Editor’s Note
By:AmarysRodriguez
sIsitherewritingthis,Iamconsumedbychange.Asasenior,itseemsasifthesepast havebeenfilledwithnothingbuttransformationastheschoolyearreachesitsend.Maybeyoufeel sameway?Butchangeisinevitable,sometimesyoucanseeitcomingtowardsyou,andsometimesyouc whetherwewelcomeitwithopenarmsorhesitancy,changeismoreoftenthannotforthebetter,bec leadstotransformation.
Inthisschoolyear’sfinalissueoftheLegalPad,weexplorethethemesofchangeandtransform Manyofusarepreparingforthenextphaseofourlives,whetherthatbeanotherschoolyear,your highschool,orpreparingforcollege,we’reallalittleskepticalofwhatliesahead.Iwouldcomp overtheedgeofacliffasyou’reabouttojumpandnotknowingwhereyou’lllandbecausechangeis daunting.However,youbecomeamoreresilientandtransformedversionofyourselfbyitsend.
Throughthesepages,weencourageyoutoreflectonyourownexperiencesofchangeandtransforma tion.Wehopeyoufindsolaceinthesearticlesandintheideathatchangeisn’talwaysbad.Whethe throughreadingtheresilientstoriesfromoursenior'scollegedecisionsseason(LawMagnetSenior Highlights),laughingattheresultsofourteachersuperlatives,informingyourselfoftransformati happeninginHaiti(ColonialismattheFrontDoor:Haiti’sCrisis),orsayinggoodbyetosomeof yourclosestpeers(SeniorLasts).Wehopethatyouembracechange,andbecomeabetterversion ofyourselfforit.
Sincerely(forthelasttime), Amarys
Fromthecoverartist(Jiashuo(Moon)Liu):ThecoverforthemonthofMayissymbolicof personaltransformation,cherishingourpastexperiences,andembracingnewbeginnings. Thelifecycleofabutterflydepictedrepresentsourcompletehighschooljourney(theeggson theleafrepresentthefreshmen,thecaterpillarrepresentssophomores,thechrysalisrepresents juniors,andthebutterflyrepresentsseniors).Thebackgroundisuptoyourinterpretation becauseitcanrepresentbothasunsetandasunrise.Forincomingfreshmen,attendingthe LawMagnetisthestartofanewchapter.Andasfordepartingseniors,thehighschoolchapteris comingtoajoyfulcloseandthey’reflyingofftoabrightnewfuture.
Spanish Version
TranslatedBy:HannahEstradaandDhyanaBanderas
LINK:https://tinyurl.com/MaySpanish
PTSA
GetreadytojoininonthefunaswecelebrateourincredibleLawstaff!We’rekicking offsomethingspecial:theStaffAppreciationGiftCardDonationInitiative!Ourstaffworks tirelesslytoinspireandeducateourchildreneveryday,andit’stimetoshowthemsomeloveina funway!Let’scometogetherandmaketheirdaybrighterwithgiftcardsthey’lllove.
Here’showyoucanjointheinitiative:Simplydonate.Everycontributioncounts!Whetherit’sb small,yourdonationwillhelpusmakesureeveryteacherfeelsappreciated.
Tocontribute,pleaseclickthelink:https://tinyurl.com/DonateNowPTSA
Thankyouforyourcontinuedsupportandgenerosity.
Sincerely, LawMagnetPTSA
PTSAMembershipMeeting:
When:Tuesday-05/14/24PTSAMeeting&Elections(2024-2025PTSABoard) Time:6:00PM
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An Au Revoir To Mrs.VanArsdall
By:AndreaNovoa
Duringthistimeofgoodbyeand farewells,wearen'tjustsayinggoodbye toourseniors.Wearealsobiddingfarewelltoour PTSApresident,Mrs.VanArsdall.Mrs.Vhasbeen ourPTSApresidentforthepasttwoyears,and withherhardworkanddetermination,wehave beenabletoaccomplishgreatthings.Oneofthose beingtheLegalPad,soasshestepsdown,theLegal Padwantedtotakeamomenttothankherforall ofherhardwork.
Fromhotchocolateornachosservedduring advisorytoherunwaveringsupportinLinkCrew thatledtoeventsliketheHalloweendance,Winter Wonderland,FieldDay,andmore!Herhardwork anddeterminationhasalsohelpedextracurricular programslikeMockTrialandSkillsUSAto succeedincompetitionsandfundraising.Through Mrs.V'sleadership,weasaschoolhavebeenable togrowandimprove,andit'snotjusttheLegal Padthatbelievesthis;hereiswhatotherstudents andstaffhadtosay:
“Mrs.Vanarsdallistheultimateteamplayer. She’salwaysthefirstonethereforeveryactivity andthelastonetoleave.SincebecomingtheLaw PTSApresident,she’sgivenusmoreopportunities togivebacktothestudentsandteachers.Sheisone ofthemostsupportivepeopleIknow,andI’m gratefulshehasbeenapartofourschoolforthe past3years."-HomeroLozano(Junior)
"She'sdoneanexcellentjobofsupporting students,teachers,andstaff.Wewillmissher."Mr.Jones(LawMagnetPrincipal)
"Mrs.VanArsdallissuchanamazingperson! Thankyouforthewonderfultimespentherewith us.TheLawMagnetlovesyoualways."-Mrs. Hernandez(OfficeClerk)
DearMrs.V,Thankyouforallofyourwork;we wouldn'tbeherewithoutyou.Wewillcertainly missyou.Thankyouforthiswonderfultime;you weregreat.
College Admissions: Highlights and Lowlights
By:SukhmaniNijjarandVictorDelgado
Wellit'sover.Yougotrejectedfromyourdreamschool.Everything’sover.
OurbiggestfearasLawMagnetstudentsisrejection.Desperately,weaskRedditorsto“chance”uson r/chanceme.Wecomment“statsandecs?”onrandomTikTokerswhoattendTop20s.And,whenwe openInstagramtotakeabreakfromthecollegemania,wehearanother21-year-oldInstagramerwho"went toHarvard"andtook"35APclasses,curedcancer,andgota6.7GPA"tellingusthatourlivesareover becausewegotoneB-inAPPre-Calculus.
Asanotherunprecedentedadmissionsseasoncomestoaclose,it'seasytogetoverwhelmedbythe universalfeelingofrejectionfeltbyallstudents.Tooffersomehope,wewantedtosharetheadmissions processofsomeofourveryownseniors:therejections,thewaitlists,andtheacceptances—becausethe worlddoesn’tendwhenyou’reeighteen.
MikaylaSpivey(NYU)
Inyouropinion,isrejectiontrulyredirection?
“Ibelievethateverythinghappensforareason.Iknowmany peopledon'tsharethisbeliefbecauseit'schallengingtoaccept. However,sometimes,rejectioncanredirectyoutowardsa futureoralifethatyouneverwouldhaveimagined.Inever thoughtIwouldfindmyselfgoingtoNYU;myheartwas alwayssetonRice.WhenIfinallyreceivedthatacceptance,I realizedthatitwasoneofthebestchoicesforme.”
Whatisapieceofadviceyouwouldgivetoastudentwho isapplyingsoon?
“Don'tletrejectionsorwaitlistsdefineyouandresearch financialaidoptions,liketheCSSProfileandIDOC.”
CheckoutMikayla’spersonalstatement: LINK:.https://tinyurl.com/MikaylaPersonalStatement
AriArceo
Whatisapieceofadviceyouwouldgiveastudentapplying?
“Applytoonly10schoolsatmost.Ithinkthestressofapplyingto manyschoolsisoverwhelming.ThethingyoulearninCollege Transitionisthatyoushouldapplytoaround10schools,whichis therightthingtodo.Thevastmajorityofthingscollegeslookatis alreadydonebyyou,andtheonlynewthingtodoiscollegeessays. Havingasmalllistofcollegeswithin-depthresearchandessaysinto thosecollegesisdefinitelytherightwaytogo.”
Whatwasthescariestmomentinyourcollegeapplication journey?
“Thescariestmomentwashittingthesubmitbuttonon CommonApp.Collegedecisionsandrejectionsaren'tasbadasthey mayseem.They'remoreheartbreakingthantheyarescary.”
CheckoutAri’spersonalstatement: LINK:https://tinyurl.com/AriPersonalStatement
SabrinaBhattarai(UTAustin)
Howdidyoubalanceoutsideexpectationsandbeingtruetoyourself duringthisapplicationcycle?
“Balancingoutsidepressurewithstayingtruetomyselfwasarealchallenge. Beinginthetop10%andhavingfriendsapplyingtoprestigiousschools createdasenseofimpostersyndrome.Icouldn'tenvisionmyselfthrivingat thoselargeruniversities.Myadviceisthis:don'tchaseprestige.Applyto schoolsthatfeelliketherightfitforyou.Thankfully,Ifollowedthispathby applyingtoliberalartscollegesandfoundtheperfectfitformyself.”
Howdidyoudecidewheretocommit?
“Gettingacceptedbymytopthreechoices(BostonUniversity,Smith College,andUTAustin)madethedecisionreallydifficult.Financialaidwas afactor,butIwasstilltorn.Smithofferedsmallclasssizes,whichappealedto mebutlackeddiversity.Ultimately,UTAustinwastheperfectfit.Havinga strongcommunityisimportant,andUThadagreatNepalicommunity. Theirhonorsprogramalsojustfeltright.Remember,youknowwhat'sbest foryou!”
CheckoutSabrina’spersonalstatement: LINK:https://tinyurl.com/SabrinaBPersonalStatement
MyzraimEspinoza(UT
Arlington)
Howdidyoudecidewheretocommit?
“IcommittedtoUTAbecausetwoofmysisters,who aretwins,graduatedfromtherewiththeirMasters!One ofthetwinsisaschoolteacherandthatismydreamjob. TheybothrecommendedUTAveryhighly.”
Whatwasthescariestmomentinyourcollege applicationjourney?
“TheFAFSAprocesswasincrediblystressful. Thankfully,everythinggotresolved,butthestress lingers.Dealingwithfinancialaidwasdefinitelymy biggestfearduringapplications.”
JocelinneIslas(UTArlington)
Howdidyoubalancetheexpectationsofbeinga first-generationstudentandbeingtruetoyourself duringthisapplicationcycle?
“Ialwaysfeltthatmystatusofbeingafirstgeneration studentwouldnotgreatlyaffectmychoiceformycareer path.ThewaytotackleitwasknowingIcando whateverIwantaslongasmypathissustainableandcan supportmeinthefuture.”
Howdidyoudecidewheretocommit?
“MymaindrivingfactorfordecidingtheschoolIattend wastogetintotheleastamountofdebtpossiblebecause Iknewthatexperiencethroughinternshipswasmore valuableforsuccessthenthetypeofschoolIattend.”
DavidTorres(CornellUniversity)
Howdidyoudealwithallofyourrejectionsandwaitlists?
“Iappliedto24colleges,andIonlygotinto7ofthem.Icannottellalie, thewinterwasbrutalforme,especiallyseeingallmyclassmatesgetting intotheirdreamschoolswhileIwasleftwithmysafety.Imightnothave hadamethodtodealwiththeemotions,butIknewGodhadaplanfor meonewayoranotherandIwasconfidentinmyabilitythatIwasgoing tomakethemostofanysituation.Goodthingscometothosewhowait, andsoevenafternotseeingconfettionmyscreenforthe17thtime, Iknewsomeonewasgoingtotakeachanceonme.”
Whatisapieceofadviceyouwouldgivetoastudentwhois applyingsoon?
“OnepieceofadviceIofferisthatyouneedtobereadyforrejection.It’s gonnahappenforalmostallofyou.Irecommendgettingoutthere,of course;youshouldapplytoallthecollegesthatyourheartdesires(not toomanythough).Butatsomepointyouaregoingtogetrejectedandit isgoingtohurt.It’salright.Italwaysworksoutintheend,Ipromise.”
CheckoutDavid’spersonalstatement: LINK:https://tinyurl.com/DavidPersonalStatement
Senior Team Members
By: AndreaNovoa
ItisMay,thattimeoftheyeartosaygoodbye andgrantyourfarewellwishestothosemoving towardabiggerandbrighterfuture.Sogetreadyto saygoodbyetoyourteachers,staff,orfriends, becauseyouwon'tseethemforacoupleofmonths. Thoughespeciallytakesometimetosaygoodbyeto yourfavoriteseniors,whichisexactlywhatthis articleisdoing,wishinggoodbyetothegraduating membersoftheLegalPadastheyprepareforanew chapteroftheirlives.Thesecreativeandtalented edindividualshavedemonstratedunwavering dedicationandresilienceduringtheirtime withtheLegalPad.FromtheLegalPad's firsteditiontothetimewheneveryone mournedwithusoverafakelawsuit,these seniorshavehadatremendousimpacton ourcommunity,helpingusconnectteachers,students,staff,andparentsthrough videosandarticles.Theirworkistruly awesome,andwewishthemthebest
HopeHabia AmarysRodriguez
MyzraimEspinoza
WhatTheyHavetoSayasTheyMoveOn:
“WhentheideaofstartingaschoolnewsletterwasbroughtuptousinaLinkCrewmeeting,I immediatelylovedtheideaandwassoexcitedtohelpmovethatforward,especiallysinceIlovewriting andwantedtopursuejournalism.TheLegalPadhastakenmanyshapesandformsthroughoutthepast twoyears,andbeingabletoseeitgrowandbeapartofthatevolutionhasbeenoneofthehighlightsof mytimehereattheLawMagnet.”-AmarysRodriguez(Co-editorinChief,teamlead).
AndreaNovoa
MikaylaSpivey
“It’salwaysaboutthepeople,whetherthatbetheteamyou’reworkingwithortheaudienceyouwantto reach.Whileit’sfuntomakeandsharecool/funnythings,thecommunitythatprojectslikeTheLegal Padformarewhattrulymakethingsworthit.MaybethetrueLegalPadwasthefriendswe madealongtheway...”-HopeHabia(Co-editorinChief,teamlead)
“ThemostvaluablelessonI’veprobablylearned(duringmy timeintheLegalPad)isrespectingdeadlinesandthat youcandoanythingyouputyourtime andmindto.”-MikaylaSpivey(Writerand Videographer)
I really enjoyed our meetings, although the timing of the meetings [wasn’t]the best (8 am), watching Smart and INCREDIBLY talented people bounce off each other withideas is such an amazing thing to witness.”-MyzraimEspinoza(Videographer)
Hearing how excited people would be to read theLegal Pad really inspired me to participate in it and beeing as though I (enjoy translating, it seemed like a good fit.” - Dhyana Bandera
“During my time in the Legal Pad my recipe articles, the homage to the Custodial staff, and the volleyball/mock trial highlights hold a special place in my heart. The Legal Pad provided me with an
DhayanaBanderas
By:VictorDelgado
Prom Highlight
Astheseasonofsoiréesandsocialgatheringsunfolds,sodotheendlesschoicesindresses,tuxes, overpricedtickets,and,ofcourse,thefloodofopinions—bothexpertandamateur.Thethemeisthe Carpet,andourfashioniconsatTownviewbroughtHollywoodglamor!Let’stakealookatsomeofthe bestdressedofthenight.
Senior Lasts
By:AmarysRodriguez
We’rereachingtheendseniors,dependingonwhenyoureadthisarticle,wehaveapproximately20days leftuntilwegraduate!Canyoubelieveit?Aswe’reeagerlyawaitingtoleavebehindtheLawMagnetand startthenextchapterofourlives,asenseofnostalgiaandapprehensionisprobablyhittingusall.So,before wecrossthatstage,weshouldtakeamomenttoreflect.Weshouldtreasuretheselastdaysandusethemas anopportunitytosayourgoodbyes,tieuplooseends,makelastingmemories,andprepareourselvesfor whatliesahead.Withthatbeingsaid,herearesomeideasonhowtomakethemostoftheselast20days. Warning:wewillbegettingsentimental.
SeniorEvents!
Oneofthebiggestwaystocelebratethebeginning oftheendisbyattendingseniorevents.These eventsarespecificallymadeforustoenjoymore timewithourpeersandmakelastingmemories.So whetheryouattendprom,seniorluncheon,senior picnic,BroBrunch,orPrettyinPurple,remember tocherishthesemomentsdearly.
WordsofWisdom
Beforeyouleavetheirclassroomsforthelast time,stopandaskyourteachersforanywordsof wisdomtheymayhavebeforeyouheadoffto college.Yourfavoriteteachershaveprobablylived manylives,makingthemmuchwiserwith valuableinsightsonhowtonavigatenew beginnings.
WriteGoodbyeLetters!
Thismaybeabitsentimental,buttellingall yourfriendsandteachersabouttheimpression they’veleftonyouisasweetgesturetoleavethem with.Thestorygoesthatwemayneverseemost ofthepeoplewewenttohighschoolwithever again,atleastthat’swhatmanyadultssay. Whetheryouplantokeepintouchwithyour peers,ornot,expressingyourgratitudefortheir companionshipandsupportthesepastfouryears isameaningfulwaytoacknowledgetheimpact theyhavemadeinyourhighschooljourney.
RecordVideoDiaries!
Let’sbehonest,weallloverecordingvideo diaries,orvlogs,somakesuretorecordmany duringtheselastcoupleofweekstopreservesome unforgettablemoments.Lookingbackonvideo diariesallowsustoseeourpersonalgrowthand capturealltheexcitingemotions,thoughts,and feelingsthatmayariseduringthistime.Theycan alsobeprettyhilarioustolookbackon,but remembertonotgetsocaughtupinrecording everysinglemomentthatyouforgettoactually liveinthemoment.
Mother’s Day
By:ElizabethBell
FromthelegendaryG.O.A.T’stothetriumphantleadersandtheempatheticsoulsaroundus,behind everyone,liesasilentherothatweowetheworld:ourmothers.AsMother’sDaysteadilyapproaches, weareremindedoftheimmenseimpactmothershaveonourlives.Wewanttoappreciateallthatour mothershavedoneforus.HereattheLegalPad,we’vegoneonamissiontounearththehiddengemsof advicethatthemomsofourLawMagnetfacultyhadtogive.Soweaskedthequestion:Whatisthebest adviceyourmomhasevergivenyou?
Mr.Smeltzer
:“Wantingandgettingare totwodifferentthings.’Shealwayssaidthat meandIneverrealizedtheimportance ofthat.Youcan'thaveeverythingperfect.”
Mr.BenZvi:“Trustwhat yourinstinctistellingyou, notwhatthenoisearound youistellingyou.”
Mr.McCoy:“Don’tbeafraidto succeed.”
Ms.Rojas:“Alwaysput Godfirstandbetrueto yourself.”
Mr.Hasa:“Behonest.”
Mr.G:“Wasn'treallyadvicesomuch instruction.Mymotherhadonlysons,andshe taughtusallhowtobeself-sufficient.We knewhowtocook,iron,andwashourclothes, soIguesstheadvicewasthis:‘don'trelyona womantodothingsyoucandoforyourself.”
Ms.Hernandez:“WhenIwasinhighschool,she gavemeencouragement,andevennowthatI’m incollege,shestillencouragesmetofinishandto neverstop.Butalso,shetaughtmetobekindand respectfultoeveryoneImeet.”
Ms.Lee:“Beingalonedoesnot equatetoloneliness.”
Mr.Araiza: “Doyourbestand nevergiveup.”
Teacher Superlatives
By: AndreaNovoa
Astheyearcomestoanend,theLegalPadwishestohonorourteachersandstaffinafunandcreative way,classroomfavorites! Wegavethestudentsanopportunitytovotefortheirfavoriteteacherina classroomfavoritecompetition.Hereiswhatyouallhadtosay:
Mr.Gonzalez
Medusa:ScariestDeathGlare
Runnerup:Mr.Jennings/Mr.Jones
CaffeineAddicted:Most EnergeticTeacher
Runnerup:Ms.Lee
Ms.Lee
RayofSunshine:MostLikely ToBrighten
YourDay
Runnerups:Mr.Jennings/Mr.Benzi
Mr.Smeltzer Mr.Tadesse
NeatFreak:MostOrganized Teacher:
Runnerup:Ms.Medrano
MostLikelyToBeMistaken AsAStudent
Runnerup:Ms.Nguyen/Ms.Rodas
Lyons Mr.Lyons
MostLikelyToBeChatting DuringaStaffMeeting
Runnerup:Mr.Jennings
ClassClown:FunniestTeacher
Runnerup:Mr.Jennings
Gonzalez
BestStories:MostLikelyTo YapYourEarOff
Runnerup:Mr.Lyons
Nguyen
FireFits:Best-Dress
Runnerup:Ms.Lee Ms.Lee
Jennings
TeacherofTheYear
Runnerup:Mr.Benzvi
MostCreativeSuperlativesMadeByYou!
Withthatbeingsaidwealsowantedtoseehowcreativeyouallcouldget,soweaskedyoutocreate yourownsuperlative!Andaftercarefulconsiderationhereiswhatthesocialteamdecided!
BiggestImpact:MostInspiringTeacher
AssomeofyoumighthavenoticedMs.Optizwasnotanoptionforanyofthesecategories,many ofwhichsheprobablywould'vewon.ThatisbecausethemembersoftheLegalPaddecidedtohonor herwithherveryowncategory.Heroutrightdedicationandpassionforteachinghaveimpacted everyoneinourschool.Shecontinuestoinspireeveryonetotoucheverythingwithlove.
Andtoourdearestteachers,thankyouforallofyourhardworkanddedication!We’velearnedalot fromyouandyou'veallleftanimpactonourlives.Thankyouforeverythingthatyoudoandfor slowlybutsurelycreatingabetterworldthroughyourhardwork,lessons,andclasses.
CincodeMayo,meaning“thefifthofMay,”isn'tjustanotherdayonthecalendarbutadayto celebrateMexicanculture,history,andresilience.Whilemanypeoplearoundtheworldjoininthe festivitieswithcolorfulparades,deliciousfood,andlivelymusic,thesignificanceofthisholidayoftengets lostintheexcitement.Sowhat’stherealstorybehindCincodeMayo?
Contrarytopopularbelief,CincodeMayoisnotMexico'sIndependenceDay(whichiscelebratedon September16th).Instead,itcommemoratestheMexicanarmy'svictoryovertheFrenchforcesattheBattle ofPueblaonMay5,1862.Despitebeingoutnumberedandoutgunned,theMexicansoldiersshowed remarkablebraveryanddeterminationundertheleadershipofGeneralIgnacioZaragoza,defeatingthe Frenchandsecuringacrucialvictoryfortheircountry.
WhileCincodeMayooriginatedasaregional
Colonialism At The Front Door: Haiti’s Crisis
Greedisaprimalinstinct,adiseaseforwhich thereisnocure.Likeablackhole,its gravitationalpullofdesirebendsrealitytoitswill, anditsinfluencestretchesinfinitelyintothedepths ofthehumansoul.Itsinnateexistenceisasourceof innumerableconflicts,disparities,andstruggles, nonemoreapparentthaninWesterncolonialism.
TheformerFrenchcolonyofHaitiis currentlyonthevergeofcollapse.Since 2020,Port-au-Prince,thecapitalof Haiti,hasbeenembroiledina conflictbetweentwo prominentcriminal factionsandtheir associates:the Revolutionary ForcesoftheG9 FamilyandAllies (FRG9orG9)andthe G-Pep.Inrecentweeks,this conflicthasintensified,with paramilitarygroupsprovokingaseries ofassaults,mostnotablyonpolicestations andtheinternationalairport.Thisescalation hassubsequentlypromptedtheresignationof PrimeMinisterArielHenryonMarch11th.AP Newsreportsthatthedissentingorganizationshave establishedcontrolofsome80%ofthecapitalcity. Theyrefertothemselvesascommunityleaders despiteWesternmediaregardingthemasgangs.
Theyhavebeenresponsiblefortheincreasein killings,kidnappings,andrapessincethe assassinationofHaiti’s43rdPresident,Jovenel Moïse,whowasaccusedofcorruption,in2021. AccordingtoareportfromtheU.N.releasedin January,morethan8,400peoplewerekilled, injured,orkidnappedin2023,representinga 122% increasefrom2022.Sofarthisyear, 1,500havebeenkilledandover160,000 havebeendisplacedasaresultof
ManyHaitiansare atoddswiththe circumstancesof thecountry,which theyblameasthecatalyst forthepoliticalturmoil. Oncethewealthiestcolonyin theAmericas,Haitiisnowthe
country,with60%ofthepopulation earninglessthan$2aday,accordingtoDW News.Catastrophicnaturaldisastershavealso contributedtoeconomicdevastation.Haitiis particularlyvulnerabletoearthquakesduetoits locationalongtheboundaryoftheCaribbeanand NorthAmericantectonicplates.Themost catastrophicearthquakeinrecenthistorystruck Haitiin2010,causingwidespreaddestruction,loss oflife,anddisplacementofmillionsofpeople. Sincethen,Haitihasbeenavictimofadditional severenaturaldisasters,necessitatingforeignaid.
Haiti,aformerEuropeancolony,conformstoa historicalcontinuityseeninallpreviouslycolonized states.WhatHaitiisexperiencingwasinevitableandvery muchintentional.PoliticalscientistSabeloJ.NdlovuGatsheniarguesthatcolonialismis“apowerstructure thatsubverts,destroys,reinvents,appropriates,and replacesanythingitdeemsanobstacletotheagendaof colonialdominationandexploitation.”Colonialismis motivatedbyself-interestandworkstosubdue,rather thanuplift.Itcannotexistwithoutthedivisionofthe oppressed.Haitiresidesinastateofperpetualbondage,a continuousstateofsubjugation,whichstemsfromits colonialperiod.
FrenchcolonialisminHaitibeganin1697whenthe SpanishcededthewesternterritoryofHispaniolatothe French.TheFrenchrenamedtheterritorySaintDomingue.Saint-DominguewasFrance’sprideandjoy. Thevastexportationoflucrativerawmaterialssuchas sugar,coffee,andcottonmadeFranceamercantilist juggernaut.However,italsoforcedthelocalpopulation todependonimportedgoodsfromEuropeancolonial powers,undermininglocalindustriesandtraditional commercialpractices.France’sexploitationofresources, itsfocusonexport-orientedagriculture,andits dependenceonslavelaborweredetrimentaltothe developmentofadiversifiedandself-sustainingeconomy fortheHaitianpeople.Francecontrolledeveryaspectof production,pricing,anddistributionofresourceswithin thecolony.TheirabsencefollowingtheHaitian Revolutionin1804leftbrittlemarkets,alackof infrastructure,andnocapital,perpetuatingastateof poverty.
DespiteFrance'sdeparturein1804,itsexploitationof Haitididnotcease.In1825,FranceforcedHaititopay150 millionFrancsinreparationsforlostpropertythroughthe HaitianRevolutioninexchangefordiplomatic recognition.Unabletoaffordthereparations,Haititook outtwolargeloansfromtheFrenchbankCréditIndustriel etCommercial(CIC)between1874and1875.This burdenofdebtcrippledHaiti'seconomyfordecades, drainingresourcesthatcouldhavebeeninvestedin infrastructure,education,andeconomicdevelopment. FrencheconomistThomasPikettydescribedtheloansas anearlyexampleof“neocolonialismthroughdebt.”
Laterinhistory,thereweremoreinstancesofforeign interferenceinHaiti,furtheraddingtothedebtburdenof thealreadyimpoverishedcountry.
Haitiisundoubtedlysuffering.Thecountryisfacinga multitudeofsocio-economicissues,rangingfromfood insecuritytohomelessness.Thecountryhasn’thadastable militaryornationaldefenseforceindecades.Towitnessa countrythatwasonceaboldproclamationofblack autonomyandcolonialresistanceexistindecayistragic andaboveallupsetting.Haitiisunquestionablyavictimof crimesagainsthumanity,perpetratedatthehandsof Europeanimperialistgreed.
The AP Countdown
By:Jiashuo(Moon)Liu
Aswe’reallaware,theAPExambeastsareloomingjustaroundthecorner,withtestingbeginningon May6th.WhetheryoustudieddiligentlythroughouttheentireyearorputoffallyourAPpacketsand dozedthroughlectures,yourstresslevelsareprobablyrising.Afterall,theseexamsrepresentthe culminationoftheworkandtimewe’veinvestedintotheseclassesallyear,theycanearnuscollegecredit andhonorsifwegeta3andabove,andtheyareopportunitiesforustoimproveourwritingandcritical thinkingskillsregardlessofwhatscorewereceive.So,whynotputforththeefforttodothebestwe possiblycan?Ifyou’relostinyourpreparationjourney,readontogetontheroadto5-townwiththesetips duringthisfinalstretch.
Tip
1:Knowthedeets
Itiscrucialtoknowthebasicinformation surroundingyourAPexamsincludingthedate,time, andtheroomyou’llbetakingitin.Onceyoufindout allthisinformation,putitintoyourcalendarappand setremindersforyourself.Butbeyondthissurface-level information,itwouldalsobebeneficialtogeta refresherontherubricsforeachtypeofessayyou’ll write,whatsectionstherearetothetest,howmany questionsareinandhowlongyou’llbegivenforeach section,howlongthetesttakesoverall,andwhenyou’ll beallowedtotakeabreakduringtherest.Knowingall ofthisinformationwillmakeyoufeelthatmuchmore mentallypreparedonthedayofthetest.
Tip
2:Prioritizeyourhealth
Remember,notestisworthsacrificingyourphysical ormentalwell-beingfor.Infact,ensuringthatyouhave ahealthybodyandmindonthedayofthetestisthe firststeptoperformingwell.Makesuretonotskip mealsandsustainahealthydietinthedaysleadingup toyourtests!Researchhasfoundthatberries,citrus fruits,darkchocolate,nuts,eggs,avocados,fish,and beetsareall“brainfoods,”meaningthattheycontain nutrientsandcompoundsthatareessentialforbrain healthandmentalperformance.Also,trytogetasclose to8-10hoursofsleepthenightbeforeyourexams.
Sleepdeprivationcanresultinproblemswith learningandfocusingaswellastroublewith decision-making,problem-solving,andremembering things.Doesn’tthatsoundjustlikearecipefor disasterduringanAPexam?Andforthesakeof yourmentalhealth,makesuretotakebreaksin betweenstudysessionswithactivitiesyouenjoy doing.Takingbreaksanywherefrom5-60minutes longhasbeenshowntoincreasestudents’energy, productivity,andabilitytoconcentrate.
Tip3:Studywithpurpose
Itisnotproductivetoattempttorelearnevery singledetailintheAPcoursecurriculuminanight. Rather,withlimitedtimeonhand,focusonthebig pictureorzeroinonwhatyounormallystruggle with.ForAPhistorycourses,studythemain historicalthinkingskillsandthesocial,economic, andpoliticalthemesthatexistineachperiod.Ifyou reallywantarefresheronspecificcoursecontent, Heimler’sHistorywillbehostinglivereviewsessions forAPUSH,APEuro,APWorld,andAPGovinthe threedaysleadinguptoeachtest.Foranytestthat requireswriting,practicewritingoroutliningeach typeofessayorFRQwithpromptsyoucanfind online.ForSTEMAPclasses,reviewformulasand dopracticeproblemsontopicsthatyouhavethe hardesttimewith.Andifyouwanttogoallin,then takinganentirepracticetestcouldalsobehelpful, especiallyifyouimitatetheconditionsandtimingof therealdeal.Iwisheverybodyasmoothsailingthis APExamseason!
Interactive Section
By:SukhmaniNijjar
Wordle
By:SukhmaniNijjar
Guessthehiddenwordin6tries.
Eachguessmustbeavalid4-letterword(includinganame),youcannotenterrandomletters.Hitth buttontosubmittheguess.
Afteryoursubmission,thecolorofthetileswillchange.
Green: A letter in the guessed word is correct and in the correct position. Yellow: A letter in the guessed wordiscorrectbutinthewrongposition.Gray:Theletterisnotpartoftheword.
Connections
By:SukhmaniNijjar
Makefourgroupsoffour!Selectfouritemsandtap 'Submit'tocheckifyourguessiscorrect.
CategoryExample:EXTRACURRICULARS→ CHESS,LINKCREW,MOCKTRIAL,MODELUN
Eachpuzzlehasexactlyonesolution.Watchoutforwords thatseemtobelongtomultiplecategories!
TheMiniatureCrossword
By: JoelFagliano,Wednesday,February14,2024
LINK:https://tinyurl.com/MayConnections
Draw a future version of yourself and share it on your Instagram story. Be sure to tag @thelawlegalpad to be featured on our story.
Draw a future you
