The Quarterly

12
BY BRIANNA LAFFEY I n the past 38 years, the Boston Harborfest has flour- ished thanks in part to the many improvements to the Harbor itself. Tourists have come from miles around to swim in the beaches and Harbor Seals have returned to the clean waters, according to the Boston Harbor Association. “Boston’s waterfront is alive this summer with, the art festivals, cultural attractions and of course the con- certs,” said Boston Mayor Thomas Menino. “ Summer on the Waterfront is an innovative way for residents and visitors alike to interact with this exciting part of our city.” It begins in the last week of June each year, rain or shine. The purpose is to remember and honor the history of Boston. Some of the events include the Chowderfest, fireworks and guided tours of the his- torical sites. More than 2.5 million people attend each year from across the country and around the world. As the nation’s largest 4th of July celebration, the Harborfest has grown from being a three -day event with only 35 activities to a six- day event with more than 200 activities. The area is undergoing a joyful revival in people visiting the many attractions the Harbor has to offer, and conditions have changed from the days when it was used as the city’s sewage dump. “Almost everything near the Harbor have been built or improved since the Harbor cleanup,” said Julie Wormser Executive Director of the Boston Harbor Association. The attractions vary from place to place. One of the harbor’s neighborhoods is Dorchester, which is home to Malibu and Savin Hill beaches. The most fascinating sections of the Harbor include historic Charlestown. When you stroll around Charlestown you will pass one of the oldest commissioned ships in US Naval history the USS Constitution, also known as Old Ironsides. Unfortunately the harbor wasn’t always this inviting. BY EMRAH FEJZIC AND BRYAN GUZMAN From its conception 30 years ago, the Big Dig project was as ambitious as it was costly. It not only altered the flow of traffic, but also changed the face of Boston. Planning began in 1982 but construction did not start until a decade later. Completed in 2006, the mega-project rerouted Interstate 93, a major highway through the heart of the city, and cre- ated the 3.5-mile Dewey Square Tunnel. It also included other construction projects in an effort to ease traffic around the city and modernize the highway system. About $22 billion later, most experts agree that the Dig was worth it, pointing out putting the highway underground made it safer and more attractive, with parks built above it. Richard Parr, director of Policy and Development for “A Better City”- a non-profit that works on transportation issues- called the end result “extremely magnificent” and “worthwhile.” Parr said the project not only opened up new opportunities for economic development, but also gave life to a new route to the South Boston area. Despite general approval, the venture faced major obsta- cles. Environmental impact studies required improvements BY FIONA MWARIAMA A s the national minority pop- ulation has soared over the last 25 years the Black and Latino community has expanded its social and political influence. Massachusetts has also grown increasingly diverse in the past two decades. Reflecting the trend, in 2006 the state elected its first black governor - Deval Patrick. In 2009 the city of Newton elected its first black mayor - Setti Warren. Boston has evolved form a pre- dominantly Irish city to a multieth- nic community. “The government is getting closer at representing the popula- tion,” said Ayanna Presley, the first African American woman on the Boston City Council. Councilor Presley is a testament that Massachusetts is undergoing a promising change. “Diversity is essential,” stated Councilor Charles Yancey. “Fifty percent of the city-wide council are people of color.” From state representatives to mayors, blacks and Latinos are tak- ing giant leaps in political affairs. “It’s not about the title,” stated Presley. “It is about making a dif- ference and making an impact.” Moreover, the rise in minor- ity population and political diver- sity has spurred a sharp increase in the minority voter turnout. In 2008 when Barack Obama was elected into office, there was a 7.6 percent increased turn- out in African American and Hispanic voters. The US Census Bureau indicates that nearly one Big Dig paved the way: New era of transportation AS MINORITY NUMBERS INCREASE, SO DOES POLITICAL CLOUT Years after efforts to clean the Harbor began, tourists are returning Minorities seeing representation Boston Harbor’s renewed glory BOSTON HARBOR continues on page 2 TRANSPORTATION continues on page 2 MINORITIES continues on page 8 Life and culture have returned to the Boston Harbor, where sailboats were docked on a recent day. PHOTO BY SHANIYA BROWN

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A newspaper produced by students in the New England High School Journalism Collective.

Transcript of The Quarterly

Page 1: The Quarterly

By Brianna Laffey

In the past 38 years, the Boston Harborfest has flour-ished thanks in part to the many improvements to the Harbor itself. Tourists have come from miles

around to swim in the beaches and Harbor Seals have returned to the clean waters, according to the Boston Harbor Association.

“Boston’s waterfront is alive this summer with, the art festivals, cultural attractions and of course the con-certs,” said Boston Mayor Thomas Menino. “ Summer on the Waterfront is an innovative way for residents and visitors alike to interact with this exciting part of our city.”

It begins in the last week of June each year, rain or shine. The purpose is to remember and honor the history of Boston. Some of the events include the Chowderfest, fireworks and guided tours of the his-torical sites.

More than 2.5 million people attend each year from across the country and around the world.

As the nation’s largest 4th of July celebration, the Harborfest has grown from being a three -day event with only 35 activities to a six- day event with more than 200 activities.

The area is undergoing a joyful revival in people visiting the many attractions the Harbor has to offer, and conditions have changed from the days when it was used as the city’s sewage dump.

“Almost everything near the Harbor have been built or improved since the Harbor cleanup,” said Julie Wormser

Executive Director of the Boston Harbor Association. The attractions vary from place to place. One of the

harbor’s neighborhoods is Dorchester, which is home to Malibu and Savin Hill beaches. The most fascinating sections of the Harbor include historic Charlestown. When you stroll around Charlestown you will pass one of the oldest commissioned ships in US Naval history the USS Constitution, also known as Old Ironsides.

Unfortunately the harbor wasn’t always this inviting.

By emrah fejzic and Bryan Guzman

From its conception 30 years ago, the Big Dig project was as ambitious as it was costly. It not only altered the flow of traffic, but also changed the face of Boston. Planning began in 1982 but construction did not start until a decade later.

Completed in 2006, the mega-project rerouted Interstate 93, a major highway through the heart of the city, and cre-ated the 3.5-mile Dewey Square Tunnel. It also included other construction projects in an effort to ease traffic around the city and modernize the highway system. About $22 billion later, most experts agree that the Dig was worth it, pointing out putting the highway underground made it safer and more attractive, with parks built above it.

Richard Parr, director of Policy and Development for “A Better City”- a non-profit that works on transportation issues- called the end result “extremely magnificent” and “worthwhile.” Parr said the project not only opened up new opportunities for economic development, but also gave life to a new route to the South Boston area.

Despite general approval, the venture faced major obsta-cles. Environmental impact studies required improvements

By fiona mwariama

As the national minority pop-ulation has soared over the last 25 years the Black and

Latino community has expanded its social and political influence.

Massachusetts has also grown increasingly diverse in the past two decades. Reflecting the trend, in 2006 the state elected its first black governor - Deval Patrick. In 2009 the city of Newton elected its first black mayor - Setti Warren. Boston has evolved form a pre-dominantly Irish city to a multieth-nic community.

“The government is getting

closer at representing the popula-tion,” said Ayanna Presley, the first African American woman on the Boston City Council.

Councilor Presley is a testament that Massachusetts is undergoing a promising change.

“Diversity is essential,” stated Councilor Charles Yancey. “Fifty percent of the city-wide council are people of color.”

From state representatives to mayors, blacks and Latinos are tak-ing giant leaps in political affairs.

“It’s not about the title,” stated Presley. “It is about making a dif-ference and making an impact.”

Moreover, the rise in minor-ity population and political diver-sity has spurred a sharp increase in the minority voter turnout. In 2008 when Barack Obama was elected into office, there was a 7.6 percent increased turn-out in African American and Hispanic voters. The US Census Bureau indicates that nearly one

Big Dig paved the way: New era of transportation

As minority numbers increAse, so does

politicAl clout

years after efforts to clean the Harbor began, tourists are returning

Minorities seeing representation

Boston Harbor’s renewed glory

BOSTON HARBOR continues on page 2

TRANSPORTATION continues on page 2MINORITIeS continues on page 8

Life and culture have returned to the Boston Harbor, where sailboats were docked on a recent day. pHoto By sHaniya Brown

Page 2: The Quarterly

to the MBTA, such as connecting the Blue and Red lines to ease the amount of air pollution produced by new highway users. Many of these legal obligations were not met.

“It’s ridiculous,” said former State Secretary of Transportation Fred Salvucci. “The federal government made us do all these promises and didn’t enforce them. The Orange line is also a disgrace. It should have been improved by 1995, but look, it’s 2012.”

Municipal leaders around the state also believe the transportation system could be better. To show support, officials rallied

at South Station earlier this month calling for more efficient public transportation, infrastructure improvements, and for more aid from the state Legislature. The rally was attended by Somerville Mayor Joe Curtatone, Boston Mayor Thomas Menino, and Chelsea City Manager Jay Ash.

“Public transportation is so critical to maintain and expand,” said Ash. “Buses and trains help people get to work, to their appointments, to schools, to shopping, and so much more. A healthy economy has a healthy public transportation system.”

“Ours here in Massachusetts is under-funded, and, therefore, is threatening our economic vitality and overall quality of life. We need to do more, not less, and

need to do so today before it is too late,” said Ash.

The Big Dig tackled a number of these problems. However, the MBTA now faces new challenges. Even though ridership is at its highest level since 1946, fares are being increased by 43 percent and ser-vices are being cut because debt has ac-cumulated over the years, among other issues.

Certain experts believe that the public transportation aspect of the Dig was never fully completed because one of the origi-nal goals of reducing traffic by improving public transportation did not happen.

State traffic specialists found that on I-93, north of the city, there has been a 27 percent increase in traffic in the last 25

years. Their reports also showed that in certain parts of the Dig commute time has doubled.

“Improving highways will never fix traf-fic,” said Stephanie Pollack, the associate director of the Kitty & Michael Dukakis Center for Urban & Regional policy at Northeastern University.

According to Pollack, highway im-provements and additions invite more traffic. Pollack said the MBTA improve-ments were supposed to have helped with this problem.

“The Big Dig did a great job with re-shaping the city; however, we need to finish what we started with public trans-portation. It’s time to take action,” Pollack said.

2 JUNE, 2012

BOSTON HARBOR continued from page 1

As Boston grew, the city’s waste began to exact a toll on the Harbor. In the late 1800’s State legislators approved the construction of the Boston Main Drainage System. The sys-tem redirected the sewage from 18 cities and towns to Moon Island where it was held for release with the outgoing tide.

By the 1930’s all shellfish taken from the harbor waters required cleaning. In 1940 planners suggested the construction of treat-ment plants at Moon Island, Nut Island and Deer Island

The waters got so bad that the harbor be-came the butt of jokes around the country, and inspired the famous song “Dirty Water” by the 1960’s band The Standells.

To maintain the improved conditions the City has put more trash receptacles near the waterfront. The city officials are also en-forcing the no-littering rule, according to a Boston Harbor Cruise employee.

TRANSPORTATION continued from page 1

In the past 38 years, the Boston Harborfest has flourished thanks in part to the many improvements to the Harbor itself. Tourists have come from miles around to swim in the beaches and Harbor Seals have returned to the clean waters, according to the Boston Harbor Association. ABOVE: Two seagulls stop for a moment to overlook activity on the Harbor. RIGHT: Two men stop for a break by the water, with a view of the city skyline.

Photos by shaniya brown

Page 3: The Quarterly

JUNE, 2012 3

ABout usOver the course of a week, 17 students

from 11 different high schools across New England have worked rigorously to pro-duce The Quarterly. During the course of the New England High School Journalism Collaborative (NEHSJC), we have worked with writing coaches and editors and learned skills from lectures about today’s world and how it affects us.

Celebrating its 25th year, NEHSJC wel-comes both new and former students to the program. This program offers outstanding opportunities and allows its students to en-counter professionals who they would not have worked with otherwise. Each year resi-dent assistants give back to the program after having been involved in it.

STUDENT EDITORS

Meredith PattersonFitchburg High School

Rodrigo SaavedraBoston Latin Academy

Paige YurekMalden High School

STAFF REPORTERS

Amanda Hayes Abington High School

Bethany Bourgault Fitchburg High School

Brianna Laffey Winthrop High School

Bryan Guzman Chelsea High School

Emrah Fejzic Chelsea High School

Fiona Mwariama Burncoat High School

Giovanni Carcamo Attleboro High School

Jaime Gweshe Burlington High School

Julie Huynh Chelsea High School

Lesley Ta Malden High School

Madison Rosbach Stoughton High School

Natalie Fallano Malden High School

Quinnee Valenzona Chelsea High School

STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERShaniya Brown Lynn English High School PROFFESIONAL STAFF

Milton Valencia Program Director The Boston Globe

Christine Vo Program Director TripAdvisor

Jason Johnson Newspaper Manager Educator

Maureen Iaricci Senior Administrator Regis College

WRITING COACHES

Maria Sacchetti The Boston Globe

Eric Moscowitz The Boston Globe

Matthew Carroll The Boston Globe

Mike Carraggi The Boston Globe

Adrian Walker The Boston Globe

Paul Makishima The Boston Globe

RESIDENT ASSISTANTS

Liz Torres Lead RA Emerson College

Melissa Bardaro 2012 Holy Cross College Graduate

Xavier Leo WPI

PRODUCTION

Julie Fallon and The Christian Science Monitor

SPECIAL THANKS

Regis College

Dow Jones Newspaper Fund and The Boston Globe

Michelle Johnson and Boston University

Paula BouknightThe Boston Globe

Corey Allen Tech Boston Academy

Mark Feeney The Boston Globe

Remembering Carole RemickBY MEREDITH PATTERSoN

All who have passed through the New England High School Journalism Collaborative (NEHSJC) have been given more than just the opportunity to work with professional jour-nalists and exposure to the industry. They have been fortunate to have been graced by a woman of the highest caliber.

Carole Remick — who died last year at age 78 — dedi-cated the last 25 years of her life to the NEHSJC, taking a program that was once struggling, raising it up and exceeding expectations.

Remick was teaching at UMass Boston when she was ap-proached about heading and reviving a program that intro-duced high school students to the world of journalism. As an English professor who primarily taught professional writing courses, Remick had no background or experience in the jour-nalism field and was faced with a list of challenges.

The first roadblock that Remick ran into was estab-lishing professional connec-tions. New to journalism herself, she knew that it would be key to find a pro-fessional staff of journalists to help guide the program.

“Those of us in the business thought it was a little strange. What made her think she could do this?,” recalled Paul Makishima, an editor with The Boston Globe.

She slowly started networking with newspapers such as The Boston Globe, The Boston Herald and The Telegram & Gazette of Worcester. She began recruiting professional jour-nalists to act as writing coaches and newspaper managers for the program.

“I couldn’t figure out why this lady who had no journal-ism background was so interested in getting kids interested in working in a newsroom,” said Michelle Johnson, at the time an editor for The Boston Globe, currently a professor

at Boston University. “I didn’t question it, though, because I felt the same way and wanted to be involved in any effort that encouraged young people to be journalists.”

Remick was tasked to find the most important element of the program — the students.

She quickly began writing letters to different high school English teachers across the state asking if they had any stu-dents interested in journalism, focusing on inner-city and mi-nority students.

She began creating a list of journalism teachers and after talking to them it soon became apparent that many teachers held concerns about teaching journalism. Many felt that as English teachers they were not experienced or trained to teach journalism and that they just acted as advisors. They also ex-pressed that due to budget cuts there weren’t always funds to

publish a newspaper. This spurred Remick

to create the NEHSJC. Tapping into her profes-sional network she created educational workshops for teachers who wanted to teach journalism.

In the very beginning stages, Remick struggled to get the program back on its feet. “But she was very stubborn and she would not give up,” stated Makishima.

It is clear that she didn’t, as the NEHSJC effort is celebrat-ing its 25 anniversary due to Remick’s dedication and love of the kids that came through the program.

“She was a teacher, a mother, a mentor, an advisor, an ad-vocate for each and every one of them,” said Leah Lamson, editor of The Telegram & Gazette.

Ann Moritz, a former resource manager at The Boston Globe and NEHSJC board member, attributes Remick with the success of the program. “She breathed the consistency that the program needed to sustain itself. The rest is history,” she said.

“Everyone makes the news so everyone should write the news.” —CAROLE REMICK

NEHSJC.orgfacebook.com/nehsjc @NEHSJC NEHSJC.tumblr.com

Page 4: The Quarterly

By Madison RosBach

The education system in Massachusetts has become more productive over the past 25 years, with higher graduation

rates and math proficiency because of national laws and the state’s innovative efforts, educa-tion officials say.

In 1985, 74 percent of Massachusetts high school students graduated, according to a study by the University of North Carolina. Last year, 83 percent of all high school students graduated, according to the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

“There’s been five straight years of prog-ress in terms of students graduating,” said JC Considine, director of Board and Media Relations, at DESE.

Part of this could be attributed to the Education Reform Act of 1993, which was the result of McDuffy v. Robertson, a 1978 lawsuit calling for education equality in Massachusetts.

The act also demanded that a test for all Massachusetts public school students be cre-ated that would give an idea of student, school, and district performance in accordance with the state curriculum standards.

The Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) was created to fulfill these requirements, according to the

DESE.“The largest increase has been the profound

amount of standardized testing,” said Richard Stutman, president of the Boston Teachers’ Union

For schools, if their students don’t do well on MCAS, the Department of Education intervenes.

For students, they must pass tenth grade MCAS tests for English and math, and one of four science and technology/engineering tests available to them to graduate from high school.

“[It] set up a penalty system for those states that participate,” Stutman said of the Education Reform Act.

In 1998, during the first administered MCAS exam, 34 percent of fourth grade stu-dents were proficient or higher in math, and 31 percent of eighth grade students were scored the same way.

In 2011, the percentage of students who scored proficient or higher was 66 percent of third graders, 47 percent of fourth graders, 59 percent of fifth graders graders, 58 percent of sixth graders, 51 percent of seventh graders, 52 percent of eighth graders, and 77 percent of tenth graders, according to the DESE and the Kids Count Data Center.

“Teachers and students are becoming more used to the test” said Considine.

MCAS scores are used to improve curricu-lum and align it with state standards, measure a student’s progress, identify struggling stu-dents, decide how to improve overall student performance, and measure Massachusetts progress towards the goal of the federal No Child Left Behind Law (NCLB), to reach 100 percent proficiency in reading and math by 2014.

Signed in 2002, the law was intended to

Education’s evolution

Fight for same-sex marriage continues

Technology drives change

4 JUNE, 2012

EDUCATION continues on page 9

By MeRedith PatteRson, Paige yuRek, RodRigo saavedRa

In a country that claims to be free, it is ironic that the right to mar-riage is in such a bitter dispute,

gay rights activists argue.Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and

Transgender (LGBT) advocates say that same-sex couples do not have the same rights as straight couples. Even civil unions recognized by sev-eral states restrictions still apply, im-plying same-sex couples are second class citizens, advocates say. But op-ponents argue that they are simply protecting traditional marriage.

In May, the US First Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a lower court de-cision in Gill v. Office of Personnel Management. It ruled that the federal

Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) is unconstitutional.

DOMA, a bill passed in 1996 under the Clinton administration, prevented the federal government from recognizing same-sex mar-riages authorized in states. It also allowed individual states not to have to legally acknowledge the relation-ship of same-sex couples married in other states.

Melba Abreu, a plaintiff involved in the Gill case, and her life partner have been together for 25 years. Because of the federal government’s current policies, they have not been allowed to file income taxes jointly, and from 2004 to 2008 have paid an extra $25,359 in taxes. “We are citi-zens of this country and we should be treated equally,” said Abreu. “But the fact that we are legally married is not enough; that we contribute and pay taxes is not enough; that we are a family is not enough,” she added.

GLAD argues on its website that “DOMA threatens the security of our

senior citizens, adds costs to busi-nesses, employers and employees, dis-criminates against taxpayers, disserves our citizens and veterans, and tears apart families and hurts children.”

However, the executive director of GLAD, Lee Swislow, holds high expectations for marriage equal-ity in the near future. She empha-sized how younger generations are a large source of support, and can only grow.

“Poll analysts say that there are few if any other issues that have ever had such dramatic changes in public opinions,” stated Swislow.

The Pew Research Center for the People and the Press conducted a study in April that measured the support for same-sex marriages in the United States .In 2004, only 31 percent of Americans were in favor of gay marriages. However, support has taken a large leap in the past eight years, as the 2012 study found that 47 percent supported same-sex marriages compared to 43 percent who were opposed.

The lead plaintiff in the May decision, Nancy Gill, has been in a relationship with her life partner Marcelle Letourneau more than 31 years and together have been rais-ing two children. In 2004, when same-sex marriage became legal in Massachusetts, Gill and Letourneau were finally able to legalize their union. However, they soon real-ized that the traditional rights of a ‘legal marriage’ did not apply to them when they filed for joint health benefits.

“We have always tried to teach our kids to live their lives honestly, with love and respect. By disrespect-ing our family, the federal govern-ment tells our kids that our family isn’t equal. That’s not right,” said Letourneau.

Opposing groups, such as the Massachusetts Family Institute (MFI), an organization “committed to defending traditional marriage,” have been vocal about the recent DOMA decision.

“This court has followed the same flawed logic as the Margaret Marshall- led Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court in throw-ing out the historical definition that marriage is between a man and a woman,” said Institute president Kris Mineau.

The decision allows the case to be appealed to the US Supreme Court.

“ We are part of the fabric of this nation and we just want to be treated equally,” said Abreu.

By aManda hayes

In today’s world, people are rarely seen without an iPhone in one hand and a tablet, e-reader or digital camera in the other. The average teen sent and received 3,417

text messages each month in the third quarter of 2011, according to data from FunMobility Inc, a company that tracks statistical data. According to analysts, it is likely this number will rapidly grow every day.

Over the past 25 years, culture and tech-nology – such as Facebook, Twitter and other social media websites – have joined to mold the social habits of young people. From this, there has been a revolution of new inventions in technology and social media that has caused major challenges to traditional business like the newspaper industry.

“The news is finding us, instead of us finding the news,” said David Gerzof, a social media professor at Emerson College.

Journalists are incorporating a great deal of

technology into their work. It is now common to see these industries have their own Twitter and Facebook accounts.

“Journalists use social media to assemble a community of people who follow their work in order to engage in an ongoing conversation. They can use the assembled wisdom of the community to find sources and improve their reporting,” said Dan Kennedy, media analyst and journalism professor at Northeastern University.

Using technology is an efficient way to reach out to a wide variety of audiences. Since articles are now posted online, they can be seen all over the world.

According to Gerzof, the Emerson College professor, there are “tremendous” advantages to using social media, such as helping build a sense of community in society.

“I use my phone overwhelmingly, whether it is for work, video, internet or apps,” said a local Bostonian resident shopping at the Apple Store in Copley Square, who identified herself as Pat.

A walk through the doors of the most influential

ThE NEw fighT for civil righTs is for samE-sEx coUplEs

sTaTE aNd NaTioNal laws impovEd EdUcaTioN sysTEm

EvolUTioN iN TEchNology chaNgiNg lifEsTylE, mEdia

“We have always tried to teach our kids to live

their lives honestly, with love and respect. By

disrespecting our family, the federal government

tells our kids that our family isn’t equal. That’s not

right,”– Marcelle Letourneau, lead plaintiff

TECHNOLOGY continues on page 9

Page 5: The Quarterly

Jaime Gweshe is 17, a junior, and attends Burlington High School, where she will gradu-ate in 2013. Gweshe has lived in Burlington since fifth grade. As a participant in NEHSJC, she is looking forward to new experiences.By Giovanni Carcamo

JUNE, 2012 5

Faces of The Quarterly

Brianna Laffey is an upcoming senior at Winthrop High School. She is 18, has a passion for writing and hopes to one day be an author. She wants to focus on writing romance novels and on her downtime she is an avid Red Sox fan.By Bryan Guzman

Meredith Patterson, 18, recently graduated from Fitchburg High School, and will be attend-ing Lesley University in the fall. She is majoring in arts management. One day, she wants to create a community performing arts center that estab-lishes mentoring programs and exposes youth to the arts, such as music, theater, and dance.By Madison Rosbach

Rodrigo Saavedra, 18 and a 2012 Boston Latin Academy graduate, served as Editor-In Chief for his school newspaper. His interests range from “investigative journalism” to “culinary arts.” This fall, Saavedra will attend Clark University in Worcester as a political science major. Following graduation, he wants to “work for either a news-paper or magazine,” he said.By Natalie Fallano

Julie Hyunh, 17, will be attending Chelsea High School as a senior in fall 2012. Passionate and determined, she dedicates her Sundays at the Soldiers’ Home. As recognition for her com-mitment to community service, she has been inducted into National Honor Society. A Boston University hopeful, Huynh has a stunning fu-ture ahead.By Lesley Ta

Bethany Bourgault is 17 and attends Fitchburg High School. Bourgault is the class secretary, president of student council, and the director of a show at a local cable station (FATV). She enjoys running and hanging out with friends. One day, she wants to work as a director, screenwriter or producer.By Amanda Hayes

Lesley Ta is 16 and she’ll be a junior at Malden High School in the fall. She believes that writ-ing helps her find her individuality and she likes covering anything that has to do with politics or social activism. For fun, she takes part in her school’s rowing team and she enjoys listening to rock and techno.By Julie Huynh

Amanda Hayes, 17, of Abington, is thrilled to find herself a participant in the NEHSJC. Hayes began to write as a means of self-expression, and fostered her love of the craft through story-telling and journalism. She is the eldest of three siblings and aspires to attend college in Boston.By Bethany Bourgault

Paige Yurek is 17 and will major in journalism at Regis College in the fall. In her spare time, she enjoys watching movies, hanging out with friends and listening to music. Yurek loved working for her school newspaper, The Blue and Gold, at Malden High School, where she covered local events and controversial issues.By Amanda Hayes

Giovanni Carcamo, 17, is entering his junior year at Attleboro High School in the fall. He brings energy and excitement to the journalistic work he does in his class. Carcamo’s passion for journalism and writing will continue to have an impact in the community as he furthers his love and talent for journalism. By Jaime Gweshe

Emrah Fejzic, 17, is a senior at Chelsea High School and is of Bosnian descent. He was born in Germany and came to the US in 2001. He is president of his school’s National Honor Society as well as a founding member of the Journalism Club. In addition to journalism, he is interested in politics and government. He volunteers weekly at the Soldiers Home and is an intern for the city manager of Chelsea.By Fiona Mwariama

Bryan Guzman is 17 and will be a senior this fall at Chelsea High school. He is of Guatemalan heritage. He hopes to become US Surgeon General and he is a big fan of basketball. This is his second year in the NEHSJC program and he hopes to get as much knowledge as he can. His favorite books are Doghouse Roses and Fahrenheit 451.By Brianna Laffey

Shaniya Brown, 16, is an incoming junior at Lynn English High School. She has been a cheerleader since she was 7 years old and now coaches her old middle school team. Brown is also a member of her school’s swim team and she plans to play volleyball this upcoming school year. Like every typical teenager, she also loves to shop and hangout with her friends.By Quinnee Valenzona

Madison Rosbach, 15, will be entering the tenth grade at Stoughton High School in the fall. Spurring from her love of reading, Rosbach likes to write fictional stories as well as create websites about them. She aspires to one day be a teen novelist and to own a bookstore.By Meredith Patterson

Quinnee Valenzma is 17 and about to be a senior. She was born in the Philippines, and moved here at age 4. She is athletic. Valenzma does cheer, plays soccer, lacrosse, and runs in-door/outdoor track. She is an overachiever even, though she believes that she is very lazy. She is always willing to do new things to venture into the unknown. Her family and friends are very im-portant to her.By Shaniya Brown

Natalie Fallano, 16, a rising senior at Malden High School, loves writing about entertainment and is the succeeding managing editor at her newspaper, the Blue and Gold. Her fervor for gender equality and maternal health has re-flected in her desire to major in English, govern-ment, and environmental science.By Rodrigo Saavedra

Fiona Mwariama is 17 years old and will be in her senior year this autumn at Burncoat High School in Worcester. Born in Kenya, she is of African descent. One of her many interests in school is running track. She also enjoys writing for her school newspaper. Along with that she is also a member of the Superintendent Advisory Council. In the future, Fiona plans to major in journalism and to attend Howard University.By Emrah Fejzic

Page 6: The Quarterly

6 JUNE, 2012

by rodrigo saavedra and paige yurek

Twenty-five years ago, UMass Boston English professor Carole Remick helped found the New England High School Journalism Collaborative (NEHSJC), a non-profit program for high-school students seeking to further their writing skills and acquire journalism experi-ence. Aspiring students had many opportunities opened thanks to the lead of Remick and the support of The Dow Jones Newspaper Fund, (a 53-year-old program dedicated to bring young prospective journalists into the field), Regis College, UMass Boston, The Boston Globe, and multiple professional, real-world journalists.

This year, participants chose “The Quarterly” as the newspaper title to honor the 25th anni-versary of NEHSJC. The name represents the longevity of the program: a quarter of a cen-tury worth of writing, researching, reporting and editing. This valuable learning experience brought together hundreds of students of di-verse backgrounds from New England over the years to create a newspaper within a week. This process also allowed the students to build lifelong relationships with peers and profes-sionals alike, creating lasting memories.

One NEHSJC alumna, Melissa Bardaro, ex-perienced these opportunities in the summer of 2004 during her sophomore year at Revere High School, after she learned of the program through her newspaper advisor, Debra Colbert White. Bardaro admitted that for her first time coming to the program, she “was kind of ner-vous. It was my first time being away from home.”

But Bardaro said she “learned to conduct

interviews, and how to write concise and clear leads,” and recommends the program to peo-ple looking to their improve writing. Bardaro shared that NEHSJC founder Carole Remick even offered to assist in getting her a job at the Worcester Telegram and Gazette after she first attended the program. “She boosted my confi-dence, and she knew how to deliver criticism constructively. She carried energy with her character, and she knew a lot of people, and helped a lot of my friends find and connect with jobs on newspapers,” Bardaro said.

Mike Carraggi, another alum of NEHSJC and a copy editor at the Boston Globe, attended the program for the first time as an incoming senior from Everett High School in 2006. After only working in his high school newspaper for two months. Carraggi admits that before the program, he had “never written, never had a writing class.” After the program, his interest in journalism soared.

“I was never expecting to be a journalist, but it just took off,” Carraggi stated. Carraggi owes a part of his success to Remick. “She taught me how to be accountable in my writing because she spoke her mind,” he explained. “She is unbelievable.”

As alumni of The New England High School Journalism Collaborative, we found that the program has provided us with a unique, re-warding opportunity to further our craft, become more open-minded to learning, and establish vital connections and friendships. We are honored to have been a part of this program’s 25th anniversary and look forward to several more.

a quarterly review

Program prepares alumni for a mindful future

25 years ago, Ronald Reagan was President, and US was just

learning DNA evidence

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ESTimaTEd 244.6 millionu.s. population

approx. 5 BillionWorld population

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STanlEy cup 1987edmonton oilers (4-3),

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devers broncos (10)

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Page 7: The Quarterly

JUNE, 2012 7

1 2 3 4 5

6 7 8 9 10

Sweet Child O’ Mine - Guns N’ Roses With or Without You - U2 I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For - U2

Pour Some Sugar On Me - Def Leppard Bad - Michael Jackson

Welcome To the Jungle - Guns N’ Roses I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me) - Whitney Houston

Faith - George Michael It’s the End of the World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine) - R.E.M.

Need You Tonight - INXS

Music

fashionfilMs

1. 3 Men and a Baby 1. 21 Jump Street

2. Fatal Attraction 2. Star Trek: The Next Generation

3. Beverly Hills Cop II 3. Full House

4. Good Morning, Vietnam 4. Married with Children

5. Moonstruck 5. The Bold and the Beautiful

6. The Untouchables 6. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

7. The Secret of My Succe$s 7. Beauty and the Beast

8. Stakeout 8. A Different World

9. Lethal Weapon 9. thirtysomething

10. Dirty Dancing 10. Inspector Morse

baby naMes

(1) Jessica, (2) Ashley, (3) Amanda, (4) Jennifer, (5) Sarah, (6) Stephanie, (7) Brittany, (8) Nicole, (9) Heather, (10) Elizabeth

(1) Michael, (2) Christopher, (3) Matthew, (4) Joshua, (5) David, (6) Andrew, (7) Daniel, (8) James, (9) Justin, (10) Robert

television

SPEEDO SWIMSUITS

BIG HAIRSWISS WATCHES-SWATCH

SUEDE PUMPSNEON ACCESSORIES (BUTTONS & BOWS)

SAFETY PINSCINDY CRAWFORD-INSPIRATION

HEADBANDSCASHMERE

SWEATSHIRTS

Blue shadows, Bronzed face, fuschia lips

Page 8: The Quarterly

By Quinnee Valenzona

Filipe grew up in the Bay State, and had achieved his dream of going to UMass Boston. But because he is an illegal immigrant and was forced to pay the

higher out-of-state tuition, he had to stop going to school in the past year after just three semesters.

“It sucked paying $45,000 for school. It put me in debt,” said Filipe, who asked that his last name not be used because of his immigration status.

There are countless others like Filipe. In the past 25 years, trying to find some sort of compromise over the issue of illegal immigration has been a difficult task. But in June, the Obama Administration announced a new de-portation policy that will stop the deportation of young illegal immigrants. This policy has the potential to allow undocumented immigrant students to afford higher education.

The Obama Administration’s new policy states that illegal immigrants under the age of 30 who had been brought to the United States before the age of 16 and have stayed here for five years can apply for work permits and driver’s licenses.

With it being an election year, some undocumented

immigrants are skeptical of the policy - that this is just a ploy to gather votes, but many others still support it. A poll conducted by Quinnipiac University shows support for Obama has surged in the Latino population.

“It would get Latinos who usually wouldn’t vote to do so,” said Filipe. “ I have friends who are registered Republicans who will vote for Obama because of this.”

Those who obtain their driver’s li-cense will be able to go about their daily routines more efficiently.

“Instead of spending 4-5 hours a day commuting, I could use that time to ad-vocate for these issues or do community leader work,” said Filipe.

A former Chelsea High School stu-dent who graduated as salutatorian of his class and asked to remain anony-mous, pondered how the executive ac-tion could have affected him.

“I never really thought about college before. It wasn’t until I got to high school that I started to get worried. I mean it was the next step right?” he said.

When his status was uncovered, he went from a high school honors student to being deported to his home country of Costa Rica, where he hasn’t continued his education.

However, 26 years ago, undocumented students would not have had any hope at all to continue their education

and lead successful lives. The Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 mandated employers to check the im-migration status of their employees and it made it illegal to hire or recruit undocumented immigrants.

In recent years, efforts have been made to improve the lives for illegal immigrants, but there have also been obsta-cles. The DREAM Act, which fell before the Senate in 2010,

would have allowed illegal immigrants a path to citizenship.

In April of 2011, the Arizona Legislature passed a law that allowed police to check the documentation of any persons they have thought to be an undocumented citizen. Recently, that law was taken to the US Supreme Court, where it was reviewed and partially upheld.

The Obama Administration has had a steadily rising deportation rate until recently. In 2011, more than

390,000 illegal immigrants were deported compared to 2007, when it was a little more than 291,000, accord-ing to research done by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Now with the new policy in place, this number should begin to decline once again as undocumented immigrants have now been allowed a legitimate, although perhaps not permanent, path to a successful future.

8 JUNE, 2012

in four votes in the 2008 election were cast by minority voters.

The hope of a black President fu-eled the communities and sparked their initiative. The election also re-flected higher political engagement in minority youth. Blacks aged 18-24 had the highest turn-out rate in that age group with 8.7 per-cent more voters than the 2004 election.

“When I go to a classroom I say raise your hand if you want to be this, raise your hand if you want to be that, and more young people are saying public service,” said Councilor Presley.

The rising ethnic and racial popula-tion has also lead to higher diversity in education.

Carole Johnson is an African American and the Boston Public Schools’ superinten-dent. Under her leadership BPS has had growing graduation rates for four consecutive years.

There has also been a growing rate of Black and Latino students in Ivy League schools. Harvard University, although still predomi-nantly a white college, is show-ing growing numbers of minority

students. According to the Undergraduate

Minority Recruitment Program, last year nearly 40 percent of the student body was comprised of mi-norities - the highest percentage in Harvard history.

Antonio Mendez, 25, is one of those students. He is of Mexican and Peruvian descent.

“I’m not used to being around people with a lot of money,” Mendez said of his experience at Harvard.

He felt “isolated.” However, his advice to young Latino students is to stay true to themselves in order to succeed.

“Follow your internal voice. Allow that voice to be the loudest.”

Obama Administration Deportation Policy gives new hope

Boston sees a demographic shift Minorities continued from page 1

By GioVanni CarCamo

Boston’s demographic makeup has changed dramatically over the past 25 years, with significant increases in the

Asian and Hispanic populations.In the 1980s, Boston was majority white,

only 20 percent black. For years the city suf-fered from severe racial tensions.

But by 2010 it was a city transformed. No group had a clear majority and neighborhoods had been reshaped by people from countries such as Haiti, the Dominican Republic and China.

“Demographics have changed dramati-cally from the past two decades,” said Kevin Peterson, co-director of the New Democracy Coalition. “The majority (has realigned to in-clude) Haitian, Latinos, and African. I believe this diversity has made Boston a better city,”

According to the US Census, Boston’s total population increased less than 10 percent over the past 25 years, from 562,994 in 1980 to 617,594 in 2010.

But the arrangement of the city’s residents has changed far more significantly. In 1980, Boston was 68 percent white, 22 percent black, six percent Hispanic and three percent Asian, according to the Boston Redevelopment Authority.

By 2010, the white population had declined to 47 percent, while the black population re-mained stable. Latinos, however, soared to 18 percent of the city’s population, while Asians rose to nine percent.

Immigration is fueling much of the popu-lation shift, adding new cultures and lan-guages to the city. The percent of foreign born has grown so much that the numbers are approaching the historic rate of the mid to late 1800s, when there was an influx of Irish, Italians and other European groups into the city.

In 1980, immigrants made up less than 20 percent of the city’s population, but by 2010, they make up nearly 30 percent of the city. One of the most transformed neighborhoods is East Boston, where the demographics have shifted. It began with a majority of white population, typically the descendants of Italian immi-grants. It’s now 52.8 percent Latino, accord-ing to the Boston Globes Your Town website, which tracks the data.

A Boston Redevelopment Authority report on South Boston, which was known as the most segregated neighborhood, shows in 2010 there was an increase with African-Americans and Asians. African Americans in this area had an increase of 107.9 percent. Increase was 40.9 percent.

In Boston today, immigrants are mainly coming from Latin America the Caribbean, Asia and Europe, with significant numbers also coming from African nations such as Somalia, according to Census data.

The city’s demographic shift is even more vivid in schools, where the biggest group of students is Latino – at 43 percent of the 55,000 students. The next largest group is African-American at 33.7 percent. White students, once the majority, are now only 12.6 percent. Asians are 8 percent, according to the Massachusetts Department of Education.

“It would get Latinos who usually wouldn’t

vote to do so,... ‘ I have friends who are

registered Republicans who will vote for Obama

because of this.’ ”– Filipe

New policy gives illegal immigrants who have lived here job opportunities

Over last 25 years, city sees greater diversity

“The government is getting closer at representing the population,”

– Ayanna Presley, the first African American woman on the Boston City Council.

Photo By shAniyA Brown

Page 9: The Quarterly

Julie HuynH

Boston enjoys a reputation for its pro-gressive attitude toward food. All across the nation, more Americans

are paying attention to what they eat. But Bostonians appear to place a special em-phasis on healthy food, which is reflected in the numerous organic restaurants, roof-top vegetable gardens, and farmer’s mar-kets visible around the city.

Now, healthy food can be found in fast food. Right down Washington Street in lively Downtown Crossing, a source of freshly grown food can be found at a res-taurant known as b. good.

Reflecting the city’s interest in healthy eating, b. good provides an alternative to typical fast food. Here, they don’t believe in processed or chemically-altered cui-sine. Much of their menu would be famil-iar to most people. The restaurant serves all kinds of burgers and sandwiches. But everything they offer is either home-grown or locally purchased. On its web-site, b. good says its goal is to be a place

“where you can feel good about burgers and fries.’’

Its approach is also beneficial to the environment. Because they buy local or grow vegetables themselves, there is no food mileage. All of the produce is fresh because it doesn’t have to be transported a far distance.

Another source of healthy foods for city residents is farmer’s markets. Here farmers bring produce directly from their fields and sell directly to customers. In recent years, interest in buying farm food appears to be on the rise. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, there were approximately 1,755 farmer’s mar-kets back in 1994. Today, there are more than 7,000 of them.

Twenty-five years ago, Haymarket, the open-air market near Faneuil Hall, was teetering on the edge of an early end as fewer customers came to buy, partly be-cause of air pollution caused by cars and construction machinery of the Big Dig. Now, it is one of the largest and most well-known markets in Boston. Every week, it’s buzzing with people eager to buy fresh, healthy, and affordable groceries.

Besides appealing to the health con-scious, farmer’s markets can also help bring more affordable nutritious food

to consumers in low-income communi-ties. Food in the ‘Hood is an organization that tries to improve the health of resi-dents in lower-income communities like the Bowdoin Geneva neighborhood of Dorchester.

Maura Beaufait, healthy food access coordinator of Food in the ‘Hood, states, “The challenge of finding healthy foods in Bowdoin Geneva has been problematic for years.”

The organization says that the area is plagued by obesity-related issues be-cause there is such a lack of availability to healthy produce in the neighborhood.

The Bowdoin Geneva Farmers’ Market, which opened in 2008, has helped with those problems. With markets like this, residents are able to take advantage of wholesome, high quality, but affordable food.

Beaufait strongly encourages group effort, emphasizing that it’s the only way that will enhance the betterment of the community.

“Healthy eating doesn’t have to be as hard as it seems if we work together to im-prove access in our communities and learn from one another about how tasty, nutri-tious, and culturally-appropriate healthy food can be,” she said.

JUNE, 2012 9

Healthy foods sprouting in city City rEsidENts goiNg orgaNiC with NEw shops, rEstaUraNts aNd markEts

The restaurant b.good grows some of its produce on its roof, part of a health movement sweeping through Boston. phoTo By shaniya Brown

“Healthy eating doesn’t have to be as hard as it seems if we work together to improve access in our communities and learn from one another

about how tasty, nutritious, and culturally-appropriate healthy food can be.”

– Maura Beaufait, healthy food access coordinator of Food in the ‘hood

EDUCATION continued from page 4

TECHNOLOGY continued from page 4

help disadvantaged students and cre-ate standard-driven learning.

“Some of the students we have the greatest concerns about are English Language Learners, kids who didn’t grow up with English,” said Considine.

There have always been large pro-ficiency gaps between white students and minority students. Also at a disad-vantage are disabled students, low in-come students, and English Language Learners.

“It’s an attempt to kind of measure people, based on the test scores kids get,” said Stutman. “Which again, many people aren’t happy about.”

The Obama administration has begun offering flexibility under the No Child Left Behind Act to some states to create a more successful pro-gram, because they believe NCLB’s goal is unrealistic. On Nov. 14, 2011, Massachusetts requested flexibility, according to the US Department of Education.

It was granted flexibility status on Feb. 9, 2012, becoming one of the first 10 states. Currently, 19 states have ac-complished flexibility status in all.

Massachusetts is now aiming to re-duce proficiency gaps by half, accord-ing to DESE.

“It’s not that we’re backing off from high standards, we still believe in high standards, it’s just that this is a more realistic goal,” said Considine.

and technology-driven place around - the Apple Store - is a perfect testa-ment to how dependent people are on technology today. Upon entering, cus-tomers were packed like sardines en-tranced with the Macs, iPads, iPhones and other products available to test at the store.

Cell phones have progressed from the 1989 Motorola MicroTAC a big, clunky industrious phone to the Nokia in the early 2000’s, to the Razr in 2004. They are now evolving to keyboard phones, internet phones and iPhones.

Apple Inc. has sparked pivotal change for technology. As of 2011, two-thirds of all mobile web brows-ing was done through Safari (Apple’s own internet browser), according to TechCrunch.com. In addition, there were 54 million active Mac users and of those 735 use notebooks instead of desktops. Also, in just 14 months, 25 million iPads were sold.

Betsi Graves, a tech-savvy customer at the Apple store says technology is “very vital” in her everyday life.

“My computer is broken. I feel like I lost my baby,” Graves stated.

Page 10: The Quarterly

The lights of Symphony Hall dim as the crowd hushes, anticipating the sound of 75 of the most talented artists in the

world. Their dynamic conductor takes the stage, immediately capturing the attention of both his musicians and his audience.

This has been the scene of over 1,400 con-certs since Keith Lockhart, 53, became the 20th conductor

of the Boston Pops in 1995. Under Lockhart’s direction, the Pops has produced 71 television shows, 35 national tours, and multiple full-length Broadway soundtracks, making it one of the most revered orchestras in the world.

Lockhart is following in the footsteps of his predecessor, John Williams, who possessed an exceedingly impressive vita. As the recipient of 47 Oscar nominations, 21 Grammys, seven British Academy Awards, five Emmys, and four Golden Globes, Williams left quite a legacy as both a composer and conductor.

“They’re both wonderful musicians,” said Dennis Alves, Boston Pops director of artistic planning, who has worked with both Lockhart and Williams.

“Every conductor is different,” said Alves, “If you put a different conductor in front of an orchestra, it’ll sound different. John Williams approaches the music more like a composer. Keith Lockhart approaches the music more like a performer.”

The Pops is not the only artistic institution to have seen a change of hands throughout the past 25 years. World-renowned classical ballet com-pany The Boston Ballet has seen three artistic directors throughout this interval.

“The artists represent the idea of the artistic head,” said Rachel Yurman, director of founda-tion and government relations at the Boston Ballet. “Each of them had that interesting dimension.”

Yurman describes each artistic director as bringing a bit of his or her own background to the scene in Boston.

Bruce Marks, who was the first American to be principal dancer in the Royal Danish Ballet, brought an increased sense of prestige to the al-ready reputable company. Anna Marie Holmes, who trained in Russia, was tremendously knowledgeable about classical ballet of the 19th century. Mikko Nissinen, the current Artistic Director, trained in Finland and has set a goal for himself to “have a company that can take on an entire repertoire,” according to Yurman.

The past 25 years have brought on a change in audience demographics as well. Each institu-tion has noticed a younger interest in their arts.

The “very energetic, very vibrant” Lockhart “brought a sense of youth to the Pops,” said Alves. Yurman notes that, as a company, “we perform, we teach, and we want to share our work with as broad an audience as possible.”

The programs within each establishment have extended their boundaries to reach out to the community around them. The Pops have expanded their Holiday and Family Concerts in order to reach a wider range of listeners, while the Boston Ballet has grown to include three lo-cations, 51 company dancers, and a multitude of community dance programs.

As for the Boston Performing Art scene, “It has never been stuck in the past,” said Yurman. “There is something in it for everyone.”

10 JUNE, 2012

Text and Photos by Bethany Bourgault

The Boston Pops has become one of the most revered orchestras in the world. ABOVE: A view of Symphony Hall. AT RIGHT: Librarian John Perkel at work cutting piece for orchestra July 4 concerrt. FAR RIGHT: Artistic Planning Director Dennis Alves sits at piano in Symphony Hall. BELOW: Interior of Symphony Hall from the top rear.

“Every conductor is different,” said Alves, “If you put a

different conductor in front of an orchestra, it’ll sound

different.– Dennis Alves, Boston Pops director

of artistic planning

The sound of Music

Page 11: The Quarterly

idea of sending a message. There’s no one single mes-sage,” explained Nancy Vega, Teen Arts Council Member of the ICA.

The council is hoping that the finished construction will assist in expanding their membership and significance to the district.

“We are in a hub that is being renovated and ex-panded every day. Changes are being made, restaurants, companies. It’s pretty exciting,” commented Gabrielle Wyrick, Massachusetts resident and Associate Director of Education at the ICA.

Fan Pier is The Fallon Company’s brainchild. Built in 1936, the ICA’s massive crystal design influenced modern day construction of Fan Pier’s surrounding vicinity. The existing edifices have set the foundation for the proposed framework ideas.

“It is not a historic neighborhood, it is a blank slate out there. There is opportunity for designs that are maybe more modern, [and we get to] utilize different building materials that complement the ICA,” added Busch.

“People enjoy the view, the area,” and “come back and explore,” said Vega as she motioned to the seascape through the ICA’s glass windows.

The new Seaport is also seen as a way to connect dif-ferent neighborhoods.

“It’s not embedded in any neighborhood. [It’s] a site for gathers,” so it is “not segregated or defined by any neigh-borhood,” stated Wyrick.

concerned residents” who agreed on a system of “com-munity policing,” said Minister Don Muhammad of Mosque 11.

Muhammad and the other community leaders took the youth into mosques and churches, where they would point them in the right direction.

With crime rates decreasing during the 1990s, ad-ditional efforts moved into to the spotlight.

Twenty-five years ago, the word emptiness could describe Grove Hall. This was not only due to fear of the streets, but the overabundance of empty buildings and vacant lots. There were 360 empty lots and 117 vacant buildings between Warren Street and Blue Hill Avenue, according to a 1987 multi-department report by the city.

“We continue to work for affordable housing, includ-ing preserving Sonoma St and the Maple St. area. Right now, 49 percent of homeowners are tenants in com-plexes,” stated District 3 City Councilor, Tito Jackson.

Both Flynn and current Mayor Thomas Menino have invested resources and funds into the area. In 1988, Flynn invested $17.8 million into Grove Hall towards jobs, housing, and businesses.

During Menino’s time in office, he has invested a total of $90 million into the community. Menino worked with the Neighborhood Development Corporation of Grove Hall (NDC) and other community organizations to build the $13.5 million Mecca Mall in 2001.

“The Mecca Mall brought hundreds of new jobs to Grove Hall,” said Muhammad.

Jackson plans to use part of the city’s budget for infrastructure projects.

“With this budget we will continue to invest in mu-

nicipal structure and infrastructure of Roxbury and Dorchester,” stated Jackson.

Efforts to revitalize the area culturally included the establishment of the new Grove Hall Public Library Branch in 2009 and the new OneUnited Bank in 2001. OneUnited is largest African-American owned bank in the country and the first of its kind in Boston.

Another defining feature of the Grove Hall com-munity is TOUCH 106.1, a non-profit radio station lo-cated in the heart of the neighborhood. TOUCH 106.1 was founded by former Boston police officer George Clemons.

“Listen to our future. Listen to our youth,” advised Clemens.

Clemens plans to give Grove Hall and the Black community a voice when he “absolutely, positively is running for mayor in 2013.”

Grove Hall may still be a work in progress, but the tools have been laid out for its improvement.

“We turned a drug area into a thriving economic oasis. The credit goes solely to the concerned civic lead-ers and religious leaders of Grove Hall,” said Flynn.

This can only be fulfilled if government and com-munity support continues. A walk through Grove Hall displays the contrast between the future and the past, as well as the transition it is undergoing. Deteriorated brick buildings slouch next door to tall standing vi-brantly colored residential buildings.

Recently on Father’s Day, Roxbury residents partici-pated in the Fathers Against Murder Epidemic Parade. Events like this prove that community support contin-ues in 2012.

“Grove Hall shows it can be done. It shows that the worst of neighborhoods can be turned around,” con-cluded Celester.

JUNE, 2012 11

GROVE HALL continued from page 11

SEAPORT continues from page 11

Once an unforgiving and silent area, South Boston’s waterfront has undergone a major makeover.

photo by shaniya brown

“We are in a hub that is being renovated and expanded every day.

Changes are being made, restaurants, companies.

It’s pretty exciting,” – Gabrielle wyrick, Massachusetts resident and

associate Director of Education at the iCa.

Page 12: The Quarterly

Jaime Gweshe

“If you don’t like the weather in New England, just wait a few minutes.”

Any Bostonian would tell you Mark Twain may as well have been talking about sports.

Boston sports fans have seen their fair share of historic collapses, heartbreaks, improbable wins and celebrations, particularly in the past 25 years.

In the 80’s the Celtics were domi-nant during the Larry Bird Era, ce-menting their place as one of the most storied franchises in the NBA, winning championships in 1981, 1984, and 1986. Elsewhere in Boston things looked promising, but teams were unsuccessful in reaching the pinnacle of sports glory. The Patriots made it to the Super Bowl in ’86 but were defeated, and the Red Sox saw the same fate that year with the in-famous between-the-legs Buckner blunder of the ‘86 World Series. The Big Bad Bruins fol-lowed suit when they lost in the Stanley Cup Final in ‘88.

A f t e r w a r d s , things were quiet in Boston.

“When I got here we used to struggle with what we were going to write about,” said Joe Sullivan, edi-tor of the Boston Globe’s sports sec-tion who arrived in 1994. “The Red Sox were sometimes a contender, some-times not. The Patriots were build-ing, the Celtics were just mediocre if not awful, and the Bruins were cheap and never went anywhere in the playoffs.”

However, with the new Millennium, a new era began in Boston. In the past decade confetti has rained down on the city as duck boats filled with champions rolled through the streets.

The New England Patriots kicked off the trend of victories with a trio of citywide celebrations for their Super Bowl wins in ‘01, ‘03, and ‘04. The Red Sox followed suit winning the World Series in ‘04 to end the Curse of the Bambino and won again in ‘07. The Celtics won in ‘08 and the Bruins followed with a Stanley Cup

Championship in ‘11.“It’s this incredible sequence of

championship teams in Boston,” said Sullivan. “Now all the teams are not only expected to be contenders, but usually are. It went from sort of an afterthought to this incredible caul-dron of competition between the big four sports. They’re all good and all championship contenders. It’s really kind of an amazing streak; if you look elsewhere in America it just doesn’t happen.”

With a new decade of win-ning, Boston teams have been put under a microscope, and the City of Champions has become the City on the Hill.

“The biggest change is prob-ably expectation,” said Globe sports writer Kevin Paul Dupont. “The Red Sox had lost since 1918 – the Patriots were never much from the time they started in 1960 – they used to call

them the Foxboro Follies, so I think the biggest change in culture and at-mosphere is the fact that everyone expects more.”

What captivates the fans isn’t just the expectation to win, but thriving on the drama of big losses just as much as they do with big wins. This makes recent failures of teams and changes not that big of a deal in terms of fan interest.

“I feel there’s almost more inter-est during the bad times,” said CBS sports producer Mike Hurley. “As much as people complain about the media blowing things out of propor-tion, the fact is that human beings love drama… It all probably stems from all the losing over the years; it’s just what we’re all used to.”

Sports fans see share of losses, celebrations

Neighborhoods changing

12 JUNE, 2012

By Natalie FallaNo

In the past, Grove Hall’s reputation was characterized by high crime rates, pov-erty and abandonment, but recently

government and community efforts have brought commercial expansion and overall growth to the area.

The constant violence and elevated crime rate led to the necessity of increased police surveillance. Some called the 1980s and 1990s a “Reign of Terror.”

”There used to be two police officers as-signed permanently to Grove Hall,” said for-mer Boston Police Deputy Superintendent William Celester.

“Cleaning up the drug crisis was the num-ber one problem,” added former Boston Mayor

Ray Flynn.Joint efforts between the police and the

community helped improve the conditions within Grove Hall.

“The entire community was united, in-cluding businesses, places of worship, and

By lesley ta

Once an unforgiv-ing and silent area, South Boston’s wa-

terfront has undergone a major makeover. For nearly fifty years, abandoned ware-houses loomed over unforgiv-ing streets as mobster James ‘Whitey’ Bulger stalked the region. Now hosting a collec-tion of high end retail stores, classy apartment condos, and chic workspaces, the once dreaded area has begun to blossom.

Renamed as the Seaport District, this strip of land has quickly evolved into a popu-lar tourist attraction. Boston’s historical roots have long provided adventurers loads to play with, however this community’s roots are fi-nally being nourished by the water. Now often referred to as the “trendiest” place to hang out and relax, the Seaport is rapidly gaining popularity domestically and internationally.

“I do believe in urban renewal,” Elizabeth Rankar, a Boston tourist visiting from New Bern, North Carolina, stated, while waiting for the trolley tour with her young niece and nephew at the New England Aquarium.

Forty-five of the 266 redevelopment projects administered by the Boston Redevelopment Agency are based in South Boston.

Southie has a history of being avoided for its crime. Whitey Bulger, now awaiting trial for numerous criminal indictments, reigned over Southie in the 1970’s and 1980’s with his infamous Winter Hill Gang. Bulger’s disap-pearance for the past 16 years coincided with efforts to revive the territory.

The Massachusetts Port Authority had zoned the grounds on the waterfront to be used for marine industrial use. Cars were popular imports and were also transferred from those ports. Lavish new development in places like Fan Pier include: high quality fabrics and clothing available at LOUIS, so-phisticated dining at Sam’s at LOUIS, Caffe di Marina, STREGA Waterfront, hotels & spas, and Fan Pier Marina, featuring varied recreational services.

“The area has been prime for develop-ment,” stated Chris Busch, Boston Waterfront Planner for the Boston Redevelopment Authority.

“It is intended to be exclusive and inclu-sive, vibrant and diverse. It is intended for live - work, and [recreation],” said Busch.

Against a clear water backdrop and rolling blades of grass, the Institute of Contemporary Art’s unique glass architecture operates as the heart of Southie.

“It is a space of opportunity. It centers the

Fenway Park as viewed from Van Ness Street.

Joint efforts between the police and the community helped improve the conditions within Grove Hall.

Recently government and community efforts have brought commercial expansion and overall growth to the Grove Hall area.

photo by shaniya brown

photo by shaniya brown

photo by shaniya brown

SoUth BoStoN’S SEaport diStrict madE ovEr

grovE hall, oNcE charactErizEd By crimE, SEES EcoNomic growth

SEAPORT continues on page 11

GROVE HALL continues on page 11