JFK Live 2010 Opinions

Posted on 14. Apr, 2010 by joannagreer in Op-Ed

By Shri Tanna

Kennedy’s annual talent show, JFK Live, took place in the auditorium on March 18. In a year full of musical numbers and dances, the show was a big success, selling out, and drawing kids from all over the area to come see Kennedy’s talent. “It was awesome,” Junior Jeries Hijazin says. While the show was a big success and sold many tickets, not everyone was as pleased as Hijazin.

Junior Justin Kidwell, a musician himself, says “I was expecting a better prepared show; however, the audio system wasn’t properly set up.” Kidwell heard that the performers had minimal practice with the microphones before the show. The technical problems of the sound system affected many groups, including the one in which this reporter performed. Junior Obi Igbo, who played drums for the same group said “If the singers sang any closer to the microphones, it would have been down their throats.” Igbo felt that the microphones just were not working at all. The sound system seemed to improve as the show progressed but it remained a problem the whole night.

Not all the groups were hurt badly by the audio system. Dancer Rhitu Risal, who partnered with Johnathan Ocampo, was excited by the way the crowd responded to their performance. “I left my mark at Kennedy,” said senior Risal.

Briana Funes was in a dance routine as well as a musical act, and she said “I was scared, but fear comes from the sense of having no control, so I took control and did my thing.”

Junior Rosa Tellez also performed, and she was very happy with how it went. “The talent was good this year and it will be good next year, too,” said Tellez.

Many of the people in this year’s show will be around next year to perform. But isn’t it unfair to the performers to not even be heard after all their practice? Isn’t it unfair to the audience paying to see a show where they don’t get the best product possible? Should the SGA work on getting a better sound system for next year’s show? The answer to all of these questions in this reporter’s opinion is yes, but what do you think?

Kennedy’s Reputation: Fair or unfair?

Posted on 10. Nov, 2009 by joannagreer in Op-Ed

by Shri Tanna, Class of 2011

The extensive media coverage of the attack on Senior Temperance Maupin at a football game several weeks ago has definitely stirred talk in the community about Kennedy’s reputation. Principal Thomas Anderson, along with most of the staff and students at Kennedy, feel that Kennedy is overall a very good school. Anderson claims that out of about 1500 students, there are only 20 kids that cause problems, and the positive contributions of the other 1480 should not be overlooked. Most of the students at Kennedy have similar views on the matter. When asked if the fights change their perceptions of Kennedy, Juniors Andrew Wesley and Samir Suliman both said no. However, they both felt that Kennedy’s reputation was being negatively perceived in the community. The media showed the video footage of the assault numerous times, and for many people, it is a depiction of what Kennedy is actually like. Many students feel this depiction is wrong.

Tight-lipped, Senior Sheila Pierre-Louis reacts to the news report.

Kia Davis, a math teacher at Kennedy, said during the meeting that there needs to be more a sense of community. She went on to say that the girls that partake in these fights are the ones in trouble. She added on that a sense of community starts by “making a connection,” as simple as a greeting. This would make these troubled kids realize that there are adults who acknowledge them and keep them from making wrong decisions, aside from administration. By creating a sense of community, Davis feels that these incidents can be minimized.

Josline Ali-Napo, Temperance’s teammate on the Poms Squad, says “Fights happen at Kennedy and it’s nothing new, but this time it was different, and makes Kennedy looks like a really bad and unsafe school.” She went on to say how this particular incident affects her on a personal level, but she added that she feels that the administration is doing everything it can to keep the students at Kennedy safe. Many parents present at the October 1st meeting echoed this message. One parent said he knows the school, and that it’s unfortunate how the media is portraying Kennedy.

Seniors Israel Tesfaye and Noe Rivera see the report for the first time.

Kennedy is certainly not the only school to have fights, but it is often scrutinized over the issue. This negative attention is becoming a problem for many students, staff, parents, and the administration of Kennedy. Many students at Kennedy agree that we live in a safe learning environment. Parents and students both say that the media should start focusing on the good things about Kennedy. It’s like Mr. Anderson says, “Don’t let the actions a few overshadow the positive contributions of many.”

Educated Choices or Uninformed Ones

Posted on 09. Nov, 2009 by joannagreer in Op-Ed

By Saul Rubin (Class of 2011)

It has been brought to my attention in one class discussion that many of the students at JFK will not get an H1N1 vaccination.  Stop the madness!!!  How can this be?  I was trying hard to understand this position.

During my investigation to understand the reasoning of both sides, I emailed Lauren McAuliffe, a health education teacher at Kennedy to see if I could interview her sixth period class to get a clear sense of their view on this. I went to the classroom and introduced myself and told everyone to please stand up and to separate themselves to opposite sides of the room, one side for vaccination and the other against.

Students were initially shy about their opinions. One tenth grader named Miriam said she doesn’t believe in the vaccine and said “they (the producers of the vaccine) developed it in such a short period of time and it has so many side effects.”  Her side of the classroom was in general agreement with her statement. I asked her simply “What in your opinion are the side effects of taking the H1N1 vaccination?” I soon got a response I was not anticipating as Miriam told me that a cheerleader that she saw on a You Tube video had received the vaccination and now has a strange neurological disorder.

After the class I searched for this video and found it here.

According to the video that was originated by Inside Edition, Desiree Jennings was vaccinated and 10 days later contracted a very rare neurological disorder called Dystonia, a disorder that makes voluntary muscle function involuntarily.  It is difficult to watch the video because you feel sorry her.

Upon further research, I contacted the Dystonia Medical Research Foundation (DMRF) whose primary goal is to help the lives of people with dystonia.  Julie Mack, the Administrative Coordinator at DMRF, contacted me with the statement that “The DMRF is not aware of any information or research showing that the seasonal flu vaccine causes dystonia.  Based on the footage that has been shared with the public, it is their unanimous consensus that this case does not appear to be dystonia”.

So what is going on?  What if people don’t get the flu shot because they are afraid of erroneous aftereffects?  Where was the reporter in all of this?  Do they realize that people might die from the flu because they won’t take the shot?  Is the media being responsible or just exaggerating this poor woman’s condition without checking all the facts?

It was not that hard to email the Dystonia Foundation.  Thus, it was not that difficult to check out a story that turns out to be wrong.

The CDC reports on their website that the H1N1 and seasonal flu vaccinations “have undergone all the safety testing and quality checks that are usually done for other vaccines. We expect the 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine to have a similar safety profile as seasonal flu vaccines, which have a very good safety track record. Over the years, hundreds of millions of Americans have received seasonal flu vaccines. The most common side effects following flu vaccinations are mild, such as soreness, redness, tenderness or swelling where the shot was given.”

We all go to physicians and doctors who have spent years in medical schools around the globe studying these types of viruses. Quite simply, we are not doctors of medicine, and should not double think the overwhelming amount of doctors who believe in and administer vaccinations every day to patients.

A doctor’s job is to make sure people get better and feel good. It is not the goal of these people to make lives miserable and cause disease. When you go to the doctor, you might not agree with their opinion and you can go to another for another one, but doctors today agree that the flu vaccination significantly reduces your chances of contracting the virus.

Today, the government is scrambling to order more vaccinations for the overwhelming amount of people who want the vaccine. The choice inevitably is ours. If you get the H1N1 or the seasonal influenza vaccination your chances of contracting these potentially deadly viruses significantly reduces.

It is up to you now. Are you going to make educated choices or uninformed ones?  Your life may be at stake.

Those Who Can Fight, Don’t

Posted on 08. Nov, 2009 by joannagreer in Op-Ed

By Ellen Morrison (Class of 2010), in her own words.

“There are two different types of fighting.  The first kind is regulated, controlled, competitive, and in good measure.  The second kind is cheap, uncalled for, and degrading.  I believe in the first kind of fighting.

In the beginning of my sixth grade summer, I began Taekwondo.  I became a competitive fighter who loved to fight.  But I never fought outside of the ring.  I learned that the only reason to fight outside the ring is for self-defense.  While I love the rush of adrenaline when I fight, I would never fight unless it was regulated.

Fighting in the streets on in the hallways looks stupid and like a joke.  If you want to fight and actually look “cool” and have respect, join martial arts or boxing and train hard and earn your respect as a real fighter.”