Found: Cristiano Ronaldo's Number One Stalker

The Quiet Girl With the Strategies

By Hanna El-Amrawi

You probably have heard many people say “First impressions are not always correct”, well that is definitely the case with Farah Kashwa. You see, when you first meet Farah you get a sense that she is a shy, timid girl. However, once you get to know her and start to open up a discussion with her, you will realize that she is actually everything but quiet. If you really want to test my theory, just bring up the name Cristiano Ronaldo! You better be prepared though because once you start on this topic there is no going back. You will have Farah describing everything from his looks to his soccer moves. When it comes to soccer, this senior knows what she is talking about.

Born on September 12, 1992 in Alexandria, Farah has always had a deep passion for soccer. Growing up she was different from the typical pony tailed girls. While those girls go around shopping for clothes, you would see Farah on the field playing her favorite sport with the boys. “Since I was not a girlie girl, I always felt like I had more in common with the guys”. Not just at school, but at home Farah can be caught passing the ball around with her two younger brothers, Ahmed and Mamdouh. “Just like soccer players form strategies against their opponents, my two brothers and I form alliances against our parents”, stated Farah.

As you can tell Farah is very close to her two younger brothers. “I love them to death and I can’t imagine living without them”. Farah is the typical family girl. She often prefers to stay home and have movie nights with her family rather than going out. Farah’s family is a big part of her life, and that is why she is struggling between going abroad for university or staying here close to home. Farah has applied to many respected universities including New York University (NYU), Northwestern, and the American University in Cairo (AUC), where she hopes to major in either Law or Mass Communication.

Having moved to Schutz in the beginning of 8th grade, Farah feels that Schutz has shaped the person she is today. It has made her more confident in facing any problems that come her way. “Schutz is not just my school, it is my second family that I have found within those front gates”, explained Farah. She recalls her first day at school, as she crossed the big gate at 51 Schutz station, she felt nervous and wanted to turn back and go home. But as she approached the front porch and met her classmates, she immediately felt like she had known them for years. Well it has been five years, and it is now time for this lady falcon to say her goodbyes. “For all high schoolers, especially juniors, seize every opportunity you get because you only live once!”

A Picasso in Our Midst

Look Out World 'Cause Here She Comes

By Farah Kashwa

Her art work catches our eyes and makes us stop what we are doing, her unique and loud laugh fills our hearts with warmth, and her hugs make us forgot our worst troubles. Marina Guirguis has been a part of the Schutz family for almost four years now. Before moving to Egypt, Marina lived in Ohio and for a brief period of time attended Wayne High School.

A lot of people would agree with Marina when she says that her first impression of Schutz was that it was really small. Her previous graduating class had 740 students alone so entering a class of only 23 students was a big change. With 740 students in one graduating class you couldn’t get to know every class member well, but with only 20 students in the senior class of 2010, Marina says that saying goodbye will be hard.

Friends describe Marina as very creative and laid back. Creativity, of course, comes with the territory when you are a talented artist. When I asked Marina where she gets her inspiration from she said, “My inspiration comes from whatever mood I’m in. While I’m painting, my mood can totally alter my piece.” Marina’s artwork has always been personal to her or symbolic of something in her life.

Marina does not have a role model; she is her own role model. One might wonder why Marina does not have another role model and it is because she believes that people are a disappointment. The only people who have stayed constant in her life are her dad, Amir Guirguis and her best friend Ahmed Elbana. “My dad is my biggest hero,” Marina says, “and I’m his biggest fan. He has accomplished so much in his life time. I don’t think anyone on this earth compares to him.” As for her best friend, Ahmed, she owes him a lot for making her the person she is today. Family is very important to Marina. In Marina’s book, God comes first, then family, then friends.

As for Marina’s future, she has recently decided to major in architectural engineering. Marina loves art and physics so she has decided to combine both these things into one and picked her major. Marina plans to start her college career by spending a year in the American University in Cairo (AUC), then she hopes to transfer to MIT or another Ivy League university to continue her studies.

Marina’s dream as a little girl was to become a mermaid or a country singer but neither worked out to her advantage. But Marina, never stop dreaming because reality can only get you to certain places in life.

Spokesman of a Generation

Perfection Would Have Flawed Bob Dylan

By Nikhil Krishnan

Bob Dylan’s yearbook prediction was ‘to join Little Richard on the rock n’ roll expedition’. Since then, each and every Bob Dylan fan knows he has ended up doing much more than that. At the height of his career, Dylan’s lyrics were quoted in politicians’ speeches, taught in poetry classes and worshipped by people because he sang for them. With a long musical career spanning five decades, Bob Dylan’s incalculable musical impact has influenced the worlds of music, literature and politics and has been only surpassed by The Beatles. Every generation has since used popular music effectively to express their imperative issues. Yet, Dylan never realizes his impact and continues on his musical expedition, recreating history. Bruce Springsteen said of him as follows, “Bob Dylan freed your mind just as Elvis Presley freed your body.”

Quiet and serious, Robert Allen Zimmerman was born in Duluth, Minnesota. Though his life was luxurious, he showed an early interest in serving the needy and underprivileged. At a very young age, he showed interest in music and mostly recorded his private thoughts in poetry. At high school, he performed at several talent shows, but he was consistently booed because of his lousy singing voice.

Zimmerman gave away his early affinity for rock music when he heard obscure folk and country records by Hank Williams Sr., Pete Seeger, and most importantly, Woody Guthrie. He then started to perform folk music at various coffeehouses where he started calling himself Bob Dylan in the honor of Welsh poet, Dylan Thomas. It was not until his second album with Columbia Records, The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan (1963) that he identified himself as more of a songwriter than a singer. The album included several anti-war classics such as Blowin’ in the Wind, and A Hard Rain’s a-Gonna Fall, etc. Dylan instantly clicked with the people, becoming the leader of the 1960s American folk music revival at a time when British Bands such as The Beatles, and The Rolling Stones dominated the musical world. After folk albums including The Times They Are-A Changin’, Dylan controversially ventured into rock music, which in turn influenced The Beatles in expanding their musical creativity. Bringing It All Back Home (1965) spanned classics such as Mr. Tambourine Man and Subterranean Homesick Blues. Dylan got the opportunity to fuse his sophisticated poetic lyrics with the then non-serious rock n’ roll, introducing his social critique to a wider audience. Heading to the paramount of his career, he released Highway 61 Revisited (1965) which included his surreal classic Like a Rolling Stone that is most famous for topping the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time list by the Rolling Stone magazine. Other great Bob Dylan albums include Blonde on Blonde (1966) and Blood on the Tracks (1975).

Bob Dylan ventures back and forth from folk to rock on his recent albums such as Time Out of Mind (1997), “Love and Theft” (2001) and Modern Times (2006). With honors ranging from countless Grammys and Academy Awards to the Kennedy Center Honors and the Pulitzer Prize, Bob Dylan has always asked questions and done things differently, paving the way for many others to do the same.

The Fashion Show: Black & Gold

An Exclusive and Exceptional Night Achieved

By Aya Kordy

On the 22nd of January, the auditorium was fashionably decorated with black and gold drapes that hung from the ceiling. The High School Student Council took a lot of time, energy and preparation to organize an exquisite night filled with interesting surprises and unexpected performances. The fashion show was a success.

The show commenced with a speech given by Dr. Joyce Martinez, the head of school, followed by a speech given by Ingy Fahmy, the student body president. Thirty-five high school students participated in the event in front of an overly crowded audience. The fashion show consisted of 15 acts, from imitating cultures such as Spanish, Arabs and Bedouins all the way to portraying characters like cowboys, sport players, Danny and Sandy, and Michael Jackson, to an Egyptian customized wedding scene. Each act had its own costumes, props, and a distinctive song that went along with the theme. The amount of diversity portrayed by the students was a reflection of how unique the Schutz community is. The audience appreciated each and every act in its own way.

The purpose of this event was as a fundraiser project for the HSSC to raise money in order to renovate the current student lounge. According to the council members, this goal is highly attainable now that the Fashion Show proved to be an over the top sensation! The council now not only has enough money to buy new furniture for the lounge, but also is able to afford re-painting the lounge’s wall and possibly even redoing the floor.

The success of such an event lies primarily on how hard the students involved worked together to create such an elaborate show. With only having practiced three times before the actual performance, the students were able to impress the audience with scenes that seemed to be professionally rehearsed for, for months prior to the event. Kudos to all our talented Schutz models, and a particular appreciation for the vast support from the audience who attended.

Entertainment Corner

Movie Madness!

By Farah Kashwa

Back To Wonderland

We all know it and we all watched it as a kid at least once. This time, Alice in Wonderland goes from fantasy to reality. Director Tim Burton has again produced another masterpiece. Although you might have watched Alice in Wonderland as a cartoon, Burton brings the classic animated movie to life.

Fear Thy Neighbor

Everything might seem to be picture-perfect until one day, the whole around you changes. One much unexpected day, all residents of Ogden March, Iowa start to act weird as a result of inhaling a weird toxin. The toxin turns all of the residents into violent psychopaths except for four unaffected people. The four unaffected people form a band to try to stop their neighbors from harming anyone but it is a brutal task. The Crazies will definitely keep you sitting at the edge of your seats.

Impossible “I Do’s”

Ever thought it was not a small world? Well, think again! In Our Family Wedding, two dads, who have never met before this incident, get off on the wrong foot and within the next couple of days, they find out that their children have decided to get married! With two very competitive dads who care about their egos more than anything, organizing a wedding is a great challenge that the two families will face. Will the fathers finally find a way to get over their competition for the sake of their children’s happiness?

Did You Know That...

By Aya Kordy

… The only place in the universe where a flag flies all day, never goes up or comes down, never flies half-mast and does not get saluted, is the moon.

… During the great plague of Europe, the Pope passed a law to say “God bless you” to one who sneezed.

… Mercedes cars are named after an Austrian girl.

…. The tomato is the world’s most popular fruit.

....Giraffes have no vocal cords.

Knock Knock, Come in Dr. Seuss

Schutz Celebrates Dr. Seuss's Birthday

By Hanna El-Amrawi

Knock Knock! Who is there? March 3rd!? March 3rd? What is happening on March 3rd? Dr Seuss’s birthday! This March, the spirit of Dr. Seuss has come to Schutz American School. Let me tell you this, if Dr. Seuss were still alive he would have been so impressed at the decorated doors, which certain grades have decided to decorate in celebration of his birthday.

This brilliant idea started when Mrs. Jane Walsh, the upper school librarian, encountered Tonya Drummond, a ninth grader, and was informed that March 3rd was the birthday of Dr. Sues. Tonia related that, in her old school, on March 3rd, every door from Pre-k to twelfth grade, was decorated in honor of Dr. Seuss. ‘I love Dr. Seuss! He is quirky”, said Tonya. Having heard this idea, Mrs. Walsh decided to add a little bit of enthusiasm to our school and had created a contest where all grades can compete for the best decorated door. On march 3rd during the afternoon, two committees were formed in order to judge the Lower and Upper school doors. The first committee headed by Mr.Bob Medina judged the lower school, while the committee headed by Dr. Joyce, judged the Upper school doors. The results were as follows:

Pre K 4 and Senior Class: Best Eye Appeal

Grade 1 and Grade 8: Best Dr. Suess Spirit

Grade 2: Best evidence of Student Work

Grade 3: Most creative

Grade 6: Participation

A Rising Young Business Man

Saad Attia Aspires to Follow in his Father's Footsteps

By Ingy Fahmy

Saad Attia arrived to the Schutz gates 11 years ago as a humble and shy young boy from Kawmeya Language School. He describes that single moment as, “possibly one of the greatest and most beneficial decisions my parents have made in my childhood years”. Saad explains that growing up within the Schutz community has enabled him to be a well-rounded person who is eager and fervent about the next step in his life- his college career and soon after the real world!

Saad is planning to attend the American University in Cairo (AUC) where he will be pursuing a degree in BA Business Management. He hopes to apply this education when he steppes into the real world where he will be working alongside his father, managing a real estate company. Saad puts his father on a pedestal; therefore, all his visions for his future derive from how he aspires to be the man his father is. He describes his father as being a viable role model because “he built his company with no one’s effort but his own and still managed to be successful in his life as a business man, husband, father, and simply an honorable man”. Saad credits his father for the young man that he currently stands to be.

As a personality, Saad might come off as a person who is reserved and does not have much to say. But for those who truly know Saad and grew up with him at Schutz, they know better; Saad is a man of many words and he could possibly be one of the most outgoing and gregarious people on campus. He never has something bad to tell you and always leaves the person with a smile from a nice comment he made or the joke he cracked.

Saad points out that a strong point in him is the fact that he views work as a fun element and not just a duty that he has to perform. He claims that not many of his friends are aware of the fact that he likes to work, and they tend to think he is just very lazy. Saad does admit, however, that he has a flaw of losing his temper sometimes. But that weakness tends to be covered up by the benevolent, blissful, and gratified character that Saad was able to establish for himself.

The years at Schutz will be embedded into Saad’s memory for many, many years to come. He describes one of the most memorable moments at Schutz as being both Varsity Soccer and Volleyball tournaments in Doha this year where he enjoyed his last EMAC/ISAC events alongside his lifelong classmates which he now considers to be his brothers and sisters. Leaving behind all the soccer games played at lunch, his well-spent free blocks, and his classes with the former Arabic teacher, Miss Samiha, will truly be a daunting task for Saad, as he will miss every single minute of them. On the contrary, Saad is glad to finally be closing the door on his Math and Science classes as he suffered a great deal in both.

Saad is eager to start a new page in his life as he closes this chapter of his life. But before he exits the familiar grounds he grew up in, he would like to extend a few words to various Schutz parties, “First off, I would like to thank Schutz as a teaching institution not only as an academic one but also as sociable one as it helped me form the responsible and independent person I graduate as. In return Schutz, I would like to offer you my own advice: it truly is time to establish a healthy and high-quality canteen for your students. Finally, upcoming seniors, start your college applications early and get it out of the way so the rest of your senior year would be one for the books”.

The Cycle of Welcomes and Farewells

New Faces Will Show Up as Some of Our Favorite Faces Leave

By Nikhil Krishnan

Schutz’s family has always been a changing family: senior students tend to commence their journey to college life while new recruits for pre-K 3 students enter the Schutz gates. Teachers follow a very similar pattern and tend to move on in their career. This year, unfortunately, several teachers are going to bid farewell to Schutz and Schutz will have several new teachers initiating their journey at Schutz next year. The teachers that are going to leave by the end of this year are the Meleks, the Wavrins, the Spurlocks, the Collins, Kelly and Mr. Blankinship.

On the other hand, we have a number of new faces who will teach at Schutz next year. Ms. Carrie Danziger will be replacing Mr. Robert Blankinship to teach Upper School Science. Ms. Jessica Koch will replace Mr. Seth Spurlock and teach Math. Mr. Benjamin Dunbar will replace Ms. Melek and teach upper school English. Mr. William “Joe” Donahue will teach High School math, replacing Ms. Kelly Sullivan. Ms. Kathryn Smith will be teaching upper school social studies, replacing Mr. Collins. Mr. Joshua Pickell will replace coach Melek and teach Physical Education next year. In the lower school, Ms. Penny Johnson will replace Mr. Mike Wavrin in teaching the 5th grade.

Moreover, several members of the staff are going to be changing positions for the next year. Mr. Ortega, who was teaching the Kindergarten class along with Ms. Maie Abou Gad, will be teaching the 2nd grade next year. Ms. Sara Salem will start teaching the Pre-K 3 class next year. Ms. Nawal Selim, who is teaching Pre-K 3 this year, will be teaching the 1st grade next year replacing Ms. Barb Hultman. Ms. Randa Shoeb who has been teaching 7th and 8th grade language arts, will now shift from teaching to administration by becoming the lower school principal next year, replacing Dr. Collins.

While we get ready to welcome new faces in the Schutz staff, we will also get ready to bid farewell to the faces that are going to leave us to commence on a new phase of their lives. “It’s time to move on”, Kelly stated after being part of Schutz’s family for about 15 years. Mr. Collins also expressed mixed feelings about leaving Schutz, “We have lived here for 3 years, which is a great amount of time, and it has been great teaching here. However, both of us are getting great opportunities next year: Dr. C will be a principal in a bigger school, and I will get the opportunity to teach IB History, something I look forward to. We have been having a good international experience, and we would like to continue it.”

People leaving and entering is part of our lives. On a more optimistic note, we get to meet new faces, and old faces commence on a new beginning. We wish all the leaving teachers a great success in the following year.

Michele Serros: It All Began with Writing a Daily Journal

A Woman to Watch For in the New Century

By Aya Kordy

Since the beginning of the school year Schutz hosted two author visits. Luckily enough on the 6th of September 2009, Tom Palmer visited the Schutz campus. He was invited by the 13 year old 8th grader Omar Younis. In December Schutz was once again fortunate with another author visiting campus, Michele Serros. She was invited on campus by the high school Librarian Mrs. Walsh. Nonetheless, many upper school classes were at a time of closure due to swine flu cases; hence, many students did not get the chance to meet the unparalleled author. Therefore, the journalism class choice to conduct an interview with Serros to acquaint the students with the author who they would have desired to meet.

Surprisingly, Michele Serros’ personality is almost as fascinating as her writings, and it was a privilege to speak to her recently and get to know more about her writings as well as her personal life. Michele’s openness of spirit was immediately evident. It is my pleasure to introduce this rare talent to those who have not yet read her books and to those who read them, but have not yet had the opportunity to meet her in person to get to know the amazing personality that lies behind her astonishing words.
Michele Serros is an American author and poet described as “A woman to watch for in the new century.” Her journey began when she wrote her first book of short stories and poems Chicana Falsa, reflecting on death and identity. She also entered the TV business in 2002, and subsequently became the official screenwriter for the George Lopez Show; nevertheless, she left after only a year for medical reasons.
When asked if the reason that made her become interested in writing was her parents’ separation, Michele Serros answered, “Yes, definitely their separation was a great factor, I used to keep journals of how I feel”. She started telling her story and how she started her path in writing. The first person who advised her to write was her favorite author, Judy Plume. After sending Plume her first letter, Serros was surprised that she wrote her back and advised her to keep a journal about her fears or concerns over her parents` separation to help her vent her worries. She admits that keeping this daily journal set a foundation for her as a writer. Answering my question whether she sends a message to her audience through her books, Michele Serros declares that she does usually send a message but with a humorous approach.

I then asked,” I noticed that in your previous novels you wrote about deep issues like death, separation and role models. Why that path? Serros opens up and speaks about herself the way she sees it telling that she tends to be that type of writer who writes not only what she has a passion for, but of what she knows. Writing is very cathartic to her. She usually writes during or after a painful experience. Chicana Falsa was written after her mother's death while How to be a Chicana Role Model was written during the separation from her husband at the time. I found it a good opportunity to ask Serros about the way she felt after she was hailed as “a woman to watch for in the new century”. Being a down to earth person as I realized from the way she has been responding to my questions, she answered “I was much honored, but now the accolade is somewhat intimidating. After all, it is a big title to live up to! And we are ten years into the new century. What have I really done that was so worthy of watching for?”

Finally, I asked Serros whether she would like to be hosted on the Oprah Winfrey Show and have her book in Oprah`s book club as the show was actually coming to an end. I was actually very surprised when she answered frankly saying, “Every author would love to have more people read their work and, of course, Oprah's Book Club would allow this. But to be frank, I've never really fanaticized about being featured on Oprah's Book Club. I have, however, fanaticized, about winning a new car from her!” At last, I would like to say that it was my pleasure to interview this amazingly talented author.

The Owner of Simplicity and Modesty

Tias Amazes the World with Her Art of Being Simple

By Nikhil Krishnan

Tias Sneh Paul has been consistently identified as the quietest girl at Schutz’s campus. However, when it came to interviewing her, she was quite open about describing herself and her life. With an admirable high school academic record and a prestigious membership in the Schutz’s Chapter of the National Honor Society (NHS), Tias has genuinely been a great student with a high level of modesty at.
Tias was born in the city of Kolkata in the western part of India. Before coming to Schutz, she studied at an Indian school in the city of Baroda. She commenced her educational expedition at Schutz when she entered Grade 2. She stated that she came to Schutz as a shy nobody who refused to speak up even when picked on. However, she strongly believes that Schutz has given her her own voice and taught her to be a better person since it has taught her firsthand of what it is like to be picked on. She has truly come a long way in the past ten years as she presently holds the office of Treasurer in the NHS and the office of Secretary of the senior class.

Tias admires her dad and considers him as her role model. She marvels her dad because of his ability to work hard and the fact that “he built himself from scratch” “Being the oldest son in a family of five not only did he have to do odd jobs to make ends meet, but also keep up with his studies along with tutoring his younger siblings. Due to his outstanding performance he earned himself a scholarship to one of the best institutes in India, the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT)”, says Tias.

In her spare time, Tias enjoys reading, watching movies and taking care of her plants. Currently, she plans to be an engineer and earn a bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering at a reputable university. Later on, she would like to get a master’s degree in Business Administration (MBA) and work at a respectable company. She has already received acceptance letters from universities such as Michigan State University (MSU), Purdue University, and the prestigious Ivy League University, Penn State University.
She loves the fact that Egyptians are kind, warm and open people and will miss them when she leaves Schutz and Egypt. Her most memorable moment at Schutz was in the Comparitive Religions class last year when Mr. Collins called up a group of people which included her. “All of us thought we were going to be congratulated for having a great paper, but actually, it was that we had incidentally taken down the same notes, since we were told to jot down the most important points. All of us burst out laughing because all of us had worked very hard on it and each of us, including Mr. Collins, knew that we had not cheated.” Her advice to the coming seniors and other high school students is to take High School seriously, but at the same time, to take time off to enjoy the little moments that can never be re-lived. Tias has a great future in store, and we all wish her to succeed.

What Every Junior Looks Forward To!

Thimuners Head to The Hague

By Hanna El Amrawi

As the year goes on, the 12th graders look forward to graduating and entering a new phase in life. The 8th graders might start to feel anxious as they enter High school. But what about the 11th graders? Do they have anything to look forward to? Of course, they do. Most of the juniors at Schutz get to travel to the Hague and take part in a very prestigious conference. Hoda Eldib(Ambassador of Tajikistan), Dikran Alexanian, Hana Afifi, Soha Afifi, Ahmed Ayroud, and Moustafa El Naggar represented Tajikistan at the 2010 The Hague International Model United Nations conference. The THIMUN conference is one of the biggest MUN conferences in the world, holding around 3000 delegates. For the past years at Schutz, it has always been the History teacher who accompanies the MUNers but, this year’s juniors were accompanied by Massimo Latereza, the Dean of Students.

Each student was placed in a different committee where they negotiated and debated on various issues from the country they represents, point of view. By meeting and interacting with new people, the delegates were able to experience what actual MUN members go through. Hoda Eldib, our ambassador, felt that this experience was very memorable to her as she was able to meet people from all over the world.

As you can tell, this MUN conference is definitely an event that you would look forward to.

The Point of No Return

Once You Leave the Schutz Gates, Returning is Not an Option!

By Farah Kashwa

We started the year receiving a bomb threat, and we can witness all around campus the changes made to make our school a more secure and safer place to be. One of the steps taken to improve our school’s safety and security, however not the main reason, is not allowing students back in when they leave campus. Even though implementing such a rule may be in the best interest of the students, the students should have an easier way of leaving and re-entering campus.

Schutz is located in the neighborhood of Bakous, which is one of the poorest neighborhoods in Alexandria. When students step outside the Schutz gates, they stand out. The student’s choice of attire is different from the clothes of the inhabitants of the neighborhood, and they attract attention from the people walking in the streets. Several people verbally harass Schutz students simply because of their appearance. Wouldn’t staying in school be safer for the student?

A student forgets their cell phone, no friend is around to lend them theirs, and they need to find their drivers. How can they check for their drivers through the thick black door? Obviously, they have to step outside to look for their driver, but students, think again! The new rule does not allow them to return to school.

Recently, a group of girls, who had basketball practice after school, stepped outside to buy something from the little store outside school. When they came back inside, they were approached by Mr. Walsh and were asked to leave school immediately.

Another incident took place when another girl, not aware of this rule, stepped outside the gates to talk briefly to her driver and then was told that she had detention. However, Mr. Walsh kindly only invited her for a small talk about the incident and warned her to not repeat it again.

When Mr. Walsh was asked about the matter and the reasons why the school has this rule, he had a lot of reasonable things to say. He said that the main reason for this rule’s existence is to keep the students safe. The parents drop-off their children to school, and they believe that Schutz will keep them safe. If the administration has no control over when the students leave campus and come back in, a student can easily get lost or the school will have no idea of the whereabouts of the student. If, God forbid, anything bad ever happened to a student, the school needs to know is on campus and who is not.

Mr. Walsh also clarified that if there is an emergency and the student needs to contact their driver, for example, they can take permission from him first or use his cell phone to contact the driver. He said that this rule has always existed but just not enforced before.

Canteen Issues Emerge Once Again

Uproar over Restricting the Sale of Canteen Items

By Ingy Fahmy

As it currently stands, Schutz students have been banned from the following: ordering food from restaurants and cafes, drivers bringing in food during lunch hours, the purchasing of chocolates and soft drinks from the canteen, and the availability of Mentos and Halls from the canteen.

It has been a long-standing issue that students are not quite satisfied with the food provided at school, whether it comes from the canteen or the cafeteria. In the past, many efforts have been made by the student council in the hope of obtaining outside caterers to replace the canteen. At the start of this year, a change did in fact occur. Roasto has been operating the canteen since the start of the school year; however, it still stands to be a great disappointment. The food being offered is no different than what last year’s canteen, which was operating under the school’s supervision.

The banning of the purchases of chocolates and soft drinks from the canteen has been due to nutritional reasons. The administration has asked the canteen to eliminate these items and not make them available for purchase by the students. However, at the same time the current canteen still offers hamburgers, chips, and biscuits, etc. So, does that mean that somehow chips are more nutritional than chocolates?

The ban on Halls and Mentos has been due to the results left behind from students. Teachers have complained on numerous occasions that wrappers have been left behind in classrooms. Also the students have been accused of eating these two items during class time. As a consequence, the administration has once again asked the canteen to stop providing the students with these items.

As a solution, some students have preferred to turn to outside restaurants and cafes to provide them with their lunches, or even have a driver bring them food from home during lunchtime. But, once more, this practice has been banned. According to the administration, allowing deliveries to enter school and drivers to bring in food is a great hassle. They further explain that the logistics of such a practice can engage in a lot of unwanted disruptiveness. When asked whether that specific ban had anything to do with any security issues or regulations, the administration denied the claim.

The age group being dealt with here is teenagers! Teenagers are possibly the most difficult age group to handle and be involved with—ask any parents! They are known for being rebellious, disobedient, and resistant to anything possible. With all the banned actions the students are experiencing, disagreements are bound to occur. Not everything the students want they should get, but at least there should be a comprise of some sort from both parties. The administration should realize the students concerns about the “food” issues they are facing and try to sit down with them and come to agreeable conclusions. The students, consequently, should hear the administrations concerns about certain troubles.

All in all, both sides lack a sense of mutual communication among one another. Often times, it is the misleading facts that cause a group of teenagers to feel the urge to be rebellious. In any case, the solution to any, if not all problems, is definitely not by banning. If anything, the practice of banning creates more uproar and discontent for the parties, the administration and students.

New Security Regulations Put Into Effect

Pat Down is Here to Stay on U.S.-Bound Flights

By Ingy Fahmy

In light of the two incidents that occurred in two different airports during the busiest time of the year, the Christmas Holidays, tightened security measures have been put into effect immediately. The transportation Security Administration (TSA) is applying new security rules to passengers flying to the United States from the following 14 countries: Afghanistan, Algeria, Cuba, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Libya, Nigeria, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen.

These 14 countries are especially identified because they are “stable sponsors of terrorism”, such as Iran, Syria, Cuba, and Sudan, or because they are “countries of interest”, such as the remaining ten nations. According to the State Department’s Country Reports on Terrorism for 2009, new countries may have made the list due to recent happenings. In Lebanon, Hezbollah has “moved arms back into southern Lebanon where it was providing training to members of the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas). In Sudan, there is evidence of the existence of terrorist elements of Al-Qaida as well as elements of the Palestine Islamic Jihad and Hamas. Nigeria and Yemen both made the list because they are the countries that Umar Abdulmutallab emerged from with the plan to bomb the plane to Detroit, Michigan. Pakistan, Iraq, and Afghanistan are countries in which the United States is in a state of war. Libya is a country that has reduced its advocacy for international terrorism, but it is still in contact with some terrorist individuals and organizations.

These upgraded security measures are in response to, first an attempted bombing of Northwest Airlines flight 253 from Amsterdam to Detroit. Mar Farouk Abdulmutallab, a Nigerian who is believed to have received training from Al-Qaida operatives in Yemen, was charged with the attempt to blow up the plane with explosives sewn into his underwear. This attempt was a response to the incident that rose from the Continental Airlines terminal at Newark Airport. Security footage showed an unidentified person passing through an exit lane to a secure area without being screened. The airport went into lockdown as all flights were grounded and all passengers were returned to the ticketing area for rescreening. The unidentified individual could not be found.

Citizens of the above-mentioned 14 notions or passengers holding passports from those nations, taking flights that originated or passed through any of them, will be subjected to full-body pat downs and will face extra scrutiny of their carry-on bag before boarding on United States-bound flights. This intensive screening will be enforced at airports worldwide. Also, this new system treats people differently based on their nationality or the country from which they are traveling.

However, eased conditions for Americans and most other nationalities that do not fly through the 14 countries on their way to the United States are on the way. These passengers will no longer be subjected to automatically intensified security regulations imposed after the Christmas Day incidents.

At present, only flights to the United States are deeply affected. Airlines are currently telling passengers to “plan to arrive at the airport at least three hours in advance of their flight’s departure to allow extra time for check-in and the boarding process”, and “passengers will be required to cooperate with cabin crew on any other in-flight security measures instructed”. Now, life for travelers is likely to become more complicated once again because pat downs are here to stay on United States-bound flights.

A Super Sub Who Is a Master at His Craft

Geddo Is by All Means a New Soccer Phenomenon in Egypt

By Aya Kordy

Egypt has a population of about 8 million people, each individual is very distinct from the other in terms of the way they think, speak, believe and live. Egypt has several dilemmas: its economy, the abuse of power by government officials, and the lack of democracy; hence, the nation is divided into various diverse groups. Nonetheless, all these groups can and do unite when it has to .do with one thing: soccer

On the 2nd of February 2010, the Egyptian national team played against Nigeria in the African Cup of Nations in Ghana. The score was 2 -1 for Egypt and Nigeria was really pushing for another goal in the last ten minutes. However, five minutes after the young sun Mohamed Nagy Geddo was admitted into the field, he scored a goal and subsequently became the man of the match. Geddo ‘s soccer career from then on significantly changed.

Fans were overwhelmed; Egyptians fell in love with Geddo. The hidden skills and talent of this young, unidentified player did not end though at the opening game. He was a substitute player like no other, one that manages to score a goal in a very limited amount of time towards the end of each game. Though he was only granted 20 minutes each match, he scored the most goals in the competition. Five goals in six matches led to the discovery of the newly identified star. He was referred to as ‘The Super Sub’.

Interviewers were racing for a word from the new national star. He was a newborn compared to all the other players. The journalism class was privileged enough to conduct an interview with that key player. Gedo was so modest while answering the questions. His name is Mohammed Nagy Ismail, born on the 30th of October in Hoosh Issa in El Behaira governorate. Curious as everyone was, I asked where the nickname Geddo came from. Bluntly replying, he explained that he had an incredible bond with his grandfather and spent a lot of time with him. The name Geddo became then associated with him as a sign of that incredible bond.

He started playing soccer on the streets, then in Hoosh Issa’s Youth Center, then in Damanhur Club, and finally in El Ithad Club. The next question was of his experience in the national team and if he thought he was supposed to start the kick off of the ninety-minute match. Geddo then put in plain words that it was a once in a lifetime experience, continuing that sometimes he felt the urge of playing more; however, he knew that the coach had the team’s best interest at heart. Interrupting me from asking the next question, he added that Alaa and Gamal Mubaraks’ presence gave him and his fellow colleagues the impression of how people back in Egypt were strongly supporting them. How it was different leaving Egypt as an average player from coming back as an idol, was my next question. He implied that it was very hard for him to comprehend that he was for many a source of pleasure. Talking more about soccer, Geddo clarified that his role model in Egyptian soccer is Abou Terika and from abroad Cristiano Ronaldo, highlighting that one of his biggest dreams is playing for the Spanish club, Real Madrid.

Ending the interview with a very emotional question, I asked if that quote: “I’ll buy my sister a cell phone if I score five goals” is true. Timidly replying, he explained that his sister believed he was going to score no less than five goals while, he believed it was not possible since there are only six matches, if they reach the finals. She then betted on her hunch and he accepted the challenge agreeing that if she was right he would buy her a cell phone. Fortunate as she was, he did indeed score five goals in the championship. “And I did buy her a cell phone”, he continued.

Geddo proved himself, in the first African Cup tournament he participated in as a player who is indeed a master at his craft. He is a living example of a soul who is solely dedicated and living to achieve his goal, and never considering his simple origin as an obstacle. It was without doubt a delight interviewing such a humble and goal- oriented man.