f Spring - Chaminade High School

“Graduation,” continued from page1
this talent is not good enough, however. Instead,
we must share these unique gifts by giving our
best to the world around us.” With all the scholarships
they have won, there is no doubt that
the Class of 2005 has its gifts to bring to the world.
Needless to say, bringing gifts to the world
requires going out into the world. This fact was
bittersweet for the graduates. On the one hand,
leaving 340 Jackson Avenue meant leaving the
hallways and classrooms where so many friendships
had been formed. Bro. Joseph Bellizzi,
principal of Chaminade High School, gave his
assurance on the matter. “You are forever united
to the Chaminade Family,” he reminded them.
On the other hand, this rite of passage meant
going on to use the gifts one has developed at
Chaminade to achieve greater things with them.
“Today, the Flyers of the Class of 2005 stand on
the runway, ready for takeoff,” observed salutatorian
Ryan Rodrigues. “With Chaminade in
the rearview mirror and college on the horizon,
it is our time to shine. Chaminade has given us
so much, and now it’s up to us how high we can
fly. The sky is our limit.”
Before they could leave the runway, however,
they had to leave the Tilles Center
stage. Now that the Chaminade Man of the
Year had been announced, they made this
one last step. Diplomas in hand, the
Chaminade Men of the Day followed Graham
Otton down the aisles, all to the tune
of Purcell’s “Trumpet Tune in D Major.”
Where they had entered seniors, they left
alumni – both times, though, as Flyers. And,
accomplishments and future promise aside, one
more thing is certain about the Chaminade Man
of the Year and the Chaminade Men of the Day
– they will be Chaminade Men for Life.
Sunday, June 5 was diploma day
for Craig Foreman and 402 fellow
graduates.
12 BITS AND PIECES
Twenty-five years ago, Scripture teacher and CHS principal
Bro. Joseph Bellizzi (l.) professed his first vows of poverty,
chastity, and obedience in the Society of Mary. On Sunday,
May 22, Bro. Joseph renewed those vows before provincial
superior Fr. Thomas Cardone as Bro. Michael Gillen looked on.
Both the Chaminade and Kellenberg Memorial Communities
attended the Mass and the reception that followed it, as did
Bro. Joe’s family. During his twenty-five years as a Marianist,
Bro. Joe has served as assistant principal at Kellenberg
Memorial High School, director of the Chaminade-Mineola
Community, and principal of Chaminade. Congratulations,
Bro. Joe, and thank you for your years of service.
complaining about this rather drastic change
in recorded music. Our history teachers drill
into us, “Don’t forget the past.” Meanwhile,
the entertainment industry likes to dim the
past to make the latest inventions brighter.
But what arae students saying about
Apple’s newest creation. “They’re conveniently
sized and very user-friendly,”
enthused junior Kevin Labeck, a proud
iPod owner. “I can access any of over
3,000 songs in seconds.” iPods also
boast a number of handy features and
accessories that allow them to transfer
information and store files and records.
The novelty of iPods is a two-edged
sword. Apparently, they’re not only attractive
to consumers, but also to crooks. The
New York City Police Department has one
warning for iPod enthusiasts: “Keep an eye
on it.” In the first three months of 2005, fifty
iPods were stolen on New York’s subways
alone. While some were quick to blame urban
pickpockets, others placed the blame on
the iPods themselves: it certainly is easier
to loose track of a 3"x5" box than older,
bulkier devices. Late-night comedian Jay
Leno quipped, “Imagine the audacity –
stealing stolen music,” which conveniently
brings up the final flaw of the iPod and the
entire digital music industry – fiscal loss.
“Apple iPod,” continued from page 3
Says Byfiona Morgan of Independent
Weekly, the music industry is “pushing
hard for a bill making future generations
of the iPod illegal.” This may seem harsh,
but the industry is losing out to digital
music sales. The traditional method by
which artists release albums is coming to
an end. Nowadays, many artists release
songs online and consequently decrease
their profit margin. More importantly, the
industry is losing direct control over those
music sales – their worst nightmare. The
anti-iPod bill, however, will probably never
come to pass, so long as artists continue to
sell their music via the Internet.
So what is the final say on the iPod? I myself
do not own one or any comparable device,
and I don’t intend to. The technology
is astounding, perhaps too astounding. The
iPod, I feel, is taking the romantic element
out of the music industry. My dad still revels
in showing me his old 45s from his highschool
days: tangible objects, bought with
hard-earned money, emblazoned with
memories. I couldn’t imagine saying to my
son one day, “Hey, you see this megabyte?
I stole it when I was 16. It was a huge hit.”
I expect the digital music monopoly to
continue expanding, but as for me, I’ll stick
with what I know and hold dear.
Tarmac • July 2005