Black America Suffering from Two Pandemics ------Protestors Oftheblmmovement

D judged on their artistry and the difficulty difficulty the and artistry their on judged inpopularityworldwide. and hassincegrown nastics was addedtotheOlympics in1984 tistic gymnasticscounterpart,rhythmic gym to its ar sport in the United States compared over Zoom. Rhythmic Dreams, by IonelaBobrischew,HeadCoachof Turkey haveparticipated in masterclasses andtries suchasNigeria,Singapore, a massive “global experience exchange.” Needham hasfoundthesilver lining through BYJASMINE WONG continued onpage 11 RHYTHMIC GYMNASTICS T police departments and civic involvement. immigration, defunding cess tohealthcare, issues,questions focusac on environmental questions.ing, Those angry and asking hard have left many in the Black community griev COVID-19 among Black Americans from Americans, he said. COVID-19 casesanddeathsamongBlack also causing the factorshigher ratesare of and governmental Blacks. Environmental the higher rates of health issues among tories that pollute accountable to address needstoholdfac said theU.S.government Scientists, ber of the Union of Concerned BY SARA ZAKARIA New EnglandHighSchoolJournalismCollaborative |RegisCollege Rhythmic Gymnastics: In rhythmic gymnastics, gymnasts are rhythmicIn gymnastsare gymnastics, aniche Although itisoftenconsidered 22coun gymnastsfrom Since March, Derrick Z. Jackson, journalist and mem Derrick Z. Jackson, journalist June 2020 Volume 33 A GlobalExchange disproportionately high death rates highdeathrates disproportionately andthe Minneapolis policeofficer he killingofGeorge Floydbya a rhythmic gymnastics team from a rhythmic gymnastics team from competition season, away its normal sweeping espite the coronavirus Black America suffering from two pandemics ------Protestors oftheBLMmovement. taketo thestreets insupport household income of about $131,000. suburb ofManchester, hasamedian a attheschool. Bedford, program Baccalaureate in the International course load students take arigorous School (BHS) Both in New Hampshire. High both rising seniors at Bedford are receive. demographic areas different education that students who live in thedisparityin have increased before the pandemic. the pandemic. before towhatitwas diminished compared that theoverall level ofinstructionwas struction at BHS was still high, but S BYADWAY WADEKAR MILES AWAY BUT WORLDS APART Both agreed thatthequalityofin agreed Both andEmmaChisholm Mary Provost Covid-19 pandemic appear to Covid-19 pandemicappearto exist inpublicschoolsandthe tructural inequities already - the eighth grade,” Chisholm said. “I the eighth grade,”Chisholm said. “I their online work. most studentshadadevice toconduct put in place, one technology program posed bythepandemic.With aone-to- equipped tohandlethechallenges sible by email and Google Meet.” “My stillaccesteachers really were said. couldn't gettoallofit,”Provost the curriculumabitjustbecausewe for ourhistoryclasstheycutdown Left to right: Mary Provost,Left to right:Mary Howard EmmaChisholm,andRaymond “We’ve since allhadChromebooks wise,BHSwasTechnology “They hadtocutdown,Iknow PHOTO CREDIT: PIXABAY.COM contributor to COVID-19’s impact on Black impact on Black to COVID-19’s contributor of African-Americans and Latinx seriously.” take the concerns make it verytough to really this isadministration rampant throughout will theracismthat said.“But something,” Jackson level thattheadministrationwillhavetodo the pandemic. dressing ad ofBlackswhen concerns prioritize the communities. should also The government ters thatexistinhighamountsBlack mat particle fine decrease would polluters toJackson.Punishing Agency, according Protection theEnvironmental “re-energize” continued onpage5 BLACK AMERICA - Racial bias in health care is another is another bias Racial in health care “Perhaps voice raise can people to a their would beto A step in the right direction Provost said. said. Provost the schoolthatyoucould get it.” they hadsomething setupthrough needed betterWiFi inyourhome, Verizon.thing through Itwasifyou less connections at home. the wire few students with unreliable them now.” think maybeevensixthgradersget continued onpage 11 TWO SCHOOLS TWO “I sawanemailanditwassome BHS also took the initiative to help nehsjc.org/Vanguard

SUBMITTED PHOTOSSUBMITTED - - - - PHOTO CREDIT: MACKENZIE URBANO Students make their case for more jobs at a rally in Boston.

hough there were a range of ages through the conduct organizer with the City Rhode Island. at a recent Defund and Invest of the Boston Police School, began to cry as In the middle of preparing for her vir- TRally at City Hall Plaza one thing Department. YOUNG she spoke about creating tual eighth grade graduation, Thiam and was clear: The rally was entirely orga- The two organiza- safety and transforming a few peers arranged for a peaceful, arts- nized and led by youth. tions that hosted the her streets. focused protest called Silence Is Violence The gathering was similar to ones hap- rally, The City School VOICES After comforting her in Woonsocket. pening around the country as a younger and Youth Justice friend, another girl began, It was the murder of her friend that generation champions change as part of and Power Union, are “Young people are leading propelled her to act along with the de- the Black Lives Matter movement. student-oriented and RISING the front. From Boston, to spair she felt when the mostly white Following the speakers, protesters youth-led. Their mis- Minneapolis, to Palestine. peers at her private school questioned then marched to the Statehouse. Seven sion statements in- BY MACKENZIE URBANO Our mission is grand, one her motivation. She said she wanted of the 10 speakers were young women clude “building youth of justice and unity. We to channel her energy into a peaceful, of color. Appearing at times emotional, it leadership for social justice” and “fight- are the only ones leading, the only ones we artistic protest that let her community was clear how personal and painful the ing for youth jobs and liberation.” can count on right now. We must remem- express themselves. topic was to their own experiences. Both organizations focus on adoles- ber the physical and emotional pressure As the protest in Boston began to wind Their voices were pleading, angry, cents from low-income communities of this is putting on our young people.” down, one student, Amanda Brown, led inspirational, fed-up, and confident, color in Boston, which they say are dis- The emotional toll upon young Black the charge with her words of advice. as they called on Mayor Marty Walsh proportionately targeted by the police. Americans is familiar to Zainabou “Let us use this moment to trans- and the Boston City Council to end The strong emotions were evident on Thiam, 14-year-old mental health and form our city and prove Black lives really the fear pervading their neighborhoods the faces of the organizers. Marianna, an racial equality activist from northern do matter,” she said.

Protests Spotlight First Amendment Right to Peaceable Assembly

BY ADWAY WADEKAR All occurred in a largely peaceful manner. ith public health concerns increasing Justin Silverman, executive director of over the COVID-19 pandemic and ra- the New England First Amendment Coalition Wcial tensions escalating after the killing (NEFAC), worries that while protests in sup- of George Floyd, the First Amendment has been port of the BLM movement have gained brought into the spotlight. momentum, the president doesn’t have an The First Amendment affords five rights, but understanding of the right for people to as- with recent events the one that has been called into semble peacefully. question the most is the right to peaceably assemble. “President Trump has throughout the course Demonstrations held across the country in re- of his presidency shown, to put it bluntly, a mis- sponse to the killing of George Floyd have energized understanding of what the First Amendment is old and young, Black and White, but President and what it does,” Silverman said. Trump has not supported these gatherings. Ahead of his own campaign rally in Tulsa, The president took to Twitter to denounce pro- PHOTO CREDIT: ADWAY WADEKAR tests in support of the Black Lives Matter move- FIRST AMENDMENT Protestors clash at a rally in Westborough. ment in Minneapolis, New York City, and Seattle. continued on page 9

2 THE VANGUARD | JUNE 2020 STAFF REPORTERS Paula Bouknight Kyra Ceryanek NEHSJC Board Member Wachusett Regional High Assistant Managing Editor, School, Holden The Boston Globe Rachel Fredman Mike Carraggi Westborough High School NEHSJC Board Member Reporter, Patch.com Grace Huang Newton South High School Ann Moritz NEHSJC Board Member Sofia Mendes Moritz Advisory Group Manchester Central High School GUEST SPEAKERS Nola Minogue Charles St. Amand Beverly High School Practitioner in Residence, Annalise Peterson Communication and Amherst Regional High Journalism Dept. School Suffolk University Holly Souter Justin Silverman Bedford High School Executive Director Kenzie Urbano New England First Boston University Amendment Coalition Academy Michelle Fenelon Adway Wadekar Freelance sideline reporter Saint John’s High School, Dina Rudick Shrewsbury Video producer/ Anna Wilcox photojournalist, Boston Latin School Anthem Multimedia ILLUSTRATION CREDIT: ANNALISE PETERSON Jasmine Wong Dasia Moore Boston Latin School Reporter, The Boston Globe Changing World, Changing Journalism Sara Zakaria Zoe Greenberg Reporter, The Boston Globe Malden High School BY SOFIA MENDES & ADWAY WADEKAR Emily Sweeney and nothing more. We will be there to In this ever-changing world, what is STUDENT ADVISORS Reporter, The Boston Globe e are The Vanguard, a group enable people to come to their own true at one moment, may be false the Bridget Bright President, New England of 12 students who come conclusions and decisions based on next. As young journalists who will soon Ithaca College Society of News Editors Wfrom various backgrounds accurate information. be a part of the outlets upon which peo- Thomas Coughlin Karina Cuevas across New England, but were brought While this is not a novel idea, as ple will rely, we need to hold ourselves to Emerson College Producer, together by our shared passion for the Founding Fathers were deliber- a standard of growth and honesty. We Telemundo Boston harnessing the power of words to drive ate in their choice to separate the are not perfect writers and are bound to PROFESSIONAL STAFF Member, New England positive change in our communities press from the government in the First make mistakes, but in those mistakes Leah Lamson Society of News Editors and beyond. Amendment, we feel this has been lost we must recognize that the transition to NEHSJC Managing Director Faith Sidlow The world around us has changed in our current political climate. Partisan proactive media is possible. Colleen Malachowski Associate Professor drastically in the last few months, motives and the truth have become a Sometimes trending news stories Carole Remick Endowed California State University from a global pandemic to the accel- blurred line in everyday media. We will are filled with heated responses to Chair, Regis College Trainer, Society of erating anti-racism movement that be the vanguard in the revolutionary tragedies in hopes of igniting emo- Michelle Johnson Professional Journalists/ has swept the nation; nothing is as movement to return to journalism that tional reactions from the general NEHSJC Web Producer Facebook it was. To that end, the journalism presents the facts as they are. public rather than writing proactively Associate Professor of the that people rely upon for clear, con- That begins with clarifying our in order to inform citizens of possible Practice/Journalism, SPECIAL THANKS cise, and accurate information must definition of the truth. Mainstream issues within our country so they can College of Communication Mary Kaye Leonard change as well. media outlets are not reporting false take a stand before disaster strikes. Boston University Executive Director Now more than ever, people need information, but the truth always has An informed public keeps democ- The Carole C. Remick Christine Varrieur non-partisan, unbiased journalism. more than one side, and depending on racy afloat and 2020 has been noth- Foundation NEHSJC Print Designer Thus, The Vanguard was born. political views and party association, ing more than a wake up call, a plea Tripadvisor Christine Panek A vanguard refers to a group of only one side of the coin has light shed to the younger generation to teach Associate Design Director New England Newspaper people at the forefront of a revolu- on it. Disregarding those with biased others, speak up, and ignite change. and Press Assoc. Milton Valencia tionary movement or battle. We, as views does not create an understand- We at The Vanguard realize that with NEHSJC President Regis College upcoming journalists living in a con- ing of the facts, instead we will be the a changing world comes changing Reporter, The Boston Globe stantly evolving world, are pledging to ones to report an alternate perspective journalism, and we will be the pio- Corey Allen be the leaders driving change. We will highlighting all ways an issue can be neers who lead these uncomfortable NEHSJC Board Member be the voice that provides a fair and perceived rather than shaming those conversations as we march towards Suffolk Construction detailed representation of the facts— who have yet to be educated. an educated and engaged public.

THE VANGUARD | JUNE 2020 3 GETTING OUT THE VOTE

BY SOFIA MENDES he MediaWise Voter Project is continuing to educate students and first-time voters about media literacy in preparation for the 2020 Telection, despite recent COVID-19 restrictions. MediaWise has been focused on equipping the younger generation with the tools and resources necessary to make informed political decisions, not just when it comes time to vote but before, sharing, retweeting, and otherwise supporting trending news stories across various social media platforms. In early March, MediaWise launched a new program, the MediaWise Voter Project, specifically targeting college students who will be voting for the first time – in the 2020 presidential elections. Along with the program came a new team of media literacy experts made up of 11 college students from across the PHOTO CREDIT: WIKIMEDIA COMMONS country who were trained to bring their knowledge back to their communities. Public and vocal demonstrations, such as this one in Chicago, established Sunrise and “We're trying to encourage people who may be voting for the first time to the GND for the public before Covid-19 ramifications. be skeptical of everything they see on social media, and to follow a few steps before sharing anything,” said Evan Jones, a Michigan State student and campus correspondent for the newly launched program. The MediaWise Voter Project describes its mission by three main pillars: Prime Time for the Rise of the Green New Deal? first-time voting guides, in-person training, and a social media awareness campaign. When the project was first launched, no one imagined the corona- BY ANNA WILCOX for supporting it. Sunrise fights for progres- virus pandemic would have as large of an impact on the world as it did. Thus, hile the coronavirus, economic sive climate legislation and works to elect MediaWise was forced to adapt and change its game plan. recession, and Black Lives Matter environmental proponents to office through Wmovement stand in the national grassroots action. spotlight, the fight for environmental justice “We’re trying… to get people elected lo- is ever present. cally who will fix [systemic problems] for Many Massachusetts environmental example, [Massachusetts congressman organizations have issued statements of candidate] Alex Morse,” said Elizabeth solidarity with the BLM movement, and en- Pereira, a Western Massachusetts Sunrise vironmental activists are determined that youth activist. their efforts at racial and social awareness, 350 Mass Action, a program in the justice, and inclusivity range beyond the Better Future Project organization, has short term. created a Massachusetts Green New Deal Some environmental activists also see Roundtable in collaboration with other en- the current turmoil as an opportunity for vironmental organizations across the state change in the country’s economic and so- to commit Massachusetts to a clean, sus- cial systems; specifically as a key moment tainable future while empowering vulner- PHOTO CREDIT: EVAN JONES for the Green New Deal (GND). able communities. MediaWise Voter Project Campus Ambassadors at training on March 7. The GND has many advocates, but the The GND Roundtable has “been ada- Sunrise movement is perhaps best known mant that we really need to center Black and Brown voices, Black and Brown lead- “One thing we're in the process of right now is gathering as many direc- ership, as well as labor leadership and tors and professors contacts as we can so that we can send a massive email youth leadership... to make sure that we push, trying to get these trainings into classrooms for the fall,” said Jones, are coming up not only with the policies, who is currently on campus learning how to be a part of the return to school but also the campaign and the messag- in the fall. “It’s not just about being informed for this election. You should ing that resonates with these commu- have the tools to navigate political discourse, for every election,” said Jones. nities, that speaks to their needs,” said The Voter Project recommends that individuals ask themselves a series of co-founder and executive director of the questions before they decide to reshare information online. “Who’s bringing Better Future Project, Craig Altemose. me this?” is the first question, according to Jones. It should be followed by, “As a youth myself, it feels empowering “What examples are they using?” and “What are other sources reporting?” that I get the chance to be part of an impor- “It's as simple as opening up a new tab and searching the keywords for tant legislative piece for the state I live in. the first post you saw,” said Jones, explaining the simplicity behind the fact- Witnessing the plan being formed within checking process. my eyes is fascinating and it is something The Voter Project has used the three-question approach to shed light on PHOTO CREDIT: BETTERFUTUREPROJECT.ORG I have never done before,” said Angela both the misinformation regarding coronavirus and the recent civil rights ac- Craig Altemose Ruan, a leader on the GND Roundtable. tions taken by citizens across the country, not just on the upcoming elections.

4 THE VANGUARD | JUNE 2020 Journalists Revealed Stenographer or Publications’ Lack of Effort Journalist? to Increase Racial Diversity BY HOLLY SOUTER BY GRACE HUANG uring this pivotal part of his- ven though publications across the country have tory in the country, journalists pledged to racially diversify their newsrooms, journal- Dare expected to be unattached Eists in Boston believe there is a lack of effort among to the stories they are covering. newsroom leadership to hire more people of color. But is this a fair standard? The shortcoming is reflected by the most recent statistics. The question has arisen as racial GRAPHIC CREDIT: GRACE HUANG While nearly 40 percent of Americans are part of a minority injustice is being highlighted and the group, the ASNE Newsroom Diversity Survey published last “A lot of managers in newsrooms started when they were issue of police brutality against Black September shows only 21.9 percent of journalists in 2018 are kids and then just work their way up. We don’t generally get Americans has been exposed. minorities. Similarly, only 18.8 percent of news editors in 2018 that opportunity,” he said, referring to the shortage of minority “We need to have different perspec- are people of color. managers in the newsroom. tives and viewpoints and experiences Gary Washburn, the NBA reporter for The Boston Globe He said a lot of editors who have promised to diversify their represented in the newsrooms, so and print vice president of the National Association of newsrooms do not go the extra mile to find candidates of color. that we can be competent journalists Black Journalists, cites “discrimination [which is] some- “They want the superstar to fall in their lap,” he said. reaching out to people in the world who times intentional and direct” as one of the causes of this Jeremy Fox, a correspondent for the Globe and president of have different experiences and view- phenomenon. the Boston chapter of the Association of LGBTQ Journalists, points,” said Jeremy Fox, president Washburn also said, unlike many white college students, said, in terms of hiring journalists of color and journalists with of the Boston chapter of the LBGTQ minority college students often cannot afford to intern for disabilities, “clearly there’s not being an effort made.” Journalists Association. free and therefore do not have as much experience in the Even in 2020, reporters are not seeing their newsrooms Fox, a correspondent for The Boston newsroom as their white counterparts. He said without in- becoming more racially diverse. Globe, said newsrooms should be tentional efforts, publications often hire white students be- “Maybe now with all this kind of commitment to diversify structured in a way that allows jour- cause they are more experienced and fail to consider the after the George Floyd murder,” Washburn said. “But I don’t nalists to be neutral and ultimately un- financial hardships many students of color face. really see it.” biased to the stories they must cover. However, with the climate of the country now, bias becomes inevitable. “As human beings it’s incumbent on BLACK AMERICA defunding the police. Other progres- us to stand up for ourselves, to stand continued on page 1 sive ideas, such as Medicare-for-all up for the communities that we’re part and nationwide fixed income are also of, and to stand up for other people we people, according to Netia McCray, being suggested. believe in,” Fox said. founder and executive director of STEM McCray said that implementing Zoe Greenberg, a general assignment nonprofit Mbadika. McCray says she these ideas along with adequate hous- for the Globe, also believes that a jour- has experienced racism first hand in ing would combat historic systemic nalist cannot completely separate the the medical industry with coronavirus. disadvantages. The financial instabil- personal self from the professional self. She said she was “actively rejected” ity created during the pandemic also “It doesn’t make sense to have a view by doctors while seeking medical help jeopardizes the healthcare of Black from nowhere,” she said. Greenberg for COVID-19. She said she was diag- Americans, according to McCray. said that some bias is needed for a nosed only after her symptoms “be- People across the country, and spe- story to develop a point of view. came dire enough.” cifically the younger generation, have While there is recognition for the McCray says that a Black person who been participating in protests and rais- need to have diverse staffs that reflect may not be able to seek additional services ing awareness on social media about the communities they serve, change is after being denied help may be unable to the overall systemic racism in health- still needed, studies show. get diagnosed and treated effectively. care to police brutality. According to the 2019 diversity SUBMITTED PHOTO “If they are telling me they don’t Harvard University freshman study done by the News Leaders want to treat me when I’m out of breath Birukti Tsige is one of many Gen-Z Birukti Tsige at the White House as a Association, newsrooms are still under- and near death,” McCray said, “I can teens getting involved by donating to 2019 U.S Presidential Scholar. represented by nonwhite journalists. imagine recent immigrants who are activist organizations, speaking out on “There seems to be a want now to Black, who don’t have that ability to social media, and protesting. Tsige said tion into one word, it would be voting. diversify the newsrooms,” said Jordan navigate, are not being counted be- she supports the idea of defunding the Tsige says the lack of civic education Frias, web journalist for 7 News Boston cause you’re not even getting to the police and allocating the money to areas in school is “doing a disservice to stu- and the only nonwhite member of the point of getting a COVID test.” “that have been defunded for years,” dents.” She said its inclusion in the New England chapter of the Society of Demands to help change systemic such as education and healthcare. curriculum would result in more in- Professional Journalists. “But we still racism are gaining popularity, such as If Tsige could put a major solu- volvement with local government. have a long way to go,” he said.

THE VANGUARD | JUNE 2020 5 Kyra Ceryanek Kyra, 18, is a graduating senior at Wachusett Regional High School in Holden. A dedicated athlete, she enjoys running, hiking, and skiing. She also plays the violin. Her interests include English, photography, and politics, especially analyzing the relationship between media and the government. She hopes to gain journalism experience through the program, adding to her positive and determined attitude. Kyra will be attending Mount Holyoke College in the fall, studying journalism and political science BY SARA ZAKARIA

Rachel Fredman Rachel, 17, is a passionate rising senior at Westborough High School. She is the senior executive producer of her school’s newspaper The Lobby Observer, which has helped her get to know her school better. Outside of journalism, Rachel is best known in her school as the president of the Best Buddies club, which gives special needs students an outlet to make friends. In the future, Rachel aspires to implement political policy that impacts many lives. BY KYRA CERYANEK

Grace Huang Grace, 17, is a recent graduate of Newton South High School and will be attending Barnard College in the fall because she “loves NY way too much.” Grace spent her first 12 years in Beijing before moving to the United States. To keep up her Mandarin she began writing food reviews on a Chinese app that she describes as an angrier version of Yelp, combining her inter- Meet the Staff ests of both food and lifestyle journalism. BY RACHEL FREDMAN

Sofia Mendes Sofia, 17, is a rising senior at Manchester (NH) Central High School. As a bookworm who in- dulges in both dark fantasy and meditation books, she taught her little brother to read. She bullet journals, and she helps to put up art ex- hibits. She finds Manchester unique, for a ski hill sits in the middle of it. Partly because she treasures having four seasons, she will be apply- ing to schools for journalism on the East coast. BY GRACE HUANG

6 THE VANGUARD | JUNE 2020 Nola Minogue Adway Wadekar Nola, 17, is a rising senior at Beverly High School Adway, 17, is an established social scientist, and co-captain of their Color Guard. As an avid skilled journalist, and impassioned community reader, history buff, and lover of her pet fish, leader. Inspired by the intersection of math and Nola can be found working at her local library history, Adway likes journalism for the analyti- or spending summers with her family in France. cal, factual approach to telling his community’s She hasn’t forgotten her first grade teacher, who story. He is currently documenting his town of told her that she could be great if she only tried. Westboro’s history within the Photographer in Nola hopes to major in English and pursue a law Residence program and conducts research for a career. professor at Harvard Medical School. He will be BY SOFIA MENDES a senior at St. John’s High School in Shrewsbury in the fall. BY KENZIE URBANO

Annalise Peterson Anna Wilcox Annalise, 17, is a novice videographer who speaks Anna, 17, is a rising senior at Boston Latin both Chinese and English, and has already made School. Anna has been writing for her school’s her mark at Amherst Regional High School. newspaper, The Argo, since the eighth grade and Entering into her senior year, she’ll be once again is now the arts and entertainment editor. Anna running cross country in the fall and playing cares deeply about the environment and is part ultimate frisbee in the spring. She heard of the of several organizations that promote its conser- NEHSJC program over the morning announce- vation. In her future career, she hopes to work ments, enticed because of her love of journalism, in both environmental science and journalism, and means of possibly pursuing it in the future. combining her interests to find a way to serve BY NOLA MINOGUE the world. BY ADWAY WADEKAR

Holly Souter Jasmine Wong Holly, 17, is approaching her senior year at Jasmine, 16, is a rising senior at Boston Latin Bedford High School in Bedford, N.H.. When she’s School where she works as the Head Forum Editor not building mileage during cross country and for her school’s newspaper, The Argo. She also par- track seasons, Holly is participating in Rotary ticipates in the Mayor’s Youth Council and is part Club, editing the sports section for her school of the Distributive Education Clubs of America. newspaper Unleashed, and leading the Save the Jasmine hopes to combine her love for writing, Bees Club. She plans on studying journalism in business and activism, working in corporate busi- college. Holly can typically be found at her local ness law with the goal of founding a nonprofit that coffee shop, the Inside Scoop. looks out for the interests of small businesses. BY ANNALISE PETERSON BY ANNA WILCOX

Kenzie Urbano Sara Zakaria Kenzie, 17, lives in Swampscott and is an upcoming Sara, 18, is an empathetic and compassionate se- senior at Boston University Academy in Mass. She nior attending UMass-Boston in the fall. She has is a green tea and roller skating enthusiast. Kenzie worked as both head of sports and the print editor is the senior editor for her school’s Lit Magazine and in chief of her school’s paper, The Malden Blue and has a passion for the art of poetry. Kenzie has al- Gold. Growing up in a family of Moroccan immi- ways been willing to try new things which led her grants, Sara has a deep appreciation for journal- to apply for NEHSJC. Through journalism Kenzie is ism and the Freedom of the Press. She uses her determined to spread knowledge, goodness, and give words to fight for equality, whether it be the femi- everyone a voice. nist, environmental, or racial equality movements. BY HOLLY SOUTER BY JASMINE WONG

THE VANGUARD | JUNE 2020 7 BACK IN SESSION Beginning College in the Midst of a Pandemic

BY ANNALISE PETERSON graduate soon, or those whose BY KYRA CERYANEK forms of stress relief are taken away. hroughout the country, majors require heavy hands-on eing a college freshman can be a “A big part of mental health is managing colleges are finalizing learning. Other safety policies frightening experience, but being one not being overburdened by classes and hav- Ttheir decisions on how include enforced social distanc- Bin the age of a global pandemic may ing those key activities that help you unwind, to approach the upcoming fall ing, wearing masks, sanitizing, result in anxiety that no college student has relax, and decompress your brain” Greif said. semester. While students await increased disinfecting, and faced before. If the extracurriculars are taken away from what’s in store, administrators monitoring symptoms. The class of 2024 has already endured the ef- students to minimize the spread of COVID-19, are working diligently to ensure “We’re exploring whether we fects of the coronavirus as they had graduations freshmen will have to take on the challenge of both the safety of their commu- could do that using technology canceled and now they face uncertainty about college without their usual balance. nity and the educational pur- like an app, or something that starting college in the midst of the pandemic. In addition, the future of the coronavirus suits of their students. would send you a push and say Incoming freshman Noah Greif has been has been on the minds of students even before Dano Weisbord, the execu- ‘Hey [student name], do you able to find some comfort in entering Boston they’ve even stepped on campus. tive director of campus plan- have any of these symptoms University’s class of 2024. “Do I need to find a job in business that ning and sustainability at today?’” said Weisbord. “It feels re- has more financial security?” Greif said he has Smith College, describes the re- Colleges in Massachusetts ally nice how asked himself. opening process in three stages: must make their decisions in they’re (staff While some students seem to be question- planning around public safety, and students ing their decisions on what to study, others, changing education programs, at BU) being so like Stewart, are still motivated to push for- and implementing policies once personable and ward in their desired career. the campus is active again. supportive, I like Despite the uncertainty and disappoint- that”, Greif said, ments, some adding he has in the class taken advantage of 2024 have of the video chats found some that BU has of- silver linings. fered to allow Greif said that freshmen to feel SUBMITTED PHOTO the Zoom vir- included in the Noah Greif tual breakout community. rooms created Maliyah Stewart, another incoming fresh- SUBMITTED PHOTO by BU have man who will be attending Bridgewater State given him the SUBMITTED PHOTO Maliyah Stewart Dano Weisbord University in the fall, said her excitement on opportunity entering college has been diminished. to introduce “There’s too many unknowns that it's mak- himself in ways that he wouldn't have if he had

SUBMITTED PHOTO compliance with state mandates. ing me both excited and anxious,” said Stewart. been given a traditional start to freshman year. Another challenge arises For both Greif and Stewart there are wor- Stewart agreed. “People have been commu- Kelley Tuthill with residential life that is typi- ries about making sure students follow their nicating more,” she said, adding that people cally characteristic of the col- schools guidelines. in her life have been reaching out to her more. “You sort of have to go lege experience – things like “People’s judgment on how to go about their Greif and Stewart agreed that they, like through the first-order set of dorms, bathrooms, and dining health is a main concern for me,” said Stewart. many other seniors, have found that staying questions,” he said. “Do we halls. Dorms will be singles- Students are also concerned about how home because of the coronavirus also gave feel like we can lower risk? Do only, and dining will likely be a coronavirus will affect their stress levels and them the opportunities to slow down and we feel like we can test people? “grab-and-go” system. ability to deal with stress. College might turn help their families and friends know they care Do we feel like we can have Not all colleges are approach- out to be more stressful for students whose about them. enough room for everybody? If ing the semester in the same the answer to all those things way. Regis College has recently is ‘yes,’ then the question is, announced a system of two we just lived through, we have at Regis. Community emails, Despite the many technicali- ‘well, are we gonna bring all eight-week terms in the fall, the to expect the total unexpected newsletters, and virtual town ties that will inevitably arise, the students back?’” first of which will start earlier and be ready for anything,” said halls have served as helpful Tuthill stressed that faculty At Smith, reducing residen- than usual online, and then shift Kelley Tuthill, the vice presi- bridges between administrators want to deliver the college ex- tial student population has pro- to a hybrid or in-person plan. dent of marketing and commu- and the greater community. perience that students hope for. posed a challenge. On-campus “If things just aren’t good, nications at Regis College. “We try to be as transparent “This will pass, we know priority may go to students we can stay home after Communication and student as possible. If we don’t have an that,” said Tuthill. “So, we’re with difficult learning environ- Thanksgiving, and then fin- involvement have been key ele- answer, we try and explain why buying a lot of plexiglass and ments at home, those who will ish off online. Based on what ments in the planning process [we] don’t,” said Tuthill. hoping for the best.”

8 THE VANGUARD | JUNE 2020 BY NOLA MINOGUE a push to speak up, she said. When her Meets,” she said. Taking a back ince the outbreak of the COVID- classes went online in March, Lisella Speaking about her chemistry class 19 epidemic, normal classroom tried to make sure everyone was heard. she said “most of the boys are older and seat on Zoom Sinstruction came to a screeching “There's a lot of reasons why people thus more experienced with chemistry, halt as schools were forced to switch to keep [their] video off – so that they can so girls are more hesitant to speak out.” learning via Zoom and Google Hangouts. be shy,” she said. “I was trying to be at- But she said in that same class she With the change came adjustments tentive to the people who didn’t want observed that female students asked in how men and women conduct them- to be seen. I respect that if you’re not twice the amount of questions than selves in the workplace. The New York feeling presentable today, for whatever their male counterparts. Times recently published an article cit- reason, you didn’t do your hair or are “Girls are sometimes cut off by boys, ing the difficulties some women have still in your pajamas, that’s fine, but I but I believe this is only because the been facing in Zoom meetings - a meet- will call on you.” boys don’t hear the girls beginning to ing that’s supposed to be an equalizer Lisella knows that the “great hope of speak,.” she said. for all members. online learning is that it’s a great equal- Women are no stranger to interrup- But does this occur in the classroom? izer, yet that might not be true. tions within physical meetings, as a “In the upper level classes, the stu- “It’s very easy to interrupt each other study by George Washington University dents who are generally quiet doesn’t on Zoom,” she said. found. Men interrupted women 33 per- seem to go by their gender or race,” said Alexia Vaveous, a junior at Beverly cent more often than when they spoke Julia Lisella, an English professor at High School, said she has noticed that with other men. In the setting of online Regis College in Weston. “It tends to go by students mostly watch and ask questions. meetings, this trend is amplified, as SUBMITTED PHOTO how comfortable they feel in the major.” “[Yet] contrary to meeting in real with everyone getting used to Zoom, tra- Julia Lisella In smaller classes, it’s easier to spot life, the females are usually the ones to ditional gender roles are coming back the students who are quieter and need ask the most questions in the Google into play.

FIRST AMENDMENT continued from page 2 Making Connections in the Times of COVID-19 Trump tweeted, “Any protesters, anar- chists, agitators, looters or lowlifes who BY KYRA CERYANEK and to be better citizens of their campus lives, and just regular check ins. are going to Oklahoma please under- he coronavirus has demanded and community. “The biggest thing I’ve learned from stand, you will not be treated like you have physical distance in many social Rianna Massoni, who is a recent these times is that it isn't hard to reach been in New York, Seattle, or Minneapolis. Tsituations, but people have taken graduate of Wachusett Regional High people even if they're not right in front of It will be a much different scene!” suggest- on the challenge of finding new ways to School in Holden, said that coronavi- you all the time,” Massoni said. ing that protesting will be met with a po- forge connections. rus has given her the time and ability Massoni and Phair even said that lice or governmental response. In particular, some students who to form relationships with people she they would like President Trump is not the only one have had parts of their school life taken wouldn’t normally have the chance to. to make some being selective about which protests to away have found ways to rise above “Now because everything is online, of the adaptive support. In past months, public health being sucked into defeat. everything is at the touch of our finger- experiences officials have advocated for social dis- “This whole thing has taught me to tips. It’s a lot easier to reach people that they've had into tancing and against large gatherings. treat challenges like opportunities to try I normally wouldn’t have” Massoni said. a tradition for One such person is Jennifer Nuzzo, new things and do things differently,” Massoni is a part of Wachusett’s the future. an epidemiologist at Johns Hopkins said Meryl Phair, who will be a senior at Model United Nations and Mock Trial Phair said University. Nuzzo was in support of so- Mount Holyoke College in the fall. clubs, and she that she would cial distancing policies in April but later Phair was the captain this past spring said that coro- love to con- tweeted her support of protests. of the lacrosse team which adapted its navirus has tinue with team “We should always evaluate the usual team dinners into Zoom team din- brought the SUBMITTED PHOTO Zoom dinners risks and benefits of efforts to control ners, eating together and playing team club’s members Rianna Massoni over the sum- the virus,” she said. “In this moment games even though they weren’t physi- much closer mer to stay the public health risks of not protesting cally together. together. With close with her lacrosse team. to demand an end to systemic racism Phair, who is the incoming senior more time on Massoni said that Wachusett’s greatly exceed the harms of the virus.” captain of the cross country team, has their hands, Model UN and Mock Trial Clubs want NEFAC’s Silverman said he would helped start biweekly discussions over members take to continue the online Zoom meetings like to see reasonable safety precautions what’s going on in the world. She be- part in text mes- throughout the school year. She said it being taken, but whether it’s a political lieves that by having Zoom meetings to sage discussions would give people who don’t have the rally by the president or a protest in the discuss a podcast, book, or article about about current SUBMITTED PHOTO time to do the clubs and attend the af- streets by the BLM, the right to protest a recent event, the team will get the op- events, things Meryl Phair ter-school meetings an opportunity to should be protected, he said. portunity to better educate themselves going on in their be part of them.

THE VANGUARD | JUNE 2020 9 Local Juneteenth Celebrations

BY SOFIA MENDES at a vigil that will convey my feelings a this is still a diverse community and he first Juneteenth celebration little differently than just screaming something that we should recognize and in Manchester, N.H. was held as them,” said Whitted, emphasizing the honor,” said Parker when asked about TMayor Joyce Craig officially de- importance of Black art. moving forward with Black Lives Matter. clared the day a citywide holiday, following Last year, Gov. Chris Sununu de- Currently, the art pieces from the city's recent Black Lives Matter events. clared Juneteenth a statewide holiday, Juneteenth are on display in a free- Hosted at The HopKnot by Juneteenth but for members of the Black Lives dom show at the Diane Crespo Fine Manchester and the local Black Lives Matter movement, acknowledging the Art Gallery, but the continued push for Matter chapter, the evening included holiday wasn’t enough. equality doesn’t stop there. speakers, music, and artwork inspired “Collectively as more mayors and “We also had a COVID testing party by the BLM movement. governors make it an official holiday in where we were reaching out to people “It was great to see the whole city their respective cities, states, and areas, that were protesting and telling them to come out and support us, because it that’ll push the movement to make it a come get tested. We’re probably going was at a time where we were still trying national holiday,” said Tia Parker, the to have a voter registration party,” said to figure out if Black lives actually mat- host of the Juneteenth celebration. “I Parker. “I’m just generally trying to do ter to this country. We were fighting for feel like that’s my small part in making more fun community outreach but keep SUBMITTED PHOTO our right to exist,” said Tyrell Whitted, a that bigger picture happen.” the conversation going about Black Lives Tyrell Whitted holding the resolution member of BLM Manchester. Similar to Whitted, Parker empha- Matter and being really positive about declaring Juneteenth a citywide holiday. Whitted is a local rap artist who orga- sized the importance of art and com- embracing the BIPOC community.” nized the first BLM protest in Manchester munity togetherness at the core of the in 2016. He’s been involved in multiple BLM Movement, especially when talking actions using his music to make a dif- about plans for future actions. ference and is working with Queen City “I’m trying to continue to find ways PRIDE to improve relations between peo- to keep this movement going that’s not ple of color and the LGBTQ community. necessarily a protest or a rally but find- “I use my artistry. Sometimes I'll ing little ways to stamp this town with write a poem that I can say like a speech a little more blackness, reminders that

Black Trans Pride in Boston An interview with artist and activist Mick Beth

BY ANNALISE PETERSON “There is so much division in the ocal singer and rapper Mick Beth Black community, because, you know, has taken a position of leadership there are still people who are not clearly Lwithin the Black trans community processing that when we say Black Lives PHOTO CREDIT: MOHAMMED ELHASSAN in Boston through their activism. Matter, we do mean all Black lives and Vigil held on June 2 in Stark Park by BLM Manchester prior to Juneteenth celebrations. Beth recently organized a Black that means Black trans people and all Trans Pride March in the city to cele- Black queer people,” said Beth. of activism. They strive to remind queer the first brick at the Stonewall Riot of brate Black trans identity and life. Beth The decision for the Juneteenth march, Black people that they are valid and de- 1969. “That is true, and that is great, organized the event with Dev Blair and Beth said, was inspired by “the idea that serving, while also challenging excessive and that is wonderful, but what are you the Black Lotus, a local there were a bunch of peo- idolization of Black trans people, which doing for Black trans women who are Black trans collective. ple who are like, ‘This is can be common among allies. still alive?” The march gathered my chance to reclaim my Beth says this year’s June Pride Putting Black trans people in lead- more than 100 people in power; this is my chance to Month provided an opportunity for in- ership positions within queer orga- Boston on Juneteenth, the reclaim myself.’ ” trospection within the LGBTQ+ commu- nizations is key to improving their holiday on June 19 that Beth isn’t an organizer nity, especially regarding racial injustice. recognition, Beth said. They also commemorates the eman- by career, but rather a “There is transphobia and anti- stressed that Black trans people should cipation of slaves in the musician who took on the Blackness in the queer community that be acknowledged as multifaceted people. United States. Beth was responsibility of advocat- people are unwilling to admit exists be- “It’s important to listen to each and prompted to organize the ing for queer Black voices. cause everybody makes their Marsha P. every single one of us, not because we march to do more for their Beth described their sing- Johnson Instagram posts,” said Beth, are always right, but because we are all community. ing and rapping as a form referring to a queer activist who threw coming from different places,” Beth said. SUBMITTED ILLUSTRATION

10 THE VANGUARD | JUNE 2020 Citizen or journalist? Can you be both?

BY RACHEL FREDMAN “Boston is one of the few cities that college...is that ability to distinguish fact ou may not know the name has two papers, and even still, the from fiction, and to evaluate that,” she said. Darnella Frazier but you will Herald is in financial distress, and The However, separating fact from fiction Ynever forget her video. Globe doesn’t cover international news may be easier said than done. Frazier, a 17-year-old student from in the same way it used to,” she said. “We are instinctively willing to fact Minneapolis, can be credited with re- According to Gans-Boriskin, the de- check things with which we disagree so, cording what may become the single big- crease in professional journalists has left I say do a gut check. If it feels right in gest news event this year which ignited a gaps for everyday people to fill. She said your gut, that’s when you fact check it national dialogue about race relations in citizen journalists are documenting dem- because that’s what we’ve got to over- the United States. onstrations and police interactions using come: our own biases.” She is just one example of what is social media platforms like Twitter and Citizen journalism is more likely to in- being called a citizen journalist. Instagram to share their insight. clude biases because citizens are not given As many news organizations across She believes the lack of reporters the same professional training as journal- the country are shedding professional and editors has led to a decrease in fact- ists. The lack of fact-checking has pro- PHOTO CREDIT: RACHEL FREDMAN staff, average citizens have stepped up checking, placing responsibility on the pelled polarization within the country and to fill the void. reader and viewer to do their own re- has led to more biased sources, she said. Rachel Gans-Boriskin “We’ve seen the demise of so many search to detect and eliminate any bias With citizen journalism gaining pop- papers, tens of thousands of jobs in that may exist. ularity, it is more important than ever to voices that were silenced, and so we get journalism disappear, said Rachel Gans- “It seems to me that we are drowning in fact check what you read, she said. more voices, a new perspective but we Boriskin, assistant professor of practice misinformation and that the skill that ev- “When we move away from those of- have to be vigilant about making sure at Simmons University. eryone needs to have when they graduate ficial sources we start hearing things, the that the information is solid,” she said.

TWO SCHOOLS RHYTHMIC GYMNASTICS Coach Bobrishew continued from page 1 continued from page 1 leading strength and apparatus handling Just 15 minutes away in and execution of their skills. The sport’s exercises over Zoom. Manchester, the situation was dif- uniqueness lies in the combination of ferent. Manchester is a city of more difficult body skills with various appara- than 100,000 people with a median tus techniques such as tosses, master- her classes. household income of about $58,000. ies, and handling. In her first free Raymond Howard, a rising senior at For a sport that relies so heavily on workshop, more than Central High School, said that the high ceilings and open space, how can 100 gymnasts from level of his instruction diminished one possibly move it online? Bobrischew around the world significantly. saw this challenge as a fantastic learning joined. Additionally,

“I had one experience where a opportunity for her gymnasts. 12 students from dif- PHOTO CREDIT: JASMINE WONG teacher said they would be holding a “It’s been challenging, but also a ferent countries have class at around 11:30. I joined a call great learning experience,” she said. “In since requested private lessons with also enjoying these virtual training sessions. for about two hours and the teacher the beginning, it seemed really awful and Bobrischew, and 20-30 international “[Initially,] I thought they were a little never showed up,” Howard said. I feared that everyone was going to re- students have logged into her normal more boring because my favorite part Howard said that many at his gress so much, so the way I developed Saturday training. of training is tosses and routines,” Gow school didn’t have reliable access to my program was to grow.” One of the gyms that has regularly said. “But I’d want to continue [having technology, but the school did try to Hoping to keep her gymnasts moti- joined her Zoom classes is Rhythm & virtual classes] because I think it’s cool get computers in the hands of those vated, Bobrischew researched strength- Groove from Singapore. to train with people from other countries who needed it. ening exercises online and participated “For us, it is quite hard to go all the and other gyms and work on strengthen- “A significant population at in other master classes from coaches way to the USA, but online training is ing our skills with them.” Central is without easy access to around the world. very convenient for us so that we can Through these training sessions, technology or the internet,” Howard And so, the exchange began. still learn many things,” said Sara Ogiso, Bobrischew and her team have had said. “They did reach out to try and In late March, Bobrischew created Elite Team Coach at Rhythm & Groove. an unprecedented opportunity to con- work with the students that did not a gymnastics challenge for her 62.6k “Although we have a 12-hour time nect with gymnasts around the world have access to those things, like bring Instagram followers with the prize being difference so timing was a bit of a prob- through their common love for the them computers from the school as a free spot to her class. To her surprise, lem, it is still worth attending. I love it,” sport. Furthermore, by focusing on one method of giving them some- gymnasts and coaches from Australia, she said. strength and flexibility, Bobrischew has thing to work with if that was their the U.K, Thailand and many other coun- Gemma Gow, a USA Junior National noted great progress and improvement only issue.” tries reached out and requested to join Team member from Rhythmic Dreams, is in her gymnasts.

THE VANGUARD | JUNE 2020 11 Embracing King's Legacy

BY JASMINE WONG Plaza is expected to start in n contrast to the pro- September and finish 18 tests around Boston’s months later near the end of IAbraham Lincoln 2021. They will be installed statue, the King Boston near the Parkman Bandstand Foundation, which is be- in Boston Common. hind the planned Embrace Imari Paris Jeffries, the Statue, has seen a new wave newly appointed executive of support since late May. director of King Boston, com- The Embrace Statue, by mented on how the coronavi- artist Hank Willis Thomas rus pandemic and the recent and MASS Design Group, SUBMITTED PHOTO Black Lives Matter protests will be a 22-foot-high have culminated in a wave Imari Paris Jeffries SUBMITTED ILLUSTRATION bronze statue portraying of donors for the Embrace four clasped hands. In Statue. Since June, King Initial Designs for the Embrace Statue and 1965 Freedom Rally Memorial Plaza March 2019, it was chosen by the King Boston has received over 200K dollars in Boston Foundation from 126 other sub- donations for the project. the Kings’ legacy in Boston and the something that we all want to do.” missions as the best design. “In a time like this where social dis- Kings’ love for each other, but also hu- Since protests started in late May, many Construction on the Embrace Statue tancing is the norm, something like the manity’s love for each other – right now, people have questioned statues and the and the 1965 Freedom Rally Memorial Embrace – that is symbolic of not only the Embrace is a visual representation of history behind them in several American cities, including Boston. Monuments such as the Christopher Columbus statue in the North End and others around the nation have been vandalized. “We need new symbols that represent new ways of being,” Jeffries said. “Then we need to engage in discourse about what these old symbols say about us. Symbols matter.” While Jeffries said he is grateful for the recent wave of support for King Boston, he voiced his concern that the movement may stagnate. “There is a level of nervousness that this won’t be sustainable,” Jeffries said. In Our Words “As a country, we have a short atten- How do we move forward with tion span, and [there is a fear] that this will be another wave of focusing on one racial equality? How do we solve group, one issue, and when things start opening and you’re able to medicate racial injustice? yourself with retail, we’ll go back to being [the status quo].” Recently, several corporations such as PayPal, Target, and Sephora have made promises to join the fight for racial justice. In response, King Boston has spearheaded an equity statement initiative to hold companies and public figures accountable for the pledges they make. Through its research initiative, King Boston wants to ensure the words are not empty promises. Moving forward, Jeffries said he hopes that King Boston can become “a keeper of policy and a keeper of accountability.”

12 THE VANGUARD | JUNE 2020