SLA Media

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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Column: Finding a Love for Valetines Day

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Sam V-DayEvery February 14th, the internet explodes with melodramatic updates, tweets, and rants from thousands of teenagers publicly announcing that they are either:

a) happily infatuated with the gleam in another persons eyes

b) curled up shoveling that super double-fudge-anything down their throats

c) having a “me-party” claiming they are a strong independent person of one or multiple ethnic groups who “don’t need no” significant other or

d) complain about any or all of the above.

I have had my own run-ins with the courtship traditions of Valentine’s day. In the second grade, I came up with the keen idea to write a secret valentine to the object of my affection. The plan was perfect, I would sneak out into the hallway during lunch and slip my valentine into her cubby. I had crafted my own card, a piece of red paper with a giant sparkly heart sticker in the middle with the phrase “I love you, sincerely your secret val–“. There was but one thing that stood in my way, the spelling of “valentine”. With lunch drawing closer and closer I made the chief decision to ask for help instead of risking an incorrect spelling that could possibly insult my beloved’s eyes. During snack time I walked up to my teacher and quietly asked in a whisper “How do you spell valentine?”, showing her how talented I was at my trade. She glimpsed at the card in my hand, and with what I swore was a smirk, snatched my gorgeous valentine up and ripped it in half, telling me: “We don’t do that here”.

Despite the pounds of commercialized merchandise and television commercials, only a few know of the origin of this holiday.  The holiday originated from the martyr, Saint Valentine. He was a Roman priest from the 3rd century who was incarcerated, clubbed, and beheaded for marrying soldiers against the Emperors rule. The story goes that before he was was beheaded on our current Valentines Day, he left a note to his friend, the jailer’s daughter, signing it “From your Valentine”.

The motives behind Valentine’s dying words could not be more obvious, he said them out of love. Not the mushy hallmark kind but a mutual appreciation for each other as friends. This is the message I believe we should take away from history. Valentines Day is not a contest to see who can get the most chocolate and it is not a deadline where you either pass or fail depending on your relationship status. Rather, it is a day to both, be thankful your head is on your shoulders, and to celebrate shared love with our friends and family.

Column: ;) Dating with Technology

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249905_3627767187878_1633249918_nBy Heather Campbell

Staff Writer

The dating scene among us youth has seen a serious shift. Gone are the John Hughes days of throwing rocks at windows while blasting music from a boombox on a lawn mower as the use of technology and casual interactions take centre stage in modern courtship.

Before the purpose of dating in high school was to explore relationships and the different types of people and qualities you may be interested in when entering a serious relationship. While it is still very much about exploring options, dating has become a whole lot more casual, and a whole lot more complex.

With the use of social media such as Facebook, teenagers are entering more and more short-term casual relationships, which as led to the creation of the new term: “Facebook official.” It’s not official till it’s Facebook official.

In a nutshell, texting and Facebook has created a stress-free way of getting to know potential new partners.

Instead of given the eyes and batting your lashes, all you have do do now is like a photo or add a winky face in the comment box to flirt with someone 😉 Not to mention you can also find out all about a person, who they interact with, and their entire Facebook past with just a click of a button. Some call it investigating, others call it stalking, but you can’t hide anything from anyone now.

The use of texting and instant messaging also allows for teenagers to keep interactig with each other beyond curfew. You can still tell your sweetheart about every little thing you are doing or thinking no matter what time it is, even if it is 2 in the morning and the person is trying to sleep!

While the casual attitude towards relationships make them easier to manage, with technology these days, you rarely have an excuse not to respond your current significant other, and vice versa. On the other hand my biggest pet peeve is when you send a message to someone and they take ages to reply back. It’s worse when they start the conversation and then leave you hanging midway.

Not only has technology helped people to come together, but it also helps to break people up. Current relationship just not working? Now problem! Just send your soon to-be ex a quick text and change your relationship status and your good to go!
**Warning: may cause emotional damage and can result in angry messages by ex and their friends. Users discretion advised.**

Now, when entering a relationship with someone, you are no longer just entering a relationship with that person, but all their digital networks as well. It’s all quite overwhelming.

I have a problem with modern dating. I can’t help but feel high school relationships are a lot of fuss for nothing. As a high school senior, I’ve been so overwhelmed with classes, university applications, and extracurricular activities, I can’t see how fussing over someone else is fun and worth the time; I think it just adds to the stress.

And while sites such as Facebook, allow us to share precious moments with our current partner, it also means we are sharing it with everyone else we are connected with too. Perhaps this has contributed to the increasingly casual attitude towards relationships. You are sharing your relationship with everyone digitally, you might as well share it will everyone else as well.

Another vexation I have is how unpersonal technology makes it all. It bothers me when people are more than happy to talk to you via the digital devices but wont go up an talk to you in person. Mind you, I’m totally guilty of this too and it’s silly.

Often times the term ‘date; and just ‘hanging out’ can be virtually interchangeable. High school relationships are just about having fun and enjoying the company of each other, for the timebeing. The casual attitude and use of digital mediums has allowed teenagers to explore relationships in a carefree way. In a way, modern dating is a lot more like just hanging out with friends, just with a little more exclusive flirting.

Even though relationships have become more causal, there is still the obligation to the other person, which is another reason it all leaves me cringing. I don’t know about other people, bit I find myself to be a handful without having to worry about another.

Oh, and Happy Valentines Day.

Concerts In Philly: A Teen’s Perspective

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Ryan Harris

Staff Writer 

IMG254Philadelphia — known for it’s large amount of history and diversity, is also known for it’s multiple concert venues; with the many teens who frequent them.

Philadelphia is home to such concert venues as Union Transfer, World Café Live, The Blockley, and Philadelphia’s oldest: The Electric Factory.

“The diversity of genres and acts that the city brings in is incredible” stated Sophomore Dylan Long.

These venues have welcomed artists ranging all genres of music from hip-hop/rap, rock, metal, indie, jazz, folk, etc.

Even the same venue can host a wide range of musicians.

“I’ve rap and hip-hop concerts in the same venue I’ve seen bluegrass concerts.” said Senior Tucker Bartholomew.

The venues can range from smaller, for a more intimate vibe, to large stadium concerts for many big name solo musicians and bands.

“I love The Electric Factory, but The Northstar Bar is nice too because it’s a really intimate scene.” replied Senior Sasha Sapp.

But some people can feel differently.

“All the events get sold out in an hour since the venues are so small. There are huge venues but they are too huge.” stated Senior Marley Utzig.

Yet the fun almost always comes with a cost.

Tickets can cost anywhere from as low as eight dollars, for places like Kung Fu Necktie, or jump to as high as fifty dollars for places like The Electric Factory.

While some scrape together their ticket money from things like allowance, babysitting, and Christmas money; others are much more fortunate.

“I pay nothing, because someone buys them for me. But the prices aren’t too crazy, around thirty-forty bucks for the people that I want to see.” stated Sapp.

In addition to these multiple venues, other public spaces within Philadelphia have also been used as concert venues over the past few years.

The Ben Franklin Parkway has been the home of the annual 4th of July celebration hosted by Philadelphia’s own, The Roots and backed by artists like Hall & Oates and Jill Scott.

The celebration is one of Philly’s largest outdoor events, raking in nearly 500,000 each year and all for free.

Just last year, Philadelphia had the pleasure of housing the Made in America concert, hosted by Jay-Z himself.

Taking place in the Parkway as well, acts such as Pearl Jam, Drake, Kanye West, and even Run DMC played in a two-day concert all to an audience totalling around 80,000 people, from all over the country.

The concert only cemented the Philadelphia’s already large appreciation for live music, making it a “must-see” for many musicians as well and a great convenience for the citizens that love them.

“We have tons of awesome fans that make artists love coming to Philly.”

Hallway Fashion Lookbook: A pop of color

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From the runway to the SLA hallways, students and faculty members have been sporting the trend coming up this spring 2013: a pop of color brings punch to SLA hallways.

 

Photos by Dalena Bui

 

DJ Phaze Takes Over

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By Jamie Murphy

Staff Writer

SLA has a big reputation for its dances. When we’re in need of a fundraiser and bake sales just aren’t enough,  dances seem to be always the way to go.  The most recent dance, held on Friday February 1st, was a fundraiser for the Liverpool Exchange program as well as the Junior Prom.

The previous DJ for the school was Alumnus Rashaun Williams (’12)–known as the famous DJ Reezy. Now there is a new DJ who is ready to take Rashaun’s place:  Sophomore Adam Feliciano, otherwise known as DJ Phaze.

Feliciano promotes his events by making and putting up flyers.

“In order for me to meet up with the previous DJ’s standards, I’ve simply had to make my mark and make my name known,” he said.

Junior Lexy Babcock, who was working at the dance, liked what she saw.

“He looked like he really cared about everything he was doing while he was up there,” she said.

Another dance attendee, Junior Dalena Bui mentioned, “When the dance was over, Adam went up to almost everyone personally and thanked them for coming to the dance.”

But what is it that makes our dances so popular? – The music! DJ Phaze played hits including, “Gangnam Style” by Psy, “Cupid Shuffle” by Cupid, as well as a lot of Dubstep style music.

What is his key to success?  –

“Always staying up to date with the hottest songs in the market,” he told SLAMedia.