The Upstart

Students express opinions on dorms

Dorms and dorm life were a major part of the MIPA Summer Workshop experience. The Upstart staff asked students, “What do you think of the dorms and dorm life here at
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Review: ‘Ballroom’ strikes balance between humor, intrigue

In 2005, Marilyn Agrelo directed the documentary “Mad Hot Ballroom,” a movie focused on various schools in New York City who train to take part in a city-wide dance competition.
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Review: Mad Hot Ballroom

They are every empathetic movie-goer’s dream become reality: Kids growing up in the ghetto, set up for a life of crime and hardship, who experience an intervention that changes their outlook on
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Sparty Winner: Opinion Coverage

As I sit in the Ford Expedition, my bottom already sore from the two-hour car ride, I look over at my twin sister, Aimee, and my good friend, Elle. They are both eagerly peeking out the window as we drive up to our final destination, the same place we go every year for the Fourth of July.

Entertainment Coverage: Waiting for Superman Review

Waiting and waiting for Superman to show up, and he never does. That’s everyday reality for public school students who actually come to school to learn, and our teachers are failing them. Waiting for Superman directed by David Guggenheim, sheds light on our American school system and it’s tremendous shortcomings.

Maason Kao: Cheerleading, Is it a Sport?

Cheerleading took a heavy blow when Federal Judge Stefan Underhill ruled that it was not a sport. The sport is plenty dangerous, but cheerleading is still too “underdeveloped and unorganized,” Federal Judge Stefan Underhill ruled. Cheerleading, like the Judge said, is still too fresh to be considered a sport.

Opinion Coverage: Cheating the students

Though cheating is viewed as an unfortunate occurrence in high school, it feels as though teachers have given up fighting it. In a recent poll of students attending MIPA, 86% said that they had cheated on a test or homework assignment during high school.

Column: No More Cheers

When the subject of cheerleading comes up, the Saturday night live sketch with Will Ferrell and Cheri Oteri comes to mind, chanting purposely stupid cheers like “Who’s that Spartan in my Tepee?” and other ridiculous bantering. However it wasn’t so hilarious when Quinnipiac University tried to eliminate their Women’s volleyball team, and replace it with cheerleading.

Music Reviews: Jessica Dianne

Justin Bieber expressed his hurt and sorrow in the bluesy “That Should Be Me”. Although reminiscent to Usher’s “You Got It Bad”, Bieber separates himself with his smooth vocals and youthful approach to love.