The Perfectionist

!Shyness is out of his Way Now

Noureen Ben Halim

To many, he is very studious. To some, they refer to him as being in his own world. To those who know Mostafa Barakat, he is the calm, kind, friendly person who you will often find sitting quietly either by the green tables, or at the front porch. He seems like an average seventeen year old, but talking to him will definitely give you a glimpse of what a successful future is in store for him.

Mostafa has been in Schutz for a year. His first impression of Schutz is quite a warm one, “The congenial people, and the family size of the school are the qualities that attracted me the most.”

There are many things that make him who he is today. A big part of his life is his family. His father has ten brothers and sisters. His grandfather, however, is his role model. When asking him why, he says, “He taught me a truly valuable lesson. You will never learn until you gain experience.”

While Mostafa seems to be a very bright person, he also likes to relax on weekends with friends, playing tennis, watching movies and shows, and going out. While we chatted a bit, I asked him what colleges he would consider attending. His response reflected confidence. “I’m not sure yet, but somewhere abroad, most probably Canada.” “I want to open a chain of hotels and be a successful businessman.”

Mostafa has changed a lot since he first arrived at Schutz. “I remember the fist day here, I was too shy to even introduce myself!” Well, things have changed since then! He says he will miss how close everyone is, and he will miss the teachers and students. Before going off to a new place, and moving on to a new chapter in his life, he leaves the upcoming seniors with a few words, “Before taking people’s word for something, you’ve got to try it yourself.”

Macho Man

Force is not the only Way to Get what you Want

By Youssef Talaat

From a chubby freshman with a squeaky voice, to the biggest senior on campus, Mahmoud Ben Halim has changed 180 degrees throughout his four years in high-school. In his early years, everyone used to pick on Mahmoud and he was determined to put an end to that. Now, Mahmoud can bench-press over 110 pounds!

Mahmoud is one of those classic few Schutz students who has been in this school for all his life. Being in Schutz taught Mahmoud that actions have consequences, and things that don’t affect you now may affect you in the future. Over time, Mahmoud has also learned that force is not the only means to get what you want.

After graduating, Mahmoud hopes to study Finance abroad or at the American University in Cairo, depending on his grades and SAT score. After college, Mahmoud plans to get a Master’s degree in Business Administration, then he intends to go into the family business, which is situated in Spain.

Ten years from now, Mahmoud sees himself as a “big” investor and businessman with businesses operating in and outside of Egypt. In addition to being a successful businessman, Mahmoud also plans to take a job at Gold’s Gym so he can maintain his striking appearance. Ben Halim’s strong points are his patience and determination, but he constantly has trouble controlling his anger, which has got him into a lot of trouble over the years. One thing that no one tends to realize about Mahmoud is that he has a very peaceful and calm side to his personality.

When asked, Mahmoud said that the three phrases that best describe him are, “big and bulky, kind-hearted, and open-minded.” Mahmoud refers to his father as his role model because as the years go by, he is learning that everything his father taught him turned out to be true. Today, you will see Mahmoud trying to cherish every moment of his senior year as he will truly miss Schutz and all of the memories that come with it especially Mr. Rab’s English classes that were full of fun, advice, and wisdom.

Mahmoud will really miss fooling around with his friends at school and picking on the younger kids, but one thing he is glad to be leaving behind is Massimo’s office. Before leaving, Mahmoud would like to advise the Junior class to “take responsibility for their actions” as he is famous for taking the blame for all of the senior class’s problems.

The Young Mind

Rush

The Choking Game

By Noureen Ben Halim

“It’s something that is not talked about. It’s not well known, and there’s a lure to that.” Sarah, age 20, witnessed students choking each other. She is one of many who have witnessed a new trend, called-the choking game, among teenagers.

The game rules are simple. Teens press each other against a wall until their oxygen supply is cut off. After that, they pass out. There’s a huge risk of death, and even brain damage because the person deprives the brain of oxygen. Dr. Ashraf Attalla, child psychiatrist says, “By reducing the blood pressure the brain basically starts an irreversible process of dying.”

So what could teenagers today possibly be thinking? What is the incredible sensation they could be getting off choking each other, or “fainting each other?” Well, the teens that have experienced it say that there is an amazing high they get off it. Some of them do it to intoxicate themselves, without having to pay money on drugs.

This game has become so popular that many names for it have developed. A couple include: Space Monkey, Suffocation Roulette, California Headrush, Hoolahooping, and even Trip to heaven.

Often, due to peer pressure, teens neglect thinking first, and act on what they hear. They do not know the side effects and facts of this horrible routine. What these kids do not understand is that they are ruining their lives themselves. They listen to their friends, and they think they’ll fit in because of some game. The sad truth is, most of them do not live to “fit in.” Some live with permanent brain damage, others with memory loss. The lucky ones that survive, only do it again and again.

One should be aware that the spread of this game has also spread the different ways it is played. Not only is it played on walls, but sometimes teenagers use dog leashes, bungee cords, choke collars, and belts.

The innocence of kids and teenagers is being replaced by extreme ideas. Parents should become aware of what is going on. Often, signs that a teen is playing these games are bloodshot eyes, severe headaches, and marks on the neck. Parents should be able to communicate with their kids. Teens should not cover up for each other if they know of any choking activities. They should speak up. If they truly care about their friends, they will do what is best for them.

Teens should think before they act. The most decisive actions of our life are most often unexpected actions.

177Athletes--One Bronze

Egyptian Participation in the Beijing Olympics Proves an Ultimate Failure

By Alaa El Damaty

Many people have questioned Egypt’s performance in the Olympics this year. Egypt has only achieved one bronze medal in Judo below 90 kilograms by Hesham Mesbah. When compared to Egypt’s performance in Athens, it is clear that its performance is on the decline. In Athens, Egypt achieved a gold medal, a silver medal, and three bronze medals.

One explanation of this decline is the economic instability in Egypt. Prices are on the rise, and people cannot find money to pay for their basic needs. How will families find money to sponsor their children’s sports activities when they cannot afford to pay for a loaf of bread?

Another reason for this decline would be Egypt's ability to nurture its athletes. Karam Gaber, winner of the gold medal in Roman wrestling in Athens, is a perfect example. He is 29, and if circumstances were right, Karam Gaber would have been expected to achieve a gold medal in Beijing, where he lost during the first round.

One explanation is that Egypt did not sponsor the player during the four year period he spent after Athens. Karam Gaber had the freedom to make his own choices about which tournaments to enter. He even chose how to practice. All of this led to his poor performance this year in Beijing. In some essential tournaments, Gaber chose not to enter, which decreased his rankings. He was only qualified to the Olympics in the last tournament he entered. He even skipped practices that he had and refused to go to the camps set for him. Clearly, he did not get enough training.

Another example is Aya Medani, who played modern pentathlon. She was expected to achieve a gold medal. She is the world’s top ranked player in the sport. What happened? In an interview with her, she claimed that circumstances in Egypt did not help her but degraded her performance, which led to her achieving rank eight.

Another reason would be incentive. None of those players have an incentive to play. They are not promised any rewards for their wins, except some fame after they come back. In countries like the United States, great athletes are rewarded millions for their achievements. Mohamed Rashwan, a well known Judo player who won many medals for Egypt, is not recognizable to anyone. Endorsements, money, gifts, recognition, or respect should be given to the athletes. Others argue that the reason for this decline is a lack of facilities.

The best explanation for this bad performance is a combination of the above stated reasons. One hopes that these circumstances improve, so that Egypt can have an honorable ranking in the 2012 London Olympics.

?Why So Serious

The Latest Addition to the Batman Sequel Takes the Box Office by Storm

By: Aly El Attal

The Dark Knight was probably the most anticipated movie of the year. The movie’s huge success was partly due to the worldwide success of its prequel, Batman Begins. Its success was also due to the publicity of the movie, especially through Heath Ledger’s death. While the movie was being filmed, Heath Ledger had been working hard on experimenting with voices and laughs for his role as the Joker in The Dark Knight.

In an interview, Ledger said that the Joker was a “psychopathic, mass-murdering, schizophrenic clown with zero empathy.” Several reviewers have criticized the movie because they believe that Heath Ledger’s death had a lot to do with his role as the Joker and believe that he took sleeping pills in order to put on a good show. This, however, does not change the fact that the movie was a huge box-office hit.

The Dark Knight is one of the most successful movies in history. Since its release on July 18th, the movie has grossed over $518,070,111 in the US, making it the second highest grossing movie of all time after Titanic. The New York Daily News called the movie “twisted, tortured, terrifying - and terrific.”

The Dark Knight could easily be considered one of the greatest movies of all time. Heath Ledger’s role as the Joker is unforgettable and truly remarkable. He vividly portrays a freakish, maniacal murderer in his actions, his voice, and his laugh. We will all be waiting for the release of the next Batman movie, in which Johnny Depp is expected to be taking on the role of the Riddler.

A Battle on the Court

Fabulous Federer Captures U.S. Open Title

By Mahmoud Ben Halim

The 2008 US Open (August 31-September 13) was played at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, New York. The tournament was a fabulous event with many surprises.

The fabulous Swiss Roger Federer captured the 2008 US Open title with a dramatic victory over Brit Andy Murray which also put in place a record that might not be broken; he winning two grand slams in Wimbledon and the US Open five consecutive times.

On the ladies side, Serena Williams captured her third US Open title against Jakovic with a 6-4, 7-5 victory. Both the men’s and women’s US Open singles champions will earn $1.5 million with the ability to earn an additional $1 million in bonus prize money. The US Open was sponsored by Lexus.

Federer beat Andy Murray, 6-2, 7-5, 6-2. He stated after the match, “It’s all about wins, and that’s why this is huge,” “This is massive, really, and I’m very, very happy about this Grand Slam.” His victory this time had a great impact on him as an athlete because it is his fifth time in a row to win. I think the 2008 US Open was a great one because of the many surprises and unexpected losses and wins from the many tennis players who participated.

!The Schutz Baby Boom

Schutz is a Good Place for a Child to Grow Up…

By Aly El Attal

Most of you have probably noticed by now that two of the faculty members are pregnant! Elisa Jackson, the Marketing Co-ordinator, already has two kids, Ali and Jaida. She plans to deliver her third baby on November 26th by Caeserian C-section. Elisa is very happy that its a girl! She and her husband have already started to pick names, and the one they like the most is Talia. Elisa plans to raise Talia in Alexandria like her son and daughter. When asked whether she wants to send Talia to Schutz, she smiled and said, “Of course, there’s no place like Schutz!” Elisa already has a lot of experience with being a mother; however, she still feels nervous about having a third baby.

The other pregnant faculty member is Dr. Nada Collins, the Lower School Principal. Dr. C, as she is more commonly known, is due on the 26th of September. A lot of couples expecting a baby tend to want to know what the gender of the baby is, but Dr. C and her husband, Mr. Michael Collins, do not want to find out until the baby is born! However, Dr. C believes that it will be a boy because her husband’s paternal family has consisted of boys only since 1865! They still haven’t chosen any names, and are open to any and all suggestions from the students. When asked whether she wants to raise her child in Egypt and send him/her to Schutz, Dr. C said, “We hadn’t thought that far ahead; I am still worried about Mr. Collins learning how to change a diaper. But of course we would be happy to have our child at Schutz.” Since this is her first baby, Dr. C feels “like a lot of first-time moms--excited and nervous.” She also feels that she will never be completely “ready” to be a mom. Since she will have a lot of work to do, Dr. C is asking the High School students to help her with baby sitting!

We recently found out that there is a third pregnant staff member, Susannah Huggins! She is very excited about being a mom for the first time in April 2009. She is “glad that the other staff members are going first.” Since she is only a few months into her pregnancy, she does not know if it’s going to be a boy or a girl. However, this has not stopped Mr. Huggins from thinking about names. Susannah told us that he has been suggesting names to Dr. C. Mrs. Huggins told us that they plan to raise their child in Alexandria because she believes that Schutz is a good place for a child to grow up. She really likes how the Schutz community treats babies like “gifts”, and how “the big kids take care of the younger kids.”

The Missing Backbone

Techguy Recovers from Heart Problems

By Alaa El Damaty

As the school year began, word began to spread, and people speculated. Where is Mr. Mark? Mr. Mark McCright, as most might already know is the Information Technology teacher and Technology Coordinator. Many regard him as one of the school's backbones. This year, he did not return at the beginning of the school year due to a heart attack.

On August 2nd, Mr. Mark experienced some chest pain and was admitted into the hospital. There, he was diagnosed with heart attack and a stent was placed in the right coronary artery, which was 99.9% blocked. While removing the sheath used to place the stent, his femoral artery was torn causing bleeding internally. Hospital personnel tried to stop the bleeding at the insertion point for the stent, but it turned out they were focusing on the wrong area. After nearly four hours they were finally able to locate the source of the bleed. Next, they transferred him to another hospital to have vascular surgery to repair the tear. He made it through that operation safely.

Mr. Mark remained in the hospital for seven days and is now recovering at home. He goes to cardiac rehab 3 days a week and is getting stronger day by day. "I am getting stronger -- us Iowa guys are tough -- you might knock us down but you can't knock us out." His wife, Pat, has been a very important part of his recovery process. “I don’t know what I would have done without Pat – she has been my savior”

Mr. Mark is telling everyone not to worry, and that he is planning on returning to Schutz. He assures everyone that he and Pat are coming back as soon as the doctor allows him to leave. He is very grateful for all of the kind messages he has received from Schutz staff and students. “Schutz has been a very important part of our life the past two years and we look forward to our return.” We wish the best for Mr. Mark and hope he gets well soon!!

!A New Vision

The Falcon Considers Building a New Nest

By Mahmoud Ben Halim

Finally after 84 years, there is a plan to move Schutz American School to a new location, with better facilities and modern technology. Board member Dan Speas has a clear vision of why we should move, and he gave an interesting presentation to the Schutz faculty displaying three models of campuses that are now considered for a new school design.

Dr. Joyce Martinez, the headmaster of the school, explained that there are many reasons why there is a need to move. First of all and most importantly is the area that surrounds Schutz. This area is crowded, and there is no space to park the cars. Secondly, there is the fact that the school needs to grow in amount of students and also the fact that the campus has no space for growing or improving. The third reason is that ownership is limited so at any time people who own half the campus can tell us that they want the land back for any reason. Finally, it is much easier to build a new campus with new and modern planning for better technology and facilities then to try to fix an old one that’s been around for 84 years.

Dr. Joyce Martinez mentioned that the goal of the school by the end of the year is to identify the property and to pay for the land, then later on raise money for four to six years to pay for construction of the campus. The new location still unknown, but it will clearly be outside of Alexandria somewhere in the desert or a place where there is big land.

The Falcon Writer

Asmaa El Gammal is the New Editor-in-Chief of The Caravan

By Heba El Sahn

Asmaa El Gammal, a Schutz graduate of 2005, was and remains an ambitious and hardworking individual. At school, she was a very proactive and successful student having taken six APs and holding positions in the HSSC. Asmaa is currently a senior at the American University in Cairo. She chose to double major in Journalism/Mass Communication (with a specialization in Journalism) and Political Science (specializing in Public and International Law). She is also minoring in History. Asmaa has been able to maintain a high academic standing as well as participate in extracurricular activities and enjoy a good social life.

Asmaa obviously has a certain inclination towards the Arts. Asmaa admits to having a passion for writing. She wrote for the Schutz newspaper during her junior year, and she thoroughly enjoyed her Language Arts class with Mr. McCallum. Asmaa’s talent as a writer carried on to her university years. Last May, Asmaa was unanimously chosen as the new Editor-in-Chief of the Caravan (AUC’s newspaper). She is currently the Managing Editor and will acquire her new role by the end of this semester. Nobody opposed her in the election and the newspaper staff is very pleased about her becoming the new editor-in-chief. The Caravan’s news editor actually said that “She [Asmaa] will be one of the best editors the Caravan has ever had.”

Asmaa still hasn't decided on what career she is going to pursue because she has many interests. Her interests include journalism, development work and international law, and she believes that she might end up trying all of these at one point in her life. She also has the high aspirations of obtaining an M.A. and a P.H.D in either Law or Professional Development, but she does not plan on starting her graduate studies until she gets some work experience first. As expected too of course, Asmaa is not willing to give up her love for writing and will in some way or another get it in her future career.

Schutz is proud of Asmaa’s achievements and will continue to support her in anyway it can. Asmaa is grateful for the fact that the Schutz experience got her to make many great friendships and memories that will always stay with her. Asmaa says, “I would like to tell Schutz students, especially every senior, that the next few years are a time for you to discover who you are and discover a passion in life. If you want to be successful and satisfied with yourself, you must follow this passion and do what you love.”

The Egyptian-American Fusion

The Meleks fit right in with the “Schutz Family”

By Alaa El Damaty

The Meleks are newcomers to Schutz. Mr. Tamer Makram Melek and Mrs. Jean Marie Melek have been married since 2002, and they have a son named Noah attending PreK4. Coach, as Mr. Melek likes to be called, is the Physical Education teacher and is coaching volleyball and soccer this year. Mrs. Melek, on the other hand, teaches High School English.

In entering the covered court, you would find Coach coaching the volleyball team and Noah clinging to him, with Mrs. Melek watching from upstairs. It appears that all three have a very close relationship together. When asked what achievements are you really proud of, Mrs. Melek replied, "Being a good mom", while Mr. Melek said "Getting married and having a son".
The Meleks had many reasons why they wanted to live and work in Egypt. Mrs. Melek explains, "Coach's family lives in Cairo and does not see Noah a lot. This way, they get to see him more often". She added that they especially chose Alexandria because she loves the sea and has always lived near bodies of water.

Mrs. Melek is originally from New York while Coach is originally from Cairo. They are "diversity to the fullest"! The couple has lived together in North Carolina and New York in the past. Now they are experiencing life in Egypt. "So far so good", Coach Mel replies when asked how life has been in Egypt so far. The Meleks claim that Schutz is truly "family". "Noah has been truly embraced by teachers and kids."

Although very close, the couple is very different. Mr. Melek spends his time playing sports, watching movies, eating, going out, and smoking Shisha. In contrast, Mrs. Melek spends her time reading, writing, playing the guitar, working, and playing with Noah. She plans to start a blog about traveling and "living the Egyptian adventure", possibly expanding it to a book.

Mrs. Melek attended high school and university in New York. She graduated with Bachelor's degrees in English and History. She later pursued her Master's degree in English on the topic of African American women writers. She has been teaching for thirteen years, and this is her first year of international teaching. One quality she would like her students to take from her is hard work. "Whatever is worth doing is worth doing well" is her motto.

Mr. Melek attended school in Cairo, and he graduated from the University of Helwan, majoring in Physical Education. He has been teaching for eleven years.

Mr. Melek’s favorite stage in life is his college life, while Mrs. Melek states that her favorite stage is now: being a mother, and living the experience of life abroad the United States.

The Meleks’ personalities fit perfectly with the Schutz family atmosphere. Hopefully, they will have a great and enjoyable time at Schutz!

Grade Five Tops Ramadan Food Drive

Serving the Alexandrian Community and Beyond

By Aya Kordy

This year, the Seniors and Juniors organized a two-week Ramadan Food Drive at Schutz American School. The food items collected amounted to 5,736 items, and they were given to two charity organizations: Roteract and Soad El Serafy. These two organizations will distribute the items to individuals who are considered living below the poverty line. The number of these individuals is estimated to be around 15 million.

Just as educating the students is one of Schutz American School’s major goals, community service has an equal share of importance. Every year, each class contributes by doing a community service project. The Ramadan Food Drive will this year serve the needs of poor Egyptian families within the Alexandrian community and beyond. The Ramdan Food Drive showed how the Schutz students really care for their community. The grade five students showed particular interest in winning the drive, which they did with a stunning total of 2,315 items.

As Schutz is a caring and giving family, helping other families is simply not out of the ordinary.

A time for a Fresh Start

The Schutz Falcon thinks about Soaring to a New Place

By Heba El Sahn

Schutz American School has been established on 51 Schutz Street since 1924. The school is more and more turning into the neighborhood’s landmark. Right now it is debated whether or not Schutz should move to another place. While there are some people that are not comfortable with the idea, many others include The Gate’s staff believe it would be a very positive change.

Schutz is a very respectable school that has a lot of potential. While the school did what it can with its given space, (building a new building, reorganizing some of its classes etc…), it is somehow constrained by its size and location. A new location would solve many of the school’s problems and difficulties. A new location will not just mean a bigger, better place but also more students, better facilities, and of course modernization.

The school has a tradition and it has a history, and while this is all great there are some aspects to it that need to change and evolve. Modernizing this school will not be easy because it does not only involve the financial aspect of moving, but also changing the ideas and beliefs held by the Schutz community.

Many people are attached to the “Schutz ambiance and feel” on a mental as well as a physical level. Schutz will not be Schutz if it didn’t have its metal gate, cozy front porch, and colorful canteen. The school will not be the same if we didn’t exclaim “Schutz is family” and sing the school’s songs. It is important that people realize that all of these things could be taken over to a new campus. Who is to say that the new campus will not have a curving ramp with green tables at the end?

Moving to a new campus does not mean abandoning the past, but rather means highlighting the future. It is time for the falcon to fly to a new place. It is time for the falcon to have a chance to grow. It is time for a fresh start.

Beep Beep Crush

Surviving Traffic and the New Traffic Law in Egypt

By Malak Kira

Egypt is famous for its bizarre traffic behavior, in which traffic laws are distained. An estimated 6,000 people are killed each year in car accidents and 30,000 are injured. The new traffic law, that was recently issued, is aimed at dispelling the chaos that is happening in Egypt's roads. But will the government officials actually enforce the law, or will this law be another government failure to help solve the traffic problem?

Under the new regulations, those caught double parking will have their drivers licenses confiscated.

Not wearing a seatbelt or talking on a mobile phone subjects you to a fine of LE 300, while driving in the wrong direction means a fine of LE 3,000.

Waiting in a no-parking zone will result in the confiscation of the driver's license for at least one month. It is also mandatory for drivers to turn their cars lights on at night.

Drivers are required to have a first aid kit and a reflective warning triangle, which used to cost LE 10 and now costs LE 75. It is not reasonable or affordable for a taxi driver to buy a reflective warning triangle for LE 75.

In Egypt, there is a general problem of enforcing the law. A few years ago, the government forced all drivers to wear seat belts. Almost all Egyptians pull their seat belts over themselves when seeing a police officer on the street, and they release it right after he passes. Our main problem is that people do not take the law seriously. It even gets to the point that some laws have already lost their credibility.

In order for the law to apply, there has to be a change in the policemen's behavior first. The government has to raise the wages of the policemen in order for them not to accept any bribes from the drivers or nothing will ever change.
People have to understand that the law is not benefitting the government in anyway or the other. This law is designed for people’s safety; therefore, they have to obey the traffic law in order to save their lives.

Ask Mahmoud

By Mahmoud Ben Halim


Hello everybody, this is my first time to get your questions and actually sit down and answer them. I’m sorry if I do not answer all your questions, but I am limited to a certain space. However, any unanswered questions may be answered later on. I found some very interesting questions to answer and here are three of them:

Q1: From Mahmoud Wannabe

Dear Mahmoud,
I would like to get to meet girls the same way you do. Please tell me how to because I don’t know how to introduce myself to them, and I can’t find the courage to do so. Please tell me your techniques and tell me how to get girls like you do.

A: When coming to answer this question, I would like to point out important points. First of all you have to identify what you are looking for. If you ask me, relationships can be one of two things: open (serious) and pastime.
Location is also another prime factor. Where you first meet the girl describes the type of girl she is. If you are in a business place, then probably girls there are in a more dedicated and serious mode than those in a club, where they go to have fun. If you see a pretty girl that you are interested in, for instance, in the club, you have to take it easy and think before you get yourself into trouble. Most of the time, guys feel over-confident and just go talk with the girl without observing her surroundings. By surroundings I mean other guys that are trying to do the same thing or that have taken a step and already are dating her. This is important since you don’t want to get hurt or get in the way of her boyfriend.

The second step is to make your self visible. Make eye contact with her several times and pretend that your are talking to one of your friends about her. In other words, make her know that you’re there and that you want her. If she makes eye contact with you several times, and you see her looking at you, biting her finger nails, or giggling then you have a green light to approach her. The hardest part is to actually approach her. What should you say first? Most guys do not want to get rejected. So go up to her and tell her “Hey, do we know each other?”, or “Where are you from?”, or “Are you enjoying the club?” If she responds well, then you have accomplished your mission. If she rejects you, then move on. Another thing to keep in mind is that many girls are gold diggers—girls that want you for your money. If you feel that she is this way, then I have only two words to tell you, "STAY AWAY".

Q2: From Anonymous

Dear Mahmoud,
I want to get my bi and tri muscles larger, and I also want to make my chest muscles play? Can you help me?

A: First of all, eat lots of protein. I prefer chicken and find it very useful. Also, work the muscles slowly and train all angles. For instance, don’t train your bi and leave your forearm. Another important thing is to do two things: lift heavy weights to bulk-up and do repeated excercises to define your muscles. To make your chest muscles move they have to be big, and it is a talent not everyone can have.

Q3: From Anonymous

Dear Mahmoud,
I have liked a girl for a long time, but she neglected me. I tried taking her to prom, and her answer was, “Of course not”. What should I do?

A: My answer is very simple to you, get a life. Move on and make her feel like you do not care. There are other available girls and she is not the only one. Act normally around her and stay open to other options. All guys get rejected, unless they think they are Brad Pitt!

The Final Countdown

American Presidential Campaign Nears its End

By Aya Kordy

The heated up American presidential election campaign is very soon coming to an end. John McCain and Barack Obama have been racing for so long, and the race is almost done. The world is torn between the two candidates, and America is now ready to choose the 44th president of the United States.

The Republican nominee John McCain was born on August 29th 1936. If he were to win, McCain would be the first US president to ever win the elections at the age of 72. McCain's supporters see his old age as an advantage, being a sign of experience. Unlike Obama, McCain believes that withdrawing from Iraq is a huge mistake before he defeats “Al-Qaeda”. McCain focuses on many issues, including energy, the economic plan, national service, homeland security, and fighting crime.

The Democratic Party nominee Barack Obama was born on August 4th 1961. If he were to win, Obama would be the first African American President in the history of the United States. Obama’s religious and educational backgrounds are quite fascinating. While his mother was atheist, Obama prayed every Friday in the mosque as his step-father was a Muslim. Meanwhile, Obama attended a Catholic school. Obama is a graduate of Columbia University and Harvard Law School. Obama's supporters say, “Obama will bring light to the world”, as they also believe that his strength and motivation are the reasons behind his success. If Obama gets elected, he will work to end the war in Iraq as he believes it is the right thing to do for the national security and for America’s safety. His plan involves civil rights, defense, taxes, education, homeland security, Immigration, healthcare, poverty, and even faith and family issues. Obama’s official website tells all about his plan, life and family in addition to his captivating speeches about the future he beholds and sees. McCain’s official website, on the other hand, relies on showing Obama’s weaknesses. Therefore, an immense amount of people think that McCain is running out of ideas, and the only card he has got left is to tear down Obama’s reputation.

Worldwide polls show that for the last eight years, terrorism has rapidly increased in the world, and danger has also spread in America. Believing that the Bush administration was what triggered and what still triggers terrorism may be a good reason to vote for Obama. Polls also prove that a lot of people are voting for Obama since they believe he will have great foreign relations, unlike John McCain who everyone believes is the same as Bush.

The latest election polls show that 45.4% vote for Obama, while 43.5% vote for McCain. The competition is getting closer and tighter each day. However, the latest polls at Schutz show that 95% of the High School students and the High School teachers support Obama, whereas only 5% support McCain. Asking the Obama supporters for reasons behind their choice, 50% said they believed that the McCain administration would very much be like the Bush administration, 23% support Obama as they want change, 27% want to end the war in Iraq; therefore, Obama was their choice.

As Barack Obama is the media’s favorite, he is now clearly Schutz’s favorite. Debates around the world are increasing more and more each day. Both the candidates are now using everything within their power to become the 44th US Commander-in Chief. It is now America’s turn to decide who the next leader will be.

?America, Where Are You Going

Nationalizing Two of America’s Biggest Companies

By Youssef Talaat

On September 7, 2008, The United States federal government decided to take over mortgage giants Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae as a result of their financial distress. The Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation and the Federal National Mortgage Association, more commonly known as Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, are stockholder-owned corporations that are authorized to make loans and loan guarantees. Their primary function is to buy mortgages on the secondary market, pool them, and sell them as mortgage-backed securities to investors on the open market. Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae own or guarantee the majority of the nation’s $12 trillion home loan market which is why these companies suffered the most as a result of the housing market downturn and the credit crunch that started in 2007.

As government-sponsored companies, the mortgage giants did not just dominate the nation’s home loan market; they were also masters of influence in Washington. The companies’ operations ranged from campaign contributions and outright lobbying to a charitable giving operation that covered nearly every congressional district in the United States. “They were the most powerful companies in the country, and literally controlled the Congress,” said Peter Wallison, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute. “Congress would not do anything they did not want Congress to do- and that came through some very sophisticated political activities and public relations that made it very difficult to challenge them”. Minorities and opposing companies had trouble contradicting these giants, as they could not pass a law or bill in congress that did not favor Mac or Mae.

The top executives at Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae will both lose their jobs as part of the government bailout, but they may also both receive multimillion dollar compensation packages. Rewards for the CEO's of these companies still remain undecided, as there is still a lot of controversy as to whether these people should be rewarded for bringing down two of the nation's biggest entities. Senator and Presidential Candidate, Barack Obama, has commented on the matter and said, “It would be unacceptable for executives of these institutions to earn a windfall at a time when the U.S. Treasury has taken unprecedented steps to rescue these companies with taxpayer resources.” People should be rewarded when they achieve a task or goal; these leaders lead these companies, just in the wrong direction. The downfall of these businesses was the result of a very bad mix, the mix of business and politics, which eventually leads to corruption.

The real question is, however, whether an action such as this conforms to the American values of freedom and liberalization. A market economy is an economy characterized by freely determined prices and the free exchange of goods and services in markets along with limited government intervention. Is the takeover of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae an example of limited government intervention in order to address a market failure, or is the United States headed towards a mixed economy in which the government plays a larger role? One thing everyone can agree on is that this takeover is one of the largest government interventions in private financial markets in decades.