Lydia Anderson

MeyMey Seng

Staff Writer 

As a selective admission school, SLA experiences far fewer student transfers than the average district high school. The general expectation is that once you get into SLA, you’re going to stay until graduation unless something big happens.  Challenging this reputation is the rumor that more students may transfer out before SLA moves to Ben Franklin High School in the 2019-2020 school year.

Will this change actually bring on more transfers?

Last year, even before the move was confirmed, there were twenty-one transfers out during the school year, and sixteen new students admitted. Although, when students transfer out it opens up positions for more students to be able to transfer into SLA. So far this year, twenty-two students have transferred out and twenty-three have transferred in. Reasons have included studying abroad (where students re-register upon returning), disciplinary reasons, family moving, and more. Math Teacher and Roster Chair Sunil Reddy do not think that there’s much truth to the rumors.

“I don’t think we’ve seen the data change you’re probably wondering about yet; the news of the move might impact the transfers in/out next year,” he said.

“We might see a small increase in the number of transfers out, but probably at the younger levels rather than students who have been here for a couple years. I don’t think the number of transfers out will be drastically different.”

With the move, another change that may occur are the students who are looking to apply to SLA. When asked on how the move might affect the transfers of students, Amelia Benemara was not too concerned.

“I haven’t heard of any official transfers yet, but I heard some parents may have trouble with it because it’s a move to a different location,” she said. “I honestly wouldn’t mind because I’m relieved that we’re getting a new building. There are new opportunities that come with it that we will benefit from as a school.”

When asking her little brother, seventh-grader Rayane Benamara, said “I’m worried about walking to the subway, but it’s not that far. It’s only one more stop from SLA on the Broad Street Line.”

Addressing the rumor, it is difficult to tell for sure whether it is true. To be able to accurately see the move does make a large difference, we would have to compare the numbers of transfers in and out of SLA next year to the previous years.

Rasa Watson

Staff Writer

February 16, 2018, Marvel Studio released a new movie called “Black Panther.” The movie is about an African king from Wakanda whos son takes the throne after his father’s death. T’Challa, the new king becomes the black panther.  A strong enemy emerges that causes conflict that puts Wakanda and the rest of the world in danger. Creating an alias, the black panther has to use everything in him to defeat enemies as the black panther.

The Black Panther movie is the first movie produced by a major movie studio, Marvel,  to be African based with majority black actors. On top of who is in the movie, the movie had a strong plot with twist and turns all throughout the film.

People had many different reasons to want to go and see the film, along with different reactions to it.

A survey was given to see how different students in the Science Leadership Academy (SLA) community felt about the movie and what their responses were to the film.  50% of the students who took the survey were female the other 50% were male. Students with different ethnicities such as white/Caucasian, black/African American, Hispanic/Latino, and biracial responded.

Some African American students were happy to see a movie with majority people who look like them.

“I really like the thought of there being a movie just about people of African descent. I feel like being black in America you don’t get too many representatives that look like yourself and when a representative comes out, you as African American have to go see it, because this could be the last representative you get.” says sophomore Jeremiah Butler.

Some thought it would have less of an action movie feel.

“I thought it was going to have a lot more history in it, but it really didn’t at all. It had some, but not as much as I thought.” Stated Butler.

“I thought it was about the black panther party (the group of black activist.)” stated senior Jaszmine Randle.

Despite the different expectations students had before the movie the movie made them feel empowered, inspired, excited, happy and want to visit Wakanda.

Overall students enjoyed the movie. When asked how much they liked the movie from a scale of 1 to 10 (1 being hated it and 10 being loved it), the 25 students chose 9 and 10. 16% choose 9 and the other 84% chose 10.

Most students said they were pleased after the movie, but at the same time, some felt that it was overhyped. Some are excited to see Marvel’s next movie Infinity War, where the Black Panther will appear.

“It was overhyped and the extra scene was not that deep.” comments freshman Tristan Dini.

In the survey students were asked if they would still go see the movie if it was less “African centered”. Most responded yes. While others were mainly watching because of the empowerment of Africans.

“Yea, because it still seems like a good action movie I would see. Probably wouldn’t have the same urgency or want but I definitely would still see it.” respond sophomore Kai Bradley-Gutierrez de Teran.

“Probably not because it would be like other Marvel movies.” Stated sophomore Daeja Richardson.

“No, I wouldn’t because we need to see our roots and I would be disappointed if it didn’t stay true to the original story.” commented senior Deja Harrison

Overall the students of SLA had many reasons for wanting to see the Black Panther. Despite age, race, and gender, the movie had a positive impact on students. There was a variety of expectations that students had but in the end, they seem to be left satisfied with the film.

MeyMey Seng

Staff Writer 

Going into Spring, people would typically expect positive stories of the weather becoming warmer

— or maybe negative ones from people with allergies.

Well, the reality for Philadelphia is that spring has not truly arrived. Instead, we have been hit with snow storms, causing what some would call a Nor’easter.

These random bursts of snow mean that getting from SLA to both the students’ and teachers’ homes can become difficult. To avoid the dangers that the excessive snow would cause, March 7 and March 21 were declared as snow days. Along with that, schools opened with a two-hour delay on March 8 and March 22.

Even with the snow days and half-days that are determined by the Philadelphia School District, they are not able to always accurately determine when to make the call.

A prime example of this situation was on Friday, March 9, when there was an intense snowstorm in the afternoon that made transporting home very difficult. Since the school district did not arrange for an early dismissal, the students and teachers at SLA had a tough time going home.

“It was dangerous and funny at the same time. I had to take the subway and it took me 30 to 40 minutes instead of 25 to 35 minutes to get home,” said Freshman Margie Castejon-Gomez. “My friend and I were trying to walk, but the wind will push us and the sidewalk was slippery.”

“I slipped, my foot constantly got stuck, and I had to pick up my sister a few times because the snow was really high,” said Freshman Kevin Davis. “It was really dangerous for us because it’s a big tripping hazard.”

Sophomore Alina Seing also had trouble getting home. “It was really hard for my dad to drive my brother and I to West Philly, so that was two hours that it delayed us.”

“I almost died when the snow came because I forgot my jacket. I didn’t know it was supposed to snow later in the day so went through that entire blizzard in just a hoodie,” said Junior Matthew Milligan.

“It was pretty fun running in the snow with my friend. There was a thrill and excitement because we didn’t know whether the bus would come or not,” said Junior Ameer Johnson.

“I was stuck at 30th Street Station because they canceled all transportation so waited two hours for my dad to come,” said Senior Trey Matthews. “Needless to say, it’s not fun having to lay on the floor when all the seats are taken when you’re in damp clothes.”

“There were detours so I had to go to another bus stop a few blocks away. There was one bus that passed and it was cold, so I was like screw it and literally had to chase it down. I wish we had a half-day so we could have gotten home earlier,” said Senior Hayley Barci.

“The bus just didn’t come on the way home and that was very frustrating. I ended up having to take a Lyft which delayed me forty minutes,” said Math and Special Education Teacher Jonathan Estey.

So despite it now being Spring and the weather withholding an unexpected pattern, students and teachers should make sure to be on top of the weather updates. Whether or not it may seem like it will snow, as seen from above, anything can happen.