Name: Strelnikov Ivan Nikolayevich
High School: Middle School #425 of Moscow
Sports:A
Clubs: Botvinnik Chess Club
Activities: The head of the school komsomol organization
Honors: Honors? I graduated with honors
Yearbook entry: Vot yearbook?

Q: Mr. Strelnikov, I admit some of your answers puzzled us. Did you say you attended high school at a middle school?
A: Yes, that is correct. What Americans call high school is called middle school in Russia.

Q: Interesting. How old were you when you graduated from middle school?
A: Seventeen. It is the same thing under a different name.

Q: Are there any high schools in Russia?
A: The name is sometimes used for colleges and universities.

Q: So after you graduate from middle school and receive our equivalent of high school diploma, you can go to a high school to receive a degree?
A: That is correct.

Q: Fascinating. So, where did you, er, receive your degree?
A: Moscow University.

Q: And your degree is in...?
A: Law.

Q: You went to a law school to become a policeman?
A: I went to a law school to become a detective.

Q: It is common practice in Russia for lawyers and detectives to receive the same education?
A: Absolutely. It is just, is it not?

Q: Er, yes, of course. And you could have been a lawyer if you chose?
A: Yes, but I wanted to uphold the law, not to protect criminals.

Q: Lawyers also protect those erroneously accused, don't they?
A: If I do my job right, there will not be any erroneously accused.

Q: Ahem. No, of course not. But since ours is primarily a student magazine, let us return to your education and background. You graduated from school with honors; were you just good a student at the University?
A: I received Red Diploma.

Q: Red Diploma?
A: It is what you call "graduated with honors."

Q: Is it actually red?
A: Of course.

Q: What were the other color options?
A: Blue.

Q: No white?
A: Not in diplomas.

Q: What was it used for?
A: White ticket. It is what I believe you call F-4.

Q: Being physically incapable of military service?
A: That is correct.

Q: How colorful! Now, you mentioned Botvinnik Chess Club; was it at your school?
A: No, it is the main Moscow Chess Club.

Q: Wow. Are you that good?
A: I am not exceptionally good but I like playing chess. It helps one develop one's mind.

Q: And what about sports? Knowing you, we're not surprised you had an A. Did your school offer any specialized sport activities?
A: A little bit of each but not to big extent. Our teachers concentrated on general physical development.

Q: Did you participate in any sport after school? Except for chess. A: Sambo.

Q: Oh, you danced!
A: It is Russian for weaponless self-defense.

Q: Interesting. Mr. Strelnikov, unfortunately, our air time is coming to an end. Thank you so much for this informative interview. Enjoy your stay in the US!
A: Thank you.

The End