I’m, a Senior, a Senior at Last The last of many, but the beginning of much more...

www.glencove.k12.ny.us Glen Cove High School’s Newspaper

The Cove-er Times

By: Ylenia Elvy Panton

I can’t believe at last that I’m a senior! I’m just starting to reflect on what this all means. This signifies the end of regents’ exams, the last homecoming events, and the last winter and spring concerts. To many this seems negative and the end of an era, but I find it to be the start of a new phase of my life. I know I’ll be going off to college soon (if I survive the application process), and the thought of it is more exciting than scary. As I experienced my last homecoming, I noticed the changes that my peers and I have gone through. It’s almost surreal to reminisce about our kindergarten days way back (or so it seems) at Gribbin Elementary School. Those who I remember as being eager and excitable children have evolved into talented young adults. While looking back, I also wonder what lies ahead in their future. Thoughts begin to run through my mind, are their third grade hopes of

becoming a doctor or a lawyer still alive? Have they finally decided on a profession? Have they realized that they cannot grow up to become Spiderman? It’s almost hard to imagine that these same kids who couldn’t even color within the lines, myself included, are on to bigger and better things. Our future is finally within arm’s reach. I’m, getting close to my dreams but, before I take that next giant step let me enjoy each day with my Glen Cove High School friends and family.

Congratulations Queen Cappiello & King Manzione

In this issue:

Thumbs Up /Thumbs Down -Warped Tour 2011 p. 2 -Dead Space 2 p.2 -Gears of War 3 p.3 -Silence of the Lambs p.3

Poetry Corner -Silence p. 3

Photo Contest -Through the Years p. 5

Piece of my Mind -An Eight Period Day p. 6

Sports at GCHS -Girls’ Varsity Tennis p. 6

Teacher Feature -Mr. Rubin p. 7

Spirit Week Photos - p. 8

Fall issue ‘11

Glen Cove High School Royalty

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Thumbs Up/Thumbs DownConcert ReviewBy Mario Serrano2011 Warped Tour***** 5 Stars

Game ReviewBy Brandon MarianaDead Space 2**** 4 Stars

The first Dead Space revolutionized the idea of a survival horror game. That is, the fear of what’s going to jump out at every turn keeps you hooked, focused and wondering what will come next. Does its sequel keep up with the heart pounding fear of the first game? No, sadly it does not, but that doesn’t mean that it’s a bad game. While the original Dead Space was a game of horror, its sequel focuses on better game play aspects, improved storyline, and more features and other improvements. The game gives you a quick review

The Vans Warped tour; a yearly event in which multiple bands perform on multiple stages, was held once again on the grounds of the Nassau Coliseum. Without a doubt, this event thrills millions of fans each year. I know many Cove-ers look forward to it. Unfortunately, this yearly event happens to fall during the dog days of summer. As a repeat attendee, I can tell you that the concert days are long, and exhausting. Also, if you do not hydrate frequently, it can become very dreadful. Yet, the weather conditions and the moments you go trying to find those free bottles of water that are being distributed, or the free 10 oz. cups of 7/11 Slurpees just make the event that much more memorable and worthwhile. This past summer, the Vans Warped tour at the Nassau Coliseum included six stages, spread throughout the vast parking lot on which there were no fewer than 40 stands, just for the bands. There were 30 more stands randomly placed where souvenirs and other items were being sold. The Coliseum lobby is open for the use of bathrooms but mostly it is used by the attendees to escape the heat and get into an air-conditioned place for a few minutes. With the hot sun beating down your back, it feels great to walk into an air-conditioned area every once in a while. This year there was a great selection of bands in the lineup. There were some post-hardcore bands such as A Day To Remember, Attack Attack, August Burns Red, and The Devil Wears Prada. On the other side of the spectrum, the lineup included soft rock/pop rock bands like There for Tomorrow, The Ready Set, Go Radio and Simple Plan. Although the amazing lineup seemed to be

a fantasy, the arrangement of the bands was controversial. With six stages and over 35 bands, there were times in which two of the top bands most everyone was hoping to see played at relatively the same time. I do actually recall a moment in which there were no bands in particular that I wanted to see or hear which forced me to walk around the parking lot aimlessly. Overall, it was yet another Vans Warped Tour concert in which everyone , I believe, had a great time. There’s something for all. You either get to see your favorite band, meet the members of that band, or even discover a new band that you hear for the first time and love immediately. This concert is definitely highly recommended in my book, and a concert that I hope to attend next year again.

of its predecessor before throwing you immediately into the action. The story pieces together an interesting (though at times confusing) story, which never really captures your full attention. The main character Isaac Clarke is trapped at a space station on one of the moons of Saturn, and he must destroy a man-made version of an alien artifact called the Marker. To do so, Isaac must fight his way past alien zombie creatures known as “necromorphs,” and battle his own insanity, taking the form of his dead girlfriend who is slowly trying to kill him. Following it so far? Don’t worry; it’s not your fault.

The game’s main focus isn’t the story though, but the solid game play. With many interesting weapons for varying game styles, you can play the same level many different ways. New button layouts allow for easier and quicker progression through the game, which eliminates the need to go through menus. This allows for quicker progression. There are interesting enemies with different intelligence levels. Some of the enemies will attack you directly, others will attack in a pack to try and take you down altogether, while another group will hide around corners and wait for you to run out of ammo before they strike. You can’t help but wonder what the next new enemy will bring.

As the game went on, I slowly began to lose my sense of progression. Later on, as the game continues, it begins to go for quantity rather than quality. It simply throws many enemies at you or strengthens the old ones, rather than progressing by creating stronger enemies. It left me feeling disappointed and wishing for something more. Without any true bosses and no new enemies, after a while things began to feel like each new level was just a scenery change, instead of a true new level. Additional variety throughout the game would have been a welcome change. While it may sound like I didn’t like the game, that’s not the case. The game play was fun, and I enjoyed every minute of what I count as one of my favorite games. The strange art and sci-fi world was engrossing, and the futuristic world felt really futuristic, but close enough to home to not get confusing. Though the game falls flat on true horror, I give it high marks as an amazing action/shooter.

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The Cove-er Times Staff

The Cove-er Times welcomes your comments!

Ms. Munson – Advisor

Mr. Lombardo - Advisor

Ylenia Elvy Panton- Co-Editor and ChiefLorraine Ballero - Managing Editor

Kevin Lopez - Secretary

Brandon Mariana– Treasurer

Matteo Gaudio - Layout/ Production Assistant

Staff Reporters:

Sean CunniffMatt Kolbert

Brianna Schnieder Mario SerranoKatherine SaedNick Taylor

To advertise in The Cove-er Times contact Ms Munson at amunson@glencove.k12.ny.us or 516-801-7650

This third person shooter is crazy awesome. From the single player campaign to beast mode, horde, and all the way to the great multilayer, it has all the things a game needs. That is, it includes a solid story line, good background information on the characters, almost prefect graphics and very few bugs/glitches. The game starts off two years after the end of Gears of War 2, in which the Coalition of ordered Government (COG) abandoned the last human stronghold, Jacinto, hoping it would destroy the locust horde and save the planet Sesera. Gears of War 3 starts off on a COG naval vessel, the Sovereign. This is where ex-chairmen Prescott finds himself after he ran out on the COG, some 18 months earlier. Early into the game, the ship is attacked by the lambent Leviathan, a huge and ugly creature. To successfully destroy this monster requires the aid of other gears who are on land and assist by dropping bombs on the monster. In the process

of killing the monster, they blow up the ship and force the gears to an island. Here is where they hope to rebuild their once great nation, but the local enemies and locust get in the way. While trying to rebuild, the COG soldiers may find out the truth about the locust and Adam Fenix, that is, there is more to the fuel source, emulsion. I gave this game 5 stars because it is: fun, possibly the greatest single player campaign series ever, contains many different modes, has tons of replay value and superb graphics.To be fair in evaluating this game, it does have some small glitches. For example, the gnasher shotgun is still overpowered but, it can be countered.

Game ReviewBy Sean CunniffGears of War 3 ***** 5 Stars

When I received my class schedule for this school year, I saw that I would have Mr. Bieder for a semester course on the literary genre, “Horror and Suspense” (commonly referred to as the “horror” class). I was curious and I wanted to know something about the different types of horror. Over the summer, I did some research on horror films, although I have

Movie ReviewBy Kevin LopezSilence of the Lambs**** 4 Stars

since learned that the course is really about horror in literature. Well, I didn’t want to let all that research (that is, watching horror movies) go to waste so I proposed to the Cove-er Times editorial advisor that I become a reporter specializing in reviewing horror films. Horror movies can be fun to watch when you can really get into the plot. Those other scary movies are annoying when all they are about is cheap effects and sudden, loud noises that let you know something bad is about to happen. For my first horror review, I chose a film that I had wanted to see for a very long time, The Silence of the Lambs, which is based on a novel written by Thomas Harris. First, I have to issue this warning: this movie is not for those who are squeamish or have short attention spans. The horror sub-genre that this movie belongs to is what I like to call “psychopathic horror.” The novel, Silence of the Lambs is the sequel to another novel Manhunt, also written by Harris. It gets even messier because while researching, I found out that Manhunt is based on another work by Harris, called Red Dragon. Now we have Manhunt, the Silence of the Lambs, and another novel, Hannibal, written by Harris. Hannibal is the final installment in the Hannibal Lecter Trilogy, which was made into a

Poetry Cornerby Katherine Saed

Copyright 2011

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movie. The movie stars Jodie Foster as Clarice Starling, Anthony Hopkins as Dr.Hannibal ‘the Cannibal’ Lecter, Ted Lavine as James Gumb or ‘Buffalo Bill’ and Brooke Smith as Catherine Martin. The plot of the movie involves Clarice, a trainee at a police academy, who is called into Jack Crawford’s office. This office is in charge of investigating the Buffalo Bill case that involves a serial killer who skins his victims. His victims are all large women. Crawford asks Clarice to interview Dr. Hannibal Lecter; another serial killer who instead of skinning his victims ate them. Lector is now imprisoned and Crawford believes that his help will prove invaluable in solving the Buffalo Bill case. Lecter, however, does not budge. He’s too smart for them. A US senator’s daughter, Catherine Martin is kidnapped by Buffalo Bill and Jack is desperate to get some clues from Hannibal. But will the mad doctor cooperate and help find Buffalo Bill before Catherine is murdered? You will have to watch the DVD to find out. This film wasn’t one of those typical mindless Hollywood trendy, worthless and easy-to-forget movies that many people are complaining about these days. It wasn’t full of cheap scares and silly special effects. It had a lot of real suspense. Also, this is the kind of movie that makes you think, wonder and try to predict what each character will do in the end. I found myself struggling to find a motive for skinning large women. James is so desperate to get what he wants that he becomes twisted and demented in his quest. When this movie ended, I suddenly realized that it wasn’t an ending at all but really the prologue to the next story or sequel. Another important feature of this movie is the background of the characters. Clarice’s shattered past is of great interest to Dr. Lecter. Clarice, still a student at the FBI training academy, is very tough and has studied psychology which she feels will help her in dealing with Dr. Lector. However Dr. Hannibal Lecter a former psychiatrist who is now a captured serial killer , is more knowledgeable of the human mind. He is always calm, but you discover in one scene that there is a different side to him that is foreshadowed earlier in the movie. He uses his training as a psychiatrist and his knowledge of the workings of the human

Senior Moments

“I’m a senior…wait, what?”It seems like just yesterday we were

all crowded around the lobby of Glen Cove High School as freshman, ready to start a new chapter in our lives and a fresh start at a new school. As we got to know the school, our new classmates, and our new teachers, we got used to the idea that this place would be our new home, that is, our home-away-from-home for the next four years. Now, as seniors of the 2012 graduating class of Glen Cove High School, we’ve got a lot to live up to. As Peter Parker’s (a.k.a Spiderman’s) grandfather once said, with great power comes great responsibility.

That responsibility comes in the form of multiple AP classes, college apps, and not to mention having some time for a social life because after all, we are seniors. There’s no doubt about it, there are definite perks to being a senior, such as getting respect, being looked up to by those lowly freshman, serving as a role model, and let’s not forget leaving the campus during your free period. (Yours truly has definitely taken advantage of this privilege with frequent visits to the Bagel Café.) But, the constant physical and mental stress of AP classes and the imminent deadlines for college apps are something many of my fellow seniors can say are the scariest part of this final school year. I know I’m not the only applicant that feels that deadlines are starting to seem much closer than they actually are. If all this isn’t enough to send us over the edge, then comes the whirlwind of terms and associated jargon that are thrown at us seniors about college applications, like “Early Decision” “Early

Action” and “Rolling Admission” which seem like vocabulary words right out of our AP Government textbooks. You also have those multiple college visits and open houses you have to schedule, as you try to get a feel of whether you can see yourself at a certain college. Do I see myself walking down this path on my way to my afternoon English class? Could these possibly be the dorms I’m going to be living in for the next four years? This whole college thing is an extra stress that has also been thrown at us during what is supposed to have been our most memorable (which I thought meant enjoyable) year. How will we survive trying to balance all these things together with the extra homework and projects mixed into our daily school lives that for many include paid and unpaid jobs.

Despite all of this grumbling and worrying, I know the class of 2012 can’t help but be a little optimistic about our future. Who knows what kind of new friends we’ll make, what classes we’ll take, or what new interests will tickle our fancy at college? The college app process will be over soon, and we’ll soon only be waiting in anticipation for our (hopefully) acceptance letters so that we can begin dreaming of packing up for our new lives. Not to mention (because I don’t want you to start getting weepy already) that we have to enjoy the time we all have with the class we’ve spent seventy percent of our day with since we were age 5. This time is fast coming to an end, so let’s all make a pact for this year, to make it the best and most fun year of our lives at GCHS, because after all, we are Seniors!

mind to toy with Clarice. The villain, James Gumb, a.k.a.‘Buffalo Bill’ turns out to be a man who wanted to become a woman but was denied a sex-change operation. Finally, we get to Catherine Martin who pretty much plays the role of a damsel- in- distress. She is kidnapped by James Gumb.

This is an amazing movie that won over 40 awards and was also nominated for many more. It is very grotesque, very disturbing but can be very rewarding and fascinating if you have the stomach to watch it. I gave this masterpiece 5 stars. So what do you think? Will you see it?

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By Lorraine Ballero

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Through the Years- Contest There are many staff members that have been at Glen Cove High School for a long, long time. Some even graduated from GCHS.

See Mrs. Anderson in the HS Library Media Center to identify each photo. The first 10 students that correctly identify all photos will receive a $10 gift certificate. Group efforts will qualify for only one certificate. Good Luck!

Can you identify them all?

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Sports at GCHS

Piece of my Mind

By Nick Taylor

By Briana Schnieder

Photo by Rachel Brady, Digital Photography 1 w/ Mr. Lombardo

This year, Glen Cove School District ‘s middle and high schools went from a 9- period to an 8- period day. For some of us (like everything else in life), this change will take some time to adjust to but, for others the change will hardly be felt. Regardless, of our personal reactions to this change, the real question on everyone’s mind is, “whether this change was the right thing to do?” Many of us have observed that some students and teachers now feel rushed when they are in class. Why? Classtime is 3 minutes longer under the 8- period day. Is it because classes have gotten larger? True, some have increased in size but, the average overall class size in the high school is 25. For those classes that have an increase number of students, I and others are wondering how it is affecting us? Will certain students fall between the cracks because they do better with more attention but, will not receive it because they do not qualify for special services such as resource room time. Only time will tell for these students. One cannot yet judge how this change will affect the district students and the staff. Hopefully, for our sake, the reduction in periods will eventually become have a neutral or a positive effect on the high school community. These are some observations that I have witnessed or comments I have heard about the change to an 8-period day. Also, last year, the class of 2012, 2013 and 2014 started a petition on Facebook to stop this change. Over five hundred students signed the petition and others showed up at board meetings to address the superintendent and trustees to let them know our concerns about this change. Another important concern about the change to an 8-period day is the fact that the seniors this year had to adjust to a whole new schedule. They were so used to a 9- period day during their past 3 years and then suddenly it was switched which came as a shock during their final year at GCHS. There was no time to phase in the change. It was just 9 periods one semester and then down to eight with the start of the 2011-2012 school year. The juniors and sophomores have more time to adjust to it even though it is still a bother. The freshmen

are the first class to actually experience the high school with out the 9- period day. The teachers might have the hardest time adjusting because many with whom I spoke said that although they understood the economic reasons behind the change, they nevertheless are experiencing larger class sizes. No one questions the benefits of smaller classes but one cannot help wonder whether there is enough time for each student to provide the necessary instruction and to get every student through the regents’ exams. What will happen to these average students who need more attention in class? Will it be too late for them down the road once we have enough experience under the 8-period day? For now, we should all work together to make the most of this change. Let’s adapt in the best way possible so that we students are minimally affected.

Girls Varsity Tennis Team Do you know that there are numerous varsity teams at Glen Cove High School? One of these teams that doesn’t get the same press as our football and lacrosse teams but, is just as important as the rest, is the Girls’ Varsity Tennis team. The team is made up of fourteen girls; each has her own special talent. The team works very hard and is dedicated to doing its best, especially when it comes down to winning a game for our school. From what I have seen during the team’s practice, these girls are passionate in how they play the game. The hard

work they put into their practices is amazing. They seem to have exceptional stamina, going beyond their physical limits and always giving a hundred and one percent. This small but determined team makes the Glen Cove High School community proud to call them our own. When they play a game, they do a magnificent job in representing the school in their maroon and white tennis jerseys. In my eyes, they look very fashionable and athletic. Also, I think that we all need to recognize that no matter how small a team is, we should find the time to go out and support it and show our pride in them.

The Eight Period Day

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Teacher FeatureBy Matt Kolbert

Mr. Rubin is a coach, a father, a teacher, a husband, and a friend to many students at Glen Cove High School (GCHS). He began teaching here ten years ago. However, it wasn’t until two years after he received a job offer from Glen Cove Schools that he actually accepted and came to Glen Cove. He says that “...everything happens for a reason, and there was a reason I got that phone call asking me to work here.” Since he began working in Glen Cove, he has coached multiple teams, has been to nearly every prom, and has basically watched his students grow up and mature into young adults. Before becoming a teacher, Mr. Rubin was a kid just like the ones he teaches today—growing up in Suffolk County, on Long Island in the town of Coram. He lived there with both parents and a brother and sister. He went to Longwood High School where he came in contact with Dennis Terry. Mr. Terry was his varsity basketball coach and history

teacher whom he credits with giving him the confidence to go to and succeed in college. After high school, he stayed on Long Island and graduated from Dowling College, which made him the first member of his family to graduate from college. In high school, he had always dreamed of being a star football player for the Rams but he settled for playing football in college. When it finally came down to deciding what he realistically wanted to do with the rest of his life, it came down to something he was good at, and something he loved. He was always good at math, and he had always loved kids, so the solution was simple, teach math to kids. He majored in math and minored in education. After his Bachelor’s degree he went on to NYIT where he received his master’s degree in Computer Technology. Even today, he continues his education by taking advance courses. He wants to show his children how important education is and that no one should ever stop learning. Also, it is important to him to make sure that he sets an example that they will want to follow. In addition to teaching in Glen Cove, he has coached a variety of sports teams here. Some of the teams he has coached include softball, baseball, basketball, football, and wrestling. He has coached teams in both the middle and high school. One particular coaching memory that Mr. Rubin has is with a softball team a few years ago. He coached these girls on the team from seventh grade all the way up to varsity softball in high school. At the end of their season party, the team gave him a Swatch watch, engraved with his name and the

words, “Thanks for the Memories.”To this day, he still hasn’t opened the watch because he’s afraid he’ll lose or damage it and it means quite a lot to him. This truly shows the depth of Mr. Rubin’s character and how much he cares about the students he teaches and coaches, especially those he has had the privilege of watching grow and mature throughout the years.

Just like the rest of us, Mr. Rubin has big dreams and great hopes for the future. When it comes to his hopes and dreams he has plenty, and these are as big as anyone’s. His biggest still to be fulfilled dream is standing on the sidelines coaching a varsity football team as they fight to win the Rutgers’ Cup. The Rutgers’ Cup is a prestigious trophy awarded to the best Nassau county high school football team. His dreams for his family include traveling with his wife to a location that can not be disclosed at this time because he’s hoping to surprise her one day with it. When it comes to his kids, all he wants is for them to get a good solid education, grow up happy and healthy, and start a family like the one he himself loves so much.

Mr. Rubin is such a strong presence here at GCHS. He is known and loved by many students for his teaching, coaching, and the lessons and advice he gives for life outside of school and sports. He is a true example of the kind of teacher students look up to, that is, one who can prepare you for tomorrow’s test while at the same time preparing you for the “frightening” or real world that comes after high school. Thanks Mr. Rubin, it’s great to have you among us.

Homecoming 2011

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Spirit Week photos by Ylenia Elvy Panton