Fashion Food tRavel April 2019
The Contents
Amateur Tim Gunn AVERI JACKSON OFFERS HER THOUGHTS ON THE BIGGEST FASHION TRENDS
3 fashion Amateur tim Gunn by Averi Jackson, Mom Jeans are the new everything by Channing Icenogle
5 food my morning trip to enlightenment by Itza Lasso-Karner, East’s Top 12 Best Lunch spots by Leo Kamin, I had a good time at casa bonita by Ethan Hale, Food for when you need a friend by Kayla Dunlap
10 center Vouge(ish: An exploration of teacher fashion by Audrey Abel, Maddy Levin & Lilly Siekmeier
12 Travel Cereal & Crocodiles by Bri Zampert, Israeli summers by Yoni Manor, Thinking of ChinA by Nick Virnich, MontrEal State of mind by Aidan Swank, “303 Sunsets”by Zoe DiFiore
17 Sports spotlight on the special olympics by Eli Einsman, Should there be a universal designated hitter? by Ben Nash, The issue with major league baseball’s trade by Max Brown
Eastspotlightnews.com East High Spotlight, Room 210A 1600 City Park Esplanade, Denver, CO 80206 303.807.5505—eastspotlightnews@gmail.com
The Spotlight is published by the student newspaper staff of East High School. The views expressed are those of the individual students and do not necessarily reflect those of the sponsor or the staff as a whole. Student editors, not the administrators nor the Denver Public Schools Board of Education, are responsible for the content published.
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Editor-in-chief: Allie Kelly Assistant Editors: Anna Bock & Max Boubin
News Editor: Ella Barron Features Editor: Max Boubin Center Editor: Allie Kelly Opinions Editor: Anna Bock Sports Editor: Elijah Bruggeman Culture Editor: Zoe DiFiore Staff Writers: Audrey Abel, Sam Anderson, Javier Boersma, Max Brown, Kaila Butler, Kayla Dunlap, Lilly Siekmeier, Eli Einisman, Ethan Hale, Aiden Halstead, Channing Icenogle, Averi Jackson, Leo Kamin, Ben Nash, Itza Lasso-Karner, Maddy Levin, Yoni Manor, Aidan Swank, Victoria Venegas-Rodriguez, Nicholas Virnich, Elyria Williams, Quincy Young, Brianna Zampert Faculty Sponsor: Cat DiNunzio Principal: John Youngquist
Cover by Allie Kelly “The Contents” by Anna Bock Logo by Milo Martinez Volume CIII, Issue 5
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s a senior in high school (ha!), I have been at the forefront of the upcoming trends for the past four years. Teens encompass all of the latest trends, whether they are the “it” look for a week, or a year. I notice many trends, as they come and go. Some were brilliant, and some… less than brilliant. None of them, however, fail to turn heads. Now, one of the best parts of our beautiful East High School is that everyone has their own unique style. Some of the craziest, coolest, and weirdest fashion of our generation strut down these hallways. So, no matter how much I might hate fanny packs and anything with the label Supreme on it, this article is in no way a public shaming to those fashionistas out there sporting these looks. Though I might describe Birkenstocks as the worst fashion decision made by youngsters since the revival of Full House, please don’t take offense. Yes, I know Birks are crazy comfortable and feel like walking on a cloud, but God, at what cost? If we had to bring back a hideous shoe from the 90’s, why not light up sketchers? They’re comfortable, colorful and scream sex appeal. But the fashion of the 90’s has made a comeback in some remarkable ways over the past four years. From chokers to blindingly white sneakers, the 90’s has returned. I personally hope that mom jeans and our perfectly fitted skirts stay in style forever, but sadly, everything in fashion is finite. That said, as temporary as my favorite trends are, waning as well is the era for my least favorite looks. Maybe it’s naive to hope that bucket hats and fanny packs find their way into the back of our closets and stay there forever, but hey, I’m an optimist. Overalls never fail to remind me of ei-
ther minions or the musical Oklahoma, and the epidemic of Vineyard Vines is something that I will never truly comprehend. However, people could probably say the same about my own style. I personally see leggings as a Godsend and find space buns to be the perfect mix of alien and princess Leia. For others, having something that resembles two cinnamon buns on their head might be a turn off. My ever devoted faith to oversized sweaters is the same love others have for bralettes, or what I consider the worst garment to wear while running up stairs, ever.
“If we had to bring back a hideous shoe from the 90’s, why not light-up sketchers?” Now, you probably wonder why I care about fashion so much. I’ll tell you why. Fashion reflects the interests, personalities and inner Tim Gunn in all of us. Being at a school like East, we have over 2,000 inner Tim Gunn’s, waiting to be set free. High school is the time to let out your inner femme or goth side, so why not do it? Even the fashion trends I hate, I love because even if I don’t have the guts to rock clear plastic high heels or hoop earrings the size of my head, I know I can find someone who does and I love it.
Printed by Signature Offset
fashion
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Mom Jeans are the new everything H
ave you ever wondered why that one person in your English class wore so much glitter? Or been intrigued by a classmate’s spiky black heels? Perhaps a cowboy hat or a rainbow sequined jacket struck you as a bold choice for a Wednesday block day? East hallways are a kaleidoscope of colors, patterns, and styles. Fashion is used differently from person to person but it connects everyone through self-expression. I, Channing Icenogle, The Spotlight’s resident fashion observer, decided to interview four students at East High about what fashion means to them, and why Lulu Lemon leggings are so darn popular. Tamia Fair, a sophomore with impressively clean shoes, met me at Tattered Cover one Tuesday to describe her style.¨I find that my clothing should be comfortable and fashionable,¨ she explained, “I like to express myself with my personality and outfit, but prefer to show myself in my actions.” Tamia is a dancer and her go-to outfit is composed of leggings, yoga pants, and generally ¨flowing clothes.” “I find that in the morning I wake up, find an outfit quickly and go about my day,” she added. “I don’t usually think about what I’m wearing during the day.” Tamia’s relaxed attitude towards fashion connects to her view on the fashion industry: ¨So many people are so judgemental now, especially in fashion….if you don’t have the newest clothes or items you can be seen as unfashionable. That’s why I’ve decided not to care about what other people think. My clothes are comfortable and I’m happy so that’s all that should matter.¨ Being unapologetic and confident about what she wears, Tamia feels free to wear clothes that suit her. Nayla Heller though, has different views on the subject. We spoke over lunch, her signature infinity sign necklace hanging gracefully around her neck. ¨I think it’s extremely important to represent yourself well, people make assumptions just based
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Channing Icenogle talks to East High outfit icons
off your clothes,” she told me, ¨If you have the chance to make a good impression why wouldn’t you?¨ Nayla’s outfits consist of neutral or darker tone colors, yet she tends to keep up with fashion trends. I noticed a particular vintage feel in her style, an ‘80s theme exists in many of her outfits.For her, it’s all about choices that feel comfortable.. ¨I feel I’m happier when I’m wearing clothes that I like. When I’m wearing other types of clothes I feel strange, just weird and unnatural like I’m not supposed to be wearing them,” she concluded. She then bid me goodbye, and returned to class sporting her high-waisted jeans, bob-length hairdo, and, as always, the infinity necklace. Like Nayla, Anaya’s choices are one-ofa-kind.. I often see her in the hallway covered head to toe in black attire, spiked boots, and a big smile. ¨When I was little, I was obsessed with the color pink,¨ she chuckled, ¨I think I can say I’m clearly over that phase.¨ With what she describes as a more gothic look, Anaya finds comfort in her seemingly dark taste in fashion. And I’m not exaggerating when I say she consistently has a smile on her face. ¨I love the way I look, I feel that it may seem weird to others but my clothes bring my joy.¨ Although her clothes make her feel happiness, Anaya faces much criticism in her everyday life for her fashion choices. ¨ I’ve been called a freak, ugly, told I Im making a mistake in my fashion. Sometimes people stop and stare and I can see them whispering, it kinda hurts.¨ Anaya’s self expression sometimes causes her harm, but that doesn’t stop her from freely expressing herself. ¨At this point I’ve given up on trying to change people’s perception of me. There’s no point in trying to change myself to make them happy so I’ve chosen to ignore their opinions.¨ Anaya has chosen to take the high road and ignore the criticism and dress the way she wants. Finally, last but not least, the East Spotlight News interviewed Veronica. Veron-
ica has a very sporty look to her clothes. Like many other girls at East High, she tends to prefer to wear leggings in her everyday ensemble. “Leggings are just super comfortable, I don’t know how else to put it.” She thinks, then says, “I guess it’s just sorta easy and convenient.” Within East we have a lot of diversity in our cultures, lives, and also our fashion. The choices students make to express themselves, feel comfortable, or just fit in are represented everyday. Many have felt pressure or criticism to represent themselves a different way. It’s important to remember that fashion is a way to show yourself to the world in a way that is open to all.
My Morning Trip to Enlightenment
ThE joy of Columbian breakfast
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riday morning, 7 a.m. wake up time. Punctual, as always. My dad says, “We having Colombian this morning.” Excitement runs through my half-awake face. My eyes could barely lift my heavy eyelids, yet my heart was already playing cheerful salsa melodies. I get up quicker than I ever had before. Disclaimer: for those of you who have not tried Colombian food - specifically breakfast - your trip to enlightenment is missing a very, very, very important path. The path of opening one’s tastebuds to heaven. To carry a Colombian passport, one must know the first president, the current, and how to cook arepas. A-reh-pas. Corn dough, with the option of cheese, grilled to perfection. To be complemented with whatever you’d like: most commonly steak, chicken and cheese. The modern era has introduced Nutella to the arepa. As an American with Colombian heritage, I am disappointed not to have tried this. Anyways, the Colombian breakfast could also and most commonly does include, eggs, rice, red peppers, tomato, yellow peppers,
Chocolate, Bacon & Coffee and some meat, like sausage, strips of thin steak and/or bacon. Every Colombian complements a good meal with a soothing beverage, besides the coffee of course. The coffee moms were waiting for the good stuff to come in, so here we are! Colombian coffee is better than advertised. Colombian chocolate (or cocoa) is underappreciated, and Colombian juices are always fresh in the morning. A warm, large cup of coffee or hot chocolate complements everyone’s tastebuds in the early hours. For a Colombian, every drink is a meal in itself, so buckle in and await the bread. Bread and Coffee. Bread and Chocolate. Bread is your friend. Back to my breakfast experience! I get up and mentally rush to the kitchen as my body is still wishing that I was waking up at 11 instead of 7 a.m. I sit to see a huge mug of hot chocolate, or chocolate, as we’ve all learned, alongside my personal friend, arepas. But the party was not done here - No, No, No. I am not a fan of steak in the morning, yet the savory beef laid
down comfortably on the arepa, both serenading in a wondrous dance into my mouth. You may be asking yourself, How was it, dear writer?! Let me put it as frankly as possible, in the simplest form so anyone could understand - I was a solid five minutes late to my 1st period. I had to stay to wash and thank the plate for carrying the food. Moral of the story? If you ever get bored of the same flavors in your mouth, or if you have extra time on a Sunday, google up a recipe for arepas. Cook. Prepare for a spiritual journey. Make the coffee or chocolate. Complement it with any side you’d like. Serve it on the finest china you own. Pick up an edition of the East Spotlight newspaper and enjoy!
By Itza Lasso-Karner
food
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East High’s
Top 12
Best Lunch Spots
By sandwhich connoisseur, Leo Kamin
Methodology:This is a list of the 12 best lunch places around East High School. The list is based on the quality
of restaurants and other factors such as seating space and how busy the restaurants are. Only restaurants that were reasonably walkable and realistically affordable were considered, eliminating, for example, restaurants such as Taco Bell and Okinawa.
12) Pizza Express
This pizza place is extremely cheap, but quite frankly, really disgusting. The pizza is frozen and extremely greasy. This restaurant may not be up to all health codes. Cooper Wathen recommends the Cheese Pizza.
11) Pete’s Gyros
6) Pepper
This restaurant offers relatively cheap Asian fusion food. Unfortunately, the lines are often long. Nick Virnich recommends the Sesame Chicken with Fried Rice and a Thai Iced Tea.
5) Uber Sausage
Small and probably less popular than most restaurants on this list, Uber Sausage provides surprisingly good range of sausage sandwiches and tater-tots with various toppings. The only problem here is the relative priciness compared to most other options on this list and the fact that there is virtually no seating space in the colder months. Logan Simpson recommends the Club.
4) Which Wich
This restaurant’s wide variety of sandwiches and use of high quality ingredients sets it apart from other sandwich restaurants. Its meats, though, can’t match the quality of Jimmy John’s cold cuts.
This small spot offers good Greek food, and surprisingly, pancakes. The only problem is that there is literally no indoor seating.
Alex Passas recommends the Brunchwich.
Celsius Tora recommends the Pancakes.
3) Popeye’s
10)Saucy Bombay
This Indian restaurant is one of the least well-known restaurants on this list, but many recommend it. Need more on this resturant. Give reasoning on why it should be number 10 Grace O’Meara recommends a Rice and Chicken Bowl with Vindaloo Sauce and a small amount of Korma.
9) Chipotle
Being the closest restaurant to East, and one of the most well-known restaurants in America, many would might expect Chipotle to be higher on this list. The fact that it is always super busy, and its clear inferiority in terms of burritos to Illegal Pete’s, though, finds the restaurant solidly in the bottom half of this list.
8) Noodles & Co.
Despite being dubbed “World Kitchen,” the only thing this restaurant really does well is their Wisconsin Mac & Cheese, which is, admittedly, very good. Due to lack of appealing options on the menu, and the fact that it is nearly always packed, Noodles may not fall as high on this list as many people would expect. Olivia Ooms recommends a Small Buttered Noodles with Parmesan Crusted Chicken and Seasoning.
7) The Goods
Although the Goods is the most sit-down-and-order style restaurant on this list, it’s still ranked because it has a very good lunch deal for students.
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Ms. Katie Hellrung recommends the Rosemary and Parmesan Fries.
april 2019
Easily the best fast food chicken you will find. The chicken is juicy, and all the sides are delicious. Just a fair warning: many students report being sick to their stomachs in afternoon classes after a trip to Popeye’s. Louie Reichmuth recommends a Three-Count Chicken Tender Meal with a side of Mac & Cheese.
2) Jimmy John’s
Jimmy John’s offers the classic cold cut sandwich and does it very well. All the ingredients are perfect, and there is no soft spot on the menu. The restaurant can be faulted in that it is generally one-dimensional, with very few options for different sandwiches or toppings. Johannes Witt recommends the Slim 1.
1) Illegal Pete’s
This is a controversial one. Nearly a 10-minute walk from East, Illegal Pete’s is the furthest restaurant from East on this list, making it potentially the least-busy lunch place. The walk is well worth it, though - their burritos are far superior to Chipotle’s. The underrated presence of potatoes as an option in your burrito truly puts this spot over the top. Cameron Todd recommends a quesadilla with beans and rice.
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I had a Good Time at Casa Bonita ou walk into the magical pink-highlighted doors and wonder for a brief moment, how a place like this could be right across from the liquor store? That thought follows you on your hour-long journey through the line before you finally get a taste of the quesadilla you were waiting for all that time. The wait made you hungry, an unfortunate thing to be at Casa Bonita. Fortunately, you brought in a few protein bars to carry you through until it’s socially acceptable to ask for sopapillas. But you’re not here for the food - and neither is anyone else. You’ve strategically positioned yourself right next to the stage, where you’ll be able to see every exquisite detail of the gorilla-man’s escape and impressive acrobatics. Animal Planet didn’t tell you they could do flips, but what do they know? The mariachis stop playing as you scarf down more of the cat food-covered leather they put on your plate, and the show plays out as it always does. The captive gorilla escapes and jumps into the lagoon below. While the audience is distracted trying
to figure out if the depth of the pool under the stage is regulation, you sneak off to Black Bart’s Cave in the hopes that no kids have made the journey before you. The stink of what happens when children get scared hasn’t quite presented itself at this point in the evening. You picked a good time to sneak away! The stroll through the plastic Goosebumps episode ends quickly, and you’re free to move back to your table for more dessert before the next show starts. There’s just one more thing to do before your experience is complete: Finding the South Park dolls. It feels like the staff changes their locations every time you come back, but you’ve learned their tricks by now. You make your rounds of the restaurant, only getting a handful of odd looks from parents this time. You find Cartman first--they never move him away from the waterfall--then Stan and Kyle. The only one left is Kenny, but he’s nowhere to be found. Not in the arcade, not the gazebo. Where is he?! You return to your table,
defeated. But as you gather your things, you look up to see the beautiful orange Parka in the jaws of a plastic tiger. You chuckle to yourself before heading back to your car. All good things must come to an end.
By Ethan Hale
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Food For When You Need a Friend Kayla Dunlap has the Lucky Charms leprechaun on speed dial too
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omfort foods. The first thing you reach for—or want to, at least— when you’re having the worst day. Ben & Jerry’s is for break-ups, Lucky Charms (mostly marshmallows) makes the perfect late night snack and greasy slices of pizza are ideal for lazy Friday nights. Carbs is the most delicious medicine. So here’s 3 of the best comfort food recipes for those substandard, unsatisfactory, negative two-star days. You’re welcome.
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Triple Chocolate Brownies Indgredients: 1/3 cup (1 oz) Dutch processed cocoa (unsweetened) 1 1/2 tsp instant espresso powder, optional 1/2 cup + 2 TB boiling water 2 ounces unsweetened good-quality chocolate, chopped fine 1/2 cup + 2 TB vegetable oil
4 TB regular butter, melted 2 large eggs + 2 large egg yolks 2 tsp vanilla extract 2 1/2 cups (17.5 oz) white sugar 1 3/4 cups (8.75 oz) all purpose, sifted flour 3/4 tsp fine salt 6 oz good quality bittersweet/semisweet chocolate, cut into 1/2 inch chunks Directions Bring a kettle of water to boil.
Adjust oven rack to second-to-lowest position and preheat to 350 F°. Make foil sling: insert 2 long sheets of foil perpendicular to one another in baking pan, so that there is foil hanging over the edges of the pan. Grease foil, then push and smooth it into corners and up sides of pan. Whisk cocoa, espresso powder, and boiling water (measure out correct amount from your kettle of boiling water) together in large bowl until smooth. Add unsweetened chocolate and whisk until chocolate is melted. Whisk in oil and melted butter. Add eggs, egg yolks, and vanilla. Continue to whisk until smooth and incorporated. Whisk in sugar until thoroughly incorporated. Sprinkle salt and sifted flour into batter and mix with rubber spatula until just combined. Fold in bittersweet/semisweet chocolate pieces. Transfer batter into prepared pan, spreading it evenly smoothing the surface. Bake for about 30-33 minutes, rotating pan halfway through baking. Test with a toothpick. If the toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs attached, it’s done. Do not overbake, or brownies may be dry. Transfer pan to wire rack and cool for 1 1/2 hours. Remove brownies from pan using foil sling. Return brownies to wire rack and let cool completely. Cut brownies into squares and serve. Can be stored in airtight container at room temp for a couple of days. Notes: If you have a kitchen scale, use it to get the most accurate measurements. Let brownies cool thoroughly before cutting into them, for chewiest texture. If your baking dish is glass, cool brownies in pan for just 10-20 minutes, and then use foil sling to transfer to wire rack to finish
cooling. Mac and Cheese Casserole Ingredients: 1 ¼ cup of milk 3-4 oz of Velveeta Cheese, cut 2 tbsp of margarine Elbow noodles Ritz crackers Salt/ pepper Directions: Cook milk, velveeta, and margarine in saucepan until it has melted. Cook and drain 1 cup of elbow noodles until al dente. Layer noodles and crushed crackers on top of each other until there is none left. Pour cheese mixture on top of that. Bake at 350° in the oven for 35-40 minutes, uncovered. Homemade Chili Ingredients: 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 medium yellow onion -diced 1 pound 90% lean ground beef 2 1/2 tablespoons chili powder 2 tablespoons ground cumin 2 tablespoons granulated sugar 2 tablespoons tomato paste 1 tablespoon garlic powder 1 1/2 teaspoons salt 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper 1/4 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper* -optional 1 1/2 cups beef broth 1 (15 oz.) can petite diced tomatoes 1 (16 oz.) can red kidney beans, drained and rinsed 1 (8 oz.) can tomato sauce
sionally. Add the ground beef to the pot. Break it apart with a wooden spoon. Cook for 6-7 minutes, until the beef is browned, stirring occasionally. Add the chili powder, cumin, sugar, tomato paste, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and optional cayenne. Stir until well combined. Add the broth, diced tomatoes (with their juice), drained beans, and tomato sauce. Stir well. Bring the liquid to a low boil. Then, reduce the heat (low to medium-low) to gently simmer the chili, uncovered, for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove the pot from the heat. Let the chili rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. Notes: You can top your chili with: shredded cheddar cheese sour cream sliced green onions saltine crackers or oyster crackers
Directions: Add the olive oil to a large soup pot and place it over medium-high heat for two minutes. Add the onion. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occafood
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Vouge(ish)
{East Staff with some serious style} Ms. DiNunzio Comfortable, black, simple
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“I kind of dress like an old lady a lot of the times.”
nown for her gender-bending style, Ms. DiNunzio takes inspiration from a decade focused on individuality: “[I take inspiration] from the 1970s, but I have to adapt to what’s appropriate for school and take into account that I’m now 45.” Sporting a combination of punk rock and New Jersey black-on-blackon-black, Ms. DiNunzio has a word of advice for fashionista-wannabes: take it from the Riot Grrls and keep it grunge.
Mr. Hagerman Sleek, nerdy, stylish Bonus! Steal his look: -Boots: $15.00 from DSW (on sale) -Pants: $4.00 from Target (clearance section) -Shirt: From Target -Scarf: Priceless, from mother-in-law
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cience teacher, Brady Hagerman, can usually be seen wearing a sweatshirt or soccer jersey, although he does like to spice things up with a scarf or two. But the scarf from his mother-in-law isn’t the only fashionable thing about this science teacher, “In high school I had a horrible style. I wore inside-out shirts, normally in bland colors like brown, dark blue, or grey, because I didn’t like the logo. Now I have to dress up and look good for my boss. I try to look stylish and professional.” Stylish he sure is.
Mr. Chimento
Mr. Ajluni
Old white guy
On Mount Olympus
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M
Mrs. Anderson
Ms. Walsh
Colorful, minimalist, comfortable
Comfortable, creative, modern
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r. Chimento has an instantly classic style, somewhere between Texas cowboy and Portland hipster. He draws inspiration from right here at home, proudly sporting a fashionable shirt from Rockmount, a western apparel store in Denver. From his “lazy” bolo tie, to his leather boots, perfect for “kicking corporate ass,” his style is an inspiration. “Now, here’s the tragedy of my life: the hipsters stole my look!”
hen asked about her style, Mrs. Anderson says she likes to keep it simple: “My style is mostly conservative. I kind of dress like an old lady a lot of the times.” The world history teacher also adds that she likes to wear “what’s cute and fun.” Taking inspiration from her friends, students, and current fashion trends, Mrs. Anderson can be seen wearing a jean jacket coupled with a chic pair of boots. Fashionable and comfortable, this outfit deserves five stars.
r. Ajluni is revered by East students and staff alike for his unique fashion sense. He places a lot of emphasis on his style, and presentation to the world— “You have a civic responsibility to look good,” the film teacher says. His looks are influenced by trends from previous decades, and he finds a lot of his outfits at vintage and thrift shops. Mr. Ajluni’s advice to aspiring fashionmongers: “Fashion is like a box of chocolates, you always know what you’re gonna get, if you’re cool.”
eing an art teacher, Ms. Walsh incorporates her creativity into her everyday style. Through the unique aspects of her wardrobe, Ms. Walsh shows her true colors and dazzles all. Featured on Angels On Air for her impressive hat collection, Ms. Walsh’s style is inspired by what’s trendy: “I wear what’s fashionable at the time but I also like to wear quirky things...like fun earrings and colorful dresses.” Her favorite? A dress with donuts on it. Very artistic, indeed.
“You have a civic responsibility to look good.”
{by maddy levin, audrey abel, & Lily Siekmeier} 10
april 2019
(Top: Walsh; Bottom: Ajluni)
center
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Cereal & Crocodiles Sunshine, monkeys and existentialist thoughts in Costa Rica
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f you want to see real-life spider monkeys and red macaws, unstoppable sunsets and soak up a new rich culture, Costa Rica is the place for you. On my recent trip to Costa Rica, this past January, I gained a new respect for wildlife. The trip was unimaginable—no pictures or memories can do the experience of having a monkey come right up to your door justice. Just seeing the cream-colored fur with hints of brown up close while I ate my morning cereal was an indescribable experience. I had to resist the urge to touch the adorable little monkey, remembering that petting its head might earn me a one-way ticket to jail. On our way to Manuel Antonio, our destination for the first three days, was Crocodile Bridge. Anybody who dares touching the water below basically asks to be eaten. I can’t even describe the fear I felt while standing 23 feet above the harrowing drop into the salty, cold, splashing water and the awaiting mouths of about twenty, 13-foot long saltwater crocodiles at the bottom. Their giant razor-sharp teeth and powerful 7 foot long tails are far more intimidating in person than on Animal Planet—especially considering saltwater crocodiles are among the most dangerous and largest living reptiles on earth. I stood there looking down, more terrified than ever. Cars passed behind me, crocodiles below me, and the railing seemed far too short to do any good. I was trapped. All I could get through my head was “one wrong move and you’re done for.” Crocs or cars. After the exhausting stress of that “amazing” bridge, I needed a long nap
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before embarking on a tour through the national park of Manuel Antonio. The park, roughly 46 km , is full of animals and flowers. Our first stop on the tour was a visit with a troop of Capuchin monkeys. These monkeys have black fur, faces covered in white and giant tails that seem too big for their bodies. It may seem like these monkeys are the generic monkeys you see at the zoo, but they aren’t. They’re incredibly smart. They’ve learned to open doors and windows, and to break into houses to steal everything. This particular troop followed us around for almost an hour. We thought it was cute, but the monkeys had other plans: stealing things right out of our backpacks. Sharing the trees with the monkeys were red macaws, a beautiful, large, colorful parrot. It only takes a blink to miss their flash of color as they soar through the sky. Once you catch a glimpse of the macaw, however, you’ll see how they glide through the air like nothing can
hold them back. After walking for 8 hours and seeing all kinds of animals, we left the park for a different kind of adventure. Imagine mud splashing everywhere as you zoom through the deep jungle at 70 MPH on a four-wheeled All Terrain Vehicle (ATV). As you go through the jungle, you pray to avoid the unfortunate event of an empty gas tank or running into a dangerous jaguar. About halfway through the ATV trip, we stopped at a waterfall hidden deep in the jungle. The water was clear and cold, immediately refreshing as my sister and I jumped in. But that wasn’t enough of an adrenaline rush, so my family continued on to another adventure: ziplining through the canopy. To be honest Zip Lining is the most terrifying yet amazing thing i’ve ever done. Being that high into the air makes u feel like your about to die, but the views make up for it. Before I jumped of the platform, I began to think about what would happen if I were to fall, If i would be able to grab a branch and survive or if I would simply just fall. It took me maybe 2 minutes to get the courage to jump. But when I was able to do it, I had the most fun i’ve ever had. My stomach was in my feet and my hair in my face, through my hair I could see rolling, green mountains and blue rivers. Not a guide in sight for 45 seconds as you go down the lines, getting closer to the ground each time. Until you reach the bottom, where fresh pineapple and watermelon are waiting as a snack. Hands down one of the best parts of my trip. And then there was the food. Some of the best things I ate included the Costa Rican jerk chicken with coconut rice and the red snapper with cilantro rice. The jerk chicken was prepared in a Jamaican-style sauce with garlic and cloves, grilled to perfection. It was served on a bed of rice, cooked in fresh coconut milk and baked with coconut shavings.The next night the red snapper was prepared simply: mar-
inated in lemon juice and red pepper flakes, steamed then grilled, and served as a whole fish with its head and all. Alongside it was some rice, cooked in cilantro and a touch of lemon. All in all, it was an amazing trip I would definitely recommend. However, there is one thing you must do while in Costa Rica: enjoy it and take time to appreciate every moment. If you don’t, it will feel like your average summer voyage to Miami, a mere tourist trap. Without fully appreciating your adventure through this breathtaking destination, the magic of its unique culture is lost. Costa Rica is on my bucket list to go back to with my friends alongside me. Honestly, I would live there if I could; no other country I’ve seen comes close to Costa Rica. So, choose Costa Rica as your next adventure. I promise it won’t disappoint.
By Bri Zampert
Israeli Summers W
ith beautiful deserts, country sides, beaches, along with its rich history and culture, Israel is the place to be. As the only country in the world with a net growth in trees, Israel is a flourishing and diverse ecosystem, while only encompassing 8,019 square miles. Despite contrary belief that Israel is only a mere addition to the vast desert of the Middle East, there is quite a lot of greenery. Along with the outside beauty of Israel, comes its rich biblical history and significance, most notably in the holy city of Jerusalem, my birthplace. Jerusalem is full of religious significance, with the Western Wall, Dome of the Rock and the Tomb of Virgin Mary. Though deemed a Jewish state, Israel is packed with many different ethnicities, religions and cultures. In the summer of 2016, I traveled with my family to Israel for my bar mitzvah. The trip was five weeks long, spanning the entire country. We traveled to the
Yoni Manor recalls breathtaking deserts and reconnecting with his roots
biblical site of Masada in the Judean desert, to the mountainous Golan Heights near the northern border of Syria, stopping along the way to visit Israeli relatives. I landed at the Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv, and drove to my grandparents apartment in Petach Tikvah, one of its neighboring suburbs. For the next week or so we stayed there, taking day trips into the city and nearby areas. We set out for a local market once we arrived in the city. The market was filled with shops and restaurants of every kind, even including a playground. One day, we went to a beach near Tel Aviv, along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. The beaches along the Mediterranean in Israel are some of the cleanest and most beautiful in the world, great places to relax and enjoy yourself. As the trip continued, we stayed with other family in places like Modiin, Oranit, Rechovot and Raanana. During our trip through the desert we traveled to the famous Dead Sea where I
floated with ease in the salt ridden waters, and saw the mountains of Jordan before my eyes. We also visited the historical Plateau of Masada, where Jewish rebels thousands of years ago fought off the Romans after the destruction of the second holy temple. Walking across the historical plateau in search of shade from the scorching heat, I stumbled upon mud buildings still standing from the biblical days. Jews used them back then for housing, storage, among others things. Moreover, we got to experience the wildlife and nature reserve of Ein Gedi, near the Dead Sea. As we ventured around the wildlife, we found ourselves a waterfall and splashed around in the small reservoir at its base. Looking around in awe, we took in the beautiful greenery around us amidst a vast desert, encapsulating a true natural phenomenon. About halfway through our trip, we stayed in Jerusalem, where my bar mitzvah was held and I read my torah portion
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at the Western Wall. While reading the holiest text at the holiest site of Judaism, I felt a deep spiritual connection to the city around me that was full of life, history and people. Even a day at the wall deemed quiet by most bustled with people praying and appreciating the holy site. I read my Torah portion surrounded by my loved ones at the wall, in the very place my ancestors stood during the era of the second temple. After my bar mitzvah, we explored the holy city and took a tour of the biblical tunnels under the old holy temple, that were used secretly by Jews to escape Roman persecution. I felt the history as I entered the tunnel, smelling the old, dusty caverns, and remnants of what took place in those tunnels. We then experienced the city of new Jerusalem with shopping
centers, restaurants and art galleries. As we approached the northern part of Israel, we visited the populous northern cities of Haifa and Akko. In Akko, we walked around a stunning art gallery exhibition that took place around the city. The show essentially made the city into one big art show, with every form of art imaginable, from paintings to jewelry. We continued traveling northeast, until we approached the Golan Heights, Israel’s only mountain range. At the beginning of the trail leading through this domain of nature, shops and ice cream carts were set up to satisfy our thirst and provide relief from the heat. Near the base of the mountains laid an abundance of nature. We explored this cascade of nature, experiencing its remarkable rivers, trees,
waterfalls and animals. The entire day trip was full of encounters with unique species of frogs, lizards, fish, and birds, that you could never naturally see in the Americas, and the trail’s end brought with it a beautiful waterfall. Throughout the experience, we certainly heard, smelled and saw nature at its finest. If you and your family are looking for a new travel destination, expand your horizons and explore this unique region of the Middle East and travel to the prosperous, beautiful and diverse land of Israel. You will find a vast array of beautiful scenery, filled with deserts, cities, vineyards, seas, religious sites and mountains; Israel truly has it all. As for me, I plan to travel back to Israel this summer for my sister’s bat mitzvah, and I could not be more excited.
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ast summer, I had my first adventure abroad in the fascinating country of Japan. This experience had a huge impact on my life, inspiring me to visit and immerse myself in other cultures across the world. This summer, I anxiously hoped to return to Japan. Just a few months ago, I applied to a program that would allow me to do so. However, the program is incredibly competitive, so they provide the option to specify other destinations of interest to study abroad. I specified two different locations in China: Shanghai and Nanjing. I chose these two cities because of my interest in exploring more of East Asia. Unfortunately, I received disappointing news. I was not accepted into the Japan study abroad program. My eagerness to return to Japan stems from the understanding of language, culture and history I acquired during my last stay. I was excited to return and build off of this new wealth of knowledge. Although I was not accepted into the Japan program, they offered me a spot in the Chinese program, based in Nanjing. Alongside this offer, they provided a substantial scholarship as well. I see this as a silver lining, as I now have the opportunity to experience a brand new culture. This offer piqued my interest. All along, I wanted to learn and experience a new
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culture, but with some similarities to the Japanese one I immersed myself in last summer. This desire makes the Nanjing program even more appealing, as a marhinal amount of the cultural aspects existing in Japan trace back to China. Taking this into consideration, I am also excited to experience a new country and enhance my perspective of the world. Nanjing has a rich culture and history. With many tall, futuristic buildings dotting its skyline, the city is home to the Zifeng tower, towering over the city from a monumental height of 1,480 feet. Lending to its exquisite food scene, a variety of lively food markets and vendors scatter the Nanjing streets. Some local spots serve dishes such as the salted duck, the pan fried beef dumplings, and more. Nanjing’s rich history contributes to the city’s beautiful historical landscape, which is filled with many popular destinations. Popular sites include the Nanjing City Wall dating back to the Ming Dynasty, the Sun Yat-sen mausoleum, and the Nanjing Massacre Memorial. Nanjing is home to some of China’s sacredest temples, with colorful architecture and incense-filled rooms containing statues of buddhist deities. One temple I am excited to visit is the Niushoushan Cultural Park, a modern Buddhist temple that holds sacred relics of the Buddha enshrined in a golden pagoda. I depart for Nanjing on the 7th of July, planning to stay there for roughly one month. During this time, I will stay with a local host family and commute on the local metro system to the University of Nanjing to study Mandarin. Aside from my studies, I plan on visiting countless different landmarks and historical sites with some impromptu exploring along the way. For two days of my stay, I will travel by train three hours east of Nanjing, to the booming city of Shanghai. I am eager to embark on this amazing journey, especially excited to immerse myself into a brand new, unfamiliar culture. Although I will not be returning to Japan, as I had originally anticipated, I will feel a similar culture shock, just in a different country. After China, I hope to extend my journeys further across the globe, visiting as many countries as I can, meeting new people and fascinating cultures along the way.
Thinking of...
C H I N A Nick Virnich looks forward to an upcoming adventure—and some really good Kung Pao chicken travel
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Montréal State of Mind M
ontréal is the largest city in Canada’s Québec province. In one word, the city is multifaceted. 18th-century structures blending into a 21st-century buildings, Montreal presents a melding between old and new worlds alike. The best times to visit Montreal are from March to May, and from September to November, when the weather is milder and hotels are usually vacant. The best ways to get around the Montreal area is by foot or by public transportation. Montreal is a very walkable city, but if your feet grow weary, the Montreal Metro and bus are both cost-efficient and easy to use. There is also a public shuttle bus runs from Montréal–Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport to downtown Montréal. If your interested in sightseeing, take a stroll within the city’s widely acclaimed historic district, home of the Montreal
Museum of Fine Art, the largest facility of its kind in Quebec. If you want to see some nature, The Montreal Botanical Garden is 190-acre site features 10 themed greenhouses, exhibits, sculptures, and a Chinese lantern garden. In terms of food, there is no shortage if spots to eat. It has been reported that Montreal gets approximately five new restaurants per person per month. If you want a nice moderately priced sit down place, I’ve been told the L’Express is a great spot for pasta dishes and French hanger steak. If you are on a budget and want to save money by cooking yourself, Montreal’s public farmer market “Jean-Talon Market” has one of the most extensive selection of produce and homemade goods in the city. If you want to visit Canada anytime soon, Montreal would be a great place to start.
“303 Sunsets” By zoe DiFiore 16 april 2019
Acclaimed historic district. Botanical Garden. French hanger steak. “Jean-Talon Market.” Museum of Fine Art. Endless sightseeing.
aidan swank knows where you should go for your next vacation
Spotlight on the Special Olympics An annual community event for east high special ed
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he Special Olympics were founded in 1969 by the sister of President John F. Kennedy, Eunice Kennedy Shriver. Shriver was motivated by the idea that people with intellectual disabilities can compete in various competitions, despite their disabilities. The 2019 Colorado Special Olympics started on March 2nd at Copper mountain, including competitions such as skiing and skating. The competitions include 25,000+ different athletes that attend 300+ schools. Those athletes range from the ages of 2-90 years old. There are many divisions in the competitions so athletes are competing against people with a similar skill set. The Special Olympics are not just a series of competitions, they also serve as the world’s largest public health organization for people with intellectual disabilities, offering free health exams and care. The Special Olympics help East by getting young students develop both social and physical skills. It gives them the opportunity to be themselves, and interact with people they wouldn’t normally interact with. This also helps student peers to interact with the athletes and get an amazing experience out of it. There are endless ways you can help volunteer for the Special Olympics. The simplest way you can show your support is by simply showing up to cheer the athletes on. Not every athlete has family members or friends to support them so just showing up means a lot to them. By cheering, clapping, chanting, or making signs you can make an athlete’s experience much more memorable. Another way you can volunteer is by signing up to become a coach or a team volunteer. This is especially important because you can establish one on one relationships with the athletes, and truly change their lives forever. Along with helping them you can make them feel welcome.
From left to right Coach Joe, Ronald, Zander, Luz, Marcus, Andreas, and Ishmael
From left to right Coach Sean, Ronald, Zander, Luz, Marcus, Andreas, and Ishmael
By Eli Einsman
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Should There be a Universal designated hitter? BY Ben Nash
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April 6, 1973 the owners of all 24 Major League Baseball (MLB) teams came together to vote to allow the American League to use a designated hitter (DH) to replace the pitcher in the batter’s box, while allowing that individual to stay in the game on defense as the pitcher. Adding this tenth man to the lineup would not only help teams draw in more fans for games but also give baseball managers more options. With that said, adding a universal DH to both leagues will give a boost to each team’s offense, will lessen the chance that pitchers will get hurt while batting and running on the base paths, and finally it will give managers flexibility to use players in different scenarios. A problem with the current designated hitter rule is that there are different rules for different leagues. It’s like if the National Basketball Association had a three-point line for the Eastern Conference but not for the Western Conference. You simply can not, or should not, have different rules like that. It’s a must have just like the DH in baseball. Adding the DH to National League play will add a huge boost to offense. With that it will make baseball games more enjoyable to watch. That will drive more fans to watch and play baseball, improving the overall ratings of baseball. Another thing to consider is that when pitchers have to hit, they are put into a potentially dangerous situation. Think of ace pitcher Max Scherzer who jammed his thumb in a plate appearance, resulting in several missing starts. Adam Wainwright, a pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals, also got injured while batting. He tore his achilles tendon, causing him to miss nearly the entire 2015 season. Finally, a very difficult decision for managers to make is who to put into the game when he replaces the pitcher. One wrong move can end the game. By replacing the pitcher with a DH some of that stress is relieved. A DH would be a player that can hit and not a pitcher who is most of the time an easy out. There are a few exceptions to this, but in general pitchers are “easy outs” as some players say. In conclusion, adding the DH would make baseball in much more entertaining and enjoyable to watch by having the teams score more runs, because let’s face it, when you go to a baseball game you hope to see a high scoring game. With that said, adding the DH would make ratings in baseball go up across the board. Furthermore, it will help the pitchers avoid injury and for managers to have more flexibility in who they play for the pitcher.
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The Issue With Major League Baseball’s Trade
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ryce Harper is one of the best third baseman in baseball and one was one of the most widely desired free agents until he was signed on a 13-year 330 million dollar contract with the Philadelphia Phillies, one of the biggest contracts ever signed by a professional athlete in American sports history. Harper is among a new trend of major league players who have been signing blockbuster deals across both the American and National League that raises questions of how money is being spent on its way down from higher management to players. Who’s wages hardly compare to that of their free agent teammates. Wayne G. McDonnell Jr. of Forbes brings up the point that, “Without question, there are ball players who clearly deserve the contracts bestowed upon them. However, not every pitcher is Clayton Kershaw or Max Scherzer and not every outfielder is Mike Trout or Giancarlo Stanton. In fact, these ball players are the exceptions and should be paid premium dollars. It just seems as if the owners operate in extremes and not in moderation. They are either tightfisted or ostentatious in spending. Their indulgent desires for brand name ball players with reputations have periodically led to a significant over payment based on past performances.” For most baseball players, being drafted does not mean seeing time
on the starting lineup their first season in the big leagues. Once drafted, most baseball players will spend their early career in that teams minor league system where they receive significantly less pay and travel from small town to small town playing other minor league teams, waiting for the occasional call-up to the MLB. Although these players are not yet deserving of the multi-million dollar deals being struck in the upper leagues, these record-breaking contracts are sapping up cap space that minor league programs would use to pay for baseline salaries. Even though these players are not the faces of the programs, minor league prospects are the league’s main source of players. Without minor league talent, the MLB would have to look overseas to countries like Venezuela or Japan for the majority of new talent. Clubs such as the Toronto Blue Jays,
who are projected to lose over 100 games in the 2019 season, could sell out for top shortstop prospect Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Or they could go the completely opposite direction and sign a minor league scrub for close to the league minimum wage. The reason major league teams choose to spend outrageous amounts of money on
new talent is that fans get excited when they see highly touted young players on their roster. Jason Stark, who writes for the Athletic, recently studied the attendance impact of the eight biggest position-player signings of the 2000s –– leaving out the always popular Yankees, Dodgers, Red Sox, Cubs, Cardinals and Angels –– and found they increased attendance by 16.7-percent on average for teams the following season. It’s no surprise that baseball fans enjoy seeing talent on their side, but it doesn’t sit well with players. One of those pitchers is Adam Wainwright, a three time all-star and current free agent who played 13 years with the St. Louis Cardinals. Wainright criticized MLB ball clubs and their treatment of players and even threatened a mid-season strike. While a major league strike is unlikely and opposed by most fans and club, it is gaining support from players around the nation. These players are not only worried for their pay in future contracts, but the pay of future players who may be their teammates some day. If these players feel that their contacts are too small for their liking, they may be more likely to play abroad for the majority of their careers, further diminishing the power of the MLB. The real question comes after the 2021 season when the current collective bargaining agreement expires. When this happens, players may vouch for new rules on teams salary caps that could mean more wealth spread within the league. All in all, big players make big money in baseball and the likeliness of the MLB having a player led strike in the next few years is low, and baseball turnout will most likely be determined on who has the big shot players and who doesn’t.
BY Max Brown
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Not Just Another Day Off Max Brown’s Thoughts on the Strike
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Photos Courtesy Jacob Meils & Tiffany Choi
Denver Teacher Strike Feb 11-14, 2019
News: In Retrospect
April 2019
alking into East High School that Monday felt like any other day. It was a calm atmosphere and students like myself were walking around the halls with green and yellow strips of paper in their hands that told us which classes we were assigned to for our first period of our modified strike schedule. From there, I walked into the main auditorium so that I could receive my own slip of paper and was immediately met by a throng of people all waiting in a massive line for their own personalized slip. The counselors and administrators were some of the only people in the building who were not affected by the teachers union and staffed a small table overcrowded with students impatiently waiting their turn to get their new schedule. Their faces were flushed and their fingers darted from tablets to notepads, frantically writing down numbers and names and handing them out to the students at the front of the line. As time passed and the school day officially started with a bell at 7:30 hardly a dent was made in the mass of students, and things were quickly getting out of hand. Finally, after waiting for almost an hour in the line, one of the counselors stood up and raised her voice of the anxious crowd. She looked both frustrated and worn out and shouted that there were no more schedules to be handed out. The message spread like wildfire and the elated crowd backed their way into the main foyer and hallways. Soon enough, the crowd erupted into a mosh pit in the middle of the hallways. Someone had brought a massive speaker and people were dancing like it was a typical party on Saturday night. No administrator or substitute even attempted to break up the party, and after 20 minutes or so of dancing in the hall,
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Teachers to Trains Putting the DPS Teacher Strike into a historical context By Sam Anderson
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ome time ago, a mid-sized U.S. city saw an event it was wholly unequipped to deal with. Faced with a purportedly unfair compensation system, thousands of workers collectively agreed to walk out on the job for a common goal. Their employer responded with immediate condemnation at the dire situation in front of them, but couldn’t deny their inability to function without their employees. The resulting situation constituted of chaos in the workplace, increasing public pressure to end the strike, and conference sessions between employers and employees desperately searching for a solution. All this was accentuated by several similar strikes popping up around the country, in a labor landslide precipitated by economic strain. Inevitably, many of these efforts succeeded; new plans were written with expanded accommodations and compensation systems for employees, and business resumed almost as usual. For Denver students, this description might elicit images of the recent teacher strike,
Not Just Another Day Off (Continued) we escorted ourselves out of the building. For those who don’t know East High School very well, the student body sits around 2,400 students and is easily one of the biggest high schools
gracing high schoolers through the city with three relaxed days of “classes”, picketing, or even staying in bed. However, the above paragraph describes just as effectively the events of the Baltimore Railroad Strike of 1877, an effort by rail workers to fight for increased pay from their employer, the Baltimore and Ohio rail company. Railroaders in several Midwestern cities brought chaos upon the B&O system by walking out, incentivizing the company to draft the nation’s first ever employee pension plan in response. While much more violent, disorganized, and widespread, but it fits the description equally well. Nearly a century and a half later, Denver Public Schools found itself in a similar situation to the B&O Railroad in 1877. The controversial ProComp system, written in 1999, was to public school teachers across the city as a series of three wage cuts in a year was to railroaders in Baltimore and the surrounding region. Both groups coordinated an effort to withhold their labor for as long as it took to find a solution, knowing the pressure that it would place on their employers. Some circumstances differed; it’s difficult to draw a comparison between the riots and violence in Baltimore which necessitated the National Guard’s intervention and a two-minute “Mo Bamba” mosh pit outside a row of Spanish classrooms. However, the parallels are clear: pressure
from a collective industry effort to strike accelerated a shift in public sentiment that in turn necessitated accommodation from the employer. Videos published on the New York Post, the Denver Post, and virtually every local cable station of Monday’s chaos certainly didn’t give DPS more room to breathe. After a marathon bargaining session, Superintendent Susana Cordova and other DPS officers conceded on a number of points, including more accessibility for salary advancement and a significant bump to base salaries. This is no accident; these movements have been an integral part of the American economic system virtually since its inception. Trade guilds from Europe gave way to what we now call “unions”, groups of workers from a particular industry that use the rules of economics to their advantage. A single baker in an industry with thousands of bakers can’t ask for $5 more an hour, even if she threatens to quit. However, if she recruits two thousand others into her union, and they all agree to strike, or walk out, for higher wages, the baking company will have no choice but to oblige their requests. The rules of economics assert that a such decrease in supply will lead to a higher price equilibrium. In the case of the teacher strike, that higher price equilibrium is the new $45,000 starting salary for all DPS instructors.
in Colorado. That being said, a school of not come to an agreement is more valuour size cannot function on a handful of able time lost in the classroom. counselors and substitute teachers. Without their leadership and ability to teach, school simply cannot function. Although there is no disregarding that it is immature for students to be shown partying instead of attending class and supporting their school, an agreement between the teachers and the district needs to be made. Every day that teachers and the district do
“after 20 minutes of dancing in the hall, we escorted ourselves out of the building.”