ART FOSTERS New England High School Journalism Collaborative | Regis College nehsjc.com/theleague CITY UNIFICATION olume 30 BY NINA TAYLOR-DUNN ’s swift response to the recent van- dalism of the Holocaust Memorial has been a testament to tolerance and inclusion. “As a city, we stand with the Jewish com- June 2017 V munity,” Mayor Marty Walsh said at a press conference Wednesday morning with law en- forcement officials and Jewish leaders at the memorial. “We stand side by side, shoulder to

“I think it makes a tremendous amount of sense for cities to adopt immigrant friendly policies... not all of them have to look the same.” –Iván Espinoza-Madrigal, executive director of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights

PHOTO CREDIT: NINA TAYLOR-DUNN The vandalized Holocaust Memorial.

“As a city, we stand with the Jewish community,” said Mayor Marty Walsh. “We stand side by side, shoulder to shoulder, to say we support you.”

shoulder, to say we support you.” Earlier Wednesday morning, the received an emergency call about the destruction of the New England Holocaust Memorial, said Superintendent- PHOTO CREDIT: BIANCA PALMARINI in-Chief William Gross. The perpetrator had The plaza at Long Wharf. broken a nine-foot panel of glass on one of the six 54-foot towers. James Isaac of Roxbury was arrested for the crime of destruction of a memorial and willful and malicious destruc- tion of public property, Gross said. Sanctuary cities ignite hope First dedicated in 1995, the Memorial was funded by Stephen Ross and Israel Arbeiter, BY JODEE FRIAS AND JULIAN VIVIESCAS sanctuary cities. cities that harbor illegal immigrants,” survivors of the Holocaust who emigrated to hat does one do when their A is “a city limiting its said White House Press Secretary Sean Boston in the late 1940s. A reminder of the child comes home crying be- cooperation with the national govern- Spicer in January. six million Jewish people who were killed by Wcause their teacher told them ment to enforce immigration law,” and “It struck a tremendous amount the Nazis, the glass towers are etched with President Trump wants to deport them? cities with similar titles are popping up of fear in immigrant families and numbers representing the tattoos on the arms Answering calls from undocumented in , such as freedom cit- immigrant communities,” said of those who were forced into camps. immigrants was how Iván Espinoza- ies and welcoming cities. These cities all Espinoza-Madrigal. “I think it makes a “This is part of our families. We meet here Madrigal–executive director of the have a common goal: to protect undocu- tremendous amount of sense for cities every year, the Holocaust survivors, to remem- Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights– mented immigrants. to adopt immigrant friendly policies... ber why this Memorial is here,” said Arbeiter, spent his days following the President’s “We’re going to strip federal grant president of the American Association of executive order to cut federal funds for money from the sanctuary states and SANCTUARY CITIES continues on page 9 HOLOCAUST continues on page 11

BY PAUL LAMBERT AND DJ LOPES including a bag of peanuts being thrown his hen a new Red Sox ownership took way. The next day, a fan was ejected for using over in 2002, one of its goals was to cre- a slur to describe the performance of a Kenyan Fenway: Wate a more family-friendly environment woman singing the National Anthem. that would help enhance the overall legacy of the The day after the Jones incident, Red Sox team. Another one of their challenges was to put President Sam Kennedy and Principal owner Friendly their past to rest in regards to race relations. John Henry visited the Orioles clubhouse to Twice this year, however, the Red Sox and apologize to Jones, who was surprised the Boston have found themselves at the center of apology was even given, according to Kennedy. for all attention over racial issues, with multiple fans “His attitude was one of ‘Hey guys, what using racial slurs both at, and in reference to are you doing here? Why are you apologizing? PHOTO CREDIT: BIANCA PALMARINI people of color on the field. This isn’t your fault,”’ Kennedy said. Red Sox President Sam Kennedy, left, and historian Gordon Edes. On May 1st, Baltimore Orioles outfielder Adam Jones was at the center of racist taunts, TALKING SPORTS continues on page 5 PHOTO CREDIT: EZEKIEL MORIARTY Part of the Syrian refugees photo exhibit.

Shining light on the faces of Syrian refugees Travel ban leaves BY KIRAN JAGTIANI AND EZEKIEL MORIARTY she immediately agreed to help. display in Boston City Hall in honor of uncertainty bout a year ago, photographer That was the beginning of the Faces Immigrant Heritage Month. The exhibit Michael Cohen was sitting in of Syrian Refugees photo exhibit, a dis- presents life-size images of 20 different BY KIRAN JAGTIANI AND EZEKIEL MORIARTY Ahis synagogue listening to a talk play of portraits of refugees intended Syrian refugees from Germany, Canada he Faces of Syrian Refugees photo ex- about a refugee camp in Jordan. The to counteract the negative portrayal in and the . Thibit in Boston City Hall has brought speaker, Professor Dana Janbek from the media. With the help of Janbek and “Every year, I would say to my- renewed attention to the refugee crisis. Lasell College, was talking about her ex- journalist Amy Bracken, Cohen cre- self that the world was going to step The crisis influences both art and US periences in the Zaatari refugee camp. ated an exhibit that shines light on the in before this gets any worse. And of policy. One of those major policies is While listening, Cohen had an idea: celebrations, hardships and hope for course, the world has not stepped in,” President Trump’s travel ban, which was What about documenting the lives of set- the future that many established refu- said Cohen. Americans are introduced originally blocked. However, the Supreme tled Syrian refugees? Cohen approached gees have in their new countries. For to Syrian refugees through the media, Court recently allowed most of the Trump Janbek with the project proposal, and the month of June, the exhibit was on travel ban to take effect. SYRIAN continues on page 4 After the executive order was initially blocked, there has been a lengthy appeal process led by the Trump administration. On Tuesday, the Supreme Court partially reinstated the ban, and the case will be heard again in the fall. Boston celebrates Immigrant Heritage Month The new ban is enforced on Syria, Iran, BY ROHAN KUMAR Yemen, Libya, Somalia and Sudan, and it he Immigrant Heritage Month ing to St. Guillen, is to “recognize the only exempts individuals who have a close initiative was set up by Welcome. contributions of immigrants and the “familial relationship” with a person in Tus, a pro-immigration advocacy children of immigrants. We want to the United States. Multiple organizations group, during the month of June to cele- show how immigrants have shaped the have released statements expressing their brate and show solidarity with an exten- United States into what it is currently.” disapproval with the ban. sive cross-section of the US population. “A further goal is to diffuse the Ali Noorani, the executive director at The events held to celebrate the im- American and non-American idea the National Immigration Forum, released migrant population of Boston are as di- by spreading the idea that we are all a statement disapproving of the travel ban. verse as the people themselves. Americans and on a certain level, immi- “A travel ban aimed at people from One of the events that headlined grants,” added St. Guillen. Muslim-majority countries does not align Heritage Month in Boston was the Faces The events happening in Boston with our shared values as Americans, nor of Refugees exhibit in City Hall. The during June are only a part of the na- PHOTO CREDIT: ROHAN KUMAR is it an effective way to ensure our national exhibit profiles 20 Syrian refugees who tionwide program. Immigrant Heritage The banner from last year’s celebration. security,” said Noorani in a press release. fled their homeland and have resettled in Month was organized by Welcome.us, Organizations such as the Federation Europe and North America. Boston is the the non-political wing of Forward.us, for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) first stop for the exhibit, before it travels a non-profit political action group. The of a broader year-long Welcome.us pro- believe otherwise. Dave Ray, the director across the country for the next year. intent is to mobilize the tech commu- gram called “I Stand With Immigrants.” of communications for FAIR, praised the The Mayor’s Office of Immigrant nity to promote policies that keep the According to the Welcome.us website, the travel ban in an email statement. Advancement, headed by Alejandra St. US competitive in a global economy, program, “provides new avenues for in- He stated that the temporary ban in ad- Guillen, was the organizer behind the by “fixing our broken immigration sys- dividuals, companies, organizations, and missions from countries that are known as Boston events. tem,” according to the group’s website. public leaders – to take action in support a “hotbed of jihadist terrorism” will allow The goal of the program, accord- Additionally, this year marks the start TRAVEL BAN continues on page 4 HERITAGE continues on page 11

2 THE LEAGUE | JUNE, 2017 STAFF REPORTERS Michelle Johnson Boston University, Thomas Coughlin Professor, Journalism Southeastern NEHSJC Web Regional Vocational Producer Technical High School Colleen Stephanie Da Costa Malachowski Pereira Regis College, Carole Josiah Quincy Upper Remick Endowed School Chair of Journalism Emmanuel Desir Corey Allen Boston Latin Boston Public Schools Academy NEHSJC Board Jodee Frias Member Avon Middle-High Paula Bouknight School Kiran Jagtiani NEHSJC Board Stamford High School Member Rohan Kumar Ann Mortiz Nashua High School Moritz Advisory South Group Paul Lambert NEHSJC Board Grafton High School Member

Daniel Lopes WRITING COACHES Coventry High School Cristella Guerra Rachel Marble The Boston Globe Oakmont Regional Mike Carraggi High School Patch.com, Regional Ezekiel Moriarty Manager ILLUSTRATION CREDIT: EZEKIEL MORIARTY Fenway High School GUEST SPEAKERS Bianca Palmarini Josiah Quincy Upper Craig Walker Embracing inclusion and diversity School The Boston Globe, Photojournalist Nina Taylor-Dunn With the growing polarization, not only emergencies with resilience. It’s a city opinion with the other so that our readers Boston Arts Academy Helen Smith in the United States, but also in the world, that focuses on the next generation with can see the light in reporting as we see it. New England it has become more and more difficult to programs in the Boston Public Schools The League presents all these potentially Morgan Therrien Scholastic Press work together. Recognizing that the key to- system and at the college level. Whether controversial happenings in a way so that Wahconah Regional Association, Executive wards advancement is harmony, Boston, a it’s education, race, or immigration, you, our reader, may form your own opin- High School Director leading city in the United States, is empha- Boston takes on any issue by uniting the ion from the facts. Julian Viviescas sizing the importance of coming together. city based on our similarities rather than Promoting not tolerance, but all-out Milton Valencia Lowell High School Boston has donned its shining armor separating based on differences. inclusion, The League’s end aspiration is The Boston Globe, and prepared the city to fight back from In these times where journalism has to help our readers understand, even if it’s Ivy Wang Reporter adversity. Devoting its attention on the been under heavy criticism, we realize just a little more, the other communities The Bromfield School NEHSJC President city’s weaknesses, Boston is providing the importance of telling the truth – the that they may not be a part of and see how Alicia Zou Jason Johnson support by embracing the diversity in impartial, unsullied truth. Tackling that our city of Boston is working to integrate all uAspire, Director of the police force and workforce and giv- tremendous challenge with guidance from its neighborhoods to move forward. Idea: ing immigrants a home away from home. our seasoned mentors, we have taken tire- After covering the stories we have, we RESIDENTIAL Communications/ In the near future, people will see Boston less efforts to ensure the accuracy of our can see the hope for the future. ADVISORS Public Relations as a sanctuary city that can recover from facts. We have made sure to balance each – Alicia Zou and Ivy Wang Baylee Wright Teresa Hanafin Syracuse University The Boston Globe, Newsletters Editor Tia DiSalvo Hofstra University Nicole Dungka five will be headed to colleges around the The Boston Globe, ABOUT US country in the fall. Tyler Maheu Spotlight Reporter We each began this program with one Lasell College BY PAUL LAMBERT goal in mind: to get that newsroom expe- SPECIAL THANKS hat do the NFL, the League of rience that simply cannot be found in a PROFESSIONAL The Carole Remick WNations, and a local weeknight classroom, a lecture, or a textbook. Over STAFF Foundation bowling league have in common? The the last week we’ve made our way across Leah Lamson The Boston Globe people in each group work together to the city of Boston and beyond, while find- achieve a shared goal. ing new places, meeting new people, and NEHSJC Managing NEW ENGLAND HIGH SCHOOL Regis College Director Merriam-Webster defines a league learning new things. JOURNALISM COLLABORATIVE as “an association of persons or groups Inclusion. That’s the theme of the Milton Valencia Simmons College united by common interests or goals.” newspaper this year. Inclusion has be- @NEHSJC The Boston Globe, New England Our newspaper, The League, could not come an integral part of the world we Reporter Newspaper and fit that definition more perfectly. Much live in. We’re sure the founder of the For more stories, photos, and highlights from NEHSJC President the week, visit nehsjc.org/TheLeague Press Association like a league, we come from a wide array New England High School Journalism Christine Varrieur of backgrounds. We are a group that is Collaborative, the late Carole C. Remick, TripAdvisor, Associate comprised of 16 students from 15 differ- would be proud that inclusion was cho- could work on a newspaper with profes- Creative Director ent high schools in four different states, sen for the 30th edition of the paper. After sionals and ultimately have successful NEHSJC Designer as well as three different countries. Three all, inclusion is what the Collaborative is journalism careers. That vision became of us are going into junior year in high all about. Mrs. Remick had a vision that a reality 30 years ago, and in 2017, it lives school, nine are incoming seniors, and high schoolers from all backgrounds on in The League.

THE LEAGUE | JUNE, 2017 3 Professional development course encourages debate in classrooms

BY ROHAN KUMAR duce the rate of recidivism. program. He believes that the im- n 2012, Mike Wasserman was Nearly 400 Boston teachers provement is due to an increase in approached by the Boston have taken part in this develop- student engagement. IPublic Schools with a prob- ment course, across 10 schools. “We tried to change the learn- lem: How do you spread the aca- Although the sample size is ing model where the teacher demic and societal benefits of small, Wasserman believes stands and delivers the content,” debate to all students in Boston there has been a “definite differ- he said. “We want the students Public Schools? His answer ence” in student performance active and engaged, with the was to use his organization, the in schools where EBA has been teachers acting as facilitators for Boston Debate League, to create implemented. He pointed out a class discussion.” a program called Evidence-Based two schools that have performed Not only is the program Argumentation (EBA). better than average, Burke High boosting academic performance, Five years later, EBA has School and Mildred Avenue K-8, it is also extremely popular grown into a professional devel- as a result of this program. among teachers. According to opment course administered to Boston Debate League’s web- teachers within the school sys- “We tried to change the site, “Teachers who participated tem. During this course, teach- unanimously agreed that they ers are taught how to analyze learning model ... We want would recommend this course to and highlight evidence specific the students active and their colleagues.” to their claims to reinforce the engaged, with the teachers Currently, the program is strategy in the classroom. acting as facilitators for exclusive to the Boston Public For example, if a teacher asks School system. However, PHOTOS PROVIDED BY TEEP students to evaluate the historical a class discussion, said Wasserman said that debate Photo illustration of TEEP programs. claim that Abraham Lincoln was Wasserman.” leagues in Rhode Island and the best president of the United Minnesota have shown interest States, the students would be re- Mildred Avenue showed the in developing a similar program. quired to find evidence that sup- second best student growth on Ashley Belanger, the execu- ports that claim, thus creating an the PARCC, a yearly test given to tive director of the Rhode Island Trinity taps student potential argument to support it. all Massachusetts students that Urban Debate League, said that EBA is part of a broader trend measures academic performance they are implementing their own BY STEPHANIE DA COSTA PEREIRA that has been sweeping the na- growth. Meanwhile, Burke be- EBA initiative in Providence, eing a kid can be hard, but the Trinity Education for tion. In hospitals, the integra- came the first high school in using a similar professional de- Excellence Program (TEEP) is there to lend a hand by help- tion of best-available evidence Massachusetts to be taken off velopment course. Bing youth with difficult situations. TEEP is a leadership and is crucial in deciding on various probationary status, as it has im- According to its website, be- development program on a mission to build a safe and supportive patients’ treatment plans, accord- proved student academic perfor- cause of its success, the Boston community for Boston’s youth of color, where every participant is ing to the Academy of Medical- mance over the past few years. Debate League plans to expose inspired to explore and empowered to achieve. Surgical Nurses. Evidence-based Wasserman said that the head- every student and teacher in TEEP is part of Trinity Boston Foundation, an organization practices are also used in court masters of those schools have the city’s public schools to EBA aimed at strengthening community health and cohesion across systems across the country to re- attributed the growth to the EBA techniques. Boston by supporting youth. “In my own experience there’s a lot of untapped and unseen potential in the young people in this city,” says Rebecca Jackson, a social worker at Trinity Boston Foundation. TEEP’s goal is to SYRIAN continued from page 2 paring it to a “questionnaire you might usually see “give the young people that they serve the best possible service showing frightening and sad photos of migrants in Vanity Fair.” Though Bracken believes it’s a very that they can give them and sort of be their best selves.” struggling to escape, he said. different format, she loved it. Jackson says programs like TEEP can also help young people “We kind of got a look at Syrian refugees at their “I think people find [it] refreshing,” she said. be better students. According to Boston Public Schools in 2015, worst,” he said. “And I thought, well maybe there’s a However, Bracken said that their biggest chal- the graduation rate was at 70.7 percent and the dropout rate 4.4 way to reintroduce Syrian refugees to Americans and lenge was doing justice to the refugees. The team percent. In 2016, the graduation rate was 72.4 percent and the show them what it looks like when they are welcomed sat with people for about an hour and a half, to get dropout rate 4.5 percent. to a new community and they are thriving.” to know each of the refugees. At TEEP, counselors build relationships with kids that may not And the exhibit does just that. Cohen, Bracken “What you see on these panels is just a very be possible otherwise. TEEP works with students to improve their and Janbek had traveled to meet and interview ref- small portion of our actual conversations,” she said. behavior and academics in school, and works with teachers to ugees who had been living in their new homes for at “It’s hard presenting few questions and answers, create better relationships with kids. least a year. They asked them questions that would knowing it’s a very incomplete picture.” TEEP recruits students when they are in the sixth grade. The be asked of anyone else, such as their favorite song Bracken says the refugees have much deeper sto- kids participate in project-based academic work and experiential or what makes them happy. The questions and an- ries that couldn’t be presented in a Q&A format, but learning such as cultural and community enrichment, sailing, cre- swers were accompanied by beautiful portraits and the simpler presentation makes it more accessible ative writing, and photography to better prepare for the future. full body photos of each refugee. and appealing to the audience. Creating the personal Students have the opportunity to graduate into the Leadership “I think people are very struck by how beauti- connection with the audience allowed Bracken and Development Program, a program exclusively for former TEEP ful the photos are,” said Bracken, who worked on her team to complete their goal of educating the pub- participants. After spending many years together through the pro- the interviews and questionnaire. She says the most lic on how similar the lives of Syrian refugees are to gram, students form a family-like environment, where they feel captivating part is the format of the exhibit, com- Americans, she said. comfortable with each other. The relationships stick with the kids for the rest of their lives. The associate director of TEEP’s middle school program, Ana Gonzalez is a graduate of the program and TRAVEL BAN continued from page 2 travel to six “terror-prone countries.” an example of the impact this program can have on participants. the country to “fully assess its ability to ensure that Over 5 million have registered in new countries All graduates of TEEP’s high school program or LDP have we’re not only admitting those who wish to come since the civil war began in 2011. Around 996,806 completed college or armed services training within five years of here with the intentions of harming our citizens.” live in the US, Canada and Europe. About 18,000 graduating high school, the website posts. According to a statement from the White House, refugees currently live in the US, while northern “The common thread is that we want the people that we work the ban is a “clear victory for national security.” The European countries such as Germany and Sweden with to have trust in the world and to have relationship skills that President also refers to the ban as one that suspends currently have hundreds of thousands. they can translate into other opportunities,” says Jackson.

4 THE LEAGUE | JUNE, 2017 Rising through the ranks

BY IVY WANG has a tremendous impact,” he said. uring the past two years, the number According to WGBH, 42 percent of su- of applicants signing up to become perintendent-level positions in the Boston Dpolice officers has dropped signifi- Police Department are now filled by mi- cantly across the nation, especially among norities. However, that ratio is not the minority groups, according to the head of same for other supervisory positions. Of the state’s major police chief’s, group. 26 captains, only three are people of color. Chelsea Police Chief Brian Kyes, Only eight of 78 lieutenants are from mi- who also serves as president of the nority groups. Massachusetts Major City Chiefs of Police, Gaskins added that increasing diver- attributes that drop to the current nega- sity can boost trust in the community. tive view of the police that started with the “There’s a natural bias and identity shooting of an African-American man by that happens when we see someone who police in Ferguson, Mo. in 2014. He said we identify with,” he said. “Our end goal young men and women have “become is that we want to be a reflection of our hesitant in their tracks towards becom- community.” ing an officer.” Kyes added that the way Gaskins says his plan is to continue to change the trend is to rebuild trust with gathering information about the current communities and provide young people police force in order to establish a con- with guidance. crete plan of action for recruitment. In In Boston, that guidance will now be August, he will be involved in advising a PHOTO CREDIT: IVY WANG coming from Police Diversity Recruitment counsel for the new police recruits. Police officer Michael Gaskins. Officer Michael Gaskins, who was ap- Iván Espinoza-Madrigal, executive di- pointed in February. With a background in rector of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil career counseling, Gaskins said his goal is to Rights and Economic Justice, says that is ency across the board.” Noting he had to be predominantly white, it is their mission help transition police officers of color from not enough. sue the department to get basic demo- to change that so it reflects and looks like recruitment to promotion, with emphasis on Espinoza-Madrigal’s larger concern graphic data, he believes that the “big- the city of Boston,” he says. “If the depart- getting them into commanding ranks. is that the Boston Police Department has gest roadblock is the lack of diversity as ment was as quick to hire police officers “I believe that seeing someone that yet to “really commit to making sure that a priority.” of color as it was to hire a diversity officer, looks like you who has made it to the top it has community inclusion and transpar- “If the police department continues to then we wouldn’t have a problem at all.”

TALKING SPORTS continued from page 1

Kennedy has also taken steps bers a time when it was nearly Working toward diversity to exercise the team’s zero- impossible to speak out against tolerance policy, ejecting and injustice without fear of physi- BY EMMANUEL DESIR people of color, the Walsh admin- giving lifetime bans to fans who cal harm from hecklers. anielson Tavares, istration has become the most di- use these slurs toward people of Communications Director Boston’s Chief Diversity verse in the city’s history,” says color, in the case of the fan taunt- Zineb Curran highlighted mul- DOfficer (CDO), saw the Tavares. Under Walsh, the city’s ing the singer. Despite doubts tiple new features for speaking need for his job firsthand. He was workforce has risen to 44 per- that the system for banning fans out, including sending texts to aiding a legislator at the State cent people of color. According is not strict enough, Kennedy Red Sox security or contacting House in 2011 when he learned, to Tavares, the administration assures that the process is less any usher in the stands. as he put it, “There is nothing has also diversified the police complicated than it may seem. Kennedy has been an in- that politics doesn’t apply to, it and fire departments. PHOTO CREDIT: CITY OF BOSTON “Our top-level security brass tegral force behind some of applies to everything.” Tavares The Walsh administration in- throughout the organization the projects that get people saw the importance of advocacy troduced an Interactive Employee which causes a snowball effect, know who this individual is. of all backgrounds involved and being able to help folks, es- Dashboard, which monitors each getting more minorities to apply Through electronic communi- in baseball. From funding the pecially minorities. department to see if they are meet- for jobs with the city of Boston. cation and payment systems, local RBI league for inner city After being a legislative aide, ing their requirement of recruiting “The job of CDO is new, and we can track who’s buying our youth, the BASE program, the Tavares joined Mayor Martin a diverse workforce. According as the number of CDO increase tickets and who’s not buying Boston Church League, and Walsh’s administration in 2014. to Tavares, the most intriguing across the country with the cur- our tickets, so we can prohibit Massachusetts Little League He saw this as a chance to stand part of being a diversity officer is rent rhetoric in the country right the individual from buying tick- teams, Kennedy insures that out in a young administration. working with each department to now, it is important now, more ets vis-á-vis credit card.” people of all backgrounds are He first started as Walsh’s events see if they are meeting his goals. If than ever, to realize that race is a While he admits the system involved. manager by working as a special numbers drop, these departments real issue.” says Tavares. is not foolproof, Kennedy is While some fans may be- assistant to the mayor. Tavares have to explain to his office why. Tavares’ favorite games are highly confident in its effec- lieve that winning is everything, was behind the scenes with Walsh Tavares said the dashboard up- chess, risk and monopoly. He uses tiveness. He says that while the Kennedy said he doesn’t think the for about nine months. After the dates quarterly with reports from the strategies in these games to banned fan could find a way into most important work the Red Sox CDO position opened up, he was each city department. know when and when not to strike. the park, they are putting them- ownership has done will be repre- eager to accept the role. To Tavares, the hardest part “There is a lot of strategy selves at risk of trespassing. sented by championships. With his diverse background, of this endeavor is working with involved in knowing how to ad- Since the beginning of “They [the ownership] may Tavares as CDO has worked with speciality fields such as engi- vocate. It helps me to build co- Kennedy’s involvement with the go down in history and be re- the mayor to help achieve the goal neering, where unfortunately alitions, alliances and knowing team in 2002, he can only recall membered moreso for what of a diverse and inclusive work- there is a lack of minority candi- when to take your losses,” he two times a fan was banned, they did to change the operation force in the city. Upon arrival, the dates competing for these jobs. said. “I incorporate these losses whether for a season or for life. of the ballpark and the culture city’s workforce of 18,000 was For Tavares, the most en- as valuable sacrifices when look- Red Sox historian Gordon and the mindset of the Red Sox only 37 percent people of color. couraging aspect about his job ing at the big picture, using them Edes sees the improvement and Fenway than even winning Now, “with about 50 percent is when a diversity candidate to gain trust in these coalitions within the ballpark. He remem- World Series,” Kennedy said. of the staff being made up of is hired. They tell their friends, and alliances.”

THE LEAGUE | JUNE, 2017 5 The League’s

ALICIA ZOU RACHEL MARBLE Boston Latin School, Senior Oakmont Regional High School, LINEUP Graduate

FUN FACT: Alicia’s brother Jonathan attended the NEHSJC FUN FACT: Rachel has played the program in 2015. clarinet for the last six years.

DANIEL LOPES Coventry High School, Senior

FUN FACT: DJ’s goal is to become a sports beat writer.

Celebrating its 30th year, the New England High School EMMANUEL DESIR Journalism Collaborative (NEHSJC) welcomes new Boston Latin Academy, Senior students to the program. Over the course of a week, 16 students from high schools across New England have worked diligently to produce The League. The program is sponsored by The Boston Globe, Regis College and the New England Newspaper and Press Association. FUN FACT: One of his hobbies is For the full biographies of this year’s class, critiquing E-Sports. visit www.nehsjc.org/theleague

6 THE LEAGUE | JUNE, 2017 EZEKIEL MORIARTY JULIAN VIVIESCAS NINA TAYLOR-DUNN JODEE FRIAS Fenway High School, Graduate Lowell High School, Junior Boston Arts Academy, Graduate Avon Middle-High School, Senior

FUN FACT: If Zeke could have FUN FACT: He once had two pet FUN FACT: She learned how to FUN FACT: She helped build a dinner with anyone he would birds but they opened their cage read when she was four, and later library in Botswana with the pick filmmaker David Lynch. and escaped. went on to skip first grade. African Library Project.

IVY WANG KIRAN JAGTIANI PAUL LAMBERT ROHAN KUMAR The Bromfield School, Senior Stamford High School, Senior Grafton High School, Senior Nashua High School South, Junior

FUN FACT: Her dog is named Yoda FUN FACT: It is her life goal to FUN FACT: Paul is on his high FUN FACT: Rohan knows how to after Star Wars. travel to every single country. school bowling team. play the violin.

BIANCA PALMARINI MORGAN THERRIEN STEPHANIE THOMAS COUGHLIN Josiah Quincy Upper School, Wahconah Regional High School, DA COSTA PEREIRA Southeastern Regional Vocational Graduate Graduate Josiah Quincy Upper School, Technical High School, Senior Junior

FUN FACT: Italian is her mother tongue and she also speaks FUN FACT: Morgan attended FUN FACT: He was the silver Mandarin, French, Japanese and Massachusetts Girl State where she FUN FACT: Stephanie has never recipient in a Skills USA Spanish in addition to English. learned about the government and ridden a school bus to school. competition in radio and female empowerment. television broadcasting.

THE LEAGUE | JUNE, 2017 7 Harboring a shared vision

BY KIRAN JAGTIANI AND BIANCA PALMARINI director of communications. ne of the most unique aspects of the While it is in great condition now, the en- City of Boston is its abundance of water- tire organization agrees that the harbor wasn’t Oways. However, “It stopped being a great nearly as attractive about a century ago. coastal city around the turn of the last century, “We polluted it beyond utilization in the early when we were outcompeted by New York and 1900s,” Abbott said. “In the next one hundred New Jersey as the East Coast major port,” ac- years, we [Boston] were really no longer a cording to Kathy Abbott, the Chief Executive major port, and we had trashed the waters so Officer of Boston Harbor Now. that people were not drawn to want to live or Created April 1, 2016 by merging the Boston work or play near it.” Harbor Association and the Boston Harbor Though it has come a long way from ex- Island Alliance, Boston Harbor Now is intended tremely polluted waters in the early 1900s, the to "connect all of the waterfront with the harbor organization believes there is still a lot of work itself and the islands," according to Abbott. to be done. Though the organization was originally cre- “We believe that it [the Boston Harbor] is one ated to maintain the newly cleaned harbor area, of the most underappreciated and underutilized it is also well known for hosting several low-cost assets in the region,” according to Abbott. events for everyone to enjoy. In addition to cleaning up the area and host- “We do a lot of recreational and fitness ing low-cost events for the community, Boston events,” said Rebecca Smerling, the director of Harbor Now is also determined to promote Programs of the Boston Harbor Now organi- transportation through water. According to zation. Some of them include yoga and fitness Abbott, Smerling and Merfeld, there is far too classes, hiking with rangers, tai chi and regatta much traffic in Boston, which could be cut down in the summer, according to Smerling. by adding ferries as a new form of transporta- Luckily for the organization, other entities tion, a method that has proven effectively in share the same vision, that the harbor can be- other cities across the country. come central to the City of Boston. “Mayor DeBlasio just invested one billion “Most [of our funding] is fundraised, and dollars in increasing their [New York City’s] that [money] comes from individuals, corporate water transportation, and San Francisco is foundations. There’s a little bit of government investing $550 million in theirs,” said Abbott. money in there, and there is some earned rev- “We’re doing a study now, that we hope will re- enue,” according to Abbott. sult in an increase in investment here.” Abbott Not only is it funded by other organizations, and the rest of the organization are confident but they partner with 167 non-profit groups (i.e. that if the study is completed properly, they will Boys and Girls Club, YMCA) from all over the be able to compare with larger cities, bringing PHOTO CREDIT: BIANCA PALMARINI region, including from New Hampshire and Boston back into the spotlight. Photos of Boston Harbor. Providence, according to Christian Merfeld, the

For Martin, concentrating The main disruption to building ing infrastructure, environment, City of on racial injustice is a crucial social cohesion globally as well and economics, Martin says. component. as locally is racism, Martin says. City leaders, such as Andrea “When we look at the chal- “Racism is a huge resource Patton, the communications di- firsts builds lenges with racial inequities, it’s waste. It’s a waste of human re- rector of an indicator that there’s some- sources, waste of intellectual President , are resilience thing really wrong with the sys- resources, waste of emotional hopeful that this initiative can tem, with the government, with resources, it’s a waste of lots of bring progress. BY ALICIA ZOU the specific process, policy, prac- resources,” says Martin. “We join together a lot more nder the leadership of Atyia tice,” she says. The threat to Boston’s resil- and work together a lot better Martin, Boston, a “city of Data collected to support ience is the same one affecting when we have resilient planning Ufirsts,” is making strides to Boston’s resilience strategy shows the United States, notes Martin. and when we have equitable address racial inequity, a key chal- that there is social segregation She says what worries her is the planning, so I think that we are lenge city officials see standing in among the city’s racial groups. inability of people to look beyond likely to see better economic the way of the city’s growth. “That means at a very funda- their blindspots and “break down growth, better opportunities, and Appointed by Mayor Marty mental level, we don’t have the the barriers.” opportunities for more people to J. Walsh in 2015 to build a resil- social cohesion that we need in “We have a hard time seeing call Boston home,” Patton says. ience strategy for Boston, Martin order to thrive after emergen- the connections across struggles... As one of the many cities is one of many chief officers in cies… We can’t call ourselves there’s this unnecessary competi- across the world taking part in the 100 Resilient Cities initiative resilient if more than half of our tion across groups that takes hold the 100 Resilient Cities initiative, supported by the Rockefeller population is still struggling in and we all are really dealing with Boston is not alone in addressing Foundation. Each city develops a the ways that they are right now the same issues we just don’t see it its inequities. strategy to address major shocks based on the data,” says Martin. that way,” she says. “One of the ways that we are and stresses in the face of disas- A key factor in creating a resil- Boston hopes to build resil- all similar is that we are proac- ter. Boston plans to focus on so- ient city after a disaster is social ience for all individuals and com- tively wrestling these issues and PHOTO CREDIT: CITY OF BOSTON cial and class divisions to build a cohesion or the ability and will- munities within the city. With trying to build an environment Chief Resilience Officer Atyia Martin. more socially cohesive city, says ingness to cooperate with people resilience across the city, there where it’s OK to have a growth Martin. within and outside communities. can exist unity in all areas, includ- mindset,” says Martin.

8 THE LEAGUE | JUNE, 2017 CHELSEA ACHIEVES FULL POTENTIAL

BY RACHEL MARBLE f you travel from bustling Boston across the Maurice J. Tobin Memorial Bridge, Iyou will find yourself in Chelsea. With its winding streets and simple buildings, Chelsea has been slowly gaining attention as an upcoming area after years of being a “struggling industrial city,” according to the Boston Globe. With a population of about 45,000, Chelsea is a diverse city, according to Police Chief Brian Kyes. The city is 80 percent Latino, 15 percent caucasian and 5 percent African-American, Asian and other. Chelsea has the largest number of foreign born individuals in Massachusetts. However, you can’t judge a city like Chelsea by just its numbers. Chelsea’s many community groups are all about unity and working together. Kyes mentioned three community pro- grams that have had an impact on the city: Roca (spanish translation of ‘rock’), The Chelsea Collaborative, and the city’s local Boys and Girls Club. City Manager Thomas Ambrosino says his favorite aspect of Chelsea is its “high level of collaboration between residents, govern- ment officials, and engaging community organizations.” Chelsea’s many community groups are all about unity and working together. Kyes says that every day he sees “mixed cultures working together to make the city the best place it can possibly be.” The city of Chelsea held a rally on May 1 for its residents and the partici- pants from the Everett and East Boston marches. The Chelsea Collaborative, a COURTESY PHOTO group that helps workers and immigrants, Participants gather at a Roca program. organized the event, which fought for workers’ rights and undocumented im- migrants. Ambrosino called the support from Central America, who are in danger change,” and Zulma who “learned to look of undocumented immigrants, Kyes says “heartwarming.” of getting involved with gangs or drugs. for people who could help me.” Roca gives that “the documentation status of individu- Programs in Chelsea continue to im- According to its website, Roca’s mis- these struggling individuals access to als is not part of our purview.” prove lives. The Boy’s and Girl’s Club sion is to “disrupt the cycle of incarcera- educational programs, life skills, and job The goal of the Police Department is hopes to “ensure all young people in our tion and poverty by helping young people opportunities. to “increase safety of our residents,” Kyes community have the opportunity to realize transform their lives.” Chelsea isn’t that far from Boston, said. He said “We want people to trust us their full potential,” according to its web- The website also displays testimoni- both in distance and the culturally diverse to come forward when they are a victim or site. Roca, meanwhile, focuses on strug- als from people it has helped, including groups that constitute a majority of the cit- a witness to a crime, and I think we do a gling young mothers and men, mostly men like Tyler who “didn’t think I could ies’ populations. With a significant number great job at that.”

SANCTUARY CITIES continued from page 1 not all of them have to look the same.” “Sanctuary cities and welcoming cities Police Department, when asked why BOSTON: Boston identifies itself as a Espinoza-Madrigal stressed that are a really good way to protect people at Lowell has not obtained the status. He sanctuary city, whereas the Boston Trust Trump’s order violated Constitutional the ground level and to increase public believes the loss of funding will hurt im- Act, established in 2014, ensures that the principles, such as the Separation of safety for everyone,” stated Rótolo, when migrants more, since Lowell would be un- Boston Police Department will not support Powers doctrine. Many cities question if reflecting on why the ACLU fights for the able to afford the resources it needs. Immigration and Customs Enforcement the humanity of obtaining sanctuary city spread of these areas. CAMBRIDGE: The city of Cambridge (ICE) in detainment unless there has been status outweighs the possibility of losing This is a growing issue, and many cities proudly labels itself as a sanctuary city, a criminal warrant issued. federal funding. in Massachusetts are responding differently. which is paramount to Mayor E. Denise Today’s political climate has opened The American Civil Liberties Union LOWELL: The city of Lowell does not Simmons, who prides her city on its diver- up questions as to what a sanctuary city (ACLU) works on behalf of immigrants to recognize itself as a sanctuary city due to sity and inclusivity. is and how cities can establish their own ensure their rights are being protected. Laura President Trump’s threats, although they “We have historically stood out as a immigration policies. Even though the Rótolo – Staff Counsel/Community Advocate have immigrant friendly policies. safe nation for those fleeing harm, perse- administration’s order has given sanctu- for the ACLU – came from Argentina, and it “Why would we risk hurting the very cution, and intolerance, and it is important ary cities a stigma of fear, new doors open pains her to see the communities like the one people we’re trying to protect?” said that we continue to stand by those ideals,” every day as to how cities can label them- she grew up in being targeted. Officer David Peaslee from the Lowell Simmons said via email. selves and protect their citizens.

THE LEAGUE | JUNE, 2017 9 Making place without space

BY BIANCA PALMARINI “We can’t just build buildings, we need to estled in the beating heart of build the community in and around them” Boston’s historic Chinatown, the said Jeena Hah, youth programs manager, NAsian Community Development stressing how ACDC provides ground for Corporation (ACDC) recently celebrated its members to build a strong sense of identity. 30th anniversary. The ACDC has strengthened communities Basing its services on both real estate and for the past 30 years by emphasizing the im- community development, ACDC has created portance of inviting “immigrants and young initiatives to oversee the impact of gentrifica- people to the decision table,” according to tion in the area, keeping the borders of the Hah. She believes that one of ACDC’s key neighborhood alive, and preventing them features is that they let “you, as a resident in from eroding. your neighborhood, dictate the physical land- Like other “chinatowns” across the nation, scaping of it.” This concept is backed up by the borders of culturally rich communities ACDC’s dedication to creating projects to re- are targeted to build high-end, expensive liv- claim areas. ing spaces. However, these strategies make it “We’re not building boundaries and keep- COURTESY PHOTO challenging for low-income families to con- ing people outside, rather ACDC focuses on Adobuere Ebiama portraying one of nine characters in “Mr. Joy.” tinue living in them. In order to slow down the preserving culture and livelihood,” said Hah. process of people leaving the city, ACDC has An example of how ACDC is actively work- put emphasis on creating affordable housing ing to keep the culture from fading is through to ensure that the people of Chinatown are projects like Films at the Gate, which links able to continue living in it. cinematic kung fu tradition to the streets of Neighborhood tour spreads joy Boston. Events such as these attract youth to first join as volunteers and later move on BY THOMAS COUGHLIN community. The plot shows preju- to become members of A-VOYCE, one of mid rising tensions in class dices still at large within the black ACDC’s pilot programs. Standing for Asian and social inequity in America, community. According to Dower, this Voices of Organized Youth for Community A“Mr. Joy: The Neighborhood was one of the first aspects people Empowerment, A-VOYCE has changed many Tour” tackles these issues head mentioned in the talkback commen- on. The play, a one-woman show, taries after the show. was directed by David Dower of The play’s focus on race, gen- “We can’t just build buildings, we ArtsEmerson, who worked in part- trification, and class was Dower’s need to build the community in and nership with writer Daniel Beaty. intention, while also shining a light around them,” said Jeena Hah, youth Their mission was to bring the pro- on social issues that specifically af- duction to neighborhoods that might fect the black community. This in- programs manager, stressing how not otherwise be exposed to live the- cludes the lack of availability of ACDC provides ground for members atre, and would benefit from seeing a mental health, among other services. to build a strong sense of identity. show based on the very social issues Adobuere Ebiama is the solo actress these neighborhoods face. who plays nine different characters Dower, who formerly worked as of varying race, age, and gender. The teenagers’ approach towards the area, but a community and political organizer story focuses on community reac- most importantly towards their perception of on issues of social justice, show- tions after an assault on a beloved themselves, said youth leader Jennie Chang. cased the work with help from the community member. Since the show From volunteering at Films at the Gate to Boston Mayor’s Office of Resilience originally debuted in October 2015, becoming a program manager for ACDC’s and Racial Equity. He partnered Dower and Beaty would participate latest project, Placemaking Art, Chang ad- with I Dream Boston, a community in talkback after the show. mits that “being a member of A-VOYCE has organization that works in minority “When we did it in October of inspired me to actually take actions, and communities and tries to empower in- 2015, people in the audience routinely it has led me to become more attached to dividuals to rewrite the story of race would say to us ‘we need this in our Chinatown and its residents.” and class inequity in America. neighborhood’,” says Dower speaking For the past few months, she has been in With help from I Dream Boston, on how the play encouraged ,people to charge of operations for a mural that will fit Dower brought this play to four dis- bring more attention to the show. on the borders of the neighborhood, celebrat- tinct neighborhoods – Hyde Park, Presenting “Mr. Joy” was not al- ing its history and tradition. The subject of the East Boston, Allston, and Dorchester. ways part of Dower’s plan, but was artwork is the interchange of three different According to Dower, audience mem- the idea of Beaty. Dower and his as- generations growing up in Chinatown, includ- bers were surprised to see several sociate, P. Carl, have such respect for ing images from historical spots that are still fellow community members, both Beaty that they let him create his own there and some that are only present in the partaking in and being immersed in path at ArtsEmerson. earliest residents’ memories. The mural will the production. The work of “Mr. Joy” is not yet be unveiled on July 15 in Phillip’s Square. “The audiences in these different done. Beaty and Dower will continue Reflecting on the years to come, Hah is communities were surprised to see the to push forward with I Dream Boston confident that ACDC will continue to provide [diverse] audience.” Dower said, “The to bring this show to more communi- affordable housing for low-income families, audience would comment, ‘I never sit ties. Further work on this production hoping to one day diversify the demographic in a room that looks like this’.” will allow more people to experience of the programs and foster the sense of lead- The play features a black trans- this performance. Dower stated, “I ership in the youth participants. gender character, Ashes, who is never left social justice work behind. PHOTO CREDIT: BIANCA PALMARINI “People talk about being leaders of tomor- forced to attend church by her father, And it’s the impact [on the commu- row. We’re doing it today, we don’t need to- and encounters discrimination by the nity] I’m after.” Outside the headquarters of ACDC. morrow,” she said.

10 THE LEAGUE | JUNE, 2017 College Bound turns lives around

BY MORGAN THERRIEN about half of all students go on to receive lex Diaz grew up surrounded by their bachelor’s degree. crime and gang violence. Now, he “I love every single one of our students, Ais working toward a future in auto but it’s not about them,” Culliton says, mechanics. This new future is possible adding he hopes the city will someday no- after he was introduced to College Bound tice the community changes. Dorchester in 2013. Since 2009, Culliton’s program has Diaz, now 31, says “I like being able raised $18 million in private and public to share my story with others.” The for- funds, the website says. College Bound mer gang member, who served eight Dorchester also receives support from years in prison for past crimes, will attend Massachusetts Institute of Technology Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology and Northeastern University, which evalu- in Boston in the fall. He is the first one ate the impact the program is having. from his family to go to college. As of this year, there are 65 prospective PHOTO CREDIT: MORGAN THERRIEN College Bound Dorchester is an organi- students interested in applying to the pro- College Bound students in English class. zation dedicated to giving people like Diaz gram, but only 10 slots available. Culliton a chance to turn their lives around and pur- said he wants to raise as much money as he sue an education. In 2009, Mark Culliton can to accommodate the growing program. Culliton. Culliton. Several return to work at College started the program to change the commu- Culliton said he is thrilled about the prog- Students who go through the program Bound Dorchester as advisers. nity, not just the people in the program. ress his program is making, and said “I love don’t just learn educational lessons. They One of the unique aspects of the pro- Culliton and his staff of roughly 90 watching people’s reactions to my students.” are reworking their thinking so they aren’t gram is its ability to constantly go against members have built College Bound The program runs year round, but seeing themselves as an estranged figure and challenge society’s beliefs, Culliton Dorchester into a life changing program is busier during the summer. “This is a from society, but are noticing their own stated. “The ones that are most problem- that has led to an 85 percent drop in re- world-changing opportunity. I believe in potential. atic are actually the solution. Gang mem- cidivism among its graduates. Roughly the power of education to create change, Many graduates will pursue a career bers are the next Gandhis if we believe 30 percent of College Bound’s students and that if you change the community, you in education or human services, allowing in them and their capability in creating graduate from a 2-year institution, while can create real change for everyone,” said them to give back to the community, said change,” he said.

HOLOCAUST continued from page 1

Holocaust Survivors of Greater Boston. He later “Art is one of the things we have that makes us showed a tattoo on his left arm from his time in the human,” said Julia Ryan, Artist Resource Manager concentration camps. of the Arts and Culture Department. “Public art is According to Barry Shrage, president of a tool to bring people together and have more dia- Combined Jewish Philosophies, back-up glass pan- logues about challenging subjects, which I think we els have been ready since the Memorial’s construc- need to do.” tion, and it is not expected to take long to replace With tragic events such as the vandalism of the the broken one. memorial, people seem willing to come together to The Memorial, while a reminder, is also an im- show support and concern. portant art structure. “I think it speaks volumes about what hap- Recognizing the power of art, especially pieces pens when these things happen,” Suffolk District dedicated to a painful history, Walsh’s Department Attorney Daniel Conley said. “We all come together of Arts and Culture aims to bring art to all areas of in these horrible times to speak out against this sort Boston and make it accessible in every community. of thing.” The department funds programs such as Boston Creates, Percent for Art, and the Opportunity Fund.

HERITAGE continued from page 2 of their immigrant employees, colleagues, constitu- our unique heritage.” PHOTO CREDIT: NINA TAYLOR-DUNN ents, neighbors and friends.” When asked about the success of Immigrant Welcome.us has similar goals for Heritage Month, Heritage Month, St. Guillen said, “We did well saying: “Immigrant Heritage Month gives people pushing our events through social media and our Housing art on the Greenway across the United States an opportunity to explore event last week [Syrian refugee exhibit] was a Cambridge resident Sarah Ruggiero stopped by the Rose their own heritage and celebrate the shared diversity great success.” Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway on her way to the Institute of that forms the unique story of America.” Additionally, “We have seen an incredible response to this Contemporary Art to admire The Meeting House, a public art the organization aims to “celebrate the monumental initiative. I have seen hundreds of proclamations piece created by Mark Reigelman. The yellow house-shaped contributions that immigrants have made.” from congressmen and governors declaring June structure tilts backward as it seems to be partly submerged in The impetus for creating the Heritage Month, to be Immigrant Heritage Month,” added Dhalla. one of the Greenway’s grassy fields. according to Leezia Dhalla, who is the spokes- “The more that people push the conversation “Art tends to provoke people,” said Ruggiero, when asked woman for Welcome.us, was to “recognize that, on and highlight immigrant contributions is a positive about the purpose of public art. She further explained that art some level, we are all immigrants and to reflect on and I think we helped make that happen.” tends to make people confront something that may be uncom- fortable for them.

THE LEAGUE | JUNE, 2017 11 NEHSJC SNAPSHOTS FROM THE WEEK

12 THE LEAGUE | JUNE, 2017