The Sandscript

History of Energy Drinks

2012-01-19T14:10:00.002-05:00

by Liam McDonald

Energy drinks are extremely popular among teens and young adult. Energy drinks are filled with caffeine, ginseng, taurine and sugar, which stimulate the user for a short period of time. When most people think of energy drinks, they thing of Monster Energy or Redbull, but they have been around longer than many people think.

The earliest form of an energy drink can be traced to The United Kingdom. This drink was called Lucozade. It was originally formed in 1927, to give hospital patients or people who were sick with a cold or influenza. It was officially considered an energy drink in 1983. It was said that Lucozade would “replace lost energy.” The concept of energy drinks became more popular after this, when Jolt Cola was released in 1985.

Jolt began doing many things with energy drinks, like adding less expensive high fructose corn syrup and getting rid of traditional sugar. They released the “battery bottle” in 2005, which was a re-sealable aluminum can that guaranteed freshness. Jolt also released caffeinated gum, but it didn’t sell as expected. In 2009, Jolt filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy and ceased production of many of their products.

Redbull is an energy drink that has been much more successful that Jolt. Redbull is an Austrian Energy Drink and it is the most popular energy drink in the world, with over three billion cans sold every year. It comes in a variety of flavors and can sizes. It’s catch phrase is “Redbull give you wings” due to the energy that it gives consumers. Redbull even has a drink that contains coca leaves, but it isn’t widely available. Some tried to claim that Redbull can have adverse health effects due to some energy components that are added, but it was discovered that only the traditional sugar and caffeine carried any risks.

Tom Cahill is a senior at here at Colonie High, and he is a fan of Energy Drinks. He brings a Redbull or a Monster to homeroom everyday to replace a morning cup of coffee. He stated that he isn’t a big fan of coffee, but he likes the “kick” it gives him in the morning. He substitutes coffee with an energy drink so that he is ready to start his day off correctly.

These beverages are a substantial part of our culture. Energy drink companies promote events, make clothing and gear, and create interesting advertisements to appeal to customers. If it weren’t for energy drinks, people would have less variety when choosing beverages, and who knows, teenagers could be drinking tea right now.

Movie Theaters: Where Does All Your Money Go?

2012-01-19T13:58:00.003-05:00

by Alyssa Patentreger
Do you ever wonder where your money goes at the movie theaters? One of the many asked questions about the movies is why it costs so much. As an employee of Regal Cinemas, I have been asked this question, and found out the answers. The movie industry is rapidly growing which means it is getting more expensive to run theaters. Many people just don’t understand that all of the ticket and concession sales don’t go directly to the theater.

Movie goers walk up to the box office and see the $10+ price for a single ticket. Most people assume that half of the money goes to the movie theater while the other half goes to the studios, which is incorrect. In the first few weeks of the shows screening, the theatre itself only gets to keep about a quarter of the money going to the tickets. That means that the theater brings in $2.40-$3.00 for each ticket. Considering how big theaters are becoming, that isn’t a lot of money. As the show is out for a few more weeks, the percentage they take in goes up, but the amount of tickets they sell is much less.

Seeing as the theaters don’t get a lot of money from ticket sales, they’re forced to rely on the concession stands. A manager from a local theater said, “We’re not in the movie business, we’re in the candy business…” It’s not the actual popcorn and soda that is expensive to provide, it’s the bags and cups they come in which is counted inventory. If you ever gone to the movies and asked for a cup of free water, you’re never given a 64oz cup, you’re given a “courtesy cup” as the theater calls it. If they give you a cup, they are actually losing money.

Your hard earned money isn’t going all to the actual theaters, which may be a surprise to you. People think the concession prices are outrageous, but they need to understand that a business is trying to be run. It’s up to you whether you want to spend that amount of money!

The Role of Music

2012-01-19T13:49:00.002-05:00

by Katie McManus

Music has the power to unite individuals of diverse backgrounds. In Colonie Central High School, many students participate in a performing art. I had the opportunity to sit down with a few students to gain perspective on the role music plays in their lives.

Q: What role has music played in your life?

Brianna Turner, senior violin player: It has always been an escape for me. I remember one day I was really upset, so I went down to the music office and played my violin in one of the practice rooms. I felt a little better.

Emily Finlan, senior cello player: It has basically guided me. I can’t even imagine my life if I didn’t have it.

Amelia Jones, senior trombone player: When I first started playing, I didn’t really think it would do anything for me. I kind of hated it until tenth grade when I made second chair in band, which is a huge responsibility. I decided to rise to the occasion and fell in love with the instrument between private lessons and seeing what trombone is really like.

Q: How has music shaped you as an individual?

BT: I’ve always been a really creative student. I’m going to major in art, so it helps me be a little more creative. If I’m thinking of painting a picture, I can think of how a song makes me feel and then I can paint the picture.

EF: I think it has taught me a lot of responsibility because I have to practice every day. It taught me that there is always someone better than you, but that just makes you want to be better.

AJ: It has done a lot for my dedication. You need to dedicate yourself to it. You can’t half put yourself into it. You have to let it overcome you and let it become you.

Q: Has music opened you up to any other opportunities?

EF: Definitely. I play in the Empire State Youth Orchestra. I don’t know what I would go to college for if I didn’t have music.

AJ: Oh, plenty. I was principal chair in Area All State. I take private lessons with a teacher who has made me so much better.

Q: What have you learned from performing in an ensemble?

BT: How to work together and how to listen. It’s really important.

EF: I’ve learned that you should be proud of what you accomplished after weeks and weeks of work. You should just be excited to share with other people.

AJ: Leadership and patience. You can’t get upset with someone who plays a sharp when it’s supposed to be a flat.

Q: Will you continue playing after highschool?

BT: I probably will. I don’t see a reason not to. It’s always going to be a skill I will have unless I develop carpal tunnel! (Laughs)

EF: Obviously! (Laughs)

AJ: I will. My parents got me a very nice trombone. I’m only applying to colleges with music programs.

The Private Investigator

2012-01-19T13:43:00.000-05:00

by Abbie Skinner

I sat down on a Sunday evening with private investigator Dave Skinner from Ashley Investigations Inc. He was tired and a little cranky, but willing to answer my questions as long as we were done by the time Mom finished making dinner. My dad, the private investigator. A couple years ago he was my dad, the lawyer, but had now exchanged his suit for jeans and a worn out T-shirt as he sprawled out on his bed. I sat down beside him, pressed play on the recorder on my phone, and started asking questions.

What exactly do you do as a private investigator?

As a private investigator I’m hired by clients to obtain information about certain people. My clients have certain situations where they need to know what someone is doing on a day to day basis and a lot of it involves verifying whether someone incurred an injury and to what extent they’re suffering from that injury and if that injury limits them from working. And so I’m hired to find that information through a number of different ways. Like surveillance on someone without them being aware, I conduct interviews on their neighbors and friends, I can interview the person themselves and I can do research through public records as to what they are doing on a day to day basis.

What is your favorite part about your job?

My favorite part is that I get to be creative. I’m trying to get information about people, usually without them knowing about it. I have to be creative in how I get that information. Whether I’m doing surveillance or I’m interviewing someone, or whether I’m making phone calls to people or talking to people face to face without them really knowing why I’m trying to get that information it takes a lot of creativity. I do a lot of research through postal office, post office, various government offices and gathering information and the most interesting part is being creative so they don’t know I’m onto them.

Have you ever been caught or discovered?

I’ve been caught a couple of times and it’s not because the person I’m investigating found out it’s because a neighbor or someone had become suspicious of seeing me and then they, uh, (pauses) figured out what I was trying to do and they told the person that I was investigating what it was about, and they were not very happy. They were very angry and violent about it.

Would that be considered your least favorite part or is there something else that you don’t like, other than being caught?

I, uh, I really love my job, but what I don’t like about it is there are times, as part of the job, that you have hours of inactivity. Someone may not be very active, though if I’m doing surveillance it may go four or five hours without them leaving the house or doing any activity but that’s usually followed up by an hour or two of pure adrenaline because once they become active and I have to be, uh, very diligent in determining what their activities are.

What are some skills you have developed through following people and trying to gather this information about them?

Well, first is preparation. I’m very good at checking sources to find out if the person is running a business or active through various sources. But then, once I’m doing surveillance, I have to be able to record video to document what they are doing. I can get video of that person without them knowing and that took a lot of practice to develop. Also, I can follow someone in a vehicle without them knowing they’re being followed and that took a lot of practice to develop as well.

Do you see yourself doing this in five years?

Yes, I do. I think I will always be doing it as part of my career. I would like to expand and do other types of investigation. And then I think I could also have investigators working for me. With the experience that I am getting I can teach other people how to do it as well and be more productive.

Colonie High School: 1953 and Today

2012-01-19T13:22:00.000-05:00

by Liam McDonald

Colonie Central High School is a school full of diversity and culture. There have been many generations that have gone through this school. This campus was built in 1953, and it is very different today than it was when it was built. Everything from extracurricular activities and school events are drastically different compared to today’s events.

The head principal from 1953 was named Glenn E. Bretsch. The class president was Bruce Coulter. Colonie High School served as a learning place for children grades 10-12. In the yearbook, the freshman sophomore and junior classes were photographed in groups unlike today where everyone gets their own individual picture. Seniors were pictured individually, and a lot of information was given about each student. The information given included their nicknames, their place of residence and it included any activities that they partook in at the high school. The school had a carnival, which would have been Colonie’s main attractions of the school year. The school newspaper was called The Post. Some plays in school plays included Cheaper By The Dozen, What A Life and Hearts Are Young Gay. A class song was written for the class of 1953 by students. The class of 1953 also had a “Class Alphabet,” where students were commemorated for certain attributes that began with each letter of the alphabet.

Colonie Central High School has changed a lot since 1953. The head principal is Mr. Wetzel, and the class president is Andrea Kim. There are many activities that Colonie High School takes part in now. There are many dances and other activities such as craft fairs, holiday concerts and car shows. Today’s yearbook has less personal information about people, and it shows people individually. It has things like senior buddy pictures, and it senior celebrities instead of a class alphabet. Colonie High School has also had more expansions since 1953, making the building significantly bigger. This allows grade nine to receive and education here as well. This year’s school play is The Wedding Singer.

Many things have changed since 1953, but one thing that remains the same is our Raider Pride. Teachers still strive to give students an exceptional education that will help them to succeed in the future. Colonie High School was and continues to be a great place to learn despite its changes.

Facebook and Twitter: Are We All Journalists?

2012-01-19T13:13:00.003-05:00

by Molly Newell

Life as we know it has changed; we have all become infatuated within the world of social media. Everywhere you go, everything you hear, everything you see relates to the internet or the universally popular social media sites. There are so many that thrive on the gossip and drama that is intertwined with sites such as Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, and YouTube. Most people reading this right now are probably commemorating on a particular incident, or in some peoples’ case quite a few situations in which they were entangled in some sort of social networking drama…it’s high school, it’s going to happen. Whether it’s rapidly posting comments back and forth, writing on a friend’s ( or enemy’s) wall, filling out a “note” (yes girls, we’re all guilty of that), creating an inspiring status so that everyone you know will “like” it, posting pictures or videos, perhaps “facebook stalking” for a few hours (or a whole day), or sharing a good tweet, the world of social networking has created us all into journalists whether we realize it or not.

The definition of journalism is “the occupation of reporting, writing, editing, photographing, or broadcasting news or of conducting any news.” This is exactly what teenagers and adults around the globe are doing while spending their time on these websites. There are people who spend hours on end carrying out those exact processes on a daily basis, not even knowing that in their own way they are being a journalist.

Many parents, teachers, and advisors may not like these websites and argue that there is too much drama and scandal involved. While this may be true in some cases, next time when on these websites, pay attention to the pictures, wall posts, comments, notes, and tweets that people create and post; every aspect of them resemble a certain characteristic about that particular person, or really let their true personality shine through. Some people love to show their artistic side, others like to show the fact that they can write a good poem or inspiring quote that stops everyone in their tracks when they read it. The people reading the various stories and news feeds are journalists themselves, taking in everything detail there is to know and realize about their friends; things that they may not have had knowledge about them prior.

People love to post everything there is to know about their lives. Likewise, they also love to read about everyone else’s lives. These social networking websites have exploded across the world, capturing the attention of more and more people every day. Even though people only join websites like Facebook and Twitter for the social aspects of them, little did we know that they would create us all into journalists, just looking to create that next great wall post or tweet.

We Loved it Like Crazy

2012-01-19T13:09:00.002-05:00

by Lexie Fuhr

Like Crazy, directed by Drake Doremus, portrays the struggle of a young couple’s romance, as they attempt to sustain true love over several years, while living thousands of miles apart. Anna, a smart and passionate, blossoming writer, played by Felicity Jones, is finishing her last year of college in Los Angeles, where she meets Jacob, played by Anton Yelchin, a soft and humble carpenter studying furniture design. Anna makes the first move, sending a letter to Jacob asking him out on a date, and the two experience an instant chemistry, a magnetic attraction. The couple is in paradise, without a care in the world, until reality strikes. Post graduation, Anna's student visa expires, forcing her to return to London. As the thought of leaving Jacob seems unimaginable, Anna decides to disobey the demands of her visa, and spend the summer in America. Anna finally returns to London, assuming she will only be separated from Jacob very briefly. However, when she returns to Los Angeles, the violation of her visa is brought up, and deemed immediate grounds for deportation. Anna and Jacob are soon caught in a web of immigration laws and government affairs, as they try desperately to keep their love alive. This struggle takes places over several years, while Anna and Jacob both find themselves drifting apart, attempting to see other people, only to be struck by the inescapable freight train of true love.

Like Crazy gives viewers a modern spin on a traditional story of love lost and found, however, although the lead characters themselves are very attributable to the movie’s success, their real life chemistry undeniable, the story’s time structure in the movie may be unfavorable to some viewers. The chronological gaps between certain moments of a lengthy relationship can be a bit agitating, even with the use of combinations of scenes, and sped-up footage. But there are several intimate and emotionally intense points in the movie that create completely new conditions for the characters, and feelings for viewers. These interruptions are especially noticeable in the plotline for characters like Sam, played by Jennifer Lawerence, and Simon, played by Charlie Bewley, the two people Anna and Jacob become involved with, as their long distance relationships begins to fail. The moments of Sam and Simon appear, and disappear just as quickly highlight the filmmaker’s issue of focus. Like Crazy’s divergent structure, forces viewers to simply accept certain changes to the characters relationship, without letting them see the critical moments when the actual decisions were made, and why. Given the talent of the two actors telling the tale, it would have been easy, and beneficial to the storyline to show some additional key moments along the journey, making the end, an insightful comment on the nature of love much more satisfying. Despite some issues with structure and focus, Like Crazy is still one of the best modern day love stories to come about in the past few years, a must-see for anyone who can relate to the idea of life getting in the way of happiness.

Winning the Pokemon Battle: An Addict's Recovery, Relapse and Redemption

2012-01-19T13:04:00.000-05:00

by Jon Buhner
As long as you were born in the early nineties, even the late eighties, you know the drill. You pull out the Gameboy Color or Advance, pop in those new AA batteries, blow out the cartridge, push it in, and slide the little “on” switch. Then the notorious Nintendo logo appears with its famous ring sound, and the introduction begins, with the theme music and the 16-bit animations.

Many students can recall the times in their childhood when they played Pokemon, almost constantly, to the point where they had a stockpile of AA batteries. Not only was it both fun and entertaining, but friends could play together by “battling” and “trading,” while at the same time teaching young children to read and promoting other educational ideas.

From a personal standpoint, Pokemon was truly the only video game I owned and played, following the subsequent releases of the new games, or “versions” as dubbed by Nintendo. The first video game I ever played, Pokemon Gold Version, entertained me for several years, and over this time period, I moved onto Silver and Crystal Version. Then I decided to try a throwback, with Blue version, and I exploited the notorious rare candy glitch, that of which any avid Pokemon player should know very well about. Several years later, the Gameboy Advanced had been released, and I finally purchased one. This now allowed me to play Pokemon Sapphire, Ruby, and Emerald versions, further worsening my addiction. To add to this growing problem, these newer versions of the games were even more entertaining, intuitive, and time consuming. After about two or three more years of this uncontrolled rampage, I finally and difficultly retired from the profession.

I had finally reached the hiatus stage of Pokemon in my life, but it was only a matter of time before the addiction returned worse than ever before. The relapse began towards the end of tenth grade, with the rediscovery of my cyan blue Gameboy Color, with my Gold, Silver, and Crystal versions. It started slow at first, but aggressively progressed, to the point where I began bringing a bright purple link cable to school to battle Steve Sleasman in chemistry class. Summer quickly came, and I managed to plateau, limiting the amount of play time to a reasonable amount. Halfway through Junior year, I made the unfortunate discovery of a computer program called VBA, which would allow anyone to play any Pokemon game released up to the Leafgreen and Firered versions.

Taking advantage of this opportunity, I created a computer disk that contained every Pokemon version on a single disk with the emulator program, and I made copies for my friends. At this point, the madness had begun, and for the remainder of the school year, numerous juniors and seniors began playing Pokemon. The emulator proved to be a lot of fun, but playing Pokemon on a computer was awkward, since the majority of us started playing on a Gameboy. We quickly came to this realization, and began finding our long lost electronics and cartridges, playing the games they were meant to be played. The phenomenon lasted for several months, and like its original demise, died down after several months.

How to Procrastinate

2012-01-19T12:57:00.001-05:00

by Lauren Daby

Have you ever wondered how to procrastinate? Although it may seem difficult there are
some simple ways to achieve this ultimate state of sloth.
Step One: Never set an alarm. If you wake up early in the morning, you are way more
likely to actually accomplish something, but if you are able to sleep all day you will never be
tempted to do anything.
Step Two: Buy an Ipod Touch or some other compatible appliance. These really cool
devices will waste hours of your day, and you will have nothing to show for it. Make sure to
download lots of apps. These free-time consumers are addicting and will definitely help your
real life skills unlike that boring homework assignment that will never help you in the real
world!
Step Three: Buy Netflix. With millions of TV shows and movies at the tip of your fingers,
there is no way you will be tempted to move from that ever so comfy couch to do some
pointless house work.
Step Four: Delete all Email accounts you may hold. Without your boss constantly
reminding you of important dates and other junk that you don’t care about, you’ll be able to
spend more time on activities!
Step Five: things done, you will feel a new found sense of freedom and accomplishment, without
actually doing anything.
Step Six: Take at least one nap a day. You’ve already done a lot of time wasting today
so you must be exhausted! This nap will not only revitalize your energy, but also take away
more time from you day. The less time you have in a day, the less you get done.
*Step Seven: Never, under any circumstances, write a to-do list. If you have any, burn
them because they are just a constant reminder of what other people think you should be
doing. Everyone should be original and you should never follow the crowd. Be unique and
don’t follow the trends. If you want to sleep all day, do it! If you want to play Temple Run,
Angry Birds, or even Doodle Jump all night long, go for it.
Procrastination may seem tricky at first, but once you master it, it will be impossible to
stop. Being lazy will be like second nature to you. Just imagine all the things you will never
have to do again! Stop waiting and start procrastinating today!

For My Family

2012-01-19T12:57:00.000-05:00

by Lauren Gonzalez

I sat down with my father, him on a love seat, and me across from him on a chair with a mini foldable table in front of me and we discussed his life. We ate dinner and our stomachs were full of his delicious rice and steak. I started off simply by asking him how he was and then proceeded to ask him questions. We talked in Spanish because that’s the language he is most fluent in. He was still wearing his work clothes and had his glasses on, like he always does. He laid back into the love seat with books of work notes and the Bible on his lap. It was calm, aside from the noise of my mother watching television in the kitchen and my brothers playing with the Jack-Russell Terrier puppy. He talked slow and clearly; he was in no rush.

Q: When were you born and where? How many brothers and sisters do you have?

A: “Five brothers, one sister. And Roberto, too, but he died when he was three.”

Q: How did you live your life? Was it easy or difficult? Do you think you had a good childhood?

A: “My childhood was good, but a lot of poverty. But it was good. Good even with the poverty but it was a good childhood. Sane, really.

Q: Tell me about a time from when you were young

A:. When I was young we still had the tough economic situation with my family. When I was young, when I was almost fourteen years old, I went to work at a farm, but it was a rice farm. It was to buy things that I needed and to also help my parents. That (working on the farm) happened about two or three different occasions. It was outside my city and I had to leave for two to three weeks. I remember that my thumb on my hand got infected and it was really swollen. That was from cleaning the rice in the water and removing the weeds. I still needed to work and it was very difficult to do so with my thumb swollen.

Q: What are some of your educational accomplishments? What do you do for work today?

A: At 22 years old, I started sixth grade. That was in the year 1980. And I finished high school in 1986. In that same year I started to study Psychology and I graduated (college) in 1992. In the year 1989, I majored in family counseling. 1983, I have finished an English course, and I started to teach English in 1986 in a private school (for middle school and high school). I was studying in the university while teaching English. And so in 1994, I started to earn my masters degree in marriage and family therapy. Later I was made supervisor of the school psychologists in a specific school district. In 1998 I was n charge of the psychology department in college. When I left my work there (Dominican Republic) in psychological counseling, and I moved here (to the United States), I came to work in the community and was in charge in the Individual and Family Counseling Program, and I’m still doing so.

Q: When did you and your wife get married? Was there a time when people have said things or have done negative things toward you because she is American?

A: December 19, 1992. A friend of mine didn’t say it to me but to a different person that the relationship wasn’t going to progress. But, it was only her. All my friends and family supported me in this relationship.

Q : When did you move to the United States? Why? Do you think it was necessary? Do you miss the Dominican Republic?

A: (we moved here in) 2002. (It was to) share the two cultures, so that you (his children) would get to know more cultures and more (members of the) family. Yes, sometimes I think no and other times I think yes (it was necessary).

Q: Is it very difficult to live in a country when you don’t know the language perfectly?

A: Very difficult, no. It’s enormously difficult. Why? Because you can’t do your profession like you can in your own country. You can’t express your feelings or knowledge as you do in your own language, in your country. Old friends. When I moved here, I felt that nobody knew me and that I had to start over again when I already had good relationships in my country with my family and friends for over many years.

Q: Did you know that you have three children and a wife that love and admire you very much?

A: (laughs) Let me think about that…yes, I feel very happy and proud about that. It’s something that I always give thanks to God for. For the family he has given me.

Music In His Veins

2011-12-21T15:12:00.000-05:00

By Tori Bender

Recently, I met with a well-known rapper in Albany. He goes by the name Dephyant, but his close friends and loved ones know him as Alex Micheli. When I asked him to do the interview, he suggested that we meet in his natural environment. I was thinking something simple like maybe his house. However, we sat down at Bogie’s, a bar in Albany. He was attending a show, something he does on a regular basis along with numerous open mics and he invited me.

He looked comfortable in his dark-wash jeans, white Iron Bar Collective t-shirt, Carhartt jacket, and black hat. His facial hair wasn’t shaved, but it definitely fits the part. The music was loud, which was difficult at first, but I quickly got used to it. People were on every side of me. It’s not something I was too comfortable with, but it didn’t seem to distract him at all. He was focused and ready to give me honest answers.

Tori: What would you consider the most valuable thing in your life?

Alex: It's very hard to find one thing that I would consider to be the "most valuable" in my life, but I can give you a few examples of some things that mean the world to me. The connection that I have with my brothers keeps my blood flowing. I know of a lot of families that are unable to maintain a stable relationship with siblings the way I have. Music is also very important, even when things are heading downhill to the extreme, a few hours with a pen and paper will almost solve the problem, if not allow me to approach the situation logically. And maneuvering throughout society efficiently is essential. And honestly, laughter... (he paused) pure enjoyment or something that makes you happy. We are all in this life to smile and enjoy the time spent and make the most out of it. When you are laughing I feel you are doing that, which leads me to being optimistic. Optimism is key. You are the company you keep. Keep positive energy in your circle and you become that way.

T: How did your music become a part of you?

A: I wasn't really accepted in high school very well. I was skinny, nerdy-looking, glasses, long hair and very shy. But something about hip hop music ignited a whole other side of me. I was always extremely competitive, so when I started really understanding the concept of "battle rapping" (exchanging verses in a competitive manner) I was able to really satisfy my own interests. I was able to sit behind a computer screen and pretty much hide, not be judged, and still be able to express my skill as an artist. It's honestly so difficult to truly pin point what grabbed me about hip hop music, but it got me. And I feel I’ll be doing it forever, regardless of me being successful or not.

I think he could tell I was having a hard time hearing him, so he offered to step outside. I agreed and we got up and walked by two men about to start a fight. He just looked back and smiled at me. I’ll admit I was a little nervous. His smile reassured me that it was normal. Once we got outside though he urged me to continue as we sat at a table near Madison’s Pizza right next door.

T: You are part of a rap group called Iron Bar Collective. Can you tell me a little bit more about it?

A: Iron Bar Collective is more than a rap group; it was always more than that. Two of my best friends who just so happen to have the same passion for being lyrical ended up making music together. Nothing planned, it just naturally occurred… so to me Iron Bar Collective is just a few of my friends who like rap music. We decided the name in about 2007-2008. It actually just kind of appeared out of nowhere. We just wanted to be called and recognized together as a "collective”. Emcee Graffiti is a phenomenal beat boxer, Gorilla Tao is very skillful with writing, and I, Dephyant, have always been strong with free styling and improv. Eventually we all decided that we needed to make some music together and attempt to make a movement and utilize our skills as a unit. Our biggest influence I think for the most part is the Wu Tang Clan. They gave us such a backbone I feel as far as working together, and always featuring each other, and just being strong from every angle. We wanted to make an impact with longevity for being skillful, and not sell out our music for money. We wanted to keep it original and true to ourselves. So once again, regardless of our success we will always have what is true to us. Iron Bar Collective has been my entire focus and escape for the past few years. The meaning, the motives and the music have kept my head on straight for a long time. Now we are doing shows with some of our favorite artists, being recognized all over the country, and are slowly building up to making a name for ourselves.

T: Where did you get the name “Dephyant”?

A: I recently changed my name to Dephyant due to some recent conflicts with another artist that resides, I believe, in Ohio. He already had my previous name, Sapient, trademarked and legally bonded to him. Therefore, in order to avoid any legal issues and the possibility of losing potential fans, I was forced to change. Oddly enough when the name changed, it actually was perfect for me. Something as small as a name change altered my music just enough to give it that extra kick.

T: What music have you released?

A: I have released two complete full mix tapes, 518 Chronicles Vol. 1 and 518 Chronicles Vol. 1.5: The Breath Between. I’m currently working on projects with some of Albany’s finest producers such as Critikal Beats, DeeJay Tone, White Lotus, Lofi Lobo, JB, Vynlcologist to name a few.

T: Would you say you use rap as an outlet?

A: Absolutely, it is the only outlet I have at the moment. I'm a broke kid from the 518. (upstate New York) Stress and depression are not foreign, and being financially fortunate seems to be way out of reach sometimes. But I can always rely on hip hop to maintain and settle my nerves. Even if I’m not making music all I have to do is play a few songs that resemble my mind frame and it balances myself. It's not just an outlet to me, but the only outlet to me.

T: When do you complete your best writing?

A: I write better when I’m to the extremes of emotion. Whether extremely happy or very sad, they both push my pen. Being emotional is the fuel to everything I write. When I get overly excited I write that way. When I get very sad and depressed the flow changes, the beats change, and the delivery changes. Being emotional creatures plays a enormous part in the creative process at that time. This is why music is a immediate reflection.

T: Where can we hear your music?

A: You can find all of our music at www.emceegraffiti.bandcamp.com, www.gorillatao.bandcamp.com, and www.dephyant.bandcamp.com. You can also search Iron Bar Collective on Google. And check out our Facebook page www.facebook.com/ironbarcollective.

T: Is there anything that disappoints you about the hip hop culture?

A: Yes, yes and yes. Hip Hop is the culture, the music, the mind state, the direction, the stress, the life, and the urban. Real hip hop does not disappoint me. It was music created to express the lives of less fortunate individuals, and that music is real, it’s true, it’s authentic. The way the media has manipulated this beautiful culture disgusts me. People place so much into the dollar that instead of making the music you love and want, that people will conform to the industry’s needs, rather than express and understand their own. What disgusts me is people have extraordinary talents, amazing writing abilities, and beautiful minds. But for a paycheck they sacrifice the art and make horrible music. They make the stereotypical rap music that gives it a bad name. People forget that what they are doing takes skill and it is an art. If you tell a painter what and how to paint a picture, than you are no longer painting self, and art should be a reflection of self. It’s only created to satisfy others. When this is reality, the culture dies and it's sad. People who have amazing talents and are very intelligent will never be noticed for what they deserve because they may not fall into this year’s trends... (he paused) The media is what I hate about the music. I love hip hop culture.

T: Is there any advice you would give to aspiring rappers?

A: Be yourself! If you are broke, single, and insecure about speaking to females, stop acting like you have a thousand women and drive a Maybach when you take the CDTA! Be 100% all the time, every time. Understand just riding a beat doesn’t make you nice. Appreciate your pen, and put time into your writing. Make it mean something. This is an art form, not a pit stop for your boredom. Stop conforming to what others tell you to do. Make the music that truly moves you.

T: Where do you wish to see yourself in three, maybe four years?

A: Ideally, I would like to be living off of my music. Not rich, not in a million dollar mansion, but living off of my music. I want to be happy and feel like me making the music that I do is appreciated and recognized the way it was created originally.

T: What is the most fulfilling part of making music?

A: The respect that comes with being talented. Walking through Crossgates Mall and having "fans" come up to you that you have never seen or met before, but they know your music. Recognition is beautiful, regardless who it is by. Also, this may not sound very positive but exploiting my dominance in such a competitive genre of music. As far as it goes for now, this is what satisfies me. Being consistent and respected for being creative and unique.

T: What do you do when you're not in the studio?

A: Work, school and honestly rap. I don’t spend a lot of time in the studio. I love taking part in ciphers on the street randomly, I love doing shows, I love rapping at open mics. I just love the music. Because I am apart of and respect the hip hop culture there is no separation as far as being in or out of the studio. I bleed this (used hand gestures to emphasize).

Are School Lunches at Colonie Central High Just That Good?

2011-12-21T14:39:00.003-05:00

By Todd Lawson

It seems that public high schools have strayed away from a more nutritious approach when serving meals. Are public schools delivering an adequate lunch for students? Eric Downey, a Colonie High School junior answered this question in the West Wing Cafeteria at Colonie High. He seemed eager to give out his opinion. He simply responded and said, “I’d like to see more variety, nothing less.”

When it comes to eating healthy at CCHS, it seems very difficult to find a regular student that goes with the lunch from home approach. Many students go with the buying lunch choice. Typical foods, bought by most students, are the wraps, pizza, chicken and french fries, nachos, ice cream, and pretzels. All of which, with the exception of the wrap, are unhealthy lunch choices according to most dieticians. Downey believes there should be a variety of fruits, vegetables, grains, and proteins in our lunch menus. In his opinion he believes students are being denied the basic principle of a healthy choice when sitting down for lunch. Downey said, “Athletes tend to eat healthier at lunch.”

Athletes are not the only ones who can make a healthy lunch choice, anybody can. That difference is what separates a healthy student from an obese one. For Downey, more options at the lunch table are a want for him. He’d love to see a salad bar, pasta bar, and sushi bar at CCHS before he graduates in 2013. He said, “Lunches are good depending on the type of day,” but why can’t our public schools change his saying to, “Lunches are good, every day?” Nutrition is something that most Americans in the United States have struggled with in the past decade. We are becoming more of an obese nation. If we can fix nutrition in our public schools by offering healthier foods and supplying more options, then the healthy nutritious choices can be made easier for a student like Downey. The ultimate goal is a healthier lunch. Before he left West Wing Cafeteria though, Eric picked up his wrap and said, “Lunch is a mouthful.” With that last saying, you are left with a single question: what will happen to improve our cafeteria here at CCHS?

Some Advice for Incoming Freshman

2011-12-21T14:32:00.003-05:00

By Amanda Tran

In middle school, everyone got along with each other, teachers still held your hand to help guide you in the right direction and the highlight of your day was recess. But all of that changes when you enter an entirely different world- high school.

Its time to start over; build new relationships with new friends and teachers, make a name for yourself and most importantly, discover something that you did not even know about yourself before. As you enter through the doors of what may seem like the biggest building you’ve ever seen, don’t forget:

· Do not be afraid to ask questions. If you have a question about anything, do not hesitate to ask! You might not be the only one with a question and no one will look at you differently if you do ask. It’s the snowball effect- if you don’t ask questions now, you become confused and for every day you do not clear it up, it gets worse so ask now and save yourself the stress and confusion.

· Stay organized. Buy a planner or a notebook with a calendar. Yes, it may seem “dorky” at first but you’ll have the last laugh when all your friends are having a hard time remembering when and what was due.

· Do not procrastinate! Ask any upperclassman about procrastination and they will all tell you the same thing- don’t do it. The earlier you start something, the sooner you finish and less stress that you have to deal with.

· Choose your friends wisely. Be careful with whom you choose as a friend. You might think you know someone but they can be your worst enemy if you’re not smart and cautious.

· Get involved. Becoming involved in sports, clubs or organizations in the school will most definitely make high school a more pleasant experience. Not only will you have fun doing something you love but it’s a great chance to meet new people.

· Stay positive. As you continue on with your high school career, it will get harder and as it does, the most important thing to remember is to stay positive. Not only does being optimistic help you get through the roughest times, it can reduce the amount of stress that you’ll inevitably get. There will be days where you will be completely overwhelmed but if you stop to think about being optimistic, the stress, believe it or not will seem to disappear.

· Respect your peers and teachers. Just because you’ve moved out of middle school does not mean you can forget about the rules they taught you there. “Treat others the way you want to be treated” is still one of the most appreciative rule there is, even if there aren’t a million posters tacked on every wall to remind you.

· Enjoy your first year. This is probably the most important thing you should never forget. As you know, the one thing everyone can say about high school was that it was over as soon as it began. Every year after this one goes by so fast and by the time you know it, you’re ready for your cap and gown. Make every single year count, starting with this one.

Finally, the last bit of advice- be aware of failures. Not every single student will pass with flying colors but in order to be successful, you must not be afraid to fail. Middle school is a different league than high school. Not everyone will get a good grade or become successful but it’s important that you know that. In middle school, teachers were there for you to guide you through every little step of the way. They were there to catch you if you fell but teachers in high school will not prevent you from falling but they will help you back up after you fall. High school is a place where you get to explore to find out what you want in life and you discover things about you, people and the world that you never knew before. So be ready for the four most important years of your life and always remember that high school is what you make it.

Survivor

2011-12-21T09:18:00.005-05:00

By Amanda Tran

While most adolescent girls typically worry about friends, boys, and their social life, one girl gets ready to flee her home and make the biggest and longest trip of her life to a new country almost 9,000 miles away. Now recently married and moved into a new house, Thy Tran answers some questions about her journey from Vietnam to America 23 years ago.

Q: How old were you when you left?

A: I was 13.

Q: How long was the trip, and were you scared?

A: About 2 years and no.

Q: Why weren’t you scared?

A: In the eyes of a 13-year-old, there wasn’t fear, it was more like excitement. But for the parents, they were scared and uncertain for the things that lie ahead.

Q: Did you make any new friends or make enemies?

A: You know to me that’s 2 totally different questions (laughs). The people who really impacted my trip were the ones I didn’t get to meet.

Q: And what makes you say that?

A: The whole trip was in secrecy. You only meet people through connections. I didn’t get to meet the mastermind behind the whole escape plan. I stayed at her house but I’ve never actually met her. But I have met her daughter and we became best friends.

Q: Was it just our family that escaped or was it a group of people traveling together?

A: It was like a huge caravan-family and strangers of about 54 people. The longer the trip went on, the more people joined.

Q: For the people there or even our family, was the decision to leave against our/their will? Why or why not?

A: No, it was for our own good. Based on the living conditions and harsh punishment that the government forced on us, we decided that the best thing for us was to leave. We wouldn’t have had a bright future if we stayed.

Q: How bad were the living conditions there? Is there a time that sticks out of your mind when things were really bad?

A: It depends. If the parents brought home money or food at the end of the day, it was a good day. But if that didn’t happen, we had to go hunt for food.

Q: Hunt for food. Like bow and arrow hunting?

A: (laughs) No! Like going fishing. Sometimes we’d have to do an “IOU” to local vendors.

Q: Wow, so it was tough, did the trip get any easier along the way or was it non-stop fleeing?

A: It didn’t get any easier. The point where we left Vietnam was when we weren’t fleeing anymore. Once we left, things became harder, more complicated. It was more about survival than escape.

Q: Oh, wow survival? What do you mean by that?

A: Try not to die! (Chuckles). First we ran out of fresh water on the boat and then on the island that we hid on. Then we got picked up and dropped off at a refugee camp and stayed there without knowing when we were going to leave. We lived off of just rice, bread, soy sauce and pretty much anything we could find.

Q: Was it just one refugee camp or multiple camps? Where were the camps located?

A: Multiple camps but they were all in Thailand. There were (counts slowly out loud) 1, 2 camps. There was a war going on against the Thai and the Cambodians and the refugees got caught in the middle. That was what I was talking about by survival.

Q: At any point did you or our family have to fight?

A: Yeah, almost but not in a total fight. Back in the island, we had to engage in fighting against the Thai pirates. We had to prepare and get ready but we never actually fought (in the war).

Q: Is Thailand the only country you stayed at? If not, were there any other countries you went to before you got to the United States?

A: Cambodia and the Philippines.

Q: Out of all the countries you’ve been to, which was the worst one and why?

A: (Pause). Thailand. I wouldn’t say that my experience was horrifying or scary, I’d say it was exciting. I’ve never experienced war so the fighting between Thailand and Cambodia seemed almost fun, not scary or anything.

Q: You make it seem like it was more of an adventure for you, did you even worry at all?

A: Yeah well I didn’t have much to worry about. All I had to worry about was getting sick or not having enough food. I was 15 by the time we arrived at Thailand and I didn’t worry about anything- no school, no job, no nothing. I had more of an adventure in Thailand. (Pause) I had more of a “childhood” in Thailand than in Vietnam. I even feel in love with a Thai soldier!

Q: So since you were already excited in Thailand, how did you feel when you came to the U.S.? Where did you arrive first?

A: Los Angeles. I felt (pause) disappointed.

Q: Really? Why?

A: L.A. was very crowded with Asians! (Laughs) No blonde hair, blue eyed people. It wasn’t what I had in mind when I thought of the United States. It made me want to go back to Vietnam.

Q: Well since I’ve never seen L.A., we must have moved, where else did you guys go?

A: We then came here. Well, actually Schenectady, but you already knew that.

Q: So overall, what are your opinions on your trip? Were you glad you made the trip? If you didn’t, how different would you think your life would be?

A: (smiles). Of course you’d ask that question. (Pause). I think about it all the time but I can never seem to find the answer. I’d maybe be poor, have no education, no freedom to speak my mind, married at an early age with 5 kids with poor living conditions? I don’t know. I could only imagine what my life would be like if we didn’t leave (pause) just the opposite of what it is here.

Raiders Soar Over Eagles

2011-12-21T08:56:00.001-05:00

by Adam Yule

The halls of Colonie Central High School were filled with raider pride the day after the Colonie Garnet Raiders basketball team, upset the number one seeded Eagles from Bethlehem. Tuesday night, the heavily packed MUG at Colonie was the battleground for the suburban council rivalry, as Bethlehem was eager to give Colonie their third consecutive loss. However Colonie came to the game ready to play and with their home crowd fans “The Tribe” closely behind them, the Raiders took to the hardwood with one goal in mind, win and don’t look back.

The pace was set early as the Garnet Raiders couldn’t miss, taking a 19-5 lead coming into the second quarter. This showing got their home fans into the game, becoming a noticeable sixth man on the court for the home team, looking for their first win in conference. This potent first half offense led by Godfrey Freeman and Robbie McGuirk, couldn’t find the basket in the second quarter only putting up four points against a rejuvenated Eagles defense. After a brief timeout, starting the second quarter right was no problem for the Eagles, as they scored 17 points after a couple key baskets and free throws by Matt O’Keefe. Nate Kane also helped pull the Eagles out of their deficit by drawing three fouls, bringing him to the line to make three out of five free throws. The halftime score was set at 23-22, in favor of the Garnet Raiders. The home fans were anxious to get their team back into the game after seeing the potential of their team in the first quarter. The efforts were almost matched in the third quarter as Bethlehem and Colonie put up nearly similar numbers, Bethlehem scoring 16 points and Colonie scoring 20 after a couple key three pointers by Devon Edwards and Robbie McGuirk. “The Tribe” cheered with enthusiasm as the last quarter started with their raiders ahead by five points, Vinny Tashjian made two baskets under pressure, and Mark Papuzza hit a three pointer with three minutes left to help pull the Garnet Raiders out ahead of the Bethlehem Eagles. Sonny Benson and Jon Buhner also contributed six points each to the total score, and as a team the Raiders were 6-7 from the free throw line. The final score was in favor of Colonie winning 55-47.

Are Students Getting Enough Sleep?

2011-12-20T13:52:00.001-05:00

By: Lexie Fuhr

Whether or not students realize it, sleep is just as vital to their well-being as the air they breathe, the water they drink, and the food they eat. To be able to function properly during the school day, it is essential for teenagers to sleep for about 8 ½ hours. Not getting the right amount of sleep can limit teens’ abilities to learn, listen, and concentrate in school, and can also generate the aggressive and inappropriate behavior some bring into the classroom. Some studies reveal however, that only 15% of students are getting the necessary amount of sleep each night. With time consuming activities such as school, practices, meetings, part-time jobs, in addition to the excessive amounts of homework some teachers assign, it is near impossible for students to get this much needed rest. When asked to comment on the issue of teens and their sleeping habits and how sleep affects their well-being, Colonie High School Senior, Aimee Bacher explains, “I usually get about seven hours of sleep on school night, and days that I don’t get enough sleep are unproductive and painful.” Research shows that a student’s internal clock, or their circadian rhythm, makes it difficult for them to fall asleep before 11 p.m. Students would need to sleep until at least 7:30 a.m. to get a good night’s sleep, but very few high schools in the country begin after 8 a.m. However, several schools throughout the nation have noted this research, and pushed back the start time. The faculty and staff of these certain institutions believe this has brought about immense change in their students behavior. Not only do students miss class less, pay more attention and perform better in class, but students have also reported lower levels of depression. Bacher believes this would be beneficial to this school district as well. “I think productivity as a whole would increase, because it’s been proven most teenagers don’t mentally wake up until about third period anyways,” she says.

2011-12-20T13:02:00.000-05:00

Colonie Varsity Basketball Season Opener Results in Sadness

2011-12-16T08:40:00.000-05:00

By: Brandon Castle

COLONIE
Colonie hearts were broken at the first boy’s varsity basketball game of the season. It was a nail-biter to the finish in this season’s opening game but sadly for the fans of Colonie who call themselves “The Tribe”, it ended in a Mohonasen victory.

The game began with two quick three point shots, one for each team. The Colonie three point shot was put up by Colonie Guard, Mark Papuzza. The excitement for his basket ended quickly, as Mohonasen took the lead and didn’t give it back. Though the Colonie Raiders fought hard they were unable to bring the game back.

I sat down with Mark Papuzza after the game.

Brandon: What was going through your mind before the game?

Mark: I was excited to prove to everybody how hard our team has worked and how we have improved over the year.

Brandon: How were you feeling during warm-ups?

Mark: I was anxious before the game but once I hit the court for warm-ups I was ready to go.

Brandon: Were you hitting your shots in warm-ups?

Mark: My shot felt good, and that’s why I had the confidence to take that first shot for the three.

Brandon: What were you feeling when you hit that first shot?

Mark: I felt relieved that I got my first shot down. It definitely boosts your confidence to hit that first shot.

Brandon: Explain what happened to your Raiders team after that.

Mark: We had a tough offensive night, our defense was solid and everyone hustled and worked hard the entire game, sometimes shots won’t fall, and that’s the kind of night we had unfortunately, 34 points isn’t going to cut it in Suburban Council, we have to do better than that to come away with a win.

Brandon: Where do you see your team going this season?

Mark: One of the soccer players contacted me after the game and reminded me their team lost their first game, and their team went on to the section finals. We plan on having a successful season making a run in sectionals.

Brandon: Thank you for your time and good luck to you, for the rest of the season.

Mark: Thank you, we appreciate the support, especially from “The Tribe.”

Are School Lunches at Colonie Central High Just That Good?

2011-12-16T08:29:00.001-05:00

By Todd Lawson

It seems that public high schools have strayed away from a more nutritious approach when serving meals. Are public schools delivering an adequate lunch for students? Eric Downey, a Colonie High School junior answered this question in the West Wing Cafeteria at Colonie High. He seemed eager to give out his opinion. He simply responded and said, “I’d like to see more variety, nothing less.”

When it comes to eating healthy at CCHS, it seems very difficult to find a regular student that goes with the lunch from home approach. Many students go with the buying lunch choice. Typical foods, bought by most students, are the wraps, pizza, chicken and french fries, nachos, ice cream, and pretzels. All of which, with the exception of the wrap, are unhealthy lunch choices according to most dieticians. Downey believes there should be a variety of fruits, vegetables, grains, and proteins in our lunch menus. In his opinion he believes students are being denied the basic principle of a healthy choice when sitting down for lunch. Downey said, “Athletes tend to eat healthier at lunch.”

Athletes are not the only ones who can make a healthy lunch choice, anybody can. That difference is what separates a healthy student from an obese one. For Downey, more options at the lunch table are a want for him. He’d love to see a salad bar, pasta bar, and sushi bar at CCHS before he graduates in 2013. He said, “Lunches are good depending on the type of day,” but why can’t our public schools change his saying to, “Lunches are good, every day?” Nutrition is something that most Americans in the United States have struggled with in the past decade. We are becoming more of an obese nation. If we can fix nutrition in our public schools by offering healthier foods and supplying more options, then the healthy nutritious choices can be made easier for a student like Downey. The ultimate goal is a healthier lunch. Before he left West Wing Cafeteria though, Eric picked up his wrap and said, “Lunch is a mouthful.” With that last saying, you are left with a single question: what will happen to improve our cafeteria here at CCHS?

Critical Thinking: A Conversation

2011-12-15T14:29:00.000-05:00

By: Nick Sanders

COLONIE— Foot steps echo and reverberate around the fire lit den. Enter Colleen Sanders, in her pajamas with a glass of pinot nior. Colleen is the Writing Center Coordinator at Fulton-Montgomery Community College. She exhaustedly lounges on the couch, as we exchange several pleasantries. And now, we begin our interview, where she voices her concern about the modern curriculum implemented in high school, and the affects of this curriculum on her freshman composition, and literature students.
Question 1: Where did you attend High School?

I went to South Colonie High School, (with a degree of antiphrasis) proud graduate of 1987!

Question 2: How was this experience?

High school (PAUSE) it was mediocre. It was okay, exceptional. I enjoyed most of my classes, and my deceitful peers. I was adequately prepared for college. I was a GREAT writer!

Question 3: What did you pursuit after high school?

I went to Cobleskill Community College. Then I went to SUNY Albany, which I hated. Then I finished my two year degree at Hudson Valley Community College for Business Administration. I then returned to college to pursuit a degree in English at the College of Saint Rose. I began teaching in 2003, I have been the Writing Center Coordinator for four years.

Question 4: What degrees do you hold?

I hold an Applied… AAS in Business Administration (sic). I also have a Bachelors of Arts in English with a minor in Business. I also have a Masters Degree in Literature.

Question 5: What is your profession?

Teaching college (sic).

Question 6: Select a layer depicted in Dante’s Inferno. Why?

Vanity is a sin right? (listing) Gluttony… Sloth… Greed… Greed I think. Greed would be the sin. I think it is ironic that 13th Century society depicted greed as a sin against humanity. And in 21st amongst a capitalist society, greed eventually plagues our society and it actually is endorsed by the public, corporations, and the government.

Question 7: Who is your favorite author?

(PONDERS) Mary Wollstonecraft, one of the classic authors who has influenced the way I think, and perceive the world. Even though she wasn’t the best writer (SIC).

Question 8: What made you want to become a College Professor?

Ironically I began my pursuit of literature in pursuit of becoming a high school educator. But I was quickly turned away from the bureaucracy of second education, particularly in terms of the curriculum requirements I feel that the curriculum are very rigid and do not expose students to critical thinking and analysis.

Question 9: How do you view high school education?

I view high school education as a quintessential component in adolescent development. I believe that high school teaches students how to learn but not necessarily think autonomously or become self directed learners.

Question 10: Do you believe such courses as AP Literature and Composition, and AP Language and Composition illustrate the content and rigor of Introductory College Level Courses?

I believe the content is college level, I believe that students loose freedom in an interpretation of a text because of the necessity to score on the exam. And so the need to teach for the test consumes the educator.

Question 11: Do you believe the Regents English program has prepared students for college?

Well, first of all, consider that I teach at a community college, which typically means I have a diverse body of students, I have many “regent learned” students they come to class prepared read to engage at the college level writing, and homework. As an instructor I encourage imagination and creativity and try to move away from the traditional 5 paragraph paper.

Question 12: What would you change in the high school Regents program in order to better prepare freshman for the rigor of introductory college courses?

I don’t believe it would be a curriculum change, but rather encourage critical thinking in the high school class room. As it is a critical component of higher education.