Issue 18 - International American School of Warsaw

INTERNATIONAL AMERICAN SCHOOL • WWW.IAS.EDU.PL • [email protected]. DEMBEGO 18 • 02-796 WARSAW, POLAND • +48 22 649 1440

Official Newspaper of the International American School of Warsaw

IssueJanuary 2013

18

Rememberto Remember

India SeeksChange

An Aftermathof Good

The RealWar onChristmas

Special NewtownTragedy Supplement

Color BlindEnding Things Right

Times Editorial

Student Life Student Fiction

Student Opinion

Student Commentary

Student OpinionWorld News

VivaLa Barcelona!

Santaon the Hot

Seat

Student Commentary

4 INTERNATIONAL AMERICAN SCHOOL • WWW.IAS.EDU.PL • [email protected]. DEMBEGO 18 • 02-796 WARSAW, POLAND • +48 22 649 1440

One thing missing from the argument is perspective. On the exact same day as the Newtown shooting, another tragedy occurred which the mass media chose to ignore—the school attack in the Chinese village of Chengping. The criminal did not use a gun in this instance, but a knife. Close range. His rampage led to the wounding of 22 kids and one adult.

How come this event didn’t receive the same exposure from the worldwide press? The media ignored the knife incident likely because it went against the narrative of the gun control debate. After all, a man used a knife to attack children in China, but no one is discussing knife control laws.

There are many people who think that stricter gun policies would not have stopped the terrible deaths in Newtown because even if the weapons were heavily regulated, the criminal could have used another weapon to carry out his plan. However, others believe that restricting guns would have prevented the huge loss of life. After all, 27 were killed in Newtown. In China, all the victims survived.

China’s most recent stabbing spree proves that banning guns won’t stop criminal behavior. Those who harbor evil intent will still be able to find a weapon from a variety of selections that do not involve triggers and bullets. Still, it’s not like we see the deaths of 20 innocent children and seven adults every day. Its occurrence makes us stop and pause. The issue of gun control rages on.

The facts of the case are disturbingly clear: in Newtown Connecticut, a heavily armed 20 year old man named Adam Lanza strolled mercilessly into Sandy Hook Elementary School and went on a gunfire rampage, targeting no one and everyone, killing terrified kids and adults. Lanza, who shot his own mother that morning, killed 27 people in all, 20 of whom were under the age of seven, and then proceeded to commit suicide to end his personal chaos.

This incident, the latest in a string of mass school shootings dating back to 1996, has made a huge impact on every single child and adult in America, leaving the government pressured to take action about the lenient gun laws that persist in the states.

Efforts towards gun control differ in each state; but the right to carry a firearm is protected by the U.S. constitution and vociferously supported by the National Rifle Association (NRA) and members of the conservative party. Therefore, the gun control debate, sparked by President Obama’s statement that “we are not doing enough and we will have to change”, has again become an argumentative political issue. While liberals point to common sense measures that limit the distribution of assault style weapons, gun advocates remain afraid of losing their constitutionally granted right to “self defense”.

Razan Al-Enezi

Guns, Triggersand Laws

by Tommy Le

IAS TIMES

5

People in the military sign up knowing that their lives will be put on the line; they’re ready for that ultimate sacrifice. But signing up to be a teacher takes one far away from the frontlines. Teachers do their jobs away from the hardship of battle and in a pleasing atmosphere of learning.

This reality has turned upside down as more and more gunmen enter schools and open fire for no reason. The latest battleground—Newtown Connecticut. The world was humbled by the news that 27 lost their lives, 20 of whom were elementary school kids. But many children’s lives were spared thanks to the heroism of their teachers. Other teachers died in the line of duty: willing to sacrifice their lives to preserve the future of dozens of young lives.

One of those teachers is Victoria Soto. The 27-year old first grade teacher hid her students in closets and cabinets when the gunman, Adam Lanza, entered her classroom. Soto told him the students were in the gym and the gunman, after seeing nobody but Soto, fatally shot her. None of her students were harmed.

Another first grade teacher, Kaitlin Roig, hid 15 students in a small bathroom once she heard the shots. Roig asked her students to be quiet. She quickly locked the door, dragged a bookcase from across the doorway as an extra precaution, and comforted her students all the while. She told them that she loved them because she assumed they were all going to die. She wanted them to know that someone loved them and wanted that to be one of the last things they heard, not the rounds of gunfire.

At the same time, music teacher Maryrose Kristopik barricaded 20 students in closets, placing instruments such as xylophones in front the doors. She also held one of the door handles to prevent Lanza from breaking in. The shooter kept banging on the door, screaming to be let in, but without success.

There was another unidentified teacher who blocked a door to protect a meeting with parents and kids. Since the door had no lock, she had to hold the door with her body to prevent Lanza from getting inside. Again Lanza tried to shoot his way in, but did not succeed. The teacher was shot through the door in her arm and leg.

In these gut reactions, we pay witness to the heart-warming stories of humble individuals who in a moment of truth acted heroically. They did not care about their own survival and did the right thing. Even the Sandy Hook principal, Dawn Hochsprung, tried to confront the shooter in the halls, without any weapon, and was killed in the process.

The true story of Sandy Hook is not that of a madman with a rifle—it is the story of teachers and students who collectively showed the best mankind has to offer. Victoria Soto, Kaitlin Roig, Maryrose Kristopik and Dawn Hochsprung were ready to sacrifice their own lives so that their students could have a bright future. That’s more than teaching—that’s love.

LOVING THEIRSTUDENTS TO DEATH

Student Opinion


listed as a ‘bank holiday’ along with Black Friday. In countries such as Canada, Britain and the U.S, Boxing Day is primarily known as a shopping holiday as it is a time where shops have sales with dramatic price reductions. Although people believe they are getting great deals, it is just another occasion for stores to clear out their unwanted inventory and make incredible loads of money. Also, people take this time to exchange gifts they received on Christmas for items of their own choosing. Aren’t we supposed to accept the gifts we receive, knowing that they came from the heart?

And that takes us back to the beginning: the birth of baby Jesus, laying awake in his manger and being greeted by three kings from afar who heard the “good news”. The gifts were tokens of the joy these kings felt at the arrival of this great spirit and teacher. The story shows how the “gift” is something already received—and the giving is its celebration. Nowhere in the story does is tell of the happiness in getting something.

Now, our happiness is most associated with getting something—the bright smile on a child’s face as he or she unravels the wrapping paper. Something is missing. And that’s the real war Bill O’Reilly and others should be taking up arms for.

Jolly jingles, dainty decorations and pretty presents. That is what Christmas used to represent. Today, a more accurate description would be: tacky tunes, appalling adornments and gaudy gifts. Companies have commercialized Christmas for their own benefit; has it affected the true meaning of this holiday?

In Christianity, it is believed that Christmas marks the birth of Jesus Christ and so it has become a traditional celebration of gift giving. Today, Christmas has become a worldwide cultural phenomenon, the Mount Olympus of a holiday shopping season. There are many non-Christians who celebrate the day as a family gathering while other non-Christians take offence at all the national attention it warrants. This dispute, drummed up by conservatives in America, is called “The War on Christmas”. Bill O’Reilly, a prominent Fox News commentator, believes we need to fight to keep the “Christ” in Christmas. He says, “We need to stand up and fight against this secular progressivism that wants to diminish the Christmas holiday.” The source of his fear? The abomination of Wal-Mart employees greeting customers with “Happy Holidays” instead of “Merry Christmas!” The trend towards “Happy Holidays” reflects America’s principle of separating Church from State. Conservatives fear that Christmas is therefore on the decline. Can it be so?

More so than the Church, Big Retail plays a dominant role when it comes to this festive holiday. It seems everyone connects Christmas with emptying their wallets to buy special gifts for friends and family. Is this what it means to put the “Christ” back in Christmas? Stores offer Christmas promotions around this time of year to attract customers. Most retail chains base their entire year’s success on December sales alone. In December of 2005, in the U.S., shops raked in a national total of 52 billion dollars. This includes online stores, large store chains and independent shops. In 2010 the number jumped to as much as 61.2 billion dollars! That’s enough to build over 122 schools! It appears that the new meaning of Christmas is making money. Sacks of it.

Boxing Day is known as the day that follows Christmas. Traditionally, it represented the day when servants and workers would receive gifts from their superiors/employers. Today, it is

by Lilla Orly

THE REAL WARON CHRISTMASTHE REAL WARON CHRISTMAS

School News

by Linda Murphy

IAS TIMES

7

The Christmas holiday is usually approached with the thought of presents, food and fellowship. We look forward to the gifts we long to receive, the time off and the chance to spend time with our families (at least some of us!). It is very easy to forget and look past all the people that are less fortunate than ourselves. Our school has engaged in helping such individuals through two important projects: one for those living very far away and others right here in Poland.

Last year, through the leadership of IB students Sebastian Kettley, Maria Voureka, Daniela Domachowska, and Nikoletta Borkowska, IAS arranged the first “Walk for Awareness” campaign to raise awareness and funds for disabled children living in Uganda. Students walked around Warsaw’s Ursynów district with wheelchairs and t-shirts to symbolize the cause. We were able to raise enough funds for invaluable equipment needed for children living in the Providence Home, a charity maintained by Caritas International. This year, we are sponsoring one child from the home, Blessing Namala. The money our school raises will go directly towards her education and welfare. In December, Caritas interns and Providence Home volunteers Maria Jeda and Artur Krzak visited IAS to give a presentation on the conditions in Uganda. Both made it clear that local welfare options are scarce and the children needed all the help they could get from the outside. At the same time, they said that the people had a certain happy attitude and spirit that affected them. Artur commented that they had something special inside them, something hard to find. He found it captivating that they had close to nothing, but showed no signs of bitterness, while many who have everything seem lost and less happy. Their talk spoke to the choice we have in our own attitudes. We were also able to appreciate the results of our efforts made so far away.

The second project is IAS’s continued work with the Warsaw Volunteer Mission (WVM), a humanitarian foundation operated in Poland. This Christmas season, each class collected canned goods and hygienic items for families in need. These commodities might be taken for granted by most of us, but are not so easy to acquire if you are living below poverty. IAS volunteers also participated in the WVM Christmas celebration and its preparations. At this meeting, sponsored families came

to receive the donated goods and Christmas presents for their children. Our students had a chance to see the fruits of all the fundraising that made it possible, including the contribution of the products from our school. They helped with different aspects such as handing out presents, serving refreshments, boxing goods and distributing them. The students therefore experienced the true meaning of Christmas.

Giving is not only reserved for the big holidays; it is for every day. It is important to remember the less fortunate and stow away the selfishness that comes with human nature. There are those who need help and are in situations where only others can provide. As Mother Teresa said: “It's not how much we give but how much love we put into giving.”

A timefor giving

Troubles Being Teen

by Nnenna Josakweker


For many IAS students, home is a complicate word. There’s the

home we were born to, the home of our mother tongue, the home

of our distant relatives and cultural lore. And then there is the

home where we live. How do we manage growing up within this

divide? Well, there are both tremendous challenges and benefits

in taking a family overseas. The secret is anticipating the problems

and maximizing the positives.

We need to understand what is involved in making cultural

transition: the issues of making appropriate farewells, dealing

with loss, learning the norms of the new culture, and deciding

how closely we want to identify with that culture while also

valuing our own.

So many of us, when we leave our home countries, want to escape

ourselves. It’s hard to deny that the act of living in another country,

in another language, changes you. You take on qualities, traits and

opinions that define the new people around you. And there’s

nothing wrong with that; it’s often part of the reason one leaves in

the first place.

But one thing that undoubtedly exists between all of us,

something that lingers unspoken, is fear. There is a profound fear

to living in a new country, and though it is most difficult in the first

year of our stay, it never completely evaporates. It simply changes.

The anxiety that was once concentrated on how we’re going to

make new friends, adjust and master the basics of the language

dissolve but don’t disappear completely because we know we are

likely going to move again. But there is another fear. We move

from one home and in that place, life goes on without us. And the

longer we stay in our new home, the more profound the distance

becomes. One day, we simply look back and realize thaht so much

has happened in our absence. We find it harder to start

conversations with old friends and in-jokes become increasingly

foreign — we become outsiders.

To live in a new place is a thrilling thing; it allows you to be

whoever you want — on your own terms. It gives you the gift of

freedom, of new beginnings, of curiosity and excitement. But to

get on that plane doesn’t come without a price. Living abroad,

there is the realization that there will always be a part of you far

from its home. You will lay awake on certain nights and think of all

the things you’re missing out on. You cannot be in two places at

once.

Many of us “international children” grow up feeling rootless.

We may feel isolated and lonely as children, without long-term

friends, and consider ourselves socially awkward. Often we feel

like social outcasts in our new countries. And we can actually grow

up feeling we don't belong to anywhere.

However, international children also grow up in diverse

international schools, places where many positives offset the

negatives. Going to an international school exposes us to many

sets of cultural values. We begin to learn about global trends,

traditions of the other children, and a worldly perspective.

Children like me whose parents work overseas are exposed to

such a range of possibility. Therefore, such a child will learn the

valuable and enduring message that differences among people

are cause for celebration, exploration and respect. And that’s not

always something one learns “at home”.

GROWING UPINTERNATIONAL

Student Opinion IAS TIMES

9

This past December, Mr. Chibani led a bilingual French-English panel discussion on the topic of racism. Grades 8-11 participated and the results were mixed. One thing that came out though—you can only truly understand racism after you’ve experienced it.

I never knew much about racism till I moved to Poland towards the end of 2010. I believed the world was a happy place and everyone accepted everyone for who they are, because I had never experienced racism in the places I lived. In China, where I was born, I wouldn’t really know, because I was just a baby. After that, I moved to my home of Nigeria. Then in 2003, I moved with my family to Brazil. In Brazil, acceptance of different cultures is very high. Other countries that I visited were the same: in New York and London, for example, I never knew myself as different.

Then, bang! Poland came along. The place that woke me up to a harsher reality, a world that isn’t all butterflies and candy. I won’t lie—I’m one of those people who lets what people say affect me. It gets to my head and makes my life stressful. There was one occasion when I was going home from the movies on the public bus. I sat down next to this man reading a book and there were two people sitting in front of us. Later, after the lady sitting directly in front of him left, he got up from my side and sat in her seat, away from me. I noticed shortly after and thought about stretching out on the chair and acting like I didn’t care. But I did the mature thing and ignored him. I won’t

say it didn’t bother me, but I’ve since let it go. This was not the only occasion when someone made it clear to me that I was from another place. People stare longer than is comfortable. I want to respond, “What? What is it?” And that’s when I realised that I was black in a white country.

When the topic turns to racism, I usually get too into the topic. I try to prove a point and it never seems to be understood. My friend Lilla and I actually had a debate in class some time ago. My point was that of all races, black people have been most affected by racism and discrimination. Her point was that many other races and religions are discriminated, not just blacks, so this shouldn’t matter. She brought up the gay community as an example of people long mistreated by the majority. I understood her point, but also feel that she might have a different attitude if she personally experienced what I have. How can someone possibly speak to racism if she has never gone through it herself?

I know at times I might go overboard in expressing my views, but when something happens to you, it changes your point of view. It makes it more than just a point of view. It becomes emotional. I’m not the greatest at expressing myself, but I honestly think that everyone should give others a chance before making out who they are. Like they say, don’t judge a book, by its color. Oh, I meant cover…

COLORBLINDby Harriet Adeleke

Student Life


As I climbed on the school bus near the Palace of Culture and Science, I saw lots of excited students ready for another international trip. We finally reached the airport just in time to face our first problem – Nam (from 6th grade) did not bring his passport. There was only one solution: his parents had to deliver it from home, roughly 40km from the center of Warsaw.

When this situation was solved, we continued onto our plane where I sat beside Claudia and Eimantas. I decided to take my earphones and listen to some decent music. Eimantas took out his iPad and tried to entertain me with mathematical tricks which sent me into the abyss of boredom. If that wasn’t enough, I had to withstand the lamentation of starvation, coldness, and sleepiness from my other neighbor – Claudia.

As the stewardess came with drinks and snacks, I decided to get a can of coke and sandwich, and something rather unexpected – a 5 euro receipt. I looked at it and realized my “supposedly free snack” was actually 20zl. Seeing that I was down, she rewarded me with a Twix bar which I gave to poor, starving Claudia – I don’t even like Twix.

We got off the plane and packed in our coach bus. As we were traveling around the city of Barcelona, our dear friend Norbert decided to take a nap. We wanted Norbert to enjoy the majestic views of Barcelona. Therefore, we did what any other nice friends would do – plug the loudest heavy metal music into his ears.

Later, we stopped at La Rambla street, considered one of the most beautiful streets in Europe with an amazing architectural design

On the floor tiles along with a diverse selection of shops located in buildings. At every direction, we could feel its architectural masterpiece.

After that, we viewed many yachts that we couldn’t afford and walked along bridges full of Ray-Ban vendors, selling each pair for 3 euros. They were obviously very original #sarcasm. Later, we went to our hotel which had an attractive vintage lobby…a 4 star place!

I went to my room to unpack my luggage along with my roommate Maciek. I discovered that the wi-fi cost 5 euros per day. At first sight, it didn’t seem so bad but when we calculated to zloties it amounted to 20zl a day. We decided not to calculate anymore to zloties and became the first ones with high speed internet access—about 5kB/s! It was sufficient for basic Facebooking.

Later, we went out to the beach to play some football. The beach was rather rocky and left most of us with cuts and bruises. After a decent game, we came back to the hotel and straight to our rooms to change.

In the evening, we had dinner presented to us in a lovely buffet. It looked delicious but I lost appetite when I heard the drinks cost extra. Funny how these typical hotel scams affect one’s pleasure: dinner became just about edible. On the bright side, it was better than any Green School dishes we had previously eaten. So as an optimist, I was satisfied.

LA BARCELONA!

Diary of a school trip abroad, by Tommy Le

VIVA

DAY 1

IAS TIMES

11

This day was for the girls—shopping day. We went to the shopping district near our hotel to feast on the menagerie of products. We bought Barcelona souvenirs, expensive clothing, sunglasses and anything with a touch of Spain that would make a nice present. This was the only place that allowed for haggling on the price. Afterwards, some of us decided to play football before dinner while most dropped off their stash and stayed in the hotel.

After a small tour, we went on to the FCBotiga Megastore which sold every type of souvenir—from rubber ducks to figures of the players in the toilet. The most interesting were the original t-shirts made of the same material and quality that the players wear. I bought a goalkeeper t-shirt with my name imprinted on the back. As we left, I discovered Wojtek had bought a FCB rubber duckling, Norbert a DIY model of Camp Nou, Claudia a FCB mug and the others, like me, shirts emblazoned with their own names. We could form a team now.

We had to wake up especially early to do our final packing and say goodbye to Barcelona. In all, the trip was a fantastic adventure. We saw many beautiful sights, toured cultural wonders, played on the beach and made it home alive! Special thanks to Mr. Ceesay and Mr. Rabi for taking care of us during the duration of the trip. And as they say in Catalan, a reveure!

Ah, the most exciting day of all. We woke up with anticipation and our wallets packed with money. We were visiting the Sagrada Familia Church, still currently incomplete, but a majestic reality. If completed, it will make the tallest church in the world. Along with that, we were heading to the legendary stadium of FC Barcelona – Camp Nou. We toured the Sagrada Familia with virtual guides. It was a terrific piece of architecture by Antonio Gaudi and stunning at every angle. Every detail of this church was considered and the space was overflowing with tourists. The roofs, floors, walls and windows – everything was just captivating. After this journey of enlightenment, we returned to our more savage natures: lunch at McDonald’s and Burger King. I’m afraid to ask which the students enjoyed more.

Later, we went to Camp Nou, which was enormous. Inside, we enjoyed the “Camp Nou Experience”, taking in the entire history of the club and the stadium roaring with its fanatic sounds. We took pictures but unfortunately weren’t allowed to go on the sacred field itself.

DAY 4

DAY 5

DAY 3

As an early bird, I woke up at 7AM to be ready for breakfast. This time it was delicious – perhaps because the drinks were free. I munched on the bacon strips with delight. They were undercooked but it still good – bacon’s always good.

Later we met at the lobby and took the train to the center of Barcelona. To our astonishment, it was a 40-minute ride. Once there, we walked through the narrow streets of Barri Gotic to the Cathedral of Santa Eulalia – one of the most beautiful gothic monuments in Spain. Later, we went past the medieval district of La Ribera to visit the Basilica de Santa Maria del Mar.

A tiring day, followed by another 40-minute ride home for another round of food and sleep.

DAY 2

Photo Gallery


Christmas 2012, Barcelona and moreChristmas 2012, Barcelona and more

IAS TIMES

13

Christmas 2012, Barcelona and moreChristmas 2012, Barcelona and more

Student Performance


I brushed off the snow from my shoulders while walking into the theatre at Natoliński Ośrodek Kultury on a Friday morning. The staff, performers and I were allowed in a few hours earlier for quick rehearsals. When I went backstage, I sensed a small hint of nervousness and confidence, and the nervousness was mostly from me. It was my first time going on stage in a few good years and my legs were about to give in. Still, when the lights came up and the curtains were drawn, I managed to walk onto the stage to MC the show. Thus began the 2012 IAS Christmas performance.

I quickly introduced the headline piece: an original play called “Christmas Catastrophe”, written and directed by Lilla Orly and Aristianna Voureka. Backstage, the actors eagerly awaited their turn on stage while Lilla and Aristianna watched the play unfold with anticipation. They wanted to make sure it went as smoothly as it did during rehearsals. As the actors came back to prepare for Act II, the two writers helped out with costumes and gave extra stage directions. The actors then proceeded to the stage for the climactic finale. The two Sugar Plum Fairies, played by Harriet Adeleke and Riha Varyani, dispersed their magic dust and the rowdy classroom finally learned the meaning of Christmas. Everyone expected a great show from the two directors and nobody left disappointed. The acting was first class and the sound effects were perfectly timed with Mr. Mehdi at controls. It was my turn then to climb back on stage to introduce the next performance.

Dami Adeleke and Julia Chruszcz were up. The two approached center stage brimming with confidence and gave Mr. Mehdi a nod. Katy Perry’s “Wide Awake” started playing and the girls sang their hearts out. We were all surprised and happy to know that we had such great singers in our school.

Third in line was Klaudyna Zeremba. She performed a rocking guitar solo of Blink-182’s famous “Won’t be Home for Christmas”. The front row of the audience rose, danced and cheered Klaudyna on. She rewarded them with some fancy footwork. The song even affected the crew backstage. Everyone’s nerves eased and the next performer couldn’t wait to start her show.

Following a loud cheer and applause, Mariya Billa approached the piano to play her own version of Adele’s popular “Skyfall”. As she sat down, many of her underclassmen sat on the stage and listened to her sing, joining in at the familiar chorus. The song was sentimental, dramatic and well done, even better than Mariya’s debut singing performance last year.

Now it was time for the audience to participate in the show.I did my final introductions for our own Mr. Tsolka and Mr. Johnson, who led the school in a round of Christmas carols. With his trusted guitar in hand, Mr. Johnson started playing “Last Christmas” and was joined on stage by two other special guests, Sebastian Kettley as the IAS Tiger and Chloe Bingham as a pillow stuffed Santa Claus. Once we were all sung out,I did my last work as MC: farewell and gratitude to all those who worked hard to make this a memorable event. Thanks to the performances and synchronized singing by our students, everyone got into their Christmas spirits.

Jingleall the way

A backstage report of the 2012 Christmas show, by Sunny Dong

IAS TIMES

15

Sunny: Hello everyone! Welcome to another episode of our time transcending interview series. We have a very special guest this time. He’s quite famous but shy around cameras, so we brought him here to help take a stand against Christmas injustice! Please welcome the man with many aliases: Father Christmas, Saint Nicholas, the one and only Santa Claus!

Santa: (Formally introduces himself with a small hint of anxiety)

Sunny: You seem kind of nervous! I see you on TV almost every day during the Christmas season yet you’re not used to the spotlight?

Santa: (Laughs and denies claims of appearing on screen)

Sunny: Oh so this is your first time! I see…so how are you? 2012 is much different from the old days. Things have changed. It might be due technology and all the non-stop advertisements and such, but Christmas has become something materialistic. People prefer things like iPhones rather than perseverance of the Christmas spirit. What is your take on that?

Santa: (Whips out an iPhone 5)

Sunny: Oh… seriously? You, the one and only Father Christmas, even you have become materialistic?

Santa: (Denies claims and explains)

Sunny: So that’s what it was…a present requested by one of the many well behaved children! But… requests? Have the Christmas cards and letters you receive from kids become orders? Have you, Santa Claus, become a great eBay in the sky, rather than the great jolly spirit? Are your elves just illegal workers?

Santa: (Remains silent)

Sunny: Seriously Santa, Christmas has become the materialist’s baptism. If you haven’t noticed, malls have become flooded with initiates. A week before Christmas, I went to a nearby mall and found more people in the iSpot store than in any nearby church. Then outside I saw millions of children sitting in neat rows playing games on their tablets.

Santa: (With a small hint of anger, makes a valid argument)

Sunny: That’s right! People only wait for Christmas for the presents they receive rather than trying to feel the joy of spending time with the family and just being together. The Christmas spirit used to be in giving the gift, not in what’s inside the box.

Santa: (With a resigned sigh, mentions the true meaning of Christmas)

Sunny: Exactly, but Christmas has become a shopping holiday. It has become big business. From the end of November, Black Friday we call it, there begins a giant shopping spree that consumes us til January 1. Do you know what that means to executives at H&M? That’s right—a big Christmas bonus! Trips to the Cayman Islands, where I’m not sure a Christmas sled has ever landed.

Santa: (Looking suddenly uncomfortable)

Sunny: What? You’ve been to the Cayman Islands too!

Santa: (Shrugs his shoulders)

Sunny: Well, I still believe that amidst all of these chaotic buyouts, there remains the Christmas spirit. Families who live far apart get together for this special day and look forward to Christmas dinner together. For some families, it’s the only time of year they see each other. So if Christmas is keeping families together, it can’t be all bad.

Santa: (Laughs freely with a big smile)

Sunny: Seems like the jolly Christmas spirit still lies somewhere amid the materialistic values.

Santa: (Nowhere to be found)

Sunny: Huh? Where did he go?

Santa: (Big belting Santa laughter can be heard from all sides, but Santa is long gone…)

An irreverent interview with Saint Nick, by Sunny Dong

Student Fiction

Student Opinion

by Sebastian Kettley


As strange as this may sound to you, being head of the radio

department does take a mental toll on me; namely due to the

pervasive Christmas cheer of my co-workers. Every time someone

Tinsists on playing Christmas tunes in the run-up to the holiday,

nothing soothes my mind like the thought of a sunny beach and

cocktail. Christmas…it’s pervasive, intrusive and fake. I hate

Christmas. Don’t get me wrong; I’m not saying I hate the notion,

the idea behind Christmas. What could go wrong with getting

together with family members (a hundred things) and

remembering all the ups and downs of our lives? No, my hatred

goes deeper than that.

The migraines and dull throbbing in my temples always begin

mid-November. Yellow warning lights flash behind my eyes, like

the Christmas lights already strung out all across the city. I hate

Christmas. It is not a holiday of Christ, it is not a holiday of joy, nor

is it a celebration of life. It is a commercial pseudo-worship of our

own greed and desire for profit. The “Christmas spirit” tries to

consume me, weeks before the actual holiday, and I feel stripped

of all humanity, gift-wrapped in bright-red paper with a bow on

my head. I feel frustrated, borderline murderous.

I am sick of all holidays. Christmas, Valentine’s, Easter. They

are the ultimate testament to the sickly distorted

capitalism that directs our lives. Christmas isn’t Christmas

anymore. It’s a “buy, give, expect to receive” holiday. And

it all begins way before the first snow falls. Sadly, I feel I

am the only one who shares this sentiment. Alone, I am

stuck in between sales, Christmas lights and the same-old

Christmas songs that we have been drooling to for the

past 20 years. It’s an on-going cycle of listening to George

Michael and going to the local supermarket to buy a gift

for our “loved ones” not even once thinking that perhaps

a true gift of love would be to spend an evening holding

that one special person in our arms while looking at the

stars.

I hate Christmas, and you might hate me for saying so, but

I don’t care. You are already a prisoner if you have allowed

yourself to be kidnapped by the forced Christmas cheer.

And so I am here in the media room, embracing with my

eyes my little kingdom. My domain. The radio

department. All three square meters of it. And I’m glad

that someone decided to skip lunch duty and I don’t

have to listen to another round of Jingle Bells.

(Hate)talkradio

Ending Things Right IAS TIMES

17

Once again a year goes by, and as it goes so do our memories. This shouldn’t be surprising. Most students forget what we had for lunch before we return home for dinner. What makes us so indifferent and forgetful? I don’t have a succinct answer, but I do have a label: ADG (Attention Deficit Generation). This problem is caused by the unlimited amount of virtual resources available to us. If we have to write an essay, we just click to the internet and search for our topics; but waiting for us there are a host of other sites eminently more interesting. Some of us even copy and paste what we want without even reading it! While procrastinating on Facebook, we never stop to take in a beautiful picture; we just scroll through the lot of them without caring about the details. And if Facebook feeds have replaced world news, how can we be expected to remember anything of note? Well, don’t worry! I am here to remind us all about the year that was 2012.

We start with a victory (and a defeat). In October, the news was on fire with the American presidential election. Barack Obama and Mitt Romney had a war of public speeches and promises. In the end, one had to be chosen at the other’s expense. As we know, Obama was reelected. Congratulations Obama! (Sorry Mitt)

2012 had many losses too. On January 13th, the luxury cruise ship Costa Concordia sank off the western coast of Italy. Many passengers died and many were also injured. Another catastrophe was Hurricane Sandy which took place on October 25th, devastating much of the U.S. east coast. A singer’s loss we will all remember is that of Whitney Houston. Just 48 years old, her crystal voice stopped soaring on February 11th. Most recently, the gunman assault in Sandy

Hook Elementary saddened the globe. I hope we will all remember December 13th and honor the memories of the 27 innocent people, 20 of whom were little kids, who lost their lives.

But 2012 wasn’t only a year of loss. Last summer the London Olympic Games took place. People from all over the world flew to England to see tournaments of skill and stamina. And since we are talking about sports, Poles will be proud to remember the 2012 UEFA, hosted in collaboration with Ukraine. Even though Poland didn’t win the cup (Italy did) it was an amazing experience for the country.

2012 was also filled with many celebrity breakups: Katie Holmes and Tom Cruise, Heidi Klum and Seal, Johny Depp and Vanessa Paradis, Chris Brown and Karrueche Tran, Katy Perry and John Mayer, Adam Levine and Anne Vyalitsyna just to name a few. But these breakups were evened out with engagements: Ryan Reynold and Blake Lively, Miley Cirus and Liam Hemsworth, Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel, Jennifer Aniston and Justin Theroux, Hugh Herner and Crystal Harris, and Halle Berry and Olivier Martiner. In other celebrity news, I hope we all remember the frenzy that “Gagnam style” and “Call me maybe” caused worldwide.

2012 also held special moments in our school. It was the first year IAS achieved a student organized prom and holiday lock-in! And how can we forget the renovations which have made our hallways, airwaves and classrooms more pleasant? We see it everyday. But as I said, that doesn’t stop ADG from forgetting. Will my little article help? I hope it refreshes our tired minds and that we remember the most important thing of all—to cherish the happy moments of the past, and make new ones in 2013!

Rememberto remember

Aristianna Voureka

THE INTERNATIONAL AMERICAN SCHOOLAN IB WORLD SCHOOL EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION

THE INTERNATIONAL AMERICAN SCHOOLAN IB WORLD SCHOOL EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION

JOIN THE IAS EDUCATIONAL COMMUNITYAS WE STRIDE INTO THE FUTURE!

JOIN THE IAS EDUCATIONAL COMMUNITYAS WE STRIDE INTO THE FUTURE!

www.ias.edu.plwww.ias.edu.plFind us on Facebook:www.facebook.com/iaswarsaw

THE IAS TIMES NEWS TEAMTHE IAS TIMES NEWS TEAMStaff Writers

• IAS was the first independent international school in Poland, founded in 1989.

• IAS is accredited by the world’s leading education authorities: IBO, NAAS, CITA, MENIS.

• Teacher to student ratio of 1:4.

• Dedicated tutors for university guidance.

• 100% university placement.

• Dedicated staff from a variety of backgrounds, including Britain, America, Poland, France and Canada.

• Programs to enhance student progress, including ESL, PSL, extra math, history, and science classes.

• A variety of after school clubs provided for all students, meeting every Monday and Wednesday.

• Fully resourced and staffed library, providing students with a choice of 30,000 titles.

• Zero tolerance to drugs and alcohol.

• Strong disciplinary policy conducted in a positive and friendly atmosphere.

January 2013 Issue18

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Issue 18 - International American School of Warsaw

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