Issue #4 Apr. 5, 2022
Contents
4 School Spirit 18 Politics 26 Literature 30 Art 36 Curiosity 2
Nido En Cien Palabras Hello guys! In the past issue, we launched a competition called Nido en Cien palabras. The due date for submissions has come and gone, and we are proud to say that we have picked out two winners! Congratulations to Zhenhao from the juniors and Mr Ferrebee from the teachers! Their pieces have been selected as the winners of this competition. You can read them below:
6 years
It rained that year - April or May?
By: Zhenhao (11)
By: Tom Ferrebee (Staff)
6 years ago…
We couldn’t remember in-between the news reports of leaders holding onto power
Bewildered but I knew exactly what’s
and the virus disrupting their petty games.
ahead of me. Arrogant yet ignorant.
The year of rain, unanticipated but welcome
A future full of possibilities for a speck
- on evenings when the baby slept between
of dust in the universe.
us and our son brought his mattress down
Reality is lightyears away.
so we could be together in Chile holding fast to lovely fear or fearful love, had
6 years, in a blink of an eye.
arrived.
Everything remained the same yet everything changed.
We would wait for the light drum beat to
Reality is approaching. Approaching
end, for the cactus to drink, for the quillay
ferociously. Approaching fast.
tree, whose bark is said to treat some of the ailments in our chests, to reach skyward.
3
School Spirit
The 2022 IB Art Exhibition By: Ameer (11) An explosion of color—luscious, green mountains, purple and orange eyes, brown, rusty portraits, piercing-red blood, neon spray paint, pink and purple handwriting, copper-tainted dresses, rich blues, and indigos. This is what I perceived almost instantaneously as I entered the labyrinth of creativity that was the IB Art Exhibition on the 25th of March. Live jazz standards played in the background as I marveled through the art pieces of Margherita, Andrea, Oscar, and Carla. This event was meant to commemorate the hard work of these HL IB Visual Art students, and since we’re dealing with Nido’s top artists, the way they decided to display their work was superbly creative. There was tasteful graffiti spray-painted on every white wall, a blackboard filled with the viewers’ positive comments written on yellow sticky notes, projectors showing creative films directed by the students, and a dark room within a room accessi-
5
ble by an ominous, old-fashioned door.
told me about the positive message it
Each artist’s work was placed within a
evokes. Impressed, I asked her about
separate chamber, and outside of these
when she started doing art, to which
cavities, guests were greeted with the
she responded, “Ever since I was an
creator’s sketchbook. Here, you could
eight-year-old, I liked art. I used to
observe the student’s artistic progres-
watch my sister draw, and was equally
sion throughout the two-year IB
jealous and amazed by her skills: I
course.
wanted to do what she did.”
Under Ms. Victoria Sanchez’s mentor-
Oscar, the “only guy in IB Art this year”,
ship, students were taught to “break
told me a bit about his experience in
the frontiers, come up with new ideas,
this class. “It’s been tough. It’s a lot
use a wide selection of materials—be
of work, and it takes a lot of patience.
as unconservative and avant-gardist as
Honestly, I didn’t know what I was
possible.” This pedagogical approach
getting into, I didn’t have much of an
proved to be fruitful in developing the
idea about how much work this class
artist’s technique and their ability to
demanded of me. I don’t regret taking
self-express. Some examples of this
this class, however. It has opened my
notion include a streamer made up
mind to more styles and ideologies,
of painted, disposable masks, a dress
and has allowed me to grow as an artist
adorned with a variety of coins, and a
and person by doing things I wasn’t
life-sized sculpture depicting a medi-
used to doing. It’s been wonderful,” he
cal bed.
explained. Again, I asked about when he started getting into art. He told me,
Coming into the IB course, these
“ever since I was a kid I loved drawing.
students already had a deep relation-
I was that friendless, awkward kid that
ship with art. Carla, for instance, said,
drew during lunch and recess. I didn’t
“For me, art is very important because
put too much work into it then, but I
it gives me an outlet to express myself
knew I had a certain ease for drawing.
and to connect with, or comfort,
When I started growing up, I recog-
other people.” Then, she pointed out
nized I was somewhat talented with art
her transparent, winged, statue and
so I began to take it more seriously.”
6
find a balance between creating things It was also interesting to learn about
at home and things at school.” Andrea
the artists’ inspirations. All of them
adds, “As time passed, we were all in
mentioned encouragement from loved
different parts of the world. I was in
ones, along with a varied cast of creative
Miami, Margarita was in Italy, Carla
people in their lives. Some mentioned
was in Spain—it was really interest-
specific places, like a vineyard or the
ing to see how the culture you were
streets of Santiago seen through the
surrounded
backseat of car, while others listed an
paintings.” In the end, these seniors
eclectic selection of artists, both classi-
acknowledged that the tribulation of
cal and contemporary.
studying at home and their precarious
with
influenced
your
circumstances resulted in newfound Ms. Sanchez also told me about the
adaptability as artists.
pandemic and the hardships her class faced during the quarantine. The 2022
The climax of the event was marked
Art Exhibition had been the first live
by a reflective speech given by Ms.
exhibition in two years. As explained
Sanchez in the middle of the Fine Arts
by Margharita, “the two-year course
Building. The four spirited artists,
has been really stressful, especially
dressed in voguish attire, ritualisti-
because we’re moving around a lot
cally stood side-to-side whilst their
from online to in-person. It’s hard to
teacher gave them each a bright, arti-
7
ficial flower. These were Van Gogh’s sunflowers, explained Ms. Sanchez as she awarded these talismans of guidance to her hard-working pupils. The event reached its emotional conclusion as the audience celebrated this momentous achievement with a standing ovation. “There’s a crucial lesson an artist needs to learn at some point,” Oscar said to a group of underclassmen considering taking IB Art next year. “There’s always someone better than you at art, and that’s just part of the humble attitude of being an artist. If you like art, and if you are patient, this is the course for you.”
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IB Concert Review By: Ignacio (12) The folks over at IB Music were grace-
jumps rather comfortably, and even
ful (and hardworking) enough to give
when he falters just a small bit around
us a concert. Let’s see what they had in
the ending, he makes a very effec-
store!
tive recovery such that his mistake is not very noticeable. I was rather impressed at how the arrangement he played made a good compensation for the lack of lyrics which really just comes off as a very essential part of Por una cabeza. I mean, how could anyone fully compensate for Gardel’s beautiful voice? Again, there lies my reason
First up was Martin, who played an
for being impressed. A good rhythm is
arrangement of Gardel’s Por una cabeza
also kept throughout. It’s fast enough
on the piano. Gardel was the single
to sound like a good tango, but slow
most acclaimed and recognized tango
enough to not be overly hard to play.
composer, with this piece of his being a true classic to the genre. According to Martin, his inspiration to play this came from seeing a saxophonist playing Por una cabeza in Spain. Needless to say, I believe he places just the right emphasis on the chorus, staying very well composed and tranquil at other parts of the piece. The bass section
Next up was Vicky, who played Chopin’s
he plays is very refined, making large
Waltz in b minor, Op. 69 No. 2, which
9
is quite the interesting piece. The way
theme, the Windmill Hut theme, and
Chopin wrote it makes it feel like the
finally a reprise of the main theme. To
player is subtly, almost barely chang-
say I could not be bored for a single of
ing the speed at which they’re playing
this would be an understatement. Even
in the middle of a phrase. It’s overall
within each theme, Logan would be
a somewhat playful piece, but the best
playing variations every few measures
part had to be the way Vicky’s hands
or so, this way the medley constantly
moved. They looked very light when
changed, and constantly flowed from
she was moving them, yet they very
one theme onto the next. The amount
clearly weighted on the keys. She, too,
of tricks he had to pull to play so many
stayed relaxed even if she made a small
things (and to make some very fun
slip-up, and still managed to maintain
jumps every now and then) is impres-
commendable control over the piece.
sive. I applaud his talent and his labor,
Her reasoning for choosing to play that
it’s cool to hear and watch for geeks
piece was that she saw the chance to
like myself.
re-learn it for this concert.
Then, Olivia played Cesar Franck’s Logan played a Legend of Zelda medley. I feel more compelled to say that he flexed his piano skills on everyone for approximately five minutes, but the fact is that he played a Legend of Zelda medley. He cycled through the main theme, the Lost Woods theme, Zelda’s Lullaby, the Fairy Fountain
10
Violin & Piano Sonata. She said she’d watched the piece on youtube, and that it really touched her emotionally. Frankly, witnessing it at this concert, it did touch me a little as well. Watching her slowly sway her body as she played her vibratos also communicated very well the impact of the piece. I should say, though, something… interesting
happened in the middle of this: a part
small distortion he’d aptly apply with
of the microphone on Olivia’s violin
the handle on his guitar. Did I mention
actually fell off. It didn’t really affect
the song he played is called Wonder-
her playing, because this happened at
ful Slippery Thing? Now I have. Also,
a part where she was not playing, and
Guthrie Govan composed it. Ameer
then she just carried on through the
said he felt inspired to play it in order
rest of the composition like it wasn’t
to learn new techniques, which I’d say
a big deal. A second recording of the
paid off quite well in his performance.
performance had to be done, though,
He wasn’t afraid at all to play with
for the purpose of delivering a higher
what he was playing (no pun intended),
quality recording. Her second playing
although he was a little bit more
was very welcome, I’d say. Throughout
wooden in terms of posture compared
all of it, Ms. Kim completes the piece
to the other musicians.
by backing Olivia’s melody with calm, long chords
The very last IB Music performance was done by all of its integrants, the song of choice being “Hijo Del Diluvio”, by Congreso. It’s a very “unplugged” song, because it mainly utilizes non-electronic instruments, but at the same time goes a little beyond the normal rock piece ensemble. Piano, drums,
They changed the spotlights to red when Ameer came in. They didn’t have to, but they did it anyway. Turns out that was just the prelude to the sheer shredding the Nest’s founder was about to unleash. His cover was really fun to listen to and observe, especially because of how he’d keep changing his guitar’s timbre with the pedals below him. This is without mentioning the
violin, guitar, bass, and xylophone. That last instrument is often used along with many, many other instruments in orchestras, but the fact that there are fewer players here allows the xylophone’s percussive contributions to accompany the violin’s melody to an effective degree. The whole band ends up sounding rather organized, and plays on point, with Olivia’s voice being
11
very well accompanied by the bass throughout the bridge sections. Can I just say for a moment that Martin’s posture throughout is always a very prepared one? It’s clearly unlike the hunchback posture I take in Concert Band with the chimes and bells. Of course, Na Yeon provides a wellrounded support through the piano through chords, which Ameer does as well whilst Logan beats the snare out of the drums. If I could describe this whole recital with one word, it would certainly choose the word “organized”.
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BOND - Bridges Over Nido’s Diversity By: Nicolás (11) colegio, decidimos que íbamos a hacer crecer al club cada semestre, cada vez cumpliendo un propósito más holístico y de amplio alcance. El primer semestre, partimos con nuestros reconocimientos semanales, nombrando a Jonathan Muñoz y Ana Maria Rosales en nuestras reuniones de High School. Esta tradición ha seguido este semestre, esta vez dándole Es un hecho que vivimos en un país
reconocimiento a Patricia Vasquez,
tremendamente desigual, y más allá de
Carolina Carvacho, Eduardo Alarcón y
sus efectos económicos o políticos, este
Octavio Morales.
fenómeno crea una grieta entre nuestras realidades. Por esto, crea-
Para celebrar Thanksgiving al estilo
mos una iniciativa que intenta cerrar,
chileno, organizamos un asado donde los
o encoger, estas brechas que existen y
estudiantes y janitors trabajaron juntos
buscar cosas que tenemos en común.
para hacer choripán con pebre. Además de quedar exquisito, el asado creó
BOND surgió en septiembre del año
conexiones reales, las cuales podrían
pasado y rápidamente se transformó
haberse creado en un ambiente escolar
en un club sólido, gracias a la partici-
común y corriente.
pación de alrededor de quince estudiantes de High School. Después de
Este semestre nos queremos enfocar en
reunirnos con los trabajadores del
seguir expandiendo el club. Al final de
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nuestro paso por Nido, esperamos haber podido mostrarles a los estudiantes del colegio que detrás de cada sala limpia, cada arbusto bien tendido y cada entrada al estacionamiento existe una cara con cuento. Si está interesado en unirse a la inicia tiva, entre en contacto con el Instagram del club (@bondnido).
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An Interview with Nido’s Gender Equality Club By: Christian (10) This week one of our correspondents,
we had a lot of sophomores join, which
Chris, interviewed the current leader
is cool. I feel that the group has been
of the Gender Equality Club, Dana,
excited about making an impact in
in order to discuss the efforts and
the school. Our club advisor is Ms.
purpose of their organization. The club
Vasquez, and we have two people that
was created last year by ex-seniors Ale
lead this club: Fran and me. I’m in
and Nao. It started as a safespace for
charge of Instagram, and for the most
students to discuss topics related to
part a lot of people have come up and
gender equality, sexism and feminism.
said “Dana I wanna do a post on this”,
However, it also developed into an
or be like, “I have an idea for a post”.
organization which raises awareness
I feel that this shows commitment for
for gender issues through their insta-
the most part, and whenever we ask
gram page (@igualdad.cl), and educa-
them for help, like if they could talk to
tional workshop hosting. We encour-
a teacher or anything like that, they’re
age anyone interested in gender issues
always down for it.
to learn more about the Gender Equality Club and to stay tuned for their
How do you see the club in ten
upcoming informative workshop this
years?
semester. Our club consists of two parts. We have Sounds like a really open space!
our workshops, where we discuss with
What about commitment?
the community about gender issues through zoom, and then the Instagram
The club was created during the
where we update the account every now
pandemic and we have had issues with
and then. I just hope that in ten years
commitment. However, last semester
time, we will have greater support
15
from our teachers since they are a
ing deep opinions and I feel that you
really important part of our commu-
need to learn how to listen to people and
nity, in addition to the students. Nowa-
say your opinion respectfully as well.
days we have a group of teachers that
It is important for future members to
are very supportive. For example, we
understand that all opinions are valid
are going to do a workshop with Link
and that we are all a bunch of teenagers
Crew, so Mr. Branch and Mr. Duffy
learning together about it, so we might
have been helping us with that. We
as well respect what we have to say. We
also have our advisor, Ms.Vasquez, she
are all in the same boat and non of us
has been really nice about it. She’s the
are professionals.
best! However, it would also be nice for other teachers to help us out and to be more open to us sharing our ideas and
Have you been planning any club
opinions on gender and sexuality.
trips?
What’s the main skill you would
I don’t know if this would count as
need for this club?
a trip, but we have been trying to do something with the Middle School.
I would say respect and empathy
I also think that it would be interest-
because there are a lot of people shar-
ing to get involved with other Chilean
16
schools. I remember when Nao and Ale led this club, we participated in a workshop that took part in another school. I don’t know if it would be in person but I think it would be interesting to take part in something like that. It’s hard because of COVID restrictions, but if we’re talking about the Middle School, I think it would be within our reach. Although our main target is High School, it’s important to be informed about these topics at their age. How do you think this club affected your life? For starters, I have been a feminist my whole life and I used to have a hard time talking about these issues—politics and gender—because I felt like people always knew more than I did. When Nao asked me to join the club, I eventually understood that we all know the same amount, we are just trying to help each other out and that we shouldn’t be scared of sharing our opinions on subjects like this. Just seeing people support us has shown me that I don’t have to be scared of these things because we’re all learning together.
17
Politics
Period Poverty In Latin Ameria: A Global Affliction With Local Consequences By: Carolina (11) unimportant issue, the fact that thousands of women around the world do not have access to basic sanitary products is efficiently and effectively silenced. Period poverty is a silent affliction.
As previously mentioned, this is not a
Drowned out by taboos and dirty
modern issue. Cultures all around the
looks, menstruation, although some-
world have stigmatized menstruation as
thing that every woman has to deal
far back as literature is recorded. Pliny
with, is stigmatized all around the
the Elder, an ancient Roman philos-
globe. This is an attitude that has been
opher stated that “menstrual blood
cultivated since the beginning of time,
could turn dogs mad, wither crops and
and it stems from the idea of female
trees, and, if exposed to lightning, ward
inferiority. Even though society has
off ‘hailstorms and whirlwinds’. “ Peri-
collectively taken steps to reduce the
ods are often considered as unclean,
levels of inequality and give women
as a sign of impurity. In Ghana, for
all the value they deserve, the topic of
example, women on their period are
menstruation is a repellent that imme-
not allowed to approach a house with
diately hushes any conversation regard-
a man inside or cook food. In Nepal,
ing equal rights. May it be because it is
women on their period are isolated in
associated with the female reproduc-
“menstrual huts” during the duration
tive system which in itself causes many
of their cycle. During their period of
awkward pauses in conversations, or
confinement they are not allowed to
may it be because it is dismissed as an
have contact with other people, cook,
19
read, given that menstruating females
can do anything and everything, even
are dirty and “impure.” This is not only
if she is on her period, but given the
reflected in cultural customs, it extends
saturated stigma that overflows soci-
to school attendance. In Kenya, an
eties afflicted with low levels of educa-
average girl will miss about 20% of the
tion, girls believe that periods are an
school year, given that she is expected
actual inconvenience, and they do
to stay at home during the duration of
inhibit them from leading a normal
her cycle. Similar numbers are reflected
life. Nevertheless, Plan International
in Uganda and Malawi, given that 28%
UK states that “In Africa, one in 10 girls
of girls miss school during their period
misses school when she has her period
in the former and 70% miss at least
because of the lack of information and
3 days of school each month in the
adequate facilities. The knock-on effect
latter. Extending beyond simply miss-
of this stigma is huge.”
ing class, in rural India, around 20% of girls leave school once they get their
However, it is important to note that
first period. When girls leave school,
this is not a problem confined to third-
especially in developing nations, they
world countries. Plan International,
become increasingly vulnerable to
a worldwide humanitarian organi-
teenage pregnancies, early marriages,
zation, also conducted a survey in
involvement in crime industries, sex
Ireland regarding period poverty,
trafficking, and other horrifying insti-
and the results were terrifying. The
tutions that are built and organized in
study concluded that 61% of girls have
order to exploit women. Furthermore,
missed school because of their periods
as girls leave school, the economy is
and 50% of them have had difficulty in
deprived of future thinkers, leaders,
accessing sanitary products due to their
and problem-solvers, all because they
cost. The same study was conducted
did not know how to manage their
in Scotland in which 45% of girls
period correctly. If taboo is reduced
reported using toilet paper, socks, and
and societies open up to understanding
newspapers instead of using expen-
what the menstrual cycle is and how
sive sanitary products. It is import-
to manage it, it will cause no inconve-
ant to note that sanitary products were
nience to the daily life of a woman. She
not developed only for comfort— they
20
are vital in maintaining hygiene and
Nevertheless, these products were not
health. If menstruation is not taken
commercialized until 1896 when the
care of correctly, girls and women are
first pads were released to the market.
at risk of reproductive and urinary
Lister’s Towels were an utter failure, not
tract infections coupled with urogen-
because they were poorly designed, but
ital disease. Often, countries that do
because women were too embarrassed
not have stock of female hygiene prod-
to be seen buying them in the stores.
ucts do not provide access to stable
Furthering the problem, pseudosci-
and efficient healthcare, thus when a
entific claims started gaining traction
woman contracts one of the aforemen-
in the early 20th century. The likes of
tioned diseases it often scales, given
scientists such as Professor B. Schick
the lack of infrastructure to treat the
proposed the idea that menstrual
conditions. Cultural customs coupled
blood was riddled with menotoxins —
with inaccessible hygiene products
poisons— that caused wine to go bad
leave every girl in an unfavorable and
and flowers to die. These toxins were
unsafe position. Due to their biological
not confined to menstrual blood, they
sex, they are already at a disadvantage
were also present in a woman’s sweat,
socially and economically, and society
saliva, urine, and tears. This theory
often engenders and cultivates these
was later debunked, but in its wake, it
inequalities.
fermented great fear and stigma that left women embarrassed of their natuinvention
ral condition. It was only after World
of pads, tampons, and period cups,
War I that pads became marketable
women had to be creative with their
and available. French nurses invented
hygiene. Often, rags and paper were
the earlier versions of the modern pad
the only way that they could control the
in order to stay clean during their long
bodily fluid, and although unhygienic,
shifts attending wounded soldiers.
they did the job. In the 1850s women
Companies like Kotex and Johnson &
used to pin cotton and flannel to their
Johnson caught sight of the idea and
underwear and this technique even-
began developing pads that could be
tually evolved into menstrual belts,
sold in stores. Although these were
cloth belts with an absorbent fabric.
important steps in making menstrual
Historically,
before
the
21
hygiene accessible to women, menstru-
an interview with Megan Kelly, a Fox
ating carried emotional stigma as wel.
News anchor, he implicitly stated that
Premenstrual Stress Syndrome is the
Kelly was overly aggressive with her
formal name assigned to moodiness
lines of questioning because she was
or sensibility that some women feel
on her period by saying, “You could
before they get their period, given the
see that there was blood coming out
hormonal imbalances that their bodies
of her eyes…blood coming out of her
are experiencing in order to prepare
wherever.” Because of this, it is easy to
for the possible conception of a baby.
understand why women felt so embar-
This “syndrome” has often been used
rassed by their period. Society made
against women, labeling them as unsta-
menstruation dirty, impure, and there-
ble, overtly emotional, and difficult. In
fore made women so as well.
an incredulous report in the Duke Law Journal published in 1983, PMS was
Notwithstanding
described as a “form of legal insan-
cultural implications of menstruat-
ity” as acknowledged by the English
ing— despite around 50% of the global
and French governments during the
population doing so— the economic
time. This meant that women who
factors of menstruating have made
were involved in crimes could plead
basic hygiene products inaccessible to
“diminished responsibility” because
thousands of women worldwide, and
she was on her period. This idea was
Latin America is no exception. Clau-
immediately accepted given that “PMS
dia Vidal, the founder of WordPoder-
syndrome can range in severity from
osxs in Panama said that in many
mild to incapacitating in both a physi-
cases “Women have to choose between
cal and psychological sense” according
buying a pound of rice or a pack of
to the publication. Perspectives such as
feminine sanitary pads.” This prob-
these, unfortunately, did not stay in the
lem has become exacerbated by the
20th century. Women have to deal with
COVID-19 pandemic, given the closure
period shaming on the daily. Former
of healthcare centers and the economic
President of the United States, Donald
tribulations that come alongside the
Trump, often used period shaming to
devastating global situation. Stock and
express disdain towards women. In
availability of these products have also
22
the
social
and
been reduced. As a result, the United
sanitary
products.
Nations Population Fund delivered
ing testaments of poverty are heard
around 150,000 hygiene kits to women
throughout the nation. In an interview
in 2020 during the pandemic. Period
with Voice of America, Raquel Peres,
poverty in Latin America, however,
a Venezuelan citizen can, “buy either
long precedes the COVID-19 pandemic,
pads for herself or diapers for her chil-
and one of the prime nations suffer-
dren; she chooses to buy diapers and
ing from this predicament is Vene-
handcraft her own pads” Further up in
zuela. The humanitarian crisis that
Latin America, a study by UNICEF in
resulted from political, economic, and
Mexico concluded that 43% of students
social instability has left the country in
menstruating
ruins. Now, people can no longer have
school. As previously mentioned, this
reliable access to basic necessities, and
not only has a devastating impact on
hygiene products are amongst these.
the life of the student who is forced to
According to Relief Web, around two
leave school because of preconceived
million Venezuelan women cannot
notions, taboos, and lack of access to
afford menstruation products. This is a
sanitary products, but also ends up
result of the horrifying economic situ-
affecting society as a whole. Because
ation plaguing the country, in which a
of this, on April 28th, 2021 the House
pack of sanitary pads exceeds 25% of
of Representatives approved the Digni-
a month’s salary. Access to clean water
fied Menstruation bill which proposed
in the region has also been reduced—
free menstrual products around the
water being a vital part of hygiene and
country. This is an extremely import-
self-care— resulting in around 28%
ant step in guaranteeing access to reli-
of schoolchildren skipping class. A
able and safe products for women.
family planning association in Vene-
Similar
zuela called Plafam stated that 90%
around the world as the fight to elimi-
of medicine and healthcare products
nate the “pink tax” gains traction.
would
movements
Heart-wrench-
rather
have
miss
sparked
are in shortage. This, combined with the rising prices of menstrual prod-
Only through the normalization of
ucts, makes it impossible for a woman
menstruation and open conversa-
to access and purchase the necessary
tions, society can reduce the stigma
23
surrounding this natural body process. Menstruation is something that every biological woman has to experience, and conversations regarding it should not be marred by awkwardness or stigma. Beyond reducing stigma, legislators, and policymakers also have to realize that adding taxes and reducing access to sanitary products has wide consequences and implications, resulting in less education and opportunities for thousands of women. The solution to period poverty is a balance of stigma reduction through healthy conversations and active advocacy in order to make sanitary products more widely available. It is time to move on from antiquated
perspectives
that
only
continue to harm and oppress women. It is time to stop accepting theories and ideas that promote inequality. It is time to give women equal opportunities around the world, without any kind of exception.
24
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Literature
Pandora’s Bracelet By: Ryleigh (11) life I am living and of the places I have been and the things I have seen and the things I hope to accomplish. The tangible melding into the intangible, carrying the weight of memories, the weight of dreams and the weight of the silver itself. Among the ten charms is a heart, encrusted with fake diamond jewels and intricately woven silver, a symbol of my birth month and stone, flags that stay as remembrance of the counI carry a pandora bracelet. The one I received for my birthday five years prior, the one I have worn everyday since. The cool silver hanging off my wrist, a small reminder that it is there. Always clasped loosely around my right hand. Swinging. Strung randomly around the silver chain hang ten individually bought charms. The bracelet itself weighs a total of about 1.6 ounces while each individual charm weighs between 0.1 and 0.2 ounces. Each one carries with it a certain significance and story. Each one a reminder of the
tries I have spent the majority of my life in; one for Australia, one for Spain, and one, of course, for Chile, a mickey mouse figurine for all the summers spent in orlando with my grandparents passing the days at Disney, and an R for my name. My favorite charm depicts the big five: an elephant, a rhino, a lion, a leopard and an african buffalo, a small memorandum of the four and a half years I spent living in Ethiopia. The token reminds me of the things I saw, the memories I made, and the friends I have kept. It helps me
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to appreciate what I have and express
thing down. I did not have the chance
how lucky I am to have the things I do
to make friends or see the school, I felt
and to be able to have the opportuni-
alone, I felt tired, I felt excluded.
ties that I do. I’ve never been a particularly superstiEvery now and then I can hear the
tious or religious person, but having
soft jingle of a harmony bell, the one
the harmony bell close by, hanging on
my dad gave me as a Christmas gift
my pandora bracelet, cool silver brush-
one year. It hangs loosely at my side,
ing against my skin, I gain access to
placed between my birth stone and
a certain feeling of reassurance and
big five charm, ringing gently, this
trust. Despite my skeptical nature. Not
harmony bell contains the proper-
only does it act as a talisman for spiri-
ties of a good luck charm. The small
tual enlightenment but it also acts as a
ball is covered in 7 individually etched
reassurance of the family I have to go
stars. It is a reminder of the family I
home to everyday and the support that
have and of the people I am closest to,
I have from them in everything I do.
it became almost a sort of safety net for me. Something I could put my trust in
The bracelet is a symbol of my own
when everything was out of my control,
hardships in the world, it was gifted
a relic that I could put my energy into
to me in one of the more difficult
when I felt like too much was weigh-
moments of my own life. During the
ing on my shoulders, I could leave the
pandemic when things felt hopeless. It
world and my fate up to luck. Luck that
was a time of solitary confinement and
is brought to me by that single star
emotional struggle but I know now and
covered charm.
I knew then that I was not really ever alone because the love of my family
The year of 2019 was one that I strug-
was with me even in the most chal-
gled with, I had just moved in the
lenging of times. Even when they were
middle of the year. A new school, a
not physically there, I had the bell
new house, a new country. But right
charm as a source to keep them with
before I could adjust to everything new
me in my heart. The cool silver brush-
in my life, a pandemic locked every-
ing against my skin, a constant soother
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to the stress I felt and the overwhelming days that I often faced. Never truly alone, never truly lost, never truly out of luck. So every time I carry my pandora bracelet, all of this is with me in the back of my mind, constantly pushing me forward and encouraging me to work hard for what I have. Helping me to believe, not only in myself but in my future and in my abilities to continue growing and to continue improving alongside the people I love most in the world. So every time I carry my pandora bracelet I think of how lucky I am and how as long as I believe, my dreams will one day come true.
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Art
Simply Human By: Clara (9)
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Review: Amazônia by Jean-Michel Jarre By: Ignacio (12)
I would say Amazônia has got to be
that matter. He simply did not tackle at
one of the most vivid, expressive forms
all. He instead looked at a boundless
of electronic composing I’ve listened
source of a primordial connection to
to in a while. There’s this mix of life,
nature (and humanity, by extension),
raw, unadulterated life; and a sort of
and he chose to approach it slowly, and
nomadic flow that Jarre gave to this
very respectfully. According to Jarre,
score. Amazônia is a symphonic score
he did not wish to make your average
Jean-Michel Jarre made last year in
ambient music, so instead he created
order to accompany Sebastian Salga-
his own electronic and orchestral
do’s exhibition of the Brazilian Amazon.
noises that would imitate “the timbre
He, however, did not tackle the ambient
of natural sounds”. Thus, artificial art
of it, or any sort of culture or nature, for
was mixed with real recordings from
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the Ethnography Museum of Geneva
ring elements. From Part 3 onwards,
to create Amazônia.
the score turns more melodic, and gets
The whole score has a strange,
progressively grittier as the percussion
yet comforting entourage of almost
becomes seemingly clad in metal as a
guttural noises, which ever so breathe
more industry-like beat begins to play.
in and out. Rhythm is always there,
It’s almost like Jarre is alluding to the
which frankly will come off as a pleas-
small fragments of primal culture that
ant surprise to whoever’s listening to
stays even within urbanity. From this,
Amazônia. You can’t quite tell where
a cycle of industry, silence, and the
each string of melodies and percus-
more faithful native sections begins.
sion comes in, and you can’t tell where
Synthetic horns blare in Part 5, as
they come out, either. However, Jarre’s
all of these parts come together into
excellent craftsmanship makes it so
a blend of synthetic leads (melodies)
that every timbre contains an impres-
with simple rhythms. What fascinates
sionist origin to it. It imitates voices,
me about this is that the overly modern
and old flutes, and the noises of raw
pieces do not detract from the ritualis-
natural elements like water, but there
tic environment that has been created,
isn’t a style that you can exactly
and instead sustains it through, yet
pinpoint, precisely given the fact that
again, its element-imitating timbre.
nothing in this score lasts.
Part 6 opens as a hazy drag with
Sometimes the electronic parts
attack-filled synths, which prolong the
of this just moan. They let out cries,
start and rise in volume of the notes
and cracks, and crude attempts at
played. Around the halfway point, the
being bigger, at evolving. Something
storm comes through blaring synth
always catches up to that, though, and
horns at a very low tone, which inspires
it’s the fact that these are really spams
a muddled, yet life-giving event where
of vivid emotion, like a precursor to a
the sky is clouded. The true rain then
parade that never seems to arrive, and
comes at the last fourth of this piece for
that’s what Jarre is trying to get us
a moment, as an actual rain recording.
to. This whole phenomenon begins in
The status quo shifts towards Parts
Part 2. Part 1 is too short, it’s almost
7, 8, and 9, as they gain much more
like a soft tryout for all these recur-
structure and accompaniment of other
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instruments. Jarre fans will be pleas-
consistent. As for the rest, the impres-
antly surprised with the similarities
sionist stance taken ends up being very
these compositions share to his previ-
successful, in my view.
ous and more recognized works, such as Oxygen and Equinoxe. The “breathing” noise made by the synths is simply unmistakable, and so are their enveloping, gritless melodies. I feel like Jarre simply couldn’t avoid placing his Oxygene air noise in Part 9. It does fit the score’s whole ambience, too. That being said, this is mainly what I’d criticize about Amazonia. It’s the fact that Jean-Michel always begins to develop his compositions prior to Part 7 and beyond, but then it’s like he remembers that his whole score is inspired by cultures that do not make music nearly as developed as the artists in this time, so he stops developing those sections. Jarre is already able to create something that is simple, yet imitates the style of the Brazilian Amazon in a manner that is so genuine, he himself made electronic sounds that meld with real recordings as if they were part of nature itself. Then the last three parts come in, and suddenly they have actual overarching motifs and a structure. I am by no means saying they sound bad, I am simply saying that the score is not that
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Greek Pillar By: Clara (9)
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Curiosity
Etymological fact of the Week By: Andres Irribarra (Staff)
Ancient theater gave us a very interesting word. Remember learning about the great Greek plays where actors performed wearing masks? From Ancient Greek ŭ́πο- (hypo-, “under”) + κρī́νω (krī́nō, “I pronounce”) we get ύποκρίνομαι (hypokrī́nomai, “to dialogue on stage”). Literally, to pronounce under (your mask!). The latter verb gave form to ύποκριτής (hypokritḗs, “stage actor”) because those who dialogue on stage under their masks are… actors! And we all know that actors are pretending… right? With the passing of time, those who pretend to be someone or something they are not earned the label of hypocrites ;)
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The NEST Team Executive Team Ameer - President Martín - Editor-in-Chief Esetemariam - Literature Director Christian - Graphic Design Director Logan - Executive Editor
Graphic Design Martina Khaien Ian Giovanna
Staff Writers & Editors David Ignacio Carolina Christian Christian Pablo Fuqi Mariana Special Thanks to Mr. Irribarra and Ms. Cade
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