  In the past, celebrities were shining stars: singers, dancers and politicians only seen by fans on the black screens of television. Now, in the age of unrestrained usage of social media, the distance between celebrities and fans is stripped. From convincing fans to purchase a product they endorse to imposing their views on important world events and issues, celebrities and public figures now hold the power to influence an impressionable audience with the click of a button. 

  After the senseless killings of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor in 2020, the Black Lives Matter movement saw a massive influx of attention on various media. From trending Twitter “blacklivesmatter” hashtags to the 28 million Instagram users who participated in “Blackout Tuesday,” publicly proclaiming support on social media for BLM was deemed the right thing to do, and keeping silent was perceived as immoral and almost racist. Brands and celebrities rode on this social media wave, blacking out their social media profile pictures and professing their support to the movement in posts. While these popular gestures were intended to show solidarity with the movement, it set a larger precedent that activism simply meant announcing one’s alignment with a cause without the intention of further support. 

  Mass distribution of misguided statements is the central cause for the spread of misinformation, an all too common consequence of celebrity “activism.” A study conducted by researchers at Reuters Institution in 2022 found that 20 percent of posts containing misinformation about COVID-19 were created by influencer profiles. Even more damaging, because of their large monopoly on social media, celebrity posts on important issues often overshadow expert opinions and helpful resources posted by lesser known accounts, devaluing the function of professional journalism. The often performative nature of celebrity activism becomes clear upon nuanced situations such as the Israeli-Palestinian war, which saw much less celebrity engagement. Given the extreme nuance of the conflict, there was no longer a clear-cut, “politically-correct” side to side with or to jump on the bandwagon for. Many fans blasted their idols upon observing their “silence,” questioning why they weren’t using their platform to weigh in on the situation. However, celebrities shouldn’t be pressured to “speak up” on political issues that they have no background in when expert opinions hold more importance in informing the public. 

   The influence celebrities have on impressionable fans regarding social issues often unfolds on an emotional level rather than from factual evidence, resulting in unacceptable behaviors by hot-tempered fans that attack individuals who speak out against the misguided ideologies spread by biased public figures. For example, in April 2020, the actor Woody Harrelson shared his claim regarding the 5G network being the cause of the COVID-19 pandemic to his two million followers on Instagram. The time frame of his claims correlated with at least 20 cell tower polls being burned to the ground in the UK. Telecom employees were also harassed on the streets while attempting to set up 5G fiber optic cables. Kanye West, also known for his anti-vaccination stance, told Forbes that he believed COVID-19 vaccinations would “put chips inside of us” during the pandemic. This proven-false conspiracy theory snowballed and soon became a popular statement spread by anti-vaccine groups. Furthermore, the misinformed statements of celebrities are often regurgitated in popular media in order to generate more clicks, consequently exacerbating the spread of their falsified claims.

   As teenagers, the demographic most susceptible to celebrity influence, PHS students should be mindful of avoiding valuing their favorite celebrities' opinions over expert opinions in order to make informed decisions. In a time where rampant false information is spread online, it’s important to realize that the power of reliable research to uncover truths is longstanding and undeniable. 


Stop relying on celebrity activism

PHS’ competitive and goal-oriented student culture is undeniable. Rigorous classes and mountain-high piles of homework not only create stress, but also often dig into sleeping hours. As a result, a majority of the student body files into the hallways plagued with foggy brains from sleep deprivation and simply being overworked. 
In order to make up for this sleep deprivation and maintain their busy lifestyles, many students choose to turn towards sugar and caffeine. The high school vending machines offer a couple of options, but since the beginning of this year, one predominant candidate has entered itself into the pool — Celsius energy drinks. Containing 200 mg of caffeine (the equivalent of two cups of black coffee), the drink has quickly gained immense popularity amongst students. However, Celsius’ focusing abilities come with dangerous side effects. In 2020, the CDC found that drinking highly caffeinated beverages such as Celsius can lead to long-term effects like increased blood pressure, and heart complications. Even in the short term, the effects are damaging; research done by WebMD in 2018 found that relying on artificial high doses of caffeine causes numerous negative symptoms to the drinker, including anxiety, irregular heartbeats, and insomnia, highlighting how this temporary fix for fatigue often leads to a more permanent, detrimental problem to long-term health. 
Instead of drinking energy drinks, students should consider tea for their pick-me-up beverage of choice. Tea delivers a moderate amount of caffeine that doesn’t disrupt the nervous system. Matcha, for one, contains l-theanine, which slows the effect of caffeine, creating a more stable energy boost. While caffeine from coffee or energy drinks takes mere minutes to be absorbed into the bloodstream, it takes around three to six hours for the caffeine in matcha to be fully absorbed. This gradual absorption cushions the blow to the nervous system, prolonging the body’s energy and preventing sudden crashes and withdrawals from occurring. Furthermore, tea boasts a much higher nutritional value to the body compared to caffeinated drinks, as it’s packed with antioxidants and vitamins that help regulate blood sugar, heart health, nervous systems, metabolism, and many other bodily functions. 
All of these factors demonstrate tea’s nutritional value over caffeinated drinks, being able to regulate students’ sleep schedules and stress levels much better compared to less healthy alternatives. The options for tea are vast, providing options for any palate. So next time you feel tired, avoid that celsius drink and reach for tea instead.

Pouring Positivi-tea: tea's positive impact on your health

A roar of excitement rumbles through the New Gym as the annual Princeton High School pep rally gets underway. Under the lead of Ella Bardzilowski ’23, the PHS cheer team begins an impressive synchronized routine. Bardzilowski leads the chants, and the routine ends with a difficult pyramid formation, raising all of the flyers high into the air. The crowd cheers and claps in standing ovation. 
At five years old, Bardzilowski knew she was destined to cheer from the first time she tried it. While her family encouraged her to try a large variety of sports, cheerleading was the one that truly stood out. 
 “I knew from the second I tried cheerleading that it would become my thing,” said Bardzilowski. “It was such a great hobby to have growing up and I’m so glad it’s still a part of my life today.”
After three years of being part of PHS’ cheer team, all of Bardzilowski’s hard work and talent was recognized through her promotion of becoming captain her junior and senior years. Now, the hefty responsibility of leading underclassmen cheerleaders falls onto her shoulders. 
“I think she’s very good at the job,” said head coach Veronica Foreman. “The underclassmen look up to her, but they’re still friendly which is an important dynamic. She’s very hardworking, and knows when to take things seriously.”
Now a senior, Bardzilowski is set to participate in her last season of cheer this fall. Through her years on the team, though, she has always stood out as a hardworking and dedicated member of the team. Quick to learn and eager to perform, Bardzilowski has grown throughout the years and matured not only as an athlete, but a person too.
“She's always been very dedicated to the team since the start when she joined, which is admirable,” said Foreman. “She’s very good at what she does, always doing the hardest parts of the routine and very good at it. She picks up things quickly.”
While Bardzilowski has grown throughout the years, the cheer team has been improving along with her, seeing a larger number of participants join the team last year in comparison to recent years. 
 “I am so grateful that we got such a surprise last year with the amount of people who joined the cheer team, so we got to train a lot of people who had never cheered before and got to grow together as a team throughout the season,”  Bardzilowski said.
Becoming a cheerleader is a commitment — Bardzilowski often finds herself putting cheer before friends, work, and other extracurricular activities. For her, this can become hard to manage since she has a full schedule loaded with AP and accelerated classes. However, despite outside academic pressure, Bardzilowski’s love for the cheer team makes it a part of her schedule she looks forward to. 
 “It can get challenging to stay on top of homework and studying while having practices every day and while planning for practices, games, and competition outside of normal practice time,” said Bardzilowski. “I get to be with all my best friends there doing something I love, so that makes going home and doing work so much easier. It can be tempting to opt out of practice to study or work on college applications, but I remind myself of my commitment to the team and what I get out of this team every day.”
Through their daily practices and weekend games, the cheerleaders quickly became a family given all the time they spent together. 
 “Our team has such a tight bond. Since we barely have time to hang out with anyone else, we are all each other's best friends,” said Bardzilowski. “We have certain traditions — like team lunches every Friday and getting together to make banners for game days — that keep us close even outside of practice.”  
As the team works to form a stronger connection on the sidelines as well, Bardzilowski aims to maintain a strong and healthy team relationship while also communicating during their routines.  
“She… is a good captain because she knows cheerleading better than anyone else… [since] she's been doing it for a while,” said Kate Mazzoni ’26, a PHS cheerleader who has been with the team for two years. “She's also really nice when she is correcting us and isn't bossy at all. I think she definitely does her best to make the team as good as possible.”
For aspiring cheerleaders eager to take part in the team’s activities and routines, Bardzilowski shares some encouraging advice. 
“Be confident! I always tell the team that cheerleading is 50 percent skill and 50 percent confidence,” said Bardzilowski.“Unlike other sports, cheerleading is all about putting on a performance, so ‘fake it till you make it’ is the key. … But of course, discipline and hard work come above all.”

Ella Bardzilowski ’23: Cheer

As the air crisps and leaves awash in warm hues, Halloween decorations begin to adorn porches and lawns. While twinkling string lights and flashy blow-up characters are visually appealing, the harm they bring to the environment is often overshadowed by their tantalizing glow. 
Modern-day capitalism has created a culture of rampant consumerism, especially within America. The detrimental effects of overconsumption on the environment are exacerbated during holiday seasons, and Halloween is no exception. A 2020 study by Planet Home found that strings of lights produce enough carbon dioxide to fill 15,500 hot air balloons. Gas emissions aside, these luminous displays also contribute a whopping 50 percent increase in light pollution to areas nearby, which disturbs the habitat and mating patterns of native animals and insects, leading to irregular populations and possible future extinction. On top of this, many households repurchase new decorations each year, creating significant amounts of plastic and electronic waste. Jack-o’-lanterns, a seemingly innocent decoration, also prove to be environmentally sinister. Waste Manage reported in a 2019 study that a colossal 18,000 tons of pumpkins are thrown away to landfills each year after fulfilling Halloween demands. When pumpkins are sent to landfill, they decompose and produce methane, a greenhouse gas over 25 times more effective in trapping heat in the atmosphere than carbon dioxide, ultimately all contributing to global warming, according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency. 
Trick-or-treating, dubbed the most exciting aspect of the spooky season by many, is also no treat for the environment. Lisa Morton, an environmental specialist, found in 2021 that the average trick-or-treater produces one pound of trash on Halloween night, alarming given that the holiday boasts more than 40 million trick-or-treaters. This statistic becomes even more disturbing given the fact that most trick-or-treaters  also wear a polyester-constructed costume. An environmental organization, Hubbub, conducted a study in 2019 revealing that 83 percent of Halloween costumes are created with non-recyclable, oil-based plastics, being destined to eventually dress a landfill. To put this into context, this staggering quantity of trash is equivalent to two thousand tons of plastic waste, or 83 million plastic bottles. A 2022 report by the UN Environment Programme stated that plastics accounts for 85 percent of total marine waste, being the most dangerous type of litter harming our oceans given its inability to decompose. The excess plastic created by Halloween exacerbates marine pollution, masking marine life in a suffocating film of debris, damaging the natural ecosystem. 
As residents in the Princeton area, a bulk of the responsibility to preserve our local ecosystem lies on the shoulders of Princeton High School students and their families. While keeping up with spooky traditions is an important part of American culture, Halloween doesn’t have to be scary for the environment. For example, jack-o’-lanterns and other decorations should be made with compost in mind, a process that eliminates the formation of methane gas through aeration, decreasing the greenhouse gas emissions drastically. Furthermore, decorations can be reused every year to reduce the amount of waste that comes with switching out decorations each year. Costumes could also be put together with garments made from organic fabrics like cotton, from pieces from someone's everyday wardrobe, or be donated. Celebrating Halloween and remaining environmentally friendly are not mutually exclusive; both can and should coexist in the Princeton community, and in modern society as a whole.

Trick or Treat the Environment Better

Throughout the month of October, foreign exchange students from Izumigaoka High School in Japan and Lycee Bartholdi in France arrived on PHS’ campus as a part of PHS’ foreign exchange program for the first time since 2019. There, they were greeted by  PHS Japanese and French students, who hosted them for a week. 
Both groups had the opportunity to observe classes in various subjects, creating art pieces in art class and learning about American history at PHS. Through these foreign exchange programs organized by the PHS language department, PHS and Princeton’s sister cities could exchange lifestyles and study at overseas high schools. 
“Such initiatives play a crucial role in promoting international cooperation, understanding, and friendship among students from different parts of the world,” said PHS Japanese teacher Risa Sakakibara, one of the facilitators of the program. “It's heartening to see efforts being made to deepen the bond between the U.S. and Japan through educational and cultural exchanges.”
This year marks the foreign exchange program’s 35th anniversary. The program began in 1989 during a PHS choir trip to Colmar, where former PHS French teacher Bernard Ponsan connected with the French high school Lycée Bartholdi, inviting their French students to visit PHS. This reciprocal interaction eventually developed into an official exchange program between the two schools. 
“As much as we try to maintain an immersive environment in class, [the exchange program] makes learning much more immersive because the [students] are with French people and they’re in France,” said Malachi Wood, a PHS French teacher and principal facilitator of the exchange program for 16 years. “A lot of [students] become more motivated. They’re excited to get to know somebody on that one-on-one personal level.”
Though fun, the primary purpose of these programs is to provide a new experience for students in a language-learning environment. Programs where students can interact with their language in a real life setting challenge students, but also create a unique opportunity for them to hone their speaking abilities.
“In my house, we normally speak Japanese. But in order to give the exchange student an American experience, we spoke in English the entire time,” said Seigo Iwata ‘26, a participant in the Japanese exchange program. 
While in Princeton, exchange students traveled to popular locations in town with their host students, the student providing them housing. Japanese exchange students took walks on Princeton University’s campus. Peruvian exchange students shared meals with host families in Conte’s Pizza.
“What they do is shadow an American kid, [seeing] what an American teenager would do. Their hosts can tell them what they’re doing that day or prepare something fun for them,” said Martha Hayden, a PHS Spanish teacher and facilitator of the exchange program. 
During the French exchange students stay at PHS, they shadowed their host student and attended all of their classes, even participating in the host’s extracurricular activities. When PHS French exchange program students leave for France in November, they will do the same at Lyceé Bartoldi. An exciting itinerary awaits these PHS students, featuring famous French landmarks and museums. 
“Every year, I try to do something different,” said Wood. “Usually we see the Louvre, [and] the Musée d’Orsay. What I'm excited about is that we’re going to see a World War II memorial, where the French and Germans faced off with trench warfare. And, we will visit one of the only concentration camps that was in France.”
Education aside, another big aspect of the foreign exchange programs is getting exposure to different lifestyles and cultural customs, developing lifelong connections with host families. French students dressed up to attend their first Homecoming dance on October 14. Peruvian exchange students spent their first Thanksgiving alongside their host family.    
“My favorite part is seeing the kids get to know each other. The day that we’re leaving, everybody’s crying. A lot of students [develop] lifelong friends because they stay in touch [and] visit each other,” said Wood. “I hope that their horizons are broadened.”

PHS welcomes first foreign exchange students since 2019

It's mind blowing to grasp that the vast expanse of dark blue water we watch while relaxing on the Jersey Shore makes up less than a fraction of the entire ocean, which in turn  occupies almost 71 percent of the Earth’s surface. The ocean creates a habitat occupied by over 276,878 known species of marine animals that have thrived for millions of years. As with all mysteries, questions arise and studies accompany them: marine biology, the study of marine life and human impact on the marine ecosystems, places a focus on the miracle that is our oceans. As pollution and climate change become a recurring topic in current times, the need for environmental awareness has surged, and a general environmental science class may not meet the demands for in-depth study of marine science. 
Due to the diversified nature of the PHS science curriculum and courses, students are able to take a deep dive into specialized science topics, including organic chemistry, planetary science, environmental science, anatomy, forensics, and more. Yet for some reason, Marine Biology is absent. On a hot summer day, the common thought process of a New Jersey resident would be to spend a day at the beach and swim in the ocean. Being exposed to the East Coast staple that is the Jersey Shore, many New Jersey students develop a love for the ocean, and in turn the marine sciences. 
“We are a coastal state. New Jersey is famous for its beaches. There's so many opportunities in the state that I think we should take advantage of… we should absolutely be integrating more into our curriculum” said biology and Research teacher Mark Eastburn.
Unfortunately, a day trip to the shore might be slightly out of reach for the average student. Including a marine biology course at PHS, however, could make learning about the ocean just that bit more accessible, fueling the curiosity of students who don’t have the resources to go down to the shore.
Aside from fostering greater curiosity about the ocean among students, a marine biology class could also help point students toward a prospective major. More and more, students have been undecided about their majors when entering college. Fortunately, providing more specialized courses that properly direct students could remedy this disorientation. In essence, a marine biology class may just be the specialized science classes PHS students need. 
Though even without a course of direction, Eastburn mentions that still he has and had students who were particularly interested in marine biology. 
“I have multiple students who want to pursue marine biology. And I have students, even outside of the research program, who come to me with an interest in doing a project associated with marine biology,” Eastburn said. 
The sheer amount of undiscovered and understudied marine could have a plethora of uses – explaining the unknown, discovering alternate biofuels to save the planet, and even curing diseases. PHS’ resources and university-collaboration opportunities can play a role in new developing scientific interests, which may result in future discoveries. 
“This is a very unique place where you can make amazing things happen. You can't do this anywhere else. One town over, Westminster, they can't do this; Montgomery, they can't do this. We can do this. And we're the only ones, so let's leverage that. Let's not be West Windsor. Let's not be Ewing, let's not be Montgomery. Let's be frickin Princeton.”

Why Marine Biology Class

Autumn’s leaves have dusted the ground, crunching beneath my shoe’s soles as a yellow bus fades into the distance. The air has gotten chilly as the season for knit sweaters, scarves, and winter jackets unfolds. Excited for the long weekend ahead, my walk home breaks into a run. Holed up in my room, wading through the mountain of homework at my desk, only the waft of sweet pumpkin rescues me from this strenuous affair. As the chilly air reminds me of the promise of falling leaves and freaky costumes in the month ahead, one thing that never fails to warm my heart is a plate of pumpkin cookies.
My most prominent memory of these cookies is how I first invented them. It was over Thanksgiving weekend when the issue of a near-expired can of pumpkin purée presented an opportunity for creativity. At that time, I was struck by a sudden desire to make macarons. What occurred then is the same as what leads to both great ideas and disaster: I combined both projects. Two failed attempts and a boatload of eggs later, I was finally satisfied with the batch I made as I stuck the shells into the oven.  
Fifteen minutes later, the delectable smell of pumpkin made it irresistible to not stand in front of the oven, counting down the seconds until I could pull the tray out. Somehow, the pumpkin-flavored macaron crackers tasted good! I was baffled at the result, and left without the desire to create a filling. So, they remained shells, or what they are now known as the Kondakindi family’s famous pumpkin cookies.
Pumpkin cookies, albeit a dessert with a common fall flavor choice, are now a staple comfort food in my household by the time fall arrives, especially as Thanksgiving turns the corner. Their golden edges, crumbly sugar-cookie-esque texture, and buttery yet flavorful taste provides the perfect dessert in autumn. Picture curling up with a good book by the windowsill, watching the last green leaves turn auburn, with a steaming cup of tea and pumpkin cookies beside you. What better way to enjoy the autumn day?

Chloe Zhao
It was late October, and I braced myself against the chilly air as I took a sip from my paper coffee cup. I was enlightened — the warm, rich coffee brought out all the notes of cinnamon and nutmeg sugar beautifully. I began to understand why the drink was so popular, especially among other teenage girls. I lowered my cup and glanced down at the warm, golden liquid filling it, regretfully recalling  all the years I had missed out on this delicious drink. 
The “I’m not like other girls” epidemic hit me when I was in kindergarten. Just one day on the playground, a girl decided that pink was no longer the best color, and that blue was. The reason? Pink was too girly. In a cascading effect, everyone else followed suit. Soon, I began rejecting the pink shirts and dresses my mom had picked out for me in the morning. My notebooks changed from pink and sparkly to blues and grays. I put away my pink plastic gem necklaces. All the other girls in my class followed. We were not like other girls. 
This mentality followed me throughout my elementary and middle school years, just now under a different packaging. The “basic white girl” stereotype was introduced, and it was understood that succumbing to it was undesirable. Ugg boots, Lululemon, knit hats, scarves, and iced coffees, specifically pumpkin spice lattes, were things to avoid because of their association to the stereotype. I followed these rules to avoid being “basic,” pushing away the pumpkin spice options that land on my menus every fall without ever trying them. 
However, as I went throughout my middle school years, I realized every attempt I made to avoid conforming to society simply followed a new adherence to the rules. If I wasn’t trying to fit in with the “basic” trends often seen on social media, I was then following the opinion of the girl on the playground. In either scenario, I was listening to what others thought was best, rather than what was actually best for me.
Now every fall, I happily run to the nearest coffee shop to order my pumpkin spice latte. Not to conform to anything, but just because I like how the drink tastes. Looking back on my previous actions, I feel silly depriving myself of things that I love just to conform to society.

Ruhee Hedge, CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Of all the perks of the fall season, the food has to be the most spectacular benefit. As the days get shorter and summer habits gradually fall out of play, we come to realize that fall is a time of both completion and transition. While the transition between summer and autumn is often a time of productivity, it is also a time of beauty and shedding of the old; the end of the growing season for crops in particular. Also known as the harvest season, autumn ushers in a time of celebration for many farming cultures as they gather their crops. This time of change and new ingredients is a staple of fall culture, and although there are many ways we can show our love for the season, mine has always been cooking in the kitchen with loved ones, preparing some of my favorite autumn delicacies. 
This season of autumn ushers in a feast for the senses, with an abundance of colors, scents, and textures. Since fall foods carry all these distinct traits, they create meaningful experiences for all. From trying out the new Starbucks fall drink menu to making our own cranberry jam, my friends and family all have our own traditions we practice every year that involve food. 
One of these traditions was going to a farm in our old town when it was open to the public every autumn. Some of my fondest childhood memories were spent running around in the pumpkin patches, playing hide-and-seek in the orchards, and, of course, making our own apple cider. The farm is also where I discovered apple cider doughnuts, and was immediately hooked. Through these experiences, I soon began to realize that the process of transforming typical fall ingredients into meals can be a way of appreciating the gifts of the season.. 
As a result of this newfound enjoyment, it became clear that fall foods in particular promote a sense of belonging. Every meal during this period of time tends to be hearty and comforting since it provides sustenance and warmth in preparation for the colder months ahead. This was especially prominent during several occasions in which my family and I would participate. During Diwali, which usually comes around in early November, many of our relatives would prepare savory snacks and dishes as a way of coming together and celebrating our gratitude towards each other. Diwali is a time of spiritual reflection and renewal, and many of the customs my family follow involve the sharing of food with others by inviting them to our place. This again embraces the idea of giving, pleasure, and finding light in the midst of darkness. As I’ve gotten older, I have come to realize how symbolic food is to our fall celebrations and how we can all stay appreciative during this seasonal transition

A Love Letter to a Fall Comfort Food

Max Li
Yes…we always wanted to keep it fair, but since there is a competition, it's inevitable that some people will want to manipulate the scores.

Vritika Singh
The [U.S. Open] controversies …don't shock me, since these kinds of conflicts are expected to show up in all sports.

Katie Schorr 
 I think most people who play tennis have integrity…There are always some people who cheat but not most people.

most people.

I think…kids cheat because of the immense pressure to win, so …if there was less external pressure there would be more fairness.

PHS Takes: U.S. Open Controversies

“She’s Barbie. He’s just Ken.” This tagline from “Barbie” (2023) brought the topic of feminism into the spotlight upon the movie’s anticipated arrival in cinema. While garnering support from a majority of the public, an enraged side of the audience jumped to accuse the feminist film with claims of misandry and “toxic femininity,” with the movie even being dubbed as “anti-male propaganda” by USA TODAY. This is an all too common response to any form of feminist media, with the negative connotations surrounding feminism leading to misconceptions about the goal of the movement: achieving equal rights and opportunities for men and women.
Not all supporters of the principles of feminism are keen on identifying with the word itself. While 94 percent of people believe that gender equality is important, according to Pew Research Center, a GenForward study found that only 12 percent of Hispanic women, 21 percent of African-American women, 23 percent of Asian women, and 26 percent of white women identify as a feminist. So why the discrepancy? The hesitation to identify with the movement partly stems from the belief that all feminists are extremist. A study from Routledge found that the associations of the term “feminism” with “man-hating” and lack of femininity, an association amplified by the widespread slandering of feminist media, were key factors in peoples’ decision to reject the label of being a “feminist.” 
Especially for those born into a world where women have the right to vote, one where so much progress towards equal rights has already been made, it is easy to view modern feminism as obsolete, with ignorant individuals harboring misconceptions that men and women already have equal rights. From a 2020 study by the Pew Research Center, while 64 percent of Americans see feminism as empowering and 42 percent as inclusive, in the same sample size, 45 percent also saw it as polarizing and 30 percent as outdated. Why is feminism seen as outdated when misogyny still persists in the present day? While women make up two-thirds of the world’s working hours, they only earn 10 percent of global income, a reverberating effect of women globally spending three times as many hours on unpaid domestic work as men. Additionally, there are still 18 countries in which husbands can legally bar their wives from working. This lopsided distribution of unpaid care and domestic work prevents women from entering the labor market, with only 47 percent of women at working age participating in the labor market, compared to 74 percent of men, according to the United Nations in 2020. While achieving perfect 50:50 male to female ratios in sex-based economic studies is unlikely, feminism aims for equal opportunities so that sex isn’t a burdensome factor in an individual’s livelihood or career aspirations. Currently, women make up two-thirds of the world’s illiterate population, a result of gender discrimination stemming from the normalization of women’s sole roles as family caretakers in patriarchal social systems. Poorer communities often favor boys when investing in education, while girls face large amounts of gender-based violence at school. These are all factors contributing to the gender gap in education, a major accelerant of the patriarchy. Under the patriarchal social system, men hold a disproportionate amount of power in society. Out of the 11,000 people who have served in the U.S. House of Representatives throughout history, only 375 have been women. Even today, only 28.7 percent of Congress are women. Being underrepresented in politics directly leads to being underrepresented in decision-making at all levels, consequently suppressing the female voice, undermining their ability to rule on important regulations regarding female focused issues. The International Parliamentary Union conducted research proving that an increased presence of women in politics had a positive impact in moving issues of violence against women’s health and education onto the political agenda. The ideals that feminism stands for cannot be silenced when so much misogyny and underrepresentation of women in many fields continues to exist.
What anti-feminists often fail to notice is that the patriarchy, the very social structure feminism aims to deconstruct, ultimately harms both men and women. Under the patriarchy, a man’s sense of personal worth is reduced to shallow outward achievements: the amount of money he makes, his social standing, the attention he gets from women. Without valuing and loving themselves based on holistic properties, men may feel worthless and easily disposable, and struggle under the expectations set up for them by a patriarchal society. The rigid gender roles that define “masculinity” also pressure men to not seek emotional help when needed, contributing a significant influence on the rise of male suicide rates, with men dying by suicide four times more than women.
As more media begins to focus on feminism, it’s important to interpret them with a clear eye and remember feminism’s principles of equality. PHS students who wish to become allies for marginalized communities can begin by assessing their own privileges and understanding the true principles of social justice movements. When having conversations about marginalization, instead of promoting division, it is important to maintain an open mind and respect for others so that these equality issues can be effectively tackled. Ultimately, achieving equality starts with having some empathy.

Feminism is Misunderstood

   On March 30 2023, the Federal Security Bureau (FSB) of Russia arrested Wall Street journalist and PHS alum Evan Gershkovich ’10, marking the first Russian detainment of an American journalist on espionage charges since the Cold War. On Monday, April 10, the U.S. State Department deemed Gershkovich as “wrongfully detained.”
   FSB arrested Gershkovich while he was on a reporting trip to Ekaterinburg, Russia. The next day FSB pressed charges of espionage, claiming that Gershkovich was “collecting classified information from a Russian military complex” and “acting on instructions from the American side.” He was ordered into pre-trial detention until at least May 29. 
   “The Wall Street Journal vehemently denies the allegations from the FSB and seeks the immediate release of our trusted and dedicated reporter, Evan Gershkovich,” the Journal said in a statement on March 30. “We stand in solidarity with Evan and his family.”
   Pjotr Sauer, The Guardian’s Russian affairs reporter and Gershkovich’s close colleague, had been talking to him the same morning he was arrested. To Sauer, Gershkovich is an “extremely social [and] kind” person who would be “the kind of guy that you … bring to a party”. 
   After Sauer received a call from Gershkovich’s parents asking about his whereabouts that evening, he was unable to contact Gershkovich that night. 
   “I obviously got worried right away… He's a colleague of ours, he's a friend of ours, we know he's not a spy…We as journalists are trying to talk as much as we can about him, and write as much as we can about him so the world knows,” Sauer said.
   In the Princeton community, Gershkovich was known as a well-rounded student at PHS and the captain of the boys varsity soccer team. In addition, he had been a Tower news and features and sports staff writer. 
   “It has been a difficult morning for Princeton High School alumni, particularly the many PHS soccer players who were close to Mr. Gershkovich,” A PPS press release said. “He is remembered by his peers as being an outstanding student and an exceptional athlete during his time at Princeton High School.” 
   Gym teacher Wayne Sutcliffe coached Gershkovich for four years on the boys varsity soccer team and shared a memorable moment from the 2009 Mercer County Tournament semifinals that attests his leadership and resilience.
   “It was a really tight game and eventually it had to go to penalty kicks. After five kicks, it was still a tie, so it went into sudden death penalty kicks,” Sutcliffe said. “The manager can choose anyone he wants to take the sixth kick and we chose him. He took the same kick in the same spot [as the first time] and converted. We blocked their kick and won the game just like that.”
   Growing up in a bilingual household that spoke both Russian and English, Gerskovich also brought his love for his Russian heritage to the student body at PHS. 
   “In the 90s, everybody watched Nickelodeon and there was a little cartoon called ‘Hey, Arnold’ that a lot of kids watched. But he watched a Russian cartoon and then he would share that with other guys on the soccer team and his friends. That's something that you couldn’t [easily] access in those days,” Sutcliffe said. 
   When Gershkovich first went to work in Russia six years ago for The Moscow Times, the political climate was more cordial towards the west. Over the years, he captured the changes that were occurring, but did not ever think to sacrifice his journalistic integrity.
   “He said that I’m just one of the few [American journalists] left [in Russia]. I know he felt that it was his duty to report. He loved Russian people and he still does,” Ella, Gerkovich’s mother, said in an April 15 Wall Street Journal interview. 
   On April 13, Sergey Lavrov, Russia’s foreign minister, told U.S. media that Russia could be open to a prisoner swap—but only after Gershkovich stands trial. What seems to be yet another prisoner exchange situation almost mirrors how WNBA Basketball player Britney Griner was detained in December 2022 and was eventually released in exchange for arrested Russian arms trader Victor Bout. 
   Gerkovich’s arrest is also part of a growing trend where journalists are being targeted and used by authoritarian countries such as Russia and Iran. Sauer explained that the journalism community feels threatened and outraged by Gershkovich’s arrest. 
   “It's becoming harder to do journalism, to be honest… it seems like journalists are being used more as pawns [and] arrested, kidnapped, etc… The profession is getting harder,” Sauer said.
   PHS Alum Thatcher Foster ’10, Gershkovich’s childhood friend and soccer teammate, created freeevangerkovich.com, alongside Gershkovich’s family and other friends. 
   “It's been amazing how much support there is and how many people want to help. But it's a hard [situation] to help. So I think the website is a really important place for people to stay updated on statuses and provide support, write letters, and also support his family [with the] GoFundMe,” Foster said.
   While Gershkovich’s immediate release is unlikely, Sutcliffe urges onlookers to maintain an optimistic outlook.
   “Evan was always at his best under pressure. So, if I know Evan, and even though I haven't seen him in a long time, I have to think that he's a resilient guy, and that he's okay,” Sutcliffe said.
   Students can amplify Gershkovich’s story by using #IStandWithEvan or #FreeEvan. Letters to Gershkovich can be sent to FreeGershkovich@gmail.com.

Chloe Zhao's Work

The Tower