Anonymity Becomes Injurious

The Internet Becomes More than Just Harmless Fun

Noureen Ben Halim

Bullying has been known for a long time to be the harassment of others. It is the intimidation of one person by another. But due to 21st century technology, bullying has been transformed. Bullying no longer takes the form of threats, peer pressure, and discrimination, but also happens online as well.

Cyber-bullying, or the bullying of others through the use of the internet, allows a person to remain anonymous while harming others. Networking sites, such as MySpace and Facebook, have become popular among teenagers nowadays.

There are countless examples of cyber-bullying. A bully sends a friend request, the teenager accepts it, and bam, a stranger has access to the victim’s profile. The person starts receiving threatening emails, messages, or even having pictures of themselves posted on websites by anonymous users. Another way a teen may be mistreated via the internet is when the bully creates a fake profile, with the teen’s name, picture, and even personal information. A third way is through MSN, AIM, and Yahoo instant messengers. Chatting with strangers and sharing pictures or webcam is dangerous. Even receiving anonymous files through Bluetooth on cell phones could actually be a disguise for a virus.

While some bullies realize the effect that they will have on the people they bully, others just want to have “harmless fun.” It is not harmless, it can hurt people emotionally.

Things can be done in order to avoid the bullying. 1) If they encounter anything on the internet that may be harmful to someone, they should not laugh at it; it may be adding to the harm. 2) If a teenager is in a bullying situation, responding to the bully in an equivalently threatening way is not the solution. That will make the victim a bully. 3) The best way to end cyber-bullying is to report any threats, messages, posted pictures, or anything offensive to someone to the networking site.

Everyone should be aware of this phenomenon. It targets many young people, especially teenagers. It can be emotionally harmful and abusive. In order to avoid it, teens should be circumspect about what they do on the internet. A person can never be 100% sure of the identity of others on the internet.

The Making of a Legend

Destination: #1 Premier League

Aya Kordy

Amr Hassan Zaki was born on the 1st of April, 1983. He started his soccer career playing in Mansoura club. As a striker, he became recognized and was then transferred to ENPPI in the League for the 2004-2005 seasons and assisted the club in being a runner-up in the Egyptian Premier League, their finest position ever to achieve.

After impressing all of Africa in 2006, Zaki signed over to El Zamalek, one of the well-known clubs in Egypt. However, after the Russian club Lokomotiv Moscow offered him a two million dollar contract, Zaki decided to accept the proposal. Nonetheless, he did not play a single match for Lokomotiv.

As a result in, 2006, Zaki moved back to Egypt and played for El Zamalek. After proving himself once again in Ghana 2008, Zaki became one of the paramount players impressing Africa and the world, as he was also one of the top strikers in the cup. On the 22nd of July 2008, Zaki’s soccer career took off when he signed a one-year contract with Wigan Athletic team. At the beginning of the English Premier League’s season, Zaki scored numerous goals getting him on top of the scoring charts along with Jermain Defoe.

Subsequently, on the 28th of September, Zaki scored against Manchester city, followed by two other goals against Liverpool congealing his position as top scorer in the English Premier League.

Over and above, Zaki has been nominated for the best African player on October 14, 2008, as a result of his fantastic start in the English Premier League. Zaki’s Career has gone thorough a forever professional path. He was Egypt’s hero, now he is slowly becoming the world’s.

An Unstoppable Addiction

TV Shows Play a Big Role in Schutz High School students’ Lives

Aly El Attal

TV shows have become part of many Schutz students’ everyday lives. After surveying the majority of the Schutz high-school students, it became clear that the most popular TV shows on campus are One Tree Hill, Prison Break, Gossip Girl, and Grey’s Anatomy (in that order). From what was observed, some Schutz high schoolers do not watch any TV shows, some watch one or two, and others watch over five shows, which could take up to four hours every week.

One Tree Hill tells the stories of several young men and women as they move from high school into the real world. Prison Break is about two brothers and their fellow inmates taking down a corrupt “company” within the government after escaping from prison. Gossip Girl describes the lives of Manhattan’s elite youngsters and a middle-class Brooklyn family struggling to adapt in the chaotic lives of the rich. Grey’s Anatomy revolves around the lives (personal and professional) of the doctors and interns at Seattle Grace Hospital.

Of these top-rated TV shows, Prison Break is considered an all-time favorite for current and past Schutz students. Michael Scofield’s witty and risky plans never fail to impress and baffle the viewers. Rafik Zaher, a senior, said, “my heart races in every episode because of the suspense and pressure the characters are put under.” Ingy Fahmy, a junior, added, “each TV show has its own world and it’s great being part of each one.”

Even though they are entertaining, TV shows can distract students from studying. Watching one or two episodes a week might not affect a student’s academic focus, but watching more than that could get in the way of studying. A student should watch as many TV shows as they would like, keeping in mind that they need to focus on their top priorities, namely education.

Setting a Precedent for Years to Come

Schutz Holds Afterschool Activities for Grades K-8

Alaa El Damaty

In response to many parents' demands, Schutz is running a series of afterschool activities in basketball, drama, music, newspaper, cooking, art and stories, fitness, etiquette, and karate. The first session began on October 20th, and it has been so far a great success.

In the past, a number of different sponsors, such as the PTA and senior classes, have chosen to take over the afterschool activities. They have not always been a success, as many lacked organization. For the past two or three years, this activity seems to have been buried and forgotten about. Many of the parents complained that their kids are not doing any extracurricular activities in school, especially with most of the Junior Varsity sports cancelled. Therefore, the Administration, decided to revive this program under the supervision and coordination of Coach Tamer Melek.

When asked, most of the parents and students agree that so far, the activities have been successful. Most agree that the activities are very well organized, and the parents can follow what, where, and when their children are doing with great ease. Also, most commend the punctuality of the activities.

The price for each activity is 150 L.E. per session. Some activities even require additional fees. The parents question where the money is going. Is this a fee to cover the costs of the activities, or is it a fundraiser that the administration is having? Coach Melek guaranteed that it is just a fee to cover the costs of the activities.

Not only is the goal of this project to improve the skills of the students in the classes they like, but also to encourage student involvement in school activities and to boost the level of teamwork among the students. We hope that this year will set a precedent for the years to come. "I like the activities because you could get practice in a lot of different things. I'm so excited to learn the new cooking recipes!” said Kawthar El Naggar, grade four.

Don't miss the fun; hurry and choose an activity to join!

!Tying the Knot, and Flying to Egypt

!A New Addition to the Schutz family, All the Way from Kansas

Noureen Ben Halim

They have many differences. She is an active sports person. He is an outdoors person. Although they have many differences, their similarities bring them together and make them who they are as a couple. Mr. Seth Spurlock teaches High School Mathematics, and Mrs. Kristal Spurlock teaches 7-8 Study Skills, and is a teaching assistant for K-6.

To them, teaching is a privilege. Mr. Spurlock says, “I love working with kids”. Mrs. Spurlock enjoys seeing kids grasp a concept of something important and knowing that her teaching has sent a significant message across.

Although they have taught before, this is their first year internationally, specifically Egypt. When asking them why they considered Egypt, they replied, “The history attracted us.” We certainly hope they are enjoying it! However, when thinking about it, for many newcomers it is hard to adapt to Egypt, its culture, and its food. For the Spurlocks, this is not a problem. Mrs. Spurlock, says “It wasn’t about the food and culture as much as it is about living in a building!” Mr.Spurlock has lived in buildings before so he is more used to it.

The Spurlocks enjoy a lot of outdoor activities such as scuba diving, and they love to relax in the water. They also love to go dancing together. The highlight of their year was getting married! They got married in March, on a beautiful cruise ceremony! When asking them if they had a vision for their future, they both smiled at each other and said, “We would love to start a family soon.”

A Mother's Day Present

An Attempt by Mona Nawal Helmy to Carry Her Mother’s Name

Alaa El Damaty

In hearing the name Mona Nawal Helmy, a feeling of awkwardness prevails. In Egypt, it is uncommon to have a middle name of Nawal, a woman's name. Mona Nawal Helmy is an Egyptian feminist and writer. Lately, she has been brought to the attention of the media for her claim that children should carry their mother's, not father's names, as shown in the name "Nawal Helmy"

On Mother’s Day, Mona Nawal Helmy said, “What am I going to give my mother, a present? A shoe or a dress? So my present to my mother is to carry her name.” In Egypt, a surname usually consists of the paternal family name. Despite her obvious feminist intentions to revive the reign of matriarchy in Egypt, Mona claims that adopting the mother's name will solve the problem of two million illegitimate children in Egypt. According to Helmy, if a child has no father, he/she carries the mother's name but is considered illegitimate by Egyptian law and is denied basic human rights. Adopting the mother’s name will end prejudice against a child that does not know who his/her father is. The child would not be then called "ibn haram", (son of sin); he would not be denied his rights.

Mona's solution to the problem of illegitimate children opens up a can of worms. In providing a solution to a minor problem, she creates an even bigger problem. It is not feasible to carry the mother's name instead of the father's name, defying Christian, Muslim, and Egyptian laws just to solve the problem of two million illegitimate children. She must address a more viable solution to that problem.

Many find Mona Nawal Helmy's opinions to be radical. Her views are condemned by many Muslim scholars who strongly believe that she violates the dictates of the Shari'a. She was even sued for denouncing Islam by lawyer Nabil El-Wahsh. Mona Nawal Helmy was also condemned by Al-Azhar and many political institutions.In legal terms, Mona Helmy is not allowed to adopt her mother's name.

While some see her feminist views as reformist, most see them as radical. One year has passed since this controversy, and things have calmed down. The Egyptians have forgotten about her claims, and the status quo remains unchanged. The total dismissal of her views shows that feminism in Egypt still has a long way to go.

When surveyed, 85% of the Schutz population thought that Mona's claims were radical; 90% voted to dismiss the idea of adopting the mother's name. The fact that most Schutz students, which represent a sample of the liberal, educated population in Egypt, also opposed her views, only adds more to the fact that Egyptians reject radical feminism and are not ready for a radical/reformist view such as Mona's views. An effective way of introducing change is to avoid ideas that clash with the values and core beliefs of the community.

Nemat Shafik: A Local Heart with a Global Mind

A Schutz Graduate Influences Millions

Aly El Attal

Nemat Shafik, a Schutz graduate, is currently the Permanent Secretary of the Department for International Development, where she manages a fund of 11-15 billion dollars to aid the world’s poorest countries, mainly in Africa and South Asia. Ms. Shafik worked at the World Bank for fifteen years, where she reached the position of Vice President of Private Sector, Infrastructure and Guarantees. She also taught at Georgetown University and Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, an Ivy-League university.

Nemat graduated from Schutz in 1979, a year before Massimo Laterza, the Dean of Students. Massimo recalls that Nemat was a cheerleader, and was “very active and sociable.” She enrolled at the American University in Cairo (AUC) for a year and completed her undergraduate degree in Economics and Politics at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst. She continued her education by earning a master’s degree from London School of Economics and a doctorate degree from Oxford University.

Minouche, as she is commonly known, was raised in the US and moved to Alexandria as a teenager, where she attended Schutz. This move changed her because it made her become more laidback. She feels that Schutz was a “liberating experience” because it was more tolerant than her previous school in the US. Even though she graduated thirty years ago, Nemat vividly remembers Schutz. When asked what she remembers most about it, she said that she remembers everyone playing volleyball and hanging out in front of the school. She also remembers that the school used to have musical performances in which students from all grades participated. She asked whether “the small canteen in the middle of the school” still existed! Ms. Shafik also remembers some people, especially George Meloy, the former headmaster. She recalls that he held weekly school assemblies. Ms. Shafik’s message to Schutz students is to appreciate “the diversity of the students because that is what makes Schutz special.”

On a more personal note, Nemat is married with twin six-year-olds, Adam and Nora, and three teenage step children. Ten years from now, Nemat plans to raise her children as teenagers and take a job with less managerial duties. She also wants to focus more on teaching and research. Other than the fact that she worked hard, Nemat credits her good teachers and bosses for her success because she thinks that choosing good teachers and bosses is vital. She is thankful that she worked with “people who challenged her and gave her opportunities.” As a professional person, Nemat is able to evaluate herself. She identifies her strength as being able to work with people and ideas together, while most people can only work with one or the other. She also identifies her weakness as being a little impatient.

Nemat Shafik is a fine example of a person who has succeeded by overcoming cultural barriers and taking on great responsibilities. It gives Schutz students great pride to know that someone who, at one point, was just like them is doing something significant in the world.