A Penny For Your Thoughts: SLA Students Respond To Weekly Questions and Quotes
Darius Purnell
Staff Writer
I interviewed Jared Trusty on his Carver Science Fair Project who placed Honorable Mention, his project is called The Force.
2015 Philadelphia Union Season Preview
William Derry
Staff Writer
Image Courtesy of philadelphiaunion.com
What’s the outlook for the Philadelphia Union? To answer this question, we need to go back to last October.
On October 2, the Union played against the Chicago Fire. The Union came into this game with a (9-10-11, 38 points) record, which was good enough to remain in the playoff race, but remained two points behind the Columbus Crew and Toronto FC, for the fifth and final Eastern Conference playoff spot.
The Fire, entered the game with a (5-8-16, 31 points) record. Chicago was coming off of a tough loss against the Houston Dynamo, where they found themselves on the wrong side of a 2-0 result.
The match between the Fire and Union was scoreless until the 88th minute, when former Union midfielder Amobi Okugo scored the opening goal with a shot from inside the eighteen yard box, with his left foot, to give the Union a 1-0 lead.
The result of the game was all but certain with the Union up a goal on the Fire with only two minutes left in regular time, plus three minutes of extra time. The night took a turn for the worse when Union Goalkeeper Rais M’Bolhi received a back pass from Union defender Maurice Edu, and kicked it right to striker Robert Earnshaw, who then, chipped it over the goalkeeper to end the match in a 1-1 draw.
So, why was this game so important? For one thing, it destroyed any hope of making the playoffs in 2014. But more crucially, it showed the Union’s inability to close out games. All the Union had to do was, not allow the Fire to score with five minutes left in the game, but they were not even able to do that.
Now the question is, what are the Union going to do about this weakness?
Second year manager Jim Curtain has brought in reinforcements for the 2015 campaign by adding new center back Steven Vitória, who was acquired from S.L. Benfica, which plays in “Primera Liga” in Portugal, on a season long loan. Maurice Edu, was permanently transferred to the Union from Stoke City, who play in the Barclays Premier League, after playing the previous season on loan. Vitória, will most likely replace Edu in the starting eleven, so that the defensive midfielder can play in his natural position.
The Union have desperately needed a starting striker, who can play against top MLS (Major League Soccer) defenders so, to solve this outstanding problem, they brought in C. J. Sapong, who played for Sporting Kansas City last year but saw his time on the field diminish because of Dom Dwyer’s breakout year, where he found the back of the net twenty-two times in thirty-three appearances.
The Union did not stop there. While the team trained in Clearwater, Florida for the upcoming season, Venezuelan striker Fernando Aristeguieta was acquired on a season long loan from FC Nantes, a soccer club from France.
Hopefully, these transactions will help the Union make the playoffs for the second time in franchise history, which is in it’s sixth season.
House of Cards Season 3 Review: A Victim of its Own Success?
Sean Morris
Staff Writer
*Warning: There will be some spoilers up ahead*
When I started watching this season, I was expecting for it to be the last. With the previous seasons being about the Underwood’s ruthless, and bloody, path to the coveted White House, once they achieved their goal, where else to go but down and let their House of Cards tumble? That’s what they did in the original British version of the series, so why wouldn’t it be the same here?
Turns out that not only was not the case, but by the end of season 3, I can see the show being around for another two seasons. What I don’t know is if this is for better or worse.
Taking place a few months after season 2 ended,the new president Francis Underwood is a failure and seemingly can’t get anything done but turns his presidency around when he announces he isn’t running for re-election in 2016. His stated reason is so he can focus on his time in office, specifically on his new jobs- creating- program America Works, or Works for short. While this is an obvious ploy, his efforts suffers derailment from the Republicans in congress and an opponent in his eventual run for presidency- the strong willed Heather Dunbar. This season, Francis (whose hair shows clear graying throughout the season- a nice little detail) also deals with disputes on an international front along with the new United States ambassador to the United Nations, who is Claire Underwood, his own wife. They deal with the chaotic Middle East region of the Jordan valley and with the formidable Russian president (played wonderfully by Sherlock’s Lars Mikkelsen).
One of the choices that polarized fans was the expanded role the new season gave Doug Stamper, who was presumed dead by many (including myself) at the end of the last season. While he had some good moments,ultimately I felt his character was at worst unneeded and at best poorly used in the season. The main problem was a story arc (the disappearance of Rachel Zane and the hunt for her) that felt, like much of Doug’s storyline, could have been condensed immensely by like half of the season. It also bothered me how a big part of Doug’s storyline was used in the season premiere, which really should have been spent more on the principal characters.
Speaking of which, I also found some of the characterizations of the Underwoods themselves a bit off this season. It seems unusual that someone of franchises ruthlessness would allow his presidency to become such a failure as it was at the beginning. I also missed his talking to the camera as he’s done before especially with long pauses on him alone without say anything to us. He gets some of his best and most quoted moments from these gems. I will say, though, that I enjoyed the expanded role Mrs. Underwood had this season with becoming the Ambassador to the united nations. However, I felt that some of her decisions, especially the BIG one at the very end of the season, felt out of character with her wants and goals. She describes them as being tired of a mutual dependency on Francis, yet with her position and placement the option she seems to take would only serve to hurt her, rather than advance her more.
I’m not the only one who has had decisive thoughts about Season 3. Senior Nikki Adeli felt there were more drastic and dramatic moments in Season 2 then compared to season 3. And that it was only the later ones that seemed truly important. And she also agreed that Doug’s storyline was drawn out and commented that the foreign policy seemed a bit unrealistic. Several critics also had some more polarizing thoughts concerning the season as well.
In the end, the season had both highs and lows, but more of the latter than the former. Like I said in the title, it seems the show is going to be expanded because of its monstrous success. Obviously Netflix wouldn’t want to lose such a big property because of the revenue and acclaim it brings, but at what cost for its quality? It currently has such a number of unresolved storylines that I would feel cheated if they ended the show with the next season (depending on time gaps and whatnot) but I hope they can improve on their proven writing capabilities.
Netflix and Binge Watching
Chiara Nemati
Staff Writer
What’s the last show that you binge watched?
Netflix has had many successes with creating their own series such as Orange is the New Black, House of Cards, Marco Polo, and Arrested Development. On February 27, at 3 a.m. the new season of House of Cards was released. It been all people talk about at school,
The popularity of binge watching has increased with the presence of Netflix. Before the online streaming service existed, people would have to buy or rent a particular show. Now they can access it instantly.
“I have seen students watch shows during class. I hit the spacebar and immediately ex them out. It’s a tool that provides both education and entertainment.” History teacher Jason Todd reports.
SLA being a technology based school where students have their own laptops encourages students to misuse their laptops.
“If you’re not binge watching and seeing your reflection in the computer after every episode regretting your life decisions, are you really watching the show?” Says senior Marlyn Mooney. She also enjoys watching Grey’s Anatomy, Breaking Bad, and Bobs Burgers.
However, others enjoy watching shows when the air on TV. Sophomore Jaiye Omowamide stated that “It’s kinda fun when they air on tv because others watch it and you can go back the next day and be like oh my god did you see that!”
Are teachers binge watchers as well? Or are they immune to it?
“It’s difficult if I had my own laptop during high school, I would have battled with it too. I currently binge watch House of Cards but with so little time I’m only on episode 6.” Mr. Todd states.
Many people love sitting down and opening up Netflix and watching episode after episode of a show. Netflix gives them the ability to do this. However others prefer watching only one episode per day or week. The great thing about Netflix is that you have the freedom to do so if you wish. If you want to catch up to a current season that is airing on tv you can!
Hallway Fashion: Harrison Freed
Ella Donesky
Staff Writer
Where do you usually shop?
I rarely shop. Well, I mean, I have this distant memory of having gone to Khol’s. I have nothing to prove it ever happened, no photo, no video, I didn’t journal about it, I just think I went there.
Who inspire your outfits?
Well, basically whoever I take the clothes from. It’s a pretty direct inspiration for what I wear.
What’s your favorite article of clothing and why?
I think my favorite article of clothing has to be my trusty North Face jacket, because it doesn’t keep me warm, but it doesn’t really keep me cool.