JFK Times for the JFK Community | Spring Edition 2021

For the JFK Community

Celebrating Diversity

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Mensaje del Director

Pag. 4

Directorio EDITOR IN CHIEF Mónica Duarte Balcárcel COPY EDITORS Hannah Infante Lagarda Radia Si Youcef Jensena Fernández Buendía MANAGING EDITOR Jensena Fernández Buendía EDITORIAL DESIGN Violeta García Díaz WRITERS AND CONTRIBUTORS Radia Si Youcef, Hanna Billerbeck, Sarah Belazzoug, Su Bin Kang Lee, Miranda Hernandez, Camille Casses, Jacob Szymborski, Jorge Garcia, Maria José Cerecer, Daniel López Portillo, Felipe Reyes, Isabella Maclemmy.

GENERAL DIRECTOR Adrian Leece MA, BSc, FRMtS ASSISTANT GENERAL DIRECTOR Debra Giles MSc, BSc PRESCHOOL PRINCIPAL Debra Cortney MA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PRINCIPAL Mark Dunn M. Ed.,MA MIDDLE SCHOOL PRINCIPAL Camille Casses HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL Robert Callahan M.Ed, MA PHYSICAL EDUCATION DIRECTOR Arturo Bustamante BSc FINANCIAL DIRECTOR Dra. Josefina Morgan OPERATIONS AND SERVICES DIRECTOR Jeffrey Lewis MIM BOARD OF DIRECTORS Ing. José Antonio Blanco Carrillo Ing. Sylvia Rivas Cobo C.P. Fernando Besoy Lloreda Arq. Jesús René González Palacios Lic. Nuria Pérez Landín Martín Lic. Jean Soupart Lic. Paula Fernanda Herrera Baleón Lic. Abel Francisco Mejía Cosenza C.P. Arturo Arteaga Magallón PUBLICITY Marlene Cruz López m.cruz@jfk.edu.mx EDITORIAL COMMITTEE Christine Scharf Inge De Rosenzweig Gabriela Madrid Felipe Reyes

Spring edition 2021 It seems that spring has arrived. The evenings are getting longer and the days getting warmer!

How strange it feels this year, after 12 months at home, to be thinking of facing our wonderful warm summers again but from indoors! Let us hope that this pandemic is soon behind us, and it is safe to travel, to join together in the summer days and to reunite on campus. In the meantime, we do at least have the JFK Times to read!

This last year, with the campus closed, we have seen such creativity and innovation. With the help of staff, students and parents we have managed to keep so many of our traditions alive, (and even invented plenty of new ones!), all while being online.

Such is the energy and commitment of this great community, always trying to create beauty and overcome the challenges it faces.

General Director’s Letter While being permanently at home has certainly created so much stress and tension, it has also permitted us to discover new hobbies and interests, to share more time with our families, and to learn new skills. Articles include cooking and other great reflections on living abroad, something very close to many of us who have been unable to go home and see our families and friends for a long time. These are times to think more of our own heritage and culture. Our community is so rich, with such a variety of nationalities, cultures and languages; and you will see this reflected in the writings right through this edition. You will also see the incredible range of interesting articles and the continued increase in contributions from parents, students and staff in sharing with us all through the written word.

The JFK Times is our magazine, it is our voice, and the articles and contributions from everyone really brings this to life and keeps it speaking to all of us! Please keep your ideas and contributions coming, and in the meantime I really do hope that you can sit back one evening, relax a little, and go through these pages, our latest JFK Times!

Adrian Leece General Director

Pag. 5

Achieving the Extraordinary Culture Shock

by Hanna Billerbeck Alumni ‘07

You are so lucky!

by Sarah Belazzoug 12° Student

Mi experiencia en México

by Su Bin Kang Lee 12° Student

Achieving the Extraordinary

Culture Shock

Pag. 6

Culture Shock

By Hanna Billerbeck Alumni 07’

Uno siempre escucha “choque cultural” y cree que es un mito, que simplemente se trata de tener una mente abierta…y sí, eso ayuda, pero el choque cultural va más allá; se trata de la comida, la vestimenta, el idioma, las costumbres, las reglas, los horarios, la manera de viajar, los valores, es adaptarte a una forma de vida diferente a lo que estás acostumbrado.

Mi primer choque cultural fue durante la universidad al mudarme de México a Suiza. Ambos países y culturas diferentes; primeramente por el clima, Suiza con un invierno con nieve, un país donde casi no se ven infantes, donde el tren es el medio de transporte y de viaje más común, lugar donde las porciones de comida son “normales” y nunca son picantes, y en donde cruzar la calle sin voltear es normal (porque el peatón siempre va a tener la preferencia y los coches SIEMPRE se van a detener), paíst donde si no llegas puntual es visto como insulto.

Cuando me di cuenta que estaba viviendo un perfecto ejemplo de choque cultural fue cuando eran las 7 pm, iba saliendo de clase y quise ir por un snack y ¡oh sorpresa!..¡los supermercados cierran a las 5 pm! Y peor aún..¡los sábados no abren! Venir de un país como México en donde tienes una tiendita 24/7 en cada esquina, fue algo completamente inexplicable para mí. Es ahí cuando uno comienza a comparar la nueva cultura con la de uno; empieza la frustración, la añoranza de lo conocido, el famoso homesick, el cuestionamiento de porqué las cosas son de

UNO SIEMPRE ESCUCHA “CHOQUE CULTURAL” Y CREE QUE ES UN MITO, cierta manera y no como uno está acostumbrado.

Uno empieza a viajar, a subirse al tren pagando en máquinas antes de subirse, pero sin tener a alguien que esté revisando que realmente hayas pagado y confiando en que lo hiciste, algo que sin duda nunca se vería en México.

Al finalizar la universidad y como primera experiencia profesional, me mudé a Doha, Qatar. Un país en el Medio Oriente conocido por su cultura y leyes conservadoras. Desde que llegué fue inevitable no fijarme en los carteles de la calle, los cuales

Achieving the Extraordinary

Culture Shock

Pag. 7

no tenía idea qué decían; no son letras como las que uno está acostumbrado, son símbolos irreconocibles; entrar a un establecimiento y no entender nada de lo que la gente a tu alrededor está diciendo; ver a los hombres bajo una túnica blanca y a las mujeres bajo túnicas negras, con la cabeza cubierta, algunas con los ojos descubiertos y otras sin que se les viera absolutamente nada.

La prohibición de las demostraciones afectivas en público, la veda de bebidas alcohólicas, el no poder vivir sola como mujer sin estar acompañada de tu esposo y en ocasiones no poder viajar sola como mujer sin la compañía de un hombre, el tener que cuidar cómo te vistes para no faltar al respeto a su religión y a sus leyes, ver cómo durante sus eventos sociales (bodas), las mujeres están separadas de los hombres; prácticamente dos eventos separados, temperaturas en verano por arriba de los 40 grados con 90% de humedad, todos son un ejemplo de lo que vi y viví durante mi tiempo en Doha.

Viniendo de una cultura bastante liberal como lo es en México, fue todo un choque cultural, sentirte juzgada, observada y no comprender el porqué de las cosas.

...EL CHOQUE CULTURAL NO ES ALGO NEGATIVO, ES UNA SEÑAL DE QUE ESTÁS MADURANDO COMO VIAJERO Y COMO PERSONA

Tomó tiempo, pero como todo proceso, llega un punto de ajuste y aceptación en donde uno empieza a entender porqué las cosas se hacen de cierta manera en ese lugar y comienzas a respetar las tradiciones culturales, ya sea que coincidan con las tuyas o no.

Desde mi punto de vista, el choque cultural no es algo negativo, es una señal de que estás madurando como viajero y como persona. Todas estas nuevas experiencias estrechan tu perspectiva del mundo en donde vivimos y cuando llegas a reconocer y adaptarte a estas diferencias culturales estarás más abierto a vivir y cruzar nuevas fronteras.

You are so lucky!

o s e r a u o Y ! y k c lu

Achieving the Extraordinary

My name is Sarah and I am 17. I was born in Canada, from Algerian parents, and lived in the United States, the United Arab Emirates, and now Mexico. JFK is my 5th school since I started primary school as my family literally moves almost every four years.

The fancy words to describe me would be that I am a “Third Culture Kid” : A person who cannot answer the question “where are you from?” with a single word. Which is exactly who I am!

You are so lucky...you have lived in so many places!

Pag. 8

by Sarah Belazzoug 12° Student

rds to o w y c n a f The would e m e b i r c des hird T “ a m a I t be tha d” Culture Ki

Everybody says that when they first meet me and find out more about my background. Truth is, everybody sees the glamorous part related to the multiple travels. The rich opportunities that come from speaking different languages and obviously the open-mindedness that is a byproduct of being exposed to a variety of cultures. What people fail to notice is the loneliness that comes with it. The struggle that it is to make new friends all the time. The feeling of being the new kid in a new school so often.

Never staying long enough anywhere did not foster my sense of belonging to any community nor did it allow me to grow deep roots anywhere. On the contrary, my lifestyle makes me feel like an impostor all the time. Even if I am one hundred percent Algerian by lineage, however, my Arabic is not up to par. I never lived in Algeria to fully experience the culture even if it is the culture and tradition that we follow at home. I cannot relate to my cousins for example because I feel “Westernized”. The same applies to Canada. While it is my citizenship, I left

Achieving the Extraordinary

You are so lucky!

Pag. 9

Canada when I was two years old and have no Canadian identity. I don’t even understand how Canadian politics work and those who know me must be laughing right now because I am all about politics.

To a certain extent, the United States might be the country that I am the most familiar with, probably because it is where I lived the longest; it is the only place that we came back to! However, I feel like I do not have the right to claim it as home as I wasn’t born there and do not live there anymore.

As for the experience in Mexico, it has been slightly different. There are other international students in High School, and together we share the “being from somewhere else but living in Mexico” description even if I still cannot define where I am from.

Another point is that when you are growing up, and just trying to be a teenager you need people to lean on outside your close family circle. You need friends with whom you share a deep connection and history. People you have known your whole life and know everything about. Unfortunately I do not have that kind of friendship with anyone! I never lived anywhere enough time to foster a relationship of that sort. I have many friends, of course, with whom I have kept in touch, but unless you are physically present to live the day-to-day life with, I find it complicated to stay close and to have a meaningful friendship.

Looking forward I hope I will be able to settle down one day and finally grow roots of my own, but deep down I worry that I might need some change after a while because that is the kind of life I am used to.

On a fundamental level, I am conscious that my experience makes it almost impossible for me to culturally relate to anyone. I am neither a real Algerian nor a true Canadian. I sit in the middle, not really knowing where I belong. Nonetheless, I am well aware of the privileged life I lead, and I do not mean to sound ungrateful for the opportunities and advantages life has given me. The chance to meet all these people coming from all parts of the world, to visit beautiful places and to immerse myself in different cultures while learning new languages. I realize it is very special, and I am thankful for it.

I will conclude by saying that yes, I know how lucky I am, and I hope that you can now recognize that my “luck” comes at a cost.

Achieving the Extraordinary

Mi experiencia en México

Vivir en un país muy diferente es una experiencia única. Me siento orgullosa por tener la oportunidad de vivir una vida muy distinta y quiero compartir algunas experiencias que he tenido.

Me acuerdo que desde pequeña muchas personas me veían con cara de curiosidad y peculiaridad por tener las características de una persona asiática. Las personas en las calles me preguntaban de dónde venía, me apuntaban con el dedo y me miraban todo el rato. Fue por eso que no me gustaba salir de la casa. Ahora, teniendo 19 años, las personas se me acercan con más frecuencia. Antes, me molestaba y me sentía insegura, pero ahora trato de explicarle a las personas

Pag. 10

sobre mi nacionalidad; tener curiosidad por una persona no me parece ser “mala onda”. Sin embargo, hay personas que tratan de asumir quien soy por mis características físicas. Niños, adolescentes, papás y hasta personas de la tercera edad han murmurado “es china”, “es china, tiene los ojos así”, cuando pasan en frente de mí. No puedo contar la cantidad de veces que me ha pasado lo mismo, y al día de hoy todavía sigue pasando. Lo triste es que no solamente a mí me pasa. Tengo dos amigas coreanas con quienes comparto estas experiencias, incluso una de ellas sí fue discriminada directamente.

En mi opinión, vivir en un país muy distinto a tu nacionalidad sí es difícil. No sólo porque no estás acostumbrado al lenguaje o a la cultura, pero también porque existen estereotipos.

Mi experiencia en México

No obstante, es la mejor oportunidad para entender una cultura nueva. A pesar de las experiencias negativas, he aprendido a enfrentar los problemas y buscar experiencias positivas. Yo como una persona coreana, he aprendido de la cultura mexicana. Lo que más me gusta de esta cultura es el comportamiento de las personas que los guía a tener una comunidad sociable. Me sorprendió mucho que todos los alumnos de diferentes generaciones se conocieran, todos los vecinos, los vendedores y los compradores se conocieran.

México es una sociedad en donde la familia y los amigos son primeros que el mismo individuo, lo cual es muy diferente en Corea. Esto me hizo ser más social con mis compañeros. Nunca me había dado cuenta que me gustaba conocer a las personas y convivir con ellos. En ningún momento me di cuenta que era una persona que le gustaba salir con amigos, asistir reuniones, participar en actividades con gente que no conozco. Gracias a esto, descubrí mi nueva personalidad.

By Su Bin Kang Lee 12° Grade Student

Como mencioné anteriormente, vivir en un país que no sea el tuyo es una experiencia única.

Siento que es el mejor aprendizaje para entender y adaptarse a una nueva comunidad que tiene un lenguaje completamente distinto y una cultura única en donde en Corea no se puede apreciar.

Pag. 11

Something New New JFK Families

by JFK Families

Exploring Cultural Figures

by Radia Si Youcef

Postcards!

by JFK Community

New JFK Families

Pag. 12

is very colorful.

Our home country? st about your mo ss mi u yo What do

New JFK families

urdeau Family. e are the Dubo W ly: mi fa ur yo Introduce have? 4. es your family ly members do How many fami ? 5 and 4. children’s ages What are your from? France.

Where are you .

Manchester, UK e you lived in? ac pl t las e th What was eak? 4. ages do you sp How many langu . at home? French e one you use And which is th o? Yes. st time in Mexic Is this your fir .

For dad’s work d up in Mexico? hing Why did you en o? That everyt ing about Mexic th e rit vo fa ur What is yo

By JFK Families

Something New

food! ce is family and the ur culture? Fran eotype about yo er st ive sit po What is a gastronomy.

P). the country of mmunity? (DOL n at the JFK Co tio ra eg int ur yo How was helpful. has been very Good, everyone in and why if lture you’ve lived cu or y tr un co Favorite y. favorite countr ce remains our applicable... Fran

Introduce your fam ily: We are the Ga rcia Family.

How many family me mbers does your fam ily have? 4 family members.

What are your child ren’s ages? 8 and 6.

Where are you fro m? US and Peru.

What was the last place you lived in?

Nashville, Tennesse e, USA. How many languag es do you speak?

And which is the on e you use at home English, Spanish. We ? speak mostly Engli sh but we are try ing ha rd to use Spanish often. more Is this your first time in Mexico? Ye s, first time for me . My wife has lived Why did you end up here before. in Mexico? We’ve be en wanting to move he re for some time the opportunity no and found w.

What is your favor ite thing about Me xico? The food, we ather.

What do you miss most about your ho me country? Nashv ille: hot fried chick What is a positive en, and Target. stereotype about your culture? Hard wo rki ng .

How was your integ ration at the JFK Community? (DOLP) Probably challengin g due to the pand emic but overall ve ry happy to be he Favorite country or re. culture you’ve lived in and why if appli ca ble ...

China. Just a fascin ating place, rich his tory, amazing food, fas t-p aced but also very traditional.

Something New

New JFK Families

Pag. 13

e have o of us, w een the tw tw e avin B . n Kapla rs old), G n (21 yea and Nicole la ik p a rn K u leave l K e b n and Isa re Jaso nd I can’t old), Lily ías! We a rs old), a a D e rs s y a o ay e n ½ y e 1 5 u B om the B plan (1 urnik (2 ander Ka d I are fr Z Celeste K n . a is n n t re o s s e ld a g hi n 5 c cho. J wenty ), the you o and Na gether. T years old bies, Chap school to a h b g d hi e Kurnik (18 g ia where to g rn t y four-le s, Califo ally wen rr le tu e fu c g a n o A e tw w s in Lo here out our reunited alifornia w uation, we orthern C d N ra in g l a o re A are not high scho years. home. We after our y t n a a rs k . a m a e e r y p five be fluent) e we s ether fo us all to living tog e languag r n th fo e d e n b ve a lo ve e uag would we ha first lang Barcelona ry day (I all of our mester in cticing eve e s ra t p h is s la English is re a t spen r’s Spanis ut we ol. Zande years and Spanish, b ho r c s in fo t g h n in is e n u rd a fl boa king Sp rnational s been ta ing an inte d n e Zander ha tt a ir own d an led in the ater polo d/or sett n a playing w y it rs unive to ours. t back to superior ldren wen hi c t s e ld four e arcelona When our went to B r e d n a Z d to places an I decided ason and J ll, de fa l e e in th an Migu eeks in S w e d re th before an spend been here d ha e W e onc Allende. move here a plan to d ha hool. c re s e w m high uates fro d ra g pt r e d Zan stay, I ke ree-week th r u o ur o g Durin xtending idea of e e th t a ay, then hinting my birthd s a w it t, is time trip. Firs During th nksgiving. ha T s elona a rc w it k in Ba d his bac re ju in r e Zand worse. We s getting a w D I V bring him and CO be best to ld u o w it ppened decided na. This ha lo e rc a B giving, home from nd Thanks irthday a b y m re f befo ent time ption o He had sp der the o n s. a a Z w it ve er a l so I g meeting n Migue on Octob in LA or twice, Sa n Miguel k a k c S in a b th to s u e to cam ss and to t have meeting short, we for busine He did no ry h to l. s e rt u g fo n ig o d M ucks ck an D it! L us in San moving tr s been ba and LOVE home, our Jason ha el before s . u le A ig e L g M n in n A k a ac in S r Los t to be b out of ou I have ye moved us e H s.

24th and ir lives and a onal aff hout our rs g e u p ro ! r u th ry o s to people... s/town t is his wrap up rent citie re, is the d the res n fe he a if g d A n M y vi S n o a to m emic. tely m arrived in the pand nd ultima have been n during g back, a xico. We in ve e e m M , o e. g c n ve s ti u lo vi We kept so at hom and in read that y we feel elcoming kl w th ic o n u s o q n m w e m e o ho t and has b the c ere no mmunity has been aid, we w . The co transition ith that s W is th s. d n the heart th that help o ie eo chats how smo ily and fr d t vi m a r fa d e fo r z u l a o m is gratefu I am am s from hi . We are ing we mis pandemic th e ly th n o to The ring the way due . Conside them any re u e lt . e u s c ve ing lo y to able e of m ose we d someth stereotyp ted to th me to fin c e e r iv n it n fo s o o c lt p u s c t diffi out a keep u ate, it is have abou to point feelings I en asked mental clim n e th ro the vi e n g ll e n a I have be ial, and g to cha Despite litical, soc rnians”. nd wantin o o a p lif e t a g ,” n C n e f d o lle rr cu r frien ly the cha otypes are “supe g up for ive stere s it in n s e o ia B . “p rn e o d iv lif gle posit t Ca om I goo inded tha we are fr I was rem , ia rn the o the state lif ing Ca tion with t is invad tle integra n food.” lit a c ry xi e ve e chaos tha M n reop n ve had d “love school ca mic, we ha beach,” an n e d e he n w th a p e ve m e o “l the ti use of th rward to tely, beca looking fo lly Unfortuna a re e are munity. W meet.

JFK com rtunity to o p p o e th s giving u

Something New

Exploring Cultural Figures

In this journey of exploring different cultures, I wanted to investigate how the same events are celebrated around the world with different cultural figures and what we can learn about them.

I researched the gift-bearing figures around Christmas time, the creatures delivering sweets for Easter, and finally dived into the rituals around the disposal of baby teeth.

1 Christmas gifts Santa Claus, Saint Nicholas, and the three kings are all prominent figures of Christmas in different parts of the world.

While Santa, took over the popularity contest, as he is widely recognized around the world, even in nonchristian countries, one might argue that he is not at all a representation of a religious celebration but more of a cultural icon. The Three Kings are the ones that tie in with the Christian religion as their visit opens the door to talk to children about the birth of Jesus and the bible story about it. On his end, St Nicholas is more popular in Northern Europe. His legend is linked to the life of the man who is said to have been very kind and generous. The story of St Nicholas immigrated to the United States with the early European settlers and with time it morphed into the mythical Santa Claus that we now all know.

Pag. 14

Who When

Where in the world

On what animal?

What people leave for him

What happens in the morning More details

Santa Claus and Father Christmas December 24/ 25th (Christmas day) Santa Claus in America and in almost all households celebrating Christmas throughout the world.

He is called Father Christmas in the UK. Reindeer Family members leave stockings near the tree to be filled with surprises.

Gifts under the tree.

Both Figures although pretty similar in looks are said to be inspired by Saint Nicholas.

According to the “story” Santa Claus lives in the North Pole while Father Christmas Lives in Lapland, Finland,

Exploring Cultural figures

By Radia Si Youcef JFK Parent

Something New

Exploring Cultural Figures

Pag. 15

Who When

Where in the world

On what animal?

What people leave for him

Who When Where in the world

On what animal?

What people leave for him

What happens in the morning More details

Three kings January 5/6th (Epiphany) Most of Europe celebrates the Epiphany in some form.

But the three kings are very popular in Spain and Most Latin American countries Camels A boot next to the tree with a letter from the children

Gift next to the boot.

In Spain, there is a big celebration where the three kings ride down the streets and throw candies to the children waiting to see them.

St Nicholas December 7/ 6th (St Nicholas) the day of his death.

A very important celebration in the Netherlands, Poland, and Germany. Most of the Balkan countries commemorate the day in different ways. It is also present in the rest of Europe in a more subdued way.

Horse A freshly polished shoe for every family member in front of the door, even the parents.

Or a clog in Germany that is filled with hay and carrots.

What happens in the morning

They are filled with mandarins, chocolates, and nuts.

More details

Celebrated in most Orthodox countries, It is said that Nicholas comes with his helper (Black Peter - Swarte Pete in Holland, Ruprecht in German) and a big book.

The ‘good’ children get a treat, the ‘naughty’ children would get whipped by the Black Pete with a broom made of sticks.

Exploring Cultural Figures

Something New

Pag. 16

2 Easter Egg Galore Easter is a Christian holiday celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

The years have added to the religious celebration some whimsical companions. You are probably already thinking of the Easter Bunny distributing colorful eggs filled with treats and chocolate and you’d be right. The Easter Bunny is the Star of Easter in North America!

However, in other parts of the world, other creatures have the privilege of spreading joy and chocolate around.

The Church Bells France Church bells do not ring between Good Friday and Easter Sunday in France. Legend has it that the bells fly to Rome for blessings during that time, and on their way back on Easter Sunday they spread eggs and chocolate on their path for children to find and enjoy.

Easter Bunny United States Canada Denmark Netherlands Austria Germany

Brings Easter eggs to children on Easter day.

Exploring Cultural Figures

Something New

Easter Chick

Pag. 17

Easter witch

Norway

Sweden Finland

Brings Easter eggs to children on Easter day the same way as the Easter Bunny,

The children in Sweden and Finland dress up as old ladies or as witches on Easter day. Then they knock on neighbors’ houses with pictures they have made to exchange for sweets.

Easter Fox Germany The Easter Hare, the ancestor of the Easter bunny, coexists with the Easter fox in Germany. The tradition is to make a nest out of hay the day before Easter and to put the pets away, you do not want a fox around your pets, right? The next morning magical treats will appear in the nest.

Cuckoo Switzerland The Easter cuckoo brings the colored eggs and chocolates to Swiss children on Easter morning.

Eggs should come from birds after all!

Bilby Australia Rabbits destroyed a lot of crops in Australia and are therefore not well-liked. Australians have therefore replaced the bunny with an Aussie version: the bilby!

It is a marsupial that looks like a rodent with bunny-like ears. He brings the Easter eggs and chocolate on Easter morning.

Something New

Exploring Cultural Figures

3 Tooth Fairy, Little Mouse, and all their friends.

While the tooth fairy rules the baby teeth scene in North America, the little mouse has a strong presence elsewhere. From France to Spain, to the majority of Latin American countries. Most of the time the tooth is to be left under the child’s pillow although sometimes the mouse can be picky.

In Mexico, the tooth is left for the ratón in a little container shaped like a mouse and placed on the bedside table. Sometimes it is in the pocket of a little toothcarrying, mouse figurine. In Argentina and Sweden, the tooth is left in a glass of water left on the bedside table.

In South Africa, the tooth is deposited in a slipper at the door of the room.

The exchange process is the same: a straight business transaction: old tooth against money, gift, or candy.

After exploring a little I discovered that other animals are also on baby teeth duty in other parts of the world. Some of them pick up the old tooth, and others deliver a new one, but in both cases, children are always waiting for them impatiently.

In Brazil, baby teeth are thrown out for the birds.

Note that the birds only get the clean ones, so children had to make sure they kept their teeth clean.

Clever! In El Salvador, a bunny collects the tooth. This bunny is not very demanding and collects the tooth regardless of its cleanliness status. In parts of Greece, a pig competes with the mouse for the job. In India, a sparrow brings the new tooth...that’s a game-changer!

The transaction has shifted and now the animal is the one bringing the new tooth. In Sri Lanka, It’s a squirrel. For the Cherokee Indian tribes, children wait for a beaver to bring the new tooth as well. In

Pag. 18

Central Asia and in some tribes from Alaska baby teeth are wrapped in fat and given to dogs to eat, in the hopes that the new tooth will be strong like the dog’s teeth.

Have you noticed that most of these animals have strong teeth that never stop growing?

These old practices have probably stemmed from observations made from the environment and applied to daily life to motivate children.

Another aspect of the baby teeth disposal rituals that drew my attention is that it often involves different actions. Tossing over a roof, in some parts of Africa and East Asia. In some middle eastern countries, it involves tossing up high to the sky. Burying near a strong tree so that the new tooth grows with strong roots. Some First Nations Tribes in Canada place the tooth inside the tree and proceed with a dancing ritual for the tooth to grow as straight as the tree trunk.

In Turkey, parents will bury the tooth in the garden of a university if they want the child to go to college or next to a courthouse if they want the child to become a lawyer.

Finally, Some old Viking tradition to make necklaces out of old baby teeth as a protective talisman has translated nowadays into making jewelry using the lost teeth. After a gold or silver bath, the tooth is transformed into earrings or necklaces for good luck. It is the case in Costa Rica and Chile.

All these different traditions show how the ritual of losing an old tooth and getting a new one is important in all cultures.

It is yet again another way to remind us that even if we all are different, we all are the same!

5 Country Description Postcards

Something New

l

r iva r a

Pag. 19

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5 Country Description POSTCARDS

5 Country Description Postcards

Something New

Pag. 20

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Hi J FK, I am writing to you from L otte World, th largest indoo e world’s r theme park .

It is located in Seoul, Kor ea . It’s an im place becaus portant e it has many fun rides to of your stress re lieve all . You can go ice skating, ri roller coasters d e on and drive go -carts.

I hope you ca n visit some d ay!

From, The Kim Fam ily

Pag. 21

Creating Beauty Chaoxiangs New Cultures

by Miranda Hernández 5º Student

Peruvian Cuisine: The Cuisine Ahead of its Time

by Jorge Garcia JFK Parent

Food and Cultural Identity

by Radia Si Youcef JFK Parent

Creating Beauty

Chaoxiangs New Cultures

One day, not a lot of time ago, there was a little boy named Chaoxiang, he loved his culture. He loved to pass time with his family. His favorite celebration was the Chinese New Year. The best part was giving red envelopes to his family and friends.

He heard his father talking through the phone one night. He was moving to Brazil! He ran to his room worried and confused. Then his mom saw him. “Are you ok?” asked his mother. “Are we really going to Brazil? I don’t want to, I want to stay here in China”, answered Chaoxiang, very sad. “ Don’t worry, we are moving there, but there is so much fun stuff to do. We can see big colorful festivals in the street and people dancing while the music is playing.” Chaoxiang ran crying to his bed.

It was time to go to Brazil. Chaoxiang packed his stuff and went to the airport with his family.

Once they were finally in Brazil there was a lot of music and dancers everywhere. He took many photos of the dancers. He started to like Brazil.

School was starting. Chaoxiang was scared but excited. He was new and knew no one. He got his notebooks and took them to the bus. His school was very big. He needed someone to guide him around the school. Everyone was busy doing work and talking to their friends, suddenly a girl appeared in front of him. He got so scared. Chaoxiang waved at the girl.

Happily the girl said, “Nice to meet you! My

By Miranda Hernandez 5º student

CHAOXIANGS NEW CULTURES

Pag. 22

name is Ananya. Your name is...?” “Chaoxiang, I’m new, may you show me the school?”, said Chaoxiang, surprised. “ Of course! And by the way, I already knew you were new. They told me you were coming, I’m showing you the school and answering all your questions”.

“Great! I’m very excited”, answered Chaoxiang.

The tour ended, Chaoxiang was confident for his first class, History. There the teacher Juliana taught him everything about Brazilians culture, and the most known festival, the Rio de Janeiro festival. People used many costumes and played samba music. He loved this new culture, especially dancing, it was his passion. After that class, he went to lunch and sat with Ananya. “You know, you’re lucky to have had a tour. When I first entered the school I was so lost that I thought the cafeteria was my crafts class”, said Ananya. Chaoxiang answered with curiosity “ Well, that’s true. But I haven’t asked you, are you from Brazil?” “ No, I’m from India”, said Ananya proudly. “ Wait do you have a favorite celebration?” asked Chaoxiang. “ Of course I do! It’s Diwali, the day Rama, the seventh avatar of the incarnation of the god Vishnu, won a battle against the demon king, Ravana.

It’s so much fun. We buy new clothes and new furniture. Oh! And we eat delicious dishes like Murukku”, answered Ananya. “That sounds like so much fun! The Chinese New Year is my favorite time of the year. We eat yummy foods like the Tāngyuán”

After that talk, Chaoxiang knew there were many different cultures in the world and that all of them were special.

Creating Beauty

Peruvian Cuisine: The Cuisine Ahead of its Time

Peruvian Cuisine:

The Cuisine Ahead of its Time

by Jorge

Garcia*

JFK Parent

It is almost that time of the year when renewed optimism is in the air, flowers bloom, and more importantly, we now have hopes on how to deal with the small collection of genetic code that forced its way into our lives. Yes, it is almost springtime, although who am I kidding?

It seems to be spring year-round in Querétaro! I can go to the market and find little things that catch my eye and new cooking ideas pop in my head. Perhaps it is instilled in my Peruvian DNA that I must mix things up. A Mexican chili here, a Peruvian potato there, all mixed with some Asian and European ingredients.

Although in my native Peru I may get crucified for liberally using the term fusion, I think it is one of those terms that are lost in translation. I mean have you tried translating “escrow account” lately?

Despite being classically trained as a chef, I still find myself fascinated by the seemingly limitless combinations of techniques and flavors cuisines from all over the world. I understand trying to preserve traditions but as our lives become more and more intertwined, forged by the unstoppable forces of globalism, so do our palates, and Peruvian fair epitomizes such trend.

Peruvian cuisine represents a wide array of biodiversity and heritage of multiple cultures, all sprinkled by the creativity of its people.

Traditional dishes such as “lomo saltado” is a perfect example. Beautiful, trimmed beef tenderloin strips are sautéed in the high heat of a Chinese wok and stirfried with onions, tomatoes, soy sauce, and strips of ají amarillo, the ubiquitous sweet and hot pepper from Peru. It is served over piping hot white rice with French fries whose mission is to absorb the juices produced by the heat from the wok.

The marriage of Peruvian and Japanese cuisines known as Nikkei in dishes such as “tiradito”, which is raw, super fresh fish cut Sashimi-style and sauced with “leche de tigre”, or tiger’s milk. Grrr! The milk is the juices resulting from the mix of citrus, fish trimmings, celery, ginger, garlic, and Mexican chili. See what I did there? I can go on and on citing examples of such dishes, but perhaps Peruvian cuisine is just ahead of its time. In fact, I am convinced that endless examples of where food and culture meet will continue to become part of our everyday dishes!

Pag. 23

Creating Beauty

Peruvian Cuisine: The Cuisine Ahead of its Time

Lomo Saltado (Peruvian Stir-Fried Beef) Ingredients: 500 grams beef tenderloin, or substitute with skirt steak (Arrachera), cut across the grain, ½ inch strips.

1/3 cup vegetable oil. salt and pepper to taste.

2 garlic cloves.

1 medium red onion (1/2-inch slices) 1 jalapeño or habanero depending on how caliente you like, stemmed, seeded and cut lengthwise.

2 medium plum tomatoes cut into 4 wedges each.

1/2 teaspoon of minced fresh ginger.

2 tablespoons soy sauce.

1 teaspoon red wine vinegar.

1 teaspoon oyster sauce.

Instructions Make a quick marinade for the beef using some of the oil and the garlic.

Heat half of the oil until it get super hot and smoky (ideally use a wok) Working in batches, sear the beef until well charred and reserve it, juices and all.

Add the rest of the oil to the wok and quickly sear the onions, peppers, and tomatoes in that order.

Add the rest of the ingredients and reduce the sauce a bit.

Add the reserved beef and juice.

Garnish with minced cilantro leaves and serve with French fries and cooked white rice. *Jorge Garcia is a former Culinary Expert at Williams-Sonoma in Nashville, Tennessee, and worked in several restaurants in Miami, Boston, and Charlotte. He graduated from Le Cordon Bleu School of Culinary Arts in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Pag. 24

Creating Beauty

Food and Cultural Identity

FooD & CULTURAL IDENTITY

Pag. 25

By Radia Si Youcef JFK Parent

For this multicultural edition, let’s talk about culture. As defined by Kim Ann Zimmerman, “Culture is the characteristics and knowledge of a particular group of people, encompassing language, religion, cuisine, social habits, music, and arts.”

One of the most accessible characteristics of culture is undoubtedly the cuisine.

It is the easiest one to be shared and therefore the fastest one to reach others. No translations needed!

Food is so omnipresent in our daily lives that it is almost always linked to our memories. From the comfort food served to us as a child to the celebrational meals. Our minds make the association of odors and tastes, and we remember the feeling every time we are served the same meal. This is how powerful food is.

In fact, food is so powerful that it has been used as a principal tool of colonization.

Using the lands of Natives to feed herds is one way the Spaniard colons achieved food acculturation in Mesoamerica. With no lands to grow their own food, the different Indigenous Tribes had to start eating meat in order to survive. Another way was the exchange of livestock for conversion to Catholicism. With the livestock came another source of revenue that could not be ignored and prompted a change of eating habits.

In Europe, the daily alimentation depended on the status of the family. Higher classes ate meat and fruits of tall trees, while the root vegetables that grew underground were left for the lower classes. This applied as well to the new lands, and slowly the locals started adopting the same culinary traditions to

Creating Beauty

Food and Cultural Identity

raise their own status. Native women were also employed in the household of colons where they learned to cook using European ingredients, that they incorporated into their own cooking afterward. This trade went both ways as they also used some of their own ingredients while cooking which in time became staples in these new households. Chili is a good ingredient to illustrate this. The Spaniards tolerated its use by their helpers because of its closeness to pepper, then it was adopted in their daily cooking and is now seen in the modern cuisine of Latin America.

Thankfully, indigenous food is still fully part of Latin American cuisine as well, it helped preserve the identity of the Native Tribes.

Furthermore, food is also the best way to hold on firmly to your cultural identity.

Communities of immigrants throughout the world preserve their traditional cooking in order not to lose themselves in their new environments. It nurtures their origins as well as makes them feel closer to home. These recipes are

Pag. 26

transmitted from one generation to the next to keep their culture intact. Immigrants frequently open restaurants in their new countries offering traditional ethnic food. However, they often need to adjust the recipes either for lack of specific ingredients or to adapt to the palates of the clientele. These adjustments create new dishes that may not be purely traditional but are still a representation of their new identity.

The global world that we live in has given us access to such a variety of cuisines that we need to take advantage of. It’ll educate our palates and open our senses to different flavor profiles as well as reminding us of our own culinary traditions. It is important to remember that food is a vehicle of social and cultural norms. That taking into consideration the history of food in different circumstances makes us aware that food is not just a means to an end. It represents cultural values and is a predominant part of our social identity.

With all this in mind, the next time you share a traditional meal, remember that you are sharing more than food! You are sharing parts of your history, your culture, and your identity. Enjoy it!

Pag. 27

A JJ’s Lifestyle KUNDALINI

by Maria José Cerecer PS Teacher

Alternative Remedies from Around the World

by Radia Si Youcef JFK Parent

National Animals

by Daniel López Portillo 9º Student

A JJ’s Lifestyle

Kundalini

El Kundalini Yoga es una disciplina física, mental y espiritual.

El origen de la kundalini yoga es desconocido pero los registros históricos encuentran contenido de esta disciplina desde los años 1000 a.C. y 500 a.C. los cuales mencionan que era una ciencia de energía y filosofía antes de que se impartieran las clases físicas. Se desconoce su origen concreto pues era una disciplina que se mantenía en secreto pues se creía que todo aquel que tuviera acceso a ella, debería ser alguien privilegiado.

Se le consideraba una educación avanzada en donde se requería que los alumnos pasaran a través de varios años de iniciación antes de estar listos para aprender lecciones físicas-espirituales de los maestros por lo que, en un inicio, la disciplina constaba de sentarse a únicamente escuchar al maestro sobre conocimientos espirituales. Durante años se mantuvo este secreto de la ciencia Kundalini donde sólo aquellos dignos de ella tenían acceso pues no se consideraba que la sociedad estuviera lista para ella.

YOGI BHAJAN Una mañana, un rebelde conocido como Yogi Bhajan decidió tomar un vuelo desde Punjab, India hacia

Pag. 28

Toronto, Canadá en el año de 1968. De Canadá se trasladó a California donde presenció la revolución de la cultura hippie donde observó que los jóvenes anhelaban expandir su conciencia y experimentar a Dios, pero al estar intoxicados con las drogas, lo hacían de manera equivocada.

Aunque él sabía que enseñar Kundalini Yoga estaba prohibido fuera del linaje secreto como se estaba manejando tan sagradamente en la India, tuvo una experiencia reveladora durante una de sus meditaciones donde se le hablaba de una nueva espiritualidad que combinada el conocimiento ancestral con la practicidad moderna.

Entendía que todos los seres humanos tenemos derecho a sentirnos sanos, felices y espirituales y si él tenía las herramientas, ¿por qué los demás no? Así fue como él a partir de ese momento enseñó más de 8,000 clases de Kundalini Yoga y estableció un programa de entrenamiento de maestros, permitiendo así que hoy en día muchos de nosotros tengamos acceso a esta ciencia.

KUNDALINI as a mindfulness tool Realizar esta práctica es una gran herramienta disponible para todos nosotros que nos da la posibilidad de poder conectar con el momento presente, balancear la mente negativa y positiva para tener una mente más neutral y tomar mejores decisiones.

By María José Cerecer JFK Teacher

A JJ’s Lifestyle

Kundalini

Pag. 29

¿Qué es Kundalini?

Se le llama Kundalini a la referencia de una serpiente que se encuentra enrollada en el primer chakra, al que llamamos chakra raíz y su objetivo es que por medio de la práctica podamos desenrollarla y elevarla de manera gradual a través de todos los chakras para despertar el potencial creativo latente en cada individuo desde la conciencia para alcanzar la verdadera felicidad.

Algunas de las prácticas de la Kundalini Yoga se componen de: • Meditación sobre los chakras.

• Asana, que es la postura del cuerpo.

• Pranayamas que es la energía vital del cuerpo, la respiración.

• Mudras que son las posturas de las manos.

• Kriyas que se refiere a una acción complementada por todo lo anterior.

• Sadhana es el servicio desinteresado donde intercambias tu energía.

• Recitación de mantras que es la energía del sonido.

SHIBUI Telefono: 4421399068 Mail: shibuicentro@gmail.con Instagram: @shibui_ centrodebienestar Dirección: Camino real carretas 359 local 26 plaza real milenio.

Milenio III , Qro.

Realizar esta práctica es una gran herramienta disponible para todos nosotros que nos da la posibilidad de poder conectar con el momento presente, balancear la mente negativa y positiva para tener una mente más neutral y tomar mejores decisiones.

Nos permite conocer nuestro verdadero ser al desprendernos de ataduras y juicios sociales permitiéndonos sanar heridas del pasado para poder recibir riqueza mental, física y espiritual directamente del Universo para así, a través de la intuición, alcanzar tu más alto destino.

Alternative Remedies

A JJ’s Lifestyle

Pag. 30

We wanted to identify some alternative remedies used around the world in order to visualize on a map how locally sourced ingredients are used to heal ailments and to see how neighboring places had the same tips.

These results were obtained from surveying members of our community at large and are not the fruit of an official study.

Please note that these tips are in no way encouraging to replace officially prescribed medication.

Stone Breaker (a herb)

Brazil, Coastal china India, South and Central

Bourbon United States • With honey and lemon

for sore throat and cough • Rubbed on the gums of teething children

America • Gallstones and kidney

stones • Antiviral • Antifungal • Anti-inflammatory • Liver health • Anti-oxidant

Honey Widely spread around

Olive Oil

Italy, Algeria Tunisia, Libya Spain , Jordan Lebanon,

the world • Skin cicatrization • Throat • Colds

Palestine • Joint pain • Ear infections • Dry skin • Massaging

newborns

Shilling oil St Lucia (Caribbean island) • For colds aches and

fever

Garlic Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Palestine

Manzanilla (Chamomile)

• For itches and

bee stings

Mexico • Digestive issues • Relaxation • Cough fever inflammation • Appetite boost

By Radia Si Youcef JFK Parent

Alternative remedies f

Alternative Remedies

A JJ’s Lifestyle

Pag. 31

Vinegar Spain, Italy • Throat gargling • Haircare • Sting relief • Sunburn relief

Onion Germany • Anti-inflammatory

Saffron Rock Candy Epsom Salt Egypt, Palestine • Detoxing

properties • Earache

Iran

• Cough

• Stomachache

• Sore throat

• Headache

• Insect bites

• Bowel issues • Used for anything

Tahini oil

Black cumin seeds/Nigella seeds

Syria

• Rubbed on the

chest for colds and coughs

United Arab Emirates • General immunity

booster • Stomach problems

Ginger

India, Pakistan

Turmeric India • Anti-inflammatory

St Lucia • From nausea to sore

muscles to arthritis.

Lower blood sugar • Calm pains

Maesil syrup (Korean plum extract) South Korea

from around the world • Digestion

A JJ’s Lifestyle

National Animals

Animales Nacionales Ajolote

Pag. 32

By Daniel López Portillo 9º Student

Este anfibio es uno de los animales más reconocidos en México. Puede ser encontrado en lugares como el Lago de Xochimilco y el Golfo de México. Son populares como mascotas, aunque están en peligro de extinción; mucha gente los considera adorables por la “sonrisa” que tienen en la cara.

Dato especial: pueden regenerar partes de su

cuerpo hasta cinco veces si las pierden (como su cola o patas).

Estatus de conservación: peligro de extinción

Datos curiosos:

• Los ajolotes no son peces, so anfibios.

• Ellos no hacen el proceso de la metamorfosis.

• No mastican la comida, la succionan.

El animal nacional de los Estados Unidos, el águila blanca es tan intimidante como hermosa. Conocida por precipitarse encima de su presa y atraparla con sus enormes talones, es un animal fuerte y respetado.

Su dieta consiste en pescados, pero a veces comen ratones pequeños.

Dato especial: llegan a velocidades de 120 a 160

kilómetros por hora cuando caen en picada para atrapar a su presa.

Estatus de conservación: menor preocupación.

Datos curiosos:

Águila Calva

• Llegan a vivir hasta 30 años.

• Pueden ver de lado y hacia adelante al mismo tiempo.

• Hacen los nidos más grandes de todas las aves norteamericanas.

National Animals

A JJ’s Lifestyle

Pag. 33

Es uno de los animales más raros que existen. Son de la familia “monotremes”, los únicos mamíferos que ponen huevos en todo el reino animal. Estos adorables mamíferos nadan por los ríos en el Este de Australia. Como sistema defensa, sus garras tienen veneno, que no es letal para los humanos, pero sí muy doloroso si llega a rasguñar.

Dato especial: son de las pocas especies (a demás

de los delfines) que pueden localizar a su presa cuando detectan vibraciones eléctricas. Esto se llama electrolocalización.

Estatus de conservación: no está extinto (cerca de

Ornitorrinco

peligro de extinción)

Datos curiosos:

• No tienen estómago ni dientes • Al igual que los perezosos, solían ser gigantes hace miles de años • Son activos durante la noche.

Son los roedores más grandes después de la capibara.

Se encuentran por ríos de todo Norteamérica y son el animal nacional de Canadá. Se comunican entre sí con aullidos, gritos y muchos otros sonidos que tal vez no creías que hacían los castores. En la cultura canadiense, los castores representan industria, tradición y respetabilidad.

Dato especial: son conocidos por su habilidad para construir presas con la madera de árboles encontrados a su alrededor.

Estatus de conservación: menor preocupación.

Datos curiosos:

Castor

• Para alertar a otros miembros de su familia de un depredador, azotan su cola contra el agua, haciendo un sonido potente.

• Producen un olor a vainilla.

• Construyen presas que ayudan a organismos acuáticos, ya que les dan un hábitat.

National Animals

A JJ’s Lifestyle

Pag. 34

Son muy lentos (escalan cuatro metros por minuto) y aunque los persiga un depredador solo corren a 4.5 metros por minuto. Sorprendentemente, son buenos nadadores. Nadan mucho más rápido de lo que caminan, a una velocidad de 13.5 metros por segundo.

Son omnívoros. Tienen una dieta de insectos, frutas, plantas y hasta de lagartijas pequeñas.

Dato especial: las hembras se juntan más en grupos que los machos. Los dos solo se juntan en época de apareamiento.

Estatus de conservación: estándar Datos curiosos:

Perezoso

• Sólo defecan una vez a la semana, por su metabolismo lento.

• Llegan a vivir hasta 40 años.

• Hace miles de años había una especie que medía lo mismo que un elefante.

Este animal nacional de Corea del Sur, es uno de los felinos más rápidos y fuertes del mundo. De cola a cara miden un estimado de 150cm y pueden pesar hasta 300 kilogramos. Ellos se aparean en cualquier mes del año y se tardan alrededor de tres meses en nacer. El tigre siberiano se abalanza sobre su presa y le muerde el cuello para perforar sus arterias.

Dato especial: sus capas gordas de pelaje y piel les ayudan a sobrevivir las heladas temperaturas de las montañas.

Estatus de conservación: peligro de extinción.

Datos curiosos:

Tigre Siberiano

• Es el felino más grande del mundo.

• Las hembras son mucho más ligeras que los machos, pesando 180kg.

• Pueden comer hasta 27kg de carne al día.

Pag. 35

To Lead My Heritage

by Jacob Szymborski, Camille Casses JFK Faculty

Can Lele Be the Pretty Doll?

by Felipe Reyes JFK Teacher

To Lead

My Heritage

Pag. 36

My heritage

By Jacob Szymborski JFK Faculty

Where were you born?

I was born outside of Chicago, Illinois.

Where was your dad born? Both of my parents were born in Milwaukee, where we eventually moved when I was younger.

Where was your maternal grandmother born? Grandma Wilma was born near Princeton, Wisconsin, where she grew up on a farm so poor that she didn’t have shoes!

That’s what caught my grandpa’s attention -- he decided he would marry the barefoot farm girl the moment he saw her.

Where was your maternal grandfather born? Also in Wisconsin, near Montello. He grew up in a two-room house with 10 children and a widowed mom.

Where was your paternal grandmother born? I believe Grandma Tani was born in the Milwaukee area, but her family was Italian, from Sicily -- pretty recent immigrants, and still spoke Italian at home.

Where was your paternal grandfather born? This one I’m less sure about… but I’ve asked my dad to find out more.

Either Grandpa Eddie was born in Poland and immigrated right after he was born, or he was born in the Milwaukee area right after his parents immigrated to the area. When I visited Poland, it was tough getting around because people saw my last name and assumed that I spoke Polish… I don’t.

Where were your maternal great grandparents born? On mom’s side, the family is pretty established in the United States, but are very Irish.

Where were your paternal great grandparents born? Poland and Italy.

What ethnicity would you say you are?

Pretty well established in the United States by now, but my ethnic heritage is Irish, Italian, Polish, and German.

To Lead

My Heritage

Pag. 37

Matern

al

Where were you born? I was born in Vero Beach, Florida. We moved to North Carolina when I was four, and I was raised in the mountains of western North Carolina.

By Camille Cases Middle School Principal

Where was your mom born?

My mom was born in St. Augustine, Florida.

Grandm

other

Where was your dad born?

My dad was born in Rockville Centre, New York.

Where was your maternal grandmother born?

My mother’s mother was born in Birmingham, Alabama.

Where was your maternal grandfather born?

My mother’s father was born in St. Augustine, Florida.

Where was your paternal grandmother born?

My father’s mother was born in Flushing Meadows, New York Where was your paternal grandfather born?

My father’s father was born in Flushing Meadows, New York.

ight on far r d a d y M

Where were your maternal great grandparents born?

My grandmother’s parents are from Tennessee. My maternal grandfather’s mother was from Maryland, and my maternal grandfather’s father emigrated from Beerta, the Netherlands to the United States.

Where were your paternal great grandparents born? They were both born in New York City, but I am not sure which borough.

What ethnicity would you say you are? My socially-constructed identity is White or European-American (depending on what the questionnaire has an option).

Any other backgrounds?

Yes! My mother’s grandfather, Onno, came from the Netherlands and we have family in the Netherlands that my mother still emails. He started a campground in St. Augustine, Florida called Post Cottage Camp. When she was little, my mother even learned to speak some Dutch while her grandfather took care of her. My father’s paternal ancestor, a great-great-great-great relative, was Peter Kechekaris, from Athens, Greece. As they usually did back then (1880s), the immigration officials changed his last name to Casses, which is my last name now.

Peter was processed into the United States through Corpus Christi, Texas, and was a sailor. On his immigration application, they described an anchor tattoo on his forearm and he lists Pilar Gonzalez as his wife, and none of us know who she really was! My dad has pictures of some of Peter´s relatives, Ben and Spiro, posing with rifles in the Texas desert. I like to think of these early Casses’ and Posts in the United States, all looking for a better life full of adventure and prosperity, and I think that may be why I was so inspired to come live here!

Mom

Me, Mo m & Kat harin

e

To Lead

Can Lele Be the Pretty Doll?

Pag. 38

Can Lele Be ‘The Pretty Doll’?

In 1896, segregation was established as legal under the US Constitution in the Supreme Court case of Plessy v.

Ferguson. Homer Plessy had tried to ride a ‘whites-only`car on a train and the Court ruled that as long as he got to ride the train, there was no violation to the 14th Amendment. It took a century and a half to finally strike down the ‘separate but equal’ doctrine thus enshrined during Reconstruction, as this mindset would prevail across the American social landscape. Freedom had been fought for, died for and conquered, but former slaves and their children were not welcome yet at the table.

In 1954, the landmark case of Brown v. The Board of Education proved that Segregation was actually harmful to children. Part of the evidence used by the thirteen suing Black families was the Kenneth and Mamie Clark ‘Doll Experiment’, where Black children were shown to prefer white dolls to dolls of their own race when prompted to point out which was ‘the pretty doll’, the ‘good doll’, or the ‘nice doll’. In Dr. Clark’s words: (segregation) “generates a feeling of inferiority as to their status in the community that may affect their hearts and minds in a way unlikely ever to be undone.”

Much to Kenneth Clark’s dismay, other conclusions of this experiment, conducted a whole fourteen years before the lawsuit, were not also brought to the Court’s attention. The

By Felipe Reyes JFK Teacher

To Lead

Can Lele Be the Pretty Doll?

first one referred to American society being inherently built on racism and the second one mentioned how white children were also being damaged by the system.

Clark was definitely on to something bigger. His findings speak of more than the plight of one oppressed minority.

The conclusions seem to show that a society that was built on a rigid social and racial structure will perpetuate itself despite decades of social movements and laws promoting equality. The roots, as it were, have burrowed so deep within our minds that legal victories were the beginning, rather than the end of racial struggle in America.

On the long-lasting effects of Segregation, prolific African-American author Walter Dean Myers wrote: ‘There were no chains on black wrists (sic), but there were the shadows of chains, stretching for hundreds of years back through time, across black minds.’

Breaking physical chains cost blood and tears. Across the world, as subdued peoples struggled to rid themselves of the yoke of slavery, Clark’s findings resounded through the former colonies.

The shadows of those chains were firmly in place in many of the minds of those new nations while a new world order vied for their allegiance, without much regard to their identities. East and West were going at it and you had to become like one or the other in this brave new world. Everyone had skin in the game.

After the Cold War, as the cultural wall the Communist bloc had built around itself came crashing down, a de facto embrace of ‘Western Culture’ became the norm. Along with other commodities of world trade, the entertainment industry became part of a phenomenon we call ‘globalisation’.

The dream was to reap the benefits of communications technologies

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developed during the arms race and create a world where ideas could be shared immediately throughout the world.

Soon enough, however, it became clear that cultural globalization was more about spreading dominant ideas, rather than having a worldwide agora where all voices would be heard. Sure, you’re probably going to get around to watching that Polish show on your Netflix queue at some point; it sure is nice that BTS is now enough of a pop music behemoth that American artists are lining up to record with them, and it is definitely a great moment for Latino artists when the entire world is dancing some version of reggaeton.

It certainly looks as though the world is becoming smaller in these cases, but deep down, are our minds still pretty much colonised?

The Clark doll test has been repeated in other countries in order to illustrate how bias towards whiteness or lighter skin are worryingly prevalent in children of non-white countries. According to the UN, 40% of women in Africa bleach their skin through dangerous procedures (both old and new) which may cause cancer, liver disease and, of course, death. The fact that people of color are risking so much in order to lighten their skin is a troublesome indicator of how valuable ‘whiteness’ still is around the world.

A 2018 study by Colegio de México concluded that light skinned Mexicans, despite having on average only one more year of education, make around 50% more money. For years now, Mexico’s long-in-themaking reckoning with its own perspectives on race and class have peeked from the horizon. The ripples made around the world with George Floyd’s murder, which re-energised the fight against racism in the world, along with a turbulent domestic political climate, may be nudging Mexico closer to finally having this conversation.

To Lead

Can Lele be the Pretty Doll?

On the other side of the world, South Korea stands out as the tenth largest skin care industry in the world, which is baffling for such a comparatively small population, but as Western standards of beauty have become more popular, Korean men and women have opted for increasingly long and complex skin care routines. Furthermore, in recent years, South Korea has become number one in plastic surgery per capita. Its best seller: double eye-lid surgery to make the eyes appear larger.

Whether this is part of a desire to more closely resemble a European beauty standard, however, is still subject of debate.

Naturally, decolonising our minds is about more than race. If indeed the minds of our children may catch on to existing prejudice in our societies from such a young age, there are probably other ways in which our shared colonial past has had long-lasting effects in the way we see ourselves and others.

Many children in international schools in Latin America are now expected to master three languages by twelfth grade. However, this is rarely because of regional cultures, since the third language is always foreign. Most of the time, it is more of a response to the fact that every other international school already offers English. English has become so accepted as our lingua franca that, in the competitive world of private schools, it is not attractive enough for parents, as these days ‘everyone speaks English’.

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Never mind that Latin American averages of English-speaking population are still around 10%, the perceived necessity of English as a second language dominates the cultural conversation. Consumer products are increasingly named and advertised in English, and it is common to hear phrases as ‘I prefer music in English’, as though language should be the criterion for what is called ‘a universal language’.

Meanwhile, 144 indigenous languages are in danger of disappearing in Mexico alone, a fact that is rarely mentioned outside of dedicated academic circles. In contrast, since 1997, the British council has offered scholarships for Welsh learners and recently partnered up with popular language app Duolingo in order to ensure the legacy of this Celtic language. The project involves reaching one million speakers by the year 2050. Elsewhere, boutique publisher Olniansky seeks to do its part to preserve Yiddish as a spoken language by publishing popular titles such as Harry Potter or The Hobbit, so as to reach out to a public beyond the shrinking Jewish Haredim population, who would be disinclined to read fantasy books in the first place.

If nothing else, these efforts show how culture is resilient. The love for our own identities is there and can even succeed as long as we are able to recognise the value in our own communities and preserve what makes us unique in the world.

But in order to save this part of who we are, we have to teach our children to see the beauty in the doll that looks and speaks like them, and let them know that they get to play with both.

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To Serve Union and Peace

National Honor Society Isabella Maclemmy 12° Grade Student

Are Stereotypes Positive?

by Jen Fernández JFK Staff

To Serve

Union & Peace

Unio n&P eace

The JFK Model

By Isabella Maclemmy 12° Grade Student United Nations (MUN) Club consists of students that seek to progress, stay informed, and change the world for the better. Our club ranges from Middle Schoolers that are heavily interested in debate to High Schoolers interested in problem-solving and global issues. At JFK, MUN is not only a club, it is a community; a family even.

MUN allows its members to excel in different areas and topics of interest, making our club unique. Our community continues to grow and improve as time continues to pass, and It is mainly thanks to our astounding MUN event, Union & Peace.

Union & Peace arose as a small local event developed by JFK students in an attempt to express their interest in global dilemmas. Now, who would have expected that thirteen years later, Union & Peace would become one of the best international MUN events with the highest level of debate? Last year, the online event hosted participants from all around the world including delegates from Brazil, Ecuador, Mexico, and the United States. As the years go by, our event proves to evolve and grow in numbers of participation, level of debate, outreach, and logistics; making Union & Peace an enriching experience for all. This year, the MUN Secretariat is in the process of organizing the thirteenth edition of Union & Peace, expected to take place online in October. We are working hard to exceed the expectations that our previous events have successfully set. Even though current times continue to present uncertainties and obstacles, Union & Peace XIII will serve as a space for participants to grow and most importantly have fun!

I, Isabela MacClemmy, personally invite all of those who are interested in making our world a better place, to join MUN. The JFK MUN community encourages members to become problem solvers and leaders through confidence, knowledge, relations, and a drive for change. I have been a part of the club for five years and I have enjoyed every minute of it.

MUN has allowed me to develop oratory and research skills alongside characteristics like confidence, competency, and responsibility.

The club has given students like myself, a space to define and express our political outlooks and to explore our greatest interests. I dare say that joining MUN was the best decision my seventh-grade self could have ever made, and I encourage all of you to give it a try as well.

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To Serve

Stereotypes exist because of a defense mechanism

Are Stereotypes Positive?

A recent poll was published on our JFK Instagram page, the question read as the following: Can stereotypes be positive? Over 60 participants voted and the results indicate that 78% of people think they can be positive.

It’s a rather delicate question, but I come to find there is no right answer without having a context on why stereotypes exist. As humans, we are so used to labeling and categorizing things. We instantly put things in a box because that is how the structure of our brain works.

Ever since we were in kindergarten, we’ve been told to classify things that are similar colors, shapes, concepts, etc. It makes it easier for us to understand life for what it is. Today, we are looking at a globalized world and diverse society, which mixes things up. What is culture? What elements make up a culture? Is it right to think people are from certain places because of what they look like?

Stereotypes take a group’s more distinctive and representative characteristics to classify them. Some may be prejudicial, inaccurate, and hurtful, which brings us back to labeling. When a person is wrongfully misjudged and labelled, then people similar to this person may get the same label even if it is inaccurate. Every mind is an unknown world and has lived differently. Is it right or wrong to guess that an individual has certain characteristics just because you heard that somewhere?

By Jen Fernández JFK Staff

Stereotypes exist because of a defense mechanism. Humans need these classifications in their brains to avoid danger. For instance, I was robbed by a short white man wearing a bandana with ripped jeans. Next time I see someone with similar characteristics my brain will put him in the same box for sure, to keep alert. If we have a produced stereotype document for certain groups it could be easy to approach them, or

Are Stereotypes

Positive?

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To Serve

Are Stereotypes Positive?

Diversity in every aspect is slowly erasing the line on stereotypes avoid them, and for Marketing purposes, sell things to them. But don’t we all have different perspectives?

When is it right to be individualistic or mass oriented?

Diversity in every aspect is slowly erasing the line on stereotypes, and we are starting to focus on individuals using a clean canvas that has been constructed by the individual itself creating his own descriptive adjectives.

The dictionary definition is that stereotypes are “widely held but fixed and oversimplified images or ideas of a particular type of person or thing”. We could say facts and statistics are a form of justifying some stereotypes. For example, “All Irish have red hair”, if there are statistics where it’s a fact that they are mostly redheads we would agree that they are accurate and the natural thing to think would be that that is a positive stereotype. But what happens when someone is Irish and doesn’t have red hair, maybe bullying, segregation or expectations may surge. Stereotypes can be discriminative and labels that stick hurt people. Social groups that have been socially mistreated through time may be stereotyped continually even if today those stereotypes are not even accurate. Even though people sometimes don’t even consider them as negative, they are indeed a microaggression. For example, Mexicans are stereotyped to be loud, lazy and festive. What if I want a job at a serious German law firm. There could be some hesitation on even considering me for the job if they listened to Mexican stereotypes. And that is how these misjudgments can become microaggressions in your daily life.

Older generations are calling new generations the crystal generation because they say they are very delicate to social issues that we all had to go through years back. But it’s that stereotypes could be well intended, but someone may be affected by it.

It is hard to change people’s mentalities and eliminate prejudice totally. However, what we can do is to stop and think before speaking and to be self-conscious of the harm our words could generate. By showing empathy towards others we will make all stereotypes a thing of the past.

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Miscellaneous Countries Fun Facts Proverbs Tell Us Something That Is Common in Your Country but Weird to the Rest of the World Why Is Arabic So Deeply Rooted in the Spanish Language?

Countries Fun Facts

Miscellaneous

India

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eet world its sw e th e v a g India rcane ough suga tooth. Alth Asia, Southeast in d te a in orig refined chemically it was first o in 0 years ag about 2,50 nks, India!)

India. (Tha

United Kingd o

m

Tea is big on this Europea n island natio — locals repo n rtedly drink 16 5 million cup a day. But it s was a Portug euse woman first brought w h o the drink to th e isles.

After Catheri ne of Bragan za wed King Charles II in 1662, her fav o rite libation, from China, q tea uickly caugh t on in the ro palace, then y al the rest of th e country.

ks hopstic c f o s ir illion pa re 63 m a sticks — e r e h ese T n single o li il year. Th m y r 6 e v 2 1 e r —o China sable ctured in roduced dispo a f u n a m t can mass-p icks tha t m s o r y f t li e a g ran h-qu kingly ks to hig onth to painsta ic t s p o h c am to (yes) take up make.

Countries Fun Facts

By JFK Staff

USA he one of t p u e k a the tripes m untry in s o c d y n a n a s r ags of eration The sta izable fl odern it n m g o e c h e t r ss w most for a cla you kno d e id n d ig t s u nt in e world. B ol stude rs was d o a t h s c s 0 5 h nd ig ing rising h Alaska a p contain f r o e t n n e io addit by an project ated the ip ic t n a ve ho cher ga 1958, w a ? r e t e t d la e r s a yea impres Hawaii boy’s un e h t , ly g Amazin B him a

Brazil people contacted n u re o m There are mazon ion of the A rt o p ’s il z ra net, in B e on the pla ls e re e h w y than an d tribes er of isolate b m u n e th with an 100. be more th believed to

DENIKE, M. A. X. (2020, June 5). Fascinating Facts About Every Single Country on Earth. Far & Wide. https://www.farandwide.com/s/fascinating-facts-every-country7c1f1a0efdf64979

Miscellaneous

Proverbs

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PROVERBS

By JFK Staff

If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together. | African Proverb Fall seven times, stand up eight. | Japanese Proverb Shared joy is a double joy; shared sorrow is half a sorrow. | Swedish Proverb If you can’t live longer, live deeper. | Italian Proverb Do good and throw it in the sea. | Arab Proverb Where love reigns, the impossible may be attained. | Indian Proverb It’s better to light a candle than curse the darkness. | Chinese Proverb He who does not travel, does not know the value of men. | Moorish Proverb The night rinses what the day has soaped. | Swiss Proverb A spoon does not know the taste of soup, nor a learned fool the taste of wisdom. | Welsh Proverb

The most beautiful fig may contain a worm. | Zulu Proverb Change yourself and fortune will change. | Portuguese Proverb Evil enters like a needle and spreads like an oak tree. | Ethiopian Proverb Who begins too much accomplishes little. | German Proverb Whoever gossips to you will gossip about you. | Spanish Proverb Beauty lies in the eye of the beholder. | English Proverb Full stomach, happy heart. | Mexican Proverb The shrimp that falls asleep is swept away by the current. You snooze, you lose. | Mexican Proverb

Miscellaneous

Something that is common....but weird...

Tell Us Something That Is Common in Your Country but Weird to the Rest of the World Spain United Kingdom

China

France

Belgium

• Tener Persianas ( no las de aquí, sino unas que se enrollan) • Hablamos muy alto • Tapear ( pedir bebida en un bar y te regalan con la bebcida comida) • No entendemos una comida sin pan • Comer 12 uvas el 1 de enero porque trae buena suerte

• Algo diferente es que los coches tienen el volante del otro lado

• Tips are not allowed in most places in China • Most of Chinese drink warm water and seldom drink cold water.

• In China the pronunciation of 4 was similar to ‘dead ’,so we don’t like t 4 on our car plate or house number.

• La bise: people kiss each other on the • cheeks to say hello and the number of kiss depends on the region you’re in!

• We eat cheese at the end of each meal. The smellier, the better!

• We eat (not all of us) frogs and snails.... 🐌 • We eat a sweet breakfast. It usually includes croissant, pain au chocolat, baguette... and yes we go to the “boulangerie” every day to buy our freshly baked baguette 🥖 • Things have a gender but in Spanish too so it’s not that weird!

• We use a lot of “fake English words” as footing, parking, jogging, basket and you would be surprised of the meaning of those in “Frenglish”..

• We say “ma crotte” as a nickname to our close ones which literally means “my poo”🤪🙈

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Miscellaneous

Portugal India

Something that is common....but weird...

• Dinner in Portugal is always after 8pm.... and 8pm it’s kind of earlier • Also at the restaurants the fish comes entire on your plate, I mean with the head…Some people find it strange to make eye contact with our food.

• Touching the feet of elders. I’m sure it must be considered weird outside our country but it’s such a beautiful gesture

Italia

• Capuccino everywhere in the world at all times, • Where in italy, we have cappuccino with a sweet bread for breakfast and that s it. Never at another time of the day.

Algeria

• Having an Algerian flag out of nowhere for all occasions, even for events that have nothing to do with Algeria. An Algerian always has a flag with him!

Costa Rica

• En Costa Rica decimos pura vida para todo, al saludarnos, al despedirnos, al indicar nuestro estado de ánimo o de salud. Tomamos la cerveza con hielo

Guatemala

• El Día de muertos 1 noviembre hacen una comida fría que se llama fiambre (a base de verduras y embutidos) y la comen en el cementerio con sus difuntos, es una tradición muy familiar

USA

• Put ranch on everything • In the US we drive on parkways and park on driveways.

(Not sure if other places do this thorough) • Free Refill on most non-alcoholic drinks

Switzerland USA/other European countries/ all Arab countries

• No school on Wednesdays • No shoes inside the house

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Miscellaneous

Why Is Arabic So Deeply Rooted in the Spanish Language?

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WHY IS ARABIC SO DEEPLY ROOTED IN THE SPANISH LANGUAGE? Between 711 and 1492, Andalusia was rules by Muslims. This prolonged cultural contact between Spanish and Arabs resulted in deep-rooted language ties.

It is interesting to note that most Spanish words derived from Arabic are nouns, around 60% of approximately 8000. Many of these words include the definite article AL, therefore there is a high concentration of words beginning with A. Finally words related to science, geography, crafts, industry, commerce, mathematics, architecture, public administration, military, trade and household items have most commonly a root in Arabic.

SPANISH

ARABIC

ENGLISH

Alhambra

Al-Hamra

Red

Almadén

Al-Maydan

Field

Alcántara

Al-Quntarah

Bridge

Guadalajara

Wadi al Hijara

Stony river

Alberca

Al Birka

Pool

Medina

Madina

Town

Alcazar

Al Qasr

Palce

Aceite

Al Zeyt

Oil

Azucar

Al sukar

Sugar

Arroz

Al Ruz

Rice

Aceituna

Al Zaytuna

Olive

Atun

Al tun

Tuna

Alcachofa

Al Kharshuf

Artichoke

Hasta

Hatta

Until

Ojala

Insha’Allah

God Willing

Miscellaneous

World Kitchen

Thank you for reading See you soon!

We are looking for writers!

If you want your work to be published by JFK Times, send an email to: bfernandez@jfk.edu.mx

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