Whittier April 2016

The

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April Issue 2016 Since 1884

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iscellany

Wilmington Friends School's Community Newspaper

Global Edition Wilmington, DE

Zika: The Next Ebola?

Death of Honduras Activist Sparks Controversy

Leah Johnson ’18 News Writer

Charlotte Donoho ’16 News Writer

Many questions have been raised about the rapidly-increasing number of Zika virus cases appearing in South American countries. As the risk of getting the virus increases, it is important to know what Zika is, where it came from, and the symptoms associated with it.

The Zika virus was first discovered in 1947 in the Zika forest of Uganda. Later, in 1952, the first human cases appeared. Since then, Zika outbreaks have occurred in tropical Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific Islands. The virus can now be found in the Americas, and some cases have been reported in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands, and in American Samoa. No cases have been reported within the United States so far.

Not all mosquito bites are as innocent as a small, itchy bump that goes away after a few days; the Zika virus can be transmitted to humans by the Aedes mosquito. The Aedes mosquito thrives in tropical locations, and has spread to every continent except Antarctica. These mosquitos are responsible for transmitting several diseases, the most well known being the dengue and chikungunya viruses. Being bit is not the only way to become infected with Zika; a pregnant woman infected with Zika is at risk of passing on the virus to the newborn.

Vanessa Oliveira, a Brazilian woman, got Zika four months into her pregnancy. She commented to Independent News, “Nobody had a clue at the time that the red rash on my skin and itching would have such devastating consequences.” Her child was born with microcephaly, a defect where the baby is born with an abnormally small head, which can cause developmental delays, intellectual deficits, or hearing loss. Doctors have since discovered many cases of children being born with microcephaly. They have noticed a correlation between infected mothers and the child being born with the defect, but they are not certain if it is a causation. However, doctors are advising pregnant women to not visit infected locations as a precaution. Areas with Zika could also experience a blow to their economy. Bradey Bulk, Head of Foreign Language Department and French teacher, commented, “I think they will lose money due to decreasing tourism.” This economical effect could have just as big of an impact on the locations affected with Zika as the virus itself.

Zika symptoms can be hard to spot because they are very similar to to the symptoms of many other diseases. Most infected people experience a mild fever, skin rashes, joint pain, and/or headaches. Some experience a symptom known as conjunctivitis, with which the infected person suffers from red eyes.

These symptoms are not unlike those for a common cold, making it difficult to be certain whether or not one has the Zika virus. The symptoms normally last for about 2-7 days, however, the virus can remain longer in the blood of certain people. This incubation period... (Continued on page 12)

The Goldman Environmental Prize is an annual award given to honor the work of grassroots environmental activists, and to inspire others to take action to protect the natural world. The award defines “grassroot” leaders as those who create positive social change through local efforts and community participation. In 2015, one recipient of the Goldman Prize was Berta Cáceres. For nearly a decade, Cáceres has worked to protect the Gualcarque River of Rio Blanco from the construction of the Agua Zarca Dam. Although Cáceres was praised as an environmental activist and an advocate for the rights of indigenous people, the activist was not largely supported within her community. However, despite threats against her life from those who opposed her, Cáceres did not cease her efforts. Tragically, on March 3, 2016, she was assassinated in her hometown in western Honduras.

Berta Cáceres was born on March 4, 1971 in Intibucá, Honduras, an area occupied by the indigenous Lenca people. Through Indibucá runs the Gualcarque River, which has recently become a hub for the construction of dams. One of the most significant dam projects is the construction of the Agua Zarca Dam by the Honduran company Desarrollos Energéticos SA (DESA), and the Chinese company Sinohydro. This has been particularly destructive to the Lenca community because the Lenca view the Gualcarque River as sacred, and they depend on it for food, water, and medicinal plants. In 2006, members of the Rio Blanco community sought out the help of Cáceres and the National Council of Popular and Indigenous Organizations of Honduras (COPINH), which she co-founded in 1993.

Since 2006, Cáceres campaigned against the Agua Zarca Dam by filing complaints with the government, organizing assemblies, and leading peaceful protests. Despite Cáceres’ numerous efforts, the Honduran government continued with the dam’s construction. In April 2013, Cáceres protested the dam by organizing a road blockade to prevent DESA from accessing the construction site. This blockade lasted over a year despite eviction attempts and violent attacks from the Honduran armed forces. In response, Kate Mraz ’16 stated, “I think that the Honduran government should be working more towards protecting the rights of indigenous people and the environment because the people of Rio Blanco have been living on the Gualcarque River for generations. The river helps the people make a living and if the dam is built, they are unable to have access to the water needed to keep the land for farming. I think the government should be protecting their rights because it reminds us where our ancestors have come from.” Many others, like Mraz, believe that the construction of the Agua Zarca Dam represents a human rights violation, and that the world needs to focus more on the protection of the rights of indigenous people.

While many believe that Cáceres was killed because of her role as a social activist, some Honduran

officials are stating that her death was a result of a robbery attempt. Currently, it cannot be said for sure the reason why Cáceres was killed, as the only witness of the crime, Gustavo Castro Soto, is being prevented from leaving the country. In an open letter to the media, Soto states that the crime scene was altered by government officials, and that authorities appear to be ignoring genuine suspects. This has caught the attention of many global organizations including Amnesty International. The Amnesty International’s Americas director, Erika Guevara-Rosas, responded to Cáceres’ death by stating that the Honduran authorities have “Failed to follow the most basic lines of investigation, including the fact that Berta had been receiving serious death threats relating to her human rights work for a very long time.”

Other countries have responded to the assassination of Cáceres by offering to contribute to an investigation. For example, the United States has offered money in order to fund an investigation of Cáceres’ death. In Ottawa, Canada, people have been protesting outside of the Honduran embassy to demand an investigation of Cáceres’ untimely death. Sarah Balick ’17 supports a global involvement in the issue, stating, “its ridiculous that a woman who is protesting peacefully is being faced with such violence. This is an issue that needs to be addressed by the United Nations and the rest of the world because indigenous rights and environmental issues matter.” Like Balick ’17, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Victoria Tauli-Corpuz, has spoken out against the murder. Tauli-Corpuz condemned the assassination of Cáceres and called on the Honduran government to provide additional security measures and protection to the members of the Lenca community of Río Blanco, Cáceres’ family, and the members of COPINH to prevent more related deaths.

While the assassination of Cáceres may have been driven by an opponent to her cause, her death has only brought more attention to the violations of the rights of indigenous people in Honduras. In response to Cáceres’ death, Alejandra Navarro-Benbow, Upper School Spanish teacher, stated, “I think her death is representative of the reality experienced by indigenous communities in several Latin American countries, to try to deal with private interests who want to take their land or natural resources. This is nothing new; it has been this way seen since the days of the colonies. What we must keep in mind in the case of Berta Cáceres is that she was an internationally known figure under international protection. Perhaps her death, and the fact that she was a figure of such international importance will help raise our consciousness to force the national and international private corporations to take into account local interests and indigenous communities.” Around the world, people were shocked and outraged to learn of Cáceres’ death.

However, the United Nations’ response suggests that there will be more done to investigate her death, and to prevent the assassinations of other human rights activists in the future, hopefully the first step of many in protecting the rights of indigenous people.

Community

Accidental Discovery, the Feeling of Brevity, and Leaving a Legacy

I had a passion for journalism. I joined Whittier because my brother was on the staff and I liked to write.

In life, timing is everything. It just so happened that I I have learned a lot from my experience with the didn’t show up to the first meeting, and because there Whittier. I have learned how to write and present ar- were not enough writers, I was assigned to the news guments objectively. I have learned how to organize section. Coincidentally assigned to co-write an article lots of people and create something tangible as a re- with my future co-editor-in-chief, I started to learn sult. But most importantly, I have learned the value of something about the world. It was here that I became global awareness. interested in what As a highschoolwas happening er, I feel as if we are beyond my own often too distracted bubble. I became by ourselves; that it interested in jouris hard for us to imagnalism when I disine our participation covered the power in the grand scheme and value of eduof things. We are so cating the masses small, and the world through the tellis so big. We are so ing of a story that young, and the earth wasn’t being told. with all of its comWhen I was plexities is ancient. an underclassman, Through the Whittier, to me, Whittier and as an extension Copies of recent editions of the Whittier, forever immortalized was the ultimate journalism, I feel as if activity that one in however small of a way, I have broadened my hori- could participate in. I was inspired by my editors, and zons just a little more, and have figured out what this terrified into writing good articles for fear that the “participation” business means. few upperclassmen that I had come into contact with I didn’t join Whittier my freshman year because would look down on me. From my very first Whittier meeting, I knew that I wanted to be editor-in-chief. To me, being an editor was just about the most respected posiThe tion that one could find. I recognized the importance of being able to disseminate information to the public, and the implications that it could hold in the present and the future.

Founded 1884 A few months ago, I was looking through the archives of the Whittier Volume CXXXV, Number IX and became fixated on an article that April 2016: The Global Issue was written nearly fifty years ago about Editors-in-Chief racial diversity at Friends. Forever preJodi Lessner ’16 served in Friends history, this article Alex del Tufo ’16 was a look into the past. This issue, written for their present, was discussing News Editor Sports Editor important issues with the utmost releMaddie Ireland ’16 Matt Tornek ’17 vance to their lives as well as our lives now. The person who wrote the article Entertainment Editors Features Editors probably did not expect someone else to Sadie Proud ’17 Sarah Gooderham ’17 be reading it fifty years later, but I was Katrina Skibicki ’17 Chris Stanborough ’16 humbled by the legacy that it was creating and the 120-plus-year legacy that I Photo Editor Copy Editors was tasked with carrying on.

Megan Flanagan ’17 Merritt Gates ’16 I know that high school journalism Chloe Hudson ’16 is not always of the utmost quality, (I’m Web Editor Adviser Evelyn Wakeley ’17 looking at you celebrity look-alikes and Daniel Scott holiday wish lists), and that as hard as Staff we try, titles will be unimaginative, and John Blackwell ’18 Emilio Ergueta ’16 Marley Morton ’18 grammar and formatting mistakes are Matt Byer ‘17 Hareena Houston ’18 Lindsay Weber ’17 inevitable. As much as I would like to Tess Beardell ’17 Zack Horowitz ’17 Nolan Delaney ’16 be producing a newspaper at the level of Mike Coons ’18 Maya Johnson ’16 Abby Kleman ’18 the New York Times, I accept that that Allie Fulginiti ’17 Maggie Alice Irwin ’18 is not what high school journalism is Leah Johnson ’18 Martelli-Raben ’18 Krystal Xu ’19 Quinn Kirkpatrick ’16 Emily Rossi ’17 Charlotte Donoho ’16 supposed to be. High school journalism is often the first opportunity that people Caroline McGinnis ’17 Zareef Khan ’19 Olivia Garber ’16 have to read an article about something Julia Delzingaro ’16 Evie Kortanek ’18 Cecilia Ergueta ’18 new, or about something that relates to The Whittier Miscellany is published six times during the school year their life in a different way. High school by the upper school journalism staff of Wilmington Friends School, journalism is just as much a learning ex101 School Road, Wilmington, DE 19803. To access the Whittier perience for the writer and editor as it is Miscellany online, go to www.wfswhittier.com. for the reader. How to write is an essential part of life, as is the importance of The Whittier Miscellany welcomes respones in the form of letters to the quality interview, and the necessity the articles, editorials, and features of this paper. of good research.

Contact: wfswhittiermiscellany@gmail.com In the digital age, value is placed ‘Like’ Whittier on Facebook at ‘WFS Whittier’ less and less on the press. We forget that Jodi Lessner ’16 Editor-in-Chief

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in the not-so-distant past, journalism was the cornerstone of any society. Journalism was the only way that people could find out about what was happening not only around the world, but also right next door in their own city. Journalism has the power to call out corrupt politicians, to expose human rights violations, and to tell people the truth. The Whittier’s role in exposing these crises is minute, but I hold out hope that maybe, just maybe, someone will read an article within the Whittier and be inspired to do something to change the world for the better in whatever way possible.

I’m not sure that I see a future where my career path is in journalism, but I do see a future where I appreciate journalism and all that it has to offer. When I walked in the door my freshman year to my first Whittier meeting, I had no idea that I was walking into the epitome of a global education; an education where I got to write my own curriculum.

It didn’t hit me until I sat down to write this final article that my time here in high school is almost up. That as you are reading this, the seniors have less than a month left, or maybe we have already gone.

That soon this love hate relationship of four years will come to a close, and I, as will you, will move on.

This article will be archived and added to the stacks of Whittier history that are rarely taken out. But who knows? Fifty years from now another student might be reading this, and that student too may be pondering her legacy and her impact on the world.

Journalism is Dead, Or Is It?

Alex del Tufo ’16 Editor-in-Chief I consider myself lucky in that I was a kid who, at a young age, discovered what I wanted to be. I went through the typical phases that any child experiences: veterinarian, fashion designer, lawyer, or the person that gets to swim with the dolphins at the aquarium.

By the time I hit middle school I had it narrowed down: I had to be writing. From there I experienced the phases of fiction writing, poetry, and finally, journalism. I had happened upon the exact combination of creativity and research that I wanted in a job.

I’d always had a passion for writing, and now I’d discovered an outlet. Not only did I see journalism as a way of expression, but also as an escape – both metaphorically and literally. I have always seen writing as a way of bringing myself out of reality. It’s a temporary escape from whatever is going on in your life at that moment. I enjoyed the idea of journalism as a career because it could physically help me escape. I have always liked the idea of having a job that takes me around the world, never letting me face the eerie thought of “settling down.”

There are few professions that are more globally-focused than journalism. We can hear, almost instantly, that there has been an attack at a rock concert in Paris, or Google in seconds what exactly is going on with the Syrian Refugee crisis. Journalism has the power to instantaneously turn a global situation into something personal.

There are rumors whirling around that journalism is a “dying profession.” Every conversation I’ve had during a holiday or a family gathering for the last year or two has gone something like this: “How’s the college process going?” Followed by, “What are you thinking of majoring in?” I would then respond with the dreaded “journalism.” My more polite family members would smile with a look of cringe beneath their eyes.

Continued on page 10 The Whittier Miscellany April Issue 2016

ISIS Recruits Children

The Whittier Miscellany April Issue 2016

Myanganbayar. After officials noticed his perfect score in their sophomore-level MOOC class, MIT offered him admission and a scholarship.

However, for the large majority of young adults, What if in the next five minutes you could register for a college-level class taught by a professor from priority lies in attending prestigious colleges not for the Harvard, free of charge? This seemingly impossible benefit of the education, but for the credential on the opportunity is now possible with a revolutionary resumé. And therein lies the biggest difference between traditional higher level education and MOOCs: while educational experience called MOOCs. Young adults all over the world compete for jobs the completion of a MOOC can provide a certificate, and opportunities. Over the past few decades, higher it cannot provide an official college degree, which education has been identified as the primary pathway is what employers are often interested in seeing. to success. As a result, even at WFS, students feel Sandrine Haab ’18 states, “when you start looking for a career, after all stressed and of that hard work pressured online they might w h e n not want you because thinking sadly, in this world, a b o u t a lot of people look college. at the college you S i m o n e went to rather than Veale ’17 your knowledge.” stated, “The However, Ellen pressure of Johnson, IB Biology getting into a teacher, who teaches good college as well as participates is always in online classes, in the back disagrees: “I don’t of my head. know if [the absence Junior year of degrees] is a fault; on its own Minerva CEO talking to students I’d like education to is stressful, but with everyone reminding us that this is the year be about learning, not merely about earning a degree that really counts for college, it makes it much more – however, I realize that this comes from the very stressful.” But with the daunting application process privileged view of someone with a degree and with and crushing student loans, access to a quality college a job.” A very different venture in global education education seems ever more remote, and is becoming proposes to address this issue.

Minerva offers its students the world as their more and more difficult to obtain for students across the globe. MOOCs, or Massive Open Online Courses, college campus. With locations across the globe, address this problem through an innovative and global students travel from country to country each semester, while tuning in to classes given online. While allowing approach.

Today, it is commonplace for colleges such as students from all around the world a chance to explore Stanford University or the University of Phoenix to the cultures of different countries, it also provides offer online courses. Students register for a course that which MOOCs cannot: a degree to verify their from a colorful selection online, and follow the Skype- education. “What’s great about Minerva is that it style lessons while submitting work over the internet. provides this global experience, but at the same time MOOCs take this idea and, as the name suggests, tries to keep the quality and feel of an independent reproduce it on a massive scale. Instead of offering live high school,” states Johnson, who has talked with the online classes for students, colleges hire professors to Minerva director at a meeting about online education.

One WFS alumna, Fiona Iyer ’12, is currently prerecord brief, structured and informative lessons.

Once the lessons are recorded, they add assignments studying at the Minerva campus in San Francisco, or quizzes, creating a whole college-level course. California, and is getting ready to move on to the one Then, colleges release the course onto websites such in Berlin. Iyer said, “my favorite part about Minerva as coursera.com for anyone in the world to access at is the incredibly diverse student body; my friends are any time, entirely free of charge. So far, 35 million from Brazil, Israel and Argentina. I wake up every students have jumped on this opportunity. Classes morning to the sound of many different languages available on coursera.com today include courses from from all sorts of different places… there are always prestigious colleges such as Harvard, MIT and Duke, interesting foods in the dining halls, and you learn so many different cultural customs.” In addition to plus dozens from other countries.

Due to the high expectations for these lessons its global student body, Iyer mentioned a more openand professors, the quality of instruction is even ended style of education, “Our model is much more higher: in one class on Coursera, 63% of students at based on developing skills we can apply rather than a prestigious university said the MOOC was better memorizing content; our ‘lessons’ we find in the than the same class they were taking on campus. 36% cities we inhabit.” This approach to learning, Iyer found it comparable, and just 1% found it worse. explained, combined with Minerva students’ frequent Though the retention rate of classes is low (around travel, results in a greater emphasis on independence 7-9% of students complete a course) – due to how and exploration. It is an inspiration “to truly live every simple it is to sign up for a course and then drop it – day.”

These initiatives, though flawed in their own ways, thousands of students make it to the end, with three quarters of students coming from outside the USA. are significant in their impact on the globalization of The MOOCs’ open format transforms the world of education. While Friends School students may worry, globalized education, promising anyone who has with reason, over their chances of getting into the college of their dreams, all over the world, students internet the access to a world-class education.

For intellectually-motivated students all who are equally-aspiring and often over-performing, around the world, MOOCs are the perfect solution have much smaller chances. Through their open to partake in a top quality course at an unbeatable formats, these initiatives offer education globally, price. One inspiring example of this was a teenage transcending country borders and rearranging the MOOC student from far-off Mongolia, Battushig playing field for students in all corners of the world.

Cecilia Ergueta’ 18 News Writer

www.hechingerreport.org

Zack Horowitz ’17 News Writer Child recruits in ISIS are increasing by the thousands in ISIS-controlled areas, mainly in Syria. Although child recruitment in terrorist groups is not a new concept, the situation with ISIS is especially concerning. In the past, child recruits have been used mainly as a source of propaganda and shock-factor by terrorist groups; they never had an actual purpose. ISIS, on the other hand, is recruiting children and treating them exactly like they treat adults, by using them to carry out shootings and suicide bombings, resulting in thousands of children being killed through acts of suicide bombings and ground warfare. Another consequence is that eliminating ISIS will be even more difficult because the next generation is being raised from a young age to be members of the terrorist organization.

One major reason that ISIS targets young children is that they are often vulnerable and therefore easy to brainwash. One woman living in Syria comments that she is terrified that ISIS will take her 14-year-old nephew and recruit him. Horrifying videos have also surfaced of young boys under the age of ten shooting and beheading people. Andrew Jaworski ’17 comments, “ISIS is publicizing these horrible images and videos as a way of putting fear in the eyes of their targets.” Although ISIS is not the first extremist group to use children as soldiers, the way in which ISIS implements this scare tactic is unlike anything the world has seen before and the Islamic State’s use of children in this horrifying way has spread concern across the globe. Katy Shannon ’17 comments: “It makes me upset that ISIS is actively recruiting young children to carry out arguably some of their most dangerous missions, and I think that it’s terrible not only for ISIS, but also other terrorist groups because it sets a standard for other terrorists groups and makes it normal to use children to commit these deadly acts.”Although ISIS is not the first terrorist group to use children for assistance, they are the first to carry out the same missions that adults would typically carry out and escaping the clutches of ISIS as a child is not easy.

Once children are forcibly taken by ISIS, it is extremely difficult for them to escape, because they have either been brainwashed into thinking that the outside world, including their families, are “nonbelievers,” or the consequence of getting caught trying to escape is not worth the risk. However, for the children who do escape, the psychological toll that their time in ISIS has had on them is devastating.

One CNN reporter witnessed some troubling things when he interviewed children and their families in Iraq. During one interview with five-year-old Saman and his family, Saman, who was one of the ones to escape, was so terrified by the sound of the rain hitting the tent roof that he crawled onto his grandfather’s lap. Another child “refused to let anyone cut his hair even after fleeing ISIS because he had been told he couldn’t do that.” The reporter also mentioned that some children have seizures when they even hear the word “ISIS.” The use of children in ISIS is just one of the organization’s ruthless tactics to destroy their enemies and to spread their terrorist wrath across the world.

In regards to the organization’s extreme tactics, Jen Psaki, U.S. State Department Spokeswoman, told CNN: “There’s no question what we’re combating with ISIS’s propaganda machine is something we have not seen before.” Now that ISIS is beginning to involve children in their deadly missions, the world will be on the lookout for any drastic changes in the Islamic State’s actions, or in the rest of the world’s reactions.

News Online Courses Globalize Today’s Education

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Features

Global Learning Inspired by Global Living Connor Miller ’19 Features Writer Living in another country is an extraordinary way to increase personal learning experience.

It can help someone become fluent in more than one language, teach one about a new culture, “try on” its lifestyle, introduce them to people that will be lifelong friends, and open up countless other opportunities. If students are learning that country’s native language, the student’s language skills will undoubtedly increase, and they will improve the accents and vocabulary that are necessary to being fluent in the language. Although many students choose not to travel abroad because of homesickness, or family reasons, the ones that did usually have great experiences and meet many people that are still close friends to this day.

One of the most important components of being a foreign exchange student is joining a new family. When someone is a foreign exchange student, a family will host them in their house. The exchange student spends a lot of time with the foster family, which often includes a kid who is within several years of the visitor’s age. These foster siblings often develop close relationships with their exchange student. Jack Bulk ’16 who lived in France last year through School Year Abroad stated, “My host family was fantastic.

I had three older brothers. We went on weekend trips to the beach and went hiking. They were very accepting and kind.” Clearly, strong communities have a lot to offer foreign exchange students by making them feel welcome in the host family.

Foreign exchange students help other students learn more about the world. A host of an exchange student said, “My family hosted exchange students several times during my high school years.

These experiences supplemented my education and through this process of cultural learning and sharing, helped me gain a more international perspective.” This shows how much of an impact exchange students have on the host families.

Exchange students also get to make friends in new countries, and since they are with these friends for a limited time, they want to hang out with them as much as possible. Simon Wakeley ’19 made a friend in Costa Rica who he visited a year after living there, and the Costa Rican visited Simon’s family in the U.S. as well. Since they are far from familiar places and surroundings and do not have relatives to depend on for company, friendships become stronger overseas. Nothing is more important than friends and family, so creating new friendships all over the world is very rewarding.

Overall, being a foreign exchange student offers a unique experience to see the world through another cultural setting. Lucy Knudsen ’19, who spent a year in Ecuador, described the way that Ecuadorians celebrate the New Year, “You create an effigy of the old year (it’s basically a scarecrow) and burn it. Then you jump over it three times, but we do it more because it’s fun. Also, someone writes a note from the old year saying what it leaves for each person. To them, the traditions are really important, but we kind of just do it because it’s fun.”

Living abroad is an opportunity to make lasting friendships and to expand general understanding of language and culture and how other people live.

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Summer Trips Abroad Provide Enrichment Tess Beardell ’17 Features Writers

Wanderlust (noun): A strong desire to travel. Students who identify with this term may include those who have participated in school-sponsored trips to China, France, the Dominican Republic, or Costa Rica. Of all the community members who were interviewed, none spoke of the experience as a negative one. The feeling is unanimous: both students and faculty at Wilmington Friends School agree that summer trips abroad serve to strengthen one’s appreciation for a language, as well as to enhance the sense of community that students and faculty alike care for so deeply.

The trips provide students with a unique opportunity to completely immerse themselves in a new culture, while simultaneously serving the newfound community, and creating relationships that are unlike any other.

Few people are able to say they have an entire family across the ocean. When asked about why she stays in touch with her host family in France, Sarah Balick ’17 replied, “They were just so nice to me and very welcoming. I knew to expect that, but it was still so nice to experience.” In addition to reflecting on her good fortune with her host family, Balick also describes some of the things that made her trip worthwhile. She remembers that, “A lot of the trip was spent talking about the history and social norms, but it was really interesting to be immersed in a culture I was unfamiliar with.” Balick expanded even further on this idea, recalling that, “Culturally, it was like nothing else that I’d ever experienced before,” while also recognizing the social adjustments she had to make while there. She found it, “kind of difficult because you had to be very sensitive so you wouldn’t accidentally offend people,” but ultimately Balick felt that she “enjoyed being part of a culture and family that

was different and new.” The appreciation students have for these trips is undeniable, but part of what makes them so valuable is the fact that teachers agree on their significance, and just as wholeheartedly.

The value and love for these trips is echoed across the board, and the memories from these trips could make anyone else feel as if they have missed out. Bradey Bulk, who teaches French and chaperones the trip to France, seemed to be lost in a wave of good memories as she spoke about her experiences with the trip. Bulk described how the trips gives students an opportunity to pair the things they’ve learned in class with real-life experiences, saying that she loves, “watching the kids discover all the things I’ve talked to them about and prepared them for.” Bulk also describes how students discover more than just culture on the trips – they also discover a new sense of confidence: “I love to see how nervous they are as they first go to their host families and then how comfortable they become after only a day with them.” It seems that with the development of confidence comes the development of a go-with-theflow attitude. When asked about the most memorable moment of any trip she’s been on, Bulk responds with, quite possibly, the most appropriate answer out there. She notes that, “Every day is really good, you never know what you’re going to run into. Who can predict that you’ll come across a parade in the middle of the city, or a concert in a park? I couldn’t possibly choose a particular moment.” Getting even more picturesque than that, Bulk declared that one of the the only downsides to the trip is that it is too short.

In all respects, it is clear that summer trips abroad do more than just expose students to a new culture. They also allow students to add depth and create context for the material they have learned in class, and lay the foundation for relationships that will continue to grow throughout the years to come.

Getting to Know Runlai “Eric” Jiang, Superstar Matt Byer ’18 Mike Coons ’18 Features Writers Not everyone gets an opportunity to travel outside their home country. Some students get the opportunity to come from all over the world as exchange students, taking part in the American educational system. Runlai (a.k.a. Eric) Jiang ’18 is one of these students. After joining our community this year, Jiang has already managed to become a superstar here at Wilmington Friends. Whether it is his funny jokes in class, his friendly and outgoing attitude, or his competitiveness in sports, the rest of us should definitely consider taking notes. Jiang’s experience so far in America has been interesting to say the least, and he’s answered a few questions about his life at Friends.

An aspect of Jiang’s identity that could cause con -fusion is how to address him. His actual name is Runlai; however, people often refer to him as Eric. We asked him which he prefered, and why. Jiang shared, “A foreign teacher gave me this name [Eric] when I was five years old. Compared to the name Runlai, I am more familiar with Eric, because Runlai is a new name that my Dad changed two years ago.” However, there is more to Jiang than what he likes to be called, such as his experience with widely different cultures.

The differences between America and China are clearly vast. When someone leaves one culture for one that is near-opposite, it can be pretty daunting.

Eric seems to enjoy American culture, but when asked about what he misses about China, he replied, “In China, there are a lot of people, just like New York City, and it is quieter here. In China, people always invite people to eat in restaurants, but here people go to each

other’s houses.” Jiang also talked about the aspects of American culture he enjoys, “There are many surprises; for example, I was shocked when I saw students got out of their seats without asking for permission.

When I saw people under 18 drive a car, I was surprised too.” Jiang also discussed what it took to end up at WFS, “Actually, I did not come to WFS through the foreign exchange program, so I am not an exchange student technically. I applied to WFS just like other students would through the interview process.”

Jiang is one of several foreign students that we have at Friends who might stay here for all of high school.

Jiang gave us his honest opinion about the Friends student body, “I like Friends a lot. It is a good school with many interesting people. I have learned a lot since I came here, and I would like to stay at Friends. I like the WFS community. It’s fun; teachers and students are all nice here. I like to fight with my buddies in the sports game, and I like to learn with my classmates. Compared to the school community in China, here I know people in different grades and ages, because there are many people in one grade in China.” Jiang also talked about his interactions with Americans in general, “As for the American community, I feel the adults in America talk about sports very often, but adults in China always talk about politics.”

The WFS community has welcomed Jiang with open arms. While we appreciate all of the foreign students who attend our school, not much thought revolves around the incredible circumstances of their situations.

Learning about these students will help one to develop a better understanding of what it’s like to attend a school in an entirely different country. Jiang is a fantastic contribution to our community, and if you haven’t gotten to know him yet, it is recommended that you do!

The Whittier Miscellany April Issue 2016

Features

QYLC, “Equality: Past, Present, and Future” Different Cultures, Evie Kortanek ’18 Features Writer

Today, people all around the world are faced with global issues regarding race, gender, cultural differences, and the environment, among many more.

Many of these issues are so controversial that we avoid them. How will these conflicts be solved if they cannot even be discussed? The Quaker Youth Leadership Conference, or QYLC, serves this purpose: to boldly face the reality of these global issues head on, and to freely discuss them among a diverse group of teens from around the world. The WFS participants this year were Sarah Gooderham ’17, Evelyn Wakely ’17, Alyssa Nathan ’17, Cecilia Ergueta ’18, Mary Agne ’18, Maddie Malone ’18, and Evie Kortanek ’18. This conference and others like it allow for freedom of thought and speech without judgment. It also serves to bring many issues to light that the public spotlight may typically avoid. Lastly and most importantly, it empowers its participants to raise their voices and become leaders in their own communities.

Throughout this three-day conference, some of the most significant and often avoided topics are addressed through student led workshops. An important topic is gender equality; for example, the importance of gender-neutral bathrooms for students and teachers that are gender-nonconforming, and the importance of having an open and accepting community for all gender identities. Another significant topic is women’s equality – not only the inequality of women around the world, but also the male perspective on the pressure to follow gender norms. The participants thoroughly talked about topics regarding racial inequalities and the environment as well. For participants, the QYLC is an opportunity for growth and leadership skills.

Maddie Malone ’18 says, “I benefitted from this conference by learning about myself and what it takes to lead. The people there were very accepting and tended to not show any judgement, and that helped me become more open and extraverted as well.” Being able to speak one’s mind and voice one’s opinions confidently is a skill that all teens could benefit from.

The experience is also inspiring for faculty in attendance, like Asst. Head of School for Academics Michael Benner, “This year’s theme, ‘Equality: Past, Present, Future’, allowed students to engage in thoughtful discussions on gender identity, racism, privilege, mental health, terrorism, oppression and other relevant topics. Friends schools are committed to social justice, and it is critical that we educate ourselves with respect to the root causes of inequality and work towards dismantling systems that support it.”

Benner went on to say that this is where all students

come in as leaders, by raising their voices to raise awareness and becoming leaders in their communities.

This conference was significant because it openly welcomed feelings regarding topics like race, gender, and sexuality. This conference inspired its participants to push through discomfort and societal barriers, and become global citizens on the quest for equality through social justice. Benner agreed with this, stating, “it was an opportunity to engage deeply in topics of concern to Friends schools around the world. Students benefit from an increased understanding of complex national and international issues, as well as from leadership training.” Topics like these are occasionally discussed in classes, but the fully immersive, all-encompassing, open environment gave the opportunity to really go deep into many topics.

As faculty sponsor, Biology teacher Ellen Johnson said, “it was a great lesson in pushing my comfort zone professionally, but even more a lesson in the power of looking at situations and ourselves through a different lens.”

Amidst the small community of Wilmington, and the especially small community of Friends, it is easy to forget about some pressing worldwide issues, unless they are brought to attention. The Friends community could benefit greatly from hosting its own version of a conference, with workshops regarding global issues. As a school we are dedicated to creating global citizens, and this would be a great step in that direction. Along these lines, Benner shares that “students are challenged to apply their new knowledge and skills when they return home in ways that benefit the greater Friends School community.”

Malone also commented on its impact, “We were able to compare our school to others and see what else we might need. I think that we need to be more active with our community because a lot of things can be improved upon in the city of Wilmington.” This would help the WFS community by showing people what it takes to become a leader.

Mary Agne ’18 added, “I learned a lot about how a Quaker education really differentiates my world views and I think this knowledge and how other Quaker schools face difficult issues like diversity. It will help us learn and improve if we all have this knowledge.”

As Johnson so eloquently put it, “The theme of diversity awareness is more than just a theme, it is on ongoing struggle that all of our schools have to face... we should think very hard about where we are in the world of humans around us, but what that means is as much about how we see ourselves as how others see us.” Most importantly, this conference has given its participants a new perspective, a global lens, and a push in the direction towards equality for all.

Travelling Abroad to Broaden Horizons

Isabel Crowther ’18 Features Writer

Each year, many students come back from Spring break with stories to tell to their friends of the interesting places and countries they visited. Many people agree that traveling to foreign countries is one of the best ways to broaden one’s horizons and experience new things. Many people in the WFS community have had the opportunity to to travel abroad in many different ways, including service trips, study abroad programs, and even living in foreign countries for years at a time.

Matt Hinderhofer ’17 is one of the students who had an opportunity to travel abroad last summer for a school service trip to the Dominican Republic. It was his first time traveling out of the country, and it was definitely a culture shock for everyone on the trip.

“We were staying in a hostel. It was really hard for people to get used to how different things were. We The Whittier Miscellany April Issue 2016

couldn’t use the tap water and there were cockroaches everywhere,” he says. The trip required students to step out of their comfort zones frequently. “The food was strange but really good. You’ll be eating spaghetti, and then realize there’s octopus in it. But you had to eat it, or you wouldn’t eat. You had to be really adventurous,” he adds. The trip not only required them to be adventurous, but challenged their Spanish abilities as well. “No one spoke English. We had to speak Spanish. It was difficult to have to really think about everything you’re saying.” The trip definitely challenged the students constantly, with a steep learning curve of adapting to a completely different way of living.

The service aspect of the trip also impacted the students greatly when they volunteered at a summer camp in the Dominican Republic. “We were teaching children in a summer camp how to read. The kids varied from little kids to kids that were about 12 or 13, and they were just learning how to read. .

(Continued on Page 12)

Same Community

Krystal Xu ’18 Features Writer

Different cultures have various features. There is now a group of Chinese students at WFS who bring diversity to the student body, and benefit the community at large. Students from different countries learn together in school; it is a chance for the community to share and learn from, others’ cultures and to talk about the cultural differences.

The addition of the Chinese students undeniably provides our school with the opportunity for its community to grow from these important interactions between students from across the globe.

One of the great benefits we get from the Chinese community is the improvement of language learning. Chinese students serve as a great way of learning authentic Chinese outside of class for students who are taking Chinese as their second language, or those who are interested in learning it. Miranda Peak ’19 says, “Having friends who know Chinese as their first language is a great help for me to learn Chinese. I just started taking Chinese one so it has been a really good way for me to practice what I learned in class simply by making friends with them and communicating in Chinese.”

In addition to practicing their Chinese speaking, students can also hear extra vocabulary words that one may not learn through a traditional textbook, which can enhance their listening skills by engaging in conversations outside of the classroom.

The Chinese community also provides students at WFS with the chance to experience Chinese culture, and sample the world outside of the US. Students often get confused by some Chinese students’ habits, but as they start asking questions and communicating more, they are able to learn much more about China.

“Sometimes I don’t understand certain habits of students from other countries,” says Victoria Schroeder ’18. “Once I saw one of my Chinese classmates eating dumplings with vinegar instead of soy sauce. At first I think that’s a little weird, but after I asked her, I learned that it is common in China to eat dumplings with vinegar instead of soy sauce. Vinegar with dumplings actually is even more common and popular in China than soy sauce. I definitely wouldn’t have the chance to know Chinese culture if I had no Chinese classmates around. I feel so lucky that I do!”

The school also allows the community a great chance to learn Chinese culture; students have a lot of fun getting to know Chinese traditions and festivals. WFS holds an annual celebration to celebrate the Chinese Spring Festival. The Spring Festival is like Chinese New Year, and is typically held either in the school theatre, or a classroom. In the Spring Festival, there are always various, interesting traditional shows performed by the students from the Chinese classes. “I remember there was a crosstalk about Chinese food last year on the Chinese Celebration,” says Hongrui Zhang ’19. “The students did a great job on that show – it sounds just like those authentic crosstalk shows I heard in China before. I’m glad that now everyone in this school can see this kind of performance now!” This year’s Spring Festival was held as a party in the Chinese classroom in the Global Learning Center.

The Chinese community brings to WFS a great platform to see a culture from the other side of the word. It is an opportunity for everyone at WFS to grow and learn more cultural traditions and enjoy the differences of the race, while also enjoying every step of the way.

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Sports

Baseball Breaks Latvian Knicks Player Dominates on the Court Through Barriers Alice Irwin ’18 Sports Writer

At 7’3”, 240 lb, and only 20 years old, Kristaps Porzingis has drawn much attention to his rookie season in the National Basketball Association (NBA).

Porzingis is originally from Liepaja, Latvia, and has been involved with basketball nearly his whole life.

Basketball has been a part of his family for generations, which is what led to his initial interest in the sport. Porzingis began playing basketball at age six and seemed to be following in his family’s footsteps.

Both of his parents had experience with the sport; his father competed at a semi-professional level, and his mother had been on the Latvian Women’s Youth National Basketball Team.

In addition to his parents, both of his older siblings played. However, Porzingis was especially influenced by his older brother, Janis.

Janis Porzingis is a former professional basketball player in Latvia. Throughout a 14-year career he has played for 15 different teams in multiple European leagues. After retiring in 2015, he became his younger brother’s agent. He is known to have impacted his brother both on and off the court. In an interview Porzingis commented about his relationship with his older brother: “We'd break down the details. We watched the film together. He’s always pushing me to work hard. We just spend a lot of time together and we just talk about basketball all the time.”

Porzingis started out his career when he was very young. When he turned 12 years old, Janis, who at the time was playing professionally in Europe, would take him to offseason training sessions. He played with BK Liepajas Lauvas, the most famous club team in his hometown, until he was 15 years old. An agent from

Latvia sent video of him around this time to teams in Spain and Italy, and in 2010, Baloncesto Sevilla, a club that had a professional team competing in the Liga ACB in Spain, called Porzingis for a tryout. He later received a contract in summer 2010 and signed it. He debuted for the youth squad in early 2012, but was more effective in his second year. Per game in 2013, he averaged 16.6 points, 8.4 rebounds and 2.6 blocks and .481 on three-pointers. That year was his final time involved in youth basketball.

In April 2014, Porzingis was declared eligible for the 2014 NBA Draft. He was considered a top-15 draft pick and had drawn interest from NBA teams including Orlando Magic and Oklahoma City Thunder.

Of the top-100 rankings, he was the fourth-youngest prospect. However, soon before the draft, he withdrew his name and his agent Andy Miller released information to ESPN, saying that Porzingis was not prepared to become a part of the NBA and wanted to wait until the 2015 draft. One of the league’s managers adds, “He wasn't ready, but we would've seriously considered drafting him anyway. If he continues to develop his game, get more minutes and his body develops, I think he could be a top-five pick in 2015. He has that kind of talent.”

Again, in April 2015, Porzingis entered the 2015 NBA Draft and was a lottery and potential top-5 pick.

In June, 2015, Porzingis was selected with the fourth overall pick in the draft by the New York Knicks. Porzingis became the highest drafted Latvian and Baltic player in NBA history. Jayna Jones ’17 commented, “It’s really cool to see someone from a different country come into the NBA and be as good as he is, despite the transition.” This year, over the course of 62 games, the he is averaging 14.0 points, 7.3 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game.

Taking the Bull by the Horns Megan Flanagan ’17 Sports Writer Many countries value their heritage, culture, and traditions, and have incorporated them into everyday life. However, often, there is a lack of understanding, or common ground, amongst individuals stemming from different cultural backgrounds. This remains true in the sports world. While the US watches football, Spain’s population is infatuated with bullfighting. However, this “art” has started to spark protests throughout the world because of what happens during the event. Interestingly, those that support bullfighting do not consider it a sport. Rather, it is considered an art. It is controversial because of the seemingly-unjustified killing of innocent animals.

Bullfighting has been a tradition and a part of the Spanish culture since 1726. During the event of a bullfight, two men called “matadors” stand in a ring and perform a variety of tricks to agitate the bull.

When the bull becomes agitated, it starts to run after the men to try and attack them. By doing this, the bull becomes tired and therefore it is easier for the matador to kill it. The bulls that people are fighting are innocent and are only between four and seven years old.

The matador, the killer of the bull, is only allowed to use moves that will fatally wound the bull, not ones that will just weaken it.

Caroline McGinnis ‘17, who is not an activist, but attended an event while in Spain that is very similar to it, comments on this topic as well. She said, “I would say it was the craziest and most violent thing I've ever witnessed, but it's a traditional part of Spanish culture and a once in a lifetime experience I would definitely recommend to other people, even though

06

it's kind of scary.” Although it is violent, most argue that it is a part of Spanish tradition, so others who do not agree do not have a place to be able to change their culture.

While bullfighting is always the same event, these protests come in different forms. Most are just protesting in the streets with posters. These posters are sharing their reasons as to why they think the bullfights are against animal rights.

Amina Axelsson, decided to share her views a different ways. Towards the end of a bullfight that she was attending, she decided to run into the ring to comfort the dying bull. Obviously, this is a more extravagant way to protest. However, it worked. This model was able to make the news which helped spread the word on her views on bullfighting and how she thinks it goes against animal rights.

Some people protest the bullfighting saying that this has been a part of Spanish culture for a very long time, and they think it doesn’t belong in today’s society with the controversy over animal cruelty around the world. These animal right activists are saying that they understand that this is a part of the Spanish culture, but they do not want to make this about nationalism. Instead, they want to focus on the animals and how they are being treated unfairly in these countries.

The topic of bullfighting is something that will be argued over for quite some time. Activists believe that the bulls deserve better, and don’t deserve to die the way they do during a bullfight. However, it is still a significant part of Spanish culture. This topic is hard to settle because of the sharp contrast between tradition and culture with societal beliefs that not everyone can agree upon.

Maya Johnson ’16 Sports Writer American, Japanese, and Dominican cultures are all very different from each other, yet one thing they undoubtedly have in common is a love for baseball. In all three places around the world, baseball has become a pinnacle of culture for each. Although baseball is one of the most popular American sports, baseball has also become extremely popular in areas around the world such as Japan and the Dominican Republic.

Baseball was introduced to the Japanese by an American English professor in 1872. Until the early 1920s baseball was solely played as a recreational sport. But during World War Two, baseball was an easy way to pass the time. Many Japanese-American baseball players were sent to internment camps during World War Two. While there they built baseball diamonds and fields and began spreading the game. Today, the Japanese frequently beat countries throughout the world in international baseball games. In 2013, they entered the World Baseball Classic as two-time defending champions. The Nippon Professional Baseball (the MLB of Japan) consists of two leagues each with six teams. Japan has won two Olympic medals and the World Championship team has never placed below fifth in thirteen appearances. Upper School Boys’ Baseball Coach John Roskovensky shared his understanding of the contrast in players he has worked with,“The Japanese style emphasizes doing the little things through a great deal of practice. I can quite reliably say that young Japanese players work harder than their counterparts in the US. For example, Japanese players are very proficient in bunting, hitting-and-running, hitting with different counts, running the bases, etc.

As a result, they play a good team game, with each player contributing effectively given the situation.”

In America, baseball has become a major industry for both players, coaches, and fans. Last year, 73.7 million people attended professional baseball games. One would typically think that the most popular American sport is football, but last year only 17.6 million people attended professional football games. Ryan Wood ’16 commented on the position baseball has taken in our society today. “Like football, the other most popular sport, baseball is predominantly an American sport, and has had a strong presence in our country for centuries. It's essentially its own culture at this point.” Since the early 18th century baseball has been a central sport throughout North America. During World War Two, the United States suffered due to many players joining the armed forces. But, after World War Two the popularity of baseball boomed and attendance rates skyrocketed nearly seventy percent.

On the other hand, in the Dominican Republic, baseball was introduced by the Cubans in the 1860s.

The first baseball team in the Dominican Republic was run by none other than the dictator Rafael Trujillo as the sport grew around the country. Following the United States, the Dominican Republic has the second highest number of baseball players in Major League Baseball. For example, Pedro Martinez, starting pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies in 2009, David Ortiz, first baseman for Boston Red Sox, and Robinson Cano for the New York Yankees.

Every season since 1999, Dominicans have compromised at least nine percent of the MLB rosters.

This percentage is more than any nationality other than Americans. Szumel ’16 shared her experiences traveling to the Dominican Republic for service in the summer, Continued on page 12 The Whittier Miscellany April Issue 2016

Restoring Peace to FIFA After Corruption Scandal Zareef Khan ’19 Sports Writer Corruption has engulfed and plagued FIFA, or Fédération Internationale de Football Association, since the summer of 2015. Joseph Blatter, previous president of FIFA since 1998, has received a six year ban from all football related activities, as made by the FIFA ethics committee. Several other officials and associates of FIFA have also been indicted, and are facing criminal charges relating to corruption accusations.

It is because of these events that on February 26th, the FIFA elections occurred, and a new president was assigned. Five men: Prince Ali Al Hussein, Sheikh Salman Bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, Jérôme Champagne, Gianni Infantino, and Tokyo Sexwale were admitted as candidates, and they all have the same general plan of restoring the FIFA name. In the end, after two rounds of voting, Gianni Infantino was elected as the new president of FIFA, beating out his closest competitor Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa by 27 out of 207 total votes.

According to CNN, he wants to “build a new era where we can put football at the center of the stage.”

He also claimed that he could “win back the respect, and focus on this wonderful game that is football.”

Although he received criticism from Sheikh Salman Bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa earlier in the election after claiming to give five million dollars to each of the 209 FIFA associated nations, Sheikh Salman Al Khalifa has pledged to support Infantino in bringing unity to FIFA. According to the BBC, Infantino says that the

FIFA name will be restored, and that he wants to work with every single nation to improve the organization. He will need to do a lot of things to make this happen, and he’ll need to focus on some major issues which have been plaguing FIFA, such as the bidding of countries for hosting the World Cup. There was controversy after the decision to hold the 2022 World Cup in Qatar was made, and the accusations of corruption mostly erupted after that point. Since the World Cup can make several billions in profit and is more watched than the Olympics, accusations were made and an investigation was launched against FIFA officials. Both Swiss and US authorities have made accusations, and the US has charged 47 people on charges of bribery, racketeering, and money laundering.

So what should Infantino do? Betsy Cepparulo, upper school Global Peace and Justice teacher, says, “All decisions need to made anonymously. If you’re trying to decide what country the World Cup should be in, it should be made anonymous, so that there is no bias and so bid decisions can be made anonymously. Bias is in human nature, and protections should be put in place for bids.” By establishing a better, more anonymous system for bidding, hopefully Infantino can stop corruption in FIFA. Carlin Beskrone ’19 says “[Infantino] could have the World Cup hosted in a European country, and the other countries associated with FIFA.” The problem is, any country could earn a massive amount of money by hosting the World Cup. So, Beskrone responds by saying, “If the country hosts the world cup, then they should give some percentage of total profits to FIFA, since it is a nonprofit, and that money could be given

Sports

to other countries.” This could help with equality for the countries that are less influential, and this could help with preventing the potential overspending that some claimed Infantino will do.

Chamby Zepeda, upper school Spanish teacher and boys soccer coach, commented on the state of the FIFA organization saying, “For one thing, I think they’re going to be screwed up now for a long time.

I think that this won’t be fixed overnight. I think that any scandal or corruption charges will take a while to fix,” and, “I think it will take about 5 or 10 years for [FIFA] to get it’s name back.” However, he is still optimistic about the situation, saying, “I’m sure that they’re are giving him [Infantino] background checks and checking sources. Even though he doesn’t have a plan, I have faith in someone who is elected especially after corruption charges. I think that he’s also probably working with administrators and head CEOs on how to sort of conduct himself, and they’re probably working together, as after the corruption case, no one can really work by themselves.”

Assuming that FIFA is doing better on their part to fix itself. Patrick Haubert ‘16 also has high hopes for the new leader, “I’m optimistic, I’d love to see [FIFA] change substantially, but it’s gonna take a ton of effort before it could potentially be done.”

The World Cup and the FIFA organization have been the subjects of controversy, and a new president in office is what both soccer fans and countries associated with FIFA around the world need in order to create a better FIFA. He will, however, need to make some serious changes to prevent the massive corruption and bribery charges that plagued FIFA members and officials.

Drafted to Fight: WWII’s Effect on Sports Julia Delzingaro ’16 Sports Writer

The Whittier Miscellany April Issue 2016

https://tripleinthegap.wordpress.com/2010/04/11/hank-greenberg-leads-a-nation-culture/

At the outbreak of World War II in 1939, almost all Americans agreed that the US should stay neutral and not get involved in the war. However, after rising tensions between Japan and the United States, culminating in the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor, America was prepared to defend itself. The first stage in increasing the nation’s fighting force was the Selective Training and Service Act signed by President Roosevelt on September 16, 1940. The act issued that every American male between the ages of 21 and 36 was required to register for 12 months of military service.

The war and this act affected almost every sport, although not each sport was affected in the same way. Many manufacturers of sporting goods equipment contributed to the war effort by dedicating their time and materials to making military equipment.

For example, Hillerich & Bradsby, makers of the famous Louisville Slugger baseball bats, turned their wood-turning skills to the production of stocks for the M1 carbine rifle. Much of the rubber manufactured in America went to the war, so sporting materials were made differently, which sometimes affected the style of play. There was also a wood shortage during WWII, so bowling pins and baseball bats were a rarity during this period. Basketball was one of the sports that remained unchanged because player’s height made them ineligible for the military.

Another sport that wasn’t completely hurt by the war was baseball. In response to numerous sports being canceled during the war, Upper School History and Theory of Knowledge Teacher Javier Ergueta said, “ I think because, in our society, sports are as-

sumed to depend on our aggressive impulses, to fuel a good soldier.” achievement on the playing field, and to channel these In response to baseball players being drafted to impulses harmlessly in peacetime. Psychologists call fight in the war, Chris Wallace ‘17 said, “I think it this “sublimation” of the aggressive impulses. When was definitely the right thing for professional sports there was an actual war going on, sublimation was players like baseball players to be drafted into the war neither desirable (all aggression should be directed because they have an advantage of already being very against the enemy) or necessary.” in shape and they shouldn’t be treated any differently Baseball was one of the most popular sports than any other man who isn’t involved in a profesduring the time period, so President Franklin D. Roos- sional sport.” Many Americans had the same opinion evelt signed the Green Light Letter that signaled base- towards professional sports players being involved in ball to keep going.

WWII and they were very grateful towards the proAlthough fessional athletes that chose baseball continto do so. ued to be played Soccer was popular in throughout the the 1940s, but not as popuwar, some prolar as baseball, or any of the fessional baseball other sports. The FIFA World players were still Cup is held every 4 years, required to fight. but 2 of the world cups, in For example, 1942 and 1946, were both in 1941, Major cancelled due to World War League Baseball II and its aftermath. had to say goodRemy Davis-Tinnell ‘17 Greenberg at bat. bye to the first shared. “I have learned a lot two players to enter military service: Hugh Mulcahy about World War II and am really familiar with its efand Hank Greenberg. fects on the world but I was never aware of how big Mulcahy, who was a veteran with the Philadel- of an impact it had on sports, I think it shows just how phia Phillies, was drafted on March 8, 1941, and re- much impact wars really have on the world.” ported to Camp Devens, Massachusetts to get trained Boxing was another popular sport during World for military service. Detroit Slugger Hank Greenberg, War II. From 1941 - 1946, 4,000 professional boxers a celebrated star of the time and future Hall of Fam- joined the military to go overseas and fight the war. er, received his draft call on May 7, 1941. Greenberg All in all, more than 500 athletes were drafted into gave up his $55,000 yearly salary for a $21 per month World War II and sports manufacturers changed their Army pay and reported to Fort Custer, Michigan. He products from being for sports to being for war, showtold The Sporting News, “If there’s any last message ing just how underrated the effect of WWII was on the to be given to the public, let it be that I’m going to be US and its sports.

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Entertainment

Better Understanding for a Better World Maggie Martelli-Raben ’18 Entertainment Writer Every year in Orlando, Florida, Civilizations Exchange & Cooperation Foundation holds a conference called Better Understanding for a Better World. The purpose of this conference is to celebrate diversity and create a stronger, more tolerant understanding of cultures all over the world through the gathering of exchange students living in the United States. This year was the 10th anniversary of the conference, which takes place in the heart of Disney World. From February 11th to February 14th, students flew in from all over the U.S., including Wisconsin, Minnesota, California, Indiana, North Carolina and many more. The students came from 22 countries all over the world covering Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and Africa. In just three and a half days, students learned all about each other and formed close bonds while enjoying hanging out with people vastly different from themselves. This year, I attended the conference, making myself the only American out of 35 students.

The first day of the conference is a bit of a haze for students who arrive at all different times of the night. Although I missed the opening ceremonies, I was told they included presentations from the head of the conference, Iman Mohamed Bashar, who is from Syria.

He expressed the importance of the youth, who are the future. The conference itself also teaches leadership skills through activities and presentations, both given to the students and by the students, which taught us to be proactive and adamant about creating a tolerant world for the future. The conference being at Disney provides a fun aspect for students, who were given about two hours of recreational time at the parks every night, and an entire day to explore a park. (This was especially fun for the foreign students; many had never been to Disney before). Since Civilization Exchange is a main aspect of the conference, students spend a day in Epcot going from ‘country’ to ‘country’, learning about different aspects of that particular culture.

Directly following that, students hear seven or eight different presentations about each other’s countries.

There were obvious tensions between some countries, such as the Palestinian students, who, when presenting about their country, proceeded to give their opinion on their conflict with Israel. However, students were able to realize that these countries’ pasts or conflicts had nothing to do with the students standing there today,

and international barriers should not stand in the way of an opportunity to learn about a unique culture.

The other huge part of this conference was religious diversity. I am half-Jewish, and was the only person at the conference who had any Jewish background at all. All of the other students were Muslim, Christian, or Atheist. On the second day of the conference, called the interfaith day, we visited a mosque, a church, and a synagogue. This was succeeded by a Q&A session with a panel that had a representative from each of these. While I have been to a church and a synagogue, I had never been to a mosque. We were encouraged to participate in the prayers to fully immerse ourselves.

One of the things it helped me with personally was dissociating the Muslim religion from terrorism. After hearing many of the kids from Middle Eastern decent talk about times they have been racially profiled, or made to feel alienated while living in America, I began to see Islam as a religion just like Christianity and Judaism. All these religions have radicals, and people try and justify their horrible actions with their faith, yet that is only a small percentage of the people that practice that religion.

Being an American, I heard the stereotypes associated with Americans before they arrived in the U.S. I often heard that American girls were stupid, or “easy.” Furthermore, I heard that Americans are fat (this one was a regular might I add, much to the amusement of my peers). These common stereotypes also included the notion that Americans are lazy, and that every American is a nationalist. One of the central objectives of the conference was to go about disbanding these stereotypes that often arise from a small fraction of people who identify with a certain group. Letting a small group of people define an entire group of people is unacceptable, and many of the students in attendance felt adamant towards working to change those that have that closed mindset. Through the sharing of our experiences, strong bonds were formed not only between students, but also between nationalities. The experience was eye-opening in the sense that there were so many young, tolerant people that wish for peace, amongst all the strife and fighting in their home countries. Many students opened up about the warzones they have lived through in countries like Tunisia, Yemen, Palestine, and Senegal. Overall, the conference was a positive and interesting experience, and one that gave students the chance to meet people they otherwise would not have.

International Festivals Unite Music Fans Quinn Kirkpatrick ’16 Entertainment Writer A lot of people are familiar with the popular music festivals in the United States including Firefly (Dover, Delaware), Coachella (Indio, California), and Ultra (Miami, Florida). But these three make up only a few out of hundreds of festivals held throughout the year in places around the world. From Melbourne, Australia to New York, and from Seoul, South Korea to Stockholm, Sweden, millions of music lovers flock to these cities, ready to enjoy and celebrate the music of their favorite genres and artists. These festivals range in size and encompass many genres of music including Country, Electronic Dance Music or EDM, Rock, Jazz, Hip-hop, Folk, and more.

Sonar, a music festival in Barcelona, Spain, is ranked 5th on a list of top 50 music festivals in the world by the travel site, Timeout. Founded in 1994, Sónar is an electronic and advanced music festival.

It attracts some of the biggest names in Electronic music every year including Skrillex, Diplo, and Pet

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Shop Boys. In 2015, with around 120,000 people in attendance, the festival not only consisted of live musical performances, but also a technology and record fair, video art projections, and art installations.

Its founders had the goal from the beginning to create not just a concert experience but a place where aspiring electronic artists, established artists, and fans can come together to enjoy three days of fun and learning at the same time.

Across the globe, Ultra Music Festival takes place in Seoul, South Korea. Some of the notable names performing at the 2016 festival include Afrojack and Avicii. 100,000 EDM fans took a pilgrimage to the Olympic Stadium Complex in Seoul for the festival.

The Ultra Worldwide company also has annual festivals in Tokyo, Rio, Miami, and Johannesburg. When asked about his impression of International music festivals, Andrew Conces ‘16 said, “I have heard a lot of great things about them and hope to go to one someday. A lot of people have told me that the atmosphere is very different from music festivals in the US. I definitely want to experience it.”(Continued on Page 12)

European DJs Impress Listeners Worldwide Abby Kleman ’18 Entertainment Writer Music can express emotion, capture powerful messages, and unite those who share their enjoyment of it. Popular music festivals in America today, such as Firefly, Made in America, and Lollapalooza do just that. A relatively new genre of music is becoming more and more dominant at these festivals: electronic dance music, or EDM. EDM involves a wide variety of instruments, programs, and technology. Thousands crowd around a grand stage where one DJ plays their live mixes, full of bass drops and catchy choruses. Americans cannot get enough of this music genre, but something that many might not know is that most EDM artists are actually from other parts of the world.

The U.S. is undoubtedly home to some of the most lively and entertaining music festivals out there. Eleanor Napoli ’16 commented, “Music festivals, Made in America in particular, are really fun because everyone is so enthusiastic about being there and seeing their favorite artists perform live. Music is the international language for teenagers especially, and kids from all over the world see and listen to their favorite artists despite the language barrier.” EDM dominates festivals including Tomorrowland in Belgium, Sensation in Amsterdam, and Stereosonic in Australia.

While EDM is a fairly new genre of music, with all of the modern technology available today, its roots actually originate from the 70’s and 80’s.

Disco, with funk and soul influences, was typically played in clubs, accompanied by dancing and bright lights. These elements are equally prevalent at modern-day EDM shows. Another genre of music that influenced today’s EDM is Electro, which uses bass and electronic musical instruments called polyphonic synthesizers. Using keyboards, Electro musicians create multiple different notes with unique sounds. One of the earliest electronic musical instruments, the “Theremin,” was created

by Russian inventor, León Theremin in 1928. While the U.S. claims the name “EDM”, the roots of Electronic music lie in other countries.

Many of the most popular EDM artists are indeed European. Producer and DJ, Zedd, one of the few headliners at last year’s Firefly Music Festival, is from Saratov, Russia. Jack Prendergast ’16 shares his experience: “I attended Firefly last year and thought that Zedd was very good. Everyone was dancing along to the music and really enjoyed his performance.” Prendergast was surprised to learn that Zedd is Russian. On the subject of foreign EDM artists, Head of the Computer Science Department, Jenks Whittenberg, commented, “One of my favorite EDM artists is Aphex Twin, who is from England. It’s important to understand an artist’s roots when learning about the history of music.”

Kygo, known as the king of the electronic “tropical house” genre, caught the attention of EDM listeners with remixes of songs by Ed Sheeran, Of Monsters and Men, and The Weeknd. His original tracks, such as, “Firestone”, “Stole the Show”, and “Here for You” were also instant hits upon their release. While Kygo and the Tropical House genre have become a hit in the U.S., Kygo’s unique sound is selling out shows around the world. Kyrre Gørvell-Dahll, or Kygo, brings his talent from Bergen, Norway.

(Continued on Page 12) The Whittier Miscellany April Issue 2016

Exploring Rennes Through Cultural Cusine Olivia Garber ‘16 Entertainment Writer A large buckwheat galette folded in and out of fresh tomato, dots of sweet basil, gooey cheese from a local market, a large pad of salted butter, a crisp and bitter bowl of cider, all followed up with a densely layered buttery cake, coating each tooth with fine sugar crystals. This is the typical traditional meal that you would find in Rennes, France. Rennes, the capital region of Brittany, is the location for classic Breton cuisine. In addition to the cliché meal of galettes, cheese, and a bowl of cider with a final bite of kouign-amann, the sugary, decadent, layered pastry filled with butter, the Rennes culinary world has so much more to offer. From classic dishes to experimental gastronomy, Rennes is one of the most underrated hotspots for true culinary delights.

After spending a year in this culinary-filled city, I made myself very familiar with the food scene. After a quick Google search before my trip, I quickly found Le Daniel, Rennes’ main culinary claim to fame.

Le Daniel, a chocolaterie just a dangerously close, five-minute bus ride away from SYA’s home base, is a world-renowned home of one of the famous members of the Meilleur Ouvrier de France, or the MOF. This elite group of culinary masters wears three-colored badges of honor – the most prestigious award in France given to few of the most talented cuisiniers in the world. In other words, Le Daniel is one of few places on earth to literally eat perfection in the form of chocolate and pastries.

Although I enjoyed the towering sugar pieces of art, the perfectly tempered and delicate pieces of chocolate lined up along a fully decorated window, and caviar made of mango purée atop a spiced lava cake, my favorite culinary experience occurred at an empty courtyard turned a bustling marketplace for locals on Sundays. Every Sunday morning at six, local farmers, florists, and artists set up their tents and tables to await the townspeople of Rennes. The market is a sea of color, spanning across an old cobblestoned courtyard lined with colorful and old apartments. At nine, live music starts, tables are set, and the people of Rennes spend the afternoon together, picking out freshly cut flowers, sausages, and unpasteurized

cheeses. The scales of fresh fish sparkle in the sunlight adjacent to a large kettle of bright yellow saffron rice. Along with local artisans, butchers, and farmers, local food stands that set up at the edge of the courtyard offer unparalleled cuisine. For most, these food stands are Rennes’ best kept secret, hiding behind ancient Churches, masking the smell of fresh ingredients and the sound of happy customers intertwined with string music, remaining an exclusive hideout for longtime locals. By three in the afternoon, all evidence of this seemingly permanent beauty would disappear. Tables would be broken down, flags would be folded, and families would go home, each bringing a piece of the market back to their own preset tables. At night, the dark courtyard leaves no evidence, besides the occasional cut flower stem curiously lying on the otherwise pristine cobblestone.

Anxiously awaiting these seemingly magic-filled market days, a typical Breton would pass the time in countless cafés that dot the city at every corner. A foreigner would probably expect a typical café to look something like a scene from a movie set in Paris. A large awning, wicker chairs faced towards bustling streets, busy waiters, and a cloud of smoke acting as smoggy shield to protect the café’s judging patrons.

However, cafés in Rennes are a bit different. With ever-changing weather patterns and small, less populated streets, cafés in Rennes are cozy, indoors, and intimate, allowing the people-watching to occur inside, if at all. Cafés in Rennes can range from an elegant tea room with marble countertops, dainty delicacies, and bowties, to an apartment sized Cat Café, where a cup of thick hot chocolate and a scone is accompanied by a stranger’s mildly friendly pet cat.

Rennes, a historic and intimate city has more to offer than what meets the eye. As an explorer of its landscape, I found that Rennes’ hidden culinary gems took some digging. The food scene is intertwined with the town’s locals, and to find a hidden gem takes some courage. Food, I found, was the best way to navigate within Rennes’ braided and confusing streets. Although there are many more secluded treats that lie within the city, I think its mystery and our own discovery is what makes the culinary experiences within any city exceptional.

Adventures of the Spanish Band “Aventura” Emily Rossi ‘17 Entertainment Writer The Spanish band “Aventura” released a statement in December saying that they were going to have a 2016 reunion tour. The band broke up in 2011, so fans are ecstatic at the prospect of a reunion.

Aventura was started in 1993, by Anthony “Romeo” Santos, Henry Santos, Lenny Santos, and Max Santos. Their main goal was to make traditional Bachata music more mainstream. Bachata is known as “a genre of Latin music with European, Indigenous, and African musical elements. It was originally created in the Dominican Republic, where the boys in Aventura have roots. They managed to integrate Bachata into modern music, releasing many hit songs with Bachata elements.

Henry, Lenny, and Max started making music while attending South Bronx High School in New York City. The Band’s name was originally “Los Teenagers.” They competed against other bands and preformed until 1999 when they were signed by BMG. They signed under the name “Grupo Aventura” and eceived a lot of pressure to copy the Backstreet Boys, but they stayed true to their mission to create their own sound. They stepped away from the music producers and agents and decided to do things The Whittier Miscellany April Issue 2016

themselves. Aventura refused to let producers mold their sound and turn them into the cookie-cutter boy band everyone thought they should be. They thought it was important that people saw them as genuine as possible. The Dominican boy band surprised the world day after day, stepping out of the norm. What they were trying to do with their music was keep the Bachata element dominant, but break the rules and change it to an R&B style that people couldn’t resist.

When the band separated, Romeo Santos and Henry Santos embarked on solo careers while Lenny Santos and Max Santos joined Bachata artist Steve Stiles to form a new band, known as Vena. Another way their music differs from Bachata is the song topics. Typical Bachata music is full of melencholy, but the boys of Aventura chose to write about seduction, love, and relationships, following along with the typical young pop star. In the 1880’s and 1890’s, there were thousands of Dominican Immigrants coming to America.

They came from a country where Bachata was the equivalent of American pop music, to a country where most people didn’t know what Bachata was. Since the boys of Aventura grew up listening to both Bachata and American Pop, they were able to artfully blend the two for everyone to enjoy.

(Continued on page 12)

Entertainment Acting Internationally Allie Fulginiti ‘17 Entertainment Writer America’s movie industry is thriving. With the release of brilliant and captivating movies in the recent past, these movies, as well as the stars in them, have been the center of attention in many homes and on many TVs throughout the country.

However, is it safe to say that only the attention of Americans has been captured by these movies and movie stars? The answer to this question is no. The movies that have been produced in America are viewed all over the world and have an influence on the movie industries and people in other countries besides the US. Similarly, we have foreign influences from other countries on our movie industry. Many of our favorite actors, actresses, musicians, and producers are not even from America. When actors are playing a role in a movie, they are almost never playing themselves; they are portraying a different persona than they normally would, look differently than how they normally would, and they may even talk differently than usual. As a result, it is difficult to recognize how many of the actors we know and love do not come from where we think they do.

Some of the most influential foreign actors include Benedict Cumberbatch, Kate Winslet and Robert Pattinson. One thing common to them all is the fact that they are from England. The British Cinema has produced some of the most-loved movies and series not just in Britain, but around the world. Harry Potter, for instance, was written and produced in England, and all of the actors and actresses used in the Harry Potter films were from England. Additionally, the James Bond movies were produced in England, but also hit it big here in America. Margaret Sullivan ’17 believes that Harry Potter has had a huge impact on movie industries everywhere: “It is a great, imaginative, and compelling story that is easy for people of all ages to fall in love with. It allows younger kids to let their imagination come to live and inspires an older audience to get more in touch with their imaginative side as well.” The influence that a movie can have on those who see it is not confined to the place where it was made, it can influence people anywhere.

Since more and more countries overseas will be viewing movies produced in America, it is imperative to that the content in these movies will not offend or have any severe negative impact on the impressions of Americans on other countries.

If this appears to be the case in a particular movie, it may not get the “go ahead,” so to speak, to continue with the production of the movie. Lena Urick explains, “With all of the turmoil between countries and sensitive topics in our world today, it is important to make sure that we watch what we say and make sure that anything representing America, including movies, is a good representation.” So, the current social and political standings that we have with other countries influences our movie industry and which movies we produce and how we begin to brainstorm for movie plots.

If this appears to be the case in a particular movie, it may not get the “go ahead,” so to speak, to continue with the production of the movie. Additionally, we need to make sure that anything representing America, including movies, is a good representation.” So, the current social and political standings that we have with other countries influences our movie industry and which movies we produce and how we begin to brainstorm for movie plots.

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Community Continued From Page 2: Journalism Is Dead, Or Is It? there is one thing that is immortal: advertisements.

The journalism industry will forever be fueled by the companies that pay big money to have their logo next to the article about Kim Kardashian’s newest child or a terrorist attack somewhere in the world. So fear not, the lack of physical paper is not going to hinder the powers of journalism.

Journalism is our current-day carrier pigeon. When a bird was the quickest way to communicate long distance, there were often serious mishaps; if the message didn’t get to its recipient in time, or at all, there would be repercussions. In simple terms, without journalism we would all be a 16th century Englishmen awaiting a message that never shows.

I strongly believe that I can argue with anyone who tries to tell me that the fundamental bond between our miniscule lives and the rest of the world is “dying.” Until people no longer care about anything except what’s directly in front of them, journalism will be indispensible.

So, dear anonymous family member, to answer your question, journalism is indeed not dead, and I hope you now understand why I’m ready to commit my life – and college tuition – towards it. dailytrojan.com

While, some of my more expressive relatives evidence to provide a story.

The more impatient our society becomes, the would shoot back with, “You know that’s a dying art, right?” Or of course, “You’re not going to make any more we need the art of journalism. Without it, there money with that.” And the classiest of all responses, would be no one informing us instantly about our “I guess you’ll just have to marry rich!” I have tried world.

The transition of journalism from print media to to not let these opinions sway me because I strongly believe that the tragic death of journalism is not in the the internet begs the question, how will journalists near future.

As with anything, the tactics of journalism have, and will, change over time. Every profession has been forced to evolve with advancements in technology and society. (Note: Even the Pope has a Twitter account now.) Being a journalist no longer consists of monotonously cutting and glueing pages from a typewriter. It no longer consists of filing through thousands of sheets of paper in manila folders to find what you’re looking for. Soon journalism may not consist of newspapers at all, but that doesn’t mean it’s dead.

Cartoon depicting the supposed death of print journalism It’s simply evolving and being challenged everyday. In the age of instant gratifica- continue to make money? Without people purchastion, the world of journalism has to keep up. The mo- ing newspapers or magazines, how will the news ment a bomb goes off, or a celebrity has a baby, jour- networks make a steady income? The answer is simnalists are scurrying around producing research and ple, even if you still believe that journalism is dying,

Sanctions on North Korea: Help or Hinderance?

Lindsay Weber ’17 Columnist

a statement: “The international community, speaking with one voice, has sent Pyongyang (the capital of North Korea and the area in which the detonation took place) a simple message: North Korea must abandon these dangerous programs and choose a better path for its people.”

So what does this mean for North Korea and North Korean civilians? Julia Rhodes ’14, WFS alumna and North Korea expert and activist, gives her input. She is passionate about exposing the human rights violations that occur behind closed doors in North Korea, and is well-informed on the topic. I wanted to find out whether the sanctions will help or harm the wellbeing of civilians, and how ‘real’ the threat of the North Korean

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cnn.com

As of March 2nd, the U.N. security council unanimously passed new sanctions on North Korea, following North Korea’s fourth nuclear detonation in January. The country originally claimed to have successfully exploded a hydrogen (or H) bomb, which causes a more powerful explosion than a nuclear bomb.

Although this turned out not to be the case, it was clear that some sort of smaller nuclear weapon went off. This could very well have been a significant advancement in their nuclear program, which is surely a reason for international concern. Additionally, in early February, North Korea launched a rocket that the country claimed was carrying a satellite. However, it has been largely speculated that this was a way to secretly test prohibited missile technology. This was all in spite of a ban on all nuclear-related activity; these new sanctions are a way for the international community to take serious action against North Korean defiance, although their outcome is to be determined.

The new sanctions are stricter than they have been in 20 years.

They contain a 19-page resolution that officials from the United States and China drafted over the course The United Nations deciding on sanctions for North Korea of around two months, and they affect nearly every aspect of the Nuclear program is. She responds that, although the economy and government in North Korea. Aspects sanctions are important for the diplomatic community of the sanctions include expanded asset freezes and and Chinese-American relations, it will not really have travel bans, as well as a complete prohibition on sales much of an effect of North Korean citizens. Rhodes and transfers of all small arms and weapons. Some comments, “Citizen well-being usually depends on the of the toughest aspects of the sanction, however, permeability of the NK-Chinese border and on crop are the compulsory inspections of cargo leaving and yields, so while this could signify future changes with entering North Korea, and expulsion of North Korean a new, engaged China, right now the average North diplomats who are suspected of engaging in any ‘illicit Korean probably won’t find his situation dramatically activities.’ US President Barack Obama announced in altered.” She also discusses the reality of the threat the

North Korean Nuclear Program poses in terms of both international and civilian safety. “I don’t see North Korea’s nuclear program as a primarily international pursuit. I see it as a pretty rational domestic policy,” Rhodes adds.

The most likely explanation for the detonation is, according to Rhodes, Kim Jong-un maintaining North Korea’s “military first policy” and keeping North Korean generals in line. It seems as though North Korea’s big display of a nuclear detonation was more of a power play than a volatile threat to international security. The new sanctions make for excellent propagandist ammunition, as Kim Jong-Un can bring the country together by portraying the sanctions as the international community’s attempt to persecute North Korea.

Although the sanctions signify some noteworthy advancement in diplomatic relations between China and the US, it will “not change the material situation of the North Koreans,” according to Rhodes. As of March 18th, North Korea has already defied the new sanctions by firing two ballistic missiles off the west coast of the Korean peninsula. The chances that North Korea will cooperate with the rest of the world any time soon are improbable at best, looking at North Korean history in context. North Korea thrives off of military propaganda, and such defiance of the sanctions only adds fuel to this fire.

Is the North Korean nuclear program an active threat to international security? Maybe, but it is difficult to say; it does not seem likely that North Korea will act on any of its threats any time soon. But, is North Korea a deeply corrupt nation that survives solely off of isolating its citizens and feeding them propaganda about constant, impending threats from the outside world? For sure. After all of her work, Rhodes emphasizes that it is important to stay aware of what is going on the world, “I think ordinary citizens should worry about the atrocities committed within the borders of North Korea, not just for their own safety.”

The Whittier Miscellany April Issue 2016

Community The Corruption in Latin America: You Thought the U.S. Was Bad? omy in the world. Unfortunately it seems that while it’s economy has evolved, it’s political system hasn’t.

Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff, with her close As Americans we frequently hear accusations ties to the state-owned oil company Petrobras, has about corruption in business or politics. Whether been fingered in an investigation that alleges that the it’s the accusations of Wall Street bankers exploiting current and former Brazilian presidents are involved the masses, or rumors of Hillary Clinton’s ties to large in corruption on a massive scale. This scandal, which corporations, people warn us of the dangers of corrupis already the largest in any democracy in the history tion in our country. By and large, however, we have of the Earth, is revealing more of the ugly truth evit a lot better than our neighbors in ery day. When questioned about the the South. Though Latin America allegations leveled at her, President is in the middle of one of the most Rousseff denied any involvement peaceful and democratic periods in in the billions of dollars that were its history, these last couple of years allegedly embezzled through Petrohave shown that this time may only bras. When there were riots in the have been an illusion. Accusations streets calling for her to step down of corruption have not only been and for the previous president Luiz made, but proven true, leading to a Inácio Lula da Silva to be arrested, loss of faith for many in their govRousseff made him her chief of staff. ernments. In no way is this clearer Since the break of this scanthan by examining two neighbordal her approval ratings continue to ing countries which could not seem plummet. Currently over a fifth of the more different: Bolivia and Brazil.

National Congress is under investiUnfortunately, the level of alleged gation, and no one in the government corruption that both of their govseems free of blame. We will have ernments have committed is equal. to see how the scandal unfolds, but Bolivian politics was rocked over Evo Morales, the president of Bolivia, whose government has continually been linked to it is clear that Brazilians and the rest the last few months with scandals of the world no longer labor under corruption charges. surrounding their President Evo the illusion that corruption is gone.

Morales. Morales is a socialist, one of the few who digenous Development Fund (Fondioc), which was Bolivians and Brazilians are symbolic for the remains in power in Latin America. He is also the first set up by the government, had in fact been funneling many Latin Americans who are suffering under Bolivian president of indigenous descent, one of the funds into thirty non-existent “ghost projects.” This governments steeped in corruption. For many years reasons he has been popular in a country where 90% of scandal cost taxpayers an estimated $2.1 million, and now, corruption has been so much a part of the way the population considers itself indigenous or descend- forced several top officials in Morales’ government to of life in the Hemisphere that it is hard for it to die ed from natives. Another key factor of his popularity resign. Though no firm evidence yet connects Pres- out. However, if the backlash that we see in counwas his vow to remove corruption from Bolivian poli- ident Morales to the scandal, the myth that his gov- tries like Bolivia and Brazil is anything to go by, tics. Having been elected in 2006, and although prom- ernment is turning a new leaf for Bolivia is shattered. we can see that the people are tired of more of the ising not to run for a third term in 2014, Morales did so While people have come to expect corruption in a same, and will not stand for corrupt governments. and won. President Morales, however, recently took a poor country like Bolivia, the recent political scandals At the moment, it is hard to tell whether this is step too far when he proposed an alteration to the con- in Brazil have become a shock to many. Over the past truly a turning point for Latin America, or the start of stitution, which would allow him to run for a fourth decades Brazil has gained admiration for rising from a new cycle of corruption, which we will hear about term. My cousins, who live in La Paz, were among the status of a third world country to the 8th largest econ- in another ten years – let us hope it is the former. the many who posted on social media, appealing to the Bolivian people to not allow President Morales to consider himself above the law. Their voices did not go unheard, and on February 21st, Bolivians voted against the referendum to change their constitution.

It is interesting to note that social media was not the only reason Mr. Morales did not win the right to another term. In the weeks leading up to the vote, the Bolivian Minister of Justice found that the In-

linktv.org

Emilio Ergueta Columnist

The Ending of the New Prohibition on Marijuana Uruguay, the first nation to fully legalize and regulate the marijuana industry, is soon to be in the company of other nations. Although the pro and anti marijuana campaigns have taken the backseat in the USA 2016 presidential campaign, it is still as current as an issue as ever in the rest of the world.

The Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau, is now pushing to legalize marijuana, which would give its thirty three million citizens access to legal, recreational marijuana (assuming they are of legal age).

The sale of legalized marijuana is certainly an exciting business for those who work in it. These visionary entrepreneurs are not only paving the ground for the future by being the first to legally trade marijuana, but there is also a tremendous amount of profit in private industry,and tax revenue: in 2015 Colorado state packed $53 million in tax revenue into their pockets. Green for green.

New eras of progressive (or regressive) have taken towards considering legalizing cannabis. It is now being considered a way of fighting drug cartels and gangs around the world. Pro-legalization supporters argue that it can do this by essentially having the government steal the market right out from under the cartels. Here an essential dilemma of leThe Whittier Miscellany April Issue 2016

galization: How can legislation allow marijuana companies, and the industry as a whole, to compete with cartels to knock them out of relevance but still have common sense restrictions that keep marimexiconewsdaily.org

Nolan Delaney ’16 Freelance Columnist

Woman Protesting for Legal Marijuana

juana use to a minimum and discourages its use?

A critical fundamental and underlying assumption that could also likely determine the successfulness of the legal marijuana industry is the assumption that people would rather buy legal marijuana, even if it is more expensive, than illegal marijuana. There would be benefits to buying legal marijuana that go beyond the legality, but one is also

getting a more safe, highly regulated, product and also can have the satisfaction of the giving of one’s money to a real business instead of a drug dealer.

Perhaps the most important policy that countries legalizing marijuana will have to write and enforce is the policy that finds the balance between allowing free market capitalism in the industry to allow for maximum profit while also preventing an uprising of of “big marijuana” like we have “big tobacco” and “big alcohol”.

A mistake that wallowed for “big marijuana” would be an irreversible disaster. One way to help avoid this is to limit the amount of lobbyists, if any, a marijuana retailer can have, or put a cap on stores a single franchise can own. These policies would be very anti-capitalistic and arguably anti-American, but I think an exception can be made considering it is a drug market and thus can, and should, be regulated heavily.

Some are calling this sprouting pro marijuana legalization movement the end of a prohibition or the end of an era of the overstepping of US government.

I believe that if legalization is not implemented correctly, then society may find themselves venturing into grounds worse than cannabis prohibition. Policy makers need to think long and hard about the new ground they may find themselves venturing into, because in the start of a new industry with such high potential for rapid growth, policies are much easier to make then reverse.

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Continuations Zika Virus - Page One ...of the virus is unknown, but doctors estimate that it is about a few days to a week. Only about 1 in 5 people infected with Zika become ill, and a person will not die from being infected with Zika by a mosquito.

Similar to chicken pox, once a person is infected, they are unlikely to fall ill again. When asked whether she is concerned about the threat of Zika, Anna Erskine ’18 replied, “No, I think that [the Zika virus] is not that big of a concern. It’s just a typical virus. I think that they will find a vaccine soon.” The virus has been around for a long time, however there are still no vaccines to prevent one from getting sick. The best prevention is to protect oneself from mosquito bites and avoid visiting infected areas. To avoid mosquito bites, one can wear long sleeves and long pants while in infected areas, as well as sleep under a mosquito bed net at night and use bug spray. These are the best ways to stay safe and avoid getting infected.

While the Zika virus hasn’t reached the same level of panic as Ebola has this past year, it’s still important to understand the risk and be careful. Doctors are working to find out more about the virus and ways to combat it.

Travel Abroad - Page Five “There’s something really powerful about that; a 13 year old kid with a Clifford book, learning to read for the first time,” Hinderhofer says. “A lot of extra kids showed up because they got to have a free snack and get a free book. They all really wanted to be there.”

By the end of the trip, all the students had adapted to the different way of life. “It was more natural at the end, more second nature,” Hinderhofer says. The students also strengthened their friendships with each other while navigating a different country; “I learned more about people who I wouldn’t have talked to normally. By the end everyone was really good friends with each other.”

Another way people can experience a new culture is through taking a gap year between high school and college. Kate Zipin, former WFS teacher, did exactly that: she went to Ecuador between graduating high school and college. Zipin worked as a teacher in a high school in the Amazon, teaching students English, sustainable farming practices, and conservation.

Similar to Hinderhofer’s experience, she experienced an abrupt culture shock as well: “I planned the meals for 60 students. It was mostly rice, beans, and eggs.

Eggs were the main protein. No one in the town had electricity; some wealthier families had generators. We had to wash everything by hand.” However, one of the things that stood out to Zipin the most as different from American society was the authority she was given.

“I had this privilege as a white person, where everyone looked to me to make decisions. I was only 18, but they deferred to me,” Zipin comments.

While she had privilege in some areas, she was at a disadvantage in others: “In a patriarchal society like that, it was hard to be heard.” Other aspects of how the culture differed, however, had a much more positive effect on Zipin.

Living without many resources that are readily available in the United States and seeing how the people in Ecuador did not seem to be bothered by this helped Zipin realize something about happiness, “Your circumstances, and your happiness and emotional state are not as linked as they seem. Maybe it was because of the context; they didn’t realize what they didn’t have, and they were just as happy without it.” Zipin still carries this lesson about happiness as well as her other experiences with her 10 years later.

For both Hinderhofer and Zipin, their experiences traveling to a country very different from the United States had a strong impact on them that they still carry today. They gained insight into different ways of life, while simultaneously learning more about themselves and their peers. Whether it is a trip to a drastically

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different country, one for service, or a family vacation, there is no doubt that traveling around the world will teach unforgettable lessons, and will be nearly impossible to forget.

International Baseball - Page Six ...nine percent of the MLB rosters. This percentage is more than any nationality other than Americans.

Natalie Szumel ’16 shared her experiences traveling to the Dominican Republic for service in the summer.“in the Dominican Republic village I visit every summer, kids spend some of the time they’re not in school playing baseball. They play in a field that doubles as a pasture with a bat and a few spare baseballs, but there’s a major lack of equipment. They’re excellent players, so even with my lack of experience, it’s super fun to play baseball with them and experience a major part of their culture.”

Despite obvious differences in language, and culture, baseball is one aspect consistent throughout all three. Just like any sport, baseball unites a nation in more than just sport. In America, baseball has become a center for sports attraction, money, and no doubt national pride. Japan has become a worldwide competitor for the sport, and the Dominican Republic has become a central source to players throughout the MLB. Latvian Basketball - Page Six Jeffrey McAbee ’18 adds, “In my opinion, he is one of the best centers in the league and is a great attribute to the Knicks. He’s really taken the league by shock.” Porzingis, has been questioned over whether “he had game, heart, and was coachable.” Throughout this season, Porzingis has proven that he is all these things and more. Donald Morton, upper school history teacher remarked, “He’s really good – he’s going to be the next Dirk Nowitzki.” He is also great with the media, courteous toward fans, and modest about being fourth overall pick. The NBA and fans all around look forward to seeing what comes next for #6 of the Knicks.

International Festivals - Page Eight

Unlike other festivals, Montreux Jazz festival in Switzerland attracts listeners of Jazz from different countries, religions, and ethnicities. Lasting over two weeks, the festival attracts around 200,000 people every year and has featured notable performers including Lionel Richie, Lady Gaga, Lenny Kravitz, and John Legend.

Skyrocketing ticket, food, and campsite prices do not scare festival regulars away because attendance increases steadily each year. Although international festivals attract different crowds, each brings thousands of people together to enjoy their favorite music.

European DJ’s - Page Eight Other foreign champions of Electronic music include Calvin Harris from Dumfries, Scotland, Felix Jaehn from Hamburg, Germany, and Tiesto from Breda, Netherlands.

EDM artists, increasingly innovative with their technology use, now easily compete with popular rap and pop singers for the top slots on global music charts. However, it proves true that not many people know the origin of their favorite music. The rise of EDM music will undoubtedly continue in America, and around the world.

Aventura - Page Nine When Erica Rodi ’17 was asked what she thought of Aventura, she originally remarked, “I haven’t heard of this band before.” However, upon hearing some of their music, she adds enthusiastically, “I think I would see them in concert!” On the other hand, Paisley Dianastasis ’17 stated, “I don’t think I would go see them in concert. I just don’t think I would understand their music very much.”

Aventura just had a short reunion tour in February.

There were originally four shows on the tour, but all four sold out in merely 45 minutes, so, luckily for all fans, a few more were added on. For those who didn’t get a chance to see them, don’t worry, they plan to release new show dates soon!

Chris’s Crazy Crossword

The Whittier Miscellany April Issue 2016