Summer Times 2007

BY JAMIE SCHWARZ

Cecily Von Ziegesar’s praised Gossip Girl book series will be taking the television world by storm when it airs on September 26, 2007 on The CW. The first book in the series of 11 that sparked the T.V show was published in 2002 and the 12^th will be released in October.

The books highlight the lives of New York City’s elite upper class teens that go to exclusive private schools and lack an understanding of the value of a dollar. They have no trouble finding time on the side to party like there is no tomorrow and the T.V show will bring those decadent lives to the screen.

The creators, Josh Schwartz (the OC) and Stephanie Savage, are confident that the show will make the grade, but others are not so keen on the idea. Some fans are worried that the precious books might lose their magic once they reach T.V, although many are optimistic.

“I am really looking forward to [the show] because it will be interesting to see how the show is derived from the books,” High school senior Casey Goldstein said.

The main character of the series appears to be Serena van der Woodsen who will be played by Blake Lively. Lively has also been cast in The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants as well as Accepted and is known for her stunning style and debonair looks. Her character Serena has just returned from a boarding school expulsion and is trying to fit her way back into the tight knit social structure of New York’s exclusive upper class. Numerous catty encounters with her ex-best friend Blair, as well as pressure from her gold-digging high society mother, leave Serena trapped and looking for more from her complicated life.

Serena stumbles upon Dan Humphrey, the unpopular and artsy working class boy, and they begin a rather twisted relationship. Dan is played by Penn Badgley who can be recognized from John Tucker Must Die, The Bedford Diaries, The Young and the Restless, and What I Like About You. If his voice sounds vaguely familiar, it’s because it is featured in Mario Tennis 64. Dan is an oddly romantic poet who has a tendency to shy away from the glitz and glam of Upper East Side life, but he can’t seem to refrain from admiring Serena.

One girl that can resist Serena’s charm with no problem at all is Blair Waldorf, played by Leighton Meester. Meester has played roles in 24, House, Veronica Mars, and Entourage. Blair is a princess that has become accustomed to aquiring everything that she wants, including the love of her life Nathaniel Archibald, and does not react well to falling short of perfection. She strives in school to be the best and has been working for an acceptance to Yale since she began elementary school. Blair’s obsessive personality puts a significant strain on her relationship with Nate which leads to various petty drama.

In all honesty, who can blame Nate for having an infatuation with Serena while Blair strangles him with $400 cashmere sweaters and 24 text messages a day? Nate is played by Chace Crawford, who actually attended Pepperdine University for the advertising or communication program until midway through his second year when his mother encouraged him to pursue acting. His handsome face was featured in The Covenant and Loaded, but being cast as Nate is a direct compliment to his great looks. Nathaniel Archibald is a heart-throbbing opulent prep school bad boy that wishes more than anything that he could drop out of school to sail the world. His friendship with Serena and Blair is similar to a roller coaster which has been going on their entire lives. Nate’s inability to commit, along with his clear addiction to marijuana, has the tendency to irritate the girls.

While remaining anonymous, Gossip Girl posts all of the activities of these decadent teens on a public blog that is updated 24/7. The clique lives life with no restraints, which always provides Gossip Girl with a story to tell. The enthralling drama that occurs as the result of the mixture of these personalities has to be made known to the world. The New York Times has listed the series as a bestseller and fans tend to agree.

“The books are purely addictive and you find yourself reading a book from start to finish in only one thrilling sitting,” said Gossip Girl reader Dana Solomon.

Be sure to turn on The CW on Wednesday nights at 9 p.m in the fall and you will be in for a treat. As if debuting in America weren’t enough, the show will also air in Canada and Australia. Some may feel as though they are too old to be watching such a deliciously catty show, but the characters will draw almost any viewer in and refuse to let them go.

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Kristen Bell (Veronica Mars)-Gossip Girl narrator

Taylor Momsen (How The Grinch Stole Christmas and Spy Kids 2)-Jenny Humphrey

Ed Westwick-Chuck Bass

Nicole Fiscella-Isabel Coates

Nan Zhang-Kati Farkas.

By: Katie Sullivan

In a sea of flip-flops, plaid shorts and your typical array of gator gear popular with the 2007 SJI students, a new trend is sweeping the campus. This fresh phenomenon? Vera Bradley…everything. You name it; this highly coveted brand has it starting from its trademark purses to a range of beach towels, cosmetic bags, umbrellas and even golf gloves.

Characterized by charming patterns on its signature quilted fabric made with 1005 cotton, this current movement has seen a sudden rise in popularity since its first development in 1982. Co-founders and neighbors Barbara Baekgaard and Patricia Miller started Vera Bradley Designs Inc. while awaiting a flight in Atlanta. The two had simultaneously noticed a definite lack of feminine-looking luggage and wasted no time in correcting this situation.

Named after Baekgaard’s mother, the line is available in more than 3,000 gift, specialty and about a half a dozen Vera Bradley retail stores. The actually merchandise is generated in Fort Wayne, Indiana before it is shipped around the world. Within just a few weeks of starting their business, the two friends suceeded in creating a company which is now nationally and internationally known.

The distinctive colors of the line have also become a well-recognized. Walking on a warm, humid day on the University of Florida campus, one can easily see the trademark style and instantly recognize it as a Vera Bradley item. Capri blue, peacock, citrus, botanica and Nantucket navy make up a few of the unique colors of the line.

The brand even retires some of its colors, such as Bermuda blue, to add both a stronger value for the products as well as to create room for generating more designs. Designs usually have a life of 18 to 36 months, depending on their prestige.

In addition, Vera Bradley Designs Inc. contributes a portion of Vera Bradley’s net proceeds from anything in their pink elephant line in order to benefit the Vera Bradley Foundation for Breast Cancer and other breast cancer projects and services. Since 1994, Vera Bradley has suceeded in raising over $4 million dollars for breast cancer research, only adding to the American company’s reputation.

Women from all ages have grown fond of the stylish brand as it has progressed into fashion. The line originally found popularity with older females with its more passive, simplistic designs that were reminiscent of a stereotypical “grandmother purse.” However, as Vera Bradley has grown, modern patterns reflect a younger look more marketable to the other generations. The merchandise has since found a home particularly with teenagers and preteen girls alike, who are invigorated by everything from the newer, brighter colors to the versatility of the goods.

“My favorite thing about Vera Bradley bags is the colors-colors make the bag,” reflects Vera Bradley fan Emily Nance, 17, who personally finds mesa red to be her favorite. “The sizes are helpful too. I can put so much stuff in one-it’s amazing.”

Owning at least 27 pieces of the Vera Bradley merchandise, she knows what she’s talking about. For the six days she attends the SJI camp, she chooses to carry all her materials in her large mesa red Vera Bradley tote. Finding that it can accommodate her pens, notebook, sweat shirt, cell phone, water bottle and the occasional snack, she values the usefulness of the bag while strolling around UF massive campus.

Fellow camper Jordan Moore, 16, also uses her Vera Bradley tote, this time in peacock, to cart around her various items as she makes the long walks from Beaty Towers to lectures, classes and Gator Corner.

“Besides the colors, I love the fact that all of the Vera Bradley products can be functional yet easily cleaned. Someone accidentally spilled salad dressing on my tote two weeks before this camp and it came out easily-I just threw it in the wash. Boom. Stain gone.”

Amanda Castro, 16, is rumored to go head over heels when she sees anything in the peacock design.

“Anytime you buy something that’s made by Vera Bradley, you find that it’s worth it. Compared to other popular brands, Vera Bradley is actually a lot cheaper! I could have bought a lower-priced bag but I’ve noticed that all my Vera Bradley stuff lasts longer-and they’re so beautiful! I’ve found that it pays for itself in the end.”

Vera Bradley merchandise is quite affordable compared to the Louis Vuitton, Marc Jacob and Chanel hand bags draped over the shoulders of their favorite celebrities. Prices are generally moderate, with the cheapest purse at $27, the “Katie,” to the most expensive at $115, the “Boxy tote.” A few other prices include an ipod case for $19, $250 for a fashionable rolling suitcase and a travel cosmetics bag at $48.

Despite the brand’s rising popularity, there are still numerous critics. Some complain about the trend becoming too widespread.

Shreya Murthy, age 16, is riled by the overwhelming prevalence of Vera Bradley merchandise she frequently spots.

“Vera Bradley’s are so common that I get really sick of them! They were cute at first, but now that everyone has them, they’re not unique or special anymore,” She sighs, “You feel like you surrounded by clones!”

Meaghan McGowan, age 17, agrees. “The bags can get really expensive and although they’re really nice, you can find one that similar for a better price.”

Vera Bradley’s vast reputation creates a problematic question between buying into the brand or surpassing it. Either way, you at least have one person to help you with that one-what do you think grandma?

BY KATIE MARTIN

In the past generations, kids and teenagers enjoyed their summer days soaking in the sun at the park or playground in the fresh air. Nowadays, in a generation where technology reigns supreme, teenagers are constantly “plugged-in” to such technological devices as televisions, cell phones and iPods.

“I can’t live without my cell phone. If it’s not with me I feel awkward and like a part of me is missing,” said Cypress Bay senior Adam Brock.

Many teenagers today are fixed on music and an MP3 player, such as an iPod, is an easy way for people to tune in whenever they feel the need. These technological gadgets allow listeners to get in the groove whenever they feel the need, like while running, traveling and sometimes even while studying.

“I love my iPod and I use it constantly. I can keep all my music, photos and videos on it and view them whenever I feel like it. I use it when I’m bored or just when I want to hear my favorite songs,” said Cypress Bay senior Alex Angert.

In the past, road trips would be kept entertaining through games like “I Spy” or by reading classic novels, but in the past couple of years cars have become equipped with the latest and most advanced technological additions. These gadgets include iPod adapters, stereos and even televisions which enable travelers to watch their favorite movies or television shows and sometimes even play their beloved video games while traveling across the country.

“Whenever I travel I make sure I have my iPod with me as well as my portable DVD player. Road trips are extremely boring if I don’t have something electronic to entertain myself,” said Coral Springs Charter senior Casey Goldstein.

Travel-size devices have become increasingly popular and people can be found attached portable gaming devices like Playstation Portables (PSP) and the Nintendo DS. On these systems users can play their favorite video games wherever they might be.

“I love my PSP. It’s portable and it keeps me busy when I’m waiting for something or just looking for some kind of entertainment. It’s a good addition to have to my collection of video game systems because I can take it with me wherever I go,” Angert said.

Technology is constantly increasing and becoming something that enters most peoples’ lives daily.

“The idea that someone can just pick up a small gadget and be entertained for hours is amazing. It’s funny how generations have changed and forms of entertainment have become more technological,” Brock said.

BY MELISSA B. MULLIN

There’s no denying that music is a powerful thing; it appears to effect us all on some level. Indeed it seems to have more of a hard hitting and immediate effect on us emotionally. But only in recent times have scientists sought to seek out and explain as to why music impacts us at such an emotional level.

According to 2knowmyself.com, a website that prides itself in being ‘an ultimate source in personal development and self understanding,’ music can be very beneficial in the healing sense, body and spirit. It would seem logical that music has to have some sort of positive effect medically, considering the fact that musical therapy is not a new thing.

This website also went on to allege that for many years therapists have advocated the study and listening to of music to reduce stress, relax, relieve pain and depression. Music reduces your stress by regulating your breathing rate and relaxing your muscles. Music also activates parts of the brain that make us happy, suggesting its importance for our physical and mental well being. How does it make us happy? Google.com defines Serotonin as a chemical in our brain that regulates emotion, behavior and thought. Music is said to stimulate your body, producing Serotonin; the “happiness hormone,” obviously making you feel happy.

Have you ever been listening to a song and then be flooded with memories from that time? Perhaps you’ve heard a song that reminds you of a loved one who has passed on, or a party you were at once. The point is, why music, melody, and lyrics do these things? New found information on 2knowmyself.com has given reason to believe that the cause of this could be Neuro association. This happens because your mind has previously associated both the song and event with each other, and by hearing a song that was playing at that moment, it brings back all those memories, and makes you feel the same emotions that you felt that very same night, making you recall the environment you were in, the people you were with, and maybe even what you were wearing.

If you haven’t already figured it out yet, it doesn’t take more than hearing the first five seconds of a song to make your mood swing or jog a memory, so watch out for songs that are anchored to bad memories and emotions, as they could affect you in a negative way, and really bring your mood down.

When asked why she thought music can have such a dramatic affect on people, Catie Mouw, a 16 year old Summer Journalism Institute student, said that it depends on the type of person you are.

“It all depends on your personality and how you are in general. When you listen to something you like, and can sing along to, it’s going to make you happy.”
Coming from a more artistic point of view, Sarah Blanc, another fellow Summer Journalism Institute student, listens to Bob Dylan when she’s painting to get her creative juices flowing.

“He makes my art better,” Blanc said. Her justification for why people listen to music while they are relaxing or trying to change their state of mind is, “It’s psychological. People find comfort in repetition and rhythm.”

There have been many studies and experiments to see what type of effect music has on the human mind, one of which was to see if music increased the productivity as you worked. According to Kutcha.com, researchers from the University of Illinois conducted a study to see just that. They found that classical musicians such as Bach and Mozart are excellent in helping people pace their reading and with memorization. Good news for the hormonally stressed: 2knowmyself.com claims that if you are aiming to be more productive through relaxation, you can do so by listening to music with an upbeat rhythm. This has been shown to reduce stress hormone levels by as much as 41%. By having control over your stress levels, you control your emotions, body, and functions.

How does music raise so many emotions in us? And why are they so powerful when they’re just two of the simplest things, lyrics and a melody. Just how is it that we as humans, develop such a “biologically based appreciation” for music? The answer is, we simply cannot be sure; we only have speculation and theory to go by. Until scientists can pinpoint exactly why music has that effect on people, it will remain a mass of theories and experimental results. But every study brings us closer and closer to the truth.