December 2017 - Volume 80 Issue 2

December 2017

Volume 80 Issue 1

The Bronx High School of Science

www.thesciencesurvey.com

DOE Makes HURRICANES WREAK HAVOC Lunch Free; Science Steps up to Help Students Rejoice

In Support of Lives

By ARTEA BRAHAJ

Photos provided courtesy of the family of John Aidan Feighery ’19

By TAYLOR HUANG

Continued on Page 5

By TALIA PROTOS

Floods brought on by Hurricane Harvey engulf a neighborhood in Houston.

“I was born in Houston, Texas. I live in New York City now, but I still have family who lives there. My aunt and uncle used to live in a low area on the bayou. In the middle of the night, their house started filling quickly with water. My aunt and uncle took their kids and moved to a neighbor’s house which then also became flooded. They were eventually rescued by boat and brought to safety. While they and most Houston residents were able to make it out of their homes safe and sound, they left their whole lives behind when they stepped onto those boats.”

This is the story of John Aidan Feighery ’19, whose family has been personally affected by Hurricane Harvey. While Texas may seem distant, the destruction caused by Harvey is a reality for many relatives of Bronx Science students. Feighery is only one of many students with familial ties to the areas afflicted by the hurricanes.

Hurricane Harvey hit Southeast Texas and Louisiana on September 29, 2017. The effects were devastating; according to Ryan Maue, a meteorologist with WeatherBell, an estimated 27 trillion

32 National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists from Class of ’18

Alexander Thorp / The Science Survey

By KRISTINA ANG The National Merit Scholarship’s prestige is not new to the halls of Bronx Science. Every year, about 700-800 students take the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/

This year’s 32 National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists are some of Bronx Science’s most well-rounded, diverse, and scholarly students.

NMSQT) in hopes of being qualified for a distinguished scholarship. Of the 712 students of the Class of 2018, 32 exemplary students qualified as National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists, setting the current Bronx Science record of having the most students admitted as National Merit

Scholars.

The 32 finalists are as follows: Kazi Alom, Steven S. Baek, Uma Balachandran, Audra Berg, Kuan Cao, Darren Chen, Helen Chen, Tainon Chen, Jennifer Cheung, Alice Choi. Ilana M. Duchan, Aidan Halloran, Grace Han, Yiguang Han, Kazi R. Hossain, Shadman-as-sami Jahangir, Jenna K. Jung, Swara R. Kalva, Kalliope U. Klein, Brian Y. Lee, Elena Li, Brandon W. Liang, Mateo Massey, Crystal Park, Maya Parness, Justin Qi, Clemence Shi, Natasha Stamler, Stephanie Tu, Anthony E. Vernikov, Nora Wolf, and Daniel Yoh. Taking the test as juniors, the students from the Class of 2018 were intently prepared for the PSAT. “I went into the test with the mentality that I would simply try my best and wasn’t expecting anything. I treated it like any other practice test that I would have taken for the actual SAT,” said Uma Balachandran ’18. Very few, if any, of the students themselves, engaged in rigorous test prep for the PSAT. Most of them were fully prepared and ready to demonstrate their abilities on the test, given that they had already begun preparation for the actual SAT. “The test, at the time, was pretty Continued on Page 5

gallons of rain devastated the region bordering the Gulf of Mexico. In fact, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicts that the water and wind damage caused by this massive storm will cost the United States upwards of $160 billion. The true cost of this disaster is even more horrific, as the NOAA estimates that the death toll could be as high as 1,833 people.

Since then, Hurricanes Irma and Maria have left Florida and Puerto Rico in shambles. Puerto Rico will be without power for months, and infrastructure in Florida is in disrepair due to the impact of severe winds.

Sabrina Raouf ’18 described the uncertainty that she is faced with knowing that her relatives in Puerto Rico are currently left without sufficient help. “I have family in Puerto Rico, but I haven’t had any communication with them. So I have no idea how they’re doing. My uncle actually just flew down there to try and help out in the places that FEMA and the other government agencies wouldn’t dare to go. All of Continued on Page 5

On April 20, 1999, Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold opened fire on their classmates at Columbine High. Killing 13 students and wounding two dozen more, the Columbine shooters marked the beginning of an era of extreme gun violence in the United States. On October 1st of this year, a shooter killed 58 people and wounded 546 in the largest mass shooting this country has ever seen.

As time passes, the nation has become more accustomed and desensitized to the extreme violence and destruction of mass shootings, now a common reality more so than a rarity. The Washington Post estimates that 948 people have been victims of 131 mass shootings (shootings in which gun violence has resulted in at least four fatalities) since 1966.

Compared to Canada, the U.S. has more than 5 times the number of gun homicides per capita.

In light of these statistics, it is clear that the U.S. is lacking in legislation to regulate guns in comparison to its neighboring nations. Here is a schism: on one side proponents of new legislation, and on the other, staunch protectors of the Second Amendment.

Continued on Page 2

“Fe Maidens” Take PBS; Strive for Change in Front of U.N.

By ALEXA ASCH Bronx Science’s all female robotics team, the “Fe Maidens,” has long been recognized for being one of the only all female robotics teams in the country, and even the world! The team aims to bridge the gender gap in the STEM field, one girl at a time.

In recognition of this unique mission statement, the team has been featured on a PBS docuseries, which first aired on September 6, 2017.

The team was filmed during their build season and competition season last winter, once a week in the classroom and once every other week outside of the classroom.

The docuseries aired through October and consists of six episodes that are 8-10 minutes long each, produced by Killer Film Media’s Adrienne Becker and Amber Guyton, partners of PBS. The series aired electronically via PBS’s new channel, Indie Lens Storycast. Being one of the first series aired on the new channel, the Maidens played a big part in helping promote and launch it.

Becker was introduced to the Maidens’ story on the internet and really appreciated their knack for problem solving and their unique angle into the STEM world. “My hope is that the series is another tool that can help illustrate the resilience and persistence girls in STEM have,” said Becker.

NEWS

SPOTLIGHT

EDITORIAL

S.O. Keeps a Good Streak with Newest Snapchat!

By BRIANNA LE

Our School’s Newest Superman— Out to Save Our Minds

By ANGIE YANG

Access Denied

By ANNIE LIU

S.O. has launched new Snapchat to keep students of Bronx Science informed of school-wide events.

Mr. Cogliano, Bronx Science’s new social worker, is on a mission to make students’ lives less anxious.

The FCC chair proposes to repeal net neutrality laws established under Title II of the Telecommunications Act and reclassify ISPs under Title I; why this is wrong.

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Becker also felt personally connected to the team: she herself was once a teenager interested in STEM, and she has a young daughter who she wants to be true to herself. She believes that the Maidens are a good influence on not only girls Alexa Asch / The Science Survey

This fall, the cafeteria line is longer than ever before, with students eagerly waiting to receive their free midday meal, before immersing themselves back into their academic studies.

With the Department of Education’s recent decision to make public school lunch available for free citywide, Bronx Science students’ lunch habits are changing for the better. Previously, breakfast was free of cost for all students, but starting this school year, lunch is now free of cost to students as well.

Lunch is a core part of every students’ school days at Bronx Science, whether they have a free period or not to enjoy it. It’s a period used to unwind from seemingly endless cycles of lectures, Socratic seminars and essay writing, a time to socialize with friends, and most importantly, a time to eat.

For our students, Ned’s savory fries and Jay’s hot egg and cheese sandwiches are among the few things that make the school day a bit more bearable. However, going to the food trucks every day isn’t always easy on our wallets. Even so, many students have stayed loyal to their favorite

When will Washington care about our safety?

The “Fe Maidens” have used the docuseries to attract prospective members. everywhere, but also boys. Becker said, “Whenever I find women who do something different and who find power in it, I want to understand and share how they got there, what enabled them to charge through the obstacles--to see the light--and Continued on Page 5

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Editorial

Editors-in-Chief Anna Clevenger Skylar Kleinman Anastasia Koutavas Jeanette Lee Talia Protos Ronin Rodkey Managing Editors Alexa Asch Sinaia Keith Lang Bridget Kulcsar Brianna Le Rena Masoutis Christina Papageorgiou Oona Zlamany Advisory Editor Anton Weintraub Business Managers Jehiel Butt Andrew Lee Yan Fen (Yanny) Liang Meghan Tan Rahma Tasnim Alia Yeancades

2017-18 Editorial Board

Layout Designers Sara Buklan Imaan Hoque Victoria Levy Ilomai (Lolo) Rohner Rebecca Singer Leah Yoes

Front Page Editors Artea Brahaj Alysa Chen Nuzat Zaman

News Editors Joahim Romanosky William Fisher Haeun (Hollie) Park

Editorial Editor Lakhsmi Chatterjee Payel Islam Jemma Lasswell

Online Editors Jason Cheung Ahana Chowdhury Stephanie Weng

Features Editors Tiffany Chen Sarane James Mian Hua Zheng

Sports Editors Adam Israelevitz Theodore (Teddy) Lowen Vivan Ma Marco Zembo-Palzer

Political Cartoonists Ria Cha Timothy Kim

Arts and Entertainment Editors Alexandria Ang Radiah Khandokar Jessin Wang

Spotlight Editors Tasmia Kabir Max Steiker Angie Yang

Science Survey Facebook Editors Alexandra Ang Haeun (Hollie) Park

Newspaper Layout Designers Melissa Cen Dora Cham She-Vaughan Edwards Joselyn Kim Jeanette Lee Talia Protos Ronin Rodkey

Faculty Advisor Alexander Thorp

Science Survey Staff Reporters

Maliha Akter, Kristina Ang, Samira Ashif, Melina Asteriadis, Emily Bedolis, Ada Cheng, Oliver Chin, Lauren Choi, George Crooks, Katherine Doss, Chloe Frajmund, Sadia Haque, Labiba Hasan, Tahira Hasan, Michael Ho, Susan Huang, Taylor Huang, Elizabeth Jung, Lyn Kajihara, Christi Kim, Ivan Lacroix, Brianna Le, Andrew Lee, Hyein Lee, Sofie Levine, Annie Liu, Matilda Melkonian, Gearod Murphy, Nicole Neil, Christina Pan, Anisa Persaud, Sofija Radulovic, Farhan Rahman, Jonathan Rodriguez, James Snyder, Eileen Tan, Sydney Teh, Pietro Topa, Maggie Wong, Lin Xiang (Aaron) Wu, Kelly Xiao, Winni You

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 is published once every two months in a print edition and also continually published 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 within one week for online articles. Corrections should be e-mailed to the Managing Editors.

"In Support of Lives" (continued from A1) The latter, an argument supported by the National Rifle Association (NRA), denies regulation of firearms in supposed favor of maintaining the constitutional rights of American citizens.

The NRA has gone beyond rationality and morality to defend these rights. In the wake of the Sandy Hook shooting on December 14, 2012, where 20 children and 6 adults were wounded or killed at an elementary school in Connecticut, the NRA President Wayne LaPierre called for the widespread introduction of firearms into school buildings for protection purposes.

As reported by The Washington Post, LaPierre claimed that, “We care about our president, so we protect him with armed Secret Service agents. Members of Congress work in offices surrounded by Capitol Police officers. Yet, when it comes to … our children, we as a society leave them every day utterly

defenseless.”

While this reasoning seems appealing and makes sense upon first glance, LaPierre fails to understand the central belief of those in favor of firearm regulations - that even the police and those who protect us hold too much power with guns in their hands. He rationalizes his perspective by claiming that we actively want to leave our children in danger, but the truth is, we want to create a world where our children are safer because there is less opportunity for dangerous people to risk the lives of our loved ones. We should not have to arm ourselves to feel protected.

Following the tragedy in Las Vegas, responses by the Executive Office and Republicans in Congress have yet again been disappointing and negligent at best. On October 4, GOP house members expressed interest in possibly banning bump stocks, the modification that the Vegas shooter used to make his rifles automatic weapons.

Access Denied

By ANNIE LIU It’s been nearly 30 years since the in- take its own course would resolve many of vention of the World Wide Web, and inter- the issues that may result from Pai’s pronet freedom has since become an import- posal. ant issue in our lives.

“The web is notable for its free and conNet neutrality laws set in place by the venient access to information around the Federal Communications Commission world,” said Zev Minsky ’20. “Revoking (FCC) have restricted internet service pro- the Internet’s liberty would oppress many viders (ISP) from interfering with Internet voices that need to be heard.” data. These regulations prevent providers Edison Situ, ’19, however, compares such as Xfinity, Time Warner Spectrum, Pai’s new proposal to selling cars. “It's and Verizon Fios from speeding up, slow- unfair, much like how it would be unfair ing down, or blocking specific pages from for a car dealer to sell a good car from a being accessed. By moderating the free use company that he or she would enjoy, and of internet, ISPs cannot unfairly gain an purposely selling terrible ones from other advantage by incompanies.” terfering with how The Internet Ascontent of competsociation has also ing companies is spoken against Pai’s displayed. new proposal. NearHowever, Presly fifty of the leading ident Donald companies on the Trump’s newly Internet, such as appointed FCC Google, Facebook, chairman, Ajit Pai, and Amazon, foundplans to repeal the ed this organization Zev Minsky ’20said, “Revoking the regulations set in in Washington D.C. Internet’s liberty would oppress many voices.” place. to protect the interests Pai rejected the of the Internet.

Open Internet Order the FCC first proAs an association focused primarily on posed in 2015 when he was commissioner, cultivating the internet economy, equal but the regulation passed under majority treatment of internet traffic is necessary vote. The FCC filed the order under Title for internet stability. It is not within the II of the Telecommunications Act, which best interest of the Internet and its users classified internet providers as a public to allow internet service providers the autelecommunication service. thority to discriminate between content.

Under Title II, ISPs are required to folThe changes proposed by Pai would low the regulations set for telephone utilities, such as those prohibiting paid priori“ Freedom of speech tization. Internet service providers cannot is taken from many.” financially arrange to prioritize specific companies’ or their own content by skipping past congested internet nodes. wreck the system that is currently in place.

However, Pai proposes to categorize the Allowing companies to interfere with data providers under Title I, which would clas- access restricts innovation and creativity. sify them as internet services and loosen Large monopolies are able to gain a greatthe regulations associated with net neu- er hold over the Internet, ousting smaller trality. companies and startups that may introMarisha Toa ’20 agrees. “It’s business. duce new ideas to the field.

Companies should have the opportunity to “The network itself will consequentpromote their own interests.” ly turn into a closed internet rather Loosening net neutrality regulations than an open one. With net neutralwould open the Internet to self-promotion ity taken away, freedom of speech is and a market governed by the free market. taken from many people,” said Kate The playing field may not be leveled, but Lin '18. “We cannot let that happen.” many believe that allowing the market to Annie Liu / The Science Survey

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In the past, Republicans have blocked legislation banning people on the terror watch list from buying guns (after the Orlando shooting), expansion of background checks for anyone purchasing a firearm (after the Sandy Hook shooting), limiting size of magazines (after the Virginia Tech shooting), and many more regulatory efforts.

While willingness from Republicans to create new gun legislation is novel, the fact is that regulating bump stock likely will not have have any bearing on the violence inflicted by the next American mass shooter.

As for models our country should study in order to craft reasonable policies around firearms, among others, Australia is often cited. While Australia’s action against gun violence - in which essentially its government moved unanimously to require extensive background checks, require a reason for purchase from buyers, and place many more regulatory laws - is inspiring, this could likely never happen in the U.S.

The Survey Strip

"Childish Fights over Equal Rights" by Ria Cha '21

In times where tragedies could have catalyzed a bipartisan effort to protect our citizens, the constitutional right to bear arms has divided the nation straight down the middle. The Second Amendment sets our country apart from countless others, time and time again.

Inflexibility from Second Amendment supporters is patriotic, but ultimately results in the loss of hundreds of American lives and creates no room for solutions to this pressing issue.

In order for change to occur, our representatives need to have discussions and be open to working together and finding compromise. We, as citizens, need to vocalize our opinions and ensure that our senators and congresspeople know what our communities want - safety.

To voice your opinion, contact your representatives in congress. Find their contact information at https://callyourrep.co/

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Editorial Without a Clear Message, Anthem Protesters Fail to Create Lasting Change

By ADAM ISRAELEVITZ

Adam Israelevitz / The Science Survey

There is widespread racial injustice message, which originally was trying to the military or police or America at all,” taking place in our country today. Plain create social and political change in our he said. While these messages are not and simple. Many have tried to spread country. conflicting, they certainly are not unifyawareness about these injustices through Every American has the right to peace- ing, thus making the protest lack a signifwidespread protests. fully protest any cause they see fit; this icant impact on social, and, more imporMembers of the National Football tolerance is one of the ideals America was tantly, our political climate.

League (NFL) have protested this peace- founded on and why it is a successful naWilliam O’Hara, a physical education fully by kneeling and raising fists while tion today. However, the weekly anthem teacher at Bronx Science, believes that the national anthem plays before the anthem protests have caused NFL games. But, as with any other more of a division than a unifyprotest, this has caused controversy ing force, arguing that, “it doesn’t in our society. Football is widely seen send a unified message to the as America’s game, and the sport has league or to the United States at a nationalistic and patriotic underall.” He instead believes that the current. Therefore, some Americans, complete opposite effect is taking usually conservative leaning, see flag place. “While some players agree kneeling as an assault on American with the ones who are making a culture, leading to further polarizastand, other team members are tion within our already divided soinfuriated. This causes team diciety. vision and team dissension within Speaking to his base at a massive the locker room,” he said.

Alabama rally in late September, Mr. O’Hara, pictured above, argues that the anthem protests have If NFL players are indeed serious divided team locker rooms.

President Trump said, “Wouldn’t about combatting America’s social you love to see one of these NFL injustices, there should be a more owners, when somebody disrespects our protests held by NFL players have lacked concerted and more consistent effort flag, to say, ‘Get that son of a (expletive) a message and identity, which have made from each player who kneels to take an off the field right now. Out. He’s fired. these protests ineffective. Most Amer- action to halt that injustice.

He’s fired!’” icans know that some NFL players are For example, Colin Kaepernick These inflammatory and divisive com- now protesting from the sidelines for the didn’t vote in the past presidential elecments by the President have caused an anthem, but nobody seems to know why tion. While there isn’t any problem with increase in the number of anthem pro- that is.

Colin Kaepernick kneeling for the antests, and players showing solidarity with It remains a mystery whether these them, there is no excuse for him not those protesting. For example, during NFL players are protesting for reform, for to vote in a presidential election that Week 3 of the NFL season, just days after increased awareness, against Trump, po- clearly had an impact on how his valTrump’s remarks, almost all the teams lice brutality, or a different host of issues. ues are represented in government. playing either linked arms, kneeled, or Colin Kaepernick said in a postgame inThese players have a real platform stayed in the locker room while the an- terview that he knelt because he was “not to voice their concerns about any isthem played, in a symbol of unity. Even going to stand up to show pride in a flag sues that concern them. Before an NFL some NFL owners, including Shahid for a country that oppresses black people game, all the cameras are on the playKhan,who donated one million dollars and people of color...There are bodies in er’s movements, and people will take to President Trump’s inaugural commit- the street and people getting paid leave note if someone kneels for the national tee, interlocked arms with their players and getting away with murder.” anthem. Therefore, it is vital for these to show solidarity with players protestBrandon Marshall, linebacker for the players to clearly portray their unifying ing. Because these acts of defiance were Denver Broncos, stated in a separate post message. Then, these protests can finally a direct response to Trump’s rhetoric, the game interview, “The message is I’m be more substantial, and less symbolic. anthem protests no longer have a unified against social injustice... I’m not against

Patriotism Has Taken a Knee Jeanette Lee / The Science Survey

By JEANETTE LEE Recently, a trend has emerged in give anyone the right to disAmerican sports. Athletes, primarrespect a symbol as venerable ily football players, have begun reand revered as the American fusing to stand for the national anflag and all it stands for - a them. President Donald Trump has flag Americans have died for. interpreted these “protests” as being Choosing not to stand during rude and unpatriotic, and harshly the Star Spangled Banner is a criticized them as being un-Amergross display of disrespect for ican. However, his firm rebuke has a nation made possible only provoked outrage and indignation in through immense sacrifice. many left-wing liberals, who argue Trump is rightfully enraged, that Trump’s response is groundarguing that veterans are dised in racism and bigotry, willfully Senior Masato Hirakata discusses his stance on the movement with honored by these protesters’ disAnton Weintraub ‘18 during their free period. distorting his sensible call for athmissal of all the flag represents letes who have gained so much from and the sacrifices made in its exercising their right to free speech. this country to respect its flag in turn. name. These athletes, none of whom “Kaepernick wasn’t going around beating Leftists have claimed this is excusable, who have served, are taking their libpeople up, he was expressing his right to as Colin Kaepernick, the former quarerties and freedoms for granted. The freedom of speech,” said Donna Kim ‘18. terback for the 49ers who was the first Left will continue to argue that athHowever, the public recognizes that, to take a knee, did so in order to express letes taking a knee is perhaps the most as Masato Hirakata ’18 said, it only his disgust for recent police brutality and respectful way they can express their brings attention because “generally, racial discrimination. They maintain dissatisfaction peacefully, but there’s disrespecting the flag and the nationthat the very nature of this non-violent no escaping the fact that refusing to al anthem draws attention.” Although protest prevents it from being inapprostand for the anthem is disrespectful to this is an admirable cause, it doesn’t priate or rude, as these athletes are only not only our flag but also to our nation.

“State of The Union”

By TIMOTHY KIM

Surviving Science An Advice Column

By MELINA ASTERIADIS and TEDDY LOWEN Sofie Levine / The Science Survey

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Hi Bronx Science! This is Melina Asteriadis ’18 and Teddy Lowen ’18, and this is the first edition of our advice column, dedicated to providing useful tips and answering questions to make your experience at Bronx Science as best as it can be. If you have any questions that you’d like to be featured in the column, please feel free to email us at either asteriam@bxscience.edu or lowent@bxscience.edu.

This issue’s Survival Guide is dedicated to freshmen, but don’t worry, the next ones will have advice for other grades too. Some common worries among freshmen are time management and balancing social life with schoolwork. To ease your anxieties, we have some tips for you!

Make a to-do list. Whether you have a long-term project, a math worksheet, or you just have to walk your dog, a to-do list is a good way to lay out all of your priorities, so you can allot your time accordingly.

Use your planner. While this may seem unnecessary to some, the Bronx Science planner distributed at the beginning of the year is an underrated resource that everyone should make the best of. At the beginning of each month on the planner, there is a calendar, so you can outline any long-term responsibilities you need to take care of. It is also an organized way to keep track of your nightly homework.

Know your limits. If you know you have a lot of work one night, maybe skip going to your club’s weekly meeting, or hanging out with your friends after school so you can get home earlier and start schoolwork. It is better in the long run not to overexert yourself so that you can stay motivated for the whole year. It’s important to be part of extracurriculars, but taking a day off to have a manageable schedule prevents more problems.

Prioritize your work. Try to map out which assignments will take you longer to do, and get those out of the way first. If you know that your biology project will take two hours and you need a computer for it, work on that first rather than your 15 minute math worksheet. Knowing that you’ve gotten a time-consuming assignment out of the way will take a load off your mind, making you feel more balanced and relaxed.

Try out a new club/Try out for a sports team. A great way to meet new people in a school as big as Bronx Science is through extracurriculars: clubs and sports teams. Try reaching outside your comfort zone and going to a club meeting or athletic tryout that you wouldn’t normally have considered, and maybe you’ll find not only a new group of friends, but also a new interest to explore outside the classroom.

And lastly, don’t get too caught up in the small things. Freshman year can be a challenging time, due to the transition from middle school to high school. Try not to be overwhelmed when you can help it.Take it from us; one bad geometry test grade will not seem so important in the long run. Take everything as it comes, and try to learn a lesson from it - in this case, study more for your test - but don’t let it consume you. These four years will go by in a flash, so make sure you’re enjoying them!

See you next issue!

-Melina and Teddy

News without an exchange of a commodity. Therefore, the Parent Association coordinated with the S.O. to host a bake sale. The bake sale was during periods 9 and 10 from October 16th to October 23rd. Due to the generous contributions and enthusiasm of the student body, the S.O. has raised approximately $4,108.60, exceeding its goal of three grand. All profits from the bake sale will be sent to One America Appeal, a joint appeal, which unites multiple charities under a common cause.

One America Appeal is launched by former presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George H.W. Bush, and Jimmy Carter to encourage citizens to support recovery efforts from Hurricane Harvey.

Since its launch, it has branched out to support disaster relief charities in Florida and Puerto Rico.

The organization acts as a middleman, collecting donations and distributing them to reliable charities that aim to help hurricane victims.

Using One America Appeal’s networking system, one third of the profits from the bake sale will go directly to the Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund

and the Rebuild Texas Fund. Another third will be granted to the Florida Disaster Fund, which acts as the state’s official private fund that specializes in especially destructive storms. The remaining third will be distributed to both Unidos Por Puerto Rico and Fund for the Virgin Islands.

Unidos Por Puerto Rico, launched by Puerto Rican First Lady Beatriz Rosselló, uses both government funding and private sector contributions to distribute aid to families affected by Hurricane Maria. The Fund for the Virgin Islands, which is established 25 years ago, acts as the primary disaster relief fund for the USVI. Kalva emphasized the bake sale’s importance.

“We are so lucky to have all the resources we have, and I am so proud that we were able to do something to help those who deserve the same opportunities as us.”

Kalva, too, has family in Texas, so this issue is especially important to her. She hopes that the money raised will allow those those affected by the hurricanes to finally return to normalcy.

Alexis Pan / The Science Survey

“DOE Makes Lunch Nevertheless, the DOE have time to pack a lunch Free; Students Rejoice” worked extremely hard beforehand between loads (continued from A1) to make it possible for all of homework and extravendor, often preferring students to receive two curricular activities, having to spend a couple of extra free meals a day provid- prepared lunch provided is dollars on a toasted ba- ed at their school. Carmen a great convenience,” said gel or coffee from the food Fariña, Chancellor of NYC Farhan Sakib ’21. truck, rather than paying Public Schools, made the Ayesha Khan ’20 emthe $1.75 for the govern- announcement at the be- phasizes the importance of ment-provided cafeteria ginning of this school year. this initiative. Khan said, lunch.

The change was a result “I think it’s a good change.

However, ever since the of the DOE using a new It’s good for many students implement of the new lunch matching system, for the whose family incomes are system, Bronx Science stu- easier identification of fam- low, but don’t make the cut. dents have been changing ilies who need free lunch It also provides an assurtheir eating habits. George within the city. It was found ance of food for those who He ’19 said, “Now that that the certification rate don’t qualify, as they don’t school lunch is free, it saves had increased, allowing for have to worry about leaving us students, a lot of money the New York City public the school premises to get since now we don’t need to school system to qualify for their food.” go outside to buy food.” the highest reimbursement The school’s own facHow did this change from the federal Communi- ulty members support the come to be in the first ty Eligibility Program. change. “I’ve actually had place? According to the The “Free Lunch for school lunch before, and I Kids’ Well-being Indica- All” initiative provides free think it’s very tasty! It’s a tors Clearinggreat initiative house (KWIC), a that the stutool used by the dent body at New York State Bronx Science Council on Chilshould take addren and Famvantage of, beilies for policy cause it’s a lot development and cheaper than planning, Bronx the other opCounty was the tions students highest receivuse to get their ing region of lunch,” saidMs. free school lunch Eytan Stanton ’19 (pictured left) and Matthew Cooper, Assiswithin New Burke ’18 (pictured right) enjoy the “Free Lunch tant Principal York City during for All” initiative launched at the beginning of the of Organizathe 2015-2016 tion.

“Give 2017-2018 school year. school year, with it a chance!” a rate of 82.6%. However, lunch to all public school Bronx Science stands according to a U.S. News students, 75% of whom out from many other Report, the student popu- were already qualifying in schools in the city, notolation at Bronx Science who the previous year. Now, be- rious for its competitive received free lunch was sig- ing completely inclusive of academics and extremely nificantly lower that same all students, it is estimated motivated student body. year, with a rate of 36%. that families can expect to However, it is importAdditionally, the stigma save $300 on school meals ant that Bronx Science of receiving government annually. students, like all other assistance that covered “It’s a good thing that teens, are aware of carthe expenses of school free lunch is provided for ing for their health. With lunch has led to many everyone now, so people the DOE now providing students who are quali- don’t always have to bring two free meals to all stufied for aid to prefer ei- lunch from home. Espe- dents, we can give Ned’s ther buying food or skip cially in such a demanding fries a break for now and eating rather than getting school like Bronx Science, enjoy this new initiative. lunch from the cafeteria. where students may not

“32 National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists from Class of 2018” (continued from A1) challenging, but I really did my best to get a spot as a National Merit Scholar because I wanted to have that aspect in my college applications to make me stand out from the other amazing students,” said Tu ‘18.

It is no surprise that this year’s seniors are highly intelligent and very competitive. In fact, many teachers and faculty would consider the Class of 2018 to be one of the most competitive group of students that Bronx Science has ever

seen. And as college applications draw near, seniors are aiming high for some of the most prestigious colleges and universities.

“‘Fe Maidens’ Take PBS; Strive for Change in Front of U.N.” (continued from A1) I want to tell those stories so that other girls have accessible role models to chart their own path, unabashedly.”

The docuseries also contributed greatly to the team’s public relations (PR). Since they need sponsorships to build robots and compete, the team has its own PR department. “For PR work, we are actually working directly with the film crew to be a representative for the United Nations International Day of the Girl on October 11th, and we’re featured in a book written by someone closely related to the film,” said captain Natasha Stamler ’18.

As if being featured by PBS wasn’t enough, the team’s work goes way beyond designing and building robots. They continue to do nonprofit work with the filmmakers to promote female engineering in less developed countries and to help disadvantaged young girls receive mentorship.

They are also working with War Child USA to promote these same ideals for children in refugee

camps. “Last school year, pairs would go to elementary schools in the Bronx to help out young kids build smaller LEGO robots. This year, our junior captain, Jess Shannon, invited us to her old middle school to mentor and guide their new robotics team, which she helped to create,” said a member of the Fe Maiden electronics department, Julie Tung ’18. “Our goal is to spread resources as well as mentorship and support to not only girls, but everyone interested in STEM.” Filming the docuseries came with many other perks as well, such as meeting Danielle Brooks from the popular television series, ‘Orange is The New Black.’

However, being filmed during their most valuable months of the season - when they actually build and compete with their robot - left some of the members with reservations.

“We were also a bit nervous about how it would interfere with our season, and if they would show us in the right light,” said Stamler. “It could be distracting, especially when they took us out of meetings to do interviews or had to adjust our microphones,

“Seniors are aiming high for some of the most prestigious colleges and universities.”

Universities like Cornell, Harvard, MIT, Yale, and Brown are just some of the prospective schools

that are on the radars of various Bronx Science seniors.

“There is an abundance of well-rounded and intelligent seniors in the Class of 2018. I definitely think it will make the college process a lot more competitive this year specifically, especially with the drive of this year’s seniors,” said Karen Yeung ’18. With the determination and ambition from this year’s seniors, it is no wonder that the National Merit Scholarship Organization has named 32 of Bronx Science’s students as semifinalists. but in general, it was relatively non-obtrusive.”

“The number one priority for the team was to build a robot that could compete and score points.”

The producers felt the same way. “The number one priority for the team was to build a robot that could compete and score points – not to pose for the series or accommodate too many out of the ordinary requests,” said Becker. “I felt conflicted when we asked teammates to step aside and debrief with us, because I didn’t want to take their time away from the build.”

Overall, the series was not distracting, and the team views their series with excitement and gratitude. They had a very successful season, having the chance to experience the excitement of being a film muse, in addition to other new opportunities.

“Farewell, Scrambled Paragraphs!”

By KELLY XIAO In October last year, cific types of test questions around 27,000 students were not encountered on a took the SHSAT in hopes day-to-day basis in classof being offered one of rooms. In this sense, the 5,000 available seats in SHSAT favored students a NYC specialized high who could afford test prep school. The highly compet- courses that exercised itive exam grants citywide students an opportunity to attend one of eight possible schools, the most coveted choices being Stuyvesant High School, The Bronx High School of Science, and Brooklyn Technical School. With The Bronx Science Class of 2022 specialized high and beyond will depend school admissions on the revamped SHSAT. taking on a reinvented format for the cur- certain skills necessary rent school year, the DOE to obtain higher scores. could witness a change Statistically, the biggest in who the top schools bulk of specialized high have historically accepted. school students come from The aim of the fall 2017 families with a middle changes is to maintain class income of $35,000 to an accurate reflection of $100,000 a year. Students what students are actual- placed in other common ly learning in junior high NYC schools disproporschool curriculums. A big tionately came from the shortcoming of the previ- lower end of the economic ously included logic and spectrum. Mayor de Blasio scrambled paragraphs sec- has addressed the steady tions was that these spe- decline of African Amer-

ican and Hispanic representation in specialized schools, resulting from less rigorous education in disadvantaged areas and an inability to hire private tutors. Hopefully, these new changes will even the playing field for the numerous individuals aspiring to attend a specialized school.

The former test was comprised of two major sections: verbal and math, totaling 150 minutes. The redesigned test boasts an extra half-hour of testing and slight additions to the ELA and math portions. The revised ELA section will include grammar and text-editing questions. In addition, a deeper ability to contextualize and infer will be expected for the newer passage selections, which place a lesser emphasis on nonfiction but rather persuasive and literary excerpts.

Kelly Xiao / The Science Survey

“Hurricanes Wreak Havoc; Science Steps up to Help” (continued from A1) Puerto Rico is my family!

As long as my island is suffering, I will be too.”

While the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) helps to cover the cost of flood insurance and hurricane relief by issuing grants based on the assessed damage, civilians are still lacking basic necessities such as food, clothing, and shelter.there are simply not enough resources for the government to distribute without the agency going further into debt.

Thus, many citizens are now solely reliant on contributions given to them by those more fortunate.

This issue is of the utmost importance. Bronx Science, with an army of 3,000 individuals, can do so much to gather resources and contribute to hurricane relief. Therefore, Chiefs of Staff Maya Orantes ’18 and Swara Kalva ’18 spearheaded the creation of a fundraiser that allowed Bronx Science students to do just that.

The true difficulties of such fundraisers are logistical, as the Department of Education prohibits the collection of money

5

News S.O. Keeps a Good Streak with New Snapchat

By BRIANNA LE

Victor Tesoro / The Science Survey

While most students spent their sumRun mainly by cabinet members Ryan The Snapchat isn’t only focused on mers relaxing, members of the student Yam ’19 and Alif Matin ’19 and supervised stories: students can also keep snapping organization, or S.O., were hard at work by Ms. Parness, the Snapchat showcases “streaks” with the members of the S.O. trying to figure out how to keep students the work the cabinet has done during 9th through the Snapchat by sending them a well informed regarding school events period, such as making the posters seen snap every day. They can also send pictures, during the upcoming school year. After throughout the school. It also features messages, and questions to the S.O. and lots of thinking and planning, the S.O. has personal contributions by Yam and Matin, expect quick replies. “Currently we have launched their very own Snapchat. around 30 streaks, and occasionally, By friending the cabinet, which uses someone will ask us questions about the username “bxscisocabinet,” anyone our work. Then, any cabinet member can be updated on the latest events can hop on at any time to post around the school. In case students something on our story or answer miss morning announcements or questions if there are any,” said Yam. don’t pay attention to emails, the S.O. The S.O. hopes to raise school Snapchat regularly posts stories to keep spirit and awareness with the new all students in the loop.

Snapchat, and they appear to be S.O. President Sabrina Raouf ’18 succeeding. “I think the Snapchat found inspiration for the Snapchat over is really cute,” said Janet Kyi ’18. the summer. “I wanted to have a way “I’ve been following it since it was for us to still communicate important announced, and I think it’s a really ideas with the student body, but in a effective way to get students hyped Students can add the Student Organization’s fun, modern way,” said Raouf. snapchat by scanning the QR code in the photo or and informed.”

Snapchat serves as an easy and The S.O. is proud of its work, manually typing in “bxscisocabinet”. accessible way for as many students to and hopes that the snapchat will be stay informed as possible. “The Snapchat and has even featured students during used in future years. “Right now we are makes all of our information accessible spirit week. “We made a post with our pretty proud of where it is. We have to a large segment of the population who newest social worker, Mr. Cogliano, the received lots of positive feedback about might not use or regularly check Facebook, other day,” mentioned Yam. “We even the Snapchat and hope to receive more but still want to know what the S.O is up posted a clip of Mr. Nasser asking what a positive feedback in the future,” said Yam. to,” said Raouf. meme is!”

Deadly Hurricanes Foreshadow a Grim Future

Akaneh Wang / The Science Survey

By ALYSA CHEN Within the span of two weeks, hurri- detailed analysis of how climate is chang- more contaminants around them anyway, canes Harvey, Irma, Maria, and Jose rav- ing across the U.S. for The U.S. Global are going to be effected worse than someaged the mid-Atlantic region. With two Change Research Program (USGCRP), body who lives on the forty0fourth floor in Category 5 hurricanes, this year’s devas- states that although the direct correlation midtown.” This was exactly what occurred tating hurricane season is raising ques- between climate change and hurricane fre- in Houston when a chemical plant explodtions about the future of recurring extreme quency is difficult to find because of the ed because of Harvey’s impact, devastatweather. rarity of hurricanes, scientists agree that ing native fish populations with toxins and With Harvey’s death toll at 82, Irma’s at global warming contributes to more disas- pollution.

69, and Maria’s at 34, this chain of natural trous hurricanes.

Another big problem is the detriment disasters took the lives of innocent civilMr. Wren, Bronx Science’s AP Environ- to marine ecosystems after large storms. ians. The homes of many people along the mental Science teacher, elaborated on this Depending on the animal’s adaptation, mid-Atlantic coast, especially most of them can get away those in Texas, Florida, Louisibefore the storm hits. ana, Puerto Rico, and Dominica, However, with their habare destroyed. itat utterly transformed, Barbuda, a tiny island with they have nothing to come an area barely 60 square miles, back to. Mr. Wren said, was hit especially hard by Irma, “That is the key with any a Category 5 hurricane which kind of natural disaster. spanned almost 400 miles It does not just fix itself across. All 1,800 residents were quickly. The Earth is treevacuated from the island and mendously resilient, but are now homeless. it is not fast, and it may According to the Federal never come back. If the Ecological Fund, a non-profit environment has been alorganization working for envitered enough, it will be too ronmental sustainability by usmuch for what used to live ing and distributing accurate, there to be able to survive analyzed information, the cuthere again.”

Bronx Science’s LEAP Club (League of Environmental and Animal mulative cost of this hurricane With temperatures Protection Club) during club fair. season’s damage is estimated at slowly rising every year, around $300 billion. the predictions of higher This hurricane season reminds us of the cause and effect relationship. “Warmer hurricane intensity and stronger storm recent Superstorm Sandy, which wreaked temperatures mean more evaporated wa- surges threaten coastal residents, econohavoc on New York in 2012, resulting in ter in the atmosphere, which means a big- my, and marine ecosystems. Unfortunate43 deaths and $19 billion in damage. Resi- ger storm, which means more devastation. ly, these threats are also tremendously difdents along the coast of New York City, es- It’s not like we just had a couple days that ficult to reverse. pecially those in Staten Island, Brooklyn, were warmer. It’s as if there was a warmHowever, within Bronx Science’s stuand Queens, still suffer from the effects of er trend overall in summer. Three degrees dent body of aspiring scientists and scholSandy to this day. across the board is our concern, as a change ars, we have our own lead environmentalFortunately, Bronx Science is located taking place worldwide over time. With a 3 ists playing an important role in spreading in an area where it is less susceptible to foot increase in height on a city landscape, awareness of the issue. flooding and power outages from severe storm surges will be much more devastatAngela Fu ’18, the co-President of weather conditions. However, families all ing; it will be ten times worse.”

Bronx Science’s League of Environmental over New York City live in coastal areas and Animal Protection Club, or LEAP, provulnerable to additional damage by hurrimotes living a greener lifestyle to reduce canes like Sandy if one struck again. Not “Predictions of higher climate change. “What we, as a student only that, but some students’ family memcan do to take action could be anyhurricane intensity and body, bers can be scattered all over the country. thing as simple as turning off your elecstronger storm surges tronics when not in use, to as big as getting Tahira Hasan ’19 has family in Puerto Rico directed affected by Hurricane Maria. threaten coastal residents, more involved by educating not only youreconomy, and marine “I am very concerned for my family! We self but others on the the environment, ecosystems.” have family all over the east coast, stretchor by changing your lifestyle.” It is LEAP ing from Boston to San Juan, and some of club’s goal to shrink Bronx Science’s carHe also addressed the numerous is- bon footprint one step at a time. them just keep getting hit by these storms and have no choice but to sit through it be- sues both humans and ecosystems face as Although threats from warming globa result of stronger hurricanes and storm al temperatures and from the previouscause they can’t move.”

The resounding question now is wheth- surges. ly devastating hurricane season foreFor the effects on people, Mr. Wren cast a grim future for the environment, er there is an increased risk of stronger hurricanes in the near future. The U.S. Cli- commented on the equity differences in the they can also serve as a reminder to be mate Science Special Report, a scientific midst of hurricane recovery. “People who more aware of the urgency of the changanalysis intended to provide an updated, live in less well-off areas, that maybe have ing climate and the disasters it brings.

Power Shift

By MARCO ZEMBO-PALZER Victor Tesoro / The Science Survey

6

Dongren Deng ’18 and Benjamin Chen ’18 study for an upcoming test. “I trust that De Blasio will do all that he can to make school more family friendly,” said Chen.

This past June, the lives of thousands of NYC families changed drastically. Before 2002, control of New York City Public Schools was in the hands of the Board of Education which led to inconsistent decisions, creating an inefficient system that failed to put the interests of students first. In 2002, Mayor Bloomberg achieved control of the Department of Education. Now, Mayor Bill De Blasio looks to create a system as he has reinstated control of public schools.

Before Bloomberg got control, a 32-person committee and the Board of Education controlled all city public schools. The only way a mayor could influence schools under this policy was by adjusting the budget to what they deemed fit.

New York now has an appointed school board in which the mayor controls eight of the thirteen members. The mayor’s appointees vote in accordance with his wishes.

“Under Mayor Bloomberg... cell phones were banned from schools...

Mayoral control made it so De Blasio could reverse this policy without checks or balances.”

There are several ways in which mayoral control impacts students and parents. Generally, school boards will follow the desires of the elected members or education experts, typically parents, teachers and leaders in the community. Under Mayor Bloomberg, for example, cell phones were banned from schools despite strenuous objections from parents and students. The reality was that the policy was only enforced in schools with permanent metal detectors. Mayoral control made it so De Blasio could reverse this policy without checks or balances.

For years, community school boards held authority over local elementary and middle schools, with the Chancellor and Board of Education administering the high schools.

But in 1996, an investigation led to the conclusion that there was a lot of inherent inefficiency within the school system.

Mayoral control can be detrimental to both the experiences and education of students and their parents. “In New York City, the mayors have made decisions on a more political basis. For example, there’s a consensus that retaining students solely on the basis of not passing a standardized test is wrong.

However, Mayor Bloomberg implemented this policy across 3rd, 5th and 8th grades resulting in many students who did not receive the support they needed,” said Patrick Sullivan, a member of the Panel For Educational Policy from 2007-2013.

It is clear that Mayoral control over the school system has had a profound impact upon the student community, but at this point it is hard to tell what the future will hold with De Blasio in control of New York City public schools.

Feature

7

Stay Hungry, Bronx Science

By RENA MASOUTIS

Seniors wait on line at the Bustop food truck after school.

have spent time exploring the neighborhood after school to find the best places to eat. Although students come from many different boroughs, for most freshmen, the Northwest Bronx is unfamiliar. However, once Bronx Science students arrive on campus, they are at home with their fa-

miliar friends, staff, and food trucks. The food trucks on campus have given students convenient places to pick up quick snacks before they endure their lengthy commutes back home.

Come senior year, students agree that they enjoy the days when delivery men hand out diner take-out menus in the courtyard. For those students who have no class during ninth period, it’s always nice to visit the Bedford Park Cafe underneath the Bedford Park Boulevard train station on the 4 line. The diner is just one of many hot spots for students.

Grand Villa is the most popular pizzeria in the area amongst Bronx Science students. Located on Villa Avenue and 205th Street, it is visited by much of the student body after school. Although there are many other dollar pizza places in the area, Grand Villa is the most accessible one for those heading to the D train after school.

Across the street from Grand Villa is G&G Deli Gourmet. Here can be found a variety of sandwiches, including the popular New York City original: Chop Cheese (ground beef, onions, and lettuce topped with melted cheese).

For those looking for more variety, there is the Lehman College cafeteria. Just

like any other college dining hall, Lehman has many different types of food, including pasta and sushi. The cafeteria is open to anyone who comes inside. “I love stopping at the Lehman cafeteria for a snack on my way to the Bedford Park 4 train station,” Matthew Zinkevitch ’18 said.

Rena Masoutis / The Science Survey

Rena Masoutis / The Science Survey

As students flood out of the doors of Bronx Science, teenagers run toward the small food truck just outside of Lehman College. After a long school day, students of all grades wait on line to pick up their after-school snack at Tony’s Halal Truck, a go-to stop for warm middle eastern food.

Over the years, Bronx Science students

“My favorite thing to buy from Jay’s is a bacon egg and cheese,” Max Schilesman ’18 said.

The beloved local food trucks are, however, the most popular spots for Bronx Science students to purchase food. There are three food trucks surrounding the school.

Ranging from right in front of the school’s main entrance to around the corner of Paul Ave and West 205th Street, students have the options of going to the Bus Stop food truck, the truck near Dewitt Clinton, or the truck on the corner of Paul Ave and West

205th Street.

The student body does not refer to these trucks by their official names but by the names of their respective owners: Jay’s, Michelle’s, and Ned’s. The sense of community around the food trucks is something all students grow to love through their years at Bronx Science. Arriving to school every morning and being greeted by friendly faces serving breakfast makes the community that much kinder.

Despite the crazy crowds that huddle in front of the trucks during lunch periods, it’s nice to watch the interactions between the students and the food truck workers.

“I love all of the students here. It’s nice to watch them all grow during their four years,” the owner of the Bustop food truck, Jay, said.

Students grow closer and more comfortable in the Bronx by through exploring different food experiences. Whether it’s going to Jay’s for a bacon, egg, and cheese, Michelle’s for taquitos, or Ned’s for chicken fingers, students can find their niche when it comes to after-school food.

A Fresh Take on Freshman Guidance

By BRIDGET KULCSAR

Big Sib directors Zaid Sarmad and Brian Josephson ’18 are looking forward to what freshman guidance has in store for freshmen and Big Sibs alike.

what it is?

Freshman guidance is a program that is being revamped this year to help freshmen integrate into the school and adjust to high school. Although it has existed in the past, this is the first time that Big Sibs are being intensely involved, while in previous years, they had just tagged along and given advice when necessary.

For the first time in Bronx Science his-

tory, Big Sibs are leading guidance sessions, along with some assistance from the homerooms’ guidance counselors. “The curriculum was designed by former Big Sibs and includes pertinent information based on their experiences as students, and as Big Sibs,” says Mr. Nasser, the AP of the Guidance Department. “Each year, we reassess the program so we can identify areas for improvement and further develop the strengths.”

With a curriculum created by graduated Big Sibs, Freshman Guidance aims to help new students transition to high school. A lesson is planned out for the monthly meetings, with a different aspect of high school life tackled each session, such as joining clubs or preparing for midyears.

“We have developed an entirely new curriculum that puts the seniors as the facilitators of the conversation, so that freshman can learn from the experiences of our school’s role models,” says Leah Yoes ’18, one of the Big Sib Directors.

“Freshman guidance is fun and interactive, with a larger focus on improving your Bronx Science experience, as opposed to a college driven agenda, which has created

Fall Crossword

By ALEXA ASCH & BRIANNA LE

2. Tool used to collect leaves 3. Largest Starbucks cup size 8. A senior’s least favorite website e 10. arccos(-1) +ln(e ) 12. Producing a long, loud, doleful cry or wailing sound 15. Department store sponsor of the world’s largest parade 17. A symbol of plenty consisting of a goat’s horn overflowing with flowers, fruit, and corn 18. Early European settlers of the Plymouth Colony in present-day Plymouth, Massachusetts 19. Halloween is on the ______ 23. “Who you gonna call?”

24. What do moms dress up as for Halloween?

27. A cultivar named after Maria Ann Smith 29. Jack’s pumpkin 30. A Nightmare on_________ Down 1.Supernatural being originating in Romania 4. After summer but before winter 5. The friendliest ghost 6. Newest Bronx Science social worker 7. Add the S.O. on Snapchat at ________ 9. What subject is easy for a witch?

11. Popular American footwear company prominent in the fall and winter seasons 13. Subject of Michael Jackson’s Thriller 14. “Look What You Made Me Do” 16. Salem ______ Trials 20. “You’ll Float Too” 21. In what country is Thanksgiving ironically not celebrated?

22. A Starbucks must for the fall season 25. The collection of crops during certain seasons of the year 26. Popular spice discovered in 1518 by the Portuguese in Sri Lanka 28. “You’re not you when you’re Hungry”

negative competition right from the start of 9th grade.”

How does this affect the rest of Bronx Science? The freshmen are the future of the school, and the better equipped they are to be a part of the school community, the better it will be for current and future generations of students.

Bridget Kulcsar / The Science Survey

Braidget Kulcsar / The Science Survey

You might have heard the words “Freshman Guidance” in passing or in the announcements, but do you actually know

Leah Yoes ’18, a Big Sib director, feels that freshman guidance will help freshmen prepare for life (and success) at Bronx Science.

“When people feel respected, supported, and most importantly, heard by their community, they respond accordingly,” says Yoes. By introducing freshmen to the opportunities available to them early on in their school career, they’ll be able to be more successful later on, and take advan-

tage of the resources they’re given.

Why do we have freshman guidance?

“This allows each successive generation at Bronx Science to be more prepared for what is expected of them at Bronx Science,” says Zaid Sarmad ’18, another Big Sib director.

“For the first time in Bronx Science history, Big Sibs are leading guidance sessions” So how are freshmen reacting to this program? “The timing of the sessions isn’t the best- I’d much rather have them during the school day, even if it means giving up a free period. Otherwise, the things the Big Sibs and guidance counselors are telling us are actually really useful, and it’s really nice to get to know them better,” says freshman Vicki Zheng.

“Hopefully, Freshmen Guidance will continue to be such a success that we inform students about its benefits before they even decide to come to Bronx Science,” says Brian Josephson ’18, a Big Sib director.

8

Feature The Humans Behind Humans of Bronx Science

New Members of the Bronx Science Family

By YANNY LIANG

By NUZAT ZAMAN

Yan Fen Liang / The Science Survey

As the school year be- juniors will help to an- laps that occur, because as gins, freshmen scram- swer them. For instance, a teacher she can see both ble to get to their classes. a freshman asked where sides of a situation. In adThey navigate through the nurse’s office was, and dition, Sagalchik enjoys the hallways, and it takes a junior was able to guide the fact that she doesn’t them several weeks to get the freshman to the nurse’s have to discuss the same to know the layout of the office. topics in her classes. Rathschool. However, unbeer, Sagalchik enjoys that knownst to many, there she can sometimes discuss are also teachers who have current events with her “Scotto enjoys trouble at first getting global history class, and teaching both around. other times, she can disclasses with an As students and faculty cuss current events with members welcome freshequal amount of her A.P. U.S. History class. men to Bronx Science, it is As a new teacher, passion.” also important to welcome Sagalchik did feel overthe new teachers at Bronx Teaching different whelmed at first, but she Science. The new students classes is a lot of work, admits to feeling less will spend their next four but Scotto enjoys teaching overwhelmed now than years at this school, but both classes with an equal when she had first started many faculty members will amount of passion. teaching at Bronx Science. stay with Bronx Science for Ms. Michelle Sagalchik, She previously taught at many more years. a Social Studies teacher, a small school in upstate Ms. Nicole Scotto, a So- also started teaching at New York, compared to cial Studies teacher, Bronx Science, which started teaching at is a much bigBronx Science this ger school with September. Scotto is many more stugetting accustomed dents. However, to her daily routine Sagalchik feels at Bronx Science, more accustomed but she admits that at a bigger school it wasn’t all that easy because she atat first. When she tended Stuyvefirst started teachsant High School, ing at Bronx Sciso she is used to Ms. Nicole Scotto, a new Social Studies teacher, ence, she felt overbeing around larger instructs her Global History class. whelmed because groups of students. the old school she taught Bronx Science this SepWhen asked about her at was a lot smaller than tember. Sagalchik teaches hobbies, Sagalchik said, Bronx Science. However, sophomore Global Histo- “I grew up with everyone with a supportive faculty, ry and A.P. U.S. History. around me playing chess. things are getting better. These two classes have dif- I played the trumpet.” She Scotto teaches freshmen ferent curriculums, which also enjoys reading acaGlobal History and junior means that Sagalchik has demic books and watching US History. In addition to to spend more time prep- TV shows such as Jane the her colleagues helping her ping. However, she also Virgin. Every year, as more out, her junior students enjoys her classes a lot new teachers join Bronx also lend a hand because more because of the dif- Science, it’s up to us, the often her freshmen will ferences. Sagalchik admits students, to welcome ask her questions and the that she enjoys the over- them into our community.

Jessin Wang / The Science Survey

Yanny Liang / The Science Survey

More often than not, captures the “individualPan explained that you’ll admire a photogity of the subject.” This working as a HoBS adrapher’s work without mindset plays a signifiministrator has given her thinking too much about cant role in the the range an excuse to approach the production process of people displayed on the random people and ask or the effort put into the HoBS page. Rodriguez for an interview, somepiece. This occurs all too stated that he aims to inthing she found extremeoften, especially now with spire people through his ly intimidating when the ubiquity of social meposts. As a result, HoBS she first joined. She also dia. A popular facet of often features students’ mentioned the power that the social media presence uplifting perspectives on holding a camera gave of Bronx Science is Hutheir lives, aspirations, her and how she “used mans of Bronx that power to get Science, also to know interknown as HoBS, esting people a Facebook page [she] wouldn’t inspired by the normally talk well-known Huto who weren’t mans of New in [her] classes York blog by or extracurricuBrandon Stanlars.” This skill ton. While HoBS in interacting is known by with different many members people has carof the Bronx Sciried over to her Alexis Pan ’19 photographs Tahira Hasan ’19 ence community, life outside of for a HoBS post. the logistics of school and has the organization are still and experiences at Bronx allowed her to work with a relatively obscure.

Science. variety of artists and muAccording to their When choosing a subsicians in her free time. page, HoBS was created ject, Pan said she “tends HoBS has played a sigwith the goal of capturto look for people to innificant part in facilitating ing “the essence of Bronx terview who are especially the interactions among Science through the stopassionate about a particBronx Science students ries and anecdotes of ular hobby like robotics, a and faculty, ones that may the unique people in our sport, art, or people that have been more stagnant school.” Notably, HoBS make the community here or even nonexistent if the has written features on extra special in their own page did not exist. candidates running for way.” This way, she and It’s a new year and positions in the Student the other site administraHoBS is looking to imOrganization; it has been tors can accurately capprove upon the page and a large and helpful platture the unique and wontheir role in the Bronx form for helping the studerful aspects of Bronx Science community. Pan dent body get to know reveals that HoBS has their potential elected recently reorganized officials. More fretheir team and chosen quently, the Facebook new photographers. page features photos They’ve also created of students and faca Facebook group to ulty alike, along with organize and approve quotes recounting photos for the page, experiences or ideas and an Excel sheet to about the life and keep track of member special qualities of contributions. Kwesi Bronx Science. aspires to improve the The page is run consistency of HoBS by several students, interviews. Rodriguez many of whom cite and Pan both hope their interest in photo expand the page’s tography as a major audience and better factor behind their represent the comdecision to join the Alexis Pan ’19 in the middle of a HoBS shoot. munity; Pan adds that HoBS team. In fact, they are looking towards Alexis Pan ’19 said her Science. recruiting underclassmen interest in photography HoBS has been a maphotographers to do so. began to develop beginjor factor in increasing ning in sixth grade thanks the interaction of the site “HoBS has to her mother’s influence; administrators with the recently this motivated her to join student body. Kwesi said HoBS during her freshthat his involvement with reorganized man year. Pan wanted to HoBS has helped him “to their team and spread the timeless magic realize that nobody is rechosen new of photos and preserve the ally average in the first memories of Bronx Sciplace.” photographers.” ence for many. She hopes “HoBS has made me that, when her senior year more observant of the HoBS has been a comes, her peers can look people around me and has prominent part of Bronx back and feel proud about introduced me to a whole Science, sharing stories their achievements. Jonnew layer of people whom and connecting our large athan Rodriguez ’18 said I didn’t know existed,” community. The adminthat he joined because Zinberg said. istrators of the page have HoBS was a nice combiput in lots of effort to nation of his love for phobring the unique stories “HoBS often tography and his desire to of individuals at Bronx features express himself creatively Science to light, and they while at school. students’ look forward to continuThe site administrators ing to do so. uplifting cite different inspirations Like or follow HoBS’s perspectives for their creative processFacebook page to keep es. Jabari Kwesi ’19 said on their lives, up with their fantastic that he considers the way aspirations, and work and stay involved his post relates to the perwith the Bronx Sciexperiences at son being photographed; ence photo community! he does this to make sure Bronx Science.” that the post accurately

New Clubs Come to Science

By JESSIN WANG On September 26, 2017, shouts ring throughout the courtyard, marking the start of the annual Fall Bronx Science Club Fair.

Screams of “Join Amnesty Club”, “How do you feel?!” and more echo in the cafeteria and courtyard every fall at Bronx Science. This year, screams for DECA and the No Child Left Behind club will add to the liveliness and diversity of this event. Also known as the S. O. Club and Activities fair, the annual event allows students of all grades to enjoy themselves and sign up for the multitude of clubs that the students body provides.

The Club Fair provides an opportunity for students to meet, explore, and sign up for the many clubs and activities that the school has to offer. Ranging from the Robotics teams to Key Club, and from Urban Dance to E-sports Club, students rarely leave the fair without having signed up for a club that sparks their interest.

2017 has marked the beginning of a handful of new clubs that aim to make changes in students’ lives, two of which are DECA and

the No Child Left Behind Club.

Secretary Chevy Chen ’18 has taken an initiative in creating DECA, a club in which members are given the opportunity to compete in competitive events, which are organized in career clusters. His drive in creating the club comes from his observation of the lack of business education and opportunities available for high schoolers. “What inspired me to help establish DECA at Bronx Science was a noticeable lack of an internationally-renowned high school youth program for business. We have internationally renowned service programs, educational opportunities, but not something of the same magnitude within the world of business. DECA brings that to our school, through the education of students in career clusters to help them discover their passions and their applications,” said Chen.

The No Child Left Behind Club is another club that will be formed in the spring of 2018. Founder Rukaiya Sharmi ’19 has taken her experience from visiting a homeless shelter

during the summer and has created a club that aims to help homeless youth realize the value of education and motivate them to achieve higher and greater things. “I realized that for these kids, education can be the one thing that can help them not end up like their parents - in a homeless shelter,” Sharmi said. With countless homeless shelters in reach and a plan in mind, Sharmi has prepared activities that involve tutoring homeless children and helping them to find their potential. “We will have informational videos paired with intellectual discussions, and we will also have fun projects such as letter writing to motivate kids, and art projects.” The club hopes not only to provide opportunities for those who lack many but also to spread awareness about the different situations that many kids are in.

With a strong motivation, the founders are looking forward to providing new clubs for students to have fun while learning about something that they’re truly passionate about.

Arts & Entertainment

said Ahana Chowdhury ’18.

The quality of Fenty Beauty is unlike any other cosmetic lines, for its impeccable quality and aftermath of a day’s wear. “Even though it’s a matte finish, it feels super lightweight on the skin and gives a medium yet buildable coverage,” admired Sairah Naroo ’18.

Compared to other recently released makeup brands, Rihanna’s collection has incited more positive reactions. The Kardashian-Jenner family, known for their well established beauty empire, have successfully released several lines of beauty products, including KKW Beauty, and have yet to leave users disappointed. Rihanna’s line, however, has garnered more attention not only because Fenty Beauty marked the singer’s debut in cosmetics, but also because the advertising of the brand was tactical as it featured models of all body types and skin tones, which was optimal as it resonated with all types of women.

Rihanna hopes to continue growing her burgeoning empire with the release of her holiday launch, which will consist of new and iridescent products and colors, reflective of the collection’s name: The Galaxy Collection.

Tasmia Kabir / The Science Survey

After two years of developing day,”Nazma Begum ’18 said. and months of teasing, Rihanna Despite being highly complexfinally launched her new makeup ion-focused, Rihanna did mancollection, Fenty Beauty, in early age to release a couple other cosSeptember. Her highly anticipatmetics, including a highlighter ed cosmetics line is groundbreakpalette, lip gloss, and the Match ing for the versatility in shades, Stix trio, which consists of blush, the lightweight coverage, and the limited, but fruitful products.

Fenty Beauty consists of forty matte foundations with a wide spectrum of colors, ranging from pale white to deep brown and all tones in between. Her launch has attracted people from all age cohorts and has amassed positive reviews for the prime coverage and the per- “Sometimes I have to mix foundations of fect match. different colors to get the tone that best “Sometimes I have to suits me. After using Fenty Beauty, I no mix foundations of different longer have to mix and match,” colors to get the tone that said Emma Mohammad ’18. best suits me. After using Fenty Beauty, I no longer have to mix and match,” said contour, and highlighter sticks.

Emma Mohammad ’18.

The limited number of products An incentive for the versatilstems from her three step daily ity in shades stemmed from the routine: primer, foundation, and under representation in diverse highlight. The ethereal effects of skin tones in cosmetics, making the highlighter sticks have capthis launch personal. Rihanna tured the hearts (and eyes) of made it her goal to create a makemany women who all commend up line that would service women it as unparalleled to any other of color, like her. “I finally found product that they have ever used. a shade that matches me per“The different highlighter colfectly because it’s hard for darkors are mesmerizing. It’s not too er girls to find foundations that shimmery, but has just the right don’t get patchy throughout the amount of glitter for the glow,”

Mental Illness in Music

By LAKHSMI CHATTERJEE Lakhsmi Chatterjee / The Science Survey

Chris Cornell, lead singer of Prevention Hotline inSoundgarden and Audioslave creased by 50%. and founder of Stone Temple PiArtists such as Dave lots, was found dead in his hotel Grohl of Nirvana and Foo room after playing a show in DeFighters and Jared Leto of troit on May 18, 2017. He com30 Seconds to Mars have mitted suicide by hanging. spoken out about how As fans coped with this, the they feel mental illness music world was rocked again isn’t addressed enough in when Chester Bennington, the music industry. lead singer of Linkin Park and Dave Grohl lost his former frontman of Stone TemNirvana bandmate, ple Pilots, hanged himself on Alexis Pan ’17 wearing the autographed t-shirt Kurt Cobain, to suicide that Chester Bennington gave her in 2015.

July 20, 2017. This would have in 1994. In a recent inbeen Cornell’s 53rd birthday. terview with The Rock A year later, however, she met In the most prominent way him again and he seemed like a FM in New Zealand, when Chris since the 90s, when Nirvana’s different person. “He seemed a lot Cornell was mentioned, he said, Kurt Cobain and INXS’s Michael more stiff and he would jump or “Chris was such a beautiful guy, Hutchence committed suicide, tense up suddenly at loud noises man — he was the sweetest permental health is being addressed or sudden movements. He did rec- son, he was so talented, he had so in the music industry. As people ognize me, but instead told me I much to offer — that it was a real offered their condolences, they was stupid for not standing up for shock to hear that he had gone...I also acknowledged the effects of myself,” she said. think that mental health and dedepression on not only those who Pan went on to say, “I can pression is something that peosuffered, but those around them. imagine it is often very difficult for ple should really take seriously.”

Alexander Siong ’17 is a fan well-known people in the music But there is more that can be done who remembers the days he industry or in any industry to be by the music industry. Siong ’17 learned his idols died. “Chris’s open about being mentally ill, as stated that, “Musicians are pracdeath was a shocker because it there is the concern that the stig- tically selling their emotions and was just around the time I had ma behind mental illness could personal gripes to an audience. really fallen in love with [Sound- taint their image.”

You have to pump out songs like garden’s album] Superunknown, Following the devastating this all the time to make it in the but it wasn’t nearly as bad as my blows to fans over summer, how- industry and it can hurt the musiresponse to Chester’s suicide,” he ever, old and new artists came cian’s sanity a lot. Many have not said. “I was absolutely destroyed together to publicly address this been afraid of tackling the strugby his death. I remember so clear- pressing issue. Up-and-coming gles of mental illness and/or even ly how after I got the news, I had rapper Logic collaborated with their own inner battles. As for a throbbing headache for the rest singers Alessia Cara and Khalid in the actual music industry, I don’t of the afternoon. I couldn’t even the song “1-800-273-8255”. The think it is addressed enough.” listen to his music without feeling title of the song itself is the phone With more and more influential this odd sinking body feeling.” number for the National Suicide people openly talking about deAlexis Pan ’17 has also been a Prevention Hotline. pression and mental illness, there fan of Linkin Park and SoundThe song was performed live is hope that it will become a transgarden for most of her life. She at the MTV Music Video Awards parent topic in today’s society. saw and met Chester in 2015. “I (VMAs) on August 27, 2017. Kha- But, as Pan ’17 said, “The most met him in person after waiting lid came on stage with a group of valuable thing we can all do now is for six hours out in the February suicide-attempt survivors who to give kindness and love to those cold. He gave me a big hug, had a had the number written on their around us, no matter how small ten-minute long chat with me, and shirts. of an act it may seem. Life is pretold me that he believed in me,” The next day, it was reported cious, and once it’s gone, it’s gone.” she said. that calls to the National Suicide

By ANNA CLEVENGER It’s not uncommon to see the world around you expressed on stage. What is uncommon, however, is block after block of theaters showing productions based on political commentary.

Political messages and response to society are relatively commonplace in any art form. For example, recent Broadway blockbusters such as Hamilton have roots in the critique of themes in American history that also serve as highlights of racial diversity.

In a time when anything and everything can be portrayed in theThe Belasco Theater, where ater, it is not surprising that there the one-man anti-Trump is a new star of the show: Trump. drama “The Terms of My Whether it’s an obvious dig Surrender” is performed. (such as casting a soon-to-bemurdered dictator as a tan white guy with a comb over and a much younger foreign wife), or a more subdued take (such as the immediate New York City transfer of the previously London-based production of 1984), nothing is off limits. Many interpretations of the harsh political climate have graced stages around the city in past few months, the more popular of which include: “Julius Caesar,” “1984,” “The Terms of My Surrender,” and “Building the Wall,” among others.

More conservative audiences view certain productions as cheap shots for publicity, a way to get a show in the spotlight to fill seats.

A production of “Julius Caesar” that cast a Trump look-alike as Caesar garnered criticism for “glorifying the assassination of the president”, as stated in a post on Twitter that Donald Trump Jr. retweeted (despite the fact that the entire point of the play is to illustrate how the assassination of Caesar did not help the Romans and violence was not the answer).

While productions like “Julius Caesar” hide messages in subtleties of the plot, others are not as understated. “The Terms of My Surrender”, a one-man play written and performed by political activist Michael Moore, contains not-at-all veiled criticism of current events and the president himself. During some performances, Moore has even taken the audience directly to Trump Tower on double decker buses to protest. The implications of these productions are larger than just the impact left on the audience of 1,000 or so people, no matter how blatant the criticism.

Anna Clevenger / The Science Survey

By RADIAH KHANDOKAR

Art Crawl with Anna

Early Review: “Forest of a Thousand Lanterns”

By ALEXANDRIA ANG Asian culture is scarcely seen in Young Adult literature, which is why Julie C. Dao’s debut novel Forest of a Thousand Lanterns (FOTL) was highly promoted and praised early in its release.

In fact, FOTL was one of Penguin Random House’s five featured books apart of their “Game Changers” campaign for their teen imprint, Penguin Teen. The The story of “Forest of A Game Changers campaign is the Thousand Lanterns” is biggest fall campaign for Penguin captured on its cover.

Teen, and Julie C. Dao earned her place as the only debut YA author among established bestsellers such as Marie Lu and Stephanie Perkins.

On October 10th, the release of FOTL was greeted with a grand celebration in Penguin’s offices in New York, and many book bloggers took to Twitter, making the hashtag #ForestofaThousandLanterns trend worldwide.

The book earned early fame and for good reason. FOTL is an East Asian fantasy reimagining of The Evil Queen. Dao says she wanted to take the classic Eurocentric tales she was told when she was a kid and explore these stories with an all-Asian cast. It takes in Feng Lu, a fictional kingdom inspired by Imperial China. All her life, the main character Xifeng has been told that she’s destined for greatness and will be the next Empress of Feng Lu. However, in order to achieve this greatness and become who she is meant to be, she must embrace a dark and sinister force inside her. A spell-binding story with a poetic writing style, FOTL is one of the best books I’ve read this year.

There’s nothing worse than reading a book with an uninteresting, two-dimensional character. On the contrary, Xifeng is a compelling and unpredictable character. Because she is an anti-heroine, I simultaneously hated and loved her. On the one hand, I was rooting for her, because she was so tenacious and worked hard to reach her goal, even though the odds were against here. However, because she had this darkness inside of her, she often made malicious and spiteful decisions. The side characters were just as intriguing as the main characters.

The story was filled with complex world-building and filled with cultural mythology. What set this book apart from the many Young Adult fantasy books in the publishing industry was definitely the setting. How often do we read fiction books that are set in Imperial East Asia? It was refreshing and nice to see such diverse culture represented on the pages of this book.

FOTL is not a light and fluffy read. It’s a book that to pick up for its elaborate storytelling and for its multifaceted characters. This book is a game changer.

Alexandria Ang / The Science Survey

Finding the Perfect Match with Fenty Beauty

9

Arts & Entertainment

(Continued from Page 9, “Early Review: ‘Forest of a Thousand Lanterns’”) Alexandria Ang, The Science Survey: A lot of authors spend time planning what they want to include in their book before they start writing. Was there anything you knew you wanted to include in A Forest of A Thousand Lanterns before you even got into actually writing the book?

Julie C. Dao: I knew I wanted it to be a reimagining of Snow White that was completely original and like nothing I had seen before in YA, but still held on to elements of the old fairy tale. So there had to be a magic mirror, an apple, a stepmother/stepdaughter dynamic… even if I twisted these concepts to fit my own purposes!

I had to find ways to make the reader still recognize the inspiration behind the story, to ground them in the fairy tale feel, but at the same time make the elements my own, so FOTL would feel fresh and new.

Ang: What’s more important to you when it comes to writing fantasy, the plot or the characters? Is there another attribute of writing you think aspiring fantasy writers should focus on?

Dao: Both plot and characters are important, of course, but I think when it comes fantasy, world-building is right up there on the list as well. The world needs to feel real to the reader, even if it has fantastical and magical elements. There need to be laws, rules, and a shared history between the lands of a fantasy world, just as there are in the real world. As a big fantasy reader myself, I love it when I feel like the world of the book is a place I can go.

Ang: Let’s talk about diversity! Can you recommend some of your favorite fantasy books written by Asian authors/include Asian characters.

Dao: I read “Ash”by Malinda Lo many years ago and loved her compelling F/F version of Cinderella. The prequel, “Huntress”, is another fantastic read. I picked up “Serpentine”by Cindy Pon at a book festival last year, and it was my gateway to everything Cindy has ever written. It’s a gorgeous fantasy rooted in Chinese mythology with a brilliant female friendship at its core. Recently, I bought the Dragon King Chronicles trilogy by Ellen Oh, which is set in a fantasy world inspired by Korea and starts off with “Prophecy”, and I cannot wait to read it!

Continued Online

“Nathan for You” Season Four Kicks Off

By JOACHIM ROMANOSKY Business consultants may some- cause it bring in a good point by using tential candidates, and, out of options times propose ideas that seem some- satire, the rubber edged sword,” said ranging from Taylor Swift to Jim Carwhat strange, such as allowing some Farhan Zaman ’19. They have also en- rey, the deli owner decides to go with people to cut in line if they’re “in a joyed for its more outrageous humour. an impersonator of Michael Richards, hurry,” or advising a restaurant to al- “In a time of omnipresent politically who played Cosmo Kramer on “Seinlow non-paying customers to use the correct culture, it was refreshing to see feld.” bathroom freely, as a way to advertise something actually honest,” said Jack Of course, even Fielder at first finds to those people while they are usthis to be a questionable ing the bathroom to dine at the choice, due to Michael restaurant.

Richards being known toThese are just some of the ideas day for having used racial that Nathan Fielder has proposed slurs during a live stand-up to help businesses in the series performance, but Nathan is “Nathan for You,” a popular and always determined to make critically acclaimed Comedy Cenhis plans work. He hires tral series, in which Fielder plays a the impersonator and they fictional version of himself, interbegin practicing leaving the acting with the real world in some tip. outrageous ways.

Following the series’ Throughout the show’s first common formula, Fielder three seasons, Fielder’s initiatives runs into more obstacles have had mixed results, ranging Farhan Zaman ‘19 has seen the show and has spoken as the episode continues, from making people laugh to havand, to get past these, his positively about it. ing people shout at him and insult plan becomes increasingly him to his face. His ideas are also often Nicastro ’19. convoluted and impractical. As in preportrayed as being legally questionable, The show’s success has led to it be- vious episodes, a lot of humour comes which he counters with scenes in which ing renewed for a fourth season, which from the inordinate amount of time he consults a lawyer before attempting premiered on Thursday, September and resources that are spent by the end whatever he has planned.

28th, nearly two years after the end of on what initially seems like a relatively While the business ideas are funny, Season 3. Right from the start, the ep- simple idea. Similar to how it was in the the real hilarity and genius of the show isode gives off the distinctively uncom- past, the payoff in the end is funny belies simply in Fielder’s interactions fortable but enjoyable, “Nathanesque” cause of its extreme stupidity. with people and his ridiculously awk- atmosphere.

“Nathan for You” can be hilarious ward personality. He frequently ends Fielder meets with the owner of a for a variety of reasons: the wacky up having prolonged, uncomfortable, deli who is trying to attract more cus- ideas and their ever-increasing comand bizarre conversations with strang- tomers. As usual, Fielder starts by de- plexity, the awkward mood and tone ers. Sometimes, the awkward moments vising a plan to help the deli gain more of almost every conversation, and are brief, but almost always, they’re business, and as usual, the plan has a Nathan’s personality as well as the still enough to provoke simultaneous bit of an unorthodox nature. Fielder personalities of the other characters. laughter and cringing. feels that he can get the deli publicity The premiere of Season 4 did an exBronx Science students who have by hiring a celebrity impersonator to cellent job in blending all of these asseen the show have praised it for its leave a $10,000 tip at the restaurant. pects together and gives off the promability to parody real life.“It’s funny be- He sets up an audition for a list of po- ise of greatness in episodes to come.

Jackson Clarke / The Science Survey

Q&A WITH AUTHOR

10

Swift’s New Repu-“TAY”-tion

Mian Hua Zheng / The Science Survey

By MIAN HUA ZHENG her bring back her old costumes, and the I don’t want to listen to love songs all the scene gave off a powerful vibe of assertion time, and her new song is something that I and confidence for Swift.” would want to hear more often.”

Some interpret the overall video as a Even students who don’t listen to way for Swift to call out the media for their Swift’s music normally have shown interharsh perceived image of her taking over est in hearing more from the musician afher identity and reputation as a whole. The ter watching and listening to her two new social media community has been known singles. Swift released another single, “... to see the singer as a serial dater and as Ready For It?” in early September. With “fake” for her history without scandals. inclusion of the musician rapping, many Many see the Swift in the back on the air- listeners were shocked to hear this contrast plane with a line of “old” Taylors in the from the usual media romanticized counfront in the last minute of the video to be try/pop style singing many know her for.

Tombstones in the shape of the letters “TS”, ruby red lips with coal black eyeliner, and a bathtub of glittering diamonds litter singer Taylor Swift’s new music video. On August 27th during the 2017 MTV Video Music Awards, Swift released the official music video for her new single “Look What You Made Me Do” (LWYMMD), the first song released from her album “Reputation,” which will come out in November.

Prior to the release of this music video, directed by Joseph Kahn, Swift released previews on her social media pages, intriguing many viewers in mid-August. After completely wiping her Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram accounts of all past posts, Swift released short video clips alluding to the new song during the week prior to its release. The clips mainly comprised of ominous slithering snakes and flashes of the newspaper themed album cover art.

Swift released her song’s lyric video first on Vevo, a popular video streaming website, and after analyzing her lyrics, the online community was buzzing.

Many who watched Swift’s new video were shocked by two things: its allusion to other celebrities, and the drastic departure from her earlier work.

Swift’s intricate music video was viewed and analyzed by many, even those who were not previously fans of her work. With over 100 million views in less than four days, social media outlets buzzed with different conspiracy theories.

One particular theory many excitedly point out is the song’s seeming allusions to celebrities. For example, many viewers thought Swift’s line, “I don’t like your tilted stage” referred to her past conflicts with celebrity Kanye West, who used a tilted stage on his “Saint Pablo” tour.

Another interesting part of Swift’s music video comes when Swift is depicted standing on a mountain of past versions of herself. She stands on the top confidently with the word “rep”-- short for reputation -- printed on her shirt in the same font she used in her new album, while “other” Taylors wearing past iconic music video costumes clamor to reach her. Cara Leung ’21 commented, “I thought how the Reputation Taylor on top of all her past selves really represented how she’s a better and more bold person than each of her past individual identities. It was impressive to see

Katherine Doss ’19 shows enthusiasm and anticipation for Swift’s new releases after watching her new singles. representative of her feelings that her real personality is always overshadowed by the media’s different portrayals of her. Anthony Lim ’21 commented, “I thought it was cool how she directly addressed the bad rumors about her with her music video. She also did something similar with her video ‘Blank Space’ and to me, it’s admirable how she embraces the negative rumors about herself as a serial dater and fake.”

Many students at Bronx Science have noted the complexity of the video. Katherine Doss ’19 noted, “As someone who edits Wolverine TV’s videos weekly myself, I can tell the video was so much work to do.

I would be stressed out if I had to make it.”

Reflecting the opinion of many Swift fans about the artist’s new musical style, Doss said, “I think it’s a good change because

Sabrina Zhao ’19 commented, “The music video for ‘LWYMMD’ made me think luxurious. For her second single, if you just made me listen to it, I would have thought it was part of a soundtrack for an actual movie because of how well made the lyrics and structure of the song was.” Bronx Science students took notice of the intricacies and details in the music video, and with the anticipation of more releases, Swift successively peaks new interests and hopes for her new music.

With all these possible allusions to celebrities, the Internet was in a buzz after the release of the video and after listening to the audio of her song. Some fans were overjoyed by the new work with a more chic and “hateful” vibe, seeing it as a great new change for Taylor in contrast to her

“usual cheesy love songs” and found it to be catchy with a bold aura. Such support for Swift has been shown through her stance at number one on “Billboard” upon release and the highest Target album presales of the year. In addition, Target is sponsoring and releasing two exclusive 72 page magazine issues highlighting the album and Swift’s making of it, advertised to contain poems, photos, and paintings by the star herself that has sold numbers. In contrast, many fans also felt that the song was disappointing.

With the release of “LWYMMD,” it has been three years since her last album, “1989”. With such a large time gap, some fans who had eagerly waited disappointingly commented about how her new single did not meet their expectations, making comments about how there was no bassline and melody with repetitive lyrics. Lim ’21 commented, “I liked the song as a whole, but in comparison with her previous songs, I felt like it was not as deep and repetitive. In my opinion, there was no prominent bassline, and the whole song just did not live up to the hype built up of three years.”

Many fans made comments about how they preferred her “old music,” which features pop albums of “1989,” “Red,” and her old country albums, such as “Fearless” and “Speak Now”, a difference from the rap and hip hop vibe hinted at with the current singles. Although conflicting opinions on the quality of her music, the majority of viewers uniformly agree that the start of Taylor’s new album allude to a new change in music. Swift is heading in with a more “sassy” and dark vibe. Overall, itis a new era for Swifties all over with the straying away from the theme of love that many know her for. “Swift’s new music is definitely a darker change than what I expected but not necessarily bad! I look forward to Taylor’s new work,” noted Leung ’21.

On October 20th at midnight, Swift released another single, “Gorgeous.” Iris Zheng ’19 commented, “I don’t listen to pop but the tune is catchy,” representing how many students are more excited for Taylor’s new songs as the release date approaches.

In terms of what her new album, “Reputation” will be like, the public will just have to wait until its release on November 10th.

Spotlight

Angie Yang / The Science Survey

It’s a plane! It’s a bird! themselves think should No - it’s Mr. Cogliano. be addressed, such as doAs students and faculmestic violence. One group ty sink into the new year would revolve around with the old ‘Bronx Scilearning to use mindfulence state of mind,’ the ness as a stress-reduction school’s new mental health technique, through guidsocial worker, Mr. ed CD-sessions.

Cogliano, sports a “[Mindfulness] radically different is a simple state of mind--one process,” of mindfulness. An he insists. avid celebrator of “The hard the unique practice, part ... is Mr. Cogliano is on doing it rega mission to save ularly and stress-ridden stueffectively.” dents through mindSometimes, fulness-education, a room one teen at a time. may be set Mr. Cogliano, our school’s new social Mr. Cogliano aside just worker, encourages students to take works in Room for relaxa moment to “breathe.”

035D2, which has ation, with been transformed into a implementation of mind- dimmed lights and calmcozy sanctuary furnished fulness-based stress re- ing music. with stress balls, a toy Zen duction, or MBSR. The Bronx Science students garden, and ambient mu- brainchild of University have long been in need of sic. Students can visit him of Massachusetts Medi- programs like this. Mr. throughout the day to talk, cal School professor Jon Cogliano insists that being thanks to his open-door Kabat-Zinn, mindfulness in such a high-achieving, policy. “What’s important is generally defined as in- competitive school guaris that it’s confidential,” he tentional, non-judgmen- antees a level of self-imsays. He wants his room to tal attentiveness to your posed stress. That academserve as a safe haven. It is immediate surroundings. ic stress, combined with recommended, however, “It’s all about staying in various teenage stressors, that students first see their the present moment, being puts students in a position guidance counselor before completely aware.” said where proper managebeing redirected to him.

Mr. Cogliano. ment is crucial. “It’s not While professionalthat stress is bad,” argues ly an experienced social Mr. Cogliano. “It really de“It’s all about worker specializing in pends on how the person mental health and substaying in the deals with it.” stance abuse, Mr. Cogliano Considering his ambipresent moment, himself is an easygoing, tious plans, it hardly feels being completely like Mr. Cogliano is just passionate character. In his spare time, he enjoys aware.” settling in. He remarks watching movies, listening that the move-in has been to classic rock, and playing Not surprisingly, he delightful.

“Everyone’s on old-school game sys- has big plans for Bronx friendly, and students tems (he admits to a love Science: to launch vari- are really respectful, refor Nintendo). “He’s gen- ous 10th-period groups ally involved,” he noted. uinely an amazing person based on important topics “There’s an amazing culand always has such a pos- or issues that the students ture, a real community.”

Lo and Behold

Victor Tesoro / The Science Survey

By ILOMAI ROHNER Back when The Bronx graduated from Bronx Sci- computer. This has allowed High School of Science re- ence and went on to earn a generations of computer ally did have a pool, Leon- Bachelor of Electrical En- networking technology to ard Kleinrock, be produced, leading class of ’51, was to the internet as we in the midst of his know it today. education: balKleinrock and ancing the swim his colleagues imteam, recording plemented packet club, and a rigorswitching for the ous curriculum. first time in 1969, A true New when they sent the Yorker, Kleinrock first message from spent his early UCLA to the Stanyears in Wash- Alumnus Leonard Kleinrock accepts his ford Research Instiington Heights, tute. Their goal was award from Principal Donahue. and later attended to relay the word Bronx Science. He remem- gineering degree from the “login,” but the system bers that Bronx Science City College of New York crashed and only the letters was “terrific… an oasis in and later a master’s and a “L” and “O” were transmitan otherwise desert world.” PhD in electrical engineer- ted.

He strongly recalls his ing and computer science At the end of his story, brilliant peers and the from MIT. Kleinrock remarked that highly competitive atmoOut of his many accom- the general public may sphere. Although he did plishments, Kleinrock is know “one small step for not discover what he want- most well known for his man, one giant leap for ed to do career-wise in high early work in queuing the- mankind,” but in the world school, he believes the stu- ory, and his later work on of computer networking dents at Bronx Science who packet switching. Queuing they have their own saying: were “interested in some- theory is the mathemati- “Lo and behold.” thing serious, as opposed cal modeling of waiting in Lo and behold what to something frivolous,” lines: “You arrive, you hang Leonard Kleinrock has helped push him later in around for awhile, and then accomplished. Lo and life. He also attributes his you leave,” he said. This behold the beginnings drive and success to his was the premise to which of the cybernetworking teachers, who he noted as packet switching was based era that we are all living “dedicated, interesting, and on. Packet switching groups in, which was started by data into packets, which Kleinrock and his colleges challenging.”

After skipping a grade is then sent and unpacked with one message, “Lo.” of high school, Kleinrock upon its arrival at another

Student Athletes Recruited to Top Colleges

By MATILDA MELKONIAN Throughout their four years old. “I just loved run- am. I can’t imagine what years at Bronx Science, ning around, so I thought my life would be like withathletes of the Class of I would give it a try,” he out the game,” said Silver2018 have never failed said. After receiving offers man. Starting off his freshto work hard. Next year, from multiple Division I man year already on Boys’ many will move Varsity Baseball, on to participate Silverman has in the National learned that he Collegiate Athwas not going to letic Association, get anywhere by better known just sitting and as the NCAA. A waiting, so he few of the many channeled all of students being his energy into recruited include working towards Audra Berg, a final destinaZachary Siegeltion and recruitstein, and Louis ment.

Silverman.

This October, Audra Berg, Audra Berg ’18 jumping high and spiking on Silverman comthe opposing team. the captain of mitted to Macathe Girls’ Varsity lester College in Volleyball team, received schools, Siegelstein de- Minnesota. “My goal for offers from several Division cided that Tufts Univer- several years has been to III schools. While she will sity would be the best fit get recruited to play college still have to apply and be for him, giving him “the baseball, and having that accepted, she is a preferred opportunity to play for a goal has forced me to really walk-on for three schools.

Division I level team as zone in and dedicating myBerg originally chose to well as have a college life.” self to improving as a playplay volleyball in the sev- Similar to Berg, Siegel- er,” Silverman said. enth grade, after realizing stein credits his “leadIf the Class of 2018 she “was horrible at basket- ership, teamwork skills, has taught their peers ball,” she said. “The natural and sportsmanship” to anything, it is that, with tall-person sport to turn to the game. “Playing the the right support system, next was volleyball.” sport itself gives me a anything is possible. “My Little did she know, place to escape my wor- teammates over the years volleyball would be one of ries and stresses,” he said. have become some of my the main catalysts of her closest friends,” said Berg. positive personality today.

“My club team is one of “Playing the “I learned perseverance, my strongest support sysgrit, and a forward-growth sport itself gives tems.” attitude,” Berg said. She Although none of these me a place to escredits her ability to work three can say that it was cape my worries easy juggling academics so well with others to being on her team. and stresses” and sports, they all got Zachary Siegelstein is what they deserved. “This the captain of the Boys’ sport has taught me, above Varsity Soccer team. SieLouis Silverman plays everything else, the value of gelstein has been playing baseball. “I’d say that base- hard work,” said Silverman. soccer since he was seven ball is just a part of who I Chloe Frajmund / The Science Survey

By ANGIE YANG itive vibe,” said Ryan Yam ’19. “And his office is such a relaxing place.”

But Mr. Cogliano is more than a typical school social worker. He has a profound interest in the

Science Seniors Score Big

Bronx Science Senior Becomes Fashion Designer!

By TAHIRA HASAN Kristina Ang ’18, hasn’t Being so young and al- a Fashion Ambassador for always had a passion for ready having connections Nordstrom, which gives fashion. In fact, in her with a multi-billion dollar her the ability to influence first few years at Bronx company is no small feat, Nordstrom’s customers, Science, she felt gain access to belike an outlihind the scenes er, being such information, and an arts-minded meet with excluperson in a sea sive designers. of STEM brains.

Looking to With courage, the future, Ang she embraced wants to confashion and took tinue to pursue her first small a career in the steps toward a fashion industry, career in couture. and hopes to beHer journey come an assisbegan in midtant designer at Kristina Ang ’18 has worked with Macy’s, dle school, when a fashion compashe decided on a Nordstrom, and other companies on the prony. Her sights are duction and design of their clothing lines. whim to submit set on creating her designs to a her own compafamous designer named but Ang conquered it with ny, which would allow her Carmen Marc Valvo. To style. She shadowed indi- to express her ideas to the her surprise, she was sent viduals in the industry and world. back a gift, consisting of a learned many new things, In fact, she has alshirt, design sketches, and such as trend forecasting ready begun work on her photos from previous run- and color theory, but most own fashion line, titled way shows. This gift was important was that she Jumeaux, “which is French the spark to Ang’s flame. realized this is what she for Twins because it is inA few years later, she had wanted to do for the rest of spired by the style of both the opportunity to meet the her life. me and my twin sister.” president of Macy’s, who Over the summer, Ang Her sister’s influence on was just as interested with interned at a company her work is one of the many her as she was with him. called Alice & Trixie, where reasons why this project is She chose to work with this she worked with design- so important to her. company specifically be- ers in producing final garShe continuously stresscause “of their willingness ments that would be sold to es a single point: “...fight to take someone as young the public. She enjoyed it for what [you] want in life. as me under their wing. very much because she had There is no room for proIt’s hard for someone my the chance to meet with crastination. If you want age to really find legitimate so many talented and like- your dreams to become reexperience in the fashion minded people. ality, you have to take the industry.”

Her current position is initiative upon yourself.”

Tahira Hasan / The Science Survey

Science’s Superman— Out to Save Our Minds

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Phys. Ed. Smashes with a New New Season, New Coach: The Hit: Table Tennis Girls Varsity Swim Team Faces A Tough Challenge This Year

genuinely excited because I've always wanted to play table tennis but haven't had the resources."

A New Direction for Co-Ed Wrestling

After many senior starters on the wrestling team graduated, what direction will this year’s team be going in?

Vivian Ma / The Science Survey

By VIVIAN MA Cheers echoed throughout the gym as last year’s Co-Ed Wrestling Team finished up their final match against Curtis High School. They ended the season undefeated with a stunning record that will be hard to top in the future: 12-0. The Division 1 PSAL Champion title was secured for the second time in a row by last year’s team, but the future for this year’s team continues to remain uncertain.

This year, the team is struggling to fill up the spots of graduated seniors that the coach was confident could defend our title. With five open spots left from previous teammates, many of the matches will not be guaranteed wins, making it much harder for the team to remain undefeated this season. “Right now, our team is at a very vulnerable state because so many amazing people graduated,” Eileen Tan ’18 said.

In spite of this, the team still has confidence in their coach and their work ethic. “It would definitely be more difficult, because many of the starters last year are no longer on the team, but our substitutes have potential too,” Amanda Chen ’18 said.

In response to the shift in team dynamic, the coach is starting preseason for the team much earlier compared to last year, in order to prepare the new members for the upcoming season. The interest meeting was moved from mid-October to September 26th, allowing the coach to keep an eye out for potential new talent earlier than usual.

This year, most of the team had also been wrestling or staying active over the summer to work towards bettering themselves for the upcoming season. Even with the difficulties that come with training new members, returning wrestlers still believe that they have what it takes to win.

“Defending our title will be more difficult this year than the last,” Ishraq Kabir ’19 said, “but the team has been working consistently and vigorously to ensure that our win last year was not solely because of the graduated seniors’ performances, but ours as well.”

The team is looking forward to another amazing season, even without last year’s starters.

They’re confident in their ability “Even though we’re in a tough position right now, to become stronger. “Keep in mind, I’m positive that our current team has enough those starters had to be beginners at potential and skill to fill the shoes of those one point, and practice, hard work, who graduated,” said Ishraq Kabir ’19. and dedication led them to where they were. It’s no different for anyone else,” Samee Buccellato ’19 said. Even with an uncertain future, the team is looking forward to an exciting new season this year.

Elizabeth Jung / The Science Survey

By CHRISTINA PAN order to guide our new coach,” said Juang.

The start of a sports season is exciting Mr. Swartz will forever be a key compofor everyone. It’s an opportunity to learn nent of the girls’ previous seasons, and from last season’s wins and losses and his dedication will never go unnoticed. build relationships with new teammates. “He put a lot of effort into our team for But it also gives way for new problems for us to be happy, not only for our victoa team. For the Girls' Varsity Swim team, ries, but for us to be happy with ourtheir season is met with a change in leader- selves and our performances. I know ship, which they have not experienced for he’ll be a wonderful coach for Tech, and eight years. they’re so lucky to have him. We’ll all Meet the girls’ new head coach, Mark miss him!” commented Joanna Zhao ’20.

Maraj. A teacher and the head coach for Mr. Maraj is eager and prepared Boys' Swimto guide ming at Theothe girls dore Roosevelt through Educational the season.

Campus, Maraj “This team was recruithas a way ed by athletic of taking director Mr. you in and McGrath in making the summer you feel of 2017. Maraj like famiwas immely. It's an diately welhonor and comed into a privilege Mark Maraj, the new head coach the girls’ comto work for Girls' Varsity Swimming. munity with with this open arms, wonderful and their bonds have been growing ever group.” he said. His coaching style difsince. “Over the past few weeks, the fers greatly from Mr. Swartz’s in terms of girls on the team and the managers have the structure of his practices, but he still bonded with him really well,” says Ol- wants the same end result, for the team to ivia Chin ’19, who will be a swimmer achieve greatness. “As for words for the on the team for three years this season. girls, I truly believe it takes all of us time Captains Victoria O’Hara ’18, Michelle to realize our own potential. Knowing that, Juang ’18, and Jasmin Bouzarouata don't set limits for yourself. Continue to ’18 are especially excited for the sea- work harder, jump further, and reach for son with Coach Maraj, since it is their more. You might surprise yourself with last year to swim for Bronx Science. how much you can accomplish when you “Having a new coach is a big adjustment start to believe there are no limits for in any scenario,” said Juang. “Coach Maraj yourself,” he said. The girls have definiteis very dedicated to our team and is tru- ly noticed his ambition through the ruthly trying to be the best coach that he can less practices they’ve had since the start be for us. The girls on our team have " ...when you start to warmed up to him, and although we have a new coach this season, our team rebelieve, there are no mains stronger than ever.” Many obstacles have been thrown at the girls in the limits for yourself." past, including having barely any access to a pool for practice, long commutes, and of the season, when they’ve had to beat the clash between club swimmer loyal- fast time interval cutoffs and push their ty (for girls who swim outside of school) bodies to their limits. “I can tell that he and PSAL and school requirements. The tries his best and truly wants our team to girls were finalists during the 2015 sea- be the best that we can be, and we all apson, and the pressure of making it through preciate that,” said Katherine Zhou ’20. the championships has risen with each This team has been able to get past wins, passing season. The goal is to beat long- losses, and everything in between due to time rival Brooklyn Tech with Mr. Maraj. one key component that defines the team: camaraderie. Even past teammates will say that the team is the closest of all Bronx Science sports teams due to countless team bonding events and traditions, including team sleepovers and dinners, as well as the complex relationships that tie them all together. It’s only a matter of time before Mr. Maraj is completely absorbed into their world as well, The 2017-18 girls swim team prepares for a meet by for all of the girls are starting off with a classic cheer. ready to help with the transition. “I hope we Though the girls are enthusiastic about can get Coach Maraj one hundred perthe many possibilities for the season with cent comfortable with our team. I would Maraj, there is still some bittersweetness advise for him to get to know us more about previous coach Mr. Derek Swartz, in terms of our personalities and swimwho is now coaching for Brooklyn Technical ming goals so that he can help everyone High School’s swim teams. “The team was achieve their goals,” said Zoe Chen ’19. devastated when they were told the news The girls, Mr. Maraj, assistant coach that Mr. Swartz was leaving, but knew it Mr. Brown, the team’s managers, and was for the best. Even though he is not our all of the swim families are prepared to coach this season, he has been doing every- take on the season’s challenges. Help thing he can to keep this team on its feet, support the team reach their goals of as he worked hard to secure a new coach beating rival schools and making it for us. In season, he has been a major help through playoffs by visiting future meets! to us captains when it comes to answering questions, providing apparel for our team, and taking on additional responsibilities in Christina Pan / The Science Survey

Chrisit Kim / The Science Survey

By CHRISTI KIM in any way that we can, for we know that If one were to walk into Room 008 on our students will continue to be active if Mondays, Tuesdays, or Thursdays during they find something that they enjoy,” he fifth period, sounds of almost weightless commented. balls clattering Mr. Dahlem hopes onto the floor, to continue this unit paddles making for years to come. He hollow wooden plans to provide an noises, and stuintroductory course dents cheering for table tennis and would surely greet to teach the students one. Here, Mr. how to accurately keep Dahlem teaches a score and play both new Table-Tennis singles and doubles, curriculum to a thereby learning many group of juniors table tennis techniques and seniors. such as basic forehand Table tennis and backhand strokes. is a nationally He also hopes that taaccepted sport ble tennis will innately Anthony Jin ’18 serves a table tennis ball played in world help students to develevents such as the op fine motor and soOlympics and the Paralympics. In a survey cial skills and improve their reaction time. of 500 students conducted via email by Mr. Many students already share a passion Dahlem, Bronx Science students overall to learn table tennis. “I am ecstatic! I am ranked table tennis as the fourth most de- genuinely excited, because I've always sired gym unit after badminton, basketball, wanted to play table tennis, but I haven't and volleyball, respectively. Given these re- had the resources,” said Sinekdha Sarkar sults, Mr. Dahlem decided to create a table ’18. tennis unit in an attempt to try and appeal Similarly, Jennifer Cheung ’18 stated, “I to the students’ requests. “This is what the feel excited and anxious. More excited than students want, and the PE department is anxious. I've never played table tennis bealways looking to please the student body fore, never touched a paddle, nada, but I have always wanted to try it out. It's definitely fun "I am ecstatic! I am to try out. I'm starting to get the hang of it!”