PULSE. January/February 2020
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The Heartbeat of Syosset the PULSE. January/February 2020 SYO Students Concered About Possible World War III Sophia Jang Digital Editor in Chief The Pulse Some Syosset students began the new of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps remember the 1980-1988 war with Iraq, and decade with a new fear in mind: a war draft. (IRGC). Each of the eight units are under some have perceived the killing of Solei- Staff On January 3, Qassem Soleimani, leader of the command of the IRGC Commander in mani as an act of war, fearing widespread Iran’s Quds force was killed in a U.S. air- Chief Major General Hossein Salami and military conflict due to Iran’s promise to Ediors-in-Chief strike which targeted a convoy near Bagh- his deputy, Ali Fadavi. However, the Quds avenge Soleimani’s murder. Soleimani was dad’s main airport, and also killed Iraqi mi- Force is unique in that its commander is also widely respected as a military strategist Abby Blick litia commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis. solely accountable to Iran’s supreme leader, in Iran, having transformed the Quds Forc- Kiera Sherman The U.S. Department of Defense confirmed and therefore the actions of the Quds Force es, and there was widespread and extreme that the U.S. was responsible for the attack, can be interpreted to have full governmen- sorrow at his funeral. Abdolah Momeni, a Digital Editor in and received mixed reactions, including tal support. Although the Quds Force was prominent critic of the Iranian establish- Chief fear, disbelief, and approval. In response, formed in the 1980s, it was only officially ment who has endured imprisonment and Sophia Jang the Department of Defense released an ex- acknowledged during the Syrian War in torture in Iran, explained on Twitter that, planatory statement, stating that Soleimani 2011, and has been actively operating to “No nation is happy when its soldiers and and the Quds Force “were responsible for influence political standings in many other commanders are killed by foreigners. Solei- Managing Editors the deaths of hundreds of American and countries. For example, the Quds Force has mani’s martyrdom has hurt Iranians’ nation- Justin Oresky coalition service members and the wound- attempted to gain greater influence in Leba- al pride.” Americans have also perceived Emma Goetz ing of thousands more. He had orchestrated non’s government and security, conducted the operation to be an act of war. “The kill- attacks on coalition bases in Iraq over the operations to form pro-government militias ing of a top military official of an unfriendly Creative Director last several months -- including the attack in Syria, established the Popular Mobiliza- country that was labelled as part of an ‘Axis Ryun Shim on December 27th -- culminating in the tion Forces (PMF), or Hashid Shaabi, in of Evil’ by President George W. Bush, and death and wounding of additional Ameri- Iraq to help Iraq-Iran relations, supported that we have no current, official diplomatic can and Iraqi personnel.” While World War the Huthi government in Yemen, and sup- relations with is considered an ‘act of war’ News Editors III memes began to burst onto social media ported armed political groups aligned with by Iran and the international community,” Merin Thomas platforms such as TikTok and Twitter, Syos- Iran’s interests in Afghanistan. Many of the says Mr. Klopp, a Syosset High School AP Gabrielle Unson set students wondered about the importance groups that the Quds Force has supported US History and AP US Government and of the U.S. attack and its implications. are U.S. designated terrorist organizations, Politics teacher. Features Editor For context, Qasem Soleimani was in explaining the U.S.’s interest in targeting These tensions and developments have cul- Saba Mehrzad charge of Iran’s Quds Force since 1997. them. minated in the concern surrounding the draft The Quds Force is one of eight branches Iranians fear increased violence as they and “World War III”. (continued on page 2) Entertainment Editor Emma Blau Long Island Arts Alliance Awards Opinions Editors Four Seniors Chloe Sohn Stella Chen Caroline Hsu Staff Writer Sports Editor Four Syosset High School seniors were recently bestowed the cals and plays at Syosset High School. Her set designs have been honor of being named Long Island Scholar Artists by the Long brought to life in the musicals Mamma Mia and Cinderella. She Chris Cizmeciyan Island Arts Alliance (LIAA). For over a decade, LIAA’s Scholar- says, “My ideas are sparked by my feelings, so my art is a means Artist program has offered the opportunity for top high schoolers for expressiveness” (newsday.com). Siyu Yang received the dis- Pulse Beats to be recognized in their arts specialty. This year, Sara Gorelkin, tinction in the category of Music. Yang is an accomplished pianist Peter Levi Tiffany Wu, and Siyu Yang were named Scholar-Artist winners who is actively involved in various ensembles at school, including and Chloe Catton was named a Merit-Award winner. the Syosset High School Chamber Singers. In the category of Me- The Long Island Arts Alliance was founded in 2002 to revital- dia Arts, Chloe Catton was named a Merit-Award winner for her ize the dwindling art community on Long Island. It is a non-profit portfolio of digital photos. organization that seeks to enhance coverage of art events in the re- Winners are invited to the Scholar-Artist gala in the spring that gion, as well as support arts education and recognize artistic talent. is held at the Tilles Center for the Performing Arts. Scholar-Artists LIAA advocates increased participation in institutions and events will receive a monetary award of $250 and a certificate. In addi- that spotlight art, music, dance, theatre, among other genres of the tion, every month, two winners, one each from Nassau and Suffolk fine arts. As stated in the LIAA’s mission statement, the soci- Counties, are featured prominently in Newsday. Congratulations to Advisor ety strives to keep the arts a cultural cornerstone of society, while the four Syosset seniors on representing the finest artistic skill and keeping the art community thriving. The LIAA notes that keeping talent on Long Island! Mrs. Ferguson arts in the community also has significant economic advantages. Ms. Eager Being named a Scholar-Artist is no easy feat as only twenty high school seniors are selected from both Nassau and Suffolk County. In the spring prior to the student’s senior year, school administra- tors can nominate one student for each of the following disciplines: Dance, Media Arts, Music, Theater, and the Visual Arts. The stu- dents must have a grade point average of 90 or higher, all appli- cants must submit a portfolio of their work and an essay, in which they describe how the arts has enriched their lives. Upon submis- sion of materials, a committee, comprised of renowned educators and professionals in their respective fields, chooses students who represent the top of their class in their art specialty. Tiffany Wu was honored for her accomplishments in the Visual Arts. Her work has already been featured in numerous showcases and galleries and she has expressed her career choice of becoming an architect. Sara Gorelkin won in the category of Theater and her Credit: https://www.newsday.com creativity and incredible skill have been reflected in many musi- The PULSE 2 NEWS Our Model Congress Team (cont. from front page) As young men force Innovation and Opportunity Act Wins Big at Yale! around the country began to remember (Workforce Investment Act), and U.S. Emma Staller registering with the Selective Service citizenship for immigrant men. However, Staff Writer System to receive financial aid for col- with such harsh penalties, the legality of Syosset High School’s Model tee sessions and was a Yale stu- lege, or while getting a driver’s license, requiring only men to register has been Congress team attended the Yale dent, selected delegates for these Google searches for the question “Is questioned. In 2019, a federal judge in Model Congress conference from titles. Ariane Lee, a junior, was there going to be a draft?” skyrocketed Houston ruled that excluding women December 5-8, 2019, held on the awarded a gavel after winning to 900% in a day. The panic that ensued from the draft was unconstitutional, and campus of Yale University in New best delegate in the Blue Senate was enough to crash the Selective Ser- considering that women are eligible for Haven, Connecticut. Twenty-four Committee on Environment and vice System website for two days due to all combat jobs, these guidelines appear students, coming from all grades, Public Works. Caroline Hsu, a the high traffic volume. Uncertainty and discriminatory against men. participated in four exciting days sophomore, won honorable men- confusion ricocheted between students In the meantime, students should try to of debate with other high school- tion in the Blue House Commit- across the country, as some joked about first understand the legality of situations ers from thirty-four schools on tee on Financial Services. an impending “World War III”. These before jumping to conclusions, while the east coast. In addition to the debate that oc- fears have perhaps only been escalated remaining mindful of the impact that a Model Congress is a simulation curred for the majority of the day, by reports. On January 7, Ali Shamkhani, large war would have on other areas of of the United States Congress, and students had plenty of opportuni- the secretary of Iran’s Supreme National the world. It is easy for social media us- students present mock legislation ties to socialize and relax.