PAWPRINT THE
Issue IV Spring 2018
Feature on First Responders Page 3
Black Panther Movie Review Page 8
Montgomery High School
MHS Students Participate in the National School Walkout by Ananya Sankar ‘19
On April 20th, 1999, two armed teenagers killed 13 people and injured more than 20 at Columbine High School. Nineteen years later, on April 20th, 2018, high school students across the U.S. participated in the National School Walkout to memorialize the lives lost and to engage in riveting conversations about gun regulation. MHS students mobilized quickly, planning out the logistics for the movement weeks in advance. Students took the initiative to work with the administration in order to establish a walkout that satisfied school policies. The final consensus allotted one hour, from 10 am to 11 am, for students to join the walkout and congregate at Cougar Stadium. A podium and platform were provided for any prospective speakers, and the entire demonstration remained an optional activity for students to attend. Catherine Podell, a senior and one of the student organizers of the movement, expressed her enthusiasm regarding the event’s planning: “The walkout was a success! We worked very well with the administration and the Montgomery Police Department to allow a safe environment for students to participate in.” Booming voices, passionate tears, and exhilarating cheers could be heard echoing across the stadium for over an hour. The energy in the air inspired a powerful and inspiring reaction as students stepped up to the podium one by one, voicing their personal opinions regarding gun regulation. Several students announced that it was their first time speaking in front of an audience, yet the supportive cheers they received fueled their courage. Several individuals left the podium in tears, impacted by the powerful rush of emotions they had just expressed. “A number of us learned that we have
Calendar of Events April 26 Art Extravaganza May 2 Spring Orchestra Concert May 3 - 4 Every Fifteen Minutes May 7 - 18 AP Exams May 12 Music From the Heart: “Annie”
the ability to spark conversation about something bigger than ourselves,” suggested junior Ananya Sampath, who delivered an emotional presentation. Her realization was evident by the diversity of the crowd, in which students of many opinions were able to share the same liberating experience of having a respectful political discussion. Furthermore, the diversity of the crowd highlighted an important aspect of the MHS walkout: conflicting beliefs were presented in a manner that even adults struggle to master. Students displayed their ability to remain dignified, and were thus able to engage in deep intellectual discussions that contributed to the greater issue of national gun rights. MHS’ decision to host a walkout was less about political debate and more so about educating the teenage generation and raising awareness about gun regulation prospects. Freshman Alexander Tan explained that his message intended to “give a universal message of the dangers our society faces in our apathy and indifference to these tragedies at hand.” Tan believes that the more attention millenials pay to social problems,
Source: Christine Cirullo ‘19
May 18 Senior Prom
the more effectively they can help solve them. The walkout proved to be successful in achieving his goal.Commendably, students went beyond simply orating their opinions; many capitalized upon this opportunity in order to call for action. The words “vote” and “mobilize” were used heavily, echoing powerfully with the promise of establishing a better future. It was unlike any demonstration that MHS had entertained thus far. For the first time, individuals recognized that following the walkout, further action would have to be taken to cement their proposals. Podell elaborated, “Thirteen at Columbine, 28 at Sandy Hook, 49 at Pulse, 58 in Las Vegas, and 17 in Parkland. While we are terrified, we are also persistent and we will keep pushing people to register to vote until we make change, because it’s the only way we can.” Sampath shares a similar mentality, claiming, “If there’s something you think is wrong with the world, complacency is almost advocating for stagnation to continue. What we did sent a message... we showed as a community that we will not
stay silent about issues that matter to us.” Following the walkout, MHS students are more invigorated than ever. The divulgent discussions that can be overheard in the hallways suggest a healthier mentality for the student body, one that encourages open discussion of current events as long as it remains in a respectful manner. Students are grateful for the administration’s flexibility with the movement, allowing them to join the thousands of teenagers across the country actively voicing their concerns, pushing for change, and exercising their newly acquired right to vote. 2018 has set off the Era of Generation Z, and they have promised to be loud and proud about the world they will soon inherit.
the ceramics students were exposed to many different types of tiles through a field trip to the Fonthill Castle, and Moravian tile works in Bucks County Pennsylvania. When finished, the mural will be a 30 foot long and eight foot high mosaic made of all the tiles, outside of the school near the bus entrance. There is an opportunity for community members “Where I Am From” Mural Design | Source: Kristina Villanti ‘18 and those who are
not enrolled in ceramics classes to create their own tiles for the mosaic, at this year’s Art Extravaganza, which will take place on Thursday, April 26th from 7-9pm. Once all the tiles are completed, the mosaic will be assembled and installed by the end of the 2017-2018 school year. Montgomery High School students should expect a culminating event around mid-June relating to the final installation of the piece. Overall, the inspiration for the mural was taken from quilt patterns and designs. Similar to Montgomery, the community we live in, a quilt has many unique pieces intertwined into one.
May 20 Unicef Color Run May 23 Spring Band Concert
Ceramics Classes and the Community Collaborate on New Mural by Kristina Villanti ‘18
Years ago, a racial slur was spray painted on the wall outside of the high school. As a temporary solution, Student Council created a tree mural on plywood to represent community, and set it up to cover the spray painted area. Recently, Mr. Warshafsky, the Supervisor of Visual and Performing Arts, and Mrs. Dailey, the ceramics teacher, applied for a grant through Young Audiences, an organization that brings art into schools. Montgomery High School was awarded a grant for an artist in residency, Gale Scuderi, to create a large scale mosaic with our students to cover the graffiti. Scuderi specializes in mosaics and tile making. The theme of this project in reaction to the initial graffiti is “Where I Am From.” To inspire this mosaic, which encompasses the
visual story of the lives of students, a poet named Jacob Winterstein came and worked with the classes for days. Students wrote their own poems about where they are from. Next, each of the ceramics students created a 10x10 inch mosaic of their own story that reflects their poem. Mrs. Dailey stated, “Not only are over one hundred ceramics students participating, but making a tile to add to this piece is open to any student and to the public.” Senior Lori Srivastava commented, “This is definitely one of the most meaningful projects I’ve done through all of ceramics because my tile, my story, will be a part of the school forever. My inspiration for my tile is my childhood, my family, and friends. I take inspiration from the people closest to me and I want to memorialize how much they mean to me in my tile.” To inspire creativity for this project,
Source: Kristina Villanti ‘18