Table Of Content

College Fair Held Oct. 21 by Raymond Ng The fair took place in the gym. Also, some of the armed On October 21 the Bishop forces were there to answer Ford college fair took place. questions. Many colleges and universities from New York were there, Bishop Ford Senior sweat giving information, phamph- shirts are available in the lets, and other necessary forms to answer your questions about Student Activities Office. their facilities. And if you had Vol. 16, No. 1 BISHOP FORD CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL Fall, 1991 any other questions, certified personnel representing the schools were there to help. Don’t forget to order your VIDEO YEARBOOK! See Mrs. Roilo in the Student Activities Office. Price: $32.95 Peer Group Vital To Ford Conn qr:y by Ray Layden An interesting school activity has been brought to the atten tion of the Highpoint staff. It appears that Sister Colleen and Ms. Carol Leggio Carielli have been involved in an activity for seniors called Peer Group. Along with Sister Colleen and Mrs. Carielli, there are other faculty who help, such as: Mr. Slow, Mr. McAteer, Mrs. RafRiniello, Mrs. Musi- caro, and Sister Anne. They don’t exactly run the program, they simply act as advisors while the seniors take control. At Peer Group, seniors train at becoming counselors. They learn communication skills and live and work with groups. As Mrs. Carielli put it, “The whole purpose of peer group training is to foster an understanding Minnyone David and Nicholle Worrell practice listenings skills at of the role of peer group. Senior Peer Group leader in training participates in trust walk at Peer Group learning session. The seniors take part in vari Oyster Bay meeting. ous activities over a two-day period in Oyster Bay, where Getting Z s We, the editors and staff of Highpoint, dedi they learn to trust and respect each other. Stomach Trouble cate this issue of our student newspaper to Seniors go through this to Instead of B's help new freshmen who feel the fond memory of Reverend IVlartin J. Schuck, lost in a new, large school. by Raymond Ng by Elizabeth Fuentes a member of the board of trustees of Bishop The seniors help answer ques “Cafeteria food is awful!” is tions that freshmen have. If a Did you ever go to school what is often heard. Yet, no Ford High School, who passed away on Octo freshman just needs or wants and take subjects that you one thinks of what the staff to talk to someone, that’s what thought were so boring and has to work with. It may not ber 19. May he rest in peace. the seniors are there for. As seemed to last forever? Well, necessarily be the lunch staff’s Mrs. Cariello put it, “By doing I know I did, and it’s not the fault, it may be just the mate this, the seniors help lessen subject itself that’s boring, it’s rial. A.I.D.S. Sterotyping Fading the bumpy times for freshmen.” the teacher who’s teaching it. I personally feel the food is It’s not sure who gets more Learning has to be made not bad. I know it may not be out of this experience, the stu fun. If teachers made their gourmet, but at these prices, by Georgette Brown We can get AIDS through dents or the faculty. Sister be realistic! If people want lessons fun, more students sex, as we all know. We can Colleen said, “I feel the stu better food, they may have to would pay attention, would AIDS—Acquired Immune Defi also get it by mutilating our dents get more out of it. They pay more money. want to learn, and would get ciency Syndrome: We probably selves with drugs (I.V. needles) receive that sense of helping better grades. Also, the day ask ourselves how it all got or by getting blood transfu others.” Sister Colleen also Until people are willing would go by faster, because, started. sions. They are checking the added, “Peer Group is here to either to pay more or to stop as the old saying goes, “Time Well, one theory is that it blood now, but it’s sad they sctoamy.m uInti tyis: vsittuadl entot s thhee lFpoinrgd tchoem pfolaoidn iwngil,l thcoisn tpinroube.lem with flies when you’re having fun.” all got started among homo waited until the lives of so Teachers make the subject students.” sexuals nearly a decade ago. many innocent people were what it is. If they’re boring, To date, at least 50,500 homo lost, like Ryan, that little boy the subject is boring, if they’re sexuals have died from AIDS, who died from a transplant fun, the subject is fun. I used with a minimum of 82,500 al years ago. to think social studies was a The babies of HIV positive very boring subject . . . until ready infected with the HIV mothers are the most inno now. My social studies teacher, virus. cent victims of this disease. I Mr. Sued, is a really good I used to think it was God’s think more people should be teacher. When he teaches, he judgment, because it could be aware of that, because if you is loud, clear and not boring. when you violate God’s laws, get AIDS, you’re not only hurt He also makes an effort to get there are consequences you ing yourself, you’re hurting to know his students’ names. have to face. others as well. That shows the students that There are laws of nature, Some people say, “What he is interested in them and of gravity and other laws. Like about condoms, don’t they help wants to get to know them. laws of nature, when we de prevent AIDS” “I feel the So when you start doing stroy the rain forest, we have condoms are not that reassur poorly in a subject you used to face the consequences. We’re ing, and if you need one, you to be so good in, take into messing up our ozone layer probably don’t need to have consideration that it might be and reaping the consequences: sex anyway. Why risk getting your teacher’s fault as well as this welting heat or acid rain. AIDS if you don’t have to? yours. The Science Department of Bishop Ford High School RECYCLE! is hosting the Annual Techniques Meeting of the New Place your empty soft-drink York Biology Association in the bio lab wing on Tanya Glenn, Chris Regina, Raymond Olan, Omar Vemura, Michelle cans in the proper recepti- Competelli, Nicholle Worrell and Joe Scamadella display the canvas Friday, November 22 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. cles in the cafeteria. they produced as a group during Peer Group leader training. Page 2 HIGHPOINT Fall, 1991 Crown Heights Boils Over: HIGHPOINT Bishop Ford Central Catholic High School Two Different Views 500 19th Street Brooklyn, New York 11215 Staff: Gorgette Brown, Raymond Ng, Elizabeth Fuentes, Ray by Brandon Broady by Georgette Brown Layden, Brandon Broady, Karen Nikoloudakis, Jere On the mid-summer night of August 21, 1991, a station- In August, 1991, a very un Artus, Salvatore Pipitone, Jennifer Cruz, Vincent Lijoi, wagon going past the normal speed limit on a public street fortunate accident happened in Jason Peckis, Clifton Regis, Dina Selfridge, Gerald careened onto a sidewalk. The car hit two pedestrian children Crown Heights. A Hasidic Augustin, Kabrina Murrell, Nancy McManus, Whitney who were playing at the time. They were a boy and a girl; driver, Yosef Lisef, struck two McCoy. the boy died and the girl was injured. children, killing one (Gavin PRINCIPAL ........................................ Bro. Luke Nawrocki, O.S.F. Cato), age 7, and his cousin. If you have never heard of this accident, then you might ADVISOR ................................................................ George A. McKay say or feel that it was very unfortunate. But it could have This incident rapidly sparked happened anywhere. That’s just it: the complications come a clash between Hasidics and in where the accident took place. It happened in a split blacks. There were really no community, where African-Americans line one side of Eastern recent racial sparks in Crown I really think that there was Parkway and Jews live on the other side. But the situation Heights, but because the life of no reason to beat up and kill a boy was taken, racial tension an Hasidic man because of this becomes more complex: the driver of the stationwagon was a was sparked. incident. strict Jew, and the children were black. I really think that the blacks The death of Gavin Cato is David Larsauri of home Why would a civilized community riot for five complete in Crown Heights should stop very unfortunate and sad, but nights over an accident? I emphasize the word accident. room 205 will represent and think about the feelings of his death was neither the No matter what types of ethnic groups are involved, there must be a few other reasons why the community rioted. I the Hasidic driver. He struck Hasidic’s nor the child’s fault; the United States in Buda two kids, killing one of them. people have to understand that, mostly blame the media for not reporting the whole story. I believe that anyone who kills but they don’t, unfortunately. pest in an international .So I ask that you do not make up your minds until you have heard the story, from all sides, what happened that fatal night. a person this way doesn’t feel All the race-related violence Karate contest. very proud of himself. in Crown Heights will never If nothing happened but an accident, then why all the I would like to know what bring back little Gavin Cato, retaliation against one another? Who’s lying, who’s not? What’s the blacks would do if a black but some blacks in Crown Go get ’em, Dave! hiding? driver struck and killed an Heights can’t seem to realize I believe that the tensions of a riot have been in Crown Hasidic child. Would Jews re that. Violence never solves Heights for months, maybe even years. The accident that spond to it the way the blacks anything, it only makes things happened that night was just a spark that lit a fire waiting did? worse! to start. One of the most prominent reasons I have heard that the riots took place is because of the action that was taken in an already dangerous situation. The children, I heard, were not helped. The Jewish ambulance that supposedly got to the scene of the accident first did not help the seriously injured children first. Instead, they went to the driver’s aid, who could not have been very hurt, if he implies that he tried to help the youngsters from the car. The Jewish ambulance left with the driver and left the children for the second public ambulance. The second reason I have heard that the riots took place is because of the police. Why wasn’t this accident recorded properly on the police record? Were they escorting the driver past the normal speed limit, or were they covering up for him? The driver insisted that this was an accident; he acci dentally stepped on the acceleration pedal instead of the brake. Why did he hide instead of giving himself up? Why did not the police simply take him down to the staton to record his “Jungle Flashback: story properly? Instead, he was free to go. You and I know that if it had been an African-American, especially a male, then Uniform Protest: April, 1991 he would have been taken to the police station and, chances Fever” are, booked. All through the riots, mainly blacks were arrested. I do by Jere Artus believe it was wrong for them to retaliate by killing the Jewish by Karen Nikoloudakis In April of 1991, almost the entire senior class walked man (if they did), because two wrongs do not make a right. No one should be able to tell out to protest the uniform for seniors. Their action was a But why were not Jews arrested? someone whom they can or successful one; a lot of students supported the walk-out. Then These questions bother me and bring me to one specific cannot love. The color of a the senior year graduated, so it’s a new school year with new question: “Do Jews receive preferential treatment?” Many person’s skin shouldn’t dimin seniors. Now what? people have their own opinions, and I respect that, but I ish what is inside. If two believe Jews do. For example, before David Dinkins was in people care about each other Now it seems that the senior protest of 1991 to rid senior office and he administered the new protection program, I enough to date, society should year of uniforms will have been in vain unless something is remember seeing two cop cars parked on a Jewish block for not look upon them in scorn done. several days and nothing was happening in the area at the but accept their choice. One idea is to let seniors wear regular clothes in the time. Another example that they receive preferential treatment Adults are constantly telling spring term of the year. This seems to be a very practical was the acquittal of the Jewish driver; he was able to leave teenagers to grow up and take idea. First, the spring term of the school year is when the the country. The case is still being investigated and chances on some responsibility. Well, weather gets extremely cold or warm. Secondly, it’s only half are he will be asked to come back to court. I believe if he were wouldn’t you think it’s enough a year, and by this time most seniors are working, so they can any other race, black, white or Hispanic, he would not have been to be able to choose a person probably afford their own clothes. Thirdly, it will appear as permitted to leave America; fearing for his life had nothing so different from you and see a freedom for seniors. It will also appear as a freedom to do with it. something you like about him/ worth earning for many underclassmen. It will serve as an The Crown Heights accident has taken on a new form of her. That, in itself, would take incentive for underclassmen to make it to senior year. destruction, the political kind. I will tell you one thing, I will a great deal of maturity. Personally, I hope something can be done about this issue still support Mayor Dinkins. Why? Because I still believe in But, does anyone ever have him, and what he has done so far, for the police program is the ability to do that? Maybe of uniforms. If nothing is done, then the senior protest of pretty good. Dinkin’s job is hard, and even harder because so. The choice is up to you. 1991 will just fly off into the wind, never to be remembered. of his color. We must realize that in one or two years New York has gone into an economic and social slump. But how can that be? We must have been in this situation before Dinkins came r—-----------------------------^ r—--------- 1 % i to office. Why did not any of these problems get spotted when I redd. aMtAj+ VeoVv.WV TVyey Koch was in office? I believe they swept this mess under the VotAote w e<xy vm\fc*rm S.J City Hall rug. Mayor Dinkins has been ridiculed for his performance in the Crown Heights situation and for the position the City is in (economically and socially). I do agree sometimes Mayor Dinkins does not take enough action, given the amount of power he has. ^He gives great speeches, but the words “a beautiful mosaic’’ will not change anything. Maybe I feel this 1 | because of the way the media portrays him in our eyes as a little whimpy. Koch does not make this any better with his comments on Good Day New York once in a while. ft m. Read between the lines and support David Dinkins, because m he is trying his best. The way things look, another black -------------1-----i--------------- mayor may not get into office. THE ALPERT PRESS INC,, 644 PACIFIC ST. BKLYN, N.Y. 875-1058 Cindy Crawford Add One Minute To The World Book Review: Must Die! Time Between Classes According To Defcon One Garp by Jere Artus by Dina Selfridge by Ray Layden It’s the early 1990s. Glastnost You know we’re living in a The everyday burdens of a high school student are very has failed. The Russian econ sick society when the goal of by Karen Nikoloudakis stressing. Now, with the start of a new school year, the omy is near collapse. Gorba hundreds of thousands of stress comes back. Trying to keep high grades, taking good This book tells the life of chev has been overthrown, and young women isn’t to be doc notes, and being able to run from class to your locker and T.S. Garp, from before his con his hard-line successor will do tors or lawyers, isn’t to be back to your next class in a maximum of three minutes is ception to after his death. The anything to maintain his coun president, but to be, ick, very difficult. bastard son of feminist Jenny try’s power. Now, the Soviet models. This becomes a problem for many students since the new Fields and Technical Sergeant Union is ready to launch the Of course, most of them demerit system is in play. The new demerit system gives the Garp, he had a hard time get “first strike” in what may be never expect to measure up. teacher the option to mark you late if you come to class after ting into the light on his own; World War III. They’re never quite pretty the bell rings. yet, when he does, he shines. This book, Defcon One by enough. In their eyes, their I feel this only creates chaos in the first few minutes of This book travels through Joe Weber, shows a very hips are always too wide, legs class because the teacher has to mark you absent if you’re not his life of emotion in a whirl frighteningly real scenario of too short, waist too large, lips there when he/she looks. If after the bell rings you walk in wind. I really enjoyed it. World War III, even in to not full enough . . . he/she has to erase absent and mark late. Also, the movie didn’t come day’s world. The book men What causes females to have If a single minute were taken off each period, the school close to how vivid a picture tions true events in the world, such negative opinions of would be able to extend class changing to four minutes this book leaves in your mind. from the Challenger disaster themselves and their bodies? from three, and still have two minutes left over to use for You have to read it to believe in 1986 to the Gorbachev visit It comes from the very women it. to New York City in 1988, and homeroom, third period, or just to cut out of the school day. they try to design themselves many other events leading up after. Cindy, Paulina, Milla— A minute may not appear to help matters much, but if to the 1990s. The mix of these our culture views them as some you were really to think about it, you would see not only events, put together with a kind of goddesses, “models” fewer students coming to class late, but classes would start possible nuclear showdown for all to take after. Cosmo more promptly. scenario, makes Defcon One politan magazine’s list of top What’s your opinion? Drop a line to Highpoint and let seem very real. twenty dieting tips has become us know. the new bible, the gyms some Another great aspect of kind of new wave churches. Defcon One is Joe Weber’s Movie Review: knowledge of today’s politics This may sound very dra REMEMBER and diplomacy to the military matic, but that’s only because The Commitments machinery of both the United it is. Society (a male-dominated OUR VETERANS States and the Soviet Union. society) keeps brainwashing by Dina Selfridge Defcon One shifts from the us with images of what the November 11 so-called “perfect” woman is As one cast member told a White House, to the Kremlin, supposed to look like. So if you reporter about The Commit to Navy F14s, to aircraft don’t have Ms. Crawford’s ments, “It’s captured Dublin carriers poised against Soviet physique, you are made to feel like I’ve never seen it before.” As Environment Decays Mig-29s and Backfire bombers like there’s something wrong Well, I’ve never seen it before carrying nuclear-armed cruise with you. either, but after watching the We All Suffer missiles. In a recent study of high movie, I am more than happy Tom - Clancy - thriller - type school girls, 53 percent were to take his word for it. readers may find Defcon One unhappy with their bodies by The Commitments is about a a scenario which will take age 13. By age 18, 73 percent group of young Irish men and them to the edge and back. were dissatisfied. There are women who start a soul band, Personally, I found Defcon approximately one million an a really good soul band, much One a high-speed, edge-of-the- orexics and bulimics in every better than all the trash that seat, page-turner. Joe Weber year. Top 40 keeps dishing out. The is a definite thriller of the 90s. lead singer, Andrew Strong, I don’t know about you, but has an incredible voice. I have absolutely no respect for a profession that succeeds The acting, which is done by Movie Review: in doing nothing but making an entire cast of unknowns, is millions of girls feel miserable probably the main reason the Dogfight about themselves. Women film comes off so realistically. everywhere should reclaim The only problem with the by Vincent Lijoi control of their bodies and movie is the thick, heavy stop letting society dictate Irish accents. An entire scene This movie review is for what they’re supposed to do went by while I sat there in students who love comedies with them. total confusion. But, for the and would like to see one on Besides, in an interview I most part, you’ll live. a weekend after a hard week saw on television, Cindy Craw The Commitments is defi at school to relax and have a ford herself even admitted to nitely worth paying seven good time. being insecure about her looks. bucks for. While you’re at it, The name of the movie is Doesn’t that tell you anything? check out the soundtrack too. DOGFIGHT. It’s about four macho marines who try to have a contest among them to see who has the ugliest The following students will be honored at this year’s date. Lily Taylor, who is one Academic Awards Dinner on November 13. These students of the stars of the movie, ended the 1990-1991 school year with an average of 95%, with makes obvious the inner no grade lower than 90%. beauty of the overweight would-be singer. She is able PRINCIPAL’S LIST by Jennifer Cruz Is the blame on the people, to convince the Vietnam- government or industry? bound marine, played by Aisha Awad Seung Lee A serious problem or a new River Phoenix, to treat her She says, “The blame is Theresa Falco Nancy McManus rsetyclyec?l e Wusiethd aplal ptehre phroydpue cttso, really on industry; they’re too with respect. advanced. Industries and peo It turns out to be a gentle Laura Frank Christopher Regina save water, etc., I wondered ple don’t look at the whole movie about boys learning what American teens really Maryellen Gambino Lisa Romano feel about saving the planet. picture.” about girls and the feelings I talked to one student who But if you really think about they have. Unfortunately, the Janel Gugliotta Jennifer Self ridge thinks people don’t take it seri it, aren’t they helping? Didn’t movie is only playing in Man Marta Koziorzebska Terrence Shashaty ously. “When it comes down they stop aerosol sprays? hattan, but it’s certainly to it, nobody does anything By creating or solving one worth the ride. I recommend Dominic Lazaro about it,” she said. problem, they’re ruining some it highly. “Most people blame the gov thing else. ernment,” says Naomi Cruz, a So what do our students worker at the Environmental think? “It’s not just up to the Join the BIG BROTHER/ Protection Agency, “But what people, government, and indus the people don’t understand is try, it’s up to all of us.” BIG SISTER PROGRAM! Participate in the Thanksgiving Canned-Food Drive! the people are the govern Rena McKenzie, a freshman, Please place your donations of canned food in the box ment,” she explains. says, “People have to want to See Cathy Driscoll or Joe in the main lobby. So, if nobody is doing any have clean air; they should Giammarino. thing, where is the blame? care,” she says. Page 4 HIGHPOINT Fall, 1991 History Of Boys’ Team CONGRATULATIONS To the freshman boys’ On A Roll Basketball track team for winning the Brooklyn Championship at by Brandon. Broady by Clifton Regis Prospect Park this fall. The Bishop Ford boys’ track In 1891 a Canadian combined team, led by Coach Vasquez, the Indian game of lacrosse are already jet-lagging other and the British game of soccer, Girls' Team teams and leaving them behind to make a suitable indoor on the starting line. They have game. Instead of using a stick, come in first place in two invi as in lacrosse, or kicking a Prepares For tational meets. They were the ball with the foot, as in soccer, Guilderland and the A.F.K. he devised a game in which Success Sterling. In the team’s high the ball is passed from player hopes, Coach Vasquez believes to player, or dribbled by a sin by Brandon Broady they have the talent and the gle player, and shot into a goal. ambition to repeat winning in The man was James A. Nai- The Bishop Ford girl’s track the City Championship and get smith, and the game was bas team, led by Mrs. Vasquez, are the state title. ketball. He invented it to inter preparing for great success. You might wonder who leads est the students of his physical Mrs. Vasquez, a very humble the Bishop Ford boys’ track education class at the Spring- woman, guided me to the team team as captains. They are: field Training School, Spring- captains for a private inter McLeod, Ahmed, and Harris. field, Massachusetts, which is view. The team captains for We wish them, with Coach now the Springfield Y.M.C.A. the Bishop Ford girls’ track Vasquez, a successful season College. team are Denise Francis, Boys’ varsity track team, top row, left to right: (Capts.) Scott McLeod and victory for Bishop Ford. Basketball is a game which Yocelin Rijo and Viviana and Ahmen Harris, Simon August. Second row: Chris Gonzalez, Coach Vasquez expects a lot is played by boys and girls, Barthelemy. Antonio Wright, Danny Incantolopo. Third row: (J.V. team) Bruce if you are an athlete on his men and women, in every Rosado, Larry Medina. They are very supportive of team. He expects you to be at civilized nation of the world. each other and their twenty- practice everyday, to keep up It can be played outdoors and four runners. The very high- your grades, and to live up to indoors. In a single year, more spirited team plans to go far. the name of a Bishop Ford fans watch basketball games How far? To make it to the athlete. He expects the stu than they do any other sport in State Championship and the dent body and faculty to be the United States. Golden West in California. The very supportive. The rules of the game are captains have been on the team translated into each country’s for four years; no doubt, they language. Because of its wide are good leaders. popularity, basketball is often Viviana Barthelemy is the referred to as the international high-spirited crazy one, who is game. the demander and the pusher. As you can see, basketball is Yocelin Rijo is the hard work the most common and easy er, the advisor, and very cheer sport to get into, right? Wrong! ful. Denise Francis is the Well, at least that’s what Mr. intellectual one, the serious Nash, the basketball coach, runner, and the worrier. No says. “To show you really doubt, with this combo, the want to play, you’ve got to be girls track team will go far! willing to give your heart to Bishop Ford, and that doesn’t But they still need our sup mean school doesn’t count. The port, especially at the race in studies come first, then bas Prospect Park. ketball second.” I asked Mr. Nash several different questions about the See the team and himself. I asked him Chalk Circle Players’ if he was satisfied with last year. He said, “Yes, because production of we had a young, giving team, RUMORS and we lost only three players.” I also asked him if he thinks December 13 and 14 Coach Louis Vazquez they’re going to beat last year’s winning average. He Too Many replied, “I don’t know, because The Bishop Ford Boys’ track team remain our last year’s average was Senior/Faculty number one in New York State, after coming Classes Are very great, and I think it’s Christmas Party going to be a wonderful team, in first at the Brown University meet and the December 20, 1991 because when the students give Too Large Manhattan College Invitational. Prospect Hall their hearts, everything falls into place.” by Gerald Augustin How many students in this school have found themselves in classes that are overcrowded? Some classes have so many students that teachers are having a hard time remembering everyone’s name. The teachers must find it difficult to teach those classes, because they’re splitting them up into two groups, each meeting three times a week. Many teachers are not happy about the situation, and they want something to be done about it. Many students are complaining that they’re not getting the attention they need to succeed in this school. As a student put it, “It bothers me! Sometimes seeing all these kids in the classrooms can be a distraction.” Some students have tried changing classes, only to find out that they either can t change or the other classes are just as crowded. When most of us joined this school, we knew it was a big school, but we were counting on a personal education, which COME ONE, COME ALL! we got. The classes then were smaller and the teachers could give us personal attention. COME OUT AND JOIN THE “INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY” What happened this year? Does any of this have to do MODERATED BY MR. QUATROCHI. LEARN ABOUT YOUR with the number of teachers laid off last year? Our parents, who are paying a great deal of money, also need answers. CULTURE AND THE CULTURES OF OTHERS. BRING YOUR The tuition rises every year, yet teachers get laid off. What IDEAS AND THOUGHTS ON HOW TO CELEBRATE OUR kind of budget is this school operating on? We students, and especially our parents, need answers, MULTICULTURAL SOCIETY AT BISHOP FORD. ENRICH and we need them now. I hope that the students will demand YOUR SCHOOL THROUGH YOUR ETHNIC BACKGROUND. answers of whoever’s responsible, because their education is at stake.