THE DEFINITIVE

Vol. 2, Issue 4 KIPP Infinity Charter School – New York, NY June 2009

KIPP NYC Rocks the

Boogie Down Bronx
BY LUIGGY VIDAL AND MARILYN GARCIA

KIPP AMP’s Capoeira team is warming up

KIPP Infinity’s Band, directed by Paul Novick (center) and Steve Thomas, performed three
songs: “Closer,” “Weezy Mix,” and “Shaft.”
1. Closer - KIPP Infinity Band
2. Weezy Mix – KIPP Infinity Band
3. Shaft – KIPP Infinity Band
This year’s program
–Photo by Sayuri Stabrowski
10. Capoeira – KIPP AMP
11. Just Fine – KIPP Infinity Chorus with
Academy’s Orchestra
backstage. The violins from KIPP Academy are being
tuned. The singers from KIPP Infinity are warming up
their voices, the dancers are stretching their legs, and the
band is having a pep talk. And KIPP STAR’s group is
putting some finishing touches on their costumes. It’s that
time of year when all four KIPP schools in New York City
come together to show their talent and to celebrate their
successes.
On Friday, April 3rd, and Saturday, April 4th, KIPP
NYC performed at Hostos Community College in the
Bronx. Performances ranged from a 90s mix by the KIPP
Academy String & Rhythm Orchestra to KIPP Infinity’s
salsa team performing “El Cantante.”
Mr. Negron, principal of KIPP Infinity and one of
the directors of the show, said, “The show was awesome!
It was the first time that we’ve asked all the KIPPsters
from all four schools to do two shows in 24 hours. They
all did an amazing job.” Because Hostos could only hold
800-900 seats, KIPP NYC had to perform two shows in
order to have all families attend.

4. Explosive – KIPP Academy
Orchestra
5. Summit Mix – KIPP Academy
Orchestra
6. Tour of Harlem – KIPP STAR
7. Victory – KIPP Academy Orchestra
8. El Cantante – KIPP Infinity Dancers
with Academy’s Orchestra
9. Viva La Vida – KIPP Academy
12. Pocketful of Sunshine – KIPP Infinity
Chorus with Academy’s Orchestra
13. 90s Mix – KIPP Academy Orchestra
14. Torre de Babel – KIPP Academy
Orchestra
15. TV Theme Show – KIPP Academy
Orchestra
16. Speech by Dave Levin
17. Tango – KIPP Infinity Dancers
KIPP Infinity student, Johnathan Baldera,
performed in three different acts: the tango, salsa, and
band. He said, “It felt really difficult to accomplish, and it
took a lot of determination. It’s also great to see what our
KIPP cousins are doing and how they represent
themselves.”
Next year’s concert is going to be a landmark
occasion because it marks KIPP NYC’s fifteenth
anniversary.

The Class of 2017 is on its way!

BY MARILYN GARCIA

April 7th was a big day for many fourth graders. On that day,
KIPP Infinity’s fifth annual lottery was held for the Class of 2017.
Approximately 175 names were submitted for the lottery. Each name
was pulled one by one and given a number. The first name was given
number one, the second name was given number two, and so forth.
Usually, if a student get a number below 100, that student will be
offered a spot at KIPP Infinity. The lottery was audited by
McGladrey & Pullen, LLP.
Saturday, June 13th, was registration day. On this day, the
incoming KIPPsters got tested to determine their reading level, and
parents had paperwork to fill out.
Jennifer Navarette, 9, said, “I’m anxious because this school is
better than my old school. I’m looking forward to having new friends
Alicia Echavarria, a fourth grader, signs the KIPP Commitment to Excellence
and starting fresh.” form. Alicia was #73 in the lottery, making her one of the lucky ones to be
Brandon Acevedo, 10, said, “I’m excited and speechless. I’m offered a spot in the Class of 2017. -Photo by Michael Vea
looking forward to classes… and going to college.”

CHECK OUT WHAT’S INSIDE THE DEFINITIVE – our first-ever 12-page issue!
PAGE 3 PAGES 6 and 7 PAGE 8 PAGES 9-12

Do you want to see a picture of What’s going on with our Check out some great pictures Check out some great photos
Mr. Levin’s new baby boy, country’s economy? Find out from the KIPP NYC Concert at from the end-of-the-year trips!
Maxwell Chase Levin? Believe the real deal in words that kids Hostos Community College in
it or not, Maxwell will be like us could understand! the Bronx. 5th grade: Washington, DC
graduating from college in the 6th grade: Utah
th
year 2031. Congratulations! 7 grade: New England
8th grade: California
Page 2 The Definitive – JUNE 2009 news

“Bravo!” to the Cast of Math Team places second in

The Diary of Anne Frank championship math competition
BY SIRAH SOW

The last math competition of the year was held at

CAST
Otto Frank – Jeremy Nesbitt (2013)
Edith Frank – Diamond Gamble (2015)
Margot Frank – Sabrina Sultana (2013)
Miep Gies – Anya Valentin (2016)
Peter Van Dan – Gabriel Gomez (2015)
Mrs. Van Dan – Ashley Lopez (2013)
Mr. Van Dan- Frederick Paterson (2015) and Joshua Richardson (2015)
Mr. Dussel – Wellington Contreras (2015)
Anne Frank – Samaiyah Patrick (2015)
Harlem Village Academy, and it was a nail-biter. KIPP
Infinity tied for first place at the end of the team
competition with North Star Academy Charter School of
Newark, NJ. KIPP Infinity lost in the tie-breaker to finish
in second place. Williamsburg Collegiate Charter School of
Brooklyn came in third.
Coached by seventh grade math teacher, Ms.
Kubagawa, the math team was invited to compete because
they placed first last year. Only schools that had teams or
individuals placing first or second in past competitions were
eligible to compete.
In the individual competition, Leslie Perez (2013)
and Khalil Brown (2013) made it to the head-to-head round.
Only the top eight students who had the best scores on the
written test competed in this part of the competition. Khalil
lost to a student from North Star Academy Charter School
in the semi-finals. That student would go on to win first
place.
In addition to Leslie and Khalil, the following
students from the Class of 2013 competed: Kevin Hidalgo,
Juan Carlos Vidal, and Randy Volquez. Arlin Fernandez,
Dionys Gutierrez, Richard Morban, Lamar Poueriet, and
Anais Quintanilla represented the Class of 2014.
M
A
T
H

PRODUCTION STAFF I
Director – Theresa Pletchon S
Assistant Director – Maddie Witter
Sound Technician – Patrick McCaffrey L
I
F
E

Harlem Charter Night features Lil Mama

Harlem charter schools perform, including KIPP Infinity’s Suavemente
Team

BY WILSON GUZMAN

On a balmy March 15th, 2009, more than 6,000 people were

packed into the 369th PAL Armory. Energy was running through the air.
People screamed, “Great Schools = Parent Choice.” This was Harlem
Charter Night, an event that was created to celebrate the hard work of
Harlem-area charter schools. Notable guests dropped by like the group,
“Iconic,” from MTV's America's Best Dance Crew, Lil Mama, Mayor
Michael R. Bloomberg, and KIPP's founder David Levin.
I asked Maya Sirur, the coordinator of the Harlem Charter Night,
a few questions. Here’s what she said:

What inspired you to create the Charter Night?

Maya: I was inspired by all the hard work of the charter schools, leaders,
Lil Mama rehearses with her dancers before the show is about to begin. parents, and teachers. We also wanted to show that Harlem charter
schools are a big family, and we stick together.

How did you get a hold of big-name folks like Mayor Bloomberg and Lil Mama?
Our offices reached out to Mayor Bloomberg and he was glad to speak at our event. Also since Lil Mama was a Harlem native, she was happy to
jump on board.

How did the audience react to the KIPP Infinity’s Suavemente team?
KIPP Infinity's Suavemente Team was a crowd-pleaser. The merengue dance was very well coordinated and well executed. The music was
uplifting, and the costumes were authentic and colorful.

How many people did you expect to come to the event? Were you surprised by the turnout?
We expected around 5,000 people to attend, but we were ecstatic when we had the turnout of a whopping 6,000!

Why was it called the Harlem Charter Night, as opposed to the New York City Charter School Night?
It was called Harlem Charter Night because Harlem has been an area with an exploding number of charter schools. I think it would be wonderful
idea if all of NYC was included next time.
FEATURES the Definitive – JUNE 2009 Page 3

Top Writers in the Class of 2014

venture down to Park Slope for a
memorable writing experience
BY WILSON GUZMAN

Upon entering 826NYC, one would think the entire

place is dedicated to superheroes. After all, the sign outside
says, “Brooklyn Superhero Supply Co.” A tall man with spiky
hair named Chris comes up to you and shows you around. He
walks to the end of the store which is full of shelves. He goes to
one particular shelf and, in less than ten seconds, a “magical”
door opens. You see a large room filled with books and
computer equipment. This room is known as 826NYC’s
workshop.
On May 6, 2009, twenty seventh graders boarded the
subway downtown to Park Slope, Brooklyn, for a trip that many
of them would never forget. The students had their photos
Ms. Bravo and the Salsa Team pose with Caridad De La Luz, also known as “La Bruja.” La
taken with their own choice of goofy glasses and poses. They Bruja performed her original poetry at Harvard’s Latino and Latin American Cultural Show.
sat down and, as a team and a family, decided on an adventure –Photo by Michael Vea
story complete with twists and turns.
The title was “The Hobo Chronicles”, because after all
they wrote their book about two lost homeless men who find
their way to Los Angeles, CA, to become rock stars. The Maxwell Chase Levin
students walked away with their own paperback version of their
adventure book.
“We all put our minds together to create an entertaining Sleep, baby, sleep! -
story. I was happy the final product,” said Christopher
Gonzalez (2014).
According to their website, “826NYC is a nonprofit
organization dedicated to supporting students ages 6-18 with
their creative and expository writing skills, and to helping
teachers inspire their students to write.”

Guess who will be graduating from college in 2031.

Maxwell Chase Levin! Baby Maxwell was born on February 18,
2009, at 11:22pm. Congratulations to his parents, Dave and Nikki!

Lamar Pouereit is not only a writer for The Definitive, he also memorized pi to
over 200 digits. Congratulations, Lamar! -Photo by Marilyn Garcia

3.14159… how far can you go? Attention,

7th Grader memorizes pi to over 200 digits! THE DEFINITIVE
Class of Reporters and Photographers
BY MARILYN GARCIA 2015! Johnathan Baldera, Willis Feliz, Marilyn
Garcia, Wilson Guzman, Kelvin Piña, Lamar
Lamar Poueriet (2014), a student in the Cal homeroom, Poueriet, Anais Quintanilla, Sirah Sow, and
Are you interested in
memorized pi to over 200 digits. In honor of Pi Day, Ms. Luiggy Vidal
being a member of
Kubagawa, KIPP Infinity’s seventh grade math teacher, gave her
students a couple days to memorize as much of pi as they could. the newspaper staff?
Principal
Raymond Arias, from the UNC homeroom, and Richard Morban,
from the Brooklyn College homeroom, memorized the most number If you are, see Wilson
Joseph Negron
of digits in their college. Guzman (2014),
jnegron@kippinfinity.org
“I broke the numbers into chunks. I kept repeating those Sirah Sow (2014), or
chunks over and over again. Before I knew it, I had memorized over Mr. Vea (advisor) for Journalism Advisor
200 numbers,” said Poueriet, 13. more information.
“This competition completely exceeded my expectations. Michael Vea
Lamar, Raymond, and Richard really went above and beyond,” said We’re looking for mvea@kippinfinity.org
Ms. Kubagawa. talented writers,
Pi Day was officially held on March 14th. Get it? 3.14? editors, cartoonists, KIPP Infinity Charter School
and photographers. 625 West 133rd Street, 3rd Floor
Each contestant was awarded a certificate of achievement. Lamar’s New York, NY 10027
homeroom, Cal, was treated to a “pie party” during lunch time (212) 991-2600 / (212) 234-8396 fax
complete with apple and pecan pies.
’
Page 4 the Definitive – June 2009 EDITORIAL

Wilson Guzman’s Tech Beat

This issue’s topic: Blu-Ray
Dear Tiffany
Blu-Ray is the next media player disk. Its HD
qualities will blow you away. For example, the video “Dear Tiffany” is KIPP Infinity’s advice column. If you have a
and audio are 1080p. This means you will get the best question or a concern that’s on your mind, leave it to “Tiffany” to
video and audio possible in the coming years. Before give you some helpful advice. All letters will remain anonymous.
you go out and buy Blu-Ray, here are some things to
know about it.
1) It is officially the PlayStation 3 media disk. You may submit your letters to Mr. Vea’s mailbox in the main
Just so you know, PlayStation's older media formats office (Ms. Ceron’s office). Have a nice day!
are: the CD (Compact Disc), the DVD (Digital Video
Disc), and the UMD (Universal Media Disk).
2) The new format of HD disks will NOT work on
your existing DVD player. Unless you buy a Blu-Ray Dear Tiffany,
player or a PlayStation 3, you won’t be able to play
the disk. But, if you buy the Blu-Ray player, you will I have been having problems with one of my friends. We
be able to see all your favorite DVD titles. are slowly breaking apart because of her boyfriend. He just
3) The cost. Now Blu-Ray disks are moderately doesn’t like us. Since my friend and her boyfriend are always
priced. I hit some local and online stores like Wal-
Mart, J&R, and Amazon.com, Newegg.com, and together, my other friends and I don’t spend time with her
bhphotovideo.com, and these Blu-Ray disks are priced anymore.
form $5-$20.
I personally recommend buying the Blu-Ray because Sincerely,
it's more modern than the DVD. Plus, you are taking Torn
your DVD viewing level to the highest you can possibly
go. Ask any PlayStation 3 owner (like me), and we'll
tell you that the PlayStation 3's graphics have gotten Dear Torn,
much better because of the Blu-Ray switch.
I’m sorry you are going through this. You should try talking
to your friend. Talk to her about how you feel about her boyfriend
and how you guys don’t spend as much time together. I’m positive
that she’ll understand. Maybe after you guys solve your problems,
you guys plan a day to have fun together all day.

Sincerely,
Tiffany

Dear Tiffany,

My friends and I have been having problems with a

The Definitive asked the Class of 2013: Out of the four certain person. She’s constantly telling us what to do and always
end-of-the-year trips, which one was the best? (N=52) has an attitude. I don’t know how to deal with her. What should
I do?

Sincerely,
Anti-Attitude
California

Boston Dear Anti-Attitude,

You should try talking to this person. Try your best to solve
the problems between her and your friends. If you feel like the
Utah problem is not solved, find a teacher you can trust and to get advice,
or plan a time with the teacher, your friends, the girl and yourself to
talk about it in order to find a final solution.
D.C
Sincerely,
Tiffany
0 5 10 15 20

Keeping the Morning Affirmation Alive

BY TARIQ IFIELD, Guest Writer

We are KIPP Infinity
And we are a team and a family
We believe that with desire, discipline, and dedication
We can change our place within it
There are no shortcuts
There are no limits
As a team and a family
We will either find a way or make one
In some KIPPsters’ minds, they wonder if the “circle up” is
important. In my mind, I believe that it is important. To be absolutely
honest, the morning affirmation begins our day as a family with each
other. “We are a team and a family”. That line represents what we are
in society. The morning affirmation makes us better people in reality.
When we recite “There are no shortcuts, there are no limits”, we remind
each other that there are no easy passes, period.
The morning affirmation actually empowers us, though some may
not actually see what it does for us. If we pay close attention to the words,
we can see that it only helps us come of age. When we recite “We can
change our world and our place within it”, we are really saying that we can
make outstanding changes as we work together to make those changes.
This school is full of discipline. The teachers want us to desire our
education and because of their dedication to teaching us, we constantly
prove to each other that we are a team and a family that we say in the
beginning of our short, but powerful speech.
What should we say if a visitor asks us, “Why is the morning
affirmation recited?” Simply say that we recite because it’s who we are and
what we stand for. It’s not just a daily reminder; it’s for our future.
Page 5 The Definitive – June 2009 sports/entertainment

Scientists of the Future

BASKETBALL CHAMPIONS!
BY MARILYN GARCIA AND LUIGGY VIDAL

Boom! A soda bomb went off on the campus of City

College on 138th Street and Convent Avenue. Is there a war
going on? Was this a student prank? No, it’s a group of 7th and
8th grade KIPPsters from the Classes of 2013 and 2014.
Mr. Dukeman, KIPP Infinity’s 7th grade science teacher,
took a group of KIPPsters to City College to do some
experiments, such as making a soda bomb and seeing a termite’s
stomach under a microscope. Also the KIPPsters got to go to the
National History Museum, and to the Beetles Exhibit.
Mr. Dukeman said, “I learned that sometimes students
can handle more freedom with lab experiments when they don’t
get direction. I will cherish this because it’s the first time I took
students to a college laboratory. It makes me proud because to
see middle schoolers working in a college laboratory.”
Arlin Fernandez (2014) said, “I enjoyed dissecting a
termite’s intestines and getting to know the eighth graders.”
Professor Chris Li helped to make these events possible. Girl’s basketball team after winning the title

Leola Gordon and Ivelanyi Ureña work on a science project at

City College. Boys’ basketball team after winning the title

On Saturday, March 21st, the girls’ and boys’ basketball team won their
first-ever basketball championship against Leadership Academy in the B
division. Before the game, the national anthem was played by Ismael
Peter, Jericho Nesbitt, Jeremy Nesbitt, Kevin Hildago, Tariq Ifield, Sydni
Falconer, Randy Volquez, Luiggy Vidal, and Jay Henriquez. Go team!
-Lamar Poueriet
Kelvin’s Komics by Kelvin Piña
Page 6 the Definitive – June 2009 CENTERSPREAD

CRISIS IN THE UNITED S

How did this all start?

The U.S. economy is in deep trouble. Experts say that we’re

in the biggest financial crisis since the Great Depression. So, how
did it get to be this bad? It all boils down to one pretty simple idea:
money is running tight, like a room that’s running out of oxygen.
Everyone – people, businesses, government, our entire country – is
feeling the pinch.
Mortgage. That’s a fancy way of saying a “loan” for a house.
If you want to buy a house, you’re likely going to have to take out a
mortgage (loan) to help pay for it. That mortgage is going to come
from a bank. Experts say that the main reason why our country got
into a financial mess is due to a mortgage meltdown. Many regular
Americans, for whatever reason, could not afford to pay their
loan/mortgage. As a result, banks foreclosed on these people’s
homes. Not good. It got to the point in which so many homes were
being foreclosed that it caused a huge financial collapse.
Some experts believe that the big banks are to blame, and not
the regular American. Banks were giving out loans/mortgages like
candy when they should have been more selective about giving them
to people.
When you’re watching the news and you hear the phrase,
“subprime mortgage crisis,” this is it. And it all started to emerge in
2007.

Economic Stimulus

To stimulate means to excite or grow. Our government has

passed two big laws that are intended to stimulate our economy.
President George W. Bush signed into law the Economic Stimulus
Act of 2008. $165 billion was pumped into the economy in the form
of income tax rebate checks. Basically, checks were mailed directly
Barack Ob
to taxpayers on or around April 28, 2008. People could spend this
check any way they pleased.
On February 17, 2009, President Barack Obama signed the By: Kelvin Piña
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. This stimulus
plan was a lot more expensive than President Bush’s plan. This
package cost nearly $800 billion. The plan includes: expanding You’ve seen and heard it all over
unemployment benefits, education, health care, and infrastructure.
The Act does specific that 37% of the money ($288 billion) must be seems like this is something that wi
devoted to tax relief. economic crisis. You might be conf
on. After all, the people who talk a
Big-Name Financial Firms Close Down or Combine
The purpose of this centersprea
happening so that kids our age cou
Several financial institutions completely closed down, were
“bailed out” by the government, or forced to merge with another
company. Here are some examples:

1. Lehman Brothers went bankrupt.

2. Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley were bailed out by the
United States government in 2008.
3. Merrill Lynch and Bear Stearns were taken over by other
companies.

These five big-name banks combined were $4 trillion in the

red!
 CENTERSPREAD
D STATES OF AMERICA
Obama
By: Anais Quintanilla
over the news programs. It
at will never go away. It’s the
confused about what’s going
alk about it on TV are adults.
read is to translate what’s
e could understand this stuff.
The Definitive – June 2009 page 7
The Unemployment Rate in the USA
(Percentage of people 16 years and older who are unemployed)
Year Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
1999 4.3 4.4 4.2 4.3 4.2 4.3 4.3 4.2 4.2 4.1 4.1 4.0
2000 4.0 4.1 4.0 3.8 4.0 4.0 4.0 4.1 3.9 3.9 3.9 3.9
2001 4.2 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.3 4.5 4.6 4.9 5.0 5.3 5.5 5.7
2002 5.7 5.7 5.7 5.9 5.8 5.8 5.8 5.7 5.7 5.7 5.9 6.0
2003 5.8 5.9 5.9 6.0 6.1 6.3 6.2 6.1 6.1 6.0 5.8 5.7
2004 5.7 5.6 5.8 5.6 5.6 5.6 5.5 5.4 5.4 5.5 5.4 5.4
2005 5.2 5.4 5.2 5.2 5.1 5.1 5.0 4.9 5.0 5.0 5.0 4.8
2006 4.7 4.8 4.7 4.7 4.7 4.6 4.7 4.7 4.5 4.4 4.5 4.4
2007 4.6 4.5 4.4 4.5 4.5 4.6 4.7 4.7 4.7 4.8 4.7 4.9
2008 4.9 4.8 5.1 5.0 5.5 5.6 5.8 6.2 6.2 6.6 6.8 7.2
2009 7.6 8.1 8.5 8.9 9.4
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
Bernard Madoff
We’re sure you’ve heard his name in the news. Is
he related to the economic crisis? Sort of.
Bernie Madoff, 71, pled guilty for operating a
“Ponzi scheme.” A Ponzi scheme is a “fraudulent
investment operation that pays returns to investors from
their own money or money paid by subsequent investors
rather than from any actual profit earned” (Source:
Wikipedia). It’s named after Charles Ponzi, who actually
used this method after moving here to the United States
from Italy.
On December 11, 2008, in the midst of the
financial crisis, Madoff was arrested. His two sons
actually reported him to authorities. On June 29, 2009,
just a few days away, Madoff may be sentenced to life in
prison.
Tips for managing your money
1. Use lists when you go grocery shopping. It sounds like a simple idea, but it
works wonders.
2. Use coupons at the supermarket. Coupons can be found in newspapers and
supermarket papers.
3. Avoid eating out. Start making lunches at home.
4. Use the internet to look up prices on foods.
5. Avoid paying brand names on clothing. You don’t really need that expensive
shirt from Abercrombie.
6. Don’t become a tech junkie. Don’t always try to buy the newest pieces of
technology.
7. Keep track of your expenses.
8. Always have a rainy day fund for emergency purposes only.
9. Save money every day. Even the littlest amount counts.
10. Create a budget that details all the necessary things you need to buy. This
may leave you with some extra money for other “wants.”
Page 8 s the Definitive – june 2009 KIPP NYC CELEBRATION

KIPP NYC Celebration Concert 2009 The KIPP AMP Capoeira Team, directed by Ms. Nicole Smith
Friday, April 3, 2009 / Saturday April 4, 2009
Hostos Community College, Bronx, NY

The KIPP Infinity Band, directed by Steve Thomas and Paul Novick

The KIPP Infinity Chorus, directed by Mr. John Danny Madden

The KIPP Infinity Salsa Team, directed by Ms. Leyla Bravo

The KIPP Academy Orchestra, directed by Mr. McClenty Hunter

The KIPP Infinity Tango team, directed by Mr. Michael Vea

KIPP STAR’s Tour of Harlem, directed by Ms. Rai Bolden

KIPP Star presents “The Tour of Harlem”

Photos by Sayuri Stabrowski

Page Layout by Wilson Guzman and
Christopher Acevedo
5th Grade Trip s the Definitive – June 2009 PAGE 9

KIPPsters from the Class of 2016 and fifth grade writing teacher, Mr. Willey, enjoy
their time in the hotel pool.

Damon Horton and David Cisse outside of the Capitol Building.

Dear Diary
BY DAVID CISSE

Day 1
When I first arrived in Washington, D.C., I felt excited
because I was finally in D.C. for the first time in my life! The
best part of my day was walking to and from the World War II
Memorial and the Lincoln Memorial. A couple of facts that I
learned: 400,000 people died in World War II, Obama gets paid
$400,000 for being the president; and Lincoln was one of
America’s most famous president. I will remember seeing the
GIGANTIC penny in the Lincoln exhibit. That was awesome. Six Flags America in Maryland

Day 3
I am feeling excited because I bought a Georgetown
sweater and I got to see the Jefferson Memorial (my D.C. topic
Dear Diary
BY GISELLE CUEVAS
in Nonfiction class!). I learned that you can get a PhD, which is
the highest degree. But, truly, the best part of my day was
When I first arrived in
getting that Georgetown sweater. Washington, D.C., I felt like a teenager
because my parents weren’t around and
I was on my own. No one was going to
help me with anything. We were able to
hang out with our friends. I was also
excited about seeing the different
monuments and playing games with my
roommates.
I have made new friends who I
never associated with before.
(HELPFUL ADVICE TO 2017: No one
is going to be happy with who their
roommates are, but you’ll feel much
better after one day.) It was also really
cool to tell each other secrets.
(HELPFUL ADVICE TO 2017: Never
go into deep in secrets!) It was really a
fun time when another group was
allowed to come in my hotel room. We
made more friends that way! Keep up
the good paychecks and go to
Washington, D.C.!

Photos by Ian Willey

Layout by Wilson Guzman and
Luiggy Vidal
Page 10 s the Definitive – June 2009 6th Grade trip

We are a team and a family!

7

Dear Diary
BY GABRIEL GOMEZ
Dear Diary
BY ASHLEY SOLOMON I remember when we first started to climb Angels
Landing. It was okay when we started out. I remember seeing a
I remember when we started the hike to Angels Landing in river and that was pretty much the only thing that was moving
Zion. I thought I was ready to hike, but, truthfully, I was not prepared (nature-related, anyway).
for the task at hand. Nevertheless, I was determined to make it When we started uphill, I got a bit scared. There were
through the hike at all cost. other hikers coming down and we had to move to the edge. I
So we started off walking in the rocky, narrow, zig zag thought I might trip and fall when we got to the edge. I was also
clearing. I was standing with Zariah and Kayla T. We were walking very hot. I mumbled on occasion, “We need a water break.” The
next to the Virgin River and I could feel the mist of the cold leader wouldn’t stop for a water break, though, because we had
temperature of the waters rushed up into the air. This gave me energy one ten minutes ago. But I got thirsty very quickly.
to keep on moving. I kept on proceeding up until we reached the hilly When we made it to the shade, I felt like dropping to the
part of the hike. I decided to stop because I started to feel hopeless. I ground. We finally got some protection from the sun, so this
just tried to give up on everything and thought about ending my hike would be a good place to stop and relax. Then, we went to the
right then and there. Zariah came up behind and she started power other side of the mountain, and it was hotter than before. After
walking up the mountain. She grabbed my hand and said, “Let’s go! that, I got so confused. I wondered why the shade couldn’t stay
Get up and keep it moving, because if I’ve got to climb this mountain, longer, and how come we had to go on the other side where the
you’re climbing it with me!” sun is.
I don’t know why but I got up and climbed the mountain with When I got to the top, I dropped into the sand. We did it.
Zariah. She is one of my best friends. I heard Shemar and Rasheed
singing their song about working harder and moving faster, and I
started to laugh. Everyone kept moving along.
By now we were at the second half of the hike and Zariah had
an asthma attack. I stood with her for 10 minutes while she got her
breathing circulation back on track. Mrs.Heuisler and I were
encouraging her to keep going. She decided to keep going up the
mountain. At that moment in my head I declared that I would not
complain the rest of the way up. If she could have an asthma attack
on the top of the mountain and still continue up then I could do the
same!
I kept up with Zariah all the way until we heard the ending. I
started to fall about ten minutes behind from the group. That was
until Mrs. Williams (Kayla T.’s mother), Kayla T., Joaquin, and
Christina came and started walking with me. We all encouraged each
other to continue up the mountain and catch up to the rest of our
group. Mr. Witter put me all the way to the front of the line. As I
was walking to the front, everybody was clapping for me and I felt
proud of myself. In a matter of five minutes, I made it to the top of
the mountain!
The sight was so beautiful and mind-blowing. At the top of
the mountain I thought to myself that this was worth the hike. I was
happy with my achievements! There is nothing that you can’t do
without a little bit of heart, hard work, struggle, effort, and pain.

Photos by Peter Croncota

Layout by Wilson Guzman and Luiggy Vidal

Mrs. Heuisler and Ms. Willis

7Th Grade TRIP the Definitive – June 2009 PAGE 11

Decked out in Harvard U. gear

Dear Diary
BY SIRAH SOW

Today was much better than I had expected it to be. The

Professor Tewksbury of Hamilton College taught a lesson on tsunamis.
Work it! Posing at Hamilton College in upstate New York.
duck tour was very funny because our guide was absolutely
hilarious. It was really cool because we got to take almost the same
tour later that day. The other tour I’m referring to is The Freedom
Trail. I had a great time. I think that everyone’s favorite part of the
Freedom Trail was walking around the graveyard. It was really
amazing to stand where some the most important men and women in
history were buried. Something interesting that I learned was that
there was actually a sixth death in the Boston Massacre. A young
man was shot, and his name is recognized on the tomb stone. We
also saw some people’s graves that you should know: Paul Revere,
Sam Adams, Crispus Attucks, and James Otis were just some a few.
After the Freedom Trail, we went back to our dorms at Tufts
University. I had thought that this was really turning out to be a
wonderful day, until I found something out. I found out that you
choose your friends carefully, and also that if you don’t trust
someone don’t let them have the power to have influence over how
you feel and what you think. This will only get into bad situations. I
needed to go and sort things out by myself for a little while and clear
my head.
Today was truly a great day.

Dear Diary
BY EDIVIC PEREZ

Day 1
… It’s 1:14am and I’m STILL doing my homework! I did
the reading homework on the bus already. All I needed to complete
was the science assignment and the reflection. Like Mr. Vea said,
college is a lot about choice. I can do all my homework today and
go to bed later. Or I can finish it tomorrow morning and just tough
it out.

Day 2
Today was as trying as yesterday. This was our last night at
the Vernon Down Hotel in upstate New York. I was kind of sad
because my roommates and I were getting along well. We woke up
this morning at around 7:00 and got dressed. At breakfast, the talk
of the day was, “How late did you stay up last night doing your Marilyn Garcia holds up a Brown University pennant.
course packet?” Everyone looked so sleepy at breakfast!
It was a twenty-minute ride to Hamilton College. There, we
played a lot of games, learned about tsunamis in a real college
classroom, and even went on a scavenger hunt.
2014

Photos by Nelson Castillo and Michael Vea

Layout by Wilson Guzman and Luiggy Vidal

Kelvin Piña and Arlin Fernandez get caught in the rain

at Six Flags New England.
Page 12 the Definitive – June 2009 8th grade trip

Seals at Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco

Arismendy Pichardo, Denis Ducasse, Aronys Perez, Jennifer

Bravo, Karina Delgado, Leola Gordon, Delaney Sampson,
Aaron Rahman, and Gabriel Rodriguez in front of the Golden
Gate Bridge

Dear Diary
Ashley Lopez, Ms. Capaldi, and Zulenny Sanchez --- Ms. Capaldi, are those
reference tables?

BY JENNIFER BRAVO

After four whole years, I was leaving the school that has made me into
a hard working person… the school that has seen me change over the years for
the better. I was both extremely nervous and excited about the idea of going
to California. California was the state that I had always dreamed of visiting.
On our day of departure, I even woke up at 2:00am – just enough time to take
a shower and to be at KIPP at 4:00am on the dot. As I was getting ready,
everything around me was in silence. No noise at all. But all I could think
about were the words, “You have just landed in San Francisco, California.” I
couldn’t wait for that moment to happen.
Fast forward: I was now in San Francisco, California. We checked
into La Quinta hotel and headed to the van with my group, headed by Ms.
Capaldi, and the driver, Mr. Griffith, while the rest of the Class of 2013 went
on the bus. We were headed to perhaps California’s most famous bridge: The
Golden Gate Bridge. I got to the Golden Gate Bridge and was struck by the
beautiful purple flowers and the statue of Joseph Strauss, the designer of the
Golden Gate Bridge. We had to walk up some flights of stairs in order to get
to the bridge. While my group waited for the rest of 2013 to arrive, I
witnessed dozens of people running, riding bicycles, and walking across the
bridge. I even saw surfers from a distance – and that made me want to surf! (I Ms. Rosario and Mr. Griffith
don’t know how to, though.)
The Class of 2013 arrived and it was raining even harder, but we
decided to walk the bridge anyway. As I was walking on the bridge, the water
drizzles from the fog came toward my face. I actually enjoyed that feeling of
the water and the wind coming at me. The bridge looked really damp – its
orange and red colors were covered by the fog, just like a postcard.
I walked in silence and simply thought about my life. This helped me
to concentrate and to appreciate the landscape even more. I walked with Ms.
Osborne and I told her how I felt. I actually liked talking with her about the
high school and what I wanted out of life. Ms. Osborne and I enjoyed the walk
together, and we made it all the way to the end. Some KIPPsters decided that
they would turn around and not continue. When Ms. Osborne and I finally got
Ms. Capaldi, Edelin Fernandez,
to our final destination, we took pictures. Both of us were so happy that we Ms. Osborne, and Mr. Johnson
accomplished the walk across the entire way.
The memory of the bridge and that walk with Ms. Osborne will be
forever captured in my memory like a camera.
I would love to go to college here. Maybe when I’m old enough and
Pictures by Adrianne Capaldi
able to afford it, I could live in California. Layout by Wilson Guzman, Luiggy Vidal,
and Michael Vea