VOICES
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Sharing is Caring Freshman Aleena Malik strives to spark change and help other people By Murryum Farooqi // Body Copy Editor A girl runs up to a large rectangular table pushed against a wall in the cafeteria. On the table, there is a small assortment of random foods: a green apple, something wrapped in saran wrap and a small container with marinara sauce sitting nestled together on a far end of the table. She excitedly picks up the apple. This apple, and the table itself, represent freshman Aleena Malik’s goal to reduce food waste on a local level, and her passion for helping those around her. The Share Table is the product of a human impact project Malik and her classmate, freshman Cecelia Fan, worked on for Biology Teacher Meghan Sermo’s class earlier this year. It is a table in the cafeteria where students can leave unwanted and sealed food items. For Malik, this wasn’t just any other school project, but an opportunity for her to take action on Islamic values that her parents have encouraged her to live by her entire life. “We would never waste a grain of rice,” Malik said. “You’d take as much as you wanted, and then you finished that. You don’t throw anything away. I noticed that in
this American culture, people just take a bunch of stuff and they just throw it all away. They don’t realize that you’re wasting resources — just think of how much water it took to make that rice, all the labor it took.” Malik felt especially encouraged to take action against food waste while she was doing her research. “After discovering staggering statistics of just how much food waste America threw out, I was angry,” she said. “According to the Natural Resources Defense Council, [as of 2016], about 40 percent of all produce in the U.S. is wasted!” Sermo explained what it was like watching Malik go through the process of making the Share Table accessible to students. “I knew Aleena could get it done,” Sermo said. “She was very passionate about the waste that we as humans leave at Troy High. Her and her partner did a ton of research … She actually even reached out to multiple administrations in the district and teachers in the district and also people in the government to get just ideas.” Senior Caroline Zhang, a friend
of Malik’s, describes the special attributes Malik brings to the table. “I think Aleena’s dedication to her ideas is most inspiring about her,” Zhang said. “Aleena wants to make a positive change in the world.” However, Malik also talks about how sometimes it’s not easy to stay positive. “One big obstacle is having a negative view of yourself and your capabilities from exposure to competitive peers who treat you inferior especially in academics, extracurricular activities, and so on,” she said. Dealing with criticism in a constructive way is something Malik is always working on. “Getting over the roadblock of others’ judgement and doing what’s best for me has been something I have been and still am adapting to today,” she said. At the end of the day, Malik believes being there for others allows her to put things in perspective. “Helping others gives me a sense of purpose greater than myself and allows me to see the bigger picture, rather than focusing on my personal struggles,” Malik said.
Expression
Graphic By Emy Galustyan
Senior Nicole Ryan Expresses herself through colorful clothing
By Emy Galustyan // Cartoonist and Graphics Editor
Photo By Murryum Farooqi
Senior Nicole Ryan may have caught people’s eye in the hallways. Her colorful clothing draws attention in any room, surrounded by the usual blacks and greys. Matching her pink hair, she chooses to dress in neons and pastels, accompanying her funny and cheerful personality among friends and classmates. “I suffer from a couple mental illnesses, so coming to school can really be hard,” Ryan said. “Even though I might be struggling, picking out awesome outfits can really help.” Ryan’s favorite choice of outfit is her bright pink cardigan, accompanied with some textured patterned black and white pants and her choice of pink pastel tank top underneath, accented with her bright eyeshadows and blushes and eyeliner stamps. “So far I haven’t gotten any
mean comments,” Ryan said. “Even if I did, I won’t care. I’m proud of my looks and I’m proud of myself for coming to school as an individual. I feel most myself when I’m dressed up in my cute clothes.” Senior Kate Gendrushke, one of Ryan’s close friends, describes Ryan as a “total muse.” “Even when things drag her down she doesn’t fail to be so bright and bring a smile to a room,” Gendrushke said. “She’s just so bright and colorful. Someone who makes others feel so happy and always brings a laugh to the room deserves the world.” Ryan walks through the halls, hair bouncing and her bright clothing glowing among the ocean of dulls and monochromes, blasting music through her headphones as she infects people with a smile.