The Independent Voice of George W. Hewlett High School HEWLETT SPECTRUM Volume LXVI No 4 60 Everit Avenue Hewlett, New York Friday, March 31, 2017 Inside: A COMMUNITY JOINED TOGETHER by Bharvi Chavre explained that support - in addition to toler- disparities, particularly for people of color and On March 9 the Youth Leadership ance and acceptance - is the key factor to help the LGBTQ+ community. Club hosted the “World Café” or “Equity LGBTQ+ youth. During this discussion, there was a brief Evening” at Woodmere Middle School in One of the major topics of the night disagreement between community members order to highlight and discuss inequity within included race equity. Beatrice Bayley, the about the lack of people of color within higher- the community. Prior to the meeting, com- president of the local NAACP chapter, and level honors and AP classes, and whether it munity members were encouraged to fill out Gerri Bostick, the managing principal of GFB could be classified as racism. Nevertheless, an anonymous form answering the question: Enterprises, discussed their experiences with there was widespread agreement about the Courtesy of Rosemarie Scalfani “How do you see social, economic, and cul- racism, the presence of systemic racism and need for proper representation within the tural influences impacting our schools and the importance of diversity. school. community?” After the panelists spoke about equity, One of the most notable comments of BRINGING HOME AWARDS Led by Daniel Foster ’18 and Lina Dr. David Rifkind introduced questions that the night came from alumna Ramsha Ansari Elkoulily ’18, the night began with a video would help further the conversations. In ’11, who discussed how outrageous it was introducing the social and economic inequity. response, many great ideas were formulated that the same anti-Muslim remarks and ac- PAGE 6 Powerful speeches were given by a variety of to try to eliminate inequity within the Hewlet- tions that occurred when she was in middle guest speakers. Woodmere community. Some possible solu- school are still occurring today. She called One of the first speakers of the night tions about food equity included gathering upon the administrators to take a stand against was Syd Mandelbaum, the founder of the local canned food as a “ticket” at sporting events, such actions and have proper representation, non-profit organization Rock & Wrap It Up. stressing the value of food to young students especially of minority groups. Mandelbaum is no stranger to the Hewlett- at Franklin Early Childhood Center and the Many students were inspired by her Woodmere community, as he attended the a local elementary schools and planning events powerful remarks. Youth Leadership Forum earlier in the school where the community can come together to “It was very inspiring to hear Ramsha,” year to discuss the importance of food equity make food for those in need. Jason Rodolitz ’17 said. “She was definitely and how to decrease the discrepancy. Many high school students attended correct when she explained how it was im- “I felt we can accomplish much more this event, and were excited about its success. portant for students to know that there are with strength in numbers,” Mandelbaum said, “I thought it was a great experience administrators who have had similar experi- reflecting on the night. “Twenty-three chromo- to learn specifically how, we, the students of ences as them. It was also very nice to see somes are the binding force; we all have them Hewlett High School, can address our com- administrators talk to her after the event, and and as one, our planet and its people do best.” munal problems,” Rishi Wadgaonkar ’19 said. discuss more about racial/religious equity.” Art by Andrea Valero Scott Peterson, a social worker at “One of the popular ideas of the night included Overall, the night was widely enjoyed Pride for Youth (an organization that support a food map that would allow citizens in need and very successful. LBGTQ+ youth) spoke after Mandelbaum. to locate sources of food.” “The World Café was a great way for Peterson, too, attended a Youth Leader- Although food equity was recognized people from all walks of life to come together ship Forum earlier this year. Reiterating the as an important issue that needed to be solved, and start a dialogue about significant issues SNAPCHAT MORE THAN AN APP message he delivered during the forum, he the night focused on trying to resolve social that we face in our community,” Foster said. PAGE 10 THE AHCA GOES FOR A CHECKUP by Gina Carillo bill’s main backer, Speaker of the House Paul healthcare plans until age 26. During the 2016 presidential election, Ryan, emphasized the importance of putting On March 13, the Congressional Budget President Trump ran on a campaign to dismantle decision-making power in the people’s hands. Office (CBO), a bipartisan group that provides the Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as “Our plan is not about forcing people to independent analyses of budgetary and eco- Obamacare. Since President Trump has taken buy expensive, one-size-fits-all coverage,” Ryan nomic issues, released its report concerning the office, Republicans in Congress have set forth said. “It is about giving people more choices and AHCA. While its findings did agree that the a plan to dismantle Obamacare and replace it better access to a plan they want and can afford.” AHCA will ultimately lower premiums and Courtesy of Scott McInnes with a new act, known as the American Health Under this bill, the individual mandate to increase access to healthcare, it raised concerns Care Act (AHCA). obtain insurance would be removed as well as regarding how it would achieve that goal. “One thing we have to do: repeal and the tax penalties for those who go without. How- Specifically, the CBO stated that the replace the disaster known as Obamacare,” ever, a new provision that bill would achieve these lower premiums by SENIORS MAKE A SEASONAL VICTORY Trump said, advocating for a better replacement. imposes a 30 percent rewarding younger patients and penalizing older “It’s destroying our country. It’s destroying our surcharge if individu- patients to the point that they would simply leave PAGE 12 & 13 businesses.” als allow their policy the market. Since the remaining pool of people The ACA was signed into law by former to lapse would be put would then be younger and healthier, insurance President Barack Obama on March 23, 2010. in place. In addition, the premiums would be less expensive. It reported Since its inception, the ACA has generated heat- subsidies provided by that by the end of a decade, the average plan ed political debate; Republicans have attacked the govern- ment under would cost 10 percent less but there would be Obamacare, calling the it “not-so-affordable” Obamacare Art by Aimee Ding to help low- 24 million fewer people insured. By 2026, 52 and criticizing the lack of options to shop around income people pay deductibles million people would be uninsured. for coverage. and other out-of-pocket costs, would also be Many Democrats responded to the CBO’s The new bill, the ACHA, is an attempt to eliminated and replaced with credits based upon report, stating the bill would have damaging change the ways of Obamacare. age. These new provisions enraged many, as they consequences for American families. Many “The House bill to repeal Obamacare worried that they would tragically hurt those in Republicans also spoke out against the AHCA. will provide you and your fellow citizens with desperate need of healthcare. “The CBO estimate that millions of more choices - far more choices - at lower cost,” In addition, under the AHCA states would Americans could lose their health insurance Trump said at a White House meeting. receive $100 billion over nine years, which they coverage if the House bill were to become law Courtesy of Dawn DeMaio The Republicans have heavily criticized would use to help people pay for healthcare is cause for alarm,” Republican Senator Susan the decision-making aspect of the ACA, plead- and insurance. Surprisingly, President Trump Collins of Maine said. “It should prompt the ing for a bill that allows states flexibility in how has left three popular provisions of Obamacare House to slow down and reconsider certain IN THE SPOTLIGHT to deal with costly conditions that came with intact: forbidding denial of coverage to people provisions of the bill.” Obamacare. with pre-existing medical conditions, the ban Currently, the bill for the AHCA is just On March 6, House Republicans unveiled on lifetime coverage caps and the rule allow- a starting point and the final version may look PAGE 15 their long awaited plan to scrap Obamacare. The ing young people to remain on their parents’ very different after negotiations from both sides. 2 Opinions SPECTRUM Friday, March 31, 2017 VAPING AND VANDALISM VIOLATE HHS Along with their slogan, cans were found overturned and be replenished through a laptop. take someone from outside the But are these new rules “Smoking Evolved,” Juuls have wet paper towels were found on The convenient technology district to speak to students in fulfilling their intended purpose? infiltrated George W. Hewlett the ceiling. All of these forms of makes harmful substances like order for a change to be made. Will limiting all the boys to just High School. A Juul is an elec- “traditional bathroom vandal- e-cigarettes simple for teenagers The administration has two bathrooms halt the vaping tronic cigarette, often flavored, ism” are both disrespectful and to obtain. A local store has also responded to this issue by enforc- problem? Or, have these new that uses nicotine salts found unacceptable.