Pokémon Black and White: The Adventure Begins

“Pikachu, I choose you!”

If this sentence alone doesn’t evoke childhood memories of playing hand-held games or watching Sunday morning cartoons filled with yellow mouse-like creatures, then you were one of the kids who missed out on the phenomenon of Pokémon. But have no fear! The most recent pair of games released in the series, Pokémon: Black and Pokémon: White, returns players to the wonderful world of Pokémon that so many of us grew up with.

Now with a grand total of 649 Pokémon in existence, a stunning number when compared to the original 150, the games offer the same feel players have come to expect from the franchise while adding in new features that make the game unique.

After choosing either a female or a male avatar, players get to select one of the three new starter Pokémon: Oshawot (water type), Snivy (grass type) or Tepig (fire type). While the choice between the three types is common to all Pokemon games, save Yellow (in which the player automatically is given a Pikachu), these new starters look nothing like those from their predecessors. Oshawott resembles a young otter, Tepig looks like a sprightly pig, and Snivy is akin to a snake.

From there, the player and his two friends (and rivals) set out on a journey to meet all the Pokémon in the Unova region, thereby completing their Pokédexes.

Along the way, the player has to deal with the interfering Team Plasma (not unlike the Team Rocket from the original games). Under the leadership of N, Team Plasma seeks to liberate Pokemon from their trainers. They believe that humans only bring pain to their Pokemon, and so they attempt to steal Pokemon and set them free.Overall, I think that Pokémon: Black and Pokémon: White make two strong new additions to the series.

One cool new feature of the game is the introduction of seasons. Every month, the game switches into the next season, and as the seasons change, so too do accessible areas and the appearance of certain Pokémon (such as Deerling).

Also, the writers for this game seem to have put in more thought than previous games in terms of developing the personality of the main antagonist. While N may initially come across as the typical villain of a Pokémon series, you soon realize that he is truly trying to help Pokemon the way he thinks is best.

However, the one drawback of the game is that the new Pokemon are not as cool or unique as the original 150. While some Pokémon are pretty cute, such as Minccino and Victini, others are unappealing and make one wonder if the designers ran out of ideas.

With so many Pokémon, it’s difficult to design fresh new ones that are still appealing–and even harder to catch ‘em all.Still, that doesn’t stop the game from being popular like its predecessors.

Senior Mari Morgan said, “This is one of the best story lines they’ve done so far. However, I feel like the difficulty level of the game is much higher than that of the rest of the games, so this isn’t for people who just want to raise their Pokemon lackadaisically, like me. So I’m finding it a bit hard, but overall, the graphics are amazing, and it’s a great new world. There are new trainers, a whole bunch of new Pokémon, and new places to discover. I’d definitely recommend it.”

English Quotation Policy Confusion

Every semester, students must brave the trials and tribulations of writing a critical research paper. Between the hours of researching and composing the paper itself, the last thing students need is one more hurdle to deal with. Unfortunately, with the current quotation policies in English classes, students are confused as how to even integrate quotes.

When it comes to the quotation usage rules here at Presentation, no two teachers can agree, it seems. One teacher will extol the importance of introducing quotations and integrating them into your own writing, while another will mark you off for such a practice and insist that you make each quotation its own sentence.

While some may be lucky enough to have a teacher for a year or longer and thus not have this problem, the majority will experience multiple English teachers during their four years here at Pres.

For students, the widely varying rules for quotation usage can get quite confusing.When you’re used to getting good grades on your papers after taking a class with one teacher, it can be a shock to receive a lower grade because your new teacher refuses to allow any ellipses or brackets.

It’s also a waste of time for teachers to teach their own personal preference for quotations in class every semester. If quotation use were standardized, then there would be a significant amount of time saved that could be used for teaching other materials.

Of course, problems also arise when teachers assume their students know how they want quotations to be written and don’t teach it at all. Unfortunately, students are not psychic, and these sudden changes in rules will likely be missed, leading to much frustration on both the students’ and the teacher’s part.

According to the English department, there is indeed a quotation policy in place that the whole department should adhere to.

“We had a meeting in October because we were concerned because we saw different things on different papers, so we devoted our department meeting to talking about that,” said Ms. Ponikvar, the English department chair.

All English teachers received a copy of the departmental guidelines handout, which they are encouraged to use with their students. While she admits that teachers may have different policies on the usage of ellipses and brackets, Ms. Ponikvar does not believe that there will be any significant hindrances in the implementation of the policy, either.

“That was one reason why we devoted a meeting to talking about it because we all wanted to be above board. We all wanted to agree on certain things,” she said.

Ms. Ponikvar suggests the use of in-class examples of proper quotation use in order to help students master the skills necessary for all papers.

Ms. Ponkivar said, “I think modeling things for them is important. It’s always good to see examples of things that are well done.”For the students, a uniform policy would be a welcome change.

“I think that they should agree on one format. It’s stressful to get marked off for doing it the wrong way,” said Nicole Bruno, junior.

Senior Michelle Yee agrees. “I wish that everyone would teach the same method, so that I wouldn’t have to adjust for each teacher,” she said.

“One year, they ask for sentences that include quotes, and the next, they ask for quotes to be complete sentences. It’s very confusing,” said Erica Henderson, senior.

Quotations aren’t the only difficulty, however. Teachers also ask for different source notes (or note cards) and outlines.

For the source notes, some teachers prefer them to be sorted by subject and others by source–and there are even teachers who insist on having old-fashioned note cards. This makes it hard for students, who are just trying to pull together the information for their paper, to know what their teacher wants. Some teachers even ask for half of the quotations in the source notes to come from the primary source, while others forbid any quotes from the novel.

Outlines present a similar problem. Teachers’ preferences can range anywhere from a minimalist outline, with a topic sentence and just a few words to explain each point, to a long, in-depth one, with all quotations and commentary already added in.

Other teachers may fall in the middle of this scale. Students have to figure out how intense an outline each teacher wants, and if they misjudge on either side, they could lose a significant amount of points.

When even teachers don’t agree on how to write a research paper, how are students supposed to perform their best? By adhering to the departmental policies on quotation use as well as by coming to a consensus on the format of source notes and outlines, English teachers can ease the stress on students, allowing them to write more thoughtful and coherent papers.

Why “Forcible” Rape is Redundant

The No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act, proposed by Representative Chris Smith in late January, is controversial for more than just its standpoint on abortion. The bill specifically advocated for the limitation of funds for government-sponsored abortions to the victims of “forcible” rape.

“Forcible” rape, as defined in the act, does not include statutory rape, date rape, rape while mentally incapacitated or rape while under the influence of drugs.

The concept of “forcible” rape being separate from rape itself is disturbing and inaccurate. All rape is forcible. To argue otherwise is to demean the experience and the pain that many victims have gone through. Just because a woman is unable to fight back does not mean that the rape was any less traumatizing or harmful.

The intent of the language of the bill, according to supporters, was to minimize the legal loophole involving the use of taxpayer money in abortions. However, regardless of one’s stance on the abortion issue, the idea of labeling some forms of rape as worse or more forcible than others is just inherently wrong. Tackling the use of federal dollars for abortions is one issue, but attempting to reclassify rape into “forcible” and non-forcible is a completely different topic that goes beyond what is necessary.

Many also see this bill as a detriment to women’s rights. By arguing that some forms of rape are not “forcible” or as severe, it implies that those who have suffered from date rape or from one of the other excluded forms of rape are less important. No matter what type of rape one suffers from, one should have access to the same options and health coverage as other victims.

While the clause in the bill has since been rescinded, the mentality behind such a narrow-minded belief is worrisome. It is difficult to understand how anyone could see a form of rape as not being a “forcible” act, much less discriminate against those who have had to deal with such trauma.

Rape victims have the right to health care. If they choose to use it towards abortion, that is a currently legal course of action. If the goal is to eliminate all funding for abortions, then members of Congress should write legislation addressing that issue; otherwise, they should refrain from stating that only victims of certain kinds of rape are worthy of receiving federal aid.

Politics Preview

After a politically-charged year, with upsets and changes in the balance of power and controversial bills, 2011 is set to be another year full of debates and compromises. With the upcoming Proposition 8 case, a new governor in California, a Republican-dominated House of Representatives and a currentlydefeated Dream Act, there will be plenty of political fodder for the new year.

Prop 8

In November of 2008, voters in California passed Proposition 8, which added the clause “only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California” to the state constitution.

Now, after Perry v. Schwarzenegger was ruled unconstitutional by Chief Judge Vaughn Walker in August 2010, the case is being returned to the California Supreme Court. Before the Ninth Circuit will agree to hear the case that could potentially make same-sex marriages illegal in the state, the California Supreme Court must decide if the supporters of Proposition 8 have legal standing to appeal.

The question of legal standing arises because of the lack of support for the case from government offi cials. Although former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is listed as the defendant in this lawsuit, neither he nor any other state offi cial, including Governor Jerry Brown and Attorney General Kamala Harris, has agreed to back the case. Instead, the defense has been put on by the proposition’s supporters.

If the supporters of Proposition 8 are found not to have legal standing, then Chief Judge Walker’s ruling, which declared Proposition 8 unconstitutional because it violated the Due Process and the Equal Protection Clauses in the Fourteenth Amendment, will stand.

Until a decision is reached, however, the hold on same-sex marriages will remain in place.

Jerry Brown/ Budget

Now that he has won the election, Governor Jerry Brown must face a state budget defi cit of $25.4 billion, according to the Associated Press.

On Jan. 10, 2011, Governor Brown released his proposed plan for the California budget, which included $12.5 billion in cuts. Some of the proposed cuts include a $1 billion reduction in money for the California State University and University of California systems and a $1.7 billion cut from Medi-Cal.

The budget plan also includes reducing the funding of California’s welfare-to-work program by $1.5 billion as well as cutting $217.4 million from Health and Human Services. The courts will also receive a $200 million reduction in funds. The proposed funding for public K-12 schools is about the same as the funding from the 2010-2011 fi scal year.

However, the cuts are only the first part of the governor’s proposed three-step plan. Following the budget cuts, voters would need to support extending certain tax rates. The third step, once cuts and taxes are dealt with, would be the passing of a fi nal state budget.

The proposed budget may also run into a legal hurdle that has nothing to do with the painful cuts themselves: some experts believe that because it seeks to change the state’s spending formulas, it will run afoul of Proposition 25 and thus require a 2/3 vote to pass instead of a simple majority. However, it remains to be seen whether Proposition 25 is relevant in this case.

Immigration Debate

The Fourteenth Amendment begins with the following statement: “All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside.”

However, recent debate has called into question whether citizenship should truly be given by birth. Concerns about immigrants using so-called “anchor babies” to unfairly remain in the United States have become more prevalent, and many are even calling to change the Fourteenth Amendment itself.

The failure to pass the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act in December 2010 refl ects the anti-immigration sentiments held by many politicians. The DREAM Act, which sought to provide a pathway for illegal immigrant minors to achieve citizenship through good behavior and either higher education or military service, was condemned because it was seen to encourage illegal immigration.

The DREAM Act was passed in the House of Representatives in early December, but it died on the Senate fl oor when it failed to overcome a fi libuster. However, this was not the first time that the DREAM Act was introduced to Congress. The DREAM Act was fi rst introduced in 2001, according to the United States Student Association, but incarnations of the DREAM Act also failed to pass in 2006 and 2007.

A number of politicians argue that measures such as the DREAM Act and citizenship by birth exacerbate the illegal immigration issue; people will have or bring their children to try and cheat the system instead of applying for citizenship legally.

Despite the setback of the recent failure, there is the possibility that the DREAM Act will be reintroduced onto the Senate floor. Senator Harry Reid of Nevada promised that the Senate would eventually vote on the DREAM Act, as he has the power to bring the bill up for another vote in the future. Although it remains to be seen whether supporters would be able to gather up enough votes to break another fi libuster, the DREAM Act may not be dead just yet.

Republican Congress

When the republicans regained control of the House of Representatives in November 2010, questions were raised about whether President Barack Obama, a democrat, would be able to continue pushing forward his legislation. After issues arising with the Affordable Care Act back when the democrats still held the majority in both houses of Congress, many wonder if a Republican-controlled House may be an insurmountable obstacle.

In actuality, it’s not uncommon for the president’s party to lose midterm elections. Discontent is at its highest in the middle years of a presidency, especially as the “honeymoon” effect wears off. The average number of seats lost by the president’s party in the House of Representatives between 1954 and 2002 was 21, and an average of 3 seats was lost in the Senate during that same time frame.

In fact, the increase in elected Republicans during President George W. Bush’s first term in office was something of a rarity. Boosts from his counter-terror policies after 9/11 counteracted the usual midterm decline in popularity.

When we look at how President Obama might fare with a Republican-controlled House of Representatives, it is worth keeping in mind the Clinton presidency. President Bill Clinton faced a Republican-Controlled House and Senate after the mid-term elections of 1994, leading to clashes on economic issues. Clinton also found it diffi cult to accomplish his goals and get things done, as conflicts with Congress led to slow progress.

Recently, the divide between the Democratic presidency and the Republican House became apparent after the House voted to overturn the Affordable Care Act on Jan. 19, 2011. Although their vote will likely have no legal impact on the bill, as the Senate will most likely not pass the new bill and President Obama would veto it if it ever passed both houses, it stands as a political statement of the divides between the two sections of government.

The Scoop on Skating

With three former U.S. National Champions vying for the gold in ladies’ figure skating and the door opened for new men’s skaters, the 2011 U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Greensboro, North Carolina, contained a multitude of amazing performances.

In order to compete in the U.S. Figure Skating Championships, you must have placed in the top four of a regional competition in order to qualify for a sectional competition, and you must place in the top four in sectionals in order to move on to the national championships. Skaters who won a medal at the Olympics, a world championship or at last year’s national championships receive an automatic qualification.

Not only do the scores received at Nationals determine who will compete at the Winter Olympics in competition years, but they also help determine who will be entered into the World Figure Skating Championships and the Four Continents Championships, both of which are international competitions. Additionally, the U.S. Figure Skating Championships determine the top competitors in each event within the United States.

In all of the various skating events, competitors perform a short program, followed by a longer free skate on a following day. For ice dancing, the short dance is a new style; in essence replacing the compulsory dance, the new short dance has the same restrictions on rhythm and movements but allows for greater creativity in choreography. For this competition, ice dancers are required to do their short dance in the form of a golden waltz. Ice dancers also no longer have to do the original dance.

Ladies’ Skating

After a strong year of competition, including winning the International Grand Prix Final, Alissa Czisny overcame her consistency issues to win her second U.S. Championship. In second place after a strong short program, Czisny won over the judges and the audience with a beautiful long program set to selections from “Winter Into Spring” by George Winston.

Czisny earned a score of 191.24, placing her 7.86 points ahead of the silver medalist. Her jumps were well-executed, and even a small error on the landing of a triple loop was unable to shake her. Every move was effortless and displayed her determination and desire to succeed.

Looking at her history at Nationals, Alissa has had a volatile career. She placed 7th in 2006, 3rd in 2007, 9th in 2008, 1st in 2009, 10th in 2010 and then 1st in 2011. However, her strong showing this past year bodes well for her performance at Worlds later this year, and she enters as the favorite for the title.

Last year’s national champion, Rachael Flatt, also skated a passion-infused short program but made a few errors in the free skate that settled her into second place. Her short program, set to “East of Eden” (famous as a competition piece used by Michelle Kwan), was heralded as a magnificent display of her spirit and vigor.

However, her free skate lacked the effortless qualities that made Czisny’s such a triumph. Flatt struggled with the landing of a few of her jumps, and some of the passion that was overflowing from her short program failed to make an appearance in the piece.

Her performance was still strong enough to secure her the silver medal, and she, along with Czisny, will go on to compete at the World Figure Skating Championships. Time will tell whether the two will be able to place high enough to regain the U.S.’s third female spot, which was lost in 2008.

Coming in with the bronze medal, Mirai Nagasu had been leading the pack after the short program, but a couple of costly mistakes during the free skate knocked her down into third place. Her performance, set to “Memoirs of a Geisha” by John Williams, got off to a strong start but faltered towards the end. She finished 6.12 points behind Flatt, with only a margin of 3.42 points between herself and the fourth-place finisher.

Nagasu was the U.S. National Champion in 2008, the U.S. National silver medalist in 2010 and the fourth-place ladies’ skater at the 2010 Winter Olympics. This year, she also placed second at the Trophée Eric Bompard, although she had issues with a stress fracture that kept her from practicing for a time.

While she will not be moving on to compete in the World Figure Skating Championships, Nagasu has proven herself to be a strong skater, and she will hopefully have a better day during next year’s competition.

Men’s Skating

Major upsets were seen in the men’s division, as the current national champion, Jeremy Abbott, was dethroned after a two-year reign. Although neither Evan Lysacek, two-time U.S. Champion (2007, 2008) and 2010 Olympic gold medalist, nor Johnny Weir, three-time U.S. Champion (2004-2006), were competing, Abbott faced stiff competition from a strong set of newcomers that managed to leave him with only the pewter medal.

Taking home the title of 2011 United States Men’s Champion, 11-time competitor Ryan Bradley won his first national title on Sunday. He came into the free skate as the leader of the scoreboard, skating last. His free skate was an amusing spoof of Mozart and his music, and true to form, he put on an entertaining display while still showing his technical and jumping strength.

In contrast to the amazing quad-triple combination in his short program, the 27-year-old stepped out of his two quads in the beginning of the program. However, he rallied and managed to land his triple axel and his triple axel-triple toe loop combination, as well as his other jumps. He also incorporated a number of complex spins that helped him make up points.

Although Bradley hadn’t competed in a year, the 2007 National silver medalist cleverly used a portion of his program to recharge his legs while connecting with the audience through his character. However, he still seemed to have some steam left after his performance, as he performed an amazing backflip on the ice before leaving the rink.

In an incredible move, Richard Dornbush, in only his second U.S. Championship appearance, managed to win the silver medal after a 7th place finish in the short program. His free skate was a piece centered on the character of Sherlock Holmes, and it delighted the judges, being the most highly scored men’s free skate of the competition. The 19-year-old from California earned his second-place finish, starting off his routine with a seemingly effortless triple axel-triple toe loop combination and sticking all his jumps afterwards.

In addition to the strong jumping performance, Dornbush also played the part of his character to perfection; he even pantomimed a monocle at one point, pretending to inspect a piece of evidence. Without a doubt, the performance was charismatic and worth its silver finish. Dornbush, along with the other men’s medalists, will now go on to try his luck at the 2011 World Figure Skating Championships.

Placing third in the men’s division was Ross Miner, who, like Dornbush, made a strong comeback in the free skate after a lackluster short program. His free skate, set to the music of Casablanca, opened with a circular step sequence; an unusual move, as most men’s programs start with the jumps. However, he soon landed a large triple axel combo and followed it with a triple lutz-triple toe combo, making a big statement about his abilities. Indeed, the 20-year-old and 2009 junior champion made all of his jumps in the program, pulling him up from sixth place to the bronze medal.

This was Miner’s senior debut; he was supposed to compete at last year’s nationals, but he was unable to do so because of an ankle injury. The delay doesn’t seem to have hurt him in the least, though, as he takes the role of the bronze medalist in men’s figure skating.

Pairs’ Skating

Winning their first national title, Caitlin Yankowskas and John Coughlin claimed the gold on Saturday with a beautiful free program dedicated to Coughlin’s late mother. The leaders after short program managed to maintain their lead even with a shaky landing on one of their throws, with good unison in their jumps and spins and elegant skating.  Although the performance, skated to “Ave Maria,” was relatively quiet, it left a powerful impact on viewers.

Yankowskas and Coughlin, who partnered up in 2007, previously won bronze at the 2011 Cup of China. They are currently estimated by the International Skating Union to be the fifteenth-best pair in the world.

Winning the silver medal for the second year in a row, Amanda Evora and Mark Ladwig skated a great performance but made a number of errors that kept them out of the running for the gold. Despite some beautiful lifts and throws, including a one-handed and one-footed hold, they were unable to keep their jumps strong enough to place higher. During side-by-side triple axels, Ladwig tripped and ruined the jump; a large throw triple loop was also too big to control, and Evora touched down on the ice.

Although their routine was a bit disappointing, they will still be headed off with Yankowskas and Coughlin to the World Figure Skating Championships in March in Tokyo. Only the top two pairs teams qualify for Worlds.

Finishing in third place, Caydee Denney and Jeremy Barrett, the 2010 National Champions, performed well in the free program but were unable to make up enough ground from the short program. The gorgeous throws in the beginning, including a throw triple lutz, really bostlered their performance. Denney and Barrett also showed nice unison in their spins and strong lifts, including a one-footer. They were in fourth after the short program, and they were able to move up one spot in order to medal.

Denny and Barrett, both young, have only been skating together for two years. They are said to have great exuberance and technique, but they are working on finesse.

Ice Dancing

2010 Olympic Silver medalists and now three-time consecutive U.S. National Champions Meryl Davis and Charlie White proved once again on Saturday that they were a force to be reckoned with. They had already obtained their first-place spot after the short dance, but they still put all their passion and energy into their free dance, and it showed. Dancing to a collection of tangos, Davis and White utilized creative lifts and stunned commentators with their fast and perfectly synchronized twizzles (multi-rotational one-foot turns). They infused both passion and technique into a truly beautiful performance.

Davis and White, in their fourteenth year skating together, are the heavy favorites for the World title in ice dancing. If they took the title, they would be the first U.S. team to do so. They are currently the team who has been together the longest in United States, and their strong showing at national and international events hints that they may be dominating American ice dancing for years to come.

The young brother and sister team of Maia Shibutani, 16, and Alex Shibutani, 19, is not to be taken lightly, either. The duo claimed the silver in ice dancing, after an impressive free dance to “Smile” by Charlie Chaplin and “Let’s Face the Music and Dance” by Irving Berlin. They displayed fast, synchronized twizzles, and their fluid, lighthearted and elegant dance proved their talent to spectators and judges alike. The pair had been in second place after their short dance, typing Davis and White in the technical element of their routine, and their free dance allowed them to tighten their hold on their position.

This is the Shibutanis’ first time competing in the senior level at the U.S. National Championships; last year, they won the gold medal in the junior division at Nationals and went on to win the silver medal at the Junior World Figure Skating Championships. Now, they will face stiff competition at the senior-level World Figure Skating Championships, and only time will tell how they will fare.

Taking home the bronze in ice dancing, Madison Chock and Greg Zuerlein put on an entertaining performance to selections from Cabaret but lacked the technicality to bring home the gold. The World Junior Champions in 2009 placed fifth last year, but their strong character performance and playfulness, in addition to their strengths as dancers, allowed them to claim the bronze medal.

Along with Davis and White and the Shibutani siblings, Chock and Zuerlein will represent the United States Ice Dancing Team at 2011 Worlds.

Although national champions have now been decided, the medalists still have work ahead of them. The 2011 World National Championships are on the horizon, with the United States’ competition spots on the line.

However, if you’re interested in seeing these amazing performers in person, it’s your lucky day! The 2012 U.S. Figure Skating Championships will take place right here in San Jose, CA, at the HP Pavillion. Events run from Jan. 22 to 29.

Tips for College Applications

College: It’s what we’ve been preparing for since we entered the halls of Presentation High School, if not earlier. Four years of studying, research papers and projects have all lead up to the moment of graduation, after which we can finally move on to college.

If only it were that easy. Unfortunately, before you can actually attend college, you have to apply to said college. And, as most seniors know, there is nothing more stressful than the application process…especially as the deadlines start to creep up on you.

However, you’re not alone. The Voice has asked seniors who applied early or finished their applications early to share their tips and warnings to help maximize your chances of success.

The most common tip is, of course, to start the application process early. “I would advise students to begin writing essays in the summer. At the very least, students should have some idea about what topic they want to write about. As the fall semester rolls around, it is often difficult to juggle school, sports, and essays. Although stressful, the process is exciting. If students stay on top of deadlines, then the process is less stressful and more rewarding,” said Natalie Audelo.

Although it may seem difficult, it is not impossible to finish your applications with plenty of time to spare.

“I began formulating ideas for essay topics during the summer; also, I opened my Common App account the day it was made available, and I finished my entire application along with my supplements by the beginning of October. I’ve already heard from five colleges because I took action so early on. It feels awesome to have somewhere to go,” said Meredith Hinz.

The ‘activities’ portion of an application can be tricky, so be sure to fill it accurately and with meaningful activities.

“If I could, I would have started my activities during freshman year. It’s more important to continue on with activities you enjoy than to pad your resume. Be sure to list out all your activities ahead of time before putting them in the application; you don’t want to forget or leave out anything,” said Amanda Ison.

Another tip is to write your essays as soon as inspiration strikes, and keep a cool head when working on the essay portion.

“I’m glad that I wrote the essay about an event when it was still hyped up in my mind. It added emotion and excitement that made me proud of my essay. However, I would change how I let some questions freak me out because I wasted a bunch of time worried about the ‘describe your world and your place in it’ UC prompt. Just the thought of it makes me cringe,” said Erica Henderson.

When doing your applications, also keep in mind the value of others’ inputs.

“If I could have done anything differently, I would have gotten critiques on my essays. Even if your counselor can’t see you right away, nab a friend and let them review. Sometimes they can suggest things to perk up your essay, or offer a viewpoint you never had,” said Alexis Kuhlmann.

Additionally, make sure you prepare yourself well for standardized testing, and get it done ahead of time so you can retake the test if needed.

“I wish I studied a lot more for the SAT because it takes a long time for scores to come in and I am not happy with my scores, but it’s pretty much too late to sign up and take the SAT for a THIRD time,” said Katie Donohoe.

And, of course, listen to your parents.

Said Donohoe, “I learned that your parents do know what they’re talking about when it comes to college apps, so as annoying as they seem, they know what’s best for you. If they suggest a school that maybe you’ve never heard of or don’t really like, still look into it. I learned that I love the school that my mom suggested, even though I used to hate it, because it’s perfect for me. So listen to your parents because they know what’s best for you and know what they’re talking about.”

Returning and New Winter TV Shows

Are current fall shows disappointing you this year? Here are some alternatives, premiering this winter, that just might catch your eye.

Returning Shows

Psych:

The original fake-psychic-detective show, Psych is noted for its fast-paced and clever humor. The show stars James Roday as Shawn Spencer, the head psychic consultant for the Santa Barbara Police Department. Along with his best friend Gus (The West Wing’s Dulé Hill), Shawn solves crimes, causes trouble, and just generally goofs off, irritating Head Detective Carlton “Lassie” Lassiter (Tim Omundson). What truly makes Psych unique is the witty banter Roday and Hill generate episode after episode, as well as the plethora of references to the ‘80s that the writers manage to sneak in each season.

When we last left off at the summer mid-season finale, the eternal “will-they-won’t-they” couple (à la Booth and Bones of Bones fame), Shawn and Detective Juliet O’Hara (played by Roday’s real-life girlfriend, Maggie Lawson), had shared a passionate kiss—right before Juliet left on a trip with her boyfriend, the rich Declan Rand. Now that Shawn has broken up with his girlfriend, who stood in the way of the Shawn-Juliet relationship the last two seasons, it looks like they might finally get together…but who knows? Plus, the writers have promised to close the arc from the past two season finales and reveal the identity of the dangerous Mr. Yang, so stay tuned to see what happens next!

The second half of season five will commence with “Extradition II: The Actual Extradition Part” on Nov. 10 at 10 p.m.

Burn Notice:

“When you’re burned, you’ve got nothing. No cash, no credit, no job history. You’re stuck in whatever city they decide to dump you in.”

So says Michael Westen (Jeffrey Donovan), the star of USA network’s Burn Notice. Michael is an ex-spy who was “burned,” or terminated, because someone accused him of being unreliable. Stuck in Miami, Florida, with no money or means out, he is forced to take on a series of odd jobs as a private investigator in order to live and find the person who ruined his life. The wily Michael is not alone; he often receives help from his pal Sam, his ex-girlfriend Fiona and his mother, Madeline. One of the hallmarks of the show is that, throughout the series, Michael narrates events and even gives out tips to fellow spies.

Last time we saw Michael, he was lying on the ground, bleeding. After putting aside his animosity towards an attorney in order to rescue his daughter, Michael was involved in a shootout between his team and Barrett’s, a man who desired a Bible in Michael’s possession in order to take down a secret organization within the government. Jesse Porter (Coby Bell), the former spy whom Michael had accidentally burned, shot Michael in the shoulder in order to save him by hitting Michael’s captor with the same bullet. Bleeding but alive, Michael was driven off by Barrett and found himself with no choice but to crash their car. Although Michael will likely live through his most recent scrapes, the question still remains: what happened to the precious Bible?

Season four of Burn Notice will return with “Eyes Open” on Nov. 11 at 10 p.m.

Human Target:

Human Target, the show based off of a popular comic book by DC Comics, chronicles the story of personal security expert Christopher Chance (Mark Valley). Chance is hired to protect clients by putting his own life on the line—he acts as the titular “human target” in order to save others, in order to make up for his past as an assassin under the command of “The Old Man,” a ruthless and antagonistic man who heads an organization of mercenaries. Chance completes his missions with the help of his partner, Winston (Chi McBride), and their worker and underworld contact, Guerrero (Jackie Earle Haley).

Last season’s finale found Chance, Winston and Guerrero recounting how the Katherine Walters case brought the three of them together. The clients who wanted her dead have found the three of them in the present day, searching for a valuable item that had been lost. Chance is able to overpower his guards and escape, but is nearly caught until an unlikely ally saves him—and the two must team up in order to rescue the kidnapped Winston and locate the missing item.

Season two will premiere with “Ilsa Pucci”on Nov. 17 at 8 p.m.

New Shows

Conan:

After conflicts with NBC caused the early demise of The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien, Conan returns to TV with a new talk show on TBS. Because his agreement with NBC stipulated that he could not return to television until September, Conan bided his time with The Legally Prohibited from Being Funny Tour. However, now that his agreement with NBC is complete, he is free to return to late-night TV. Simply titled Conan, the show has been vigorously drumming up support for Team Coco—the Tom-Hanks-inspired nickname used to refer to Conan’s loyal fanbase—with numerous advertisements, a viral Twitter and Facebook campaign and even a blimp.

Conan will be joined in his new show by sidekick Andy Richter and the newly-dubbed Jimmy Vivino And The Basic Cable Band, as well as by many of his writers from his previous programs. Guests planned for the first episode to include longtime Conan fan Tom Hanks as well as Julie Bowen, Jon Hamm, Seth Rogen and The White Stripes’ Jack White.

Conan will premiere on Nov. 8 at 11 p.m.

Glory Daze:

Have you ever wished you could go back in time and enjoy the ‘80s? TBS’s new comedy, Glory Daze, offers the chance to do just that.

Glory Daze focuses on the high jinks of a group of college freshmen pledging a fraternity in the ‘80s. Starring Tim Meadows (Saturday Night Live) and Michael LeSieur, the show promises to take a fun, fresh look at college life in the 1980s. The four main characters, played by Drew Seeley, Matt Bush, Hartley Sawyer and Kelly Blatz, are freshmen finding their way at Hayes University in Indiana. They must adjust to being on their own for the first time as well as be prepared for what lies ahead.

Glory Daze premiers on Nov. 16 at 10 p.m.

New Security Cameras on Campus

When students returned from summer break this year, they may have noticed a few new additions to campus. They’re little, but behind their small statures is a wealth of knowledge. They’re shy, so you really have to pay attention in order to spot them. And their beady little eyes are always watching, taking note of all that they see.

No, it’s not the freshman class or even the Geico money stack. The observant new members of our Presentation community are the new security cameras posted all around campus.

According to Ms. Miller, principal, there are currently 14 security cameras around the school — one on each side of the gym, one watching the locker room doors, two that look out onto the field, three watching the driveways, two in the courtyard, one by the chapel, one in the front, one by the pool, and one around the back parking lot area — and two additional cameras may be added in the future.

The installation of the new $35,000 security system began in May of this year, and although adjustments are still currently being made, the project is estimated to be completed by mid-September. According to the administration, the addition has been in the works for a while now.

The cameras were installed this year because they had finally saved enough money to pay for the project. The primary reason for the camera additions is for safety purposes, said Miller. “If, god forbid, we ever had an intruder on campus, we’d be able to figure out where that person was located.”

Additionally, the cameras focused on the driveways record the license plates of all cars going through the area. This is so that if someone is here that shouldn’t be here and commits a crime, the school has their license plate and can find the criminal. Theft prevention is another function these cameras provide — the camera focused in on the locker room doors allows the administration to narrow down the list of suspects based on who went in and out of the room around the time of a theft.

However, the cameras have already been of use. This past summer, while the system was still being set up, a visitor collapsed from cardiac arrest in the parking lot. In order to ensure that he received the most appropriate medical care, the cameras were used to determine how long the victim had been out before help arrived.

“With the cameras we had, we were able to determine when he left the pool deck,” Miller said. “We didn’t have the parking lot camera set up yet, but from the camera on the driveway, we could tell the time at which the paramedics arrived. So we figured that within five minutes, the paramedics had gotten to him.” The man survived, thanks in part to our campus’s resources.

For students, the major issue with the security cameras is privacy.

“I thought the cameras were pretty creepy at first,” said Nicole Bruno, junior. “Now that I think about it, it’s a good preventative measure, but it still feels like ‘Big Brother’ is watching you.”

Senior Aurelia Sellers agrees.“I’ve noticed the cameras, and I think they’re unnecessary. Nothing extreme really happens here. It’s good that people are going to be more aware of theft, but it’s not going to solve everything.”

Before panic sets in, though, it should be noted that, although the cameras are on 24/7, there is no one who sits and watches the feed all day. In fact, Miller said, “We tend to only look at the feed when there is reason to believe that something has happened that requires us to go back on the tapes.”

The administration maintains that as long as one is behaving appropriately, there is nothing to fear from the cameras. “We would never have cameras in the locker rooms,” Miller said. “We don’t plan on putting cameras in the hallways or classrooms. Our primary purpose is not to spy on the ‘good guys.’ The point is to spy on the ‘bad guys.’”

So the next time you’re taking a nice stroll through the courtyard, smile! You’re on camera.

Summer Movies Preview

So many new movies are coming out this summer, but which ones are worth seeing? This dilemma is always plaguing us, but now we have recommendations. So when you are sitting there during summer vacation and do not know what to do with those boundless hours without homework, consider these. Movies are a great way to get together with friends and to catch up once out of school.

The Last Airbender

One movie that looks promising is The Last Airbender. This film is an adaptation from Avatar, not the James Cameron film, but the animated series on Nickelodeon. The movie is not animated like the TV show, but the story line is impressive. The nations of Air, Water, Earth and Fire are thrown out of balance when the Fire nation decides to launch a war against all the others causing destruction for over a century. A young boy named Aang discovers that he is the last avatar, which means that he is the only one left who can use all four of the elements. The movie follows Aang’s quest to save the nations from the devastation of war and to return everything to how it was before.

The Twilight Saga: Eclipse

Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, and Taylor Lautner are all coming back this summer with the third movie in the Twilight series: Eclipse. In this third movie, Bella is once again in danger as Victoria comes back to avenge her partner, James. Not only is she set on killing Bella, but it appears that she is hatching a dangerous plan as well. In addition to dealing with Victoria, Bella must also make the most important decision of her life: to stay human or turn into a vampire. She doesn’t have eternity to make her choice, as the Voulturi promised to pay a visit soon to see a newly transformed Bella. As a result, Bella is forced to choose between her vampire-boyfriend, Edward, and her werewolf-friend, Jacob. Go to your local theatre on June 30 to see two of the hottest actors in Hollywood in one movie!

Toy Story 3

After taking an 11-year break, Toy Story is finally coming back with its latest sequel, Toy Story 3. Of course, the movie makers are wise enough to let the long lag fall into place in the movie, as it fast forwards into Andy’s life when he is getting ready to go to college. Because Andy doesn’t play with his old toys anymore, he decides to put them in the attic. Through a misunderstanding, they end up in the trash. Thinking that Andy abandoned them, the toys try to escape. Despite their escape attempt, they are unable to reach the safety of Andy’s room and end up in a donation box headed to a daycare. At first, the toys are excited by their new life and new toy friends. However, things aren’t what they seem to be and the toys desperately try to return home – a decision they share with Andy, who realizes that his toys will always have a place in his heart, no matter how old he is. Join this fun 3-D adventure with Woody, Buzz, Jessie, Mr. Potato Head and many other of their toy friends on June 18!

　

The Sorcerer’s Apprentice

For all you Disney fans out there, the conglomerate is releasing a new film this summer entitled The Sorcerer’s Apprentice. Based off the segment in Fantasia where Mickey Mouse enchants the mop to clean the house, the movie takes its name from the music playing in the background of the scene, “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice” by Paul Dukas. The movie tells the story of sorcerer Balthazar Blake, played by Nicholas Cage (National Treasure), who enlists the aid of an apprentice in order to defeat his arch-nemesis, Maxim Horvath (Raiders of the Lost Ark’s Alfred Molina). Blake takes on Dave Stutler (portrayed by Jay Baruchel of How to Train Your Dragon) , a normal kid with a proclivity for magic, as his apprentice, and the two must work together in order to save the world.

This movie promises to have all the fun and enchantment of Fantasia, while adding an element of reality by making it a live-action movie. It expands upon Mickey’s character and situation in the movie, allowing us to have a moment of nostalgia, connecting with a character we knew in our childhood, while giving the movie a modern and interesting twist. The Sorcerer’s Apprentice promises to be fun for the whole family, as well as a successor to the Disney movie legacy. Go see this modern-day magic story on July 16!

The Karate Kid

Loosely based on the 1980’s movies we know and love, the newest version of The Karate Kid stars Dre Parker, (played by Jaden Smith) who is moving to Beijing China with his mother (The Curious Case of Benjamin Button’s Taraji P. Henson), a single mother struggling to make a living. When he arrives he discovers life is not all it’s cracked up to be in the great city. The young Dre struggles with his forbidden feelings for classmate Mei Ying and the bully Cheng. With nowhere to hide and no one else to turn to, Dre’s life starts to look pretty bleak. Then one day, he meets maintenance man Mr. Han, played by Jackie Chan (Rush Hour). The mysterious figure offers to teach Dre the ancient art of kung fu, of which he is secretly a master. His slightly odd but nevertheless effective techniques prove to be just the thing Dre needs to finally feel welcome in his new home. Meanwhile, he is always keeping his final goal in mind: defeating Cheng the bully in a national martial arts competition. Will he succeed? Check it out when it hits theaters on June 11 to find out!