Since September 17, 2011, thousands of protestors have been flooding the streets of New York City to “Occupy Wall Street.” This movement has inspired a plethora of similar demonstrations to rise up in their respective cities and protest. In Washington D.C., London, Montreal, Madrid, Hong Kong and Cape Town, demonstrators are carrying countless signs and chanting angry messages demanding change. Meanwhile, many people find themselves wondering what kind of change the protestors will bring about.

Critics argue that the protestors’ goals are too broad and diverse to produce tangible results. For example, the protestors’ demands range from corporate greed to the War in Iraq, homelessness, police brutality and many other seemingly unrelated issues. There is one message, however, that unites all the Occupiers – that today’s capitalism is damaging the “99%” – the average people – and something needs to be done to make the income distribution in our society more equitable.

How does Occupy Wall Street affect high school students like us? Although we currently don’t have to pay taxes, work full-time jobs or take care of families, we all eventually have to leave the comfortable confines of our school walls, go to college and start a career. But with debt and unemployment rates soaring, people are having increasingly hard times landing jobs. Julia Shteyngardt, a current senior at Brooklyn Technical High School, is already worried about what her situation will be like once she graduates. She says, “My sister is currently an Ivy League undergraduate student and she’s struggling to get a non-paying internship. With the way the economy is right now, fewer and fewer college students are able to get jobs. Who’s to say I’ll be able to get one in four years?”

Brooklyn Tech alumni are already suffering through the same problems that many present-day students are worried about. Despite having a Juris doctorate, Nan Sze Ling, who graduated from Brooklyn Tech in 2002, is struggling to find a job. She explains, “There is a large backlog of lawyers that have been recently laid off and are currently searching for work. This makes it increasingly competitive for recent graduates to attain the same jobs.”

The protestors of Occupy Wall Street seek to ameliorate the overall economic situation and lift heavy financial burdens off people’s shoulders. They start by tackling one of the biggest factors that plague our fiscal problems: student-loan debt. While many protestors turn to the radical solution of debt forgiveness, many others try to devise less extreme solutions, such as lowering tuition fees, abolishing for-profit colleges and reforming the current system.

To further highlight the student debt problem, college students around the nation are forming Occupy demonstrations of their own.  Campuses at institutions such as UCLA, Boston University, Adelphi University and even Stanford are now the hosting sites for students who are unhappy with what their financial futures have in store for them. By walking out of class, protesting in various areas and educating their peers about the Occupy movement’s meaning and goals, Occupy Colleges hopes to catalyze the solution that will relieve them and the rest of the 99% from overwhelming debt.

Despite the progress Occupy Wall Street made in regards to the student loan problem, many complain that the movement is too unorganized to be taken seriously. After browsing through the diverse, litter-riddled encampment at Zuccotti Park, one could easily see how people form their criticisms about the leaderless protest. After all, how could Occupy activists possibly bring about change if they don’t know exactly what they’re protesting against? And how could they bring about change if they don’t have the facilities needed to preserve such a large amount of campers? Supporters argue that being leaderless is a reflection of the society that they want to see spring forth from the protest. They want to see a society in which people are able to cooperate without the presence of a superior, and as of now, Occupy Wall Street is a living example of that.

With winter fast approaching, however, it’s hard to tell whether or not the Occupiers will be staying in Zuccotti Park any longer. Their lack of organization may prove to be fatal in this aspect, but with the support of people from around the world, they may just be able to brave the imminent blizzards. If they do, Occupy Wall Street might be able to confirm that organized or not, they have the power to better our economy, and make the world a better place for youth like us to live in.

                                                    By: Razia Sultana

“First the iPod. Then the iPod Nano. Then the iPod touch. And now . . .” Ryan Higa begins his greatly viewed video, “The iPod Human.” Although many know about the dreadful truth revealed a couple of weeks ago, for those who do not, know this: the iPod human has been lost forever.

Steve Paul Jobs parted his way from the people of the world at age 56, on October 5^th, 2011, and although this visionary man wasn’t a “college grad,” he had some great victories in reality that most people could only dream about in their fantasy. One of his illustrious, and probably the most obvious, accomplishment was the “the Silicon Valley garage,” now known as Apple, a company that employs more than 40,000 people worldwide. Furthermore, to show their grief and gratitude, many people around the world offered their opinions of this remarkable man.

“His ability as a CEO was unmatched. I think he had an incredible impact on leaders of Japanese corporations,” said Atsushi Nemoto, a Japanese Jobs fan.

The Süddeutsche Zeitung wrote, “Steve Jobs lived a cliché of the timeless American dream. His story, from garage tinkerer to multi-billionaire, has been told so many times it’s now a legend. Jobs was one of those exceptional personalities who under certain circumstances can build an empire out of nothing. Some of these empires outlast their founders’ deaths. Others can’t, because the charisma, creativity, and courage of the founder are so important to the empire itself.”

New York City’s own Mayor Bloomberg stated, “In so many areas of the human experience, Steve had pushed the frontiers of what’s possible . . . and took all of us along for a ride . . . This country and this world [are] a lot better because of it.”

Many say Steve Jobs was an inspirational man, and although spiritually he has vanished from the face of the earth, emotionally and physically his legacy is left behind to the perseverant people and “the bearers of white earphones.”

His “philosophic” legacy was left behind through his Stanford commencement speech of 2005, a speech considered one of the boldest, bravest, and truth-bearing of the world.

“. . . You can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. . .”

Through this part of the speech we find Jobs telling us that the key to the future is in the past; never try to evade it. Learn from its mistakes and its successes so it can pave its way for the distant future. His connecting of the dots brought him to where he is today, a sensational man that left many of his cleverest creations behind, one of which is the iPod.

The iPod, now, has become an everyday tool, and it is used to such a great extent that life without it has become unimaginable, and for some unbearable. In addition, Jobs, the guy in the black turtleneck, contributed not only important technological advances, but lessons for life as well.

“If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?” is a question Steve Jobs asked himself everyday. It is something we should consider too, because it brings nothing but bliss and success. This simple inquiry allows the past to be free of mistakes, and in turn, creates a glowing future.

Thus, the next time you’re on the subway or a bus, cherish your white earphones, connect the dots of your past to make the future, and keep the legacy of our beloved iPod human within you!

http://923now.radio.com/2010/04/04/last-school-standing-top-10-brooklyn-technical-high-school/

Voting ends Monday April 11th!

http://923now.radio.com/2010/03/18/last-school-standing-brooklyn-technical-high-school-wants-to-go-to-92-3-nows-bamboozle-prom/

His opponents and critics claim that the test scores were inflated by principals who wished to create a facade of academic excellence. Also, he is accused of sacrificing multitudes of subjects, such as music and art, in the name of better test scores.

“He is leaving us with a legacy of classroom overcrowding, communities fighting over co-located schools, kindergarten waiting lists, unreliable school grades based on bad data, substandard credit recovery programs and our children starved of art, music and science — all replaced with test prep,” said Leonie Haimson, the head of Class Size Matters, an advocacy group and a critic of Mr. Klein’s.

Just this past week, Klein has recently accepted the position of executive vice president of News Corporation. He will mainly be pursuing entrepreneurial practices in the field of education for the company.

“His record of achievement leading one of the country’s toughest school systems has given him a unique perspective that will be particularly important as we look into a sector that has long been in need of innovation,” stated by News Corporation Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Rupert Murdoch.

Incoming Chancellor Cathleen Black was the chairman of Hearst Magazines, and a former president of USA Today. She will inherit the nation’s largest educational system, with a $23 billion budget, 135,000 employees, and a million students.

Mayor Bloomberg, anticipating criticism for appointing yet another corporate executive to head the Department of Education (Joel Klein was a former executive of Bertelsmann, a media corporation), reminded everyone that the Mayor is the one who appoints Chancellors (Coincidentally, Joel Klein was the first mayor-appointed Chancellor).

Cathie Black said that she was “very excited” about “this incredible opportunity”. She will also be the first woman Chancellor of the New York educational system.

Sources: The New York Times, The New York Post

“It’s very important just to start your day off, nothing is more important than a good breakfast and just get your day started,” said Keller.

Keller shared his own meal plan and stressed the importance of getting key nutrients throughout the day.

While the school breakfast is a popular option among students, school lunch continues to be a problem. Students often criticize the food served in the cafeteria in the middle of the day.

“Not really,” said Gino Nadela, Brooklyn Tech running back, “The food here is kind of terrible.”

Various students agree with Nadela criticizing the food as: disgusting, terrible, unhealthy and could be a lot better.

“I think you don’t know how good you have it until it’s gone,” Keller responded, “I know in my high school it really was bad and that’s not stretching the truth… once these guys leave high school you realize you had it a lot better than you think you did.”

About once a month, Keller writes a column in The New York Times about eating healthy. He gives tips to readers on topics such as controlling cravings.

While Keller came to Brooklyn Tech to promote school food, he also shared his personal experiences in the National Football League (NFL).

If he could receive a pass from any quarterback? “Other than Mark, Peyton Manning.”

The hardest hit he’s even taken? “Ray Lewis.”

The completion of lunch forms was also stressed at the press conference. The New York City Department of Education School Food is giving away a pair of NFL Pro Bowl tickets to a lucky student who hands in their completed lunch form.

Albany is expected to approve $25 million dollars for the Metropolitan Transit Authority’s (MTA) Student Metrocard Program. But this is not the end of the speculation. That approved budget of $25 million had already been cut down from $45 million leaving the MTA in a deficit hole. The MTA’s budget deficit is at approximately $800 million.

The decision to keep student Metrocards was a relief to many parents, teachers and students who feared, more than six months ago, they would have to start paying half fare the 2010-2011 school year. The decision six months ago was met with protests by students, parents, teachers and transit workers.

One of the major groups that represented New York City students was the New York City Student Union (NYCSU). In early February, NYCSU collected expired student Metrocards with statements on the back from individual students. Those statements were messages to the MTA pleading their situation if the Student Metrocards were cut. In early June, NYCSU planned a March for Student Metrocards over the Brooklyn Bridge. The march concluded in front of City Hall where a rally of students protested the possibility of student Metrocard cuts.

This news can only come as a sigh of relief from students and parents who will not have to pay over $1000 get to and from school.

Whether you know it, time is running out on the Metropolitan Transit Authority’s (MTA) decision on New York City Student Metrocards. Later this month, the MTA will vote on whether or not to continue the Student Metrocard program. The decision is for students getting free public transportation now to have to pay half fare next school year and full fair the following year. A decision heavily criticized by parents, students, teachers, transit workers and MTA employees.

The New York City Student Union, on June 11th, organized a March for Student Metrocards across the Brooklyn Bridge. The March was led by Brooklyn Technical’s own Lucas Johnson and Henry Pines who spoke with BTHSnews.org about the effects of losing student Metrocards. Johnson did the math and predicted a expense of over a $1000 a year for each child to get to school. Pines criticized the MTA’s wasteful spending by stating only three years ago the MTA had a billion dollar budget surplus and today they are in the hole.

To show that students care, back in March, the NYC Student Union collected expired student Metrocards from students all over New York City with messages on the back of them explaining how the cuts would effect them. At a March public hearing, the NYC Student Union presented the student Metrocards to MTA officials pleading the students point of view. On June 11th, they used 3000 expired student Metrocards and strung them up on a line to walk the Brooklyn Bridge.

Both Johnson and Pines stressed the right to an education and taking away student Metrocards would be taking away that right. The march also landed on the same day as an organized student walkout for student Metrocards. Students left school early to protest student Metrocards at City Hall. The MTA is expected to make their decision on student Metrocards in late June before summer vacation.

Each year, people like us all around the country make choices. Choices that could injure themselves, choices that could hurt others. And unfortunately, many of these choices are permanent.

Why aren’t these choices are given the chance to be checked, or reviewed? Sometimes, we never get the chance to go back and fix it once something has been done. That is what saddens me.

What also saddens me was the fact that there was nothing that I could do whenever these choices were made. I, like many of you, probably felt helpless. I don’t want to feel helpless anymore.

This is where SADD comes in. The purpose of this organization is to provide us with another choice. I want to create something that tells us there is a better solution, another way. Join SADD and change that “I” in that last sentence into a “We”.

There is a call to change. Not the major problems that exist in the world. No. The problems that we face everyday as people growing up in New York City. These are the problems that really matter.

I look forward to changing the way we deal with our problems in Tech. You know I can’t possibly do this alone. And that is why I ask that you join.

I look forward to changing Tech with you.

Spread the word.
Melinda Momplaisir ,
Kwame Ocran

Descriptions of SADD Positions (If you are applying for the Executive Board, This May Help)

The President must attend all meetings and fulfill these responsibilities:
• Report directly to the advisor, who must confirm/approve plans
• Work with fellow officers to plan meetings, set agendas and notify those who may be required to attend the meetings
• Lead officer meetings
• Delegate responsibilities for projects to officers, subcommittees, and participants
• Maintain responsibility for the committees’ meetings and establish deadlines
• Facilitate general SADD chapter meetings
• Serve as spokesperson and role model for the SADD chapter
• Approve financial expenditures

The Vice President must attend all meetings and fulfill these responsibilities:
• Report to the advisor, as requested by the president
• Assume leadership for the president in any role he/she cannot fulfill or in any role that is requested.
• Attend all meetings and assist in the delegation of responsibilities and implementation of activities/programs
• Serve as spokesperson and role model for the SADD chapter
• Serve as public relations contact
• Act as liaison to SADD state coordinator.

The Parliamentarian must attend all meetings and fulfill these responsibilities:
• Uphold and refer to school constitution
• Regulate other members’ activities
• Assist President and Vice President in facilitating meetings and following agendas
• Serve as Club Team Council Representative

The Secretary must attend all meetings and fulfill these responsibilities:
• Keep accurate records of EACH meeting and provide a copy to all officers and attendees as well as to the advisor
• Keep track of names and attendance
• Maintain committee lists
• Maintain chapter correspondences and other contacts in the community
• Assume the duties of the VP when requested
• Work with other officers to plan meetings
• Post meeting and activity times and places
• Actively participate in planning and implementing chapter activities and programs

The Treasurer must attend all meetings and fulfill these responsibilities:
• Keep an account of all chapter income and expenses
• Maintain bank accounts and pay bills as necessary
• Provide an up-to-date report of chapter finances at each meeting
• Work with other officers to plan meetings
• Actively participate in planning and implementing chapter activities and programs

The Public Relations Coordinator must attend all meetings and fulfill these responsibilities:
• Maintain public profile in media outlets
• Update local news stations and newspapers of events going on in school
• Maintain relationship with school newspaper
• Work with historian and communications coordinator to update website, Facebook group and spread the word about events.

The Class Representative must attend all meetings and fulfill these responsibilities:
• Represent his/her grade level and serve as primary role model for that class
• Recruit classmates to help with projects
• Provide information about SADD to classmates
• Attend various officer meetings and other meetings as requested

The Historian must attend all meetings fulfill these responsibilities:
• Take pictures and video of each meeting
• Work with the Communications Coordinator and Public Relations Coordinator to update website/Facebook group.

The Communications Coordinator must attend all meetings and fulfill these responsibilities:
• Maintain an active and aesthetically pleasing website to keep students updated
• Maintain the SADD Facebook group
• Work with historian and public relations to update and advertise
• Create posters for club activities along with the Public Relations Coordinator

Dear Prospective Members:
I hope you’ve had a successful and prosperous academic year. To schedule your appointments for interviews for the SADD executive board, please follow directions below.
Interviews will be Held in 7C1/ Cafeteria. Please Fill in the Sign Up Sheet with the Date and Time. Certain Times will not be available, as I have Regents Exams and other engagements.
Please Confirm with me the evening before. Failure to confirm and/or show up to your interview will result in jeopardy in reaching a position on the executive board.
Here is the site to sign up for interviews. I don’t think there would be a need to put more slots in, but there is, then I will set them up.

http://www.helpersignup.com/viewsheet.php?type=1&sheet=79c7eaf0659d3651771bdb8eef90d631