Avi Cantor

Lauren Nicolella

Staff Writer

Meme culture has developed over time on all social media platforms, but specifically on Twitter and Instagram. They’ve flowered into everything from various iconic Spongebob scenes, videos that end with WWE wrestler John Cena’s introduction into the ring, and other out of context photos with new labels put onto them. It comes to a point where they eventually can be overused and become outdated. Luckily for social media users, there are new memes catching our attention fairly often.

Memes have impacted the today’s generation in a way that embraces individual humor since Vine does not currently exist anymore. Vine was one of the main influences of memes, and the content transferred onto the other social media platforms once it was gone.

Junior Shamus Keough spoke about how he began to get more involved with memes around 8th grade, which seems to be a similar time of when kids were first exposed to the content like memes on social media. “I started making jokes with friends, and I went through things like Vine and Instagram and found stuff that was funny and just got into memes.”

Being able to bond over these memes has given people an easier connection while making friendships. Keough talked about how some of his friends he met through social media have become some of his closest friends.

“I found a couple friends through Instagram and Xbox, and they’re some of my best friends. I would say they’re the best out of everyone I know. One of them actually is the same exact age as me and was born the same day, year, everything. We’re really great friends and super similar.”

Junior Matthew Reed has also voiced his support for meme culture and mentioned how it’s been something that’s been apart of his life since he was young.

“Sometimes it makes me realize that life isn’t going to be so enjoyable if you take things so seriously. It’s alright to laugh sometimes to make yourself feel better. Memes make me feel better, and overall happier,” Reed explained.

The overall style of meme culture has changed over time. It’s just how our society has evolved, and became different as those who were getting involved became older as well. They also contain what people are talking about: politics, old cartoons (mainly Spongebob), and random controversy topics.

Lauryn Lewis

Staff Writer

Students around Philadelphia have been talking about the upcoming and current changes in the school year.

The School District of Philadelphia has been notorious for shortening Spring Break for students due to inclement weather that causes the cancellation of school. For the past few years, Spring Break has been significantly shorter than usual.

The usual Spring Break usually consists of a full school week. The Spring Break this year is only 3 days, almost half of what is usually given. Students are not happy about the now shortened Spring Break.

“When I found out that we were that we were going to have a shorter Spring Break I was mad but not surprised,” said Junior Zaire Williams

“I feel like this happens every year. It would really be nice, especially as a Junior, to have an entire week off from school. Junior year is so stressful and I look forward to my days off so I can relax.”

This is only one of the changes of that students and teachers will soon be facing. The School District has also stated that they plan on starting the 2018-2019 school year earlier than previous years.

School is scheduled to start on August 27, a week before Labor Day. Students usually begin school the day after Labor Day.

According to Philly voice, District Spokesperson Lee Whack states that “We (School District)  are focused on changing the calendar so that it’s best for students, parents, teachers and our entire workforce,  One way to make sure of that is to have more consistent uninterrupted weeks of school. That will improve academic performance and attendance.”

Many of the students at SLA feel disagree with that reasoning.

Junior and Student Vice President Naima Debrest, stated, “I do not think that this schedule change was thought through. Having more interrupted weeks of school will not help students improve academically. It is more likely for students to become agitated and perform poorly, the longer they are in school.”

Starting school early may also cause health hazards in buildings without air conditioning.

Nurse Kelley recalled what it was like working in a building without air conditioning.

“I’ve worked in schools without air conditioning and it was difficult. In order to stay cool, we had to wear cotton, short sleeves, and keep the windows open. I don’t understand why the School District would want to start school that early when August is one of the hottest months. I feel that starting school later, (after Labor Day) is best.”

The Summer is usually a time for students to take time off from school and get time in at work. With the conflicting schedule, many Summer jobs will be cut short leading to students spending less time at work during the Summer.

The shortened Spring Break also has students feeling the financial pinch.

“I already have a job now. But school starting early and losing most of our Spring Break is kind of hard. I’ve been trying to save as much money as possible for our Senior dues that are coming up and for college.” states Brendan Barnes. “I feel bad for students who are still searching for a job. They’ll have searched all this time just to have worked over a shorter period of time.”

Students and faculty do not see themselves appreciating the change in the school year.

Autumn Lor

Staff Writer

Science Leadership Academy has never done a successful job at organizing a senior trip but Junior Imani Murray wanted to be ahead of the game and started planning the trip for the class of 2019 around mid-2017. She has been working alongside fellow Juniors Taylor Green and Lauren Brown, and Physical Education Teacher Pia Martin.

Murray plans to make this her capstone and wants to create a program to teach other students how to plan for a big trip. She wants to make sure that future grades have the opportunity to have fun with their classes as well.

As of now, Murray is working with Sweetgreen, a healthy, organic restaurant. They are sponsoring SLA to help with the financial plans for the trip. Green and Brown have been planning bake sales and other small events to earn money.

Murray has been looking for other sponsors so students won’t have to pay as much. She has also been trying to fundraise and create monthly payments for students that might be struggling with money. As of right now, the total cost of the trip is $195. But there is a payment plan for a minimum of $30 a month that will continue until reaching the full price. The trip will include food, transportation, home and care, and other activities.

Murray and Sweetgreen plan to have this trip take place at the Pocono Valley Resort over a two day period. The resort offers swimming, zip-lining, basketball, volleyball, and more.  

While most schools like the idea of a class trip, SLA is more worried about the different problems that could happen. Not everyone has been positive about the trip. SLA doesn’t have a good history of planning big trips. In 2013, the senior trip was canceled due to lack of paying participants.

Some students are worried about the financial payment, while others are worried about the location. Murray does not plan on changing the location unless the school district disapproves of it.

The trip will be the last time the Class of 2019 will be able to get together and have fun with friends (other than graduation ceremony). If the trip is successful next year, the trips will continue for future years.

Amelia Benamara

Staff Writer

Throughout the month of January, singer Madison Beer teased her fans with short clips from music videos from her first album, until she announced the official release of As She Pleases on February 2, 2018.

Beer described 2018 as her “year to shine” after the release of her songs, Dead and Say it to My Face in late 2017. These songs amassed her 9 million followers at that time.  

The emerging singer leaped to fame after teen heartthrob Justin Bieber discovered her talent. On 17th July of 2012, Bieber tweeted a link to Madison’s YouTube channel where she published her cover of ‘At Last’ by Etta Jones,  stating “Wow. 13 years old! She can sing. Great Job.”

Within weeks, the young talent was signed a recording contract with Island Records. Since then, Beer has released a handful of singles and garnered national acclaim.

Although Madison was happy with her new life that gained an audience, hate was also being spread through social media.

Fans accused Beer of gaining all of her fame because of Justin Bieber, rather than having actual talent. However, as the years pass, through social media, the world had witnessed the Madison Beer’s growth. Just as she captured Bieber’s attention, her musical talent continued to attract other artists.

Fresh in the industry, the then 13-year-old artist was given the opportunity to provide vocals for the song, We Are Creature High.

Since then, she has worked with the Australian singer, Cody Simpson, Norwegian singer-songwriter, Ina Wroldsen, and many more. Some of her hit songs, starting in 2014, include ‘Unbreakable’, ‘All for Love’ and ‘I Won’t Let You Walk Away’. Madison is also an instrumentalist equipped with the ability to play the guitar, drums, and piano.

This year, after her album release, Beer is expected to complete her first tour ever, around the world. She will be performing As She Pleases in countries like Nottingham, UK; Dublin, Ireland; and of course around the US in California, Texas, Denver, and San Diego.

Seven tracks are included in her album, Dead, Fool, Heartless, Home with me, Teenager in Love, and last but not least, Say it to my Face.

When hearing Beer’s new music, most of the lyrics in her songs fall under heartbreak and regaining one’s’ self. This maybe ties to the title of the album itself, As She Pleases, with an independent tone to feminists including herself.

As most artists set their album titles as one of the songs within the album, Madison took a completely different approach and invented her own title — perhaps the moral purpose of her seven tracks.

As Madison matures, her songs grow with her as well. Comparing one of her songs Melodies to Say it to my Face, you hear her tone change with pure confidence as a now young adult.

From 13-year-old rookie to the music business to a 19-year-old with a hit album and an ongoing tour, Beer’s career has risen exponentially.

Taylor Green

Staff Writer

With events like prom, senior pictures, class trips or just hanging out with friends, high school can be one of the most expensive years of a teenager’s life.

There are many reasons why teens want to be able to make their own money, the main one being that they don’t want to depend on their parents as much.

Junior Dayanna Hughes voiced her need for financial independence and why such independence is important.  

“I needed money and my parents couldn’t always give it to me because they’re in a financial gap. I felt bad asking them for their money because my dad is off for work sometimes due to medical problems and my mother had to step up and work more,” Hughes explained.

She decided that the best way for her to make money was for her to get a job. However, getting a job at 17 is easier said than done.

“I applied to over ten jobs, maybe even more. I applied to places like GAP, Banana Republic, and other retail stores,” Hughes said.

She continued by explaining that most of the jobs she applied for didn’t respond back.

“For the most part, I didn’t hear anything back from places unless I called them,” Hughes shared.

However, she did hear back from one job, but she admits that the callback didn’t seem genuine, almost as if she were an afterthought.

“I only heard back from GAP, but even with that, I heard back from them late. They called me for a phone interview during the evening and I thought that was strange considering phone interviews usually happen during the morning or afternoon,” Hughes described

Another conflict that teens face when trying to find a job is meeting the requirements for the strict dress codes and other regulations that limit teens from wearing what they like.

“I scheduled an interview with GAP but I looked more into the job before I went. I learned that they had a lot of restrictions that would be difficult to work around, such as having to wear formal clothes all the time or not being able to wear my hair a certain way like in braids,” Hughes shared.

Fellow Junior Julia Hood also spoke about a difficult dress code that some of her coworkers and interviewees faced that when she worked at Rita’s Water Ice in the spring of 2016

“They wouldn’t hire you if you had piercings other than earrings or a simple nose ring,” Hood explained.

However, the most difficult obstacle for teens to overcome when it comes to getting jobs is their age.

“A lot of places don’t hire teens and if they do, you need a referral from someone really important within that business. It could stem from the fact that teens can’t work certain hours due to school or that the business thinks someone older will do the job better. If that’s the case, then it isn’t fair,” Hood shared.

Although the search for a job is a dreary road, it is possible for teens to get a job. They just have to be determined enough to find one.

“It took me a little over a month to find a job. I didn’t get discouraged when places didn’t call me back. I just kept applying. I eventually got a job at Doc Bresler’s where I scan charts and file them,” Hood described.

Overall, finding a job is difficult but all the effort that you put into it really pays off in the end.

“I’ve had my job at Five Below since November of 2017. I applied through Snagajob.com and I called back a few days later. It’s a draining process, but it is definitely worth it,” Hughes revealed.