Volume 113 Issue 16

Volume 113 No. 16

The Spectator

The Stuyvesant High School Newspaper

June 2, 2023

FEATURES

Our Bodies Don’t Operate on the School’s Clockwork: Why Students Need Bathroom Freedom

Some teachers prevent or discourage students from using the bathroom during class, defending their methods as a way to help students learn, but these policies can hurt students, both physically and psychologically.

see page 16

Azamat Kutlukov:

More Than Just a Teammate

To us, his teammates, Oz is more than just someone who we practice with, play pickup with, and eat at Taco Bell with. He’s more than just a teammate: He’s our friend. see page 36

2023 ENDORSEMENTS

stuyspec.com

Board of Elections Holds Contested SU Elections For the First Time in Three Years

By GRACE JUNG, RAHUL KISSOON, and JUDY NAMKOONG

For the first time in three years, Stuyvesant had a Student Union (SU) election. Junior Amanda Cissé and sophomore Fin Ying were elected President and Vice-President, respectively, for the 2023-2024 school year. Cissé and Ying have had multiple leadership experiences, both within and outside of the SU. Currently, Cissé is Vice President of the SU, Vice President of the Black Students League, and the student coordinator for Respect For All, and has been in the SU since freshman year, also having served as the former Sophomore Caucus Co-President. Ying is the current Sophomore Caucus Co-President, holds minor leadership roles in other clubs and a tutoring organization, and was formerly the Freshman Caucus Co-President.

This year was the first time

in three years that two tickets competed for the SU positions, and allowing the student body to

have a democratic election is really important,” junior and Board of Elections Co-Chair Vanessa

another ticket run against them.

“I think it’s always good for it to be contested. I wasn’t expecting [another ticket], but it turned out well. I think it makes it so that you’ve actually earned your spot as president instead of inheriting it,” Cissé said. “I like to think that we were actually elected and earned our position.”

Cissé and Ying described the origins of their passion for student government, explaining that their passion sprouted from the encouragement of their peers. “There was a senior in the Black Students League who encouraged me to join the Student Union, and she was one of my role models,” Cissé said.

Ying stated that their inspiration came directly from the first time they stepped foot in Stuyvesant. “[In Camp Stuy,] usually the Student Union President and Vice President get up

Advanced Placement exams for the 2022-2023 school year were administered from May 1 to May 19.

The World Language Department’s Spanish Team hosted its 46th annual Spanish Honor Society Induction Ceremony on May 17.

The 13th annual Stuyvesant Red Cross Health Fair, featuring a variety of clubs and PSAL sports teams, was held in the cafeteria on May 22.

vote seemed to have a generally positive impact on students. “It’s a symbol of democracy, and to

Chen said.

Cissé and Ying also explained their contentment with having

continued on page 2

The Ukrainian Aid Committee hosted a bake sale on May 24 and May 25 to collect funding for medical supplies needed for victims of the war in Ukraine.

NEWSBEAT

Sophomore Caucus, Solomon Binyaminov and Philip Zhang

Sophomore Caucus, Vanna Lei and Cayla Chew

Junior Caucus, Alexander Panas and Andy Xian

Courtesy of Anson Shi

Courtesy of Alexander Panas & Andy Xian

Courtesy of Lei-Chew Ticket Courtesy of Solomon Binyaminov & Philip Zhang

Board of Elections Holds Contested SU Elections For the First Time in Three Years

on the stage and give a speech, and I thought that the way the President spoke was so inspiring, and she was such a charismatic person. I really wanted to be someone like that: being able to give advice to other people and being a good role model to all the incoming freshmen and [the] school as a whole,” Ying said.

Cissé and Ying believe that their experience as previous caucus Co-Presidents helped them during the election process.

“One unique thing [about our ticket] is not just us having experience, but both of us having been co-presidents before. I feel like being in caucus puts you in a position where you know what it’s like to have a lot of freedom,”

Cissé said. “You know your limitations, but you’re not afraid to experiment.”

Ying reaffirms that their collective prior experience will provide them with a unique skill set, allowing them to run the student

government more efficiently.

“The experience of working in student government already exposes you to a lot of the different aspects of policies, implementation, and event planning. You just know the processes behind everything, which makes running for student government smoother throughout the years,”

Ying said.

Despite their success, Cissé and Ying reveal that there were many difficulties during the process of running, including a lack of organization with a few aspects within their campaign. “We had a document of a bunch of ideas that we had for the year, but a lot of it was internal and informally written, so we were trying to fix that up into a platform, but there was so much stuff that could be included,”

Cissé said. “Something we could have done differently is making a more comprehensive campaign document with all of the policies that we wanted to do written on there.”

In addition, Cissé and Ying

mentioned the time crunch that their whole team was under. “The timing of the campaign was placed in during AP season, and it was just really hectic for a lot of people, [including] our campaign team,” Ying said. “A lot of our managers were taking very big exams and were studying for them, so it was mostly just a time management issue.”

Despite these challenges, Cissé and Ying already have many goals that they are expecting to fulfill next year, mainly targeted toward achieving an increase in school spirit and entertainment as well as a decrease in academic stress. “This year, there were not many events. I’d like to have a lot of concrete events and would really like to decrease the academic stress,” Cissé said. “I feel like both of us going through campaign season and AP season at the same time speaks to that. We would use our platform for test corrections, test dropping, and some academic policy with the student leadership team soon.”

WORLDBEAT

The Russian court extended the pretrial detention of United States journalist Evan Gershkovich by another three months on May 23. Russia has also continued to deny consular requests to visit the prisoner and rejected his legal team’s offer for bail.

The G7 spelled out a plan on May 21 to diversify trade sources and employ multilateral export controls in an effort to avoid giving China undue influence over this collection of the world’s largest economies.

More than four thousand non-violent offenders were pardoned by the government of Zimbabwe and released on May 19 to help to decongest the nation’s jails.

Russia and South Africa agreed to substantially boost military cooperation on May 19 by implementing numerous joint projects intended to increase the combat readiness of both armies.

The United Kingdom sent long-range Storm Shadow missiles to Ukraine on May 11, allowing them to strike deep into Russian-occupied territory and cut off supply lines with relative ease.

Stuyvesant Wins National Math Forecasting Tournament

By DANIEL CHANG, ZOEY MARCUS, and ANNA ZHENG

Stuyvesant sophomores

Andy Huang, Christopher Louie, Ryan Radwan, and Christopher Shen and juniors Rebecca Bao, Bingde Jiang, Edwin Lin, and Gloria Yip participated in the National Math Forecasting tournament from February 6 to April 14. The teams placed first and second respectively, winning a total of $4,000 for the school. Students on the winning teams also each received $500 scholarships, and all students who completed the whole tournament earned $100 Amazon gift cards.

The National Math Forecasting Tournament is a competition hosted by the Alliance for Decision Education in which students apply their mathematical skills to predict the likeli-

hoods of real-life events. The competition was based around mathematical forecasting, a

ed with problems predicting real-life statistical trends, and they needed to use their research,

The tournament consisted of five two-week rounds, with five questions asked per round. Each member of the team had to select a probability from zero to one of a specific event occurring and state their confidence level in their answer. The questions were generated based on common teenage interests and had a wide range of topics, such as the likelihood of songs hitting top 100 charts, concert ticket prices, and COVID-19 data. “We worked really hard to think about the teenage brain in terms of selecting those questions,” Alliance of Decision Education Director Megan Roberts said.

important for forecasting, and how to apply those concepts,” Honner said. “Wille and I both have classes full of enthusiastic math students, so we asked students to express interest if they thought this would be something they would enjoy. The contest was [also] a great way to see math in a new way, to see math applied to fields that interest different people.”

Both teams expressed their gratitude to their coaches and teammates for their valuable guidance and collaboration.

technique that uses data and research to make informed predictions. Students were present-

math, and appropriate measures of confidence to accurately predict the future.

The 12 Stuyvesant teams that participated in the competition were mentored by Stuyvesant math teachers Andrew Wille and Patrick Honner. “Our role was to help students understand what forecasting is, some of the mathematical concepts that are

“Mr. Honner and Mr. Wille were really supportive during the contest, and we could tell that they were passionate about what they were doing,” Bingde (Charles) Jiang said. “It was definitely a lot of fun to be able to

continued on page 4

New AP Courses Offered Starting the 2023-2024 School Year

By MARY LEE and JUDY NAMKOONG

Stuyvesant’s administration has introduced two new Advanced Placement (AP) courses that will be available for students to take in the 2023-2024 school year: AP African American Studies and AP Precalculus, the latter being mandatory for all Stuyvesant students who have completed Algebra II. The College Board has just begun offering these two new courses, which will be implemented in a select number of schools in the coming school year.

Some students are optimistic about the new AP Precalculus course, as its curriculum is roughly identical to that of the

regular precalculus course. “If next year, everyone is required to take AP Precalculus, and AP Precalculus is much easier than regular precalculus curriculum anyway, I don’t think many peo ple will mind because it literally is just going to be a free AP to add on. It won’t count toward their AP count either, so rising juniors can take up to four APs,” junior Mahir Hossain said.

“With the new [AP] Precalculus option, a lot of people are going to be a lot more relaxed. I think the curriculum will stay more or less the same, if not [become] easier.”

Additionally, rising juniors are becoming more enthusiastic about the new AP courses. “AP Precalculus [is] a good change,

As for the new AP African American Studies course, which will be taught by English teacher Emilio Nieves, many rising juniors are looking forward to taking it despite it being a senior-priority class. “I am planning on taking AP Precalculus next year and AP African American Studies in my senior year. My only suggestion is to make [...] AP African American Studies [available] to more juniors. There is definitely a lot of interest [in the

Several students who have

already taken precalculus and do not plan on taking AP African American Studies are unaffected by the program changes, but they are interested in seeing how the new course offerings affect the Stuyvesant community. “Some people might just not do AP United States History and a lot of people might do AP African American Studies, so I’m interested in seeing how that [...] holds up with the juniors and seniors,” Hossain said.

The introduction of new APs also prompted some students to have suggestions for other classes Stuyvesant can of-

continued on page 4

Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons and NASA

(left to right) Edwin Lin, Gloria Yip, Rebecca Bao, Bingde Jiang

Courtesy of Maya Wassercug

Lillian Zou / The Spectator

New AP Courses Offered Starting the 2023-2024 School Year

continued from page 2

fer, given their seeming popularity among students. “[The College Board] didn’t add AP Anatomy and Physiology, which

By MATTHEW HUANG, ANDY LAU, and ALLISON ZHAO

Stuygi, Stuyvesant’s fungi club, hosted a speaker event on May 10 with Brandon Bunt, a mechanical engineering graduate candidate from Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art. The event took place from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m., and students got an opportunity to hear Bunt give a presentation on mycology, the study of fungi, and its engineering applications. Students interested in majoring in mechanical engineering and mycology were also able to get advice from Bunt about pursuing a career in these areas of study.

The club was able to organize the event through Zameen Cater, one of its members, who participated in a program Bunt taught that explored design and alternative construction materials using biodegradable options like mycelium. “We got contact through one of our members who went to a program a while ago about building soundproof panels made out of mycelium,” junior and Stuygi President Joshua Moe said.

I heard the College Board was planning on introducing to Stuyvesant, which I think a lot of people would take, like juniors, seniors, and sophomores. Anyone would jump at the opportunity to take such a course,

because a lot of us are planning to go [into] pre-med,” Hossain said.

For the future, students also expressed desires to have opportunities to take AP Research and AP Seminar, which are not

offered at Stuyvesant. “AP Research and AP Seminar [are] more [opportunities] for students to broaden [...] and pick specific topics they want to do,”

Hossain said. “I don’t really like how College Board rates you

Stuygi Hosts Fungi and Engineering Event With Guest Speaker Brandon Bunt

One challenge leaders faced when planning the event was their lack of prior experience with inviting guest speakers. However, leaders were surprised by the ease of the invitation process. “I didn’t know we could just get a person to come into Stuy and just talk,” Moe said. “I thought you had to go through this really elaborate program and there were only certain people allowed to talk.”

However, event organizers faced many issues with scheduling that made it difficult for the event to be arranged. “[The main] issue with organizing it mostly involv[ed] the date we would do it. The date kept changing due to scheduling conflicts with our faculty advisor and our guest speaker,” junior and Stuygi Vice President Zara Bhuiyan said. This challenge persisted for over a month of online correspondence until the date was agreed upon, forcing the presentation to be delayed for around two months.

During the event, attendees learned about Bunt’s mechanical engineering research into using fungi as a sustainable alternative to traditional building materi-

als. “He found out that a lot of [insulators] weren’t renewable and they were pretty expensive and they weren’t even that effective,” Moe said. “And then he

nated by concepts in research and design in mechanical engineering being combined with science, as they had not considered the convergence of fungiculture

based on your research, but I do feel that it’s an opportunity for students to be more free and open about what they talk about, aside from the load of coursework [from] APs that have structuralized curriculums.”

looked at another material such as mycelium and found out that it worked really well, so what he started doing was he started growing mushrooms, but then before they fully grew, he killed them off and dried them into a brick of mycelium.”

Other attendees were fasci-

and engineering. “I really did not know how fungi and engineering could intersect so well, but the speaker really showed how there are many new technologies being developed with fungi that the public is just learning about. These span from cosmetic items, like mycelium leather, to engi-

neering tech, like mycelium insulation. The new possibilities for technology were shocking,” sophomore and Stuygi Planning Director Aeneas Merchant said. Stuygi members also gained newfound knowledge about industrial mycology and the processes of growing fungi in the real world. “He told us some pretty good companies to e-mail and talk to about mushrooms and then he also showed how mushrooms are grown in Japan and that gave us a look into mushroom—fungi culture in general. He showed us industrial mushroom growing,” Moe said. Ultimately, many were able to connect with the event; rather than sitting down to learn from a rigid presentation about one particular thing, students felt that they were able to ask questions relating to what they want to pursue in the future and gain insight into career paths. “There were a few students that wanted to go into engineering or wanted to go into mycology in college so they asked him questions about that as well,” Moe said. “It felt like you could really connect with them and ask him questions that pertain to you.”

Stuyvesant Wins National Math Forecasting Tournament

continued from page 2

do all this stuff with my current group mates, especially with all the work that they did.”

The teams met after school during the tournament weeks to practice and work on their predictions. “It was just such a fun experience to get to interact in a math-type way with these students in a different context than a classroom. They would show up, bring their research and their energy, and we would guide them and they were quite successful,” Wille said.

For the junior team, research methods and strategies depended on the type of trend that was being questioned. “A lot of the questions that they gave us were time-based. For example, with gas prices, you can go along with the trend. And if the gas price reaches a certain height, it’s impossible to drop four cents in a day. Usually, for questions [like] those, we would wait it out, play the waiting game. For other ones like movies, we based it off of the opinions of other people by using movie reviews and critics,” Gloria Yip said.

In terms of strategy, students also had to decide between using bolder but riskier predictions and less variant but safer predictions. The sopho-

more team believed that taking bigger risks, while not a sure victory, greatly contributed to their success. “We [made] the bold decisions to go absolute,”

Christopher Shen said. The team chose more extreme pre-

were confident in our decision, we would still keep our predictions within [an] 80 to 90 percent [range].”

Team scores were measured using a Brier score, which calculates how far a forecast is from

prevented them from achieving a high Brier score, while riskier choices, like 0.2 or 0.7, had the potential to result in more drastic losses or gains. A team’s Brier score was the average of each of their individual scores.

For many participants, this tournament also allowed them to develop their math interests and provide insight into future pursuits. “I want to invest in stocks later, in [the] future, and that’s basically forecasting because you are trying to see if it will go up or down,” Andy Huang said.

something in a quantitative or mathematical way, which I think is a lot of Stuyvesant students,” Wille said. “It was students who wanted to take a look at real world events that haven’t occurred yet and applied some sort of quantitative reasoning to those events.”

dictions as opposed to numbers in the middle.

On the other hand, the junior team chose to make safer predictions, believing that the scoring system incentivized playing it safe. “We decided to avoid making bolder decisions, unless we knew the prediction was guaranteed to be true,” Edwin Lin said. “And even if we

the truth; the lower the score, the better. Each member had to pick a number between zero (zero percent chance) and one (100 percent chance), which represented the probability of a certain event happening. The further away a team’s prediction was from the truth, the higher their Brier score was. A safe choice, such as 0.5, would have

Many students also felt as if they were also able to learn more about fields that were previously unfamiliar to them. “There were a series of questions on Biden’s approval rating. I’ve never really been a politician but having researched all of that, I found out that U.S. presidents in the past don’t usually have a good reputation in terms of approval [ratings], so that was something interesting to witness,” Jiang said.

Overall, Honner and Wille attribute Stuyvesant’s success in the tournament to the hard work and competitive spirit of the participants, as well as their genuine interest in the mathematical field. “Everyone had a really good time but I think the students who really liked it had a tendency to want to research

The Alliance of Decision Education hopes that the competition will continue to help students develop effective decision-making skills. “We [wanted to help] students [learn] the concepts and skills of how to be great decision-makers,” Roberts said. “So much of that content has to do with the skills of forecasting, being able to understand base rates (a percentage of a population that has a certain characteristic), being able to think probabilistically, being able to see the inside-outside view, being able to collect and evaluate data, all these sorts of concepts and skills.”

Ultimately, participants enjoyed the tournament and were able to develop and practice making well-informed, confident decisions through forecasting. “I like to say [that] not everybody wins, but everybody learns. And so it’s a really fun way to make yourself a better decision maker while also learning the skill of forecasting,” Roberts said.

(left to right) Christopher Louie, Christopher Shen, Andy Huang, Ryan Radwan

Courtesy of Sarah Lifson

Courtesy of Andrew Willie

Spanish Honor Society Induction Ceremony

By KEVIN CHAN and ELAINE WONG

Stuyvesant offers a wide variety of language courses to its students, providing opportunities to not only learn the language but also become part of a larger community. With the introduction of language honor societies, such as the Japanese Honor Society and the German Honor Society, Stuyvesant now offers more community-oriented spaces to encourage students to continue pursuing their linguistic endeavors. Recently, the Spanish Honor Society, also known as La Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica, held an induction ceremony on May 17 for students who demonstrated excellence in AP Spanish classes; inductees were selected by their AP Spanish teachers to apply for the society. The ceremony took place in the auditorium, and about 20 students were inducted.

One of the main appeals of the society is the opportunity to meet like-minded individuals also interested in advancing their Spanish knowledge. “When I heard that there was a whole society of people who also really enjoyed that and were probably like me and spoke some Spanish outside of class—at least with their friends for fun—that was just really cool to me, so I did want to join because of that,” junior Eshaal Ubaid said.

Prior to the ceremony, inductees held occasional meetings to prepare for the event.

“Right before the ceremony, they decided on different positions [for the honors society], such as who president, vice president, and secretaries were going to be,” Ubaid said. “But for the ceremony itself, we definitely rehearsed reading some of the passages that they had

for the ceremony, along with the oath that you’re supposed to take, just so that we could say it all together [as] a group in unison. We were definitely taught the procedures; there was one part where we had to light these candles upon hearing our names and other things like that, those

very much alive, a lot of dancing—but we always think of a Spaniard,” Spanish teacher and lead ceremony organizer Rosanny Genao said. “But this year’s dancer happens to be an African American [woman] from Brooklyn who happened to fall in love with the culture, moved

Genao said. The induction ceremony also included a wide variety of cultural foods and music. “There was catering, too. They had been sponsored by a couple of Spanish bakeries [...] and there was this amazing food spread. There was also a

For several students, the ceremony served as a promise to continue linguistic and cultural exploration throughout their lives. “I think it signifies my commitment to continue enjoying learning Spanish and being engaged with learning about the Spanish culture,” junior Katelyn Hai said. “It signifies also that there isn’t really an end to my journey, as someone learning Spanish.”

Similarly, students like Ubaid look forward to how the society will enrich their language learning experiences. “But a big part of it is just vowing to immerse yourself more in the Spanish language; that’s part of the induction oath that you take,” Ubaid said. “I guess we’ll see more next year because honestly I’m not entirely sure [about] the extent [of] the activities they have in store for us, but I’m kind of excited.”

were the rituals that were said to be really important to the induction, so we definitely ran through those.”

One of the ceremony’s main attractions was a flamenco dancer, who served to culturally immerse students and build on the celebratory atmosphere. Flamenco, a distinct and highly emotive style of dance that combines hand clapping and percussive footwork, is an easily recognizable component of Spanish culture. “Flamenco is the national dance of Spain, and when we think of flamenco it’s

to Spain, learned the language, and transferred her ballet skills into flamenco.”

The other major attraction was Dominican-American novelist Angie Cruz, who was selected to be a speaker at the ceremony. “[Cruz] has been putting out quite a few works lately, and she’s becoming super prominent, so I reached out. I was like, ‘Okay, let’s see if we can have her here,’ since I thought this community could relate [because] quite a few of the students at Stuyvesant are first-generation immigrants,”

Latin jazz band and some singers from chorus, so it was really cool,” Ubaid said.

This emphasis on cultural inclusivity helped display how this society can help people of different backgrounds and life experiences find connections.

“At the end of the day, it’s all about the human experience and inclusivity. Just looking at the world through different lenses and languages open[s] up a window of so many opportunities to allow us to really connect with each other on a deeper level,” Genao said.

Moving forward, the Spanish Honors Society is working on becoming an active volunteer organization that gives back to the community. “Because this is the first year doing it, we haven’t really gotten a chance to. But I remember [my teacher] saying that typically this kind of society would be involved in organizing events, like the way Key Club and ARISTA do, and also just upholding some kind of community service,” Ubaid said.

Overall, the Spanish Honor Society induction ceremony helped foster a welcoming environment for students to continue their explorations of Spanish culture and linguistics. “Along the way, it was just really fun just being in meetings cracking jokes in Spanish or hearing others cracking jokes. It’s a nice community, and I’m really glad that it’s been introduced this year,” Ubaid said.

Courtesy of Alifa Azad

Endorsements: Sophomore Caucus

VANNA LEI & CAYLA CHEW

The Lei-Chew ticket promises another year of engaging events and practical policies aimed at alleviating sophomore stress. Their success in pursuing initiatives— such as the addition of shower hooks to the pool locker rooms— gives credence to the ideas they put forth. Their demonstrated dedication to the freshman class not only benefits the Class of 2026 but also serves the Stuyvesant community as a whole.

The ticket’s platform offers both practical and creative solutions to problems faced by the current freshman class. To promote early involvement in different fields, Lei and Chew plan to create a cabinet position solely dedicated to surfing through Mr. Blumm’s Opportunities Bulletin and compiling the jobs and internships applicable to sophomores. One of their more ambitious policies aims to install charging stations within the Stuyvesant building—an attempt to address the dearth of outlets available for student use. Chew and Lei are cognizant of the considerable cost that comes with such an initiative but have developed funding strategies such as an entry fee for their freshman SemiFormal. They have also grown familiar with some of the stringent DOE policies on bake sales and cited other possible methods of

fundraising, such as merch sales and a sophomore bar pop-up cafe, though that may not be very feasible.

While Lei and Chew are strong candidates for the Sophomore Caucus Co-Presidency, their ticket does not have many original, ground-breaking ideas, and their more ambitious ideas are not as feasible. Their AP study guides, for example, fall on the practical spectrum of ideas but are not a unique initiative. They acknowledge the costs of their charging station policy, but other logistical and administrative barriers of this

initiative are vague.

The Lei-Chew ticket has exhibited maturity in their ability to adapt to the needs of the student body. Their Freshman Caucus campaign promised the introduction of 8th- and 9th- floor freshman offices, but upon closer assessment, Lei and Chew realized the intrusive effects of this policy and chose not to pursue it. This demonstrates a nuanced understanding of the Stuyvesant community that will aid them in future initiatives should they win their class’s vote. Thus, The Spectator endorses this ticket.

DYNAMIC:

As the current freshman caucus Co-Presidents, Lei and Chew have gained ample experience navigating the inner workings of the SU. They have cultivated relationships with the other caucuses, the SU, and the administration, and have exhibited the organizational skills necessary to run ambitious events. Lei and Chew have hosted a Freshmen-Only Scavenger Hunt and the Flower Bouquet Contest, and they are in the process of organizing a Semi-Formal Dance for this June. This impressive track record speaks to the ticket’s efficient leadership style and is a strong predictor of similar administrative successes in the future.

PLATFORM:

Having known each other since middle school, Lei and Chew have a great dynamic. With Lei’s love for STEM and Chew’s passion for the humanities, the pair complements each other very well. As Freshman Caucus Co-Presidents, their chemistry has proved beneficial when it comes to dividing responsibilities. While Lei worked extensively with the IT department and budgeting, Chew worked with the Internal department on social media projects. Their Instagram presence indicates their close engagement with the student body. With their strong partnership and connections with the current freshman class, it is clear that Lei and Chew will be approachable Co-Presidents.

The Lei-Chew campaign revolves around the assortment of events and policies they intend to implement. For events, Lei and Chew plan to hold an Egg Scavenger Hunt, speaker events, and friendly competitions for their class, including Family Feud and a Squid Game remake. In terms of policies, Lei and Chew hope to bolster their social media influence with interactive reels, add charging stations to the school, and decorate the Sophomore Bar for special events. Lei and Chew also plan to continue their Freshman Caucus policies of monthly e-mails and magazines, information guides for studying and course selections, and Caucus website.

SOLOMON BINYAMINOV & PHILIP ZHANG

DYNAMIC:

Binyaminov and Zhang have been friends since middle school and often play video games together. Their long friendship is clearly shown by their chemistry and trust in each other. They balance each other out very well, demonstrating complementary interests in both STEM and humanities. Both have outgoing personalities and are very well spoken.

PLATFORM:

Binyaminov and Zhang focus their platform around B.A.N.G.: Broad, Academics, Navigation, and Growth. As they both are sports players, they heavily emphasize sports in their policies, including a Sports Fair and a separate sports catalog on StuyActivities to encourage students to join. Other than sports, some other notable policies are that they plan to add more benches, allow students to enter school eight minutes before the end of the period instead of five, and add dividers between urinals in the boys’ bathrooms. Binyaminov and Zhang are aware that these policies are ambitious, but believe that compromise with the administration is possible. They propose a twoweek trial period in order to test the effectiveness of each of their policies. Binyaminov and Zhang plan to stay as transparent as possible with the student body, even if certain policies are unsuccessful.

Despite their ambitious and arguably unrealistic policies, it is clear from their experience in caucus that they are qualified to lead the student body. Binyaminov was Chief of Staff and Zhang was an

Events member. Through their roles in the Freshman Caucus, they directly witnessed the issues that occurred, and plan to address these as next year’s caucus Co-Presidents. The dynamic between the

CHLOE TAM & VINCENT CHEN

DYNAMIC:

two proves that the duo works well and balances each other out. Other than their experience, their honesty and openness is what distinguishes them from other candidates. Binyaminov and Zhang realize their policies are ambitious, but believe they can still achieve the desired results. The duo also values efficiency, so if a policy is deemed unachievable they plan to shift their resources toward more feasible goals. While they have few policies and events and most are unoriginal, they are able to thoroughly explain how each policy or event will be achieved. Binyaminov’s and Zhang’s leadership experience and overall confidence make them a qualified candidate for Sophomore Caucus. The Spectator endorses this ticket.

Tam and Chen have been friends since the beginning of freshman year, meeting in various shared classes and through their participation in the math team. While the pair is close and on the same page regarding policies, Tam seemed to take on a more noticeable role within the campaign, sparking the concern of workload division.

PLATFORM:

The Tam-Chen platform prides itself on feasibility, with the pair’s platform document consisting of numerous small events and initiatives to improve Stuyvesant. Their initiatives are certainly achievable and beneficial to the Stuyvesant community, with ideas including a pillow station for sophomores to get rest, game buckets with fun activities, as well as events such as festivals and cooking classes. While these suggestions could occur in practice, they are not necessarily revolutionary, nor would they make a lasting impact on the sophomore body. Additionally, the ticket had few concrete ideas regarding how to fund these initiatives. One of their main suggestions was using alumni to fund benches and generate profit for events, but it is unlikely that would be effective.

Overall, the Tam-Chen ticket is composed of rational, achievable policies. While the events they propose are feasible, they are unimaginative and unambitious. One cannot create lasting change without taking risks, and unfortunately, the Tam-Chen ticket chose not to shoot for the stars. Additionally, due to their

minimal prior involvement in the SU, they are inexperienced with funding these initiatives, as they have not been exposed to DOE regulations, contacting alumni, or going through budget allocations. However, their commitment to practicality is commendable.

Likewise, the ticket is admirably committed to accountability and

is planning to highlight often uncredited members of the caucus on social media. Ultimately, the sophomore body could be in safe hands with Tam-Chen, but due to their lack of experience and ambition, this ticket falls short. Thus, The Spectator does not endorse this ticket.

Courtesy of Lei-Chew Ticket

Courtesy of Solomon Binyaminov & Philip Zhang

Courtesy of Chloe Tam & Vincent Chen

RYAN YANG & JOSEPHINE BOONE IRELAND

DYNAMIC:

Ireland and Yang balance each other out. While Yang dreams big and shoots for the stars, Ireland grounds the duo by converting Yang’s ideas into manageable and realistic policies. The two met through Stuyvesant’s varsity swim team, where they bonded over a passion for the sport and a shared identity of being student-athletes, gaining both leadership experience and resilience alongside one another. Both candidates also have volunteer experience, which has strengthened their commitment to bettering the Stuyvesant community. They describe their relationship as fluid, constantly bouncing ideas off of each other and accommodating one another’s preferences and time constraints.

PLATFORM:

A major component of Ireland’s and Yang’s platform places increased emphasis on hosting speaker events that students find relevant and engaging. They plan to invite speakers who are experts in topics specific to students’ course material, making extra credit events more meaningful and applicable. Particularly, they want to focus on recruiting speakers in both the humanities and sciences, as well as adult representatives who could speak about career development. In order to encourage participation in these events, they plan to offer gift cards in a raffle. To afford these gift cards, Yang and Ireland plan to charge low entrance fees to some events which would also serve as entrance into the raffle. One of the pair’s other focuses is improving the sanitary conditions and comfort in the boys’ bathrooms. They will do this by installing dividers between the urinals and putting fly stickers on the urinals (fly stickers are meant to improve the aim of urine in order to reduce messes). Yang and Ireland also seek to bolster the appeal of the vending machines by purchasing popular snacks in bulk—these profits would be used to fund events. The one academic change they plan to implement is to hold open study halls. Their final proposal is to work with the Stuyvesant administration to allow for the switching of escalator direction (down to up) when the up escalator is broken. They spoke to Assistant Principal of Safety, Security, and Physical Education Brian Moran about this idea and he reportedly said that it is plausible.

Overall, Ireland and Yang offer a few unique ideas for the Sophomore Caucus. However, their commitment to sensibility seems to prevent the partnership from proposing more ambitious plans for their term. A major value of their ticket is to promote open communication. Their experience

as varsity athletes allows them to empathize with the struggles of student athletes and students in other high commitment activities. There are concerns about the feasibility of some of their proposals, specifically the admission prices to certain events. The Spectator does not endorse this ticket.

KASSANDRA SINCHI & RAHUL KISSOON AMRIT DAS & MARLEE SIDOR

DYNAMIC:

The Das and Sidor have worked together since third grade, citing their collaboration during their eighth grade graduation as one of the key moments in their partnership. Das’s proficient public speaking skills in combination with Sidor’s writing skills are promising for accomplishing leadership tasks. Furthermore, Sidor’s inclination for planning and organization complement Das’s inclination for taking action. Overall, they have a good dynamic and their longstanding friendship is evident in their comfort with each other.

PLATFORM:

Das and Sidor’s campaign focuses on transparency, cleanliness, and community. The ticket cites many problems at Stuyvesant including the lack of transparency regarding school safety issues, excessive homework loads, a dirty cafeteria, and the five-minute policy regarding reentrance into school after frees or lunch periods. However, they lack specific plans to address these issues, simply stating that they will fix them. Their more feasible plans included biweekly or monthly e-mails sent out to the sophomore student body and working with graphic designers to redesign the Stuyvesant website. Though one of their campaign points was more fundraisers, their fundraiser plans consisted solely of bake sales and collaborations with other clubs.

Though the Das-Sidor ticket exhibits a good dynamic, their campaign’s appeal ends there. Their platform is extremely lacking, using buzzwords like transparency and community without elaborating on

actionable plans. This inadequacy may stem from their lack of Student Union (SU) experience, especially when it comes to budget allocation. With vague, unrealistic and generic goals, their campaign offers

little innovation. All in all, their disorganization and lack of specific plans makes it doubtful that they will achieve meaningful progress if they win the election. The Spectator does not endorse this ticket.

ALVARO HERNANDEZ JENARO & THOMAS ALFRED

DYNAMIC:

Hernandez Jenaro and Alfred are friends who work well together and have complementary skill sets. They share the same vision for the Sophomore Caucus and hold similar values.

DYNAMIC:

Sinchi and Kissoon have been friends since middle school, and their shared experience in middle school debate has created a strong bond between them. Both members of the ticket have experience in student government, and Sinchi is currently a part of the SLT. With Sinchi focusing on inclusion policies and Kissoon focusing on event planning, the dynamic duo form a ticket with a diverse set of goals and initiatives.

PLATFORM:

The Sinchi-Kissoon ticket plans to increase student event engagement and awareness of important figures. They plan to highlight significant people during times like Black History Month and Pride Month through e-mails and morning announcements. Some notable events the ticket is planning include a Thanksgiving food drive, Father’s Day card-making, Secret Santa, home competitions, and a sophomore end-of-year dance. Sinchi-Kisson also plans to provide rewards and gift cards to incentivize participation in these events, as well as to encourage students to submit feedback forms.

The ticket has a wide variety of goals and events planned; their target areas range from community-bonding events to more serious issues such as teacher feedback forms and increased mental health resource dissemination. Almost all of Sinchi-Kissoon’s poli-

cies are feasible, and the pair has the experience to carry their ideas through. However, their ticket lacks some more unique proposals that would otherwise distinguish them from the rest of the candidates. The Spectator does not endorse this ticket.

PLATFORM:

Hernandez Jenaro and Alfred emphasize accessibility within Stuyvesant and have a deeply-rooted goal to help everyone find a home at Stuyvesant. They plan to create monthly opportunity e-mails specifically curated for sophomores and make information about clubs accessible to ensure opportunities for all. Additionally, they aim to bridge the gap between guidance counselors and students. However, it is unclear how they will manage to bridge the gap and make counseling widely accessible to everyone. They also proposed to give everyone who was denied from joining extracurriculars a second chance. They plan to create a B Team for Math Team and create additional tryouts for sports, though they suggested few concrete steps to pave the way for this initiative’s success.

While these candidates are passionate about expanding opportunities for student advancement and increasing connectedness across the rising sophomore class, their platform lacks diversity in the

policies they want to implement, as well as concrete plans for how they would achieve these policies. The Spectator does not endorse this ticket.

Courtesy of Ireland Yang Campaign

Courtesy of Hernandez Jenaro & Thomas Alfred

Endorsements: Sophomore Caucus

OLIVIA CISSÉ & EUNICE WONG

DYNAMIC:

Cissé and Wong have a balanced dynamic, with Cissé taking the lead in matters of communication and outreach and Wong being more adept at listening and taking notice of responses to the ticket’s potential policies. The two met in freshman year and have worked closely over the past several weeks to craft platform policies; they communicate openly with each other about campaign-relevant issues. Aside from running for Freshman Caucus in the fall, Cissé served as Assistant Props Director for Soph-Frosh SING! and was co-captain of her middle school’s soccer team. Wong, a member of the Stuyvesant girls’ frisbee team, was class president in middle school and is highly involved in volunteering activities outside of Stuyvesant. While their leadership experience during their time at Stuyvesant is rather limited, the Cissé-Wong ticket shows a strong work dynamic with a highly cooperative relationship between the two candidates.

PLATFORM:

Cissé-Wong’s most strongly emphasized point is their ticket’s attunement to the needs of the sophomore body, in alignment with the platform’s four core values and policy categories: funding, events, communication, and support. The values are meant to be interconnected—proposed events (movies, game nights, and dances) are to contribute to the funding of support-related initiatives and would be open to feedback from the sophomore class, which would allow the Cissé-Wong ticket to maintain a strong line of communication with students. Funding would also come from a shoe drive fundraiser, where the Sophomore Caucus would work with the SU to donate shoes to an organization in return for funds.

Though Cissé and Wong have a balanced dynamic and appear to complement each other well, many of their proposed policies relating to academic support, such as study guides and group study halls, are repetitive and fail to bring much that is new to the table. Some of their other ideas for supporting the sophomore

body—adding a printer on the seventh floor near the computer stands and replacing the benches in the back of the library with armchairs—are interesting and show the ticket’s sensitivity to their peers’ concerns. The ticket’s acknowledgement of the potential infeasibility of select policies shows their practicality, another

KRISTY GAO & MAX ABRAHAM

DYNAMIC:

Kristy Gao and Max Abraham used their experience in student government to build a campaign based on practicality, addressing what they see as the flaws of the 2022-2023 Freshman Caucus. After working together on a biology group project, they discovered their compatibility. Abraham, an avid public speaker and political canvasser, joined forces with Gao, an organized planner and member of the Freshman Caucus events team, to tackle the issues facing rising sophomores. Overall, their dynamic is strong and the specific skill sets of each individual makes them good partners.

PLATFORM:

The Gao-Abraham ticket is centered around solving “bad Stuy habits”’ that arise freshman year. The largest issue they hope to address is cramming for exams. The Gao-Abraham ticket plans to offer study hall sessions that will allow students in the same classes to review material together and formulate questions. Though this service is already offered to some extent in the form of AIS and ARISTA tutoring, Gao and Abraham argue that unideal AIS teachers can be part of the problem when it comes to grasping challenging content. The ticket hopes to address individual problems as well, creating an anonymous mental health form for sophomores to submit their concerns to. The form will be an outlet for people to gather personalized solutions for issues they don’t feel comfortable bringing to guidance counselors or peers. However, dangerous situations like suicidal thoughts or abuse would have to be reported to guidance, going against their confidentiality promise. In addition, the duo expressed a necessity for more events in the upcoming year, such as a Spring Dance and Spring Festival. However, such an ambitious list of events does require significant funding, and the ticket proposed to reduce costs by using services, products, and facilities already available at Stuyvesant. They mentioned that their funding will mainly come from budget management of the sum they get at the beginning of the year, and from possible bake sales. Their lack of ideas for fundraising may cause issues to arise, as they might not have enough money to execute the events they have planned.

Overall, the Gao-Abraham ticket prioritizes practicality and focuses on sophomore-specific issues they have observed from their observations of the current Freshman Caucus. The two have an excellent dynamic and could fare well as co-presidents, though there is room for improvement in their planning for special cir-

aspect of their campaign that the two candidates pride themselves on. Needless to say, Cissé-Wong’s down-to-earthness, while commendable, does not compensate for the unoriginality of major components of their campaign platform, and thus The Spectator does not endorse this ticket.

TRISHA KUMAR & AHANA CHANDRA

Taken as a whole, the KumarChandra ticket has a special focus on improving the day-to-day lives of Stuyvesant students. Furthermore, they have a relaxed and respectful dynamic. Their policies have a commendable motivation, such as installing new charging stations and organizing a cultural day talent show. However, Kumar-Chandra’s biggest liability is the lack of a clear strategy to fund or organize their events. When asked about any fundraisers they plan to hold to pay for their ideas, the Kumar-Chandra ticket could only rely on students rallying behind their implementations. Their main policies have already been implemented by past caucuses or are out of their control, such as removing the five-minute reentry rule. Overall, the Kumar-Chandra ticket has thoughtful ideas but lacks preparation. Thus, The Spectator does not endorse this ticket.

cumstances, evidenced by their incomplete design for their mental health form and lack of preparation for budgeting. Overall, the Gao-Abraham ticket’s strong dynamic leaves no doubt about their capability to get things done, but their policies and planning still need improvement. The Spectator does not endorse this ticket.

DYNAMIC:

Trisha Kumar and Ahana Chandra met in their global studies class and have created a great friendship in which they share similar cultures and ideas. They have a balanced relationship by dividing tasks, providing each other with advice, and keeping each other in check. While they do not have significant experience in student government, both have leadership experience in Stuyvesant. Chandra was a producer for SophFrosh SING! and is a member of the SU External Affairs Department. Kumar is head of the science department for the Metis Project, a tutoring club.

PLATFORM:

The Kumar-Chandra ticket has policies that target school life, academics, and events. To improve the school experience, they plan to implement vending machines that accept credit cards, install charging stations throughout the school, and remove the five-minute reentry rule. Their academic policies include reducing the amount of homework during SING!, creating grade-wide study guides and hosting college sessions after school where upperclassmen can guide sophomores in preparation for the application process. One of Kumar-Chandra’s proposed events is a cultural day talent show, where students can showcase their diverse backgrounds and engage with others who share the same language, promoting cultural amalgamation.

Courtesy of Olivia Ciss é & Eunice Wong

Courtesy of Jovanna Wu

Courtesy of Trisha Kumar & Ahana Chandra

ALEXANDER PANAS & ANDY XIAN

DYNAMIC: Panas and Xian have been friends since their freshman year of high school. The two have worked closely together within student government and have become very close friends because of their shared passion for representing the student body. In addition to having prominent roles in their respective middle school student governments, both have plenty of experience to offer within Stuyvesant. Panas was a member of the SU External Affairs Department in freshman year and served as chief of staff for the sophomore caucus this year, while Xian was caucus co-president in both his freshman and sophomore years. Due to their ample experience not only in student government but with each other, Panas and Xian build upon each other well and know how to allocate their responsibilities effectively. Their close work and personal relationships make for a strong pair to adequately represent the junior student body.

PLATFORM:

Panas and Xian have the experience needed for running junior caucus. As former chief of staff and co-president of caucus, they know how to accomplish their tasks and how to effectively delegate work. While the majority of events have been done before, this promotes practicality

compared to other tickets’ proposed unrealistic events. PanasXian realizes the difficulty of accomplishing all of their plans and will prioritize the ones that the student body believes are the most important. Panas and Xian show their passion to help the junior body through their constant

participation in student government, from middle to high school. That passion and experience fuel them into helping the junior body succeed, whether it be in the short or long term. Thus, The Spectator endorses this ticket.

The Panas-Xian platform has a heavy focus on helping the junior year build a sense of community and relieve stress through events and advice for the future. They plan to provide course, elective, and SAT/ACT guides to help juniors prepare academically. In addition, Panas-Xian plans to help juniors prepare for their future beyond Stuyvesant, including careers and internships. This includes the “So You Want To Be A…” series that highlights specific careers, career presentations with guest speakers, guides on resume building and cover letters, and advice on applying to internships. Though their platform focuses on career building, Panas-Xian also understands the stress of junior year and plans to hold multiple events where juniors can relax and have fun. This includes a Halloween dance, theater night, junior Olympics, JProm, and more. They realize the difficulty of hosting all of these events, whether it be communicating with the administration or acquiring enough funding, and will prioritize events based on the student body’s interest.

GRACE RHEE & JOSEPHINE YOO

Yoo and Rhee are close friends and experienced leaders who are highly dedicated to giving rising juniors the best

DYNAMIC:

experience possible. Both are motivated, achieving individuals with realistic goals for next year. They aspire to introduce several

events, including a homecoming semi-formal and formal art exhibition, using previous external connections to coordinate each

Rhee and Yoo have been friends since before their freshman year and have complementary qualities. Both of them enjoy working with one another very much, which is essential in ensuring no conflicts in decision-making and the overall functioning of the caucus. Rhee has been involved in both Freshman and Sophomore Caucus and oversaw their inner workings, while Yoo has prior experience managing similar organizations. Both of them are passionate about creating policies that can truly benefit the student body and have common perspectives on what they want to achieve for the rising junior class. However, both seem to have a plethora of other commitments, such as their involvement in sports teams and musical instruments, which may hinder their commitment to their roles as junior caucus presidents.

PLATFORM:

The Yoo-Rhee platform is perfectly detailed and concise. The ticket is presented in an extremely neat manner and contains enough information for us to understand their goals and what they are campaigning for. In contrast to other platforms that are overloaded with filler events and policies, this campaign is organized with a timeline of events for how to execute each plan. YooRhee focuses on cabinet structure and reform, college readiness, JProm, themed events, providing resources, and setting goals in a structured manner, resulting in realistic standards.

Radwan and Anand have ample experience in leadership positions; however, their vague initiatives and policies prohibit their platform from being unique or innovative. RadwanAnand has a lot of general policy goals that revolve around strengthening the bond of the junior class and “giving power to the student’s voices.” While their platform utilizes positive and eye-catching policies, the pair ultimately fail to describe how they will materialize these lofty ideas. Rising juniors can feel safe in the hands of two experienced, friendly leaders, but should ultimately be wary of their vague platform and policies. Thus, The Spectator does not endorse this ticket.

event. They also plan to fundraise for JProm and coordinate with the Parents’ Association to provide financial aid to students.

However, due to their high commitments in other areas of focus, The Spectator does not endorse this ticket.

RYAN RADWAN & ADITYA ANAND

DYNAMIC:

Radwan and Anand have known each other since the start of their Stuyvesant careers, meeting in the math team during freshman year. They have worked together a lot during their first two years, creating the StuyCast club together, directing departments of SING!, and having experience in the sophomore caucus. Radwan and Anand are committed to working together and complementing various aspects of themselves and are striving to represent their student body next year.

PLATFORM:

The Radwan-Anand ticket has built its platform around policy, office, welfare, events, and reliability (P.O.W.E.R). While in office, they hope to make many aspects of Stuyvesant life easier for juniors with efforts to spread awareness about mental health by improving homeroom activities, revamping the junior atrium, and addressing flaws within the student caucus system, as they plan to allow caucus members promotions and apply for positions twice a year. They also have many different ideas for junior events such as a junior Family Feud, a cross-cultural holiday scavenger hunt, and more. They hope that these events will unify the juniors and prove to be fun de-stressers.

Courtesy of Alexander Panas & Andy Xian

Courtesy of Grace Rhee

Courtesy of Brandon Tang

Endorsements: Senior Caucus

The Spectator will not endorse any Senior Caucus tickets this spring due to questionable communication among all three tickets. The Spectator is currently conducting an investigation.

MARGARET MIKHALEVSKY & YASHNA PATEL

DYNAMIC:

Mikhalevsky and Patel have a well-developed relationship and friendship. Mikhalevsky first met Patel during their time in Sophomore Caucus when Patel was Chief of Staff and Mikhalevsky was President. They worked together as Co-Presidents in the junior caucus and have collaborated on multiple popular events. Both are good friends and complement each other professionally. On top of that, this ticket aims to have a strong relationship with the future senior student body, prioritizing communication and open policies.

PLATFORM:

From a confirmed collaboration with the College Essay Guy to the continuation of senior traditions, the Mikhalevsky-Patel platform is packed to the brim with both ambitious and realistic policies. Some academic policies include the aforementioned collaboration and an optimal Google Classroom to help seniors meet college deadlines and avoid procrastination on supplemental essays. They also plan to continue what worked during their time in Junior Caucus— open policies of communication on social media about prom and academic resources. They are eager to impact the student body through not only educational opportunities but also recreation. From providing merch to the winners of superlative votes to having a senior conga line at the end of the year, Mikhalevsky-Patel is not scared to try new things. The ticket is aware of what current senior traditions work well, such as the senior sunrise and spirit week, and they are planning to keep and implement them accordingly.

Mikhalevsky and Patel’s track record of caucus experience make them compelling candidates for Senior Caucus. The

promised partnership between this caucus and crucial resources, such as the College Essay Guy, will prove to be vital for the

student body. The MikhalevskyPatel ticket promises to maintain Stuyvesant traditions, including the senior college rejection wall

and crush list, while also creating new ones. Overall, MikhalevskyPatel plans to continue senior traditions, suggest new policies

ZIDANE KARIM & ANTHONY CHEN

Chen and Karim both hold various leadership roles, have much experience in student government, and possess a

DYNAMIC:

strong dynamic. Their campaign is well-thought-out, as their policies and ideas play to their strengths. They know how

that will be implemented from their experience, and integrate achievable ideas. The Spectator does not endorse the ticket.

to use their proficient areas to their advantage. The Spectator does not endorse the ticket.

Karim and Chen have much experience working with one another, having run StuyPy––one of the most popular coding clubs at Stuyvesant––together since freshman year. They build off each other well and are involved in the SU. Their interests and abilities are similar, with both having strong computer science skills.

PLATFORM:

The Karim-Chen platform is primarily centered around easing the college application process for seniors, particularly during their first semester of senior year. They aim to utilize Google Calendar to keep the student body informed of important deadlines as well as guide students through the process of requesting recommendation letters from teachers—an ordeal that they deem challenging for those with social anxiety. In addition, they hope to foster an easygoing environment for seniors in their second semester but have failed to devise an action plan that will specifically cater to this goal. Aside from these policies directed toward seniors, the KarimChen ticket plans to ease the daily lives of the student body as a whole by using their proficiency in computer science. For example, they hope to make additions to the StuySchedule app, which Chen helped to create, including updates on escalator status and an option for students to add their own schedules to the app. Overall, the two recognize both the academic and social needs of students and have formulated unique plans geared toward meeting these needs.

LUIS VALLEJO & TOMAS LEVANI

DYNAMIC:

Levani and Vallejo have been friends since freshman year and have worked on numerous projects together, including the founding of multiple finance clubs and organizations. Both display compatible skill sets that allow them to collaborate well and have a wide array of abilities. Neither have student government experience but have had other leadership roles that have taught them skills they believe could carry over to caucus.

PLATFORM:

Having a variety of experience in finance, the Levani-Vallejo platform is hyper-focused on managing the caucus budget. Their main idea is an annual fundraising drive in which clubs would use pre-existing funding to purchase goods from local businesses at low prices and then mark them up for sale, thereby theoretically multiplying club funding. To ensure feasibility, the Levani-Vallejo ticket plans to use surveys and smaller versions of the event to scale up and use this strategy to generate more funding for the Senior Caucus, which could then lower prom and graduation costs. These initiatives surrounding finances are ambitious but well-planned. Beyond money, though, Levani-Vallejo’s goals are vague. They mention increasing cultural immersion by partnering with certain clubs but fail to detail the logistics of this idea. They also wish to establish a program similar to Big Sibs but focused more on benefitting individual students and obtaining academic opportunities.

Overall, the Levani-Vallejo ticket could provide a new perspective on how caucus funding should be distributed, being

backed up by years of financial experience. Their monetary policies are solid, which makes them a good choice for stu-

dents who want to see a fresh perspective brought to the caucus position. The Spectator does not endorse this ticket.

Courtesy of Zidane Karim & Anthony Chen

Courtesy of Luis Vallejo

Courtesy of Margaret Mikhalevsky and Yashna Patel

Waffles, Screaming Goats, and Soy Milk: How Stuyvesant Students Celebrate the Women in Their Lives on Mother’s Day and Beyond

By THE FEATURES DEPARTMENT

In honor of Mother’s Day, Stuyvesant students shout out the important women in their lives and describe how they celebrate them.

“One important woman in my life is my aunt, and she is such a sweetie, because she has two sons, and I can tell that she wants a little girl, so I FaceTime her often and we talk about girl talk, how school is, my plans for the summer, and boys. I celebrate her by telling her I appreciate her and giving her my time to talk about girly things.” —Rachel

Alvarez, sophomore

“An important woman in my life is my mama. I celebrate my mom by giving her a lot of cards; I make the cards. Once when I was eight years old, I stole a box from her and then wrote everything I loved about her for each day of the week. Another time, I stole her favorite shirt, I cut it up, and sewed it into a teddy bear. She was super mad but still gave me hugs.” —Colyn Navales, freshman

“I always let [my girlfriend] know how amazing she is and how perfect she is and how much I love her! I love sharing with her and getting her food and things to enjoy while we’re spending time and enjoying each other, and it’s my life mission to make her happy and constantly give her the love and affection that she deserves for how incredible she is.”

Charles Li, sophomore

“I don’t know if it’s specifically celebrating, but my grandmother I really hold dear to my heart, and ways I celebrate her day-to-day is that I tell stories about her and bring up stuff we’ve talked about or abided by the lessons she’s taught me. She’s still around, and I always make sure to visit her during the month and whenever I have time off school, but I think that’s one of the ways I celebrate her.”

—Jowita Walkup, junior

“I celebrate my grandmother because without her my family and I would not be living in America. I love to go over to her house and eat traditional Russian food like olivye.” —Polina Maller, senior

“The woman who inspires me is Lucy Liu, because she graduated from Stuyvesant, and she’s a super famous and successful actress. And she’s an Asian woman, so she’s my inspiration. I celebrate her by watching her movies, and my favorite one is Charlie’s Angels (2000) because she’s fierce.” —Amaryllis Sun, sophomore

“My mom inspires me because in elementary school, my English wasn’t that good, but she helped me improve it. Even though her English wasn’t too good either, she learned English to help me with it. She would help me do my homework and check it to help me understand what I’m learning in class. I celebrate her by hugging her and kissing her on the cheek.” —Tiffany

Qiu, freshman

“The woman I love the most is Lana Del Rey. I celebrate her by streaming her music, and even though I’m broke, she can take my money. Live, laugh, Lana.” — Arianne Hinds,

freshman

“The most important woman in my life is Taylor Swift. She’s my idol and an inspiration. I celebrate her by going to The Eras Tour and spending more than half of my life listening to her music. I have also spent my life savings on her merch.” —Sophie Huang, freshman

“I have two. One is my mom. The thing is that my mom doesn’t like when we do one-day things. I always celebrate her. She says herself that it is Mother’s Day and her birthday every day, so we might go out to eat, but it’s not a big deal because we always do it. The second person is Dr. Greenwald because I love her. To celebrate Dr. Greenwald, I would give her a screaming goat or a cuttlefish.” —Unique Zhang, junior

“I think of my grandma because she is the mother of my father. She’s a really good cook, and she’ll always drop off katsu and other Japanese food, so even if she’s not with us in person, she’s with us in spirit. She always tries to communicate with me and my siblings even though she can’t really speak English that well so I appreciate her efforts. I celebrate her by eating her food.”

Emi Shimada, freshman

“An important woman in my life is my mom. I always try to help around the house [and] cook with her. We hang out and keep each other company by watching movies and having lunch or dinner together often.” —Rebekah

Abraham, freshman

“My mom! I ask her about her day, compliment her, and thank her for things she does for me.” —Rachel Yuen, freshman

“One important woman in my life is my mother. I celebrate her by getting her gifts when I see things she’d like and spending time with her.” —Sofia Thornley, sophomore

“My mother! One way that I celebrated her during Mother’s Day was by giving her a card, but because my mom doesn’t know English, and I don’t know Bengali, I wrote it down in Bengali. So I took some of my time just to put it in her native language.” —Fatiha Mia, junior

“I love Hedy Lamarr. She was talented and iconic in every way, from being a Hollywood actress to an engineer that developed frequency hopping. She knew her worth and never let men take credit for her success or inventions. I celebrate her every day since her frequency hopping is the foundation of Wi-Fi.”

Jenny Tan, sophomore

“I’d say Dr. Greenwald because she’s [really caring toward] me and my classmates, and even if she gives a lot of work, she pushes us to our limits and [we] ace tests as well, and I’ve learned a lot in her class.” —Aitya Firooz, sophomore

“Olympe de Gouges—she was a prominent person in the French Revolution. She inspired me after learning about her in the AP Euro[pean History] curriculum.” —Fiona Chen, sophomore

“I’m really grateful for my mom for coming to this country and sacrificing so much to come and give me and my sister a better life.” —Raaita Anwar, sophomore

“On Mother’s Day, I obviously celebrate my incredible mom, [since] she does many things for our family with the problems that we have currently and I’m very proud of her for keeping everything together and [keeping] everyone safe—I mean we buy her presents and stuff that she likes, but obviously those material things will never amount to the [stuff] that she’s done.” —Ivan Gontchar, sophomore

“An important woman in my life is my mom. I celebrate my mom by buying her dinner.” —Nikkol Chen, sophomore

“My mom is super important to me. For Mother’s Day, my dad, sister, and I got her flowers and a cake. She really appreciated it.” —Kirill Vesialou, junior

“In honor of Mother’s Day, I would like to shout out my mom. I’m grateful for all her support, both material and emotional. On Mother’s Day, I made dinner for my mom, cooking her favorite shellfish dish, to show my appreciation for her.” —Kelly Liu, junior

“My mom. My mom and I both love shopping, so we spent the day together in Flushing eating food and shopping.” —Kelsey Pan, junior

“My mom because she always encourages me, but then also proceeds to scold me (out of love).” —Sara Shen, sophomore

“On Mother’s Day, I like to show my appreciation for my mom for all the things she does because she is one of many moms in the world.” —Nicole Alaeva, junior

“I’d like to thank my mom. I love cooking her breakfast, spending time with her, and talking to her.” —Kyle Hon Chan, junior

“A very important person in my life is my oldest sister. There’s a large age gap between us and ever since I was born, she’s taken me under her wing. Even though we’re brother and sister, she treats me like one of her own. I do non-verbal things like washing her plate after [meals] and grabbing groceries. I also give her compliments.” —Bishesh Shah, junior

“To celebrate my mother, I cook waffles for her! We also watch Sherlock Holmes together while we eat vanilla [ice cream] and Magic Shell.”

Emily Young-Squire,

senior

“I want to shout out my mom, and one way I support her is by making her favorite soy milk.” —Joyce Lin, freshman

“My mom, who encourages me to pursue my interest in medicine and become a doctor someday.” —Arpita Saha, junior

“An important female in my life is my dog. One way I celebrate her is every time I go to Trader Joe’s, I buy her a new snack, even though I’m pretty sure she has gingivitis and the little brat doesn’t like mint treats.”

—Madelyn Li Nunez, freshman

“An important woman in my life is my mom. I celebrate her by buying her food, doing chores, and being an amazing daughter.” —Anna Lau, sophomore

Swimming Against the Tide: Muslim Girls Respond to the Removal of Girls-Only Swim Gym

By HIFZA KALEEM and AYESHA TALUKDER

Swim gym has long been an infamous requirement for the Stuyvesant diploma. Stuyvesant students take a swim test at Camp Stuy before freshman year and, depending on their swimming proficiency, are programmed into a one-semester swim gym class. Traditionally, there have been two types of swim gym classes: standard coed and girls-only. However, the latter was abruptly removed between the 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 school years, leaving female students, especially female Muslim students, frustrated and without options.

Girls-only swim gym was a safe haven for many female students who felt uncomfortable swimming in front of male students for religious or personal reasons. In Islam, it’s important for both genders to be as modest as possible. For women, it is standard to cover certain parts of the body and wear loose, unrevealing clothing, especially in the presence of men. Though the way Muslim women observe this custom varies, most female Muslim students feel uncomfortable participating in activities like coed swim gym because it requires students to wear swimwear, which is generally immodest, in front of male students.

Sophomore Prajusha Azeem, who took a girls-only swim class in her freshman year, described how the class being all-girls was crucial to her experience. “[I] enjoy[ed] swim gym because it was only girls, and I felt really comfortable with everyone,” Azeem said.

This year, Muslim girls expected Stuyvesant’s tradition of offering girls-only swim gym to continue. However, to their surprise, the class was suddenly removed without any formal announcement. Some students, such as Anonymous Sophomore A,who identifies as a Muslim female, didn’t find out that their classes were coed until the first day. “When I attended the first day, I was like, ‘Oh, I was supposed to be in all girls,’” Sophomore A recalled. The sudden removal left her feeling confused, betrayed, and frustrated. “I was a little mad because why did they not even say anything?” Sophomore A said. “I would have appreciated it if they sent out an e-mail or something. Just do something.”

Anonymous Sophomore B, who also identifies as a Muslim female, shared a similar experience.

She noted that there were disproportionately more males than females in her class, which furthered her discomfort: “I didn’t realize that until I walked in, and I only saw two girls. And that was it. I was just like, something doesn’t add up here,” Sophomore B described. Not only was it appalling to suddenly be placed in a coed class, but the disproportionate ratio of males to females in the class made the change feel even more shocking and isolating.

Sophomore Muna Faruqi, a Muslim student, initially thought that coed swim gym was a programming error after experiencing a similar situation in her freshman year. “I was not allowed to take allgirls swim gym in my freshman year because of some Talos mishap,” Faruqi explained. “Then, during my first semester of sophomore year, I was supposed to take a coed swim class.” Faruqi described her bewilderment: “There’s no way, I can’t do that.”

As it became clear that a girlsonly class was no longer offered, some students decided to opt out of swim entirely. For those with collaborative guidance counselors, the process was simple. Faruqi described how her guidance counselor, Sarah Kornhauser, supported her from early on. “[Kornhauser] made it so easy for me,” Faruqi said. “I could see the hard work she put into making sure that I could get that program change.”

However, others weren’t as fortunate and had to endure a lengthy, difficult process instead. Sophomore B recounted that it took three months for her to be removed from her coed class, despite having a supportive guidance counselor: “I reached out to my counselor, then they sent me to an AP, and she would send me back and forth from my counselor. [...] This all started in January, and it only ended recently by the end of April.”

The program-change process was especially difficult because many staff members did not understand the issue coed swim gym presents for Muslim females. After expressing concerns about sacrificing modesty in coed swim, some students were simply told to wear a “burkini,” a “modest” alternative to typical swimsuits: the tunic-like tops, which are worn with long pants, extend to one’s thighs, providing full coverage of the arms and chest. Yet, the modesty these garments provide is a debatable

topic among Muslim women.

For some, participating in coed swim in “burkinis” is manageable, but far from convenient. Freshman Jareefah Alam, a Muslim female who wears the hijab, partook in coed swim class last semester. She expressed how being in a coed environment made her constantly on guard. “I would have been a lot more comfortable with just girls; I wouldn’t have to be so worried,” Alam said. “Obviously, I had to wear a Halal swimsuit. If my hair showed, I had to worry about fixing it.”

Others feel that burkinis don’t preserve enough modesty for them to be feasible solutions for all affected students. Faruqi described her experience looking for modest swimwear: “I searched it up, but the stuff that they make that’s supposed to be modest actually isn’t. When you go into the water, it sticks to [your] skin, and it defeats the entire purpose of modest swimwear,” Faruqi explained.

Despite feeling uncomfortable about taking coed swim classes, many students were unsure whether they should drop the class because of concerns about their Stuyvesantendorsed diplomas. To clarify, the Stuyvesant diploma isn’t an actual diploma, but rather a sticker seal that symbolizes the completion of certain extra classes, including swim gym and technology courses. Many of these classes aren’t required at most New York City public schools, making recipients stand out from others across the city.

Hence, sophomore Fabiha Khan, a Muslim student who dropped the Stuyvesant-endorsed diploma when she dropped swim gym, expressed concerns that not receiving the Stuyvesant-endorsed diploma would hinder her college application process. “When applying to colleges, I know they’re gonna ask why I don’t have the Stuy diploma when I go to Stuy,” Khan said. “Obviously, my reason is valid […] but that feeling that I don’t get the Stuy diploma while being in Stuy still affects me.”

Anonymous Sophomore C expressed a similar sentiment, explaining that she finds the struggle unfair. “It does matter to me because I’m spending all my time here taking just the same classes as everybody else,” Sophomore C said. “Just because I can’t take one specific class means that it’s jeopardizing all the things that I’m doing here, and I’m basically doing them

for no reason.”

Others, however, said that the Stuyvesant-endorsed diploma is irrelevant to them. Faruqi expressed, “The Stuyvesant diploma is just a sticker on your diploma that says that you listened to Stuyvesant, you took the classes you had to take— that they wanted you to take. There are some subjects that I really don’t like, but I still have to take it anyway, just so I could get a Stuyvesant sticker.”

As of now, there is high hope for change, primarily due to the highly publicized article written by junior and Opinions writer Sophia Dasser. Having spent her freshman year remote and being exempt from swim gym, the issue did not directly affect Dasser. However, due to the lack of awareness people have about it, she felt responsible to educate others about the cause. “I would bring it up to my friends, or I would bring it up to teachers, they’d be like, ‘Oh, we had no idea,’” Dasser described. “It’s my responsibility as someone on The Spectator to share that with people. If that’s not what student journalism is all about, then what is? I also thought that, if I was in their shoes, I would want someone to speak out about it.”

Originally, Dasser’s focus was on reaching administrators and teachers. However, her article soon reached a far larger audience than that of The Spectator after The New York Times and the New York Post reached out. “I knew then that The New York Times was going to reach out to the Department of Education (DOE), and the DOE was going to get back to Stuyvesant about the issue,” Dasser said. “That was probably the most rewarding thing.”

For now, however, a solution is still undetermined, as there are legal barriers the school must overcome in order to make religious accommodations. “There is an act within the DOE that says that if students request [a] religious accommodation, they must be given that accommodation. But there is another act that says that you cannot separate physical education classes by gender. So these are two contradicting acts,” Dasser explained. “It’s really up to the DOE and their decision on what is acceptable within Stuyvesant.”

In an e-mail follow-up statement from an interview concerning the removal of girls-only swim gym, Principal Seung Yu elaborated on the aforementioned laws. “In consideration of Chancellor’s Reg-

ulation A-630, Stuyvesant intended to do its best to reasonably work with a subset of students who indicated challenges of a coed swim class,” Yu said. “But challenges arose with the accommodation for a single gender class, from programming complexities to personnel complications to conflicts with other NYCDOE guidelines—specifically, the recent Guidelines on Gender Inclusion, which states, ‘Schools may not separate students by gender for physical education classes or activities except for contact sports.’”

Yu also explained why swim gym is a Stuyvesant diploma requirement in the first place, and emphasized the class’s role in developing crucial survival skills. “The Stuyvesant administration strongly believes in the swim class as a requirement for the Stuy endorsement because of its utility as a life skill and the equitable access to a pool with certified teachers who can teach swimming,” Yu said.

Yu is currently working with the administration to address students’ religious concerns but stated that it is a difficult task that will likely take time before a feasible solution can be reached. “One possibility the administration is considering is an alternative option in lieu of the swim class for the Stuy endorsement for students who may request a religious accommodation. [...] It is yet to be decided or determined if/what this option may consist of; however, it is being discussed as a viable consideration. The goal is to find a reasonable solution that maintains the Stuy endorsement standards and gives students access to earn the endorsement.”

Though the presence of allgirls swim classes is a complicated and nuanced issue, it is imperative that administrators recognize the class’s vitality for many Muslim female students. Stuyvesant boasts a diverse student body, and everyone deserves to feel comfortable within the school. If students are expected to soar above and beyond academically, it is essential that they receive the proper support and accommodations they need, especially in classes that are unique requirements to Stuyvesant. Until a solution is reached, female Muslim students and their allies should stand firm in their beliefs. No one should have to sacrifice their religious values or comfort simply for the convenience of others—and no one should expect them to do so.

Through the Labyrinth: Navigating AP Course Selections

By HIFZA KALEEM, RHEA MALHOTRA, and SETH FENTON

Each May, the release of Advanced Placement (AP) course selections on Talos for the fall semester sends students into a frenzy. The following week is a flurry of scouring e-mails for eligibility requirements, stalking Facebook pages for advice regarding teachers, and messaging friends about their decisions before ranking their own choices. For many Stuyvesant students, the process of ranking their most coveted AP classes can be full of stress and uncertainty.

Much of this stress stems from the sheer number of AP classes available to students; though the diversity and extent of AP classes Stuyvesant offers is an immense privilege, deciding between the myriad of options can be difficult.

Junior Hui Wen Weng recalled feeling bombarded with choices during the course selection process. “Being able to look at all the selections,

with the options that you do have, it’s almost like you’re shopping,” Weng said. In fact, with so many students scrambling to nab one of the limited class spots by using elaborate ranking strategies of their own invention, the selection process can seem like an auction.

Even though basic eligibility requirements are released before the Talos selection form opens, it can be difficult for students to gauge which AP courses they have a realistic chance of being granted. Freshman Lauren Zagarov described how this uncertainty made the process of ranking possible courses more challenging. “The biggest struggle [lies in] trying to figure out which [classes] to prioritize because there is not a guarantee that you’re going to get any of them,” Zagarov explained. AP class placement relies on a variety of factors, such as grades and teacher recommendations.

The uncertainty around how exactly grades are factored into the selection process can lend itself to

student anxiety. “My grades haven’t been bad this year, but they haven’t been exceptional, so that puts me in kind of that gray area where I don’t really know which way one or the other is going to go,” sophomore Mark Ionis said. Since the grade requirements provided by the program office do not guarantee placement in an AP course, many feel that their future schedules are left up to chance.

The unpredictability of AP placement is especially significant due to the emphasis the Stuyvesant community places on these advanced classes. The supposed importance of AP classes—particularly, the weight they hold in the college admissions process—can make any AP class sound appealing simply because it is an AP course. Still, there are many other factors that students consider when narrowing down their choices.

Sophomore Maegan Diep explained that stories from older students about particular teachers have influenced her preferences. “Even

if the course is interesting, if I have a bad teacher, I feel like I won’t enjoy it as much,” Diep said. “If I don’t get a good teacher, then my grades [might suffer].” However, in most cases, students have no control over their future teachers when they rank courses with many different sections, such as AP United States History or AP Calculus AB or BC. The desire to know exactly who they will have in the fall can lead students to choose AP courses simply because they are guaranteed to be taught by a specific teacher. There is a wealth of information surrounding certain teachers and courses since upperclassmen are often eager to share their experiences. “I usually look on the Facebook [advice] page[s], because I know a lot of upperclassmen share their personal experiences or feedback on the overall class,” Diep noted. Though individual experiences may vary, Diep specified that she eliminates courses whose teachers receive overwhelmingly negative reviews. “If they consistently

have a really bad reputation among students, I probably would not prioritize that course,” Diep explained. Many students adopt a similar philosophy when ranking courses even though the program office strives to stifle this partiality. In the fall, for example, students are not able to transfer out of APs to avoid certain teachers, adding extra weight to their decisions during course selections.

Even when they don’t hear positive feedback about a class, students can feel obligated to take an AP course solely for the sake of taking one. AP classes are typically considered to “look better” for colleges, as they are often more rigorous than “regular” courses. At certain colleges, AP classes fulfill core credits, allowing students to be placed directly into higher-level courses. Junior Arshia Mazumder acknowledged the benefits of taking college-level

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Through the Labyrinth: Navigating AP Course Selections

continued from page 12

classes in high school. “[By taking an AP course,] you have that college prestige,” Mazumder said. “But you don’t take an AP because you want a nice grade. You take an AP [...] so you can have a greater understanding of whatever you’re [interested in].” The academic opportunities that AP classes offer, as well as the prestige they are perceived to hold in the eyes of admissions officers, motivate students to apply for as many of these courses as they can.

Unfortunately, the pull of these high-caliber classes can detract from students’ pursuit of their true academic passions. Weng recounted feeling stuck between prioritizing her interests and focusing on being ready for college during the selection process. “There are certain electives that one might want to take because they’re genuinely interested in [them],” Weng said. “And then there’s just a few courses that you want to take because you know that it’s a great course to prepare you for college.” Many students, when faced with the same challenge as Weng, may prioritize a College Board-accredited core class over a more unique elective that fits their interests.

Interestingly, due to Stuyvesant’s AP course load restrictions, the opposite scenario can also occur: a student might genuinely be interested in an AP course yet be

unable to take it because his or her subject average doesn’t meet the qualifications. While individual courses have their own grade requirements, Stuyvesant also has a school-wide policy restricting the number of APs a student can take at a time: a minimum GPA of an 88 is needed for two APs, a 93 is needed for three APs, and a 95 is needed for four APs. If a student wishes to take more than four APs, he or she must contact their guidance counselor. Still, some classes do not count toward this total number of APs. Certain courses, such as AP foreign language classes, AP Statistics, and AP Calculus AB, are each one of only a few options available to fulfill certain Stuyvesant graduation requirements. AP Precalculus, for instance, a new addition for the 2023-2024 school year, is the default math class for current Algebra 2 students.

To some students, these grade and GPA requirements feel unfair. Those whose schedules are already full of accelerated courses can be at a disadvantage. “The problem with grade requirements is that they are universal across all classes,” Ionis noted. “Say [AP Psychology Biology] has a grade requirement of 92. That applies to both honors and AP Chemistry, so AP Chemistry kids, even though they have harder course content and are predisposed to be better at [AP Psychology Biology] are almost disadvantaged at getting it because their grades might

be lower.” Stuyvesant’s lack of a weighted GPA system means that AP grade requirements do not account for the existing course rigor in a student’s schedule.

Additionally, the cumulative average and class average requirements considered during course selections can put unnecessary pressure on students the moment they set foot in the Stuyvesant building. If a student struggles during freshman year, her GPA and individual class grades may prevent her from taking APs in the future. This creates a burden on students to constantly excel, feeding into an environment where students are encouraged to obsess over their grades because they are taught that every score affects their future.

The pressures and requirements surrounding the AP selection process can be overwhelming for many students. Fortunately, there is a plethora of resources available to them as they consider their rankings. The Freshman, Sophomore, and Junior Caucuses release annual course selection guides, with each one tailored to the needs of that grade. These guides combine course descriptions with student reviews of specific classes and teachers in order to give each grade a comprehensive overview of the AP courses available to them.

Another strong source of advice about course selections is Stuyvesant’s team of guidance counselors. “A lot of students [...] will make appointments with us to

discuss which AP they should apply for and what the eligibility requirements are, so I do think we play a very important role [in the AP selection process],” guidance counselor Paul Goldsman said. Counselors can provide a more personalized perspective on AP classes, drawing on each student’s unique academic background and interests to help them make an informed decision.

Goldsman believes that the GPA requirement for APs helps support student mental health in the long run. “From a counselor’s perspective, it’s not healthy to overburden a student with too much.

[Using] GPA [as a benchmark number] gives us one indication as to whether a student could handle such a rigorous course load,” Goldsman explained.

Still, Goldsman realizes that this requirement can be a shock for students who overestimate the number of AP courses available to them. “I think a lot of students come into Stuyvesant thinking they’re going to be able to take a lot of AP courses, and they don’t realize that we just can’t offer APs to everybody,” Goldsman said. “It’s just not physically possible due to a limited number of seats.”

However, Goldsman encouraged students not to feel disheartened if they are not programmed for many AP classes, as they are far from the sole determinant of one’s college admissions results. “We have seen students that have not taken that many APs still get into really,

really elite schools, versus those students that have taken a robust number of APs [who] get rejected from certain schools,” Goldsman said. Students should also keep in mind that, when viewing their academic profiles, colleges can see the restrictions on the number of APs students can take. Admissions officers are aware that Stuyvesant students cannot sign up for as many classes as they would like, and consider each application with this in mind.

Of course, a rigorous course load is one of many factors that influence college admissions decisions. It is vital for students to be well-rounded, devoting time not only to academics, but also to extracurricular activities. These activities, which encompass everything from sports teams to publications, can allow students to explore their interests outside of class, meet new people, and become part of one of Stuyvesant’s many student communities.

Ultimately, students should keep in mind that the number of AP courses they take will not make or break them. As important as it is to challenge oneself academically, it’s equally critical to pursue one’s true interests. Learning should not be a chore or boil down to a list of credits, so the next time AP course selections roll around, think about what you care about rather than what Ivy Leagues want or what your friends are taking. Perhaps this will relieve some of the stress caused by course selections.

From Tumbling to Teaching: Jenna Freytag’s Athletic Journey

By ELIZA OPPENHEIMER and THEO SASSANO

sition into the sport she did end up pursuing.

Since her youth, physical education teacher Jenna Freytag knew that she was the sporty type. Still, the search for a sport she enjoyed enough to dedicate her time to proved to be quite a lengthy process. “I decided to try out for every single sport possible offered by my middle school, so volleyball, basketball, soccer, all the traditional sports, and I was awful at them all, probably because I did gymnastics for the whole beginning period of my life,” Freytag recounted. Fortunately, Freytag’s early passion for gymnastics, a sport not offered at most schools, helped ease her tran-

By LEAH RIEGEL and ADELINE SAUBERLI

As the semester draws to a close and teachers prepare to submit final grades, many students have scrambled to find ways to bring up their GPAs. Events that offer extra credit, such as the International Women’s Day Run and the Earth Day Fair, have attracted crowds of students who desire bonus points on tests or homework grades. The skyrocketing levels of participation in different extra credit opportuni-

It wasn’t until eighth grade that Freytag discovered her athletic calling. “I was eligible to try out for the cheerleading team, and from the skills that I learned in gymnastics, I adapted pretty quickly to cheerleading,” Freytag explained. Many tumbling skills taught in gymnastics can also find a place on the sidelines of a football game, and cheerleading allowed Freytag to develop a deeper knowledge of both sports. Thus, even during her time as a cheerleader, her passion for gymnastics never wavered. “I actually went to community college for two years once I graduated high school [and] ended up coaching gymnastics for those two years,” Freytag said. “I was still able to access the equipment to keep my skills up. [...] After those two years, I transferred to Syracuse [University] and I ended up trying out for the cheerleading team there. Just because I was able to work on my skills [during those two years in community college], I ended up making the team.” Freytag’s journey to becoming a college cheerleader demonstrates the power of perseverance and preparedness when pursuing one’s dreams.

College cheerleading especially appealed to Freytag because it exposed her to new perspectives and

opportunities. “I was able to experience a lot of different things. I was able to meet new people and travel; I think that was a huge part of it,” Freytag recounted. “And then also being able to still stay physically fit. I was forced to work out, forced to go to practice, and those were good things.”

Though cheerleading introduced her to new places and communities, Freytag also saw it as a way to honor her roots. “Being able to represent my small-town community just outside of Syracuse by being a cheerleader and seeing a lot of people from my hometown was really special to me,” Freytag said.

Freytag has many positive memories from her time as a college cheerleader but also acknowledges the grueling nature of the sport. “The practices and competition part of [cheerleading] is a little more physical than a lot of people think,” Freytag pointed out. In addition to the rigorous training, cheerleaders can experience emotional exhaustion at games, as they must perform high-energy routines while maintaining bright smiles and keeping the crowd engaged.

Freytag also commented on the difficulty of living up to the “student” part of student-athlete. As a college student, she had to not only stay on top of classes and studying but also be a cheerleader, which

entailed going to regular practices and games. “I also had a job during that time, so working, practices, academics, just finding the time to fit all that and also having a social life and sleeping and eating [was difficult],” Freytag commented. “The things that [Stuyvesant students] struggle with right now are the things I was trying to figure out in college.”

Freytag acknowledges the never-ending challenge of maintaining a work-life balance, especially in her professional career. “Even though I’m a physical education teacher and a [girls’ gymnastics, coed stunt, and cheer] coach, it’s hard to find the time to fit in activity and exercise [for myself],” Freytag explained. She appreciates the rigidity of high school and college cheerleading and how it held her accountable for regular exercise during those years. “Now that I’m older, I’ve obviously graduated, it’s been a little bit more difficult to find time to stay active,” Freytag said.

Freytag’s experience as a cheerleader has also greatly influenced her role as a physical education teacher. “My approach to teaching is to not always focus on the more traditional sports,” Freytag said. “I wasn’t a kid that was interested in traditional sports, so [I want] kids to know that there are other activi-

Giving (Extra) Credit Where It’s Due

ties have raised concerns within the Stuyvesant community about how and to whom extra credit points should be given.

Many students are disheartened by the fact that extra credit is only offered by certain teachers, skewing some classes’ averages higher than those of other sections. “A lot of students just need ways to boost their grades, so extra credit should be available in every class,” freshman Sienna Hwang said. In classes where teachers do not offer extra credit, students may feel that they

are at a disadvantage in attaining high scores when compared to students in classes where extra credit is given. On the other side of the spectrum, excessive amounts of extra credit may lead to the discrediting of artificially high grades that have benefited from grade inflation. The desire for the standardization of extra credit practices is complicated by the fact that overarching extra credit systems are not feasible for all teachers. “I feel like extra credit is very teacher-depen-

dent, and it’s unique to each class because one point for one class may have a way bigger impact on your grade than in another, so I think teachers should have the power to control [how points are given],” sophomore Oleksandr Kurtianyk explained. Nevertheless, Kurtianyk believes that teachers who do offer bonus points should be transparent about how much extra credit each assignment will receive. “There should be limitations so we don’t get [an extra] one-third [of a point] for hours spent completing a task,

ties out there besides the ones they commonly see.” Though she no longer trains in the sport, Freytag teaches her students gymnastics skills as one cycle of the regular physical education curriculum. Aside from fitness skills, Freytag hopes to impart to her students the lessons she learned on her college cheerleading journey about the importance of stepping outside your comfort zone. “If you’re a little bit anxious about trying [something], or if it’s not something that you’re too familiar [with], just do it. The worst that’s going to happen is they say no, and it’s not the end of the world,” Freytag said. “Putting yourself out there and trying is all you really can ask of yourself, and then go from there and see what happens.”

Freytag’s ultimate objective is to help her students adopt a positive mindset and encourage them to be open-minded when exploring new experiences. “I always tell the kids this: do your best, try your best— that’s all I can ask from you. And if you never want to do it again once you leave this space, you don’t have to,” Freytag related. “[Give] everything in life a chance—a valid chance.” Even if her students don’t pursue athletics in the future, Freytag hopes that she can instill a spirit of adventure that will drive them forward for years to come.

especially when a teacher promises a ‘substantial’ amount. Some form of minimum should be set—maybe like a suggestion.” Such practices would allow for more equitable implementation of extra credit, allowing students attending the same event for extra credit in different classes to earn the same number of points.

Social studies teacher Mordecai

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Courtesy of Ibtida Khurshed

By GRACE JUNG

A few weeks ago, Facebook announced that they were giving out a total of $725 million to Facebook users who have been on the app from May 24, 2007, to December 22, 2022. Free money? Sounds too good to be true. Alas, such a phenomenon is, in fact, too good to be true. The catch is that the money isn’t truly free. It is at the expense of your privacy.

Facebook was recently caught in a lawsuit for breaching human privacy laws by stealing user data and selling personal information to third parties. The official lawsuit was first filed in 2018 after Alexander Kogan, a researcher from Cambridge University, developed an ad called “This is Your Digital Life,” which paid Facebook users $1 to $2 to take a personality quiz. Though only 270,000 people had taken the quiz, the app was able to access posts and messages from the users’ friends, ultimately resulting in Kogan obtaining the information of over 50 million Facebook users. This information was wrongfully handed to Cambridge Analytica, which used it to categorize the personality of American voters into five categories: openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism. Campaign organizations were then able to send targeted ads that promoted former President Donald Trump in the 2016 election.

As a result, the United States District Court for the Northern District of Columbia filed a class action lawsuit against Meta Platforms, Facebook’s official com-

Collect Your $3 From Facebook!

pany, suing them for $725 million. This lawsuit stated that anyone who used Facebook from May 24, 2007 to December 22, 2022 is eligible for compensation.

This may initially seem like a lot of money, but for the average Facebook user, the effects of this lawsuit will likely be severely underwhelming. The amount of money granted to each eligible user depends on the number of people who sign up for compensation, and considering that the number of eligible people is esti mated to be around 250 to 280 million, the amount of money granted to each in dividual will be at most $3.

twenty-five million dollars is also an in significant financial loss for a company like Face book.

Meta Plat forms stated that it gener ated $116 billion in 2022, meaning it could make back what it lost from the lawsuit in less than three days.

Considering that Facebook is paying for the privacy invasion of millions of people, the reimbursement is minor.

This lawsuit ultimately reveals the wealthy’s ability to deceive the public and suffer minor consequences. In the instance of Cambridge Analytica, their immorally

obtained ads had the potential to influence the 2016 presidential election results. Letting these actions persist with little consequences sets a historical precedent of privacy invasion and manipulation that will not end here.

This lawsuit is especially rel

Yu revealed how disturbed she felt by the recent lawsuit: “I feel at risk because I don’t know what type of information they’d relay and how revealing it would be,” Yu said. On the other hand, students like freshman Tiffany Qu feel that Facebook isn’t an extremely integral part of their lives, so the lawsuit isn’t particularly concerning. “I only check [Facebook] in the morning. It’s good to check clubs and groups, but you could do that in any other app,” Qu explained. Upperclassmen, who have more experience with Facebook, such as senior Ameer Alnasser, also acknowledged that Facebook can not only be harmful to students’ data security but also to their social lives. “There has been a decrease in sociability in Stuy, which sucks. Also, mental health decline is very highly correlated with increased social media usage. The issue with social media is that it’s very isolating and a solo activity,” Alnasser said.

mation, it has become a valuable resource in the lives of us Stuyvesant students. Others and I fear being lost in our school community more than our information being stolen,” Shah reflected.

Many students also noted that merely replacing Facebook as a platform would not be effective in solving privacy issues. “Unfortunately, Meta, Facebook’s parent company, also owns Instagram, and most of the big tech industries have a chokehold on our attention and our information,” Alnasser said.

In addition, Yu also mentioned that replacing Facebook would be a difficult adjustment to make due to her large reliance on the app already. “Honestly, I don’t think I’d stop using Facebook because I would have to move all of my conversations to another app and that would be annoying,” Yu said.

telling me to download Facebook. They told me it was a good way to stay connected to everyone. Everyone was telling me, ‘You need Facebook,’ so I got it.”

Students such as freshman Sarah Yu believe that Facebook’s recent lawsuit is a wake-up call to the dangers of using the platform.

On the other hand, junior Bishesh Shah feels that Facebook has its benefits. “A massive resource, especially here at Stuyvesant, is having a Facebook account. Whether it be the ‘Dear Incoming Class…’ Facebook group, Facebook acts as a hub for Stuyvesant students to gain knowledge of opportunities they wouldn’t have known of prior. Facebook has become a staple in the lives of Stuyvesant students and has become a big part of our everyday life,” Shah explained.

Shah further argued that the benefits of Facebook outweigh the negatives. “Though it troubles me that Facebook does sell our infor-

Other underclassmen agreed with Yu: “I don’t want to delete Facebook because of educational reasoning. I need it so I can keep up with the daily news on the ‘Dear Incoming Stuyvesant Students, We Have Advice!’ group and not be lost,” an anonymous freshman explained.

Though it may seem difficult to completely replace Facebook at Stuyvesant, students should be aware that Facebook, as well as other big social media platforms, is able to manipulate algorithms and steal data. Digital safety begins with becoming aware of the possible dangers of the online world, and we must remember that the content we view online is not isolated but rather engineered by bigger companies.

Stemming Away From My Cultural Roots Voices

By SUYEON RYU

Recently, I’ve noticed more and more people getting random Korean characters as tattoos, listening to K-pop, and buying Korean beauty products like Innisfree and Sulwhasoo. They go to Korean BBQ places and drink Korean soju, gushing over the novelty of traditional Korean sauces like ssamjang. Their demonstrated admiration of Korean culture makes me proud, but it also frustrates me when they don’t understand the nuances of it. A connection to authentic Korean culture is much more than aesthetics; it often includes deep-rooted patriarchy and xenophobia. I have grown up in a conservative Korean family and found liberation in the American culture of valuing individual freedom and equality. The word “assimilated” isn’t an insult to me, but rather a reminder of the conscious choice I made to embrace American values.

I’ve grown up watching Korean television, Korean dramas, Korean reality shows, and Korean movies. In fact, I have probably consumed more Korean media than American media. However, Korean media refuses to depict abortion, even after its decriminalization in the country in 2021. In the shows I watch, all teenage pregnancies end the same way: the girl decides to keep her child—after receiving a beating from her parents, of course.

It’s not just abortion. Korean censorship is unimaginable by American standards. If a Korean female pop star dares to embrace her own sexuality, she effectively ends her career. To share her true self with the world, she would need to overcome barriers within her agency and broadcasting company, and even if the content was

somehow released, she would face public scrutiny. For instance, Hyorin, a Korean female pop star, wore a dazzling silver dress that resembled a one-piece swimsuit to perform her song “SEE SEA” in an awards show for actors. The next day, she made headlines, but for all the wrong reasons. Articles called her attention-seeking, embarrassing, and shameful. They called her performance a “민 폐”—a selfish act that harms others—because they claimed she made the audience uncomfortable.

Indeed, the actors in the crowd were seen opening their mouths in disgust, refusing to smile or clap.

Hyorin is a veteran K-pop idol, having debuted in 2010, and she works under her own one-person agency called Bridge. The backlash she faced for wearing a swimsuitresembling dress while performing a song about the sea shows the restrictions younger, less experienced K-pop idols must endure.

The irony is that Korean media embraces displays of nudity in underage girls, who are often unwillingly forced into these scenes by their agencies. From their debut, the Korean girl group Momoland has danced in very short shorts with little coverage that consequently exposed their butts while they danced. Their agency refused to supply safety shorts, and Momoland members, including Nancy, who debuted at 16, were constantly seen pulling their shorts down. This controversy never made headlines or trending searches.

This restriction may be easier to understand knowing that Korea has a long history of Confucianism, resulting in a collectivist culture where people are categorized and expected to behave according to their peers. There is great pressure to fit in, which is why Kore-

ans tend to be sensitive to fashion trends and sometimes get plastic surgery. The phrase “beauty is subjective” doesn’t hold true in Korea because there is a beauty standard that people collectively agree upon. Those that stray outside of social norms, whether by getting tattoos or simply not conforming to conventional beauty standards, are condemned and shamed.

Unfortunately, traditional Korean perceptions of modesty have traveled with my family halfway across the world, resulting in limitations on my self-expression.

When I bought running shorts, for example, my mother addressed me with concern and discomfort in her voice, telling me they were too short. As a result, my wardrobe is full of shapeless hoodies, oversized T-shirts, and baggy sweatpants. Whenever I want to experiment with clothes and pick something adventurous off the rack, I immediately put it back because I can hear my mother’s voice echoing in my head, saying that I’m “showing too much skin.”

In my family, I’m expected to be subordinate to my parents. When they enter the house, I must greet them with enthusiasm. When I enter the house, I still must greet them with enthusiasm; gestures of gratitude and greeting are inherently my responsibilities.

When my Korean relatives want a hug, I have to submit to them, even if I feel uncomfortable with their alcohol-ridden breaths and slobbering kisses on my cheek. My autonomy is robbed when I am expected not only to comply, but to do so with a smile. As a very vocal and admittedly opinionated person, I often feel silenced in crowds of Korean adults. For instance, when my dad made comments on Korean schoolgirls “these days,” shaming them for

being too wild and unstudious by wearing makeup and short skirts, I quietly mentioned that students should be able to wear whatever they want to. I was immediately dismissed with a mocking chuckle and the snide phrase: “that’s your opinion.”

I’m now sick and tired of Korean culture. I’m fed up with calling my grandparents only for them to have lengthy conversations with my brother, who is the “heir to their name.” I’m fed up with laughing uncomfortably when I am subjected to comments about my body because I’m not supposed to offend the adults of Korea’s rigid age-based hierarchy. I’m fed up with forcing myself to eat bland white rice at every meal because my parents insist that 식구, family, originates from the Chinese characters meaning “to eat together.” The ancient origins of the word mean I need to sit down at the dinner table and eat what my parents cook, as it is a sign of disrespect to leave anything on your plate.

I’m not saying American culture doesn’t have its flaws, but when I hear about gentle “American” parenting, I think of my younger self, who grew up being hit with a bright yellow plastic block. I think of waking up after being berated by insults and sitting in my room knowing I will need to swallow my pride and “admit to my faults” to appease my dad.

I realize that gentle parenting isn’t an American invention, but I believe that it is an extension of the American value of individuality, even in childhood.

I listen to the open political conversations that American celebrities are permitted to have and contrast them with the silence forced upon Korean celebrities. I have realized that American celebrities are embraced for being

their own individuals, whereas Korean celebrities are treated as just a group of pretty dolls displayed in a glass window, admired for their beauty but expected to act according to orders from their agencies, also known as their entertainment management companies. Though I myself am not contracted under an agency, the social atmosphere that censorship promotes is one that reverberates throughout different aspects of Korean society—it impacts everyone and traps them into compliance.

Therefore, I make the active choice to distance myself from Korean culture. I still recognize the importance of learning Korea’s history, traditions, and language, but I don’t accept its social restrictions. I try to avoid Korean social gatherings—in particular, Korean Christian gatherings. It isn’t because they are religious, but rather that these communities, more than any others, push the traditional Korean culture that I’ve grown to dislike even deeper into my skin, such as the concept of 예 의, which requires me to “respect my elders” at the expense of my self-dignity. Many people may view my selective rejection of Korean culture as an ungrateful betrayal of my hard-working immigrant parents, who tried their best to stay true to Korean culture throughout my childhood in America. Others may consider me a victim of American propaganda and cultural assimilation. However, in my experience, “connecting back to your cultural roots” isn’t a black-andwhite rejection of American neocolonialism. So before someone shames me for refusing to connect with the culture of my ancestors, I hope they consider the countless other times I’ve felt oppressed trying to conform to the mold of a Korean girl.

Peter’s Stuyvesant: Uncovering the History That Our School Is Built Upon

By CATHLEEN XI

Dexter, a European sailor, and Sinister, a Lenni Lenape Native American, stand beside each other, separated by a shield adorned with beaver engravings. Situated outside Stuyvesant’s first-floor entrance, this scene is carved into the wall adjacent to the main doors, encapsulating years of tumultuous history in stone. This familiar image—the New York City seal—recurs throughout the city, engraved into school buildings, libraries, police badges, and perhaps most notably, the New York City flag.

The seal was designed in 1915, intended to represent the friendship between the first European settlers and the native inhabitants of New York. The shield in the center, embossed with a windmill, flour barrels, and beavers, represents the foundations of the Dutch’s economic success in New York City. However, in recent years, this long-standing image has become a point of contention. The Lenni Lenape man is dressed in stereotypical Native American attire, wearing a feathered headpiece and baring an exposed torso. Joe Baker, a registered member of the Delaware Tribe of Indians and the director of the Lenape Center, described this depiction as “cartoonish” in an interview with The New York Times. “It has the little Dutchman and the little Indian, and everyone is standing there in a very erect posture with the eagle above,” Baker explained.

The style of the headpiece and breechcloth worn by Sinister is more reminiscent of the clothing of the Plains tribes in the Midwest, who are culturally distinct from the Lenape of the Eastern Woodland region. This false representation of the Lenape neglects the cultural diversity of Native American nations, a misconception that continues to be perpetuated today through the use of the New York City seal. Additionally, while the image alludes to mutual gain, interactions between the Native Americans and European colonizers were, in reality, far more complicated and often far less amicable.

The controversy surrounding this seal has arisen amid calls to remove monuments and street names throughout the city honoring problematic historical figures. In recent years, statues of Theodore Roosevelt and Thomas Jefferson have been removed from the American Museum of Natural History and City Hall, respectively. Both institutions have been called out for commemorating figures who have expressed overt racism. Clearly, several modern-day establishments contain remnants of the dark underside of history, including Stuyvesant High School’s very own namesake.

Peter Stuyvesant was an influential Dutch governor of New Netherland in the mid-17th century, leading the city of New Amsterdam into economic prosperity. However, his success was accompanied by participation in the Atlantic slave trade and extreme anti-Semitism. Social studies teacher David Hanna, who teaches AP United States History, shared his perspective on Peter Stuyvesant’s misdeeds and how they fit into the broader narrative of American history. “As history teachers, we need to make sure that we teach that part of history. [Peter Stuyvesant was] important. He really was, but [there was] also has this part of his life story that’s not admirable,” Hanna said.

Though Peter Stuyvesant’s legacy does not reflect Stuyvesant High School’s values today, the name “Stuyvesant” has become a focal part of the school’s identity in the decades since its founding in 1904 and is now often associated with prestige and academia. “Stuyvesant as a school has come to mean something on its own. But what we can do is not put [Peter Stuyvesant] up on a pedestal,” Hanna said.

Hanna contends that reckoning with our school’s identity includes acknowledging the actions of Peter Stuyvesant. In order to do so, he encourages the teaching of Peter Stuyvesant’s history and connection to the school to incoming students at orientations such as Camp Stuy: “Make sure that it’s part of boot camp, who we are. Teach the nuances of it so that [students] know and understand. Be aware, know your

history,” Hanna advocated.

Just as the lasting effects of Peter Stuyvesant’s legacy linger in our school to this day, the impacts of controversial historical figures remain prevalent throughout New York City as a whole. Social studies teacher Robert Sandler, who teaches an elective called New York City History, discussed how Dutch colonization and slavery played a major role in New York’s formative years. The colony of New Amsterdam was established in 1614 during the Dutch Golden Age—a time of rapid cultural and economic expansion. The fur trade between Indigenous Americans and the Dutch, as depicted in

Village during the construction of Central Park. “Everything we think of New York—whether it’s the Statue of Liberty or [the] Empire State Building, or Times Square or Central Park or the Freedom Tower—you gotta go back to the Dutch to see where it all started,” Sandler said. The foundations for what would become a globally recognized city came at the cost of oppressed minorities and forced labor.

But how does society determine which parts of our history to celebrate and which parts to condemn?

Sandler argues that it is not our job as students of history to make that decision. “We’re not sitting having a

prevent acts against humanity from ever recurring. Excusing the actions of those in the past, no matter how long ago, restricts the growth of humanity and makes it easier for those actions to occur again,” Sun explained. While it’s important to view history through an objective lens, some feel that critiquing the actions of historical figures can be used to prevent the repetition of the darkest parts of history.

Furthermore, Sun contended that the enormous portrait of Peter Stuyvesant on Stuyvesant’s second floor holds little relevance to the school today. “I don’t think that the legacy of Peter Stuyvesant resonates with our school today, besides the fact that our school mascot is Pegleg [Pete]. He has not been brought up in any of my classes yet, and the only remembrance of him in the school is the second-floor portrait,” Sun said. Sun had initially heard about Peter Stuyvesant’s actions through a brief conversation with a classmate. “I first found out about Peter Stuyvesant’s history midway through freshman year when someone mentioned to me that he was one of the early settlers in the 13 colonies and had done horrific things. I then looked him up online and read through his Wikipedia description, learning for myself what he had done,” Sun said. Without taking the time to understand the intricacies of Peter Stuyvesant’s past, reconciling his connection to our school is impossible.

the New York City Seal, helped the city become a flourishing commercial hub. The Dutch’s capitalistic approach to colonial economies remains intrinsic to New York today. “It has a big influence. That’s where we get a lot of our economic-minded, New York culture—Wall Street. It’s not a coincidence,” Sandler explained. Similar to Stuyvesant High School’s problematic namesake, much of New York City’s glory was built upon oppression and slavery. To name a few examples, much of the early commerce on Wall Street was facilitated through the slave market, and African American residents were displaced from Seneca

jury on these historical figures from 400 years ago. I don’t think that’s the point of history class. [To] me, the point is just to kind of get a sense of the foundation. In my New York City History class, the foundation of New York is where it all started,” Sandler said.

On the other hand, many argue that modern students of history cannot be complacent about the atrocities committed in the past. Sophomore Amaryllis Sun asserted her opinion on the issue: “We do have the right to condemn the actions of those in the past. One of the main purposes of learning history is to make sure that individuals learn both sides of the story and to

References to New York’s complicated and often dark history extend beyond names, seals, and statues. As students continue to walk through the halls of Stuyvesant High School, unaware of the weight the name bears, a part of Peter Stuyvesant’s troubling legacy is perpetuated. Erasure is not the answer; we, as students, with the guidance of our teachers, must come to terms with our school’s identity by acknowledging the despicable actions of our namesake. So, the next time you absentmindedly walk by Peter Stuyvesant’s portrait on the second floor, take a moment to reflect on the sinister history behind the man in the frame.

Something Doesn’t Add Up: The AP Precalculus Controversy

By ANKITA SAHA

Recently, Stuyvesant announced that AP Precalculus will be mandated for all juniors starting in the fall semester, replacing both Stuyvesant’s regular and honors precalculus courses. Stuyvesant acquired this new course through the College Board’s pilot program. Since the announcement, the math department has made it clear that the AP Precalculus course will be slightly easier than both the current core precalculus class and the honors one. Even so, it is daunting to be expected to take an AP exam at the end of the year, especially when there is no prior knowledge of what the course will entail.

Many students expressed that while they dread taking the AP exam, they are relieved to hear that the new course will be less challenging. Sophomore Olivia Dogan is currently taking the normal Stuyvesant precalculus course since she took geometry in middle school, and shared that she is glad that future students will not have to face the stress that she grapples with in the class. “Being among the last group of kids taking the course, it makes you feel lighter to know that the workload is being lessened and that other kids in the [next] grade won’t have to stress over it like I did,” Dogan shared. “I still appreciate getting the chance to grow from my struggles with the class. It made

me more resilient. And having made it this far, I feel like you can do just about anything—the class is pretty hard.”

For Dogan, the current precalculus course was a steep learning

gle day; it was insane. I heard from people that precalculus was going to be a lot harder than Algebra 2, but I didn’t take it seriously. It was a big jump,” Dogan said.

Other students appreciate the

will allow students to transition into taking APs if they haven’t already done so and diversify their educational experiences. “I think AP Precalculus is a valuable experience for some Stuy students because many students don’t take APs [until] their junior year, so this is a way for them to delve into an AP,” Anwar said.

However, as students consider the benefits of AP Precalculus, they also have concerns and questions about it. As this AP is mandated for all juniors next year with the exception of those who have already taken precalculus, many are concerned about how examination fees will operate. Sophomore Ibtida Khurshed asserted that paying a fee for a mandatory course isn’t fair. “Students shouldn’t have to pay since the school is forcing it. [...] Either way, it should at least be free,” Khurshed expressed. “Some people don’t even want to take the AP and they can’t afford to pay money for it, so people should only pay money for APs that they’re choosing for themselves.”

However, Assistant Principal of Mathematics Eric Smith stated that financial aid will function the same as with any other AP; students can apply for fee waivers from the New York City Department of Education, but none are guaranteed.

an e-mail interview. “While we will certainly address all of the content from the College Board’s proposed course outline, we will cover many more units and topics.” He also explained that AP Precalculus will meet the ample parent requests for new AP classes. “Students and families have been asking for additional AP courses for a long time. The creation of this new AP course by the College Board made this manageable for us,” Smith said.

Many students do not mind the implementation of AP Precalculus since it will end up being their normal junior-year math class anyway. “I’m kind of neutral about it in the end because [the administration is] gonna make us take it anyway,” sophomore Min Hollweck expressed. “It’s good because it’s supposed to be easier, and you can just have another AP if you care about that.”

curve, as it introduced difficult aspects of mathematics at a fast pace.

“We sped through the coursework. It was a new unit almost every sin-

opportunities that AP Precalculus has to offer. Sophomore Raaita Anwar expressed that with the new AP Precalculus course being easier, it

Smith clarified some aspects of AP Precalculus that students were concerned about. “We are not making huge adjustments to our current Precalculus course,” Smith stated in

At the end of the day, AP Precalculus will be a new learning experience for everybody involved. Whether students encounter more difficulties or benefits in the course, there will inevitably be a learning curve in its integration into the standard Stuyvesant curriculum. However, the one definite aspect of this precalculus development is that students will learn to navigate the journey together—an experience far more meaningful than just getting a five on the AP exam. Though who says you can’t have both?

Veronika Duvanova / The Spectator

Courtesy of Jasper Caro

continued from page 13

Moore explained why he is a strong supporter of extra credit. Moore said, “When you do my extra credit, you are telling me, ‘Mr. Moore, you did not give me enough work. I want more work. Please give me more work.’ And I oblige.” Moore does not believe that his extra credit assignments place an extra burden on students; instead, they are a form of furthering their understanding of the history they are learning. Moore also believes that his extra credit system addresses Kurtianyk’s concern about the ratio of work put in to points earned. “In the homework extra credit [assignments that I offer], the more challenging the worksheet, the more points it is [worth]. If I think it’s both more challenging and more time-consuming, if it takes more analytical ability, there will be more extra credit for that,” Moore elaborated. In this way, Moore’s extra credit is not only a tool for

Giving (Extra) Credit Where It’s Due

learning history but also a motivator to invest more time in the subject, helping students perform better on tests and assignments.

Still, the contexts in which extra credit is offered by teachers are not always as pedagogical in nature.

“I think [extra credit] can be like a double-edged sword,” freshman Lauren Zagarov said. “[In] some instances, it’s beneficial because there’s an actual reason [for teachers wanting to boost class averages], like [if] people completely bombed a test or quiz. [...] There’s also the other side of it, where extra credit is just: ‘Oh, who can go to this event? Because I want you to go to the event.’” From Zagarov’s perspective, teachers who desire students’ attendance at a certain event irrelevant to the class material should not leverage the incentive of extra credit in the first place. When too many teachers offer extra credit, and their students flood an event looking for points, those who are actually interested in the event’s subject matter may be deprived of a spot or have their ex-

periences at the event degraded by bustling, disruptive crowds.

Unlike Zagarov, social studies teacher Brad Badgley believes that offering extra credit can be antithetical to the learning process. Badgley does not offer opportunities to earn extra credit on his tests, nor does he curve test grades. “Over the course of the term, students should be engaged with all of the material. They shouldn’t [complete assignments at half-effort] and then ask to make up for it with extra credit,” Badgley explained. He is cognizant that it is the desire for high averages that drives students to request extra credit opportunities, but he believes that this motivating factor should show up in students’ regular coursework, too. For example, it could translate into extra effort put into studying for a test or completing a project. “It is positive to focus on grades. There should be standards and rewards for students because Stuy students work so hard, and there has to be some incentive for them,” Badgley pointed

out. For him, these rewards don’t have to come in the form of bonus points; they can be reflected in a higher test grade or participation grade.

Senior Hannah Riegel pointed out that the usage of extra credit and other forms of grade inflation is intrinsically related to students’ ability to perform well. “I understand the rationale that there’s a division of responsibility between the student and the teacher. In that, the teacher needs to teach the material, and the students need to learn the material and be willing to study for the tests,” Riegel said. “So, if the whole class does badly on a test, that is probably an indication that the teacher didn’t live up to their burden, and that’s when I think extra credit is useful,” Riegel said. Still, she acknowledges the validity of the argument that extra credit can serve as a bandaid over a bullet wound, distracting from larger underlying issues in the classroom setting. “I can understand why teachers are hesitant to grant extra credit because

they don’t really address the root problem, which is that the students aren’t learning,” Riegel elaborated. While extra credit can provide students with a grade cushion in subjects they are struggling in, teachers should make sure to distinguish between the bonus points and the actual understanding of the material in students’ averages.

Stuyvesant’s culture cultivates an overwhelming focus on grades, but extra credit doesn’t always reduce academic stress. It can prove to be a burden, another task that must be completed, especially when students already feel there are too few hours in the day. The granting of these optional assignments only emphasizes the idea that students must constantly be doing more and more to maximize their grades at any cost. Some give up sleep for extra credit points and feel that missing an opportunity to raise their grade is a personal failure. Bonus points can be a gift, but students should think about what they have to sacrifice in order to receive them.

Our Bodies Don’t Operate on the School’s Clockwork: Why Students Need Bathroom Freedom

By ADA GORDON and CATHLEEN XI

The average person uses the bathroom six to seven times a day, or every three to four hours. Considering school is seven and a half hours long, excluding commute time and after-school activities, most students need to use the bathroom at least once during the school day. However, some teachers highly discourage their students from leaving the classroom or penalize them for going to the bathroom by lowering their participation grades. Some teachers contend that their restrictive bathroom policies are reasonable because a student’s time spent in the bathroom is time taken away from learning material, but students feel that they should be allowed to leave the classroom when necessary.

Some teachers refuse to let students leave the classroom at all. Freshman Queenie Cao said, “[My teacher often says,] ‘No, you can’t go.’ And she’ll make something up. She’ll be like, ‘Oh, you already went so many times.’”

Cao’s teacher is not the only teacher who does this. “Whenever somebody asks to go to the bathroom in [my teacher’s] class, she automatically says, ‘No’ or ‘In a bit,’” freshman Sophie Tulovsky described in an e-mail interview.

In an e-mail interview, Anonymous Teacher A, who has a similar policy to the one described by Tulovsky, explained why they may keep a student from using the bathroom in class: “One problem is that the student wants to go to the bathroom in the middle of the lesson when an important concept is being discussed. [...] The bathroom requests interfere with the lesson and then put the teacher in the position of repeating the material and the student being distracted.” However, a student who needs to go to the bathroom will be distracted from the lesson regardless: a 2011 study found that having to go to the bathroom has a negative effect on one’s attention span and memory function. In other cases, leaving the room to go to the bathroom may actually be a student’s attempt to regain their focus; for students with sensory processing disorder, panic disorder, or traumarelated disorders, stimuli in the classroom environment can make

staying calm and on-task nearly impossible. By having the opportunity to leave the room and detach themselves from external triggers, students can take the time to regain their composure before reentering the classroom to tackle the lesson at hand. Thus, open bathroom

menstruation cycles. For students whose teachers may not know they are affected by these medical conditions, denying them the chance to use the bathroom can lead to chronic consequences. In the case of female students who need to address their sanitary product needs,

tended that students can use the bathroom at the beginning of class or during passing without interfering with lesson plans: “Students can quickly go to the bathroom before the lesson starts. That is the best solution.”

However, this is not always possible for a multitude of reasons: students may use the entire five minutes to walk to their next class, they may need to wait in long bathroom lines that would make them late to class, or it may just be physically impossible for them to wait until the end of the period; they may have to use the bathroom urgently in the middle of the period, and there is nothing they can do about that. “Lots of us have crazy schedules, and [teachers need] to respect that,” Tulovsky explained.

Some other teachers let students use the bathroom but later penalize them by deducting points from their participation grades. “I’ve heard a lot of people say, like, ‘I only went three times a semester, and I already got a note in my transcript saying ‘excessive use of bathroom pass,’” sophomore A said.

personal choice to make.” Many students learn the material they miss by getting notes from a friend or, in some cases, filling in their notes later with information accessible on Google Classroom. Thus, students are capable of learning class material they miss on their own time; if they do not do so, it is on them and not their teachers.

Some also feel that it is also unfair for teachers to punish the class under the assumption that a few students would exploit an open bathroom policy. “Most of the student population doesn’t abuse the bathroom rule [by] not actually going to the bathroom and just going and hanging out with their friends, so the majority of students shouldn’t be penalized for the misbehavior of a couple of students,” Tulovsky explained.

Students instead propose that the minority of students that exploit open bathroom policies should be disciplined on a case-bycase basis. “If [students] leave [for] the bathroom and they skip, inform their parents [by] e-mail,” Mehjabin suggested.

policies are arguably more likely to foster a better learning environment than restrictive ones.

Furthermore, restrictive bathroom policies psychologically impact students by instilling the belief that teachers do not care about their physical comfort and well-being as long as they are academically successful. Holding in urine weakens bladder muscles and increases the risk of urinary tract infections. Restrictive bathroom policies hold even more extreme physical consequences for students with medical issues like irritable bowel syndrome, or biologically female students who need to change their pads or tampons during their

an inability to do so in a timely fashion can result in toxic shock syndrome, a life-threatening complication caused by leaving a menstrual product in the body for an extended period of time.

Tulovsky’s experiences with classrooms that have open bathroom policies support the idea that open bathroom policies increase classroom productivity. “I’ve noticed that classes in which students don’t even need to ask the teacher to go to the bathroom run much more smoothly than teachers who make one student going to the bathroom a whole class discussion,” Tulovsky explained.

Anonymous teacher A con-

Mathematics teacher Dawn Vollaro laid out the rationale behind her bathroom policies: “I think, you know, if you come back and forth within five minutes, that’s certainly reasonable. [...] When they’re out for extended periods of time [...] 15 minutes, 20 minutes out of the period, several times a week, [they are] missing a lot of work that’s going on in class.” Vollaro also elaborated on why she feels restrictive bathroom policies are necessary: “I’ve seen students come back into my room and they’re putting away their phone[s], [which is] distracting to students themselves.” She stated that restrictive bathroom policies are for the students’ own good: “Those students that abuse the trips out of the room, I think they’re facing a problem because they’re not getting what they need to study for a test. [...] The students that seem to be missing the most are the ones that are struggling academically,” Vollaro explained.

Freshman Anonna Mehjabin emphasized the importance of student autonomy when it comes to their schooling. “One thing I don’t understand about teachers—it’s like whenever they’re like, ‘Oh, but if you go to the bathroom, you’re gonna miss so much material,’” Mehjabin explained. “That’s my

Vollaro did bring up another reason why she keeps such a close track of students’ trips to the bathroom. Along with looking out for those who are missing class time, monitoring students coming in and out of the classroom also serves as a safety measure: “The other [reason] started really after 9/11. Teachers were asked to have a log [in case], God forbid, something horrible happened. And even now, when we have emergency drills, to account for where students are, I have them sign out. It’s just good practice,” Vollaro said. This brings up an important point regarding the safety purposes of bathroom logs. However, if these records are kept exclusively for safety reasons, then using them to penalize students’ participation grades is unnecessary.

Most students and teachers collectively seek a classroom environment that is ideal for learning. Bathroom policies can become caught between teachers that want to maximize classroom productivity and students that want the freedom to exercise the right to relieve themselves when they feel it is necessary. It’s important that both parties be considerate of the other and maintain open-minded conversations to reach a middle ground.

Jaeden Bae / The Spectator

“Eat a Meal in Silence”: How Homeroom’s Mental Health Activities Fail To Address Student Stress

The extended homerooms at Stuyvesant take up 20 minutes between the third and fourth periods. Usually, homerooms are intended to distribute materials such as Metrocards, BooGrams, report cards, and school surveys. Other times, they are used for homeroom bonding activities. For freshmen, homeroom is a time to ask Big Sibs for advice, but for sophomores, juniors, and seniors, these 20 minutes are filled with childish mental health activities that minimize the severe stress they face on a daily basis without providing feasible solutions. While these activities do indicate that the administration recognizes the mental health crisis at Stuyvesant, they often feel hastily thrown together and are not ageappropriate. Despite well-founded intentions, the homeroom experience has become disconnected from its original goals.

Stuyvesant is notorious for its competitive, stressful culture. While much of this is undoubtedly perpetuated by the student body, there is no question that students’ daily lives are filled with stress: packed schedules, challenging courses, and limited sleep. However, homerooms provide little to no benefit for deteriorating mental health. Rather than providing a space for students to relieve the pressures placed on them, the tone-deaf activities that claim to “target what the student body needs” ignore what we actually require: time to decompress. Finding leisure time away from cramming, doing homework, and

studying is a difficult task; homeroom is a prime opportunity to give students a designated time to slow down. The “targeted” homeroom activities circumvent students’ poor mental health by providing advice that fails to recognize the complexity of an issue deeply ingrained in the school’s culture.

Homeroom can be an incredibly useful time for freshmen to bond with their Big Sibs, but for sophomores and upperclassmen, extended homerooms serve a limited purpose. Many of the activities are geared toward freshmen, focusing on integrating them into the school community; the administration fails to modify these activities for other grades. The most recent example of this involved a worksheet centered around mental health, undeniably one of the largest concerns facing the student body. The way the administration communicated their sentiments, however, was tone-deaf; the exercise suggested that stressed-out individuals “meander around town,” “rest your legs up on a wall,” “paint on a surface other than paper,” “eat a meal in silence,” or “move twice as slowly,” completely failing to acknowledge the root of all these stressors. In the face of all the stress Stuyvesant students face, these activities further widened the gap between students and the guidance office. These trivial and sometimes illogical suggestions minimize the very real worries and pressures students face. Homeroom has the potential to be a beneficial time

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The Stuyvesant High School Newspaper

“The Pulse of the Student Body”

for students, but the current approach only draws more attention to Stuyvesant’s ongoing struggle to adequately address mental health. The administration should tailor homeroom activities to each grade. Freshmen should still be allotted time with their Big Sibs, but Big Sibs should be briefed via e-mail beforehand with talking points and guidelines to maximize the time provided. Sophomores, juniors, and seniors who are not part of the Big Sib program should have discretion over how they use the homeroom period. Instead of using homeroom to suggest strategies for taking care of mental health, the administration should use it as a period to actually implement these strategies. At a school as large as Stuyvesant, it is impossible to address individual concerns by proposing generic collective solutions. Students should be allowed to use the time in whatever way will be most helpful to them—free from guidance—whether that be by taking a few minutes to close their eyes, relax, and listen to music; play a stress-relieving videogame; or socialize with friends. Just as conference day schedules occur every two weeks, it would be helpful for extended homeroom schedules to occur at regular intervals, providing students with predictability and a break to look forward to. We acknowledge the administration’s efforts, but we hope that by expressing what we really need, we can work together to ease students’ pre-existing burdens.

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Eric Adams Should Not Have Attended the PA’s Spring Gala

By HELEN MANCINI

Mayor Eric Adams attended Stuyvesant’s biggest fundraiser of the year, the Parent’s Association’s (PA) Spring Gala, on May 6, mere days after releasing a budget that slashed education funding. Adams was one of the four top New York politicians, the others being Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine, Councilwoman Gale Brewer, and New York State Senator John Lui, invited to make speeches and bolster the auction. His appearance at the Gala sent a buzz around the Stuyvesant community, while the more sinister implications of his presence went unnoticed.

Five days earlier, on May 1, Jordan Neely, a talented subway performer who was homeless and suffered from mental illness, loudly exclaimed on the F train that he needed food and water. In response, another passenger named Daniel Penny choked Neely for 15 minutes while accomplices held Neely down. Neely tragically died as a result. He had been battling homelessness after being in and out of foster care in his childhood. According to relatives, Neely had developed severe depression and post-traumatic stress disorder from his childhood and also dealt with autism and schizophrenia. Even worse, Neely was reportedly on a city roster of homeless people who were considered to be most urgently in need of help. Between the “top 50” list and his

arrest record, Neely was tangled in a web of NYC’s social systems that inevitably failed to get him the help he needed.

Adams’s first response to this tragic event was to deny its validity. After Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio Cortez and NYC’s Comptroller Brad Lander spoke out against the murder and vigilantism, Adams called their actions “irresponsible” when an investigation had not been con-

history.

Adams’s recent policies have played a major role in many of the broken systems that are to blame for Neely’s death. In November 2023, the former NYPD officer announced that in response to the ongoing mental health crisis, homeless people with mental illness would be removed from the streets and subways, against their will if necessary, by the police and other

sues contributing to the mental health crisis, like underfunded education, foster care, and overrun homeless shelters.

His failure to respond to this event at the time of the Gala, along with his numerous other failures surrounding education and homelessness policy, should have been enough for the Stuyvesant Parent Association (PA) to exclude Adams from their gala, yet he ended up being

events often and can supplement DOE money with donations.

Admittedly, the PA is key in funding a great deal of student life at Stuyvesant. For example, speech and debate, one of the most expensive high school extracurriculars, relies heavily on the PA and Alumni Association to pay for entry fees at competitions, hotels, and bus rides throughout the season that can total to a couple hundred thousand dollars. The PA and alumni network have also been crucial in fundraising for big projects in the past, like robotics labs and escalator upkeep. Yet, while the success of fundraisers like the Spring Gala is undeniably crucial to the school community, no extra money that came from Adams’s star power was worth the moral concession the PA made that night.

ducted. While ample witnesses and videos confirmed that Neely had been murdered, Adams disregarded the event until a week later, making his official remarks of support for Neely on May 10 following the arrest of Penny. Despite Adams’s silence and poor leadership, protesters took to the streets to demand justice for Neely. As the city’s leader, Adams should have taken a braver stance in support of Neely immediately, yet his failure to do so shocked none due to his political

city employees. Since then, he has funneled more officers into the subways and increased police overtime drastically. Overall, the NYPD is spending an additional $20 million per month on overtime costs on top of regular levels, which have reached $272 million. Despite this massive allocation of resources, New York City’s subway crime rose by 30 percent in 2022 compared to a year ago. Adams’s police-driven solutions overlook and directly funds away from the systemic is-

the key speaker. While this move was made to boost the auction, regardless of politics, by hosting Adams, the Stuyvesant PA was complicit in sweeping the murder of Neely under the rug by giving Adams a platform to continue to ignore the subject. Not only was it a poor message to send as a school, but the moment highlighted Stuyvesant’s extreme privilege as a renowned public school; we can worry much less about budget cuts because we have these types of fundraising

Neely’s situation was a result of the social systems that failed him in his youth and the biased criminal justice system that saw him as a criminal rather than a victim. In his time as mayor, Adams upheld these systems and even directed funding away from social spending and towards criminalization. As a highprofile school, Stuyvesant has a responsibility, even while remaining apolitical, to uphold values of human dignity. At upcoming fundraisers, the PA should think more carefully about how they raise money, and students should make a greater effort to hold adults accountable for the messages we send as a community.

His failure to respond to this event at the time of the Gala, along with his numerous other failures surrounding education and homelessness policy, should have been enough for the Stuyvesant Parent Association (PA) to exclude Adams from their gala, yet he ended up being the key speaker.

The Bystander Effect in NYC: More Good Than Harm

By DEAN HEVENSTONE

A few months ago, while I was riding the F train home, a homeless man entered and started throwing a walking stick at the train doors and floor while yelling and cursing aggressively at the passengers. All of the passengers in the car, however, stared down at their phones, pretending not to notice. This is the strategy that most New Yorkers use: keep their heads down and ignore what’s happening. It often helps avoid provocation and involvement in altercations. Staring at or answering back to the aggressor can escalate the situation. But this was not the case on May 1, when Jordan Neely aggressively yelled and begged passengers on a train for money and food. Daniel Penny, a 30-year-old exmarine, grabbed Neely, pinned him to the floor, and choked him until he died. While two passengers helped Penny subdue Neely, others only sat and watched.

New Yorkers have a habit of minding their own business, regardless of what is happening

By JULIET BURGUIERES

The medical community and society as a whole have become increasingly aware of the prevalence of mental illness and neurodiversity. While there is some support for increased diagnosis, there is a misconception that more diagnoses are proof that these neurological differences are modern inventions. Some argue that people are using typical childhood behavior that may be disruptive to justify medicating a child in place of teaching proper conduct.

While the perception that more people are getting diagnosed is correct, the reasoning behind why diagnosis rates are increasing is wrong. According to the World Health Organization, diagnosis rates of mental health conditions have risen by 13 percent in recent years. There has been an estimated 800 percent increase in diagnosis rates of autism in the last 20 years and two million more parent reports of an attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) diagnosis in 2011 than in 2003. It appears that many people feel overwhelmed by the number of children and adults with neurological differences, and they wrongfully respond with skepticism. According to a 2005 survey by psychologists Jill Norvilitis of the University at Buffalo, SUNY, and Ping Fang of Capital Normal University in Beijing, 82 percent of U.S. teachers believe ADHD to be overdiagnosed, and even popular television doctor “Dr. Phil” weighed in, saying that ADHD is “so overdiagnosed.” A simple Google search will reveal just how much overdiagnosis is a part of the popular discussion, as news outlets ranging from USA Today to The Guardian are joining in the conversation.

around them. They ignore aggressors on trains, walk around fights, and avoid aggressive interactions even if others may need help. This behavior is called the bystander effect: people are less likely to aid someone in public because they don’t believe it’s their responsibility. The bystander effect is often caused by fear. When I saw the man throwing his walking stick, I looked down at my phone because I was afraid of him. It may seem unethical to ignore someone possibly being attacked, but while intervening may seem like being a good samaritan, it can actually put more people in danger. Instead of defusing or resolving the situation, intervening may provoke the aggressor and escalate the situation. There have been many cases where people have been hurt or even killed after trying to step in. In 2020, a man who tried to intervene in a fight on a subway platform in Harlem was shoved onto the tracks and hit by a train. In 2021, a Chinese immigrant was fatally stabbed after trying to break up a fight in Brooklyn. In February of 2023,

Jemina Garay was shot in the head after trying to be a peacemaker of a fight in her apartment building. These are only a few of the countless scenarios of interveners being seriously injured or killed in recent years. Nobody wants to turn into the next gruesome statistic. When people like Penny decide to take matters into their own hands, it creates a bigger problem. Instead of subduing the situation, one man is dead, another faces up to 15 years in prison, passengers are frightened, and people are protesting across the city. All of these consequences arose from just one case of intervention on the subway. The bystander effect is a positive thing for New York. When people mind their own business, as sad as it sounds, they save lives and prevent minor aggressions from escalating. In a way, this fear-induced bystander effect is helping to keep our city together.

Intervening on the subway can also have legal implications. By intervening, you are essentially joining a fight. Even with good intentions, any interfer-

ence could be seen as aggression or assault, which could lead to legal danger. Now, Penny is facing up to 15 years in prison for second-degree manslaughter. One can protect oneselffrom legal scrutiny if one leaves it up to the people trained and permitted to get involved.

There is also often a lack of information regarding public conflicts. Bystanders may not understand the context of the altercation and may wrongly assume that it is either a dangerous situation or one that they should be getting involved in. It isn’t possible to fully understand the state of mind of the people involved in the conflict. Intervening without correctly assessing and understanding the problem can cause unintended consequences and put people at risk.

Defusing hostile situations should be left to the police and authorized personnel instead. They are specifically trained to handle those situations, and they have the skills and experience necessary to do so. By leaving the situation to the professionals, you can expect that the situation will be addressed better

The Myth of Overdiagnosis

Before continuing to discuss these topics, it’s important to understand the terminology that will be used. The term “neurodiverse” refers to when a person’s brain chemistry causes it to function differently from a “neurotypical” person’s brain. The term was coined just over two decades ago and is preferable because it acknowledges that the neurodiverse simply have brains that work differently. Conditions that fall under the umbrella of neurodiversity include autism, ADHD, and dyslexia. Mental illnesses, on the other hand, are widely

nosis rates suggest that gender, race, and socioeconomic status greatly impact a person’s ability to receive a diagnosis. Clearly, this is a multifaceted issue, and the theory of overdiagnosis ignores the complex history of these disorders and neurological differences.

The field of psychology has long been dominated by research on white, upper middle-class males. For example, in the 1940s, Hans Aspergers published a groundbreaking study on autism, or what used to be called “Aspergers.” His study solely looked

nosis may be deemed unnecessary, even when the person’s life is deeply affected by a disability. Second, the popularization of alternate reasons for neurodiversity other than genetics has led to people blaming families and thus discourages people from seeking treatment or answers.

This may be a side effect of media that has popularized certain ideas about neurodiversity and mental illness. Many movies and television shows that address mental differences and issues, unsurprisingly, do so through white men. Not only do shows

than if you intervene yourself. The average bystander does not have the training to settle aggressive situations on the subway, whereas those that do would likely respond in a calm, experienced manner. Penny, on the other hand, had training in the Marines, which trains to fight and kill enemies. Instead of leaving it to those experienced in subway aggression, he reverted to his Marines training, violently responding to Neely as if he were an enemy and eventually killing him. His actions were not heroic by any means.

The best way to avoid issues like that of Neely and Penny is to follow the New York strategy of not getting involved. When Penny saw Neely on the subway, he chose to channel his sense of danger through violent action rather than keep his head down or contact an authority. Many people try to break up or get involved in fights on the subway, and it often just makes the situation worse. Many unnecessary altercations and injuries can be prevented by avoiding confrontation and embracing the bystander effect in New York.

boys, and a study published just a few months ago found that 2.9 percent of black eight-yearolds were diagnosed with autism compared to 2.4 percent of white eight-year-olds. These changes are helping minorities and women to get diagnosed despite the massive social and economic barriers to support. Nonetheless, we must continue to support minorities and women in their search for answers and treatment. An estimated 45 percent of Americans with a clinical-level mental issue do not seek treatment or support. These numbers are unacceptable, especially given the massive importance of early diagnosis. Too many people are being overlooked and ignored when it comes to mental health, and this is causing them to experience greater suffering from treatable issues.

considered an impairment to functioning and include anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder. So, while both neurodiversity and mental illnesses affect how one engages with the world, they do so in very distinct ways.

Theories of overdiagnosis ignore that while some groups may be overdiagnosed, others have been too long ignored. Take ADHD for example: young children are 34 percent more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD than children in upper grades, and one in five high school boys is diagnosed with ADHD compared to one in eleven high school girls. As of five years ago, autism diagnosis rates in white children were 19 percent higher than in black children, and another study found that wealthier children were significantly more likely to get an autism diagnosis than middle or lower-class children. These disparities in diag-

at young, white boys, as did many studies which followed. Though increasing numbers of doctors and psychologists recognized the disability, they often disagreed on the cause. In 1967, psychologist Bruno Bettelheim falsely posited the notion that a lack of love from one’s mother was the ultimate cause. Even 20 years after discovering that the cause of autism was genetic, the belief that vaccination caused autism still gained traction in the early 2000s, and many still believe it today.

Therefore, several issues can be identified in diagnosing women and minorities. Firstly, the criteria to diagnose conditions like autism was based on the symptoms of young white men. This presents a challenge in diagnosing women and people of color who may exhibit “non-traditional” symptoms. If not paired with up-to-date, knowledgeable doctors and psychiatrists, a diag-

and movies like Big Bang Theory, What’s Eating Gilbert Grape?, and Forrest Gump solely deal with white, male, neurodivergent characters, they do so in ways that are not always accurate. Therefore, some people may be doubtful about the increasing numbers of women and people of color being diagnosed. Not only do they look different from neurodiverse people on TV, but they also probably don’t act like them either. Contrary to the belief that diagnosis rates are absurdly, or even impossibly, high, they may be reaching the levels they should because our society is recognizing neurodiversity and mental illness in previously unidentified groups.

Luckily, the gap in the diagnosis rate of underrepresented populations is closing. Between 2018 and 2020, the diagnosis rate of four-year-old girls increased more than it did in same-aged

Ultimately, the biggest barrier to people knowing how and when to seek help is knowledge. Sadly, the communities with the least information on mental illness and neurodiversity are often the ones that can least afford to deal with the consequences of an undiagnosed disorder. Therefore, it should be considered a core responsibility of our schools to educate students on mental health and neurodiversity. By giving students the tools to handle mental differences and disorders, we not only help the individual but also entire communities. Parents who never had access to this information will learn it through their children, and when these students have children, they may be better equipped to help their children overcome the challenges they may face.

Our greatest challenge is not overdiagnosis but underdiagnosis, which can and is affecting the courses of entire lives.

Our greatest challenge is not overdiagnosis but underdiagnosis, which can and is affecting the courses of entire lives.

By AMARYLLIS SUN

As “Good Old Days” by Macklemore, featuring Ke$ha, plays for the seemingly 10th time while scrolling on your TikTok For You page, the colors and names on the sweatshirts of Stuyvesant High School’s graduating class of 2023 become almost repetitive. However, these students are far from ordinary, as maroon Harvard, navy Yale, and other elite college sweatshirts dominate the college commitment videos. All Stuyvesant students know the blood, sweat, and tears that were shed to get to this point; most of us think that five hours of sleep is a reasonable amount of time. Yet, under Stuyvesant and other high schools’ college commitment TikToks, comments of “Feeder school,” “Daddy’s money,” and “How much is their tuition??” are seen repeatedly. The term “feeder school” has rapidly grown in popularity as a way to point out the privilege that enables students to attend prestigious schools. Though the use of the word can be true—as Stuyvesant High School is a public feeder school—the context in which the label is being used often spreads misinformed stereotypes that devalue the efforts of students.

According to Oxford Languages, a feeder school is a school from which many or most students progress to a particular higher-level educational institution. Though the noun is usually used when discussing private schools being feeder schools for Ivy League universities, it can apply to public schools, too. Some of the comments under @stuyseniorcaucus college commitment TikToks are “In the most affluent county in America” and “Stuy is a feeder school lmao, it’s also predominantly upper-class white and Asian as those are the communities that can pay for the SHSAT exam prep.” The cap-

#FeederSchool

tion of the TikTok was, “Waiting for the feeder school comments (we’re a public [high school]),” consequently prompting arguments in the comments regarding whether public schools can be feeder schools. These comments reflect the controversy surrounding the SHSAT examination—which has underwent intense discussion in recent years as Mayor Bill de Blasio fought to

is often regarded as the top feeder high school in the country. Approximately 40 percent of its students are admitted into Ivy League universities, and the tuition for grades 9-12 is $58,495. When thinking of the term “feeder school,” most people think of these kinds of schools located in the Upper West Side, which have a median household income of $143,644,

of Trinity’s students are white, contributing to the privilege they experience in the world. Trinity clearly offers abundant help and connections to its students that grant them special access to the world of the Ivy League, making it an obvious feeder school. Compared to Stuyvesant, however, the circumstances for a student’s success are much different.

By KHANDAKER MUSHFIKUZZAMAN

I walked into Algebra II in a good mood because I knew my teacher was going to be absent. The substitute teacher was one of the chill ones, so I decided to listen to some Taylor Swift songs while trying my best to be productive. I reached my hands into my pocket to grab my AirPods but they came out empty-handed. The split second of confusion was immediately followed by panic. I rifled through my bag as fast as I could, and after finding nothing in the hot garbage of my backpack, I asked to go to the gym lockers to see if I had left them there last period. That was the second time I’d lost my AirPods. The first time, I had found them in my bag after searching the entire school and rummaging through Brian Moran’s hoard of lost devices, but this time, they were gone for good. FindMy tracking was useless, and I still

remove it—and the misinformation surrounding the student body of Stuyvesant that simultaneously feeds into racist stereotypes. Hence, when discussing feeder schools, the distinction between public and private feeder schools is noteworthy, especially in the case of Stuyvesant High School.

Trinity School in New York

over $70,000 more than the New York City median income of $70,633. These students have college guidance tutors, supplement editors, and donations available to get them into elite universities, hence the use of the term “daddy’s money,” implying that an individual’s familial wealth brought them success. Furthermore, the majority

Stuyvesant High School is a public high school located in Tribeca, New York, and is currently ranked as the third top high school in New York City; historically, it has often been ranked first. In Tribeca, often known as the wealthiest neighborhood in the United States, the median household income is $226,551, about $150,000 more than the median income in New York City. However, these numbers do not reflect the wealth of all Stuyvesant students: 48 percent of Stuyvesant students qualify for free or reduced school lunches, and most do not live in Tribeca. This makes Stuyvesant unlike other feeder schools, as the success of the students is not granted by money. The majority of Stuyvesant students are Asian and have immigrant parents who came to the United States with close to nothing and built businesses from the ground up to provide a better future for their families. Despite this, specialized high schools are still characterized by the stereotype that the students who are accepted have wealthy Asian parents that push them into tutoring from an early age, explaining the “predominantly upper-class white and Asian as those are the communities that can pay for the SHSAT exam prep” comment. Not only does this stereotype spread misinformation regarding the demographics of the student body, but it also fuels the racist Asian “tiger parents” stereotype and the stereotype that most Asians are wealthy. Since roughly one in three students at Stuyvesant

Lose Things, Not Yourself

have no idea where they went to this day. My parents were, needless to say, upset, but there was not much to do about it after a couple of days of searching. It felt horrible at the moment, and there was, of course, the awful loss of control.

Nothing sucks more than being a person who likes to have a sense of control but has a tendency to lose things. I’ve lost my AirPods, wallet, golden chain, a key or two, and three bracelets in the span of a couple of weeks. And those are just some of the more important items I’ve lost.

It’s a rare occasion for me not to lose my writing utensils between first and 10th period. I mean, we’ve all been there: the sinking feeling when you realize you’ve lost something important and don’t know when or where or how you lost it. It’s one of the most mundane mysteries that either ends in relief or grief. Everything I lose is usually there one second and then sud-

denly gone in the blink of an eye. While the loss is a day-to-day occurrence andthere’s nothing to do but move on, it becomes a problem both physically and mentally once it becomes a recurring issue.

Less than a week after I lost those AirPods, I lost my wallet but found it the day after. The relief was immense when I found it deep down in the laundry hamper. I then lost not one, not two, but three bracelets made and given to me as a gift. I experienced immense guilt over this because, though they weren’t necessarily expensive, the thought and meaning behind these items made them invaluable to me. At this point, I’ve just accepted that I have a tendency to lose things, and the repeated shock of realization followed by the instant dread of what my parents will say is becoming exhausting.

It’s weird how physical objects have such a hold over us. Perhaps it depends on their price

come from low-income neighborhoods, it is safe to say that the reason for their acceptance into Stuyvesant and academic success cannot be solely attributed to money, a considerable difference from private feeder schools. Furthermore, since many Stuyvesant students are second-generation students whose parents did not attend distinguished universities, their success cannot be attributed to purely legacy admissions either, another prominent difference.

However, Stuyvesant students are still privileged in the college admissions process for attending a specialized high school. Stuyvesant has numerous hard-working college counselors, college fairs, and a dedicated alumni association, all of which increase a student’s chance of getting into their top university. Furthermore, Stuyvesant offers a wide variety of extracurriculars and classes that students can take to improve their application and pursue their interests, a value that not all schools cater to. Hence, it is important to acknowledge the privilege that Stuyvesant still holds, despite it being a public school. Nevertheless, the usage of the phrase “feeder school” to express that the only reason Stuyvesant students are going to top colleges tosses all of our effort into the trash.

It should not be shameful that Stuyvesant is a feeder school, since we are indeed a college preparatory school that sends numerous students off to prestigious universities every year. Rather, it is the context in which the term is being used, as some individuals undermine the accomplishments of students and use it as an excuse to spread racist ideology. To the graduating class of 2023 and every future graduating class that will almost inevitably receive the same comments, be proud of that “feeder school” label and laugh at that “daddy’s money” comment— you deserve it.

or the consequences that come along with the loss. Though I should take better care of my things, oftentimes it’s not really my fault when I lose things—it just happens. I’ve been trying to keep mental notes in my head whenever I put down or place something important somewhere or just be attentive in general, but sometimes there’s just nothing to do. Yet the consequences seem to be brutal. The feeling of loss doesn’t come from the absence of the item itself but from what losing the item says about you. Losing an item comes with the heavy price tag of not only a sense of stability but also trustworthiness. I didn’t just lose my AirPods, chain, or whatever it may be, but I also lost my parents’ trust and gained a reputation of carelessness. There are awful feelings that come with repeatedly losing things, ranging from stress to despair, and it certainly has an emotional toll. When we lose

things, we search frantically, and we start asking ourselves stressful questions. Where was it put last? Where was the last time I remember holding it? Who was around me? These questions quickly turn into blame, often towards ourselves. What is wrong with me? Why do I keep losing things?

I think the people connected to the items we may have lost or will lose should be more understanding and offer consolation rather than condemnation. This includes not just parents, family, friends, and significant others, but ourselves. There are so many factors in life, and things just happen. Losing something can be anything from a slightly annoying occurrence during the day to the final straw in a series of mishappenings that lead to a complete breakdown. But we should try our best to accept losses, forgive others and ourselves, and understand that, beyond all else, we are human.

Rhea Malhotra / The Spectator

By SASHA KIRBY

After hours of intricate traditional ceremonies, nearly 20 million watched as the diamond-encrusted 1661 St. Edward’s Crown was placed on the head of King Charles III on May 6. Tens of thousands crowded the streets of London, waiting for a glimpse of the new king descending the steps of Westminster Abbey. Newsstands were adorned with plastic crowns and Union Jacks, while magazines and newspapers were plastered with photographs of Charles III. Some might call this the event of the year or, really, the century. However, not all were cheering for the new monarch and his wife, Camilla Parker Bowles. In a nation that is viewed so synonymously with the crown, why did this coronation divide the population to such an extent?

Endless streams of courtiers prepared every corner of Westminster Abbey and each seating arrangement, amounting to an approximately $125 million ordeal. This staggering extravagance stands in cruel contrast to

By JOANNE HWANG

Since the 2023 college admissions results came out, my TikTok has been flooded with college acceptance, rejection, and high school statistics videos. While the videos are mainly filled with tears of joy and pride from families, I’ve also seen videos of people having to turn down their dream schools due to a lack of financial aid. The one aspect of college that most families and students always stress over is the cost. While it’s known that the cost of attending college is rising, the impact of wealth on education stems all the way back to elementary school.

Education is meant to be an equal playing field for everyone, regardless of wealth, social status, or family legacy, to succeed. However, with rising inflation and fierce competition to attend top universities, the cost of quality education is rising. Teachers remain underpaid, the cost to expand programs and administrative staff is high, and states are experiencing funding cuts. Schools are struggling to funnel more money into maintaining facilities, quality instruction, and academic support, which increases costs and widens the gap between low-income and affluent students. We are told that success in academics is earned through hard work and dedication. In reality, however, whether or not children can access quality education is becoming more dependent on wealth.

Georgetown University’s Center on Education reported that disparities between children can be seen as early as kindergarten. In the report, only one quarter of children with the lowest socioeconomic status (SES) scored above the median math score, while 74 percent of those with the highest SES scored above

the living crisis that has plunged millions of people into huge economic strain this year. An estimated 14.4 million people are now living in poverty in the UK, which represents 22 percent of the population. As a result, approximately 500,000 UK public sector workers have been on strike for wages that keep pace

with soaring inflation this year. There has been no response from any royal family member, only a ceremony paid for by the same taxpayers who are protesting because they cannot afford the cost of living and millions squandered in a two-hour event hanging on to antiquated traditions of the past.

Calls to abolish the monarchy have been increasing for a few years now. A survey conducted

by the National Centre for Social Research shows that 45 percent of the British population either support the abolition of the monarchy, believe the monarchy is not at all important, or believe it is not very important, a clear increase from the same survey conducted only two years ago. Though some philosophic types have always argued against one bloodline having such power over a country, most have accepted the crown as a simple part of their lives. In no other country is the monarchy so inextricably linked to the culture and symbolic meaning of its nation. The monarchy serves as the ultimate symbol of structural inequality in Britain, which was built on the back of the prolific history of slavery in

Britain. From the 15th century to the early 19th century, the monarchy greatly profited from and protected the trafficking of human beings. This has, again, never been fully addressed by any member of the royal family.

Queen Elizabeth II was a widely respected and even loved figure in British society. This is

charm, and soon, she was coined the princess of the people, easily overshadowing the future king. When the BBC publicized news of Charles’s private conversations with his mistress, Camilla, Diana was solidified as the victim in a scandal of enormous reach. After she tragically died in 1997, many blamed Charles and his caddish actions. Diana’s story loomed over the coronation, already tarnishing the very short reign of King Charles III.

vastly different from the reception Charles received leading up to his coronation, and even now, after his installation as King. Many simply do not like him. His wedding to Diana Spencer in 1981 was one of the most anticipated weddings ever, a representation of a true fairy tale to many at the time. Diana aptly captured the hearts of millions through her youthful beauty and

Why the Divide?: A Fractured Royal Family Fails to Heal Royal Rifts The Cost of Education

the median score. Since children from low-income families struggle to get tutoring resources or are occupied with taking care of their families, the rift between students with high socioeconomic status and low socioeconomic status only increases.

Wealth inequality is also reflected in New York high school dropout rates. While schools have decreased high school dropout rates to 5.8 percent in 2020, low-income students are still over 10 times more likely to drop out of high school than high-income students due to academic difficulties or the need to aid their families in tasks such as taking care of their siblings or working a job during the day. Students drop out of school to help their families, but in doing so, they are unable to improve their circumstances through quality education.

For the students who make it through the arduous high school years, money, once again, poses a challenge to many students who get accepted into their dream universities. Colleges have been raising their tuitions to combat inflation and the reduction of government aid. Various universities, such as Boston University, raised their cost by over four percent. Due to the increasing costs of college, the undergraduate enrollment rate has dropped from 2019 to 2022, and 82 percent of families said that financial aid was “extremely necessary” in order to afford college.

The impact of wealth in education tells students that it is better to be wealthy than smart, discouraging low-income students from pursuing higher education. Only 60 percent of lowest-SES students actually perceive themselves as likely to attend college compared to the 91 percent on the other end of the spectrum because money plays too much of a role in education. Students

need money to access academic opportunities, like tutoring and afterschool programs, and schools also tend to promote careers that make money over cultivating passions and creativity. Students who are unable to afford these resources ultimately face a disadvantage that affects them throughout their academic careers.

Stuyvesant students are fortunate to attend a school with

substantially higher than the rest of the state. Stuyvesant students are just a few of the millions of students in New York City alone attending schools with high graduation rates and high math and literacy scores.

However, factors such as tuition and legacy cause disparities between high- and low-income students in schools regardless of prestige. Colleges give preference to students with a family legacy,

Will the struggle and division over the coronation of King Charles III cast a shadow over his coming reign? Public opinion of Charles is already low, and the popularity of the monarchy, in general, is decreasing. The monarchy has yet to acknowledge its ill-acquired wealth and how that has impacted millions of its citizens. Even though many regard the monarch as a figurehead of sorts, the crown holds immense power, and yet little of this is being used effectively. The monarchy cannot stay silent on its complicity in the repulsive actions of its past.

easily accessible resources. Programs such as the Writing Center, ARISTA, and AIS tutoring, are set to support students who are struggling academically. Stuyvesant has a plethora of resources, like the Alumni Association and clubs, that enable students to gain mentoring, find their passions, and succeed in class. Stuyvesant also has a near-perfect graduation rate and proficiency scores

which benefits higher-income students, and students of wealthy alumni, who donate money to distinguished universities, are 45 percent more likely to be accepted into a selective college. Stuyvesant students with more connections with professionals, like doctors, scientists, and professors, have opportunities to improve their chances at college admissions. Students from lower-

income families don’t have the luxury of paying for expensive summer programs and have to worry about tuition and scholarships when applying for college. Though the effect at Stuyvesant may not be as obvious, the impact of economic status still favors the wealthy. Students should work toward providing tutoring to communities outside of Stuyvesant and offer free tutoring to low-income students in middle and elementary schools. Additionally, there needs to be an increase in easily accessible financial aid opportunities for low-income students, as many students don’t receive enough financial aid to attend their dream colleges. While there has been an increase in meritbased scholarships, these favor students who have the money to pay for additional academic resources. Governments need to funnel resources to low-income students and focus on needbased scholarships. To provide more students with higher education, the financial aid system should meet the demands of students. Increased grants that focus on need and merit, and using increased student aid as an incentive, such as providing students who complete their first year with more aid their second year, can help students attend college. State governments need to recognize the importance of funding education, grants, and scholarship programs in order to support all students.

Education is an opportunity for anyone to turn their lives around, achieve their goals, and strive for their dreams with the help of knowledge, social skills, and connections. Instead, academic success is influenced by the income a student's family has, and that needs to change. Quality education is for everyone, not just those who can afford it.

The monarchy serves as the ultimate symbol of structural inequality in Britain, which was built on the back of the prolific history of slavery in Britain.

Stacey Chen / The Spectator

By JAYDEN ZHANG

Whether you are waking up from a long nap or staying up late studying for finals, the impulse to yawn can seem unavoidable. Just like blinking or breathing, yawning is a universal experience. However, the process of yawning is special due to its ability to be contagious. If people around you are yawning, you are far more likely to yawn as well. Yawns are typically associated with fatigue and tiredness, but ongoing research has found evidence supporting new theories surrounding this involuntary phenomenon.

Yawning is a reflex that involves a deep inhalation, widening of the jaw, and a rapid exhalation of air. This benign phenomenon has been widely analyzed by renowned scientists, but only theories for its cause have arisen over the years. One theory revolves around equalizing air pressure surrounding the ear drums. Traveling inside an airplane or driving through a tunnel causes the air pressure around the ears to change drastically, resulting in the well-known popping sensation that we have likely all experienced. To combat this, yawning helps equalize the air pressure by opening the Eustachian tubes, which connect the ears to the throat. Another theory on why yawning exists is to regulate the brain’s temperature. Since the brain produces heat energy from its many processes, increasing airflow helps decrease the brain’s temperature, allowing for ideal neural activity to continue. Though yawning is typically associated with exhaustion, it has also been theorized that the action helps us stay alert.

Stop Making Me Yawn

This makes biological sense, as being tired limits reflex mobility, thus creating an undesirable vulnerability. The process of yawning is facilitated by molecules like oxytocin and dopamine, which release neurotransmitters such as adenosine and catecholamines. These neurotransmitters are nor mally associated with increasing alertness, providing an ef fect similar to caffeine. Yawning has been shown to be more frequent during slow, non-interactive activities––when oxytocin and dopamine are at their peaks. Though these theories explain the cause of yawning, none of them provide a reason for its contagiousness.

A plausible theory explaining contagious yawning comes from the evolution ary context behind hu mans and chimpanzees (e.g. group hunting). Yawning is believed to be an ancient method of communication between members of a group. Researchers suspect that yawning was able to indicate the conditions of the environment, conveying if it was safe enough to sleep in an area or if the group should search for a different location. This method of communication allowed for social alertness and increased cognitive performance within ancient primate groups of these species. Interestingly, while yawn-

ing has been shown as a common trait in almost all mammals, contagious yawning has only been seen in humans and chimpanzees. Among other mammals like dogs, there is limited evidence support

emotional responses.

However, the theory that is most probable is the correlation between contagious yawning and social empathy. Contagious yawning is theorized to be derived from social mirroring—unconscious imitation of another’s actions, behaviors, or attitudes. Special brain cells called mirror neurons are responsible for this, firing either when we perform an action or when others are observed performing the same action. Applying this concept, psychologists have proven that more empathic people (i.e. stronger ability to sense other people’s feelings) are more likely to undergo contagious yawning. Empathic people tend to experience more social mirroras their mirror neurons are more tuned to interpreting the actions of others.

video of their mothers yawning, 22 young children responded by yawning, but upon viewing videos of other people performing the same action, most did not yawn. It was also concluded that children under four contagiously yawn less, as their mirror neurons and ability to understand the concept of empathy are less developed.

contagious, yawning can also be attributed to this family of spontaneous reactions. Researchers have classified emotions like laughter and crying as positive interactions, as they convey feelings that strengthen connections. This could be by diffusing tense situations through joy or indicating comfort. As yawning is capable of conveying feelings like comfort, relaxation, and collective boredom, its importance is thought to be on par with other

Contagious yawning occurs more frequently between people who share a social bond. For instance, the likeliness of yawning from another person’s yawn would be higher if the individuals were family members rather than complete strangers. In other words, the strength of social bonds is proportional with the probability of contagious yawning due to increased empathy. An experiment was conducted based on this theory: When viewing a

Another well-studied concept is when yawns typically occur. Most of the time, yawns occur during sleep inertia. Sleep inertia is associated with the period of time before and after you normally sleep. Adenosine, a neurotransmitter that promotes sleep, builds up during the day to regulate sleep. To fight the build-up of adenosine, your body attempts to wake itself up through yawning to increase brain activity and blood flow. Furthermore, disruptions to the circadian rhythm result in irregularities in the amount of adenosine within the body, therefore causing additional yawning at sleep-wake cycles. Even with the extensive research regarding yawning and contagious yawning, only theories have arisen. Though yawning is often dismissed as an insignificant and even disrespectful gesture, its benefits like social connectivity should not be disregarded. Currently, clinical research on yawning’s connection to relieving symptoms of diseases like multiple sclerosis are in the works. The next time you unintentionally (or intentionally) cause a cascade of yawns within your friend group, remember that they are not mocking you, but rather subconsciously expressing their empathy and forging a stronger social bond.

Wait, He’s Actually Alive?—The Science Behind Frankenstein

By AARYA BALAKRISHNAN

A monstrous creation born from the fusion of science and fiction lurks in the dimly lit corners of the English department’s halls. Frankenstein by Mary Shelley is a fictional novel that tells the story of a young scientist who uses electricity to create a sentient creature out of corpses. The book gained immense popularity immediately after its publication in 1816, shocking readers with its gruesome portrayal of the consequences of creating life. It drew inspiration from 18th-century electrophysiology, which led to discoveries that are still significant today.

Shelley wrote Frankenstein shortly after the Enlightenment swept across Europe, emphasizing rationalism and scientific investigation. This fueled the development of many new medical fields, including electrophysiology, the study of electrical patterns in the body.

One particularly influential contributor to electrophysiology was 18th-century physician Luigi Galvani, who gained popularity through his experiments testing the effects of electricity on deceased animals. In his most popular experiment, he dissected frogs’ legs and attached brass hooks to their nerves. Galvani then charged an iron railing with electricity using a Leyden Jar, a device made with metal foil that accumulates and discharges energy. When the hooks touched the electrically charged railing, the frog legs twitched and convulsed as if the frog was still alive. Galvani’s observations suggested a direct relationship between electricity and muscle function; the study quickly

became widely renowned.

Galvani’s nephew, Giovanni Aldini, admired his uncle’s work and sought to build upon it several years later. Aldini used the novel technology of electric batteries to generate an electric current, which he brought into contact with body

ther, Aldini decided to test the effects of electricity on the human body. In 1803, Aldini attempted to reanimate a corpse by charging it with a direct electrical current. As a result, the cadaver’s eyes opened, jaw clenched, and hand raised. Aldini’s demonstrations captivat-

To explain these results, Galvani first hypothesized about “animal energy,” a small amount of electrical fluid inside all organisms. He thought that the brain secreted this substance, and that the movement of the fluid through the nerves contracted muscles. This theory became known as Galvanism and has since been widely disproven. It is now known that muscles move because of electrical messages sent from the brain through nerve cells called motor neurons. An electrical impulse fires through the motor neurons, which are connected by thin fibers called axons. When the electrical impulse reaches its directed muscle, a chemical is released that causes the muscle fibers to contract or expand. When large amounts of energy were applied to the animals’ muscles in Galvani’s and Aldini’s experiments, they mimicked the impulses sent by the brain, causing the muscle fibers to tense.

These experiments, while groundbreaking for their time, also have important ethical implications. One concern surrounding Galvani’s and Aldini’s experiments is about their cruel treatment of animals. Galvani’s and Aldini’s experiments took place within a different societal and scientific framework from today’s, when ethical standards regarding animal experimentation were not as well defined as they are today.

cal consequences is explored in Frankenstein; the creature Victor Frankenstein creates by infusing discarded body parts with energy later chastises Frankenstein for his reckless negligence toward life, arguing that the scientist inflicted immense pain on him.

Though there are many connections between Frankenstein and reality, there is no concrete evidence that electrical currents can be used to completely revive a long-dead person. Nevertheless, Galvani’s ideas about electrophysiology are still utilized today in the form of automated external defibrillators, devices that send an electrical shock to a patient's heart to restore a normal heartbeat. Usually, the brain sends an electric signal through the heart, causing the muscles to expand and contract to force blood out of one atrium and into the next. However, cardiac arrest causes the brain to send irregular impulses to the heart, leading to erratic heartbeat patterns called arrhythmias. Defibrillators solve this by delivering a strong electric shock that stops abnormal electrical impulses, allowing the regular heart rhythm to resume.

parts of deceased animals. Much to the audience’s surprise, the animals’ muscles contracted and shook. Eager to experiment fur-

ed audiences and sparked public curiosity about the possibilities and boundaries of electrophysiology.

As a result, Galvani often subjected live animals to various forms of electrical stimulation. Critics argue that these scientists performed their experiments without sufficient regard for the well-being and ethical treatment of the animals involved. Science’s all-too-frequent disregard of ethi-

In Frankenstein, Shelley uses a fictional narrative about the creation of a life to explore the intricate relationship between scientific advancement, popular media, and morality. The concept of electrophysiology that inspired the creation of Frankenstein’s creature continue to inspire modern revival technologies, such as the defibrillator. As we navigate the ever-evolving landscape of scientific discovery, it's important to practice fostering a future where science and ethics walk hand-inhand.

Zihe Huang / The Spectator

Joanna Meng / The Spectator

From Fuzzy to Clear: PRIMO For Messier 87

By MICHELLE NG

Stargazing can be a challenging activity. You squint your eyes, look up into the darkness and try to make out the stars dotting the night sky that appear as fuzzy white blurs. The naked eye cannot form clear images of objects that are at such a great distance from Earth. Even with the help of modern telescopes, it remains difficult to capture the entirety of celestial bodies due to their astonishing size and the physical limitations preventing humans from getting closer to them. To combat this, a group of astrophysicists developed methods based on artificial intelligence to enhance the study of our universe’s galaxies. One galaxy studied using such methods is the Messier 87 (M87).

The M87 is a giant elliptical galaxy situated 55 million light years from Earth in the constellation Virgo. Virgo contains dozens of known exoplanets— planets that orbit stars outside the solar system—and other Messier objects. Messier objects are astronomical objects first observed by 18th-century French astronomer Charles Messier. Some of them are bright enough to be observed with a small telescope, while others are better seen using a combination of larger, hightech telescopes that utilize artificial intelligence. M87 is the most powerful known source of radio energy and is also an extremely powerful X-ray source; it can release charged particles of radiation that travel through magnetic fields at almost the speed of light. M87 is composed of several trillion stars, approximately 15,000 globular star clusters (tightly packed collections of stars), and a supermassive black hole at its center. Black holes are typically formed when a star dies and a gravitational field so

strong that not even light can escape forms. Because no light escapes, black holes appear invisible to humans without the use of space telescopes. Notably, the supermassive black hole

tional lensing, which is the distortion of light resulting from the changing light emission as galaxies pass massive objects, displaying the M87’s iconic ring shape based on Einstein’s gen-

physically changed based on the massive objects that passed it.

of M87 is the first black hole to ever be directly imaged. The black hole has been under observation since the 1950s, when a compact radio source was found at its center.

The original image of M87’s black hole—released in 2019––was a major breakthrough for the field of astronomy—the photograph was direct proof that black holes exist. With today’s technology, images of M87 are successfully produced using the Event Horizon Telescope Collaboration (EHT), a global network of observatories that capture black hole emissions.

The EHT images the region most affected by strong gravita-

eral relativity predictions. The theory of gravity explains how gravitational strength causes galaxies to pull on other objects, distorting space and time, and ultimately forcing light to travel on a different path than it’s supposed to. The M87 image displayed a dark central region enclosed by a fuzzy orange ring. Images were taken over the course of six days, and successive images demonstrated slight changes in the structure of the black hole, suggesting that the structure in which the light emitted is subject to continual development. The changes in the way the light was bending proved that the black hole

In 2022, a team of EHT researchers led by Dr. Lia Medeiros of the Institute for Advanced Study began developing Principal-component Interferometric Modeling (PRIMO) technology. PRIMO technology is far more advanced than the EHT Collaboration used in the original image, as it utilizes artificial intelligence to compensate for missing spatial information affecting the observed objects. Interferometry refers to a measurement method based on the interference of waves, and in the case of space, by combining the light from two or more telescopes. This missing spatial information includes how deep and wide the central depression of the black hole is. PRIMO relies on dictionary learning, meaning its computers assess large sets of training materials in order to recognize patterns and generate rules in response. Through this algorithm, the research team fed PRIMO’s computers over 30,000 high-fidelity simulated black hole images. The computers used principal component analysis, which allows artificial intelligence to take a large set of data and reduce it into a much smaller set containing all the necessary information. This method allowed the team to use computers to identify and sort common patterns within the structures of each image based on their rarity of occurrence, focusing specifically on how the black holes accrete, or “eat” matter. Using newly acquired information on the structure of black holes, the computer estimated how the missing information would fit onto the M87, creating a clearer image of the blurry black hole.

Published in The Astrophysical Journal in April, the most recent image of M87 retains similar qualities to the original, as it is

consistent with previous EHT data and theoretical explanations. However, it shows a more defined bright ring of emission, which is expected to be produced by hot gas falling into the black hole. The orange ring is roughly two times slimmer than its original projected size, and there is a darker central brightness depression making up the inner shadow of a black hole. The new image has allowed astronomers to determine increasingly accurate measurements of the M87 black hole’s mass and perform more tests of its gravity. As Dr. Medeiros stated at the National Science Foundation News, “The fact that we see a thin ring is a very important and interesting constraint in terms of us understanding how the matter is falling into the black hole and what the environment is around the black hole.” Because the ring appears thinner, it suggests that the black hole has been accreting only a small amount of matter.

PRIMO has successfully created an image that could otherwise only be produced by a radio telescope as large as the Earth. The research team has developed innovative, precise ways for scientists to study objects in our universe. Machine learning tools such as PRIMO can be applied to other EHT observations, including those of Sagittarius A*, a black hole contained within our galaxy. Looking beyond astronomy, Dr. Medeiros believes that this modern technology can be utilized in various fields that apply interferometry, such as oceanography, medicine, and remote sensing. PRIMO could one day be used to enhance and accelerate scientific discoveries in a diverse range of fields, making it a crucial tool for future research and discovery of new sides of the universe.

Is The Grass(-fed Beef) Greener on the Other Side?

By OLIVIA ZHENG

As our population continues to grow, the state of industrial animal agriculture draws in more criticism. In a system plagued with health, environmental, and ethical violations, concerns have arisen surrounding this issue. Holistic grazing is one of several alternative methods of animal husbandry proposed as a solution.

Holistic grazing is a form of regenerative agriculture that involves moving cattle across different plots of land throughout the year. This system eliminates some of the concerns associated with concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs), as cattle are allowed to consume their natural diet of grass, and pastures can be less disruptive to natural habitats than CAFO facilities.

Consumers often consider grass-fed beef to be of higher quality than conventional grain-fed beef because of grass being a natural source of feed. In addition, many believe that

pastures are better for the environment than CAFOs. In CAFOs, livestock are confined indoors in highly crowded and unhygienic conditions in order to minimize production costs. This reality means that it is no surprise grassy hills can conjure up an image of environmental harmony, especially considering that these large livestock warehouses currently contain 70.4 percent of American cattle. But are such assumptions necessarily justified?

Holistic grazing mimics the natural grazing patterns of cattle and allows them to consume a diet their digestive systems are better suited for. When cattle are fed grain, they are at risk of developing liver abscesses (sites of inflammation). These abscesses can form from injuries or, more often, bacterial infections. Thus, antibiotics must be added to cattle grain feed in order to reduce the risk of infection, which in turn contributes to antibiotic resistance.

In general, grass-fed cattle live longer and healthier lives than

they would if confined to a CAFO.

While the cattle grow healthier, so does the environment. When cattle graze, they cause forage plants—vegetation grazed by livestock—to release sugars through their root systems. These nutrients from plant roots feed soil microorganisms. The manure produced by cattle also contributes to soil health. Cattle manure may be incorporated into the soil by the movement of cattle hooves, promoting the recycling of important soil nutrients like nitrogen. By increasing the capacity for plants to photosynthesize, this form of raising cattle aids in soil carbon sequestration. This means that more carbon from the atmosphere is captured in the soil, preventing it from contributing to damaging greenhouse effects.

However, holistic grazing has only been implemented on a small scale, and it will likely remain this way. A 2018 study found that U.S. pastureland is only capable of supporting ho-

listic grazing for 27 percent of all the cattle currently raised for beef production. This means that in order to completely shift from a system of windowless buildings to open pastures, more natural habitats in the U.S. and other nations would need to be destroyed for cattle production. Already 80 percent of deforested land in the Amazon Rainforest is used for cattle pastures.

When compared to grainfed cattle, grass-fed cattle also produce more methane, a more potent greenhouse gas than carbon. This is because grass is higher in cellulose (a part of plant cell walls) than grain is. Cattle are ruminant animals, meaning that they have fourchambered stomachs with microorganisms capable of digesting cellulose. Part of their digestive process, enteric fermentation, involves the breakdown of cellulose into volatile fatty acids that can be used by the cattle. This digestion results in the formation of hydrogen gas, carbon dioxide, and

acetate, which react to create methane and carbon dioxide.

These gasses are then expelled by cattle through belching and flatulation, entering our atmosphere and contributing to the greenhouse gas effect. In 2018, enteric fermentation comprised 28 percent of U.S. anthropogenic methane emissions. Though holistic grazing has the potential to benefit biodiversity and soil health, it is unfeasible to implement this alternative system on a scale capable of supporting current U.S. beef demands. Efforts to transition to less intensive forms of animal rearing should still be made, but they need to be accompanied by a significant shift to reduce our appetite for beef. So, while holistic grazing might not be widely implemented anytime soon, we can work on reducing demand by promoting vegetarianism and expanding the plant-based meat industry. If we continue to work toward reducing America’s appetite for beef, a greener future awaits.

Madison Li / The Spectator

Revolutionizing Healthcare: The Promise of Lab-Grown Blood

By RYAN LIN

You are donating blood at Stuyvesant’s annual blood drive. You watch your blood flow through the tube. Once the donation is complete, you grab a slice of pizza and a few snacks on your way back to class, wondering how important your blood really is to the world.

Patients undergoing surgery or suffering from traumatic injuries such as car crashes or gunshot wounds often require blood transfusions. However, these patients may not be able to receive the blood they need in time, either due to shortages or because they have rare blood types that make it difficult to find an exact blood match. Last year, the American Red Cross reported that it could only meet a quarter of hospital demand— the worst blood transfusion shortage in more than a decade. On a global scale, 61 percent of countries struggle with blood shortages. This includes every country in sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, and Oceania. When hospitals run low on blood, physicians are forced to make decisions on who the limited blood goes to, thus denying blood transfusions to other patients. Elective surgeries––procedures that don’t involve a medical emergency––are canceled first, giving priority to

more urgent surgeries that treat life-threatening conditions. Researchers hope to combat these shortages by creating blood artificially in laboratories. This process known as blood pharming is when scientists grow all the components of blood in a sterile setting. The components of whole blood include red and white blood cells and platelets, all of which are important for transfusions.

Last fall, researchers working with the National Health Service (NHS) Blood and Transplant organization were able to successfully grow blood. This artificially produced blood was then transfused into two people in a world-first clinical trial. Only a few spoonfuls were transfused, and no adverse effects were observed—a crucial step toward one day integrating these methods on a larger scale and preventing blood shortages. In the current production method, scientists begin with a typical donation of a pint of blood. Stem cells capable of becoming red blood cells are extracted from the blood using magnetic beads. Scientists are able to utilize these beads efficiently since the significant iron content of healthy red blood cells makes them magnetic. Over the course of three weeks, approximately half a million extracted stem cells

are cultivated in a nutrient-rich medium. The initial population grows into 50 billion red blood cells, which are then filtered, resulting in 15 billion red blood cells that are fit for transfusion.

Scientists will continue to study the effects of lab-grown blood on the human body through further clinical trials. Though the original trial only had two participants, they hope to expand the study by testing the blood in at least 10 healthy volunteers. These volunteers will receive two blood donations of five to 10 milliliters at least four months apart from each other. To test for any side effects, one blood transfusion will be a control (normal blood), while the other will be lab-grown. The blood will also contain a radioactive tracer, allowing scientists to observe how long it lasts in the body. Since red blood cells normally last for around 120 days before being replaced by stem cells, typical blood donations contain a mix of young and old red blood cells. However, labgrown blood will be completely new, theoretically lasting for the full 120 days before needing to be replaced. When patients receive frequent transfusions, they risk developing an excessive amount of iron in their bodies. Therefore, patients who require regular long-term blood

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transfusions would need fewer transfusions if the radioactive tracers show that the lab-grown blood does last longer.

Scientists also aim to eventually grow rare types of blood using rare blood donations, allowing more people to access their exact blood type for transfusions. Finding compatible donors is extremely important, as transfusions between incompatible blood types cause the immune system to attack the donated blood cells. For instance, fewer than 50 people in the world have the Rh-null blood type, making it the rarest globally. People with this blood type are only able to receive blood that is also Rh-null, making it an extremely dangerous and hard task when a transfusion is needed. If scientists are able to grow these rare types of blood, these individuals will no longer be burdened with the task of locating a donor. In contrast, people with O+ red blood cells are most common, making up 38 percent of the population. However, O- blood is known as the universal donor and has the highest demand because any blood type can receive it.

Genetic modifications of the blood to deliver enzymes and other therapeutics to those with blood disorders is also a future goal for this new technol-

ogy. For instance, the clotting and oxygen-delivery capabilities of lab-grown blood could be adjusted based on a patient’s medical needs. This may be especially helpful for individuals with sickle cell anemia, a disease that results in a chronically low oxygen level in the blood. These capabilities could also be useful for postpartum hemorrhaging, pre-surgical preparations, and transplant organ perfusion. During these operations, patients with hemophilia—the reduced ability to form blood clots—often risk excessive bleeding. The transfusion of blood modified to clot can decrease the risks that come with these procedures.

Despite the myriad possibilities for lab-grown blood, there are also financial and technological obstacles that come with large-scale applications. Compared to the average blood donation, which only costs the NHS around $100 to manage, growing blood artificially could cost thousands of dollars per unit to produce. The harvested stem cells will also eventually exhaust themselves, limiting the amount of blood that can be grown. With more research, perhaps scientists will be able to overcome these challenges and produce volumes of lab-grown blood at a clinically viable level.

Thinkpiece Appease the Audience

By MUNEM TAJWAR and TESSA KOLOVARSKY

From short, quirky reviews on Letterboxd to snippets of films on TikTok, social media has been steadily overtaken by content relating to the film and television industry. With a deepening relationship between the two, the film industry has developed an increased reliance on social media and is now being altered and expanded in line with the wishes of social media users.

Alongside the rise of TikTok has come the escalation of fan culture, which has now gained a greater reach due to high usership and TikTok’s features, which allow creators to easily post edits or fancams of popular films. Prominent on the For You pages of most users, these fan posts have time and time again been able to catch the attention of producers and studios. With the release of Wednesday (2022- ), for instance, the show’s now-iconic prom dance scene was captured, reposted, and edited all over TikTok. Set to the track of Lady Gaga’s “Bloody Mary” (2011), the song’s secondparty social media fame was able to launch it back onto the Billboard Top 100 for the first time since its release.

Twitter has also become increasingly influential, boasting 450 million active users per month, including politicians, celebrities, and journalists. Twitter reaches diverse communities around the world, thereby inducing plentiful and rich discussions surrounding entertainment. Elon Musk’s recent purchase of Twitter led to the expansion of its capacity for free discussion, and it now hosts users that are more vocal than ever before. In a 2013 study conducted by Nielsen Media Research, it was determined that in 29 percent of sampled cases, Twitter activity by means of engaging with posts on the site—whether by posting, reposting, or responding—increased the entertainment industry’s viewership rates. Twitter’s

quick-read nature and increasing number of users allows for on-thenose film commentary, encouraging the large-scale discussion of entertainment.

Hit HBO series Euphoria’s (2019- ) social media popularity is a shining example of the huge role platforms can play in a show’s success. The teen drama—whose star-

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over 34 million tweets regarding the show had been posted since its release, making Euphoria “the most tweeted show of the decade.” This overwhelming relevance online stems from its relatability to teenagers and young adults, including topical commentary on growing up in the Internet era. Characters like Kat (Barbie Fereira) struggle to find

Vicky He / The Spectator

their shows through verified account posts and fan interactions on social media platforms. Outside of increasing viewership rates, social media can also serve as a deeply impactful means of communication between the average viewer and massive movie studios. A recent example of this is the “Release the Snyder Cut” campaign against Warner Bros. The campaign called for the restoration of an original cut from the 2017 Justice League film by Zack Snyder, which was scrapped and reshot by Joss Whedon after Snyder had to step away from the project due to personal issues. After the release of a poorly-received 2017 version, fans took to social media platforms such as Twitter, Instagram, and Youtube, spreading a campaign for Zack Snyder to finish the story he created. There were reportedly hundreds of thousands of daily tweets in 2019, the campaign’s peak, petitioning for the release of the original film cut. Eventually, even the film’s own stars—Jason Momoa, Ben Affleck, Gal Gadot, and Ray Fisher—lent their voices on social media, directly quoting the movement and supporting fans. In addition to petitioning, fans worldwide used social media to promote and fund projects to help garner attention for their cause, most notably through multiple Times Square billboards and flying ads. This campaign’s ultimate success single-handedly heightened expectations for studio accountability; releasing the movie of a man shunned by his company undeniably proved social media’s real impact on the film and television industry.

Sizzle in the Melting Pot

By THE ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT DEPARTMENT

Whether you’re a Michelinstarred masterchef or a glorified dishwasher, there’s always something to do in the kitchen. As you embark on your culinary journey, this playlist will act as your sous chef.

Ayonha Hamid Al Shaeri

Egyptian pop

Shakara

Fela Kuti

Afrobeat

Right Side of My Neck

Faye Webster

Indie

studded cast features the likes of Zendaya, Sydney Sweeney, Jacob Elordi, and Hunter Schafer—has become one of the most popular shows of the decade, largely due to its coverage on social media. Just last year, Twitter revealed that

an identity within the toxic nature of online culture, resonating with many teenage viewers who share this struggle. Studios and directors have noticed social media’s undeniable power and have now begun to take advantage of it by advertising

Now taking note of the power of social media, many platforms have become increasingly industrialized by advertisers and producers of new projects, aiming to convince the public to watch and support new entertainment. Social media has proven through four-word Twitter campaigns, fan edits, and everything in between that—if used correctly—it has the potential to

Art Stuyvesant’s Muralistic HeArt

By SOPHIA HE

It comes as no surprise that Stuyvesant High School is known for its rigorous STEM courses, which are deeply ingrained in both the school’s curriculum and philosophy. However, Stuyvesant’s lesserknown talent lies in the arts, and the school manages to capture its vivacious spirit with brilliant precision through its many murals, including Alice on the Wall, the murals on the Sophomore and Senior Bars, the student-painted music mural, and larger artist-commissioned works.

One way Stuyvesant showcases students’ impressive artistic abilities is through the mural by the Tribeca Bridge. Stuyvesant collaborated with CITYarts, an organization dedicated to transforming neighborhoods by working with students and artists, to create the Alice on the Wall mural at the base of the bridge’s stairs. Rich colors depict the Alice in Wonderland protagonist in her signature blue dress, hidden in various city scenes in a Where’s Waldo?-esque work. In one scene, the Cheshire cat sits in a tall tree looming over Alice’s head, and warped, distorted buildings stand tall around her. Playing cards, flowers, and stars fan out across the mural so that no space is wasted. Over the years, the mural has been used as a backdrop for countless bake sales, lunchtime hangouts, and friendly conversations, but its significance extends beyond these fleeting events. The mural’s

maximalist portrayal of cherished childhood characters was originally used to inspire wonder, creativity, and love in the aftermath of 9/11, boosting both morale and Stuyvesant’s attendance rates. Alice now undergoes periodic revamps to maintain its pristine condition and allow new generations of students to express themselves. This year,

piece by the last day of school. Alice on the Wall is only one of Stuyvesant’s many displays of artistry. The Sophomore and Senior Bars—located on the sixth and second floors, respectively—are given complete makeovers every few years, when new hands, brushes, and paints are used to reinvent the murals to reflect the contem-

social spaces are often overrun with conversations on dreaded exams, discussions of weekend plans, and heated debates on the everlasting debate of Terry’s versus Ferry’s.

Alice and the bars are not the only areas at Stuyvesant where art is exhibited. On the first floor, a vibrant student-designed mural occupies one wall. The mural uses bold colors and squiggly lines in the form of curved instruments and treble clefs to welcome students to the nearby music classrooms. Space is the Place, a mural painted by selftaught Australian artist Vexta, covers a rounded wall on the fourth floor, home to the Mathematics Department. The mural consists of a simple dark background covered with geometric diamonds—some of which are colored with neon streaks, while others boast murky gradients. Geometric solids representing beautiful constellations in the night sky take up the space between the large diamonds. In addition, a sizable red mural painted by Japanese street artist SHIRO spans an entire fifth-floor wall, paying homage to the physical education and language staff who spend their weekdays there.

It’s Oh So Quiet Björk

Art Pop

Can You Get To That Funkadelic Funk

Isn’t She Lovely Stevie Wonder Soul

Kokomo, IN Japanese Breakfast

Alternative rock

Bad Girls

M.I.A. Rap

Title Music from Merchant Ivory’s film BOMBAY

TALKIE

Shankar-Jaikishan Soundtrack

De Camino a La Vereda

Buena Vista Social Club

Bolero

Stuyvesant students have undertaken the difficult task of refreshing the mural by scraping off the old layers of paint and applying new ones, adding their own touches to the original design. Students and CITYarts members started the project on May 1, and are diligently working every day to finish the

porary class’s vision. This year, for instance, the Sophomore Bar is being painted with a grand blue ship colored with yellow and purple accents. The bars not only display Stuyvesant’s ample (but often hidden) artistic talent, but also provide many opportunities for students in the same grade to connect. These

Despite being renowned for its advanced math and science courses, the school’s special knack for murals indicates its often overlooked artistic community. These murals brighten up the building and allude to the multidimensionality and diverse talents of the students within.

Two Worlds Apart Little Simz Rap

Courtesy of Joyti Nath

Students Scrape Alice in Wonderland Mural

A Journey to the Insect Kingdom: The Richard Gilder Center for Science, Education, and Innovation Culture

By GALEN JACK

Since it first opened its gates almost 150 years ago, the American Museum of Natural History has become an essential part of New York City’s cultural landscape, inviting millions of tourists and New Yorkers alike behind its vast, Gothic Victorian walls to learn about the natural world, which can often feel far away from the bustling cityscape. While this mission has remained constant, the methods the museum uses to display its collection have changed as technology has progressed. Today, exhibits with digital components, such as the Hayden Planetarium and various movie theaters, allow the museum to educate visitors about the sciences by presenting them with artifacts and specimens and immersing them in the intricate processes of nature.

This approach is exemplified by the museum’s latest addition, the Richard Gilder Center for Science, Education, and Innovation, which opened on May 4. Every aspect of this new wing immerses visitors, from the decor to the exhibits to the building’s architecture. The façade resembles an ancient rock face that has slowly weathered into a cave system, with deeply recessed windows framed by wavy granite curves. At the center of the exterior, there is an enormous glass panel with a line of doors at its base that act as the wing’s primary entrance. This cave-like structure beckons visitors to explore the museum and its hidden mysteries.

Like its exterior, the interior of the Richard Gilder Center is stylistically organic, but instead of drawing inspiration from cave sys-

tems, it resembles the structures produced by living things. The space, which consists of a cavernous central hall flanked by three levels of terraces and criss-crossing walkways, replicates the winding

the bottom floor of the Richard Gilder Center explore the natural phenomena the building’s architecture draws inspiration from.

The first of these exhibits is the insectarium, featuring hundreds of

of the installation is a feeding area full of plants being slowly eaten by the tiny insects. After gathering their food, the ants carry it on their backs, scaling a ladder and crossing a rope bridge along the ceiling of

um allows visitors to mingle with thousands of live butterflies as they learn about their life cycles and the importance of insect conservation. The multicolored butterflies that flutter around as museum employees teach add poignancy to the exhibit’s educational aspect that dead insects behind glass can rarely evoke. The Invisible Worlds Immersive Experience achieves similar results but through a completely different approach: transporting visitors into a room entirely composed of screens— including an interactive screen on the floor—that simulate a variety of different ecosystems, ranging from the ocean to the tropical rainforest. This immerses visitors in diverse natural processes, such as photosynthesis and the water cycle, allowing them to participate in these phenomena by directing water flow through plant roots or transporting the chemicals in a leaf with their feet. This addition to the museum complements its vast dioramas and thousands of specimens; instead of staring at a diagram of an ecosystem, wondering how all of the species fit together, visitors can now interact with the plants and animals, deepening their understanding through hands-on learning.

passages of an anthill. The third floor continues this theme with a vast library supported by columns resembling enormous gilled mushrooms and contains thousands of scientific volumes that allow visitors to further explore the curiosity that the new wing inspires.

Similarly, the exhibits that line

live species and pinned specimens. The exhibit is enhanced by educational videos describing the role of insects in their ecosystems and the steps we can take to protect them. Despite the flashing screens and breathtaking specimens, the exhibit’s showstopper is its leafcutter ant colony installation. One side

the insectarium to bring their food to the underground nesting area, on full display behind a sheet of glass. This immersive design brings visitors into the colony, portraying ants as highly intelligent and social creatures that are vital to the environment.

Upstairs, the butterfly vivari-

The Richard Gilder Center allows its visitors to see the world as insects and inspires them with what these insects are capable of. From ants that carry leaves 20 times their body weight to bees that are essential to our agricultural industry, the immersive power of this new wing transforms insects from pests to biological marvels and emphasizes our responsibility as humans to protect them.

Fake Drake and the AI Debate Music

By SOMERSET SEIDENBERG and ALEXANDER HINCHLIFFE

Every day, a technological takeover draws closer as new gizmos and gadgets are introduced to the world. One frightening development has been the emergence of music created by artificial intelligence: with AI growing more powerful and accessible, creators online have been utilizing the technology to create entire songs with AI vocals. A prime example is the viral “Boy’s a liar, Pt. 2” cover by AI Joe Biden and Barack Obama, a TikTok-born cultural lovechild between the commander-in-chief and incumbent princess of New York drill. Besides being an Internet milestone, the song accurately encapsulates the current state of AI music: the vocals are choppy, with emphasis awkwardly placed on random syllables (Obama’s PinkPantheress is a clumsy half-falsetto) and frequent hiccups in cadence, but the voices are undoubtedly those of Presidents No. 44 and 46. Some creators have gone past meme parodies, such as the AI Drake song “Heart On My Sleeve,” which features convincing vocals from robot Drizzy and even a feature from an AI The Weeknd. The lyrics were written and recorded by TikTok creator Ghostwriter, who transferred their voice to the likeness of Mr. Aubrey Graham through an AI voice changer software. But the song creates a believable illusion for listeners—Justin Bieber bars and emotional melodrama are

prime subject matter for the 6ix God, the instrumental is trendy, and the song’s AI artists have few performance glitches—causing some to mistake the track as an official song. To produce an AI vocal track like that of “Heart On My Sleeve,” any tech-savvy person can simply record themselves performing a part and run the audio through a voice changer, then place the vocals on an instrumental. In addition to voice impersonation, the rise of OpenAI’s language model ChatGPT has opened the door to automated songwriting. Give the AI a prompt such as “Write me a rap song in the style of 21 Savage explaining the importance of getting a colonoscopy” (an actual song the A&E department produced) and it will churn out verses and a chorus lyrically consistent with your chosen artist.

But when AI shifts from harmless TikTok videos to profitable works that imitate real creators, the issue of copyright laws arises. Just after the release of “Heart On My Sleeve,” Universal Music Group (UMG), which represents Drake— as well as a third of the music market—spoke out against the use of AI to emulate an artist’s style. “We have a moral and commercial responsibility to our artists to work to prevent the unauthorized use of their music and to stop platforms from ingesting content that violates the rights of artists and other creators,” UMG explained to the Financial Times. The company successfully scrubbed the track from most streaming services, though they could not stop Ghostwriter from

releasing an expanded AI Drake album, Sincerely, Aubrey, on YouTube. Some artists, however, have encouraged the use of AI in music. Canadian musician Grimes addressed the controversy on Twitter, declaring she has no problem with AI using her voice, as long as she receives compensation: “I’ll split 50 [percent] royalties on any successful AI[-]generated song that uses my voice,” Grimes stated. “I like the idea of open[-]sourcing all art.” Despite the variety of responses, the lack of legal precedent surrounding AI keeps the ownership of an artist’s voice and aesthetic undecided.

Though the online traction of AI artist interpretations is newfound, early AI pattern recognition software was already being used to generate songs in the 1950s, and deepfakes—AI systems that can mimic speech configurations— emerged back in the ‘90s. Today, creators of AI works are able to utilize these mechanics, along with writing modules such as ChatGPT, to create a new form of music. A major question this poses is if AIgenerated songs can legally be considered original music, stressing when, exactly, innovation becomes pure impersonation. Controversies of this nature surfaced in 2021 regarding Andy Warhol’s Prince Series (1984), which consists of a set of silk-screened Prince portraits based on photographer Lynn Goldsmith’s 1981 photo of the iconic American singer. Arguing that the series lacked “a fundamentally different and new artistic purpose and character,” Goldsmith took the case to the Supreme Court, suing the

Andy Warhol Foundation for the unlicensed use of her work. The Foundation contended that Warhol’s interpretation of the photo was transformative and that he translated Goldsmith’s work into a new, original context. While the Supreme Court originally sided with the Andy Warhol Foundation, Goldsmith’s appeal prompted a second decision in her favor on May 18, 2023, when the court decided Warhol’s piece was created without a “purpose and character… sufficiently distinct from the original.”

AI creators can argue that training AI to mimic an artist’s music is comparable to human artists taking inspiration from existing works. Ghostwriter’s album reflects clear lyrical and musical consideration created through human effort, which can be seen as transformative in the same vein as Warhol’s stills. In an article by Harvard Law, law expert Louis Tompros suggests AI creators could respond to artists like Drake and The Weeknd by arguing that “the lyrics are different, the music is different. It’s a different song, and [they] don’t have rights to this.” Like Warhol, Ghostwriter and other AI creators could claim their work to be transformative, since it introduces new elements to replicated works. However, the recent Supreme Court decision complicates this distinction: Ghostwriter’s AI Drake album can be considered blatant imitation because it directly impersonates Drake’s style and voice, innate parts of his identity.

The legal regulations with copyright concerning this form of music remain unknown, and as labels and

AI creators clash, our understanding of what is transformative art versus plain impersonation may never be fully defined. Nevertheless, we can confidently expect to see music industry executives scramble to protect their artists’ voices, crossing our fingers that, when it comes to music, listeners will value humans over robots. The technology for AI music is only bound to improve; the concept of an entirely AI-generated song becomes increasingly probable as ChatGPT lyrics can be combined with software producing chord progressions, melodies, and beats. Despite this, human-created music is likely to remain superior to its AI counterparts. “When music gets cleaned up too much, listeners lose opportunities to connect their imperfections with those in the music, the human traces that might otherwise reach the ear and burrow into the heart,” long-time Bruce Springsteen fan Warren Zane remarked in a New York Times article idolizing The Boss. AI music is inherently founded on the reproduction of established human music, making it only a pale imitation of the artistic genius of our species. Language models like ChatGPT are entirely referential in nature; lyrics are written “in the style of” certain artists and follow traditional song structure norms. Voice changers can copy the timbre of artists but cannot replicate the same emotion they bring to their original records. Until AI can truly create entirely original works (if ever), the staying power of human expression that makes music so special will prevail over the robot invasion.

Iris Lin / The Spectator

Arts and Entertainment

Marvel Is Back in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 Film

By SOFIA SEN

Marvel Studios’s Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is a breath of fresh air amidst the endless copyand-paste superhero movies of the last few years. With its generous blend of humor, action, and drama, it is a perfect final installment that brings Marvel back to the basics, reassuring fans that there is still hope for the franchise.

Vol. 3 picks up right after the catastrophes of Avengers: Endgame (2019), with a disarrayed crew suffering from the death of one of its members, Gamora (Zoe Saldana). This loss is especially devastating for Gamora’s former boyfriend, Starlord (Chris Pratt), who spends his time drunk and depressed, effectively forcing Rocket Raccoon (Bradley Cooper) to take up the mantle as team leader. When Rockett is injured, however, the Guardians must enlist the help of

a stoic alternate-universe Gamora to take down the High Evolutionary (Chukwudi Iwuji), a powerful being who is seeking revenge. Director James Gunn ends the trilogy on a high note, diving into the group’s shifting dynamic and uncertain future.

Vol. 3 maintains the series’s childlike sense of humor through the banter between the eclectic characters, with personalities like the strong but stupid Drax (David Bautista), loyal yet clueless Mantis (Pom Klementieff), and narcissistic cyborg Nebula (Karen Gillen) clashing throughout the film. These comedic moments do not undermine the film’s more serious themes; even with its quippy dialogue, the film focuses on heartwrenching storylines, delving into Rocket’s tragic past in an animal experimentation lab. Through this exploration of Rocket’s origin story, the character of the High Evolutionary is introduced.

Crazed and obsessive, the High Evolutionary does whatever it takes to create the “perfect species.” He is a menacingly effective villain, and Iwuji imbues him with a proper maniacal and unhinged edge. Vol. 3 keeps true to the musi-

cal roots of the trilogy, retaining the series’s infatuation with ‘70s and ‘80s music, a trend developed in the first two films through the

Beastie Boys’ “No Sleep Till Brooklyn” (1986), whose uplifting nature often juxtaposes the somber undertones of the film. The film also features stunning visual effects, flawlessly portraying colorful new planets and aliens. The one area the film falls short is its pacing. Despite being a staple of superhero movies, the frequent scene changes and fast jumps into action become jarring, and often create a detachment from the storylines.

frequent dance scenes and mixtape mash-ups. Vol. 3 features classics like Gloria Gaynor’s “I Will Survive” (1978) and the

Vol. 3 concludes the story of the Guardians as we know them, but leaves doors open for solo adventures, as teased in the classic Marvel post-credit scenes. While many character arcs are finalized, long-time fans can expect to see the crew pop into other Marvel films on the big screen. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is a strong ending to the beloved trilogy, tying up old storylines while leaving room for new ones.

In Search of the “Perfect” Album Music

Murder of the Universe (2017)

King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard Alternative rock

By THE ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT DEPARTMENT

Superache (2022)

Conan Gray Pop

King Gizzard’s heavy rock album

Murder of the Universe (2017) is one that stands out not only as a musical piece but as a work of intricate—and frankly bonkers—storytelling. MOTU is a concept album, with its songs divided into three sections, each one telling a different narrative. The first section, The Tale of the Altered Beast, tells of the fated meeting between a mythical beast and a bloodthirsty human wishing to merge with the monster. The second section, The Lord of Lightning vs. Balrog, conveys the story of a legendary battle between the personifications of light and darkness themselves. The final section, HanTyumi and the Murder of the Universe, is about one lonely cyborg and how he vomits the entire universe out of existence. The tunes throughout MOTU’s three sections are full of crazed energy that induce hardcore headbanging to the electrifying drum beats and guitar riffs. Each section’s music is distinct, yet shares a throughline in its spirited musical compositions. Each song on the album also perfectly transitions into the next, sending the listener on a musical journey through three distinct realms. Another unconventional, and albeit controversial, aspect of MOTU is its usage of spoken narration, often used interchangeably with lead singer Stu Mackenzie’s vocals to further convey MOTU’s stories. Though the use of narration feels out of place at first, it very quickly begins to elevate MOTU’s listening experience rather than bring it down. Supplemented by the concise yet eloquent lyricism of the band, the narration makes listening to MOTU feel like one is not only listening to three really great long songs, but three really great narratives told in the form of song. It is not merely an album, but a musical storybook. And for this reason alone, you should give Murder of the Universe a try.

The

—Luca Adeishvili

& Barry Bostwick Soundtrack

The Rocky Horror Picture Show is accompanied by a soundtrack that fully encompasses all the campiness and absurdity present in the 1975 cult classic film. Countless references to pop culture, along with callbacks to classic films like Frankenstein (1931), King Kong (1933), and Forbidden Planet (1956) create the perfect atmosphere for the “late night Double Feature Picture Show.” The music is integral to the film and manages to craft the same narrative using only audio in less than half the time of its visual counterpart. Each song is unique, complete with lyrical genius on behalf of Richard O’Brien, who fabulously showers every personality in rich character development. Reenactments have become tradition within the fandom in the decades since the musical’s original release; the film’s cult following is largely aided by the enjoyability of its soundtrack. Audience participation is crucial, especially so in musical numbers like “Time Warp,” which came with an entire dance sequence for fans to follow along to. Everyone remembers the first time they see The Rocky Horror Picture Show, and it is the soundtrack that makes the experience so memorable.

—Konstantina Tsahalis

In Between Dreams (2005) Jack Johnson Folk pop

A prolific songwriter, Jack Jackson has produced 12 studio albums since 2001. But his fourth album, In Between Dreams, is arguably the most classic example of the feelgood music that Johnson is known for. In Between Dreams combines Johnson’s signature guitar and textured vocals across 14 songs, creating the ideal road trip or campfire mix with hints of reggae and folk. While the acoustic feel of the album gives it a nostalgic touch, it revolves mainly around the idea of the joy that it is to love and be loved. Namely, the leadoff track, “Better Together,” tells the story of two people enjoying life in each other’s company. Johnson then ends the album with “Constellations,” telling a similar tale; he sings: “To give us just enough light to lay down underneath the stars / Listen to all the translations of the stories across the sky / We drew our own constellations.” The way that Johnson paints the picture of a “perfect” love story ultimately makes In Between Dreams the perfect album as well. —Sofia Hernandez

Either/Or (1997) Elliott Smith Alternative

Elliott Smith’s self-titled album (1995) is perfect in its own right, but Either/Or (1997) builds upon the simple formula of double-tracked Simon and Garfunkelesque melodies; hushed, pleading lyrics; vacant nihilism; and technical fingerpicking by incorporating layered Beatlesinfluence multiphasic song structures. “Alameda” sees Smith center a punchy snare in the mix, while “Angeles” hangs a lingering ambience in the backdrop. These elements add a new dimension to Smith’s haunting compositions, enhancing their re-listenability. Some of his sharpest songwriting lands in Either/Or as well: “Between the Bars” and “Ballad of Big Nothing” are all-time classic anthems for the emotionally downtrodden.

—Levi Simon

While Conan Gray is famously known as a miserablist, no one was prepared for the emotional rollercoaster Superache (2022) takes listeners on. Each of the album’s 13 songs explores a different role in relationships, ultimately conceptualizing key parts of the human condition. His song “Memories” shows the painful process of moving on from an ex, describing the constant choice to prioritize mental wellbeing over emotional attachment. This is starkly contrasted in the track “Family Line,” where Gray describes his absent father and how their strained relationship now impacts his perspective on love. The lyrics reflect his inner monologue, and Gray’s use of symbolism is nothing short of genius; this is perhaps best embodied on the track “Astronomy”: “You can’t force the stars to align when they’ve already died.” It’s easy to visualize the world he builds, and Gray makes every song a story you can’t help but be invested in. This is aided by the relatable subjects he chooses in tracks such as “People Watching,” which captures the anticipatory longing for falling in love. Gray brings a whole new level of vulnerability to the industry that is translated in the raw emotion he provokes in fans.

—Sama Daga

Bury Me at Makeout Creek (2014) Mitski Indie rock

Self-destruction, the struggle to find agency, and the cruel violence of love: indie artist Mitski explores it all in her poignant and iconic 2014 album Bury Me at Makeout Creek. The first track on the album, “Texas Reznikoff,” paints an illusion of tranquility as Mitski’s lilting, hushed voice croons over a lone acoustic guitar. Yet no more than 77 seconds in, this illusion is abruptly shattered by the wailing screech of the guitar and sudden, smashing percussion. Mitski unleashes her full vocal power, and with that, the listener is yanked into the tumultuous world of Makeout Creek, where perfect romance goes to die and the air reeks of painful defiance. Each song teeters just on the edge of adolescence and maturity, delving into a carefully woven narrative of vulnerability, reflection, and finally, acceptance. The album’s themes of turmoil are underscored by raucous, powerful instrumentals and Mitski’s immense gift for lyricism that is both deeply personal to her own experiences and piercingly relatable—unfiltered, blazing emotion. Above all, it is Bury Me at Makeout Creek’s harsh representation of imperfect humanity that makes it the ultimate perfect album. —Dorothy Ha

Led Zeppelin IV (1971)

Led Zeppelin Rock

Led Zeppelin’s fourth album, released in 1971, represents both a key moment in the development of the band’s music style and in the history of the rock genre as a whole. The fourth track, “Stairway to Heaven,” is considered one of the most iconic rock songs of all time, achieving immense worldwide fame. The album combines the folk style of their previous works with hard rock, blues, and heavy metal, defining their sound and acting as a landmark for the music of the ‘70s. Featuring the band’s signature lyrical variety, Led Zeppelin IV has both straightforward, catchy tunes, like “Rock and Roll,” and songs that employ fantastical imagery to explore themes of mythology and the individual search for meaning, such as “The Battle of Evermore.” “When the Levee Breaks” stands apart from the rest of the album because of its darker tone compared to the upbeat nature of most tracks, reinforced by its sampling of a 1929 blues song of the same name by Memphis Minnie and Kansas Joe McCoy. Overall, this album marked a turning point in Led Zeppelin’s path to achieving unimaginable commercial and critical success and has gone down in history as a cornerstone of rock and roll. —Sofia Thornley

Rocky Horror Picture Show (Soundtrack from the Motion Picture) (1975) Richard O’Brien, Tim Curry, Susan Sarandon

Benson Chen / The Spectator

Arts and Entertainment

In Search of the “Perfect” Album Music

By THE ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT DEPARTMENT

Dawn FM (2022) The Weeknd R&B

What makes an album lyrically and musically genius is its ability to shroud themes of love, loneliness, and regret with songs so full of energy that anyone from an avid fan to a drunken party-goer couldn’t miss it. The Weeknd’s (Abel Tesfaye) fifth studio album, Dawn FM, released January 2022, encapsulates such beauty; I’ll be the first to admit that upon an initial listen, I had only given attention to tracks like “Out of Time” for its rosy R&B/pop-ballad type feel and “Is there Someone Else?” for The Weeknd’s iconic synth-pop style. It’s through spoken-word tracks narrated by Jim Carrey, such as “Phantom Regret by Jim,” that this concept album feels even more complete and allows for an understanding of the story The Weeknd is telling. Carrey shows up as a mysterious guide of sorts in various parts of the album, creating an almost euphoric/afterlife-like experience; The Weeknd has confirmed in numerous interviews that the basis of the album is that of a contemporary radio station playing in the car of a person in tunnel traffic—only the tunnel is symbolic of the transition to the afterlife, and the tunnel itself is purgatory. On the last track, Carrey fittingly yet eerily narrates, “God knows life is chaos / But He made one thing true / You gotta unwind your mind / Train your soul to align.” Through a combination of tracks that aim to evoke a sense of transcendence, the addictive beats of songs like “Sacrifice,” and unique collaborations with Swedish House Mafia; Tyler, the Creator; and Lil Wayne, The Weeknd makes Dawn FM a must listen.

—Gordon Tsang

Piazzolla Tangos 6 (1995)

Astor Piazzolla Latin

The album Piazzolla Tangos 6, composed and performed by foremost bandoneist Astor Piazzolla, is a dazzling and compelling collection of 10 eccentric songs. Piazzolla was an Argentine tango composer who revolutionized the traditional tango into a new style called nuevo tango, incorporating different elements from jazz and classical music. The album prominently features the bandoneón, an accordionlike instrument that can produce sounds ranging from church organs to blatant, mundane blares. One of the standout tracks, “Llueve Sobre Santiago,” features the viola, piano, and bandoneón played in conjunction to create a melancholy narrative. The song explores distinct moods created by the different instruments; the bandoneón provides a dubious and static momentum, while the viola adds a harmonious aspect to the song. Another track, “Oblivion,” maintains Piazzolla’s skeptical tone when using the bandoneón, but also portrays moments of impulse and empowerment. All of Piazzolla’s songs feature gradual escalations to the climax, keeping listeners on their toes as they listen. —Grace Rhee

The Sound of Music Soundtrack (Original Soundtrack Recording) (1965)

Rodgers and Hammerstein and Julie Andrews Soundtrack

With its whimsical soundtrack and powerfully sweet story of a large family enduring Nazi Austria, The Sound of Music has been a staple for generations of listeners since its release in 1965. The soundtrack itself mirrors the earnest tone of the movie, using Julie Andrews’s pure vocals and a rich orchestral string backing to bring out the wholehearted passion of the tracks. Though the instrumentals remain constant throughout the album, the tunes transition from rich, seraphic symphonies to playful, jumpy chords emanating the childlike exuberance and wonder of the plot. The mixture of cheesy progressions and sugary melodies can paint the album as excessively passé to listeners, but its old-fashioned, sappy quality adds to its charm. Catering to all ages, The Sound of Music Soundtrack is a classic for sing-alongs, long car rides, and even lullabies because of its familial comfort unmatched by songs of this time.

—Somerset Seidenberg

By BRANDON PHILLIPS and ZOE BUFF

What’s the difference between an What’s the difference between an onion and a viola? Nobody cries when you cut up a viola. It is hard to come across a group of classical musicians who are not guilty of cracking jokes at the viola’s expense. Whether it’s claiming violas are useless or calling its players unskilled, the instrument and its musicians are rarely spared from ridicule. Outside the music world, few people know the basics about the viola, much less the history of its butt-of-the-joke status.

The viola’s subpar reputation has had a long-standing history in the music world, dating back to the early 1700s. Due to its tenor role in music ensembles, the viola is primarily used as an accompanying line, playing simple harmonies unlike their melodic violin counterparts. Until the 20th century, when viola-specific parts became more advanced, many violists were actually ex-violinists who had learned to play the viola, given that it was easier to get a job as a violist because of its rarity. This transition was smooth for some musicians, but despite the music seeming technically simpler to play, the viola was no cakewalk. It is larger and therefore more cumbersome than a violin, especially when the traditional strings of livestock intestines were used, and it also reads

Arthur Verocai (1972)

Arthur Verocai

Latin jazz

Arthur Verocai’s 1972 self-titled album is a sonic masterpiece of Brazilian music that effortlessly blends different musical styles to create a sound that is both distinct and timeless. The album features a range of tracks that showcase Verocai’s exceptional musicianship and talent, from the soulful and grandiose “Na Boca do Sol,” with its lush strings and cinematic horn arrangements, to the intricate and dynamic “Sylvia,” a tour-de-force of Verocai’s arranging skill that utilizes a variety of percussion, strings, and brass to create a sense of movement and tension. Verocai’s contributions to the world of Brazilian music are immeasurable, and his debut album stands as a testament to his talent and vision. It’s a perfect example of how music can connect people across different cultures and languages. Verocai’s self-titled album is a magnum opus that has rightfully earned its place in the pantheon of Brazilian classics. —Santino

Suarez

Bottomless Pit (2016)

Death Grips

Industrial hip hop

Talking about music is like dancing about architecture. Writing about Death Grips is like typing with hands doused in hydrofluoric acid. The music is disabling; it is the only genre (yes, it’s its own genre) unable to be background by definition. Anything done with its pounding bass, vitriolic ad-libs, and MC Ride’s caterwaul is only remembered by the death grip Death Grips has over peace. The trio’s discography tosses no ropes to listeners stuck at the bottom of their sonically accelerationist milieu. Death Grips is best when the audience accepts that there is no escape, that their only choice is to enjoy the darkness within the Bottomless Pit (2016). The album first speaks through its cover, where some googly-eyed, buck-toothed Death Grips fan sits between two celestial buttocks. It then distinguishes itself from all other angry music because the listener never gets the impression that Death Grips is angry at them. Like real anger, the album glides without a distinguishable impetus; lyrics flow because they must, not because there is anything to say. One gets the impression that the music has been discovered, not created. Chaos is alive in Bottomless Pit —Zoë Feigelson

alex (2022)

gabby start

Indietronica

gabby start is a 20-year-old emerging American heartthrob with a knack for worldbuilding. Their 2022 EP luca gave listeners five diverse tracks, including teenage angst anthem “rock music” and the falsetto r&b slow jam “mid.” The closing indie-rock “rainbow bridge,” stands out, as start tells a story of a town in distress with the claim that we should all be “allowed to die.” Their latest EP, alex, leans further into this style of musical lore, with start placing themself in a world of technologists, boy scouts, and flying machines as they cope with the woes of adolescence. The explosive opening “report back” puts the titular hero techwhiz of the EP in a predicament, as they return to a family reunion after an uneventful quest. Our nerdy protagonist continues to try and figure it out; in “gizmo,” start loathes how they “feel like the wrong guy for the job,” and in the flagship “welcome to the plant cell bath,” they are forced to “take the leap.” start’s dynamic voice is perfect for the character they play, frequently oscillating and jumping with their meticulously wild production. At just under 20 minutes, this project is short, but start’s universe is endlessly entertaining and full of promise.

—Alexander Hinchliffe

Oscillations, Onions, and the Most Overlooked Instrument in the Orchestra: The Viola

music in a different clef. Therefore, the assumed easy switch from violin to viola was actually akin to picking up a new language. Even in the modern music world, violas remain overlooked. In an orchestra, the violins often carry the melody, with the cello and double bass providing a musical pulse. The viola falls into the cracks between these dominant instruments, its range oscillating between those

and the Elgar Cello Concerto in E minor—violin and cello staples—are well known even by musicians who do not specialize in these instruments, while viola sonatas are often unknown and overlooked, especially by musicians outside the viola discipline.

This attitude is embodied by TwoSet Violin, a famous violinist YouTube duo, that often makes quips about violas being subpar in

twice” arose as a consequence of the viola’s poor reputation. Freshman Ennya Liang, the principal violist in the Stuyvesant Symphonic Orchestra, explained that the viola stigma is exacerbated by the viola jokes constantly made by TwoSet Violin.

“It’s like a vicious cycle,” Liang said. “It is pretty common to make jokes about violists’ inabilities to play certain strokes, or play in time, or play at all!”

Despite the disrespect the viola faces, its reedy, rich sound and unique range make it an essential addition to any orchestra or chamber music group, completing the musical balance. “[The] viola is very important in the orchestra because it fills so many roles,” senior, violinist, and violist Isaac Lageschulte said. “They span the range of the violin and cello, connecting the two.”

fill the sound of the ensemble. It is difficult to imagine a dramatic piece such as the fourth movement of the Brahms Piano Quartet in G Minor without the viola to complete the musical balance.

of the violin and bass line, making it difficult for it to have its own distinct voice. In terms of solo repertoire, viola sonatas and concertos are not as ubiquitous as those for violins and cellos. Pieces such as the Mendelssohn Violin Concerto in E minor

comparison to other string family instruments. Common jokes such as “How are a viola case and a court case similar? Everyone is relieved when the case is closed” and “How is lightning like a violist’s fingers? Neither one strikes in the same place

Even with the key role the viola plays, orchestras have become too comfortable with dismissing the viola, regarding it as the violin’s ugly stepsister. It is true that composers give most leftover notes in their pieces to the viola, but its role as a cooperative gap-filler remains essential to creating a full composition, such as Antonín Dvořák’s “American” string quartet, whose opening line is played by the viola. Additionally, a piano quartet (composed of a violin, a viola, a cello, and a piano) takes the standard formation of a piano trio (a violin, a cello, and a piano) and adds the warm resonance of the viola to

Luckily, the viola has garnered more respect over its time as a common orchestral instrument, championed as a solo instrument by William Primrose in the mid-20th century. For the first time in history, he approached the viola as a melodic line, sometimes transcribing virtuosic violin repertoire for the viola and showcasing his facility on the instrument. This proved to the music community that the viola could expand its horizons beyond its previously assumed limitations. Following in Primrose’s footsteps, famous contemporary composers like Béla Bartók and Edward Walton began writing viola concertos, showcasing respect for the instrument in a highprofile setting. These pieces brought the viola to center stage, leading to its heightened popularity and respect amongst a new generation of classical musicians.

In the face of ridicule, modern violists play on, getting justice for the all-too underrated instrument while indulging themselves in some good old viola jokes. By letting the viola’s music speak for itself, the viola will hopefully become more celebrated and prove that it can be a star to all those in the musical world and beyond.

Jocelyn Yu / The Spectator

Arts and Entertainment

The Woman in the Mirror: How Representations of Female Vanity Have (Not) Evolved Television

By VITA KIRSCHTEIN

The perception of a woman’s value and her ability to be recognized as a “true woman” are constantly thrust into the spotlight. When a woman does not conform to the male gaze, she is often stripped of her feminine identity. Whether it’s due to muscularity, hairiness, a chiseled bone structure, outspokenness, or career ambition, women face relentless scrutiny. In society’s eyes, a woman’s value is erroneously believed to reside solely in her perceived feminine virtue. De spite being expected to conform with aesthetic expectations, women are often criticized for putting effort into their appearances and are labeled as vain. The concept of vanity has evolved over time, but the continued emphasis on women’s obsession with their looks remains unaltered.

During the rise of the middle class in Europe from the 17th to 19th centuries, those with money to spare commissioned portraits of themselves in all their grandiosity. As the number of affluent Europeans grew with the shift from a mercan tilist to a capitalist economy, women were still expected to uphold social conventions for appropriate ladylike behavior, including homemaking, child rearing, and—most signifi cantly—shopping. Women bought clothes and gloriously adorned them selves with their increasing access to consumer fashion novelties—one of the few acceptable leisure activi ties for a woman with newfound free time and money to spend. Interpreta tions of these new societal norms for women began to take center stage in works of art, such as Auguste Toul mouche’s painting Vanity (1870). The artwork depicts a pale, chest nut-haired Parisian woman wearing a flowing pink dress as she gazes at her reflection in an intricate, goldframed, full-length mirror. With her hand on her hip, she leans over her reflection, an allusion to Narcissus— a beautiful hunter in Greek mythol-

ogy who fell in love with his own reflection and eventually killed himself because he could never have that which he most desired: his reflection. Though the painting aims to convey the self-absorption of the rich, the centerpiece is a financially dependent woman whose societal role was heavily limited by social convention. Her perceived self-absorption is a result of having limited agency, not an inherently female nature like structure in place to paint him as a warning for men not to succumb to their urges of self-obsession. Yet, because women had no role in creating the power structures of these times,

their behaviors were critiqued and demonized by a system upholding the cult of domesticity.

Other works from the same time period, such as Young Woman Looking in a Mirror (1588–1667) by Nicholas Reginer and Girl Looking in the Mirror (1867) by Alfred Stevens, have a similar focus on women as objects of vanity, but without any kind of political commentary. These paintings depict women with ditsy and

grasp concepts of higher intellectual value, like science and mathematics. The painters of artworks like these are consistently male as well, which is important to note for two reasons: one being the influence of the male gaze, and the other being the underlying motive to keep women subjugated to men. These paintings were a sort of ritualistic shaming of women for becoming more financially independent and self-reliant, something by which men at the time were horrified. The idea of a sexually deviant “New Woman” whose characterization centered around a desire to leave traditional roles behind was discussed by men around the continent in such an influential way that this perception influenced paintings, novels, and even personal correspondence between husbands and their wives. This trend in art was driven by the oppressors’ fear that they would lose the power they held over a group traditionally forced to submit.

their own appearances. The aim is to paint women as foolish, superficial beings preoccupied with trivial things, perpetuating the narrative that women are inept and unable to

Though it manifests differently, this idea persists in the modern age, as evidenced by contemporary works depicting the female relationship with beauty and vanity in a similar light. Earlier this year, sculptural artist Greg Lansky, sometimes called the “Spielberg of pornography,” reimagined the iconic statue Venus De Milo (~130 BC) as a modern woman. His piece is titled Algorithmic Beauty and is captioned “How much pain would you take to feel loved?” The stark contrast between the original and the modern interpretation is undeniable: Lansky’s version has engorged breasts covered in plastic surgery scars; a tummy tuck; evidence of a Brazilian butt lift; and, to top it off, she’s clutching an iPhone 13. Lansky makes an unsubstantiated reference to AI’s control over humanity in an Instagram caption, presumably referencing Venus’s iPhone, characterizing Aphrodite as a “perfect metaphor for the social media era”—a baffling interpretation at best. The misguided concern he expresses stems from his belief that women uglify themselves

by chasing modern beauty standards rather than a place of concern for the physical and emotional consequences for the human being. This interpretation surrounds men’s fear of women being superficial or “unnatural,” while they benefit from perpetuating the idea that women are instinctually vain. Lansky has created a perversion of a timeless masterpiece founded on an entirely nonsensical backstory. This is accentuated by the fact that Lansky is also a pornographer, working in a profession that commodifies women’s bodies. His job is to sell the ideal female sexual fantasy that would appeal to as many heterosexual men as possible. He exploited the women who worked for him for years, pressuring them to get plastic surgery and distorting the idea of what sexuality looks like for women. Yet, in his mind, the reason society is flawed is because women care about their appearances too much, ignoring the way he and his industry contribute to the aforementioned misinformed narrative. The piece can be interpreted as Lansky’s view of women: selfish, overly sexual, greedy, self-obsessed, and plastic.

In modern times, the idea of female vanity continues to align with the path set by men centuries ago, growing more demeaning and provocative with time. Artworks like Algorithmic Beauty do not push a feminist narrative; they intend to instill fear in men that the “naturally beautiful” woman is a relic of the past and that women value the superficial over “what really matters,” pushing the misogynistic narrative even further. The danger of works like this is that they are masked under the illusion of wanting to protect women or promote other political messages. Women are not the problem with society because they don’t always conform to societal expectations, yet they are on the receiving end of endless scrutiny while the perpetrators of damaging norms rarely receive backlash. This issue will persist as long as blame falls back onto women.

in Beef Film

By DOROTHY HA

Danny Cho (Steven Yeun), a hard-working but struggling Korean immigrant, is at his breaking point. After purchasing three hibachi grills and a carbon monoxide detector for a suicide attempt but changing his mind at the last moment, Danny tries to return the equipment to the department store. When his return is rejected due to his lack of a receipt, he storms back to his aging pickup truck, then promptly proceeds to almost back into entrepreneur Amy Lau’s (Ali Wong) sleek white Mercedes-Benz. Amy, who is equally as stressed from juggling the pressures of her small business with a demanding family life, furiously honks for a good 10 seconds and flips Danny off before speeding away. This seemingly minor incident sends the two hotheaded drivers into a frenzied road rage that eventually explodes into a full-blown feud after they memorize each other’s license plates and vow to get revenge. As they continually try to one-up each other with increasingly dangerous and ridiculous sabotage, their mutual anger begins to consume every aspect of their lives.

Danny and Amy, played by the dynamic duo Steven Yeun and Ali Wong, are the stars of director Lee Sung Jin’s new dark comedic drama, Beef. Immediately after its release in early April, Beef shot to the #1 spot on Netflix, gaining widespread praise—and it’s easy to see why. The show boasts remarkable cinematog-

To Hate Is to Be Human: Anger and

Vulnerability

raphy and costume design, both of which help craft the hilariously twisted world of Beef. Dramatic lighting and intimate close-ups, coupled with Danny’s very humble closet and Amy’s gleaming, sharp octagonal glasses, give Beef a subtle but effective authenticity and vulnerability. On top of that, Yeun and Wong deliver fantastic performances as the two morally gray main characters of the show.

Despite all their aggressive and illogical actions, Danny and Amy are portrayed as far more than hate-driven maniacs. Yeun and Wong imbue their characters with myriad emotional complexities, making them nuanced and achingly relatable, even in their bizarre efforts to ruin each other’s lives. They are undeniably flawed and, by all means, difficult to love. They make horrible, hurtful decisions—Danny effectively ruins his younger brother’s chance at a future by burning his college acceptance letters, and Amy cheats on her husband with Danny’s aforementioned younger brother. Yet, as the viewer comes to understand the extent of the emotional damage the protagonists have endured and the ferocity with which they care for their loved ones, it is equally difficult to hate them as it is to love them.

The incredible writing and character development in Beef are primarily what make these characters so relatable. Danny is cripplingly afraid of being alone and just wants his younger brother Paul (Young

Mazino)—the only family he has in America besides his sleazy criminal cousin Isaac (David Choe)—to stay close to him. Amy yearns to be understood and is worn down by the relentless demands of everyone around her, from her sweet but extremely privileged husband, George (Joseph Lee), to the filthy rich department store CEO (Maria Bello), to whom she is trying to sell her business. Both protagonists have worked tirelessly their entire lives but are still pitifully unsatisfied with the people they have become. Through the roles of Danny and Amy, Yeun and Wong radiate raw, unfiltered humanity, making it impossible for viewers to not see a bit of their own lives in the Beef characters’ struggles.

Yeun and Wong also have a talent for keeping up with the show’s quick pacing, keeping the characters believable, even in the constant flurry of anger and emotion. As one chaotic event follows another, the pair’s sharp acting only draws viewers deeper into their crumbling world, keeping audiences on their toes rather than making them feel blindsided. The speed of the plot works perfectly to build tension; the snowballing momentum leaves no time for viewers to breathe a sigh of relief.

Beyond its heartrending characterization and thrilling plot, Beef is also a thoughtful and gripping analysis of the sinister effects of anger. Danny and Amy both refuse to let their feud go, and even as they

watch their secret warfare tear their lives apart, they cannot untangle themselves because their beef is the only thing that makes them feel like they are in control. When they initially meet, they are both at the very edge of their limits, yet their rageful encounter leaves them with smiles on their faces: Danny laughs gleefully as he makes a quick getaway in his truck and Amy cracks a lopsided grin. Their feud fulfills them, leading them to lie, cheat, and scam just to get back at each other, even at the cost of endangering their families. For them, physical violence isn’t enough. With no other motivation in life, they devote themselves to destroying each other from the inside out.

By the penultimate episode, Danny and Amy have effectively flipped each other’s lives on their heads. Following a very messy situation in which Danny, Paul, and Isaac hold Amy’s daughter for ransom, the main characters’ worst nightmares finally become reality. Paul recognizes Danny’s toxicity and abandons him, while Amy’s actions result in her losing custody of her child. The only thing keeping the pair from falling apart completely is their hatred for one another; they both catch a glimpse of the other from their respective vehicles, causing Beef to come full circle as they tearfully break into a high speed car chase and careen off the edge of a cliff, crashing in a hellish blaze of glory.

As the finale episode begins,

however, the pair somehow emerges from their wrecked vehicles with only scratches and bruises. Regrettably, the ending of Beef is when its intricately-threaded plotline starts to unravel. Beef tries to finally help Danny and Amy see eye-to-eye in its closing moments, but it comes across as rushed and forced. Stranded by their car crash, the two forage for food to survive the night, but accidentally get high off elderberries and pass the hours by in a delirious state, falling into deep, philosophical conversation. When the sun rises, they are suddenly the best of friends. “I see your life. You poor thing,” Danny murmurs sympathetically to Amy. After nine episodes of vicious anger, Beef’s conclusion is an abrupt close to an otherwise thoughtfully planned story, leaving viewers with a lingering sense of dissatisfaction and lack of closure.

Ultimately, though, Beef does a phenomenal job tackling rage, mental health, family, and above all, the humanity inside everyone. By the end credits, the perversely humorous show invites viewers to reflect on themselves and the role that anger plays in their own lives. The show remains thought-provoking despite its hurried ending, and luckily, Lee Sung Jin has promised two more seasons of Beef. Whether he chooses to tie up the loose ends of Danny’s and Amy’s story or explore an entirely different feud with all-new characters, it is something all drama lovers should watch out for.

The Art of Resistance Art

By OLIVIA CALLAHAN

In the tapestry of human history, art has emerged as a resounding force capable of transcending the boundaries of language, culture, and time. It is a dynamic vessel that has woven itself into the very fabric of social movements, becoming an indispensable tool that ignites revolutions, unearths buried truths, and echoes the cries of the marginalized. From the paintbrush strokes of impassioned visionaries to the resonant melodies that swell within passionate hearts, art has left an indelible imprint on the annals of change. Its astounding impact has shaken the foundations of societies and awakened the slumbering conscience of humanity, serving as a tool for reflecting the pain and hope of the oppressed and a beacon illuminating the path toward justice and transformation.

During the tumultuous decades of the 1950s and 1960s, the Civil Rights Movement fervently strove to dismantle America’s web of racial segregation and secure equal rights for African Americans. From this struggle, art emerged as a central pillar, serving as a channel through which activists conveyed their messages and forged a profound sense of solidarity. The resonating melodies crafted by luminaries such as The Staple Singers and Nina Simone in anthems like “Freedom Highway” (1965) and “Mississippi Goddam” (1964), respectively, became soulstirring hymns that reverberated

Television

By RENATA FIRESTONE

Family Guy’s writers have stopped working. Big Mouth’s final season has halted mid-production. Stranger Things has paused filming. The common thread between these three shows and countless others is that they have been affected by a nationwide writers strike.

The contract between the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) ended on May 1. Protests began the next day. There are several issues that the writers are striking for, the most prevalent of which are demands for higher pay, a more stable pay structure, fairer deals and contracts, and clear guidelines around the usage of AI. The contract in question had been set into motion in 2017, and since then, the AMPTP and WGA had not engaged in negotiations other than those surrounding the extension of the contract’s viability—until now.

This is not a novel situation.

The WGA has gone on strike many times before, most recently from November 2007 to February 2008. This strike caught television studios off guard; when these companies ran out of episodes stored in their backlogs, they refocused their resources on reality TV, since it doesn’t necessarily require a script. It’s unclear how the current strike will alter the landscape of TV for years to come, but it is reasonable to assume that it could lead to another uptick in reality shows. This strike could also spell the end of late night television, an institution that, unlike reality television, relies on

with unyielding potency, containing lyrics that unmasked the enduring anguish and resilience of Black Americans. Meanwhile, the deft strokes of visual artists like Jacob Lawrence, Faith Ringgold, and Charles Henry Alston brought forth evocative depictions of racial injustice, their brushwork becoming a resounding amplifier for the narratives of marginalized communities. One of the most well known paintings from the time is Charles Henry Alston’s Walking (1958), a vibrant modernist oil painting depicting a group of women walking during the bus boycotts in the 1950s. Simultaneously, the lens of legendary photographers such as Gordon Parks captured the raw, unfiltered essence of racial inequality, immortalizing the profound emotions and stark realities that pervaded society through his snapshots of urban life, segregation, and important moments in African American history. He took photographs like Doll Test (1947), which depicts how systemic racial biases are ingrained in young children, and The Invisible Man (1952), which highlights how the voices and demands of black people were practically invisible to policymakers. Through the transcendent power of their artistic contributions, these indomitable individuals succeeded in galvanizing support, igniting empathy, and forging an unstoppable momentum for transformative change.

The fight for equality and acceptance in the ongoing gay rights

movement stands as a testament to the perseverance and unwavering spirit of its members. In this struggle, art has played a pivotal role, serving as a powerful medium of expression, resistance, and celebration. Through various artistic forms, including the visual and performing arts, music, and cinema, the LGBTQ community has harnessed creativity to challenge societal norms, raise awareness, and forge a sense of identity and pride. Most notably, pop artist Keith Haring’s vibrant and bold illustrations embraced the street art movement of the 1980s to bring visibility to the LGBTQ community and the AIDS crisis. Haring’s iconic figures and symbols became potent emblems of queer culture and unity, adorning walls and public spaces with messages of love, acceptance, and defiance. Through the wide audience he gained through his work, he was able to destigmatize AIDS (which he was diagnosed with), establish the Keith Haring AIDS Foundation, challenge the status quo, and inspire others to join the movement. Other aspects of LGBTQ culture like drag, music, and film have helped members reclaim their narratives and defy societal expectations, becoming a form of self expression and representation for the community. By using their platforms to create provocative works that fostered empathy, the art from this movement was able to nurture a sense of belonging, solidarity, and empowerment, paving the way

for greater support for equal rights for all.

The urgency of addressing climate change has driven artists to raise awareness through their work and envision a sustainable future.

Renowned street artist Banksy has created murals that depict environmental degradation, consumerism, and the consequences of human actions. The project “Ice Watch” by Olafur Eliasson brought massive ice blocks from Greenland to public spaces, serving as a visceral reminder of the melting polar ice caps. The climate activist group Extinction Rebellion has employed vibrant visuals, performance arts, and disruptive actions to draw attention to the ecological crisis. Even non-profit organizations like National Geographic, World Wildlife Fund, and Greenpeace utilize mediums like photography and documentary films to educate the public. Through their art, these activists strive to move beyond statistics and data, forcing viewers to come face to face with the consequences human actions have on our planet and instilling a sense of personal responsibility for environmental ramifications. With an issue as dependent on individual change as the climate crisis, art of all forms is imperative in spreading awareness.

In the present day, art continues to serve as a powerful catalyst for social change, with artists using their creative platforms to amplify marginalized voices, challenge injustices, and inspire col-

lective action. Artistic expression has become a vehicle through which social causes are brought to the forefront, enabling individuals and communities to engage in meaningful dialogue and advocacy. In a world that can often seem divided, art can emerge as a unifying force, breaking down boundaries and connecting people on a deeply emotional level. For example, African American street artist Tatyana Fazlalizadeh’s work aims to draw attention to the stories of African Americans and their relationship with police brutality, oppression against women and Native Americans, street harassment, and essential workers. Likewise, Regina José Galindo is a Guatemalan performance artist who uses her body to protest issues of women’s inequality, environmental justice, and immigration, portraying the experiences of people from all over the world. By harnessing their creative talents, artists today continue to contribute to the collective efforts of building a more just and compassionate society. The intersection between social movements and art throughout history has been significant in shaping our cultural and political landscape, giving rise to a multitude of forms of artistic expression that have played a crucial role in promoting social justice and political reform. As we continue to navigate the complex issues of our time, finding peaceful yet moving ways to solve conflicts and utilizing the power of creativity to inspire change seem all the more essential.

An Ultimate Showdown Between the WGA and the AMPTP

writers constantly working. The suspension of late night television has been one of the most immediate impacts of the writers strike. These shows have absolutely nothing to run on without teams of writers creating jokes. One of these writers is Jay Katsir, a head writing and supervising producer for The Late Show with Stephen Colbert (2015- ). “During normal times, my job is

holding a stick.” Katsir and his team of writers, along with writers across the country, have been protesting the AMPTP. While on strike, members of the WGA are prohibited from writing and rewriting. “Right now, the central issues have to do with the fact that people get paid less when writing television and movies for streaming than they do when writing for a traditional TV network or the-

recently, smart toasters, the platforms on which television is streamed could change radically. If there aren’t fair policies on what a writer earns for their work across these platforms, there’s the potential for these writers to earn even less money in proportion to their works’ popularity.

to help the show’s writers pitch and organize their ideas, write and edit scripts for Stephen Colbert to perform, and find third clauses for three-part sentences that end in a joke,” Katsir explained in an interview with The Spectator. However, Katsir now says, “[his] main occupation is walking in a circle

atrical release. Those issues will eventually affect everyone, as all media moves to a model where there’s no difference between a TV network, an app, a web page, and a Wi-Fi-enabled microwave,” Katsir said. Though this future seems far off, with the introduction of smart fridges, and, more

According to a WGA report published just over two months ago, the median weekly writerproducer wage has decreased 23 percent over the last decade. This is due to a multitude of factors. For starters, production value has risen, while standard base pay has stagnated. While the evolution of CGI and practical effects has continued, the money a writer makes for the same movie is only a fraction of funds spent on said special effects; data recorded in the past two years reports that the standard Marvel superhero movie spends between $100 and $200 million on CGI, while a writer for that movie receives just $5,000. Additionally, when a show is rerun on cable television, the writers earn much more than if that show were simply streamed on, for example, Hulu. This connects to a second major issue: in the streaming age, shorter is better. Business Insider recently reported that Netflix has been favoring seasons of 10 episodes or less; previously the service had faced criticism for shows that could be classified as movies—like The Crown—due to their extensive lengths. Because of this, the long term stability afforded to writers of long-running shows has been lost. Essentially, screenwriting is no longer a reliable source of income. On top of this, the rise of AI has also led to a great deal of

uncertainty for writers. With services such as ChatGPT and Jasper quickly learning to recognize patterns in human interactions, a world where shows could one day be written by AI doesn’t seem as far-fetched as it once did. “AI was on everyone’s minds, and it’s been surprising how quickly it’s become central in debates about how creative work will be written in the future,” Katsir explained, before declaring that ultimately he does not believe that “an algorithm can produce a sentence as thoughtful, subtle, concise, pithy, heartbreaking, succinct, well-honed, and unrepetitive as this one.” Ultimately, there’s just no substitute for authentic writing.

There are a plethora of issues plaguing writers’ rooms, and Katsir believes that this strike will help. “I was a WGA member during the 2007 strike. I think it was successful, especially because it gave us a foothold in being paid for work that was put on the Internet (studios did not want to pay writers for that at the time). This time, we are also asking to be paid fairly for use of writing on an emerging platform,” Katsir said, referring to streaming services.

Television isn’t going away, so clearly the AMPTP and the WGA will have to reach some sort of agreement sooner or later. The real question is: What will be included in that agreement? Will writers be compensated more fairly for their work? Will TV series become longer again? Will AI be restricted? The answers to these questions will set a precedent in the scriptwriting industry for years to come, but, even more importantly, they will indicate how much (or how little) Hollywood values the human touch.

Crossword

Happy penultimate issue! Created by yours truly the Crossword Gobbies; Virgenya, Munem and Kyle.

Down:

1. Mantra of those who Gaslight Gatekeep Girlboss

2. Joke focused on wordplay.

3. What your face does when you blush

4. __ctose in_oleran_ peopl_ are _osers (no milk?)

5. The final part

6. What the Romans did to Julius Caesar

9. French persons pronunciation of 7-Across 11. ___ v. Wade, Recently overturned decision that allowed women across the country the right to an abortion

12. Number that anything can be multiplied with and still retain its value.

13. Club that roleplays as Government Leaders

14. Made of corn, perhaps

15. Unhealthy and self-damaging obsession

16. For Stuy kids, fourth through eighth period.

19. WWII Italian Fascist

20. A food item with the taste of a bitter spice

22. One who sees an event (eg; a crime)

23. Layer of nerve tissue in the back of one’s eye.

26. The “Krispy” competitor to 11-across.

28. “Ye_ _ndeed __ster _unwoo!” What an enthusiastic chemistry student might say.

30. Private aircraft used for faster transport

31. Past tense of eat.

32. Cold war doctrine that kept the fullscale nuclear war from happening.

41. Savory cereal mix

42. Shortened version of “thank you, hugs and kisses!”

43. _rocodile _ade _ns_de the _eninsula of Florid_

44. Having no value.

47. SOS: _a_e our sou_s

48. Caribbean countries Tobago and _r_n_ dad

49. Fl_sh Eat_ng _ombie

52. Preceding word for jockey, or golf.

56. Homer Simpson’s one-word catchphrase.

57. What a cashew is

Stuy Overheard

By MADELYN LI NUNEZ

Across:

1. Small crunchy topping for donuts.

7. Complementary color of orange.

8. The animal most likely to be in your pants, according to a childhood song.

10. Closest galaxy to the milky way; Cursed daughter of King Cepheus.

15. Supporter of the LGBTQ+ community

17. The shape and theme of this crossword (hint: pastry!)

18. Mcdonald’s staple burger; the _ig ___.

21. Country abbreviation for Germany

22. We’re going to level with you. We messed up. The word is weener with four

E’s.

24. Lil’ ___ Vert

25. America runs on this donut brand.

27. Homonym for lesson.

29. The theory that racial injustice is based within societal institutions, and not just bias and prejudice.

30. Fruit filling for a powdered donut.

33. “___ but a scratch!” goes the famous quote.

34. Female chicken

35. When you’ll get somewhere, hopefully

36. How one expresses belief, over text

37. Procedure in the treatment of colon cancer

38. Cruz, Danson, and Bundy are three notable ones.

39. Zero, in soccer terms.

40. Superlative of an adjective meaning frozen,

43. An extensive amount can be found on the Vegas strip.

45. Unit of electrical resistance named after a certain German physicist.

46. A group of interacting items to form a unified whole

50. Female version of a monk, perhaps.

51. “Avoir besoin de” in English

53. The number 18, to Caligula

54. ____ Cakes were what donuts were first called. (Hint; synonymous with greasy!)

55. Worshiping, putting on a pedestal

58. Genus belonging to the freshwater pickerel.

59. Natural, untainted

60. Popular glazed donut flavor, behind vanilla.

The 2022-2023 school year is coming to an end, and yet, the concerning comments from the people of Stuyvesant are not. Whether you are hanging out in your grade’s respective “spot” in the school, crying in the bathrooms, or overcrowding Whole Foods with a group of friends, there will always be at least one out-of-context comment that you hear that makes you question humanity. You all recounted those provoking overheard quotes, and I published them.

“Are you bald? Because that was Mr. Clean.” —Cynthia Chang, senior

“Do you teach because you just weren’t good at anything else?” —anonymous

“If my grandma had two wheels, she would have been a bike.” — Charles Li, junior

“This is not a class about circumcision.” —anonymous

“I’m being silly now.” —Mr. Econome, biology teacher

“I’m not catching COVID or feelings for you.” —anonymous

“If a boy’s hand is under the table, he’s doing one of two things.” —anonymous

“Would you rather shake a baby or a milkshake in bed?” —Galvin Chen, freshman

“My ass hurts. Specifically the left butt cheek.” —anonymous

“Hold on. I am trying to give my dog diabetes.” —anonymous

“I don’t scream, I just cry.” — Mr. Econome, biology teacher

“I love the way your lamé glitters in the moonlight.” (fencing rizz) —Gabby Vernik, sophomore

*to their dog* “I would pay to look like you HEHEHEHEHEHE.” —anonymous furry moment?

“You’re like a troll doll on acid.” —anonymous

“Why wait for her when she’s not real?” —Ayron Thomas, senior

“Woos me. My hands are too tiny to pick up this fork. Pwes fweed mew dwaddy.” —anonymous

“You always hear about grandma lifting a car off her grandchild.”

—Mr. Econome, biology teacher

“That is as if I were to sprinkle sperm on my poop.” —anonymous

“No, like, you don’t understand, his knees are so sexy I don’t know what to do.” —anonymous fourth-floor hallway dweller

“This type of sequence is called recursive. It’s like what happens when you repeat the fourth grade. In fourth grade, you learn cursive. When you repeat the fourth grade, you learn recursive.” —Mr. Wille, mathematics teacher

“I am so hot that when cockroaches and everything else sees me, they think ‘omg we should go next to her.’” — anonymous

“Did you say your femur or humor is broken? Because I feel like both are.” —Dipashak Rajak, freshman

“I think with my uterus.” —a member of the 2020 Stuyvesant Math Team

“She’s pretty obedient.” —anonymous

These articles are works of fiction. All quotes are libel and slander.

New York’s Race to Becoming the Animal Kingdom

By SELINA LIN

As streams of families stop visiting Manhattan in favor of greener pastures (Metaverse New York City), tourism has dropped to an all-time low in New York City, and with it, all the dollars tourists would throw at anything branded with “I Heart NY.”

According to a recent press release, current New York City Mayor Eric Adams will be resigning in an attempt to revive some novelty (and maybe return the crowds of devoted visitors).

This will launch a series of controversial changes—from the banning of Elmo costumes in public to the mandating ketchup dispensers at every McDonald’s restaurant—to the governing system of New York City, outlined in the same press release. First on the chopping block: human politicians.

“It is in New York City’s best interest to pursue new and more effective solutions to mitigate the current economic crisis,” the mayor said last Thursday.

As of now, only animals residing in New York City are eligible to run for positions in local government, barring a few exceptions (no

By NIAMH WERNER

For a long time, Stuyvesant students have had an interesting relationship with the College Board’s AP program. With so many options to choose from, trying to get the courses you want can feel like a game. It also feels like a scam that a non-profit organization is being paid whenever you take an exam, but that’s beside the point.

With the College Board’s new AP programs, our wonderful and holy Principal Yu has collaborated with College Board CEO and Stuyvesant alum David Coleman to “open up opportunities” with new Stuyvesant-specific mandatory AP programs. Here is an overview of the new AP courses.

AP Geometry

If you thought drafting was tedious and that drawing shapes was annoying, AP Geometry will make you want to gouge your eyes out. From drawing icosahedrons to failing for your lack of straight lines, AP Geometry will teach you the fundamentals of drawing shapes and losing sleep! This course is set to replace current honors and

By JAI SHAH

With finals season looming ahead and the never-ending stream of tests continuing to besiege us, we Stuyvesant students always fall back on caffeine. Whether through coffee, soda, or crushed-up pure caffeine pills in a Mountain Dew, caffeine is undeniably the best way to survive the hordes of assignments brought on by early June. Of course, this strategy has always had its naysayers, with some arguing that “too much caffeine is unhealthy” and that “you can’t stay awake for 72 hours straight.”

corn snakes, no dogs named Dave, and definitely no blue goldfish).

This is a logical decision to make, as the number of animals in the city vastly outnumbers the number of human residents (micro-organisms being the large majority of the city’s population—looking at you, Central Park lakes). These animals are a lot more capable than we humans have given them credit for (jury decision still pending on the Animal Kingdom v. New York case on speciesism).

Already-elected officials from the rest of the city’s governing bodies will gradually be phased out once their terms end, but as the first push, the mayoral election is set to occur this fall.

Immediately after this change, many started campaigning for the mayoral position.

The Spectator had the chance to interview some of these candidates as they took to the streets to advertise their campaigns.

One such candidate is Duckie Buckie, a goldendoodle from Queens and a member of the Giant Stick Party. We met while he was forcefully approaching a squirrel on a lawn with a pamphlet in his mouth. While his owner approached us, we declined an offer for any translations of Duckie Buckie.

When asked about his qualifications, he said, “Woof. Bark. Woof woof.” Then, he tried to promote his campaign to a stick on the ground.

What does he offer to our wonderful city? Well, he said, “Arf. Arf. Bark woof. Woof. Bark bark.”

Duckie Buckie refused to comment on his questionable promotion tactics.

Another candidate we caught up with was the Floofums Party candidate, Floofums, a ragdoll cat from Brooklyn.

At her cat tower, we interviewed her before her fourth afternoon nap.

When asked if she had any relation to Mayor Stubbs of Alaska, she hissed at the mention of his name. According to her owner, she is actually his cousin and has disowned that side of the family, citing inheritance disputes.

When we asked about her qualifications, she stared at us for a moment before starting to lick her tail.

After she finished, she was asked her about her policies, in response to which she said, “Mreeeeeeoooooow.”

As we left her cat tower, we happened to run into another candidate across the street.

That candidate was Ben, a carnival goldfish and a member of the

NEWSBEET

Whasaparty Party. He was in a Target shopping cart, traveling across the city to campaign with his owner.

When his owner was asked for a comment (as his fish seemed on the verge of floating to the top of his bag sideways), he declined and instead took out a cardboard sign and sat on the curb next to us.

“Glub glub,” Ben said when asked about his policies. “Glub.”

Before we could finish the interview, his bag popped, and he was rushed to the vet. Currently, he is in an animal hospital in critical condition. When asked, his doctor, Doctor Nevrwen Tomedskewl, said that he might not make it to election season. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.

Lastly, we arranged to meet with Turtle, a turtle from the Bronx and the Green Colored Party’s mayoral candidate.

Before we could arrive at the meeting, however, his owner called us and informed us that Turtle had been taken by a rat and some other turtles into their local sewer, and their attempts at locating the turtle have so far been unsuccessful. Despite this, his owner has stated that Turtle will remain in the race because “slow and steady wins the race.”

New AP Courses Mandated at Stuy

regular geometry courses for the incoming class of 2027. You may be arguing that this class serves no real-world value, and you would be correct. But Principal Yu hates freshmen because “it’s impossible to sleep through the ruckus on the half-floor.” I mean, c’mon, how would he feel if he didn’t get his constant naps?

AP Hamilton Studies

Are you constantly getting bored at choir and instrumental per formances? Was Junior SING! a massive letdown? I know you’re all enthusiastically nodding your heads in agreement, so get ready for AP Hamil ton Studies! Now, some of you may dislike the musical Hamilton, but that doesn’t matter. Mr. Moran is in love with Lin-Manuel Mi randa, so the AP is going to happen with a class taught by Moran himself. In his words, “It’s time for me to step into the teaching spotlight and inform these youngsters of what they really need to know: the

great words of our glorious King Lin.” The context and historical background of the events are irrelevant; you just need to know every single note, crescendo, and beat drop from the entire

AP MYOB (Mind Your Own Business) helps teach students how to function properly in the real world by not getting involved in other people’s lives, mainly through eavesdropping. With all the rumors spreading in the halls and on the Internet, it’s about time students are forced to take a nine-month course about keeping things to themselves. The AP exam at the end of the year will be a situational roleplay with members of the faculty, involving situations like seeing PDA in the halls and reacting to kids asking you what college and major you intend to pursue on the first day of freshman year. During the course, guidance counselors will also lead students through their awardwinning bombastic side-eye therapy (because some of you really need it).

AP Rizziology

Disney announces live-action remake of Frozen, starring Chris Pratt as Elsa

Program Office says they “work too hard”—class seats will now be distributed via school-wide Hunger Games

Deans have decided that AirPods are essential in modern society and are now hunting down kids without them.

Among many of the changes proposed by the state, one of the most widely accepted ones has been the sale of Staten Island back to New Jersey, and thus, all candidates from the former borough were rendered invalid by default.

With this colorful array of candidates, this election season is sure to be divisive, even if we humans can’t vote in it. Remember to register your house pet as a voter, since every vote matters!

Rizziology will take you through every step of a promposal, along with sentence starters to avoid constantly sounding like an idiot. Once again, your crying in the hallways is interrupting Mr. Yu’s nap time, and it’s obviously about your lack of a romantic life. Clearly, your grades are so bad that you’ve given up all hope of getting into college, but you can at least have just one happy night not filled with sadness and tears. DISCLAIMER: The College Board cannot guarantee any long-term relationship simply because your personality, or lack thereof, cannot satisfy a partner for an extended period of time—a.k.a. more than two hours.

much better than AP Government.

AP MYOB

This course is for all of you in desperate need of a prom date. Why would you spend over $200 to spend the night with your “friends”? Do you want to be sad and lonely forever? AP

Breaking Stuy: Caffeine Edition

However, a new study has finally proven what Stuyvesant students have suspected all along: caffeine has no negative side effects.

The study, run by Stuyvesant students and sponsored by the SASAD(C)—the Students Against Students Against Drinking (Coffee)—tested a multitude of Stuyvesant students and their responses to high caffeine dosages. The unwilling participants quickly discovered that by dosing students with a caffeine dosage lethal for elephants, the students were able to stay awake in class, study longrer for tests, and even remmeember that we have an

11th-floor pool. “The miracle of caffeine has not been exploited widely enough,” one head student researcher touted as he downed a pill of pure caffeine, right before Mr. Moran came in to shutt the experiment down, calling it “unetehical” and “draining to the teacher’s coffee reserveses.”

This act by Mr. Moran is part of the growing critidicism that this study is “biased,” “inaccurate,” and “crifminal.” Allegedly, “forcing students to ingexst enough caffeine so that they are unable to sleep for two weeks” is prohibited under school guidelines. Howeverre, the study’s found-

ers are protesting this decision.

“Meost students didn’t pay attention in class for a year, so they agreed to participate in the study in hopes of scoring high final grades on their upcoming exadms,'” explained one supPporter of the experimmeent. Another added, “There are alllegendly no side effects, so what’s wrong?”

Despite these claims, an investigatives report conducted by The Spectator discovered that the student reserchers behind the study weren’t being entirely honest about their findings; side effects include hallucinations, screaming, blood spurtineg from the eyes,

So there you have it, Stuyvesant: all-new mandatory AP programs led by Principal Yu and David Coleman! However, something to remember is that since these are Stuyvesant-specific courses, there is likely to be a small fee placed in addition to the regular AP exam costs. I overheard a meeting projecting numbers in the low thousands. Oh shoot, I’m going to fail AP MYOB—

deatTh, and potentially not getting a 100 on yor final. Nevertheless, the students have vowed to continue fighting this case for “howevr lang it takes for our research to be recognized on a global scale.”

As the school arguments continue, Stuyvesant has publicly banned pure caffeine pills to stop anyone else from participating in the experiment. Yet, yours truly has begun this experiment on himself just last weekkk to avoid failing all 17 tests in the coming week. So how is it working? Wel curentlwy i am conmpletley coherant und i cnn wrte perfctky fne wth no concerernes. Untill nnext timme!

NBA

Julius Randle’s Big Slip

By JACK CHENG and WAI SUM FONG

The greatest surprise in the 2022-2023 NBA season was not the Los Angeles Lakers’ playoff berth after their terrible 2-10 start but rather the New York Knicks’ spectacular season. In the 2021-2022 season, they won less than 46 percent of their games but suddenly hit a 57 percent win rate in the next season. They were the 11th seed last year but now finished the season as a fifth-seed monster. What marked this huge leap? That’s a simple answer: an unarguable anchor for the team—guard Jalen Brunson. The Knicks’ trade for him after the 2021-2022 season brought a huge contract to a skeptical, yet desperate team. The Knicks gave up a second overall draft pick to the Dallas Mavericks for a decent guard that would ultimately become their top bucket-scorer. Yet in the postseason, they were still dusted by the Heat. So what happened to such a great team? What else were the Knicks missing? Who was dragging them down?

One of the most hurtful stats for a team to be plentiful in is turnovers per game and, consequently, a high turnovers-tosteals ratio. The more turnovers you rack up, and the fewer steals to compensate, the more buckets you feed the opponent. During the playoffs, the Knicks averaged a whopping 14 turnovers per game. 14! And how many steals did the rest of the team average? Five. The Knicks gave up nine possessions per game, which, for most teams, translates to around 11 points. During the

NBA

By ARSHAN PERVEZ

Following a dominant postseason run in the 2021 NBA playoffs that culminated in a finals loss, the Phoenix Suns have made it their goal to reach the promise land ever since. However, after a devastating loss in Game 7 of the second round last season, the Suns made it clear that they were looking for change. After executing a blockbuster trade just before the deadline for all-star forward Kevin Durant with the Brooklyn Nets, the Suns looked to make a push toward the finals and a championship. While the Suns did have a regular season winning streak with Durant and were able to eliminate the Los Angeles Clippers in the first round of the playoffs, they unfortunately fell to the Denver Nuggets in the second round. With aging stars Durant and point guard Chris Paul, the Suns must make rapid adjustments, both in their roster and their play.

A major source of weakness in the roster for the Suns is center Deandre Ayton, who has massively underperformed both in the regular season and playoffs. Ayton, the former first overall pick in the 2018 NBA draft and starting center for the Suns, has been criticized for his lack of effort on both ends of the court, as well as his overall lack

Heat-Knicks series in the Eastern Conference semifinals, the Knicks lost to the Heat by less than 11 points in three out of the four games. Turnovers are one of the most underlooked stats, yet play a massive role in the outcome of a game. Despite Brunson’s amazing play and his insane 40-point games, the Knicks managed to fumble these critical playoff games. This struggle toppled everything Brunson tried and led to their elimination in round two of the playoffs.

And guess who was leading the Knicks in the turnovers per game stat? Julius Randle. He averaged 2.8 turnovers per game this regular season and 3.5 in the postseason. After Randle’s star performance in Game 2 of the Heat-Knicks series, there were high expectations for him in Game 3. Yet in 38 minutes, he posted 10 points, 14 rebounds, and two assists while shooting four of 15 from the field. To add to this flop of a performance, he had four turnovers—one for each bucket he made. In the next game, though he put up 20 points, he fouled out and had six turnovers. His lackluster performance in the playoffs is nothing new. In the Knicks’s 2020-21 playoff run, Randle had another underwhelming performance. He averaged 36 minutes, a 29.8 percent field goal percentage, and 4.6 turnovers per game. There is no question about his regular season display as he put up all-star level stats, scoring 25.1 points per game, shooting 46 percent from the field, gathering 10 rebounds, and putting up four assists. Yet his playoff

showing leaves much to be desired as he is appearing more and more like an “82-game-player” instead of a “16-game-player,” as Draymond Green would say.

At the same time though, we as fans need to understand that Randle was also dealing with an ankle injury at the start of the postseason and the beginning of the Heat series. A sprain there would usually mean staying on the bench for a week or two, but, as the playoffs rolled around, the Knicks needed Randle to play. The weak Knicks bench would hurt Randle’s performance in the playoffs, averaging 16 points, though this was still six points under his usual 22 in the regular season. From this, fans are left to wonder: Can Randle be excused for this injury? He has shown in his career with the Knicks that he is incapable of performing well in the playoffs, with stats that are especially underwhelming for a contract worth over $111 million.

The question that really needs addressing is should the Knicks trade him? Are they better without Randle? The standard at the moment for championship-contending NBA teams is to have two stars. The Knicks already have one with Brunson this season, as his performance puts him amongst the league’s best guards. However, this season has also proved that Randle is not on that level with his disappointing playoff performances. And when Randle is off the court, the Knicks seem to play a faster, more explosive offense. In the Knicks vs. Cavaliers game on March 31, Cavaliers star Donovan Mitchell

was asked about their 116-130 loss and he mentioned Randle’s absence. “So, [the Knicks] not having Julius Randle changes the pace of their group. You know, obviously, [what] Jalen does. He pushes the pace, but you have a kind of a mismatch with those two—Julius kind of [slows them down],” Mitchell said. That night, their best lineup consisted of Brunson, Quentin Grimes, RJ Barrett, Obi Toppin, and Isaiah Hartenstein, as they played with a quick 101.2 pace compared to their regular season 97.75 pace. This shows that maybe the Knicks are better off without Randle—but what trade value does he have? He seems to fit a “distressed star” profile: A star player that did not fit a team’s play style or off-court problems for instance. Such an example is Russell Westbrook for Kyle Kuzma, Kentavius Caldwell-Pope, Montrezl Harrell, and a first-round pick. The best possible trade scenario for Randle would be one or two first-round picks and some rotational players.

But if the Knicks are looking to replace Randle with another star, potential options would be power forward Karl-Anthony Towns and guard Bradley Beal. First, Towns has links to the Knicks, as he has been coached by the current New York coach, Tom Thibodeau, and Towns’s former agent, Leon Rose, has become the new Knicks president. Additionally, Towns’ threepoint shooting would provide a major asset to the Knicks, as he would help spread the floor with Brunson controlling the offense. Randle would also be a cheaper

The Fall of the Phoenix Suns…Again

of engagement with the team throughout the past few seasons. After a lackluster performance in last season’s playoffs, Ayton was set to leave the Suns for the Indiana Pacers as an unrestricted free agent. However, the Suns matched their offer of $133 million over four years, leading Ayton to re-sign with the team. Ayton’s frustrations with the team and vice-versa have often spilled over onto the court, such as when he argued with head coach Monty Williams during a game earlier in the season. Later in the game, after Ayton failed to set a screen for now Brooklyn Nets forward Mikal Bridges, they then proceeded to argue about who was at fault. The Suns would end up losing this game to the Washington Wizards 113-110. “I was so locked in I was so pissed off because we were losing. I was trying to tell him to do this and that, and not thinking about his situation being the No. 1 pick and getting a lot of hate for no reason,” Bridges said following the game.

In Game 3 of the NuggetsSuns series, Williams benched Ayton for backup center Jock Landale during the game, leading to Ayton exploding with frustration and ignoring his teammates after the win. This benching came with reason, as Ayton struggled heavily both during this game and the entire series.

Ayton’s hesitance on the offensive end has often led to him missing layups against shorter guards as well as losing offensive rebounds against other centers.

On the defensive end, Ayton is often slow to recover from his own defensive mishaps, leading to other MVP-caliber cen ters such as the Nuggets’ Nikola Joki him on the offense. The visible lack of hustle by Ayton this season, especially during the Nuggets series, is a reflection of his experience with

While both Durant and Booker had their own struggles throughout the playoffs, the Suns’ lack of depth continuously hurt them throughout this playoff run. Trading away players such as Bridges and Nets forward Cameron Johnson for Durant hurt their

option for the Timberwolves and would allow Minnesota to be able to configure a starting five without two seven-foot stars in the same lineup in Towns and Rudy Gobert. Finally, Towns is young at just 27, and this would ensure the Knicks’ future because its other star, Brunson, is just 26. Next, Beal would make a lot of sense, as he is a high-percentage three-point shooter at 37.2 percent and when he played with John Wall, it was closer to 40 percent. Paired with Brunson, Beal would be able to flourish and space the floor while helping the Knicks play a quicker, more dynamic type of offense. The Wizards, with Randle, would have a player just as productive as Beal and for half the price. Yet, the biggest issue with all these possible trades is the cost. Last summer, Towns signed a four-year supermax extension with the Timberwolves for $224 million, and Beal still has four years on his contract where he is expected to get $207 million. Despite his poor playoff performances, the Knicks are unlikely to trade away Randle due to his regular season value and his status as a rising star alongside Brunson. At the moment, the Knicks are seeing their best team in years, and some offseason moves could only help to improve the team. But this year’s postseason display by Randle leaves many questions unanswered. Is it better to keep developing him? Or should the Knicks cut their losses and move on? Sooner or later, the Knicks will have to make a choice. Only the next few years will tell if they made the right decision.

timeouts when the Nuggets went on runs and often had little to no strategies for countering the offense. The blowout losses in elimination games, both this season and last season, led him to be fired immediately following the Suns’ 125-100 loss in Game 6. “That’s something that I pride myself on and it just didn’t happen. That's something I have to take a deep look at, everything I’m doing,” Williams said.

the Suns organization and his desire to play for other teams, just as he attempted in last season’s free agency. “I love Phoenix … I’m going to continue playing hard in Phoenix … and that’s about it,” Ayton said following Game 6.

year’s playoffs. After injuries to both Paul and Ayton, the Suns simply did not have enough on either end of the court to match up with the fully healthy Nuggets. Coach Williams often reflected these qualms in his own coaching, as he rarely called

In order to have a chance at making it to the finals again, the Phoenix Suns will have to take a hard look in the mirror and not only fix issues with their roster, such as Ayton’s clear lack of effort, but also find a new coach who they feel can help their team when it matters most. With the Suns being blown out in elimination games two seasons in a row, the front office definitely has a lot of work to do this off-season. Whether it be via the hiring of a championship coach, such as former Toronto Raptors coach Nick Nurse, or trading Ayton for centers who may not be as talented but are certainly renowned for their hustle plays, like Mavericks center Javale McGee, the Suns need to find a way around their team woes. The championship window is closing for the Suns, and if they want to align their stars and bring home an NBA title for the Phoenix faithful, they need to do it now.

Phoebe Buckwalter / The Spectator

Girls' Fencing

Unleash the Vipers

By KAILEEN SO

Through the peculiarities of the 2022 season, the Vipers, Stuyvesant’s girls’ fencing team, collectively underwent a new experience that fortified the team’s strength. Facing the challenge of adapting to a new team, the Vipers grew closer, creating deep bonds with one another. Remarkably, the team fought their way to the top and clinched silver in the playoffs last season. Fuelled by that accomplishment, they aim to repeat their success and secure yet another coveted medal this year.

The Vipers started off their 2023 season with a hard-fought victory over John Jay Campus, narrowly outscoring them 86-82. Using this strong performance as a foundation, the team progressively strengthened their performance throughout the season. Striking a delicate balance between the epee and foil teams was a crucial factor in their success last season, and they continued to refine this equilibrium in their current season. In the majority of their regular-season matches, the Vipers accumulated the maximum of 90 points, with both the epee and foil teams contributing 45 points each. Their 2023 season featured many overwhelming victories, exemplified

NHL

by their 90-23 and 90-31 victories over Long Island City as well as their final regular-season game against NEST+M, in which they won 90-56. Traditionally, Bronx Science posed a significant challenge for the Vipers in individual tournaments and playoffs, but this season, John Jay Campus emerged as the Vipers’ inter-division rival, becoming the only team to prevent the Vipers from attaining maximum points.

Regarding the evolving PSAL fencing landscape, “The league itself is improving. I think the quality of fencers overall seems to be getting better. This year, two of the teams in our division acquired experienced players in their foil squads, making the competition much more difficult for us,” Coach Joel Winston said. In spite of the increasing competition, the Vipers once again completed their regular season undefeated, maintaining their remarkable streak of over 16 undefeated seasons.

Despite encountering roadblocks such as injuries and illness, the Vipers continued to rally as a unified force, surmounting various hurdles on their path to the playoffs. This season, the Vipers saw the addition of six of their total eight underclassmen, highlighting the importance of incorporating a new genera-

tion of Vipers into their existing team structures. Despite the challenge, the new Vipers took this in stride, adapting well to the conditions of the team. Beyond their grueling training sessions and fierce competitions, the team draws strength from their shared traditions and team bonding activities. Weekly team dinners on Fridays serve as an opportunity

Vipers also partake in the tradition of watching a fencing-related movie each season, ranging from The Princess Bride to Zorro, fostering camaraderie and creating enjoyable moments of team bonding.

In order to succeed as a fencer, raw athleticism is not enough by itself. Rather, fencing demands a delicate balance

perfect precise footwork through games like “glove box.” In addition to footwork, glove box also works the fencer’s distance and timing skills. Only requiring a glove to hold and a partner, glove box has fencers take turns trying to hit their opponents with their gloves while only allowing each attacker two steps and a lunge to reach their opponent. Adding on, senior and co-captain Cynthia Chang emphasized the collaboration still prominent within the individualized sport. “Fencing is typically an individual sport, so we’re always working towards improving our own techniques as well as helping each other try new methods that we’ve learned from our private coaches,” Chang said.

to unwind while building connections between the Vipers. “To the captains, it doesn’t matter if we get first or last; this dinner is yet another chance for us to bond as a team,” senior and co-captain Carina Lee said. The

of technique, mental acuity, and explosive power for success. The Vipers have dedicated themselves to refining these aspects throughout the season, working to hone their conditioning, master strategic maneuvers, and

As the season nears its conclusion, the team directs its gaze toward the future. Recognizing the short fencing season spanning only a few months during the school year, there is a strong emphasis on the importance of maintaining practice even during the off-season. With the imminent departure of the graduating seniors, the team looks to the promising newcomers to uphold the mantle of excellence while preserving the cherished traditions, games, and jokes that have become an integral part of their fencing legacy.

NHL Playoffs: Underdogs, Upsets, and Firsts

By KAI RUSSELL

“I don’t think they want Florida that much anymore,” Florida Panthers winger Matthew Tkachuk said.

This witty response was a highlight of Tkachuk’s interview after a shocking five-game series win over the Toronto Maple Leafs, before which Leafs fans had already sealed the fate of their team. Invigorated after beating Tampa Bay and exorcising their first-round demons with their first series win in nearly two decades, they had chanted “We want Florida!” across Toronto. Due in large part to Tkachuk and the heroics of goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky, the Panthers had little trouble taking the first three games. The “core four” of the Leafs roster, who take up an incredible 49 percent of the team’s salary cap, were remarkably invisible. Now, the Maple Leafs and their fans have new problems to contend with––most prominently, the search for Kyle Dubas’s replacement as general manager after he was fired by frustrated president Brendan Shanahan.

This was only one of the dramatic storylines from the second round, where the trademark intensity of the postseason was dialed up another notch. Classic playoff beards stretched longer, coaches grew even more irate, and the referees became the targets of passionate fans once again following more controversial calls. While some teams are getting ready for a long offseason of golf, others are moving on to the conference finals. Let’s dive in.

The series between the Vegas Golden Knights and Edmonton

Oilers pitted two teams with a lot to lose against each other, to say the least, and the series would be dictated by a few key questions. Would the Golden Knights be able to keep their momentum after a quick series win in round

expectations, the Knights picked up the upset win in six games, with lopsided games being exchanged in the early stages before Vegas edged out victories in games five and six. Vegas center Jack Eichel proved to be the dif-

down the Oilers, and much of their roster outside of Draisaitl and McDavid contributed little. Draisaitl specifically has to be disappointed in his team, as he now heads home early despite producing over a goal per game during their short-lived postseason run.

one? Could Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and the historically successful Oilers power play get them to advance? Many fans had picked Edmonton to win the Stanley Cup in their brackets this season. Against everyone’s

ference maker, especially when combined with the Knights’s far superior depth players. Despite Edmonton’s power play continuing to click at a 47.4 percent success rate in the playoffs, fiveon-five play and goaltending let

The other series in the West—between the Seattle Kraken and Dallas Stars—came in a little more low-profile but did not disappoint in the slightest. The series went all the way to seven games, with the Stars advancing after the tightest series fans have seen in years. For Dallas, round two held an unlikely hero in the form of 38-year-old center Joe Pavelski. Pavelski, who was injured for the entirety of their first-round matchup versus the Minnesota Wild, scored eight goals against the Kraken to help Dallas advance. This included a storybook four-goal performance in Game 1 before the Stars lost in overtime. Though the Kraken fought hard and got a surprisingly vintage performance from goaltender Philipp Grubauer, Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger was up to the task, helping his team eke out a 2-1 win in the do-or-die Game 7. The Kraken failed to establish early leads for much of the series, and it ended up costing them greatly. Still, Seattle—who finished close to dead-last in the standings in their inaugural season last year—has a lot to be proud of after this year’s quick turnaround.

In the Eastern Conference, a young New Jersey Devils team was taking on the divisionwinning Carolina Hurricanes. Many were wondering if New Jersey’s young core would con-

tinue their miracle season and lead them to the promised land against a battered Canes squad. The answer to that question turned out to be a resounding no, courtesy of Carolina and coach Rod Brind’Amour. Except for a wide-open 8-4 win for the Devils that featured three—that’s right, three—shorthanded goals, the Hurricanes stomped out the Devils en route to a five-game gentleman’s sweep. Except for recent first-overall pick Jack Hughes, the Devils’ star players were unable to match Carolina’s depth. Defenseman Dougie Hamilton and forwards Nico Hischier and Jesper Bratt combined for a singular goal. Simply put, not good enough. Three of the Hurricanes’ wins were by four goals or more, as the Devils’ defense and goaltender Akira Schmid turned leaky while the offense turned dry. Yikes, New Jersey.

The second round raised almost as many questions as it did answers. Two of the four remaining teams—the Panthers and the Golden Knights—have never won a Stanley Cup in their franchise histories. Even the Hurricanes and Stars had their most recent championships 17 and 24 years ago, respectively. The world is guaranteed to see new faces raising the Stanley Cup in June, with regularly contending juggernauts like the Lightning and Avalanche already long gone.

With the first game of the conference finals between the Panthers and Hurricanes already going to quadruple overtime, hockey fans should buckle up and enjoy the adrenaline rush while they can. This round will be even more exciting than the last.

Felipe Marin / The Spectator

Courtesy of Cynthia Chang

Coed Stunt

Fabulous Flipping

By TOMAS LEVANI

Stunt is one of the fastestgrowing sports in the country, and it involves skills similar to those utilized in cheer, such as tumbling, partner stunts, pyramids, group stunts, and others. However, stunt focuses on the technical skills used in cheerleading instead of the cheering aspect. During competitions, teams compete head-to-head, performing one of 18 types of stunts. The team that performs the stunt the best earns a point and picks the stunt level of the next routine that will be performed.

Stunt is a highly-anticipated spring sport at Stuyvesant, and its team is composed of many cheer members who are active during the fall season. The varsity coed stunt team finished the 20222023 season third in Division A, showing significant improvement

Boys' and Girls' Track

from previous years and prospects of winning the playoffs in the near future.

The team consistently performed well this season, boasting a record of 7-3. They started the season off strong, winning 12-5 against New Dorp, then breezing past Benjamin N. Cardozo High School with a result of 1611. Despite a significantly larger competing bracket during the season in comparison to previous years, the Stuyvesant stunt team was able to outdo themselves, exhibiting their best performance in the past four years. A key reason for their growth has been the captains’ focus on improving team spirit and learning more advanced technical skills, which result in more impressive performances.

In addition to performing well in competitions, the stunt team is its own community

within Stuyvesant. The team has a preseason in which members sharpen their skills and spend time together at camp before school starts. Additionally, the team’s captains—seniors Danica Moser and Xinni Lan—have been extremely supportive, mentoring and helping members of the team. The members are supportive of each other during practice and often spend time together when they are not practicing. Senior and team member Daria Minhas was also essential to maintaining team morale and improving the team community. On top of excelling in matches personally, Moser said “[They] helped tie the team together.” Minhas supported the team emotionally and helped keep morale up during difficult games.

Stunt coach Jenna Freytag is optimistic about the future of the team. She is proud of the team’s

near-perfect record this season and believes that they have the potential to become city champions. Despite having a relatively fresh team, in which most members, even seniors and juniors, joined only this year, they were able to excel. The team only lost three times during the entire season, with one of the losses coming from rival Brooklyn Technical High School, and two from Susan E. Wagner High School. Freytag believes that the team, with a few minor improvements, has the potential to win against both rivals in the next season. “One thing that the Stuyvesant stunt team could improve is the frequency of their conditioning training, as it is a crucial part of being able to perform better. Without stronger abs, shoulders, biceps, and other muscles, moves become impossible to do,” Freytag said. However, the team has undoubtedly

A Bright Future for the Greyducks

By EVAN WONG

The PSAL Borough Championships last week marked the end of yet another successful season for many of the Greyducks, Stuyvesant’s boys’ and girls’ outdoor track teams. Despite fluctuating weather conditions posing challenges to team practices, the Greyducks perse-

Raphael Ramot also dominated his 1600m event with a time of 4:50. In their team events, the boys’ A team won second place in the boys’ 4x800m with a time of 8:50, just nine seconds behind Hunter. The girls saw similar results in their events, as sophomores Skye McArthur and Emily Li won second and fifth place in the 1500m with times of 5:30

These incredible performances from the young runners are the result of a variety of factors in their new training plan. Both the sprint and distance captains created weekly training routines on shared resources like Strava that team members could use to track progress. However, it ultimately all boils down to hard work and a passion for the sport, which is clearly present among the Greyducks community.

improved in regard to their stunt skills. They’ve been able to consistently perform level four routines, a significant improvement from previous years. The captains’ focus on training for more advanced routines has been a key driver of the team’s success. Despite a successful season, the team leadership has worked on a plan to improve even further and potentially win the playoffs next year. First, they will employ a training regiment that places more emphasis on conditioning and will last longer. This is expected to keep the members in better physical shape, which will result in being able to perform more advanced routines. Additionally, there will be more social gatherings within the team to foster a greater sense of stunt spirit next year. The future looks bright for the Stuyvesant stunt team.

vered. Both teams placed second overall in the Manhattan Borough Championships, falling just a few points behind Hunter College High School. This rivalry between the Greyducks and Hunter can be traced back to the indoor season in the winter, and the Greyducks’ defeat at Borough’s has only reinvigorated their drive to improve. “We were disappointed to go so close to winning Borough’s and to lose out by only a few points, but with City’s and [Frosh/Soph Championships] still to come, everyone is hoping to get another chance to run some fast times,” senior and distance captain Vernon Hughes said.

While the sprint teams had relatively slow starts to their seasons, both distance teams have thrived since their PSAL Season Opener on April 1. Sophomore Jamie Andersen won the sophomore boys’ 1600m with a time of 4:43, with sophomores Rayan Capanu and Filipos Kogiantis trailing closely behind. Freshman

and 5:49, respectively. Furthermore, the girls’ A team won second place in the varsity 4x800m with a time of 10:44.

The teams stayed on their winning streak at the Bob Zifchak Classic. Though the sprinters once again fell behind in their individual events, they excelled in the team events. The freshman boys won second place in the freshman 4x100m with a time of 51.75 seconds, and the varsity A team won fifth in their 4x100m with a time of 47.69 seconds.

Sophomore Snow Krigh demonstrated his versatility and skill across multiple events, running 55.69 seconds to finish 14th place in the 400m and winning second place in the long jump. On the other hand, the distance teams displayed their consistency, earning similar results as previous competitions. Andersen notably won second place in the varsity boys’ 1600m, finishing with a time of 4:31––a 10-second improvement––that was just half a second behind first place.

Both teams fought hard at the PSAL Borough Championships last week, seeking to end off their season, and for many seniors their high school track careers, on a positive note. Senior and sprint captain Ayron Thomas blew his competition out of the water, winning first place in the varsity boys’ 100m, 200m, and 400m in an astonishing display of skill. Fellow senior and sprint captain Qi Guang Zhu won first place in the boys’ 110m hurdles with a time of 16.31 seconds, followed by junior Vincent D’Angelo. Freshman Emma Savonije won third place in the girls’ 800m race, while seniors Isabella Stenhouse and Pimada Phongsuriya scored big in both the 1500m and 3000m events.

Sophomore hurdler Niamh Werner won both the 100m hurdle and 400m hurdle events with times of 18.46 and 1:12, respectively. “The season has gone well, especially for our underclassmen. A lot of them joined the team during cross country or indoor track and were still learning the ropes, and now they are seeing the benefits of their hard work in races,” Hughes said. Considering that running rewards effort and consistency over natural talent, this prior experience from previous seasons was crucial to this season’s improvement.

For other runners like sophomore Chenming Fang, the meet served as an opportunity to prove their skill to both themselves and their peers. Fang suffered a devastating foot injury following the cross-country season in November, an unfortunate reminder of the risks involved in participating in such a high-intensity sport.

After being forced to watch from the sidelines in a boot and crutches for over four months as his body recovered, Fang finally made his return to the track in mid-March with a burning desire to redeem himself. This desire would be fulfilled at the Borough Championships, where Fang ran a time of 5:12 in the 1600m and set his first PR in the event since the 2022 outdoor season. “I’m just happy to be back. This race was definitely a turning point for me, and I’m really excited for where I will go with this team,” Fang said.

His success is just another reminder of how far hard work and dedication can get you in the sport and has served as an inspiration to the team to better themselves every day. “If Chenming was able to come back from injury and [set a personal record], then we really have

no excuse not to do the same,” sophomore distance runner Tim Ng said.

The leadership of the highly talented and supportive captains of the teams, as well as the athletes’ unrelenting work ethics, have definitely been making a difference in their times since previous seasons. The Greyducks hope to carry this success through to the summer, with City Championships taking place next Sunday, and [Frosh/Soph] championships on June 1 and June 4. Between the team’s continuous improvement and the strong roster of upperclassmen, the future of the Greyducks is looking exceptionally bright. As the team is forced to say goodbye to many of their fastest runners and closest friends, they look forward to a future of success under a new generation of Greyducks.

Courtesy of Track Team

By SOHAM MUKHERJEE and JACK CAO

After 124 games of breathtaking European action, only two out of the 32 original teams remain in the illustrious UEFA Champions League. English titan Manchester City will battle it out against Italian giant Inter Milan in the biggest game of the season, with each team hoping to make history by lifting the coveted European Cup under the illustrious lights of Istanbul’s Atatürk Olympic Stadium on June 10. The two sides have taken very different paths to reach this peak, so it’s time to break down what’s in store and find out just what can be expected from this electrifying final.

MANCHESTER CITY

Ever since they were taken over by billionaire Sheikh Mansour in 2008, Manchester City were destined for greatness. The Mancunian side have amassed an astonishing 18 trophies since the takeover, including five Premier League titles in the last six years, with the most recent added just a week ago when City were officially crowned the kings of England for the 2022-2023 campaign. Despite their domestic dynasty in England, City have yet to win a Champions League title and have only reached the final once, where they disappointingly lost to fellow English side Chelsea 1-0. However, with this iteration of the Champions League, the Mancunians have a great opportunity to right their wrongs as they are coming up against an Inter Milan team that they are considered a heavy favorites against.

Currently, the Citizens are undoubtedly the best team in Europe, boasting a squad with enough skill to dominate any opposition. Principals in this crew of superstars are striker Erling Haaland and attacking midfielder Kevin de Bruyne, who leads the Champions League in goals and assists respectively. Bolstering this deadly attack is an experienced midfield including İlkay Gündoğan and Rodri, while a

UCL Final Preview

stalwart defense marshaled by

Guardiola himself will want to

past the group stages. Despite

fense in the opening 10 minutes by netting two early goals. Leão’s return in the second leg was not enough, as an inspired Nerazzuri triumphed again through a 74th-minute winner, courtesy of beautiful interplay between Belgian striker Romelu Lukaku and Argentine striker Lautaro Martínez. Manager Simeone Inzaghi will be relying on Inter’s solid link-up play and on-field chemistry in the final against City.

Currently sitting third in the Serie A and having won the last five straight domestic fixtures, Inter are also in-form and will be looking to cause one of the biggest upsets in UCL history by usurping a City squad that is clearly more well-rounded and experienced on paper. With superstars like Martínez and Nicolo Barrela enjoying brilliant seasons and strong reinforcement off the bench in the form of Joaquin Correa, the Nerazzurri have proven their perseverance and strong-willed determination. City will do their best not to underestimate their Italian opponents, because that grave mistake may just help Inter claim the throne for them-

PREDICTIONS

Soham: Manchester City 2-0 Inter Milan

I think that, despite a respectable performance from Inter, City will secure the lead through a Kevin De Bruyne strike late in the first half. Haaland will double the advantage in favor of Guardiola’s side early in the second half before City close the game out to win their first UCL title.

Jack: Manchester City 1-0 Inter

ally, striker Haaland will certainly be eyeing this potential treble as an opportunity to elevate his contention for the Ballon d’Or in his first season with City. And in the dugout,

called “group of death” with the likes of Bayern Munich and FC Barcelona during the early rounds of the Champions League fueled doubts over whether Inter would even get

sonerri’s Portuguese winger Rafael Leão, who has been their standout star this season. Inter took the lead in the first leg with a dominant display, dismantling the A.C. Milan de-

The final at Istanbul will be very cagey from the get-go, as Inter Milan will likely adopt a heavily defensive approach to the game to resist the attack of Manchester City. However, the Mancunians will find a way through via a goal from Gündoğan and etch their name in the Champions League trophy for the first time in history.

Azamat Kutlukov: More Than Just a Teammate

besides my condition, like getting into Bing[hamton] University

mer. Lastly, my counselor actually found out that I had enough cred-

How do you stay motivated and maintain a positive mindset despite the physical and emotional obstacles you’ve encountered?

“Well, it’s definitely been hard at times, especially at the start, but my mom and family show me nothing but love and positivity, so even if I’m feeling down, it still rubs off on me. Also, I have some great friends that I always keep in touch with. They even came to visit me in the hospital. Shoutout [to] Efe [Kilic], [Sam] Glusker, J[ustin] Fern, Anvar [Kadirbekov], [William] Opich, [Navid] Zunaid, Peter [Carini], Tenzin [Monlam], and Joseph [Kim]. I’ve also had a lot to look forward to and keep my mind on

(go Bearcats) and thinking about what I’m gonna do over the sum-

its to graduate once I ended up in the hospital. She initially tried to

get me to do online schooling, but that didn’t work out. It’s nice being able to graduate early and not having to worry about any schoolwork or classes. It was a nice load off of my mind and let me focus on my recovery, [though] I’ll admit that life is sometimes a little boring now without school.”

Do you plan on making a comeback to sports?

“Most definitely. Before all this, I played basketball and football pretty much every day, but given the conditioning required [for] those sports, I’m taking a long break from them for the time being until I can get back in shape. I also need some time and experience easing back into rebuilding my confidence since I used to be a very physical player, but I’m unable to play like that now given my much smaller

frame and condition. I still try to play sometimes with my friends. I just have to make sure I’m feeling good that day and let them know to take it easy on me, but I definitely can’t just pop in and play pickup at any given moment like I used to.”

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

“If there’s one thing or lesson I would give to anyone reading this, it is to not take the simple things in life that you might think are givens like your health and friends for granted. Always count your blessings and try to look for positivity in any situation, even if things might not be going the way you want them to, because you never know what life will throw at you. Lastly, I hope that the scanner ladies can be more amicable in the future.”

Athlete of the Issue

By YASHNA PATEL and FREDERIK SCHUTZ

Name: Iravan Bhattacharyya

Grade: Senior

Height: 5’11”

Hair Color: Dark Brown

Eye Color: Brown

Date of Birth: January 7, 2005

1. When and how did you start playing baseball? How long have you been on the Peglegs, the Stuyvesant varsity baseball team?

I started playing baseball when I was about eight years old. My dad was the first one to really introduce me to the sport. He would always play wiffle ball with me as a kid, and he realized my hand-eye coordination was somewhat decent. By the time I enrolled at Stuyvesant, I had been playing travel baseball for many years, and I knew Stuy Baseball was a team I wanted to join.

2. What position do you play? What skills/strengths are involved?

I am a primary pitcher and a secondary outfielder. Being a pitcher, it’s necessary to have strong legs, a strong core, and be flexible. The motion of pitching is very unnatural to the human body and it’s therefore imperative to always take care of yourself as a pitcher. It is also important to be mentally tough and very focused. As a pitcher, it’s not uncommon to find yourself in stressful situations, and the best pitchers are the ones who can execute in the most uncomfortable spots.

3. Do you have a most memorable/proud moment with the Peglegs?

One of the most memorable moments with Stuyvesant baseball has to be our quarterfinal game against Cardozo High School. We were losing 3-0 into the seventh inning. I was the first batter in the inning, and I hit a ball to right field

By JOSEPH KIM

The Perfect Catch: Glovin’ it

and got out. After my at-bat, the rest of the lineup rallied to put up eight runs in the top of the seventh, making the score 8-3. My words do not do this moment jus-

of baseball and hanging out in the warm Florida weather. We get to stay in rooms with our teammates and live a relatively independent life. Every morning of the week,

ible. First off, our head coach is John Carlesi. I would pay an unfathomable amount of money to anyone who can find me a coach who cares more about his kids than Coach Carlesi. First of all, by the time our season starts, Coach Carlesi makes sure that our team has had more practices than arguably any other team in the city. Throughout the whole school year, we have weekly practices and, on top of that, Coach always makes himself available to us to take a couple more swings at the batting cages with him or work on anything we need to. On top of that, the only reason our team has our Florida trip is Coach Carlesi. He puts in countless hours every year to make sure that our Florida trip runs smoothly and efficiently and that we get an experience that not many other people can say they’ve had. A true tribute to Coach’s effect on his players is the number of alumni that make the effort to stay in touch with him. Every year our team has alumni events, and the amount of people that come just to say hi and reconnect with Coach is astounding. The baseball staff is otherwise made up of Coach Thomas Durante, Coach Jimmy Wendt, and Coach Vito. All of these men are great students of the game and are even greater people. The coaching team is the very core of all of our successes.

6. Do you have any plans to continue the sport in the future or in college?

dirt before the game actually starts.

8. What is your jersey number? What made you decide that number?

My jersey number is 18. I chose this number because it kind of looks like my initials (IB) and it was also the number on the first jersey I ever wore when I joined my first baseball team when I was eight.

9. What are the best and worst parts of baseball?

One of the best parts of baseball is how dramatic it is. It is not a sport characterized by constant action; instead, it consists of great moments that change the entire trajectory of the game. It calls on its players to show up in the big moments, and it gives them a chance to shine for themselves and for their teammates. On that note, the other best part about baseball is how team-oriented it is. A baseball game cannot be won by one person. It requires all of a team’s assets (their pitchers, fielders, and hitters) to work harmoniously in order to win a game. Due to the nature of the sport, baseball allows its players to form a bond with each other unlike any other.

Funniest Teammate: Peter Carini

Favorite Professional Baseball

Player: Aaron Judge

Favorite MLB Team: New York

Yankees

Playing on Full or Light Stomach: Light

Favorite Sports Drink: Orange

tice. It was an incredible feat that was symbolic of our team’s grit, camaraderie, and potential.

4. Tell us about your team’s preseason trip to Florida. For the past four years, the week that I get to go to Florida with the team has been the most anticipated week of my year. During each midwinter recess, our coach takes both the JV and varsity teams down to Port St. Lucie, Florida for a week

we have practice at this beautiful baseball complex near our lodging, and a couple days out of the week we have games that we play against local Floridian teams or any other team visiting the area. All the time in between is filled with eating, playing, and hanging out with friends.

5. What impact does your coaching team have on the team? Our coaching staff is incred-

I will attempt to walk on to the baseball team at my future school. If that does not work out, club or intramural baseball is always an option.

7. Do you have any pregame superstitions or rituals?

As a team, we do a chant before every game. Personally, I do not have any superstitions, other than to never step on the foul lines and to never mess up the infield

Vitamin Water

Favorite Post-Match Snack:

Kraft Mac and Cheese

Favorite Hobby: Eating If You Could Play One Other

Sport: Ultimate Frisbee

Motto to Live By: Go big or go home.

Fun Fact: I used to be a theater kid.

Shoe Brand: Nike Baseball or Cricket: Baseball (sorry motherland)

Azamat Kutlukov: More Than Just a Teammate

Azamat Kutlukov, a member of the varsity football and wrestling teams, was diagnosed with leukemia in February 2023. He is making a strong recovery under the care of New York City’s best doctors.

I’ve known Azamat, better known as Oz or Ozzy, for two years. My first impression of him was not one of some superstar athlete; in fact, it was quite the opposite. Let me set the scene for you: It’s the beginning of the wrestling season, in the cafeteria, on just another autumn afternoon. On the mat duking it out were Oz and Justin Kim––the captain of the team. To say that they were “duking it out” is putting it lightly. In truth, Oz got destroyed. He got tech-falled, 15-0. You don’t need to know much about wrestling to know how badly he lost. While others poked fun at him behind his back, my respect for him could not have been any greater. You see, I revered the captains with an air of untouchableness. They were not people you were supposed to mess with. Period. For Oz to come in on his first day of practice and challenge one of them was unthinkable to me. Some may say that what Oz did that day was egotistical or down-

right cocky, that he had it coming for him. Perhaps they’re right. But to me, he was a maverick. He was brazen. He was him. I did not revere Oz in the same context as I did the captains. Instead, I revered him as someone who doesn’t cower in the face of a challenge. Rather, as cliché as it might sound, he embraces it. That’s how I know that he is going to beat cancer. He’s going to face it with the same confident attitude he had that day he wrestled the captain. Only this time, he’s going to come out on top.

I’ve shared the gridiron, basketball court, and wrestling mat with Oz more times than I can remember. I can’t say for sure how many times I’ve mossed him or posterized him on an eight-foot rim, but one thing I am certain of is that his presence can always be felt. Oz exudes a contagiously positive energy. Simply put, he makes everything more fun. Big plays feel even bigger when he’s the first one to pick you up and tell you “good [EXPLETIVE].”

His playful banter turns pick-up games at BMCC into the last two minutes of Game 7of the NBA Finals. His hunger to score a takedown cannot be quenched, no matter how “gassed” he may be. This energy that he brings to the table day after day makes every practice and every game all

the better for everyone. Ask any of his teammates. They’ll provide a testimony not so different from mine. To us, his teammates, Oz is more than someone who we practice with, play pickup with, and eat at Taco Bell with. He’s more than just a teammate: He’s our friend.

An Interview With Kutlukov: What’ve you been up to since you were diagnosed with leukemia?

“I spent the first two months in the hospital, but after I got out, aside from having to go to the clinic weekly for treatment, I’ve just been staying at home and going outside for walks, bike rides, and occasionally linking friends if I’m feeling good enough to.”

What challenges have you faced in balancing your treatment and recovery with your athletic pursuits?

“I would say my hospital visit spanned roughly two-to-three months, and in that time, I was basically bed-ridden the whole day, and it wasn’t until the last couple of weeks there that I even started walking again. Going from someone who did a lot of exercising and working out every day to nothing so suddenly took a pretty drastic toll on my

body, as I lost about 30 pounds, including a lot of muscle, too. I really struggled and couldn’t even do some basic everyday tasks that I didn’t even have to think twice about before, like walking up the stairs and opening bottle caps and jars. Now that I’m out of the hospital again, I’ve been just walking a lot and taking small steps to work my way back in a manageable way. I’m even able

to bike again. Aside from the muscle and weight loss though, sometimes, the side effects of chemo, like headaches and nausea, stop me from moving much and force me to have to pause to lay down and rest.”

continued on page 35

SPORTSBEAT

Manchester City win the Premier League for the third consecutive time after Nottingham Forest defeat league runners-up Arsenal 1-0.

The Oakland Athletics strike a deal with the city of Las Vegas to build a baseball stadium, solidifying their plans to leave Oakland.

The Hitmen, Stuyvesant’s boys’ tennis team, continue their playoff journey, defeating Cardozo High School and advancing to the quarter-finals against Hunter College High School

The UEFA Champions League final is set for June 10, with Manchester City and Inter Milan going head-to-head in Istanbul.

The Denver Nuggets sweep the Los Angeles Lakers, cementing their spot in the finals against either the Miami Heat or the Boston Celtics, with the Heat one win away from the finals.

The Stanley Cup finals are nearly set, with the Florida Panthers sweeping the Carolina Hurricanes in the Eastern Conference and the Vegas Golden Knights holding a 3-1 series lead against the Dallas Stars in the Western Conference.

Courtesy of Iravan Bhattacharyya