December 2019 / January 2020 - Volume 82 Issue 3

December 2019 / January 2020

Volume 82 Issue 3

The Bronx High School of Science

www.thesciencesurvey.com

The New Bronx Science Cafeteria Maury Ahram / The Science Survey

By MAURY AHRAM

The new cafeteria lighting in now in use!

Bronx Science’s cafeteria has been untouched for the past fifty-one years since it was first built in 1958.

Now, it’s finally getting an update.

The idea of renovating our cafeteria had been brewing over the last few years, but in early spring of 2018, Ms. Cooper, the Assistant Principal of Organization, and Ms. Coufos, the Vice President of the Alumni Foundation, decided that it might be time to seriously pursue their goal. With this notion in mind, they reached out to members of the Bronx Science Parents’ Association

to see if others also wanted the cafeteria to be renovated. The PA was thrilled with the idea and they were able to raise some money at their fundraiser that spring.

That fall, Ms. Cooper and Ms. Coufos wanted to get students involved in the project as well. Ms. Parness, the Coordinator of Student Affairs, sent out an e-mail with a form for students interested in joining the Cafeteria Committee, a group who would work with the administration to input their ideas into the new cafeteria design at Bronx Science. All students were

welcome, but based on responses and scheduling, those who made up the core group of participants were Abigail Aronson ’19, Davide Hallac ’20, Kelly Liu ’21, Syed Mehran ’20, Suzune Montag ’20, Ula Pranevicius ’20, and Vivek Talapaneni ’19.

Both the students and school leaders went to work. The committee was responsible for redesigning the interior of the cafeteria, including new furniture and new finishes. To do this, they looked at numerous college cafeterias to create a modern cafeteria for Bronx Science. Mehran connected the school with an architect, who is also a Bronx Science parent,with whom he had previously worked. The architect and the committee soon began to have meetings to discuss what vision they wanted to pursue in the new cafeteria redesign.

The team’s goal was to create a loungelike feeling to attract students during free periods. “We wanted to completely reinvent the whole cafeteria in order to have a modern look to it,” said Montag. As the planning phase progressed through the school year, Bronx Science suddenly received a large amount of additional funds.

Bronx Science Model Bringing A Fashion Show To School Grounds

and organizing the largest gathering of young people of color on climate change.

The neglect of underserved communities in the environmental movement stems from institutional racist practices and presents itself through unequal fund distribution.

Continued on page 6

Sima Nisenbaum ’20, a climate justice activist and organizer for ‘Extinction Rebellion Youth U.S.’ and’ Fridays for Future NYC’ noted that the climate movement lacks diversity.

to designing her own clothing, Njoku has wasted no time sharing her artistic abilities with an audience. In fact, Njoku is currently in the process of producing a student-run fashion show on school grounds for the first time in many years.

“When I discovered fashion, I was around ten or eleven. I was exposed to a lot of fashionable cartoons such as ‘Winx Club,’ ‘Totally Spies’ and ‘Kim Possible,’ and I knew that I wanted to be just like them,” said Njoku, ’21. Her journey began right in the comfort of her own home. The natural surroundings of her childhood

home, along with her father’s entrepreneurial career worked collaboratively to expose Njoku to a new atmosphere, encouraging her to pursue her passions. It began with her father who specialized in the import and export of goods. From his constant travels, her father was able to bring Njoku clothing from other countries, which first prompted her exposure to fashion and a love for idiosyncratic styles. Her passion has only grown stronger since, and she strives to push herself further to explore the many aspects of the fashion industry.

NEWS

EDITORIAL

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

EVER-SO-NEEDED UPDATES COMING TO THE SUBWAY

By ALISHA WANG The price for improved efficiency is staggeringly high, and the government must be willing to pay to restore the glory of the New York subway system.

2019 HONG KONG PROTESTS FOR DEMOCRACY

By PINKEY LAM

THE REOPENING OF THE MUSEUM OF MODERN ART (MOMA)

By SCOTT ERNSBERGER

A discussion of the effects of civil disobedience on a nation and within a family.

Reopened on the 21st of October, 2019, the MOMA opens its doors to the public again.

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By SAMAMA MOONTAHA

To Bronx Science junior Akunna Njoku, looking like her best self and showcasing her confidence is key. The sixteen-yearold has shown impressive creativity by stepping out of the ‘typical’ specialized high school student reputation and into a world of fashion.From walking runways

By KAITLYN ROMANGER New York has been one of the largest centers of liberal and ethical ideology from the Jazz Age to the era of Women’s Choice.

Its support of minority rights, interracial marriage, and decriminalization of marijuana are only a few examples of the city’s historically left-leaning political atmosphere. However, the recent repeal of a venerated two-year old ban on gay conversion therapy has many wondering whether New York City has taken a step backward in the midst of its liberal stride.

As of early 2019, eighteen states and Washington D.C. have banned gay conversion therapy for minors. An infamous form of psychotherapy, conversion therapy utilizes psychological degradation, castration, and electroconvulsive shock therapy in an attempt to alter one’s sexual orientation to align with the conservative heterosexual norm. Taking one step further than these eighteen states, a list which includes New

“...unconstitutional in its entirety...”

Alexander Thorp / The Science Survey

The current narrative of climate change rests on recycling and the earth-saving mechanism of metal straws, but the reality is that the frontline communities that are most affected by climate change are being ignored.

While impacts of climate change on frontline communities in the Global South are seldom publicized, local communities in the Bronx and Brooklyn have been subject to environmental racism since the beginning of American industrialization, and are often neglected by the mainstream environmental movement.

Environmental racism is the practice of policy decisions that disproportionately affect low-income communities and people of color, including designating undesirable land use that lowers quality of life.

Disproportionate climate change impacts communities of color.

Environmental racism has long been a calling card for organizers whose communities have faced these injustices, but the environmental movement is still portrayed by media as a white, upper-middle-class movement. Student activists are attempting to shift the narrative of the environmental movement to reflect the communities most harmed by climate change.

New York City Council members work on repealing the recent ban on gay conversion therapy.

Continued on page 4

The Problem With Environmentalism

By AZALEA DANES The focus has rested on organizations that champion biodiversity and conservation without recognizing the effects on humans. Organizations such as Greenpeace are most frequently noted as spearheads of environmental conservation and are in the spotlight when it comes to environmental issues. The reality is that local environmental justice organizations bear the brunt of the work in communities that desperately require the attention.

In New York City, The West Harlem organization WEACT for Environmental Action was founded in 1988 to combat rampant environmental racism. WEACT informs residents about opportunities to participate fully in “decision-making on key issues that impact their health and community,” and “strong and equal environmental protections,” regardless of race or income.

UPROSE, an organization in Sunset Park, Brooklyn, has promoted sustainability through community engagement, youth leadership, and advocacy for justice and environmental accountability since its founding in 1966. UPROSE’s recent achievements are significant; preventing power plants from being built, doubling the amount of open space in Sunset Park,

A Step Backwards?

York State, New York City has banned the therapy for consenting adults and minors with a bill signed into law by Governor Cuomo in 2017. Since then, the city has completely banned the therapy, receiving widespread support from New York residents.

Opposing this support, a conservative group, Alliance Defending Freedom, has filed a lawsuit against New York City alleging that the bill banning the therapy completely is “unconstitutional in its entirety.”

The group claims that the law is too broad and therefore impedes on religious and social freedoms. New York City has become wary of the lawsuit reaching the Supreme Court, which, according to ‘The New York Times,’ has historically been known to challenge city and state legislation.

The most recent example was in July 2019 when the NYPD revised a ruling that limited the possession of guns outside of homes. The Supreme Court agreed to take on a case challenging the ruling, making the police department see the revision necessary.

Continued on page 4 Being young and already having your mind set on a career path is no small feat, but Njoku has conquered it with style. She has walked several runways and modeled for numerous designers, letting the world know just how her confidence and talent can contribute greatness to the fashion industry as well as society. During this fall’s New York Fashion Week, she modeled for designers ‘Shop Tier One,’ ‘Links

by Gwen,’ ‘Tiffany Brown Designs,’ ‘Ann Ong,’ ‘NIFFE’ and ‘Glamour Academia da Moda,’ among others.

Continued on page 14

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News 2019-20 Editorial Board

Editors-in-Chief Celeste Abourjeili Daniela Castro Taylor Chapman Leanne Goldberg Cameron Leo Sofia Mahairas Kaitlyn Romanger

Features Editors Darlene Park Margaux Reyl Albar Subekti News Editors Edie Fine Josh Kutler Caleb Yam

Graphic Designers Alina Chan Scott Ernsberger Jaymie Paredes Angela Phuong Theodore Wai

Copy Chiefs Azalea Danes Audrey Hill Sylvie Koenigsberg Pamela Li Sophie Livingstone Shira Mansell Mayesha Soshi Jing Mae Wang

Online Editors Raitah Jinnat Russell Kwong Caitlin Yeung Sports Editors Maury Ahram Raheed Hossain Najmul Miah Karen Phua

Arts and Entertainment Editors Sharia Jafar Junseo Lee Spencer McQuaig

Managing Editors Arianne Browne Pinkey Lam Darya Lollos

Front Page A1 Editors Milène Klein Montana Lee Eshika Talukder

Chief Graphic Designers Afifa Areya Olivia Chen Sazida Marzia

Editorial Editors Leo Ellenberg Sanford James Samama Moontaha

Spotlight Editors Arian Berisha Logan Klinger Michael Toscano Cartoonist Ria Cha Faculty Advisor Alexander Thorp

Science Survey Staff Reporters Senior Staff Reporters: Kieran Aug, Arona Islam, Marina Mengual de Souza, Benjamin Oestericher, Tina Ou, Ula Pranevicius, Jiwon (Estee) Yi, Suzie Yu, Yilan Zhang, Joanna Zhao Staff Reporters: Saamiya Ahmed, Samantha Cavusoglu, Kaitlyn Chan, Cadence Chen, Jillian Chong, Carolyn Chui, Anastasia Diakolios, Victoria Diaz, Dorothea Dwomoh, Declan Hilfers, Saad Khandakar, Josephine Kinlan, Ellora Klein, Melanie Lin, Yona Litwin, Lavanya Manickam, Rose Marabello, Xavier Marriott, Jean Namgung, Jamie Lee Nicolas, Tyler Pelayo, Ruhika Ponda, Ramisa Promi, Areebah Qutub, Akshay Raju, Sophia Randall, Kate Reynolds, Byul Sak, Maggie Schneider, Maanya Shah, Julia Sperling, Alex Tembelis, Jiada Valenza, Alisha Wang, Caroline Wang, Ellen Wu, Miles Yammer, Kin Yang, Anna Ye, Wei Ni Zhang

About

The Science Survey is the award-winning student newspaper of The Bronx High School of Science, and it has been published continuously since our high school was founded in 1938. It is planned, researched, written, edited, and designed entirely by students as part of the elective 'Journalism: Newspaper & Yearbook' class, and it is published in both a print edition and also online.

Mission

We strive to provide information that is accurate, thorough, and unbiased. We aim to enlighten as well as to inform, and we seek to intellectually engage our readers. We wish to serve as a journalistic voice for our diverse student body, and we strive to achieve the highest degree of journalistic integrity, both in our written articles and in our photojournalism.

Corrections Policy

The Science Survey welcomes all non-anonymous corrections to any published material. Submissions must arrive within two weeks of release date for printed articles, and one week for online articles. Corrections should be e-mailed to the Managing Editors.

Is the U.S. Destined for Another Recession?

By DECLAN HILFERS Declan Hilfers / The Science Survey

Recently, the American economy has been seen as a constant in a changing country, but what if we are readily headed for disaster?

This vacant building was once a Since late 2018, restaurant called ‘Island Burgers and there has been Shakes.’ However, it closed earlier this year, due to financial difficulties. much speculation from economists about the possibility of an upcoming American recession. The majority of these claims center around a combination of widespread investor overconfidence, exceptionally low interest rates, and insubstantial growth. The year is now 2019-2020; while there was some thinking last year, there are now hundreds of posts and articles wondering if there will be a recession, how long we have until it occurs, and how devastating the effects will be.

The United States has a long history of recessions, starting as early as the year 1797 with ‘The Panic of 1797.’

And the Great Depression from 1929 to 1938, which brought a decade of economic disaster to the country. It

MTA Improvements

By ALISHA WANG several train stations in Astoria, Queens, such as the Astoria Boulevard station.

Overall, it is an extremely ambitious plan.

However, Governor Cuomo has been extremely hesitant to implement the plan due to its associated costs, and he has clashed with Byford on its intricacies. The MTA is already in debt, and though Byford was hired specifically to rescue the struggling subway system, colleagues Closed for renovations - This subway station is fear that he may quit due completely closed in order to install four new elevators to his frustration with the and rebuild the station, and the addition of new wall art. governor. The truth is, Byford does not believe that Most New Yorkers have taken some form of the public transit system at least he has the necessary support from Cuomo once in their lives, and many of them take in order to carry out the plan. On the othadvantage of it almost every day. It’s how er hand, Cuomo believes that Byford does people get to work, to school, or meet up not understand the governor’s role in the with friends -- a large spider web network leadership of the project. Nevertheless, the that connects people all across the city. It governor will have to come to an agreement even has large groups of people who swear with the subway leader and raise the budget by it and absolutely adore it. However, substantially, in order to prove his commitone thing is for certain. There is massive ment to bettering the subway system.

Why is this plan so important to the room for improvement, and the government is finally doing something about it. riders of New York? The deteriorating conGovernor Andrew M. Cuomo has offi- ditions and quality of the stations have accially declared that the subway system is in tually been recently deterring potential pasa state of emergency, and for good reason. sengers from utilizing the trains.

Although the subway system has Riders frequently complain about how the been in decline for years due to detrain is constantly late or delayed, the filth that permeates many of the stations, the ferred maintenance issues, the subway overcrowdedness throughout the system, has only improved marginally as of late, according to Bronx Science students. and so on.

A blueprint, created by subway leader “For the past few years, the subway was Andy Byford, promises to completely mod- rarely on time, and the 6 train was always ernize the systemwide dated equipment overcrowded during my morning commute. with modern signals to help improve train Since then, it has improved, but not by traffic direction, to have tracks changed out much,” Marina Shirky ’22 said. “The subfor newer ones, and to add almost two thou- ways are less overcrowded sometimes, but sand new subway cars. But the improve- still crowded. The trains don’t come often ments come with a staggering pricetag, fif- enough, and they rarely come when they say they will.” Shirky believes that having ty-two billion dollars.

Byford’s goal is to have the trains ar- the trains arrive at their stations on time rive to their stops on time more frequent- more often would make the riding experily, similar to the punctuality of the transit ence more bearable.

Another student encapsulates the growsystems in Singapore, London, and Hong Kong. Other proposed improvements in- ing issue of the deteriorating state of the clude more frequent heavy duty cleaning transit system. “The state of the subway at the stations, as well as repainting and system now reflects a growing problem repairing tiles, service elevators, and esca- in New York City. Fares are high, space is lators for better accessibility, as mentioned scarce, and everyone is frustrated,” said Giin ‘MTA Moving Forward.’ In addition, the yun Hong ’21, a close to daily rider of the MTA has organized to increase the amount subway for the past five years. “You barely of cars per train, with each new car holding have any space for sympathy, let alone your approximately 145 riders, a massive jump backpack. Emotionally speaking, it is utterfrom the original maximum capacity of 90. ly exhausting. You lose your morale in some More specialized teams will be on hand small aluminum box, and the delays don’t to handle situations in which they were help,” Hong said.

While improvements will be arriving trained, and the interiors of cars will receive soon, New Yorkers must remain patient. upgrades to improve the overall onboard experience. This has already been applied to But for now, please stand clear of the closing doors.

has been eleven years since the most recent recession in 2008, and eleven years is, by any standard, a pretty astonishing interval of economic growth. Since recessions are primarily an issue on the economic plane, the first place to look if trying to predict one would be with economists.

Following this reasoning, Bronx Science’s AP Macroeconomics teacher, Mr. Massimi, was interviewed. He said that, “We technically hit bottom in the fourth quarter of 2008. So, we are in our eleventh consecutive year of expansion,” also adding that, “At some point the economy will slow down. Gross Domestic Product, unemployment, and inflation all look pretty good. Maybe too good.” The idea of a cycle was corroborated in an interview with Social Studies department teacher Mr. Symons, who said that “economic growth and decline occur in cycles. Just like the Law of Gravity, what goes up must come down.”

These interviews cemented the point that it is impossible to say with any extreme grade of accuracy whether a recession is guaranteed in the near future. However, Mr. Massimi suggested that going beyond the face of the economic dimension would be important to an understanding of the issue. He said that, “In my class, I want my students to go beyond understanding traditional economic analysis.”

Taking this advice to heart, the next step is to consider other factors that could be key to influencing another economic recession. A good place to start identifying relevant factors would be in the past. Given the U.S.’ history, it is likely that the past holds crucial information

Pinkey Lam / The Science Survey

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to understanding our possible upcoming recessions.

Like our current situation, past economic environments were elaborate; it would be challenging to sift through every detail. Instead, it might be more worthwhile to look for patterns, tried indicators of economic disaster. Ms. Steiker, a member of Bronx Science’s Social Studies department and an A.P. U.S. History teacher, said in an interview that, “Anything that you do to upset market confidence can very well lead to a recession,” later adding that, “The issue today is the impact of the tariffs and the trade agreements that we built around those tariffs.” Gabriel Przybylo ’22 had a similar take on the matter, stating that there is a possibility of a recession “in fifteen to twenty-five years,” and that “New governmental policies will destroy our economy.”

The current government disagrees, however, considering the economy as its crowning achievement.

President Trump took to twitter to write, “...the Economy, where there is NO Recession, much to the regret of the LameStream Media! They are working overtime to help the Democrats win in 2020, but that will NEVER HAPPEN, Americans are too smart!”

Another perspective is that rather than obsessing over delaying an impossibility, a more reasonable plan would be to focus on bolstering the economy in general.

This would include maintaining and improving what we have to the best of our ability. The proper route of avoiding a recession is a matter of debate, but the exact possibilities of a recession in the near future are still unknown.

News The Controversial Plan to Eliminate NYC Gifted Programs

By YONA LITWIN such an early age causes harm by discouraging the kids that didn’t get in from pursuing their full potential and puts fake pressure on the kids that did.”

Domondon argues that these programs are a form of educational sorting that puts certain children on a track to success, and alienates those not on it.

Yona Litwin / The Science Survey

Despite representing 70% of the enrollment of the NYC public school system as a whole, African-American and Hispanic students currently make up only 23% of gifted and talented programs citywide.

The current system of admissions to New York City’s G&T schools relies on a composite test, which is often a subject of criticism. Even children whose scores qualify them for gifted programs often are not accepted. Last year, there were roughly 2,000 spots in district G&T schools for the 4,000 children who received a qualifying score. The final admitants are determined by lottery. “[The test] favors economically advantaged students who are able to afford test prep programs; that speaks less to their potential to learn than to previous advantages to which they had access,” said Dennis D. Parker, a member of the School Diversity Group and

Executive Director of the National Center for Law and Economic Justice. The former G&T principal agrees that something needs to be changed. “Whenever there’s one measure, people will figure out a way to get tutored and prepped to meet that measure….

We saw certain kids from certain families every year.”

Money, many note, has become the ‘gift’ being tested.

Critics question the logic of eliminating G&T education. “If all gifted and talented schools are erased, will education really become ‘equal’ between communities? Or will NYC schools all be dragged down, ruining it for every student of every color?” Luke Jin ’21 said.

He argues that G&T education is not the root cause of the problems that the system is facing; the educational disparities involve a multitude of socioeconomic factors.

Others think the city needs more gifted and talented schools, not fewer. Leo Matthes ’21 considers the racial discrepancies in school makeup indicative of the fact that many G&T schools are in high income, mostly white neighborhoods. “There just needs to be funding put into areas that are poorer and less white,” Matthes says.

There is a general consensus about the existence of institutional racism that creates barriers for students of color, but there is disagreement on whether eliminating G&T programs is the answer. Mayor Bill de Blasio has the opportunity to enact the recommendations of the School Diversity Group without input from either the City Council or State Department. At this time, de Blasio has not expressed when he will make his verdict.

As the mayor of one of the largest and most segregated public school systems in the nation, de Blasio’s decision will affect the city’s education system for decades to come and will stand as a precedent for how we define model education and the policies that we enact to reach it.

The Boys in Blue Need Help Too

Impeachment Begins Jing-Mae Wang / The Science Survey

By JING-MAE WANG On September 24th, 2019, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi announced an official impeachment inquiry against President Donald Trump. This inquiry came after an anonymous whistleblower complaint was released with a few redactions.

The August 12th complaint brought to light that the whistleblower had “received information from multiple U.S. Government officials that the President of the United States is using the power of his office to solicit interference from a foreign country in the 2020 U.S. election.”

The report detailed second-hand information revolving around a phone call between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy which was corroborated by Future voters like Sylvie Klingborg ’21 keep up a second whistleblower with a first-hand to date with impeachment by reading articles account. According to the whistleblowers, online.

Trump spent July 25th seeking “to pressure the Ukrainian leader to take actions to Intelligence blocked him from disclosing the help the President’s 2020 reelection bid.” whistleblower complaint. Pelosi’s argument As shown in a ‘Fox News’ poll from October echoed that of Warren’s argument months 6th to 8th, support for impeachment and re- previously, that Trump’s obstruction of jusmoval of Trump has risen to 51% from 42% in tice alone acts as grounds for impeachment.

Although there is a large amount of support July. This same poll showed that only 17% befor impeachment, many still have reservalieved that the Ukraine call was “appropriate,” while others described it as “an impeachable tions. “I think he deserves to answer for what he’s done, but I also fear the way that his foloffense” or at least “inappropriate.”

However, Trump calling for foreign interfer- lowers will react,” said Sylvie Klingborg ’21.

The fear of what his base will do is a comence in elections is not a new accusation. The Mueller Report, released only half a year ago on mon one, as many critics of the Trump adminApril 18th, highlighted clear evidence of Russian istration have been met with death threats from interference in the 2016 election, but failed to his supporters, such as Representative Ilhan find the definitive link tying Trump to the crime. Omar after Trump tweeted a video combining Still, many had pointed to the Trump Admin- one of her speeches and footage from 9/11.

The possibility of becoming a target was not istration’s actions to discredit and silence the investigation as independent grounds for im- lost on the whistleblowers, with Democratic peachment. “The President of the United States Representative Adam Schiff announcing on Ocobstructed justice,” said Senator Elizabeth War- tober 13th that the first whistleblower will not ren. “We begin impeachment proceedings now.” testify before Congress due to safety concerns.

This does not seem to be an issue, as only eight Initial calls for impeachment were met with opposition from both sides of the political spec- of the 235 House Democrats told ‘The New trum. Republicans, including Trump himself, York Times’ that they did not support impeachdeemed the Mueller investigation a “witch ment, while all of the 183 House Republicans hunt.” Meanwhile, Democrats worried about the who answered did not support impeachment.

The reservation of those eight Democrats political repercussions of inciting Trump’s base.

“The president’s behavior in terms of its ob- may have to do with what Pelosi was wary of struction of justice is very clear,” said Speak- in May. Further dividing the nation and iner of the House Nancy Pelosi in a May 23rd flaming Trump’s conservative voters can press conference. “Ignoring subpoenas, ob- potentially lead to Democrats losing 2020.

But others believe that one should not try to struction of justice. But impeachment is a strategize when it comes to what is fundamenvery divisive place to go in our country.”

But with this most recent offense, Pelosi is tally right and wrong. “People shouldn’t exwilling to risk further dividing the nation. “The cuse and ignore his crimes in order to reduce Trump administration’s actions undermine the extremity of future crimes or motivate him both our national security and our intelli- and his base to re-elect him,” said Pev Vail ’22.

No matter what this means for the 2020 elecgence,” said Pelosi when she finally announced an official impeachment inquiry in September. tion, it has consumed the day-to-day news and In the speech she gave at the press confer- has shifted voter opinion. President Trump has ence, she spoke on how the Inspector General left his mark on American politics. Whether the testified that the acting Director of National nation will be able to move on from the political divide or not is up to the new generation of voters.

By KIERAN AUG Ten officers. That’s the amount pronounced dead by suicide, approxof NYC police officers, retired or ac- imately 800 members of the Police tive, that have taken their own lives Department would begin retraining in in the year 2019, bringing the total August with experts on suicide, stress, to the highest it has been in over a and mental health to ensure the safedecade. In early September, two for- ty of the force. O’Neill hopes to have mer police officers committed sui- the entire department trained very cide, bringing the count to nine fallen soon, following preliminary action. officers. Then, October 10th saw its The force also recently took a trip tenth fall victim to a gunshot wound to observe the Los Angeles Police Dein Jamaica, Queens. In spite of this partment’s peer support system, a recent trend, few have acknowl- department known for its emphasis edged just how prevalent mental on officer safety. Their support syshealth problems are in our protec- tem centers around having psycholtors. One thing is clear, though. The ogists make rounds every command, Police Department owes the citizens and clinicians spend ample time with of New York State an explanation. officers to ensure they are not strugAs the year has progressed, the gling with mental health conflicts. problem has only become more prominent to the departments and NYC civilians alike. In the month of June alone four officers fell victim to the fate of their own hands. The summer’s string of suicides started in June, when a well-respected deputy chief and a detective perished within a day of each other, but in separate cases. Only days later, a six-year veteran was found to have killed himself behind the department in Staten Island where he worked. At the end of June, a 53-year-old was found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound in his residence of Hicksville, New York.

Many victims have left family to cope with the loss. One student, ZeAhmad ’20, has a friend who has strugshaan Ahmad ’20, has seen the effects Zeshaan gled with the effects of police suicide firsthand, of police suicide firsthand. He said, and believes the current plan to remedy the ”One of my dear friends lost his uncle, trend could be a long-term solution. “I think the is on the right track to ensuring this nevwho happened to be a police officer NYPD er happens again. It’s clear they care about the residing in Floral Park, Queens about mental health of their officers,” Ahmad said. four years ago. For the next coming months after the incident, I could see The New York Police Department’s how much of a tragedy struck onto my initiative to treat depression and friend. He was much quieter and sad, mental health conflicts in their staff is and really just overall much more de- admirable, and it is clear that they are spondent and unresponsive. It was as truly concerned about their officers. if this suicide had changed his person- In the midst of their hands-on efforts ality completely, like he was struggling to assist staff, the department has also with mental health problems too.” advertised a suicide hotline for police From retired to on-duty officers, the officers, so that they can text “BLUE” uptick in the suicide rate has the entire to 741741 and receive expert treatdepartment scrambling. Officials have ment with complete anonymity. As urged officers either to come forward the NYPD has emphasized greatly, the to seek treatment or to seek profes- officers are not alone, and the citizens sional help with total confidentiality. of New York wants them to know they The NYPD’s plan to support offi- have their full support. “We have to be cers is a bit more overbearing of a more appreciative of our local police process than expected. As NYC Police departments. They keep the streets Commissioner James O’Neill said in a safe, they protect us, but no one proJune news conference that was called tects them,” Jennifer Brown ’20 said. after more than five officers were Kieran Aug / The Science Survey

Two months ago, the School Diversity Group formed

by Mayor Bill de Blasio released a report recommending the elimination of gifted and talented programs throughout the city. Under this controversial plan, gifted programs in Anderson, Nest+M, Q300, and other high achieving schools would be replaced with accessible enrichment programs in an effort to increase diversity.

David Kirkland, an Executive Director of Equity Research at NYU and member of the School Diversity Group, believes that classifying certain students as ‘gifted,’ is problematic.

“The term gifted isn’t neutral. It usually plays proxy for race and class, used to distinguish some students from others, usually on the basis of historical position, and not on merit,” Kirkland said. “‘Gifted’ was probably the wrong word to use,” said a former principal of a G&T school who wishes to remain anonymous. But she argues that the immediate removal of gifted and talented programs would be a mistake. “All kids need enrichment. All kids need critical thinking. All kids should have access to a rigorous education. Not every kid can do math two to three years above their grade level. That’s where an accelerated program comes in.”

Gifted and talented education in NYC falls into three categories: District G&T schools, citywide G&T schools, and elementary school honors programs. The proposal recommends phasing out all three by continuing current G&T programs, but not allowing any incoming classes. In their place, the report proposes implementing an “enrichment model” with mixed-ability classrooms and individualized programs of study for each student. This proposal was inspired by the success of such programs in Montgomery and San Antonio.

Aidan Domondon ’21 takes issue with the fact that G&T education starts at kindergarten.

“Dividing the body of kids that we’re teaching at

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News

Isaac Rjavinski / The Science Survey

By ARONA ISLAM In an age of exponentially increasing stu- ments,” according to Senators John Thune and dent debt, the United States has accumulated Mark Warner. This very pressure prevents over $1.5 trillion in college debt alone, with many students from applying to their desired over two million students owing more than school, therefore limiting their full potential. $100,000 in loan debt. In light of these starBronx Science, an undoubtedly heavy scitling figures, students ence-centric school, has can find comfort in colmany students who are leges’ continuous effort interested in the medto ease their burden. ical field. When faced On September 16th, with the pressing issue 2019, Weill Cornell of student debt, however, Medicine, Cornell’s many students express medical school, introconflicted feelings over duced a scholarship their journey to their that covers full tuition desired career. “As a stuexpenses for all student who wants to purdents qualifying for fi- Students like Hina Zahid ’20 have strong sue a medical profession, nancial aid, beginning opinions regarding the ongoing issue of the the prospect of student with the class of 2023. debt, especially surroundstudent debt crisis, vocalizing According to Weiing my top choice schools, concerns over college finances. ll Cornell Medicine’s is frustrating,” said Hina Newsroom, the scholarship will “cover tuition, Zahid ’20. “Knowing that there is a possibilihousing and other living expenses,” ensuring ty that I’d be in so much debt will be a factor that medical students are able to fully focus in a future decision to go to medical school.” on academics rather than financial burdens.

Other students have shared similar thoughts This announcement brought relief to many, as Zahid, mentioning financial aid. “Finanas Cornell’s staggering medical school tuition cial aid is usually not enough for students to of $90,000 a year dwindles down to zero. graduate debt free, so it would be in everyone’s It is common knowledge that doctors and best interest for colleges to either lower tuition other workers in the medical field spend many or offer more aid,” said Suzune Montag ’20. years studying in college, amassing significant- A 2019 poll confirms this sentiment, stating ly more debt than students in other fields of that students recorded an average financial study. According to the ‘Association of Amer- aid package of approximately $13,218. Conican Medical Colleges,’ the median amount sidering the high accumulation of tuition over of debt that a medical student faced in 2018 time, the average aid package would hardly was approximately $194,000, while the 2018 cover the full cost after four years. “It’s diffiaverage student debt was $29,800. Evident- cult for students to follow their path when ly, there is a vast and concerning difference they’re worried about debt,” Montag added. between numbers, making implementations The majority, if not all, of students agree such as Weill Cornell’s scholarship more that student debt is a hindrance in the long meaningful for aspiring medical students. term. While institutes such as Cornell are takWhile Cornell undergraduates are already ing strides to relieve stress, a great number of reaping the benefits, high school students, es- schools still are expensive and offer minimal pecially seniors applying to colleges, are weigh- aid. The road to manageable tuition and low ing these policies when choosing schools. The cumulative student debt is long, but if more prospect of student debt is a looming shadow, institutes start offering scholarships and sufwith borrowers struggling “to pay for day-to- ficient aid, a better future would be in sight. day necessities like rent, groceries, or car pay-

Kaitlyn Romanger / The Science Survey

“A Step Backwards?”

(Continued from A1) Incidents like these have pushed the city to set in motion a repeal of the ban, as dictated by Corey Johnson, the Speaker of the New York City Council and Councilman of the 3rd district.

Johnson’s statement has since generated considerable controversy as he, himself, is gay. His reasoning behind his support for the repeal of the ban was centered around the possibility that, if the case went to the Supreme Court, the judges would use the opportunity to

Amanda Caress ’20, founding member of the LGBTQ+ Resource Board, believes that conversion therapy is an absurd practice. “How you identify is not something you can change and instead something you must accept and love about yourself.”

“The New Bronx Science Cafeteria” (Continued from A1) The trio of Corey Johnson, Speaker of the New York City Council, Rubén Díaz Jr., Borough President of the Bronx, and Andrew Cohen, a member of the New York City Council, gave Bronx Science $1.2 million in allocated funds to spend on renovating the school’s cafeteria. In addition to the funding from the city, alumnus Tony Ann Stavisky ’56, a current member of the New York State Senate, also donated a significant amount.

Plans for the final cafeteria entail significant changes. Ms. Cooper, Ms. Coufos, and the Cafeteria Committee plan to include a variety of different seating options, such as couches and booths, with an overall increase in student

deem the bill unconstitutional and legalize the therapy for those of all ages on a federal level.

In an interview with ‘The Washington Post,’ Johnson clarified his feelings about the repeal of the ban. “Ultimately, when the case was made to me that this law could potentially be jeopardizing protecting millions of other children across the country, that was the thing that moved me,” said Johnson.

This reasoning, however, is not shared by many. Amanda Caress ’20, one of the founders of the LGBTQ+ Resource Board, is not convinced that the situation was handled in the most appropriate manner. “The strides made to increase acceptance of the LGBTQ+ community have been wonderful and huge; it’s very disappointing that policymakers would give in to the resistance from far-right groups rather than pushing through to make actual progress,” said Caress. She emphasizes that the right to love whoever one pleases is worth fighting for. “One day,” she hopes, “we will get to where we should be: a world where policymakers on both sides of the aisle understand that no one should have to change who they are to gain the acceptance of others and work together to reach that goal.”

Supported by the populace or not, New York City’s repeal of gay conversion therapy has proved to be strategic at its roots. When it came to the decision to save one sheep or the rest of the flock, New York City chose the latter, a noble, yet controversial, resolution. seating capacity. There will also be a senior lounge implemented in the back of the cafeteria, vibrant colors all around, and charging stations in specific locations around the cafeteria.

As students and staff eagerly await the final renovations, smaller changes are already taking place, such as the recently installed lighting and the soon to be installed ceiling insulation, which is on track to be completed by the end of January 2020. While most members of the Cafeteria Committee will not have access to their new cafeteria before they graduate from Bronx Science, they look forward to a future where students can enjoy its benefits. “I am excited to come back and see the renovated cafeteria that I helped to design for future generations of Bronx Science students,” said Montag.

New York’s New Jails

By ULA PRANEVICIUS Three hundred and seventy people.

“Making four more prisons won’t That is how many people have died at help anything. The NYC government Rikers Island since 2001. A fact push- would just be housing human rights ing Mayor De Blasio’s plan to open violations and unfair treatment of infour new jails as a means to ultimate- mates under a less assuming instituly close down Rikers Island, an at- tion. The only way to make the pristempt at which both Mayor Bloomberg on system more fair would be to do a and Edward Koch infamously failed. sweeping reform of the U.S. prison sysRikers Island is a prison com- tem holistically,” said Lola Berger ’20. plex, located between Queens and the The activist group ‘No New Jails,’ Bronx, holding around 11,000 pris- which U.S Representative Alexandria oners daily with a holding capacity Ocasio-Cortez has publicly backed, aims of 15,000 inmates. It is notorious for to create this systemic change by closing being one of the largest prison com- Rikers and ceasing the creation of any plexes in the country and a symbol of additional prisons in NYC. The organithe broken prison system that exists zation believes that the money could be in America, one which unfairly targets better used to repair the many systemic African-American and Latinx people issues which allow for such a large prisand is plagued by inhumate treatment. on population to exist in the first place.

“The Rikers prison complex per- Specific investments could be placed petuates a lot of what is wrong with into education, affordable housing, the way we deal with crime in Ameri- homeless shelters, mental health supca,” said Melanie Tejeda ’20. “80% of port, and better living conditions for the the inmates are just waiting for their 1.7 million New Yorkers who live below court date, a wait that can stretch on the poverty line. ‘No New Jails’ pushes for years. During this time period, in- for change at the root of the problem, mates become subject to violence, sex- which the prison system only exacerual abuse, and overall barbaric treat- bates. The City Council’s official deciment that only aids to increase their sion to close Rikers and the City’s foltrauma and hence their likelihood of lowing actions will not only determine instability and repeated imprisonment.” the future of the inmate population in Riker’s maintenance of such NYC, but will set the precedent for what poor conditions contributes to the levels of change progressive cities are great conflict surrounding its sta- willing to take in terms of prison reform. tus. Many argue that it is not that simple just to shut Rikers down.

Our city disagrees. Mayor De Blasio is advocating to close the complex and replace it with a new jail in each borough with the exception of Staten Island. These jails would be smaller and, as a result, the total prison population of New York City would be significantly decreased. A majority of the City Council is in support of this specific proposal thus far. But Melanie Tejeda ’20 believes we still have a ways to go in terms of prison reform those outside of our local government in both New York City and our country. are arguing it is not quite enough.

Ula Pranevicius / The Science Survey

Student Debt Reliever: Cornell University

Plain Milk, But Not a Plain Menu

By SAMANTHA CAVUSOGLU Enjoy your chocolate milk while get more kids to drink milk, and you can; it may not be here for long. the calcium in milk is so importThe New York City Department of Ed- ant to be healthy,” Sherman said. ucation Chancellor Richard Carranza One container of chocolate milk conrecently announced the possibility of a tains about 30% daily value of calcium, complete phase-out of chocolate milk as well as significant amounts of Vitafrom school cafeterias. min D and protein. By removing chocWith obesity rates of New York olate milk from school menus, many high school students reaching 12.4% people fear that students will lose the in 2017, Carranza hopes to reduce the nutritional value of milk in their diet. average sugar intake that comes along But chocolate milk is not the only with drinking chocolate milk. While policy changing in schools throughout the New York City Department of Ed- New York City in regards to food opucation has a limit of 6 grams of sugar tions. Starting this 2019-2020 school allowed in cereal options, one serving year, all NYC schools have implementof chocolate milk contains 20 grams ed ‘Meatless Mondays,’ where only vegof sugar. For students who drink choc- etarian options are offered in cafeterias. olate milk with their breakfast and These new menu options have a comlunch, such a high sugar intake adds mon goal, to help improve the overall up. health of students. More vegetarian Although this change may seem ex- food choices can help to reduce a stutreme to some chocolate milk drinkers, dent’s risk of major health issues that New York City would not be the first to are linked with meat consumption, ban the beverage. Schools in Washing- such as lowering rates of obesity, carton D.C. removed chocolate milk from diac issues and cancer. This plan has their cafeterias back in 2010. Mine- been seen in our own cafeteria at Bronx appolis, Maryland and San Francisco Science, where Monday’s meal choices have all eliminated chocolate milk in range from mozzarella sticks with fresh recent years, as well. But despite these broccoli to mac and cheese with toasted trends, many students in New York garlic bread.

City are still reluctant to give up this Continued online popular drink option. Even students in Bronx Science voice concern over the idea.

“I prefer chocolate milk over regular milk in any situation. I don’t like regular milk, but I love chocolate milk,” Sadie Sherman ’20 said. “I think removing chocolate milk would just make kids less likely to grab milk at all.”

While the sugar content in chocolate milk is the main cause of concern for the DOE, many others still stress the valuable vitamins in chocolate milk as Students enjoy the option a reason to keep the beverage. of chocolate milk with their lunch.

“Chocolate milk is a way to

Gazi Fuad / The Science Survey

4

Editorial

Pinkey Lam / The Science Survey

Police violence, tear gas, and rubber bullets fill the streets of Hong Kong as a bill threatens its freedom. First introduced in April by Carrie Lam, the Chief Executive of Hong Kong, the bill allows extradition to China, forcing people convicted of a crime to be sent to China for trial and giving mainland China more power over Hong Kong.

Joyce Ho ’20, has strong opinions on the protests going on in Hong Kong. She notes, “This is a huge step for Hong Kong. The younger generation is really taking a stand and showing the Hong Kong government that they cannot be oppressed by the Chinese government and its tyrannical ways.

This protest has brought everyone in Hong Kong together with a common interest."

Under the “one country, two systems” agreement of 1997 or the Basic Law, Hong Kong is granted freedom from China’s policies, a high degree of autonomy, and a representative democracy until 2047.

However, the Basic Law has been weakened by China through its intervention in Hong Kong affairs. Organized protests have flooded the city’s streets in response to the bill, igniting violence from both police and protesters alike. The protests have sparked controversy both in and outside of Hong Kong and mainland China, and even at Bronx Science. “This protest has brought everyone in Hong Kong together with a common concern. It has demonstrated the strength of Hong Kong and has become an international humanitarian crisis,” said Joyce Ho ’20, an avid protester for Hong Kong’s democracy and autonomy in New York City.

The protests have taken a toll not only on Hong Kong’s economy and stability, but also on families that are divided by the issue, including my own. A large part of my extended family resides in Hong Kong, including my grandparents, aunts and uncles, and cousins.

As the protests progressively gain more media coverage, my father grows angrier with the Hong Kong government.

He constantly tells me, “As Americans, we value freedom much more, and we have to side with the protesters. There is no law in China; they do anything they want. It is right to protest against the bill.” My uncle, a police officer in Hong

Kong, stands at the other end of the spectrum, supporting government action against the protests. Since the start of the protest, even during its peaceful stages, police officers have approached the protests violently, throwing tear gas and rubber bullets at the protesters. Since the early stages of the protests, violence has grown progressively worse on both ends.

Police officers started to beat protesters on the streets with their batons and arrest them for their civil disobedience. My cousin believes that the police in Hong Kong, including my uncle, are expressing their anger towards the protesters, torn between their obligation to carry out government orders and their civic responsibilities. He said, “You can’t really blame the protesters for becoming increasingly violent. They are only defending themselves against the government that has shown them that peaceful protests are of no use.”

On the other hand, the protests have given my uncle longer and harder workdays, as he leaves home at 5 A.M. and comes back home at midnight. The protests have burdened many people in Hong Kong, as their daily lives are disrupted by blocked streets and violence. The protest at the Hong Kong International Airport, for example, are bothersome and inefficient to both tourists and locals.

Citizens like my grandparents are furious with the protesters who flood the streets. With my family members on opposite sides of the spectrum, they constantly bicker over the issue. My dad tells me, “Although it is [my younger brother’s] job to prevent the protesters, it isn’t right for him to bring his job into his family life. He should not be spreading negative sentiments towards the protesters to the family.”

Lasting for over one hundred days, the Hong Kong protests have finally started to calm down due to Chief Executive Carrie Lam’s withdrawal of the extradition bill in early September of 2019. However, the job of the protesters is still not complete.

“When the protests started on June 9th, the goal was to withdraw the extradition bill. But, at this point in the revolution, the protests have become something much bigger,” Ho commented.

“During the past three months, the police have demonstrated many acts of violence and have even collaborated with gangs in Hong Kong with the common goal of beating up the protestors.”

The Hong Kong protests of 2019 have been the most influential yet, and they will proceed as long as China proposes laws that strengthen their power and chip at Hong Kong’s autonomy.

Is It the Government’s Job To Pay For Our

Education?

By SAAMIYA AHMED As Bronx Science students start the college process, they may start to worry about how they will be able to afford it. Colleges nowadays are becoming more and more expensive, so money can be a large concern when applying. Everyone wants to go to the best college they can, but nobody wants to graduate with tens of thousands of dollars in debt.

Recently, a Teaneck High School student, Yusra Subhani ’19 was admitted into Mount Holyoke College, but had to turn down the offer because of the cost. Even though Mount Holyoke was her dream school, she simply could not afford to go there, especially as an undergraduate. She now attends a community college and plans on transferring to a four-year college later. Everyone should be able to obtain a good education without risking living the rest of their lives submerged in debt. Just a few generations ago, tuition was less expensive, and it was possible to graduate from college debt free. According to CNBC, the average student loan debt has been steadily increasing over the years; just two years ago, most millenials were around $10,000 in debt, whereas now more

By ESTEE YI A red circle for the sun and red rays over a white background represent the flag known as the Rising Sun. For Japan, it is a source of nationalism and pride.

For South Korea, it is a grave reminder of the atrocities of Japanese colonial rule and of a bitter relationship that only continues to grow worse.

In early September, the South Korean government asked the International As a Korean-American, Hyun (Russi) Byun ’20 unOlympic Committee (IOC) derstands South Korea’s stance amidst tensions. to ban Japan from using the However, she also worries that some actions may worsen tensions instead of resolving them. imperial flag at events due to Japan's prior control over Korea in the early twentieth sponsibility for the atrocities faced by century. Despite such efforts, Tokyo Olym- comfort women after three former comfort pics organizers refused to ban the use of women filed a class-action lawsuit against the flag. the nation. However, the issue was disThere are those who feel that this is- missed in 2004. In 2015, another agreesue seems a bit far-fetched. “The U.S. has ment was made, which paid $8.3 million multiple professional sports teams that to fund victims and included an apology have controversial names such as the New from the Prime Minister accepting “deep England Patriots, Washington Redskins, responsibility” for the atrocity. and the Cleveland Indians. Many people Although these agreements were made, believe that these names are offensive, some still feel that Japan’s apologies have unethical, and racist,” said Sameer Chow- not been sincere, and Japanese attitude todhury ’19. “I believe that these great teams wards the issue seems dismissive. In 2018, represent the country with the unity and only thirty of the surviving comfort women patriotism…and…represent the history were still alive. And to this day, the matter of the country, just like the Japanese flag has not been resolved. does. Every country is allowed to repreIn light of the recent trade war between sent their colors, so it is not fair that Japan the two nations, the Boycott Japan moveshouldn’t,” Chowdhury said. ment in South Korea, and South Korea’s The point is not invalid for an argument request to the IOC, it is clear that diplomaon American football maybe, but in terms cy has failed in this conflict once again. So, of Korea and Japan, it’s not that simple. why does this relate back to one flag?

In order to fully grasp the issue, one “The rising sun flag is...used to repremust go back to the early twentieth centu- sent and symbolize Japanese imperialry, during Japan’s colonial era. As an im- ism in many countries, not just Korea, so perial power, Japan controlled many Asian I think it should be banned,” said Carissa countries and regions, most notably in Wu ’21. “Even if Japan says otherwise, it this case, the Korean peninsula. In Korea should be done to show a gesture of goodat the time, Japanese colonization led to will and trust to other countries so that increased urbanization and industrializa- they would know Japan recognizes its tion, but came with great costs. According crimes.” to the United Nations, as many as 200,000 Of course, the IOC is no United Nato 400,000 young Korean women and girls tions: the political issue behind the flag is were taken by the Japanese army as sex beyond its authority and expertise. “The isslaves, known as “comfort women.” sue with the rising sun flag is more of a poThis issue of comfort women has been litical issue that the Olympics is detached one of the primary reasons behind the con- from, and thus the IOC shouldn’t be the tinued tensions between the two nations. ones to make that kind of decision,” said Japan has constantly claimed that proper Russi Byun ’20. agreements and apologies have been made, Byun feels that the IOC’s involvement yet many Koreans, including the very few could worsen tensions rather than resolve surviving comfort women, are not satisfied them. “I understand and agree with Kowith the agreements made over the years. rean sentiments [regarding] how Japan In 1965, Japan and South Korea signed doesn’t acknowledge WWII injustices the Treaty of Basic Relations which resulted committed against Korea…but if the IOC in a $800 million aid-and-loan package in bans the flag, it will just spur more hateful exchange for South Korea’s dismissal of the sentiments between the two countries, as issue. In 1993, Japan formally accepted re- well as towards the IOC/Olympics.”

than half of the college class of 2018 graduated with an average of $30,000 in debt.

Many states have been implementing plans to assist lower-income families, but New Mexico plans to make college completely free for all state residents going to an in-state public college or university. This should be considered an important step in the right direction that will hopefully spark change in the country as a whole.

However, some people, even in Bronx Science, believe that the current tuition prices are reasonable. Mr. Dimoulas, a biology and forensics teacher, said, "By making college tuition free, admissions will be much more difficult." Another common criticism is that everyone would have to pay more for this additional cost. Some argue that if the government is the sole funder of public colleges, colleges will have tighter budgets and limited opportunities.

Despite these criticisms, most students believe that college education should be free, and that it is in fact the government’s responsibility to cover the costs. If we are expected to become successful adults and take on challenging occupations such as doctors or lawyers, then we should be given the resources to do so. Every student that I spoke to agreed with me that college currently costs far too much and that there needs to be some plan to fix it.

Raitah Jinnat ’21 said, “The system is simply not fair,” adding that she thinks that tuition prices are becoming ridiculous.

Ruby Berger ’20 also supports lowering the cost of tu-

Estee Yi / The Science Survey

By PINKEY LAM

The Rising Sun Must Set

ition, but she is concerned that colleges may be left with inadequate funding.

She said, “Without any tuition the school wouldn’t be able to pay for things like renovations.”

Ruby Berger ’20 supports the idea of This is a valid conpublic colleges being free but is cern and any state skeptical if it would be practical. that adopts a similar plan to New Mexico’s should first make sure that there is proper funding for state colleges to maintain the quality and variety of programs. Recently, many state schools have faced steep budget cuts that led to cuts in programs and increased tuition. State governments need to invest in public universities and not force them to do more with less. We already provide free education for grades K-12, so why shouldn’t that be expanded to colleges and universities? For the most part, the K-12 systems have been successful in ensuring that every American child has a basic, quality education that gives every American child a good start in life. Now that college is essential for most jobs, everyone should have access to it. Private K-12 schools exist alongside public schools so there is a choice.

Similarly, this choice should be available at the collegiate level. Students should have the option to go to public college without accumulating large amounts of debt.

Saamiya Ahmed/ The Science Survey

Hong Kong Protests For Democracy

5

Editorial

6 “The Problem With Environmentalism” (Continued from A1)

Education Has Set The Record A Little Too Straight

The NCRP recorded, “from 20072009, only fifteen percent of environmental grant dollars were classified as benefitting marginalized communities, and only eleven percent were classified as advancing ‘social justice’ strategies that work toward structural change on behalf of those who are the least well off politically, economically and socially.”

Darius Korin, a sophomore at Birch Wathen Lenox and one of the core organizers of the September 20th, 2019 Global Climate Strike, said, “The people who are affected the most by this crisis are indigenous people, people of color, and those who live in front line communities. Their voices are often silenced by the media. Their voices and stories must be listened to. Enough is enough!”

His statement is echoed by the emerging youth climate movement that aims to center the environmentalist narrative around ‘climate justice,’ to highlight the voices of those who are the most impaired by natural disasters, by asthma from pollution, by unsafe drinking water, by a lack of flooding resiliency, and

Kode with Klossy Keeps the Momentum Going How Karlie Kloss’s Coding Camp Makes Strides for Women in Technology

Raitah Jinnat / The Science Survey

Mark Cheng / The Science Survey

By RAITAH JINNAT When supermodel Karlie Kloss is not walking on the runway, she is earning titles as a philanthropist, entrepreneur, and coder. Taking on the roles of entrepreneur and coder, Kloss began a non-profit coding camp. This summer, a group of girls and I participated in this two week program, Kode with Klossy.

In the Mobile Development class, my classmates and I learned to program with Swift, a language that Apple Inc. created for developing applications on their mobile operating systems (such as iOS, macOS and others). Karlie Kloss also has a web development class as part of the camp focusing on using Javascript, HTML, and ‘Your winner’s dream is the essense of who you CSS. The two weeks worth of learning are. So imagine it, be ever loyal to it, and be forever culminated in our final project, coding a inspired by it.” Bill McDermott’s quote above us functional iOS application in two days. At encaptures the drive all of the women in my group during their time in Kode with Klossy. the end of the program, we presented tour applications in front of our families and Pennsylvania location last summer. Now friends. a student at Harvard University, she plans Throughout the camp, there was a lot to to major in physics or astrophysics and milearn about the disparities within the pro- nor in computer science. gramming industry, especially those that Her drive to study computer science impact women. The statistics reveal the started back when she took an introducalready low amount of women in computer tory computer science course as a sophoscience. African-American women make more at Bronx Science. She had been hearup only three percent of the computing ing that “everyone should learn how to workforce, while Hispanic women make code.” It was a spontaneous decision, but up a meager two percent. Meanwhile in she came to love creating mini-games on high schools all over the country, only 28% Python and designing websites. of students who took the AP Computer SciOno originally joined Kode with Klossy ence A exam were female. Such a disparity the summer of sophomore year because is what drove Kloss to start the program. “the community seemed more tight-knit Victoria Ono ’19 was an instruction- than any other female empowerment comal assistant at the Austin, Texas location munities I’d known.” She felt welcomed this summer as well as at the Philadelphia, in a space where all of the girls there were

A rainbow stands out amidst the SAP Innovations skyline.

By EDIE FINE When Lennox Gregoire ’20 was in eighth grade, her literature class read ‘A Separate Peace’ by John Knowles. During one discussion, she raised her hand to say that it felt to her as if the main character was “struggling to reconcile his romantic love for his best friend with his inferiority complex that leads him to want to simultaneously be his best friend.” Instead of embracing her exploration of the story’s meaning, Gregoire’s teacher seemed unMr. Blessant’s LGBTQ+ icon arts project comfortable at the mention of gayness. is displayed throughout the hallways; “He shut me down immediately and he seeks to promote a more inclusive told me to wait until I was older to disschool environment. cuss these topics,” she said. “The idea that homosexuality is inappropriate and that school lessons should be a mirror, reflectyoung children should be shielded from ing back a person’s own experience, and it worsened my already bad internalized a window into others’ experiences. We homophobia because it was just another need to feel seen by our curriculum in orthing teaching me that who I am is unnat- der to feel connected to it, just as we need ural.” to learn about perspectives different from Our national education system has our own. not been kind to queer youth. Public But LGBTQ+ youth are not seeing school curricula, including history, liter- themselves in their classes. The message? ature, and health classes, have erased the They are invisible, unimportant. This LGBTQ+ community from almost every marginalization of queer folk may account classroom, isolating and marginalizing for the fact that LGBTQ+ individuals are LGBTQ+ youth. Students like Gregoire almost three times more likely than othare left to feel invalidated because they ers to experience a mental health condiaren’t seeing themselves represented in tion like major depression or generalized what they are learning. anxiety disorder, and five times as likeCurrent national curricula standards ly to attempt suicide, as reported by the do not require educators to teach about National Alliance on Mental Illness. This LGBTQ+ topics in schools; according to is disheartening but not surprising given a GLSEN (formerly the Gay, Lesbian, & that there is so little guidance for queer Straight Education Network) study, only youth in their curricula.

35.2% of students across the country say There are great efforts in our school that they have been exposed to represen- to make classrooms more inclusive by tation of LGBTQ people, history, or events many teachers. Mr. Christopher Dahlem, in lessons. the school’s health teacher, is trying to And only 19.8% of those students re- make the half-year course as welcoming ported being taught these representations to LGBTQ+ students as he can. This year, in a positive manner, while 18.4% had he invited PFLAG, a family-based organibeen taught about LGBTQ+ topics in a zation committed to the civil rights of all negative light. In sex education classes, LGBTQ+ folks that focuses on promoting these statistical discrepancies are even inclusive school environments, to provide more visible. Less than 5% of queer youth their own queer testimonies. report receiving sex education relevant to “While New York City has its own curthem. In fact, according to the Centers for riculum, I like to think that we do a little Disease Control, only nine states mandate bit more than the curriculum asks us to, the coverage of LGBTQ+ topics in sex ed- especially with teaching about sexuality ucation. Five states actively prohibit these and gender identity,” Mr. Dahlem said. topics being covered in a positive light.

After the PFLAG representatives shared These laws, or lack thereof, institution- their stories, three different students alize fear and discrimination against the raised their hand to offer their own. StuLGBTQ+ community; when schools do dents opened up, and seemed to feel more not provide accurate and positive repre- comfortable speaking about their own sentations of students within an identity identities when they saw them validated group, it isolates them by implying that in the classroom. they are not worth that class time.

But seldom do individual teachers have “I don’t feel represented in what I have flexible curricula nationwide; we need to learned about queer history. I have only make broader foundational changes. At had one series of lessons on the queer civ- Bronx Science, we value honest, in-depth il rights movement in American Studies,” learning. What kind of message are we Mica Nimkarn ’20 said. “The lack of rep- sending if we say that the LGBTQ+ comresentation changed how I interacted in munity doesn’t belong in that? class when we did have lessons on queer “Because I grew up in an academically rights.” focused environment, it was super hard Queer erasure in schools can mean for me to hear these messages in an acaqueer youth are more likely to struggle demic setting from the people I look up with their identity. Emily Style from the to,” Gregoire said. “I took their word as National Seeking Educational Equity and fact and it really confirmed my suspicions Diversity Project uses the metaphor of that being a homosexual was wrong and windows and mirrors to illustrate how ed- that I was wrong.” ucational representation affects students;

Edie Fine / The Science Survey

by environmental racism, to name just a few of the justice related issues.

Key organizers are taking steps to ensure that environmental racism is addressed in the climate justice activism community, and the core members of the New York City Climate Strike Coalition who organized the September 20th, 2019 climate strike are cognizant of a lack of representation in the climate movement.

“I definitely have noticed a problem with the lack of diversity in the environmental movement, considering the fact that indigenous peoples and people of color have been integral parts of environmental justice activism since its very start,” said Sima Nisenbaum ’20, a climate justice activist and organizer for Extinction Rebellion Youth U.S. and Fridays for Future NYC. While white activists have recently taken strides to emphasize the roles of activists of color, it is clear that mainstream environmentalism has a long way to go in uplifting the voices of communities disproportionately affected by the climate crisis, despite their efforts on a local and global scale to mitigate the effects.

able to share excitement over what was seen as a “boy’s thing.”

“I learned from this program how privileged we—as Bronx Science students—are when it comes to access to STEM education. I met so many girls whose schools did not have CS classes or computer labs, who are in need of programs like Kode with Klossy to explore STEM fields,” Ono said.

This privilege can be seen in the various opportunities that Bronx Science offers for its students interested in STEM, such as its research programs and internships.

“STEM is difficult, but not impossible.

We’ve seen so much change in the last few years—we must keep the momentum going,” Ono said when asked to give advice to girls wanting to pursue STEM fields.

Kode with Klossy meanwhile is simply one of the many initiatives maintaining that momentum.

Online Teasers Purdue Pharma, Manufacturer of Opioid OxyContin, Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy

By Caleb Yam “In the federal courthouse of White Plains, NY, Purdue Pharma, known for its role in the opioid crisis, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in mid-September. The private Connecticut pharmaceutical company and manufacturer of the painkiller OxyContin, is being held responsible for setting off the ongoing opioid crisis by federal prosecutors and state attorney generals across the nation....”

The Man-Made Fires Choking Indonesia

By Anna Ye “The Amazon isn’t the only forest being burned to the ground at this very moment.

On the other side of the world, in Indonesia’s tropical forests, home to 10% of the world’s species of reptiles, birds, and mammals, palm oil plantation owners are actively setting fire to the landscape to clear land for agricultural expansion....”

Editorial Universal Healthcare: Is it Feasible?

Should Democrats Pack the Courts or Pack their Bags?

Josephine Kinlan / The Science Survey

The world of politics has become one that many seldom wish to discuss. It causes much discomfort, and a divide amongst those who may have once called themselves friends. Nevertheless, Democrats and Republicans continue their squabbles, grabbing at each other’s throats with language ranging from that of a professor to that of a third-grader. The topic of today’s quarrel? Democrats are suggesting something that has never been done before: an addition of Justices to our Judicial branch, otherwise known as packing the Supreme Court. This would be a significant altera-

Grace Lorch ’22 believes that packing the court is not a smart idea, because of how much the two parties have already divided, and how packing could continue to contribute to such divisions. “Over the past few years, tension between the two parties have significantly increased, and packing the courts would only make it worse.” Lorch said.

tion in our government’s legality system, considering we have never had more than nine judges leading our Judicial branch.

So why the sudden push for packing?

Recently, federal courts have been gaining significant numbers of new, young, conservative judges, sworn in and defended by Trump and the GOP. Trump has boasted about this on his twitter account: “Today I signed the 160th Federal Judge to the Bench. Within a short period of time we will be at over 200 Federal Judges, including many in the Appellate Courts & two great new U.S. Supreme Court Justices!”

The majority of Trump’s choices fit a generic type: white (87 percent), male (78 percent), young, and conservative, according to ‘The New York Times.’ The lack of diversity in Trump’s choices is worrisome, since they will be the most influential people in decisions of laws and court cases. The inflow of new conservative judges is preparation by Republicans and Trump for the years ahead: as long as there are young conservative judges in federal courts, there will be a surplus of them to choose for new Supreme Court Justices. These judges will work in the interest of Republican representatives when it comes to interpreting laws, which will assist in advancing their constricting agenda of limiting minorities.

What could this mean for us as citizens?

What could it mean for us as students?

Let’s take a closer look at some of the more

controversial events that have already taken place under the Trump administration: repeal of environmental protection acts, repeal of Obama’s healthcare, legislation forbidding immigration from certain countries, ICE raids, removal of Obama’s Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, tweets stating that transgender people would not be allowed to serve in the military, the swearing in of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, and more.

Many of these controversial policies and events are backed by blatant xenophobia, inequality, white and cisgender privilege, and interest in business over environmental and ethical concerns.

With more Republican leaders in our courts, more legislation in favor of Republicans will be passed, similar to the controversial legislation already passed.

Now, this may not seem like a huge problem yet. After all, America goes through time periods of governmental and representational change when the Presidential party shifts. “Our government works in cycles, with the majority shifting every few years due to dissatisfaction from the public or arising issues,” said Grace Lorch ’22. Republicans’ demands are often supplied more in the time of a Republican President, and vice-versa with a Democratic President. In other words, it is a cycle: Republican President, Republican legislation, Democratic President, Democratic legislation, and so on and so forth.

However, in our current reality, this succession is concerning. The overwhelming amount of Republican and conservative views could even become dangerous, especially for those who may struggle with acceptance in our society as a result of conservative views: the LGBTQ+ community, environmental advocates, women and abortion advocates, immigrants, people in need of healthcare, and many others.

“The fact that these newly appointed judges are in favor of restricting the rights of people who are not like them makes me extremely scared that the opportunities minorities have fought extremely hard for will be taken away,” said Gabrielle Huck ’22. In Bronx Science and most of New York City, these groups of people are much more accepted and supported than in other, conservative majority states.

“The fact that these newly appointed judges are in favor of restricting the rights of people who are not like them makes me extremely scared that the opportunities minorities have fought extremely hard for will be taken away,” said Gabrielle Huck ’22.

In Bronx Science and most of New York City, these groups of people are much more accepted and supported than in other, conservative majority states.

Continued Online

BY MICHAEL TOSCANO How often do you worry about your healthcare? Probably not often. As a young adult, it is a topic which you may not have given much thought to, or even fully understand. It’s something that your parents provide for you, and a burden that you don’t have to worry about yet. For insured Americans, receiving quality healthcare is simple, but for 44 million Americans today, quality healthcare is a privilege which they are unable to afford.

It is unbelievable to think that in 2019, over 44 million Americans live without health insurance. That makes up roughly Mr. Dahlem, a health teacher at Bronx 8% of the United States population, who Science, is an advocate for universal are unable to afford the care they need. healthcare.

Routine visits to the doctor for vaccinations or check ups that most of us take for sal healthcare in America, and for good granted are simply out of reach for these reason. A universal healthcare plan would Americans. When emergencies arise, these cost the country a substantial amount people have two choices: either pay an in- of money. It is projected that a universal surmountable hospital bill, or receive no heathcare plan in America would cost upmedical care at all. Without insurance, wards of, “32 trillion dollars to implement healthcare can seem like an overwhelming over a ten year period,” according to data from the Committee for a Responsible expense.

Lack of affordable healthcare is a seri- Federal Budget. To put this number into ous issue facing the United States today. perspective, this sum is greater than the People across the country without access entire national debt of the United States to it are dying at elevated rates. Accord- which currently stands at 22.03 trillion ing to a study by the Harvard Gazette, dollars.

The concern that most middle-class over 45,000 Americans died from a lack of Americans have with the proposal of a healthcare in 2018. The lives of these individuals were prematurely ended because universal healthcare plan is that in order they were unable to afford the care they to fund it, the government will raise have needed. Mr. Dahlem, the resident health to raise their taxes. Mr. Dahlem disagrees teacher at Bronx Science, had this to say with this notion, stating “People say that about the statistic: “It’s definitely a health the cons are that it forces people who are disparity, and a major issue facing Ameri- healthy to pay for the less fortunate, but I ca today.” These deaths are unacceptable, don’t see it that way, as it has worked well and could have been easily prevented with for many other first world countries…the the implementation of a strong Universal benefits definitely outway the cons in my healthcare plan. Mr. Dahlem agreed, say- opinion.” I agree with Mr. Dahlem, because ing, “we would definitely benefit from a even if taxes do increase initially, I believe universal healthcare system in this coun- the price will be worth the outcome of a try.” With a Universal healthcare plan, strong universal healthcare plan in Amerthese Americans would have received the ica. To help counterbalance these costs, healthcare they deserved, and might even there are many innovative solutions which could be implemented, such as the “wealth be alive today.

Universal healthcare, also known as tax” proposed by Democratic presidential Medicare-for-all, refers to a system that candidate Elizabeth Warren. According to provides high-quality healthcare to the Warren, this would impose a “2% tax on whole population of a particular country, every dollar of net worth for households rather than just those who are able to af- worth $50 million or more, and a 3% tax ford it. Currently in the United States most on every dollar of net worth beyond $1 bilAmericans are insured by private insurers lion,” helping to offset the initial cost of the who provide quality healthcare for a steep plan. The way I see it, if we begin to build price, while the less fortunate have to rely this foundation now, in ten years time, we on public healthcare plans such as Medic- could have a healthcare system in place to aid. The issue that arises is that the quality serve all Americans equally, regardless of of care received from private plans is supe- socioeconomic status. As income inequalirior to that of public plans, leading to un- ty and class inequality continue to grow in equal levels of care. A universal healthcare America, implementing a universal healthsystem would solve these issues, by cre- care plan will begin to move us in the right ating an equal playing field for all Ameri- direction.

Best stated in the words of the wise Mr. cans. Mr. Dahelm said, “I think that a uniDahlem, “Everyone wants to live a long versal healthcare system would benefit us, primarily by lowering healthcare costs for healthy life, and good health insurance is the entire country. Also, people would be very important to achieve that.’” Nobody getting the same standard of care, regard- should be denied the care they need due to financial limitations. Everyone deserves less of income status.”

Cost is the major argument used by the right to be healthy.

Michael Toscano / The Science Survey

BY JOSEPHINE KINLAN

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politicians against the proposal of univer-

The Debt We’re Owed

A court case won billions for New York public schools. Where did the money go?

By CAMERON LEO

Jason Bohner ’20 is involved in a number of groups that are still pushing for the release of funds promised by the CFE.

Cameron Leo / The Science Survey

Outdated textbooks, cuts in arts programs, and decaying buildings — New Yorkers know the hallmarks of an underfunded school when they see it. Yet for those of us who are only observers of these schools, it is rare that we find ourselves wondering why such insufficiencies have been normalized.

I would like to make the case that school funding inequity should be at the forefront of our youth political agenda, regardless of our apparent stake in the issue. Our state government owes us a great debt — $4.1 billion each year, to be exact.

And we should all be furious.

In 1993, the Campaign for Fiscal Equity (CFE), a group of New York City parents and legal experts, asserted that the government of New York was violating their children’s right to a “sound education,” as promised in the state’s constitution. The funding formula for public schools was so inequitable, the lowest income schools so deprived of resources, they argued, that the practices of the state could and should be brought to court.

The argument made was not wholly contingent on the idea that the state was not spending enough money on education.

In fact, today, New York spends more on education than any other state. Rather, their case was contingent on the blatant inequity of the state’s funding: in this assessment, New York has been ranked 49th in the country. Schools with the high-

est portion of low-income students receive 7% less in state and local funding than schools with the lowest portion — and this imbalance has been shown to impact African-American and Latinx students disproportionately. “Students at underfunded schools are not given the tools they need to thrive, despite being just as deserving,” said Melody Moulton ’20, a leader of the education activist group ‘Teens Take Charge.’

This was the case for the unconstitutionality of education financing that was first made by the CFE in 1993. That year, the group of parents and lawyers who comprised the campaign filed a lawsuit against the State of New York. It would

be another thirteen years until matters were finally settled in the Court of Appeals, where they ruled in favor of the CFE’s assertion that the State’s funding was unconstitutional. They found that a $5.63 billion increase in Foundational Aid, a new formula designed to distribute funds in an equitable manner, was an appropriate supplement to the State’s budget. The Governor and Legislature passed the augmentation in the New York State Education Budget and Reform Act in 2007, granting an increase of $5.5 billion in equitable funding to be paid out incrementally over a four-year period. It was a moving instance of bipartisan support, and a promise to the children of New York that their education would be taken seriously.

It would have been more moving, though, if that promise was kept. After a fraction of the funds were paid out, America was hit by the 2008 financial crisis, and the state government swiftly took to austerity measures: to balance the state budget, the New York legislature enacted a two-year freeze on all CFE funds, while both Governors Patterson and Cuomo made annual cuts to education spending via the Gap Elimination Adjustment (GEA) up until 2017. Incremental increases have been put forward as Foundational Aid, but in small amounts that pale in comparison to the billions of dollars lost through Continued on page 8 the GEA.

Editorial

“The Debt We’re Owed” (Continued from page 7) 10 years after the freezing of funds, the legislature has yet to release the promised CFE funds, and our government still owes its students $4.4 billion. And though very few people are aware of this injustice, a few politicians, students, and advocacy groups have been pushing for political action.

Senior Jason Bohner ’20, co-founder of Bronx Science Young Democrats Club, has worked with several groups to make strides towards the release of CFE funds through civic education. “If students want to get involved with CFE, they can first educate themselves on the extent of the issue. Unfortunately, many students are unaware of how schools are funded and the subsequent inequality that arises as a result. If more people were informed, we can strengthen our united coalition of students already affecting change,” Bohner said.

Knowing this, it should be noted that the bounty promised by the lawsuit would not have fixed our broken education system. The problems of our schools have been shown to stem not from their poor quality, but from their long-standing segregation.

Still, the effects a drastic funding increase would have had on our public schools are significant. Immediately after the first payment of CFE funds made in 2008, programs like full-day Pre-K and Saturday school were expanded and the opportunity gap began to shrink between the poorest and the wealthiest schools. It was a promising, if brief, glimpse into an educational future that could have been.

And until we decide that school funding is an issue worth of our collective youth advocacy power, it might remain just that.

Climate Strike or Math Test?

By YI LAN ZHANG who is taking four AP’s and honors classes.

Instead of teaching regular classes with low attendance, Bronx Science should hold an environmentalism awareness school day, when teachers can engage with students on how climate change relates to their field of study. For instance, an AP Statistics teacher could provide research materials that staticians in the world have conducted to study climate change, and share suggestions made by students via e-mail.

“I will definitely do something climate related this year in both of my classes at some point when it fits naturally into the curriculum,” said Mr. Garritano, an AP Statistics and AP Calculus AB math teacher.

“I think it would be best if we started the school day learning about it and then all went to strike together, including the staff who also believe [in climate change],” said Katherine Ly ’22. Besides students, school faculty also wanted to join the strike. “I love the proposal,” said Ms. Jaitin, an AP Creative Writing English teacher and an enthusiastic environmentalist.

Some Americans, according to ‘The New York Times,’ are enraged and worried that some students are using the Climate Strike as an excuse to cut school.

Others are upset that the New York government tends to side with pro-environmental politics, implying that the DOE excused absence forces values onto the citizens.

Ayesha Khan ’20 disagrees and believes that fighting climate change should be free of political affiliation. “Combating climate change is wanting to live a healthy life and maintain that for future generations,” Khan said.

The DOE’s decision to excuse students for the Climate Strike is a step in providing an easier pathway for students to march and protest for the future.

Students should be able to say yes to both math tests, and climate strikes for education should complement youth empowerment.

Yi Lan Zhang / The Science Survey

On September 20th, 2019, many students walked out of Bronx Science to protest the blind eye that Congress turns to big, environmentally-unfriendly corporations. Working with the ‘Fridays for Future Coalition,’ Azalea Danes ’20 and other vocal students got the DOE to pass a citywide policy: On September 20th, if you were to attend the Climate Strike, your absence would be excused, with parental permission (an ‘Out of Building’ pass). As the DOE announced this news, teachers at Bronx Science were also making a much anticipated announcement: There will be a math test on 9/20.

“Should I attend the Climate Strike or stay at school to take my math test?” asked David Zhao ’20. Zhao’s question occupied the minds of Bronx Science students as the days leading up to the strike counted down. The limited time to make a decision ticked away quickly like the time left to determine if the answer to that calculus question is A or B. That day, tens of thousands marched downtown to Foley Square.

The Climate Strike dominated Instagram stories and Facebook pages with promotional videos and pictures of the protest. Teens were out protesting in sunny weather for the whole day. Some had climbed on traffic light poles, others pasted their handcrafted posters on high level windows. “I believe that we did achieve something great yesterday [Sept 20],” said Timothy Brett ’21. “We showed not only New York but the whole world that this problem is big enough that it would lead to students walking out for it.”

Mr. Garritano, who is known by his students for his love of collecting data, reported that as the day went on, fewer students showed up to class.

While interviewing students who did not attend the strike, the most prevalent concern voiced was that non-strikers were worried that they would fall behind in schoolwork.

“I do believe that climate change is a real thing. However, I would not have attended the Climate Strike even if my math test was cancelled,” said Yasin Karim ’21,

Later periods had a higher percentage of walking out because many students strategized taking Mr. Garritano’s math test early in the day, then leaving for the strike.

The NYCDOE Overstepped Its Authority By Openly Supporting the NYC Climate Strike It wasn’t the NYCDOE’s place to endorse the student-led demonstration.

By MONTANA LEE On September 12, 2019, at 9:32 AM, to them.” But it rarely sponsors other the Mayor, on behalf of NYCSchools, serious issues and, if it does, not to this tweeted, “New York City stands with our extent. For example, it granted amnesty young people. They’re our conscience. for a one-period gun control walkout in We support the 9/20 #ClimateStrike.”

March of 2018 but discouraged particThe NYC Department of Education folipating in the March for Our Lives, in lowed up by writing, “We applaud our which students would have to skip a full students when they raise their voices in a day of school. “You don’t have to be out of safe and respectful manner on issues that school all day to make your voices known. matter to them. Young people around the You’ve already made your voices known,” world are joining the #ClimateStrike this said Richard Carranza, the NYC Schools week—showing that student action will chancellor. lead us forward.”

The DOE didn’t “applaud” those stuMayor de Blasio and the Deparment dents who protested civilly for what was of Education overstepped their authority in their eyes a matter of life and death. by publicly supporting the strike. At best, And if the issues that mattered to stuthe NYC DOE’s choice to endorse strike dents were politically conflicting, like the participation was a well-intentioned misMarch for Life (a pro-life, anti-abortion take. At worst, it was a paternalistic, exdemonstration), the DOE probably would ploitative action that did a disservice to not accommodate them, let alone give vothe demonstration. cal support.

New York City students participated without governmental consent in previous Climate Strikes, like the one on March 15, 2019. They skipped school to protest an issue that put their futures in danger.

But this time, they participated in a “strike” sanctioned by authority—which isn’t a strike.

The DOE’s decision turned acts of civil disobedience into actions Children skip school with the DOE’s encouragements to of mass obedience. protest for their futures at the NYC Climate Strike.

Dr. Davis, the Amer-

Photo provided by Aerin Mann/ The Science Survey

8

ican Studies history teacher at Bronx Science, explained, “One of the reasons civil disobedience sometimes worked during the Civil Rights Movement was that it provoked leaders to establish more just laws and to allow for the election of a different class of politicians.” For example, Rosa Parks’ bus sit-in and arrest in defiance of racially unjust laws prompted the Supreme Court to rule segregated seating unconstitutional in 1956. Her action resonated powerfully with America because she accepted a harsh punishment for her advocacy and put an urgent issue ahead of herself. Had there been a lighter punishment, like a fine, or even none at all, her strike would have meant little to politicians. The NYCDOE likewise stripped the power of the climate movement by ridding students of the opportunity to accept punishment, make a statement, and inspire progress.

“Part of the purpose of a strike is to force an interruption—to confront people (both those with authority and those under it) with choices. Thoreau [a 19th-century essayist and philosopher] advocated for civil disobedience because he wanted Americans to act not lawfully, but with conscience,” said Dr. Abrams, the American Studies English teacher. The NYC DOE, in excusing absences and endorsing the strike, interrupted that goal. They transformed an event of advocacy into an opportunity for truancy, where the students who didn’t care could easily skip school unchecked, and where students participated in something permitted, not necessarily something they believed was right. As a result, their decision eroded the power and impact of forgoing valuable education to strike for something as consequential as the climate crisis.

In addition to diminishing the significance of the strike, the DOE’s actions breached its responsibilities as a politically neutral entity. @NYCSchools tweeted that it “applaud[s]” students who civilly raise their voices on “issues that matter

The Department has also designated itself as an all-deciding judge, choosing which issues warrant amnesty and which ones do not, rather than letting students decide for themselves. That infringes on students’ natural rights to freedom of expression and impartial education, which enables them to think independently.

By sanctioning the climate strike, they pushed students to take a polarizing stand on the issue: either participate and support the movement or stay in school and oppose it. As Maya Chari ’21, who participated in the event, said, “It is the DOE’s job to be completely nonpartisan and not suggest or encourage political behavior. The strike was a political movement.”

For this reason, Staten Island Justice Vito J. Titone derided the DOE’s plan to excuse students from protesting the Vietnam War in 1969. He wrote, “The element of compulsion is clear. Students and teachers who do not attend school that day will be deemed to be against the Government’s Viet Nam [sic] War policy, and those who attend will be assumed to favor such policy. It forces people to take a position when, as a matter of constitutional law, they are not required to do so.”

The United States has come a long way since 1969, but the same reasoning applies fifty years later. Though the issues may be different, and people may be more progressive, the NYCDOE’s responsibilities as a government entity have not changed. It overstepped its authority by endorsing a student-led, politicized demonstration.

But who am I to talk? I can bask in the knowledge that my attendance record won’t suffer for my participation on Friday, September 20, 2019.

Disclaimer: I attended the strike, and I care about and fully support climate justice, but I’m skeptical of the DOE’s public endorsement.

Features

Tina Ou / The Science Survey

By TINA OU Although not every student knows, Bronx Fien and her horticulture class are planting Science has four gardening facilities: the mustard, carrots, swiss chard, and spinach. rooftop garden, the garden by the parking The Co-President of Gardening Club Kate lot, the greenhouse within the garden, and Velarde ’20 notes, “This year’s goals are more the hydroponic system. Courtesy of the hor- ambitious than ever.” Currently, the garden ticulture class, the Green Team, and Gar- team is partnering up with cooking clubs dening Club, there are like the World Culture plans to remodel the Cooking Club. The whole garden and landcrops planted, such as scape the area near Dethose in the winter vegWitt Clinton and the boys’ etable garden, are going locker room. This year, to used in the cooking Dr. Fien, advisor of the clubs to make dishes.

Gardening Club and HorThe hydroponic system ticulture teacher, hopes is going to be expandto remodel the garden ed in the greenhouse. area and hopes to receive Velarde’s love for gara grant for gardening redening developed ever sources and development. since she was a child.

The plans for the new “When I was little, I year include the planting would help my grandof nine additional trees ma with her garden. on the school campus Since then, my appreciand a brand new vegetaation for gardening and ble garden. In addition, nature has only grown. co-president of GardenBeing surrounded by ing Club Shahel Jawad beautiful flowers and Fardin Chowdhury ’21 and Anna ’20 said, “Our mission is trees can really slow the Zhang ’20 use shovels as they dig simple. We want to mainworld down and allow a hole for their future tree. tain, grow, and improve me to just relax,” Vethe garden and the plants larde said. we grow there. We also want to bring more Last year, the Green Team helped reviawareness to the garden itself by informing talize the rooftop greenhouse by cleaning up our members more of the process of garden- the space, removing worn out supplies, and ing as well as giving them the experience.” installing new gardening systems through In the process of obtaining confirma- grants. This year, the Green Team is embarktion from the administration, Dr. Fien ing on a school beautification project, growhad originally advocated for the planting ing container plants inside the classrooms. In of trees in the school courtyard. Howev- addition, they are also propagating plants in er, due to safety reasons, Dr. Fien pro- the greenhouse. Working together and makposed to plant the trees near the parking ing sure to always discuss plans, the Green lot, close to the area of the DeWitt Clinton Team has had a major impact on students’ High School football field. She obtained ap- lives. For instance, as the committee leader proval and is finishing the process with the for Waste and Recycling management, Kin horticulture class and the Gardening Club. Yang ’20 finds that his most memorable exThe three types of trees the Gardening perience during his time in Green Team was Club and the Horticulture class are planting having the opportunity to go to New York are the Dwarf Norway Spruce, the Golden City’s second annual Sustainability Expo in Hinoki Cypress, and the Dragon Lady Holly. Brooklyn. Yang said, “Throughout the expo, The plants are going to be planted in a zig- I was able to talk to other students who were zag pattern, alternating amongst the three passionate in sustainability and making the tree species. The trees grow up to forty feet. Earth a greener place, as well as learn more The installment of the different types of trees about sustainability initiatives that other occurred during the last week of October. schools had throughout the city. The expo alIn order to plant the trees, students need to lowed me to network with others, learn more plant deep holes (about two feet deep) in the about sustainability and create a collaborative ground. For the winter vegetable garden, Dr. environment with my fellow team members.”

New York City Crossword

By MAGGIE SCHNEIDER Across 4. Contest loser to the Empire State Building 6. Newest Hudson Yards attraction 10. Brooklyn neighborhood that attracts fish?

12. Where the devil might be cooking 13. Neighborhood of Citi Field 14. Famous Harlem theater 15. Museum that leaves you spiraling 16. Holden Caulfield’s hangout 17. Transportation line to which Duke Ellington famously refers 18. Lesser recognized end of South Houston, abbreviated 19. Where one might find a starry night during the daytime? abbreviated

Down 1. If you’re in the mood for a Monet or Degas...

2. Place for big suits 3. Where one might meet Mets?

5. Site of some half-century year-old riots 7. Where to catch a Greyhound 8. Place for some moon-related fun 9. Where to take a nice Chelsea stroll 11. Place for a historic pastrami sandwich 14. SNL site, for short

Revival of Filipino Culture Club

By JAYMIE PAREDES When people hear “the Philippines,” there’s a club here, I want to see what a Filthe first thing that usually comes to ipino community at school is like.” Aidan mind is exotic food such as balut and Domondon ’21 also joined to get more in adobo. However, Filipino culture is far touch with his culture. “Going to a primore complex than its cuisine. It en- vate elementary and middle school that compasses religious beliefs, holiday was predominantly white, I often found it celebrations, and unique traditions. hard to fit in, being made fun of for what Bronx Science has a large variety of cul- I ate at lunch, or for how my family and ture clubs, all of which boast educational I looked, which led to me suppressing my and entertaining meetings. Several years heritage,” said Domondon. “I was often ago, Bronx Science had its very own Fil- reluctant to tell people my race, but in ipino Culture Club, which united the the past years I have spent at Bronx Scipopulation of Filipino students at Bronx ence, I found myself surrounded by peoScience, opening the door to many oppor- ple who are loud and proud of their heritunities. The club participated in many fun tage. I learned that I was no longer in an and meaningful activities like the Filipino environment where I had to hide.” The Independence Day Parade and fundrais- club will give its members a much needed ing at the food fair. Unfortunately, due to chance to explore their Filipino identities. the lack of Filipino students at Bronx Sci- Many share the misconception that one ence, the club was eventually shut down. has to be Filipino to join, but this is cerHowever, the absence of Filipino repre- tainly not the case. In fact, people of othsentation at Bronx Science is precisely the er cultures are encouraged to join for the reason why it is so important to have a Fili- sake of learning something new. “Our pino Culture Club. Kate Velarde ’20 has re- main goal is to actively learn more about cently revived the Filipino Culture Club. “I Filipino culture and have fun with everyfounded the current Filipino Culture Club one, whether they are Filipino or not,” said mainly because I wished to unite the dis- Velarde. Culture clubs are centered around jointed Filipino community within Bronx the idea of fully accepting one’s heritage.

Science. Filipino culture is rather distinct Naturally, such clubs would be inclufrom other Asian cultures, and didn’t ex- sive and accepting of different cultures. actly have a place to fit in,” said Velarde. There are many activities for members to The revival of this club will allow students look forward to, for Filipino and non-Filito connect with their Filipino heritage and pino students alike;Velarde has many exfully embrace their culture in an institution citing aspirations for the club this school that is sparsely populated with Filipinos. year. “We’re looking to participate in more The Filipino Culture Club has already events and collaborate with other clubs. begun to attract members, though each We’re planning on crafting parols (Christof them has their own reasons for joining. mas star lanterns) and perhaps even havReese Villazor ing showcases ’21, a new of traditional member to the Filipino dancclub, shares es,” she said. her reasoning For the many behind joinFilipino stuing the club. “I dents who felt want to be in a as if they did place where I not have a place can explore my to belong, the identity as a Filipino CulFilipina. When ture Club is a I was younger, The diverse, enthusiastic members of Filipino Club dream come I would be one true. This club participate in karaoke together. of the few Filiwill serve as a pinos, and my identity wasn’t something small piece of the Philippines, right here that was ever covered in class or acknowl- in our own Bronx Science community. edged at school,” Villazor said. “Now that Jaymie Paredes / The Science Survey

We Wet Our Plants

9

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Features Waving Goodbye to Ocean Pollution The Bronx Science Green Team is taking the initiative by bringing attention to the issues of plastic in the ocean through the Pratt Institute’s Blue Wave sculpture.

Jackson Trauben / The Science Survey

By ELLORA KLEIN

As you climb off your Vallo bus, eyes bleary and stomach grumbling, a large shape in the Bronx Science courtyard catches your eye. On your walk up to school, you identify the shape as an artistic interpretation of a large wave, different shades of blue standing out in the dark entrance. Upon closer inspection, you can see the wave is a sculpture made up of various forms of plastic waste, held together by a mesh sheet. As the student body passes this sculpture daily when heading into school, they may notice elements of plastic in that sculpture they use in their own daily life, showing them the harm that the products they use cause the environment.

The temporary display presented by the Bronx Science Green Team raises awareness to the continuously growing issue of plastic in the ocean, and the harm it causes to marine life. While many people believe Bronx Science is more focused on STEM subjects and less to the arts and environment, this is an inaccurate assumption. The diversity of our student body brings every aspect of learning to the school. The blue wave sculpture is a prime example of Bronx Science supporting students’ passion for the arts and the well-being of the environment. Green Team member Haley Sim ’20 said, “The sculpture is made up of twenty-four hours’ worth of hard plastic trash, and I believe it brings light to the important issue of waste and plastic overuse in our modern day and age in an aesthetically pleasing and creative way.” This perspective on the sculpture reveals the targeted interests the wave portrays, and the positive messages it sends to students.

The Blue Wave Movement, started by artist Samuel Pressman, was a collaboration between the summer climate institute at Bronx Science and the Pratt Institute.

The wave was built by students from the graduate center for planning and the environment, and the leaders of envi-

An up-close view of the components of the Blue Wave, various forms of plastic waste gathered over a twenty-four hour period. ronmental advocacy at Pratt. They used twenty-four hours’ worth of plastic waste from the Pratt Brooklyn campus to construct the sculpture. The temporary display stands as a reminder of the issues that plastic waste causes to the environment and provokes thought on how to change and fix harmful behavior. Green team member Kin Yang ’20 said, “The sculpture inspires its viewers to rethink their lifestyles, and how they can reduce their dependence on plastic products. The sculpture is a symbol of how wasteful and oblivious people have become when it comes to using single-use plastic items.” The sculpture creates a message that is hard to ignore, as it stands outside the entrance to the school and shows just how much plastic is wasted on one campus in one day.

Plastic is one of the most common ocean pollutants, and impacts nearly 700 different species. While an estimated 150 million metric tons of plastic currently circulate

the ocean, it is estimated that each year another 8 million metric tons of plastic enter the marine environments.

Plastic has been identified in all sea turtle species, as well as more than 60% of all seabirds. The undeniable problem that plastic waste creates in the ocean is hard to tame, as many of the products people unknowingly use in their daily life end up in the ocean as plastic waste. Yang said, “Although convenient and relatively cheap, plastic products are often not recycled properly and end up in the ocean, breaking up into micropellets and ending up in marine life.”

While the issue may seem unbeatable, there are ways to change our behavior and clean up the ocean. The three main ways plastic ends up in the ocean are through throwing plastic in the trash rather than recycling it, littering, and products being flushed and going down the drain.

By avoiding these actions and raising awareness through displays like the blue wave, less plastic would end up in the ocean and people would be more conscious of their own plastic usage. When being asked about his thoughts on the sculpture, Jakob Cheng ’22 said, “I think the Green Team wave sculpture represents the change in tide of how we as a community need to change our bad habits of littering and not recycling recyclable material for the future of the world’s climate and the human population.” Many people do not realize the impact that they have on the environment as individuals, and it’s important to recognize how our actions can affect the world around us. The overwhelmingly positive reaction to the blue wave and the messages it sends to students shows just how impactful an art piece like this one can be. The Green Team members have said that students should expect more installments in the future, and they are hoping to find opportunities to promote sustainability throughout the school year.

Attention Class of 2020!

By SPENCER MCQUAIG

Seniors of the class of 2020, this is a message for you! Ninth graders, sophomores, and juniors, unfortunately, I must ask you to wait your turn.

In March of 2016, then NYU freshman Sophie Sandberg was assigned a project in a writing seminar. She had to create a digital platform about something she was passionate about. This was the birth of the street art movement and Instagram account @catcallsofNYC. Catcalling is all too familiar to women and girls in urban areas. According to a 2019 survey conducted by ‘The Telegraph,’ 84% of women experience a form of street harassment before the age of seventeen, and many first experience catcalling as young as eleven years old.

At fifteen, when Sandberg was catcalled for the first time, she rushed home to tell her parents. “My dad said that I should dress differently… He meant well, but he said that I should cover up more as to not provoke attention,” said Sandberg. “I felt like the only thing I could do to change this was to change what I was wearing; I couldn’t change the reality of street harassment.

And I couldn’t respond in the moment because it could be unsafe or provoke more harassment.”

In her first year of college, Sandberg discovered a new way to respond to harassment. She came up with the idea to gather the stories, usually over direct message, of women and girls around New York City who have experienced street harassment, and then travel to the location of the catcall and chalk the quote on the ground.

Sandberg wanted to visually demonstrate how serious and damaging it is to walk down the street and hear vulgar, suggestive language.

“I wanted to raise awareness and show people how frequent this behavior really is,” Sandberg said. “When you’re catcalled, you’re objectified, but when you write it, you become an agent to take the power away from the catcaller.”

The goal of the account, outside of fighting catcalling, was to provide a space where victims all around the world could share their stories.

“I wanted to make sure that these victims can have a place to be heard and to be believed.”

Catcalls of NYC gathered more attention than Sandberg originally expected. The ac-

Sophie Sandberg, founder of @catcallsofNYC. “One of my goals for the account is to do a workshop or program in schools that teaches about harassment.” Sandberg strives to create a world where women and girls can feel safe walking down the street and school hallways.

By SOFIA MAHAIRAS

I am sure we all know that senior year is almost halfway done.

We have worked on our college essays in English class, met with our guidance counselors (way too many times!), and unfortunately, we’ve probably shed a tear or two. The college process is difficult; we have accepted it. However, as the school year is in full swing, the inevitability of our college supps is just as real as that of our senior events!

To lighten your days at school, Senior Council has been hard at work planning the many school events you will see throughout the year. Senior Council members meet 2-3 times a week to discuss, plan, and prepare all types of events ranging from graduation, prom, and homecoming, to senior shirt day and various spirit days.

One of the biggest events Senior Council is working on right now is graduation. “Graduation is going to be awesome,” Senior Council president Shmuel Padwa ’20 said. “Last year’s was super cool, and I want ours to be even better than that. It’s going to be the pinnacle of our high school career and it’s going to be great.” These are confident words coming from our senior council president, and it’s exactly what we want to hear. However, a “great” graduation and prom are not as simple as they sound. “Right now the hardest part is finding vendors willing to work with us,” Padwa said.

“Some are too expensive, and some aren’t being communicative with us, so we are trying to remedy that.”

The Senior Council Homecoming committee was also hard at work planning Homecoming, which tookplace on November 27th, 2019.

Homecoming consisted of the annual basketball game, as well as a few surprising new additions. “In the past, students have treated Homecoming as a regular day,” Padwa said. “We tried to make Homecoming a little bit more contained, and gave students more exciting incentives for them

to come,” Daniela Castro ’20 said.

This year’s senior council is doing things a little bit differently than last year. “I have taken a much more active role this year, setting up bureaucratic structures, and making responsibilities clear,” said Senior Class Advisor Mr. Daniel McNickle.

“I have empowered this year’s senior council in ways that I have not felt comfortable doing in previous years,” continued Mr. McNickle.

Mr. McNickle has one more message for the senior class of 2020: “Read your e-mails,” he said, “but specifically the ones from me!”

Anika Rahman / The Scieence Survey

Sophie Sandberg finishes up the catcall with the words, “#StopStreetHarassment.”

count has 171,000 followers and has amassed 18,000 visits to the profile in the last week.

There are now over 150 @catcallsof accounts around the world, from Rome and London to LA and Hanover. “I never pictured it growing like this - it was just a class project,” Sandberg said. “But it’s so exciting and invigorating.

The growth can be overwhelming, though.”

Unfortunately, though, the growth allowed for negative attention as well as positive. In the comments of @catcallsofNYC, victims are often attacked by claims that invalidate the movement, often aggressively. More seriously, Sandberg has been stalked online by someone who created fake @catcallsof accounts to harass her and her friends through direct message and even her personal cell phone number.

“It’s really ironic; it just shows how people get so upset by activists trying to fight back against something and change social norms,” said Sandberg. The online harassment still has not stopped, even after Sandberg contacted Instagram and the police, who did not believe her.

In the month of September, on @catcallsofNYC, Sandberg expanded her focus from street harassment to school harassment.

This harassment includes bullying and teasing in a sexual manner as well as reporting the story to the school with no action taken.

“I was getting a lot of messages from students about harassment in their schools,” Sandberg said. “I was noticing that there was a lot of overlap in what happened on the street versus what happened in schools to young people who didn’t know what to do about it. I felt like schools weren’t taking action. So many people have stories.” Sandberg hopes that the school harassment series will be a call to action for some schools to start doing something about it.

Spencer McQuaig / The Science Survey

Spencer McQuaig / The Science Survey

Who is Behind @catcallsof NYC?

The 2019-2020 Senior Council members, pictured from left to right: Tyler Pelayo ’20, Michael Clerkin ’20, Marc Lim ’20, Rishi Amladi ’20, Shmuel Padwa ’20, Deandra Cornelio ’21, Rachel Lu ’21, Cindy Cai ’20, Cassandra Ng ’20, Darya Lollos ’20, Daniela Castro ’20, Cynthia Chu ’20, Sofia Mahairas ’20, Ula Pranevicius ’20, Mr. McNickle.

Missing: Cameron Leo ’20 and Suzune Montag ’20.

Online Teaser The Crisis Lives On: The Legacy That Robert Mugabe L e f t f o r Z i m b a b w e

By Benjamin Oestericher

a

When Robert Gabriel Mugabe first assumed power, Zimbabwe represented the hope of an entire continent. Mugabe, a symbol of decolonization and Pan-Africanism, was a central figure in the movement...

Arts & Entertainment

Leann Goldberg / The Science Survey

By LEANN GOLDBERG From September 18th until January ways seen always have a general consensus 5th, 2020, the Brooklyn Museum has an of what ‘futuristic’ is. That doesn’t mean exciting new exhibit demonstrating fathat lack of accuracy makes the art any mous French designer Pierre Cardin’s viless valid or interesting,” said Edie Fine sions of what the future of fashion might ’21. “His fashion is art, and I think that look like from the late twentieth century. it’s okay for it to exist primarily as an art The exhibit revolves around various piece to view in an exhibit like this one.” concepts he wanted the future of fash The varying levels of accuracy in ion to look like, along with designs and his designs are what make the exhibit so media that corresponded to the era. interesting. While his designs are definiteA large part of the exhibit is the ‘Cosmoly eccentric, the museum really highlights corps’ designs. They are unisex looks with the origin of his designs and his career different zipper and collar designs that while also showing the influence he had on represent outerspace fashion. Cardin, on media and fashion as a whole. The exhibit his designs, said, “In 2069, we will all walk mixes in movies from his era with similar on the moon or Mars wearing my ‘Cosfuturistic designs. For example, one part of mocorps’ ensembles. Women will wear the exhibit displays a clip from both ‘Star Plexiglas cloche hats and tube clothing, Trek’ and ‘The Jetsons,’ as a reflection of men will wear elliptical pants and kinetic the influence that Cardin had on the media. tunics.”

“My favorite part of the exhibit was the Students at our school have simiway that Cardin’s designs were displayed lar predictions for the future: “Clothes through different mediums, like TV clips might be made out of materials we don’t and images that accompanied the pieces even know exist right now. It’s definitethat made the exhibit feel more like an imly going to be something crazy like ormersive experience,” said Fine.The exhibit ganic bubble wrap fiber or something,” also reflects some of Cardin’s own inspirasaid Daniela Castro ’20. Her predictions tions. One of Cardin’s clothing lines was reflect many of the materials Cardin ‘Kinetic Fashion,’ which highlighted moveused in his own designs, like plexiglass. ment as part of the design, such that his curved pant bottoms that made it look like the model was on wheels. These designs were inspired by artist Alexander Calder’s mobiles. The blurbs near the exhibit’s art really take the viewer into Cardin’s mindset with examples of Calder’s mobiles and the corresponding Cardin designs.

The exhibit also highlights seemingly smaller aspects of design, like hats.

There is a whole wall in the exhibit dedicated to Cardin’s extravagant hat designs.

For Cardin, every aspect of design mattered; his hats were especially important A model in long red coat

to him. He designed many of his hats to positioned in front of a projection reflect medieval armor to reflect a history of the Eiffel Tower. of centuries of protection and anonymity.

The exhibit does a great job of reflecting his Other students discussed their views on passion for accessories and detail through the gender-neutral state of our fashion this huge wall, which allows viewers to future. “I think fashion brands explorcompare and follow patterns in all his hats. ing unisex fashion is a very realistic idea

“I would definitely recommend it and very much already happening. All to other people. I absolutely love the exclothes should be made accessible to evplosion of 60s and 70s culture, and it’s an eryone, as they are such an important amazing representation of how that time part of exploring your identity,” said Ula influenced art and fashion,” said Fine.

Pranevicius ’20. Cardin’s dreams of a “That era was filled with hope for the fucompletely unisex future have already beture, with social movements that helped gun filtering into our mainstream culture. society charge forward.” Anyone interThe androgynous movement, as Praneviested in fashion, the late 1900s, or just cius said, has been on the rise in the last an unconventional take on art and design twenty years. Other students, however, do should stop by the Brooklyn Museum benot see the same accuracy in his designs. fore January 5th, 2020 (perhaps during “I don’t think his designs are very accurate winter break) to form their own opinbecause ‘futuristic’ portrayals that I’ve alions and ideas for the future of design.

These Series Are Eternally Relevant Ellen Wu / The Science Survey

By ELLEN WU

Lavanya Manickam ‘21 wears a Friends t-shirt to show her love for the iconic television show.

The iPhone 11: A Review

By SANFORD JAMES The iPhone has evolved since its inphotos from the iPhone are incredible,” ception to meet the call for new features said Joyce Ho ’20. And improvements throughout the years. This September, Apple launched its newest iteration of its flagship mobile device: the iPhone 11.

Apple faces increased pressure to differentiate this year’s release from prior models, as smartphones today generally have a lengthier lifespan, stymying the need to replace an existing smartphone.

Though pre-order sales of the new iPhone 11 releases were quite robust, the persistent debate of whether or not one The new dual camera configuration should upgrade to the latest iPhone has that comes standard on the iPhone 11 once again ensued. provides a better optical zoom.

New chassis colors like green and purple are some of the visible hardware differences between the iPhone 11 and to the phone’s camera system were not the iPhone 10. In the base models, the limited to hardware, as new software back glass comes in a gloss finish, while enhancements have improved the image the top of the line models have a matte quality and user experience as well. “I glass back. specifically love the portrait mode; it’s so The former also has an aluminum pretty, and the resulting photo quality is band, and the latter has a more durable, incredible,” said Ho, referring to a feasteel band. There is also an option to ture that emulates depth of field with a purchase a red variant, which supports DSLR camera by adding a bokeh effect the Product (Red) charity. to photos.

While some die-hard Apple fans are With considerable improvements exuberant to adopt this year’s release, to the camera system, it may seem that others believe that the new variants stray the new releases are geared primarily to away from the exemplary device designs avid photographers. “Unless you need that Apple is known for. “It looks really the wide lens, or are a photographer, I ugly,” said Ben Vishansky ’ 22. In light wouldn’t upgrade,” said Zhichen Li ’20. of Apple’s renowned minimalistic outBut there are also a number of other look that has driven compelling changes software improvements, some of which to the iPhone in recent years such as the include a new battery management sysremoval of the headphone jack and the tem, which coupled with a higher cahome button, perhaps this sentiment is pacity battery allows for a one-hour inbound to change as the new designs becrease in the base model’s runtime when come icons of everyday pop culture. compared to the iPhone XR. Another visible change across the Yet, among all its new capabilities iPhone 11 variants in retrospect to priand finishes, the iPhone 11 still lacks ceror models are the new camera systems. tain features that are now standard in The base model now has a dual camera other smartphones - such as 5G connecsetup similar to the one formerly in the tivity. When the iPhone first launched, top of the line iPhone XS model as the it featured 2G connectivity. The iPhone standard camera system.

11’s connectivity speeds have inevitably This lens configuration provides betoutpaced its predecessor with 4G conter optical zoom than Apple’s prior base nectivity, but the lack of a 5G modem efmodel, the iPhone XR. By far the most fectively limits the speeds at which data noticeable change regarding the camera can be sent to, given that it is the prereqconfiguration, however, is the addition uisite to attain greater speeds for mobile of a third camera to the top of the line devices up to 10Gbps.

“Pro” variant. This camera allows for While the technology for a 5G telea new “ultra-wide” mode, and provides communications system does not curfour times the field of view. rently exist from an end to end perspecWhile professional photographers tive, 5G connectivity is already a feature once sneered at the notion of using a in a number of other smartphones insmartphone to take pictures, the photo cluding Samsung’s Galaxy S10. quality that smartphones can attain has Although the iPhone 11 may not become quite impressive in recent years satisfy users who want a future-proof to both avid photographers and amadevice, perhaps Apple’s focus on the teurs alike. bigger picture may justify an upgrade.

“I take a lot of photos, and all of the

It’s finally Friday, and after a long school day, all you want to do is relax and put on your favorite show.

There is something so special about rewatching the classics as a way to destress. Shows that aired years ago still remain relevant today, as both young and old viewers still hold interest in these series.

It’s been over a decade since the first airing of programs like ‘Friends,’ ‘Gossip Girl,’ and ‘The Office,’ and yet, many people are still moved by their characters and plotlines. Take ‘Friends,’ for example; the show came out more than two decades ago and recently celebrated the twenty-fifth anniversary since it first aired on television. We all know how popular this show actually was back in the 1990’s and early 2000’s, but how can we explain the impact that it has had upon us all these years later?

Lavanya Manickam ‘21 first watched ‘Friends’ in 2017. Since then, she has watched all ten seasons four times. “It is such a feel-good show; it’s comfortable and familiar,” explains Manickam. “Before you start the episode, you already know you are going to be entertained. The show is funny and surprising at times, and it never fails to make me smile.” She stresses that the friendships and relationships depicted in the show are also extremely heartwarming, so much so that one begins to love the characters, and eventually the show.

She believes that there is a thrill you get from rewatching a show that you are familiar with, as opposed to a new show.

Despite the fact that Haemi Shin ’21 was really young when ‘Gossip Girl’ first aired, it is still one of her favorite shows. When asked why she decided to

Sanford James / The Science Survey

The Past’s Future Fashion

11

rewatch the show so many times, she stated “I was bored, and I didn’t feel like any other shows on Netflix were as entertaining as classics like ‘Gossip Girl.’”

She claims that despite how old some of these shows are, they are enjoyable, and she is still able to relate to them.

Zara Rose ’23, is also a fan of ‘Friends,’ ‘Gossip Girl,’ and ‘The Office.’ She has watched them numerous times, and, as a younger viewer, Rose felt that the age of these shows did affect her perception of them.

“I think [the shows] change our perception because as time continues, our values and belief systems change.

The way that adults and teenagers act has changed over time,” said Rose.

In spite of this, she still enjoys the humor and relatability present in these shows and, regardless of this adaptation, these shows remain close to her heart.

So what makes us want to rewatch older shows so much? Will Meyerhofer, New York-based psychotherapist and author, says that watching our favorite older shows can be a useful tool for dealing with anxiety and mild depression because it provides a sense of ease.

“There’s something comforting about familiarity–you can fall asleep or go get some food without thinking like you’ll miss something,” says Claire Zulkey, a Chicago-based freelance writer.

These shows will always have a special place in our hearts. Whether it is your first or fifth time watching a show that came out years ago, one thing that is undeniable is that the legacy of these shows will never die and forever remain with us to provide comfort and warmth, whether it is today or many years from now.

Arts & Entertainment

12

Linda Ronstadt:

By SYLVIE KOENIGSBERG ple are different from everyone else.

Transgender and asexual representation in horror are by far the hardest to find--all I could turn up is Angela of ‘Sleepaway Camp’ (1983), a transgender woman who is portrayed as a violent psychopath, the key plot twist of the movie being that Angela is the murderer (and, in the words of the protagonist “My God, she’s a boy!”). I could not find any explicitly asexual characters in horror films.

More modern movies such as ‘Jennifer’s “My favorite LGBT horror character would Body’ (2009) or ‘All Cheerleaders Die’ be Richie from the IT movies,” said Sydney (2013) offer queer protagonists as well as Gazard ’20. “He has character traits that make him likeable, and he is no different from any villains. of the other characters besides his sexuality.”

Mr. Giorgis-Blessant, a French language teacher at Bronx Science and adAs soon as ‘IT Chapter 2’ came out in visor for the Gender-Sexuality Alliance, September of 2019, almost all the subthinks that representation in film is very sequent articles were raving about two important, because films should accuthings: Bill Hader’s performance, and rately represent the society that they are his character’s “secret.” Seen as a step for. “But now, actually compared to when in the right direction for positive LGBT+ I was younger, definitely [LGBT+ charrepresentation by some, and as an unacters are] much more visible,” he said, derdeveloped deviation from the book by naming movies such as ‘Blue is the Warmothers, Hader’s Richie Tozier (played in est Color’ (2013) and films by gay Canadiflashbacks by Finn Wolfhard of ‘Strangan director Xavier Dolan as examples of er Things’) is haunted throughout the good LGBT + representation in cinema. second movie by his crush on childhood Mr. Giorgis-Blessent went further to note friend Eddie (Jack Dylan Grazer and that he believes that LGBT+ representaJames Ransone). But whether it is good tion these days is mostly positive in cinor bad representation,’ IT Chapter 2’ reema, although he admits that it depends ignites some important questions: Why is on what country the film is coming from. positive LGBT+ representation in the meMica Nimkarn ’20, one of the presidia so important? And what constitutes dents of the GSA, lists her favorite horpositive representation? ror movie as ‘Children of the Corn,’ and ‘IT Chapter 2’ opens with openly gay agrees that LGBT + representation in cinAdrian Mellon (Xavier Dolan) getting ema, and in media in general, is very imbeaten up and thrown off a bridge by loportant. “I think that having representacals to be subsequently eaten by Pennytion [of] queer people on TV makes queer wise the clown (Bill Skarsgard). The scene audience members feel less excluded or was actually based off a horrific hate crime isolated, especially those who are closetthat happened in King’s hometown while ed,” she said. “I think that it is more imhe was writing the book. This theme-portant to have quality representation of whether to be out and proud and made a queer people; many movies or shows have target, or to stay safe and closeted, follows queer characters [just] for having the sake Hader’s character throughout the film. of a gay or lesbian character...it encouragShortly after Eddie has sacrificed his life es stereotypes.” to kill IT, a crying Richie recarves his and Sydney Gazard, ’20, president of CineEddie’s initials onto a bridge, the same ma Theory Club, lists her favorite horror bridge where Adrian had been killed, as movie as ‘The Conjuring.’ “Movie portraya voiceover plays saying “Be yourself. Be als definitely affect how they [LGBT+ peoproud.” ple] are seen and sometimes confirm to When doing research for this article, bad stereotypes, such as that homosexual I noticed is that most queer characters in men are feminine and lesbians are masfilm are women, and the most common culine, which is not necessarily true,” she sexualities to be depicted are lesbian and said. “People, including myself, can be bisexual. This shows something internervous about coming out because of lack esting about what sort of sexualities are of representation or acknowledgement of seen as “acceptable” in mainstream culsomeone’s sexuality.” ture--with women, it seemed it could be The general consensus seems to be that played as sexy, but queer male characters we still have a long way to go when it comes were more often written as disturbing or to integrating LGBT+ characters into horthreatening, such as Buffalo Bill of ‘Siror films without making them one-dilence of the Lambs’’s desire to be a wommensional villains, but there is undeniably an, or the promiscuous Frank N. Furter positive progress being made, especially seducing both Brad and Janet in ‘The with cinematic films as a whole, and speRocky Horror Picture Show’ (1975). This cifically, within the horror genre of films. can further the stereotype that queer peo-

‘The Sound of My Voice’ Explores a Long History of Gender Inequality in the Music Industry

Hello ‘Bye Bye Birdie’

Mayesha Soshi / The Science Survey

By MAYESHA SOSHI From the Martin Beck Theatre to the Conrad’s agent, plans a last minute stunt Los Angeles Philharmonic Auditorium, for Conrad to bestow a “last kiss” to one of award winning musical, ‘Bye Bye Birdie,’ the members of his fan club live on the Ed has traveled all the way around the coun- Sullivan Show. As the musical progresses, try and has made its way to the Bronx Sci- Peterson struggles to juggle the chaos of ence stage. writing the perfect last song, pleasing his Based on the life of popular singer El- patronizing mother, and maintaining his vis Presley, ‘Bye Bye Birdie’ follows the eight year long relationship with his secstory of teenage heartthrob and rock ‘n’ retary, Rose Alvarez. roll superstar, Conrad Birdie, as he is With this sensational musical, the drafted into the United States Army. In drama department put on a spectacular response to his draft, Albert Peterson, show with a new director stepping into the spotlight, Ms. Kristen Parness. With a long background in the arts, Ms. Parness stepped in to fill the shoes of former director, Mr. Robert Brown. Ms. Parness noted that she was “excited for the opportunity” to put on a “tremendously fun and energetic show celebrating a classic time period and teen love.”

Under the new direction, cast and crew worked around the clock to bring the audience back in time to the 50s rock ‘n’ Stage Manager, Sylvie Klingborg ’21, world. keeps things orderly and in fashion Continued Online on set.

By MAGGIE SCHNEIDER

Maggie Schneider/The Science Survey

If you ask a Bronx Science student if they know who Gregor Mendel or Immanuel Kant are, the answer will probably be yes. But if you ask them about Linda Ronstadt, the response will most likely be a very confused no. While all three were pioneers in fields ranging from biology to philosophy to, in Ronstadt’s case, music, her contribution to the rock n’ roll industry has gone largely unrecognized.

The documentary ‘Linda Ronstadt: The Sound of My Voice’ explores the artist’s long and impressive career, following her journey from singing in a small rock and roll band in the 1960’s to performing in the operetta ‘Pirates of Penzance.’ Though her singing talent alone was enough to make Ronstadt a legend, the documentary focuses on what made her a true trailblazer: being one of the first women in an

Ella Yellin ’22 shares her opinion on the importance of pioneering female artists in music and the increased inclusion of women in the industry.

overwhelmingly male-dominated music scene.

The documentary includes interviews from other pioneering musicians like Bonnie Raitt, Emmylou Harris, and Dolly Parton, who built their music legacies alongside Ronstadt in the 70’s and 80’s.

Raitt, one of only two women on ‘Rolling Stone’’s 100 Greatest Guitarists list, discusses how she and Ronstadt had to stick together and support each other as minorities in the industry. Ronstadt herself explains how she chose to support a fellow performer, Emmylou Harris, when she saw her talent and became a “slobbering, drooling fan in the crowd,” rather than be jealous of the pretty woman who could captivate the audience even better than she could. It is a true testament to Ronstadt’s kindness and loyalty both as a person and a performer that she chose to uplift other women and sing with them rather than compete against them.

The documentary fearlessly addresses the challenges of being a woman in the music industry during the 60’s and 70’s.

Ronstadt comments on how her all-male backup band tended to give her less respect than she deserved and often regarded their jobs as demeaning, finding it bizarre that men had to play backup for a woman. Ronstadt also explains how although the music scene at the time was thought of as a “community of artists,” there tended to be a unified hostility towards women. Continued on page 14

Bulgarian Umbrellas, Secret Cameras, and Communist Posters Recently-opened KGB Espionage Museum Shira Mansell / The Science Survey

By SHIRA MANSELL An eerily pasty mannequin is propped up at a wooden desk covered with office supplies: a lamp, an inkwell, some pens.

Against the wall, a large safe. And everywhere, hammers, sickles, and the color red.

Such life-size dioramas are a major component of the recently-opened KGB Espionage Museum, located at 245 West 14th Street. As the Soviet Union’s intelligence and domestic security agency from 1954 to 1991, the KGB surveilled both its The KGB Espionage Museum conown citizens and other nations, a sort of tains a vast number of communist Soviet counterpart to the CIA. The KGB artifacts and objects. “The decoraMuseum charts the history of this organitions were numerous and I felt that zation, focusing specifically on the adopthey really helped enhance the mood tion and adaptation of technology for of the museum,” said Junseo Lee ’20. espionage purposes during the Cold War. Consequently, the museum houses a vertly jabbed into a target. Further along number of thrilling spy gadgets. Locatthe wall were Soviet propaganda posters, ed prominently on a wall, next to the diincluding a stark and dramatic black and orama of a KGB officer at his communist white poster warning farmers against the desk, is the intriguingly-named Bulgarian lure of religion. Located by the numerous umbrella. The tour guide explained that, cameras was the lipstick pistol, a tube of in its tip, the seemingly harmless sleek, lipstick capable of firing a single bullet. black umbrella contains a needle, to be

Continued on page 14 filled with a slow-acting poison and co-

The Museum of Modern Art’s Reopening

By SCOTT ERNSBERGER for final renovations has not disappointed.

Alongside the returning works of Picasso and many other critically acclaimed canonical artists, there are many works on display by up-and-coming artists through their Projects series, a New Photography biennial, and a New Directors/New Films The exterior view of The Museum of Modern Art festival.

If you are considering going or want on 53rd Street in Manhattan. to visit briefly, the ground floor, the new When the Museum of Modern Art, or street-level exhibits, and The Abby AlMoMA, reopened on the 21st of October, dritch Rockefeller sculpture garden are 2019, museum visitors discovered a total now open for free to the public, so you can of 40,000 square feet that have opened window shop before you decide whether up for new exhibits, so the four month you want to buy a ticket or not.

closure of the museum this past summer Continued Online © 2017 Diller Scofidio + Renfro

Sylvie Koenigsberg / The Science Survey

Here, Queer, and Full of Fear

Spotlight

The Good, The Great, The Gauss, and The Fomin

Artists at Bronx Science: Where Art Thou?

“He’s an icon.”

Ms. Heckman: The Jedi Master of Mental Health Our school’s social worker has gone above and beyond in her short time at Bronx Science Logan Klinger / The Science Survey

By LOGAN KLINGER

For Ms. Heckman, talking to students oneon-one in a confidential setting is the key to helping them to achieve emotional and mental well-being.

Julia Sperling / The Science Survey

ing her interests in science and art, showing others that the two are not mutually exclusive. They do not have to exist separately: in one’s interests, class schedule, or in this case, a fashion show.

Njoku’s fashion show will be an addition to the other arts-centered hubs at Bronx Science, in which students can participate in after school, ncluding the fall musical, various music concerts, S!NG, the school’s literary magazine ‘Dynamo,’ and an array of arts–based clubs such as Urban Dance Club and Painting Club. These events are all bastions of creativity at Bronx Science.

For some Bronx Science students, art is used as a way to let off steam after a day of rigorous academics. “For me, art is an escape. If I took more more art classes, it would start to feel like an academic thing.

So maybe it is a good thing that it’s a leisure time activity for me. It’s something that I can do when I need a break,” said Jasmine Kelly ’21, a visual artist in her spare time.

Whether their interests in art intersect with the overall Bronx Science student body or not, the community of student artists at Bronx Science is a significant part of our school’s community.

Our student artists bring academic diversity and creativity to our school community, enriching the school’s culture for everyone, whether they are more interested in the sciences or in the arts. These student artists approach their craft and their interest in the arts with the same intensity and dedication that Bronx Science students bring to all that they do, whatever the field.

Jasmine Kelly ’21 draws in her free time as a stress reliever from the rigorous academic life at Bronx Science. Like many of our student artists, she finds time to make art after school and on weekends.

Entering Ms. Heckman’s room will make you feel as if you are in a galaxy far, far away.

Visiting our new school social worker is the perfect opportunity for students to unwind, and to speak about any issues concerning mental wellness and social health. Sometimes this entails aiding students in identifying and progressing toards solutions, and other times she is simply a shoulder to lean on.

“My official job is, at the most basic level, providing support to students who need it,” said Ms. Heckman. Though she works in the Guidance Office, in room 035U, her job differs from the other guidance counselors.

“The biggest difference between guidance counselors and social workers is that guidance counselors, while their work encompasses the social-emotional aspects of their care for the students, is primarily focused on academics, whereas social work in and of itself is the basis of social emotional health and mental illness,” said Ms. Heckman.

Although her job often requires dealing with difficult circumstances, for students, being in her office alone in a one-on-one conversation is guaranteed to lower stress. Equipped with an R2-D2 bean bag chair, candy, and a coffee mug in hand, she’s thrilled to aid students with anything that they may need. Ms. Heckman aims to cultivate her office as one with an inviting atmosphere, decorating it with

By MILES YAMNER where schools and colleges, instead of serving as institutions of learning, became the places of indoctrination into the dominant ideology, where anyone who attempted to disagree or have a substantive discussion is branded as a ‘selloff,’ ‘denier,’ ‘ignorant fool,’ or worse – someone who has colluded with a hostile foreign power to undermine your motherland. In other words, any opposing thought is stigmatized, reviled, and painted as a groMr. Fomin teaches his ninth period tesque caricature in order AP Calculus AB class with passion and vigor. to immunize the dominant ideology from critical scruMany of his pupils would agree that Mr. tiny and make it unquestionable. Imagine Fomin is one of the best teachers at Bronx a society that constantly builds and tears Science, and it is for good reasons. He down its monuments and rewrites histoteaches with an unrivaled passion and genry books because it sees history not as a uine excitement, and actively strives to be heritage that needs to be understood in engaging. “After taking his class, you won’t the context of its time, but merely a tool just be knowledgeable about calculus, but to control the future. Imagine a country you will also have the confidence and skills where all papers and television stations coto tackle any math course that you take in ordinated into one giant echo chamber of the future,” said Winson Chen ’20. When dominant ideology. Imagine a place where you first get that e-mail from Mr. Fomin, time-honored traditions, faith in God, and most people feel pretty glum. He is notorieven common sense itself are ruthlessly ous for being a calculus teacher with high crushed to make the next ‘new party line’ expectations, and the potential reds and fused with intolerant atheism into a new yellows on PupilPath can at first seem pretreligion,” Fomin said. ty intimidating; however, after that first “Now you can begin to understand what class, I assure you, all of those concerns kind of country the USSR was. Yet it was subside. Raymond Lin ’20 can attest to this a place where so many were good and defact. “At first, I was worried of getting Focent people who yearned for freedom and min because of the rigors of his class. But I better life. Mathematics became one of the soon noticed that he was a really cool perfew select outlets not tainted by the corson who enjoys teaching,” he said. Not only rupt ideology where people could pursue is Mr. Fomin a good teacher, he is also not objective truth and freely exchange ideas. afraid to go off on tangents in the middle Learning and teaching mathematics was of class or have a laugh with his students. a venue where you could meet interesting Alexandra Orzel ’20 said, “He works really and brilliant free thinkers,” Fomin said. hard to try to keep his students engaged, This culture while growing up in the and he’s just a really fun and funny guy.”

USSR fostered his incredible appreciaMr. Fomin offers a unique learning extion for mathematics and freedom, which perience to anyone who gets him as their he makes sure to emphasize whenever he teacher for AP Calculus. Mr. Fomin grew teaches. up in Soviet Russia, which was what ultiWhile Mr. Fomin is a calculus teacher mately shaped his passion for mathematwith high expectations, there’s no doubt ics. that he genuinely cares about his students “My fascination with mathematics goes and wants all of them to succeed. He does much deeper than a simple interest in not want his students to just pass calculus problem-solving or its rich technical apand to memorize formulas by rote. Rather, plications,” Mr. Fomin said. To him, mathhe wants them to understand calculus and ematics was an escape from the socialist learn how to think creatively. As a calculus indoctrination of the USSR, and it allowed teacher and as a person, Mr. Fomin wants him to freely express himself in that highly you to find the limit of your abilities, reach restrictive environment. “Imagine a place them, and then surpass them.

Miles Yamner / The Science Survey

By JULIA SPERLING Each night when Ella Wilkinson ’21 goes to turn off her lights, her eyes meet a framed page of a magazine beside the light switch.

On the page is her drawing of a horse, which a magazine chose to publish when she was in middle school.

Although Wilkinson remembers this competition very well, she can’t remember the last time she picked up a pencil to draw.

“If it’s not part of my courses or my extracurriculars, it’s hard for me to find time to do it,” Wilkinson said. Many Bronx Science students share this frustration, but especially those primarily interested in the arts, as their interests are hard to fit into their course schedules at Bronx Science.

“If I had more class periods, I’d definitely consider taking art classes more than just one year at Bronx Science,” Wilkinson said.

“But right now, I don’t even have a lunch period, because I chose to also take my art elective at this time.”

If Wilkinson would like to take another visual art course, she would only have from six to choose. Yet if she wanted to take a biology class, she would have a much harder time choosing between the twenty-one biology classes offered at Bronx Science.

However, it comes as no surprise that Bronx Science offers more science classes than any other subject, as the school has been science-oriented since is inception in 1938.

Bronx Science attracts students geared towards STEM due to its numerous STEM classes and resources; it is natural that there are fewer students primarily interested in the arts. While a student can be fascinated by both catalytic reactions and cubism, it sometimes seems as if the student body at Bronx Science largely favors the former.

“It seems less apropros to bring up an art–related conversation when everyone is talking about the details of creating a cure for cancer or the impact that communism in China has on the economy of the United States.

I think the struggle here is not necessarily finding opportunities to share your art, but rather to discuss art and have it interpreted and analyzed by others,”said Akunna Njoku ’21. Outside of school, Njoku dances, makes her own music, models, and designs clothing. With such a passion for creative expression, she is eager to find a community and express her thoughts.

Njoku hopes to bring together a community of artists in a fashion show that she plans to create at Bronx Science. “The fashion show that I’m putting on directly intersects with science because the big question of the show is ‘what would we wear if our earth was unlivable in the future?’ It’s a conscious collection that takes both art and STEM interests into account,” said Njoku. She is looking forward to mix-

13

warm, engaging posters. She works to make sure that all students feel secure and protected, regardless if it is in a homey safe-space or the universe outside of Bronx Science.

It is evident that Ms. Heckman is a passionate person. Along with being a ‘Star Wars’ fanatic, she enjoys baking and various forms of dance such as hip-hop and ballet.

In her free time, she partakes in these activities with her daughter, and laughs about how many Cardi B songs her toddler knows.

She has previously been involved in in many forms of social work, including working in hospital settings.

“Ms. Heckman is professional, compassionate, dedicated and one hundred percent student-centered,” said Mr. Nasser, the Assistant Principal of the Guidance Department “Every conversation we have had was focused on improving the student experience at Bronx Science.”

Although Ms. Heckman has only been working at Bronx Science for the past four months months, she has already created a formidable reputation for herself. She is adored by the Bronx Science community.

According to Mr. Nasser, Ms. Heckman has frequently visited the S.O. Cabinet and created ‘Talk About it Tuesday,’ which was introduced during Mental Health Week. ‘Talk About it Tuesday’ was designed as a forum for

students to voice their experiences and opinions on mental health. All students are welcome, and it will be taking place every Tuesday after school in a still pending location.

Along with ‘Talk About it Tuesday,’ Ms. Heckman is planning on advising the Bring Change 2 Mind Club, or BC2M. This club was originally founded by Glenn Close, an award-winning actress and advocate, whose sister lives with bipolar disorder. The club’s goal is to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health and to establish a supportive school community.

Ms. Heckman encourages students to not just speak to her, but also to “talk to your guidance counselor, talk to your teacher, talk to your friend, talk to a stranger on the street.

If you think you’re going to be in trouble, let someone know, and you’ll eventually get to the right place.”

Part of her job is to enforce a strict rule of confidentiality, which means that everything said in her office stays there. She is mandated to not speak to anyone about what is addressed, including parents.

“It’s important to feel warm and welcome in any environment you are in, so that’s what I hope to create here in well.”

Ms. Heckman said, understandably the Jedi master of mental health and wellness.

Spotlight

Akunna Njoku walks down the New York Fashion Week runway in Hotel Pennsylvania modeling new apparel designed by Gwen Hodges.

If Njoku’s impressive work outside of school were not enough to reveal her creativity, she, alongside other students, is currently organizing a fashion show at Bronx Science. She believes that this will push students out of their comfort zone and allow the student body to dip their feet into the waters of the arts, alongside academics. She pitched the idea in July of 2019, and the confirmation to create the team arrived on October 18th, 2019. Her team consists of models, model managers, designers, tailors, music managers, stage managers, publicists, makeup artists, and more. The team is ecstatic to get the show rolling, and has begun sketching original designs to bring to life. She anticipates creating thirteen to fifteen designs across four sets. Set 1 is the Drama Set, where the pieces will be theatrical, larger than life and highly dramatic. Set 2 is the Technology Set, where pieces will be highly futuristic in terms of fabrics and materials and will be heavily focused on robotic colors and themes. Set 3 is the Technology and Light Set. The pieces in this set will feature futuristic silhouettes with avant-garde cuts while foreshadowing the lights

Njoku spends her free time in school tailoring clothes and creating unique art pieces. her love for fashion, but she prioritizes the arts alongside a scientific and rigorous education. In such a competitive environment, the ability to stand out will serve to help Njoku and others like her in their endeavors to bring new artistic visions to the forefront.

“Bulgarian Umbrellas, Secret Cameras, and Communist Posters” (Continued from Page 12) “It was like something straight out of a James Bond movie,” said Junseo Lee ’20.

Much of the museum is dedicated to a different sort of spy gear: the camera. Cameras were a vital piece of espionage technology, but mid-20th century cameras were also large and conspicuous.

This necessitated the development of smaller, easy-to-use cameras and methods of hiding those cameras, which the museum illustrates with an overwhelming sample of cameras hidden in ties, briefcases, cigarette cases, and even other cameras. It is in this section of the museum, overflowing with old cameras, that the museum most clearly demonstrates the influence of technology on behavior and behavior on technological developments.

It is also the only part of the museum that can be said to have a clear theme. For the most part, the displays and dioramas appear to be placed randomly, although further inspection reveals some sort of chronological order.

The museum is in many ways like an antique store. It is dark, small, and crowded with objects. Glass cases, containing the artifacts, create a sort of forced, winding path, walling visitors in.

They do nothing to help alleviate the museum’s cramped atmosphere.

Luckily, there are no actual crowds of people, a welcome relief from the famous and consequently crowded NYC art museums such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Only two other people entered the museum in the approximately one and a half hours during which I was there. However, in a clear effort to attract more visitors, the museum deviates at times from its technological focus,

Ms. Wilhelm: The Best of Both Worlds

By VICTORIA DIAZ “I believe that as individuals, we need tally and emotionally prepare for class spaces within our day-to-day responsi- activities and simply reflect on the day. bilities and schedules to acknowledge Wilhelm believes that it is important to what we think and feel beyond school and take time out of our days to reflect on our work; once we acknowledge it and have emotions in order to understand ourselves some time to process it, we can get back better. Her classes include “uninterrupted to what we need to do for the rest of our writing sessions where the students get to day,” said new English teacher Ms. Raven pour out all of their immediate thoughts Wilhelm. and emotions into a subject,’’ said Rahib One of two new Bronx Science English Taher ‘22. As Bronx Science students, we teachers, Ms. Raven Wilhelm is known are faced with the pressure of being sucfor her strong personality and deep, per- cessful in both our academic and social sonal discussions in the classroom. How- lives. Setting time aside to express our ever, there is feelings bemore to her than fore getting meets the eye, as back to our she balances bework can ing a high school allow us to English teacher feel more and a graduatcomfortable ed student at and at ease.

Teachers ColWhile lege, Columbia this is only University. her first While she year as a states that her Bronx Scicurrent profesence teachsion was unex- Ms. Wilhelm, a new English teacher at Bronx Scier, Ms. pected, she is ence, speaks on her work /life balance between beWilhelm fond of people, ing a high school teacher and a graduate student. has already especially the made a lasting young. “I believe that you have to invest impression on her students. In her rhetin the youth if you want to build a better oric class, for example, she encourages tomorrow,” Ms. Wilhelm said. Addition- deep, yet respectful, debates between ally, her teaching style is based on her students. Her upbeat personality also alcurrent experience as a student. She re- lows her to connect with her students and flects on her teachers and what she can encourage them to verbally express their do to make each of her students feel im- ideas. An anonymous student describes portant. “I had so many great teachers her classes as “engaging, relatable, and growing up - and some not so great ones always funny.” That relatability is what too - and I always think about what made resonates deeply with her students. Carthose classes great and what the oth- olina Hohl ’22 describes her as being “uner classes were missing. I always loved derstanding of how much work and other teachers who understood me and were things we have going on in our lives.” authentic, and I am the same with my Wilhelm is only just getting started, own students,” said Wilhelm. Being both and she plans on studying for a Ph.D. in a teacher and a graduate student is not the future to eventually become a profesan easy workload, but Ms. Wilhelm has sor and writer. She describes the feeling learned how to manage her time wisely of success as “devoting yourself combetween both priorities. “I focus on Bronx pletely to your interests and goals to see Science during the week and my graduate them be brought into fruition, for you school on the weekends,” she said. and for others to benefit from them.” For In her classes, Ms. Wilhelm has in- now, though, she is more than happy as a corporated the idea of “writing for full Bronx Science teacher and greatly values presence,” originating with a mentor “teaching such smart and driven students and professor at Columbia University. from different backgrounds and cultures.”

The purpose of this practice is to men-

adding in games and places for visitors to take photos. Lee said, “The mood of the place was a little confusing. There was everything from a torture chair to a ‘find the objects spy game.’ It made it seem like the little games and attractions were there to make up for the lack of interaction with the exhibits.”

Self-promotion can be annoying, but there is nothing wrong with it. The problem is that the museum also addresses torture, or, rather, mentions it and moves on. Amongst the less-technological displays are a restraining chair and the set up of a Soviet prison cell. The tour guide explained the roles of different parts of these displays, describing how the restraining chair can be highly effective despite only having cloth straps and that the spikes on the interior side of the cell door prevents prisoners from banging on it. All this information is as interesting as the spy gear, but it also hints at a darker side that is never really addressed. The museum never goes into the full extent of KGB cruelty. The main drawback of the museum was not its organization, but that it left me, at least, with a feeling that something was missing, that history was being overlooked and violence sensationalized to attract visitors and avoid so-called bias.

Despite the antique store-esque nature of the museum and its failure to appropriately address Soviet brutality, the museum does succeed in its efforts to portray the relationship between technology and espionage. The museum’s interactive components, the fascinating stories behind the artifacts, and the spectre of communism combine for an intriguing and informative experience. As Jing-Mae Wang ’20 said, “History museums are a window into the past,” and this window into Soviet spy technology is certainly worth a glance.

victoria Diaz / The Science Survey

show. Finally, Set 4 is the Lights Show Set. The pieces in this set will be very casual, where normal meets street. Materials such as EL wire and LED light strips will be used to portray messages about the future and sustainability. As of now, she hopes to have the show on stage by late May of 2020.

The Fashion Show is truly an inspiring and impressive project. It goes to show that student life at a prestigious high school does not solely rely on academic achievement. “Something I always tell those outside the school is that although the school literally has science in its title, it is so much more than that. And the students are so much more than overstudious bookworms,” said Njoku. Seeing students encourage each other to prosper in the arts demonstrates the prodigious nature of Bronx Science.

“I’ve noticed that Bronx Science students have little to no experience with or exposure to fashion. Fashion is a form of self- expression, and if there’s one thing we complain about a lot, it’s not having many opportunities to express ourselves.

The reason for this show is to do something iconic. But to get more in-depth, the purpose goes beyond that. Not only do we as a team hope to tell a story about our time by using fashion to illustrate a narrative, but we also hope to show the creative versatility of the students at Bronx Science,” said Njoku.

As much as Njoku would love to showcase her talents and abilities to the public, she equally values the need for her peers to be presented with the same opportunity.

Not only is she passionate about sharing Samama Moontaha / The Science Survey

Used by Permission of Sabrina Lamour / Natural Eye Photography

“Bronx Science Model Bringing a Fashion Show To School Grounds” (Continued from A1) “I think it’s really important to have the arts alongside a more scientific and rigorous education, because the world is competitive and versatility and uniqueness are valued,” said Njoku.

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“Linda Ronstadt” (Continued from A&E) ‘Linda Ronstadt: The Sound of My Voice’ finds its place among a recent surge in efforts to award various powerful women in music, recognition that is long overdue. For instance, in 2018, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, who is considered to be the mother of rock and roll, was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, nearly forty-five years after her death.

A year later, Stevie Nicks made history as the first woman to be inducted twice, once with her band and once as a solo artist. Twenty-one men had previously shared in the glory of the same accomplishment.

Students from Bronx Science also agree that now there is an increasing amount of appreciation and opportunities for women in music. “I do think that women have a bigger role in the music industry now than they did in the past because now there are many more opportunities for women and girls to learn and to be a part of the music industry. I think that the women in music of the past played a very important role in opening up music careers to women after them,” said Ella Yellin ’22.

Victoria Sanchez ’22, agreed, saying, “Before it was mostly male artists who were able to perform, and now women are able to do just as much as the men are.”

While things have gotten better since Rondstadt’s time, severe gender disparities remain in the music industry. A study from USC Annenberg found that in 2018, 82.9% of artists on the Billboard charts were male and 17.1% were female. In addition, 89.6% of Grammy nominees between 2013-2019 were male while only 10.4% were female.

The documentary closes with Ronstadt’s Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame induction. Standing in a line are Emmylou Harris, Bonnie Raitt, Stevie Nicks, Sheryl Crow, and Carrie Underwood.

They’re singing ‘When Will I Be Loved,’ a tribute to Ronstadt using one of her most well-known and powerful songs.

The five are singing in a line of succeeding musical generations, each woman giving opportunity and inspiration to the colleague on her left. It was the perfect symbol with which to end, a reminder that every female artist today found a little bit more success and respect because women before her made the path forward just a little bit easier.

SURVEY SPORTS 15 Saad Khandakar / The Science Survey

By SAAD KHANDAKAR In the late 90s, Vince McMahon’s AEW. WWE is viewing AEW as a potential World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) rival, and the fans benefit the most. The Raw and Ted Turner’s World Champi- fans get more quality content from both onship Wrestling (WCW) Monday Nitro AEW and WWE now.” The new competiwent head-to-head on Monday nights. tion is undoubtedly giving fans more time This period, between 1995 and 2001, was to watch wrestling since WWE called the Monday is presenting Night Wars. Both seven hours of brands competed content weekly for higher ratings, on television, making fans switch which can latbetween chaner be watched nels and choosing at any time sides. By 2001, the through the 'war' was put to a WWE Network close when McMaapp. The changhon bought WCW. es mentioned by The opening match at a sold-out Nineteen years Anzum are also visAEW Dynamite show. later, professionible, as McMahon al wrestlers Cody Rhodes and The Young appointed his two former rivals, Paul HeyBucks, a team of Nick and Matt Jackson, man (who owned ECW) and Eric Bischoff set off to start a brand that would allow (who was an executive of WCW). Other pro-wrestling fans to enjoy their sport at changes that the WWE made were the rea time when WWE lost many of the qual- introduction of pyro and the lengthy conities it once had during the Monday Night tracts involved with wrestlers to avoid them Wars. The new brand’s progress improved from joining other companies like AEW. immensely after the wrestlers hosted an Nehal Hossain ’21 comments on the new event in 2018, called ‘All In.' After an ex- company’s effects on WWE by stating that tremely well-received show, Shahid Khan, “AEW is making WWE look worn out.” the owner of the Jacksonville Jaguars and While AEW has always been advertised as Fulham F.C., offered to help create a great- something different from what WWE has er brand. This brand, which would soon presented, more and more people are beput on four successful pay-per-views, came ginning to agree with the idea that it would to be named All Elite Wrestling (AEW). push McMahon’s company to improve.

On September 19th, 2019, AEW an- They believe that it would motivate McManounced its brand new television pro- hon to try topping the newly introduced gram, AEW Dynamite. It is scheduled brand, the same way that he did with WCW to air Wednesday nights on TNT, the in the late nineties. “AEW can either destroy home channel for the former WCW the WWE by competing with better content Monday Nitro, starting from October or force them to change their content into 2nd, 2019. In fact, WWE’s third brand, what the fans like, so that they can mainNXT, will also be airing Wednesday tain a strong following'', said Bronx Scinights on Raw’s home channel: USA. ence wrestler Hemanth Chitharanjan ’21.

With these two brands colliding on With WWE changing its content lately, its Wednesday nights, fans around the destruction seems unlikely, especially with world are calling this the beginning of the its immense popularity around the world.

'Wednesday Night Wars.' While fans are However, with the positive reactions that picking sides, many of them see this new AEW is receiving, WWE seems to be uscompetition as a win-win situation. Asif ing NXT as a means to counter Khan’s Anzum ’21 said, “AEW has started off big, promotion. With both AEW Dynamite and I believe it will continue to attract fans and WWE NXT entering the 'Wednesday as time passes. Recently, WWE has made Night Wars,' fans are the only ones who many changes after the introduction of can truly decide which side they are on.

A Preview of the Upcoming NBA Season

By XAVIER MARRIOTT After one of the most event- la, and former star DeMarcus Cousins. Klay ful off-seasons ever, the NBA finally re- Thompson is out this season due to a torn turned on October 22nd, 2o19. NBA fans ACL, which happened in Game 6 of the 2019 all over have been waiting in anticipa- NBA Finals. However, they did gain a rising tion for this upcoming season. With so star in DeAngelo Russel, who was traded many different trades and team rivalries for Kevin Durant to the New York Nets. going on, it is hard to say for sure who is Since there have been so many drastic currently the best team in the NBA. The changes in the league this past off-season, Golden State dynasty has been broken there are many budding rivalries, such as up, and the championship is up for grabs. that between the Los Angeles Lakers and Many teams have acquired new players and Los Angeles Clippers, who share the same become championship contenders, like the home court in the Staples Center Arena.

Houston Rockets with Russel Westbrook Another rivalry that fans are lookand the Los Angeles Clippers, adding both ing forward to is between the Golden State Paul George and the previous 2019 Finals Warriors and the Houston Rockets, who MVP Kawhi Leonard. The New York Nets have had numerous matchups in the playhave become a very promising team, ac- offs against each other in previous years. quiring Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant, and In the Eastern Conference, the Boston DeAndre Jordan. However, Durant will not Celtics and the Milwaulkee Bucks matchbe playing in the 2019-2020 season due up will prove to be exciting, considering to rupturing his Achilles Tendon during that they matched up against each other the 2019 NBA Finals against the Toronto in the 2019 Eastern Conference SemifiRaptors. The New York Knicks have also nals. The Boston Celtics and New York changed drastically signed many players Nets will also be an electrifying matchup in the offseason, including Julius Randle, since All-Star and previous NBA ChampiBobby Portis, Taj Gibson, Marcus Morris, on Kyrie Irving was traded from the CeltElfrid Payton, Reggie Bullock, and Wayne ics to the Nets because of conflict with Ellington. The Boston Celtics traded Kyrie the organization and with his teammates.

Irving to With so the Brookm a n y lyn Nets m o v e s and gained made in a new point the off-seaguard in son, this K e m b a upcoming Walker.

NBA seaThe Los son has the Angeles ability to be L a k e r s one of the signed Anmost thrillthony Davis ing seasons and Danin history, ny Green, and with so Lakers fan Alex Basquial ‘20 is excited to see how two players much taldominant the new Lakers roster will be after who will ent spread the off-season changes. be playing a c r o s s alongside LeBron James for his 16th NBA the league, no one knows who will come season. out on top. “I think the LA Lakers will The Golden State Warriors are the win because they have LeBron and Anteam that has changed the most, though, thony Davis, who will be really hard losing previous NBA champion Kevin Du- to guard when they’re on the court at rant, 2015 NBA Finals MVP Andre Iguoda- the same time,” said Alex Basquial '20.

Continued from Features

Albar Subekti / The Science Survey

Julian Ramcharan, '20, has strong opinions on the case of Brown's conduct on and off the field.

Under the bright lights and in the spotlight of national television, it is important to act a certain way, especially since every one of your actions is being viewed and critiqued. For paid athletes, professionalism and etiquette are standard qualities to have, as anything less will bring controversy upon the athlete. To the public, the calm and collected attitudes create the illusion that these athletes are more composed than they often actually are.

Although these qualities set the norm for many successful and mature athletes today, there are a few who feel the need to deter from this standard for rather bizarre, outlandish reasons.

For instance, there are a variety of issues surrounding athletes associated with the National Football League (NFL). Last season, former Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell refused to play football, demanding a significant raise to be added into his contract. After a series of self-promoting, petty tweets, many grew to dislike the 'self-entitled' Michigan State athlete, as he claimed that he had left behind a playoff winning Steelers offense. Eventually, the conflict was quickly forgotten and left behind, as Bell found a new home with the New York Jets.

Although Bell’s story finds a happy ending, the same cannot be said for others who have acted up. Take, for example, the free agent Antonio Brown. This past offseason, Brown made big headlines for all the wrong reasons. Brown has been in recent quarrels with his former teammates, Ben Roethlisburger and

JuJu Smith-Schuster. They went back and forth with outrageous claims, which many fans found irritating and unprofessional.

To add to the immaturity, Brown has even threatened to assault the Raiders head manager Mike Mayock over the pay cuts Brown would receive if he continued to miss preseason practice.

With excuses ranging from the NFL’s ban on his favorite helmet to frostbite on his feet, the team had a lot of trouble earning Brown’s cooperation. Practically daring the Oakland team to terminate his thirty million dollar contract, Brown persisted in this childlike behavior. Eventually, the receiver lost the contract, but his celebratory reaction to this news demonstrated how this termination unfazed him.

But all this petty drama within the football world is just the tip of the iceberg. In the past month, Brown has been accused by two women, Britney Taylor and an unnamed artist, of sexual misconduct.

Some believe that the NFL does not take proper action to punish these aledged sex offenders. “There are some false accusations aimed towards the athletic community. This makes the situation much more complicated and takes away from the accusations that are true. I believe that because of these, the league wants to play it safe by minimizing penalties, which is not okay,” said Jiawen Qi ’21.

“Brown is one of the most talented and hardworking players the NFL has ever seen, but he's done so many reckless things off the field,” said Julian Ramcharan ’20. “His playing days are numbered. He can't control himself, nor will he learn from his past actions.” It is clear that if he wants any chance at a comeback, Antonio Brown will have to counteract these deeds with a complete turn on his life choices, along with his character and personality.

Public scrutiny does not only apply to athletes. “It applies to individuals of all nature, occupation, color, and so on,” said Jonayet Lavin ’21. “The ignominious act of infringing on the rights of others is simply not right.” While it is still a developing case, it is hard to see recovery from this situation. Maybe if Antonio Brown had that bit of professionalism, it would have granted him the legacy that he was once destined to have.

S.O. Cabinet!

By DANIELA CASTRO You may have seen them on Wolverine TV, spamming your emails, or even sitting next to you during class. Cabinet is everywhere! If you have ever participated in spirit week, taken part in a school carnival, or sung your heart out during a coffee house karaoke, these are the people you should thank.

Cabinet is the student body of Bronx Science that is in charge of handling all student events and acDaniela Castro / The Science Survey

The Antonio Brown Fiasco

By ALBAR SUBETKI

Xavier Marriot / The Science Survey

WWE’s Biggest Competition in Nearly Two Decades

From left to right: Babou Gaye '20, Anthony Bonavita '20, and Towfiq Rahman '20. tivities, which neither sounds like or is an easy job. “[Cabinet] is the best way to discuss things with the principal, as well as address student concerns on a one-on-one basis,” said S.O. President Anthony Bonavita ’20. This year’s Cabinet plans to be the most efficient one yet, planning many more events and working harder than ever.

Continued online

SURVEY SPORTS

Opting Out: Athlete vs. PSAL Athlete?

Ellora Klein / The Science Survey

By AREEBAH QUTUB studying, and I think it's been a positive for the kids,” said Mr. Michael McGrath, the Athletic Director and Assistant Principal of the Physical Education Department.

Athletes on teams outside of school are not allowed to opt out of P.E., despite the fact that they get exercise in practices, just as PSAL athletes do. Due to the fact that PSAL is a citywide organization and all the teams within it must meet certain requirements, there is no way of ensuring that teams from other organizations meet these requirements. Regardless, many students think this rule is unfair.

Students who are affected by this rule have Julie Lin ’21, during a Girls’ Cross Country meet strong opinions about it. Byul Sak ’21, a figat Van Cortlandt Park after school. Because she participates in a PSAL sport, she is allowed to ure skater outside of school, believes that this rule, while beneficial to PSAL athletes, opt out of Physical Education. should pertain to student athletes on other Your arms ache from practicing layups teams as well. “Of course, athletes, both in in gym as you stand on the crowded sub- or out of school, dedicate a lot of time and way on your way to sports practice out- energy to what they do, so the fact that only side of school. You will not be home un- those who are associated with the school til seven and still have not been able to can skip gym is sometimes frustrating,” start your homework. This is the reali- Sak said. PSAL athletes also feel that the ty of many Bronx Science students who rule is flawed. Julie Lin ’21, a member of participate in non-PSAL sports outside the Girls' Cross Country Team, points out of school, because unlike PSAL athletes, that it can affect students’ choices to join they are unable to opt out of gym class. a sports team. “The opt out makes some Physical education (PE) is a course de- students eager for it instead of for playing signed to educate students about physical the sport itself,” she said of students who fitness. It advises students on how to stay join a sport simply for the gym opt-out. fit, and gives students time to apply the Yona Litwin ’21, who participates in Ulinformation through physical activity. De- timate Frisbee, which is not considered a pending on the length of class periods, the PSAL sport, speaks of his experience with Department of Education website states the rule. “Not only is it unfair, it also disthat students must complete 7 or 8 semes- courages people from joining the team ters of P.E. in order to graduate from high because they know they won't get opted school. At Bronx Science, students must out. For years we've been trying to speak pass P.E. every term in order to graduate. out about this to no avail,” he said. “I unThe Bronx Science P.E. curriculum con- derstand that there is a problem verifying sists of units that focus on different fitness who should get opted out, but something activities and sports that allow students needs to be done.” While it is true that to get their daily exercise, such as bad- there is no real NYC DOE system to deminton, weight training, yoga, and more. termine who is getting enough exercise However, if a student is on a PSAL sports from extracurricular activities outside of team, they are able to opt out of P.E. as they school, if such a system were established, engage in adequate exercise during team it would be of great benefit to the students meets and practices. In order to opt out, who are affected by the issue of not being the student must be either a 10th, 11th, or able to opt out of gym, despite getting the 12th grader, have an 85 or above average in necessary amount of exercise every week.

P.E., and complete the FitnessGram tests Perhaps one day such a system will be to ensure they are in the healthy fitness developed. If it is, many students will zone for their age. “That extra hour during benefit from it, and be able to make the day kind of gives them time to catch use of the extra time during the day to up [on] their homework, do some more do homework, study, or simply relax.

Does Being an Athlete Provide an Advantage in College Application?

By KIERAN AUG that will potentially play for their school.

To combat this, notable schools have begun doing case-by-case examination of their admitted students that were recruited based on athletic talent. For instance, Brown University, which competes in the Ivy League, investigated each class from the past four years, and more schools have begun to follow suit.

Joyce Ho ’20, who plans to continue fencJoyce Ho ’20, who hopes to continue fencing ing in a college setting, was alarmed at how in college, believes the athletic recruitment scandal’s repercussions will be more drastic common it was for students to lie about than once thought. playing sports on their application. “Now, elite colleges are placing stricter regulations In the midst of college hazing scandals on their athletic recruiting, which makes it and illicit admission methods, it ap- more difficult for us athletes to be admitpears we have forgotten about another ted. In an increasingly competitive process problem plaguing colleges nationwide: of admission, it becomes less significant to athlete recruitment. While actress Lori be committed to playing a sport,” she said.

Loughlin’s attempt to buy her child’s Bribes are not excluded in the manner way into college has been most publi- in which students have snuck their way cized, it may not even be the most prob- into schools. On March 12th, 2019, fifty lematic part of college recruitment. The people were charged in a single investigaathletic divisions of U.S. universities tion that involved the bribing of university present especially egregious examples. coaches and admission officers into admitIn fact, prestigious universities, in- ting a potential student. In another publicluding Yale, Harvard, and Stanford, cized case, it was revealed that the family have had faculty members accused of of a Chinese student who was admitted to reserving spots for specific students. Stanford paid $6.5 million to the college This April 2019, a full-fledged investi- officer in charge of Stanford’s admissions. gation on the Harvard fencing coach, PeIn the wake of these scandals, colleges ter Brand, ensued. Brand sold his home have become much more wary of students’ in Needham, Massachusetts at an alarm- claims on their applications, especially ingly high price (over market value) to with sports listed. Colleges may end up the father of an applicant. Not surpris- requiring some sort of confirmation of the ingly, many claimed that the deal was in athletic career of each prospective student exchange for the student being admitted. from the coach of the team they played This has put much scrutiny on the integrity for. “It seems ridiculous that the colleges of college officers, and whether or not they would have to confirm the roster with the are being fair to all applicants. However, team’s coach. It’s as if students are not they might not be the only ones at fault. trusted in these applications,” Ho said.

In other cases, students were found to One thing is for sure: the application be lying on their applications. Many of process will become much more rigorsuch students were accepted despite not ous for students, who will surely have to playing the sports they had indicated on go to great lengths to prove the existence their applications. In the admission pro- of their athletic career. In an era of comcess, they were given priority over more petitive college admissions, students will deserving students because of the reserved really have to step up their athletic and spots many colleges save for athletes extracurricular game to impress colleges.

The Survey Strip

By RIA CHA

Kieran Aug / The Science Survey

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