Features
Coming Back Different
Students explore what a glow-up truly is, and why summer is its favorite season.
What Is It Like to Be a Koi Fish Owner?
By Wenni Lu
How I resonate with and pity these fragile Koi fish, despite them representing good luck and fortune.
Swara and Solfa: How Music Has Shaped My Bicultural Identity
Finding my voice in the intersection of my Indian and American cultures.
When Should You Take the SAT?
By Pragya Khandelwal, Sonam Kanaujia
Students share the numerous pros and cons of different SAT testing dates, explaining their decisions and providing insight into the significance of the date that a student takes the exam.
Assistant Principal of English and Secret Guitarist: Mr. Grossman
By Wenni Lu
Assistant Principal of English Eric Grossman explains his journey in joining the Stuyvesant community and reflects on his English teachings.
More Than the Shape of My Lip
Being born with a cleft lip inevitably exposed me to judgmental stares and unwanted attention, but the journey shaped my understanding to embrace my differences as strengths, not abnormalities.
A Surreal Experience: Oratorio’s Magical Performance at Lincoln Center
By Nudrath Sowkat, Sophia Rosero
Stuyvesant’s Oratorio Choir recently performed at Lincoln Center, a unique opportunity that brought the choir together through an incredible amount of hard work to create an amazing experience.
“Back in My Day, We Took More Than a Train to School”
By Iman Nawaz, Kristina Lantushko, Sonam Kanaujia
A deep-dive into the experiences of students commuting to Stuyvesant.
Students Open Up About the “Tiger Parent” Stereotype
How effective is “tiger parenting?” Stuyvesant students express their thoughts regarding an infamous parenting style, tiger parenting, an authoritative approach that emphasizes the importance of high academic performance and obedience.
Where in the School is Geography?
Schools’ lack of priority in subjects like geography has contributed to gaps in knowledge among future generations of students.
Dealt a New Hand: How Students Filled the Phone Ban Gap
By Mary Kamela
As Stuyvesant’s phone ban comes to the end of its first year, students are increasingly using card games as a primary form of social interaction during free periods, reshaping the atmosphere of lunchrooms and hallways and sparking broader debate.

Reclaiming My Passive Summer, Without a Passport
This summer, and many of my previous ones—not that I can remember them—were spent watching people live their lives through a screen, yearning for the adventures I couldn’t experience, until I learned the true meaning of the grand adventures the summer promises.

Tunes in Turmoil: The Proposed Band Cuts
By Alice Frank, Anna Schaible, Shana Tam
An exploration of the proposed cuts to Stuyvesant’s band program.

Micah Lasher Reflects on His Time at Stuyvesant
By Eli Smith, Evelyn Lifton, Noa Salas Adam
The Spectator's interview with Micah Lasher.

Reading Between the Lines: Stuzin’s New Media Literacy Class
By Alice Frank, Isla Broadbent, Virginia Becker
Stuzin’s new Media Literacy elective is an exciting English elective that is imperative in navigating the growing media landscape of memes, artificial intelligence, and algorithmic filters.

Sharing Stories: Farewell to Ms. Fletcher
By Alice Frank
Ms. Fletcher reflects on her time at Stuy, what makes it so special, and what she plans to do in retirement.

More Than Just a Prom Invite: Promposal Culture at Stuyvesant
By Emma Lin, Florence Wu, Isha Rashid
Promposals are one of the most exciting high school traditions, turning an otherwise ordinary invitation to prom into an extraordinary and memorable experience. What is promposal culture like at Stuyvesant?

Proofs, Patterns, Circles, and Sines: Mrs. Sterr
A profile on mathematics teacher May Sterr and the experiences that shaped her journey to teaching Geometry and AP Precalculus at Stuyvesant.

Substituting: Substantive or Sub-optimal?
When students discover their teacher is absent for the day, high expectations and excitement often follow, but the reality of effectiveness in substitute teaching unravels a far more complex story.

Where Does Robotics’ Money Come From?
By Tiffany Wang
An inside look into the business machine powering Stuvesant’s largest student-run organization—and the team of teenagers behind it.
Reflecting on the Phone Ban
Months after its implementation, Stuyvesant’s phone ban has produced mixed results—boosting focus for some students while disturbing schoolwork and time management for others.
Red Light, Green Light: Our Thoughts on the DOE’s New AI Guidelines
The Spectator's editorial piece on the DOE's new AI guidelines.
Fight Child Marriage: Ending the Cycle of Systemic Oppression
By Nudrath Sowkat, Sophia Rosero
Child marriage is a societal issue that should not be ignored. The lack of awareness about child marriage and action against it inspired the start of the club Fight Child Marriage at Stuyvesant High School.
Zucker’s, the Business That Keeps Students Coming Back
By Alice Frank, Sonam Kanaujia
Both Zucker’s customers and manager share what makes the bagel shop such a popular spot.
Is Stuyvesant’s Cafeteria Worth Policing?
By Tiffany Wang
As Stuyvesant High School doubles down on cafeteria enforcement to address the pest problem, the inconsistent and often antagonistic enforcement of this policy has sparked a broader debate over student autonomy and institutional trust.
“Seeing the Light Bulb Glow”: Mr. Lu, an Educator and Gamer
By Iman Nawaz
Mathematics teacher Simon Lu shares his hobbies and what he values within his ethos for teaching.
Away from the AP: Advanced Studies U.S. History
A look at the new pilot course: Advanced Studies US History.
Stuyvesant’s Student Library Monitors on Duty!
By Wenni Lu
Let’s explore what the library monitors do, what they enjoy about it, and why they choose to volunteer!
The Perfect Summer Treat: 16 Handles or Downtown Yogurt?
Through interviews and firsthand experiences, students and employees compare 16 Handles and Downtown Yogurt, evaluating everything from toppings to texture to determine which shop comes out on top.

Is Productivity the Only Way to Spend the Summer?
By Theodore Zhan, Virginia Becker, Wenni Lu
Productivity in the summer, in terms of programs, internships, and volunteering, has recently become the norm for Stuyvesant students trying to build a competitive college application—but at what cost?
Assistant Principal of English and Secret Guitarist: Mr. Grossman
By Wenni Lu
Assistant Principal of English Eric Grossman explains his journey in joining the Stuyvesant community and reflects on his English teachings.

Tunes in Turmoil: The Proposed Band Cuts
By Alice Frank, Anna Schaible, Shana Tam
An exploration of the proposed cuts to Stuyvesant’s band program.
More Than the Shape of My Lip
Being born with a cleft lip inevitably exposed me to judgmental stares and unwanted attention, but the journey shaped my understanding to embrace my differences as strengths, not abnormalities.

Micah Lasher Reflects on His Time at Stuyvesant
By Eli Smith, Evelyn Lifton, Noa Salas Adam
The Spectator's interview with Micah Lasher.
A Surreal Experience: Oratorio’s Magical Performance at Lincoln Center
By Nudrath Sowkat, Sophia Rosero
Stuyvesant’s Oratorio Choir recently performed at Lincoln Center, a unique opportunity that brought the choir together through an incredible amount of hard work to create an amazing experience.

Reading Between the Lines: Stuzin’s New Media Literacy Class
By Alice Frank, Isla Broadbent, Virginia Becker
Stuzin’s new Media Literacy elective is an exciting English elective that is imperative in navigating the growing media landscape of memes, artificial intelligence, and algorithmic filters.
“Back in My Day, We Took More Than a Train to School”
By Iman Nawaz, Kristina Lantushko, Sonam Kanaujia
A deep-dive into the experiences of students commuting to Stuyvesant.

Sharing Stories: Farewell to Ms. Fletcher
By Alice Frank
Ms. Fletcher reflects on her time at Stuy, what makes it so special, and what she plans to do in retirement.
Students Open Up About the “Tiger Parent” Stereotype
How effective is “tiger parenting?” Stuyvesant students express their thoughts regarding an infamous parenting style, tiger parenting, an authoritative approach that emphasizes the importance of high academic performance and obedience.

More Than Just a Prom Invite: Promposal Culture at Stuyvesant
By Emma Lin, Florence Wu, Isha Rashid
Promposals are one of the most exciting high school traditions, turning an otherwise ordinary invitation to prom into an extraordinary and memorable experience. What is promposal culture like at Stuyvesant?
Where in the School is Geography?
Schools’ lack of priority in subjects like geography has contributed to gaps in knowledge among future generations of students.

Proofs, Patterns, Circles, and Sines: Mrs. Sterr
A profile on mathematics teacher May Sterr and the experiences that shaped her journey to teaching Geometry and AP Precalculus at Stuyvesant.

Substituting: Substantive or Sub-optimal?
When students discover their teacher is absent for the day, high expectations and excitement often follow, but the reality of effectiveness in substitute teaching unravels a far more complex story.
Dealt a New Hand: How Students Filled the Phone Ban Gap
By Mary Kamela
As Stuyvesant’s phone ban comes to the end of its first year, students are increasingly using card games as a primary form of social interaction during free periods, reshaping the atmosphere of lunchrooms and hallways and sparking broader debate.

Where Does Robotics’ Money Come From?
By Tiffany Wang
An inside look into the business machine powering Stuvesant’s largest student-run organization—and the team of teenagers behind it.
Empanadas, Franglais, and Names
A reflection on being multicultural and how it influences my identity.

Finding Connection Through Connections: The Rise of Daily Puzzle Culture
The rise in popularity of The New York Times games, as well as puzzle culture in general, reflects how our generation seeks quick and daily mental challenges that shape habits and build communities.

“Seeing the Light Bulb Glow”: Mr. Lu, an Educator and Gamer
By Iman Nawaz
Mathematics teacher Simon Lu shares his hobbies and what he values within his ethos for teaching.
Reflecting on the Phone Ban
Months after its implementation, Stuyvesant’s phone ban has produced mixed results—boosting focus for some students while disturbing schoolwork and time management for others.

Away from the AP: Advanced Studies U.S. History
A look at the new pilot course: Advanced Studies US History.

Stuyvesant’s Student Library Monitors on Duty!
By Wenni Lu
Let’s explore what the library monitors do, what they enjoy about it, and why they choose to volunteer!
Red Light, Green Light: Our Thoughts on the DOE’s New AI Guidelines
The Spectator's editorial piece on the DOE's new AI guidelines.

The Perfect Summer Treat: 16 Handles or Downtown Yogurt?
Through interviews and firsthand experiences, students and employees compare 16 Handles and Downtown Yogurt, evaluating everything from toppings to texture to determine which shop comes out on top.

StuyAviators Hosts Guest Speaker Air Force Pilot First Lieutenant Cabrera
By Anchine Liu
StuyAviators guest speaker.
Fight Child Marriage: Ending the Cycle of Systemic Oppression
By Nudrath Sowkat, Sophia Rosero
Child marriage is a societal issue that should not be ignored. The lack of awareness about child marriage and action against it inspired the start of the club Fight Child Marriage at Stuyvesant High School.
Zucker’s, the Business That Keeps Students Coming Back
By Alice Frank, Sonam Kanaujia
Both Zucker’s customers and manager share what makes the bagel shop such a popular spot.
Is Stuyvesant’s Cafeteria Worth Policing?
By Tiffany Wang
As Stuyvesant High School doubles down on cafeteria enforcement to address the pest problem, the inconsistent and often antagonistic enforcement of this policy has sparked a broader debate over student autonomy and institutional trust.
Coming Back Different
Students explore what a glow-up truly is, and why summer is its favorite season.
What Is It Like to Be a Koi Fish Owner?
By Wenni Lu
How I resonate with and pity these fragile Koi fish, despite them representing good luck and fortune.
Swara and Solfa: How Music Has Shaped My Bicultural Identity
Finding my voice in the intersection of my Indian and American cultures.
When Should You Take the SAT?
By Pragya Khandelwal, Sonam Kanaujia
Students share the numerous pros and cons of different SAT testing dates, explaining their decisions and providing insight into the significance of the date that a student takes the exam.

Reclaiming My Passive Summer, Without a Passport
This summer, and many of my previous ones—not that I can remember them—were spent watching people live their lives through a screen, yearning for the adventures I couldn’t experience, until I learned the true meaning of the grand adventures the summer promises.






