Alumni Award: Rick Ackerly

By Mayze T. 

Out of the 3,000 or so Country School alumni in the world, one is chosen each year to receive the Alumni Award, recognizing him or her for achievements in a field. This year a man named Rick Ackerly received the award. He transferred to Country School in the sixth grade, graduating about fifty years ago. His message for students is “everything you know about success is wrong; you should do what is in your heart.” His first job was teaching math in Virginia for two years. He then went on to teach history at Eaglebrook School for four years. Although he enjoyed teaching, he wanted to do something else. He went back to school to get a Masters in Education and decided to consult a career counselor. The counselor told him to help in a Catholic school that was going co-ed. He decided that this was a good plan and became the headmaster. He remained as headmaster for eight years, until the school got on its feet. He went to many other schools that were, to use his words, “on the rocks,” and helped them turn around. He claims that although he has been successful with the schools he has also had many failures. He says, “Failure is just as important [as success] if you learn and grow.” His most recent endeavor was a book that he wrote. He first began to write ten years ago, when he woke up with a poem in his head. He then began to write daily, trying to finish a report a week. He finally decided that he should make a book. His book, The Genius in Children, means not genius in the sense of a prodigy, but genius in the sense of the spirit of a person or place. He believes that children are “getting prisons instead of schools. It is an inconvenient truth; education has gotten worse and worse. We are a country in crisis. Teaching is the place to go if you really want to make a difference.”

PerkIns School for the Blind

By Ryan M. 

During Trips Week, 7McDonough went to Boston. While in Boston, our class went to what I think is one of the most interesting places. The Perkins School for the Blind was a top priority for our class. We first became interested in the Perkins School when we read The Miracle Worker in English class. In it, there are many references to the facility. Additionally, our class ran a bake sale to raise money so that we could make a donation.  We were determined to visit the school and there was much anticipation. 

On the last day of Trips Week, our class made the trip to the famous Perkins School. Many famous people, such as Helen Keller and Ann Sullivan attended the school. This is not a coincidence. The school was the first of its kind in America. Since its founding in 1829, it has educated thousands of students with vision impairments. 

Although our tour guide was partially blind, he conducted the tour through the whole school without a falter. We saw everything from the main hall to the gym. Additionally, we even had the opportunity to meet a deaf-blind woman who had attended Perkins. We were able to communicate with her in sign language. 

It was amazing to see how teachers adapt their techniques to help their students. It was also interesting to compare the differences between NCCS and Perkins. There are many adjustments made to everything on the campus to ensure that it was 100% accessible to the students. For example, the basketball hoop made a sound so that players could hear where to shoot. The library was also interesting, especially their system of reading (Braille). The Perkins School for the Blind was enthralling, and I would recommend it to anyone traveling to Boston. 

David Rohde

Interviewed by Mayze T.

David Rohde, a New York Times reporter who was kidnapped while reporting in Afghanistan, came to talk to students in the Upper and Middle Schools on Friday 5/20.

Q: What inspired you to keep going while you were imprisoned?

A: My family. I knew that they would do everything they could to help me. My five aunts and uncles who went to this school did everything they could to help me while I was imprisoned in Bosnia, so I knew that they would do everything they could to help me while I was imprisoned in Afghanistan. 

Q: Were you surprised that Osama Bin Laden was found in Pakistan, and what kind of help do you believe he received?

A: I was surprised that he was found so close to the capital. I think he definitely received help from either current or retired Pakistani officials. I don’t think there’s any way he could have been so close to the capital without someone helping him. 

Q: What are your views on women’s rights in the Middle East and Southeast Asia?

A: Most of my friends are moderate Muslims, and they are very eager to have women in schools and have women study, and they point out the passages in the Quran, the Prophet’s daughter was educated as well, and I think we should let Muslims solve this dispute inside Islam on their own and back moderate Muslims. I think that they represent most Muslims. We should back Muslim moderates who have a more liberal interpretation of the faith, but we should respect them because it’s their religion and their countries and let the Muslim moderates do the pushing. It doesn’t help when we lecture other countries, it’s better to step back and be respectful.

Q: How do you think your kidnapping changed you, your outlook on the world, and your outlook on the Middle East and Southeast Asia?

A: It made me relish the small things in life, having coffee with my wife in the morning, seeing my family on holidays; it just really made me relish being home. In terms of the region, it made me believe even more that moderate Muslims are the majority, that moderate Muslims helped me escape, and it made me believe even more that we need to help moderate Muslims defeat extremists. 

Q: What was the most frightening moment for you during your kidnapping?

A: The first moment of the kidnapping and thinking everything’s gone wrong and worrying what my family would go through. That was the worst moment.

Q: What do you think the ultimate outcome of the “Arab spring” will be?

A: I believe it will lead to democracy in the region. I believe there’s a new generation of young Muslims who want change, who want accountability and I think it’s very exciting and very positive. The biggest message I would have is that we have to trust Arab moderates and we have to help them when they push for democracy and they push for women’s rights. Supporting dictators will not work in the long run. We have to support the new generation. 

Q: Do you think that democracy will ever become prevalent in the Middle East and Southeast Asia?

A: Democracy already is prevalent in South Asia, in India, and I do think it will emerge. We need to be patient. There needs to be enough education and a strong economy and strong court systems and strong free press [in a country]. When you have those four things together it will work. It’s working in Turkey and Indonesia. Turkey and Indonesia are examples of Arab countries where democracy is working already. 

Q: What do you think the greatest misperception is that people in America have about the Middle East and what do you think the greatest misperception is in the Middle East that people have about America?

A: I think people in the Middle East think that Americans are just greedy and selfish, and we have no values and no decency. I think that the greatest American misperception is that all Muslims are crazy fundamentalists and they’re not. They want good schools for their kids, good jobs to support their families, and governments that support their families instead of praying. 

Q: Do you have any advice for aspiring journalists?

A: Don’t take my story the wrong way. There are many peaceful things to cover in journalism that aren’t dangerous. I think it’s a very exciting time in journalism to work with iPads and Kindles and the Internet. You are the generation that will revitalize and reinvent journalism. It’s a great opportunity. 

JV Baseball Update

By Grant G., Will H. and Clay K.

This spring our NCCS JV baseball team has completely owned the other schools!! JV baseball has a record of 3-2 with the first loss being an exhibition game with one day as a team.  Two of JV baseball’s impressive wins were against St. Luke’s and Greenwich Country Day School.  In the St. Luke’s game the team was down 0-4, but later the JV team came back to win 10-8.  In the GCDS game they were up 5-0, morale was low, but JV didn’t give up.  After some tough playing and some great plays, JV managed to end the game with a victory of 9-8 with the final run hit in by J. P. Sloan.

As a whole, teamwork and sportsmanship on the JV team has been outstanding.  The players are always focused in games and during practice.  The only exception was a single fun Friday where there was some goofing off and a lack of focus; but hey, a coach-on-coach-on-coach rivalry tends to do that to kids. 

Unfortunately, the most recent of JV’s games ended in disaster, a loss of 4-20.  When you combine the grogginess of a Monday and a good team like Brunswick, JV was at an obvious disadvantage.  Despite being nearly flattened by Brunswick, JV managed to keep their morale up and scored one run in their last at bat.  Hopes are high for JV baseball’s future games and the rest of the season will no doubt be filled with wins.

Ramblings from Peter's Point of View

By Many Ninth Graders

Shelby M. rules my world. She has RADD, raging ADD, if you may. Sometimes she is kooky! Like a monkey! My name is Peter E. I like to eat bananas and chocolate covered popsicles.  My favorite people are Miley Cyrus, Charlotte M., Mayze T., and Jimi Hendrix. I enjoy the color pink, because I feel that it embodies my personality. I dislike African hippos because they are too angry for my taste! Whatever. Hmmm, so I am supposed to write a sentence (and I spelled write as right, but thankfully Peter corrected himself), so this is what my sentence is about. But now I have to write another sentence, hence this pointless sentence but that’s the pointless beauty of it!. I love Jaz because she is amazing and she was the best spring fling date EVERRRRRRRRRRR. Lol sometimes I feel like there is another person in my mind, who is talking to me at all times. I just can’t concentrate! It’s so confusing! Then I tell my mom I have ADD and she laughs!!!! She is so mean. She also doesn’t let me go to group sleepovers because I’m “sassy.” WHAT? WHAT? WHAT? She is so unreasonable and I don’t understand! Hi what’s up world? This is the best Column article EVAr!!!!! So things have been great at the country school these past weeks.  Sometimes, for lunch we have some decadent treats such as cookies, ice cream sandwiches and other stuff.  I really enjoy classes now.  No, not really, because we have 2398239823892398329832982389 projects due and then finals. *NOTE* that last thing was Ava, she is messed up dude… Also wanna hear something cool? Stinks to be you;  you are a doctor deal with it.

How Do We Get Out of the Middle East?

By Alec B.

Since Osama bin Laden died two weeks ago, everyone from Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to American director Michael Moore has asked for American troops to withdraw from Iraq and Afghanistan. But is it time? The U.S. has spent ten years and lost thousands of lives. Was it all for just one man? Since 9/11, terrorism has struck dozens of countries and put the U.S. in a tough spot.  How can the United States get out? We have been involved with Middle Eastern politics since the early Cold War, taking an interest in the Islamic countries like Iran and the former chaos-infected Afghanistan. On the other end of the spectrum, we have countries like Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates that have found oil and have done extremely well. 

The way to get out of the Middle East is to balance the Iranian power and their nuclear ambitions from threatening our close allies Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Iraq, U.A.E. and Qatar. We can do this by giving our allies new weapons and better, more efficient ways of combating what seems like a mini Cold War: autocrats and ayatollah-imam leadership on one side and the wealthy pro-west nations empowered by the American war machine and weapons on the other. But will they have to fight? The revolts in Libya, Egypt, and Tunisia have left questions in Tehran. Will violence have to be used to return to democracy?

When the government of Tunisia fell to democracy as a result of simple protests, Egypt followed. The fall of these once semi- autocratic nations has brought about a new train of thought in the Middle East. Before the revolutions, the process to get a new leader was to shoot, take the capital and enact a coup d’état until the rest of the country surrendered. That process has been effective in Middle Eastern politics for the past century.  It seems a new idea is in play. The effect of picketing outside city hall seems to have more of an impact than using violence and extremism to get what you want. If this is how the Middle East plays out, is the U.S. even needed? Or wanted? 

Americans across the nation cheered and chanted about the death of the Islamic extremist Osama bin Laden. According to intelligence officials and closed door sessions with Leon Panetta, the head of the C.I.A, no one wants to step up to the plate as leader of Al Qaeda. Even Mullah Omar, the head of the Afghan Taliban, seems quiet. After 10 years of combat, all it took was one man’s death.  It’ll be interesting to see what happens now.

Gospel Singing

By Kaitlin B.

I would have to say that out of many amazing and fun experiences, the Ebenezer Baptist Church was my favorite experience on the Civil Rights trip. Before going to the service, I tried to picture what the singing, the dancing, and the happy energy would be like. The real experience was a hundred times better than it was in my head. We got up from bed, put on our fancy clothes, and walked over to the church. As soon as I stepped foot in the church, it was like a wave of joy and happiness hit me, going through my body, making me smile. We found our seats in the pews, front row to be exact, and got ready for the coolest experience of our lives. The gospel singers walked in, filling in rows behind the altar. The first song was amazing. Everyone was on their feet soulfully clapping and singing. During the song, all the members of the church came to us, and shook each of our hands, welcoming us to their church. 

Some of the hats the women wore were crazy. There was a purple-feathered hat, a high pink hat, and many more crazy hats. When the preacher was talking, he wasn’t talking about things we hear about every time we go to church at home; he was raising his voice up and down, absorbing everyone in the church. He made me realize how going to church during the civil rights movement lifted everyone’s spirits, and kept them from breaking down. When the preacher talked, people in the church would say, “amen” or “Praise the Lord.” 

Leaving the church, I felt like there was so much happiness in me, and in everyone else. I wish I could go to church like that every Sunday, or even every day. I can imagine that church got the blacks through the week and gave them something to look forward to during the hard times. 

Fishkill

By Julia M.

A few weeks ago, the eighth grade went to Sharpe Reservation in Fishkill, New York, for Trips Week.  Although the weather left much to be desired, the majority of the trip was a fun-filled experience for everyone.  Every day we had multiple leadership sessions with a small group of students and two teachers, who led the discussions.  We also had afternoons filled with outdoor activities including high and low ropes courses, boating, and hiking.  In the evenings after dinner, we participated in all-group activities that ended up being some of the highlights of the trip.  It’s true, we did have to wear raincoats all day, and our activities were interrupted by the extremely wet weather, but I think the whole grade really enjoyed the trip and learned a lot.

The leadership sessions at Fishkill were very informative and fun!  We were each given a big binder full of quizzes and activities to promote leadership skills.  Our group leaders led discussions about responsibility, self-awareness, and other important attributes of leaders.  We acted out scenarios where a good leader would be important, and discussed other helpful topics.

In the afternoons we had a rotating schedule for outdoor activities with our discussion groups.  On the first day we got to Fishkill, my group went on the high ropes course.  Although the obstacles were pretty intimidating, most of the group challenged themselves and achieved their goals.  There were three high ropes that we got to try.  First, we all attempted the catwalk, a log suspended between two trees that you had to walk carefully up and down before jumping off.  It actually looked harder than it was, and it ended up being very fun and rewarding to complete.  We then moved on to a wire that we walked along sideways, with only one rope to hold onto.  The final challenge was a huge pole that you stood on top of, and then jumped off in an attempt to catch a trapeze.  Spending the day on the high ropes was so much fun, and every group seemed to have a blast.  We also did boating and hiking on the second day, and we had a challenge as a group to find our rowboats and get them back to the dock.  It was a cold, rainy day, and so not everyone was excited about sitting in wet boats, but it proved to be fun once we started actually boating. On the final full day, we went on a sensory trail, where we had to follow a rope through the woods while we were blindfolded.  This was a really great experience, even though we hit our heads on rocks and branches. The low ropes course was composed of many teambuilding activities that required everyone to participate in order to complete a task.  Our group worked really well together, and I felt like we bonded when we were doing the activities.

I think the whole eighth grade would agree that the full group activities after dinner every night were the best part of the trip.  We watched a movie called The Power of One on the first night.  It told the story of a boy in South Africa and how he used his leadership skills to change the lives of those around him.  Our other night activities included a night hike, toasting S’mores on a fire, and some hilarious skits about the Country School teachers.  The skits were so memorable and funny that I think they might have been the highlight of the trip. Each group mocked a teacher of their choice in a friendly way, and we found out that a few people in our grade have some real acting talent!  Being together as the full eighth grade was really special, and it was great to bond with everyone and have such great moments.

The Fishkill trip was an experience that I’ll never forget.  The leadership seminars, outdoor activities, and full group fun are things that are sure to stick with us forever.  The weather may not have been optimal, but the students, activities, and teachers made the trip great.

In My Own Small Way

By Charlotte M.

When you think of school trips, the picture that immediately comes to mind is one of a group of kids circled around a teacher or guide, listening sleepily to the lecture. When you think of overnight school trips, a band or orchestra performing at a competition may pop into your mind. However, when I think of an overnight school trip, I immediately imagine Trips Week. Trips Week at New Canaan Country School is something everyone looks forward to. For the ninth graders, Trips Week is a little more special than the seventh or eighth grade trips, and it’s something to be excited about. We get to travel to new and interesting places, and bond further with our classmates. This year, as I embarked on a six-day journey to New Orleans, I was relatively unaware of the wonderful experiences I would have while I was there. 

At around 8 o’clock on Monday, April 11, our group climbed into our vans and drove to meet up with a representative from the organization Beacon of Hope, that helps to rebuild houses that were damaged during Hurricane Katrina. After arriving at approximately 9 o’clock (10 o’clock Connecticut time) we were given some background and sent off to work. We mainly painted the house, seeing as many of us didn’t know much about construction, but, nonetheless, the experience was one I will never forget. Annie Leonard and I were on a scaffold painting the side of the house, while other people were stationed on other scaffolds or were told to paint the shed or the back of the house. Admittedly, the work was hard – it was hot, humid, and uncomfortable – but definitely worth it. After about 5 long hours, we were finally done.

When you think of school trips, the picture that immediately comes to mind is one of a group of kids circled around a teacher or guide, listening sleepily to the lecture. When you think of overnight school trips, a band or orchestra performing at a competition may pop into your mind. However, when I think of an overnight school trip, I immediately imagine Trips Week. Trips Week at New Canaan Country School is something everyone looks forward to. For the ninth graders, Trips Week is a little more special than the seventh or eighth grade trips, and it’s something to be excited about. We get to travel to new and interesting places, and bond further with our classmates. This year, as I embarked on a six-day journey to New Orleans, I was relatively unaware of the wonderful experiences I would have while I was there. 

At around 8 o’clock on Monday, April 11, our group climbed into our vans and drove to meet up with a representative from the organization Beacon of Hope, that helps to rebuild houses that were damaged during Hurricane Katrina. After arriving at approximately 9 o’clock (10 o’clock Connecticut time) we were given some background and sent off to work. We mainly painted the house, seeing as many of us didn’t know much about construction, but, nonetheless, the experience was one I will never forget. Annie Leonard and I were on a scaffold painting the side of the house, while other people were stationed on other scaffolds or were told to paint the shed or the back of the house. Admittedly, the work was hard – it was hot, humid, and uncomfortable – but definitely worth it. After about 5 long hours, we were finally done.

The Fireplace

By Jack L.

Historically, fireplaces have been among the most important features of any house. This is because they provide heat, light, and cooking options to the family that uses them. Now, in this day and age, fireplaces are used for decoration.  People have even gone so far as to place fireplaces outside just for decoration. A fireplace is a vital centerpiece for any home.

Fireplaces have been around since fire was discovered. Long ago, people put up fire pits to cook their meat and other foods. When it was cold out, people would use the fireplace to warm their home. Despite the fact that fireplaces seem like a perfect system, a problem that people have had to combat for a long time is the smoke that comes off of a fire. This has caused a great many people to die of suffocation while sleeping. Just when all hope was about to be lost, an incredible innovation in fireplace technology was created: the chimney.

The chimney is one of the greatest inventions known to man. It is the machine in which hazardous smoke from a fire goes up and is harmlessly sent out of the house! Countless lives were saved when this technology was implemented, but the real innovating started when the architectural world realized what these chimneys could become. Soon, chimneys made out of all materials developed. Chimneys were used by the Barcelonan architect Gaudi to portray images of dragons and fantasy. Chimneys were used in many creative ways. But now, companies have learned that they can prefabricate fireplaces. By installing pathetic gas stoves into homes, the companies strip a house of all of its character. 

And so people, the message is clear. Build your own fireplace into a home! Don’t buy one from a company. Do not become part of the system! Build a fireplace and make it yours! And go overboard on the chimney? Why not?

The Lunch Dilemma

Dylan R. 

Overall, our school lunch here at NCCS is quite enjoyable, aside from a few simple things that could be easily fixed. These problems include 8^th graders not being able to use a toaster. Hopefully any 8^th grader should be competent enough to use something as simple as a toaster. 

Another problem that could be fixed easily is not having everything be whole wheat. Although whole wheat products are very healthy some of them are downright unappealing to most people, for example, whole wheat bagels and whole wheat pasta.

 Lastly, I think that chicken patties and pizza should be served a bit more than they are. I believe, if I’m not mistaken, that we have only had chicken patties once this whole year and pizza about five times. This needs to change. 

What do you think?   Leave your thoughts in the comments section of our blog, or vote in our poll!

SEAL Training

By John L.

“To become a SEAL in the Naval Special Warfare/Naval Special Operations (NSW/NSO) community, you must first go through what is widely considered to be the most physically and mentally demanding military training in existence. Then comes the tough part…” - America’s Navy Website

There are many tests a person has to do to become a Seal. One of these is BUD (Basic Underwater Demolition) where candidates learn to do multiple tasks underwater using both teamwork and communication.  As a candidate progresses, tests get both more difficult and intense. With a dropout rate of 80%, it is clearly obvious how rigorous these drills are and how hard these men train.  Every year, 1000 start the training and only 200-250 succeed. After multiple months of training, SEALS are then assigned to a team, where they are dispatched to where they are needed.

The most stressed things in SEAL training is not how to hold a gun or disarm a bomb, although they are important, but skill sets such as teamwork, endurance, communication, understanding, and many more. These skills are more important and are emphasized more than almost anything else, because it is vital to both the survival and accomplishments of these teams. A perfect example of this was the recent mission to Abbottabad, Pakistan, where more than seventy highly trained Navy SEALS from the sixth platoon killed Osama Bin Laden.

Ghostie in the Upper School

By Maggie S. and Adele W. 

Now we all know this Ghost in the Upper School is real. Our new evidence suggests that the Ghost is still lurking, in its favorite place, Ms. Purcell’s room... 

Recently, in Harry Potter Club, Lucy Bostwick was astonished when she found out that her broom was missing after the Quidditch match! Her mother was very disappointed and was worried sick about the recent event. But as we saddled up for our next match we discovered it was hidden in the book closet near Ms. Purcell’s room. This was a very good hiding place. The clever Ghost was obviously educated at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. 

BUT O.M.B (oh my bot)! The Ghost is extending. Liver, the sidekick, lost her electric power yesterday afternoon and no one knows why. It still has not returned. The Ghost Busters believe that 50 years ago the Chamber of Secrets was opened and the history is repeating itself... We advise our fellow readers to beware of any signs of large snakes, and to make sure not to look these snakes directly in the eyes for fear of petrification. 

  Today, Liver and Midge were getting supplies out of Midge’s locker. One locker that no human ever touches opened up all by itself! We were freaking out.

We believe the Ghost is going after the children who know the most information about this Ghost.

Liver, Midge, Jackbot, and Brandbot are growing very fond of the Ghost. He is making us really tight with The Column! COLUMN = THE BOTTEST 

The MET Field Trip

By Juli S. and Charlotte Z. 

On April 27^th, 2011, the 8^th graders all took a trip to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. We split into groups of ten and looked at art from different countries. We saw Islamic art, which we learned about in World Cultures earlier this year. We knew about these designs because of a project we did in art involving Islamic style. We saw Mesopotamian art, which consisted of ancient jewelry, old weapons, and miscellaneous sculptures. We also visited the Chinese art and the art of South Asia. In these sections we saw pieces ranging from artifacts from the Forbidden City to Buddhist and Hindu sculptures. After we had rekindled some of our knowledge about Mesopotamia, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism and China, we were allowed to roam around the museum in small groups.

 The highlight of the trip was going to the Ming garden. Workmen were brought in from China in order to build an authentic Chinese garden. The door leading into the garden is circular, and it is meant to only fit one person at a time. Inside the garden is a little waterfall surrounded by rocks that lead into a pool with fish. That is the only source of noise in the garden. This is because the garden is supposed to be peaceful and serene.  

In our group in particular, Ms. Post gave each student a post-it with contrasts to find within the garden.  Once we found an example, we sat down and shared them as a group. One contrast was light and dark.  For this we said where the sun shines through the skylight and where the rocks formed a cave.  We thought it was very interesting to see how the Chinese really liked to incorporate so many different contrasts. 

The trip to the MET was very fascinating because we got the chance to actually see pieces of art that we learned about during the course of the year.  We definitely learned a lot from this trip, and it was a fun diversion from our busy year. 

Visiting a Mosque

By Olivia C. and Adele W. 

On April 27^th, after visiting the Metropolitan Museum in New York City, the entire 8^th grade went to the Islamic Cultural Center on 96^th Street. All the girls had to bring headscarves, which we had to wear wrapped around our heads because it showed respect for the Islamic religion. When we arrived at the mosque, we quietly walked up the huge flight of stairs. Everyone took off their shoes and we walked into the huge, circular prayer room.  As we sat down in the back, we watched as individual men recited their prayers. Watching carefully, we noticed that the room was only filled with men and no women. Slowly, more and more men entered, and they lined up shoulder to shoulder. They faced the Mihrab, which pointed towards Mecca where the Kaaba is.  The prayer session, which the Imam was leading, included a lot of sitting down and standing up and consistent bowing. After watching this for quite awhile, the Imam told us to gather around him in a huge circle. We listened attentively as he spoke about the Islamic religion and order of prayers. 

The trip to the mosque was very interesting and we learned a lot about Islam. 

The Lion Fishies

By Ross H.

A lionfish is a small, white fish with blue stripes running down its side. It’s incredibly dangerous. If any of its poisonous spines penetrate your skin, it will release a toxin that will induce nausea and pain at the point of contact.  During our expedition down to Florida this past week, my eight other classmates and I were set loose to explore a region riddled with colonies of sea sponges. Before our descent into the crystal blue waters of Big Pine Key, our supervisor Danielle told us to keep an eye out for them for they were invasive to the surrounding environment and needed to be captured and sent to labs for research. My diving partner was Matt Evans.

Matt and I dove down in the crystal-clear water until we reached the bottom; the whole trip took about five seconds. There, we discovered many sea sponges that did not live in a pineapple or flip patties for a crustacean. They came in shades of brown and some in red. However, only after the expedition did Danielle tell us that we shouldn’t touch the red ones because they were poisonous. One of our students did anyway though. After exploring the surrounding seabed for approximately half an hour, Matt and I came upon a suspicious rock with about three pairs of spiney points and little, black eyes peaking out of it. Using my highly trained explorer senses, I was able to determine that they were rock lobsters. 

Being men of the manliest caliber, we decided to try to catch at least one of the rock lobsters and then proceed to scare everyone with it while simultaneously radiating our awesomeness and attracting girls. Unfortunately, this would not be the case. Matt and I both dove down to investigate the rock lobster’s hideout when upon closer inspection of the rock we both came face to face with a lionfish. It was a terrifying four inches long, with three-inch spines sprouting off of its blue and white body. We were both so frightened that we retreated to the surface and gave each other congratulations and numerous fist pounds. Together we alerted Danielle of the presence of the lionfish and she bravely captured it, because apparently to do so you must have a license. 

After our short visit to the spongey reef, the ocean was just a little bit safer, thanks to Matt and me. We had aided in the capture of a dangerous and invasive beast and captured it in the safest manner that would do the least damage to the reef - AKA we had Danielle do it. We sure won that day.

Flying High

By Zoe M.

As I crossed the threshold and took my seat, a million thoughts were rushing through my head.  My stomach filled with butterflies as I watched my fellow civil rights populace find their places and get settled in for the ride.  I looked down at my ticket to make sure I wasn’t dreaming.  It was about time I travelled by airplane. The hardest part was waiting for the plane to actually take off.  We rolled about the runway, turning multiple times before the craft got set up to leave.   

Takeoff.  The plane started moving forward a lot faster.  It suddenly left the ground and a moment later I caught a glance out the window.   Things got smaller as we flew higher.  Everyone else seemed very casual about the fact that we were 30,000 feet above the ground.  I could not believe it.

I finally learned what it was like to ride a plane.  It is an experience I hope to soon relive.  I very much enjoy plane rides.  Trying something new can always be scary at first, but now I am mostly just concerned that my next plane ride will not be as exciting, as the plane ride back to New York was not quite the same as the first time.  I learned something about myself.  I like the thrill of not being able to anticipate what is about to happen.  Sometimes it’s better when you do not know what to expect. Out of all the things I learned on the civil rights trip, I believe this discovery will make the most impact on my life.  Whenever I am challenged to try something new, I’ll embrace it.  From now on I will chase that feeling of unknown territory and getting out of my comfort zone.

Extremist: Bin Laden confirmed dead in Pakistan – May 2nd

By Alec B.

American newspapers seemed to host the same message and image today as news of the death of Al Qaeda leader and terrorist bomber Osama bin Laden came to light. 

President Barack Obama called a late night press conference in the East Room of the White House on May first.  For hours, news of the death of bin Laden was being reported on all major networks; they all contained the same message.  Mr. Obama later came to the East Room to confirm the report of the leader’s death in Pakistan. 

Bin Laden was found in a custom-built eight thousand square foot compound forty miles north of Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan. This was an obvious surprise to most who thought he was hidden in Waziristan, a rugged, desolate Pakistan-Afghan border state. Waziristan is considered one of the most deadly areas in the world-playing host to numerous Al-Qaeda and Taliban networks. Leon Panetta, current director of the CIA, stated, “Bin Laden is dead, Al Qaeda is not.” Colin Powell, former secretary of state under the Bush administration, stated, “They {Al Qaeda} have lost their intellectual head, their visionary leader, but he wasn’t active, he was isolated.” According to the president, “Last August, after years of painstaking work by our intelligence community, I was briefed on a possible lead to Bin Laden. It was far from certain, and it took many months to run this thread to ground, and finally last week I determined that we had enough intelligence to take action.” He continued giving more details about the operation itself, confirming that a small US force consisting of Navy SEALS entered the compound and spent forty minutes clearing the compound. They eventually found the body of a man who looked like Bin Laden and evacuated the body and the SEAL team on two helicopters.

This is no indication that the war on terror is over. As dawn broke over the Arab world, there is no doubt most were happy about Bin Laden dying.  US intelligence believes Al Qaeda needs to make a statement saying, “We’re still here” and that is why the F.B.I. has issued Bravo level warnings (highest it’s been since 9/11) for its overseas embassies and consulates and recommends no Americans go into open spaces in Arabic countries for possible outbreaks of violence. The US has implemented heightened security measures in its major cities, and recommended limited air travel for the time being.

With scary threats, many believe this is the symbolic end to a chapter in terrorism.  Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf, the developer of the controversial ground zero mosque, offered his piece on Eliot Spitzer’s “In The Arena” Monday stating, “It is too costly to be in bad business with America.”  Terrorist attacks will not prevent leaders from promoting trade and friendly relations with the West. It has been a rocky nine years, trillions of dollars and hundreds of thousands deaths, but it seems this symbolic turning point might be the final sunset for the Islamic extremists undermining the free and peaceful nations of the Middle East. 

The Crisis in the Middle East

By Charlotte Z.

We all heard about the historic crisis that took place in Egypt a few months ago. The riots in Egypt forced their leader of the last 30 years, Hosni Mubarak, to step down. Although the rioting has ceased in Egypt, many other countries, such as Libya, Syria and Bahrain are revolting against their own leaders. The Egyptians have always hated the dictatorship, but it took them 30 years to finally protest for democracy. They were inspired to protest because of their anger over rising taxes, by the fact that Mubarak wanted his son to succeed him, and finally, the man who set himself on fire in Tunisia moved them. Then, a young girl made a YouTube video telling Egypt that she was going to hold a rally against the government, and she asked others to join her. 

The pro-democracy Egyptians were not satisfied when Hosni Mubarak decided he would resign in September, because they wanted him to step down immediately. On the other hand, western nations hoped Mubarak would stay in power because they were afraid of losing an important ally. The country most concerned was Israel. Mubarak was corrupt, but under his power he maintained the 1978 peace treaty with Israel. It is vital that Egypt keep their peace treaty with Israel. Thomas Friedman from the New York Times interviewed a man from Tel Aviv who said, “Well, everything we thought for the last 30 years is no longer relevant.” I fear that people in the Muslim Brotherhood who will not want to negotiate with the United States or Israel will replace him and his empty cabinet once an election is held. Also, Egypt is the Arab country that gets the most aid from the United States because of the peace treaty, but I don’t think that the Egyptian people realized this as they rallied in the streets. If they decide to cancel the peace treaty with Israel, it means that the United States may stop sending as much aid to Egypt. On the other hand, I think that if Mubarak had stayed longer, as he had said, Egypt would have resorted to bloodshed and violence. 

I am glad that the Egyptian government didn’t turn to the violent means that Libyan leadership did.  I think that the situation in Egypt is too complicated to just decide whether or not we wanted Mubarak to stay or go. I think that if there were someone moderate poised to lead, I would have fully wanted Mubarak to go. Unfortunately, it is unclear who will lead.

I am interested to see what is going to happen in the future, now that Mubarak has stepped down. Since Mubarak stepped down, it seems as though nothing has changed in Egypt. I wonder who is going to take over as president, whether or not Egypt will become a democracy, what party will fill the empty cabinet seats, and what effect it is going to have on relations with Israel. 

I hope that the rest of the Middle East will move towards peaceful democracies, and I am interested to see how these changes will affect the rest of the world.

Balloon Car Olympics

By Catherine L.

On March 10^th , 2011, the Balloon Car Olympics took place in the Middle School Gym.  The excitement grew throughout the gym as people started testing their cars.  Everyone nervously started preparing for the competition.

The goal of the race was to build a car that could travel the farthest and fastest only using one balloon, all recycled materials, and using at least three wheels.  However, the main purpose of this project was to understand Newton’s Third Law of Motion, which states that every action has an equal and opposite reaction.  The balloon was a great example of this law.  For example, when a balloon is inflated, the pressure within the balloon increases.  When the balloon is finally let go and the air releases, the air pressure from outside of the balloon opposes the air escaping from the balloon, which causes it to excel upward. 

On the day of the race, each car was expected to go past the pre-measured distance of five meters.  When the timer said “go!” the balloon car would be released and put to the test of crossing the five-meter line.  The car would continue past the finish line until it came to a stop, and the total distance traveled was then measured and recorded.  Each car had three trial runs, allowing a second or third chance if the car had technical issues the first two times.  There were two separate awards given: one for the fastest, and one for the car that traveled the farthest distance. 

The cars that succeeded in this competition were the cars with a lighter mass.  With a lighter mass, the balloon was be able to push the car faster and keep it moving over a longer distance; however, when the car was too light it would spin or turn out of control.  Another important factor in this project were the wheels.  Friction is one of the main forces that oppose the car’s movement forward.  Wheels are the easiest way to reduce friction.  How the builder created the wheels was essential for this project.

Overall the Balloon Car Olympics was a great success!  Every car was creatively and cleverly put together.  However, the cars that had the most impressive distances were Dylan Rathbone’s, with a distance of 19.3 meters, Andrew Laub’s, with a distance of 16.1 meters, and Conlon Kiesling’s, with a distance of 14 meters. The cars that went the fastest over a distance of 5 meters were those of Justin Swirbul, Andrew Laub, Tess Mackenzie and Mackenzie Lewis.

Swimming with Sharks

By Mayze T. 

It’s impossible to deny that sharks are intimidating. Before I traveled to Florida this Trips Week, I, like many others, felt anxious where sharks were involved. After hearing about Jaws and seeing news reports on shark attacks, it was hard for me to view sharks as anything less than cold-blooded killers. Yes, I had heard the occasional environmentalist demanding the protection of the animals, but I believed that they could protect themselves perfectly well. Almost immediately after we arrived in Florida we were sent to a “shark workshop”, where I had my first face-to-face encounter with one of these animals. In this case, the sharks were frozen, so face-to-face was a relative term.

Still, I had no intention of seeing one of these creatures in the wild. Soon our instructor, Danielle, explained to us the purpose of this workshop. She told us that because so many civilians and fishermen believe sharks to be dangerous, many kill the sharks if they encounter one. Disgustingly, people will remove the shark’s fins in a process known as “finning” and leave the shark to die in the water. Danielle explained to us that the sharks rarely attack people, and usually only pursue surfers who look strangely similar to seals. This put the sharks in a completely different light. Instead of an animal on a murderous rampage, the shark was given a bad reputation due to a few simple mistakes. I found myself wanting to help in any way I could, and even though I had a few misgivings, I realized the importance of protecting these animals. It was a miraculous turn of events when, two short days later, I found myself swimming within a few feet of a reef shark. 

        My heart was beating fast, not from fear but from excitement. I swam down near the ocean floor, getting a close look at the gills, rough skin, and the famous fin. In a few moments, much to my chagrin, the shark began to swim away. My group followed, determined not to lose sight of the creature. We swam into a very shallow area, and there was a second shark with the first! The new shark was larger, a little over five feet.

Although we were enthused, the sharks seemed a little annoyed. Soon they started circling. Danielle had explained to us that this meant the sharks were getting anxious, and wanted privacy. We respected that they wanted space and left quickly. This encounter will remain with me for many years to come. Not only were we able to see an incredible animal, but we were also able to respect its needs when the time came. My Expanded Studies trip gave me a new perspective on an animal which once terrified me, allowing me not only to face my fear, but to care for the very sharks which I was once frightened by.

Letter from the Editors

 HEY GUYS!

Here’s The Column, Issue Four, fresh and new.  This issue includes a super cool section about all of the trips that the seventh, eighth and ninth graders took.  We’ve also got some interesting international articles from our most dedicated writer, Alec Bickerstaff.  I also remind you that our “Ask Boris” box is always open for your questions! SO ENJOY! – Column Staff