XOXO, Gossip on the Green?

She did what with whom?

Oh, gossip, gossip, gossip. A nastily entertaining aspect of high school. With the advent of the hit television show, Gossip Girl, it was only imminent that our school would have its own version of Gossip Girl, “cleverly” called Gossip on the Green.

But, we ask: What is Lex High coming to?

Is it really necessary for us to have a repository of gossip, of rumors, of degrading, misleading, incriminating moments? Is it necessary for us to be “in the know” 24/7? Is it our business to know that so and so hooked up with some kid, or that he started a fight after school, or that she cheated on her lover?

Through word of mouth, we already hear gossip and rumors instantaneously. Now that these pieces of gossip and rumors will be published in an open group on Facebook, there is no stopping incorrect information being spread to the entire world. Oh, what a nice feeling that is!

We, here at the Shrinking Quad, just loved reading the “info” for the group on Facebook, which included this: “Oh, and don’t take it personally if we disclose your name”. Eloquently put, Gossip on the Green. Don’t worry! We won’t take it personally if you leave our names out of gossip! It’s not like we love having our private life on display. Gossip on the Green must be omni-popular to know all of this information about everyone.

Our Conclusion: The last thing our school needs is a place for people to lash out on others, to spread false information, or intervene in someone’s private life.

What We’re Listening To….

What We Are Listening To

O…Saya– A.R. Rahman and M.I.A.
Paparazzi– Lady GaGa
Heartbeats– José González
Friday– Goldspot
Ta Douleur– Camille
Streets on Fire– Lupe Fiasco
Almost Lover– A Fine Frenzy
Dice– Finley Quaye; William Orbit
Bebot — Black Eyed Peas
9 Crimes– Damien Rice
Time to Pretend– MGMT
Diplo Rhythm– Diplo feat. Sandra Melody, Vybz Cartel and Pantera Os Danadinlios
You Found Me– The Fray
Je Veux Te Voir– Yelle
Spiraling– Keane
Love is Noise– The Verve

Poll: Library Situation

The List

Last year, a group of students from the Class of 2008 drew up a list of the “Top Ten Things Incoming Freshman Should Know about LHS”. Currently, this list is hmmm…well…vague, innocent, and administration-happy. And now, it’s time for the Shrinking Quad to revise “The List”.

1. The amount of homework can be disgusting.

2. Dress appropriately for the weather. The lake that forms between the FoLang and Science buildings is unbearable. Can’t the school afford a drain?

3. Breathe. Live in the moment, not in the future.

4. The Quad may seem like this idyllic place, but when thousands of ugly benches and one too many trashcans block the brown grass, it’s not a utopia.

5. Understand that the official school newspaper can be inefficient in delivering news in a timely fashion, except for the final paper of the year, listing what the seniors will be doing the following year.

6. Be wary of school dances.

7. We have a dance studio and a dark room, but they’re hidden away.

8. Our school spirit sucks unless you’re on a sports team.

9. You’ll have a good time if you make it a good time.

10. Sometimes you will have an awful teacher, but the ones who inspire you will buffer the bad ones.

11. There is no weighted GPA.

12. The number of AP classes that you take DOES NOT define who you are, despite what some people think.

13. It is adolescent etiquette to not open the “half” door to the Science building just to be irritating to those who want to enter the building.

14. There are no mirrors in the bathrooms of the Science building. Learn to deal–use the reflection on the paper towel dispenser.

15. Be yourself.

And this is just the beginning……

Send your thoughts and amendments to the list to TSQ’s honesty box on Facebook.

One Teacher’s Pride, Another Student’s N

Classes never usually fit into neat 45 or 55 minute blocks. Some teachers teach till the very end; sometimes, a test is obscenely long and students are scrambling to finish; other times, teachers loose track of time, and consequently, students are rushing to get their things together, preparing to take an epic jog across campus so they can attempt to be on time for their next class; and perhaps, another time, a student is busy after school/has no congruent free blocks with the teacher, so that the only time they can ask for help is after class.

In all these situations, a couple of minutes here and there, can make a difference in a student’s academic performance. They can also make a quite a difference on a student’s attendance record as well.

Lately, teachers have been arbitrarily emphasizing this de facto rule that teachers cannot excuse students from other teacher’s classes. If you’re late because you spent extra time finishing a test, that’s just great, because now you have an unexcused tardy, even if you have proof that you weren’t just fooling around. There is absolutely nowhere in the Holy Bible of LHS that states that teachers cannot excuse students from being late to classes. It is completely unfair to penalize a student for being late because they were attempting to succeed in another class. In all of these hypothetical situations, the teacher is at fault but the students are the ones who feel the ramifications.

One cannot help but feel a sense of superiority from some of the teachers at Lex High. Many of them are unable to see that students take more classes than just their class. ‘No teacher is allowed to excuse a student from my time’ is a commonly held mindset. Though they may have a point, we should not have to bear the burden for another teacher’s mismanagement or inadequacies. These unexcused tardies can amass, and sooner or later, a student has unexcused absences that he/she is not responsible for.

There is no clear way to rectify this situation, however, this issue reveals an deeper problem among the teaching staff at Lex High, which is a lack of understanding of the students that they teach. We take multiple classes– it’s inevitable that things will come up that can’t just be solved in five minute passing time. However, in a situation in which a teacher is at fault, should we really have to bear the punishment? I think not.

Review: Assassins

Once again, our school’s art department has brought to life a spectacular musical, this time about the lives and thoughts of presidential assassins. The musical talent at our high school is one of great caliber, and to see this talent showcased in a well produced theatrical production is incredible.

There were definitely several characters and scenes that stole the show. The audience waited with bated breath for scenes including the bubbly and insane Sara Jane Moore and the delusional Lynette Fromme. Highlights from such scenes included the shooting of a Kentucky Fried Chicken container and Moore’s dog. Furthermore, the scene in which Samuel Byck was driving in his 1967 Buick with black and white footage of a road behind him was memorable. The student playing Byck was enthusiastic and understood his character well. John Wilkes Booth, who appeared in almost every scene, expounded upon an assassin’s motives, while the Balladeer joyfully skipped around the stage (almost annoyingly) in her “earthy” clothes and clogs singing about peace.

However, Lee Harvey Oswald’s contemplation on assassinating John F. Kennedy was a bit drawn out. We know he is going to assassinate the President. We get the point that his feelings were conflicting, so you don’t have to sing about it for half an hour. Most scenes, however, were the perfect length and swiftly moved along, keeping the audience entertained. The gun usage was certainly plenty, perhaps even excessive, but then again, the musical is called “Assassins” for a reason.

On a last note, it is ironic that this was the choice for our school musical this year. President-elect Barack Obama was faced with many death threats while campaigning (and thus, the Secret Service were required to follow him everywhere during his campaign). Almost every President has received death threats of some sort, some more serious than others. Barack Obama will enter his presidency at a time when, most unfortunately, some people still live with prejudices and anger towards African-Americans. ‘Assasins’ only engenders more “what if” questions. At a time when a death threat to our soon-to-be President could be legitimate, was this musical appropriate?

This musical set out to make people question and think about assassinations, so I suppose they succeeded at doing just that.

The Echo Project

Text Messages. Facebook. IMs. These three form the holy trinity of adolescent correspondence. Ironically, all three have led to major communication problems between teenagers today.

While such modes of technology are certainly helpful, they take away from the more human aspect of actually speaking to one another. Such hypothetical situations have become more and more common…

-Boy gets girl’s number. The girl likes boy, the boy likes girl. But, they do not talk in person at school. He texts her asking what she’s doing this weekend. Nm, u? Nothin. Seriously, take note, this is definitely the path to an eternal relationship.

-Girl likes boy in math class. They are Facebook friends, but in class they sit on opposite ends of the room. She decides to leave him an Honesty Box message. “I think you are really cute”. No response from the guy. TERRIFIC! This is sure to work out really well, too.

-Girl #1 IMs Girl #2, “OMG did you see (insert name here) today? He’s so hot.” Girl #2 replies, “yeah”. OH! But now there’s the dilemma of what kind of “yeah” was that. Was it an ohshe’sinagreementwithme “yeah” or an ithinkyou’reanidiot “yeah” or idonthavetimetotalk “yeah”.
So many interpretations! So little information! What is a person to do under such stress?!

…Which is exactly why PostSecret has thrived. People are becoming less and less capable of saying things directly to each other’s faces; though, that’s not to say there aren’t benefits to anonymously divulging a secret. Every Sunday, Post Secret is updated online with new secrets flowing in from around the world. Just in our own hallway, an art project was established for people to post secrets outside of the Auditorium. Secrets are everywhere.

There is something very comforting about knowing that there are other people out there who share the same sentiments. It’s funny to read a secret that is absurd. It’s empowering to read the optimistic secrets some people hold. More importantly, it leads to a self-discovery. It leads to a better understanding of who you are, whether your secret is that you cut yourself, or you are deeply in love with a stranger, or that you like cheese fries with a burning passion.

Our motto here at the Shrinking Quad is “stand in the center of the quad; your voice will echo”. And thus, we have the creation of a new Post Secret project for LHS:

The Echo Project.

The Shrinking Quad created an Honesty Box on our Facebook page. Using this honesty box, you can now submit your OWN secrets to the Echo Project, which we may then publish here with your permission. (Use the big ol’ H.B. to also write comments, article ideas, you get the drift…).

As said before, communication for teenagers is increasingly impersonal. Perhaps in ways Post Secret only helps this impersonal characteristic, yet in others, it helps to alleviate thoughts on our minds whether mundane or outlandish.

We’ll Start, Here Are Some of Our Own Secrets:

-I am afraid of elderly people.

-I am older, yet I still feel new.

-I am wary that people judge me based on the music I listen to.

-I don’t find movie stars all that attractive.

-I hate cheese.

-My favorite quote is “be the change you wish to see in the world”, yet it’s cliché so I never tell people I like it.

-I still sleep with my teddy bear.

-I sometimes imagine what would happen if I were in a bad car accident.

-I try and see the beauty in everything, but sometimes that fails.

The Echo Project ensures that your secret will absolutely remain anonymous. Secrets can be boring as hell (like some of ours), or be wildly scandalous. We dare you to tell us your secret.

Send secrets to: The Echo Project

In Loving Memory………?

Have you ever noticed the red bricks pushed into the ground of the “Senior Quad” (or for those unfamiliar, the land between Commons 1 and the Freshman wing of the Main Building)? Students, parents, alums, teachers and Lexingtonians several years ago purchased bricks to build a patio for the seniors. Names, sayings, dates, were engraved into the bricks, and two granite benches were placed on the patio.

Today, the patio is looking grim. Weeds grow in between the bricks. Cracks interrupt the flow of words pressed into the bricks. Not to mention, I rarely see students utilizing the area, except on that Freshman Barbecue day when no one knows each other and everyone sits on the grass and on the granite benches eating soggy, overcooked hot dogs. The quad became home to hazardous waste disposal areas after “The Great Flood of 2008″ when the boilers exploded–perhaps that has a bit to do with the unattractiveness the area is developing. But people paid for their bricks, so it is only just that these bricks are cared for. Which brings me to my next point…

I was walking out of school through the door near the Field house, facing Worthen St. I noticed a large lamp post to my right with long tendrils of grasses and weeds at its feet. Surprisingly, in this odd location, I saw more of these “memorial bricks”. There are only about fifteen bricks, some with writing, some without, forming a square beneath the lamp post. I am no designer or landscaper, but it sure seems like a pretty dumb idea to put a square of bricks at the base of a lamp post. And not just any old lamp post…a lamp post that is hidden from the road, hidden from any foot traffic, hidden from sight.

And the last point of our neglect for memorials and what have you, have you seen the giant wall memorial in the library, commemorating those who have served for our nation from the high school? While made of gorgeous wood and gold leafing, it is in a completely ironic and misfitting place. Surrounding this wall are bookshelves, blocking the list of names of those fallen. One part of the wall must share space with the metal detectors (because you shouldn’t dare steal a book). A metal detector next to a war memorial? Huh. And then there are the ridiculous amounts of signs telling you to shut up, throw out your gum, turn off your phone, stop breathing, etc. around this memorial as well. (More later on the upset caused my library rulings). Why can’t our memorials be proper memorials? Why must we either cover them up or allow weeds to grow between? I’m sure those who have fallen representing our country would be really pleased to see that their names are hidden by metal detectors alerting librarians when someone has been immoral for stealing a book. I’m sure…

Weekly Series: The Scene

In Lexington…

11/20- 11/22 Assassins
Who: The Lexington High School Department of Fine and Performing Arts
What: This musical from Broadway a la Lex High is described as a performance that “lays bare the lives of nine individuals who assassinated or tried to assassinate the President of the United States, in a one-act historical “revusical” that explores the dark side of the American experience. From John Wilkes Booth to Lee Harvey Oswald, Stephen Sondheim and John Weidman bend the rules of time and space, taking us on a nightmarish rollercoaster ride in which assassins and would-be assassins from different historical periods meet, interact and in an intense final scene inspire each other to harrowing acts in the name of the American Dream.”
When: Thursday, 11/20- Saturday, 11/22, from 8:00 pm- 11:00 pm
Where: The Auditorium
How Much: $10 dollars, tickets sold at the door& lunch

11/26 Powderpuff Football Game
Who: Senior Girls v. Junior Girls
What: “The undefeated senior girls will go head to head in a physical battle vs the junior girls in a game of flag football”
When: Wednesday, 11/26; 1:00 pm- 3:00 pm
Where: LHS Football Field
How Much: $5.00; Concessions will be sold as well

11/27 Thanksgiving Day Football Game
Who: LHS Football Team
What: Football Game, Lex v. Burlington
When: Thursday, 11/27; Starts at 10:15
Where: LHS Football Field
How Much: $6.00 for Adults and $4.00 for Students sold at LHS Athletics Office. On Game Day- $8.00.

In Boston…

11/22 Throwdown 08′
What: “2 Clubs, 4 Rooms, 2 DJ’s, 1000 People, 1 Party”; Their Take: ‘Come join us for the party of the year at Club Rumor and Club Venu and help us raise money to save Darfur! The party will feature TWO DJ’s from 93.7 MikeFM, top of the line club lighting, and nonstop rap, hip-hop and house music all night long’
When: Saturday, 11/22; 6:30pm – 10:00pm
Where:Club Rumor and Club Venu- 100 Warrenton St; Just off the Boylston T Stop!
How Much: $25 at the door. Get there early, only the first 1000 people get in. Food and other items will be sold.
More Info: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=34162921022&ref=ts

11/20-11/23 InsideOut: the Museum School Art Sale
What: Peruse through over 4000 pretty things by art school students and stars alike for as little as five dollars.
When: Thurs., noon-8 p.m.; Fri.-Sun., noon-6 p.m.
Where: School of the Museum of Fine Arts, 230 The Fenway
More Info: http://www.smfa.edu/News_Exhibitions/InsideOut/Index.asp

In Theaters…

11/21 Twilight
What: The most famous half adolescent half vampire fictional romance on big screen
When: In theaters Friday, 11/21
Where: Any movie theater.

11/20-11/30 Boston Festival of Films from Iran
What: An ‘extensive showcase of contemporary Iranian cinema in the United States. This year’s fifteen-film program highlights documentaries, dramas, and comedies by both veteran and new directors’
When: From Today till Sunday, 11/30. Depends on film’s you’d like to see. Click link to find timings.
Where: Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
Films that Interest Us: Seven Blind Women Filmmakers by Mohammad Shirvani, a compilation of short films made by blind women after a year long workshop in film; Sounds intriguing to see how those who can’t see view the world.
How Much: Members, seniors, and students $8; general admission $10.
More Info: http://www.mfa.org/calendar/event.asp?eventkey=36523&date=11/21/2008

In the words of Lady Gaga, “Just Dance”

Ah, school dances. Such a great way to spend a Friday evening. A cafeteria filled with sweaty adolescents dancing (although grinding doesn’t remotely suggest traditional dancing) to a world renowned DJ, i.e. an inexpensive DJ willing to play his iTunes list on big booming speakers for three hours. Teachers and sometimes parental chaperones surround the “dancing” children as if studying specimens. The windows drip with condensation formed from the perspiration of students. Tickets are sold at lunch, and at lunch only. All dances start at 7 P.M. and end at 10 P.M, per school Event Policy.

Sounds like a fun night, does it not?

The school cracked down last year on underage drinking and drug usage by establishing a stricter School Event Policy. However, it is unclear how or if the event policy is actually reducing the number of people drinking and using drugs before dances. Simply put: this policy doesn’t even begin to address adequately the underage drinking “problem”. Is it inevitable that some students will drink before a dance?

Because of the new policy, the numbers of attendees are dwindling, which leads to less money to our school in the end. The “Premiere” was postponed due to poor ticket sales, and in the end, still had a low attendance. The only dances where sales have continued to do well are Junior and Senior Proms, and formal dances for Sophomores and Freshmen. Prom is ingrained in many of our minds as a night of fairy-tale gorgeousness. So, quite obviously, sales are good. But when it comes to dances to simply…dance, sales are doing poorly. And when plain old dances are not well-attended, our formal events become less and less exciting and more and more of a pain to attend.

Gee. I wonder why? It can’t be because they end at 10 pm, when the night is still young. Oh, it can’t be that I have to buy my ticket at lunch, so I can’t spontaneously decide to go. And it isn’t awkward at all when an oppressive number of chaperones stare at me while I grind. Of course such reasons wouldn’t keep me away from going to a dance!

An astounding number of students from the area are attending dances at other schools. Last year, a group of students from a neighboring town hosted a “Dance for Darfur” and a “Highlighter Dance”, bringing in tons of money and people. Hosted at armories, school cafeterias, hotel banquet halls, such dances were popular because there were no constraints imposed by a school. The students hosting the dances certainly had the power to reject someone from attending based on unruly behavior, but for the most part, things ran smoothly. People danced, and danced, and danced. And they danced past 10pm. Usually until 11 or even later. Although there were no parent or teacher chaperones, instead the police were present. As daunting as that sounds, they were there to ensure order, not to ensure proper dancing technique. Students attend these non-school dances because they feel the freedom from the strict rules our school imposes. Students meet people from other schools in the area, and are therefore less inhibited to start dancing. Not to mention, such dances drive in a huge profit.

What our school needs to do (or at least think about):

-Make the dances longer, even if by half an hour. More dancing time, later night, the less likely people are to go out after the dance to drink, etc. Plus, ten o’clock is generally pretty early for an event to end.

-Fewer chaperones should be needed. And they do not need to stand on chairs looking out below on the “promiscuous” dancers.

-Sell tickets at the door! It would increase profit ten fold if people could decide to go the night of the dance. If tickets can only be sold at lunch, people wait around and have to ask their friends, “are youuuu going to the dance tonight? OMG I don’t know if I should buy a ticket or not? Whatttt am I going to do?? I don’t want to be the onllyyy person buying a ticket!”

-The cafeteria, while the cottage-cheese ceilings really are elegant, gets a bit boring after every single dance is hosted there. Allow clubs and school council to host dances outside of school as long as there is police presence like the “Dance for Darfur” and “Highlighter Dance” did.

-Invest a little more in dances. The outcome could be incredible.

-Let us just dance.