Tech’s Effect On Lives[P.7]

Sports Can Fix America[P.8]

India CelebratesRepublicDay [P.3]

(Photo credits (left to right): Nicehdwallpaper.com, The Guardian, Hdwallpaper3.com)

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JANUARY 2015Vol. 10 Issue 4

$0.00 the overachieverinternational academy central student newspaper

mORE INSIDE

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Seniors Begin to Receive College Decisions

After months of research, essay writing, anecdote collecting, meticulous cutting of word counts, and waiting, this December college decisions began to roll out.

by Divya Goel (‘15)

For many seniors who applied early to schools by the end of October, the six to eight week wait is finally over. Some schools accepted early action applications, meaning the students are not bound to the school, while others required early decision, or that the students have to attend if they receive a “Yes.”

IA students have done outstanding so far, gaining admissions to Michigan State, Wayne State, Central Michigan, MIT, Stanford University, University of Chicago, Northwestern University, Washington University in St. Louis, Pratt Institute, and the University of Michigan, among many others.

However, many students received deferrals, giving them another chance at admissions in the spring. As seniors who have put in so much hard work

between rigorous schoolwork, extracurriculars, and attempting to have social lives, it can be disappointing when an admissions committee doesn’t recognize that.

Whatever your decision, here are some tips for dealing with that excitement or disappointment.

AccepteDCongratulations! You should

be proud of yourself, really. A lot of people might try to make you feel guilty or awkward about your accomplishment, but you have nothing to be ashamed of.

That said, use your judgment and be considerate of your fellow classmates who may not have been as lucky this time around. Also, don’t let your senioritis get the best of you--you’ve still got a one more semester left!

DeferreDGood news--you’re getting

another shot at your dream school! You could spend these

next few weeks searching for percentages and statistics all over College Confidential about how many deferred kids get in regular decision, but that’s probably not the smartest choice. Admissions officers at most schools make their decisions collaboratively and holistically, and have no quotas for the number of deferred applicants they admit.

This means you have the same chances as any other student, and in some cases, slightly higher because you’ve shown your commitment to the school by applying early. Just keep those grades up a bit longer, relax, maybe eat some ice cream...that’s all you can really do.

rejecteDRejection is never fun. It’s okay

to be mad at the school or at yourself. Take your time to come to terms with this decision, but don’t let those negative feelings get the best of you.

Eventually, you should

Early Action decisions for the University of Michigan, which historically admits a large portion of IA seniors, came out on December 20th (TheIvyCoach.com)

Sophomore Hosts IA Fashion Show On December 10th, Maha Khan (‘17) put on IA’s first cultural fashion show in the ISC.

by Finnley MacKillop (‘17)

This past December, IA students from all four grades gathered in the ISC after school for an exciting event: the IA’s first cultural fashion show. The event was hosted by sophomore, Maha Khan as her MYP personal project, a project that sophomores can now check of their list of things to do, seniors and juniors can remember going through, and freshmen can look forward to! For those who do not know, the personal project is a project made by students as they finish the five year MYP program. It is intended to be an effective way to demonstrate what the sophomores have learned throughout the MYP, using skills from every subject area in order to create an outcome that is successful and in line with the students’ objectives at the beginning of

Sony Hacked in Series of Cyber-attacksOn November 24, the worldwide multibillion dollar entertainment company Sony was hacked by a group of cyber terrorists known as the guardians of peace. by Aakash Beesabathuni (‘16)

Before the Guardians of Peace (GOP) hacked into Sony’s database, gathering a variety of files, the group made several threats regarding “new” 9/11 attacks. These threats brought groups such as the CIA and several other United States government agencies into the matter. The attack has struck the American media and public greatly after a well anticipated movie was momentarily cancelled due to the cyber attack.

The Guardians of Peace extracted several files from Sony which ranged from personal information of the employees and their dependents,

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Terrorists Attack School in Peshawar141 children and staff were killed in a systematic attack on the Army public School in the northwestern city of peshawar, pakistan.

by Naomi Haque (‘15)

On December 16th, half a dozen members of the Pakistani Taliban carried out a massacre on Army Public School in Peshawar, Pakistan. Though many of the schools 1,000 students come from civilian families, many are the children of military personnel.

Around 10 a.m., nine men in the uniforms of the Frontier Constabulary, a Pakistani paramilitary force, scaled the walls of the school. A worker at the school, Mudassir Awan, told Reuters he noticed these men and mistook them for misbehaving older students until he saw the men were armed. The gunmen, all wearing explosive vests, allegedly snapped the barbed wire at certain points and entered the compound using a ladder.

The first round of shots was heard in front of the auditorium, where a military team was holding first-aid training for students. The militants killed around

WORLD NEWSp.2 | the OverAchiever / jANuAry 2015

staffPRINCIPAL 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 HoppeCONTRIBUTORSAakash BeesabathuniDivya GoelNaomi HaqueNeehar HaryadiMateusz KasprowiczSarah KhanFinnley MacKillopSravya MallajosyulaSerena ScholzRicha ShahKenan Sinan

100 children in the auditorium. According to the students, the militants then moved from classroom to classroom and opened fire on the students erratically.

One of the students in the auditorium spoke to the Associated Free Press after the attacks. He heard a militant encouraging the others to shoot the students in their hiding places.

“I saw a pair of big black boots coming towards me, this guy was probably hunting for students beneath the benches. The man with big boots kept on looking for students and pumping bullets into their bodies”, the student said.

The student was shot in both legs and stuffed the tie of his uniform into his mouth to keep from screaming and played dead.

Locals said they heard gunfire, loud explosions, and the screams of students and teachers. The army arrived at the scene quickly and carried out ‘search and clearance operations’, moving from section to section of the school trying to avoid the explosives planted by the militants.

According to Major General Asim Bajwa, spokesperson of the Pakistan Army, the militants did not intend to take any hostages but wanted to kill as many students as possible. Bajwa also stated the military had a supply of weapons and food,

e-mails between employees, information about executive salaries at the company, and copies of unreleased films. The films that were hacked also included the new movie starring Seth Rogen and James Franco, The Interview.

The film’s plot is centered around an assassination attempt to Kim Jong Un, North Korea’s Supreme Dictator. Due to the close relationship the film has with North Korea and its government the United States government agencies, including the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), felt that North Korea must be responsible for the

cyber attack. Though the agencies believed that the totalitarian state was responsible for the cyber

attack, no agency openly issued a declaration accusing North Korea.

North Korea’s communication with

Schoolchildren pray for the school shooting victims at a funeral in Pakistan (Straits Times)

Interested in writing or reporting for The

Overachiever? Email us at iaoverachiever@gmail.com with your pitch or idea, and we’ll make it

happen!

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the United Nations further increased doubt on the totalitarian state. In fact officials of North Korea also stated that the movie may be regarded as an “act of war” by the United States government. Finally on December 17 close to a month after Sony was hacked United States government officials stated that North Korea is centrally involved in the cyber attack. Following this claim the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) stated that they have contacted

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The hack released more the Social Security numbers of more than 47,000 people (Hackersnewsbulletin.com)

Sony (CONT P.1)

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FEATURESthe OverAchiever / jANuAry 2015 p.3

New Year’s Resolutions That LastWant a resolution you can actually keep? there are some simple things that can make big differences in your day to day life. by Sravya Mallajosyula (‘15)

Just like the NYC ball drop, New Year’s resolutions are cliché. According to the Washington Post, the New Year’s Resolution tradition began during the reign of the Roman Emperor, Julius Caesar, in 49 B.C. when the beginning of the year was switched to January 1st. At that time, New Year’s resolutions were a way of improving morals and being a better person, similar to what they are today. You’ve probably been making New Year’s resolutions for years, the only problem is how many have you kept? Most resolutions are to quit doing something bad or to achieve some far out of reach goal. These types of resolutions are often abandoned by January 2nd! Resolutions are losing meaning and importance lately; however resolutions in the form of setting small goals may be easier to stick to and may actually enhance your life. Resolutions that could be considered for this year are:

SmiLe At StrANgerS. It may seem uncomfortable but who knows, a smile could ignite a new friendship! At the very least, it will brighten your day and likely the stranger’s too. mAke exerciSe fuN. Instead of just working out alone, do it with a friend. Find an activity that you both enjoy like yoga, cycling, or just spending time at the gym. Having someone that you regularly exercise with not only makes it more enjoyable but helps to motivate you.

fiND A SyStem tO OrgANize what you need to accomplish every day. Or if you already have one, improve it! This might be a planner, a list of all the tasks you need to accomplish, or something that you keep on your cell phone. Having a system ensures that you know you have everything you need done, like homework! give cOmpLimeNtS. It’s so easy to do and makes everyone involved feel good!StArt A jOurNAL. You can write in it once a week, once a day, or just when inspiration strikes- you have the freedom to choose! A journal can be a great way to get things off your chest, record memories, or express your creativity. Whatever you do with it, it’s a great way to chart your year.put yOur priDe ASiDe and ask people for help when you need it. Also, be there whenever people may need help from you. Whatever resolution you may choose to make, keep in mind that change is gradual, don’t beat yourself up for not achieving what you want immediately. Also, don’t be scared of those bigger resolutions, take it day by day. If you remain optimistic and committed, you will be proud of your accomplishments, those big and small, once next New Year’s Eve rolls around. Happy Resolutions!

India Celebrates 65th Republic Day

New Year’s resolutions start on January 1st--are you ready to keep your resolutions for the entire year? (Talentformula.ca)

India became a free nation on August 15th, 1947 with its independence from British rule. Republic Day marks the day that occurred 2 ½ years after that when India became a sovereign, democratic republic by adopting a full-fledged constitution on January 26th, 1950. According to mytravelo.com, “The constitution gave the citizens of India the rights, duties and powers to conduct themselves by electing the government of their choice. It gave a direction and provided guidelines to the citizens. Since then, 26th January is celebrated as Republic Day of India with lots of festivities and celebrations taking place across the country.” Indians around the world

celebrate this occasion in many different ways. One of the most famous celebrations takes place in the country’s capital city, New Delhi. The President, Prime Minister, and other officials

lead a grand parade across the city. The parade consists of regiments of the Army, Navy, and Air Force marching with their decorated horses. School children also participate in the parade

and learn special dances. After this, each state displays a unique float pertaining to their individual culture. The national flag is unraveled, the national anthem, Jana Gana Mana, is recited, and speeches are given by officials. Also, awards are given to members of the armed forces who have shown excellence in their field. The grand finale of the parade is a spectacular fly past by the Indian Air Force. Jet planes etch the sky with colorful patterns and shower rose petals on the

spectators. Along with this grand

january 26th is just an average Sunday for many people, but for indian Americans, it has special significance as india’s 65th republic Day. by Richa Shah (‘17)

The national flag of India (Nicehdwallpaper.com)

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indicating they had plans to continue their siege for some time.

Several sources state that about 500 students were confined in the school by the time of the siege’s development. The operation lasted just over 8 hours and all 7 militants had been declared dead, however it is unknown whether the militants were killed by the military or in suicide missions.

At the end of the siege, Bajwa told the press that 132 children and 9 staff members had been killed and 21 were injured. The majority of those injured were rushed to the Lady Reading Hospital in Peshawar. Throughout the day, masses arrived to donate blood for the injured.

The Pakistani Taliban justified the attack as

retaliation against the Pakistani military. For the past several months, the Pakistani military has strengthened its offensive in Waziristan, a predominantly tribal area, against the Taliban in an operation called Zarb-e-Azb.

The Army Public School is an institution run by the army. Several of the school’s students had parents who were a part of the Pakistani army, which is why the school was likely chosen by the Taliban as the site of the attack.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif told reporters in Peshawar that attacks of this kind are to be anticipated in the wake of the military operations against the Taliban.

For years, politicians have hesitated to intensify and consolidate the operation against the

Taliban but the massacre has united politicians and the army against the violent aggressors.

The massacre, which is to date the deadliest attack committed by the Taliban in Pakistan, has been a blow to the morale of Pakistan and has been condemned worldwide as well. PM Nawaz Sharif called for three days of national mourning.

Alongside, British PM David Cameron denounced what happened as a “dark, dark day for humanity” and stated “there is not a belief system in the world that can justify such an act”.

As for the students of the school, there is much healing to do, Muzammil, 12, told the Associated Press, “I will protect my country with a pen, not a gun.”

the North Korean government as well as displayed several pieces of evidence to key government officials.

According to CNN, experts now believe that North Korea may had very little to do with the Sony Pictures breach. Cyber security experts are now stating that the North Korean code that was previously used to hack large corporations has been leaked several years ago and that any hacker in the world could very well possess the same code. Through this piece of information doubt on the true criminal once again began to rise with now a larger and much broader approach to understanding who to incriminate.

Then, on December 26, cyber security company Norse stated that North Korea is not capable of hacking into a company as large as Sony. This completely lifts the blame from the North Korean government.

With this new report, government as well as private firms have once again began the search to discover who is to blame for the Sony Motion Pictures cyber attack. On December 29 doubt has even been placed on several Sony employees, with news agencies such as BBC and Fox News claiming that the Sony cyber attack may have been an “inside job”.

Throughout this extended process Sony Pictures cancelled the release of The Interview. The reason behind this was that Sony feared starting a conflict between itself, a Japanese company, and the North Korean government.

Ult imately, The I nter v iew w a s n o t o n l y r e l e a s e d i n t h e a t e r s b u t a l s o t h ro u g h digital services such as YouTube.

The American public as well as media both felt relieved that The Interview was not cancelled when it premiered Christmas Day.

Fashion Show (CONT. P.1)

the year. In addition to the project, sophomores have to write a fifteen hundred to three thousand word essay that reflects on their project in accordance with four criterion that students are familiarized with throughout the MYP. These criteria consist of the following: Criterion A, which looks at the research and investigation; Criterion B, which zooms in on the planning and goal setting for the project; Criterion C, which refers to the execution of the project; and Criterion D, which focuses on the reflection. Furthermore, sophomores have to have an appendix including a works cited as well as process journals, or entries about the process of the project throughout the semester. Finally, the students have to create a short in-class presentation about their project, as well as a trifold about the project that will be presented at the exhibition of the personal project. In the case of Maha’s project, it was definitely a success. Maha spent a

week advertising and getting other students involved in her show, which proved successful when students flooded the ISC after school. These students were certainly encouraged to attend by the free admission and delicious food, but most importantly, they were amazed at the gorgeous showcase of models wearing traditional Indian and Pakistani clothing, personally selected by Maha herself. The event started as the lights dimmed and a thrilling remix of popular Indian and Pakistani songs began to fill the ISC. As Maha stepped onto the stage amidst cheers, music, and applause, she introduced the purpose of her project--to show the IA a portion of the Pakistani culture that she feels so connected to. As she exited the stage, the first models stepped out, and it immediately became clear to everybody in the audience why Maha wanted to show off her culture. The models were radiant, wearing the beautiful clothing with pride, vividly demonstrating

the traditional styles of Pakistan. Through powerful solo models, several dynamic duos, and a few impressive groups, the multicultural combination of IA models came together to help show off the beauty of Maha’s culture. Everyone was enamoured with the incredible pieces of fashion, fashion that is part of a culture so important to many members of the IA community. Maha seemed to think that the show was a success. Talking to her afterwards, she was quite happy with the results of her spectacular show, and could be seen beaming as she talked to various people who helped guide her throughout the entirety of the project, including Mr. Griffin and her mother. All-in-all, the fashion show really allowed students experience an important piece of a really interesting culture, and hopefully, this type of event can be replicated by future generations of the International Academy.

Sony (CONT. P.2)

Peshawar (CONT. P.2)

Maha Khan (center) and the models of the IA Cultural Fashion Show pose for a picture on the runway (photo credit: Maha Khan)

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

by Payge Lindow (‘17)

As we welcome the New Year, we can also welcome new fashion. January brings chilly weather so break out your sweaters! Wrap sweaters are a cozy choice to bundle up anywhere. Belting oversized cardigans helps slim down bulky clothes. Two tone sweatpants, hoodies, and sweaters are trending this month, like light gray clothing paired with dark gray accents. Similar to this are color blocked clothes, trending at places like J. Crew and Ralph Lauren. Tall boots are always a

great choice for any outfit, but fuzzy moccasins are guaranteed to keep you warm indoors and out. With snow comes winter sports, so for any of you skiiers or snowboarders, be sure to walk the slopes in style this season. Wear bright snowpants paired with matching patterned jackets. Trends like color blocking carry over to the slopes as well.

tAyLOr StArk (‘15)Taylor paired festive, snowflake patterned shorts with red tights and a dark green shirt. Her black combat boots go perfectly with the black stripes on her shorts.

mAhA khAN (‘17)maha’s stylish ensemble features a trendy fur vest with matching tan boots, paired with a black sweater and a bold gold cuff.

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ENTERTAINmENTthe OverAchiever / jANuAry 2015 | p.5

The Top 7 Songs of 2014 the seven songs that impacted 2014 the most are chandelier, tuesday (remix), murmurs, red eyes, two Weeks, your Love is killing me, and Lifestyle.

by Max Totsky (‘16)

2014 was a legendary year for music. There were dozens of incredible singles and albums that came out this year. But some earned a greater fame than others as they seemed to push the boundaries of music and leave a mark that will last for several years to come.

7. chANDeLier - SiAOnly once in a great while will a smash hit comes out that stands so obviously above the rest of the chart landscape that it is hard to put it in the same bag as its peers. In 2014, ‘Chandelier’ was that song. It is also one of the most masterfully crafted tracks to gain

this much success in the time period that it did. Everything about this song, especially Sia’s scorching vocal performance, sets out to overpower the listener and the triumph could not be clearer.6. tueSDAy (remix)- iLOvemAkONNeN (ft. DrAke)One day, underground rapper iLoveMakonnen was sitting around when he heard the news that Drake, the biggest name in hip hop right now, had remixed his already addictive song ‘Tuesday’. It is one of the best Cinderella breakouts of the year, mainly because the resulting collaboration is also completely

Dorothy Must Die: A Review if you’re looking for a fun, quick read with a dark twist, pick up a copy of Dorothy Must Die.

by Serena Scholz (‘16)

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The premise of Dorothy Must Die is what you would get if you asked Stalin’s biographer to write a Wizard of Oz spinoff: Dorothy as a megalomaniac ruler of Oz, aggressively mining the land for Oz’s natural resources (magic, instead of the usual oil or coal), industrialization of the munchkins, enslavement of the flying monkeys, and an evil army of tin men. Then you also have the secret order of the ‘Wicked,’ who are now trying to assassinate Dorothy, and recruit a second girl from Kansas to help them do it. Her mission: to take back the Scarecrow’s brain, remove the Tin Man’s heart, get rid of the Lion’s courage, and finally, to take Dorothy out once and for all. It seemed like there was no way it wouldn’t be a fun read. And reality mostly lived up to its promise. It’s a fun romp of a novel complete with sassy narrator Amy Gumm and an intriguing premise. There are moments in the book that are painfully stereotypical YA fiction, like when she first meets the young warlock with a mysterious past, describing him as “the boy with

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Sia’s smash hit “Chandelier” was one of the greatest songs of 2014. (Cultist Zine)

The book cover of Dorothy Must Die. (Goodreads.com)

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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)

“Well… I went canoeing one day- no- I went kayaking one day and I really didn’t want to go, so I posted on my Snapchat story, “I really hate kayaking”. Then, a few minutes later, my kayak flipped over and I lost my phone in the lake…”

- SABriNA WOO (‘17)

“How was your first year of midterms here at IA?”

“Uh, I think I did well…I probably should’ve studied more.”

“That’s the motto of IA.”

- megAN rOBBiNS (‘18)

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Dorothy (CONT. P.5)smooth olive skin, his dark hair standing on end... there was something arrogant in the way he looked at me with pale gray eyes…. Who was he?” all of which left me shake my head at the predictability of the romantic subplot. While I’m usually a fan of witty narrators, Amy’s voice occasionally got odd, especially when the prospect of mortal danger did absolutely nothing to ebb the flow of her inner sassy monologue. However, the novel’s positive attributes outweigh any flaws. The novel managed to stay very light in tone throughout the entire story - even though there were attempts to make the story darker with the brutalization of the flying monkeys, they were still flying monkeys and it was still taking place in the Land of Oz, so it always bounced back to the brighter side. The one exception to this was Dorothy

herself, who in her own odd way was actually downright terrifying. Maybe it was because she’s so similar to the Dorothy we all know, complete with a wardrobe entirely composed of one familiar style of blue checked plaid, little puppy Toto (though he too is an angry, scary version) and a happy grin for everyone. She just also happens to now be a creepy, glorified ruler with a huge cult of personality and disastrous policies. The sweet, innocent girl from the original source turns into a megalomaniac in this twisted adaptation. If you end up reading and loving Dorothy Must Die, you’ll be happy to know that it’s only the first in a new series, and even more exciting, that The CW is currently in negotiations to produce a television show based on the books. So what are you waiting for? Onward to Oz!

Songs (CONT P.5)gorgeous, with Drake’s presence adding intense flavor to a song that was rightfully shoved into the general consciousness.5. murmurS- huNDreD WAterS‘Murmurs’ is one of the most monumental songs that has been heard all year. Every individual lyric acts like a ground-shaking statement on its own. Yet, it’s the delicacies that count: the little siren that refines the chaos towards the end, the release when the looping hook hits its groove, and the purity of the vocals when Nicole Miglis sings a line as simple as “yesterday was your birthday, happy birthday”. It is compulsively, explicitly sublime. 4. reD eyeS- the WAr ON DrugS‘Red Eyes’ could easily be mistaken for a long lost Bruce Springsteen track. It would fit perfectly with what The Boss was creating towards the later years of his prime. It has the exact same vibrant energy that appears in his songs, such as Born in the U.S.A.. But it’s the absolutely haunting melodies running through this breathtaking, head rush of a song that speak for themselves and sets it apart from other artists, such as Springsteen.3. tWO WeekS- fkA tWigS‘Two Weeks’ is euphoric, circumferential, and it exists, as the synthesizers slice through the tracks like a chainsaw and Thaliah Barnett makes claims such as “I can do you better than her” and “you know I’d quench that thirst”. It is immensely carnal, in perhaps the most polished way possible.

2. yOur LOve iS kiLLiNg me- ShArON vAN etteN‘Your Love is Killing Me’ is the most overwhelming outburst of emotion recorded in 2014. This type of vocal performance, one that manages to carry the appeal of its melody without sacrificing any of the ache that went into it, is extremely rare. Sharon Van Etten lyrics could not have been more fitting for it. Her voice shivers as she belts out “break my legs so I won’t walk to you/cut my tongue so I can’t talk to you/burn my skin so I can’t feel you/stab my eyes so I can’t see”. It is a sentiment that is jaw-dropping in its weakness, making anyone stop and listen. A song like this is one that any singer hopes to achieve in their career.

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FKA twigs, also known as Thaliah Barnett, is the singer of “Two Weeks” (Miojo Indie)

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OPINIONthe OverAchiever / jANuAry 2015 | p.7

How is Technology Affecting Our Lives?The world around us is evolving and changing fast. Many people are adapting to these changes, but are some people taking advantage of these luxuries? Are some people overusing these technologies?

by Neehar Haryadi (‘16)

iPads. iPhones. iPods. Androids. The modern day world has so many devices and technologies that help the world run. People are constantly communicating with each other and everyone is always talking on their phones, texting on their tablets, and even video chatting on their computers. Such technology was not

possible most of the 20th century. Scientists have made huge

advancements with the use of phones and their capabilities. Now people can m e s s a g e their friends, while they are watching a video. Other phones can call, while posting a picture to Instagram. What is the negative impact of having all of these technological advancements in phones? Is technology taking over peoples’ lives? There are two sides to the impact of technology argument around us however. Some say that technology is helping people communicate in so many ways and people will never get bored of their lives. They will always be entertained. They are able to play games on their phones wherever they go and watch movies and videos. These people do not see the big picture of what technology is doing to our lives. Others have a clearer understanding of what technology has done and is going to do to our lives. These people say technology reduces the amount of human interaction with the people around us. Everyone around us is so consumed in their own devices and the technology around them that they are oblivious to the enjoyable things around them. They are unable to carry on a simple conversation because they are so consumed with their phones, tablets, and other technologies. The main argument of the people who are against technology is that in the early 20th century many people were still able to have fun and enjoy themselves without technology. Furthermore, these people argue against

technology by saying that it leads to obesity. Many say that this connection is distant and irrelevant, but it is clear that technology is l e a d i n g to a higher obese population.

More and more kids are starting to pick up phones and tablets at

a younger age. Parents are too

lazy to comfort their kids or

entertain these kids in a more enjoyable way. They find a tablet or a phone as an easy way to entertain their kids. More kids are less involved in more active activities such as basketball, soccer, football, and other sports. Kids are also less entertained by other activities. More kids are naturally lazy as well. Kids find it more fascinating to stay at home and watch Netflix on their tablets or play games on their phones rather than go out and play a sport with their friends. Naturally, with this type of behavior, more and more kids and teens will start to become more obese. There is also a large generation gap between the ones who support technology and the ones who do not support technology. The older generation does not support technology, while the younger generation wants to go against their parents and prove that these technological advancements are a good thing. The younger generation must embrace new technology with open arms if they are going to better the world. Hopefully in the future people will be able to balance both the use of technology and the interaction between human beings. This will lead to a happier society.

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)

Welcome to 2015! January is the month where we establish new goals for ourselves to carry throughout the New Year. The whole purpose of “New Years Resolutions” is so that we can change ourselves, and fix what was wrong from the prior year. However it’s highly unlikely you are going to change you, as a whole. It’s hard to change old habits, and that’s why most people don’t tend to accomplish their resolutions. From my experience, the reason why I failed to achieve my resolutions was because I created goals that were too big. My expectations were way too high. I didn’t realize that when I took the time to sit down and think about what I wanted to work on in the New Year, I hadn’t made a plan for myself. I didn’t start small. For 2015, I would advise to start small. Don’t try to change to many things at once. Having a long list with at least 12 goals (one for each month) is great because you aren’t trying to do too much. I’ve complied some goals that I think would be great to keep in mind when you’re creating your New Year’s Resolutions.

1.tAke BreAkS WheN NeeDeDTake time out, no matter how busy you say you are, to make sure that you are okay.

2. DO SOmethiNg thAt yOu’ve ALWAyS put OffWhether it’s starting a novel, club, blog, or website, just do it!

3.tAke mOre pictureSYears from now you’ll be able to look back and relive those moments with your friends and still feel that same connection.

4. SAy yeS mOre OfteN (AND LeArN tO SAy NO)Using YES and NO in moderation can help you learn and grow as a person.

5. reAD A BOOk (fOr fuN)Yes, reading can be fun!

6. LeArN ABOut SeLf-cAreGood Hygiene is important.

7. mAiNtAiN A cONSiSteNt SLeep ScheDuLeSleep is important too.

8. DON’t Be Quick tO juDgeTry putting yourself in someone else’s shoes.

9. Be iNSpireD, DON’t Be DiScOurAgeDGrow and be content.

10. Be mOre thANkfuL.

1. LifeStyLe- rich gANg (ft. yOuNg thug AND rich hOmie QuAN)It might sound crazy, but there was not a song this year that was as addictive, pertinent, and satisfying as ‘Lifestyle’. It’s one of those songs where a person either loves or hates it. And it earned a greater majority of people that praised it than the opposite. Once it clicked, it was completely understandable why this

song was everywhere. The incorporated the memes and vines that poke fun at the sheer indecipherability of this song merely prove its appeal. Its beat is flawless and Young Thug’s charisma is absolutely unmatched, dripping with the game-changing vigor that any rapper who has ever been on the verge of conquering the music world bathes in.

Songs (CONT. P.6)

(photo credit: Anderson Issues)

NAme: zack jordangrADe: 11th SpOrt(S): DanceNAme Of high SchOOL/Other teAmS: D-Down Dance crewyeArS pLAyeD: 3 years

If you would like to nominate the next Student Athlete of the month (it could be yourself!), contact Adrienne Joe at joe.adrienne45@bloomfield.org!

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SPORTS Student Athlete of the monthevery month, an exceptional student athlete is chosen to be recognized in this column. meet january’s student athlete, zack jordan, a junior who dances for the Detroit pistons!

by Adrienne Joe (‘16)

How did you get involved in dance?A few years ago a friend of mine invited me to come along with him to a class, and I just picked it up well and I made a lot of good friends, so I stuck with it.

What exactly is D-Town, and what do you do there?D-Town is an all-male hip hop group for the Detroit Pistons, and we perform at timeouts and half-times at the games. We also do a bunch of different work for the Palace, such as sidelining. Overall we’re one of the Piston’s main entertainment groups.

Describe your team in a few words.Talented, funny, and inspirational.

Where are some places that dance has taken you?Well, D-Town takes me to the Pistons games, where I dance a lot. Last year, I did a performance club, Motor City Movement, which is a big collective showcase of choreographers and it’s performed at the Crofoot Ballroom.

What’s the most difficult part about being a dancer?Gaining the ability to pick up choreography in a short period of time. When you first start dancing, picking up the moves is a little more difficult. But you gain the body control and the mental ability to start picking it up faster and faster.

How has dance impacted you as a person?Overall, it’s brought me a lot of new friends and new experiences, i’ve performed in different locations all over the place, It’s brought me a lot of new social skills, and allowed me to break out and see new things in the world.

Where do you see dance in your future?In my future, I see dancing as a way to allow myself to get rid of stress as well as a fun thing to do with friends. I don’t plan on doing it much longer professionally, though. In any case, it will always be a big part of my life.

p.8 | the OverAchiever / jANuAry 2015

How Sports Can Fix AmericaIn these bleak times, modern sports culture can help reestablish the status of the “proud American”.

by Mateusz Kasprowicz (‘16)

Every day is a hustle. With all the commotion and shenanigans plaguing our country on a daily basis, sometimes it gets hard to keep our blood flowing red, white, and blue. In fact, it can feel like our freedom is being directly threatened. However, when we face a problem, we must look for a solution. We must find things that unite us. We must be able to embrace freedom and protect it from anyone who chooses to combat it. Most importantly, we must recognize that America is our priority. Running away from patriotism can be dangerous in the face of a better future. You might be asking yourself, “why is this in the sports section?” Well, let me tell you. Nothing puts America at harmony like a good ol’ game of sports. Whether it be some rough gridiron action, a quick round of hoops, a trip around the ol’ rink, or the hurling of the horsehide, athletics is one thing every real American can relate to. When we get up to say the pledge of allegiance every morning, it is not some political statement but a declaration of our freedom, of “one nation under God with liberty and justice for all”. With all the tricky business that is going down on the big stage of our country, America would benefit from a common interest. We need something that will make us approach a fellow citizen, regardless of their views on the latest social issue, and say “hey, did you watch that Pelicans game last night?”. If we all embrace the joy that some good ol’ athletics can bring to us, then nothing is stopping us from loving each other, no matter who we are. Now I would be an ignoramus if I claimed tossing around the ol’ pigskin would fix the country alone. We need much more than that. See, it is not about showing up to the ol’ stadium to root for the home team nor is it about ditching the chemistry textbook and shooting for a basketball scholarship. It goes much deeper. It is about attitude. It is about motivation. It is about loving one another. Now, one might argue that sports culture ignites even more negative energy due to rivalries and spiteful feelings towards opponents. Well, if you think that way, then you clearly have the wrong attitude. If we try to find a common ground in our disagreements, we can actually bring ourselves closer as a nation. If we can not, we just have more to admire and learn about someone else’s foreign mindset. It is all about looking for the best outcome, and if you are a good ol’ American, then the best outcome is love and harmony. I definitely do not want to over-simplify things. Activism is absolutely necessary. So is voicing your opinions to the public. Of course, sports culture is not the solution, but it is a catalyst. At one of the most elite schools in the country, it is easy for us to turn a blind eye to the fact that there are people who simply do not have the passion, motivation, and scholarly talent that we do (we are overachievers, after all). However, we cannot ignore everyone else. Part of a perfect society is perfect love. We will not have any delinquents if everyone is happy. So next time you think about doing something that would disrupt the serenity of American life, flip on ESPN and start a conversation. If everyone makes a change to their behavior, this country will go a long way.

(photo credit: Hdwallpapers3.com)

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What’s Next For The Detroit Pistons?In a season that could hardly be going much worse, things can only get better.

by Kenan Sinan (‘16)

The summer of 2014 was a big one for the Detroit Pistons. It saw them draft an aspiring star in Spencer Dinwiddie, acquire key veteran players DJ Augustin and Caron Butler, and change the franchise’s whole focus by hiring new coach and president of basketball operations Stan Van Gundy. Van Gundy, one of the league’s best and most highly regarded coaches, was subject to high expectations from the second he got hired. Regardless, the Pistons are currently in a dismal position, especially considering their expectations. They have the talent- Andre Drummond, Brandon Jennings, Greg Monroe- but they simply have not been able to execute. Despite the quality of their coaches and players, the Pistons have failed to succeed so far. They have considered going to great measures, including attempting to acquire Rajon Rondo from the Boston Celtics, but none of these have seen the light of day. A presence like Rondo may have helped the Pistons greatly, but the team still should have faith in Brandon Jennings. Knowing it is not the lack of talent, expertise, or skill that is holding back the Pistons, it is unclear why they are struggling. The best bet is the presence of inflated egos and poor chemistry on the court. Last week, Stan Van Gundy had made a decision that would change the outlook of the team and their playing style. Van Gundy decided to waive forward Josh Smith, which means that

Smith still gets paid from the organization but is no longer on the team. Smith was a key player in the Pistons, but his low field goal percentage of about 39% was holding the team down. Interestingly, the waiving of Smith has been the most promising move in the Pistons’ season so far. They have only played three games since his

departure, but won all of them. Perhaps Josh Smith was the problem, but it also may have been a coincidence. However, the blame should not be put entirely on Smith; despite being a poor offensive player, he had some of the strongest defensive skills in the league. However, Smith might have had a negative impact on the team’s chemistry because his playing style meshed poorly with that of the team. After two days of being a free agent, Smith signed with the Houston Rockets, which he claims is a good fit for him. With the constant moving of players and switching of playing styles within the organization, have the Pistons finally found what works for them? About one third of the season has passed and the Pistons are one of

the worst teams in the league, currently way out of the playoff picture. However, if the Pistons continue the hot streak they are currently on they can eventually establish themselves as one of the deadliest teams in the league and wind up working their way up to the playoffs. However, due to their utter unpredictability, we can never really know what is next for the Pistons.

realize that the school as a whole isn’t bad for rejecting you, and more importantly, you are not inadequate or lesser for being put in that situation.

Schools choose students for more reasons than just academics and extracurriculars--they choose those that they think will feel most at home in their unique atmosphere. If you wouldn’t enjoy that place to the fullest potential, then it’s better that you have the opportunity to consider your other options at a higher value instead.

Spend your time researching the schools you have gotten into or are still waiting on, and get excited about those instead. In the end, that will do the most good.

Regardless of your decision, the most important thing to remember throughout these next few months is that the college you end up at has no bearing on you as a person, and with the changing landscape of today’s job market, it isn’t what determines your success.

Those who work hard will do great things regardless of the institution listed on their diplomas. Let’s be a supportive IA community, appreciating the accomplishments and understanding the downfalls of our fellow students.

Colleges (CONT. P.1)grand celebration in New Delhi, each state has its own celebrations. No celebration is complete without great food and Republic Day is no e xc e p t i o n . P a r a d e -goers have their choice of all kinds of tasty treats, like crispy fried pappadums, s w e e t p i c k l e s , vegetables spiced with curry and p e p p e r s , samosas, and thick sweet p u d d i n g s . M a n y r e s t a u r a n t s serve special tri-color dishes recognizing the colors of India’s flag: orange, white, and green. Each year, India hosts a special state guest of

honor for Republic Day. In recognition of the 65th anniversary Republic Day in 2015, a grand celebration is planned with President Barak

Obama as the special chief guest. Indian communities t h r o u g h o u t the world mark Republic Day with their own parades and festivities. Here in M i c h i g a n , l o c a l c o m m u n i t y organizations have planned celebrations that include

Indian dancing, food, and art displays.

All in all, this patriotic celebration unites not only the nation but Indian communities far beyond India.

India (CONT. 3)

New Delhi organizes a grand parade in the city which begins from Raisina Hill and ends at India Gate while passing long the Rajpath

(Mytravelo.com)

by Anna Hoppe (‘15)

“January for seniors is the beginning of the end.”

-LuANy LeONe (‘15)

“January is when the worst snow comes in Michigan, [which equals] more snow days.”

- mAhA khAN (‘17)

“The new semester starts in January, so we are halfway through the year!”

- AriANA AfrAkhteh (’18)

“Finishing college apps. Haha. Haha. Haha…”

- AArON LevetT (‘15)

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BACK PAGEThis month In Preview

Tweets of the month Phoenix PollWhat are your thoughts on january?

p.10 | the OverAchiever / jANuAry 2015