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SLAMedia is a publication of the news for the Science Leadership Academy community. Writers come from the student body in 10th, 11th, and 12th grades. We work in unison to create a functioning paper with biweekly postings on a variety of events.

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Lydia Anderson

Poetry Slam: Eight Years and Counting

May 29, 2018 by Lydia Anderson Leave a Comment

 

by MeyMey Seng

Staff Writer

 

courtesy of Philly Slam League

 

Philadelphia students are now in their eighth year competing in the slam league, an organization started by English Teacher Matthew Kay. Previously known as the Philadelphia Youth Poetry Movement (PYPM) as you may have heard from their chant, the new name is Philly Slam League.

 

Due to creative differences between the organizers, Philly Slam League is now under that new organization name. Despite that change, the league is still the same, just with a new venue since the Freedom Theatre in North Philadelphia closed down. Instead, Mr. Kay was able to secure a room in the Central Branch of the Free Library to hold the poetry slams.

 

“It was like a beautiful mix: they wanted more kids, and I’ve got kids. I don’t have a venue, and they were like, ‘we have a venue.’” Competitions take place on Fridays for the Philadelphia schools that signed up to compete with a team.

 

These teams are split into two sides: West and East. They are sorted based on many factors — not just geography — to create a more diverse group.

 

“I just split it up so it’s a good mix of teams that are more experienced and the teams that aren’t. I try to split the magnet schools, the comprehensive schools so there’s not like one division that has all comprehensive schools, one that has all charter schools,” said Mr. Kay.

 

The goal for all of the teams is to qualify for and then win the Slam League Championships, which is the final competition that will be held on Friday, June 1st at 4:30 pm.  Before that, there are slams throughout the season which allows the teams to gather points based whether they win or get to the playoffs.

 

The SLA team has had its eyes on that prize since the start of this season.

 

“You can get the by, which means basically skipping semi finals and go straight to finals, which is kind of what we’re competing for this year because it saves us a lot of time,” said Sophomore Maren Lamb. Then, the eight teams with the highest points go through the semi finals to the championships and then compete together, which is the Philly Slam League.

 

SLA’s team feels even more prepared this year since more students joined the club this year. Following last year’s captain Otter Jung-Allen, Senior Lotus Shareef-Trudeau has taken the lead of the poetry team. These captains are chosen based on who has had to most experience and good spirit.

 

“She [Lotus] does a great job, looks at all our poems, and makes sure that everyone’s ready to go up. She’s the best,” said Junior Kimberly Gucciardi-Kriegh.

 

SLA will be represented by sophomores and juniors: Maren Lamb, Thea Risher, Mia Concepcion, Jade Gilliam, Willow Vass, Juliana Long, Jayla Wright, and Kimberly Gucciardi-Kreigh.

 

The schools that will be competing in the championships are SLA Center City, SLA Beeber, Academy Park, Olney, Cristo Rey, Palumbo, Pickett, and MCS. This is a free event that is open to the public. To both show support and to just have a good time, everyone should attend!

 

Filed Under: A&E

Warped Tour Lineup

March 28, 2018 by Lydia Anderson Leave a Comment

Taylor Green

Staff Writer 

courtesy of www.warpedtour.com

The official lineup for the final run of Vans Warped Tour was announced March 1st, and it has caused quite a stir on social media.

 

I couldn’t wait for the lineup to be released. Days leading up to the announcement I had checked almost everywhere for leaks like I had been able to do in previous years. But to no avail. The lineup was kept under wraps this year.

 

When I got home at 6 o’clock on March 1st, a tweet notification from the official Vans Warped Tour account appeared on my phone. I’ve never clicked a button so fast in my life.

 

I searched the numerous names for bands that were familiar. Those bands were Bowling for Soup, Sum 41, All Time Low, The Maine, Black Veil Brides, and my all time favorite Falling in Reverse.

 

At this point, I think that it was safe to say that I was stoked for this lineup. Seeing the tour bringing back so many big names was nostalgic for me. The angsty pre-teen inside of me was so excited.

 

Although some of my favorites were going, I was disappointed to see that other bands like Alkaline Trio, Greenday, Sleeping with Sirens and My Chemical Romance wouldn’t be coming. I thought that maybe for the last Warped Tour some of these artists would come to at least one show for a final time.

 

Nevertheless, I didn’t let that discourage me. I decided to branch out and expand my music tastes.

 

There are over fifty bands that perform at Warped Tour, so of course, I didn’t know all of them. I chose a few groups that I had heard about either online or from friends and give them a listen.

 

The first band that I listened to was Waterparks, a pop-rock band from Houston, Texas. They opened up for All Time Low while they were on their Young Renegades Tour and I had heard good reviews.

 

I tried listening to Waterparks’ album Double Dare, but I couldn’t get through it. All of the songs sounded like the same jumbled mess. Their music had the same stereotypical “boy meets girl and falls in love” sound to it. I decided that I wouldn’t waste my time trying to see them live.

 

Another band that I decided to check out was Don Broco. They’re a rock band that formed in England in 2008. Their single  “T-Shirt Song” was the first song that I listened to, and I instantly fell in love.

 

“T-Shirt Song” is a perfect representation of what can happen at concerts with its adrenaline pumping lyrics “They’re saying there’s one song left/No time for no regrets/I take my T-shirt off/Swing it around my head”. From live videos that I saw, they’re very energetic live performers and they sound even better than in the studio.

courtesy of www.warpedtour.com

I also started listening to the post-hardcore band Movements. I recommend their entire debut album Feel Something. All of the songs are melodic and soothing, yet they provide a more emotional side by using spoken word in their songs “Vacant Home” and “Submerge”.

 

I suggest that if you want to do something memorable over the Summer, you should definitely go to Warped Tour and check out some new up and coming artists or just go for the ones who are staples to the alternative community.

 

Overall, I have a feeling that this final Warped Tour is going to be good. With different bands varying from eras and genre, there’s something for everyone to enjoy and to remember the tour by on a high note.

Filed Under: A&E

Off to Costa Rica!

March 28, 2018 by Lydia Anderson Leave a Comment

MeyMey Seng

Staff Writer

Before going to Costa Rica with the International Cultures class, I was super nervous yet filled with excitement. The idea of traveling to another country to learn about their culture, language, and build relationships with the locals are just some of the factors that made me count down the days until the trip.

 

Although, I was nervous due to it being my first time on a plane, that I can recall. I was actually more worried about the connections that I would be able to make with my very limited Spanish, yet excited to try.

 

When landing in San Jose and looking out the window, that was when it hit me: I’m actually here! To see the view of mountains replacing the crowded buildings of Philadelphia put me in awe. It’s not just the view that was different but while walking out of the airport, the heat hit me, so I immediately took off my hoodie.

 

The large purpose of our trip is to both conduct a service project and an individual project that we are passionate towards. Going into the service project that was taken place in the Bribri community was a four hour bus ride to a river. Through the river we rode in canoes for an hour and a half to the specific section in the Bribri community: Yorkin.

 

Walking into the community was extremely beautiful with all of the family, plants, insects, and other animals that welcomed us. Being there opened my eyes to so many new things and took me out of my comfort zones. From things such as limiting our showers to five minutes made me realize how much water I typically waste on a day to day basis.

With this community, my initial nervousness dissipated. We were all welcomed by genuine smiles and warm eye contact. Since the community did not have electricity, everyone talked with one another, which should be considered the norm. Having a discussion with the rest of the girls, we realized that our phones and social media makes us distant from actually interacting with one another back at home.

 

When starting the service, we would dig trenches underground, and connect pipes that would support two families into getting running water to their homes. Even though we are not professionals at digging, the families worked with us and were patient. Despite my limited Spanish, I was able to make small conversations with the people in the community, exchanging laughter and smiles.

When hearing about the service project of digging trenches, I anticipated that it would require hard work, which it did. What’s incredible is that the people of the Bribri community do that hard work everyday and are very strong.

The day we left the Bribri community, I expected to be sad, but not as emotional as I did. When we left, hugs were exchanged to everyone, and I could not keep turning my head to look behind at the loving family waving us goodbye.

 

After leaving the Bribri community, we ventured back into the city where I did things that I never thought that I would be able to do. Except there, I have the team support from the team leaders Jordan and Emily from Rustic Pathways, teachers, and girls in conquering my fears.

 

Going to the beach and not being able to swim was a difficult thing for me. Even though I have gone to the beach before, it would consist of my mother, grandmother, sister, and I holding hands with a deadly grip, knee deep in. With the support of my group they taught me how to flow with the waves.

 

That was new for me and I never felt unsafe which is strange for me since I view deep water as dangerous. Along with them, we had two great surfing instructors who were patient and taught us how to surf. While falling off the board dozens of times and still hearing the support from my peers really encouraged me and I was able to ride the waves eight times, well out of about fifty.

 

The next fear that I had to face was heights when we went ziplining. I was so terrified that I did not think I would be able to do it. The ziplining instructor luckily went with me for the first round where I screamed as loud as my lungs would allow. For the rest of the course, my peers would support me and make me be one of the first to go and even though at the moment I was petrified, I really appreciated it at the end of the day.

 

On our last day in Costa Rica, creating that amazing bond with the Bribri community, my team leaders, teachers, and girls that I was able to travel with made me already feel nostalgic. Being able to support two families, doing the unimaginable, bonding with everyone, made it difficult to leave. Even though I missed home, I miss Costa Rica already.

Filed Under: Op/Ed

SLA Responds to the Winter Olympics

March 28, 2018 by Lydia Anderson Leave a Comment

Jayla Wright

Staff Writer

courtesy of www.Olympic.org

 

An exotic locale. Political Intrigue. North Korean Cheerleaders. The world may have been excited about this year’s Olympics, but are students at SLA interested? According to Junior Cynthia To, kids at SLA aren’t that into the Olympics.

 

“We don’t really talk as much about it. Cause in school no one really talks about it unless you actually bring it up. I think it’s not really brought up. I feel like if you’re into sports you’re most likely to watch it or if you’re competitive then you’ll like to watch it. Other than that, they’re not going to be as much as a watcher.”

 

However, To did watch the Olympics herself.  the family is a big part in her enjoying the Olympics. It’s a chance for her to spend time with both her Dad and Grandpa as well as a time to observe their antics.

 

“Olympics always pop up around Chinese New Year so it’s really cool getting to watch with my family. We’re really loud!”

 

Junior Matthew Milligan is more of a casual viewer of the Olympics.

 

“I don’t actively go to watch it like I’m not like ‘Oh it’s time for my favorite event.’ I usually just turn it on and if I’m just flipping through the channels and I see the Olympics and I’m just like ‘Oh this looks interesting.’ I’ll watch it for a little bit. Or a lot of times my mom will be watching it and then I’ll sit down and join her.”

 

“It’s kinda funny so we kinda want to continue watching it cause it’s actually pretty interesting. My parents like watching it cause they’re supporting their home country cause they always support Vietnam for Summer Olympics. My grandpa always goes for his country China, so it’s really cool when you go home. They’re like ‘Go USA!’ ‘No!’ ‘Go China!’ it’s really cool.

Junior Meymey Seng also connected her experience to her family, “The Winter Olympics is something I always look forward to because I just remember enjoying it with my family.”

 

There was one sport both Seng and To found odd enough to comment on.

. It’s like a shuffleboard thing but they’re mopping the floors,” To said laughing.

 

“So my parents and my sister are like making little memes and making little jokes saying like, ‘They must be really really good housemaids.’”

 

To was talking about curling, a sport where players on the ice slide stones onto a target. Seng found this sport funny as well but she also saw it as an accomplishment for the US.

 

“I just saw a lot of memes about it and I heard that the US actually won gold for that. So I was impressed because even though many people saw it as a silly thing we actually did really well in it.”

 

Milligan found that the Olympics being held in the winter caused the low viewing among SLA students.

 

“I don’t feel super strongly about the Olympics and I also think it’s the Winter Olympics and people don’t always care about that as much cause it’s not as exciting, for some reason.”

 

To find that the Summer Olympics grabbed her attention more.

 

“I’m interested in the summer sports. Summer sports are more interesting to connect to and it’s more fun to watch. There’s more variety of sports there’s swimming, there are water sports, dry sports. But for winter it’s all ice so there’s not as fun with less diversity.

 

“And I feel like the summer sports have more countries than the winter sports everyone can connect to that one more.”

 

Matthew

 

“I don’t actively go to watch it like I’m not like ‘Oh it’s time for my favorite event.’ I usually just turn it on and if I’m just flipping through the channels and I see the Olympics and I’m just like ‘Oh this looks interesting.’ I’ll watch it for a little bit. Or a lot of times my mom will be watching it and then I’ll sit down and join her.”

 

(Watches it because it’s on)

 

“I don’t feel super strongly about the Olympics and I also think it’s the Winter Olympics and people don’t always care about that as much cause it’s not as exciting, for some reason.”

“If we had more knowledge on the different sports they’re playing

 

Meymey

“The Winter Olympics is something I always look forward to because I just remember enjoying it with my family.”

 

“The only thing I saw highlighted at the Winter Olympics this year I think was a new thing that they added was curling. I just saw a lot of memes about it and I heard that the US actually won gold for that. So I was impressed because even though many people saw it as a silly thing we actually did really well in it.

 

“I would definitely recommend watching the Olympics “

“The teams that I would support are the United States and also China

Cynthia

“Olympics always pop up around Chinese New Year so it’s really cool getting to watch with my family. We’re really loud”

 

“Some of the sports I question it. Like there’s one sport in the Winter Olympics that I really really question a lot and my family questions it a lot too. It’s like a shuffleboard thing but they’re mopping the floors. So my parents and my sister are like making little memes and making little jokes saying like, ‘They must be really really good house maids.’

 

“ It’s kinda funny so we kinda want to continue watching it cause it’s actually pretty interesting. My parents like watching it cause they’re supporting their home country cause they always support Vietnam for Summer Olympics. My grandpa always goes for his country China, so it’s really cool when you go home. They’re like ‘Go USA!’ ‘No!’ ‘Go China!’ it’s really cool.

 

“We don’t really talk as much about it. Cause in school no one really talks about it unless you actually bring it up. I think it’s not really brought up. I feel like if you’re into sports you’re most likely to watch it or if you’re competitive then you’ll like to watch it. Other than that, they’re not going to be as much as a watcher. So for my cousins, they’re like ‘Cynthia you’re the only one that likes watching it. Everyone else in this family doesn’t like watching it unless we get together and there’s nothing else for us to watch.’”

 

             

 

“I’m interested in the summer sports. Summer sports are more interesting to connect to and it’s more fun to watch. There’s more variety of sports there’s swimming, there are water sports, dry sports. But for winter it’s all ice so there’s not as fun diversity. And I feel like the summer sports have more countries than the winter sports everyone can connect to that one more.”

Filed Under: Sports

Why I Didn’t Walk Out

March 28, 2018 by Lydia Anderson Leave a Comment

Jayla Wright and Eric Valenti

Staff Writers

 

I wish learning about the Florida shooting had been a shock. Instead, I felt an overwhelming sadness for the lives that were lost and numbness towards the current state of our country. At first, I had thought that this issue of gun control was never going to fix. I feared that the US would be stuck in an endless loop of discussions about the problem with no solutions actually being acted on. When I heard that the students that survived the Florida shooting were organizing walkouts and protests and saw the support from kids all over the country I had a mixture of pride and anger. I was proud of my generation’s awareness but also angry at the people in power who have the ability and resources to end this problem but refuse to. It’s ridiculous to me that children are the ones who have to pick up the slack from adults. The very same adults who promised us a bright future, while at the same time allowing events that can prevent kids to from even having a future to keep happening.

To me, the walkout seemed like a step in the right direction. Kids walking out of class and organizing discussions on how to end gun violence was needed to show that there are people who are taking responsibility towards ending this issue. I’ve often felt helpless when it came towards activism and that I was not doing enough to create a change. The walkout allowed me to hear from educated speakers and also become more aware of other ways I can prevent gun violence from happening and ignite change. At the end of the walkout, there was a sense of unity within SLA’s community and I was pleased with my generation’s ability to join together in a time of urgent action.

The walkout was only the start towards students demanding gun control in the US and I plan on supporting them every step of the way. I’m not sure what are the planned steps after the walkout is beside the March for Our Lives on the 24th. I think the next steps will be more public acts to get attention on the issue, discussions on gun control with those in power, and gradual changes were done to establishments’ relationships with firearms to make it harder for anyone to carry any guns.

School shootings are obviously a huge issue in the United States, and I believe that the walkout was an impactful form of protest against school shootings. Personally, I don’t have an issue with protests or walkouts, and I support the idea of a walkout, but I’m not very politically involved. I didn’t feel as informed as I should be about shootings in the country and felt it wasn’t right for me just to walk out because others are walking out. The week that the walkouts took place was a little bad timing for me personally because I had missed some class that week and I had to make it up.

The idea that someone can still break into a school with a gun concerns me. I’ve researched the  Columbine High School shooting that took place in 1999, and I would’ve thought after an incident like that, that school shootings would never happen again. It wasn’t until the Florida shooting that I understood how often school shootings occur and why. People now believe school shooters all have some sort of mental disability and labeling people with disabilities as violent.

The walkout allowed for people to get politically involved with a topic that they can relate to because this is something that is going on in our communities. I feel an immense amount of empathy for the people who die in school shootings and I can’t imagine what it’s like to go through something like a school shooting. I believe that these walkouts may lead to some sort of solution those who are protesting.  However, I still wonder what this walkout will accomplish. I understand that this walkout is meant to prevent gun violence and raise awareness about school shootings but this doesn’t ensure that shootings will stop. This is why I’m cautious about protests if there isn’t a clear solution I worry about if what your protesting is worth it.

Filed Under: Op/Ed

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