Noah Barkan ’24 and Anisa Pugh ’22 discuss the racial undertones behind the name of Harriton High School

Franklin D. Roosevelt once said, “Democracy cannot succeed unless those who express their choice are prepared to choose wisely. The real safeguard of democracy, therefore, is education.” The war in Ukraine

It is clear that democratic backsliding is occurring. Around the world, politicians are beginning to make moves for undisputed power. In Hungary, Victor Orban ran on a platform of opposing the European Union, Middle Eastern migrants, and LGBTQ+ rights, in direct opposition to the majority of peaceful, democratic countries. With full control over the state media and the economy, he was able to win in a landslide against an opponent whom many considered Hungary’s “last best hope” to save their fragile democracy. In France and the United States, leaders who are staunch supporters of democracy have come under attack from illiberal politicians who proclaim that the elections will be stolen from them. For example, Donald dents have a moral obligation to vote. Voting is the best way to save and protect our democracy, as voting proves that we still have a democracy— especially when you vote for change. Whether it is for socialism, liberalism, conservatism, or any other political ideology, as long as the candidate supports democracy, a vote is a voice for democracy. Even more importantly, your vote can protect others. A vote can push a candidate over the finish line, and that candidate could legislate the continuing of voting rights efforts. Just like how your lack of a vote could allow someone who is undemocratic to win power. Looking at the numbers, we can clearly see that the voter turnout rate in American is not what it should be. The dismal turnout rat-

has caused a new reckoning for democracies around the world. In the largest European war in history since World War II, the Russian invasion has clearly drawn lines between countries that support Ukraine, like France, and countries that don’t.. But does this mean that the United States will always be democratic? The hope of democracy as something permanent is consistent throughout American history. Archibald MacLeish once said, “Democracy is never a thing done. Democracy is always something that a nation must be doing.” However, nations must beware of democratic backsliding. In order to prevent this from happening in the United States, it is crucial that LM students vote.

The looming danger of democratic backsliding is one of increasing magnitude. The term democratic backsliding means the erosion of democratic norms. Institutions such as the Democracy Index, an organization which tracks democracy, says that countries previously perceived as democratic, like Hungary or India, are experiencing backsliding. During the Russian civil war, Leon Trotsky, a Bolshevik, told the remaining legislators advocating for a democratic republic to, “‘go to the place where you belong from now on - the dustbin of history!” This was the end of a dream that a new, democratic Russia could have formed. Instead, Russia embarked on years of terror. Such norms are going to this dustbin of history around the world, and, for the first time, the number of people living in a democracy has shrunk in the past decade. ing among youth voters in the 2020 election (only just over 50%) was actually an increase of over 10 percentage points, the highest ever. The “sky high” turnout from under 75% of registered voters did not represent a high amount of youth voters. As Obama said, “the biggest threat to our democracy is cynicism – a cynicism that’s led too many people to turn away from politics and stay home on election day” Some people argue that their vote will not change anything. However, this narrative could not be further from wrong. In 2000, George Bush defeated Al Gore for the presidency by only 537 Florida votes. Pennsylvania is a pivotal swing state too. If you want to step into a new world, where that world is made safe for democracy, then you must vote for those candidates who represent you. We don’t all have to be politicians or like politics. But that doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t know and talk

Trump refused to accept that he lost the 2020 election, claiming that his loss was the result of election fraud. When politicians go against the norms of democratic societies, democracy is on the decline. So how can we, as LM students, help to stop such a large issue? Although saving the face of our democracy sounds like an arduous task, we can start with one simple step: voting. LM stu-

about the issues plaguing our nation. Students and citizens reading this must all encourage everyone we know who is able to vote, and for those who can, vote themselves. Learn how to vote, and share that information. Graphic by Emma Liu ’22/Staf Democracy is not a given. Throughout the world, the dark cloud that represents governments without democracy is descending over millions of people. Let that not be us also. Jay Griffths said, “Being adequately informed is a democratic duty, just as the vote is a democratic right. A misinformed electorate, voting without knowledge, is not a true democracy.” Ask others to vote, teach them to vote, inspire them to vote. The shining city on the hill must not descend into darkness.

Harriton High School. When the name is spoken one may think about lavish lifestyles and old money. But how would someone feel if they found out that these lifestyles were built on the backs of enslaved people and swept under the rug like they never existed? Harriton High School’s name praises slavery and needs to be changed. Examination and reform should not end where Lower Merion begins. Many students have become aware of and taken concern with the history of Harriton High School and, more specifically, its name. The name “Harriton’’ derives from Hannah Norris’s family, widely known as Norriton. Hannah Norris married Richard Harrison whose last names combined to form Harriton. Harrison, however, was a slave owner who built a 700 acre tabacco empire on the backs of enslaved African-Americans. The name of a school has extreme importance. In many cases, schools will be named in testament to the contributions of important historical figures. In many cases, schools are named after people who had a strong influence over the founding of that school. However, neither Harrison nor Norris contributed in any way to Harriton High School. What place does a slave owner with little to no connection with a school have in being celebrated by the establishment itself? When a school is named after a person with no connection to the given school, it is presumed to be named in remembrance and celebration of an individual or set of ideals an individual showed. Lower Merion School District has attempted to justify the name by providing information about the history on the Harriton website. They mention that Thomson, the successor of the plot of land and plantation, was avidly against slavery and wrote to President, Thomas Jefferson as such. They also point out the convenient plaque outside the main office honors Thomson and his achievements. However, Thomson is not who the school is named after. A simple plaque in a lobby is not reparation for the damage of a building named Harriton. Students should not have to walk through doors coated with praise for a slave owner. The unchanged status of the school’s name reveals a crucial pattern; our words and speech on equity mean little when we aren’t willing to admit our past and current wrongdoings. To admit this requires responsibility and accountabil-

ity, which many in the district seem to lack. We must hold ourselves accountable for the history that stares us in our faces in the most blatant ways. Changing Harriton High School’s name is imperative to accountability. Though the name of Harriton may present solace and lasting tradition to many, the history cannot be ignored. Many feel changing the name will change the culture of Harriton and shift the present traditions. We would have to agree. Changing the name means adjusting present cultures that discount celebrations of slavery as a positive. It means forming a culture of accountability and willingness for students to be critical of their district. Further, it would demonstrate to students the truth that slavery was a codemable atrocity with lasting impacts in the now. Those who contributed to it are not worth a celebration, a testament, or even a name.

Droplets glisten on the waxy leaves The evanescent shine Could blind ones eyes Fish splash and leap out of the opposing currents Their scales refect the clear water Of radiant scarlets, golds, ambers Clovers sway in the light breeze Which hums its way into the blooming fowers Petals breaking of and falling to the ground

Within the hollow wood, chirps of Crickets vibrate throughout the tree Lady bugs crawl along the crevices And creases of the weathered bark

It trails to the roots which puncture The Earth’s foor

Along comes the pitter-patter Of small feet Making marks across the terrain A twig is in the hand of the being That makes its marks on the crust of the Earth

She swings it around like a wand A paintbrush A pen with no end to the ink Her eyes wander to the tops of the treetops Where the birds have perched to watch the performance The girl comes upon the stream With the glistening fsh of warmth which Swim away from the loud noises coming from her direction

Another small child enters the picture He roars like a dragon from the peacock-colored leaves And charges into the girl They fall into the shallow water and laugh Voices echoing to the birds above And bugs below The creatures seem a bit rattled By the interference of the newcomers But nevertheless they enjoy their presence in The otherwise peaceful environment because A little chaos never hurt anyone The children get up and brush themselves of Before leaving, the girl decides to put the duo’s mark somewhere

She gathers some smooth rocks from the stream And colorful fowers from a nearby patch Even found a feather from a bird And makes a heart on the ground out of the objects She plants her stick in the middle, Smiles to the sky and marches out of the small forest

The boy follows close behind And the animals were once again left alone The birds were the bravest and frst to Go examine what the human did up close They pecked at the ground at frst And look up at the child’s masterpiece Squirrels scurry to look and then came the bunnies

None of them dare to touch it Only look Admire Stare Study Watch

After a bit they all leave Until the only beings that could have admired it Are the fsh confned to the water

Mother’s Day is coming up on May 8, so it is time to celebrate the person who we hold so dearly in our hearts. Our moms do so much for us every single day, so it is important to take this day to return the favor. Here are some fun, creative, and simple ways to appreciate your mom this Mother’s Day.

Get her fowers: You can never go wrong with this kind gesture. Not sure which kind of fower is her favorite? Take a guess! All fowers are beautiful and she will appreciate the thought regardless. They don’t have to be storebought either. Picking her a small bouquet of garden fowers is just as special.

Make a card: Every mother loves receiving her child’s artwork and creativity. If you make her a heartfelt card and tell her how much you appreciate her, it will surely bring her great joy.

Bake her a sweet treat: Baking is easy and pretty much anyone can do it. Make your mom her favorite treat and she will be so thankful.

Buy her jewelry: Similar to fowers, you can never go wrong with jewelry. A necklace, bracelet, earrings, or a ring are all perfect ideas. Make sure you know if she prefers gold or silver and you are all set! Help her out: As mentioned before, our moms do so much for us so make today a day where you take on all her tasks. Whether it is doing extra chores around the house or helping out with dinner, the efort will mean so much to her. After all, she should relax on her special day. Clean the house: Similarly, you could clean the house. This is a gift to everyone in the family. No one, especially our hardworking moms, likes to come home to a messy house so cleaning it will be much appreciated. Spend time with her: We all have busy lives but it is important to make sure to spend time with our moms. You could watch her favorite movie, play a card game, or just talk and your mom will feel so happy. Book her a self care appointment: A mani-pedi, a Graphic by Tillie Szwartz ’25massage, facial, or any other form of self care is a perfect gift for your mom. Sometimes our moms are so focused on providing for us and our needs that they forget to treat themselves. By booking this appointment, you are showing that you are thinking of her and her needs. Let’s celebrate our mothers with love and care!

Stress. It gets to all of us. While stress can physically impact a person, the most difcult part about it is dealing with it when it takes over. Sometimes all you need is to take a deep breath or a minute alone to calm those nerves.

As the school year comes to a close, the AP Exams approach faster than ever. Whether you are taking the tests for college applications or even as a benchmark, the hours of tests can carry a lot of stress along with them. How can you deal with it? Finley Hofman ’23 explains that she “had a set studying schedule and tried not to stress too much because it was not the end of the world if my score was not the best.” As these tests approach, students should remember that their scores do not determine who they are as people and it is simply an assessment on the AP curriculum. Jamie Elman ’22 says that she “stopped studying the night before because it does not do you any good to cram in last minute studying.” Elman further expressed that, “my AP scores would not be the end all be all of my college applications.” This advice could carry over into any situation, especially for a high school student preparing for college. Learning to cope with stress and fnding healthy ways to deal with situations like AP Exams, tests, and interviews is extremely important. If you are worried about the ACTs or SATs, take time and adapt to regular studying habits so instead of feeling stressed out, come test day, you will feel prepared and calm. Williams Integracare Clinic explains that stress afects more than just your mind and learning to overcome issues that you cannot change is a very important part of stress management. Whether it is taking care of yourself by eating healthy meals, getting plenty of sleep, or giving yourself a break when stress gets out of hand, there are many ways to cope with negative feelings. Even fnding a trusted adult or friend to sit down and talk to is always helpful. Since Stress Awareness Month Graphic by Ilana Zahavy ’24 /Staf is upon us, it is very important for high school students to remember: don’t overthink situations that will not have a massive impact on the rest of your life. Start doing yoga, learn to communicate struggles, fnd a few fellow trusted listeners, and remember to relax.

Q: What should I do to fll up my free time this summer?

A: When the fnal bell rings on June 17, many students at LM will eagerly fee the building until they are legally obligated to return the following September. Anticipating the endless hours of free time appears promising after already overworked students have spent hours studying for exams and preparing for fnal projects. However, after two weeks without the pressing obligations that plague the school year, students may realize that the monotony of free time quickly grows boring. To avoid being caught in this standstill until September, try and fll your schedule with some structure during the summer months. Primarily, try and get a job. Many local businesses hire for the summer, so try and stop by in-person to inquire to see if your favorite places are hiring. Whether at a restaurant, ice cream shop, clothing store, or a cofee shop, getting work experience can lead to developing good skills–and earning some spending money. If you can’t fnd a job, try something new, like taking up a new hobby. When the weather is nice (and not too hot–thanks Philly) try being active by going on a bike ride or hike. If you have to stay inside, try a hobby like baking or knitting. Regardless of what you ultimately decide to do, make sure to try and have some structure in your summer!

Q: I’m worried I’m going to do bad on my AP exams, how do I accept my scores?

A: I’ve heard a lot of chatter amongst the junior class about AP exams...rightfully so. We’ve all been put under the extreme pressure of taking an AP exam, or even four, within the same two week period! You’re completely valid for feeling nervous, anxious, and scared about how you’ll perform on those fateful days, but when you actually get the scores, you need to remind yourself that it’s not as huge of a deal as you truly think it is. I remember I was so terrifed to get a bad score on my AP exams until I remembered that colleges barely put any weight on these exams. If anything, they only really look at these scores once you’ve actually been accepted to see which classes you can opt out of after accepting your AP credits. Now, colleges are more concerned about your actual grade in the class and who you are as a person. More and more, you are seeing colleges ask about what makes you “special” outside of academics. So just remember, you are an awesome student and person. It’s okay to put in your headphones and cry while listening to sad music after fnding out a bad AP score. But hey, you can always fll out a withholding form!

Q: How do I keep up with high school friends after graduation?

A: It can be daunting to go from seeing someone fve times a week to living separate lives with hundreds of miles in-between. But don’t be discouraged—while it’s natural for some to drift apart, those who truly want to, can maintain their friendships for years to come. In the age of technology, staying in contact across distance is easier than ever. But don’t relegate your once-closest friends to just your Instagram feeds— take that extra step and build habits of calls and FaceTimes. Though at frst it may seem lackluster compared to in-person hangouts, eventually you may fnd value in having someone separate from your college life that you can call whenever. Before you know it, you and your friends will be on break, back together and back to normal.

Q: What are some activities to do with friends over the summer?

A: Here’s a list of fun activity ideas: 1.Color themed picnic (each person brings foods or drinks of a diferent color of the rainbow) 2.Play hide and seek in the mall with a big group of friends (of course, don’t do anything dangerous or illegal) 3.Play “Guess Who” but substitute the faces on the tabs with faces of people you know 4.Go on a walk and ask Siri whether to go left or right and see where it leads you - stay safe though! 5.Hold a powerpoint or jeopardy night 6.Make and decorate lunchbox cakes together 7.Put together a time capsule and bury it 8.Solve a mystery: fgure out an unsolved case together, go to an escape room, or complete a scavenger hunt