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THE HIGH SCHOOL OF APPLIED COMMUNICATION ISSUE 2
30 -20 THOMSON AVENUE, LONG ISL AND CIT Y, N Y 11101
Michael Weinstein, Principal | Selina Yuen, Assistant Principal | Eduardo Alarcon, Assistant Principal
APRIL 2020
NYC Schools Launch into Remote Learning Following Shutdown Due to Virus Pandemic by Jasmine Schatzschneider, with Jennifer Lopez, Liona Kuka and Sibat Hassan With the intention of stagnating the spread of COVID19, students and staff hastily converted to remote learning classes, using online platforms such as Microsoft Teams, in response to the shutdown which officially started in New York City on March 16. Over 124,000 schools, public and private, have been affected by COVID-19 nationwide. In late March, President Trump extended federal social distancing guidelines to April 30, meaning physically-set classrooms will likely not be back in order until May, if at all, this academic year. On April 11th, Mayor de Blasio made the announcement that, in fact, all New York City public schools would be closed for the remainder of the academic year, with remote learning continuing until the end of June. Since mid-March, New York City’s Department of Education has continued to make efforts to distribute computer devices to students in need, prioritizing those in temporary housing. The city intended to assign a minimum of 25,000 iPads to students,
all of which were to have internet access (T-Mobile provided the city with LTE data plans at discounted prices). In a 2018 Census Bureau online document, titled, “The Computer and Internet Use in the United States: 2016,” by Camille Ryan, it is shown that there has been a clear disproportion between economic, racial and educational standing when it comes to broadband internet access. Additionally, in July of 2019, the office of New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer reported that 29% of all households in NYC did not have access to broadband internet as of 2017. Considering the far-reaching effects of the pandemic, as well as the circumstances of the resulting shutdown, this technological turnaround is likely to leave a lasting impression on our society. An amplified adoption of technology in our society is not inherently destructive, and may, in fact, open doors to further technological advancements. Pushing for certain forms of technology to become more commonly available may even catalyze the shrinking of socioeconomic inequalities between households. Despite the hectic nature of the switchover, teachers appear
English teacher, Mr. Golis (pictured), moved from his HSAC classroom to his home office to begin “remote learning.” Every day, Golis has two computers at his desk – one he uses strictly for working with his students and, the other, to keep the communication lines open between himself and his colleagues. (PHOTO BY MAURA GOLIS)
to have an optimistic view of the situation. When asked for his outlook on the topic, John Golis, an English teacher here at HSAC, replied, “Remote learning is a different experience. I miss the interaction with the students in my classes. However, with remote learning I am able to see responses from students who don’t usually participate in discussions.” Nuris Finkenthal, an HSAC science teacher, contributed to the topic by stating, “Remote classes are an opportunity for our students to engage in 21st century learning. This is preparing them for their educational journey in higher education and or any future educational experience to expand their careers.” Students have many opinions about this form of teaching, with some disinclined towards it. A small poll conducted in early April among 20 students of the senior class disclosed that 90% preferred physical classes, while the remaining 10% were indifferent to either setting. None reported to favor online classes. However, others have positive perspectives about the new experience. “Having classes and doing assignments online, I get to work longer than when at school,” said senior, Smaran Vedantam. “I can use all the resources I want to find the answer. But when I’m in school, I’m limited to the notes, packets or my own knowledge. Easier access to a much larger inventory of resources is clearly a big plus.” Katelyn Bostick, another senior, added, “I think a positive part of remote learning is that it allows you to work at your own pace.” “I think it’s nice to have the freedom of doing assignments when I want to during the day,” said one junior, Nicholas Giannini, “rather than having a 45-minute time limit for most classwork. It gives me the ability to do my work the way I want to, in a more comfortable setting.” “I find this type of learning to be a positive experience but, at the same time, it comes with its challenges,” admitted Amina Rabbani, a sophomore. “I think it has a strong effect because it still keeps us doing our work and is still helping us learn more. However, on the other hand, it’s challenging to an extent because some people like to learn visually and the material received may not be enough for them.” With such an impactful quick-paced transition, it is crucial that the lines of communication between students, staff and administrators are strengthened and maintained so as to encourage feedback and allow for improvements to be made that will benefit everyone involved. Rather than focusing on the undesirable aspects of this situation, there is something admirable about being able to adapt together in such a manner during this period of adjustment. Our society will likely benefit in some way or another from this experience and, furthermore, this unanimous exploration of uncharted territory is a time of widespread cooperation, patience and understanding that, despite the physical distance, will ultimately bring us closer together.
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Dept. of Education
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HSAC Students Acknowledged for Fall Academic, Attendance Achievements On February 27, students from the High School of Applied Communication received praise for their outstanding achievements in academics and attendance for the fall semester. Clockwise from right: First photo shows Jan Flores (left) and Marlin Munoz, who were recognized for achieving high honor roll, after earning an average of 90-94. In second photo, Karen Loja (left) and Ashley Martinez are displaying their honor roll certificates, which were given to students who earned an average of 85-89. In third photo are (l to r): Fariha Ahmed, Julia Krawczyk, Naiha Shafiq and Emmy Veselinov, smiling together for the impressive feat of making the principal’s list. This list is comprised of students who achieved an outstanding average of 95 and above for the entire fall semester. Cristian Campos-Pantaleon, Jacqueline Hernandez, Lhamu Chodon and Eldin Bicic (fourth photo; l. to r.) are holding their certificates for perfect attendance. The ceremony was coordinated by National Honor Society and Student Government, and hosted by teachers Mr. Molczan and Mr. Picos. (CAPTION BY MOHAMMED UDDIN AND NATHANIEL GOMEZ MURPHY / PHOTOS BY NATHANIEL GOMEZ-MURPHY AND R. TROTTA)
2nd Annual ‘Soul Food Potluck’ Event a Success! The “Soul Food Potluck” at the High School of Applied Communication is an annual event that celebrates the very diverse diaspora of Afro-centric cultures through food - to be enjoyed by all. The event, held this year on February 27, was coordinated and led by HSAC’s Student Government Treasurer, Makayla Joseph (in far right photo), seen serving crepes to one of the many participants. Below (from l. to r.), students wait in line for empanadas as volunteer Joy Assad politely serves them. In addition to eating delicious food, the fun also included students playing board games. The second photo below (from l. to r.) captures friends, Thania Inguil and Eileen Martinez, competing in a game of Battleship. Not only does the event bring people of different ethnicities together, but of different ages, too! (As shown in the photo below; far right): Sophomore, Albert Saldivar (left), and Mr. Morel, the school’s dean, have their game faces on dur i ng a match of table tennis. (CAPTION BY KATELYN BOSTICK / PHOTOS BY R. TROTTA)
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On February 14, the air was filled with love as students from the High School of Applied Communication exchanged hugs, smiles, cards and gifts. This year, students and staff decided to take part in the celebration of love and happiness by purchasing heart-shaped lollipops that came with a small card for their significant other, colleague or friend. The left photo is a great example of how Joy Assad’s expression lives up to her first name, as she smiles joyfully while displaying the special gifts she received. The bottom right photo captures Kerly Veloz (left) and Christian Quito celebrating the special day by exchanging candy grams. “I felt like it was a nice
THEATRE REVIEW:
way to appreciate someone you care about, not in the way as if they are your crush, but as friends,” stated Md Ahamad. Bader Shuja (seen left in the top right photo) is seen giving a candy gram to long-time friend Justin LeonMason Wittman. “I think our school celebrates Valentine’s Day really well because you saw friends giving friends gifts, couples sharing gifts, and students giving gifts to teachers. All forms of love or relationships get celebrated or recognized, and I think that’s a really cool thing that our school does,” said Student Government President Katelyn Bostick. (CAPTION BY BUSHRA RABBANI AND ELIAS MACIAS / PHOTOS BY ELIAS MACIAS)
‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ Gets Two Thumbs Up, Audience Awed by Mesmerizing Performances
by Madeline Sharkey and Emmy Veselinov Students and faculty chaperones from the High School of Applied Communication joined other public schools throughout New York City on February 26, to see the play version of the classic novel, “To Kill a Mockingbird.” The event marked the first-ever Broadway play performed at Madison Square Garden, where approximately 18,000 students were able to witness the phenomenal acting that left everyone in awe. The play, written by Aaron Sorkin and based on the novel by Harper Lee, empha-
sizes the ideas of racism, morality, and social inequality during post-Civil War, as a town in Alabama is enduring the hardships of the Great Depression. The play highlighted the trial of character Tom Robinson, an African-American who was falsely convicted of raping a white woman, Mayella Ewell, after she invited him in her house. As audience members (and theater critics), we observed the severe injustice being played out when evidence revealed that Tom Robinson only had one functioning arm while Mayella had two choke marks on her neck, thus indicating two hands were used during the assault and that Tom couldn’t have possibly committed the crime. Tom, a hard-working man, did not receive a fair trial, and the allwhite jury pronounced him guilty. He was sent to prison for execution, but when he attempted to escape, he was shot 17 times in his back. The audience was amazed by and very responsive to the cast’s performances, led by Ed Harris as Atticus, Nina Grollman as Scout, Nick Robinson as Jem, Taylor Trensch as Dill, Kyle Scatliffe as Tom, Neal Huff as Bob Ewell and Eliza Scanlen as Mayella Ewell. When a racist comment or action Pictured are students and teachers from the High was made, audience members School of Applied Communication, moments before the gasped, and when something was start of “To Kill a Mockingbird,” which was performed done in the name of good, they live at Madison Square Garden. (PHOTOS BY BUSHRA RABBANI) clapped enthusiastically. In fact, it
would truly be an understatement to state that the actors lived up to their roles, something consistently proven by the large audience’s reaction. The acting of veteran actor Ed Harris, who portrayed Tom’s lawyer, Atticus Finch, stood out the most because his tone and emotions were all on point, such as in the scene when he began aggressively yelling at Bob Ewell. It felt so real and his energy replicated his character, which touched the audience in a powerful way. The realness in Harris’ performance didn’t stop with Harris. We liked how genuine all the actors were, and it made the play come to life even more. The stage was designed very well and the setup for the trial was our favorite because of how authentic it was. The entire production of the play was outstanding, as we felt like we were part of the play from beginning to end because of the outstanding work of both the actors and the stage crew. One student from HSAC, Alima Burhan, stated, “This was my first time at Madison Square Garden, and the play was amazing! It really showed me how mistreated black people were back in the 1930’s and how much we’ve progressed ever since.” Another student, Zechariah Barfield, said, “Their performances exceeded my expectations, and I really don’t enjoy most plays, but this one is an exception.”
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HSAC Students Celebrate Valentine’s Day with Candy Grams
HSACTHE CHRONICLES CAMPUS • •SPRING APRIL 2020 2012 Page 4
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Technology, often looked down upon by older generation, is vital to today’s new way of life by Katelyn Bostick and Smaran Vedantam; editors-in-chief
Y HSAC Students Flip Roles to Become Teachers for a Day by Smaran Vedantam and Stavros Pirovolikos On January 16, students from HSAC visited third to fifth grade children at P.S. 85 (The Judge Charles S. Vallone School) in Astoria, Queens, to teach them about some of the ins and outs of entrepreneurship. The trip was sponsored and organized by Junior Achievement, an organization that provides students with experiences and insight into different careers. The Junior Achievement correspondent, Carol Sharrouf, along with HSAC’s Linda Acosta, coordinated the trip, allowing the students to step into the shoes of teachers for a day. The student-teachers, who were 11th and 12th graders, carried out various lessons about the characteristics of an independent business owner through interactive sessions and games. For example, they were taught how to solve problems through a fortune teller, and learned how to run a small business through board games. They also had the opportunity to experience a simulation of running a hot dog stand. For most of the studentteachers, this was a first-time experience, and it gave them an even greater appreciation for educators. “Teachers deserve lot of respect for doing this job because it’s not easy. They deserve a lot of praise,” said Jasmine Schatzschneider, a 12th grader, after reflecting on the trip. “I was much too nervous, but it was sure fun,” added another HSAC student. Overall, P.S. 85 and HSAC had a wonderful collaboration, and both schools are excited about a possible partnership between the two in the future. HSAC’s Lisbeth Castillo (top, left) and Nayza Tejada, encouraging one student who is writing a response on the smart-board. Daisy Velez (center) stands as the teacher while talking with P.S. 85 youngsters. Jailene Pichardo (above left) and Smaran Vedantam (above, right) are explaining to the students in their assigned class some of the traits of a successful entrepreneur. (photos by Linda Acosta)
ear after year, generation after generation, we constantly hear about the destruction that technology has on the attention span and development of the human race; more specifically, on the youth. Most of these arguments have stemmed from older individuals who, ironically, speak down on the same technology that they don’t know how to navigate. Arguing back towards those who have looked down upon the increase in technology and adamant appearance up on social media has been hard in the past. But with this pandemic, as tragic as it is, it has proved itself to be more than enough to back the argument that technology is not the detriment of the human race but, rather, incredibly vital. Remote learning, working from home, digital hobbies and digital presence are more prevalent than ever. For most of the younger generation, the way that we must go about our lives during the lockdown in this pandemic is not new. But it’s clear to see how shaken the older generation or the “anti-smart phone” generation has been in seeing how incredibly important it is to be actively involved in the digital world. The internet has certainly become a necessary commodity for all children, including teens, because of the school closures. All students have shifted to online virtual classes and are completely dependent on internet to finish all their schoolwork - and the kids who have more exposure to it are ahead of the curve. Adults, meanwhile, are working from home through online portals like Team Viewer. We decided to ask students that we know, and also individuals across the city via social media, for their input on how essential technology and the digital world have been for them during this time. Five specific questions were asked to our interviewees: (1) As a teenager, how do you feel or think this pandemic affects you? (2) Are there any changes during this pandemic that have significantly affected you? (3) What is one thing that happened during this event that you want to see remain, and one thing that you never want to see happen again? (4) What are some hobbies or things you have done to keep yourself occupied during the quarantine? (5) On a scale of 1 to 10 (with 10 being the most significant), how prevalent or significant have technology and/or the Internet been for you during the pandemic, and why? One Brooklyn student, 17, said, “I’m pretty much content because I’m really a homebody and I’m happy with staying home. However, I miss that I’m not able to see everyone often and school was a temporary release from being home. “I hate that we’re not going to have a complete high school experience since we won’t get a prom or graduation. My mom
was really looking forward to those events because I’m her only child, and she wanted to have those memories. I’m not dwelling on it, though. “The hoarding has got to stop— there are no cleaning products, medication for people who might actually be sick, essentials. “My biggest hobbies are video games and sleeping. “[On a scale]…10; there’s nothing else to do, and it keeps me occupied.” A Manhattan student, 18: “I like being comfortable in my own space - having food and a bed to relax on all the time…I don’t like the fact I can’t leave the house at times because my family is very dramatic and it makes me want to scream. Cherish every moment you spend with friends because something might happen and you are going to miss them greatly. I like how clean the government is keeping the city, how many payments were frozen so people can have more money with them…I don’t want hoarding like this to come back…My hobbies are still intact since most take place on the computer; The Sims video games, movies and sleep…[On a Scale]...10; because if we didn’t have technology, we wouldn’t be in contact with each other.” Finally, here are the responses from a 17-year-old HSAC student: “Despite the quarantine being the responsible course of action, I feel a bit disheartened that the circumstances rendered by the pandemic cost me to miss my senior trip, my 18th birthday party, my prom and my graduation … Remote learning classes have been difficult to adjust to, and my father is no longer able to commute to work but, thankfully, we still have the essentials we need to keep our household in order…I wish we could retain the more “college-like” atmosphere, particularly being able to chat with teachers; however, I detest social distancing — it becomes suffocating after the first week or so…I’ve been keeping myself quite busy with gaming and, occasionally, drawing, but, lately, schoolwork has frustratingly been taking up the vast majority of my time… Definitely a 10 on the scale, I’d likely be going insane without technology. Each one of my hobbies and pastimes depends entirely on the internet, even my therapy sessions. Complete social isolation for months on end sounds terrifyingly toxic.” From just three different perspectives of teenagers who don’t know one another, the scale for how much technology/internet is part of their lives is a unanimous 10. Most of their needs and hobbies consist of using some form of technology or connecting to the internet. Surprisingly to many parents, teachers and other adults in this world, having a digital persona - professionally and recreationally - is nothing new. In fact, there probably should have been more of an appreciation than a shaming of the Generation Z and millennial community, as now many of our elders (no offense Gen X and below) are in OUR DAY.
Published by the journalism students of HIGH SCHOOL OF APPLIED COMMUNICATION 30-20 Thomson Avenue, Long Island City, NY 11101
Editors-In-Chief Katelyn Bostick, Smaran Vedantam
Michael Weinstein, Principal
Special thanks to Mark Weidler of the Queens Chronicle — for collaborating with our staff, giving his generous support and assisting us in keeping our school newspaper alive and kicking!
Newspaper Advisor and Editorial Layout Mr. Robert Trotta
STAFF Spring Journalism Class
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by Maddie Sharkey and Karen Thanaprakantrakul Police officers Lydia Figueroa, Maria Figueroa, Oriade Harbor, Dominick Martorelli and Carl Locke – members of G.O.A.L. (Gay Officers Action League) - visited the High School of Applied Communication on February 14, to speak to students about the issues facing our world today when it comes to the LGBTQ community. Stereotypes of gay men include “walking with a skip” or “acting more feminine than the average person,” according to Officer Locke. When it was pointed out that Officer Maria Figueroa is expecting twin boys, HSAC students were asked, “If you were to throw Maria a baby shower, what color would it be themed?” Most students answered “blue.” The point being made by the officers was that we, as a society, have assigned colors to gender. The officers spoke about the unfortunate consequences that have been faced by those who have gone against “gender norms”; if girls played with cars rather than Barbie dolls or if boys played with Barbie dolls
rather than cars, they were often victimized by their peers and called derogatory names. Each of the officers had a touching “coming-out” story, something that Officer Lydia Figueroa referred to as “one of the most difficult things I have ever had to do.” Figueroa also expressed her feelings about society’s views on beauty, stating “I felt extremely uncomfortable in makeup and long hair, but that’s what I was apparently supposed to look like.” Officer Harbor, who first came out as a bisexual female at the age of 15, and later as a transgender male at 18-years-old, told the students, “The first step to accepting a transgender person is to ask what their preferred pronouns are and what name they would like to be called.” Once he had come out as a transgender male to his family, he asked them for their support. Following his surgery, his mother “responded well by changing my bandages,” he reported to the students with a smile. “Sadly, my sister was not accepting of me,” he said, “and she removed herself from my life.”
Even though it is a daily struggle, according to all of the officers, the need to come out when meeting new people has been the best decision they have made, rather than hiding who they really are. Ameema Wasim, a sophomore, said, “Honestly, they were amazing. I just liked how they explained each of their stories because it’s not something easy to do, especially because some of the officers didn’t have support from their families and it’s difficult to accept that fact and move on. Family is the people who are supposed to support you and be happy that you’re happy.” “I feel like it was brave of them to come to our school and talk about their experiences. They were pretty open about their past experiences with family and friends, and how hard it was for them to get through it,” said another student. “I’m happy they decided to come to our school and spend their time talking to us and letting other students going through the same or similar issues know that they are not alone…And I would like to thank them for their service.”
Officer Oriade Harbor (far left) has HSAC students intrigued with his powerful words about his experiences as a member of the LGBTQ community. (photo and caption by Karen Thanaprakantrakul)
Two Earn Tenure!
Students Gain Business Knowledge With Hospitality Co.
Pictured speaking with the teens is Dino Lavorini (far left), Director of Operations, at Union Square Hospitality Group. (photo by J. Worth) Fifteen students from HSAC, accompanied by faculty members Mr. Worth and Ms. Andosca, as well as representatives from PENCIL, took an educational trip to visit Union Square Hospitality Group in Manhattan on February 27th, to gain career
experience, build student resumes, learn about networking, and job shadow with different departments in the company. Union Square Hospitality Group has created some of New York’s most popular restaurants, cafes, and bars, and special-
izes in offering outstanding food delivered with warmth and hospitality. Founded in 1985, the company now extends beyond the walls of its eateries. In addition to creating Shake Shack, USHG offers operational consulting, runs a multifaceted catering and events business, Union Square Events, and a growth fund, Enlightened Hospitality Investments (EHI). “The trip was a great success,” said Mr. Worth. “Students were able to gain firsthand experience into diverse and dynamic career paths and ask questions to a career panel with some of the top professionals in the field. We all walked away with new connections and great perspectives into fascinating careers.” Mr. Worth noted that three additional trips were scheduled, but those were cancelled due to the coronavirus crisis. by Rob Trotta, with special thanks to Mr. Worth for his assistance with this article.
Congratulations to Physical Education teacher, Mr. Vega, and payroll secretary, Ms. Kue, for receiving tenure this March from HSAC Principal, Mr. Weinstein. Tenure is an important status given to an employee who has shown to be a responsible, positive and dedicated contributor at their school during a probationary period. (caption and photos by R. Trotta)
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Police Officers Speak Candidly with Students on Challenges Faced by LGB BTQ Community
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Getting to Know Professional Actor, Writer
Damon DiMarco by Liona Kuka and Justin Fernandez In March, Damon DiMarco came to the High School of Applied Communication as one of the guests for “Career Day,” to speak to the students about aspects of his life and work. DiMarco, who was born in New Jersey and currently resides here in New York, was such an appealing and intriguing speaker, that we asked if he would like to do an interview. Soon after, Liona had the fortunate opportunity to conduct an online interview with this gracious and hardworking actor, writer and father, to find out a little bit more about his past, present and future. Q: How is the writing process for you? How long did it take you to make it work for yourself? A: Writing has gotten a little easier over the years. By this, I mean it’s become more routine. I used to make it more precious than I currently think it deserves. Now it’s just a habit. I put my butt in the chair each day and do my work, like any other job. How long did it take me to make that work? Easily 25 years, probably more. The truth is, I’m still exploring ways to make the process my own. Q: If you could go back in time to the start of your career, what would you tell yourself? Would you tell yourself to do something different or keep going the same way? A: Good question. What would I tell my former self? There’s a light at the end of the tunnel, and it’s not an oncoming train. And, you’d better get off your butt because nobody’s coming to save you. Frankly, I’d offer all kinds of advice, none of which my former self would probably accept. After all, he could be pretty obstinate. Q: Which is more difficult, being an actor or a writer? Do you prefer one of them to the other? A: They’re both difficult professions in their own right, but very worthwhile! These days, I prefer writing because it suits my temperament and lifestyle. Writing can be done anywhere, at any time. You don’t need much more than a sheet of paper and an old pencil stub to be off and running. As a creative endeavor, it draws from everything that you are -- your experiences, your fears, your hopes, your imagination. I consider it a privilege to be a writer. Q: Was there something you watched or read as a child that made you want to pursue what
you do now? A: Yes. Everything! I became an addicted reader at a very young age. Books, words, stories and myths could hold me spellbound for hours. Still can. If you want to write, reading might not be a prerequisite, but it sure helps. Q: What is a question you haven’t been asked? Now that you’ve thought of it, please answer. A: Question: ‘Do you think that human beings will eventually destroy our planet?’ Answer: No, I don’t. Our planet is 4.5 billion years old. It’s survived countless crises that we’ll never be able to imagine. What I think is more likely is that we human beings may destroy ourselves. Since I’d rather not see that happen, we might try being more compassionate and gentle, both with ourselves and with each other. Q: What are some of your greatest accomplishments in your fields of work? Do you have anything coming up that you would like to tell us about it? A: I’m always the most proud of what I’m working on right now, which is a book about how to be a better artist. I call it The Artist’s Master Key to Success. But I’m very fond of the two books I wrote with my friend and mentor, Bill Esper, The Actor’s Art & Craft and The Actor’s Guide to Creating a Character. Bill taught me a lot about what it means to be an artist and I’m indebted to him for that. Also, with the 20th commemoration of 9/11 fast approaching, I’ve lately thought a lot about my book, Tower Stories: An Oral History of 9/11. I adapted this book as a play which will be produced in Manhattan in April of 2020. But these are professional achievements. I’m also proud of my son who inspires me constantly to be a better father and a better human being. Q: Since we are interviewing you for our school newspaper, can you give a quote or line that can encourage us students with our goals? A: I can think of several I’d love to share, but this one from Greek writer and philosopher Plutarch encapsulates most of them: ‘That which we achieve inwardly will change our outer reality.’ Look within and you’ll never go without…I wish you all a good journey.
Guest speakers Asia Tillery (left) and Jomina Gauuan (right) were two of the presenters who spoke with students during March’s “Career Day” at the High School of Applied Communication. (photos and caption by R. Trotta)
Guest Speakers Get Down to Business at HSAC’s ‘Career Day’ by Nataly Mendez and Bushra Rabbani On March 6, students at the High School of Communication had the rewarding experience to listen to and interact with professionals from a variety of occupations who shared stories, gave meaningful advice and offered other words of wisdom about their occupations. During the school event, called “Career Day” and organized by Ms. Acosta, students from all four grade levels were visited by guest speakers and asked many questions during presentations. Speakers provided relevant information that was linked to their educational background and careers, and also shared anecdotals about things they learned along the way in their own lives. One of the presenters, Asia Tillery, who is a representative from Pencil, discussed how she has organized and hosted several drives for students in underprivileged communities. Pencil, based in New York City, is an educational, non-profit organization whose job is to provide “extra support and resources for students” and “fill in the gaps that teachers cannot fill because of their many duties as educators,” according to Tillery. “Our organization focuses on bringing together business professionals, educators and students, through in-school and workplace experiences, mentoring, hands-on programs and internships,” she said. “We want to get students on the right path to graduation,” she said. “Our goal is to set them up for success.” Two of the important skills that students need in order to be ready for college and career, noted Tillery, are goal-setting and networking. As for challenges, two of the toughest ones she said that she faced as an undergraduate were the workload and accountability requirements that come along with being a student. Tillery also eased the stress of students who said they were undecided about what they want to do, in terms of career choice, saying, “It’s okay if you don’t know yet what to do with your future.” Another presenter was Jomina Gauuan, a registered nurse at Lenox Hill Hospital in the Cardiothoracic Intensive Care Unit. Gauuan talked about how her career is a demanding one, but “it is very rewarding.” She stated that it is a rewarding career because she is “helping people” and the people she takes care of “open up [her] eyes to be healthy and allow [her] to become a better person.” Gauuan told students, in addition to working in the hospital for three days a week, she is also pur-
suing a career as a real estate agent. She encouraged students to consider becoming a nurse because there is so much satisfaction in caring for other people and, with a smile, added, “One day when I am in my “80’s, I will want a nurse to take care of me.” “It was great to meet with a fun group of kids who want to do a lot of different things,” concluded Robert W. Napoles, an attorney-at-law and an administrative trial judge for OATH, following his visit. “We discussed the challenges of living in a world that changes without warning…I told them about working at a law firm that had one computer for 500 employees.” Other guests included Michael D’Andrea, vice president at Greater Talent Network, a UTA company, Damon DiMarco, an actor, playwright and bestselling author, Joel Derfner, a playwright, composer and best-selling author, Christopher Caruana, an artisan pickle maker and blogger, Robert Kulpa, a representative from Consolidated Edison and Carol Sharrouf, representing Junior Achievement. HSAC teachers, Mr. Worth and Mr. Meehan, also talked to students about their pre-teaching careers and lives. It was evident that the presenters created a positive and moving experience for HSAC students. “’Career Day,’ this year, was definitely one of the best. I feel like we should have the speakers back every year if possible. I wished they would have the opportunity to talk for more than just two periods,” said Liona Kuka. “I think ‘Career Day’ was a great opportunity for many students to start looking into what they want to achieve in the future,” stated Dayanara Sialer. “It was nice seeing so many types of jobs that are out there. It was a great experience getting to know more information about those careers and know what steps to take later on.” “It helped me think about my future and what type of path I’m going to take,” said Jan Flores. “I thought it was a good thing that people that have gone through so much in life came to our school to tell us what we can do in the future and help us choose something we could do or might want to consider doing,” acknowledged Md Ahamad. “It was a great thing that they came and helped us learn more about the real world.” For Adam Wolczuk, the presentations were “a surprising and new experience, learning about people’s career choices and what challenges they faced. It also gave students an understanding of why they should be college-ready.”
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“No matter what the moment, a baby girl will always render sunshine in your life with her adorable smile.”
Born: January 6, 2020 Time: 2:11 pm Weight: 7 lbs., 11 oz. Length: 20 in.
Created by Nataly Mendez and Emmy Veselinov
’Tis the Season to Ask, ‘Will You Marry Me?’ Created by Emmy Veselinov and Nataly Mendez
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20th, 2 to see the December ed going st e g g su e enter. When Joseph. H ockefeller C R t a e e tr ear the s Christma a picture n they took , d Joseph e iv en rr th a they ee, and tr e th , f o t n o some tears angels in fr knee. After e n t, o en n o m n te went dow full of exci uple’s nd a heart laughter, a es!” The co io said, “Y 021. sc 2 a b 1, a rc st u A Ms. d for Aug le u d e h sc wedding is
Mr. Stewart proposed to his (now) fiancée on December 26, 2019, on the beachfront of Paradise Island in the Bahamas. After planning the surprise for half a year with family and friends, she said “Yes!” When they returned to the states as the future Mr. and Mrs. Stewart, they booked a gorgeous beach venue for their July 3, 2020, wedding.
ARTWORK BY HSAC’S COMPUTER TECHNICIAN, DAVID GUERRERA
Page 7 THE PHSAC CAMPUS CHRONICLES • SPRING • APRIL 2012 2020
Mr. and Mrs. Pinkhasov welcomed their second baby girl, Abigail, into the world… both incredibly happy! Her big sister, Adele, is thrilled to meet her.
HSACTHE CHRONICLES CAMPUS • •SPRING APRIL 2020 2012 Page 8
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FACULTY SURVEY… The Results Are In! Created by Bushra Rabbani, Maya Hori, Jasmine Schatzschneider, Ryarz Richards, Maddie Sharkey, Fiyana Ahmed, Liona Khuka and Emmy Veselinov
1. Which club, from the following choices, should be added in our school? a. b. c. d. e. e.
2. On a typical Saturday night, you are most likely to find me at… a. b. c. d. e.
7. What kind of cooked potatoes do you like most? a. b. c. e. f. g.
Debate Club (22%) Photography Club (8.5%) Improv Club (8.5%) Art Club (13%) Technology Club (22%) Big Brother/Big Sister Club (mentoring/”adopting” a younger student) (26%) A restaurant or other social setting (35%) At home (43%) The mall/shopping (4.5%) Under a rock (13%) At a friend or relative’s house (4.5%)
8. If you weren’t a teacher, what job (from the following choices) would you want to have? a. b. c. d. e. f.
3. Would you rather fight one horse-sized duck or 40 duck-sized horses? a. b. c. d.
one horse-sized duck (35%) 40 duck-sized horses (0%) I’ll fight both (22%) No, thanks. I love animals too much
Zoo worker (8.5%) Flight attendant (17%) Street vendor (4.5%) Waiter (0%) Military employee (40%) I don’t see myself doing anything else besides teaching
(30%)
9. If you had to eliminate one Girl Scout Cookie flavor, which one would it be? a. Thin Mints d. Do-si-dos
(43%)
4. Do you believe detention would be effective in our school? a. Yes, I think it will help the students (74%) b. No, I don’t think that is necessary (4%) c. I don’t have an opinion one way or the other
(30%) (17%)
b. Samoas (22%) c. Tagalongs (9%) e. I don’t eat Girl Scout Cookies (22%)
10. If you had to give up one of the senses, which would it be? a. Sight (4.5%) b. Hearing (9%) c. Touch (4.5%) d. Smell (65%)
(22%)
5. Who are you likely to vote for/will you vote for in the 2020 presidential election? a. b. c. d. e.
Mashed potatoes (30%) French fries (35%) Potato chips (0%) Baked potatoes (13%) Roasted potatoes (22%) None of the above (0%)
e. Taste (17%)
11. If you had the chance to stay within one age range for the rest of your life, which would you pick? a. 0-12 (0%)
b. 13-21 (9%)
c. 22-35 (56.5%)
d. 35-50 (30%) e. 51+ (4.5%)
12. How many triangles do you see in this picture?
Donald Trump (53%) Bernie Sanders (8%) Joe Biden (4.5%) Anyone but Donald Trump (30%) I am not going to vote (4.5%)
a. 4 (4.5%) b. 10 (4.5%) c. 18 (30%) d. 22 (13%) e. My answer (number) isn’t listed (48%) *The correct answer is c. 18.
13. Who was your role model growing up?
6. What time do you think school should start? a. 8:20 am as usual (53%) b. Later is better; 9 am (30%) c. Let’s start earlier; 7:30 am (17%)
a. b. c. d.
My parent(s) (48%) A celebrity (8.5%) I was my own role model (17.5%) No role model growing up (26%)
*23 faculty members completed the survey
POETRY CORNER “Out of Time” by Alima Burhan Patience and time Healed sore eyes She watched more lay to rest Silent cries And empty lies Held tight to a thread of faith Time and time The sirens cry The thread thins out He waits Black and white Through bloodshot eyes And all they saw was gray A jump in time And all unite Far, far Too late
“Hope” by R. Trotta Many people are feeling down. Why? Just look around. People fighting over toiletries, forgetting the difference between wants and needs. Schools are closed, and classrooms have switched to online. Students asking, “You had a prom and graduation ceremony, but what about mine?” People sick, people dying. People anxious, people crying. Many losing their jobs, or told to stay home for who knows how long. But amid this pandemic, we need to do our best to stay strong. Whether it’s prayer, family, music, tv, a good friend, ourselves, or washing our hands nine times a day with soap… We’ll get through this challenging, unprecedented time…with a four-letter word called Hope. ARTWORK BY HSAC’S COMPUTER TECHNICIAN, DAVID GUERRERA
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From the International News Front Photoshop by Fiyana Ahmed
South Korea becomes model country early on in fight against coronavirus South Korea, at the outset of the coronavirus, stood as a fine example for countries on how to deal with the health crisis, according to many experts Why? Because its leaders and professionals picked up on the severity of the pandemic right away. South Korea started its testing campaign as soon as the first case arrived on January 20, turning entire buildings into immediate testing sites. As of April 11, a total of about 10,480 people have reportedly tested positive for the virus, and about 211 people have died, a relatively small number compared to so many other parts of the world. Wearing masks became widespread right away; in South Korea, it was actually the norm for citizens who were sick to wear them even before the pandemic broke out. In addition, the country is now able to make about 100,000 testing kits per day. When someone gets tested (there were even drive-thru testing booths and clinics set up and made available very quickly), they receive the results within hours via text message. In addition, the country created an app for its citizens, to let them know of specific areas to avoid if someone at that location has tested positive for Covid-19 Now the question is, will other countries, including the US, be able to do this?
Cruise ship captain goes on trial for Danube River disaster In Hungary’s capital, Budapest, cruise ship captain, Yuri Chaplinsky, went on trial on March 10, for a collision that happened on the Danube River. The accident happened on the night of May 29 of last year, when the cruise ship collided with a small tour boat, killing 27 people. - 25 tourists from South Korea and two crew members. Seven people aboard were rescued, and one passenger remains missing. The small boat, called The Mermaid, sank within only a few seconds of the collision. At the opening of the March trial, the captain pleaded not guilty while the prosecution charged him with gross negligence, for not using the several minutes that he had to either steer the ship out of harm’s way or, at least, slow it down to avoid the collision. He was also charged with failing to take the appropriate leadership role during an emergency and assist those who were aboard the tourist boat and fell into the water. The prosecution asked for Chaplinsky to receive a nine-year imprisonment and the cancellation of his license for an additional nine years – if he was willing to plead guilty and waive the trial - but Chaplinsky declined the plea bargain. Chaplinsky said he was heartbroken by what happened, but also believes it was not his fault. The veteran ship captain with decades of experience feels he will receive fair judgment in his trial and not be convicted. The trial is scheduled to resume at the end of April.
UK Prime Minister tests positive for COVID-19 The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Boris Johnson, tested positive for the coronavirus and was admitted in the hospital on Sunday,
April 5. His condition worsened on Monday, April 6, and he was admitted to intensive care at St. Thomas Hospital in London. On April 10, it was reported that the political leader was removed from the intensive care unit, as his condition was showing progress. Johnson made a statement, thanking the National Health Service staff for their hard work and dedication, Carrie Symonds, Johnson’s fiancée who is pregnant, also has symptoms of the coronavirus, but her situation is, reportedly, less threatening than it was for her future husband. Queen Elizabeth and President Donald Trump have expressed their concerns. A spokesperson from Buckingham Palace said that they will do their best to treat the prime minister and his family, in addition to helping everyone in the UK to fight against this virus. Trump conveyed his well wishes and said that everyone in the White House was praying for him and hoping that his situation will get better soon. As of April 11, about 79,000 people have reportedly tested positive for Covid-19 in the UK, with approximately 9,875 people dead.
Japanese PM Declares State of Emergency over Coronavirus On April 6, Shinzo Abe, Japan’s Prime Minister, declared a state of emergency over the coronavirus pandemic for seven of its 47 prefectures, including the capital, Tokyo. This declaration allows the governors of those prefectures to request quarantine and other restrictions on certain places such as schools, theaters, cinemas, department stores, hotels, amusement parks and other public forums where large groups gather. However, Shinzo claimed that any sort of a lockdown for most of Japan is not necessary, and stated public transportation as well as supermarkets will remain open as usual. He plans on preventing the spread of the virus while maintaining everyday life as much as possible to stabilize the economy; Shinzo has asked the citizens to stay indoors whenever they can while also allowing businesses to continue operating. As of April 11, it was reported, more than 6,000 people were infected with the virus, and 94 people have passed away. Although the number of deaths is astoundingly low, the number of infected citizens started increasing rapidly beginning in late March. Because of the pandemic, British Airways has decided that all direct flights between England and Japan will be suspended after April 8, and Japan will strictly limit people entering from foreign countries. Japan, meanwhile, advised its citizens who were traveling to come back immediately unless it was absolutely necessary to stay. by Maya Hori *Globally, news sources have sadly reported that, as of April 11, there have been approximately 1.7 million confirmed cases of the coronavirus and over 102,000 deaths. The HSAC Chronicles’ team and the school staff extend their deepest condolences to families and others who have lost dear ones due to this virus.
Contest Winners
Congratulations to the following three winners of the HSAC Chroniclessponsored Photoshop Contest. First place: Cristian Hernandez (top); Second place: Jasmine Schatzschneider (center); Third place: Adam Wolczuk (below); Each winner will receive a gift card from Mr. Trotta when it becomes possible. * Special thanks to our journalism judges for making the tough decision based on the entries that were submitted.
Word Search
•
SPRING IS HERE!
by Marvin Perez and Christopher Silva ALMOST SUMMER BASEBALL BEES BLOOM BUD BUNNY BUTTERFLY FLOWERS GRASS GREEN KITE RAIN RAINBOW SUNSHINE UMBRELLA
HSACTHE CHRONICLES CAMPUS • •SPRING APRIL 2020 2012 Page 10
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The Dyatlov Pass Case: Weird and Fun Facts That Most People May Not Know! Conspiracy Theory…Or Fact? Compiled by Karen Thanaprakantrakul and Maddie Sharkey • Flamingos turn pink from eating shrimp • Broccoli is the only vegetable that is also a flower. • Chewing gum while peeling onions will prevent you from crying. • An ant’s sense of smell is stronger than a dog’s. • Shrimp can swim backwards. • Frogs cannot swallow with their eyes open. • The tongue is the fastest healing part of a human body. • Americans, on average, eat 18 acres of pizza every day. • Oysters can change from one gender to another and back again. • Until the 19th century, solid blocks of tea were used as money in Siberia. • You burn 11 calories per hour chewing gum. • A one-minute kiss burns 26 calories. • Frowning burns more calories than smiling. • The starfish can turn its stomach inside out. • Your eyes expand when looking at something pleasing. • Cows produce more milk when they listen to music. • Colors like red, yellow and orange make you hungry. • To clean paint off your hands, use olive oil – it softens the paint and makes it easy to remove. • A pelican can hold more food in its beak than in its belly. • A camel can drink 53 gallons of water in less than 3 minutes. • Mangoes are the most consumed fruit in the world. • Less than 3% of the water on Earth is fresh. • It is illegal to carry an ice cream in your back pocket in Kentucky. • Almonds are a member of the peach family. • The abbreviated term “Ibs.” comes from the Latin word ‘libra’ which means pounds. • Space smells like seared steak. • The unicorn is the national animal of Scotland. • Bees sometimes sting other bees. • Some people have an extra bone in their knee. • Pringles aren’t actually potato chips. • Showers really do spark creativity. • Water makes different pouring sounds depending on its temperature. • Riding a roller coaster could help you pass a kidney stone. • Nutmeg can be fatally poisonous. • A tick bite can make you allergic to red meat. • Apple pie isn’t actually American. • Sharks can live for five centuries. • The cast of “Friends” still earns around $20 million each year • If you sneeze too hard you can fracture a rib. • A whole lemon actually contains more sugar than a single strawberry. • In Switzerland, it is illegal to own just one guinea pig. • All swans in England belong to the queen. • Minnie Mouse’s full name is Minerva Mouse. • Your nose and ears never stop growing. The following websites were sources for our fact-finding: * www.thefactsite.com/top-100-random-funny-facts/ * 67 Snapple Cap Facts You Won’t Believe Are Actually Truespoonuniversity.com › Lifestyle.
by Karen Thanaprakantrakul During January and February of 1959, ten wellexperienced hikers went on a trip into a mountainous region of the Soviet Union. Not knowing this hike would be their last hike, Igor Dyatlov, leader of the group, and nine others went on their journey. Yudin, another hiker, felt ill and left the journey. Meanwhile, people began to worry about the hikers, unsure if they were safe since they hadn’t heard a word from them. Later, it was discovered that all nine hikers had died during the journey. Among the nine deceased bodies recovered were Doroshenko and Krivonischenko. These two individuals, along with three others, were found wearing apparel that was not suited well for the difficult, cold weather they were confronted by. Four other hikers were later found, and three out of the four had lethal injuries; one with a fractured skull and two with multiple fractures to the ribs with internal bleeding. The fourth hiker was found with a broken nose and a deformed neck, but the cause of death was hypothermia. One strange thing that stood out was that three pieces of clothing were found abnormally radioactive. Two of them belonged to Kolevatov and one of them belonged to Krivonischenko. However, it made sense because Kolevatov worked at a facility that developed nuclear materials, and Kriv-
onischenko had worked at a top-secret plutonium production plant for nuclear weapons. A popular theory about the ones responsible for the nine murders, called “The Black Magic of Indigenous People Theory,” points the finger at the Mansi tribe because members of this tribe consider the location of the mountain as a holy place and, if tourists looted or desecrated this land in the eyes of its inhabitants, it could have led them to attack the hikers. Since there weren’t any other traces of footprints except the hikers’ footprints, part of the theory is that the tribesmen, who knew the terrain well and had very good hunting skills, could have hidden or removed their footprints when they were done with their attack, as they were capable of doing so. One unnamed Mansi tribesman did confess that they were, in fact, responsible for the murders. While Russian authorities concluded that the deaths were caused by a “compelling natural force,” the case officially remains unsolved. There are many factors, though, that support this theory, which is only one of many theories surrounding the mystery in The Dyatlov Pass Case. Sources: www.lemmi.no/post/dyatlovpass?rq=Da; www.rbth.com/history/331729dyatlov-pass-incident-theories; dyatlovpass. com/theories
Sports Comes to Halt Amid Coronavirus Pandemic by Gabriel Zarate and Nelson Carchi On March 11, Utah Jazz star center Rudy Gobert was tested positive for COVID-19. The next day, his teammate, Donovan Mitchell, also tested positive. This news rocked the sports world, with the reality that professional athletes were now exposed to this serious virus, and it caused a sense of extreme panic for many other leagues in addition to the NBA. Whether it was baseball, soccer or hockey, everyone was terrified. When the news broke about players Gobert and Mitchell, the NBA almost immediately suspended its 20192020 season. This caused other sports’ leagues to either postpone its games or suspend their whole seasons as well. On March 12, most college sports like basketball and track and field were suspended until further notice. The NCAA March Madness tournament was cancelled. The 2020 Tokyo Olympics were rescheduled for July of 2021. Tennis’s Wimbledon was cancelled, and the French Open was postponed, in addition to golf’s Masters Tournament and the running of the Boston Marathon. As the days went by, more and more athletes would announce that they, too, had the virus, including NBA’s Kevin Durant of the Brooklyn Nets and Marcus Smart of the Boston Celtics, as well as Paulo Dybala, a star soccer player for the
Juventes Football Club. “Everyone be careful,” stated Durant, in an article in the Bleacher Report. “Take care of yourself and quarantine. We’re going to get through this.” Despite the cancellation or postponement of sports throughout the world, many organizations and athletes in the pro sports community made inspiring gestures amid the crisis. Premier league soccer clubs like Manchester United and Manchester City teamed up to donate 100,000 GBP (122,719 USD) to help those who are vulnerable to the virus. NBA’s Kevin Love of the Cleveland Cavaliers donated $100,000 to arena staff members who were not working because of the pandemic. ”Be kind to one anot her. Be understanding of their fears, regardless if you don’t feel the same,” Love said, according to CNBC.com. “Be safe and make informed decisions during this time.” While some players who had the coronavirus have recovered, such as the aforementioned Gobert, Mitchell and Smart, unfortunately, more have been or will be affected. None of the top sports have decided to resume its season thus far. As of April 7, there were more than 1.3 million coronavirus cases worldwide, approximately 76,000 deaths and about 300,000 recoveries.
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Pictured left is Jocelynn Garcia, a senior center/forward from the High School of Applied Communication, shooting a free throw in a game against Middle College High School. During the same game, teammate Lila de la Vega, a freshman forward from Bard, is heading full speed to recover a loose ball. It was defensive plays like Lila’s that helped QHSC soar to a 36-11 win. (CAPTION BY R. TROTTA/PHOTOS BY FRANCESCA CANTOR) by R. Trotta The Queens High School Complex Girls Varsity Basketball team garnered 12 wins and only 5 losses during the regular-season,
CARTOON ILLUSTRATED BY (THE VERY TALEN TED) ALIMA BURHAN
under Coach Jon Leizman, and has a lot to be proud of. While the season opened with a disappointing loss to New tow n High School, 44-30, ending the team’s incredible 34-game regular season winning streak, the players responded well, by way of a 4-game winning streak. QHSC would also get even several weeks later against Newtown HS with a 40-31 victory. In the first round of the playoffs, the Queens’ Eagles came out flying, with a 48-37 win over Nest + M. Coach Leizman’s players were strong, grabbing a 15-8 first quarter lead and, for the rest of the game, they never surrendered that lead. In round 2, however, the tone shifted quickly. Their opponent, East New York Family Academy, who was the number one seed in the city, put on a 75-point scoring clinic, and their defense was too much for QHSC to handle; the Eagles’ offense was unable to muster any type of scoring streak throughout the game. They were shut out 16-0 in the first quarter, and they were only able to net 3 points in the final quarter. The offense of East New York’s squad only got stronger as the game progressed, and the QHSC season’s ended in a 75-22 loss. Last year, the Queens’ team went undefeated in the regular season, but, like this year’s playoff run, also had a season-ending loss in the second round of the post-season tournament. “I feel like the 2019-2020 season went good even though it was a bit of a downhill compared to our undefeated season last year and being divisional champions three years in a row,” said player Jocelynn Garcia. “But we still made it to the playoffs. We worked hard and never gave up.” Garcia pointed out that the team “still kept going” and playing hard after it had lost three of its solid defensive and offensive players. *SPECIAL THANKS TO COACH LEIZMAN FOR HIS ASSISTANCE WITH THIS STORY
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Girls’ Basketball Team Nets 12-5 Record; Bounces Its Way to Second Round of Playoffs
HSACTHE CHRONICLES CAMPUS • •SPRING APRIL 2020 2012 Page 12
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The One and Only, Kobe Bryant, Gone, But Not to Be Forgotten by Elias Macias and R. Trotta for “Dear Basketball”, which was based on a poem he wrote for On January 26, the world was filled with sorrow when the the Players’ Tribune. He was the first former professional athlete terrible news was announced that NBA legend, Kobe Bryant, to both be nominated for and win an Oscar. In 2019, Bryant and 41, and eight other people, including his 13-year-old daughter, his wife welcomed their fourth daughter, Capri, into the world. Bryant’s Mamba Sports Academy, it is worth noting, has a Gianna, two of her basketball teammates, three of the teammates’ parents, a basketball coach and the pilot, all died in a great deal of significance. First, that was the location that Bryant helicopter crash along a mountainside in Calabasas, California. and the other eight passengers aboard the helicopter were headThe helicopter had been flying for less than an hour at the ing to on the day of the fatal crash. In addition, the name of the time of the crash and, while an investigation is still ongoing, academy alludes to the nickname Bryant gave himself, “Black many experts believe that heavy fog and low clouds were, at the Mamba,” because of a snake’s known characteristics of having agility, speed and accuracy. least, a contributing factor in the crash. Bryant was often compared to whom many sports writers, Kobe Bryant was born on August 23, 1978, in Philadelphia, At the age of 6, his family had moved to Italy where his father, analysts and fans see as the greatest professional basketball Joe, continued to play basketball on a professional level. In 1991, player of all time – Michael Jordan. The two, in fact, developed at the age of 13, Bryant and his family returned to the U.S., and a close relationship over time, and they appreciated each other’s young Kobe was already highly skilled in the sport from what desire to stop at nothing to win on the court. Following the sad news of Bryant’s death, Jordan put out the he had learned while playing and being mentored by his dad. The NBA and American sports fans were about to see a kid with following statement: “Words can’t describe the pain I’m feel- A young Kobe Bryant, wearing #8, and the veteran Bryant, ing. I loved Kobe — he was like a little brother to me. We used sporting #24. mesmerizing magic on the court. While growing up, Bryant’s favorite team was, in fact, the to talk often, and I will miss those conversations very much. Los Angeles Lakers. He was drafted as the 13th selection in the He was a fierce competitor, one of the greats of the game and a testimony in person, I now understand how she feels that she did not consent to this encounter.’” first round to the NBA in 1996, straight out of high school, by the creative force.” Reaction to the tragedy continued to pour in – nationally and Lupica went on to write: “The assault charge was eventually Charlotte Hornets but, on that same day, traded to the Lakers. To globally. In a January 26 Los Angeles dismissed. The civil suit was settled out of court. Bryant conthis day, he is the third youngest player Times article written by Dan Woike tinued with his career, and with his marriage to wife, Vanessa. to ever get drafted by the NBA (18 and Broderick Turner, it was stated, He became a father…He was as fiercely determined to write a years and 72-days-old). Keep in mind, “The loss was mourned in all corners worthy second act to his life. And did.” Bryant wasn’t just intelligent when it of the world. Presidents Trump and Bryant, in the years following the incident, proved to many came to basketball; he scored a 1080 Obama both tweeted tributes. NFL that he had, indeed, learned and matured from the experience. on the SAT exam in high school and, greats Tom Brady and Peyton Man- As a veteran on the court, and then as a retired player, he showed from his time spent in Italy, learned to ning expressed their sadness. Paris classiness towards the young players and even when a current speak Italian fluently. Saint-Germain soccer star Neymar superstar athlete passed him in career scoring points. To say that Bryant found success in scored a goal off a penalty kick and According to an article published on factinate.com, “Bryant is the purple and gold uniform would be held up two fingers on his right hand currently in the fourth spot for all-time NBA scorers—and just one of the biggest understatements in and four on his left.” one day before his fatal crash, fellow NBA superstar LeBron sports history: As the shooting guard In the same article, former Lakers James surpassed Bryant for the number three spot. Though he for the Lakers throughout his entire general manager, Mitch Kupchak, was was competitive to his core, Kobe had nothing but praise for career (playing for one team throughquoted as saying, “Kobe was one of King James. He tweeted out a congratulations to LeBron and out one’s entire career is a very rare the fiercest competitors the NBA has thanked him for ‘moving the game forward.’” thing these days in most sports), Bryever known...a once-in-a-generation On April 4, in a surprising announcement to no one, Bryant, ant would go on to win five NBA player who will forever be remem- along with eight others, was selected into the Naismith MemoChampionships, one Most Valuable bered for his competitive nature and rial Basketball Hall of Fame. The enshrinement ceremony is Player award, two Finals MVPs and his will to win. They threw away the scheduled to take place on August 29, a day that is surely going 4 All-Star Game MVPs. He was an mold when Kobe Bryant was born. to be an extremely emotional one for people around the world. 18-time All-Star and, this February, The basketball legend that we know solely as “Kobe” once the league renamed the trophy given Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, There will never be another like him.” “He didn’t just want the ball in the said, “The most important thing is to try and inspire people so to the All-Star MVP after Bryant. In were often photographed sitting and smiling addition, he was a member of the USA together while attending basketball games biggest moments,” said iconic sports- that they can be great in whatever they want to do.” And that is (PHOTOS COURTESY GOOGLE IMAGES) caster, Bob Costas. “It’s what he did exactly what he did. He inspired so many to be their greatest Olympic team that won two gold medafter he got it, with the defense know- self in life. als (back-to-back in 2008 and 2012). At the end of his retirement speech at L.A.’s Staples Center, In a game against the Toronto Raptors, Bryant scored 81 ing he was going to get it. He could score even when the defense Bryant turned to the crowd and said, “Mamba out.” Despite the points, the second highest-scoring NBA game for a player ever was perfect.” In a Daily News article, also published on the 26th of January, sad irony of those words, Kobe will never be forgotten. He will (Wilt Chamberlain scored 100 points in a game) and, in his final game as a professional, he scored 60 points against the Utah Jazz. writer Mike Lupica focused much of his sports column space on always be in – in the hearts of many. Following the historic performance, Bryant said, “Not even Bryant’s enormous career. But, he also brought in my dreams. That was something that just happened. It’s tough up an incident that, he declared, “was a shadow thrown across that career once, and it is imposto explain. It’s just one of those things.” Former Lakers owner, Jerry Buss, described the game as “like sible to sum things up with Kobe Bryant without mentioning the rape accusation against him made watching a miracle unfold.” Two of Bryant’s five championship titles were captured with- by a young woman in Eagle, Colorado, in 2003. “In the shadow of an immense family tragedy out teammate, Shaquille O’Neal, who left the Lakers after tense friction developed and continued between the two superstars. like this, there is no attempt here to relitigate that As teammates, however, they were able to win three back-to- case,” stated Lupica. “The worst moment of his public life did not define the rest of his life. But it back-to-back titles. During his career, Bryant also wore two different numbers also cannot be ignored. For all of the remarkable on his game jerseys – 8 and 24 – which reflected two distinctly basketball history that Bryant made, this is part of his history, too. It did not end his career or land different periods in his life and career. After retiring from an elite basketball career in 2016, Bryant him in jail, or destroy his marriage. It is still part of the story, a story that includes didn’t stop working. Instead, he found creative ways to make enormous contributions, and he remained in the spotlight off the the apology Bryant issued to the young woman at court. He was a loving husband and father to his wife, Vanessa, the time. This was part of it: “’Although I truly believe this encounter and three daughters (he was the basketball coach for his daughter, Gianna, at the Mamba Sports Academy which he founded). between us was consensual, I recognize now Vanessa Bryant stands joyfully by her man, Kobe, who holds the latest He was an entrepreneur and a film producer who started his that she did not and does not view this incident addition to his trophy collection, after winning an Academy Award for own entertainment company, called Granity Studios; in 2018, the same way I did. After months of reviewing Best Animated Short Film for “Dear Basketball,” which he wrote and Bryant won an Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film, discovery, listening to her attorney, and even her narrated.