Five times each year, the members of Ashley Linda’s journalism class at Haldane High School publish a school newspaper, The Blue Print. With support from the Haldane School Foundation, reporters and editors from The Current are working with the students to craft their stories and share their reporting with the community. Selections from the April issue are reprinted here.
Advisor: Ashley Linda
Reporters: Mollie Altucher, Grace Campanile, Sophia Catalina, Laura Cosma, Faith Disch, Julie Geller, Bridget Goldberg, Chrishel Mauricette, Anna Rowe, Natalie Sandick
High School Hosts First Art Fair
By Julie Geller
On Jan. 31, Haldane High School hosted its first Club Fair, where extracurricular organizations highlighted their mission statements and goals. Students were encouraged to find clubs that piqued their curiosity and reach out to fellow students with shared interests.
A total of 14 clubs and student-interest groups competed to attract likeminded students to join their communities. Whether students are interested in history, animal rights or community service, it seems like there is a club for everyone.
Principal Julia Sniffen believes the Club Fair is a great way for students, especially underclassmen, to find something that interests them and help them prepare for the future. Whether students are interested in trying out something new, seeking leadership opportunities or helping to build their resumé, extracurricular activities are valuable opportunities. Ms. Sniffen plans on having additional Club Fairs next year as well.
Senior Nicole Mitchell says “the clubs at Haldane showcase the talents and diversity of the students.” In agreement with Mitchell all around, Haldane clubs create a community of well-rounded students where students can openly speak their minds and each person at Haldane has a place to fit in. If you would like to be a part of this community of clubs, any club below would be happy to have you join!
The Blue Print
Contact: Ms. Linda or Grace Campanile
Meets: Class or 10th period
Goals: Although this is an elective class, students are welcome to submit articles, as the newspaper is always looking for additional content. This year we are also contributing to The Highlands Current!
Environmental Interest Group
Contact: Ms. Valenti or Evy Ashburn
Meets: Mondays at lunch
Goals: A place for students to discuss environmental problems and help other local and national environmental groups.
History Club
Contact: Ms. Cordaro or Catrióna Fee
Meets: Fridays, 10th period
Goals: Learning what history is about outside of the classroom, where they expand on the curriculum and do outside activities in the community based on history.
Identity Club
Contact: Mr. Many, Ms. McCue or Aidan Cimino
Meets: Mondays at lunch
Goals: Giving people a place to talk and a space to learn what makes each person unique. Focuses on LGBTQ+ issues.
Leo Club
Contact: Ms. Pidala or Sophia Azznara
Meets: TBD
Goals: Students help the community through service work.
Model UN
Contact: Ms. McGrath or Mae McGrath
Meets: TBD
Goals: Students model practices of the United Nations and brainstorm solutions to world problems. Students attend conferences in New York City and Connecticut.
Peer Mentoring
Contact: Ms. Mosco
Meets: Fridays at lunch
Goals: Help eighth-grade students to prepare for the transition to high school.
ROAR (Reaching Out for Animal Rights)
Contact: Ms. Linda or Evy Ashburn
Meets: Alternate Tuesdays at lunch
Goals: Helping the community be more aware of injustices having to do with animals, whether it be donating, or educating the community of these injustices.
Student Council
Contact: Ms. Granese or Ms. Peparo
Meets: Third Wednesday of the month
Goals: Elected students represent their peers in school-related events.
Women Empowered
Contact: Ms. Linda, Mae McGrath or Freya Wood-Gallagher
Meets: Alternate Thursdays at lunch
Goals: A place where open-minded individuals discuss current events that will educate and inspire the students of Haldane. Primarily focused on gender issues.
Yearbook Club
Contact: Ms. Isabella or Abigail Duncan
Meets: Tuesdays at lunch
Goals: Design pages and layout as well as taking pictures for the Haldane yearbook released at the end of the year.
Art Interest Group
Contact: Anneke Chan
Meets: Alternate Thursdays at lunch
Goals: A place for students to show off their artwork in a likeminded community in addition to having guest speaker and teaching courses tailored to the student’s interests.
Debate Interest Group
Contact: Sophia Kottman
Meets: TBD
Goals: Preparation for tournaments against other schools that includes workshops with a professor who helps to perfect the art of debate.
Why We March
By Grace Campanile
According to New York City Mayor Bill DeBlasio, more than 200,000 people gathered for the 2018 Women’s March — a powerful display of sisterhood, alliance, and strength.
People of all backgrounds gathered in 250 cities across the world on Jan. 20. While each person marched for her or his own personal reason, everyone was unified under the main goal of achieving equality for women of all races, ages, sexualities, and status.
For me, as a junior at Haldane, the march was about uniting with women from all backgrounds in an act of solidarity, to show that our voices will be heard. Although many marchers were not women, the event was women-led and organized by women. The march was an inspiring display of the social and political power women are capable of.
No two marchers were identical, and this created an atmosphere of brave, unique and diverse individuals. My opinion on the march was that it was a fun, powerful expression of the great things women can do.
I asked the young women who attended the march with me about what the march meant to them.
“For me, the Women’s March means showing that women, and everyone oppressed or offended by the current administration, can come together and successfully exercise their democracy to show their passion for change,” said Evy Ashburn. “At the march I felt that I was participating in a community which is welcoming and loving, yet strong and focused, which is what made it so special and important to me.”
Amongst the huge crowd in New York City, many Haldane students vocalized their passion for change. “I marched for all the injustices women and minorities have had to face for generations, issues which have become so prominent and clear this past year,” said Freya Wood-Gallagher, 16. “I march because these issues could not have come to light in this way if Donald Trump wasn’t president. I march to use my voice, to use my privilege. I march for my sisters who can’t and I march for those who can. We all deserve the same things in life and if we really want to make America great again, we need to realize that. We need to realize the systematic oppressions that have been taught in our society that are so institutionalized we can’t even see them.”
My experience at the march was one of self-expression, and the power to be able to unify under a common belief. Many people didn’t have the opportunity to march due to jobs, family needs or other obstacles. These were the people I marched for.
The Women’s March gave many opportunities for people to register to vote if they hadn’t already, and encouraged people to exercise their right to vote. The whole experience gave me and my friends a rush of passion for what we were marching for. The energy in the crowd was electric, with people from all backgrounds celebrating the power of women.
The Journey to College
By Natalie Sandwick
The college application and admissions process is an important step for many high school students. Although college preparation is often focused on juniors and seniors, there are steps that sophomores can take to ensure the next few years of high school go smoothly.
Sophomore Julie Geller says “college seems like an exciting journey, to find a college that is right for you, based upon what you feel you can succeed in.” But Geller, along with many others, doesn’t know where to begin that journey.
There are many factors students need to take into account when they are getting ready to apply to schools. Focusing on a specific interest will help to guide students in the right direction later in life. This could be a strong factor in determining what schools are good for their interests.
There are many factors to the admissions process, and what colleges are looking for. As colleges and universities are choosing applicants, besides how good your grades are, they are dealing with the goals of increasing revenue and sometimes with increasing diversity on campus. Diversity is mainly important to the more selective colleges, who ideally would like to have students from all over the U.S. According to The New York Times, a report by the National Association for College Admission Counseling found that half of the colleges said that money was an important aspect. About 13 percent of four-year colleges accept fewer than half of their applicants, making them more competitive for applicants.
Colleges receive piles upon piles of essays, which means you will want yours to stand out, showing your drive, leadership and risk-taking. The earlier students start planning their essays, the better.
These are just some of the points to consider when looking for and applying to the college or university you are interested in. Junior Olivia Sterling advises underclassmen, “Instead of taking every class, take classes you are interested in and can excel in.” Learning who you are and who you might want to be might be a good first step for sophomore students.
Heard in the Hall
What was your favorite sport in the Winter Olympics?
“Snowboarding” ~Josh Reyes, Grade 9
“Figure skating” ~Daley Florke, Grade 11
“Figure skating” ~Victoria Wyka, Grade 11
“Ski jump” ~Ms. Rubino, Teacher
