A&E

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.

 

Matthew Milligan

Staff Writer

Last weekend I got the chance to see the latest coming of age movie Love, Simon. A movie adaptation of the young adult book Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda, what set this story apart from all the other mainstream rom coms directed at teens is the fact that the main character Simon is gay.

Right off the bat this movie got points for me because it featured a gay protagonist. Too often are LGBTQ+ characters swept under the rug or restrained to mildly amusing but still disappointingly shallow side plots. It was refreshing to see a story that revolved solely around a queer character.

Simon being gay means that he had to deal with a lot of the invisible issues that most LGBTQ+ youth experience every day. When the film began, Simon was still deep within the metaphorical closet and the suffering he experienced was clear. A memorable part of Simon’s struggle for me was when he knew he was gay but could not bring himself to say it out loud. Little yet crucial details such as that were peppered in throughout the movie, which were deeply relatable. These events, however, left me wondering how many heterosexual people watching could pick up on those types of things.

Simon’s coming out story is beautiful. He has supportive parents (his conversation with his  mom made me tear up), understanding friends, and an anonymous online romance with the mysterious Blue (which is a nickname in case you didn’t pick up on that). His coming out story is almost too perfect, which is where my primary issue with the film lies.

Being an aspiring blockbuster hit, the film is a dual-edged sword. Yes, it is great that being gay is being normalized and that stories like these are being told, but at the same time with all mainstream movies there can be a lack of authenticity that takes away from the messages being told. My biggest fear before watching this movie was that it would be a gay movie intended for straight audiences, and my fears have been partially recognized.

I say this because the film spent too much time trying to be a regular teen movie The plot deviates from Simon’s sexuality to spend time covering other teenage movie tropes such as drinking at parties or being in a love triangle among straight people. In addition, when compared to the book, Simon is made much more manipulative towards his friends in what I would say is a cheap attempt to create drama. I couldn’t help but cringe when watching that overplayed scene where Simon sulked down the hallway to sad music while feeling alone.

I was disappointed when the film  in some ways followed the footsteps of teen movies before it, but it doing so also made me think. What if Love, Simon to an extent was trying to be just like every other highschool movie? What if that was the point, to prove that being gay is just another thing and that we shouldn’t make such a fuss about it?

Regardless of the film’s intentions I’d have to say that overall I truly did enjoy it. Nick Robinson kills it as Simon and the movie itself has one of the best soundtracks I’ve ever heard (if you like alternative and electronic you’ll agree). Plus, Love, Simon took the step that other movies were afraid to and told a wonderful story about a young gay man coming into his own. If you were thinking about seeing Love, Simon after it “came out” in theaters, you were thinking correctly.

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.

Lauryn Lewis

Staff Writer

Tory Lanez recently dropped his long-anticipated album, ‘Memories Don’t Die’. This is his second album to be released since ‘I Told You’ was a hit back in 2016. While Tory has had plenty of singles on the radio since as well as mixtapes, the ‘Say It’ singer has been holding out on his fans for the past two years.

During the past two years between albums, he has partnered with one of my favorite artists, Philadelphia rapper Meek Mill. Unfortunately, Meek did not make the album but Tory did manage to snag some other hot artists including, Future, 50 Cent, Fabolous, and a few others.

Here are my thoughts of the tracks on the new album.

MEMORIES

As the intro, Tory reminisces about how the people around him, treated him before fame. He recalls being made fun of but making a vow to never trade who he was for someone he wasn’t.

Old Friends x New Foes

The title for this song is pretty explanatory. Tory uses a very catchy phrase in this song. “Old friends become strangers. New friends become dangerous.” The beginning of the song starts off slow but quickly switches up (like his friends) to a fast pace beat where Tory goes off. The song is basically a clapback at all the haters who he once thought were on his side.

Shooters

Shooters is type of song that you put on when you first get in the car to get everyone hype. The song refers to Tory’s friends as his “shooters”, who are basically willing to do anything for him. While him and his friends are out acting reckless and having a good time, they are also making sure to show everyone else they are the hottest out.

4 Me

I honestly feel like Tory put his heart into this song. He recalls a past relationship where he is constantly doing for his female companion, but she never returns the favors. So instead of continuing this pattern of instability, Tory decides that he is going to start doing for him. The song is probably relatable to anyone who has been in a relationship where one is putting in more effort than the other.

Skrt Skrt

Skrt Skrt will most likely be playing in every club over the Summer. It is everyone’s typical record about feeling attracted to someone who is playing around with them. The one thing that makes this song stand out from the others is that it has a very catchy and somewhat calypso beat that will get everyone dancing.

Benevolent

Tory shows his fans and haters in this song that he really has bars. During the three minute and forty-seven second track, Tory barely stops rapping. The song sounds as if it could have been a freestyle over a very nice beat that samples Jay Z’s, ‘Song Cry’, during the last minute fo the song.

Real Thing (Ft. Future)

Both rappers/singers give the world a taste of what it is like to be rich and have hundreds of girls flocking onto you. The real thing is being referred to as being taken care of and spoiled with luxurious gifts.

Hate To Say

This song speaks facts that many are scared to realize or even deny because it won’t help them get through the day. Over this soft beat, Tory praises himself for the accomplishments he has made in the past year, and the accomplishments he plans to make in the upcoming years. My favorite part of the song is where Tory gives Philly a shoutout by saying, “Did a song with Meek Milly called it Litty. Really I just did that ‘ish for the city in love with Philly.” Another interesting thing that he mentions in the song is an altercation that he was almost involved in with rapper, Travis Scott.

B.I.D.

B.I.D. stands for ‘Bust it Down’. This is one of the first songs I heard off the album and also my favorite song on album. This is definitely a song that will come on in a party and have everyone lit!

48 Floors (Ft. Mansa)

The first thing that I noticed when I was listening to this song was the beat. The beat really caught me off guard because I didn’t expect it to be so vibrant and strong. The song is about Tory Lanez finally getting the girl he wants to go with him to his penthouse that is most likely on the 48th floor. Throughout the song, Tory tells stories about the adventures that him and his lady friend in experienced in his penthouse. Halfway through the song, the beat switches and Mansa starts rapping with a mellow-like voice.

B.B.W.W. x Fake Show

This is what appears to be another freestyle. Tory boasts about all the things he has accomplished during his first few years in the music business. He makes sure to let all the other rappers and singers in the industry know that he has no plans of giving up anytime soon. Fake Show is the second half of the song where the beat becomes dark and Tory speaks on some of his fears as an entertainer.

Dance For Me (Ft. Nav)

When the song first started, it was nothing like I expected it to be. I thought the song was going to be about his relations with a performer. The song is the complete opposite. While it is a little upbeat, it is more heartfelt because he speaks on an issue that is that many entertainers deal with. It seems that he has finally found a girl who isn’t after all his luxuries but instead his heart.

Pieces (Ft. 50 Cent)

This was another one of the songs that had a very catchy beat. While I was listening to the song, I felt that it might have been a homage to New York hip-hop. Tory mentioned a few legends from “The Big Apple” and the feature from 50 Cent made it seem even more reasonable. Besides the homage, the song does a really good job of showing Tory’s storytelling skills. I expected 50 Cent to have a longer verse but he did good during his little time.

Connection (Ft. Davo, Fabolous & Paloma Ford)

Collaborating was probably the best thing to happen for this song. All the different voices and harmonizing in the song helped it stand out. It is guaranteed that if you listened to the song, you will feel a “connection” from the romantic intention of the song. As always, Fabolous delivered some of the best lyrics on thes song.

Hillside (Ft. Mansa & Wiz Khalifa)

Essentially, the song was confusing to me when I first listened to it. Nav opened for the song and kept repeating a chorus about the hillside and the realside. As Tory and Wiz Khalifa came about in the song, I started to understand that it was about having that one girl who would hold it down and keep it real all the time.

Hypnotized

Hypnotized is probably the only song on the album that is strictly pop with a tad bit of reggae. The entire time that I listened to the song, I was picturing Tory being hypnotized by a girl who he met at the club and could not take his eyes off of and that he eventually started chasing her through the club and out the club. I could see this song on the pop charts in the near future.

Happiness x Tell Me

I absolutely feel in love with this song because of how down to earth it was. It reminded me of Alicia Keys’ song, ‘You Don’t Know My Name’. The setup of the song was basically the same. The interlude of the song was different because while Alicia expressed her attraction for a customer, Tory tells the story of how he found out his mother passes away. During the second part of the song, ‘Tell Me’, Tory just wants everyone around him to be honest with him.

DON’T DIE

Don’t Die has two different meanings in the song. The first meaning would be relating to gun violence and Tory’s experience with a family member being shot. The second meaning would be relating to him as an artist and a person. Tory doesn’t want to do anything that could possibly end his career because he feels he has so much more to accomplish. He also constantly thinks about how his mother would react if she were here with him which shows how much of an impact she’s had on his album.

Overall, Tory did a phenomenal job on this album. I have never listened to one of his albums all the way through before but I am excited that I did with this one. My top three songs on the album would be ‘B.I.D.’, ‘48 Floors’, and ‘Happiness x Tell me’. Those three songs would fall under the categories of party music, sensual music, and heartfelt music. I really appreciate that Tory opened up about a lot in this album including the passing of his mother. I hope that he will continue to be open with his fans through his music because I believe that will not only attract more fans but give them hardships to relate too. I am also looking forward to him collaborating with some more artist (hopefully SZA).