Acknowledging the role of censorship in art
February 6, 2018
Filed under Opinions
Censorship is an artist’s enemy. The key to art, particularly performance art, is complete honesty, total lack of inhibition, and extreme vulnerability. As a result, art is a productive setting to breed controversy. Restrictions of any kind detract from the authenticity of an artist’s voice and therefore...
The danger of blind pessimism among teenagers
January 30, 2018
Filed under Opinions
A couple of days ago, my younger sister’s friend, Abby, who has a sister in ninth grade at Stuyvesant, came over for a play-date. Although I’m terrible at talking to giggling 11 year-olds, I managed to catch Abby’s attention by asking her, “How is Hannah (Abby’s older sister) doing?” “Oh....
Paying it forward: a thank you from Zhao (9)
January 18, 2018
Filed under Opinions
Along with many teens, this summer I got my first job. I was beyond ecstatic, I truly believed that I was on the road to the rich and famous life. However, I was soon brought back into reality when I realized that my increased income also meant increased responsibilities. By the end of the summer, though...
Recognizing the reality of sexual harassment
January 18, 2018
Filed under Opinions
Just a few days ago, I read yet another case of a woman being sexually assaulted. This time, it was in her sleep by the man sitting next to her on the plane. What astonished and terrified me is the lack of surprise I felt when hearing about this, demonstrating how the culture of sexual harassment no...
How we can improve HMO
December 10, 2017
Filed under Opinions
I recently completed Horace Mann Orientation (HMO), a required first trimester class for ninth graders. One teacher and multiple upperclassmen mentors lead HMO class discussions in a variety of different topics from stress management to interactions with parents to parties. The class was very pr...
Reshaping our outlook on service learning
December 3, 2017
Filed under Opinions
Serving meals at a food pantry, visiting a nursing home to talk with elderly residents, sprucing up a local park, joining Habitat for Humanity to build homes for displaced families--these are a few of the hundreds of volunteer service learning projects that Horace Mann students undertake each year. Right...
Reflecting on a trimester of the athletic attendance policy
December 3, 2017
Filed under Opinions
The new athletic attendance policy, a well-intended attempt to ensuring students’ commitment to their sports teams, is not only difficult to execute but also an arbitrary annoyance to the students. It is difficult to enforce, unfair to devoted athletes, and burdensome for already-stressed student athletes. In...
From the Olympics to Prettyman: a case for varsity ping pong
December 3, 2017
Filed under Opinions
In 2014, the sport of table tennis became an official varsity sport in New York City public schools. Today, 22 public schools throughout the five boroughs all compete against one another during the winter season in the PSAL (Public School Athletic League). The sport does not demand large quantities of...
Navigating ADHD: in and out of the classroom
December 3, 2017
Filed under Opinions
Earlier this week, I received an email from my calculus teacher. The subject line was “YOUR GRADE – SEATING ARRANGEMENT,” instantly I felt my heartbeat quicken and my phone slip in my hands as my palms became sweaty. I wasn’t nervous about my grade; I was nervous about the prospect of another...
The Rappaccini Variations: separating intent from impact
November 18, 2017
Filed under Opinions
Starting off my senior year, one of the things I most looked forward to throughout the week was rehearsal for the Rappaccini Variations. I was eager to improve my acting skills and participate in a play at school for the first time. I was particularly excited by the concept of this production, a retelling...
Casual use of offensive jokes: it’s not funny
Surya Gowda, Staff Writer
November 18, 2017
Filed under Opinions
As a school, we pride ourselves in our diversity and acceptance of all cultures and identities. It is written in our core values and put in practice in our classrooms. Though it sounds good on paper, is that really what happens behind the doors of the library classrooms and casual conversations with...
Defining beauty: my senior year without makeup
November 6, 2017
Filed under Opinions
What does your face really look like? This might seem like an obvious question, but many women have two faces they wear, one of which is completely artificial. For most of high school, I really liked to wear makeup. I thought eyeliner was fun, and I’m grateful for the way that colorful makeup allowed...
