The Helix

GLSEN Day of Silence 2023

2023-04-17T16:24:00.003-05:00

by Aleicia Zhu

Sample GLSEN Day of Silence stickers. Source: GLSEN.

In the face of continued threats against LGBTQ+ rights, the Day of Silence is a show of unity. Taking place, April 14th, 2023, GLSEN Day of Silence is a national demonstration in which students take a vow of silence to protest discrimination and demonstrate how thousands of LGBTQ+ students feel everyday — silenced. The theme, Day of (No) Silence: Rising Up. reminds us that it is imperative to speak up to defend LGBTQ+ rights.

In recognition, Biotechnology High School’s Gender and Sexuality Alliance will be handing out stickers and cards in the front lobby Friday morning, April 21st. Students can express that they wish to participate in GLSEN Day of Silence and vocalize why they are taking the vow. Alternatively, students can simply wear a rainbow sticker to show their support.

No matter the day, we can use our voices to defend our rights. To learn more about GLSEN Day of Silence, please visit GLSEN’s website here.

Sources

Day of Silence (2023). GLSEN. https://www.glsen.org/dayofsilence

Teacher Interview With Mrs. McGowan

2023-03-31T07:44:00.001-05:00

by Annika Raj

The week right before winter break was a time full of anticipation and excitement. After October concluded, Mrs. Leanza had left the school leaving various teachers filling interim positions. However, during the week prior to the holidays, a new teacher joined the Biotech faculty: Mrs. McGowan. She teaches English One, Theory of Knowledge, and Film and Media Studies.

Even though Mrs. McGowan has recently joined the BTHS community, this is not her first experience teaching. She had originally received a biology degree in college and was presented with the unique opportunity of being able to educate children in Romania after traveling with a friend. Upon returning, she had discovered a new passion for teaching and attended graduate school with that in mind. Mrs. McGowan has also taught in Poland and Japan, and she “thought it would be more effective to teach there, as [she] didn’t speak the language (she speaks Romanian) so they were able to better learn English.” She has taught English & biology in New York, and continues to teach English in New Jersey BioTech & Rutgers! She also spends her summer in Switzerland at an IB school teaching photography and creative writing.

Mrs. McGowan has felt that her transition into Biotech and the community here was extremely smooth. The faculty, administration, and students have all been very accommodating and friendly when assisting her into her new position. She feels that “she has been here for a very long time.” She is really enjoying her time here at Biotech and each class of hers is different. She’s taking the time to work with her classes on the curriculum and their discussions are incredibly enriching and meaningful. She feels that students' creativity and ambition is unparalleled and enjoyable! If she had to offer one piece of advice to the students, it would be to “keep asking questions” and think outside of the box in every aspect of life.

grief

2023-03-21T17:09:00.000-05:00

grief

where will the spirit go

when we sink into the mud

will it return to the earth

to the sea and the sky

- like everything else

born of this world

will like call to like?

and where will the song go

that melody lodged in my throat

that is both the pain and the

white pill slicked in syrup

- like everything else

born of humankind

will it seep into our tangled roots?

but where will the heart go

that stranger inside my chest

that voyeur of death

that child lock on the little orange bottle

- like everything else

vile and depraved

it beats

and

on.

- anon

sundays in queens

2023-03-08T18:23:00.006-05:00

sundays in queens

i often think about

these sundays in queens:

the small walk-up that inexplicably resembles

my heart.

or maybe it’s my grandmother

who waves from the window.

i often think about

her crow’s feet and

sunspots from summer days

in a land across the sea.

what is home for an immigrant?

for her, i think

it is her very skin and bones.

i often think about how

i must have inherited her wide eyes,

her dimples, her sharpness.

what does it mean to live alone

without souls to collide with?

but her God lives beside her

in the planes of her shoulders,

in the curve of her brow.

my own faith is the thing

caught between my tongue and my teeth -

like an insect trapped in amber,

it sits without ambition.

but if there is a God

i wonder how many more sundays

we will spend

in a land across the cosmos.

what is home for the faithless?

for me, i think

it is my very heart.

- anon

Nuclear Fusion and the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory Featuring Interview with Senior Engineer at the PPPL: Marc-Andre De Looz

2023-03-03T22:31:00.006-05:00

Nuclear Fusion and the PPPL

By: Madison MacKenzie

The climate crisis is on the rise and innovating efficient energy solutions is key to combating its effects. Fusion energy, for instance, has been a part of the conversation for decades. Today, the fusion community and places like the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory are making great strides towards utilizing fusion energy as a sustainable energy source of the future. Fusion started in the 1920s, when British astrophysicist Arthur Eddington theorized that stars generate their energy from the fusion of hydrogen into helium. However, it was not until December 5th, 2022 that scientists at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory discovered a way to use nuclear fusion to generate 20% more energy than what was initially required in the reaction. This is the ultimate goal - to get out more than what was put in. Then, the net energy can be used commercially. With the PPPL latest advances, it seems like a possible future.

According to their website, the PPPL works to “improve fusion through innovations in shaping and plasma composition, and in the creative use of powerful magnets to confine hot plasmas.” Scientists and engineers are working on projects like the National Spherical Torus Experiment-Upgrade, a fusion device, to make advances in the physics and engineering for a next-step fusion reactor. They are also working on the Lithium Tokamak Experiment - Beta which examines the advantages of lithium on energy confinement in fusion reactors. All of these projects were furthered by the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory’s recent discovery about making fission more of a reality than just a theoretical concept.

Nuclear fusion works by combining two atoms by use of immense amounts of heat to generate copious amounts of energy. Nuclear fission is perhaps the form of nuclear energy that most are familiar with and that is in use in commercial power plants. Fission, on the other hand, works by gathering heat from a series of atom-splitting chain reactions. While this process is energy-efficient, it has a lower atom economy and produces copious amounts of hazardous radioactive waste. Hence, nuclear energy without these harmful byproducts would be a colossal breakthrough.

As for the future, fusion still has a long way to go. Physicists at the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory agree that it will likely be many years before the energy is available for commercial use. This has to do with the U.S’s current goals regarding the climate crisis. The government’s general consensus is that due to the urgency of the situation, it is more valuable to work on improving existing technologies than to begin looking into alternative energy sources. Hundreds of millions of dollars and some serious engineering needs to go into fusion before it is made practical. Nevertheless, fusion provides hope for a cleaner, more energy-efficient future in the long run.

Thankfully, there are many opportunities for Biotech students to get involved with the PPPL. For example, Ronald E. Hatcher Science on Saturday Lecture series will be back in-person this winter with the first lecture starting on February 4th, 2023. If you are unable to attend in-person, the lecture will also be live broadcasted. On March 16th 2023, the PPPL will host a Women’s S.T.E.M conference for 7th-10th grade girls. This conference will discuss the career possibilities for women as scientists and engineers showcasing different S.T.E.M. fields. For seniors, the PPPL offers internships during the academic year and over the summer for “highly motivated students” to gain lab experience at the PPPL. If you are interested in plasma physics or simply exploring more areas in STEM, the PPPL is a great resource to check out.

Interview with Senior Engineer at the PPPL: Marc-Andre De Looz

As previously mentioned, nuclear fusion is an optimistic energy solution that could possibly contribute to solving the climate crisis one day. I had the honor of interviewing a senior engineer at the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, Mr. Marc-Andre De Looz. Mr. De Looz works on the ITER project, the largest nuclear fusion experiment in the world. Through this interview, I found out more about nuclear energy and what exactly it means for the future.

According to Mr. De Looz, the nuclear fusion community is split into 2 groups of people. First, there is a set of older scientists and engineers who have a strong desire to make an impact but are wary of getting the public’s hopes up about nuclear fusion. However, many younger, millennial researchers feel optimistic about fusion as a viable energy solution. Nevertheless, the most frustrating thing for almost any nuclear fusion engineer to hear is that fusion “is not going fast enough” to be a climate solution. In fact, Mr. De Looz explained to me, “Whenever you want I’d love to talk for a half hour on that because that is the most personally frustrating thing I could hear anyone say.” He made the point that although fusion energy has been researched since the 1950s, the climate change crisis was not made known until years later. Fusion research for energy only began in earnest some decades ago. Ergo, we can’t expect it to solve today’s problems just yet.

Despite these difficulties, there has been significant progress in nuclear fusion research. The recent discovery at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory was so encouraging because the reaction produced 3 megawatts of output using only 2 megawatts of input. Before this experiment, the math for net energy production had been proven. However, it had not been demonstrated experimentally in a controlled manner. It has been done in an uncontrolled setting through the hydrogen bomb, but this method was not safe or efficient. This recent experiment was the first time the idea of “more out than in” had been proven in a controlled manner. Marc-Andre De Looz commented, “The question isn’t if anymore, it’s when.” The next step is learning how to control the energy and, one day, make it feasible for commercial use.

In its way are some common misconceptions. While nuclear fusion does create radioactive products, they stabilize much more quickly than those produced by fission. Fusion releases both heat and neutrons that irradiate what they hit. These irradiated particles will generally lose radioactivity over 5-10 years. In contrast, fission uses atoms that are naturally radioactive, such as uranium or plutonium, which can take up to 30,000 years to become stable. In general, fusion produces much less radiation and becomes stable much more quickly.

To achieve this knowledge and career in nuclear fusion, Mr. De Looz went through quite an interesting journey. In high school, he claims that he was “not the best student” and only applied to one college—Lehigh University. Thankfully, Mr. De Looz gained acceptance to the institution, where he began to realize that his ability to focus was not quite the same as his classmates. Initially he struggled at his studies, but he was able to adapt and went on to receive his graduate degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Pennsylvania. After overcoming this adversity, which he would later find out was caused by ADHD, Mr. De Looz would go on to a distinguishing career in engineering

Before coming to the PPPL, he worked at Schlumberger, an oil and gas company, for 13 years. At first, I was rather surprised. It seemed unusual to go from working in the oil industry to becoming a senior engineer on the cutting edge of renewables. However, Mr. De Looz explained that, in the middle of his career, he asked himself, “What I’m doing right now, does it make me feel good?” After this, Mr. De Looz elected to change his career path, applying to the PPPL. Currently he feels that his profession at the PPPL is meaningful as he works toward helping humanity.

Overall, I’d like to thank Mr. De Looz for his time and for showing me how promising the world of nuclear fusion is. While the field heats up, Mr. De Looz encourages us at BTHS to keep up to date, keep reading, and stay curious.

The BTHS Fall Coffeehouse

2023-02-13T13:32:00.005-05:00

by Annika Raj

The BTHS Choir Singing “Talking to the Moon” by Bruno Mars.

The crisp, cool air and the spooky season have signaled the arrival of autumn. To accompany the new season, the Arts and Entertainment club hosted a Fall Coffeehouse on Thursday, October 13. Here, several BTHS artists and performers showcased their outstanding skills! Their talents included singing, dancing, poetry, and artwork MC’ed by seniors Rohan Lokhanadham and Kyle Arend. Treya Ghosh, who sang Etta James’s I’d Rather Go Blind, had stated that the experience itself was a lot of fun and very enjoyable! She truly enjoyed watching the performances and having a great afternoon with her friends. Her favorite part of the experience and performing was the overwhelming enthusiasm of the BTHS community. The support of both friends and peers was an extremely important contribution to the event. This first coffeehouse was a massive success, and we are looking forward to the next one!

Muddy Soles

2022-11-28T08:37:00.011-05:00

by Miriam Priborkina

They were dragged through the mud

the leaves, that is.

Neither vibrant nor crisp in the Autumn air,

Just dull and wet,

Like the soles of my shoes.

They were soiled

So I picked them up and took them home.

Mama howled at me.

“They brought mud in!” she said,

Pointing at the leaves in my hand.

I looked down at my soles

Currently ridden of filth

All clean

As she held her head in her hands

A capitulation.

Soon my leaves wilted more.

They were no longer nice and soft.

The house was brown

With the mud they brought.

It was ok

I could always clean.

I still collect murky leaves

I do not think you would get it.

Yes, they ruin my home

Yes, they look bad

But are they not deserving of appreciation?

They went through so much.

What is a little mud in my home?

It was worse for them.

Now my soles remain murky

Stained

Tainted

Unwashable

Oh no!

A miscalculation

But that is ok

There’s always a new pair

Autumn Passed Through

2022-11-28T08:34:00.003-05:00

by Kavya Sridhar

Autumn carries a bit of my soul within her

From the lazy way she flicks her hand

To create biting winds

Some cruel,

Some soft

From the delicate way in which she kisses the Earth

To change the perception of nature’s Flora

All warm colors

And dried up bark

Raining leaves drifting overhead

From the way she instills comfort

To the little girl with the raincoat,

Catching drops on her tongue

Or the old man in a vest,

Holding her hand through it all

Autumn passes through

With an air of finality

An interlude between cold and heat

A bitter solitude of perfect stillness

And that is why I say

Autumn carries a bit of my soul within her

Not too much, not too little

For even when people crave extremes

While people yearn for the most they can get

I am content with the simplicity of it all

The glorious in between area where all creatures start off

And where they all inevitably face their demise

Humans want the sun, the tangible feel of pure heat on their fingertips

Or the blessed frost, the moon shining down fiercely on haloed heads

They covet the highest levels of devotion

To be burnt or frozen to death in the name of another

Pure passion coursing through them regardless of the pain they feel throughout

I, on the other hand, am content with the promise of Fall

A promise of safety and security

That no other season provides

Autumn passed through

And took a bit of my soul with her

BTHS Thanksgiving Traditions

2022-11-28T08:33:00.028-05:00

by Miriam Priborkima and Kavya Sridhar

Thanksgiving is a major festivity for most Americans. Families across the country come together to give thanks to those they love. However, many families have unique traditions, often owing to an immigrant background. Opening one’s mind to learning these cultures opens the doors to a whole new world of flavors and practices.

For instance, Kavya’s family is influenced by Indian traditions. Like many American Thanksgivings, family dinner is always a conjoined event; everyone pitches into the meal. In most cases, her aunt, uncle, cousins, and family friends come to her house for the meal, which means around fourteen people end up helping with dinner. The kitchen is always filled with laughter and warmth as her relatives and family cook.

A Thanksgiving staple includes vegetable or chicken biryani, a mixed rice dish with several different spices, such as bay leaf, cardamoms, cloves, cinnamon, star anise, shahi jeera & mace to add a savory note. Then, her mother’s signature dish is a spicy egg curry, complete with tomatoes, onions, and ground spices, like turmeric, cinnamon, and cumin.

The curry is the main course, and the biryani acts as a complement. Her mother also makes familiar and delectable Indian foods, like paneer tikka masala, naan bread, and butter chicken. These curries contain a creamy tomato base, making them savory with a hint of a sweet aftertaste.

Afterward, they all huddle together in the living room, watching a movie while eating ice cream, usually from a local Indian grocery store. These ice creams vary from malai kulfi, mango, and pistachio. Overall, it is not just the food that brings her family together but the love poured into each and every morsel.

Much in the same way, Miriam’s family is influenced by Russian culture. While her family does have the stereotypical turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, and stuffing, they also serve traditional Slavic dishes. For example, Miriam and her father make olivier salad, potshuba salad, syrniki, vinaigrette, and kotlety. Each of these dishes are iconic in Russian and Slavic culture, which makes them a must-have at her dinner table.

Olivier and potshuba are Miriam’s personal favorites. Olivier salad is a heavenly mixture of carrots, peas, ham, potatoes, eggs, and pickles drizzled with mayonnaise. Potshuba, meanwhile, is a layered dish, with beets, carrots, white herring, potatoes, egg, and mayonnaise. Miriam also enjoys the other three dishes as well. Syrniki are cottage cheese pancakes commonly eaten with sour cream or jam, while vinaigrette is a salad consisting of potatoes, beets, sauerkraut, pickles, carrots, and olive oil. Kotlety, which are meat patties made of mainly beef, were something Miriam had always enjoyed. As a child, most of these dishes were not Miriam’s favorite, but their inclusion in Thanksgiving dinner helped expand her palate.

Much like Kavya's, Miriam’s kitchen bustles with noise; the room is filled with the sounds of the television as her father watches a soccer match, the voice of her mother as she tells him a story, and their hurried movements as the whole family cooks. After the meal, she and her family clean while listening to her mother’s favorite Russian music. “Tsunami” and “The 7th Element” are all too familiar after so many celebrations, but they are a part of her traditions. Miriam’s household listens to corny Russian songs during Thanksgiving; they love it! Her family is one of warmth and love, something that their meals represent.

Overall, these differences and similarities in culture, religion, experiences, and location help contribute to a diverse and unique world. Thanksgiving, in particular, carries a bevy of traditions and associations. Learning how Americans of all backgrounds celebrate Thanksgiving is the first step to exploring new practices and cultures.

The War of the Lanternflies

2022-11-24T00:11:00.004-05:00

by Justin Tabachnik

A spotted lanternfly spreading its wings. (Credit: Scientific American)

What is a spotted lanternfly?

The spotted lanternfly, also known as Lycorma Delicatula, is an invasive insect native to Southeast Asia. The red, beige, and yellow creature can feed on at least 70 species of trees, and are able to spread very quickly in the right conditions. However, without human interaction, it is very difficult for the spotted lanternfly to spread very far. While having the name of a fly, these insects are actually more related to grasshoppers, and are not able to travel very far without help. So you may ask, “how were they able to spread across the world to Biotechnology High School?” The answer relies on the question that follows.

How did the spotted lanternfly get all the way to New Jersey?

In one word: humans. Through the transfer of plants, shipping materials, and others over long distances, lanternflies can come as well. While proper inspection is meant to eliminate this threat, it can go awry. Once the insects have established themselves as a part of the ecosystem, it is difficult to eliminate them.

And when they chose New Jersey as their home, they brought havoc with them. Once established as a “part” of an ecosystem, they can pose a dramatic threat to native wildlife. Feeding on the plant sap of more than 70 species, they can pose an indirect threat that can lessen the quality of life of those affected.

What do I do if I see one?

Following the New Jersey Department of Agriculture, simply ‘Stomp it Out!” Spotted Lanternflies are a catastrophic invasive species, and killing them is necessary to protect the environment.

What are some of the perspectives of students at Biotech?

The entirety of the students surveyed agree that Lanternflies posed some sort of inconvenience to their everyday life. One student noted how they literally had to walk in zig zags in order to evade them and that they always landed in their hair. Another noted that lanternflies have flown up their shirt multiple times to their inconvenience.

Sources:

Anne E. Johnson, D. M. C. and R. I. (2022, January 21). Spotted lanternfly: A colorful cause for concern. Invasive Species. Retrieved November 22, 2022, from https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/spotted-lanternfly-a-colorful-cause-for-concern

U.S. Department of the Interior. (n.d.). Spotted lanternfly 101 (U.S. National Park Service). National Parks Service. Retrieved November 22, 2022, from https://www.nps.gov/articles/spotted-lanternfly-101.htm#:~:text=Spotted%20lanternfly%20

Spotted Lanternfly. Spotted lanternfly. (2022). Retrieved November 22, 2022, from https://www.nj.gov/agriculture/divisions/pi/prog/pests-diseases/spotted-lanternfly/#:~:text=SLF%20feeds%20on%20the%20plant,living%20in%20heavily%20infested%20areas.

Our Halloween K-pop Picks

2022-11-23T16:42:00.003-05:00

by Nush Sikdar

It's finally the spookiest month of the year! Now that the leaves are turning color and the cooler breezes are setting in, it’s the perfect time to take a look back at some of our favorite Halloween comebacks. So sit back, grab a warm cup of tea and your favorite blanket, and let’s dive in!

1. TT - TWICE

Far and away the most classically Halloween-related music video, Twice’s “TT” leaves little to desire. The video begins with two young children walking into an expansive, dark mansion, ready to trick or treat. The song then begins, along with the iconic sequence in which each of the girls introduce themselves to the camera. This leads directly into the beginning choreography of the song, throughout which the camera playfully follows the girls’ movements.

Throughout the music video, the girls show off a wide variety of Halloween costumes and matching sets; ranging from adorable fairies to (less than) valiant vigilantes to fearsome witches, there’s a reference for everyone here. Of course, they can’t be dressed up the whole time—to combat the chilly weather, there’s a healthy mix-in of cozy outfits. One set, shown above, includes a variety of fuzzy cardigans, sweaters, and dresses, paired with endearing skirts and collared shirts. The other set consists of coordinating duo-chromatic blue and white sets that are akin to the stage outfits used during this era of TWICE.

The song itself contains a sweet pop melody that you’ll find stuck in your head for days. The title of the song, “TT”, refers to its online usage to convey crying (the top lines represent eyes, while the vertical lines are a stream of tears). Considering the rest of the lyrics, this makes perfect sense. A girl has fallen for someone, and she’s become extremely emotional over it, cycling between anger, confusion, disgust, discontentment, and pure sadness.

On May 8, 2017, “TT” became the most-viewed girl group music video on Youtube, and rightfully so. Though it has since been dethroned by more recent comebacks, its legacy remains. It remains a K-pop classic; ask any seasoned K-pop stan to dance to the chorus’s choreography and they’ll surely deliver. Give it a listen!

2. Zombie - PURPLE K!SS

Purple Kiss is a newer girl group that has quickly established itself as one of the most talented in the K-pop scene. They’re known for being entirely self-produced and self-choreographed, something extremely rare in the K-pop world. The music video “Zombie” opens to show us a world overrun by zombies, as per the song’s namesake. A glowing green sign illuminates the background reading “the kiss of death.” The upbeat track begins alongside the choreography to the intro of the song.

The video soon cuts to a neon post-punk diner in which the girls can be seen eating brains. This imagery of devouring organs, specifically brains, runs rampant throughout the entire video. To add to their undeadness, we see the girls slowly fall apart—literally. Dosie’s eye falls out when she sneezes, and the other girls rush to flush it down a conveniently placed toilet, much to their delight. Whether or not this is actually a humorous, good-natured prank is up to you.

The music video is full of ghoulish gags such as these. At the end of the song, to shower their person of interest with love, the girls present them with platefuls of delicacies consisting of…you guessed it, brains! This poor fellow has been so distraught from protecting himself, as is evident by the nail-embedded bat he answers the door with, that the shock of seeing seven zombies in front of him is enough to cause him to pass out. The girls, of course, are none the wiser—they seem completely shocked that he had such an adverse reaction upon seeing them (pictured above).

The lyrics reveal a blooming relationship between the girl(s) singing and her love interest. It’s a classic example of what the honeymoon phase can do to someone; the protagonist of the song is so obsessed with her lover that she feels like a zombie, mindlessly chasing them around. It’s a slightly insane yet relatable message that pairs sweetly with the morbidly cute concept the girls chose. Support the girls and listen to the song!

3. Married to the Music - SHINee

Among the kings of K-pop, SHINee has truly done it all. They checked “Halloween comeback in August” off the list and passed the creepy music video test with flying colors. The video starts with a rather ominous tone. “Marriage is a slow death,” a sign reads. Viewers are then shown the boys driving a classic “just married” car, complete with cans strapped to the back. They soon enter a house party with Jonghyun being carried horizontally by the other four. Thus commences a rapid descent into madness as we discover what horrors lie within these walls.

Just under a minute into the video, Key can be seen strapped to an upright spinning wheel. A partygoer instinctively knows where she can find a cleaver, which she subsequently propels at Key. His head is sliced clean off, and slowly slides and crashes to the floor. Immediately after it bounces off the floor, another woman kicks his now decapitated head straight across the room, much to Jonghyun’s horror. Key’s head, though dismembered, is miraculously still able to sing, and so we are informed that he, just like the other members, is “married to the music.”

In another sequence, Onew is bashed in the back of the head with a baseball bat, and his eyes go flying out of their sockets. We are then greeted with a wonderfully shot scene from the perspective of these tumbling eyeballs, making for a truly immersive experience. Following this, Jonghyun believes he has the opportunity to kiss a pretty girl at the party. However, after the exchange is complete, he finds that his mouth has been taken from him. Shenanigans in a similar vein to these continue throughout the rest of the music video until an interesting plot development arises involving a woman dressed for a wedding who is obsessively scrapbooking pictures of the boys. Stream the video to find out what it all means!

Of course, it wouldn’t be a SHINee music video without incredible dance numbers—they quite literally invented the idea of the dancing idol in 2008. These shots are full of fun confetti littering the screen as the members deliver nothing short of a showstopping performance. The lyrics paint a picture of an intoxicating relationship, in which love runs deep. “I’m married to the music,” “You are my music,” they read. “Married to the Music” is truly a masterpiece that deserves much more recognition and attention than it gets. Take a listen!

22° N, 88° E

2022-11-23T16:38:00.003-05:00

by Nush Sikdar

An evening shot of the field that lies beyond the metal gates of the balcony. The afternoon shower has left ample pools on the grounds, yet the boys continue to play. Picture taken by me.

The sun is beaming.

Each individual ray is visible as the light refracts through the glass. It is 4:30 p.m. The house is silent as everyone else lies content in their afternoon slumber. I, the go-getter, the Western black sheep, stay up in hopes of achieving some degree of work. The cursor blinks and the page remains blank.

I blink. It is now 6 p.m. I slide the glass open to let in the cool evening breeze. Despite the early hour, the sky is nearly pitch black; they never quite figured out time zones here. Rise at 7 and bake until golden brown is the meta. The regularly 110o weather has opted for a much more welcoming 86o today. I sit on the windowsill before the yellow metal gates, staring out into the field beyond. Once littered in young boys hoping to find something in their passion for football, or as I know it, soccer, it now lies empty and silent. Each evening I await their return the following morning.

Some vie for a career, wishing for fame and glory on the field. Some want a space to exercise in a city where the sea of people rises to the neckline. Some need an outlet for escapism. I can understand the last explanation. Though I am lucky enough to only be a visitor, I can still understand. The daily toils of life are much for a child. To wake up, eat, learn, eat, study, eat, study, bathe, study, sleep—then repeat—even the most dedicated cannot hold on forever. I need to feel, as do those boys. To feel the mud between my toes, the monsoon raging amongst the strands of hair stuck to my face. Is this sweat or rain? Does it matter? Only time’s arrow would know.

A Very Happy Halloween

2022-11-21T22:19:00.001-05:00

by Estelle Trogan

HALLOWEEN COSTUME CONTEST WINNERS 2022

Best Partner/Group Costume: Mr. Hercek Clones

Twelve seniors dressed as Mr. Hercek with Mr. Hercek in the front.

The students attempted to give their prize to Mr. Hercek, but he refused. They minted to buy him a gift with their winnings.

Funniest Costume: A Friendly Day at the Dentist’s Office

Seniors Rohan Lokanadham, Rachel Ross, Amogh Magesh, Aaron Lee, and Erika Kan

demonstrated what a day at the dentist looks like with a tooth, Listerine, floss, toothpaste, a toothbrush, a cavity, and of course, the tooth fairy!

Most Creative Costume: You Light Up My World

Freshman Annika Raj

A beautiful light-up costume that flowed as Annika spun.

Scariest Costume: Killer Clown

Freshman Emma Camilli dressed as a terrifying clown.

Best Overall Costume: Senior Citizens

Seniors Angelica Vellore, Angelica Dadda, Khushi Faldu, Arsheya Puri, Audrey Fang dressed as senior citizens and walked through the MPR in an exaggerated manner.

Honorable Mentions:

Banana Splits

Aaron Ezekiel, Navya Shah, Treya Ghosh, Rishab Verma dressed as bananas and did a split!

Kim Jong-Un and His Wife

Juniors Nick Chang and Mairene Cisneros in costume!

Nick hoisted Mairene into the air, who had rockets in each hand.

Goofy Greek Goobers

Sophomores Kayla Cardillo, Eve Broydo, Aarohi Baveja, Andreea Tarau, and Victoria Chang dressed as Greek mythological characters.

Photos in the Halls

Students dressed as fairies.

Students dressed as Mr. Hercek, a sports player, and a businessman riding a chicken.

Ms. Engstron announced her pregnancy with her baby boy with a “Bump Ahead” road sign while dressed as a construction worker! Look closely and you’ll notice the baby footprints on her shirt.

Top 50 Things to do this Fall

2022-10-23T18:06:00.001-05:00

by Estelle Trogan

Fall Foliage

Credit: istock, 6 Oct. 2020.

Go pumpkin picking

Eastmont orchards or Casola Farms

Carve or decorate pumpkins

Pumpkin Picking

Credit: Town & Country, 20 July. 2021.

Go apple picking

Eastmont Orchards or Battleview Orchards

Go to Fright Fest at Six Flags Great Adventure
Go to a haunted house

House of Horrors New Jersey, Nightmare at Gravity Hill, or Casola Farms

Go on a hayride

Casola Farms

Go to a farmers market
Eat Apple cider donuts (Try to make your own, but Delicious Orchards Donuts are AMAZING!)
Drink warm apple cider on a cold day
Cozy up on the couch and watch some fall/Halloween movies with friends and/or family

Hocus Pocus 1&2, The Nightmare before Christmas, The Adams Family

Play in piles of leaves
Have a chili and football night
Make s'mores and talk over a campfire

Roasting Marshmallows

Credit: aish, 8 May. 2022

Take a scenic walk
Make/buy fall decorations and decorate your house
Craft with leaves
Make your own candles
Buy a new cozy sweater/wear a cozy sweater
Get lost/explore in a corn maze

Casola Farms

Go to a football game with family and/or friends
Go for a drive to see the fall foliage
Indulge in everything pumpkin spice, cinnamon, and all spice (if that’s your cup of tea)
Go for a bike ride in a park

Bike Ride Through Foliage

Credit: Active, 27 Aug. 2019.

Curl up by the fireplace and read a good book, or do something to disengage from life distractions (including your PHONE)
Collect colorful leaves
Do some baking and make the house smell like fall
Make a scarecrow
Go stargazing with a blanket and warm clothes

Friends Stargazing

Credit: Travel+Leisure, 28 April. 2022.

Roast chestnuts
Throw a friendsgiving

Have thanksgiving with just some friends

Eat candy
Do a fall puzzle with family and/or friends
Participate in a costume contest
Plant fall flowers
Tour your town’s and neighborhood’s halloween decorations
Buy and use a fall candle
Start Christmas Shopping
Update your wardrobe to warmer clothes
Make a fall centerpiece for a table
Share/tell scary stories with flashlights in the dark

Friends Telling Stories

Credit: istock, 28 May. 2017.

Craft a pumpkin out of things at home
Cook with seasonal squash
Toast pumpkin seeds (from your pumpkin carving)
Open a window and let the crisp autumn air into your home
Do a scavenger hunt or escape room
Play ding dong ditch on your friends (Not on houses you don’t know!)
Do a beach cleanup/walk along the beach
Play hide and seek in the dark

Hide and Seek in the Dark

Credit: resident events, 16 May. 2019.

Family game night
Play ”The Floor is Lava”

Brigitt Earley Contributing Write Brigitt is a writer. (2022, August 15). 60 unique pumpkin

carving ideas that even beginners can do. Oprah Daily. Retrieved October 23, 2022, from https://www.oprahdaily.com/life/g28337071/easy-pumpkin-carving-ideas/

Donovan, R. S. and B. (2022, September 7). Fill your fall with these 62 fun activities. Country

Living. Retrieved October 23, 2022, from https://www.countryliving.com/life/g2633/fall-bucket-list/

happymomhacks, A. (2022, September 16). 40 Fun Fall Activities for Kids Your 2022 bucket list.

Happy Mom Hacks. Retrieved October 23, 2022, from https://happymomhacks.com/fall-activities-for-kids/

Seaver, M., & Godfrey, J. (2021, September 7). 62 fall activities for kids, couples, and

adults. Real Simple. Retrieved October 23, 2022, from https://www.realsimple.com/work-life/entertainment/fall-activities

White, A. (2022, April 7). Fall bucket list: 40 autumn activities & fun things to do. Bucket List

Journey | Travel + Lifestyle Blog. Retrieved October 23, 2022, from https://bucketlistjourney.net/fun-fall-bucket-list-activities/

Interview with Ms. Goodman

2022-10-20T07:32:00.000-05:00

Ms. Goodman has begun her first year as a guidance counselor at BTHS. We invite her to share her thoughts on being at BTHS and advice for students.

Aleicia Zhu: Welcome to Biotech, Ms. Goodman! We're very excited to have you here as a guidance counselor, and we're very, very grateful for your presence. Please tell us a little bit about yourself, your background, your interests, or anything else you want to share with us.

Ms. Goodman: I have been a counselor for 16 years and worked at Sayreville High School for my whole career. I also specialize in college advising. I have a certificate now, from Columbia University, the college advising certificate. So I am very much enjoying helping you guys through this process so far. And I have two boys, a nine and a half-year-old and a five and a half-year-old. I like cooking and decorating

Aleicia Zhu: You have some wonderful hobbies. How would you say you've adapted to being at Biotech?

Ms. Goodman: I think that it was no a little hard coming into the new school year but also coming, you know, into a new environment and a new setting. But I am really enjoying working with such motivated students, and everybody's been super friendly and welcoming. There are kids coming in and teachers coming in, just introducing themselves. The parents here have been great. So, overall, very happy to be here.

Aleicia Zhu: You've adapted very well! We're very happy to have you here. Is there anything that students can do to make your job easier?

Ms. Goodman: You know, honestly, it's just reaching out, letting me know when they have problems so we can fix them. It would be about getting on the same page in terms of what types of services and things a counselor does for their students and getting that information out there to them. I like, as you know, I created a Google Classroom for my seniors, you know, just kind of taking what I put out there, seriously, because it's important. I'm not trying to bore anybody, I just want everybody to get through, you know, the college process the right way or, you know, just different things in different grade levels that are important. meeting certain milestones, so everybody stays on track.

Aleicia Zhu: Do you have any advice for students about college or just any wisdom?

Ms. Goodman: I think it's really important, when it comes to college, to follow your own mind your own heart, and to try not to listen to what other people are saying too much. You know, it's very competitive here. Everybody is so smart and so motivated and a lot of students do have similar interests. It's hard not to get caught up in what everybody else is saying. I think it's important to be true to yourself when planning for the future. Also, just day to day with a person, do the right thing.

Aleicia Zhu: Of course, it's important to find your own fit and to follow the golden rule. There are many different ways to get to where you want to be, and there's not just one path for everybody. Exactly. Thank you so much for your time. It was wonderful to learn more about you.

Teacher Interview with Mr. Levinson

2022-10-16T13:51:00.026-05:00

by Miriam Priborkina and Kavya Sridhar

The new school year has stirred apprehension in many students, especially freshmen. Joining a new school comes with a new environment and strange new feelings. However, the ninth grade class isn’t the only new addition to Biotechnology High School this year: Mr. Daniel Levinson, a teacher of IB Mathematics SL and AP Computer Science Principles, is a new addition to BTHS as well.

Although this is Mr. Levinson’s first year at Biotech, this is certainly not his first year of teaching. Prior to BTHS, Mr. Levinson taught at the Health Science Academy in Mercer County Technical School District, and his experience has come in handy. When asked how he has adapted to his arrival at Biotech, Mr. Levinson expressed, “I think I have adapted pretty well. I am having a good time, I love the students, love the courses I am teaching. I taught for three years at a similar school before this, so the transition has been very smooth.”

As a seasoned educator, Mr. Levinson is not inexperienced with ambitious students. BTHS traditionally has a competitive student body, and students feel as though they have to exceed expectations. However, we all have a certain capacity at which we can tolerate mental strain, and many students have times in which they struggle with motivation. Mr. Levinson offers advice for both of those problems. According to Mr. Levinson, “what motivates me is the overall passion and energy from the students because they are excited to be here, and that drives me further. And I'm similarly just passionate about education, so that motivates me. I understand that from a student perspective, you don't have a choice, necessarily, about the classes that you're taking, but I do have a choice for this career, so liking my job is a motivator.”

In addition to this, many students have to deal with academic and parental pressure, which leads to them prioritizing their school work and grades as opposed to their mental health. With regards to this topic, Mr. Levinson stresses the importance of allocating time to yourself: “...if you take on too much, then you are not caring for yourself. And your sleep, you need sleep, please sleep…You need time for friends, you need time for family. You need time for yourselves, even if it’s sitting in your room, reading, watching Netflix, whatever…make sure to really look at all the things that you do, and ask yourself if it’s worth it for your own health and your future to be taking on as much as you are.”

As he works to make our school year as obstacle-free as possible, it is important for us to treat him the same way. When asked how his students can make his job easier, he simply states that the balance between your own personal enjoyment and schoolwork can make his life easier. He notices “that's typically really hard for freshmen, but this current group, at least for me, has been accomplishing that pretty well, so if you can balance that…[and] if you're open and honest about your struggles, that makes my job easier as well.”

Overall, Mr. Levinson is a great educator and member of the BTHS community. Being a new student at a new school can be nerve-wracking, but you are not alone. Many students are dealing with the pressure of a new environment, and having the empathy from a teacher can be highly encouraging. Together, we can look forward to an amazing school year.

harvest moon

2022-10-15T11:14:00.003-05:00

there is a bird at my windowsill

pecking at the glass

and now i am wondering

how you tap on the steel

that i call my heart

there has never been another

who i wished to swap souls with

- as if the very essence of my being

was as notional as a secret

but here we are

whispering to each other

with only the moon as witness

- i have never been so candid

about my open wounds before

- anon

The Most Narcissistic Generation

2022-06-20T12:33:00.003-05:00

by Natalie Dundas

Note: This article is part of a series of student editorials submitted to the annual New York Times Editorial Contest. If you submitted an editorial and would like to be published on The Helix, please contact the Co-Editors-in-Chief.

Teenage girl using her cell phone. (Credit: Plann/Unsplash)

Teenagers today use words like “identity” and “unique” so commonly, even frivolously. These words seem to carry such little weight, and their overuse is driven by the need to stand apart, or even another way to fit in. We have scrambled to put words to our feelings — the chase is incessant; exhausting; and to many degrees, futile.

In some ways, humans have always attempted to sort themselves into groups- in its most primal form categorization is a survival tactic. People are restless, seemingly more than ever before; their reasons are not incomprehensible, however, the animosities forming between current marginalized groups is discerning. Hostility of this nature is also present on social media- a commonplace for different groups of people to congregate, has become an influential factor in the competition for uniqueness. For example, there are rising tensions between women, as many biological women are now forcibly labelled as “cis-gendered”- a label often rejected. Another circumstance is that people who question their sexuality often feel pressure to conform to a certain label, even if they may not benefit from its use. Hyper labelization fosters self-indulgence and a lack of true identity.

As people, we are too obsessed with superficial means of identification. In many cases, this does not allow for a genuine sense of identity, but a sheer layer of narcissism.

As the most diverse generation, there is bound to be more differences, so it is understandable that people want to find things that they can subscribe to - everyone’s rights are important- but is constantly branding your own individuality conducive to universal acceptance? On some level, not everyone can be an individual, and there comes a point in categorization that you can either deduce to an atomic level, or lump everyone into one box. As my generation continues to rely on labels, we are, by definition, categorizing and limiting our own identities in binary terms. The crime is not being a member of a certain sexuality, aesthetic, gender, etc., but the overemphasis on these external qualities, as some people make face-value characteristics their entire identity.

Despite being the most “inclusive” generation so far, we are simultaneously intolerable toward questions, and unfashionable views. People who are too “normal”, or who simply do not subscribe to a plethora of labels and aesthetics are often outcasted in similar ways minority groups are. It seems we are in competition with each other. And it seems we have forgotten that people really are made up of what’s on the inside. “Straight,” “indie,” and “basic” are all beautiful things to be, but what does that actually say about you? At your core?

Why can't we focus more on just being?

Sources

“900 Voices from Gen Z, America's Most Diverse Generation.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 22 Mar. 2019, https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/us/generation-z.html#21.

Levin, Dan. “Generation Z: Who They Are, in Their Own Words.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 28 Mar. 2019, https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/28/us/gen-z-in-their-words.html.

Parker, Kim, and Ruth Igielnik. “On the Cusp of Adulthood and Facing an Uncertain Future: What We Know about Gen Z so Far.” Pew Research Center's Social & Demographic Trends Project, Pew Research Center, 1 Apr. 2022, https://www.pewresearch.org/social-trends/2020/05/14/on-the-cusp-of-adulthood-and-facing-an-uncertain-future-what-we-know-about-gen-z-so-far-2/.

Learning With Mother Tongues Helps Us Find Home

2022-06-20T12:32:00.001-05:00

by Anika Ajgaonkar

A young boy learns English vocabulary with flashcards. (Credit: Getty Images)

In a primary school in Andhra Pradesh, India, two children roamed the halls together with boards hanging from their necks. Other students stared at the passing “criminals,” their heads hung low. The crime? Speaking their mother tongue, Telugu, instead of the convent school’s mandatory English. Each of their boards read, “I never speak Telugu.”

Inside Indian English-language schools, dubbed “English medium,” reprimand for speaking one’s native language is nothing new. According to The Times of India, an increasing 26% of Indian school children attend English-medium schools. They are drilled to speak only English and rebuked for slipping back into their vernacular. But this system, marred with vestiges of colonialism, instills inferiority and shame in students for expressing themselves with a core part of their identity.

During a call with a cousin in India, I felt this disparity first-hand. As we chatted in Marathi, he noted how formal my vocabulary was compared to his English-peppered speech. Later, as a Marathi word eluded me, I requested his help in translation. But he wore a blank look. “Why bother?” he responded. “It sounds better in English, anyway.”

While I studied Marathi for years surrounded by the threat of English monolingualism, my cousin preferred and strived toward English living in India. Ultimately, our mother tongue was neglected no matter where we lived.

Similar issues plague Ugandan schools. The African state, home to 42 indigenous languages, mandates English education for all students. While English is idolized as a scholarly language, mother tongues are relegated to personal use, so students develop a more enhanced academic vocabulary in English. This deepens the notion that English is a language of erudition compared to native languages. During the Ugandan COVID-19 lockdown, however, mother tongues made a resurgence in the academic domain with more students at home. Establishing mother tongues in schools breaks classist associations regarding education and language.

However, this English obsession is not without reason. According to a 2013 report, individuals who speak English fluently earn 34% more than those who cannot. English is essential in today’s globalized workforce, but language acquisition should be accumulative, not subtractive. Research shows that high mother tongue proficiency makes learning a second language easier and results in better academic performance. Rather than hinder children’s ability to learn English later, it establishes a lifelong linguistic and cultural foundation for them.

As more people turn to English, it is our responsibility to keep our mother tongues alive and teach them to future generations. With them, we pass down our culture, traditions, and history, which increasing cultural homogenization threatens to rob them of. So embrace multilingualism, whether that means returning to a childhood language or learning your parents’ native tongue. If we don’t, who will?

Sources

“40% Don’t Access Education in a Language They Understand.” UNESCO, UNESCO, 19 Feb. 2016, en.unesco.org/news/40-don-t-access-education-language-they-understand#:~:text=UNESCO%20Director%2DGeneral%20Irina%20Bokova.

Anjali Mody. “India’s Obsession with English Is Depriving Many Children of a Real Education.” Quartz India, Quartz, 3 Sept. 2015, qz.com/india/494396/indias-obsession-for-english-is-depriving-many-children-of-a-real-education/.

Azam, Mehtabul, et al. “The Returns to English-Language Skills in India.” Economic Development and Cultural Change, vol. 61, no. 2, Jan. 2013, pp. 335–67, https://doi.org/10.1086/668277.

Ball, Jessica. “Children Learn Better in Their Mother Tongue.” Global Partnership for Education, 21 Feb. 2014, www.globalpartnership.org/blog/children-learn-better-their-mother-tongue.

Daniyal, Shoaib. “Why Is India Obsessed With English-Medium Education – When It Goes Against Scientific Consensus?” Scroll.In, 6 Aug. 2020, scroll.in/article/969356/why-is-india-obsessed-with-english-medium-education-when-it-goes-against-scientific-consensus.

Hardach, Sophie. “In Quarantine, Kids Pick up Parents’ Mother Tongues.” The New York Times, 10 Sept. 2020, www.nytimes.com/2020/09/10/parenting/family-second-language-coronavirus.html.

Janyala, Sreenivas. “State song made compulsory in Andhra schools | News Archive News.” The Indian Express, 31 October 2009, https://indianexpress.com/article/news-archive/web/state-song-made-compulsory-in-andhra-schools/. Accessed 8 April 2022.

“Linguistic Genocide.” Encyclopedia of Genocide and Crimes Against Humanity, 28 Mar. 2022, www.encyclopedia.com/international/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/linguistic-genocide.

Müller, Anne, et al. “The Mother-Tongue Dilemma.” Education Today, no. 6, 2003, pp. 4–7. UNESDOC.

Nagarajan, Rema. “26% of schoolkids in English medium; nearly 60% in Delhi | India News.” Times of India, 3 July 2021, https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/26-of-schoolkids-in-english-medium-nearly-60-in-delhi/articleshow/84082483.cms.

Should You Be Wearing That?

2022-06-20T12:00:00.000-05:00

by Natasha Lin

A group of female students posing for a photo. (Credit: Gillian Flaccus/The Associated Press)

“Should you be wearing that?”: a question females have been burdened with for years that simply just can’t seem to be abandoned despite our endless efforts to end sexual discrimination. Ever since we were young, we’ve been told by society what is appropriate and what is inappropriate to wear. Centuries have passed, and we still see instances of juries asking what rape victims wore when they were assaulted or when girls are told to cover up their bodies when walking home at night. The perpetrators of these ideations don’t understand how demeaning it is, being stripped away from our rightful freedom of expression.

And what’s the school's response to this ongoing problem? Dress codes.

Well, guess what, school boards; dress codes aren’t going to end sexual assault but only fuel the remnants of the patriarchy that we have been trying so hard to exterminate from history. Studies revealed by a Federal Commission on Crime of Violence that women who dressed conservatively were more likely to be raped, signifying that there is no clear indication that dressing more revealing will “provoke” men. The stereotype that “covering up” will protect a woman from danger is severely flawed, especially when the danger in question is caused by the same social hierarchy of male influence. It may end up doing more harm than good, for you may have just diminished an individual’s sense of worth and image. That being the case, schools should be more lenient when governing what their students should wear.

Skirts, tank tops, and leggings: all usual attire for females going to school but banned from being worn in many schools. It seems to me that these guidelines implicitly oversexualize young girls. This can cause them to feel self-conscious about their bodies when in reality, it is not their fault for wanting to dress the way that suits them. Dress codes make it seem like we are simply just objects for attractional purposes, pressuring us to dress the way society sees as proper. However, if these expectations are constantly changing and progressing into new ones, then why would we even need them to begin with?

To some, clothing is not just something you wear. Some use clothing as a way to creatively express themselves, display their personalities, and admire their own uniqueness. Why should we let anyone be judged for what they personally choose to wear, let alone, tell someone that it is not acceptable? We need to educate school authorities on the discrimination and oppression behind dress codes so that we can teach young women to not have to cower behind questions like “should you be wearing that?” ever again.

Sources

Bates, Laura. “Everyday Sexism Project: Dress Codes and Rape Culture.” TIME, 22 May 2015, https://time.com/3892965/everydaysexism-school-dress-codes-rape-culture/.

Claire, Marie. “Timeline of dress codes: History of men telling women what to wear.” Marie Claire, 20 September 2016, https://www.marieclaire.co.uk/reports/timeline-of-dress-codes-men-telling-women-what-to-wear-295043.

Kendall, Mikki. “Why dress codes can't stop sexual assault.” The Washington Post, 13 April 2016, https://www.washingtonpost.com/posteverything/wp/2016/04/13/why-dress-codes-cant-stop-sexual-assault/.

School Lunch - America’s Wasteful Cycle

2022-06-20T11:27:00.007-05:00

by Albert Zhang

Elementary school children eating lunch during the school day. (Credit: Unsplash)

A steady stream of chatter flows out of the high school cafeteria as the lunch block nears its end. We are just finishing up our last drops of milk, but the plates around us are a different story. Some half-eaten pizzas are unattended to, while most students have not even touched their sides of corn. Suddenly, a junior walks up to the garbage cans at the front of the room and casually throws out a foil wrapper with half of a cheeseburger still tucked in it.

This waste of food is common in American schools, and as someone who relies on school lunch every day, it is a huge problem.

We often underestimate the magnitude of this issue; much more food is wasted than you might think. In fact, a study conducted by Penn State University showed that plate waste at a Missouri private school ranged from 27 percent to 53 percent of total food served. This study was designed so that “It can be compared with other school cafeterias in the U.S.” In other words, the results reflect on the US school system as a whole, as well as the 30 million students who participate in the lunch program.

As these numbers suggest, the food waste created in schools across the US is tremendous. The World Wildlife Fund estimates that plate waste equals 530,000 tons of food and 45 million gallons of milk per year. This translates into a total of 2.26 million metric tons of CO2 equivalent of greenhouse gas, 1.84 billion US dollars, and 27.4 billion gallons of water; these are just some of the costs of producing the food.

Where does it all go from the trash can? Sadly, over seventy percent of food waste goes to the landfill, with only a fraction being recycled through processes such as composting. Food in landfills decomposes and releases the greenhouse gas methane, which contributes to global warming.

In America, food is “cheap and easily accessible;” as a result, many students do not think twice before throwing their lunches out. Some argue that the food is to blame, not the students. Indeed, fruits and vegetables are more unpopular and have a higher chance of being thrown out. However, on a daily basis I see fries and half-eaten pizzas in the trash cans or left forgotten on the lunch tables.

So to all you students out there, next time you think about getting a school lunch, ask yourself this: am I actually hungry? If the answer is no, then you’ll probably just end up throwing most of the food out. In that case, it would be better to not get any in the first place.

Erasing the Essence of Yourself

2022-06-20T11:23:00.003-05:00

by Vanshika Ranga

Stretch marks are often found on areas of the skin that have undergone stretching, such as due to pregnancy or weight gain/loss. (Credit: Etrevous)

A new century, a new beginning, yet many stigmas remain. Society as whole claims multiple ways women must look. The hardships of our lives are disregarded and only the wear and tears on our bodies are acknowledged. We experience judgments and foul glances simply for the marks left by memories. Commonly known as stretch marks, these physical attributes are common among females of all ages who experience growth spurts during puberty, pregnancy, rapid weight loss, and even weight training and gaining muscles. They have no harmful effect on our health or body. Stretch mark’s principal issues are staining society with hatred and suppressing individuals who embrace their scars.

Beauty standards expected from all women continue to harm individuals by breaking down their confidence and self-love. It’s time for us to cease the support of ineffective remedies and finally give our textured skin the love they deserve.

The promotion and sale of stretch-mark curing creams and several dangerous removal methods pervade the markets of all ages, statuses, and countries. I found that the most common Google searches for stretch marks returned, "How to get rid of stretch marks?", "Instant removal," and "Do stretch mark creams work?" All 12,200,000 pages of results showed the determination to rid our bodies of these unharmful scars that embody memories from significant transitions in our life.

The most disappointing fact is the ineffectiveness of all the marketed creams and the dangers of laser remover or even surgery. Annabelle Robertson from CBS News describes unsuccessful treatments which are dangerous as well as costly. Many commonly used substances contain no data to support their effectiveness described in marketing tactics. Glycolic acid and Retinoids, commonly used together, are expensive and dangerous in specific situations, such as pregnancy.

A common practice in the modern age is the use of laser treatment. Specialists use vascular lasers to treat redness on the skin by correcting the blood vessels under the skin. This treatment costs approximately $450 per session, and 3-6 sessions were necessary for full effect. A new laser shows a 30% improvement with a great cost of $1,000 per session. The FDA claims more than three sessions will show a complete enhancement to the skin.

Scars tell a story and follow us through the events of our lives. Stretch marks imprint important memories and track our journey from adolescence to adulthood and on to parenthood. As a society, we take extreme actions to completely eradicate these marks of memories from our world. The speedy outcomes demanded from consumers show the dire need to erase meaningful wounds which do not wish to be erased. Why must we rid the world of the beauty and confidence the marks truly inspire?

Sources

Gold, Grace. “Stretch Mark Creams: Should You Even Bother?” Women’s Health, 18 May 2018, www.womenshealthmag.com/beauty/a20747471/stretch-mark-creams/.

Jennings, Dana. “Our Scars Tell the Stories of Our Lives.” The New York Times, 20 July 2009, www.nytimes.com/2009/07/21/health/21case.html.

“Stretch Marks: Why They Appear and How to Get Rid of Them.” Www.aad.org, www.aad.org/public/cosmetic/scars-stretch-marks/stretch-marks-why-appear.

A Playground For Every Child

2022-06-20T11:08:00.000-05:00

by Chinmayi Palya

A park playground. (Credit: Unsplash)

The fresh smell of woodchips. The creaking of metal swings. The swooshing from the friction of somebody cruising down a tunnel slide. Chances are, these childhood memories of playgrounds hold a special place in your heart.

Unfortunately, it isn’t something everyone was lucky enough to have. Countless children – 6.7 million in the U.S, to be exact – never got this experience. While playgrounds are a refuge for numerous youngsters, it is often an unattainable luxury for those with disabilities.

Withholding one of the most joyful and memorable parts of childhood, the playground, from children with disabilities is unacceptable.

Growing up with one of my best friends being wheelchair-bound opened my eyes to injustices people with disabilities faced, but I was struck the hardest during recess in elementary school. I would watch everybody run excitedly to the swings and slides as my friend was confined to the pavement outside of the perimeter, not even being able to enter due to the woodchips. I thought, why can’t playgrounds be made inclusive?

Nearly one in five people have a disability in the U.S, yet the majority of playgrounds aren’t built to be usable by them. While playgrounds don’t seem very important for people who have always had them available, it means the world to those without the same privileges. After driving hours to visit a wheelchair-friendly playground, Lisa Vaccino, who has a son with cerebral palsy, said, “When we got back into the car that day I didn’t even have to ask him. He said, ‘That was fun!’ That was a lot coming from him. That was huge.” Inclusive playgrounds are game-changers for children with disabilities and their parents.

And, although the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) requirements have improved to require public playgrounds to have paths accessible by wheelchair, the difference between ADA-compliant and inclusive is stark. As Jill Asher, co-founder and co-executive director of the Magical Bridge Foundation, said, “Just because I can access something doesn’t mean I can enjoy it.” Although improvements are being attempted, there is still a very long way to go.

Wheelchair-accessible playgrounds not only open doors for children with disabilities and children without them to interact, but they also encourage a healthy lifestyle. Research shows that playgrounds strengthen childhood development by honing problem-solving and social skills, lowering stress levels, and helping fight certain chronic diseases.

Whether you’re a government official, a parent, an educator, or a high school student like me, you can do something to help. From donating to pre-existing foundations for wheelchair-accessible playgrounds to petitioning to construct such playgrounds to your city officials, you have the power to create change.

Every child deserves to be able to play on a playground!

Sources

Barber, M. (2018, July 20). Why cities need accessible playgrounds. Curbed. Retrieved February 18, 2022, from https://archive.curbed.com/2018/7/20/17582148/accessible-playgrounds-design-ada-standards-inclusive

Dmello, S. (n.d.). Shaun Dmello. Playground, Surfacing, Parks, Athletic, Aquatic, Play Professionals. Retrieved February 18, 2022, from https://playgroundprofessionals.com/playground/inclusion/why-it-necessary-make-playgrounds-accessible-all

Hughes, J. V. (2008, July 6). Playgrounds that welcome wheelchairs. The New York Times. Retrieved February 18, 2022, from https://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/06/nyregion/nyregionspecial2/06Rplayground.html

How the K-pop Industry is Not “Smooth Like Butter”

2022-06-20T11:07:00.003-05:00

by Joshua Hong

World-famous Kpop group, BTS (Credit: Twitter)

Money floods from her pocket, her face shifts permanently, and yet her insecurities drown her as she aspires to appear identical to the face on every billboard in the country. An unattainable and pure look: consisting of a pale complexion, double eyelids, a sharp jawline, a slim figure, and more desiderata positioned on a perpetual list, shapes the harsh beauty regulations South Korea embedded into their society.

The mental health of countless South Koreans is progressively waning. And who is to blame? K-pop.

South Koreans are notoriously known for their excessive beauty standards and obsession with altering their appearances, whether practicing make-up to unrecognizable states or simply falling victim to cosmetic surgeries to fit the trend. And with the increasing influence of K-pop, Korea’s unrealistic beauty standards are being advertised more than ever before. Unfortunately, as K-pop’s pervasiveness becomes apparent, so do the increasing mental health rates that exert on young people, particularly teenagers. Numerous teens are struggling to conform to these societal expectations popularized by the K-pop industry, consequently, distressing with body image issues.

K-pop companies are primarily responsible; their perpetuation of the already stringent beauty regulations directly links to the suffering of not only the fans but the stars as well. The companies rigorously stipulate the stars to satisfy the beauty ideals. Momo, a member of the renowned K-pop group Twice, confessed that she was once ordered to lose seven kilograms in a week. With other prominent artists like Jisoo from Blackpink and Bae Suzy portraying the homologous face of the beauty standard, fans desperately desire to look like them. That expected norm instituted by the companies inevitably prompts the fans to compare their natural features to the ones of their idols. Therefore, body image issues develop and many suffer from mental health concerns, particularly depression. They begin to ask themselves: “Am I enough?”

When viewing the pleasing appearances of K-pop stars, it is only expected for a fan to compare their looks to the ones dwelling in the beauty standard. Even I, a 16-year-old Korean-American, trivialize my looks in comparison to the almost perfect beauty of these K-pop stars. I recognize and distinguish flaws in my appearance on the account of coming across the beauty regulations the K-pop industry fixed and commercialized with their artists. Much like myself, many Koreans eventually turn to jealousy and some can’t handle the overbearing self-consciousness that tyrannizes their lives.

If K-pop did not pressurize fans and artists to appear in a particular way that satisfies the beauty standards, women would undoubtedly feel comfortable enough to face the outside world without diffidence. It’s about time Koreans acknowledge the present decadence in the K-pop culture and bolster their own character and individuality instead.

Sources

Cho, Karin. “The Destructive Effects of South Korea's Beauty Standards.” Medium. 22 May. 2020.

Stevenson, Alexandra. “South Korea Loves Plastic Surgery and Makeup. Some Women Want to Change That.” The New York Times. 23 Nov. 2018.

Teen Arts

2022-06-18T11:39:00.001-05:00

2022 Teen Arts

by Emma Reznick

This year, Biotech’s A&E presented the fruits of their labor at the Monmouth Teen Arts festival on March 17th and 18th, held at Brookdale Community College, with the categories of Dance, Theatre (Drama), Musical Theatre*, Choir, Vocal Solo and Small Vocal Ensemble, Jazz and Large Instrumental Ensemble, Instrumental Solo and Small Instrumental Ensemble, Piano, Creative Writing, Visual Art, Photography, and Video (Film). A&E members – and other BTHS students – showcased individual art as well as group performances Keep reading to appreciate BTHS student works. DISCLAIMER: All works below are shown with the permission of the creator.

Arsheya Puri, Visual Art and Photography

Kevin Yuan, Poetry

Imagine

Being a mayfly—

Spending months in murky water,

Dreaming of growing wings;

Finally, it emerges from its past self's shell for the last time,

Furiously soaring and flipping in the moonlight

For little more than a day's worth of time

Before the embers of its life go dark.

Imagine being reborn

Radiant for one precious day,

Dying silently the next;

You might rage at the universe—

At its blatant iniquity—

Fighting the darkness clouding the edges of your reality

You might hope,

Hope for just one more moment

That you might gaze upon the starry tapestry above

And feel the air rush past your weary limbs.

You might even be content,

Knowing your legacy would be

Only of your glorious, triumphant flight

Sabrina Xi’s “To Hold a Beautiful Girl’s Hand”, Poetry

Here is how it goes:

there is a beautiful girl sitting next to you. She is truly beautiful, far more beautiful than you are.

You love her.

This is reminiscent of another poem—that one starts with a beautiful boy sitting next to another

you in a car that loves the other you.

Perhaps that is how all love starts: sitting next to someone. Loving them. Yearning to touch.

The beautiful girl sitting next to you on the couch has a beautiful hand lying on that couch. It is a

truly beautiful hand:

Firm. Broad. Calloused and rough and capable. If she pressed both of them on your shoulder

blades your back would be warmed by the sun. If she twined them together they would grow into

wings so big she would be carried away out of instinct and centuries of evolution and instinct. If

she twined them together you would never be able to breathe again

because you would never be able to hold those beautiful rough and calloused hands

in yours

again,

though of course you have only held them once,

roughly and coarsely as if you did not cherish it

when you meant, of course, the complete opposite.

They are beautiful hands. Truly beautiful hands. She is a truly beautiful girl.

You want to hold her hand. You want to breathe. You cannot breathe if you are not holding her

hand,

because, of course, you are young and sputtering

and all you want to do (now or ever) is to hold a beautiful girl’s hand in your own

and feel its shape and its texture and trace the life-lines like they mean something,

like you holding her hand means something

to you

and to her.

You want to hold a beautiful girl’s hand

but of course you shouldn’t because she is a beautiful girl and you, of course, are not a beautiful

girl

or even an ugly boy.

And yet, you want to hold that beautiful girl’s hand

because of course you do

and when she smiles at you, all crooked teeth and mishmashed lips,

you suffocate underneath the weight of your desire.

She smiles at you and you pine and you wonder

if she would say yes, maybe,

if you asked.

You touched her arm, once. It was soft, slightly bristly from where the hair poked at your own.

It was lovely.

There is nothing quite so lovely as the feeling of her limbs touching yours, skin-on-skin.

There is nothing quite so lonely as yearning.

There is nothing quite so lonely as

when a beautiful girl is sitting next to you and you want to ask her to hold her hand but you can’t

so you sit there in silence and want

and want and want and want

to touch her and hold her

and want and want and want

to ask her if you could mean as much to her as she means to you

and want and want and want

to know if there is love between you

and want and want and want

to hold her hand

(and not just any beautiful girl’s hand)

in yours.

Janie Lee, Visual Art with Digital Tools, also exhibited at Freehold Raceway Mall

Dalal Ijeh’s Lunch Break!, Visual Art in Ink, also exhibited at Freehold Raceway Mall

Many other BTHS students also exhibited their talent at Teen Arts, including performances from BTHS Choir, BTHS Dance Team, Beats for a Cause, and a performance of the BTHS school musical. Several students were awarded for their hard work and proceeded to the state-level competition or had their work exhibited at Freehold Raceway Mall. Overall, Teen Arts Festival was a wonderful display of art from BTHS students, and will hopefully continue to be so in the coming year.