ECHO Fall 2020 / Winter 2021
Table of Contents Matthew Fiore, Editor-in-Chief World/National News (page 4) Nick Ragas, Editor Community/School News (page 17) Mary Grlic, Editor Corinne Lafont, Editor Student Spotlight (page 22) Isabel Taveras, Editor Reviews (page 23) Melissa Ng, Editor Ms. Skolnik, Faculty Advisor NOTE: The opinions expressed in the following articles do not represent the opinions of the administrative staff at GCHS, merely those of the writers themselves.
2
A Note From the Editor Dear Readers, In the past year, our world has been transformed. The COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically affected everyone around the globe. Racial tensions have shown their face and it has become clear that our society is not fair for everyone. In the United States, we experienced the most controversial presidential election in the history of our country. This ultimately resulted in an attempted coup of our government, which normally serves as a model and a wonder to the rest of the world. None of us have had it easy in the past year. 2020 was filled with grief, fear, anxiety, separation, and mystery. When it seemed like we reached rock bottom, new issues came to light. Yet, we are still pushing through. We see the light at the end of one of the darkest tunnels in modern history. We are working together to reach the end. This issue highlights many of the global issues and major headlines we are seeing at this time from the presidential election, the Georgia Senate runoffs, and the nomination of a new Supreme Court justice, to foreign wars, environmental crises, and struggling businesses. Never has there been more news to report in an ECHO publication than now. This issue also discusses the reopening of our school building and how students have adjusted to the hybrid schedule. It clearly shows how each and every one of us has been impacted by COVID-19 and that we must work together to return to normalcy. We should take this time to truly reflect upon what we’ve gone through and try to understand the issues others are facing as well. This is a time where we must come together to better our future and to make our country and our world fairer and safer for everyone. With 2020 in the past and this school year already halfway done, let’s all do our part to put an end to the pandemic so we can return to normalcy and make our world better than ever before.
Sincerely, Matthew Fiore, Editor-in-Chief
3
World/National News
The 2020 Presidential Election By: Matthew Fiore
4
The 2020 Presidential Election was one of the most heated elections in our nation’s history. Incumbent Republican President Donald Trump and former Democratic Vice President Joseph Biden were the two major candidates for the election. While most elections cause debate amongst Americans, this one topped it off. With a raging pandemic, racial strife, and an economic recession sweeping the country, voters were the most passionate about their candidates than ever before. This election was truly historic and will make its mark in American history. Donald Trump, a life-long businessman, only entered the realm of politics in the 2016 Presidential Election when he was elected President by the Electoral College. In his first term as President, he restructured the American tax codes, worked to stop illegal immigration, prevented environmental protections from going into place, and promoted business-friendly policies. He was impeached by the House of Representatives in December 2019 for abuse of power and obstruction of Congress, but the Senate ultimately acquitted him in early 2020. At the same time, the novel coronavirus from China began spreading throughout the world. However, the President did not take much action on preventing its spread and often disagreed with public health officials like Dr. Anthony Fauci. He also held many rallies with thousands of maskless supporters cheering him on. Many argue that Trump’s non-responsiveness to the virus that has killed hundreds of thousands of Americans hurt him in
the polls in November. Additionally, following the death of the Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Trump controversially nominated a new justice, Amy Coney Barrett, to the Supreme Court, who was later confirmed by the Senate just a week before the election. Joseph Biden was a Senator for Delaware for 36 years before becoming Vice President to Barack Obama in 2009. As a lifelong politician, voters knew Biden well. Considered to be a moderate Democrat, his past policies and political positions helped him win over Republican voters who did not support President Trump. Following the killing of George Floyd in May 2020, Biden made it clear that he would work to root out systemic racism in the country if he was elected President. Additionally, Biden was almost always seen wearing a mask, making it clear that he would help to prevent the spread of COVID-19, a stark contrast to his opponent. He also promised Americans who were struggling due to the recession caused by the pandemic that he would help them get back to where they were. He acknowledged all of the various issues Americans were facing in all walks of life and tried to connect with voters about these issues by telling personal stories that showed he understood their struggles. Biden also promised to put into place more environmental regulations to protect the future of the planet. Finally, he selected Kamala Harris, a Senator from California, as his running mate. His decision to choose a female of color was historic. As the election took off
during an unprecedented health crisis, many states offered mail-in ballots and/or absentee ballots for anyone who wanted in order to protect themselves from COVID-19 while voting. Additionally, a large number of voters voted early in order to avoid long lines on Election Day in an election that was predicted to see a record number of voters. New York State implemented nine days of early voting for the first time, and due to its popularity and success, this option is set to become tradition with expanded hours this year. However, Mr. Trump claimed that the mail-in ballots would lead to widespread voter fraud. While many experts from both sides of the political realm invalidated this claim, this would be the first of many challenges about election integrity made by Trump. While Trump encouraged his supporters to vote in-person on Election Day, Biden urged his supporters to vote however they felt most comfortable, including by mail or by voting early. As a result, mail-in and absentee ballots, as well as early voting ballots, heavily favored Biden. On the night of Tuesday, November 3, it looked as if Trump was winning by quite a bit. However, this count was mostly based off of the in-person votes from Election Day as most states could not count early and mail-in votes by the day of the election. Drawing conclusions solely based on the results at the time, Trump publicly announced that he won the election early in the morning on Wednesday despite there being no winner announced by any sources. For the next four days, Americans through-
World/National News out the country waited with bated breath for the results of the election to be announced. Slowly, states like Michigan, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania “changed” from red to blue on the maps as all of the votes were counted. By Saturday the 7th, Joe Biden was projected to become the 46th President of the United States. Mixed emotions were felt throughout the country, with people pouring onto the streets in large cities like Philadelphia and Chicago to celebrate. Others were set on the fact that the election was stolen, including Trump himself. Throughout November and December, he filed lawsuits against multiple swing states to try to overturn the results of the election. However, he did not win a single case. On Monday, December 14, the Electoral College voted and Biden won 306-232, the same margin by which Trump won against Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton in 2016. Even after losing dozens of court cases and losing in the Electoral College, Trump refused to concede the election. In fact, he even prevented the Biden transition team from receiving intelligence briefings, which was completely unprecedented. On Wednesday, January 6, 2021, the 117th Congress of the United States was set to meet in joint-session to certify the results of the Electoral College. However, Trump’s fight was not over yet. He called upon both House members and Senators to object to the results of the election in swing states. He also tried to convince Vice President Mike Pence to prevent the votes from swing states from being counted. As Congress met, Trump invited his supporters to a rally at the White House. In discussing the voter fraud that he wrongly claimed occurred, he urged his supporters to march to
the Capitol to protest the election results. While each house was debating the votes from Arizona, the protestors overthrew Capitol police that were securing the building. As they made their way past four layers of barriers and security, the Capitol became surrounded with protestors, some of whom intended to kill members of Congress. Both houses of Congress recessed and Vice President Mike Pence was taken to a secure location by the Secret Service. As protesters forced their way into the Capitol, law enforcement was immediately outnumbered. Members of Congress feared for their lives as they were informed that protestors were using pepper spray and as they heard gunshots coming from the halls. Eventually, protestors reached the floor of the Senate which had luckily been evacuated. Trump supporters scavenged the Capitol in hopes of finding Democratic members of Congress to kill. One woman reached the office of Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, stole her computer, and attempted to sell it to the government of Russia. This insurrection was one of the most terrifying moments of modern United States history. As members of Congress feared for their lives and Capitol police lost complete control, President Trump watched from the White House. It was Vice President Pence who called the National Guard in to remove the protestors from the Capitol. Hours later, after Trump tweeted a video telling his supporters to go home, the Capitol was finally declared secure after blood had been shed in its halls and it had suffered severe damage. This insurrection of the Capitol on January 6, 2021, is sure to make the history books. Eventually, Congress reconvened that night and continued to
certify the Electoral College vote. Members on both sides of the aisle condemned what had happened that day, including Vice President Pence, who presided over the joint-session. A number of Republican Senators who previously planned to object to the certification of votes in swing states decided not to, except in the case of Pennsylvania. However, over 100 House Republicans continued to object to the certification in each of the states Trump wanted them to contest. In the early hours of the morning on January 7, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris were officially elected. Following the certification of the Electoral College votes, President Trump’s social media accounts were controversially disabled as many tech companies feared what additional damage he could do to the country. On January 13, Trump was impeached for the second time as President for incitement of insurrection in a vote of 232-197. Ten Republican House members voted to impeach Trump, making it the most bipartisan presidential impeachment in history. The impeachment also made history as Trump is now the only President who has been impeached twice. In short, as of January 20, 2021, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris are our President and Vice President. With over 80 million votes cast for the two, and over 70 million cast for Trump and Pence, the election breaks the record for the most votes ever cast in a presidential election. Only time will tell what the future of politics looks like, but this election should serve as a reminder for everyone to vote each November in order to ensure every voice is heard in our cherished democracy.
5
World/National News
Georgia’s Runoff Elections By: Nick Ragas
6
As Election Day came to a close, Democrats saw disappointment up and down the ballot. Republicans flipped two state legislatures in their favor, while Democrats flipped none; Democrats lost at least 13 seats in the House of Representatives, only barely holding onto majority status. The Senatorial Saucer painted just as grim a picture, as Democrats had looked to pick up the Senate Majority. Rightwing Democrat Amy McGrath saw a staggering loss to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell in Kentucky; Democrat Jaime Harrison, pulling a brilliant campaign, lost to Republican Lindsay Graham; Republican Susan Collins achieved an unexpected win over Democrat Sara Giden. Moreover, Democrat Cal Cunningham saw a narrow loss to Republican Thom Tillis in North Carolina, while Alabama Incumbent Democrat Doug Jones lost his seat to Republican Tommy Tuberville. With these races decided, Democrats held a 48-50 senate minority. Wait-- 48-50? 2 of the 100 Senatorial seats are missing from the count, but why? This has to do with voting laws in Georgia, stating that for a candidate to win a Senate race, they must receive 50% or more of the vote; even if a candidate were to hold a vote’s majority, they would not win outright given that they didn’t surpass the 50% threshold. What’s worth keeping in mind here is this law is a remnant of Georgia’s segregation era politics, designed to prevent Black candidates from winning races among a sea of White opponents. If a race does not see a candidate surpass a 50% threshold, the candidates who receive the first
and second most votes, regardless of party affiliation, will move on to the next step: a runoff election. A runoff election is an election which takes place after the designated Election Day; the Georgia runoff elections took place on January 5th, just over two months after Tuesday, November 3rd’s Election Day. What was unique about Georgia’s Senate runoff election this year is that both Senate candidates did not surpass the 50% threshold needed to win his or her respective election. Incumbent Republican Kelly Loeffler saw opposition from Democrat Raphael Warnock; Warnock garnered 32% of the vote, while Loeffler pulled 26% of the vote. Moreover, Incumbent Republican David Perdue first saw promising prospects, as for the majority of Election night Perdue held his vote above 50%. However, as the night progressed, Perdue saw his margin slip shyly under 50%, giving way for a second runoff election, thus again pitting Senator Perdue against his challenger, Democrat Jon Ossoff. In a normal election year, there would not have been two Georgia senate races; Senator Perdue was set for reelection in 2020, but under normal circumstances the other seat would have been up for reelection first in 2022. In 2019, former Senator Johnny Isakson retired in the middle of his term, leaving a vacant seat to be filled by appointment. The responsibility of this appointment fell upon Governor Brian Kemp who, against former President Trump’s wishes, appointed Kelly Loeffler. Because she was appointed, Loeffler was up
for reelection in 2020 as opposed to the prior predetermined year of 2022. Over the course of her term, Senator Loeffler came under fire for using intelligence briefings to give her an advantage in her stock trading, a crime known as insider trading, though these allegations have since been dismissed by the Senate Intelligence Committee and the Department of Justice. Nevertheless, this didn’t stop opponent Reverend Raphael Warnock from using these accusations to his advantage. While Loeffler is a superwealthy businesswoman, Warnock is the senior pastor of the Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia, Martin Luther King Jr.'s former congregation. Using his religious contributions and affiliation with Dr. King to his advantage, Warnock tightened the race in his favor as the runoff came close. The other ticket saw Senator David Perdue, a wealthy businessman with similar insider trading accusations, and Jon Ossoff, a former investigative journalist. Ossoff previously ran in a Georgia election in 2017, seeking office in Georgia’s 6th Congressional seat. Despite its consideration as a Republican stronghold, Ossoff only narrowly lost with approximately 48.1% of the vote. Running for Senate in 2020, Ossoff maintained closer margins in the runoff’s lead up, using Senator Perdue’s insider trading accusations and refusal to debate against Perdue. To add fuel to the fire, Ossoff even debated Perdue on an empty stage: answering questions himself, moreover considering what he would ask Senator Perdue if Ossoff weren’t debating an empty podium. Each Democrat-
World/National News ic candidate saw his efforts run the race closer, as polls indicated Ossoff leading by 1.8 points, with Warnock leading by 2.1 points. Granted, with a margin of error of about 5% in either direction, no candidate could remain comfortable with the polls. The runoff took place in Georgia on January 5th, 2021, a nailbiter as this race would indicate whether Democrats would take back the Senate majority. Though given both Democrats’ elections the Senate would be split 50/50: Democrat/ Republican, Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris would provide a tie breaking vote in key Senate decisions. Democrats had to win both seats to take back the Senate majority, while Republicans only had to win one to maintain their Senate majority. Millions were poured into each Senate runoff race: the Perdue/
Ossoff campaigns spent 470 million dollars, while the Loeffler/Warnock campaigns spent 363 million dollars. This places each race as the firstmost and second most expensive races in congressional history. This said, as far as outside spending goes, conservative outside groups heavily outspent liberal outside groups, with the former spending over twice as much as the latter in each respective race. The Loeffler/Warnock race was called on January 5th, with Reverend Raphael Warnock defeating Kelly Loeffler; Warnock took home 51% of the vote, while Loeffler only won 49%. Contrarily, the Perdue/Ossoff race had yet to be called until the following day; Ossoff won 50.6% of the vote, Perdue won 49.4%. With all 159 Georgia counties certifying their
Kelly Loeffler
David Perdue
election results, both Democrats saw successful elections against Republican incumbents, all in the most secure election in American history according to innumerable bipartisan reports. Furthermore, it is worth noting that this is the first time a Democrat has assumed Senatorial office in Georgia since 2000. Needless to say, the narrow victories will change the tide of the Senate for years to come, giving Chuck Schumer Senate Majority Leader status, moreover Bernie Sanders Senate Budget Chair status, to name a few. As Democrats reclaimed both the legislative and executive branches, they can expect a smooth two years ahead in pushing their respective agendas, but also another slew of tough elections in 2022.
Raphael Warnock
Jon Ossoff
7
World/National News
Ruth Bader Ginsburg By: Nick Ragas
On September 18, 2020, tragedy swept across America; Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, one of the more liberal members of the Supreme Court and a champion of women’s rights across America, succumbed to her fifth battle with cancer. Characterized by her staunch feminist ideals and surge in popularity among modern youth, the death of Justice Ginsburg is a total loss, leaving America a grief-stricken, yet divided nation. Ruth Bader Ginsburg was born to working class, Jewish parents on March 15, 1933; born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, Ginsburg later went on to describe her acute awareness of racism in growing up during the rise of anti-semitism and the Holocaust. Ginsburg also detailed her early experiences with sexism, in having grown up in a time before bat mitzvahs--coming of age ceremonies for Jewish girls, not to be confused with the bar mitzvah counterpart for Jewish boys--and her adverse experience with her mother’s funeral: just before high school graduation, Ginsburg lost her mother to complications of cancer; as women were not traditionally allowed to take part in the Jewish post mortem prayer ceremony, Ginsburg was barred from participation. Her experiences in dealing with heightened anti-semitism during the Holocaust era and systemic exclusion on grounds of her sex are what many believe laid the groundwork for Ginsburg’s feminist intentions and fervor for civil rights, a combination which would characterize her work as a public servant over the course of her career. After high school, Ginsburg went on to attend Cornell University, earning her bachelor's degree in 1954; Ginsburg went on to attend Harvard Law School thereafter, before trans-
8
ferring to Columbia Law School, from which she graduated first in her class in 1959. In her time at Harvard, Ginsburg was editor for the prestigious Harvard Law Review; she also achieved an editing position on the Columbia Law Review. Yet, despite her institutional successes, Ginsburg found difficulty in securing employment after her graduation--specifically on grounds of her sex. Though discrimination in the workplace was not Ginsburg’s first experience with sex discrimination, it was a profound one, enough to fuel the fervor which would define her career. At the start of her legal career, Ginsburg was denied a clerkship position with Supreme Court Justice Felix Frankfurter, despite strong recommendation from Albert Sacks, then professor at and eventual dean of Harvard Law School. Looking at Ginsburg’s application, what’s there not to appreciate? An ivy-educated student excelling academically, editing Harvard and Columbia law reviews and graduating valedictorian of her class at Columbia Law School, paired with strong professional recommendations should have granted her the job; yet, it is noted that she was denied on grounds of her being female, grounds which would be deemed unconstitutional as result of Ginsburg’s career’s work. Ginsburg took personal issue with the systemic gender inequality in twentieth century America, and rightfully so, as she had been none the better because of it. With this, she took action in co-founding the Women’s Rights Project at the American Civil Liberties Union, a non-profit legal organization which works to further the individual civil rights and liberties of constituents throughout the United States. There, as director of the Women’s Rights Project, Ginsburg argued six cases in front
of the Supreme Court between 1973 and 1976, winning five; and, though Ginsburg’s main determination was the advancement of women’s rights, her successes extended to the furtherance of men’s rights, too. In arguing Reed v. Reed, Ginsburg ensured the 14th amendment, and the Equal Protections Clause would extend to women; but, also, Ginsburg argued Weinberger vs. Wiesenfeld, in which a widower was denied survivor benefits under Social Security, which had allowed widows to collect survivor benefits, but not widowers. Ginsburg also argued a lesser known case coordinate with a woman’s right to choose, Struck v. Secretary of Defense; in this 1972 case a female army captain, Captain Susan Struck, was told she would face discharge from the armed forces lest she get an abortion, after learning of her pregnancy. Struck dissented and sued, then won, making it thereby illegal for a female officer to be discharged on grounds of pregnancy. Ruth Bader Ginsburg is often associated simply with abortion rights--however, we often forget that her legal work paved the way for a true woman’s right to CHOOSE: to choose whether she would or would not have the child. Here, it was the United States government telling Struck she was to get an abortion or be discharged; upholding her belief of one’s right to choose, Ginsburg’s work in the case further solidified one’s right to choose in United States law. Overall, Ginsburg’s legal work in the 1970’s is largely characterized by her striving to further individual liberties, and equal rights regardless of gender; also championing cases which prohibited hiring discrimination based on sex, and rights for pregnant women in the workplace, Ruth Bader Ginsburg was and remains a staple of equal rights in America.
World/National News
Amy Coney Barrett By: Brendan Staub
2020 has been a political year already fraught with controversy and change, and that has not excluded the Supreme Court. When Ruth Bader Ginsburg, a liberal justice appointed by Bill Clinton in 1993, passed away in September, the political ramifications immediately became clear. Having appointed Justice Brett Kavanaugh and Neil Gorsuch already in his first term, Trump now has the opportunity to appoint a third justice. This is a matter of great importance and is historically unusual, as most presidents do not get to leave this great of an impact on the Court. For example, in more than twice as much time as Trump, Barack Obama and George W. Bush only appointed 2 justices. On September 26 President Trump nominated Amy Coney Barrett. Barrett totes an impressive resume: she served a law clerk under Scalia on the Supreme Court in 1999, practiced law at a major private practice in DC, became a professor at Notre Dame, and most recently was confirmed to the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals. A devout Catholic with right leaning beliefs, her nomination caused backlash amongst many Democrats. They argued that since the election was very near, and Trump had a legitimate chance of losing, no justice should have been confirmed until after the election was concluded. While this reasoning has
some merit, conservatives did not heed it, and were able to confirm Barrett before 2021. This is because the Senate is controlled by Republicans, and they are expected to be voting along party lines. She was recommended by the Senate Judiciary Committee after her hearing, with a 12-0 vote for nomination (the minority of 10 Democrats in the committee walked out in protest). A full Senate vote took place on October 26th, and will confirm Barrett as a Supreme Court Justice. Barrett’s beliefs certainly reflect her religion, traditional values, and conservative beliefs. She is an outspoken anti-abortion activist and social conservative. An analysis of her rulings by Reuters and the University of Virginia reveal that she has been highly conservative on civil rights issues and, in another hot-button issue, has consistently sided with police in cases of excessive force. She believes in a strict interpretation of the Constitution, and will be guided by those principles in her rulings. Perhaps the biggest issue being discussed in her nomination is her stance on abortion. Although she said very little about it in her confirmation hearing, she is an outspoken pro-life supporter. Currently, Roe v. Wade, a Supreme Court ruling from 1973, gives women the right to have an abortion. The Christian Right, which she represents, see abortion as a central
issue. With a 6-3 conservative court, it is feasible that this landmark ruling could be overturned. Although abortion is a highly contentious and complicated issue, a recent Pew Survey asserts that a majority of Americans support abortion in all or some cases. The resolution of the abortion issue is still very much up in the air, and the court’s ruling on this and other matters is eagerly awaited. For a court that is already right leaning, this is a major win for conservatives and a major loss for liberals. When Trump’s nominee is ultimately confirmed, it will create a court that has 6 justices nominated by Republican presidents and 3 justices nominated by Democratic presidents. However, this is less dramatic than it seems on the surface. Chief Justice John Roberts, confirmed in 2005 under Bush, has worked consistently over his time in the court to keep the court’s political impact low. He has strived to create a moderate consensus within the court, and has so far been relatively successful. This neutrality and the diplomatic skill of Roberts, however, will be tested by a new addition on the conservative end. Perhaps more than all else, Trump’s most lasting legacy will be his mark on one of our most important institutions, the Supreme Court.
Ruth Bader Ginsburg
The Supreme Court Building
Amy Coney Barrett
Courtesy of Washingtonian
Courtesy of NBC News
Courtesy of SCOTUSblog
9
World/National News
War in Armenia and Azerbaijan By: Emily Kerimian
The war between Armenia and Azerbaijan has always been a looming threat and in September 2020, the tensions boiled over. The causes of the war are both religious and territorial. The context includes conflicts such as the Armenian genocide. Armenia is a Christian country in Asia, specifically in the Transcaucasus region, surrounded by Islamic countries such as Azerbaijan. Between 1914 and 1923, the rapidly declining Ottoman empire persecuted Armenians by exiling them from modern-day Istanbul and later killing 1.5 million men, women, and children. The descendents of survivors are defensive of their country. This hyper defensiveness is a major trigger of the war between Armenia and Azerbaijan. On September 27, 2020, the Republic of Artsakh, a de facto independent state, reported that Azerbaijani armed forces bombed
Stepanakert. Civilians were urged to seek shelter in bomb shelters. Meanwhile, Azerbaijan asserts that their shell-bombing of Armenia was simply a counter-attack. The Armenian Ministry of Defense (MoD) captured seven villages in Nagorno-Karabakh, the contested region and recognized title of the war. The next day, the Azerbaijan MoD captured footage of three Armenian military vehicles being targeted by Azerbaijan strikes. The footage also revealed Armenia’s supposed campaign of false propaganda of military success. It seems that much of this crisis is derived from the MoDs of either country trying to depict themselves as the more competent fighting force and to discredit the other country’s attacks. Similarly to Cold War conditions, both countries are being backed by powerful allies. Azerbaijan has the support of Turkey and some Western nations. Meanwhile, Armenia’s struggle is
being watched carefully by Russia, Iran, and other allies. The EU in particular is extremely alarmed by the number of civilian deaths and war crimes perpetrated by both sides. It is clear a ceasefire will not be forthcoming any time soon, even though Russia has attempted to broker a peace deal. The pain that victims’ families have felt on both sides cannot be denied. Bomb victims are taken away from the sites of destruction by ambulances and government vehicles, often before they can be identified. The history of the region and its people is incredibly complicated. This war will most likely not be the end of violence between Armenia and Azerbaijan, but one must hope that some diplomatic agreements will be reached for the future generations. As Aristotle once said, “It is not enough to win a war; it is more important to organize peace.”
Courtesy of Business Insider
Courtesy of EUobserver
Courtesy of The New York Times
10
Courtesy of Eurasianet
World/National News
Protest in Belarus By: Emily Kerimian
When the West thinks of Belarus, the oppression faced by millions under the rule of the Soviet Union likely comes to mind. However, in 1994, the country officially adopted a new constitution and created a presidential system of government. The new form of government was meant to check corruption. Despite gaining freedom from the Soviet Union, Belarusians have been subject to one man since 1994: Alexander Lukashenko. President Lukashenko has set a record as Europe’s longest-serving ruler. The second longest-serving is Hungary’s president, Viktor Orban. On August 9, 2020, Lukashenko won his 6th term, which sparked the biggest protests in Belerusian history. It is clear that despite holding the title “president”, universally acknowledged as a symbol of democracy, Alexander Lukashenko represents a remnant of the Soviet Union: his policies of fiercely controlling the media, aggressively harassing political opponents, and callously marginalising independent voices. The country’s leader still relies
om
IME.c
T esy of Court
on a secret police called the KGB. Lukashenko’s main political rival is Svetlana Tikhanovskaya. Tikhanovskaya bravely decided to run after her husband Sergei Tikhanovsky was barred from running from office and sent to jail. Lukashenko insists that his election was a landslide victory, but as the Organization for Security and Cooperation never judged the election as fair or free, this is likely not the case. To further silence Tikhanovskaya, she and other political rivals were placed into exile. Her exile as well as a storm of arrests have triggered protests in Minsk and beyond. The protests have been nicknamed the “Slipper Revolution” and the “Anti-Cockroach Revolution”. Protestors numbering more than 100,000 are calling for Alexander Lukashenko’s resignation. Lukashenko has fired back by calling his critics “rats”, “tricksters”, and “traitors”. The protesters refused to back down or heed government orders to stand down. Instead, they gathered together, stood before riot police, and shouted “go away” and “shame” while waving red and
white flags that were replaced by Lukashenko with the current Belarusian flag. Authorities shut down metro stations in Minsk in an effort to contain the protests. While the riot police arrested protestors, they otherwise tried to refrain from violence. Meanwhile, many of Lukashenko’s enemies and rivals, including Olga Kovalkova, a staunch ally of Tikhonovskaya, have been forced to leave the country. Lukashenko tried to paint a story that suggested that Kovalkova left the country of her own accord, a statement that she herself discredited from Poland. To protect his power, Lukashenko is seeking support from Vladimir Putin. Putin released a statement saying he would not intervene unless the situation “gets out of control”. As Americans, with the coronavirus pandemic raging and our own political news, it is easy to overlook political injustice abroad. It is urgent, though, as students and emerging global citizens, that we remain vigilant and knowledgeable about the democratic struggles around the world.
Cour
tesy o f
PBS.c om
11
World/National News
Small Businesses vs. COVID-19 By: Hailey Olshefsky
The COVID-19 pandemic has had and will continue to have a deep impact on our economy. Specifically, small businesses have been greatly affected by COVID-19. I interviewed Mr. Gregory Mink, Vice President of sales at FM Brush Company, about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. FM Brush was founded by Mr. Mink’s great grandfather in 1929; he came over from Germany as an orphan, and started to work at an industrial brush company. In 1929, another brush company was going out of business, and that's where FM Brush’s first equipment was bought. FM Brush Company started in Brooklyn, but now functions out of Glen Dale, Queens. They currently employ a staff of 43. FM specializes in making brushes for cosmetics, ceramics, law enforcement, and government industry. Lockheed Martin, an aerospace company,
12
bought brushes from FM Brush Company to brush the individual panels on the spacecraft. When the pandemic hit FM brushes closed temporarily under government orders. They remained closed for almost 3 months, until they applied for essential business status, which they were granted. I asked Mr. Mink what the toughest thing FM Brush Company had to change due to COVID-19. He described how social distancing was the hardest thing to have to implement. He expressed how FM Brush Company was not only run by family, but it was staffed by many families as well. He talked about how there are a lot of mothers, sons, and daughters working together at FM Brush. He explained how pre-social distancing protocol, staff used to congregate together in the break room and eat lunch together, but now these things have to be done at a distance or can't hap-
pen at all. Mr. Mink described how there has been a loss of comradery and intimacy in the workplace. What made FM Brush Company stand out during the pandemic was the fact that their brushes are made domestically. Many people did not trust foreign imports at the start of the pandemic. I asked Mr. Mink the following, “What’s one thing this pandemic has taught you?” “Life is very precious and extremely short,” he responded. He went further into detail to explain how the COVID-19 pandemic has caused a serious decrease in the sales of the company. Locally owned businesses have been hit the hardest by this pandemic. Our best shot at rectifying the damage of this is by shopping at small businesses instead of corporations. Support small businesses!
World/National News
Cultural Instiutions & The Pandemic By: Melissa Ng
After about a few months of quarantining, people were getting restless. Understandably, being trapped in your own house, a place you only spend your time sleeping and eating, can drive people a little crazy. Yes, quarantining is the most effective way to stop the spread of COVID; however, we can unashamedly admit that May brought joy as it marked the beginning of returning to a semi-normal reality. Following social distancing guidelines, after reopening businesses and restaurants, outdoor places/activities became available with new adaptations. Fortunately, I had the chance to assuage my growing boredom and experience social distancing in different ways. Old Westbury Gardens July to August is the most popular time for summer vacations. Most people want to get away to a beautiful beach, escape their boring lives at home, and explore beautiful sights. Old Westbury Gardens is the perfect replacement for a new adventure and stunning views. It is the former estate of a businessman named John Shaffer Phipps and turned into a museum/garden. The garden has many areas to explore, and the foliage was gorgeous. An
aesthetically pleasing cottage, a reflecting pool, a walled garden, a rose garden; there are so many beautiful sights perfect for impromptu photoshoots. It was a fantastic experience being fully immersed in a bright, colorful, new world for each season. There is currently a limited capacity each day; timed tickets are implemented, as well as the enforcement of mask wearing. Since there is a limited capacity and the garden is very spacious, my friends and I felt like we were alone at each sight. Nowadays, I usually feel suffocated even if I'm only around a couple of people; in the garden, I felt safe, and I was glad people were taking social distancing seriously. If you ever have the opportunity to visit, please do because it is so worth it, especially at considerably low prices. The Met Ever since New York City became a hotspot, many people have left and are afraid of visiting. On the bright side, few tourists means it's time to fulfill your cheesy touristy dreams of New York City! Seeing Times Square or the Statue of Liberty without the crowds is a once in a lifetime opportunity. However, I chose to take advantage of this moment by visiting the Metropolitan
Museum. Similar to the Westbury Gardens, the Met has timed tickets and limited capacity. It is encouraged to reserve tickets ahead of your visit to make things easier. My expectation was a somewhat crowded museum filled with New Yorkers, but I was met with mostly empty exhibits, granted it was a little early (10ish). I was lucky enough to see the special "In Pursuit of Fashion" exhibit right before it ended. It was a gorgeous exhibit, as always, and it was an exciting experience since only three fellow New Yorkers accompanied me. That said, I recommend getting there a little earlier if you want an emptier feel as it started to get crowded around noon. I felt safe with the enforced social distancing, mask wearing, and was glad to have the opportunity to visit my favorite museum in New York. Mask wearing and social distancing are important, but if you are ever feeling restless, take a day trip. Many places have successfully adapted to current situations and are safely giving people opportunities to take a much-needed break from the chaos at home. These day trips are the best way to take a step back and put a little optimism in your life.
13
World/National News
Theme Parks vs. COVID-19 By: Ana and Maria Gaztanaga
COVID-19 threw everyone a curveball, affecting their lives and priorities. This also includes how the virus impacted theme parks around the world and the resulting actions they took. There has been a prominent decrease in park attendance due to the spikes in the coronavirus. According to a survey conducted by the Morning Consult research company, approximately three-quarters of Americans are refraining from going to any amusement parks due to uneasy notions concerning the pandemic. With all that in mind, theme parks are still determined to find solutions by uncovering new ways in which they can open their doors to small crowds. Some people are willing to take the risk to venture into these parks amidst the pandemic. Universal was thrilled to announce back in June that they would be reopening the parks to the public after a two-and-a-halfmonth closure period. In order to do so, they must implement strict COVID regulations. However, only the Universal Studios theme park in Florida was allowed to open their doors. Universal Studios in California remains closed to guests until further notice. Due to coronavirus closures, the amusement park has experienced a 94% decrease in second-quarter attendance. Universal Studios is attempting to stay afloat with its new COVID regulations despite this major setback. The theme park resort is following a safety system named the three S’s. This stands for screening (temperatures will be taken before entering the park), san-
14
itization (they are constantly sanitizing areas), and spacing (markings and reminders are spread throughout the resort promoting social distancing). The park staff is pursuing similar procedures by requiring continuous wearing of masks, regular temperature checks, disinfection protocols, and practicing social distancing throughout the park. After being closed for a few months, Six Flags Great Adventure reopened with new safety measures in place to ensure guests’ safety from the Coronavirus while still being able to have a good time during their visit to the park. Six Flags was incredibly successful when coming up with ways to reduce contact in the park. The theme park is checking everyone’s temperature as they enter the park with a state of the art thermal scanner. They also have a screening technology used for contactless bag checks and they have mobile food ordering. Guests are required to wear masks while inside the park but are allowed to take them off when eating or when taking a mask break in one of their designated areas. Six Flags is also practicing social distancing when eating, going on rides, and in ride queues. Employees are constantly sanitizing common areas including bathrooms and rides. Hand sanitizer and handwashing stations are also provided by the park. Disney theme parks throughout the world, including those located in Florida, Shanghai, Japan, and France, were finally able to reopen after a prolonged period of closure. The company’s parks in California are still closed. When Hong Kong
Disney attempted to reopen they ended up reclosing after one month due to a spike in COVID cases in the region. Disney parks have updated their safety game plan with the help of various health authorities, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and suitable government agencies. Park revenue is now regulated via the Disney Park Pass reservation system and visitors can plan their day with the My Disney Experience App. Guests ages 2 and up are required to wear a mask at all times except when swimming or dining. Guests will also have to undergo a temperature screening with contactless thermometers prior to entering certain Walt Disney Resort locations. Physical distancing and enhanced cleaning protocols have been put into place as well. Disney guests can once again create magical moments with their families and friends because of these strategic safety and health procedures. Theme parks managed to prosper by attracting families despite the damage brought forth by the virus. In the beginning of the outbreak, amusement parks were forced to close for nearly three months. During this time they planned and fabricated a new system following safety protocols and they continue to implement this system in order for visitors to have a good time while still staying safe. Numerous theme parks, including Walt Disney World, Universal Studios Orlando, and Six Flags Great Adventure continue to flourish both economically and emotionally regardless of the deadly pandemic.
World/National News
New Life on Venus By: Emma Rathgeber
For decades, astronomers have considered the possibility that phosphine particles could be floating freely in Venus’s high, acidic clouds, away from the sweltering surface of the planet. On Earth, this hydrogen-and-phosphorus-based gas can be created industrially or by microbes that flourish in oxygen-free ecosystems. Finding phosphine on Venus could very well point to some form of extra-terrestrial ‘aerial’ life - and astronomers have in fact discovered this gas in Venus’s clouds. The first signs of possible phosphine in Venus’s atmosphere were found using the James Clerk Maxwell Telescope (JCMT) in the East Asian Observatory in Hawaii, and were confirmed in Chile using a more sensitive telescope, the Atacama Large Millimeter/ submillimeter Array (ALMA). These high-altitude telescopes viewed Venus at a wavelength of approximately 1 millimeter, which is much longer than what the human eye can see. Researchers from the United States, United Kingdom, and Japan predict that phosphine exists at only about twenty parts per billion around Venus. They also ran multiple tests to determine if these phosphine molecules could have come from non-biological processes, such as sunlight, volcanoes, or lightning. However, their results made it clear that this could not be the case, as these processes would create at most one ten-thousandth of the observed amount of phosphine in Venus’s atmosphere. Earthly bacteria produce phosphine by absorbing phosphate from surrounding minerals or bio-
logical materials, adding hydrogen to this phosphate, and finally discharging phosphine. The team of researchers, led by Jane Greaves, believes that land organisms would only need to work at about ten percent of their maximum productivity in order for the observed amount of phosphine on Venus to be created. While bacteria on Venus are probably much unlike those on Earth, it is a possibility that they could be the source of phosphine in the planet’s atmosphere. Conditions were suitable at ALMA for secondary observations, as Venus was at an appropriate angle to Earth. While processing the new data was tricky, the researchers found that, at the right wavelength, both the JCMT and ALMA had seen the same faint absorption to be phosphine, where the gas molecules are backlit by warmer clouds. Despite the initial surprise, the international team is confident in these findings. A biosignature is a substance or phenomenon that yields scientific evidence of past or present life. One team member, Clara Sousa Silva of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, has investigated the possibility of phosphine being a biosignature of non-oxygen-using life on planets around other stars. This is because of the team’s previous studies, which proved that normal chemistry makes so little phosphine. Yet, there is one major detail that leaves researchers slightly bemused: earthly microbes can survive in an environment containing at most five percent acid, and Venus’s clouds have a sulphuric-acid concentration of about ninety percent.
This fact raises many questions, mainly about how any organism could survive in such acidic surroundings. Scientists know that confirming the presence of any life in these clouds will require much more work than expected, considering the observed circumstances. One key aspect might be to conduct follow-up research in order to eliminate the possibility that phosphine has different chemical origins on Earth versus Venus. Researchers’ current knowledge of phosphine voids the idea of non-biological production of the gas in rocky planets’ atmospheres. Further studies on Venus and similar rocky planets outside our solar system may provide vital insight into phosphine’s origin on these types of celestial bodies which, in turn, will contribute to the ever-continuing search for life beyond our planet.
Courtesy of NASA
15
World/National News
Union Square’s Climate Clock By: Emma Harty
It has been hard to understand the severity of climate change until late September when two artists, Gan Golan and Andrew Boyd, collaborated on reprogramming the classic Metronome clock that has lived in Union Square for the last 20 years. The “Climate Clock” shows the years, days, hours, minutes, and seconds that we have until we burn through our carbon budget. The day the clock was released, September 21, the numbers on the clock counted 7 years 103 days 15:40:07 until there is irreversible damage to our
world. There are two different numbers showcased on this clock, one is a red number that is our “deadline” and the other is a green number that is our “lifeline”. The red numbers tell the world how long we have until our carbon is depleted and the green numbers show us the percentage of the world’s energy that is being taken from renewable sources. Our objective is to get the lifeline number to 100% before our deadline. The purpose of this 62 foot long clock, according to artist Gan Golan is to “Shout that number from the roof-
tops”. While major systemic change is necessary, there are ways for individuals to help save the planet that you have probably heard of: reduce, reuse, recycle, etc. These methods are the easiest and least time consuming so again I am obliged to tell you like all your science teachers on Earth Day to turn the lights off, walk or bike instead of driving, carpool, unplug the phone charger when you are at 100 percent, and lastly spread the word. For one main purpose: to not live on Mars.
California Wildfires By: Dan Butt
In the summer of 2020, terror swept through the west coast as it was plagued by an unprecedented season of wildfires. In Northern California, over a million acres have been devoured by the August Complex fire. The area burnt is greater than the size of Rhode Island, and spans seven different Californian counties. Ultimately, the entire state has seen 4 million acres of land burnt into the ground. As of October 21st, nearly 7,000 firefighters are risking their lives against the over-a-dozen wildfires currently raging, from the Slater Fire in the North to the Bobcat Fire to the South. Unfortunately, 31 casualties have been recorded.
16
In the Northwest, conditions aren’t much better. In Oregon’s Marion County, a 13 year old boy was found dead with his dog on his lap trying to evade the fires. He and his grandmother join the 9 tragic fatalities. Outside the town of Salem, a triad of fires ate at bark, barn, and abode. The trio gobbled at an area of 536,096 acres. Senator Jeff Merkley described the situation across his state as “Apocalyptic”, with thousands losing their homes. This summer of 2020 saw record heat and extreme drought conditions all over the western United States. Thanks to the worsening climate conditions due to global
warming, and most of humanity’s negligence to turning this car around, these massive storms and disasters are only becoming more common; but more importantly, they’ll become more devastating, with harder punches that many will be recovering from for years.
A house burns in Estacada, Oregon. -Justin Katigbak
Community/School News
GCHS Book Club By: Corinne Lafont
Are you an English nerd? Do you like creative writing? If so, join GCHS’s Book Club! We read books, participate in various writing contests and are currently awaiting approval for our first fundraiser: Books for Africa. During the last quarter, the group selected The Hate U Give and participated in the Scholastic Writing Awards. The Hate U Give is a young adult novel about 16-year-old Starr Carter who experiences police brutality firsthand. Though written in 2017, the novel echoes issues that are sadly repeated over and over again. We engaged in various discussions, tying in current events with what Starr confronts in the novel. It is an incredibly important novel that we implore you to read if you haven’t already. Simultaneously, we participated in the Scholastic Writing Awards, a national contest that awards scholarships to the best writers in the country. The program has silver and gold winners, offering scholarships of up to 10,000 dollars. The winners will
be announced late January! So, what are we planning on next? We have a few upcoming events. If our proposal is approved, we will be hosting a fundraiser for Books for Africa. Books for Africa is a nonprofit organization that aims to “create a culture of literacy and provide the tools of empowerment to the next generation of parents, teachers, and leaders in Africa''. Though hard to imagine from our perspective, a lot of children don’t have the luxury of going to school, or even owning a single book for themselves. Due to coronavirus restrictions, this has become more difficult for many. What’s the solution? A book-raiser! If approved, we will be collecting books that are 15 years or younger and some office supplies to help end the book famine in Africa. No money, just some old book collecting dust that you read when you were 5. Though these books may be meaningless to us, they could mean the world to someone else. As Books for Africa says, “At
Books For Africa, we believe that education is the great equalizer in the world, and books are at the foundation of a strong educational system. For many children in Africa, the gift of books truly is a gift of hope.” If you’d like to have updates on our book-raiser or are interested in the club, you can join our remind @gchsbookc. As we always end our remind messages: We hope to see you all!
17
Community/School News
High School During the Pandemic: One Freshman’s Perspective By: Alexandra Burke
All students are acclimating to this very different year in many ways, but how are freshmen handling this added stress? As a result of the pandemic, tons of things have changed in everyone's lives that we have to figure out how to deal with. Are you ever curious how a new student to high school student is figuring this out? Of course it is hard for a new student to get around the building at first, but what about with the new restrictions on where
to walk?. Personally it was hard tractions at home. Although it has getting around the building at first, been difficult this year is one to rebut many people are around the member and we will get through it. building to help and the extra five minutes is sure a plus! This year It definitely is different for everyone, with all the different changes this year however, I believe that all the online learning portion of class is definitely the worst change. It is hard to pay attention especially when there are technical difficulCourtesy of @gardencityhs ties or you have all different dison Instagram
A Positive Spin on the Pandemic By: Nicole Russo
Hey you, yeah you right there. Did you know there’s a pandemic going on? It’s not like you haven’t heard it a thousand times before. *Alert Alert Covid-19 quarantine, isolate, social distance*. Never in a million years did I think I would live through a pandemic, and let's be honest, it sucks. For those of us in the luckiest positions, our lives have been put on hold and our everyday activities have become insanely different. You must be really confused by the title of this article then, but take a minute and think about it. Being in quarantine allowed you to spend time on things you normally wouldn’t have, am I right? Spending time with your family, picking up new hobbies, becom-
18
ing a master chef, the list is endless. Personally, quarantine gave me more time to run and play the piano. Having online school reduced the amount of stress I had greatly, as I know it did for many. To get a better feel for how others felt, I sent out a survey to thirty sophomores, and the results were consistent. Twenty-seven out of thirty said yes, COVID-19 has positively impacted their lives. The next question
Courtesy of creativereview.co.uk
listed a bunch of different categories on how the pandemic has impacted your life and asked you to select all that may apply. The most popular categories were relationships, cooking, fitness, and mental health. Ranging from making new online friends, to working out, to becoming an amazing chef or baker, the responses were overwhelmingly positive considering the circumstances. You might be sitting here thinking “Is she crazy? There is nothing good about Corona”. However, I can tell you one good thing that came out of this pandemic that affects all of us. As someone in the survey mentioned, the school finally got air conditioning. So tell me, how has the pandemic affected your life?
Community/School News
Feelings on “New Normal” & Reopening By: Mary Grlic
The coronavirus has impacted our lives in every way possible: the way we socialize, how we get together with friends, when we go to school, and so much more. After months of quarantine, it is refreshing to return to some sort of normalcy, however different it may be. So many people are grateful to have the opportunity to go back to the mall or go out to eat at a restaurant after months of being cooped up in our homes. Even with all of these reopenings, there are still a lot of things we all miss about life before the pandemic. The mall was one of my favorite places to go before the pandemic hit, so when Roosevelt Field shut down, I was very upset that I wouldn’t be able to visit with friends and family. Once the mall finally opened, I was still wary of going back because so many people congregate there and I didn’t want to put myself or my family in a compromising position. Since its reopening, I’ve been to Roosevelt Field, along with other places that I frequently visited prior to the pandemic, adhering to safety guidelines these places implemented. While I am glad that I can go out to eat with friends or go shopping, there is still a lot to miss about life before the pandemic. Most notably is “normal” school; while many of my peers are grateful to return to school in this hybrid schedule, we also miss what school used to be like. It is definitely strange to not
see half of the school because their last names happen to be in the other half of the alphabet. While we used to work together in lab groups, use the same basketball in gym class, or sit right next to each other at lunch, we can’t do these things anymore as they are all safety concerns. Concerts, sports games, movies, and plays are all things that will need to acclimate to this new normal, and they will surely be a different experience. Although we can still go on a plane or travel, it is so much different than it once was. Most of the things we miss are the little bits and pieces of life. Who would have thought that something as little as giving a new friend handshake, high-five, or hug can be a safety concern? Although we can go out to eat or go to
the mall, these places have limited capacity and we often have to wait on lines just to go to the grocery store. It is certainly a very different way of living. It is extremely important to keep everybody safe and healthy during these times, and appropriate measures must be taken to do so. The reopening process has been very precautious of everyone’s safety, and with people adhering to the orders put in place, the world may be able to return to the place it once was. Life is ever changing and this new normal is just something we will have to get used to. While we may miss our old lives, the only way to get back to some sort of semblance of the pre-pandemic life is by taking the proper precautions when we can.
19
Community/School News
GC Local Businesses vs. COVID-19 By: Victoria Ernst
Economic recession as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic has been prominent across the United States and the world, but it has yet to completely topple Garden City’s local businesses, right? Wrong. This crisis has penetrated through the bubble, forcing numerous businesses to close their doors for good. In the event that a second wave occurs, Seventh Street may no longer be a popular destination for shopping and dining. Though different businesses, from boutiques to restaurants, have been affected by the pandemic in different ways, there is no doubt that in general businesses have struggled to get customers in their doors. Due to the basic “six feet apart rule”, fewer numbers of customers are allowed to be in stores and restaurants; virtually all businesses have restricted their maximum occupancy to half capacity. Because many people are concerned about the health risks of going out in public and because most consumers are trying to save money during this time, businesses have suffered from a decreased number of customers. This year, the Garden City Pool almost did not open due to the drastic decrease in the number of members; the pool made the lowest profit it has in years. Shipping has been another prevalent issue in the age of the pandemic. Domestic and international shipping speed has reduced significantly since the onset of the virus. A boutique owner, who chose to remain anonymous, says that it is quite difficult to receive new merchandise, especially because most
20
of it is produced in China. Customers are disappointed when they see old products on the shelves. Another boutique on Seventh Street, Envie, has faced similar hardships and gone out of business as a result. Many restaurants have adapted to offer COVID-friendly safe means of dining. While most in Garden City have yet to allow indoor dining, nearly all have provided outdoor dining options. The Village Administration made the decision to close Seventh Street to traffic on Thursdays through Sundays in order to provide a larger area for outdoor dining. In addition, the number of online, delivery, and take out orders has increased, allowing some businesses to stay afloat. Despite these measures, the restaurants Asian Moon, Perennial, and Go Greek were unable to last. One of the greatest changes for employees has been the work associated with new health and safety protocols. Paige Sanossian, a server at Burger Spot, says, “I have to monitor customers and whether or
not they are following the protocols, which I never had to do before. I also have to pick up more shifts sometimes when my coworkers are in quarantine after being exposed or getting sick.” Of course, other businesses have been taking similar precautions, including disinfecting surfaces after a customer’s use. In general, local businesses have also been able to hire more teenagers and young adults, as many are taking advantage of their virtual classes and lack of sport competitions. However, the question of when the pandemic will end is a deciding factor for the fate of numerous businesses. The eateries worry that outdoor dining will not be a popular option throughout the colder months, especially for sit down restaurants and bars. Additionally, some businesses, such as Nonna Bella, will not be able to survive another lockdown, if there is one. It is of utmost importance that we, the inhabitants of Garden City, shop locally to allow our town to thrive economically.
Courtesy of Wikipedia
Community/School News
What is it Like in Hybrid Mode? By: Julia Manning and Katie Scardigno
In a matter of months, our world has changed dramatically. People around the world have been blocked by changes they haven't prepared for, students making up a big percentage of this group. Teenager’s lives have changed dramatically within these past ten months in many ways; they can’t see their friends, have a whole new schedule with online school, and can’t enjoy extra curricular activities like before. There are advantages and disadvantages of hybrid school. Advantages include not having to worry about getting infected, due to the limited number of students in the school. This allows you to keep yourself and your family safe which is a great way to think about the hybrid mode effects. As well you can sleep in later than you could have if
you were going to in person school. As teenagers we all struggle with the amount of sleep time we are getting versus the amount we should be. Being remote allows more time to rest and leads to more advantages for mental health and your own well being. There are also disadvantages of hybrid mode, including not being able to see your friends that go to school the opposite day as you. This has been a consistent disadvantage to the students. The students stress this fact and on October 23, 2020 the superintendent announced that all seniors would be able to attend school full time from alternative locations within the building. Some upperclassmen chose this option and were allowed to return to school everyday and try to do their best to make their last year at GCHS mem-
orable. Another strong disadvantage of hybrid mode is the distraction while at home rather than school. It can be more difficult to focus when you're at home on a google meet versus when you're actually present in school. Due to these unfortunate circumstances many family members are also working from home leading to more distractions throughout the remote days. Learning at home is very different from being physically in class and many are still adjusting to the new normal.
Courtesy of @gardencityhs on Instagram
#WeAreAdaptable
Fall Intramural Sports By: Cienna Ardito and Sarah Kade
As we entered this new and different school year, one thing I know many people were upset with was the absence of sports. But throughout the fall season, we were lucky enough to have sports even if they differed from last year. We were unable to have regular teams and compete in games and championships. On the day each cohort went to school, those students were
given the option to participate in intramurals. Various sports from all seasons were available for students to practice in preparation for the real season. Athletes were required to remain socially distanced and wear masks which, while sometimes difficult, was essential for making athletics possible at all. Some regular teams and games have begun this month, with the winter season. Each
season, including fall which was previously missed, will most likely involve full team practices that take place over a shorter span of about 40 days. However, unlike intramurals, we will be able to compete with other schools. As for now, we are fortunate to be getting outside with our coaches at all!
21
Student Spotlight
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT: Alexandra Burke & Friends By: Isabel Taveras
High school freshmen Alexandra Burke, Olivia Burke, Mia Brita, Emma Harty, and Evelyn-Paige Feron have set foot into their high school career with an exceptional accomplishment. Together they formed a fundraiser, called Cuddles for Cancer, to help children who are facing a battle with cancer. The girls grew closer in seventh grade while participating in a leadership program at the middle school, where the idea for the foundation was created. What inspired the formation of the fundraiser was Alexandra’s best friend and cousin, Grace Leva, who was diagnosed with cancer at age six and is now cancer free. With the help of Mrs. Greenwald and Mr. Bradshaw, the fundraiser was able to get into ac-
tion and start impacting lives. Cuddles for Cancer was funded by bake sales and raffles during seventh and eighth grade. “It was a lot of fun and hard work,” Alexandra says. The raffle baskets filled with trending items ended up being an important factor to their fundraiser’s success. “Our baskets were such a hit and helped us raise so much money. We ended up breaking a school record for the amount of money raised”. They raised an astonishing amount of $1,148 and donated it to the children’s cancer center at Winthrop! This money was used to buy toys for children after their radiation treatment. They also collected toys at a dance-a-thon last year where people wrote sweet messages on coloring paper to send to the cancer
Courtesy of Alexandra Burke
22
patients. The accomplishments of these girls ultimately got them featured in Winthrop’s newspaper as well. Unfortunately, the pandemic has put a pause on the continuation of the fundraiser, but their end result was remarkable. It is uncertain whether the fundraiser will continue in future. However, the girls are ready to start once again to help as many kids as possible. “We are not sure if we are going to be able to do it again this year, but we do want to!” Alexandra says. Surely, they will be able to continue to accomplish many more inspiring achievements and continue with brilliance at the high school.
Reviews
Book Review: A Room of One’s Own By: Isabel Taveras
Virginia Woolf’s, A Room of One's Own, is a theoretical essay on Shakespeare’s fictional sister who has the same intellectuality as her sibling. However, her dreams are shunned by society simply because of her gender. Although her main thesis argues that women need money and a room to become writers, Woolf also goes in-depth on other reasons why her thesis should be applied regardless of profession. Woolf begins her essay by sharing her own experiences of discrimination such as being kicked out of certain libraries or told to walk on the grass instead of the sidewalk at her university. She then focuses on other women in her neighborhood who still earn low-income wages while caring for five or more children at once. She wonders - Why do women restrict themselves from reaching their fullest potential? Now I wonder if she would still believe women are restricting themselves today. My favorite line from A Room of One’s Own caused me to let out a small but mighty laugh, either from humor or from the realization that I had just been directly humbled by a book written almost a century ago. It goes: “Young women, I would say, and please attend, for the peroration is beginning, you are, in my opinion, disgracefully ignorant. You have never made a discovery of any sort of importance. You have never shaken an empire or led an army into battle. The plays of Shakespeare are not by you, and you have never introduced a barbarous race to the blessings of civilization. What is your excuse?”
The purpose of Woolf’s enthusiastic conclusion is to encourage women to exceed expectations and triumph out of comfort zones. Of course, today’s society has higher expectations for young women compared to a century ago. Not every woman is a common day Joan of Arc, but we sure have led marches in the face of injustice, introduced barbarous mindsets to one of education and knowledge. We have led our “troops” into the victory of the Soccer World Cup and we have the power to shake empires or make our own. The United States has a large history of women who have reformed standards like Susan B. Anthony, Amelia Earhart, Rosa Parks, Ruth Bader Ginsburg,
Sonia Sotomayor, Michele Obama and the list continues. The number of female engineers keeps rising, more women are holding positions in office, they can enter and leave libraries whenever they please, they can attend business conferences, become CEOs of companies, and ultimately play a much more influential role in society. Woolf’s literature should indiscriminately appeal to everyone because her work is history. She spoke and still speaks for women who either don’t have an outlet to project their opinions to the public. I suggest that every young woman should get a hold of this book, not only for motivation but as a way to learn about women’s history.
23
Reviews
Book Review: Lovely War By: Maria Gaztanaga
Lovely War is an enchanting tale of two pairs of lovers told by the Greek goddess Aphrodite. The story takes place in 1942 when Greek god Hephaestus catches his wife, Aphrodite, cheating on him with his brother Ares. Hephaestus then calls Aphrodite to court to present her case. This is when Aphrodite takes us back to 1917 and cleverly starts the tale of Hazel, James, Collette, and Aubrey. Hazel is a pianist playing at a parish hall for young men who are about to enlist in the Great War. One of these young men is James who is intrigued by her playing and her beauty. From there, they danced through the night until their feet hurt. A few days later, James had to leave for the war earlier than he thought and missed his chance to say goodbye to Hazel. Later on, the
24
Greek god Apollo introduces us to Aubrey Edwards, the king of jazz. He is an African American pianist who is constantly discriminated against, but despite that, he manages to join the military and serve his country. We are also told the horrific tale of Collette, a Belgian singer whose family’s lives were taken by the Germans. Because of this, Collete decides to do her part in the war and join the YMCA(Young Men's Christian Association) in France. Hazel feels the same calling and ends up at the same camp as Collette. From then on Hazel and James continue to stay in touch despite the hardships of the war. At the camp, Collette is introduced to Aubrey and it is love at first sight. They secretly meet throughout the course of the book. The two young women are
overjoyed, until one day they stop hearing from their lovers. They immediately think the worst has happened and that they will never see them again. Despite some hardships, the couples are reunited although many things have changed. They have to learn how to live with their differences and love each other because of them. In the end, Aphrodite successfully proves her case to Hephaestus and reveals that the only reason she had the affair and told him the story was so he could realize that he loved her. The book was captivating and keeps the reader wanting to read more. It is rightfully a national bestseller that will continue to entertain audiences. The novel shares the message of how love can prevail even in the worst of times.
Reviews
Movie Review: Enola Holmes By: Maria Santos
Millie Bobby Brown, best known for her role as Eleven in Stranger Things, portrays the headstrong intelligent 16-year-old sister of the famous Sherlock Holmes. Based on Nancy Springer’s The Enola Holmes Mysteries, following Sherlock’s inquisitive younger sister, this top-charting Netflix original swept the youth of the United States, including myself. Enola’s mother, Eudoria, leaves without saying goodbye and entrusts her to her two older brothers, Sherlock and Mycroft, who are practically strangers to Enola. Sherlock, played by Henry Cavil, is portrayed as a cold and dedicated career man at the beginning of the movie. He grows closer to Enola as he begins to see himself in her. They are extremely similar in their ability and fascination with solving mysteries. The same cannot be said for Enola and Mycroft. Quite average compared to Enola and Sherlock, Mycroft is the perfect representation of a middle-aged Victorian wealthy man. Disgusted with Enola’s behavior, Mycroft seeks to conform her to the era’s expectations of a lady. Eudoria raised Enola to be the opposite, saying, “there are two paths you can take, Enola. Yours or the path others choose for you.” Mycroft saw his mother as a threat
to the cultural norms of the early 20th century and disapproved of the way she raised Enola. He feels obligated to “fix” Enola by shipping her off to a boarding school, making her miserable. Underneath Mycroft’s narcissistic facade, he is jealous of Sherlock and Enola. Unable to handle being outshone by a woman, let alone his younger sister, he sets out on a quest to restructure Enola to be average, just like him.
Along Enola’s journey to find her mother, she meets a runaway Lord Tewksbury, who nearly gets them both killed on several occasions. They form a strong connection throughout the movie, but any romantic feelings are quickly dismissed since having a love interest contradicts Enola’s whole persona as well as the message of the movie. After all, Enola backwards
spells alone -- as she so frequently points out. This movie very easily could’ve been a love story but its theme of independence, feminism, and determination sends a much more powerful message. Enola Holmes reminded me of the book (and movie) Pride and Prejudice, in which Mrs. Bennett tries to form her daughters in the mold expected by society just as Mycroft tries to do to Enola. Elizabeth Bennett, like Enola, is a bit of a rebel in the sense that she is in no rush to marry a man or adhere to society’s skewed perception of a woman. Although Pride and Prejudice focuses more on romance than Enola Holmes, both movies challenge gender inequality. Lord Tewksbury, played by Louis Partridge, has become an overnight sensation on the social media platform TikTok and has amassed 5.5 million followers on Instagram since the release of the movie on September 23, 2020. However, don’t let him be the only reason you watch Enola Holmes. I recommend this movie to any teenage girl. This light-hearted film centered around a young woman who cannot be stopped, be it by family or by society’s idea of how a girl should behave, will inspire you to become more independent.
25
Reviews
Album Review: folklore By: Kate Pappas
On July 23rd, less than a year after the release of her seventh album Lover, Taylor Swift announced that she had been working on a surprise album while in quarantine. This album, folklore, was then released on the 24th of July, revealing a new alternative-folk sound, something completely different from her previous ventures in the pop and country music genres. Despite having had limited promotion prior to its release, folklore sold 1.3 million copies on its first day and broke the Guinness World Record for the biggest opening day for a female artist on Spotify. Working with The National’s Aaron Dessner, long time collaborator Jack Antonoff, Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon, and songwriter William Bowery, Swift explores a whimsical, rootsy sound on folklore, which, coupled with her passionate lyrics, makes for sonically beautiful storytelling. In songs like “cardigan,” “august,”
26
and “betty,” Taylor’s talent is evident, as she writes from the perspectives of three people entangled in a love triangle, including a 17-yearold boy apologizing for cheating on his girlfriend. The tracks “the last great american dynasty” and “seven” tell the stories of the madwoman who previously owned Taylor’s Rhode Island beach house and a frightened seven-year-old girl with a traumatized best friend. On a more personal note, in “my tears ricochet”, Swift sings about her feud with manager Scooter Braun and CEO of Big Machine Records Scott Borchetta, as well as her infamous feud with Kim Kardashian and Kanye West on “madwoman.” Other songs, “the 1” “invisible string,” “the lakes,” “hoax” and “peace,” romantically explore Taylor’s personal relationships, which she’s been known to be inspired by in the past. Furthermore, listening to this album feels more like reading an antholo-
gy, where each chapter is somehow intertwined with the others. One song that really stands out to me is “epiphany,” a lyrical masterpiece in which Swift compares the bloodshed of World War II to the devastation of the coronavirus pandemic today. She sings, “Only twenty minutes to sleep/But you dream of some epiphany/Just one single glimpse of relief/To make some sense of what you've seen,” expressing the massive heartache that frontline medical workers underwent at the height of the pandemic, which is similar to the hardships felt by soldiers fighting in World War II: working tirelessly, yet hopelessly wishing for an epiphany to occur in order to end the suffering. Comprehensively, folklore introduces its listener to a new era of Taylor Swift, one that enhances the magic of her songwriting as well as the mysticism of her storytelling.
Reviews
Movie Review: Hubie Halloween By: Caroline Crouchley
Ghosts, goblins, monsters, graveyards and werewolves come alive in the new Halloween comedy Hubie Halloween. The movie stars Adam Sandler and features another comedy favorite, Kevin James. It takes place in Salem, Massachusetts, an old witch town where the entire community is in the process of getting ready for Halloween. As the town prepares for the festivities with decorations and costumes galore, a man named Richard Hartman escapes from the Westfield State Mental Hospital’s psychiatric ward and is on the loose. Adam Sandler plays the main character Hubie Dubois, who has been ridiculed and bullied his entire life. Kevin James, former most popular boy in high school, is now a member of the Salem Police Department on the prowl to catch the mental hospital escapee. In high school Hubie was voted the most likely to marry his pillow and was subjected to the cruel and insensitive jokes of his classmates. Hubie always wanted to date the most beautiful and popular girl in high school, Violet Valentine, but he was too shy to tell her. Halloween has always been
Hubie’s favorite holiday, and his mother is known for her extravagant Halloween display at their house. Hubie continues to live with his mother as an adult, and his job is the Official Halloween Helper in Salem; his duty is to make Halloween safe and fun for all the kids. Most of the children in town resent Hubie’s message: “Halloween is fun but we need to stay out of the danger zone.” He teaches Halloween safety at the local elementary schools and reprimands the young kids in town for any dangerous behavior they might be engaging in concerning safety, drinking at parties, or taking too much candy at homes that leave a bucket at the front door. Hubie rides his bike through town as the “Halloween Monitor” and is chased through the streets by all the children, who throw rotten eggs at him and call him nasty names. There are a number of motifs going on in the movie, including Hubie being bullied by most of the people in town, the resident Hartman who escaped from the Westfield State Mental Hospital psychiatric ward, and Hubie’s strange and mysterious neighbor Walter Lambert, who displays signs of being
a werewolf. There is also a gravestone in town with Lambert's name without an inscribed date of death on it at the Pine Street Cemetery. The movie features the new generation of students at Salem High School with similar issues of popularity and navigating through the peer issues in the high school experience. There is a wild high school party scene and a scary corn maize incident where members of the town start going mysteriously missing. Hubie’s next door neighbor starts displaying strange behavior under the full moon. More and more members of the town start getting abducted and the mystery of the plot carries on. Who or what is kidnapping the residents and what is happening to them? Is it Richard Hartman who escaped from the mental hospital or Walter Lambert who displays dark behaviors? The movie keeps you laughing and on the edge of your seat until the mystery of what really happened is revealed in the end. The movie Hubie Halloween is the perfect movie for some Halloween fun this year. Don’t forget the popcorn!
27
ECHO