A Star Among Us

A Combination of Talent and Passion

Youssef Talaat

Rafik Zaher was born on April 11, 1991 with a tennis ball in his hand. From that day forward, he never stopped loving the game of tennis. Rafik came to Schutz fifteen years ago and will leave a strong mark in Schutz’s athletic record. He joined every team the school had to offer and always fought for the school with passion and ardor. Outside school, he dazzled spectators, both in and outside of Egypt, playing his much-loved sport of tennis.

Being the quiet person that he is, Rafik is often misunderstood to be a lazy person. The truth is actually far from the aforementioned portrayal; Rafik is an extremely dynamic and intelligent person. However, his constant pursuit of several sports and his countless training sessions everyday make school seem like a place to lay back and relax. When asked, Rafik said that three words that best describe him are, "fun, smart, and athletic." He believes that his strong point is his determination. He also believes, however, that his bicep muscles are a weakness he must continue to work on with his friend Mahmoud. Rafik considers two very different people to be his role models: Roger Federer and Lil Wayne; Federer because he is the perfect tennis player and Lil Wayne because he shows the world the meaning of following your dream and influences many, many people.

Next year, Rafik plans to join his friends, Aly and Youssef, in Boston to study Finance at Boston University. He has already spoken to the tennis coach there and has earned a spot on the tennis team. Ten years from now, he hopes to be either a professional tennis player or a worldwide-known businessman. Either way, he would like to thank his parents for always supporting him in whatever dream he decided to follow.

Rafik will miss many things about Schutz, the most of which is talking to Massimo Laterza, the Dean of Students. He is glad, however, to be leaving behind the absence policy that has been a constant hindrance to his pursuit of extracurricular activities outside of school. He believes that Schutz has taught him many lessons the hard way. Rafik will truly miss school next year and would like to tell Schutz that "it will always be his second home." He would also like to advise the upcoming senior class to get started on their SAT’s and college applications because "it is a long and painful process!" Rafik Zaher has truly shined in his fifteen years at Schutz, and the Schutz community has nothing but high hopes for his future.

Mohamed Zahran: Conqueror of the Egyptian Economy

The Soccer Star and Guitarist Is Off to College

Aly El Attal

If you walk around campus during lunch, you will probably see most of the seniors hanging out near the front porch or the courtyard. However, Mohamed Zahran can only be found doing one thing in one place—playing soccer in the covered court. Since he came to Schutz in Grade 2, Mohamed, or Z, as he is more commonly known, has participated in every extracurricular activity imaginable. His friendliness and unique character have made him one of the most lovable characters on campus.

After graduating from Schutz, Mohamed will be heading off to the American University in Cairo with some of his classmates where he will acquire a bachelor’s degree in accounting. He is planning on working hard so he can transfer to McGill and graduate from there and eventually obtain a master’s degree from the University of Southern California or Stanford. His hard work and persistence will help him become a businessman who will "conquer the Egyptian economy" by expanding the family business and starting businesses of his own. Even though his main goal is to become a successful businessman, Mohamed also plans on improving his guitar skills so he could obtain the highest diploma and become a semi-professional guitarist.

Eleven years at Schutz have filled Z with lots of memories and aspirations. He still remembers his first day after transferring from the Alexandria Language School. Alaa El Damaty remembers that "everyone thought he was a foreigner." He says that his most memorable moment at Schutz was when he "scored the winning goal at the last minute in the 2008 Varsity Soccer tournament," which is why he will miss the Varsity Soccer tournaments more than anything else. Mohamed feels that many Schutz traditions are changing these days, so he is glad that he will be leaving those changes behind. Despite that, Mohamed believes that Schutz has taught him something very important about life, which is "to think outside the box." He also believes that Schutz empowered him with the knowledge and skills that will benefit him throughout his life. Mohamed’s words of wisdom to the junior class are, "Live your life."

Many people idolize someone great, such as a family member or a public figure, to set an example for what they would like to become in the future. Mohamed is so unique that he believes that he does not need a role model for inspiration. However, he would like to thank his family for shaping him into the person he is today. Mohamed wants to grow up to become a unique man and to blaze his own path towards success. Z claims that he is very open-minded, but does not work well under pressure. His is known to be shy, funny, and kind, but a more subtle quality that he possesses is his trustworthiness.

Stranger Danger

Opening Up to an Outsider
Noureen Ben Halim

For many people, talking to strangers, and being open to them on the first encounter is unusual. The idea that a person can talk to an outsider and be comfortable enough to tell them about their life during the first hour they meet, threatens many people’s privacy. But for only a number of people, it is very normal to do so.

An instance that happens every day: When person x meets person y on the way home from work. Person x is very stressed out and is dealing with a lot of problems at home and at work. What is bothering them even more is that they have a hard time discussing their problems with family or friends because they are afraid of being judged. Person x and person y happen to be sitting in seats next to each other. Person y comes off as very friendly. They exchange greetings, maybe talk about the weather, and then start to converse about more important things. Person x gets the feeling that person y cares about what they have to say and will not be judgmental. They are at ease, and soon, they start talking about their problems. Person y asks person x where they live, and person x feels it appropriate to say where. They might even exchange numbers. Person x believes that person y is trustworthy, just another passenger on the bus, and there is no harm in giving the number. Person x says goodbye to person y, gets off the bus, not knowing person y’s dangerous intentions.

Person x has just made a BIG mistake. Talking to a stranger is safe only if you keep ALL your personal information private. Person x gave away their number, and home address. Person y could easily find person x’s whereabouts. Like person x, people often feel comfortable around strangers because they feel that they will not be judged. Unfortunately, this could result in a crossing of personal lines. People should be well aware of this and should take precaution. 1) Meeting a stranger and having a conversation should be minimal. 2) You should never give out personal information to someone you have just met. 3) You should never accept an offer such as a ride home from a stranger, even if the location is very near. There is no way to know who this person is. 4) You should be aware of your surroundings and what you say and how you act. It is particularly important nowadays to be cautious and alert. Choosing to open up to an unfamiliar person is like giving them the key to your world, you will never know how or when they will use it to get to you.

The Soon to Be Golfing Star

Issa Abou El Ela Excels in Keeping the Family Legacy

Aya Kordy

Ranked in the top 20 worldwide, Middle East champion, Egypt’s champion and recently champion of the Katameya Junior Open competition, Issa Abou El Ela raised the bar for all Schutz athletes.

Issa Abou El Ela is a current ninth grader, who has been enrolled in Schutz since Pre-Kindergarten. Issa has been playing golf for thirteen years. Despite his young age, he is motivated, committed and dedicated to the game. Issa is part of a large family that is all inspired by golf, "We all started playing golf at a very young age. Now, my younger brother Mohamed who is currently in Pre-Kindergarten practices golf", stated Issa.

Adding to the family achievements, Issa’s father, Amr Abou El Ela was the Middle East as well as Africa’s champion: His older sister Dina, who is currently an eleventh grader, has been the Ladies Middle East champion for two years. "My father is my role model, I want him to be proud of me one day as I’m grateful that such a man is my father," explains Issa.

Issa has always set goals for himself and has always tried his best to achieve them. When it comes to golfing, he says, "It is always the ball and me, nothing else in the world matters."
Issa would like to go pro when he is twenty years old, but until then, he will continue to engage in many tournaments winning himself numerous titles. Of the many championships he has won, Issa is truly proud of the Pan Arab Junior Champion as he has won it two times, securing for himself the title of the junior championship of the Middle East. He is also proud of the Pinehurst World Championship as he was ranked twentieth worldwide.

When asked to pass down a word of wisdom to those wishing to pursue the art of golfing, Issa said "The harder you work, the luckier you get." Issa finds himself blessed that he grew up on the endless green golf course, and he says that the quote by Tiger Woods, "I want to be what I’ve always wanted to be: dominant," truly applies to him.

The Road to the FIFA World Cup 2010

We Bet on the Best

Mohamed Zahran

The 2010 World Cup Qualifications have been going on for quite a while. The qualifications are divided into six factions: Africa; Asia; Europe; North, Central America and Caribbean; Oceania; and South America.

Currently, the teams in the African Zone are divided into five groups. The top team from each group will advance to the World Cup 2010. In the Asian Zone, the teams have reached Round Four with ten teams divided into two groups. The winner and the runner-up of both groups will advance to the World Cup. The third-placed teams from each group will play a home-and-away play-off, with the winner advancing to the inter-confederation play-off with New Zealand.

　
There are 53 teams in the European Zone that are divided into eight groups of six and one group of five. The eight best group runner-ups advance to Round Two and all the group winners will advance to the World Cup. In Round Two, the eight teams will be paired in four, and they will play a home-and-away series. The winners of these four games will advance to the FIFA World Cup.

In the North, Central America and Caribbean Zone, there are six teams left. The top three teams will advance to the World Cup, and the fourth seed will play the fifth seed team in the South American’s Zone in a home-and-away match.

The winner will advance to the World Cup. In the Oceania Zone, the winner of the group is New Zealand. It will now play-off against the team that finishes fifth in the Asian Zone for a place at South Africa 2010. In the South American Zone, the top four teams qualify for the FIFA World Cup. The 5th-placed team enters a home-and-away playoff with the 4th-placed team from the North, Central America & Caribbean.

This year, some great teams are performing below expected. On the other hand, developing teams are doing better than expected. It is hard to determine who will eventually qualify for the World Cup, but I can predict which teams will make a great entrance to the World Cup. Brazil is doing very well in the qualifications as well as Germany. It is still too early to determine which teams are strongest in the African Zone. At the other end of the world, Australia and New Zealand are doing very well, both being on the leader board in their zones. Finally, USA is first in its group. It is quite clear that this year’s competition is tough. We all wonder who will drive on the road to South Africa.

Qahwa Sada: A Shrine

A Country’s Obstacles
Conjured On Stage

Aya Kordy

Have you ever been to an Egyptian funeral? Was it of a friend or a family member? Did they serve Qahwa Sada (black coffee)? According to Egyptian tradition, black coffee is strongly linked to grief and sorrow. Therefore, at a funeral people who come to offer their condolences are served Qahwa Sada, and it is exactly this tradition that the play refers to. Out of 45 plays produced by the annual Egyptian National Theatre Festival, during their 11-day show, one specific play attracted the biggest number of critical views. This play is Qahwa Sada.

Qahwa Sada is not really a play in the traditional sense, with a plot line and gradual development in the characters’ lives. It is rather a number of scenes set together to give a sort of overview of the many flaws of today’s Egypt. Many consider the opening scene as "the most original, even though it’s the most nostalgic of them all." As the 21 actors slowly begin to appear on stage, lights gradually increase with a poignant and moving melody along with it. The actors slowly bury items from the days when Egypt was a prosperous and an affluent country; pictures of political leaders, old actors and actresses, and items that symbolize the good old days.

Although this was a very heartbreaking scene, there were others that were very hilarious. During an hour and a half, the audience observes a scene after the other of almost everything that is wrong with Egypt; lack of ethics among the youth, spread of favoritism, misuse of power by the Egyptian tycoons, the hideousness of modern architecture compared to what Cairo was 50 years ago, absurd fatwas, the weakening of family relationships, the increased poverty and marriage expenses. These issues led girls to become old maids and boys to die in the sea as they try to illegally enter Europe. Qahwa Sada also focuses on the loss of the sense of belonging and the awareness of one’s history. 　

Qahwa Sada was first performed on July 1st, 2008 and scheduled only for 3 weeks at the Cairo Opera House. The show made it all the way to Alexandria and because it was such a great hit, it was performed to Cairo audiences for the last 10 months, and it is still performed with unfailing success. Many celebrities went to see the show, famous directors like Khaled Youssef and Sherif Arafa, several ministers, and even the First Lady, Mrs. Suzanne Mubarak.

Qahwa Sada mourns over everything that many Egyptians long for, from the decreasing bond between families to the deterioration in the economy and the disintegration of the new generation. Qahwa Sada transformed the Opera House into a shrine for all art lovers. From the creation of the first scene you will immediately notice how the impromptu script reflects a true picture of reality, the audience was the mirror that reflected the script. Every moment on stage was matched with an experience once underwent by a member of the audience."Qahwa Sada reached the greatest degree of creativity, and it has definitely raised the bar."

The Wavrins Settle In

It Is a Teacher’s Duty to Also Be a Friend
Mahmoud Ben Halim

Having visited many countries, Mr. Michael Wavrin and Mrs. Chris Wavrin decided to settle in at Schutz hoping to fulfill their educational duties as outstanding teachers. Married for thirty years, the Wavrins have two sons Mathew, 27, and Jacob, 23.

Mr. and Mrs. Wavrin have taught in Nigeria, Poland, Bulgaria as well as their home state Minnesota. When asked about their favorite place, Mrs. Wavrin said it was Minnesota since it brought her childhood memories back. Mr. Wavrin liked Poland a lot since they lived there for eight years.

Mr. and Mrs. Wavrin love to walk. They enjoy Alexandria the most since they can walk on the sea front. They find the Egyptian people very friendly. Their goals, however, are pretty different. Mr. Wavrin would love to continue teaching till he is 65 years of age, and he would still love to work with younger children in the Kindergarten to the third grade. Mrs. Wavrin, on the other hand, wants to retire in Minnesota to do cross county skiing.

Mr. and Mrs. Wavrin always wanted to become teachers because working with the younger generation makes them feel younger. Mr. Wavrin finds teaching as a pretty creative task because every day is different and every day is a new day, unlike a company where a daily routine is strictly followed and room for creativity is minimal.

When asked about what they like to do in their free time, the couple responded that they like to walk and listen to their iPods. Mrs. Wavrin enjoys reading too.

...Ellipsis

AP Literature Students Issue the First Schutz Magazine

Mohamed Zahran

Last month, Ms. Jean Melek, the Upper School English teacher, assigned the juniors in her AP Literature class to do a project for their final exam. Those students are Nada Abou-Gad, Arnab Chaudhuri, Cameron Newell, Ingy Fahmy, Tias Paul, and Marina Guirguis. They worked to develop, combine, and distribute a magazine at Schutz American School. This will be the first magazine ever published by Schutz students.

The Board of Trustees approved the AP Literature class’s request to sell the magazine. The magazine will be sold in the week of the finals for about five to ten pounds. The magazine is open for anyone to submit poetry, short stories, journals, photographs and artwork. The students’ first step in accomplishing their goal was to choose a name for their magazine. Ellipsis came to mind. Ellipsis means the omission from a sentence or other construction of one or more words that would complete or clarify the construction. This name symbolizes upcoming opportunities when there is still more to come. It is usually represented by a row of three periods.

!Flying Back Home

The Huggins Buy an Extra Ticket for Their Ride Back to Texas

Heba El Sahn

On April 11th at around 4 o’clock in the morning, a taxi cab went up the Schutz driveway. Just as soon as Mr. Clay Huggins and Mrs. Susannah Huggins were securely inside, the taxi turned around and zoomed off to Alex Sydney Kiel Hospital. It was by noon that the school was informed that Mrs. Huggins had safely given birth to a beautiful baby girl named Evelyn Amal Huggins.　

Mr. Huggins is the Upper School Science teacher and Susannah is Schutz’s Art teacher for the past three years. The couple has recently introduced the latest addition to our family. She is also the third result of the Schutz Baby Boom (after Malcolm Collins and Talia Abbas). Evelyn is named after her grandmother, from her father’s side. Her middle name, Amal, has a special story that goes along with it. Mr. Huggin’s best friend back in Texas is an Egyptian called Ashraf. Ashraf’s mother has been very helpful to the couple throughout their stay in Egypt. This was especially so after Mr. Huggins was attacked by Abdel Rahman Taher in Cairo. It is in the honor of this kind woman, and the fact that the birth took place in Alexandria, that Evelyn’s middle name came to be Amal.

It saddens people around the school when they realize that they are will not enjoy the Huggins’ company for long. The couple has decided it is for the best that they return to Houston, Texas, to be close to their family. Besides, Mrs. Huggins wants to spend time off work so that she can take care of her daughter. She plans to stay at home for a few years, and right now her classes are taught by Ms. Mai Merdan. Mr. Huggins will luckily be able to work in the same school district where he taught before coming to Schutz.

The couple plans to work overseas again after baby Evelyn is old enough to attend school. When asked whether or not they have an idea of where they would like to work next, they answered they would like to come back to Egypt or try someplace different in the Middle East. Both of them love the culture and weather in this part of the world. Mrs. Huggins joked on how one can see that Evelyn was born in Alexandria since she hates getting cold. Also, the Huggins have studied Arabic for quite some time now and would hate to forget the language. That is why they will ask their friends back home to tutor them.

So, in the end, the Schutz community should comfort themselves by believing that they will not part with the Huggins forever. There is a good chance that the family will return to visit again. As for now, they should wish them the best of luck and send their kind regards as the couple, along with baby Evie, fly back home.

A Tradition that Continues to Be Cherished

The SHS Inducts Its New Members to the Societies

Alaa El Damaty

The elegant tradition of selecting the new members to the Schutz Honor Societies in an Induction Ceremony continues to be an event that the Schutz family deeply cherishes. This year, the ceremony was held on Monday, May 25th. The event proved to be successful, as noted by parents and staff who attended. Nikhil Krishnan, Tias Paul, Nada Abou-Gad, Jomana Abdelkader, Raya Mukherjee, and Assem Heiba were inducted as members of the Societies in a candle-lit ceremony.

The ceremony began with an introduction speech by Ankita Ray, this year’s NHS President. The next part of the ceremony was a solemn one, when the current members lighted candles representing the five characteristics that govern the Schutz Honor Societies. Scholarship, citizenship, character, service, and leadership candles were lit. Citizenship was an extra characteristic for the National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) only. For each candle, a brief speech elaborating on how each trait fits with the National and National Junior Honor Societies ideals was read.

The students became officially recognized as members when they repeated after Ankita the pledge of allegiance to the societies. The next part of the ceremony was a memorable one, where the inductees each chose a characteristic that they believe best represents their potential positive contribution to the Schutz Honor Societies. Nada Abou-Gad said, "I chose leadership because I feel that behind every great people is a great leader, who paved their way to success."
The family ambiance was further highlighted as the parents attached the SHS pins to their children. Next, the audience congratulated the newly inducted members.

After the ceremony ended, everyone went outside for refreshments and Seham’s annual, delicious cake.

Overall, the experience was a remarkable one; parents, students, and staff all commented on how memorable the event was. "I’m proud of the great job that the current members did organizing the ceremony, and I am looking forward to working with the new inductees in the coming school year," stated Kelly Sullivan.

A Woman with an Immense Imagination

Dr.Samira Kirollos Comes to Schutz to Tell Exciting Tales

Noureen Ben Halim

Dr. Samira Kirollos is no ordinary thinker. She is a storyteller with a great imagination. Dr. Samira is an international storyteller and enjoys telling stories of adventure, fantasy, and magic.

She has a doctorate in Drama from Stanford University in California. Dr. Samira has also taught drama. She has written for the BBC’s television program Jackanory, and for BBC’s Radio Four’s Book at Bedtime. She is the author of The Wind Children and Other Tales from Japan. Dr. Samira travels to many schools to story tell, and her audience is amazed by how well she can do so.

Dr. Samira came to Schutz on May 20th and gave three separate presentations to students. The first story was about Iris, an ancient Egyptian goddess, and the second was about a sailor. The last story was about two brothers, a story of greed and love. Ksenija Braese, a first grader in Schutz said "I liked the stories a lot, they were nice and funny." Dr. Samira uses body language and moves around a lot on the stage. She can imitate voices to create each scene in the story. Each story had a message overall and lessons about life. The event was successful because it stimulated students’ minds. Schutz students benefited from meeting an author like Dr. Samira and enjoyed the experience.

The Art of Survey Taking

Schutz Students Are Not Taking Full Advantage of Their Rights

Heba El Sahn

Democracy forms the principles of social equality and respect for individual rights within a community. In this school, students should be proud about the prevalence of a truly democratic atmosphere. They are offered several tools to bring about a democratic organization. Schutz offers its students a student council with multiple representatives from each grade, a newsletter to voice their opinions, and participation tools such as surveys and voting. In addition, there is a student representative in each of the board meetings. Students are privileged to have such opportunities even though they proclaim, "It is our right!" This can be true on some level, but this phrase might have a few catches attached to it. A lot of people do not realize that for every right given, a certain duty is expected in return.

For a democratic system to work, the participants must have integrity. They must give their honest opinion and not sway because of outside influences. Sadly, this does not take place on a large scale at school. It has come to the journalism class’s attention that students do not necessarily express their own personal views while taking surveys. The survey taking process, instead of being quiet and quick, is a hassle and basically a calamity. The scenario usually unfolds with a student hollering out what he/she is going to write down across the room. Then, a classmate suggests an alternative answer. This, in turn, leads to the two students getting involved in a debate, with each one pushing to write his or her opinion. It needs to be clear that a survey or a vote is made to give individuals the opportunity to voice their unique opinions. "A survey is more efficient if taken on the school’s website because that ensures a degree of privacy," affirmed Nourhan El Sallab. A class is theoretically supposed to offer various views; however, in reality peer pressure may cause each grade level at school to present only one or two points of view.

Schutz students must realize that when they change their answer because of the influence of a friend, they are then devaluating their democratic rights. It is a person’s duty not to pressure others in formulating their own views, and leave them to express them freely. The HSSC president, Aly El Attal, stated, "Many younger students believe its "cool" to give negative comments in a survey, even if what they’re saying is untrue. They just enjoy showing a rebellious attitude." Surveys are a valuable tool for people to get what they want and students will jeopardize their power if they do not take them seriously. Everyone needs to remember that survey taking is an art.

Struggle for Independence

Women All Over the World Gaining Their Rights

Malak Kira

Is it true that women are treated equally as men? Are women sacrificing themselves for their family if they stay at home? Why aren't men asked to do the same? Stereotyping women as just housewives is the main hitch. They are looked upon as the ones who should just clean the house and take care of the children. This label has existed for hundreds of years. Women were forced to be in a situation where their rights are not totally recognized. As the world developed and education played an important role in modern times, women became more aware of their rights and the situation they were being forced in.

Growing up in communities that value tradition, women have always been thought of as a lesser version of men. The idea that women have a bigger role at home has affected them greatly. They have been limited by their communities. Their rights were lost and so was their independence. A woman should be able to choose what she feels is the right thing to do not only for herself but for her family as well. Each woman has her own criteria for her self-fulfillment; some need to work and others derive their pride by being housewives.

Men play a more dominant role as the provider for the family. It is common to think that men, more so than women, work to achieve their self-esteem and sense of identity. Women today have started to link their self-identity to work. For most of them, the decision to work is all about their independence. Women want to feel more freedom, self-assurance and independence. They do not want to rely on men and feel weaker or less self-sufficient. According to the U.S Census Bureau, 66% of the world’s labor is performed by women, but they only receive 11% of the world's income.

It is viewed by most of the Upper School Schutz students that a woman should work only when she ensures that her first priority is given to her family.

Women should have the choice to work or not to. It is up to them to assess their priorities. The society does not have the right to limit their opportunities and capabilities because they are thus suppressing more than 50% of the society. As the world transforms, this view of women must adjust to this progression.

Ask Mahmoud

From: Massimo
Q: How can a senior remain focused after being accepted in college and finishing AP exams so he or she may set a good example for other students and make sure they end the year on a good note and with good grades?

A: Being a senior myself, I personally think this issue needs to be addressed. After getting accepted into college, seniors start to lose interest since they feel that it is all over, and that what they do will not matter. However, it is very important for them to stay focused since acceptance into college is conditional, and actions taken after any acceptance may get reported to the college. Colleges may also change their admissions decision. As far as grades are concerned some seniors start to care less and less. When seniors find out that their grades will not dramatically affect them after already being accepted into colleges, they do not care and just want to pass.

I think that this should start to change. Seniors should become less grade-oriented and more into what they learn. Seniors are also the oldest in the school, and it is them who are considered as role models by the younger students. So, it is important for them to be good role models. I invite the upcoming senior class to keep my advice in mind since slacking off at the end of the year does not only look bad but also makes the school look bad.

From: Mr. Walsh
Q: If you were to give one piece of advice to the upcoming students in high school on how to be successful in high school, what would it be?
A: Out of my personal experience, I would recommend upcoming high school students to always try their hardest and to always think positively. Also, I would recommend that students always try to be careful about how they are viewed by the public. What I mean by this is their reputation. Students should be careful about how they are viewed by their teachers and friends. Sometimes, one wrong action can ruin someone’s reputation, and changing it is not as easy as it may seem. Try to keep a good reputation so that people respect you and take you seriously.

From: Anonymous
Q: How can a student gain a teacher’s respect throughout his high school career?
A: This is a tough one. A student can gain a teacher’s respect in several ways. I personally think that a student should follow directions and listen to a teacher. A student also earns the respect of the teacher when he/she shows respect to self and to others. . If you respect someone, they will respect you back, and he or she will have no reason to disrespect you.

From the Perspective of a Developing Nation

The Slaughtering of the Pigs Creates Heated Debate

Alaa El Damaty

In 1350, the world was introduced to the deadly Bubonic Plague. Now, in 2009, the world is experiencing a similar phenomenon. The number of people infected with Swine Flu is increasing every day around the world. The first week of June marked the spread of the flu to 62 countries, with 17,410 persons infected and 115 dead. In any world phenomenon, reactions differ from place to place, and Egypt, as a developing country, is going through a unique reaction to the spread of the flu. Unlike many countries, Egypt has taken the decision to slaughter most of its 300,000 pigs. This decision has positive and negative aspects.

It has been noted that Egypt’s tourism has greatly increased since the decision to slaughter the pigs was taken by President Mubarak.. Sharm El Sheikh is a major competitor in tourism of Cancun in Mexico. Many have switched their tourist destinations from Cancun to Sharm El Sheikh because of that decision, thereby limiting the chance of the Swine Flu spreading in Egypt. Despite this positive side to the slaughtering, Egypt has been internationally criticized by many for its actions.

"It has been decided to immediately start slaughtering all the pigs in Egypt using the full capacity of the country's slaughterhouses," Health Minister Hatem el-Gabaly stated after having a Cabinet meeting with President Hosni Mubarak. The question is: will these slaughterhouses be sufficient for the amount of pigs being slaughtered? When the slaughterhouses could not handle the amount of pigs to be slaughtered, the remaining number of pigs was to be burned with chemical substances and then buried in lime while they are still alive. Most humanitarian organizations around the world, especially animal right’s activist organizations, view this act as an atrocious one.

Also, there are not enough refrigerators to fit the hundreds of thousands of pigs slaughtered. The remaining pigs were left to rot, which created more problems. In an attempt to save the meat from rotting, some companies used the pork in many of their supposedly beef products. It was declared by the Ministry of Health that some meat companies have used the pork in products such as luncheon meat and sausage sold in the market.

The killing of the pigs also led to religious controversy; radicals like Michael Mounir entered the scene. He believed that the slaughtering of the pigs is a sign for the start of the rule of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt. Mounir argued that the decision to slaughter the pigs was not only cruel, but it was meant as a sign of prejudice against the Coptics
As a developing nation, Egypt was brave enough to take the decision to slaughter all of its pigs, but it was not prepared to handle the decision and its consequences.

Please Recognize the Graduates of 2009

Officially Dismissing the Senior Class

Youssef Talaat

Commencement is often misinterpreted by many to mean the ending of a journey, but commencement is only the beginning. Upon graduating, the 2009 senior class will end their high school careers and embark on a tough, long journey full of freedom and responsibility. To be honest, it is sometimes difficult for students to leave the comfort and familiarity of their own homes to discover the new world that is college. College life is significantly different than life at home; parents are no longer around to remind us of our duties and responsibilities and the people we have grown with are no longer there to assist and support us. However, the true personality of people is further developed through the college experience. The truth is, Schutz’s seniors are armed with education, the most powerful weapon of all, and are ready to face whatever challenges await them.

The class of 2009 has been a team since day one. They always acted as one and have always supported one another. Many seniors recall their senior trip to Budapest as one of their most memorable moments in high school as it made them realize the true value of their friendship and camaraderie. Their graduation ceremony, which will be held on June 18, 2009 at the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, will be a very emotional period for many of them. Mixed emotions of both joy and sorrow will be exchanged as students leave high school to embark on an unfamiliar journey.

This year’s graduating class will be truly missed next year. Aya Kordy, a junior at Schutz, expressed, “They’re the class I cherish the most, and they are definitely the people I will miss most next year.” Massimo Laterza, Dean of Students, described the class as being “small in number, but diverse in temperament and attitudes.” The class of 2009 will be attending universities such as the American University in Cairo, Babson College, Boston University, McGill University, and Rajagiri School of Engineering. The Schutz community wishes the departing seniors luck in their upcoming journey and has high hopes for their achievements in the future.

An Exceptional Past Leads to a Future of Opportunities

Youssef Talaat Prepares for a Life of Success

Aly El Attal

Ten years ago a shy little boy came to Schutz for the first time. When he entered the third grade classroom in the Pharos campus for the first time, Youssef was filled with fear and a lack of confidence. Little did he know that he was to become one of the leaders of this school.

Youssef Talaat has been a member of the Schutz class of 2009 since 2000. Before settling in Schutz, Youssef attended Kaumeya Language School for 2 years and the American International School (now the American School of Alexandria) for 3 years. Since his arrival at Schutz, Youssef has maintained an outstanding academic record and has filled three officer positions in the High School Student Council.

Despite having such an impeccable resumé, Youssef does not plan on stopping there. He is planning on joining his siblings in Boston next year where he will study Finance and Entrepreneurship at Babson College, a prestigious college on the outskirts of Boston. Youssef is also planning on acquiring a master’s degree after gaining a few years of experience in what he calls "the real world."

As a person who thrives on planning ahead, Youssef has a deeper vision on where he will be in the future. Ten years from now, he sees himself working in his family’s business and having a family of his own. Youssef believes that his cleverness and wit are what keep him moving forward, but he admits that his impulsiveness is his main weakness. However, based on his past actions, it can be said with great confidence that Youssef will overcome his weakness and succeed.

Youssef is one of the people who can be considered as "in the spotlight" of the school. He is not one who shies away from trouble or settles for the average, and that is due to his ambition, a quality of his that may not be very obvious. Youssef cherishes that quality because he believes his late grandfather, who he considers his role model, possessed. He added that his grandfather "didn’t let anything get in the way of his determination." Youssef considers himself a "tough, smart, and compassionate" person.

Leaving a school is never an easy thing to do, especially when it comes to a close-knit community like that of Schutz. Youssef is one of the many people who will miss the family atmosphere in school, and even though it might sound like a cliché, he really believes that, "Schutz is family." The ten years he has spent at Schutz have created a lot of memories. The one he remembers the most is when many students boycotted the canteen and brought food to share with their peers. On the other hand, Youssef is glad that he will be leaving behind all the schoolwork that comes with a challenging high school. When asked what Schutz taught him about life, he responded by saying that it taught him that, "Life is not always about winning; there are invaluable lessons to be learned from defeats." He believes that this is one of the many lessons that Schutz taught him. He would like to show his appreciation by telling Schutz, "Thank you for preparing me for life."

His senior year has proven to be quite valuable for him. He would like to pass on his wisdom to the junior class by recommending that they do not cram their college applications. He would also like to thank his family, friends, and school for making him the person he is today. He is expected by the people in his community to become the great man that he is destined to be.

The Cricket Star

An Inspiration to the Next Generation

Mahmoud Ben Halim

Sunny Thodukayil is one of the most unique seniors at Schutz American School. He has been at Schutz for five years. He is Indian, and he loves to play cricket. He is known at Schutz to be the Cricket Star. Sunny is planning to attend college in India and will study Engineering. Sunny particularly wants to be an Electronic Engineer majoring in Allied Electronics and Instrumentation in Rajagiri School of Engineering in the city of Kochi in south India. However, he is not sure exactly what university in India. Sunny loves electronics and is interested in knowing about how things work. He sees himself working in a big company as an engineer after college. Yet, he is unable to predict where his work will take him to after college.

Sunny is very good in knowing how to deal with people in general. He deals with most people in a very friendly way. However, he is very shy. He thinks that people know everything about him since he does not hide stuff from anyone, and he is a pretty open person.

He considers his dad to be his role model since he is a very hard worker. Sunny is also a hard worker and puts himself to meeting everyday challenges. His most memorable moment at Schutz is his first day at Schutz since he remembers that everyone was kind to him. He will miss his free blocks when he graduates from Schutz. He told me that he will not be glad to leave anything when he graduates as he will miss everything that Schutz gave him. 　

Sunny has another part of him that he is well-known for around campus. He is known as the "Cricket star". Sunny loves to play cricket and has been playing it since he was five years old. He wants to continue playing cricket when he goes to college.

If Schutz taught one thing to Sunny about life it is that life is not fair, and that you have to work hard to get something. Sunny thinks that, throughout his time at Schutz, he has become quite independent. He would like to advice the upcoming senior class to plan things ahead of time and take High School very seriously.

If there are two words that best describe Sunny, they would be "happy and kind." Finally, Sunny would like to thank his parents and friends for being the person he is today.

Follow Your Head, Then

Think Before You Act

Noureen Ben Halim

We have all been through it. We have all met that sweet, caring, kind, person who seems to be everything we ever wanted. Everything is perfect for the next couple months, everything continues to be an utopia, until the problems start. Whether the problem is jealousy, lack of commitment, or simply not feeling what was there before, somehow this relationship was not meant to last. It happens.

Choosing the right person for yourself, is essential for a lasting relationship. The basics are simple for agreeing to start a relationship with someone. 1) If all you have heard is negative things about this person, that is your key to run away. Be careful with who you listen to though because sometimes those who will tell you will be girls who are jealous. 2) Notice how this person acts around his friends. Is he the same person he is when he is around you? A guy’s true self will show up around his friends. For example, it is normal when he jokes around with them by calling them names, but be careful of any signs of a bad attitude ALL the time. 3) Ask yourself, what am I looking for? You MUST have the same interests in mind. By interests, I do not mean goals and hobbies, but on the long run, you should be looking for the same thing. If you are looking for a serious relationship, and the person in front of you seems like the "guy who is confused", you should know although this type of relationship will seem perfect from every angle, it falls apart easily because of the mixed feelings on either side. If this person is not stable, then continuing in this relationship will be very hard. 4) Try to find out what he is like, and what he was like with previous people. Be careful with guys who seem to be rushing a relationship from the beginning. Starting something at a very fast pace will result in a crash and burn. 5) How does he treat you? Respect is very important. You must both have respect for one another. 6) Lastly, do you get along? Do you have chemistry?

The saying "love is blind" is true. We are often blinded by what we see and neglect to think of the consequences of what we get ourselves into. You must really think long and hard about what you want, and make it clear to the people you are with. Love is not what is portrayed in the movies. Love is what we make it. Follow your head, THEN follow your heart.

...And the Winner Is

Slumdog Dominates, Benjamin Button Follows

Youssef Talaat

The 81st Academy Awards (also known as the Oscars) were held at the Kodak Theater in Los Angeles, California on February 22, 2009. The event was held by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and was hosted by Hugh Jackman (X-Men, Van Helsing). The ceremony is held to honor the best movies of 2008, and it is considered the biggest and most prestigious movie event of the year. Of course, the biggest movie stars in the business attend the event, even though many celebrities do not get recognized; only the worthy are celebrated at the Oscars.

This year, the nominees for each award were announced on January 22, 2009, one month before the event. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button was in the lead with thirteen nominations while Slumdog Millionaire received ten. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is the fascinating story of a man that ages backwards; Slumdog Millionare is the dramatic story of a young Indian from the slums of Mumbai that wins twenty million rupees and raises the suspicions of everyone around him. The Dark Knight and Milk both received eight nominations, and WALL-E got six nominations, tying it with Beauty and the Beast for the most nominated animated film in Oscar history. Doubt, The Reader, and Frost/Nixon each received five nominations. Challenging and Revolutionary Road each got three nominations while The Duchess, Frozen River, Iron Man, Wanted, and The Wrestler each received two nominations.

Only four films received multiple awards in the evening. Slumdog Millionaire received eight awards followed by The Curious Case of Benjamin Button receiving three awards then The Dark Knight and Milk both receiving two awards. The Best Picture Award went to Slumdog Millionaire and the Best Director Award went to Slumdog’s Danny Boyle. The Best Actor Award went to Sean Penn of Milk and Best Actress went to Kate Winslet of The Reader. The late Heath Ledger of The Dark Knight won Best Supporting Actor while Penélope Cruz of Vicky Cristina Barcelona won Best Supporting Actress. Best Original Screenplay went to Milk’s Dustin Lance Black, and Best Adapted Screenplay went to Slumdog’s Simon Beaufoy. Best Animated Feature went to WALL-E’s Andrew Stanton, and Best Foreign Language Film went to Yojiro Takita of the Japanese film, Departures.

Over the years, the viewership of the Oscars significantly decreased because people though it was lengthy and somewhat monotonous. Due to this decline in viewership, the Academy hired an entirely new production team that was sworn to secrecy before the ceremony. The Academy attempted to revive the ceremony by changing the general script and theme; they had even gone as far as to advertise it as "The Biggest Movie Event of the Year". Critics had mixed feeling about this attempted change; the Los Angeles Times said the show "fell flat," while E! Online said, "Jackman nailed it!"

HTC Touch HD vs iPhone 3G vs Sony Ericsson XPERIA X1

Touch Screen Technology Is on the Move

Mohamed Zahran

The touch screen technology is becoming more and more popular by the month. With the iPhone 3G in stores, it had triggered other companies such as High Tech Computer and Sony Ericsson to compete with its latest release. HTC had released some models to try to compete with the iPhone, but it never came close to its amazing interface. In order for these companies to try to participate in the race for cell phone mobility, they had to focus on the multimedia side of their devices. Today Sony Ericsson and HTC released two models than can very well compete with the new iPhone. When you are looking for a new phone to replace your old one, four aspects come in place: appearance, hardware, software, and most importantly, it has to be better than your old phone in these three aspects. Each individual has a taste for design. All these phones come in black, but for the iPhone you can choose between black and white black panels. They are all very close in size with X1 being the thickest (16.7 mm), iPhone 3G - tallest (115.5 mm) and Touch HD - widest (62.8 mm). HTC Touch HD is the heaviest (146.4 g).

When comparing hardware, you always look for the most advanced. The Xperia X1 has the smallest screen compared to the iPhone and the HTC. The HTC has the largest with 3.5 in. screen. Resolution is also an important aspect in hardware. Both, X1 and HTC share the same resolution of 800 x 480pixels, but the iPhone has a lower quality resolution with only 480 x 320 pixels. Fortunately, all of these phones have built-in Bluetooth, 3G networks, and GPS systems. Finally, the HTC Touch HD has the most advanced camera with 5-megapixels, coming in second the X1 with 3-megapixels, and in last the iPhone with only 2-megapixels. It is obvious which phone has the most advanced hardware technology.

There are different software companies that are installed in these three phones. They all have their advantages and disadvantages.

I personally would either recommend HTC Touch HD. It has the high quality graphics you need. This smart phone acquires all the necessities you need from a cool design to great multimedia options. Unfortunately, the iPhone lacks many of the hardware technology and I would say that the Xperia would come in second. Like I said it is all about taste.

The 51st Grammy Awards

A Night of Joy, Surprise, and Scandal

Aly El Attal

The Grammy Awards have been held annually since 1958, where music artists, composers, and producers receive awards in 110 different categories. Sponsored by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, the Grammy Awards (originally called the Gramophone Awards) attract millions of viewers around the world. The whole ceremony is aired live on CBS in the US, but the only most popular awards, such as those for rock, hip-hop, and pop music, are aired on international channels like MBC 4.
　
The 51st Grammy Awards ceremony, held on February 8, 2009, was a magnificent event filled with joy and scandal. Several artists performed live, but one of the performances really stood out: M.I.A., T.I., Jay-Z, Lil Wayne, and Kanye West performed Paper Planes and Swagga Like Us while M.I.A was nine months pregnant. She gave birth to a boy three days later. Two artists received two awards each: Adele went home with an award for Best New Artist and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance for her song Chasing Pavements; John Mayer got the Best Male Pop Vocal Performance award for his song Say and the Best Solo Rock Vocal Performance award for his song Gravity. Other winners included Lil Wayne, Ne-Yo, Coldplay, and Alicia Keys.

One of the most talked about parts of the Grammys was Chris Brown and Rihanna’s scandal. They were both expected to perform at the event but neither of them showed up. Chris Brown had turned himself in to the police for assaulting a woman in a car, who was later discovered top be his girlfriend, Rihanna. The multiplatinum star has been blacklisted by several radio stations and could face up to four years in prison.

On a brighter note, Bruce Springsteen, the 59-year-old rock legend received an award for Best Rock Song for his song Girls in Their Summer Clothes. The funny thing is that he found out the next day while he was reading the newspaper—he did not even know that he was nominated!

?Is it Always a Vice

Urfi Marriage Can Sometimes be Justified

Alaa El Damaty

For thousands of years, our vision of a wedding is a big scene, with the bride wearing a long white dress, walking with her groom, surrounded by family and friends. We continue the scene by picturing them surrounded by kids in the future, growing old together. Now picture another scene. It is of a celebration of marriage, but this one involving only two people. Often, for many reasons, the couple is forced to abandon the first scene for the more clandestine one.

In order for an Islamic marriage to be valid, the marriage must meet certain conditions. There must be mutual agreement between the bride and groom, two adults who serve as witnesses must be present, and the marriage must be publicized. This last condition is usually not met in the second scene.

Nowadays, Urfi marriage has become more common. Urfi marriage meets all the conditions described above but without government involvement. Usually, when a marriage occurs, the official documents are kept as a government record. Urfi marriage totall undermines the government, and instead, the couple write a document together that makes their marriage valid.

A primary reason for those marriages is that the man or woman does not have the means to get married because of the soaring cost of marriage, and therefore have to wait for several years before they marry. In the meantime, the couple develops sexual desires. As Islam forbids premarital sex, the couple is trapped in a dilemma in which Urfi marriage is a solution. These marriages are not publicized; most of the time no one knows of the marriage but the couple. Couples who marry Urfi often meet in secret, thereby avoiding the expenses of renting an apartment and most other marriage exepenses.

The other reason behind these marriages mostly happens with couples of older age. These couples do not wish to make their marriage offical. A reason for that would be that if the man is already married and wants to get married a second time, he gets married Urfi so the marriage can be secretive. If it was validated with the government, his first wife would have to be notified, which would cause many problems for the man.

Also, a divorced or widowed lady that has children sometimes needs a man to support her but not live with her. In her case, she does not need the man to fully live with her, but needs him as protection. For her, it would be better to marry him Urfi.

While there are many reasons that may justify Urfi marriages to some, Schutz students do not think it is the right choice to take. In a survey taken by Schutz students, 90 % thought that Urfi marriages should not be an alternative. This high percentage of "no’s" in the survey can mean that the students are not fully aware of Urfi marriage because it is not commonly occuring in their societies. The high percentage can also mean that the students come from a social background where they have been taught not to accept Urfi marriage as a valid kind of marriage; even when money is not a problem, it is not of the norm for a couple to get married Urfi for any of the reasons stated above.

While some Urfi marriages cannot be justified, others can be. The most important thing is for Urfi marriage to not become a stereotype of a vice. It is still a legal Islamic marriage and can often be a license for some not to commit unlawful, unIslamic acts.

The Perfect Man for the Perfect Job

His Mission Will Never End

Mohamed Zahran

This year Schutz came across a man who is on a mission. He does not have a career; he has a mission. In order for him to succeed, he has to like the job which he does. This is Dr. Youssef George Chalhoub, the High School French teacher.

Dr. Youssef’s first impression of Schutz is that it is like an island far away from the rest of the national schools. He describes Schutz as an ivory tower, high above the rest in Egypt in everything. When he heard there is an opening in Schutz American School, he knew that he was the perfect person for the job. He was then ready to leave his old school.

Dr. Youssef’s first step in his mission started by earning a BA from the University of Alexandria, Faculty of Education, in 1977. He majored in French Language and Literature. He also minored in Education. Two years later, he obtained his Master’s Degree. He was then hired as a Teacher’s Associate in the University of Alexandria for five years. Later on, he became a Teacher’s Associate at Pennsylvania State University from 1982 to 1986.

His next step was becoming a French teacher in Saint Marc’s school for 25 years. During his time at Saint Marc’s school, Dr. Chalhoub took some time off to travel to the United Sates to acquire a PhD in French Literature. He later moved to the American School of Alexandria (ASA) and the American Language School (ALS) for three years before coming to Schutz.

During Dr. Youssef’s life, he finds that the most difficult aspect of his mission is to deal with different generations. He states that the rising generations are becoming less anxious, less ambitious, and they want everything without putting any effort in it. Finally, Dr. Chalhoub compares Schutz with the other schools that he has been to. He believes Schutz is posh. It is for a certain social class. He also states how classes are much smaller in number than in other schools, which allows teachers to give more attention to students. Dr. Youssef believes the traffic in Schutz’s street is becoming a hazard, and that Schutz needs to move in the future because this situation is getting worse.

Lastly, I asked Dr. Youssef Chalhoub about the one thing that he would change about Schutz students. He replied that students have to be able to deal with different social classes. They have to be more aware of opportunities they come across. Opportunities do not come as often, so he advises students to use them and make the most of it.

Slow But Sure

Aiming for Success

Malak Kira

The girl whose name often appears on the Highest Honor Roll list, Ankita Ray, is one of Schutz’s most distinctive students. She has been a member of the National Junior Honor Society and is currently the president of the National Honor Society. Ankita has attended Schutz since first grade. With every experience she has gone through, Ankita Ray grew to be the person she is today. After graduating, she plans to attend college in the U.S. pursuing a degree in Computer Engineering. It is certain that Ankita will excel in her profession due to her constant persistence in her work.

One thing people tend not to realize about her is that she hates being rushed. She works best when she accomplishes things at her own pace. She is very ambitious and determined but has a difficulty controlling her temper. She has a strong mind, loving personality, and a crystal clear heart. She is always out there running for positions to lead the student body. Ankita is constantly offering her help, participating in community service events. She is the president of the Interact Club. Ankita is never satisfied with what she has achieved, continuously working harder and reaching higher standards. 　

Whenever you checkout a book from the library, you will definitely find Ankita’s name on the checkout card. She spends her free time reading books and watching her favorite Indian TV shows.

She believes that her teachers, friends, and family are the ones who made her develop into the person she is today. They have given her their support when she most needed it and always guided her to the right path. When mentioning her father Ankita smiled with pride and said, "My father is my role model because he achieved his ambitions through education."

One of the most memorable times Ankita had at Schutz is the eighth grade Sinai Trip. Ankita faced her fear of heights and challenged herself to reach the top of the mountain. She will miss mostly the cozy family atmosphere that exists at Schutz. It will be really hard for Ankita to leave the Schutz gates for the last time and become distant from her beloved family. Ankita would like to advise the junior class to, "Cherish every moment; life is too short to wake up with regrets".

Making Schutz Prestigious

Should Schutz Implement the IB Diploma Program

Alaa El Damaty

The International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma program, as defined by the IB organization, is a challenging two-year curriculum, primarily aimed at students aged 16 to 19. It leads to a qualification that is widely recognized by the world’s leading universities.Most prominent international schools offer the IB diploma. In Egypt for example, Cairo American College (CAC), which is known as one of the best American schools in Egypt, has implemented the IB program into its system.

The benefits of the IB program are known to most educators. Firstly, students that apply to universities with high IB results have a better chance at being accepted in universities than students of the Advanced Placement (AP) program. Another important benefit is that the IB Diploma program allows a student with good grades to be exempted from a semester or even a year of college. In contrast, students in the AP program can only get credits for individual courses they take. Only in the case that they took enough individual courses to add up to a sufficient number of credits can they take off a year or semester of college.

A third benefit of the IB diploma is that it offers a variety of courses to be taken. Students in the program must take six subjects and must also complete three extra requirements, which are the Theory of Knowledge course (ToK), a 4000-word Extended Essay (EE), and at least 150 hours in CAS (Creativity, Action, Service) areas. The 150 hours of creativity, action, and service is a strong benefit because it gives the students a chance to interact with their community in many different ways.

Finally, since the program is usually implemented in the better schools, Schutz’s implementation of it will make it more prestigious among the international schools.

It might seem that the IB program is full of benefits, so why does Schutz not implement the system? The question is whether it is feasible or not. Cost is the biggest factor that makes it difficult to implement the IB Diploma program. The program is usually given to the school as a package, not by the number of students that take the course. Since the number of students that will take it is small, the cost of the program becomes very high for the school to pay. Also, after the program is implemented, additional costs have to be covered. IB requires IB certified teachers, which means that the teachers that are recruited will have to be given higher salaries. This again requires a high cost of money. In order for the IB program to work, trainers need to come to Schutz to establish the program and prepare the school for its implementation, which requires an even higher cost.

In a survey by 11th and 12th graders, 90 % of the students wanted to establish the program. This large amount of students that want IB is a sign that although Schutz will pass through a lot of difficulty to implement the program, it is a necessary step for Schutz to take. The school should find a place for IB in its budget, especially when they move to a different campus, since there will be an even larger number of students to take the program. It is a step that will enhance and make Schutz a prestigious international school.

The Dearly Loved Couple

Mr. Mark and Pat Are About to Say “Sayonara Schutz! Konichiwa Japan!”

Heba El Sahn

They each lived on farms five miles apart in Iowa. His sister was her sister’s best friend. They got to be close friends starting from eighth grade, dated in tenth grade, and got married in their second year of college. Some time after that God blessed them with two children Angela and Aaron. These two very special people are Mr. Mark and Pat.

Mark McCright is the Tech Coordinator/High School Information Technology teacher and his wife, Pat, is the Elementary Associate for grades 3-6 at this school. They came to Schutz in 2006 and have been a part of our family for three years. The two are famously known of being able to wear many hats at the same time. The couple loved it here since they enjoyed living in Alexandria and gained many friends as well.

Mr. Mark and Pat exclaim how they truly admire the tradition of the school and its overall comfortable ambience. Moreover, many people would be shocked to learn that they really like the school’s location! They expressed how they found it amazing that even though the street is narrow and overcrowded, one can really experience and observe many things about Egypt’s culture just by taking a mere walk. They believe that the weather over here is ideal (Mr. Mark was still wearing short sleeves in February!) Another thing they both find intriguing is driving. Even though he was a driver’s instructor for some time in the States and he has obtained his very own Egyptian driving license, Mr. Mark is still unsure of whether or not he should take on the traffic in this country. In the end, Mr. Mark remarked that, "The greatest resource that Egypt has is its people." Nodding in confirmation, Pat also added that being in Schutz had been a fantastic first experience for teaching abroad.

When asked whether they are going to go back to Iowa or continue living abroad, it was clear that the couple intend to travel to many different parts of the world. Their next stop is: Tokyo, Japan. They chose the school over there because it had a good reputation and its student population is reasonable (around 600-700 students). They were also recommended to go there by Mrs. B, Schutz’s former Math teacher. They are excited to embark on their new adventure and they want to discover how they are going to get settled over there without knowing Japanese and living outside the school campus. Nevertheless, they guess this is just a risk they have to take and in the end, this will add up to the whole experience.

Mr. Mark and Pat are truly vital to the functioning of Schutz American School. Whether they are tirelessly working on the tasks they were given, welcoming the new teachers at the school, or are simply conversing with a student, it is clear that this couple will truly be missed. The Schutz family wishes them all the best and is certain that they will leave a mark anywhere they go. For they are, after all, the dearly loved couple.

A Fresh Look

Schutz Renovates its Website Using a Professional Designing Company

Alaa El Damaty

Recently, a decision was made to renovate the school website. The Schutz website was first created in 1997 and was updated once every few months. With the arrival of Mr. Mark McCright in 2006, the website became fully functional and updated on a daily basis. Mr. McCright added website design to the curriculum for the High School Information Technology class. He felt it would provide students with an excellent opportunity to develop a real-life skill. The website became Alexandria’s only student maintained school website. Today the Schutz website can be compared to the best international school websites in regards to content and promotion of student work and projects.

The decision to renovate the site came after much discussion during the Strategic Planning process two years ago. A recommendation was made to develop a more professional appearance. As a result, Mr. McCright was given the responsibility to find and contact a suitable company to create the design. "We looked at various companies that specialize in design and web hosting for schools. We felt SchoolWorld provided the best option as they have experience with international schools as well as schools in the States." The website will feature several new capabilities such as reminders for news and calendar events, an alumni module, and teacher pages, which staff will be able to update on a regular basis. In addition, editing for the site can be done from any Internet computer.

Next, the task was to pick a design for the website. Mr. Mark went through the company’s choices and selected six designs that he felt would best reflect the uniqueness of Schutz American School. All staff members and the IT class students voted on of those designs. The vote was very close and the top three choices were presented to the administration, which will make the final selection. The cost of designing and hosting this website is $4,400 per year, including an alumni module. If everything goes according to schedule, the website is expected to be completed and ready to launch by the end of the school year. This will be a challenge and require a lot of work and effort, as it will be necessary to transfer text and graphics from the old site. The new website will present a new image for Schutz in the Alexandrian society and the international school world.

Directing the School’s Actions

Communication and Collaboration are Crucial for School Changes

Heba El Sahn

Throughout the history of Schutz, students have always had a big role in the decision-making done by the school. These experiences have set a mark in our minds and got us to carry around the expectation that we will always be approached when action is about to be taken. With that being said, it was quite troubling when students felt how little influence they have on the new and "modernizing" changes at school.

A couple of years ago, Schutz held a series of meetings dedicated to strategic planning and focusing on matters that need altering to better the school. After many hours of discussing and weighing out pros and cons, it was decided that the school needs to transform its general "look". This, taken into action, would mean that Schutz’s logo and website will have to be modified.

Students were invited to go and rank their favorite logos on display in the auditorium a few months ago. They submitted their forms and waited for the results to be announced, but surprisingly none was. A short time afterwards The Gate’s reporters asked for updates on the topic, but they were told that this information is confidential and should not be shared. When it concerned the new website designs, however, Schutz students were not even allowed to see them. The only group who had this privilege was the Information Technology class, but the rest of the students do not have a say in which design should represent their school.

Many students found the sudden halt of communication disturbing. They are reassured, however, to note that everything right now is on standby. So, the school is not taking any vital decisions that they were not informed about. The logo is currently being created by six different graphic designers. The school cannot pressure them to go any faster since they are doing this as volunteer work. The website is still in progress and everything is in the hands of the designers too. Also, the school’s newsletters The Gate and The Lighthouse are there to give the Schutz community updates on anything taking place.

Good communication between the students, the administration, and the Board is essential for the improvement of the school. We should always say what we are against or what we want to see happen because we are the most people affected by the change. This is what we are able to do to aid in directing the happenings at school. We must also have confidence that any action taken by the administration and the Board is for the benefit of the students.

A Blind Eye Turned On Ten Million Children

Fear of Living Life

Malak Kira

Prostitution is a form of enslavement and exploitation for financial gain; it is among the most disgraceful acts in all of human evil. Reaching the point of selling children’s bodies and pride to strangers for money is just beyond comprehension. "When the lives and the rights of children are at stake, there must be no silent witnesses", affirmed Carol Bellamy, the Executive Director of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). About ten million children worldwide are forced into prostitution. It is a social as well as an ethical dilemma that is emerging in today’s world. It is not only a cause of death and morbidity in millions of children, but also a repulsive violation of their rights and dignity. We can no longer stand by in silence and turn a blind eye to the rights of children around the world who suffer from abuse, war, poverty, and diseases.

　
The highest countries oppressed by child prostitution are India which has 400,000 to 500,000 prostituted children, Brazil which has 100,000 to 500,000, the United States which has 300,000, and Thailand and China which have 200,000 each. Girls as young as 10 to 12 years old serve men in the sex industry. Millions of children are infected with STDs/HIV, have abortions, and attempt suicide each year. Daughters of poor families are sold for prostitution because their families need money for food and shelter. This is an issue of poverty; this class of society is stepped on by the rest of the world because of their social status. They are treated as slaves and are forced to comply in order for them to live. The society has denied and failed to acknowledge the oppression, exploitation and abuse of these children. What is shocking is that the highest rate of prostitution is in the most developed countries where some sections of the society live under the poverty line.

When there is a social crisis, prostitute children often find themselves in fear and reluctant to live. Change can only happen if we stand up for human rights and are willing to overcome violence and fight our fears.

Taking action to reduce the crimes against children and ensure that their voices are never silenced is the key to bringing peace and prosperity. Raising national awareness about prostituted children and developing consensus for action are effective means to address this problem. OOffenders must be held accountable for their behavior and brought to court for criminal actions. Governments around the world must make certain that the right of every child is ensured and protected.