Month is treasured by many in our nation, and has inspired many to teach about the trailblazing women who decided to improve the rights of their counterparts, through direct advocacy or breaking through barriers no woman had been allowed to go past before.

JUSTICE AND EQUALITY FOR ALL: How Women’s History Month Came To Be

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By Malaika Foster As a student of Elmont Memorial High School that has attended Sewanha-Con twice, I would have to say that it was “okay” the second time around. Okay as in the first bite of a fruit is always sweeter than the second... To be a part of this one-day program, you have to register in the library, have your parent’s sign a permission slip, and pay a small fee of $3.00. Then, there is the fun of picking your activities or panels of what you are going to be doing when you get there, during the allotted time sessions. The panels that I picked were an Anime Screening: Death Note, Drawing 101, and Nanoblocks. Additionally, there is a Cosplay Contest, a contest in which a person can dress up as an anime/comic book/superhero character of their choosing. Wistfully, I declined to be a part of this contest because I would not know who I would go dressed as and, besides, I did not want to go and buy a whole new outfit just to dress up as someone else. Upon arriving at New Hyde Park Memorial High School, where Sewanha-Con was held this year, I picked up my cute name tag that listed my activities and I went to the auditorium to wait. While waiting, I got to see Darth Vader and his stormtroopers flanking him, and even Kylo Ren. During the costume contest was when I got to see the characters of certain anime/comic shows come to life. The students who participated in the dress up did a great job and did their best to mimic the anime character

that they cosplayed for. It only made sense that Darth Vader and Kylo Ren were the judges. The first panel that I went to was Drawing 101 with Michael Grassia, an artist who is witty and very lively. He taught us how to draw a person’s face using basic shapes and a line of symmetry to determine where the person is looking and which direction the head turns. He then taught us what to put on the person’s face, such as the eyes, ears, mouth... You get the idea! He showed us how to draw different body shapes and how to put movement into the body to show if the

person you are drawing is running, walking, or jumping using the line of action which shows what way the body is moving. Fun fact! It has been disputed as to why cartoonists draw three-fingered people; the reason is that ink was expensive back in the day, so artists were able to conserve both time and money by cutting off two fingers and only drawing three. The Nanoblock Activity was truly something that I did not enjoy at first, but as minutes went by I learned to accept it. I had to choose which object I wanted to build based on a given a set of instructions and a whole bunch of micro lego blocks. My problem was not understanding the instructions, but rather trying to make sure I did not lose any micro lego blocks to the big world. To me, the instructions were extremely vague and honestly my little chubby fingers could not even hold a micro lego without dropping it or holding it for a minute to stick it to the next piece. I got the hang of it by the end and it is mildly relaxing if you play some “waterfall music.” But, to my amazement some people managed to finish and their end products looked great. The third and, sadly, the last panel I attended was an anime screening of Death Note, in which I got to watch a few episodes of this anime and I was truly intrigued.

HAVING FUN AT SEWANHA-CON?A High School Version of Comic Con

By Rex Asabor Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) invites high school students seeking careers of various disciplines, ranging from Computer Science to Video Production, to compete against their peers in a variety of events. Elmont Memorial High School’s FBLA Club traveled to Rochester from April 5-7, to participate in the State Leadership Conference with students from across New York State. “FBLA has made me a better public speaker,” says senior Julie Nwaogbe. “It is very essential to understand how the business world works.” This is because the club encourages a more extensive business education. Although the eight-hour bus ride was long and arduous, the trip featured fantastic movies and entertaining music. When our school district arrived at the Radisson Hotel, students unpacked and prepared to spend the next few days cohabiting with some of their classmates. The first day included the first session of competitive events, where our students either participated in public speaking or

completed a written test. At night, FBLA members danced at the Hawaiian Luau Dance. The following day was similar; another day of more competition, but afterwards, students attended the Black and White Officer’s Ball,

appreciating the graduating State Officers. Nwaogbe, who currently holds the position of Executive Vice President, described this ceremony as a “precious, memorable and emotional experience.”

On the final day, students gathered at the dining hall for the Awards Ceremony. Raffle prizes were announced and Akshay Ramhit won a $50 Amazon Gift Card! Elmont FBLA advisor Mr. Miele said that “waiting to see what their hard work earned for them” was one of his favorite parts of the event. Elmont’s FBLA team definitely left a mark at the Rochester competition, as Rex Asabor won first place in Business Communications; Serena Baker won first place in “Golden Goals,” a pre-judged Career Plan-Making event; Munahil Sultana won first place in Impromptu Speaking and Public Speaking I; Julie Nwaogbe won first place in Business Ethics; and Justice Vidal won fourth place in Computer Problem-Solving. Our school earned a total of 6 awards! All winners who placed in either first or second place will

receive a travel grant to participate at the National Leadership Conference. This competition will take place from June 28 to July 2, 2017, in Anaheim, California. Great job, Elmont FBLA!

ELMONT FBLA TEAM TRIUMPHS AT STATE COMPETITIONRanking High at Rochester

REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEW: Hidden Figures

By Christopher Alexander Hidden Figures tells the story of the three extraordinary women that helped NASA launch John Glenn into space. These three African-American women were Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson. They were all mathematicians and have finally had their stories told in this remarkable film. Although Jackson and Vaughan have passed away, Johnson still lives and has been honored for her incredible work. In the year 1961, Katherine Goble (played by Taraji P. Henson) is working as a human “computer” in the segregated West Area Computers division of Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia. She works with an aspiring engineer, Mary Jackson (played by Janelle Monàe), and her unofficial supervisor, Dorothy Vaughan (played by Octavia Spencer). As Russia continues to excel with their space programs and discoveries, NASA is urged to take action. White supervisor Mrs. Vivien Mitchell (played by Kirsten Dunst) recruits Goble to assist the Space Task Group because of her proficiency in analytic geometry. She becomes the first “colored” woman on the team. Unfortunately, NASA had no “colored” women’s bathrooms. Katherine’s new workmates are

very demeaning and mostly ignore her. The most demeaning is her new boss, Paul Stafford (played by Jim Parsons). Dorothy requests to be appointed official supervisor, but is rejected by Mrs. Mitchell. Mary finds a flaw in an experimental space capsule’s heat shields, which inspires her to take on an engineering degree more assertively. As Mary ventures for her engineering degree, Katherine and Dorothy continue to make remarkable things happen. This is when all the magic happens, but if you want to know, you have to watch. Now, what is my view on this astounding piece of art? Hidden Figures was a phenomenal movie with a gifted cast. It reveals how three of the biggest people who contributed to one of the most important missions in American history had their secrets locked up for more than 40 years. It shows how three African-American females broke tradition and sent a man into space. It demonstrates that we do not know everything about some of the most popular events in our history. We all know about the mission, but did we actually know who helped? Who conducted it? Who had the biggest impact on the mathematics and physics behind the mission? It took over 40 years for Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson to be credited for their remarkable work behind the scenes. They not only bent tradition, but they reached for the sky and ended up on the moon - and shattered a few glass ceilings in between. We did not know what these women did, until now. This made many viewers question NASA’s motives as well. Why wait 40+ years to give these women the credit they deserve? Why wait until two out of the three women died? Does this hint at sexism? Possibly

even racism? Maybe. Regardless, this film is a must-see. Katherine Johnson is still alive and was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2015. The stars of the Hidden Figures film brought Johnson out during this year’s Oscar Awards, where she was applauded immensely.

TELEVISION REVIEW: Thirteen Reasons Why

By Momna Choudhry “And in the middle of the room, one desk to the left, will be the desk of Hannah Baker. Empty.”-Clay Jensen, Thirteen Reasons Why-------------------------------------------- “Shook.” The first thing I feel is shook. The feeling is so strong that it drowns out all other emotions. I glance down at my hands and they are shaking. Two days. This is the amount of time it took me to finish the 13-episode first season.

Even now, as I write, I realize that I really have jumbled thoughts and emotions. This television show… I can’t think of just one word to describe it. Amazing, relatable, strong, addicting, realistic, and so much more. There is no one word that can give full justice to the power of this drama/mystery TV series. I could go on and on, but there isn’t enough space in the school newspaper. So, I had heard about the book, but I hadn’t gotten to reading it yet. Then, around March, everyone was talking about the TV show and I was intrigued. So, I sat down one day when I was bored out of my mind and decided to watch it. This was the greatest decision of my life. “I’m listening to someone give up. Someone I knew. Someone I liked. I’m listening. But still, I’m too late.” - Clay Jensen (Thirteen Reasons Why). This TV show is based on the original book Thirteen Reasons Why (2007) by Jay Asher. This book is about a girl named Hannah Baker, who commits suicide. She leaves behind 13 different tapes - all having one reason why she committed suicide. These tapes have one person who was a reason as to why Hannah committed suicide. These tapes are given to a trusted individual; each and every one of the reasons has to be passed on to the next person. The story tells of Clay Jenson, who was a factor in Hannah’s suicide and who was featured on one of the tapes. We listen to the tapes with him; he is the last person and it is up to him to finish off the job. We go through the reasons Hannah Baker committed suicide, tape by tape, episode by episode. I recommend this to everyone! This is such a great TV show. I loved it And I know you will too. I RATE THIS SHOW 5 STARS *****

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By Liliann Ulysse As a student, I’m sure you’ve had at least one day where you’ve stayed up late on a school night. Whether it was because you got sucked down a black hole in social media or had to finish up a big assignment, only to wake up a few hours later for school and go through your day as a sleep-deprived zombie. So, why should schools start lessons later in the morning? Well, everyone learns better when they’re awake. If schools opened only a few hours later in the morning, students could have a good night’s sleep and may reap benefits for the school district too. According to the Center for Disease Control, teenage students should get 8 to 10 hours of sleep a night. Yet, according to a 2014 Huffington Post study, over 90 percent of all high school students are sleep deprived, and a mere 9 percent of teenagers meet the recommended amount of sleep. Sleep deprivation has been shown to cause a host of issues, including obesity, diabetes, and migraines. One of the main causes of sleep deprivation is early start times. During the adolescent years, a teen’s sleep cycle changes, and they start get their best quality sleep from 1AM to 8AM. Yet, nearly 40 percent of all American public middle and high schools start before 8AM, leaving the average student groggy. But, one major argument that prevents most school districts from opening schools at a later time is the cost to make the time change, as additional funding would have to be put in place to pay for morning and after school transportation. Yet, as the LA Times reports, districts that start later in the morning actually receive more state funding, as the absence rate drops when school starts later. In many states like California, the higher the attendance rate of the school, the more money the school receives in funding. The Los Angeles Unified School District has noted that if attendance were to increase by as little as 1%, the district would receive an additional $40 million dollars in funding from the state. Multiple studies have also shown that a later school day could play a large part in higher GPAs and higher standardized testing scores. In multiple states, higher testing scores equate to more funding for the district. A school that starts at a later time is more likely to receive more funding from the state because the students may get more sleep, a major factor in a student’s performance. For the sake of students, school districts should start the school day later. Not only will students experience higher testing scores and better performance, but the district might be surprised at how cost-efficient the shift could be.

By Jeremiah Omeike Many high schoolers would agree that their outside lives are heavily affected by school. Many students also deal with tight schedules, where the time out of school is strictly budgeted to include other activities. Because of this, many students would attest to the fact that shifting school to make it later in the day would do more harm than good. At face value, the shift to a later start time may seem attractive to many students, however, two new issues present themselves: how to schedule extracurricular activities and how the many adults in our lives would adjust to the later start. If high schools had later start times, many extracurricular activities would be pushed further back as well, resulting in students coming home at even later hours. Interscholastic sports that start around 3:00PM and end just before 5:00PM would start and finish even later - adding to the time that students stay outside of their homes. Along with this, students would most likely be facing the same amount of homework, affecting the time that students go to sleep. Another glaring issue caused by this change in time is a schedule that now works better for students, but not for many teachers. Teenagers and adults work on different circadian rhythms (sleep-wake system), so by pushing the time back for school start, students have a more optimal time, but adults are forced to suffer the grogginess and laziness that no amount of Starbucks Coffee can help. However, this isn’t the only issue that adults face due to a different school schedule. Many children get rides to school through a bus or through a parent, but a new schedule may complicate things. Parents that had previously dropped their children off at school on their way to work, now must find other arrangements. Bus drivers that usually provide transportations for the entire district must shift their entire schedules, an issue that has the potential to create immense problems. Many students have spoken about this matter and their responses to the question “What time do you believe school should start?” after being shown the facts are actually quite shocking. Elmont freshman Reinaldo Powell stated: “Why should we have school change times? We get up in the day, do our routine, go to school and then come back home. It may not be the most efficient, but that’s the way we’re hardwired to do things, and screwing that up could cause a lot of unnecessary change.” As clearly mentioned, we’ve made the way we work a habit, and it simply isn’t worth it to try and change this. Senior Deyonte Bass-Patterson states: “I go to Sewanhaka first period every morning and they have a different bell schedule. If our bell schedule were to be changed my entire routine in the morning would be changed and would cause definite problems that would happen when transferring between Elmont and Sewanhaka.” Deyonte and many other students take certain classes only offered at Sewanhaka. If school were to be pushed to a later time, the schedules of district bus drivers would be affected as well, causing students such as Deyonte who use bus transportation to take certain classes to be at a disadvantage. Pushing for school to start at a later time could cause chaotic changes that need to be thought of carefully. Putting many teachers in a situation where they do not perform optimally can cause significantly worse teaching and a sudden change in schedule will without a doubt cause an increase in things such as tardiness and perhaps even lowered grades.

THE TAG PROGRAM KNOWS THEIR STUFFThe EMHS TAG Program Participates in the CP Nassau Trivia Challenge

By Christopher Alexander Through the months of January and February, the 7th and 8th grade students of the Talented and Gifted (TAG) program raised money for the Cerebral Palsy Association of Nassau County, Inc., also known as Cerebral Palsy - Nassau (or CP Nassau). CP Nassau collects donations in an effort to help people with disabilities move past their limitations. CP Nassau also sponsors multiple events and fundraisers, one of which is the Trivia Challenge. Students were given about two months to collect donations (the minimum being $15); the TAG program did not hold back, as they collected over $800! Great job, TAG students! But, the buzz didn’t stop there. Since the beginning of the year, Ms. Harley and Ms. Giammarino, both English teachers, have been preparing their TAG students for the Trivia Challenge. Students played Kahoot! games and were tested with multiple categories of trivia, ranging from geography to mathematics. Students were then required to create a trivia challenge group, consisting of four members each. These groups worked together during the trivia games. In the month of February, the students were individually evaluated on their trivia skills with a trivia

examination. The test consisted of random questions for different topics, such as geography, history, miscellaneous, etc. After the test was over, students were told to get into their groups and compare their answers with each others. The groups would submit a team examination which would measure how well the teams collaborated on the answers to the trivia questions. After a week, the results were shared. The four students with the highest scores on the trivia examination would create a team and compete with other school teams at the CP Nassau Trivia Challenge. Those four students were eighth graders Tochi Ukegbu, Aaron Elrington-Edwards, Arianna Lekraj, and seventh grader Tierra Thomas. These four students had the highest scores of the students at TAG. As for the team examination, the group that had the highest score consisted of Christopher Alexander, Shayna Halop, Lina Pinzon, Aaron

Elrington-Edwards, and Maya Martin. Although the team didn’t win, they measured the highest when it came to teamwork. Congratulations to the individual students and the team who won the TAG level trivia challenge! On Wednesday, March 1, 2017, the team consisting of Tochi, Aaron, Arianna, and Tierra traveled to CP - Nassau, accompanied by Ms. Harley, Ms. Giammarino, Hannah Meikle and myself. The team sat at the table reserved for them, while the rest of us were seated in the audience. The TAG team went against teams from other schools, primarily elementary schools. They even went against their fellow school companion,

Sewanhaka High School. Teams have 15 seconds to answer the question given to them. If they do not know the answer, they have the option to pass. The question moves on to the other teams and if they get the question right, they get a point. If they get it wrong, they are deducted a point. The program lasted for four rounds and the competition lasted for an hour and a half. The questions were tough, but the TAG team answered almost all of their questions correctly. The TAG team came in third place and they were very happy for the news. The TAG students were also ecstatic to be able to donate money to CP Nassau. TAG believes in helping others around them, while also bettering themselves. Elmont is proud to have such a prominent program in their school activities.

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FACE OFFShould school have a later start time?

PRO CON

Long Island History MacArthur Airport

By Christopher Alexander Have you ever watched a musical at Elmont Memorial High School? We all love to watch what our Music Department has to offer. Not only for the wonderful music, but for the colorful characters. Let’s meet one of our talented individuals who has starred in numerous productions.Tariere Tebepah, or “Tari” as she likes to be called, has participated in numerous Elmont musicals. Some of her notable appearances are her as Evelyn, the Wicked Witch in The Wiz, and as Brooke Wyndham in Legally Blonde: The Musical. Tari is no stranger to the Music Department. She currently plays the flute, sings, and is a drum major. Tari left the crowd breathless with her energetic performance as Brooke Wyndham. She performed songs such as “Whipped Into Shape,” that left the audience in awe. Her energetic spirit sure didn’t lack that of a real personal trainer. Tari is a twelfth grader and she currently holds the rank of Number 10 in the Class of 2017. Tari is an honor student, as well as an Advanced Placement student. Tari will be graduating this year. She has yet to make a college decision.

Q: Tell me about yourself.A: “I am 17 years old and I am a senior at Elmont Memorial High School. I am an Advanced Placement student and I am one of the Top 10 students in the Class of 2017. I do a lot in the school, especially in the Music Department. I am a drum major, I sing, and I play the flute.”

Q: What inspires you to be involved with the Music Department?A: “When I was younger, I remember my mom telling me that at my daycare graduation, all of the older kids were hesitant to sing. She told [me] that although I was the youngest, I moved everyone out of the way and sang. So, I guess from a young age, I have always been involved with music and my uncle

is also a musician. So, I guess this is what kept me involved with music and it got me this point.”

Q: Can you elaborate on this year’s musical and past musicals?A: “The musical this year was Legally Blonde: The Musical. I played exercise queen Brooke Wyndham, and I was also one of the dance captains and choreographers for the musical. I truly had an amazing experience these six years working with the musicals, and I have grown and learned so much with the help of my music teachers, directors, producers, choreographers, and of course all of the students who work extremely hard to put on a show for everyone, and have become my closest friends over the years.”

Q: How does it feel to be ranked number 10 in the Class of 2017?A: “I am very blessed and overjoyed! I honestly didn’t believe I would make it, considering how brilliant the students in the class are. I was hoping that I would be in the Top 20, so at graduation I would be called early!”

Q: Based on your background, what advantages do you think you have that the people in the Caribbean do not?A: “I think the education in America has a better quality. Our education is much more helpful than the curriculum in the islands. We also have more technological advances. Because of this we can do a lot more, especially with education.”

Q: Have you met people on your journey who tried to discourage you?A: “Of course I have. A lot of people who I thought were my friends turned their backs on me. Sometimes, it also got to the point where it was [an authority figure] who tried. Last year, [someone] said the reason that I was to this point was because of her. This [person] also said the reason that I was so advanced and so talented was

because of her. Those things usually make people feel down on themselves, but it pushed me to do more with myself, especially in the arts.”

Q: Do you have any friends that have stuck with you since the beginning?A: “Definitely. The circle of friends that I have right now are the ones that have been there from the beginning and they are great. It is amazing to have friends who push you to be greater than you are.”

Q: So when you aren’t doing anything school or music related, what are you doing?A: “I am probably doing homework or playing with my dog Prince. I have recently got into the show Criminal Minds. Or probably just relaxing and watching television.”

Q: Who’d you like thank for helping through your high school journey?A: “I’d definitely like to thank my Lord, God, because he has gotten me to places that I would have never imagined to go. I’d also like to thank my mother who was very influential and helpful and who gives the best advice. She helps me persevere and stay grounded. I’d also like to thank my friends who are great and keep me uplifted. I’d like to give a final thank you to my family. Some inspirational people in my life include my mother, my

priest, Malala Yousafzai, Katherine Johnson, and Yara Shahidi, five women who have all had dreams and worked hard to accomplish what others believed could not be done with elegance and class.”

Q: What would you like to tell everyone at Elmont right now?A: “I want to tell everyone at Elmont continue to work hard, study harder, be involved and do not be afraid to put yourself out there!” Even though Tari is still deciding on what college she is going to attend, she wants to study biology and music. She plans to go to either Seton Hall University, George Washington University, or Villanova University. Tari is very excited for college and has sure done one heck of a job in high school. Do as she said and “do not be afraid to put yourself out there!” like she has - on the stage, in her cohort, and on her next journey!

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT: TARIERE TEBEPAH Meet Elmont’s Very Own Brooke Wyndham!

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By Shaji Rahman It has happened to everyone - we sometimes miss a flight at JFK or LaGuardia due to the excessive amount of people in the airports. As a result, customs and security take up enough time that our boarding times are started; as soon as we reach the gates - they’re closed! Well, to avoid all of this chaos, there is another airport, but there is something unique about this airport. Long Island MacArthur Airport not only keeps your flight on time, but can also entertain you while waiting for your flight with its jam-packed history. Long Island MacArthur Airport is located in Suffolk County; the town of Islip owns this airport. Each day, 5,000 people fly out of this airport and that makes this airport very significant to the aviation industry, especially Long Island’s aviation industry. At the same time, the airport is connected to the Long Island Railroad, so shuttling is pretty easy and this aides those Long Island passengers who instead of taking an expensive form of transportation (like

a taxi), can simply use the railroad. This shows how the airport is convenient. The airport encompasses up to 1,311 acres and has four runways. MacArthur takes cares of 2 million travelling passengers each year and has helped many people come to Long Island to set up residency. Also, this airport provides a certain luxury feel of having an airport near your house - you can fly away anytime you would like! As stated on the airport’s website, “The Department of Aviation is led by the Commissioner of Aviation and Transportation, who works closely with the Town Board to manage and steward the airport.” Not only does this give the town preference as to what to do with the airport, but it is also a form of representation for the town of Islip. This airport serves the 3 million residents of Nassau County and Suffolk County. If you are planning to fly out visit https://www.macarthurairport.com/about-macarthur-airport for more information on flights, tickets, etc.

By Munahil Sultana Soon, we will bid goodbye to many of our beloved seniors. As we do, we are saying our farewells to not only the academic scholars and the athletic champions, but the hidden and talented artists within our school walls as well. Jeremie Candio, one of the multitude of seniors departing Elmont Memorial this year, happens to be an incredibly talented artist. After taking Drawing and Painting in 10th grade, AP Drawing and Painting in 11th grade, and AP Photography in his senior year, Jeremie has truly exemplified his talents. As a prominent member of Key Club, Jeremie spends his free time serving our community - whether it is through his time or his camera lens.

Q: When did you become serious about art?A: “I’d say that my entry into high school marked the period where I started to become serious about my potential career as an artist. The fact that I had access to a variety of mediums and resources in Elmont attributed to this.”

Q: Who/what has been your biggest inspiration?A: “Our own resident art teacher, Ms. C. Nolan, has been my greatest inspiration when it comes to art. Art is freedom of expression, and Ms. Nolan is the epitome of an individual whose own expression promotes positivity and hospitality. She is welcoming, intelligent, and sincere, and I am truly proud to have such an amazing person as my inspiration. I can only hope that I can mirror the kindness she’s shown me to others. Her attitude and artwork has pushed me to improve on both my own attitude and artwork.”

Q: Do you plan to continue with art in the future?A: “Of course. Art is a craft that I really want to develop further from a personal standpoint. Art is

something that I truly enjoy, so it’s only natural that I would continue doing something I love.”

Q: What is your favorite medium to use?“When it comes to drawing, [my] favorite medium has to be charcoal. However, as an artist I prefer using digital photography to create works of art over most mediums.”

Q: Are you currently taking an art class?A: I’m currently in Ms. Marino’s AP 2-D class. This class is one of the best classes that I’ve taken, and I encourage any artist who may read this to take that class.”

Q: What is your favorite piece?A: “One of my favorite pieces is A Piece of Art by David Uzochukwu.”

Q: Do you plan to sell your art in the future?A: “If I ever get to the point where my art can impact an individual to the point where they’d be willing to buy it, I’d be more than happy to sell my art.”

Q: Do you have any advice for any aspiring artists?A: “To any aspiring artists out there reading this, I want to stress the point [that] art is a skill that isn’t handed to you overnight; it requires both passion and practice. Find your inspiration and push yourself to get the best of results while remaining true to yourself and your own art form.”

Q: How do you get over artist block?A: “Whenever I have an artist’s block, I listen to music to help me get clarity on what to document next.”

Q: Who is your favorite artist?A: “I actually have 2 artists which I aspire to be as good as. They are Leslie Garrido and Adesewa Adekoya. They’re not professional artists, but they have amazing pieces and an exceptional amount of talent. Their art is awe inspiring to me and I am glad to have amazing individuals such as them just a phone call away.”

Q: How old were you when you decided you wanted to pursue art as a possible career?A: “I was 17 when I considered a possible career in art.”

Q: Where do you plan to go to for college?A: “I haven’t decided where I’ll go for college just yet, however, I know it’ll be within New York state.”

Q: Describe your art journey.A: “My art journey is akin to Trump’s election. I’m not sure of how it happened or where it’ll take me.”

For years, Jeremie has been a colossal asset to the Art Department at Elmont. As a member of the National Art Honor Society, Jeremie has worked on several monumental pieces that have astonished his peers. His friends claim that the most incredible thing about Jeremie is his ability to remain humble. According to one of his classmates: “He never gets arrogant over any piece of work. He’s always amending his artwork and never thinks that he is better than anyone else. His ability to remain humble even through his talent is astonishing.” While he is finalizing his choice for college, Jeremie has made it clear that he wants to continue his artwork no matter where his journey lands him. On behalf of the Elmont Phoenix newspaper staff, we wish Jeremie the best of luck on all of his future endeavors!

ARTIST HIGHLIGHT: Jeremie Candio

Youth Art Month with Mr. Yee and Mrs. GrenierBy Vanessa Louis March is home to St Patrick’s Day, the start of spring, Women’s History Month, and finally Youth Art Month! The Art Program promotes Youth Art Month by putting up posters, setting up a fashion week where each day students are supposed to wear a color (either monochromatic, primary, black and white, and patterns), all with the help of the Art Honor Society. Unfortunately, there weren’t enough announcements about the month to get enough notice. Along with that, the snow day that we had played a role in the amount of people that knew about the month - which is upsetting because it’s something everyone should take part in or at least appreciate since Art is everywhere, it moves people. This month, the art students visited the Nassau County Museum of Art, saw a fashion exhibit, and Mrs. Grenier had a coloring sheet. Next year, the Art program plans to continue building on what was done this year and start doing more for the community and the teachers next year. On top of that, Mrs. Grenier has planned to have a banner

that everyone will sign - not only is it pretty cool, but it’ll definitely bring the school together. Students can easily get involved by participating in art shows, SewanakaCon, various contests, Portfolio Prep, or the joining Art Honor Society! The Arts Program has thought of a paint night fundraiser where people would have to pay five dollars to participate and the money would go to the art programs and Art Honor Society, but everyone that participates would paint (hence the name) and have an overall fun time. There are also after school workshops and crafts in classrooms after school for teachers and students. When asking Mr. Yee what Youth Art Month means to him he said in short, the month is very exciting because there are so many opportunities for Art in March. Students win awards for their art and it’s nice to be rewarded for their hard work. Edsewa Adekya won an award of Excellence at Go Ape, an AP exhibition at Art Students League of Long Island. Two students got in the Long Island best exihibit at Heckscher Museum in Huntington which is very a prestigious gallery.

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SPORTSREDEMPTION FOR VARSITY GIRLS Long Island Girls Class ‘A’ Champs

By Rodney Legrand The Elmont Girls Varsity Basketball Team won the Long Island Championship (LIC) Class ‘A’ game against Mount Sinai on March 11, 2017. This game is a major rebound from a devastating loss in the Long Island Championship game last year against Floral Park Memorial High School within our own district. Coming off of that loss, the Lady Spartans, led by Zhaneia Thybulle and Kem Nwabudu, have worked hard throughout the off-season, looking forward to getting better in every practice. They dominated throughout the regular season, going undefeated in their conference with the record of 12-0 and finishing with 23-2 record overall, beating teams with a 20-30 point margin throughout the season. The Lady Spartans continued their domination in the playoffs until they faced North Shore in the Nassau County Championship game. It was a tight game throughout, but what gave them the title was the last-minute hustle that helped them end the game on

a positive note. After being down all throughout the game, in the 4th quarter they went on a 13-2 run which led to a tied game. With about 10 seconds on the clock, the Lady Spartans were up by three points with a score of 50-47 and North Shore quickly made a layup. But, Elmont would close out the game and win 50-49. Nwabudu, commenting on how she how she felt in the last seconds of the

game, said: “It was nerve racking, we got to the championship the prior year and lost, so winning that game would’ve meant so much to all of us.” They became Nassau County Champs for the first time in thirteen years - since 2004. This gave the Girls Varsity Basketball Team the opportunity to play in the Long Island Championship game against Mount Sinai from Eastern Suffolk County.

In this LIC game, Nwabudu led the way with 20 points and 10 rebounds. Throughout the game, Thybulle kept feeding the ball to Nwabudu and finished at the rim. She ended the game with 14 points and 6 assists. Jada Fernandez had 12 points and Gigi Faison had 10 points. The game finished with the score of 58-51 and the Lady Spartans won the title of Long Island Class ‘A’ Champs.

NWABUDU AND THYBULLE REPRESENT ELMONTAll-Long Island Girls Basketball Second Team

By Rodney Legrand Juniors Zhaneia Thybulle and Kem Nwabudu achieved a prestigious accomplishment and made the All-Long Island Girls Basketball Second Team. Both girls have been on Varsity since the ninth grade and have now become leaders of the team. Both girls are captains and they have led the team to Nassau County Championship title last year and a Long Island Championship Class ‘A’ title this year, while also making it to States. Thybulle and

Nwabudu are huge factors on both ends of the floor. Nwabudu, with her shot blocking ability along with her force scoring in the paint, averages 13.4 points per game (ppg). She grabs many rebounds every game

along with playing strong defense. Thybulle, with her passing skills

and being able to control the tempo of the game as the ball handler, averages 13.2 ppg. She is a great perimeter defender and has improved her ability to get to the rim over the years.Congratulations to both of these girls for representing Elmont on the All-Long Island Girls Basketball Second Team. Both girls will be

seniors next year and will continue will their success on the court.

SPORTS

By Mikelley Baptiste “Without teamwork, the team would not be successful.” Sophomore, Jacquele Bussereth, age 16, has heart for the game of lacrosse. Bussereth is one of the captains on the Boys Junior Varsity Lacrosse Team. Every player has a story. Bussereth recalled: “I started playing because my friend in fourth grade introduced the sport to me. I was new to it. I really liked it after the first year. I [continued] to play for a long time.” Lacrosse comes with many challenges. “The most challenging part would be to have strategy against [the] most challenging [opponents]. For the most part, our team is more successful at athleticism and everyone on the team is a good player and should be able to overcome [their] goals.” Sophomore and Co-Captain of the JV Boys Lacrosse Team, Nehemiah Coeur, age 15, was at ease affirming that “Jacquele is a very good team player. He’s always at practice and he always has what’s best in mind for the team. He’s kind hearted… tries to find the good in things to try to make [lacrosse] fun,

but if [it’s time to] be serious he would be there to try and make people get together [saying] we’ve got to do this now. He represents the fun side of lacrosse… how fun the sport can be and also to remember we’re still in high school.” Just like any other sport, lacrosse helps players to learn more than just the sport. According to Bussereth, a lacrosse player will “learn everyday life skills about how to become

a better person.” When playing the game of lacrosse, you’re not just playing for yourself. Bussereth was confident in saying “we’re playing for Elmont, we’re playing for our rep[utation], and we’re playing to win. I’ve been challenged to do better for myself and everyone else.” Coach Nuara of Junior Varsity Boys Lacrosse also vocalized his take on Jacquele saying, “He’s hardworking… dedicated. He is a leader of the team.” Playing this sport doesn’t come without sacrifice. Bussereth was forthcoming with these facts. “I would have to sacrifice a lot of my time to help my team get better. That sacrifice helps us win a lot… helps

us to become a better team overall.” You can’t forget about the studies! Playing any sport always comes with a lesson on time management. “I study at night. I watch videos on the classes I may struggle in and try to get better every day in my classes.” Bussereth looks up to his mother as his role model. “She pushes me for the better.” Sophomore and another fellow Co-Captain of the JV Boys Lacrosse Team, Klay Dehaney, age 16, recalls of Bussereth: “He tries to make an effort to help the team however he can through leading and through play. He helps to direct during practice. He puts his best foot forward. He’s always at practice… that’s sacrificing his time to be with the team.”-------------------------------------------- “Shanesha is a very hardworking, positive leader on the field. She does a great job of bringing a positive energy to the team. Having her as a captain benefits both her and the team in general because she leads so well.” Coach Trupiano of the Girls Junior Varsity Lacrosse Team gives positive praise for sophomore Shanesha Dyer.

Dyer’s main passion is basketball. She was able to shed light on how she came to play lacrosse: “In ninth grade, Ms. Troupe (the nickname for their coach) was my coach for basketball. [She thought I would be good at lacrosse] and lacrosse would help keep me in shape for basketball, so I said why not?” For Dyer, playing lacrosse helps her to dominate in

basketball. “When we do the weave it helps defense wise. Some of the drills are close to basketball.” Playing basketball also helps her to be successful in lacrosse. “ Dribbling with both hands helps me switch [in] lacrosse from my non-dominant hand to my dominant hand.” Learning a sport different from what you’re used to can also be difficult. “At first I didn’t really know how to play in a game situation. I didn’t know about the restraining and what you can and can’t do, but then I learned and I got it.” The more experience Dyer gained the more she was able to play to the best of her ability. Never be afraid to try something new.

JUNIOR VARSITY LACROSSEHighlighting Players from JV Boys & Girls Lax

BOYS VARSITY LACROSSEThere’s no “I” in Team

By Mikelley Baptiste The Boys Varsity Lacrosse Team understands the meaning of brotherhood and family. Each member of the team has his own personality and brings something worthwhile to the table of contribution. Junior Erick Edouard, age 17, recognizes the value of the word “teamwork” in the game of lacrosse. “To a player in lacrosse that’s the basis of the game; you can’t do everything by yourself here. If that happens, you’re either going to get hurt or you’re going to be really banged up after a game. Teamwork is everything. Everybody has to know what they’re doing here. Without teamwork, you don’t have anything.” Edouard first started playing lacrosse in eighth grade. “Ever since I started playing… I just loved it… I like playing with my teammates.” Coach Casano of the Varsity Boys Lacrosse Team gives credit to Edouard’s personality: “[he is a] team player. [Erick was] voted Team Captain as a junior. Leader of the attack. Ambidextrous. Good vision on field. [He tries] to make plays whenever he can.” Senior Isaiah Genao, age 18, sees the value of fellowship in lacrosse too. When describing what you do for a teammate in need, Genao replied: “Anything… anything they ask. Anything that one of [your] brothers needs. Help with school, money, you want to work out, you want to chill. It doesn’t really matter - anything.” Genao describes his reason for joining lacrosse in the first place because “[i]t was unique - something different most people didn’t do.” From lacrosse you can learn many things. From Genao’s point of view some of those things are “teamwork, fluidity, creativity, hard work.” According to Genao, the hardest thing about

lacrosse is “probably the stick work, it takes a lot of practice.” As for who has the most influence in his life, he gave a one word answer: “Myself.” Coach Casano describes Genao as “Leading by example. [Isaiah] puts in work on the off season before and after school… workhorse in practice... attention to detail… team leader… always looking to get better…” Junior Sebastien Guillaume, age 17, understands the meaning of sacrifice in this sport. “I had to sacrifice a lot of time. Any time you have off. Maybe the weekends. When you [finish] extra help for different classes, once you’re done with that time working off from the team you have to catch up. I try my best to keep my time organized, but together as a team [sacrifice] plays a big role and it helps us put in the time to win.” Responsibility plays a large role in the life of an athlete. “I stay up [late] nights and hopefully just eat right so then the next morning I can be energized and that’s it. Just stay up late and do the work [ to stay on top of academics],” says Guillaume. Coach Casano portrays Guillaume as hard working. “[His role on the team is a] defender. You will never find a guy who goes 110% every

day. Striving for greatness - great competitor. Pushes himself and his teammates each practice,” praises Casano. Senior Craig Shelton, age 17, appreciates the beauty of refinement. According to Shelton: “[I’m] playing just for improvement in general. I feel like [when] I play lacrosse I meditate. [When] I played on my travel team it was different. I learned I had to get better quickly because everyone else was better than me… I don’t like settling for mediocrity.” Many players feel the pressure of an intense game with challenges, like Shelton. He says: “The biggest game was [against] Freeport this season. We won in overtime. I saw how my teammates really are in those games.” Coach Casano describes Shelton as “most improved. Voted Team Captain. [His position is] defensive midfielder. [He] has drastically improved his knowledge of the game and combine[d] with his speed and passion, he will be an impact player for us on both the offensive and defensive side of the ball.” Co-Coach Patel described the team as a whole: “A bunch of great kids that work hard and give it all they have.”

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ELMONT SENIOR MAKES HISTORY

VanCooten Wins Nassau County Wrestling Championship

By Rodney Legrand Four-time all-conference wrestler, senior Brandon VanCooten, competed in the Nassau County Championships at Hofstra University on February 12, 2017. At 182 pounds, he faced Long Beach High School’s Tyreek Bromley and pinned him down in the time of 3:57 to win the county championship. Brandon suffered a one point loss to Bromley earlier in the season. Bromley was a defending county champion and he was expected to win the match. When reflecting back on his thoughts during the match, VanCooten knew he was the “underdog,” but he wanted to show off and prove that he could win the match. Although the match started off pretty slow, they soon started throwing shots at each other, and Brandon saw an opportunity to take his legs out. Brandon remarked that after he “lifted him and pinned him, the rest is history.” VanCooten is the first wrestler from Elmont to ever win a county title. Congratulations, Brandon!

By Rodney Legrand There were 2.8 seconds left on the clock. It was tied 56-56 in the Nassau County Class ‘A’ Championship game against South Side and the unforgettable happened. William Cook inbounded to Ismael Astasie where he took one dribble and shot the ball; unfortunately the ball bounced off the backboard, but Junior KC Ndefo came in clutch with the putback lay