the overachiever senior issue may 2015

Class of 2015 in 15 Years[P.6]

Are Ivy Leagues Worth It?[P.9]

The Map to College[P.4]

(Photo credits (left to right): The Overachiever, Northdallasgazette.com, Mira Images)

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May 2015Vol. 10 Issue 7

$0.00 the overachieverinternational academy central student newspaper

More InsIde» continued, pg. 2

It was the end that so many students had dreamed, worried, planned, worked, and prepared for. On a sunny Friday afternoon on April 24th, it arrived at last.

147 seniors celebrated and mourned their last official day of high school on April 24. Most of the day was spent reminiscing on their time at IA or taking pictures with classmates they would “never see again” until that next week for prom or for three weeks during IB exams, but the real senior festivities occurred at the end of the day, with ice cream and the “Senior Walk,” which was a cluster of emotions coupled with

some claustrophobia. When the seniors reached the end of the main

hallway and walked outside, some students cheered and others cried. All still faced the same realization that the upcoming years would never be the same. Though their futures may not be all on the same path, the Class of 2015 is still united in the shared experience of tears, laughter, and a whole lot of abbreviations at the IA.

As part of The Overachiever’s Senior Issue, we decide to ask some questions of the Class of 2015 to get them to reflect on their past at the IA and think about their future in the daunting

Real World. Though one person described the IA in three words as “stress, jail, tears,” most of the seniors were incredibly fond of the old 20th century elementary school we call home, describing with words such as “rewarding” and “transformative.”

For many, the best memory of four years at the IA was Olympics, with “Kai Mason falling off the stage in freshman year” coming in a close second (or third, or fourth--it had to be included. Sorry, Kai). With the seniors time at the IA coming to an end, the underclassmen will have to take the lead, and the current seniors would like to help.

The Map to College (p. 4)senior Advice to Underclassmen (p.6)Where Will You Be 15 Years From now? (p.7)

InsIde:

The good. The bad. The best. The worst. Love them or hate them, the Class of 2015 has made its mark on IA.

SENIors IsSUE

by eleanor Khirallah (‘15), school news editor and Jenna Wang (‘15), editor-in-Chief

The senior class (minus robotics kids, who were off to a competition) gather outside after the Senior Walk for a picture (photo credit: Mr. Davies)

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Bright colors, vibrant culture, and songs that make you want to get up and dance--this is what comes to mind when thinking back on the performance put on by the Indian American Student Association, or as most people know it, IASA.

On Saturday, April 18, a huge crowd overflowed the auditorium at Groves High School to watch the amazing show. The performers were not

only from the Okma campus, but from the IA East campus as well. In addition to all of the IASA club members who danced, teachers had a special dance just for them, and a large group of seniors participated in a “Senior Fusion” dance.

The dances were all choreographed by Central and East students. Parinam, this year’s theme, is Sanskrit for “transformation.” As we say goodbye to our seniors, the theme goes along with their

progression from freshman year to today. The show was a combination of various

elements. MC’d by Kai Mason (‘15) and Mansoor Mubeen (‘15), the show was entertaining all around. Elegant classical dances were mixed with familiar current music. Traditional Indian songs were sung with pop hits incorporated. The boys wowed the audience with their bhangra,

IAsA Puts on spring showThe annual Central-East spring dance showcase by the Indian American Student Association drew over 780 audience members, 200 performers, and raised $3500 for charity.

by Sophia Kapur (‘16)

Left to right, clockwise: Central campus dancers perform during Classical; MC Mansoor Mubeen (‘15) and his intriguing eyebrows; MC Kai Mason (‘15), giving Jhené Aiko a run for her money in red (picture credit: Emily Nguyen)

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As advice to the underclassmen, here are some of the things the seniors had to say:

“Never take your time at IA for granted and always keep an open mind. Both of these will lend you to making the most of your time here, which will fly by.”

“Read Mrs. Miner’s emails.” (Okay, so this wasn’t actually said--but it needed to be. Kids, read those emails. They are incredible. )

“It’s four long, grueling years, but just stick with it. You’ll end up at the finish line eventually”

“Make the most of your 4 years.” The survey also asked the seniors more about

their college choices and future plans. Most of the seniors said that the cost of tuition of a school impacted his or her college choice the most, which should tell younger students to start looking at scholarships right now. College is incredibly expensive, and even though many schools are pretty generous with financial aid, the cost can still be a major factor in a college decision.

Though many underclassmen are focused on actually getting into a school, the hardest part really ends up choosing the place you’ll be stuck at for four years. May 1st was the National College Decision day, meaning that most students have to have their college picked out within a couple of months of receiving their decision.

The Class of 2015 has a pretty impressive line up

p.2 | The OverAChIever /MAy 2015

seniors (ConT. P.1)

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WorLd neWsstaffPrInCIPAL Ms. Lynne GibsonAssoCIATe PrInCIPAL Mr. Christopher SmithFACULTY FACILITATor Ms. Sarah ClancyedITor-In-CHIeFJenna WangsCHooL neWs edITorEleanor KhirallahWorLd neWs edITor Rana-Armaghan K. AhmadFeATUres edITorsSydney RosenAlayna WongenTerTAInMenT edITorsMonali DesaiAlaina Valente oPInIons edITorAbrar QuazisPorTs edITorMax TotskyBACK PAGe edITorAnna HoppeConTrIBUTorsWehbe Alzohaili Aakash BeesabathuniRebecca Driker-OhrenSophia KapurEvan KolinAleks PavlovichRajaa ShoukfehKenan SinanSharon Singh

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earthquake rattles nepalThe earthquake has caused massive problems throughout Nepal. In response to the major earthquake and aftershocks, several nations launched relief missions to support the country.

by Aakash Beesabathuni (‘16) On Saturday April 25 at approximately 11:56 Newfoundland Standard Time, an earthquake with a moment magnitude of over 7.9 occurred in Nepal. The center of the earthquake occured approximately 34 kilometers southeast of Lamjung, Nepal. The moment magnitude of this earthquake places it as the most powerful earthquake to strike Nepal since the 1934 Nepal-Bihar earthquake. The earthquake also affected parts

of India, China and Bangladesh. The earthquake has affected over 8,000,000 people in Nepal. The earthquake has caused massive problems throughout Nepal. It is responsible for causing the most deadly day at Mount Everest in history. The quake triggered an avalanche on Mount Everest, causing at least 19 climbers deaths. Avalanches were also triggered in the Langtang valley, where currently over 250 are reported missing.

Several UNESCO World Heritage sites were destroyed, including buildings at the Kathmandu Durbar Square, Patan Durbar Square, and Bhaktapur Durbar Square. In addition to the main earthquake and the startling damage it caused, several aftershocks occurred throughout Nepal the day after with one aftershock reaching a magnitude of 6.7. Currently at least 90% of the Nepalese army have been deployed to assist with the rescue and relief

operations. In response to the major earthquake and aftershocks, several nations launched relief missions to support the country. India was the first to react and assist Nepal when they launched Operation Maitri. Due to Operation Maitri the Indian government has already sent supplies, engineers, and several doctors to help Nepalese victims throughout the nation. Following India’s relief mission, the United Nations and other 16 other

On April 19, 2015, Freddie Gray, a 25-year-old African American man who was a resident of Baltimore, suffered a so-far unexplained spinal injury and died in police custody a week after being arrested.

Gray was in a healthy state prior to his arrest. Gray fell into a coma while in transport as the result of injuries to his neck and spine sustained while being transported in a police vehicle. As of May 1st, the police ruled Gray’s death a homicide that resulted from rough riding by the officers.

The six officers involved in Gray’s death are facing several legal charges, the most serious being second-degree murder.

According to witnesses, Freddie Gray ran away after locking eyes with police Lt. Brian Rice because he had a previous encounter with the officer. Rice knew Gray as a drug offender who had committed several petty offenses. Gray’s friend Michael Robertson states that Gray “had a history with police beating him.”

Consequently, Gray was taken into police custody,

and a video surfaced showing the officers maiming Gray right after his death.

In the aftermath of the riots, some residents blamed Martin O’Malley for this state of affairs. Over the past 16 years he was the two-term mayor of Baltimore and two-term governor of Maryland.

As mayor, O’Malley sought to reduce the crime in Baltimore, and he did this by taking data metrics used by the New York City police. It is believed that the police first started using brutal strategies because of the pressure O’Malley had on reducing criminal activity.

Gray’s death received severe outrage from residents in Baltimore. At first, peaceful protests were organized by residents who voiced their concerns on the level police brutality inflicted on Gray. These protests were reminiscent of the shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri. After Gray’s funeral on Monday, more protests were carried out throughout the city.

Unfortunately, several of the peaceful protests turned violent, and thus ended in looting,

state of Chaos in BaltimoreIn Baltimore, riots broke out among the black citizens of the city in protest of police brutality that led to the death of Freddie Gray.

by Rana-Armaghan K. Ahmad (‘16)

A rioter stands in front of a line of police officers in Baltimore, Maryland (New York Magazine)

The OverAChIever /MAy 2015 | p.3


FeATUresThe Map to CollegeWhere is the Class of 2015 headed off to for college? Here is a non-exhaustive map of some of the locations IA alumni will be populating this fall.

List of CollegesUniversity of Michigan-Ann Arbor Michigan state University Wayne state UniversityGrand Valley state Universitystanford Universityoakland UniversityUniversity of ChicagoCornell Universitynorthwestern UniversityCase Western reserve UniversityWashington University in st. Louis College of Creative studiesUniversity of Colorado Boulder

Purdue UniversityUniversity of Toledo-ohioUniversity of dayton-ohioUniversity of detroit MercyUnion CollegeHope CollegeVanderbilt UniversityFashion Institute of TechnologyUniversity of Pennsylvaniasarah Lawrence CollegeUniversity of California-Berkeley new York University eckerd College

Cooper UnionJohns Hopkins UniversityCalifornia Polytechnic state UniversityAlbion CollegeUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-ChampaignMorehead state UniversityCleveland Institute of ArtUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison University of Michigan-dearbornMorehouse CollegeMassachusetts Institute of Technology

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of schools this years, with students attending places all around the country--and some, across oceans. (Check out The Map to College on the opposite page to see the full list and geographic locations.)

Some seniors will be escaping cold Michigan winters and bad roads for the sunny havens of California and Florida, while others head to the Deep South or move out of the state into other parts of the Midwest. Still yet, some seniors will return to their home countries abroad to pursue higher education.

All in all, the Class of 2015 is a remarkable group of motivated, outstanding individuals who have accomplished so much in life already. Now, these bright and ambitious students--published mathematicians, professional models, TEDTalk speakers, virtuosic violinists, aspiring doctors, award-winning artists, and so much more--will be parting ways from May 26th onward, each to their own seperate, unique walk of life.

Never again will they be together all at once. Never again will they gather underneath the same leaky, sometimes-disintegrating roof, learn

in the same classrooms, or eat lunch together in the ISC. Sure, there is a certain hollow sadness to endings. But for the Class of 2015, there is so much more to look forward to than to linger behind for.

The IA has nurtured the Class of 2015 for four years. Now, these seniors are ready to go out there and meet whatever new friendships, experiences, challenges, and opportunities that lie in wait for them.

The adventure has only just begun.

seniors (ConT. P.2)

WOrsT pArT OF BeIng A senIOr:“I have to leave all you people.”“Extended Essay and college apps.”“I think I’ve gained like 15 pounds because college stress alone??? So that’s fun.”“Treated as if you’re expected to know what to do with your life.”“IB EXAMS.”“Choosing a college and your future when I can’t even choose what I want for lunch everyday is impossible.”

“Keeping those grades up.”“Semester 1. I can’t imagine pulling off all we did then.”“Facing the fact that you’re about to leave a great community of people.”“The deadlines.”“It’s the last year before life actually starts getting hard.”“Second semester is not easy. Anyone who says it is, is either delusional or a slacker.”

BesT MeMOry FrOM IA:“When Jenna Wang drank from my water bottle without permission.”“When Mohammed Demashkeih broke Mr. Ash’s drum.”“Kai Mason falling off the stage; it still gets me every time.”“Group 4.”“Senior Walk.”“Winning 2014 FIRST Robotics Competition World Championship in St. Louis.”“Sitting outside eating lunch on the blacktop as soon as it got warm outside in the spring.”“Senior year Olympics, hands down. Really fell in love with our class then and I still love our class now. #r15e.”“Going to see The Great Gatsby as part of English class.”“Organizing KUBE and seeing everything come together.”“Reading Ms. Miner’s emails.”“Doing the one-acts this year.”

IF yOu COuLd gO BACK And ChAnge One ThIng yOu dId In hIgh sChOOL:“Never talk to boys ever.”“Don’t take IB Art!”“Turn in the Menstraul Cycle Graphing Worksheet on time.”“Pull fewer all nighters.”“Gone to more of the Mr. IA shows. They are quite entertaining.”“Continued playing soccer.”“Apply to more colleges and take more risks.”

“My ACT score.”“Not get suspended.”“To not let senioritis hit freshman year.”“Let myself relax sooner. I was too worried about my future and I didn’t spend enough time in the present.”“I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

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15 in15Where dOes The CLAss OF 2015 see ITseLF In 15 yeArs? We AsKed, And

yOu AnsWered. here Are sOMe OF yOur BesT respOnses.

“I’ll probably be a wife, mother, and working in the business field.”

“Managing my own physical therapy place.”“Working for a company to help endorse, publicize, and produce a product.”

“Finishing a PhD in chemistry and working towards creating new medicines.”

“I will most likely be alive somewhere.”

“Hopefully not living on the streets as an unsuccessful hobo. I hope to be a successful hobo.”

“Own my own animal hospital, travel and treat animals around the world.”

“Doctor Gumma in the ER.”

“stalking the Instagrams of all of my successful

classmates.”

“something I love.”

“I’m gonna have a nice cell phone. I feel it. Career-wise, I don’t know.”

“I’ll be helping people whether I’m running my own non-profit for girls seeking an education or in the Peace Corps or in Doctors Without Borders.”

“I’ll be an engineer or a professor of mechanical engineering.”

“Working in some career that eighteen year old me has no idea about.”

“Making millions and babies.”(ed. nOTe: WhICh Is BeTTer, The FeMInIsM Or The zeugMA?)

“Divorced twice and throwing my manuscript at publishing house agents in a ruthless quest to get published.”

“Working in silicon Valley--either under

some major company like Google, or perhaps

starting up my own business.”

“Hopefully teaching theatre.”

“Biomedical researcher.”

“Probably eating some form of fried cheese because that [stuff] is real good.”

“Hopefully have a successful career but also a family.”

“Making money, getting paid. Being a work of art in my daily life. I might even ascend to Mount Olympus.”

“Researching. As per usual.”

“Research in nanotech/silicon electronics at a university.”

“Making your graphics cards!”

“Trying to marry well.”

“Finishing my residency as a doctor and probably being broke.”

“I hope I have a stable job and do

something that I really enjoy, wherever

that may be.”

desCrIBe IA In Three WOrds:“Not so bad.”“Unique, life-changing.”“No Flex Zone.”“Transformative, educational, enriching.”

“Fun. Just kidding.”“Collaborative, amusing, family.”“Rigorous, awkward, irreplacable.”“Toxic, intense, talented.”

“I literally died.”“Motivated, inspiring, intellectual.”“Strenuous, diverse, unique.”“Hard, hectic, home.”

“Communist, adorb, cute.”“Ugly person haven.”“Grueling yet rewarding.”“Old elementary school.”

BesT ThIng ABOuT BeIng A senIOr?:“Having both Product Team and Exam Prep.”“The prospect of something new to look forward to in college.”“You know IA like the back of your hand.”“Senior class camaraderie. Everyone is just so done.”“Seeing all of my peers succeeding at things.”“Our class has never been closer.”“Having friends from all four grades.”

“Not being a junior.”“Knowing that all the hard work I did throughout my four years was not in vain.”“All of these huge milestones are coming up and it’s really exciting.”“Cherishing the time you have left with your mates!”“Actually learning about really cool and advanced stuff.”“The freedom.”

IA in Voguesee what’s trending this season on the runways and in the hallways of IA.

by Payge Lindow (‘17) May means that bikini season is right around the corner! Bright colors and floral suits are a timeless choice, but try something retro or sporty this season! Pastel color blocking is a good sporty option, or high waisted bottoms and polka dots create a retro look. To complete your beach outfit, pair your suit with a sheer cover up, or one with fringe at the bottom for a boho look. Big statement jewelry can be taken poolside this year, as long as it matches your suit. Long dangling necklaces are a more subtle choice, and can be layered with chokers and feather necklaces as a little something extra. Keep the sun out of your eyes with a tan fedora, accented with a little sparkle or colorful ribbon. If you spend more time out of the water, then a floppy hat makes for a

trendy choice, to be worn at the beach or paired with your favorite dress and heels. No matter how you dress in this warm weather, make sure you slather on the sunscreen.

JennA sALeh (‘15)Jenna’s tropical outfit from senior spirit Week! Her high waisted white shorts and bright blue top make a nautical pair, which go perfectly with her sperry boat shoes. To top it off, the Hawaiian flower in her hair shows her senior spirit!

LeAnnA CAMpOs (’17)Leanna’s dress is great for spring because of the comfy slits in the arms and boho patterns in mild tones.


“Biomedical researcher.”

enTerTAInMenTThe OverAChIever / MAy 2015 | p.7

Coachella 2015Some call it a concert. Some call it a gathering of young celebrities. Some call it the most incredible weekend of their lives. Everyone calls it Coachella.

by Rebecca Driker-Ohren (‘18)

Coachella is best described as a two-weekend arts and music festival, attracting the attention of many young people and celebrities. Held at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California, Coachella is an annual event established in 1999. The history of Coachella is more interesting than it might seem. In 1993, Pearl Jam performed as the first musical show at the Empire Polo Club. The show was a huge success and it was decided that the venue would be used in the future for musical events

and festivals. The Coachella festival lasted for just two days in October 1999, and returned as an annual festival in 2001, but only as a one-day event. The Coachella in 2002 brought about a second day again, a third day in 2007, and a whole other weekend in 2012. The festival overall has gained incredible popularity since it began, and this year was no exception. This year, Coachella took place from April 10th-12th and 17th-19th. The best-known performers of Coachella this year were AC/DC,

Mad Men: The end of an eraAs the monumental TV series Mad Men comes to a close, it is important to look back on the significance of the show, not only with its writing but also its impact on society and the future of television.

by Aleks Pavlovich (‘17)

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The series creator of Mad Men, Matthew Weiner, had previously worked on a TV show called the Sopranos for many years. After completing the Sopranos, Wiener took his idea for the drama, Mad Men, to various different television networks only to find the best deal with AMC. At the time, AMC was not the television powerhouse it is today. Much of the success of the channel can be credited to Mad Men and Breaking Bad. When Weiner first brought Mad Men to AMC, the show was an unknown, but with word-of-mouth and good advertising, the show gained critical acclaim and a large following. The show follows the story of an advertising executive, Don Draper (played by Jon Hamm), who “lives like there’s no tomorrow, because there isn’t one” (an infamous line Draper once told a client).

Set in the 1960s, the show exposes the audience to a time period that is unfamiliar, yet strangely alluring. As a result, the style featured on the show is in demand, ushering in many styles and opportunities for viewers. Banana Republic went so far as to come out with a Mad Men inspired clothing line in 2013. Now, more than ever, thrift shops and antique stores are being rummaged through to find “vintage” clothing. Records and turntables are coming back. GQ magazine even said that, “If Jon Hamm had a dollar for every jar of pomade sold since the show first air, he could buy half of Hollywood.”. Not only can we attribute great style and haircuts to the show, the show’s legacy stretches to it’s main character Don Draper being one of the last male antiheroes on television.

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Coachella has become the most famous music festival in the United States. (Nwonline)

Humans of IAInspired by Brandon stanton’s “humans of new york” photo blog, “humans of IAC” aims to share the stories of students and staff at the International Academy Central.

What’s your story?

by Sophia Kim (‘17)

“What do you regret not doing in high school?”

“Sports. I used to inline speed skate, and I had to give that up to go here. I skated

competitively, went to Nationals, and I was supposed to be on the Junior Olympic team

with one of my teammates. But there’s no time for practice when you have four hours of

homework!”

-ANNELISE CRABTREE (‘15)

“My favorite memory in high school… was Senior Olympics. That was the most fun Olympics by far and I feel as though we could’ve made it all sad and stuff by getting down by the rain but we tried to make it epic instead, so that was a lot of fun.”

“What was your favorite memory as a grade?”

“It was definitely Group 4. When we went to Group 4, I went to Kettunen, and we just got to spend like, three days there… bonding, I guess… You got to see your friends much more often than you usually would.”

- Andy Oh (‘15)

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Coachella (ConT. P.7)Drake, Jack White, Florence and the Machine, Kaskade, Alesso, The Weekend, Tame Impala, Interpol, Steely Dan, Alabama Shakes, alt-J, and Ryan Adams. The performers, and the “Coachella experience” itself attracted over 130,000 people this year throughout the 6 days of the festival. As some of the bands featured started in the 70s and 80s, the festival does attract some older people, but it’s not nearly as popular with the older crowd. Even though the music is the main attraction of Coachella, there are parties, food, music stores, and rides to go on throughout the weekend, adding a carnival feel to the atmosphere, which is buzzing with excitement constantly. Coachella attracts lots of teens and young adults, famous or not. Many attendees of the festival express themselves through their clothing, a trademark of the event as a whole, and sometimes unusual, style, hair and makeup are present at Coachella. Michelle Persad of the Huffington Post wrote an article titled “The Most ‘Coachella’ Outfits at Coachella 2015” illustrating just how noticed

this aspect of Coachella culture is. Coachella 2015 was surely, or hopefully, a blast for everyone who went, but for those who did not, here are some highlights as reported by Rolling Stone. The best escape from the 80 degree weather during Coachella this year was “Record Store Day”, an annual Coachella tradition occurring indoors where attendees of the festival can buy newly pressed records of musical groups from the 1970s and beyond. A favorite fan accessory this year was light-up devil horns passed out by the band AC/DC when they performed, giving the concert an orange glow. Lastly, the best “culture clashers” were the DoLab artists and performers. The DoLab stage held mostly visual artists with muralists creating bright and colorful visuals, while acrobats climbed the stage gracefully. Coachella is not just a “hot ticket” and a great party, it has become an event that symbolizes the importance of the arts, both visual and musical, as a whole in our society, and the importance of self-expression that the arts

encourage in people of all generations.

The super Bowl of FashionEvery year around 700 people attend the Met Gala, wearing hand picked avant-garde dresses or gamine silhouettes depending on the theme of the exhibit.

by Rajaa Shoukfeh (‘16)

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If you combined the excitement and anticipation of the Super Bowl with the style panache of the Oscars, you would get the Met Gala. The Met Gala, also known as the Met Ball, is an annual benefit held by the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute. This exclusive social event makes its way on to the calendars of the upper crust of socialites, celebrities, artists, and style mavens around the world. It is considered fashion’s premier red carpet event, its only rival being Vanity Fair’s Oscar Party.

However, don’t let the ostentatious finery distract you; the real purpose of this night is to raise money. In fact, the Met Gala is one of the salient fundraising nights in New York City. The Costume Institute was founded back in 1946. That year a unanimous decision was made that the fashion industry would wholly supply the institute’s operating budget. The Council of Fashion Designers of America, CFDA, run by Eleanor Lambert offered its support to the institute. In 1995, Anna Wintour, editor in chief of Vogue magazine, took over as chair of the event. This is not a

R&B singer Rihanna arrived on the red carpet in an elaborate ensemble (Hausofrihanna.com)


oPInIonThe OverAChIever / MAy 2015 | p.9

should Affirmative Action Continue in America?Affirmative action is the policy that favors people who may suffer from discrimination in gaining higher education, but others argue that it encourages further discrimination.

by Sharon Singh (‘16) The policy of affirmative action is a widely debated topic in today’s society. In fact, according to debate.org, 57% of Americans believe that affirmative action should be continued in America, whereas 43% of Americans feel that affirmative action should not be continued. Affirmative action is the policy that favors people who may suffer from discrimination related to employment, education, and government, and it in turn helps induce more positive opportunities for these groups living in the American society. While some Americans are against affirmative action, a majority of them stand

by this 1960’s Civil Rights Movement policy, first introduced by President Kennedy. Many pro-affirmative action individuals agree that this policy is vital for minorities and women. One woman even expressed her feelings online, stating “If we remove affirmative action, I know as an African American my son will not have the same right as his white counterpart” (debate.org). Additionally, other advocates of affirmative action believe this policy is essential for addressing the injustices many women and foreign people experience. Due to the racism, sexism, lack of opportunity, and lack of equality that continue to exist in our culture, pro-affirmative action individuals laud

A Grade AboveAre you an underclassman looking for a little peer-to-peer guidance on school, life, and everything in-between? Welcome to The Overachiever’s new advice column, where you will find helpful tips and encouragement from a grade (or two) above.

by Zoe Hunter (‘16)

Happy May, IAers!

I know the majority of us are holding onto the fact that summer is fast approaching, however we have to look back at the 2014-2015 school year. This month’s issue is about the seniors. While some of us consider them lucky that they’re leaving and starting a new chapter in their lives that will involve so many new, exciting adventures, change can dismal, especially when you’ve been at the IA for so long. That being said, whatever grade you’re in now, there will be a time where you stop and think: My time here is coming to an end, and it will cause you to reflect on those good and bad moments that were surprisingly worth it. There is an anonymous quote that fits with this month’s theme: “Listen to your elder’s advice. Not because they are always right, but because they have more experience of being wrong”. The seniors are our “elders” in a sense, and after going through the IB program, extensive standardized testing, and college applications, their words of wisdom should resonate with us juniors, sophomores, and freshmen as well.

A preview of the all-new Apple Watch, Apple’s newest tech gizmo (CNN)

Are Ivy Leagues Worth The Hype? Despite all of the hoopla surrounding them, Ivy Leagues are exaggerated in their significance on the future of a student.

by Wehbe Alzohaili (‘16)

When the time comes to choose a college, for many, the decision will not be easy. Numerous factors can influence where a student ends up. Name value is a huge factor in how students perceive a university, and when it comes to name value, no colleges do it like the Ivy Leagues. Schools like Harvard, Princeton, Yale, are known to be among the best in the nation. From freshman year in high school, students are bombarded with the idea that acceptance into one of these colleges guarantees success. One common argument often presented

for attending Ivy Leagues is that they have very high graduation rates. At first glance this is true; Ivy Leagues seem better than less selective institutions, as defined by the average SAT score of the student body, at getting their students to workers. Research in the American Educational Research Journal shows that schools with a higher average SAT score tend to have a higher graduation rate. Therefore, Ivy League colleges with the highest SAT scores should be the best because they have the best graduation rate.

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The eight Ivy Leagues schools and their logos, well known to many. (Returnofkings.com)

“Show your dedication right away to activities you know you will stick with.”

“Numbers don’t define you. Your grades and test scores are important to open doors, but that is it. Find something you love. Run with it.”

“Run for leadership positions and get involved.”

“Asking for help is not a weakness.”

“Every one of your classmates is equal to you. Don’t ever think of them as being inferior, no matter what their GPA is or how social they are in comparison to you. You make more friends along this path.”

“If you want a better grade, work for it.”

“Don’t underestimate yourself!”

“Good luck. Just kidding, not even God’s good grace could save you. Just know that once you come out, you will be a total beast a studying and college won’t be too big of a transition.”

“The EE is actually important, don’t treat it like an Internal.”

“It’s not as bad as it seems. You will get through it.”

nAMe: Andy OhgrAde: 12th spOrT(s): swimmingnAMe OF hIgh sChOOL/OTher TeAMs: rochester Adams swim and diveyeArs pLAyed: 8 years

If you would like to nominate the next student Athlete of the Month (it could be yourself!), contact Adrienne Joe at [email protected]!


sPorTs student Athlete of the Monthevery month, an exceptional student athlete is chosen to be recognized in this column. Meet May’s student athlete, Andy Oh, a senior who swims for rochester Adams swim and dive!

by Adrienne Joe (‘16)

do you view yourself as very competitive?Yes. When I’m swimming, my only goal is to assert dominance so significantly that other people feel utterly crushed and lose motivation to swim.

What mentality do you carry when you go to compete in a swim meet?My goal is to beat myself and my previous time, to assert dominance over everybody else, and to make sure that my team wins and that we’re all having a great time.

has there ever been a point when you’ve wanted to give up or quit swimming?Yeah, absolutely. It would be the three times I broke my arm. In middle school, I would break my arm every year and naturally I would fall behind all of my friends. Trying to start swimming again when you’re that far behind everybody who you used to be equal with is really demotivating. But then I changed my thinking to get better than myself rather than trying to beat others.

do you ever feel that the qualities you learn in sports help you in school?Yeah. Swimming is basically finding the path with the most resistance and plowing through with determination and willpower. You train for countless hours on end, then you compete for a few minutes every year, and that’s all in the hopes that every minute you put into practice was worth it.

What do you feel are the most important qualities for a swimmer to have?To have the tightest fitting speedo because it helps you assert dominance. Also, to have the determination to overcome the trials you’ll face.

Looking back on the past four years, what has been one of the best times in swimming?The 100 butterfly when I made the best swimmer cry in the locker room because I beat his record. That was one of the happiest moments of my life. But, in all honesty, everything I do is for the team and I care about them more than myself.


nFL draft: Winners and LosersYesterday, saw the conclusion of the first three rounds of the NFL draft. Here are the winners and losers of the 2015 NFL Draft.

by Kenan Sinan (‘16)

This year’s draft class did not disappoint, containing many potential franchise Quarterbacks (Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota), electrifying Running Backs, and Defensive Lineman that could prove to be the missing piece for many teams. However, like any draft, there were teams that exceeded expectations and there were those that came up short.

Winners:The MInnesOTA vIKIngs: Many would have thought that the Vikings were going to trade superstar Adrian Peterson for a cheap pick, thus making them a loser in this draft. However, they were able to keep him and make the most of their picks. Their most notable pick was drafting Michigan State cornerback Trae Waynes, who should prove to be an excellent fallback if Terry Bridgewater disappoints.JAy CuTLer: Similar to Peterson, the Bears attempted to move up to the 2nd pick to draft Mariotta, but the Titans were not interested in trading for Cutler. Cutler, who has yet to prove he is worth his hefty contract, instead got himself one of the best Wide Receivers in the draft when the Bears selected West Virginia’s Kevin White with the seventh pick.The pITTsBurgh sTeeLers: The Steelers had to fill in the void in their defensive line, as many of their players that helped them win two championships had retired. They made the most out of their 22nd overall pick, drafting Brad Dupree. Dupree was expected to be drafted a lot earlier, but luckily fell into the hands of the Steelers. Dupree is not only a talented player, but a disciplined hard worker. He even ran a 4.56 40 yard dash, a crazy time for a Lineman of his size. The deTrOIT LIOns: The Lions were able to not only fill in their void at their offensive line, but they also got a mature player with a psychology degree, in Laken Tomlinson. In the 2nd round they were also able to draft Ameer Abdullah, who could help run ball, especially after the departure of former Heisman winner Reggie Bush. It is very significant that the Lions drafted two mature players, considering they have not been the most disciplined team in the past.

Losers:The Tennessee TITAns: Even though the Titans were able to draft Marcus Mariota, there is still a potential of him being a bust like their former QB Jake Locker. The Titans passed up a lot to draft him. ESPN reported that the Eagles offered them two first-round picks, a third-round pick, defensive tackle Fletcher Cox, linebacker Mychal Kendricks, cornerback Brandon Boykin and “more”, an insane thing to turn down seeing as that collective of players and picks could have turned around the slumping Titans. However, if Mariota fulfills his potential as a franchise QB, then it will all work out.

(Therideronline.com)

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Exero 01, 5555 BLA BLA BLA 11The OverAChIever / MAy 2015 | p.11

Pistons offseason outlookHow will the Pistons improve again this offseason to complement their young players, and continue the team’s upwards trajectory?

by Evan Kolin (‘18)

It has been a rough stretch for the Detroit Pistons in recent years, as the Pistons, fresh off of a 32-50 season, have now lost 50 more in 4 straight years not including 2011-12’s lockout shortened season. However, the Pistons did take some strides forward this past year. The team had their best winning percentage since they made the playoffs in 2008-09, and many young players developed nicely. Center Andre Drummond set career highs in points per game, rebounds per game and blocks per game, while 2nd year shooting guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope more then doubled h i s s c o r i n g a v e r a g e . But the real question is, how can, and will, the Pistons improve again this offseason to complement their young players, and continue to improve? Head coach Stan Van Gundy now has a year under his belt as the leader of this team, and it is up to him to make the most of the two biggest parts of the offseason; free agency and the draft. Two big expiring contracts the Pistons have to look at are newly acquired p o i n t g u a r d R e g g i e Jackson and power forward Greg Monroe. While there is no doubt that Jackson played the point well in Brandon Jennings’ absence last season after being acquired at the trade deadline, how will he fare once Jennings is back and healthy? If they move one of them over to shooting guard, not only would one be playing out of position, but what would happen to Kentavious Caldwell-Pope? Despite his success in Detroit, the best thing to do to keep the team without any distractions for next season is to let Jackson walk in free agency. This will let the Pistons keep Jennings and Caldwell-Pope in the starting lineup at their natural positions. Meanwhile, it was reported in mid-April that Greg Monroe to the Knicks was “as close to a done deal as you can get”. While that was not confirmed, Monroe has stated that he will hear them out. Like Jackson, I believe the Pistons should also let Monroe walk. While the young big man did average a double-double this season and has shown some improvement, he is not

athletic enough to guard more athletic players at the position and he seems a lot like a ball stopper on offense. When Monroe gets the ball, you know what to expect; he will post up the defender every single time, and try to get the ball in the basket with a swift move. Not only does this work only half of the time, but it also hurts

how smooth and efficient the offense can run. A good offense is one that moves without the ball and finds the open man, and Monroe just doesn’t seem like the perfect kind of player that can help with that. So, who can the Pistons acquire to replace Monroe? Well, the answer is Draymond Green. Green grew up in Michigan and attended college at Michigan State, and has expressed interest in signing with Detroit. Andre Drummond also seems excited about this idea, as he tweeted “I want to play with Draymond Green”. Currently, Green is chasing a championship with Golden State. But in a few months, expect the Pistons, who have the salary space to offer Green a post-rookie max contract, to go after the 24 year old Defensive Player of the Year runner-up.

If the lottery goes as planned based on team record, the Pistons should get around the 8th pick in the draft. The team needs a small forward of the future, and this should be the year they finally get one. The top three players of that position in the upcoming draft are Arizona’s Stanley Johnson, Duke’s Justice Winslow, and Kansas’ Kelly Oubre Jr. All 3 of these prospects have terrific size and athleticism, though are also all coming off of their freshman seasons in college and have a lot to improve upon. All three are expected to be good defenders in the NBA, something Detroit needs at the forward positions, however must improve on their offensive games to be well-rounded players in the Association. The Pistons need more athleticism and defense on their team to compete in the coming seasons, and these guys have it. One of these prospects combined with the signing of Draymond Green to replace Greg Monroe at power forward will lead to a much improved defense and a promising offense, and a much better Pistons team overall.

Fashion (ConT. P.8)party that can be handled with insouciance and nonchalance; it requires dedication, 8 months of planning, and a $2 million budget. Wintour and Vogue, alongside the sponsor of the year, curate a guest list. They invite brands, labels, and corporations to purchase tables at the event. A table at the Met Gala cost anywhere between $75,000 and $250,000. The price of the table will vary depending on the brand and the extent of its relationship with Vogue. If you’ve found that the Met Gala is an event you would like to attend, you’re in luck. Individual tickets can be purchased for around $25,000!! Guests arrived, dressed to the nines, and grace the red carpet with the crème de la crème of jewelry and couture. Next, they stroll through the featured exhibit of the year, which combine

the élan of fashion with the depth of history and culture. Past exhibits include: Glory of Russian Costume in 1976, Fashion of the Habsburg Era: Austria-Hungary in 1979, The Manch Dragon: Costumes of China, the Chi’ing Dynast in 1980. The exhibits often serve to honor designers whose works have upheld the fashion community. Some of the designers that have been featured include: Yves Saint Lauren, Christian Dior, and Gianni Versace. The gala usually raises around $9 million in that single night. The amount raised will serve as the Institute’s entire budget for the year. Anna Wintour transformed the Met Ball from a fund-raiser to a burgeoning, must-attend event. Therefore, the Costume Institute was renamed the Anna Wintour Costume Center last year to honor her efforts.

Last year’s Met Ball theme was inspired by American couturier Charles James. This year, the theme is inspired by China and redolent of the early fashion of Chinese emperors. Andrew Bolton, the Costume Institute curator, said, “From the earliest period of European contact with China in the 16th century, the West has been enchanted with enigmatic objects and imagery from the East, providing inspiration for fashion designers from Paul Poiret to Yves Saint Laurent, whose fashions are infused at every turn with fantasy, romance, and nostalgia.” The exhibit, which will open on May 7th, features over 100 intricate garments that each tell a story of Chinese history.


When examining other traits of students besides SAT score, the data changes dramatically. The same research shows that a student’s likeliness of graduating is more based upon their personal traits and not upon the school. In other words, an individual student will probably have a similar likelihood of graduating no matter what college he goes to. These findings corroborate the results of a number of previous investigations as old as 1999. A

study, by Stacy Dale and Alan Krueger, tracked students that were accepted into Yale or Harvard, but opted not to attend. The study found that even up to twenty years after graduation, the students who attended Yale or Harvard had no significantly increased income. The students qualified to attend Ivy League institutions would also perform the same in the workforce no matter where he or she attended college. An Ivy League degree may have

more influence in the workplace than it actually does. Thirty of the 100 women on Forbes’s Most Powerful Women 2014 had degrees from Ivy League universities. Harvard alone had 13 alumni on the list. Although these numbers seem impressive, the same list had 8 appearances that did not even hold college degrees. Again, the location where a student attends college is shown to not have a significant affect on where in life they end up.

The lesson to learn from this is that the most prestigious universities of the world work well mostly because they tend to attract kids who are already on the fast track. In any case, an individual’s happiness in life does not depend solely on where they attend college. Students should continue to study hard and perform well in school, not just so they can attend an Ivy League, but to do well in life overall.

Ivy League (ConT. P.9)

Affirmative Action (ConT. P.9)


Mad Men (ConT. P.7)Television is slowly coming out of an era that was filled with such iconic in flawed male characters as Tony Soprano and Walter White. As America says goodbye to Mad

Men and watches Don Draper leave the small screen, we can all look back with fond memories and gratitude, as the show has left

American culture with so much.

this policy for its many abilities, such as providing jobs to those who have suffered excruciating amounts of discrimination. Several people view the fundamentals of the 14th Amendment as support of their positive view of affirmative action; this amendment states that the laws must be applied equally and cannot discriminate against people or groups of people subjectively. Furthermore, several people point towards court cases like Plessy vs. Ferguson and Brown v. Board of Education as evidence of previous acts of discrimination; therefore, they express the essentiality of affirmative action to help avoid such instances from occurring in the future. While a variety of people admire affirmative action, several people do not believe affirmative action should continue in America. People against affirmative action believe this policy is instead demeaning minorities and women. They feel that affirmative action’s presence makes minorities feel that the only path to success is through the benefits affirmative action has to offer. Moreover, people not in favor of

affirmative action believe this policy deteriorates the idea of a “colorblind society”. Many of them think that it is not until when Americans will stop making decisions based on race that America will truly embody a “colorblind society”. Furthermore, the opposition of affirmative action argues that it is unfair to refer to past racism to further the importance of affirmative action since affirmative action in itself is racist due its privileged treatment of only members of certain races. Critics of this policy refer to cases in esteemed places like Georgetown University, where admission officers have been caught throwing away white-male applicants to meet their own agenda. Analyzing the advocates’ and critics’ opinions of affirmative action, I believe that affirmative action should, to a slight extent, be allowed in today’s society, for this policy prolongs the essence of civil rights and enhances the foundation that America was built on: equality. However, it should be managed and implemented in a manner in which it is solely utilized in the enhancement of society and not misused.

IAsA (ConT. P.2)followed by the girls with a colorful garba dance.

Breaking up all of the dances, Sanya Verma (‘18) captivated the crowd with the classic story of “The Monkey and Kuroop.” Then, the teachers held the stage. They were eager to dance along to the upbeat music, demonstrating what they had spent so long rehearsing. It looked like they were having a lot of fun, unphased about being out of their element.

After the intermission, the acapella group performed. This was followed by a few more dances: Raas, Girls’ Bhangra, and Bollywood. Next up was the fashion show. Performers and some well-dressed spectators showed off their beautiful outfits as they strutted across the stage.

To end the night was the ever-anticipated Senior Fusion. These seniors brought together the entire show, and the theme of Parinam. All seniors were welcome to learn the choreography and dance along, regardless of being in the club or not. It was amazing to see so many different people come together to celebrate Indian culture.

One senior, Anna Hoppe, said, “Being apart of senior fusion really opened my eyes to Indian dancing, and it was a great way to spend

time with my fellow seniors!” Indian dance is something that

most seniors who are not in IASA would not typically be exposed to, and so, the opportunity to be part of “Senior Fusion” was one of their last transforming steps at the International Academy

The money raised from IASA ticket sales went to two very deserving charities, Milaap and BuildOn.

Milaap is an organization that collects donations that go toward self-sustained education, vocational training, enterprise development, energy, sanitation and water in India.

BuildOn is an organization we are all familiar with at the IA. Through fundraising they help build schools in developing countries around the world, breaking the cycle of poverty, illiteracy, and low expectations.

Everyone that attended the event helped contribute to these great organizations, which made the show not only incredibly entertaining, but also incredibly rewarding!

It truly was a transformation all-in-all, not just for the seniors or the teachers who managed to learn a dance, but for the spectators who had a chance to experience culture and help the global community.

draft (ConT. P.10)sT. LOuIs rB zAC sTACy: In his rookie year he nearly rushed a 1,000 yards, an incredible feat for such a young player. Then the Rams decided to draft Todd Gurley with the 10th pick, who is considered to potentially be the greatest running back in the game. Stacy even tweeted about his frustration, and has recently declared that he would like to be traded away from the Rams.

The CLeveLAnd BrOWns: The Browns were after Mariota, but that did not happen. The Browns were also after Sam Bradford, but that did not happen. Now the Browns have to settle with the immature, unproven Johnny Manziel. The Browns did end up drafting a Nose Tackler, but that only felt like a consolation prize. Expect the Browns to fail once again this season.

Baltimore (ConT. P.3)confrontations with the Baltimore police department, arson of a CVS/Pharmacy, and paranoia throughout the city limits. The situation grew even worse, as over twenty police officers were injured, more than 250 people were arrested, and thousands of police and National Guard troops were deployed. Baltimore mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake was forced to impose a curfew in the city limits.

The biggest concern of the Baltimore riots was the damage on infrastructure. In fact, the local insurance industries state that the two largest blows to the residents

was property damage and lost income. Luckily, the residents will be compensated by the insurance companies. Most of the local businesses had property insurance.

The amount of damages stemming from the Baltimore riots include over 200 businesses being damaged, and over 144 cars were destroyed. Maryland’s state insurance commissioner Al Redmer Jr. issued a statement that it full damages in the riots will not be known until a month.

It has been a hectic two weeks for the people of Baltimore, and the state and local governments are

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by Anna Hoppe (‘15)

“My favorite thing about senior year was being able to spend my last year with some of the best people that I know. Every single moment spent with my friends is a moment that I will cherish for a long time.”

- eMILy nguyen (‘15)

“Make sure you stay sane during first semester with all its stress, and make sure you take time out to spend it with classmates during second semester so you can have the memories when it ends.”

- dIvyA gOeL (‘15)

“It’s important to remember that there is a light at the end of the tunnel.”

- Ben hOrne (‘15)

“Don’t stress about everything so much. Focus on finishing your work and doing well, because you don’t want to start getting bad grades. Also appreciate the time you have left and enjoy it.”

- AnTOnIA LAngFeLdT (‘15)


BACK PAGeThis Month In Preview

Phoenix Pollseniors, what are your thoughts on finally finishing high school? Any sage advice?

The OverAChIever / MAy 2015 | p.13

nepal (ConT. P.3)nations acted and have already sent food, temporary shelter, and medical aid. However, due to intensity of the earthquake and the amount of people it affected, the United Nations does not have enough supplies currently to assist the entire population. Nepali Home Ministry Joint Secretary Sagar Mani Parajuli reported that the country needs “150,000 tents and tarpaulins, but we don’t have enough of them.” In addition to the limitation in supplies currently, Jamie McGoldrick, the UN resident coordinator for Nepal, reported that bringing materials to Nepal has been difficult because the Kathmandu International Airport has only one runway and limited space for aircrafts to park. Nepal’s geography has also made it difficult for the country. The rugged terrain limits the use of helicopters, and as such makes it much more difficult to rescue people in remote regions of Nepal. To add to this, Nepal’s hospitals do not

have the capacity to treat all the victims. As a result, many victims are receiving treatment outside the hospitals in the streets, or some are just not being treated due to the overflow of patients. UNICEF has reported that well over one million children are in urgent need of medical aid or assistance. Villages surrounding the Gorkha district suffered the most. One village had over 35 of its 45 homes destroyed and in other villages 70% of houses collapsed, trapping several people mainly children and the elderly. The situation is so dull in these rural areas because the roads that lead to these villages are shut down, causing relief to come even later to these remote villages. The death toll as of April 30, 2015 is over 4800 people dead along with more than 9,200 injured, along with the over 1,000,000 children in need of help. In addition to the Nepalese casualties, there were 72 Indian casualties and 25 Chinese casualties.

doing everything they can to recover from the damages and to prevent situations such as Gray’s death from occurring again.

In short, the White House issued a

statement that law enforcement officials will need to exercise more restraint in the future to avoid another riot.

Balitmore (ConT. P.12)

the overachiever senior issue may 2015

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