The International Insider » dragon

Brightening Futures

Angela Salmos — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 15:19:29 +0000

Was it your teacher who asked you, “what do you want to be when you grow up?” Was it your Aunt? Was it your mom or dad? Is it possible that you still don’t know what you want to do? What if a friendly dragon came by and asked you now? On March 16th our school held a Career Day conference for the first time. Many successful people came out to talk about the importance of hard work, success, and dedication.

Professionally dressed students came – wide-eyed – into their transformed classrooms and school offices to hear from an impressive variety of adults, working in an equally varied number of fields.

“Career Day really opened my mind to what I want to be when I get older,” said junior Samantha DiMarco, who wasn’t alone in heralding the event’s successes. “I didn’t expect to see enthusiasm from our junior and senior students. From hats to heels and dresses to jackets, they really went all out and it made us all very proud,” said Parent Coordinator Annette Lentini.

Students were able to sample life and professional lessons from a dizzying array of presenters from entertainment executives to world renown chefs. Some student favorites included freelance multi-lingual translator, Jisu Kim, CFO Matt Signore from Warner Music Group, and Financial Planner John Ross.

Everyone wants to be successful when they get older, and good grades are a big part of achieving that goal. Many jobs today need more than a college diploma. Many seek out students who are doing significant post graduate work.

“At this age students usually don’t care or don’t know what they want to be at the moment, but when you get older you have to keep in mind to love your job,” said John Ross an Agency Sales Director, Financial Planner.

Overall, the day was a real outside-the-box learning experience for everyone, and a real boon for our school.

Swing, Batter Batter, SWING!

Rosa Carucci — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 23:31:32 +0000

The CSI/McCown varsity softball season has officially ended and just like the bases, the girls were loaded with excitement.

Despite the 14-1 losing streak during the ‘08 softball season, the girls worked hard this season to show what they are really made of.

“I feel we have a strong young team, and we play more experienced teams, but we came together and became closer than friends, which helps make a stronger team,” said freshmen outfielder Jamie Lepard.

With impeccable comradery, the girls have made an enormous comeback this year. Heading into the playoffs, the Dragons were tied for 4th place, out of eight Staten Island public schools, with nine wins and eight losses .

On April 27th, the Dragons put up a fight against the Tottenville Pirates.

Although the Pirates scored two runs in the first inning, the Dragons didn’t give up. Antoinette Galbo ripped an RBI triple in the third inning to get the girls on the move for an 8-2 trail after Tottenville. Although Galbo’s hit got the girls going, they lost 18-2.

With a loss on their shoulders the Dragons still gave it their all in their next game against MSIT.

Third basemen, junior Briana Kohm hit a blast over the left field fence for a three run homer. Unfortunately, the girls still walked away with a loss. But the girls didn’t stop there.

The Dragons gave Tottenville another run for their money. However, this plan back fired when the girls h a experineced a tragic loss with a score of 9-0 in their second game against Tottenville.

“Not that the team is lacking in either, but defense is always the struggle because I believe defense is the most important part of the game. Defense wins games. When your opponent can’t score, you can’t lose. We will face a variety of good pitchers, and I believe our offense will score runs, but the challenge, I believe, is always making the right plays and shutting down the other Staten Island teams,” stated coach Rosario Miano.

After hitting a little speed bump in their defense, the girls put on their game faces in their game against Petrides on May 5th. The Dragons exhaled fire for an outstanding victory over the Panthers, 20-0.

“This entire year has been such huge improvement, and our team spirit is so strong, especially since we’re looking at a spot in the playoffs.

The 20-0 victory over Petrides is just one game, but it shows how powerful we can be in the field and on the bench supporting each other and working towards our goals,” explained Captain Kristina Sanzone.

After several rainy days, the girls were back in action on May 8th against New Dorp. New Dorp scored three runs in the first inning. Although there were still 6 innings left, that’s all New Dorp Needed. The Dragons lost 3-1.

Picking themselves up from another downfall, the girls walked away with stunning victories their next two games against Petrides 18-6 and New Utrecht 20-16.

Next, two more losses against Port Richmond, and it was time for the biggest game of the season, the game that would determine the future of the team.

After all the anticipation, it seemed that Captain Sazone knew what her team was capable of doing.

Scoring an amazing nine runs, the girls went on to defeat Curtis 12-11 and advance into the playoffs, their first ever.

“I believe the difference in any game, especially when we play these tough Staten Island teams is making plays. The teams that win this time of the year are the teams that believe they can make plays, and then get on the field and get it done. I believe that we’ll make those plays,” continued Mr. Miano.

On May 28th, the Dragons versed Stuyvesant High School in their first ‘09 playoff game.

The girls started off with a fantastic lead in the first inning, scoring 2 runs against Stuyvesant. The mood in the air was intense, as the girls didn’t allow Stuyvesant to score a run until the third inning.

Putting the ball to the barrel, short stop Antoinette Galbo, captain and pitcher Corinne Fairlie and third baseman Briana Kohm all hit triples, giving the Dragons an astonishing victory with a score of 10-5.

In the second round of playoffs, the Dragons made their way to Brooklyn to play James Madison High School.

Holding the second seeded team until the fifth inning 0-0, the game ended with a 11-0 win for Madison.

Although the girls lost, they made hitory by being the first CSI/McCown team to make it to playoffs

Hopefully next season, the team will take the title as New York City Champions.

The Dragons continue to put their best claw forward in climbing the ladder to being one of the best teams on Staten Island.

Girl’s Basketball Shuns Shutout Season

Matthew Prevosti — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 23:27:21 +0000

The Dragon’s lair was once again filled to capacity for one of the final girls’ varsity basketball games against the rival, Raiders of Port Richmond High School. Much like the rest of the girls’ games there were both positives and negatives.

As a young team this season was as positive as it could be. All freshman and sophomores with the exception of one senior, and one junior the Lady Dragons’ are the youngest varsity team on the Island and are a force to be reckoned with in the near future.

The girls’ finished the season with a record of 1-11-0 and played exceptionally hard in all of their games. Senior, Briana Kohm, was a key player in the girls success this year, not only on the scoreboard, but with her varsity playing experience as a source of advice for many of the girls’ .

“Being the only senior, I was able to offer knowledge to the team, while gaining knowledge from the team as well,” said Kohm.

One of the sound traits of the Lady Dragons was their phenomenal defense. When the girls faced Petrides, one of the best shooting teams on the Island, they held them to only 52 points as the Panthers average 66 points per game and a high score of 75. The girls lost by eight in their efforts against Petrides but gained more than any win could on their season record, it gained them the knowledge and experience of playing sound team defense and the outcome and power of what it can do.

Likewise, on January 11, the girls’ versed New Dorp for the second time this season and made drastic improvements on the scoreboard. With great offense the girls’ were able to place their second highest score total at 38 points and keep the point spread at 21.

Yet, on January 21, the girls were determined to get their first win of the season. As soon as the Raiders stepped into the gym, the Lady Dragons’ knew it was time for business.

With a blow out first quarter at 11-5 in favor of the Dragons, the girls’ showed more heart and attentiveness then they did the whole season.

Sophomore Jennifer Carullo paired with Erin Kohm to make four three point shots in the first half. Freshmen Taylor Briggs and Danielle Kearney of McCown paired for six quick 2nd quarter points, which led the Dragons Briana Kohm to a quick 4 point 4 rebound surge late in the 2nd.

Sophomore Erin Kohm led the Dragons at half with 11 points, as the Dragons were up 25-16. The Dragons cruised through the rest of the night to win with a final score of 48-44.

The Lady Dragons’ will all return next year for another season of play with the exception of one player, Briana Kohm. Unlike every other team on the Island, the Dragons will have had a season to “themselves” and will return with a better, smarter team next season.

“My girls are working hard each and every day. We are getting better as a team, and we are looking forward to making a name for ourselves in the near future,” said Coach Nicole Stefanski.

Dragon Grapplers One Win Away From Title

Madison Lock and Megan Davis — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 23:04:16 +0000

The coed wrestling team has been fighting since the very beginning. Winning 6 out of 7 matches, our Dragons will continue to try and cling on to first place at their last meet of the year, which will be played over the mid-winter break. Stay tuned to PSAL.org for further details.

The team has faced many obstacles, but they always gave it their best effort and now they are fighting to be first place.

As of now the Dragon wrestling team is tied for first with Forest Hills High School. Even though they lost to Forest Hills they still have a chance to take the division title.

With the loss against Forest Hills High School the team was pushed to defeat anyone who stood in their way.

First up was a grapple with Erasmus High School. And the Dragons went back to business earning their sixth win.

“I’m very excited about their win. It was important to get a win after having our first loss.” said Coach Miano, who leads a strenuous practice with our wrestlers everyday.

The team shows up to every meet with only one thing in mind: winning.

“Our team works hard as usual and it shows. I am proud that I won because I go to practice everyday just like my teammates, that’s why we win, because we work hard,” said sophomore Sher Mohammad.

The wins did not stop at the meet against Erasmus. The team went on to win against Boys and Girls High School 24-12, and Benjamin N. Cardozo High School 30- 18.

As is often the case, when things are going well, they tend to keep going that way. Winning breeds confidence.

“In the ring when a wrestler is in his zone, all other sounds are blocked out. We showed them that skill beats strength,” said freshman Matthew Vainshtein. “Pain is temporary, pride is forever,”.

Come support our Dragons as they continue to wrestle their way to the top.

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Students Plunge into Cold Waters to Benefit Others

Dylan Luke and Marissa Mule — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 23:01:46 +0000

Kim Hernandez | The Insider
Participants run into the frigid water.

It’s winter. It’s December. So who would jump into freezing cold water?

It was a Saturday morning, foggy and gray, but that didn’t stop some brave souls of Staten Island from plunging into the ice-cold water at Great Kills Beach.

The Polar Plunge is one of the largest fund-raisers for the Special Olympics.

There are many ways to become involved with the Polar Plunge, but the best way to become involved, is by plunging.

The Polar Plunge allows participants to fund raise for the Special Olympics. Founded by Eunice Kennedy Shriver in 1968, the Special Olympics is supported worldwide by high school and college students.

The Polar Plunge is an off-season fundraiser for Special Olympics run by the New York Law Enforcement Torch Run Officers.

Though law enforcement personnel coordinate and run the event, it is open to the public, and anyone willing to support a cause.

According to firstgiving.com, the Polar Plunge is part of the dedication to helping children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families.

“Attending the polar plunge was definitely worth it because it was for a good cause. I would definitely volunteer again, and hope to go to the plunge again next year,” said senior Angela Matrone

December 5th marked the date of this year’s plunge. Our schools team, the CSI Dragons, helped raise money for the plunge and with the minimum of $100, received an official plunge sweatshirt. Registration began at 9:00 AM, and the plunge started at noon.

The Barret and Miano Advisories teamed up to sell Polar Plunge wrist bands, and spread the word about the plunge. Both Barrett and Miano attended the plunge, and jumped into the chilling water.

“I was overwhelmed with joy and excitement when the plunge started. I kept telling myself jumping in the freezing cold water was for a good cause. Unfortunately, my toes were numb for about thirty minutes after,” said Mr. Barrett.

The Polar Bear Plunge is not just for the Special Olympics, but it also benefits participants who earn community service hours while swimming in the icy water.

“Last year’s plunge was so much colder, and I am really thankful it wasn’t as cold this year. Our school had a really great volunteer turnout, and I hope to continue volunteering with the Polar Plunge staff,” said senior Alexandra Crimmins, who first brought the idea of this fund raising event to our school last year.

Dragons Everywhere!

Kimberly Hernandez — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 22:57:39 +0000

Tirath Singh | The Insider
The winning ornament from the school contest.

Being an international school, we have many people that celebrate fun holidays, but we mostly acknowledge Christmas. But what about the other holidays such as Hanukkah or Kwanzaa?

Have they been pushed aside? Definitely not. The tree outside the main office will be decorated to represent each.

The school is also starting a new tradition. The Recycled Dragon Ornament Contest, held between the advisories, began at the end of November and ended December 18th.

“It would be cool to decorate all the holidays. And we want to incorporate international symbols of peace because our school is international,” said Principal, Ms. Aimee Horowitz.

In keeping with our green mission, every advisory competed in the ornament contest. The ornaments are made completely from recycled materials, such as empty Snapple cans or scraps of paper. During E-Block lunch, recently many girls went from table to table, asking for empty milk cartons.

Some advisories have very intricate designs. The Barrett Advisory’s design was said to be made entirely of metal material and could possibly be mobile.

Other advisories, like Ms Guo’s, used what was lying around their advisory or brought in materials.

Students around the school enjoyed themselves while competing.

“I liked it because we didn’t have independent reading,” said freshman Travis Dove.

Not only were the students enthusiastic about the competition, the advisors were just as thrilled.

“We’re in it to win!” said senior advisor, Ms. Garcia, who refused to show her G-block class what her advisory made before the competition.

But why a dragon of all things? Since our school first opened, the dragon has always been the mascot, so the hope was to show off school pride.

The winning advisories were, Mr. Barret’s senior advisory, Mrs. Emerson’s junior advisory, Ms. Guo’s sophomore advisory, and the Stefanski and Packowski advisories for the freshmen.

Wrestling Team is Undefeated After 4 Matches

Madison Lock and Megan Davis — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 22:43:11 +0000

Freshmen Austin Haim (Left) wrestling Port Richmond’s (Right), Michael Funk,

at the Charles Glass Tournament.

Fans sat in seats that lined the small gymnasium of the Erasmus Campus where six schools are housed in Flatbush Brooklyn, the location of our school’s co-ed developmental PSAL wrestling team’s second match. Team members and fans traveled early to meet the Brooklyn wrestlers, including one female.

“Hip! Hip! Turn in! Half! Half! And drive the leg!”yelled coach Rosario Miano.

Teammates and fans, sitting, jumping, and yelling experienced the intensity of the first match, as sophomore Joseph Raguso used various techniques to put his opponent on the mat.

The hip toss, arm bar, cross face, and the ankle pick are moves used in a wrestling match to bring an opponent to the mat for the required two minute pin, where the winning wrestler holds his opponent’s shoulders to the mat.

At their first match, Raguso and his other team mates used the same techniques to pin their opponents in the tournament against Port Richmond High School.

Against Port, freshman Eduardo Ramirez used these techniques to wrestle his opponent, and grabbed the win in the first few minutes of his match. Ian Urcinoli and Nicholas Martucci also claimed two more wins, putting our school in the lead with a score of 43 to 28.

At their second match, where the Dragons competed against Erasmus Hall, similar techniques were used to secure another victory.

“The arm bar is when you get your opponent’s arm in the back of their neck and turn him into a choke hold. To chokehold you must stand behind your opponent and wrap your arm around their neck, like stopping blood flow. The cross face is when you make your opponent eat his own arm. When you ankle pick your opponent, you start off using the arm bar then grab the ankle. Then you use your arms and shoulder to take your opponent to the ground,” said Raguso.

Sophomore Sher Mohammad was next up to verse Kevin Sheperd. He walked to the mat with a determined look on his face ready to win his match. Circling one another they grabbed each others heads, slapping at their ear protectors.

As they were circling, Sher flipped Sheperd onto the mat, then flipped him onto his backside and pinned him down to the floor for three seconds. The winner, Mohammad added another victory for our team.

“My technique was first to just go back and fourth. When you’re up, it’s more of power and technique, more like a fight. That’s how I won my match in the last three seconds,” said Mohammad.

Freshman Benjamin Wasserman was up next to face his opponent, Mohammed Callahan. They stepped onto the mat, took their positions, and began. Ben head locked his opponent, grabbed him by his stomach, pulling him onto the mat, and rolling him over so quickly that he brought down Callahan in only 56 seconds.

“First, I let him do whatever he wanted. Second, I pushed him with all of my muscle and looked for an opening. I used my shoulder and rolled him over. He made the match easier because he made a mistake by letting loose and stopped using all of his force. That’s how I won the match,” said Wasserman.

Although the majority of the matches were between boys, wrestling isn’t just for them. This year, due to Title 9 rules, girls are permitted to participate. Matched by weight class, boys and girls can wrestle each other.

During the first match of the season, sophomore Nick Martucci went up against two girls from Port Richmond and New Dorp High School, and won both matches.

“Versing a girl is hard because it seems messed up, kind of like a double standard because if you beat the girl people think you’re mean, and if you get beat by a girl people make fun of you. I went up against girls and won, and I felt bad because they’re girls. When you go up against a guy, it’s a friendly competition, and it’s cool to beat them because they’re harder then the girls,” said Martucci.

Despite the two recent wins, Coach Miano expects more. At the end of the second match, he was critical of the fact that the team did not execute the moves they had recently practiced.

“I’m not completely happy with the way this match turned out, but I am happy that Ben won his match, because if he didn’t win, then we would be tied,” said Miano.

At their next match, the dragons wrestled to their third win. Sophomore Sher Mohammad versed Max Rivera, pinning him in 27 seconds. Mohammad Mousa also pinned Khalil Gibbons in another quick match. Chris Cordero won his match by a tech fall, when the wrestler wins with a 15 point lead. With the wins and five forfeits, our team took the match easily.

“I am very happy with the result of the match, but extremely happy with the amount of people that came out to support us. Our wrestlers fed off of the crowd,” said Coach Miano.

After winning on Saturday, December 19 against Boys and Girls High School in Brooklyn, our wrestling team currently holds 1st Place citywide for the PSAL Developmental Division.

If you haven’t been to a match yet, get to the next one on January 16 to see our undefeated team take another win.

A Dragon Tale

CSIHSIS Students — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 20:15:47 +0000

Dragon Grapplers One Win Away From Title

Give Me A Drum Roll Please…

Tirath Singh — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 16:21:58 +0000

With guitars and drums and congas galore, the school’s first Spring Concert took place on May 21, 2009. Under the direction of music teacher Mrs. Packowski, 50 students from three music classes performed ten international pieces to show off all they learned this year in percussion class.

“I think it was a great success. The concert gave kids a chance to express their musical talent. I am so glad that I was a part of, not only the spring concert, but the first one,” said sophomore Shivanna Duncan.
Preparations for the concert began early, when Mrs. Packowski introduced the idea to Principal Mrs. Aimee Horowitz in January. Since then, Mrs. Packowski focused on incorporating international musical forms that both students and parents would enjoy.
Rehearsals were not easy. Mrs. Packowski assigned each student many pieces to learn by a set deadline. However, she never doubted her students.
In addition to the typical guitars and congas, our music program includes the djembe, which originated from Africa, the djun djun, also from Africa, the xylophone, and the bells. Students also learn to play music from Russia, Israel, Latin America, Africa and Cuba.
The woodblocks, cymbals, tambourines, and drum sets are also played by our students.
“Our music program exists because music plays an important role in students’ lives,” said Parent Coordinator Annette Lentini.
The music program has developed in many ways. The percussion classes are lucky to be practicing with new instruments, which were a gift from the Board of Education when our school first opened.
In preparing for the concert, the students’ efforts proved successful. The Spring Concert was, in the opinion of many spectators, entertaining and a must-keep for next year.
The concert began with a hearty introduction from freshman, Leorie Beriguete, as he welcomed all audience members to support the school.
The music performance started off with “Beat of the Dragons”, a percussion piece followed by, “Waiting for the Train” and “Tzena Tzena”, an Israeli piece.
Jeremy Smith then performed an original composition he wrote for our school, marrying percussion with guitar. The guitars started off the second half of the program with Jacques Offenbach’s Can Can”. Next, “Everyday People” was sung by Liana Inzerillo and Alexandra Crimmins.
“Monkey Business”, a multi-instrumental piece, caught the audience’s attention. Then, “Dragon Force”, an assorted rhythmic beat, was performed by five students from percussion class. “Sonido Fuera”, a title which means, sound off,. led by Beriguete, closed the show.
As the school year comes to an end, Mrs. Packowski hopes the music program will expand with advanced classes next year.
“It’s been a wonderful year bringing music to students of our school. It’s clear that music is a desire amongst the student body, and it’s been exciting for me to explore the possibilities music has to offer with them. I am
By Monica Saad ‘10
very happy the concert is over. Now I start graduation prep. As I said, I’m very proud of the students who are wonderfully creative. I want to thank Mrs. Gagliardi for volunteering her time to help at the concert. Without her help, I don’t think I could’ve pulled
it off as smoothly. I would also like to thank Elaine Ferrara and Meredith Morris, who generously donated their time to help organize the students at the concert. The concert was a wonderful success. I’m looking forward to next year,” said Mrs. Packowski.

Chinese New Year Celebration

Asha Gibbs and Marissa Mule — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 16:12:10 +0000

Of all the traditional Chinese festivals, the New Year is the most complex, luminous, and important holiday of the year. This is a time for the Chinese people to congratulate each other on having passed through another year and to welcome in the New Year.

Chinese New Year is a time for family reunions, and for visiting friends and relatives. This holiday, more than any other Chinese holiday, stresses the importance of true family bonds.

The Chinese New Year is celebrated on the first day of the First Moon of the lunar calendar. The corresponding date in the solar calendar varies from as early as January 21st to as late as February 19th.

According to c-c-c.org, the entire first week of the New Year is a time for socializing and amusement. At the celebration, there are numerous lion dances, acrobats, theatrical shows, and other diversions.

Firecrackers, which symbolize driving away evil spirits, are shot up the first two weeks of the New Year.

“For Chinese New Year, I eat dinner with my family. We also receive red pockets, which are enveloped filled with money from married people. I then watch fireworks,” said Wingsum Cheung.

On May 12th, our school held their first annual Chinese New Year Celebration. The celebration was organized and presented by Ms. Jiang and Trotters freshmen advisories.

“Usually, Chinese New Year is in January. But, because May is Asian Heritage month, we are going to celebrate the new year now. This is the first celebration where our school has recognized and celebrated the Asian culture. Hopefully, this celebration will strengthen what people know already and will open the eyes for those who don’t take the class,” said Chinese teacher and adviser Ms. Trotter.

The celebration took place in the school auditorium, after school at 5 P.M and ended around 7 P.M.

The Chinese New Year celebration proved to be a very successful event. Students were able to learn about, as well as take part in, various traditions that take place during the holiday.

“My family celebrates Chinese New Year by either going to my sisters house or staying at my house. Sometimes, we go to China Town on 8th avenue, and watch the parade. The parade is huge, and is blocked off for almost ten blocks. My traditional Chinese New Year celebration dinner is Chicken, Meat, Fish, Vegetables, and of course, sweets,” said math teacher Ms. Annie Li.