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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New African American Female Comedians Added to SNL

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Staff Writer Dejah Harley

Due to the Criticism that the producers of Saturday Night Live recieved over not having enough black cast members, they decided to hire three new black comedians, LaKendra Tookes and Leslie Jones, as writers and Sasheer Zamata as an actress.

As seen in another article on SLAMedia written by DeShawn McLeod, there was a controversy over the fact that SNL has only ever had one comedia as a part of their performance staff. Kenan Thompson was the most recent person mainly playing the black women portrayed in SNL. Now Keanan can take a step back while those women will be portrayed by Sasheer Zamata.

Everyone has taken to these new members of SNL very well. Ever since the most recent episode starring Drake, everyone is enjoy the diversity that Sasheer Zamata brings to the table.

All three of them have been comedians in the past. Tookes and Jones were writers for that episode of SNL. It was the first time that there have been a black and female cast member in the same scene.

Since Drake was the host, a lot of the jokes revolved around his family and the fact that his mom is a white jewish woman and his dad is black. Many people thought this made the transition for Zamata a lot easier as a cast member for the show. It adds a lot of diversity of the show.

Now, they won’t be able to do this every single week but no one has questioned the direction of this show. It was a well needed change.

 

Locker Talk: How do you procrasinate during Benchmark Season?

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By Staff Writer Isabella Mezzaroba

 

Sophomore Olivia Mack: "I go home and do absolutely nothing until like 9 p.m. Then I start my stuff and I don't sleep until 1 o'clock."
Sophomore Olivia Mack: “I go home and do absolutely nothing until like 9 p.m. Then I start my stuff and I don’t sleep until 1 o’clock.”

 

Freshmen Pedro Castillo: "I tell myself I'm gonna do a certain thing and then I end up doing nothing."
Freshmen Pedro Castillo: “I tell myself I’m gonna do a certain thing and then I end up doing nothing.”

 

Sophomore Ameer Forte: "I talk to myself. Basically, I tell myself that benchmarks aren't that important and I can get back to it later. Then I think of something that is important, like football, and do that."
Sophomore Ameer Forte: “I talk to myself. Basically, I tell myself that benchmarks aren’t that important and I can get back to it later. Then I think of something that is important, like football, and do that.”

 

Senior Nuri Bracey: "First, I open my laptop and just go in Facebook, then use the little pop up ads where you can play games. I end up on YouTube watching movies and I then don't start the benchmark for a few more days."
Senior Nuri Bracey: “First, I open my laptop and just go in Facebook, then use the little pop up ads where you can play games. I end up on YouTube watching movies and I then don’t start the benchmark for a few more days.”

 

Sophomore Gina Sorgentoni: "I'll open up docs and then I'll open up another tab and go to tumblr. I'll be on tumblr for what feels like 10 min but is actually 4 hrs and then it's 10 I clock at night, I did nothing and I'm stressing. I also play animal crossing during all of this."
Sophomore Gina Sorgentoni: “I’ll open up docs and then I’ll open up another tab and go to tumblr. I’ll be on tumblr for what feels like 10 min but is actually 4 hrs and then it’s 10 I clock at night, I did nothing and I’m stressing. I also play animal crossing during all of this.”

 

Chromebooks Unveiled at SLA Next Week

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Chromebooks Unveiled at SLA Next Week

by Jesse Shuter and Zoe Schwingel Sauer

Staff Writers

Photo from http://news.cnet.com/8301-1035_3-57616317-94/chromebooks-surge-at-business-in-2013-researcher-says/

dell-chromebook-11

 

After many months of anticipation, the time has finally come for the freshman at Science Leadership Academy (SLA) to receive their long awaited laptops.

 

As previously reported, these new computers are going to be Chromebooks. Not only are these Chromebooks, but SLA will be presented with all new Dell Chromebooks.

 

These Chromebooks are coming to SLA through a grant provided by Dell. The 1:1 laptop program at SLA is an innovative idea that Dell wanted to be a part of.

 

On Thursday, January 23rd, there will be an official announcement and press conference for the media hosted by Science Leadership Academy and The Franklin Institute. They will also be announcing the SLA Center of Excellence for Learning, which will showcase the best ways to use technology in schools and classrooms.

 

In attendance will be Mayor Michael Nutter, U.S. Representative Chaka Fattah, and other elected officials, local leaders and education visionaries. Dell representatives will also be in attendance to present the SLA students with their brand-new Dell Chromebooks.

 

The event starts at 11 AM in the SLA library. Freshman from SLA will be invited to attend.

 

A-Roid: The Fall of a Legend- Sports Talk with the Straight Shuter

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A-Roid: The Fall of a Legend- Sports Talk with the Straight Shuter

by Jesse Shuter

Staff Writer

 

Photo courtesy of http://www.silive.com/sports/index.ssf/2009/02/more_details_of_alex_rodriguez.html

large_ALEX-RODRIGUEZ-STEROIDS-A-02.07.09

 

 

The Controversy surrounding ex-star baseball player Alex “A-Rod” Rodriguez of the New York Yankees has been one of the most talked about issues in all of sports.

 

The controversy began a while ago when Alex Rodriguez was first rumored to be using steroids along with other form of performance enhancing drugs (PEDs). Last time Rodriguez was caught, he admitted to it and many people forgave him for it. This past summer, of 2013, Rodriguez was yet again discovered taking many kinds of PEDs, when an alleged nutrition clinic in Coral Gables, Florida called Biogenesis of America came out with a list of professional baseball players using their PEDs.

 

Every other player thus far has taken their suspension without much issue. At least not much issue compared to Rodriguez. Rodriguez is now planning to challenge the suspension for the second time to try and get it taken away.

 

Rodriguez first tried to appeal the suspension by taking it to arbitration. His suspension was shorted from the original 211 games to 162 games and the postseason if the Yankees go to the playoffs. While Rodriguez technically “won” by getting the suspension shortened, it was clearly a win for the MLB since the suspension was not overturned, and it was only shorted by 50 games.

 

Now Rodriguez is still unhappy with the unpaid suspension and is looking to get it completely taken away. He is taking his case to federal court.

 

In an interview with 60 Minutes, Anthony Bosch founder and head of Biogenesis of America not only admitted to having given drugs to Rodriguez himself, but admitted to getting a bribe from Rodriguez to not tell anyone about the PEDs. When Bosch turned it down, he claimed that he received death threats from a man who was revealed to be a known accomplice of Rodriguez.

 

When asking the question “Is Rodriguez using illegal substances?”, all signs point to yes. However I would like to raise a point that no one seems believe to be true, is Alex Rodriguez telling the truth?

The 1% Chance

 

At this point there is probably a 99% chance that Alex Rodriguez is lying and that his career should be over and his name ripped from the record books.

 

That being said, there is always a chance that Rodriguez is the one telling the truth and the MLB is working with Bosch to make an example of someone expendable so as to scare other baseball players away from using drugs.

 

The most important key to this story is that Alex Rodriguez never tested positive for PEDs. This entire suspension is based solely on a testimony by Anthony Bosch. That is why Rodriguez is so adamant that he is innocent. This is the first time that the MLB is punishing a player only based on what someone says that they are doing, not because of them taking a drug test and failing.

 

Let’s take a look at what Rodriguez must be feeling in a scenario where he is telling the truth.

 

Before the Scandal:

-He was on pace to be a hall of fame baseball player.

-He was one of the most beloved and respected players in the game

-He was making approximately a whopping 30,000,000 per year.

-He was the owner of two records, he was the youngest player to hit both 500 and 600 home runs.

 

After the Scandal:

-He will most likely not go to the hall of fame.

-He has lost all respect and love from fans and peers.

-He lost his contract for as long as the suspension continue, and his career is most likely over after his current contract.

-He will still own the records officially but people will no longer unofficially think of him as a record setter.

 

If this were a man that were telling the truth, would that be fair? And consider this, now that the MLB is punishing player without a drug test, are any star players safe from accusations and by extensions suspensions?

 

 

 

Inside the NFL Draft:

With the football season over we are going to take a look into the NFL Draft. You’ve heard of Mel Kiper and Todd McShay but here is Jesse Shuter’s Mock Draft 1.0. This week is pick 1-5.

 

1. Houston Texans- Jadeveon Clowney DE

If I were a head coach, this is what I would do. You already have J.J. Watt, so now you could have the best pass rush in football, and then pull a Indianapolis Colts and get Jameis Winston next year. This is especially true since in my opinion their are no high caliber quarterbacks in the draft.

2. St. Louis Rams (From Washington Redskins)- Jake Matthews OT

The Rams are a team on the rise and Matthews would be a great compliment to Jake Long.

 

3. Jacksonville Jaguars- Johnny Manziel QB

Manziel may not be their answer at quarterback, but I’ll tell you what, they need someone. Manziel is a hit or miss option talent wise, but even if it doesn’t work out, he will definitely bring some fans to the games.

 

4. Cleveland Browns- Teddy Bridgewater/Blake Bortles QB

I don’t know who the coach is going to be, so I don’t know what system they are going to run. Both of these guys have the potential to be great, but they are different so it is up to the unnamed coach.

 

5. Oakland Raiders- Anthony Barr OLB/DE

This team need A LOT, but Barr is a very solid, possibly star defensive player and he could be just the place to start on a road back on track for the Raiders.

 

 

 

 

Locker Talk: What did you do during the Polar Vortex?

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By Staff Writer Isabella Mezzaroba

Junior Amy Chen: " I had on boxers, leggings. pajamas and jeans. Then, on top. I had a tank top, two t shirts, a long sleeve shirt, a sweater and a hoodie. Later on, I fainted because of the combination of the cold and donating blood earlier that day."
Junior Amy Chen: ” I had on boxers, leggings. pajamas and jeans. Then, on top. I had a tank top, two t shirts, a long sleeve shirt, a sweater and a hoodie. Later on, I fainted because of the combination of the cold and donating blood earlier that day.”
Freshmen Felix Schafroth Doty: I wore a lot of layers. We also had just started winter conditioning for frisbee and I started wearing thermal tights.
Freshmen Felix Schafroth Doty: “I wore a lot of layers. We also had just started winter conditioning for frisbee and I started wearing thermal tights.”

 

Sophomore Nagee Graves: "I wore pants, thick socks, a tank top, a t shirt, a shirt, a cardigan, a hoodie, a peacoat, a hat, thick gloves and hand warmers. Then I ate cookies and hot chocolate when I got home."
Sophomore Nagee Graves: “I wore pants, thick socks, a tank top, a t shirt, a shirt, a cardigan, a hoodie, a peacoat, a hat, thick gloves and hand warmers. Then I ate cookies and hot chocolate when I got home.”

 

Sophomore Jaview Peraza: "There wasn't much worry on my part. I get driven to school so it didn't effect me much but I felt worried for the students who have to walk or wait for public transportation."
Sophomore Javier Peraza: “There wasn’t much worry on my part. I get driven to school so it didn’t effect me much but I felt worried for the students who have to walk or wait for public transportation.”