Monday, March 19, 2018
A Special Edition of the Student Newspaper of Jones College Preparatory High School
Volume 3, Issue 5
Jones students walk out, shut down Polk Street for gun reform
Student body works together to demand policy change
ORLA LEVENS ‘18 Editor-in-Chief MAGGIE TROVATO ‘19 School Staff The noise that came from Polk Street was deafening. From the loud chants of “This is what democracy looks like” from the crowd, to the voices of the five student speakers, to the 170 seconds of silence, 10 seconds for each of the 17 lives lost in the Feb. 14 shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, Jones students made their voices heard against gun violence as part of the national walkout on Wednesday. The walkout not only addressed the events in Parkland, but also the gun violence epidemic within the city of Chicago.
that Parkland is addressing their issues.” Jones were not the only people on Polk Street during While some students walked out sole- the walkout. The street was lined with Jones staff, Chily to commemorate those who had lost their cago police, media, and others from outside the Jones lives in shootings, others walked out in protest community. In addition to this, students from Muchin of the National Rifle Association (NRA), as well. College Prep also participated in the walkout on Polk. “I think that it’s not fair that the gov- Gisselle Ramirez, a junior from Muchin, thought that ernment is prioritizing their alliances with the bringing the two schools together made a difference. NRA over our safety,” said Frankie Kulwin ‘20. “It was successful because we brought more Many students thought it was im- schools together, more than Jones. We contributportant that their peers organized the walkout. ed more [having] schools [join] together,” she said. “This is what America is all about. We The planning of the walkout was a collaborative need to stand up, make our own decisions and effort between three student organizations: the Student Govshow that we can overcome everything that has ernment Association (SGA), the Student Voice Committee happened,” said Sephi Konstantoudakis ‘21. (SVC), and the Jones chapter of the Chicago Students’ Union W h i l e some students walked back into school with excitement for how the walkout went, others had some criticisms. Lily Ferguson ‘19, co-organizer of Fempowerment Chicago, a social justice organization run by mostly Jones students, said “I felt like there were a lot of people who didn’t respect what was going on and didn’t actually care Photo by Daisy Conant ‘18 Photo by Sisley Mark ‘20 about what was beCAN YOU HEAR ME NOW? Lucia Sol de Leon ‘21 lead chants in both English and SASHAY AWAY From left to right, Lucas Shifrin ‘18, Annie Rix ‘18, Elizabeth Goldblatt ‘18, and Grey Hoffman ‘18 bring their signs to the walkout, clad in orange to honor the legacy of Hadiya ing protested for. Spanish to demonstrate their solidarity with victims of gun violence. I feel like it was inPendleton, a CPS high school student who was a victim of gun violence. effective the way that it was carried out (CSU). The latter is a city-wide organization that focuses on Senior class president and walkout organizer Kai Wright because, in my opinion, it encouraged a lot of students who advocating for student causes. Similarly, the administration ‘18 was the first student speaker to address the crowd may have not wanted to go out [to] go out. I think it would has cooperated with the efforts of the student organizers. and make her experiences with gun violence known. have been more effective if only students who had really “We respect the students and want to validate their “What I and the families that were affected cared about it and truly wanted to walk out, had gone out.” voice in this matter. At the same time, the school cannot take a by the heinous act in Parkland, Florida had in common Additionally, many students political side on something. What we do instead is to say, ‘alwas that we lost someone we cared about in an instant,” walked out to draw attention to the fail- right, if you wish to express yourselves, here are ways we can Wright said in her speech. “We lost a loved one because ure of authority figures to address gun violence. make this happen for you.’” said principal P. Joseph Powers. they were forced to stare down the barrel of a gun. I “We have to stand up for our peers who can no The organizers hope that the walkout will inshouldn’t have to wonder whether or not we will be longer stand up because they have been victims,” said spire more activism throughout the student body. next or live every day with the anxiety that death brings. Student Government Association co-president and walk- “I hope this brings the Jones community together. My home, my neighborhood, and my school, should out organizer Abby Barton ‘18. “We have to stand up for It doesn’t matter what political differences we have as a not be a place that fosters fear for me or anyone else.” our peers who are victims of gun violence in Chicago. student body, [I think] we can all agree that we don’t want Rachel Nwosu ‘18, another student speaker, used Our leaders have been silent, they have been complacent, people being killed in school,” said Chloe Hancock ‘18, her speech to call attention to the ongoing gun violence and we are tired of that.” head of the CSU branch at Jones. “I’m hoping that after issues, such as police brutality and gang activity, that af- Students from this walkout, we can be a more mobile student fect people of color, especially Black youth. body and have more events similar to this one “I grew up hearing [about shootings] on [with] more student organizing and participation.” the news,” said Nwosu. “You hear about those Wright also stresses the importhings and it’s not ‘These are senseless murders,’ tance of continuing to advocate. it’s ‘This is everyday. Just another one.’ I want “Call your representatives, email your reped to bring out the fact that no, this isn’t just resentatives if you feel we need tightanother one. This is something that needs to e r gun laws,” said Wright. be addressed. It needs to be addressed in the Photo by Daisy Conant ‘18 same way
PAGE 2 SAT JONESBLUEPRINT.COM @JONESBLUEPRINT MARCH 19, 2018
Where’s the civil disobedience?
Stronger together
Senior says walkout lacks authentic protest feeling
Senior thankful for walkout organization
DYLAN SPECTOR ‘18 The power of a protest derives from the consequences or risks protesters face. Gandhi’s Salt March, the March on Washington, and the Kent State protest are all examples of the influence that a peaceful protest can have on policy and public opinion. The power in those movements stemmed from their rebellious nature. This is why the Jones student walkout in support of strengthening gun laws lacked some of the zeal that I hoped it would exude. Even though the walkout was a success in the sense that our actions were seen, there was the feeling that something was missing: the true essence and empowerment of a 100 percent student-organized walkout. The issue with an administration-organized walkout is that it has the atmosphere of a field trip. Everything was planned. We are told when to leave the building, where to walk, and when to come back inside and return to class. This method practically guarantees a consequence-free protest, but one must question if this the best way to send a meaningful message. A protest that is student-led forces those that participate to be committed. There are no wishy-washy participants, which creates an atmosphere of passion and 100 percent dedication to the cause. We call on civil disobedience to bring about change, and although we were civil, we were also obedient. I wholeheartedly support the movement and the initiative of the students and administration, however, an important consideration is whether student participation was contingent upon administration’s approval. This walkout is meant to stand for those that have lost their lives, and we should be willing to risk the academic consequences in order to fully commit ourselves to making a difference. I appreciate administration’s sup-
port and desire to keep us safe during the walkout, but I feel that we missed the opportunity to make this walkout a completely student-led protest. We let administration take our hand and guide us on what we can and can’t do. We could walk out, but not to Grant Park. We could protest in public, but we had to be back in school before second period was over. I want to be clear that administration’s involvement does not invalidate the ef-
forts of the students who have worked tirelessly to curate and organize the walkout. I also want to thank the Jones administration for always making the safety of students their top priority, but I kindly ask that you let us be responsible for our own decisions. And even though I do not feel like we should have needed your permission to stand up for a cause, I do ask you to try and understand why this needs to be a completely student-led battle.
ANNA NEDOSS ‘18 The power of a protest like Wednesday’s derives from public dissent by communities who feel disappointed in their elected officials, who are meant to be an extension of the voices of citizens who are fearing for their lives. While it rings true that the power of historical movements can be embodied by their rebellious nature, Jones students chose to walk out in solidarity not only with the whose lost their lives in Parkland, but for those in our community who are affected by gun violence every single day. Prior to the walkout, I felt that focusing on whether or not we were rebelling enough for our message to be authentic detracted from our ultimate goal of creating conversation surrounding change. I felt that breaking the status quo and standing up in the face of adversity is what a protest should be about, but that fixating on administration’s overreaching involvement detracted from the message that students are fed up with gun violence. In the wake of the walkout, I agree that administration’s involvement led to a walkout that pales in comparison to how powerful a 100 percent student organized walkout would have been. Some students
In the wake of Parkland activism, will we continue to fight for gun legislation?
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miliar fixture on our TVs, appearing in countless interviews acting as forces for change. And we have seen countless
other survivors taking on politicians and the National Rifle Association through CNN town halls and lobbying efforts. In the wake of every other mass shooting, news surrounding the tragedy and calls for change have died out within a few weeks. We see countless occasions of senseless death, followed by calls for change until everyone forgets what happened and moves on. We have become so desensitized to mass shootings that last year’s Las Vegas massacre, where 59 were murdered, and the Texas church massacre, where 26 were murdered,
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chose to walk out not due to passion for the cause, but because it served as a break from class with no repercussions. Despite this, the overwhelming majority of students participating in the walkout were full of passion, delivering speeches that encited chills. We must consider the fact that administration’s involvement made the protest powerful by enabling unification, although students at Jones still would have participated in the fight against gun violence had administration not guaranteed a consequence-free protest. But for many students, protesting in the face of repercussions that involve attendance, grades, and college admissions decisions is not an option. Some students have said that those who refuse to be disobedient should not be involved in the movement at all. This view ignores that many minority students expressed that they may be systemically punished for their participation, both by police and administration. Administration’s efforts to coordinate this walkout effectively allowed more students to participate and make their voices heard. Administration chose to give us an even larger platform to make waves. This is more powerful than if we had fought against administration and attempted to take matters into our own hands in a less organized, less effective manner. This is a movement to stand in solidarity and create real change. Across the nation, these protests have been premeditated, and the ultimate goal is change and reform, not chaos. This is our protest, and the focus is ultimately on the student voices, as we have taken ownership to represent the change we want to see enacted. There is a power that is particularly warranted in this turbulent time where we must resist violence, grieve for those we have lost, and to ultimately say never again. Graphic by Abby Teodori ‘19
What now?
Anyone who reads this issue of the Blueprint will sense a common theme; that of security, safety, and gun violence. We stand in a time where the topic of gun violence has yet again become the focus of the national conversation in the wake of a mass shooting, this time in respect to that of the one that occurred at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. It seems like these days, school shootings have become routine and expected. Yet, this time, the atmosphere feels different. The survivors of the attack, teens almost just like us, have changed the temperature of the conversation, attempting to break the cycle of expressed condolences, yet no change that perpetuates time after time, shooting after shooting. Yes, many schools added metal detectors and beefed up security after Columbine. But this time, instead of repeatedly hearing the name of the shooter, we remember the names and faces of the victims and survivors. Emma Gonzalez and David Hogg have become a fa-
Freshmen, sophomores, and seniors will have April 10 off while juniors take the SAT.
were in the news for even less time than the norm. Calls for change and national efforts to tighten gun legislation have extended beyond this few week cycle following the massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas, with national walkouts in solidarity staged over a month later. But we cannot let this momentum die out. We cannot march for one day and claim to be proponents of change. We must continue to fight this fight and stand in solidarity with those affected by gun violence daily. Often the postmortem analysis becomes binary: for Parkland, is the cause guns or bullying? For Sandy Hook, was it guns or mental health? For Columbine, was it guns or violence in the media? But the conversation about gun violence should not be binary. We must look at every aspect of the issue in order to produce comprehensive solutions. And the only way to produce comprehensive solutions is to keep Parkland in the conversation, reach out to our elected officials, and keep our voices loud. Students are the backbone of this movement, and we cannot let it be short lived. Graphic by Lucy Tindel ‘19
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Orla Levens ‘18 Jonathan Dugard ‘18 Nick Rappe ‘18 Deklin Versace ‘18 Michael Murray ‘18 Lane Kizziah ‘18 Daisy Conant ‘18 Brendan Scheib-Feeley ‘18 Boris Fedorov ‘18 Eryn Barnes ‘19 Susana Chenmei ‘18 Sam Donnell ‘18 Abraham Jimenez ‘18 Lars Johansson ‘18 Sisley Mark ‘20 Jaye Thomas ‘18 Margaret Trovato ‘19 Ellie Lawrence ‘18 Olivia Landgraff ‘18 Anna Nedoss ‘18 Kayla Gardner ‘19 Ben Keeler‘18 Abigail Teodori ‘19 Lucy Tindel ‘19 Sara Weiss ‘18 Katherine Williams ‘20 Jack Bedore ‘19 Dylan Spector ‘18 Ian Crowley ‘18 Carter Frye ‘19 Lucas Vogel ‘19 John Wang ‘18 Ezra Weber ‘18 Jeremiah Williams ‘18 John Lund
Letters Letters to the Editor are encouraged and will be screened for libel, irresponsiblity, and obscenity. The Editorial Board may edit or shorten letters as long as the meaning is unchanged. All letters must be signed and include your email for verification. Requests to withold the writer’s name from publication will be considered. Letters can be sent to jonesblueprint@gmail.com or dropped off in Room 201. Errors Factual errors will be corrected on the opinion page or in news briefs written upon request and verification. Opinions An editorial represents the majority opinion of the Editorial Board, is left unsigned, and is identified with “Editorial” before the piece. A column represents the opinion of an individual staff member and is identified with “My View” before the piece.
PAGE 3 Spring Training Eagles B baseball heads to Florida for tournament over Spring Break.
JONESBLUEPRINT.COM @JONESBLUEPRINT MARCH 19, 2018
Clubs, organizations further gun control conversation
Students continue the politically charged debate at Jones, Fempowerment gun discussions
ELLIE LAWRENCE ‘18 ‘19 hoped to offer a viewpoint differ- Black bodies to further their message,” said other people’s lives,” said Doniya Boyd ‘21. Opinion Editor ent from what is typically heard at Jones. Taylor. “I would like to see more of these Following the discussion, organizers and ANNA NEDOSS ‘18 “It’s no secret that conservative voices and town halls are since they are a great way attendees spoke to its success in opening up Lifestyles Editor opinions are frequently overshadowed and to voice opinions and to stop the tension the student body to a spectrum of opinions. Just a day after Jones stu- ignored at Jones,” said Gujral. “The leaders that goes on at Jones. I think Jones is a very “We got to hear from a lot of different perdents were given the choice to participate in of Republican Club felt that the Town Hall liberal minded school. Whether you’re lis- spectives. I never considered the angle of a walkout or leave class to go to the gym, would be a great opportunity for members tened to or not, and the consequences that people of color in terms of how they view a group of around 50 students defended of our club and other students with differing you recieve at this school, depends on your police because I’ve only had positive extheir respective ideological stances on the viewpoints to be able to join the conversa- economic status and the color of your skin.” periences with guns and I haven’t been in issue of gun violence Thursday afternoon tion, as we assume that some conservative Attendees also acknowledged the need that position where I view the police as a in a town hall conversation. Hosted by the students did not participate in the walkout.” to reconsider the focus of gun control threat,” said Keeler. “I think it’s really imRepublican Club, Young Democrats, and Siena Pieruccini ‘18, president of Social efforts, as in Chicago, the issue of po- portant to get all of the perspectives and I Social Justice Club, students had the op- Justice Club and Young Democrats joined lice brutality and abuse of power is at think we really did that well here; I think portunity to meet everyone really for a discussion learned something.” on the divisive is Alongside the sue of gun control. Jones town hall, Republican other student orgaClub president Ben nizations used the Keeler ‘18 first had momentum of the the idea to hold this walkout to continue town hall in response conversations relatto the walkouts and ed to gun control. protests occurring One organization, in the wake of the Fempowerment school shooting in Chicago, had a Parkland, Florida. “discussion on gun “We wanted a way control” Wednesday for students to voice after the walkout. their platform in a “In Fempowerment, more productive we often discuss way than yelling ‘performative activand screaming at a ism’, which mostly protest,” said Keeincludes protests, ler. “Not that we’re walkouts, [and] ralsaying that a proly like experiences. test doesn’t have I believe that ralits merits, since it lies are useful for definitely does, but spreading awarewe just want a civness and sparking il forum to discuss action, but they are policy solutions, as the most helpful to opposed to shaming a cause or movepoliticians or a mass ment when there demonstration with is concrete action no clear, intended taken by individupolicy purpose.” als or groups after Keeler’s hesitathe protest,” said tion to support the Mattie Musgrove student walkout (CLOCKWISE, TOP LEFT TO BOTTOM RIGHT) AT LARGE AND IN CHARGE Siena Pieruccini ‘18 calls Thursday’s gun con- ‘19, one of the stems from his trol town hall to order. PICK ME “Any money in politics takes away from democracy,” said Traolach O’Sullivan ‘20 (left) as Jack Fine- heads of Fempowdesire to respect berg ‘18 (right) looks on. RAISE YOUR VOICE Samantha Tedrowe ‘21 raises a point about gun control legislation to the onlookers. THE erment. “We also the memory of FLOOR IS YOURS “What is banning bump stocks in Chicago going to do?” ask Paolo Rolon ‘19 (center). “You can still buy them in Indiana.” want a space where the children killed youth can think in the Parkland shooting. in as an organizer of the event in the hopes the center of the conversation on guns. critically and assess current proposed leg“It’s one thing if kids want to have their of providing a platform for students to share “[The Black community is] arming them- islation and discuss specific ideas and inown voice in the gun control debate, ideas and develop more informed opinions. selves to protect themselves from the police terests that are personal to each member.” which I encourage and think is a great “Being a student, I think it’s a pressing is- that abuse their power. When something Fempowerment, a Chicago-based, thing, but it’s another thing if adults are sue that people aren’t able to go to class, happens in a Black community, they don’t student activist organization, has previusing children as a political tool to effec- feel completely safe in their school, and call the police,” said Maxine Aguilar ‘18. ously held meetings ranging from self tively push their policy,” said Keeler. “I achieve higher learning because of the “They have to take matters into their own care to discussions on reparations to a think they’re standing on the graves of the mass shootings that are occuring,” said hands, because they don’t trust the police.” round table on intersecting identities. dead children to push a policy agenda that Pieruccini. “When you have people get- In addition to facilitating a discussion that “We wanted to give people a way they’d been trying to push for a while.” ting gunned-down in the street because of would explore perspectives from students to channel their emotions toward making Rather than a walkout, Keeler believes that the color of their skin or you have peo- with different backgrounds, an additional a change. So with this event, we want to a town hall, or conversation, is an effective ple waltzing into classrooms with assault goal of the town hall was to discuss policy. empower people and inform them on gun way to move forward with the conversation weapons, I don’t think people should have Organizers hoped to hear policy ideas from control to give them the tools to make a difon guns. In this format, students holding the right to possess that kind of weaponry.” across the political spectrum, with the even- ference,” said Maia Cho ‘19, another head different views on gun control and policy Pieruccini, along with other town hall at- tual goal of establishing a middle ground. of Fempowerment and this event. “We’re have an opportunity to create a greater un- tendees, aimed to acknowledge the inter- “I believe that a longer waiting period sharing important information on historic derstanding between the two sides on what section of race and gun violence that many and heavier background checks would gun control legislation, current gun legislahe describes as “such a divisive issue.” students felt was absent from the walkout. be a compromise for Democrats and Re- tion being voted on now, and discussing our “We’re hoping for a healthy back-and- “I came to the town hall to voice my opin- publicans alike,” said Gujral. “Emphasis perspectives [as students from] Chicago.” forth that can result in not necessari- ion, and to make sure that nobody was over- and focus on mental health would also Following their discussion, attendly a specific policy goal, but a middle stepping their boundaries around guns and be a great change. However, I don’t be- ees wrote postcards to their representatives ground somewhere,” said Keeler before crime,” said Nyvia Taylor ‘18. “Especial- lieve that creating gun free zones is help- with their opinions on specific gun legislation. the event. “We just want a place for peo- ly guns and crime when concerning Black ful at all, as it leaves people helpless if “Instead of vaguely calling about ple with diverse political opinions to be and Brown neighborhoods in Chicago.” someone with a gun happens to come in.” gun control, we can contact the represenable to explain their positions, so it’s Several students voiced concerns to- At the root of perspectives on both sides tatives about specific motions, [such as] not just kind of a screaming match.” wards the misuse of race in speech- of the aisle, many who attended the event HB 1465, HB1467, HB 1468.” said Cho. While Jones’ Republican es at the previous day’s walkout, feel- echoed the sentiment that current gun legClub does not take any formal stanc- ing that some speakers discussed islation needs reform, or at the very least, Olivia Landgraff ‘18 and Lars Joes on political issues, vice president issues beyond their own experiences. prevent further lives from being lost. hansson ‘18 contributed to this story. and town hall organizer Kelli Gujral “I don’t really like when white people use “People are choosing murder machines over Photos by Sisley Mark ‘20
Senior Panoramic Picture
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The annual senior panoramic picture will be taken for the Class of 2018 on April 17.
JONESBLUEPRINT.COM @JONESBLUEPRINT MARCH 16, 2018
After yet another school massacre, the Jonest security team mourns like the rest of us. Margaret Hug, one of the longest standing members of the Jones security team, chooses not to follow the news coverage of the shooting that occurred in Parkland, Florida on Feb. 14.
doing anything, two security guards are approaching him, and he books it to the nearby Harrison Red Line stop. This is all part of the job. Only five minutes prior, it was the routine checking of classrooms and making sure things were in order. However, with the drop of a hat a situation can occur. They must always be aware. As Steve Golston, a security officer in his fifth year at Jones, makes his rounds throughout the day, he leaves no room, corner or door u n touched. In his e y e s , e v e r y opening t o the school i s a doorway for a potential threat, and he oftentimes finds himself stepping into the shoes of a criminal in order to determine the most critical points on his route. “ I f there was to be an attack on America, it wouldn’t be in a plane anymore. It would be in your libraries, in your malls i n your
Photo by Sam Donnell ‘18 ALWAYS ON THE JOB Security officer Rufino Padilla receives a message on his radio while manning the checkout for off campus lunch. After Parkland, the team has been working to improve the efficiency of their work, including radio etiquette, building coverage and responsiveness to both external and internal issues.
“It’s too sad, too depressing,” she said. It is hard when the headline that reads Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, Virginia Tech, Sandy Hook Elementary School, Columbine High School and a host of others, could have read Jones College Prep. In a world where gun violence in a school setting has become the norm, those assigned to protect and ensure the wellbeing of students, faculty, and staff have had their work put under much more scrutiny. At Jones, those protectors are the nine members of the security team. Once the morning bell rings, security officer Horatio Harris strides into a south building elevator and punches in floor seven. On the long ride up, he explains t o a security substitute how both buildings are set up and what to look for. In addition to the knowledge of the physical layout of Jones, Harris puts an emphasis on having knowledge of the Jones student body. Security does not just protect students; they also try to ensure their mental wellbeing. After the Parkland school shooting, CPS sent a city-wide email asking security guards to be more attentive and aware of the students. For Jones, this
dents, that doesn’t mean they get a free pass on IDs. School IDs are a hot button issue for Jones students and security guards, and it gets a lot of flack. For new officers, checking for IDs isn’t a quota to fill or some regulation they can enforce to dole out punishment - it’s the distinction between a student and an imposter. Older officers usually know most of the students by face, but the new officers are still learning. “Even if it was the mayor that walked in, we’d check for ID and make him sign in,” said Hug. With Jones being downtown and in the middle of the city, it just isn’t good enough to know what looks right on the inside. The team also has to know what looks right on the outside. For Harris, this includes looking outside during his shifts. In the north building, he notices someone looking through the gates into the courtyard. He quickly shifts from his calm and relaxing manner to being on high alert. His radio crackles, another security guard sees it too. Harris goes into full command mode, ordering around the security team check out what the guy was doing. Before the guy even has a chance to think about
JONESBLUEPRINT.COM @JONESBLUEPRINT MARCH 16, 2018
Head of security transitions to office clerk
Stepping into the shoes of Jones security
was something they had been doing for years already. “Just because we’re security doesn’t mean we can’t help you or direct you to someone who can,” said Hug. “I always try to make myself visible and available to students.” Whether that be coaching a Jones sports team, like Harris and Jarard Nathaniel are doing, or greeting everyone with music and small talk during the morning rush, the security team works to establish a connection of trust between themselves and the students. Although many security guards know stu-
PAGE 5
Seniors will show off their future college apparel and receive cupcakes to celebrate National College Decision Day on May 1.
The woman behind the desk
Through the eyes of the protectors DAISY CONANT ‘18 Lead Reporter LUCAS VOGEL ‘19 Sports Staff
Decision Day
schools,” said Golston. “We have to worry about people attacking at every inch of the school, so we have to think like the criminals in order to be proactive towards danger.” In their many years at Jones, Golston and his coworker Rudy Gonzalez have witnessed the way security approaches their job shift from typical high school surveillance (checking lockers, breaking up fights, etc) to an adoption of Homeland Security-esque protocols. “After Columbine, we implemented the metal detectors - before that, no one had them,” said Gonzalez. “I think this is the safest school to be at in this time with gun violence. Chicago is a violent crime city, but we are trained for this.” Bags left abandoned in the hallway are no longer overlooked as the doing of a forgetful student - they are seen as bomb threats and treated as such. Security team members are constantly put through timed and graded drills, tested in simulations ranging from an active shooter on campus to a student down somewhere in the building. In light of the recent school shootings, the security team noted that the CPS Office of School Safety and Security is constantly watching through the security cameras scattered throughout campus, keeping the team mobile and on their toes. “The average student thinks we don’t do anything, and that’s fine,” said Golston. “They don’t need to be thinking about how a terrorist could come into the building, but we do.”
JOHN WANG ‘18 Sports Staff
While there seem to be changes from year to year at a school like Jones, there is one thing that has remained constant for near 20 years; the presence of Tracie Rayburn. Any person entering the building will see her welcoming disposition in the main office, where she will provide the help that is needed. This year, Rayburn has transitioned from school security officer and head of security to office clerk. “I got here August of ‘99 so I have gone through four principals and two buildings,” said Rayburn. “I just like it here. I like the parents, I like the students, I like the staff. It’s been like a revolving door as far as teachers [go], but it’s been good.” After applying three different times over the past seven years, Rayburn feels that she has been able to push past the roadblocks of the process of getting the job as clerk due to her familiarity with the school, as she would require less training than a new hire. As a result of her long term, she has built up an affection and devotion to Jones that has allowed her to be the face of the main office and serve as a practical liaison between the students, parents, a n d administration. “For any school, your m a i n office staff is the first point of contact, so you want people who are going to be the most personable and most memorable to be your frontline. [Rayburn] fits that very well with a very nice disposition and making people feel welcome to Jones,” said Assistant Principal Eric Mitchell. To cope with her transition, the security team has also found themselves familiarizing themselves with new roles and different personalities. “Tracie was very thorough, she was really good at her job. She was nice, but she covered it up with a mean exterior,” said securit y officer Jarard Nathaniel. “When I first got here, it was just me, her, and Rudy [Gonzalez], and now it’s nine people on the security team. She’s off of [the security team] but we [have] many different people to fill new and different roles n o w. ” As a result of the transition, there is certainly some increased scrutiny about the responsibilities of the position and of the security team at large. However, Rayburn is sure peo-
ple do not have a full understanding of what their responsibilities truly are. “I don’t think people have a good appreciation [of security guards]. Some people believe that they are just a visual. You may see them laxed around, but if you’re not in the circle, you really don’t know what is all involved in trying to make sure teachers and students are safe and secure,” said Rayburn. Rayburn keeps security at the forefront of her mind, calling for stuthe story of her career andPhoto by John Wang ‘18 its dents to be vigilant and NONSTOP “At the end of the day, we´re all here. It’s more students than security, its more students than staff, and to consider the necessi- you know, sneaking out the back door, or leaving the door propped open so you can go off to 7-11 or something like ty of security at school. that, think about who can come right through that door as you leave out,” said Rayburn. “We are still downtown. We “ S o m e t i m e s all have a responsibility.” kids make it hard for us many t r a n s i t i o n s . by not wearing their IDs, and I’m constantly watching the “When I was 19 years news where I’m seeing all these shootings and all this stuff old, I started working that could happen here,” said Rayburn. “A lot of people bein the lunchroom, I lieve that it can’t happen here because we’re in a metrowas 19 years old, politan city, but it can happen here. At the end of the working in a lunchday, it’s really all just about security. Every time room, making $7 an I go anywhere while wearing something that hour, and just on my own, is Jones related, somebody comes up to me without extra schooling, I’ve gone to talk about how good the school is, and from working in the lunchroom, to how good the students are. I just think security, to clerk, with a big gap as far as we need to do a little better on the semoney,” she curity aspect as far as leaving doors says. “If open, letting friends in from other you really schools, all that is just a risk.” want some The length of her thing, go tenure at Jones is repreafter it, besented by her ability t o cause they not only be flexible in told me that her responsibilities, b u t I would also to see change s never be a and transitions of t h e clerk, that school’s identity itself. I needed to As such, she’s able to have this, provide her personal I needed vision for where Jones is to do that, to go from here. and look “ O v e r what hapthe years, I’ve seen pened. You Jones go from a school just need that was still on the cusp of to have becoming a business school where patience, everybody had to be dressed up in hats, and dresses, and put in hard stockings to becoming a little rough around the edges,” work, and it said Rayburn. “After that, it kind of smoothed out, and now will pay off with the diversity, I’ve really seen it change for the better.” in the end.” With that vision for the school at large, she also encourages individuals to pursue their own goals through
Senior calls for permanent amped up security in wake of school shootings IAN CROWLEY ‘18
Feb. 15, 2018: I walk into school at 8:07 a.m. without my lanyard on, breeze through security without getting scanned, and walk to my class without being stopped once. Feb. 20, 2018: I walk into school at 8:15 a.m. I do not get scanned and merely have to show ID. Feb. 22, 2018: I arrive at school at 8:10 a.m., get scanned and am told to show ID. Feb. 27, 2018: I arrive at school at 8:05 a.m., only to get checked for ID. On Feb. 15, the first day back to school following the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, an announcement is made over the intercom: it is the Jones security team’s number one priority to keep the students of Jones safe. That morning, I walked into school without being scanned or even checked for an ID. Had I been a
random person carrying a gun into school with the intent of hurting people, no one would have been there to stop or check me. The school has assured us year after year, school shooting after school shooting, that we are safe. I didn’t feel safe after hearing the announcement, and I still don’t. I am late, a lot. Before the Parkland shooting, walking in without my ID getting checked was a regular occurrence for me. Since the shooting, security has only been slightly tightened. But why did an event like the Florida shooting have to be a catalyst in this change? Since the Sandy Hook shooting in 2012, there have been 1,607 mass shootings across the country, according to the Gun Violence Archive. From my experience at Jones, the same pattern has persisted to exist with security: a school shooting happens, security tightens up for the following
week, news of the shooting dies down, security loosens all protocols. Rinse and repeat. There are plenty of security guards at this school that, on typical day, can be found roaming the hallways. The complaint that they are understaffed and can’t find someone to operate the scanners does not hold up. The safety of the students should be one of the top priorities for administration. And for the students, taking a few extra seconds to go through the metal detector in the morning should not be inconvenient enough to put their safety at risk. I am late almost every morning, and if you aren’t willing to put the effort into getting to school on time, then it should not matter if you’re a little bit later to class. I do not want chances being taken with my life, and I’m sure many other students feel the same way.
PAGE 6 PSAT
Jones will follow a special schedule on April 17 while the freshmen and sophomores take the PSAT.
JONESBLUEPRINT.COM @JONESBLUEPRINT MARCH 19, 2018
Speak-out
Five students vocalize views on gun control at Jones walkout DAISY CONANT ‘18 Not long after the speeches startLead Reporter ed, people were hanging out of winJAYE THOMAS ‘18 dows and getting out of their cars, eaSchool Staff ger to hear what the students had to say. At around 10:10 a.m., students Each speech wove together strikeagerly gathered to hear their peers speak ing statistics - 135,000 students who have and contribute to Jones’ Walkout Against been exposed to gun violence since ColGun Violence. After 170 seconds of silence to honor the 17 lives lost at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, five passionate students’ voices followed. Standing on a small power plyo box with a microphone in hand, the five Jones women called for change regarding From left to right: Escobar, Hamilton, Wright, Lannert, and Nwosu. gun violence. Prior to the walkout, stu- umbine and over 200 school shootings in dents were able to submit short speech- the speakers’ lifetimes - with anecdotes of es about their views on gun violence. siblings frightened from experiencing lockAfter 13 submissions, the five chosen to downs and of grappling with the deaths of speak were Kai Wright ‘18, Nora Lan- young loved ones who had fallen victim. nert ‘21, Ana Gabriela Escobar ‘21, Oliv- “This shouldn’t be something that ia Hamilton ‘19, and Rachel Nwosu ‘18. is a part of my story,” said Lannert. “We “I came to the walkout to shouldn’t have to worry about if we are gobring change, because if the people ing to be safe at school, if someone is going that are supposed to do it aren’t doing to come threaten our school during school their job, then the public has to start do- hours, or even outside of school hours.” ing something about it,” said Escobar. In addition to advocating for an
The other side
end to gun violence on behalf of the students that have fallen victim, Wright, Hamilton, and Nwosu emphasized the need for legislation change for the thousands of citizens that have been targeted by gun violence because of their race. “Gun violence is something
that, as someone who grew up on the West Side, I’ve become kind of desensitized to. It’s interesting that people are only now realizing the gravity of our situation, and it’s also interesting that it’s now our situation,” stated Nwosu. Many of the speakers called specifically for gun control reform, arguing that Congress needs to make a change in the way it views the issue. “Now, we must work with legislation to make sure that we won’t have to
While most students walked out, some trekked to the gym JACK BEDORE ‘19 Sports Editor ANNA NEDOSS ‘18 Lifestyles Editor On Wednesday, the majority of Jones students walked out in solidarity for the victims of the Parkland High School shooting and in support for tighter gun re-
victims isn’t the same thing as saying ‘f--- the NRA.’ I believe owning guns is a God given right and a right to self preservation. The NRA does some stuff out of my comfort range, but they are still the protector of a fundamental right I believe every American should have.” Others in the gym felt strongly that we must support the victims of the Parkland tragedy, but that the
FREE REIGN Some students choose free time over protest participation.
strictions. Seven stories above them, there were over 100 students grouped together in corners of the gym, all with their own reasoning for not participating in the protest. “I decided to come to the gym after having the opportunity to read the speeches that were going to be read at the walkout,” said Anna Heyse ‘19. “Those changed the conversation for me from being something that honored the students who died to being very anti-gun. All my friends have been very supportive of me and my viewpoints, as they know I’m not saying ‘Nothing needs to change.’ No one is really saying that.” A pattern amongst students in the gym was contempt for the strong anti-gun sentiment and the fact that the walkout was not just in solidarity with the students of Parkland. “I went outside for the first part that had to do with mourning the students of Parkland. The first 170 seconds. Then afterwards I came in here for the part where they were talking about gun reform,” said David Gonzalez ’18. “Standing for the school shooting
Photo by Jack Bedore ‘19
walkout was excessively overridden by political values. “I’m too indifferent, I’m not opposed to gun control, I’m not saying there should not be guns, I’m kind of just middle ground. I think by staying in here, I’m not taking one side or another,” said Carter Shirley ‘19. Despite a clear anti-gun control sentiment from many in the gym, some chose not to participate in the walkout simply because the conditions outside were not ideal. “I decided to come to the gym today because it’s too cold outside, and if a little bit warmer I would’ve walked out,” said Nabeel Ahmed ‘19. “I support the protest, and I think that there should be more gun control, especially after what happened in Florida.” Despite administration’s efforts to allow students to refrain from participating comfortably and safely, some students felt less content with the location. “I believed there was a better space to put students than in the gym, as it was very polarizing and ostracizing to walk up seven flights of stairs and have to be looked at and just sit here,” said Heyse.
fear for our children’s lives when they go to school years from now, or when they go to a party, or when they have a pack of Skittles in their hand outside of a 7/11,” said Hamilton in her speech. “The future isn’t Democratic or Republican, it’s standing in front of me.” As each speaker stepped down and passed the microphone off to their peers, the crowd grew more invested, rippling cheers and snaps as each one made their points. If there was one unifying Photos by Daisy Conant ‘18 theme between what each of the five speakers chose to say, it was a call to action for those listening. “I may still have 2 years, 9 months until I can vote, but I’m not going to stay silent while my peers, my classmates, and my friends lose their lives,” chanted Lannert, to the cheers of the hundreds of students before her. “I will not sit back and watch. Join me in demanding a change in gun reform so that we have a tomorrow.”
Take a stand
Senior disapointed by apathetic students LANE KIZZIAH ‘18
At 10 a.m. on Wednesday, students across the country were given a choice. Most students were choosing between actively walking out to join the movement against gun violence or staying in class, but at Jones, non-participation was not an option. By making all students leave classrooms during second period, the administration forced a choice on the student body: Polk Street or the gym. For many Jones students, this choice was between two ideological sides of the gun debate, but some students chose a third option: apathy. Especially at a school as left-leaning as Jones, I appreciate the courage it takes to stand up for beliefs that oppose the majority. While I am in full support of gun regulation, I respect the views of those who aren’t and the statement they made b y spending second perio d in the gym. What I don’t respect is the choice of apathetic students. In my mind, the student body at Jones is an incredibly socially aware and involved group of young people, a group I’ve been proud to be a part of for the past four years. This is why I was even more surprised and disappointed when I saw so much indifference when it came to the walkout. On issues like these, I cannot understand the students who chose not to participate in the walk out because it was “too cold” or because they just didn’t care about the issue at hand. In response to the former, is your desire to affect change truly so superficial that you can’t be bothered to endure 42 degrees for an hour? Moreover, it’s incredibly disrespectful that the temperature is what prevented you from honoring the 17 lives that were lost in the Parkland shooting. In response to the latter, if you truly don’t have an opinion or care about this issue, the only conclusion I’m able to reach is that you’re uninformed. When there’s an average of one school shooting every week, how could you feel disconnected from this issue? More than that, when you have peers who have been affected by gun violence, how can you claim to be unaffected? As students between the ages of 14 and 18, it won’t be long before we’re the ones with authority. Democrat or Republican, pro- or anti-gun, you have to take a stand for the future you want to see. Apathy isn’t cool. Graphic by Lucy Tindel ‘19
PAGE 7 March Madness
The next rounds of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament continue this month and will conclude on April 2.
JONESBLUEPRINT.COM @JONESBLUEPRINT MARCH 19, 2018
Fire away
Q&A with National Rifle Association (NRA) member
BF: Do you feel attacked by the anti-gun population of America because you are a member of the NRA? RT: “No, but before this I did not advertise my membership in the NRA. I advertise myself now after recent events because I would like people to see that the NRA is not a bunch of faceless wolves. I’d like to see that we walk amongst everyone else like normal people.” B F : What are misconceptions that people have about the NRA? RT: “The NRA, I would like to say, Boris Fedorov ‘18: Why did you become a memdoes not destroy these misconcepber of the NRA? tions, but some NRA members R.L. Taradash ‘19: “I believe that gun rights a r e liberal. We just want a way to should be protected. I joined the organization that keep our gun rights and a lot of the people is foremost protecting these rights.” i n the NRA are less concerned with BF: How are you involved as a funneling money to polmember of the NRA? iticians as to keeping RT: “I’m a card carrying their second amendmember. I use my memberment rights.” ship when I go to ranges; BF: Do you think it gets me discounts.” that bump stocks BF: Do you own any should be crimiguns? nalized? RT: “My family has RT: “Bump five guns at home: stocks should be three shotguns and completely illegal two pistols.” because they cirBF: Why do you own cumvent laws that guns? ban fully autoRT: “We don’t own matic weapons.” guns for home protecPhoto by John Wang ‘18 tion. We keep them unloaded, LET’S TALK ABOUT IT Taradash, left, and Fedorov, right, discuss gun reform from Taradash’s perspective as a liberal NRA member. BF: Would you give up your we keep them in a safe. The bullets are locked up in a different part of the safe. We keep I think we need younger members and more members of guns if you knew that meant there would no more mass them for target practice: it’s a really great sport. When I get color. We need people who are more liberal minded, who shootings? older I will actually own a gun for protection; I’m going to vote Democrat or moderate and are okay with guns so they RT: “Immediately. My hobby is not worth the lives of others.” go to classes, I’ll get my permit, and I’ll carry one. But in can bring their ideas to the NRA.” Representatives and members of the National Rifle Association have a distinct image in the media, but not many know that student R.L. Taradash ‘19 is a member of the NRA himself. Throughout Wednesday’s walkout, there were students in the crowd who targeted the National Rifle Association to address the issue of gun violence and instill change in gun control; Taradash was amongst the many who participated in the walkout.
my house, we don’t have guns hidden for that purpose.” BF: How did you get the guns? RT: “Two of the guns were passed down from my grandfather and the other three were bought legally from a store in the suburbs. Background checks happened; my dad and I both have firearm owner possession cards.” BF: Did you walk out Wednesday? RT: “I did walk out. I walked out to commemorate the people who’ve died, and not just in the Parkland shooting but in all the shootings. I wore all black because of all the students who’ve died. Wednesday was not to push my political agenda; Wednesday was to commemorate the fallen.” BF: Do you think the NRA is a contributor towards gun violence in America? RT: “I think that the NRA funds politicians who veto legislation that can contribute to gun violence in America. The NRA [focuses] so much on preserving every aspect of the second amendment without any room for leeway. As a liberal member of the NRA, I want to change that.
Walking out for likes
Sophomore says students fell short to make change
KATHERINE WILLIAMS ‘20 As Jones students took Hall. Marching to these places would to Polk Street to voice their opin- have even further emphasized the dedions on gun violence, one thing ication and dissent of our generation. While the administration and was painfully obvious: hesitation. While the student body was student leaders did an impressive job of not hesitant to express their views o r g a - nizing the walkout and making it as safe and on gun violence, students were hespubitant to push beyond the planned lic as walkout due to possible consequences and a lack of commitment. It makes sense that students don’t have an emotional connection to this issue because Jones has not experienced a mass shooting, but students should pause before calling themselves activists if they refuse to accept consequences of a real protest. A l t h o u g h many people will gladly post messages of solidarity and chant for improved gun control, students hesi- they could, the gestate to advocate for change if they are ture of standing on Polk Street is not afraid of what might happen if they enough to show that this is somestray from the walkout guidelines. thing students are willing to fight for. We have failed the victims of Posting pictures of yourself at the walkout on social media is not wrong, places like Marjory Stoneman Dougbut it does not equate to being an activist las High School if we are unwilling to or being committed to the cause. While truly stand next to them and put ourthe walkout itself was a great way to selves on the line for a greater cause. Despite the empowering 45 show politicians that youth across Amer- ica care about fighting gun violence, minutes we spent outside, that unwillfor a majority of students, it seemed as ingness to sacrifice something in exif that was the extent of their activism. change for something more important Jones is in a very visible spot made for a disappointing aftermath. A in downtown Chicago. Students could student body that brands itself as pohave walked down State Street, to May- litically aware social activists fell short or Rahm Emanuel’s office, or to City in taking actions to affect real change.
Not going unnoticed
Senior says students should appreciate administration MICHAEL MURRAY ‘18 As it was announced that the walkout was coming to a close, a certain quiet came over the crowd as everyone prepared to head back to their second period classes. The chants that had echoed between the buildings lining Polk Street slowly
ceased, and reality set in that the walkout was officially over. Just then, a chant erupted behind me. I turned around to see 15 students in navy blue polo shirts shout “No more violence!” I could tell by both their fresh energy that they were not Jones students. They were from Muchin College Prep, a charter school located seven blocks north of Jones. Prior to the walkout, when I first heard Jones students express their dismay with how involved administration was in the whole event, I agreed. But following my encounter with the Muchin students, I call on all Jones students to consider an alternate viewpoint and to take a moment to realize what we have. The Muchin students that I heard
erupt into chant behind me were few in number, only about 15 students strong. Their school had planned their own 17 minutes of silence, and following that, all students were expected to go back to their classes. These 15 students faced serious repercussions for simply continuing their walkout and joining ours. I spoke with Assistant Principal Eric Mitchell about his encounter with the Muchin students. It shed an entire new light on how much we take for granted what our administration has done for us as students. “I heard that [the Muchin students] may be receiving significant consequences for their actions. I gave them my card to share with their administrator so that I may be able to speak with one of them to inform them that they should go easy on [the students],” said Mitchell. Instead of focusing on what we don’t have, we should focus on what we do have: an administration who supports not only our student body but fellow Chicago students as well. Unlike Muchin students, who apparently have an administration that focuses on consequence rather than support, I think Jones students need to remain thankful and cognizant of how much support we receive. There are few high school administration teams that foster such independence and encourage their students to take action based on their beliefs, and I thoroughly believe that Jones students underappreciated, to put it bluntly, how good we have it.
Graphic by Lucy Tinder ‘19 and Ezra Weber ‘18
PAGE 8
JONESBLUEPRINT.COM @JONESBLUEPRINT MARCH 19, 2018
Welcome to the Field
Girls Jones Soccer will play Whtiney Young at the Jones Field on March 21 at 6 p.m.
Olivia Landgraff ‘18 contributed to this graphic. Graphic by Deklin Versace ‘18