Features
There’s 104 Days of Summer Vacation…
By Adeline Sauberli, Elaine Huan
At Stuyvesant, summer often doesn’t feel like summer. How can students reclaim that sense of youthful, sun-soaked bliss?
Dear Program Office, There’s Something Missing From the Course Catalog
Students suggest classes (academic or otherwise) that they wish Stuyvesant offered.
What Have You Been Up To?: Summer 2023 Survey Results
An analysis of the summer 2023 survey results, including goals, productivity, recreation, and memories.
Learning In the Heat: The Summer School Strain
By Juni Park, Grace Jung, Abigail Jin
For many students, summer break hasn’t exactly been a break from school. Art/Photo Request: photo of classroom w/ students during summer school
Dumping Your Heart Out: “Trauma Dumping” in College Application Essays
By Sophie Zhou, Ayesha Talukder
Exploring the advantages and pitfalls of writing the Common Application personal statement about traumatic experiences.
Summer Sun, Let Passion Run!
By Leah Riegel
Stuyvesant students kept themselves busy this summer, filling their time with passion projects, hobbies, and innovations, but what is the motivation behind their productivity, and what gives their projects value?
Summer Lovin’: Stuy Students’ Plans for the Upcoming Months
Summer Lovin’: Stuy Students’ Plans for the Upcoming Months
DREAM Big: Inside the Program that Prepares Students for the Specialized High School Admission Test
By Vanessa Chen
A glimpse into the preparations, aspirations, and reactions that make up the DREAM program.
Ctrl + Alt + Delete: Tech Layoffs in the Wake of the Pandemic
By Ankita Saha, Sabrina Li, Sophie Zhou
There has been a surge in tech layoffs over the past few years. How has this trend affected Stuyvesant students' ambitions in pursuing careers in computer science?
Swimming Against the Tide: Muslim Girls Respond to the Removal of Girls-Only Swim Gym
By Hifza Kaleem, Ayesha Talukder
A deeper dive into the removal of girls-only swim gym and its effect on female Muslim students.
Our Bodies Don’t Operate on the School’s Clockwork: Why Students Need Bathroom Freedom
Some teachers prevent or discourage students from using the bathroom during class, defending their methods as a way to help students learn, but these policies can hurt students, both physically and psychologically.
Waffles, Screaming Goats, and Soy Milk: How Stuyvesant Students Celebrate the Women in Their Lives on Mother’s Day and Beyond
In honor of Mother’s Day, Stuyvesant students shout-out the important women in their lives and describe how they celebrate them.
Stemming Away From My Cultural Roots
By Suyeon Ryu
The word “assimilated” isn’t an insult to me, but rather a reminder of the conscious choice I made to embrace American values.
Through the Labyrinth: Navigating AP Course Selections
By Hifza Kaleem, Seth Fenton, Rhea Malhotra
Discussing the stressful process of AP course selections and how students navigate it.

Why Books Banned in Other School Boards Are Part of the Stuyvesant Curriculum
By Seth Fenton
A wide variety of novels in the Stuyvesant English curriculum are banned in schools across the nation; this article compiles opinions surrounding some key works of literature in the ongoing national debate.

Caffeine or Failure?
By Grace Jung
Stuyvesant students are notorious for their caffeine addiction, but where does this problem stem from?

Stories in Soles: Sneakers at Stuy
By Andrew Oh
Where has sneaker culture planted its feet in Stuyvesant’s student body?

From Tumbling to Teaching: Jenna Freytag’s Athletic Journey
By Eliza Oppenheimer, Theo Sassano
Physical education teacher and coach Jenna Freytag shares how her unique athletic background has shaped her approach to teaching.

Collect Your $3 From Facebook!
By Grace Jung
Facebook’s new lawsuit revealed that private data was stolen from users, Stuyvesant students included. Will the Stuyvesant community be able to fix their overdependence on Facebook, or will they sacrifice their security for their academic and social lives?

Something Doesn’t Add Up: The AP Precalculus Controversy
By Ankita Saha
Student perspectives on mandated AP Precalculus starting in the fall of 2023.

Peter’s Stuyvesant: Uncovering the History That Our School Is Built Upon
By Cathleen Xi
An analysis of how Peter Stuyvesant’s legacy impacts our school today and how problematic historical figures shape New York City’s cultural and physical landscapes.

From Sewers to Schools: A Profile of Stephen McClellan
By Cathleen Xi, Johnny Lin, Seth Fenton
A profile of Mr. McClellan, and how his variety of careers has influenced the lessons he passes on to his students.

The Spectator Meets With 101-Year-Old Stuyvesant Alumnus Milton Fechter (‘38)
By Gulam Monawarah, Duncan Park
Meet Milton Fechter (’38), a 101-year-old Stuyvesant alumnus!
America Retold: AP African American Studies
By Vanessa Chen, Abigail Jin, Samaria Noel
AP African American Studies, a new and controversial course, will be offered at Stuyvesant starting this fall.
Swimming Against the Tide: Muslim Girls Respond to the Removal of Girls-Only Swim Gym
By Hifza Kaleem, Ayesha Talukder
A deeper-dive into the removal of girls-only swim gym and its effect on female Muslim students.
Past Complements the Present: Minkyu Kim
By Grace Jung
English teacher Minkyu Kim on lessons from his past and his hopes for the future.
Changing Stuy’s Changing Spaces
By Sophie Zhou, Rhea Malhotra, Daniella Solomon
Lack of access to locker rooms negatively impacts the daily lives of student-athletes and seniors.
Russian Propaganda on Our Doorsteps
Playing the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Philadelphia 76ers, the New York Knicks and Brooklyn Nets look toward the playoffs, each presented with difficult matchups and significant challenges to overcome.
The Politics of Political Neutrality
By Andrew Oh, Sabrina Li, Ada Gordon
Teachers often have to walk the line between discussing current events in the classroom and remaining apolitical. But in our current political climate, is this even possible?
How Lip Gloss Pushed Me Past Victimhood
By Millie Bell
An inside look at the manifestations of toxic masculinity in the life of a Stuyvesant student.
When Dreams Become Demands
By Theo Sassano, Ankita Saha, Ada Gordon
Stuyvesant students often have incredibly high expectations placed on them, especially regarding college; this can have negative impacts on their mental and physical health.
From Sunrise to Sunset: The Lives of Muslim Students During Ramadan
By Hifza Kaleem
Examining how Stuyvesant’s Muslim students balance religious obligations with academics and extracurriculars during Ramadan.
Cat’s Out of the (Book) Bag
What single item in a Stuyvesant student’s backpack (excluding phone, keys, wallet, and laptop) would they choose to bring to school if the rest of its contents were off-limits?
Trading Full Schedules for Empty Stomachs
By Hifza Kaleem, Ankita Saha, Rhea Malhotra
A look at students’ eating habits as they balance their personal lives with heavy workloads and immense stress.
The Heart That Holds the Stethoscope
The path to becoming a doctor has the potential to be incredibly rewarding, but with the obstacles and grueling work along the way, it is important to analyze your motivations for pursuing a career in medicine before dedicating your life to it.

The Irony of Elite College Culture
By Millie Bell
While the competitiveness of the college admissions process pushes some to their academic and extracurricular limits, others are discouraged by the prospect of wasting so much time and effort on a goal that can often seem far from feasible.
Summer Lovin’: Stuy Students’ Plans for the Upcoming Months
Summer Lovin’: Stuy Students’ Plans for the Upcoming Months

Why Books Banned in Other School Boards Are Part of the Stuyvesant Curriculum
By Seth Fenton
A wide variety of novels in the Stuyvesant English curriculum are banned in schools across the nation; this article compiles opinions surrounding some key works of literature in the ongoing national debate.
DREAM Big: Inside the Program that Prepares Students for the Specialized High School Admission Test
By Vanessa Chen
A glimpse into the preparations, aspirations, and reactions that make up the DREAM program.
Ctrl + Alt + Delete: Tech Layoffs in the Wake of the Pandemic
By Ankita Saha, Sabrina Li, Sophie Zhou
There has been a surge in tech layoffs over the past few years. How has this trend affected Stuyvesant students' ambitions in pursuing careers in computer science?

Caffeine or Failure?
By Grace Jung
Stuyvesant students are notorious for their caffeine addiction, but where does this problem stem from?

Stories in Soles: Sneakers at Stuy
By Andrew Oh
Where has sneaker culture planted its feet in Stuyvesant’s student body?

From Tumbling to Teaching: Jenna Freytag’s Athletic Journey
By Eliza Oppenheimer, Theo Sassano
Physical education teacher and coach Jenna Freytag shares how her unique athletic background has shaped her approach to teaching.

Collect Your $3 From Facebook!
By Grace Jung
Facebook’s new lawsuit revealed that private data was stolen from users, Stuyvesant students included. Will the Stuyvesant community be able to fix their overdependence on Facebook, or will they sacrifice their security for their academic and social lives?
Swimming Against the Tide: Muslim Girls Respond to the Removal of Girls-Only Swim Gym
By Hifza Kaleem, Ayesha Talukder
A deeper dive into the removal of girls-only swim gym and its effect on female Muslim students.

Something Doesn’t Add Up: The AP Precalculus Controversy
By Ankita Saha
Student perspectives on mandated AP Precalculus starting in the fall of 2023.
Our Bodies Don’t Operate on the School’s Clockwork: Why Students Need Bathroom Freedom
Some teachers prevent or discourage students from using the bathroom during class, defending their methods as a way to help students learn, but these policies can hurt students, both physically and psychologically.
Waffles, Screaming Goats, and Soy Milk: How Stuyvesant Students Celebrate the Women in Their Lives on Mother’s Day and Beyond
In honor of Mother’s Day, Stuyvesant students shout-out the important women in their lives and describe how they celebrate them.

Peter’s Stuyvesant: Uncovering the History That Our School Is Built Upon
By Cathleen Xi
An analysis of how Peter Stuyvesant’s legacy impacts our school today and how problematic historical figures shape New York City’s cultural and physical landscapes.
Stemming Away From My Cultural Roots
By Suyeon Ryu
The word “assimilated” isn’t an insult to me, but rather a reminder of the conscious choice I made to embrace American values.
Through the Labyrinth: Navigating AP Course Selections
By Hifza Kaleem, Seth Fenton, Rhea Malhotra
Discussing the stressful process of AP course selections and how students navigate it.
Giving (Extra) Credit Where It’s Due
By Adeline Sauberli, Leah Riegel
Stuyvesant students consume extra credit like it’s candy, but is there a downside to the sugar high?
The APUSH Plight
By Juni Park
Juniors recount on their experiences studying for the APUSH exam, administered at an earlier date than expected due to a College Board mixup.
America Retold: AP African American Studies
By Vanessa Chen, Abigail Jin, Samaria Noel
AP African American Studies, a new and controversial course, will be offered at Stuyvesant starting this fall.
Swimming Against the Tide: Muslim Girls Respond to the Removal of Girls-Only Swim Gym
By Hifza Kaleem, Ayesha Talukder
A deeper-dive into the removal of girls-only swim gym and its effect on female Muslim students.
Past Complements the Present: Minkyu Kim
By Grace Jung
English teacher Minkyu Kim on lessons from his past and his hopes for the future.

From Sewers to Schools: A Profile of Stephen McClellan
By Cathleen Xi, Johnny Lin, Seth Fenton
A profile of Mr. McClellan, and how his variety of careers has influenced the lessons he passes on to his students.
Changing Stuy’s Changing Spaces
By Sophie Zhou, Rhea Malhotra, Daniella Solomon
Lack of access to locker rooms negatively impacts the daily lives of student-athletes and seniors.
Russian Propaganda on Our Doorsteps
Playing the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Philadelphia 76ers, the New York Knicks and Brooklyn Nets look toward the playoffs, each presented with difficult matchups and significant challenges to overcome.
The Politics of Political Neutrality
By Andrew Oh, Sabrina Li, Ada Gordon
Teachers often have to walk the line between discussing current events in the classroom and remaining apolitical. But in our current political climate, is this even possible?
How Lip Gloss Pushed Me Past Victimhood
By Millie Bell
An inside look at the manifestations of toxic masculinity in the life of a Stuyvesant student.

The Spectator Meets With 101-Year-Old Stuyvesant Alumnus Milton Fechter (‘38)
By Gulam Monawarah, Duncan Park
Meet Milton Fechter (’38), a 101-year-old Stuyvesant alumnus!

Scheming Shopping Sprees
The controversial app Temu has garnered attention across the Stuyvesant student body. Students were asked about their experience with the app, and their thoughts about its implications.
When Dreams Become Demands
By Theo Sassano, Ankita Saha, Ada Gordon
Stuyvesant students often have incredibly high expectations placed on them, especially regarding college; this can have negative impacts on their mental and physical health.

Digitalizing the Change: The SAT
By Ankita Saha
The SAT will be conducted online starting in the fall of 2023; what might that mean for students?
From Sunrise to Sunset: The Lives of Muslim Students During Ramadan
By Hifza Kaleem
Examining how Stuyvesant’s Muslim students balance religious obligations with academics and extracurriculars during Ramadan.

The Heart That Holds the Stethoscope
The path to becoming a doctor has the potential to be incredibly rewarding, but with the obstacles and grueling work along the way, it is important to analyze your motivations for pursuing a career in medicine before dedicating your life to it.
Cat’s Out of the (Book) Bag
What single item in a Stuyvesant student’s backpack (excluding phone, keys, wallet, and laptop) would they choose to bring to school if the rest of its contents were off-limits?
Trading Full Schedules for Empty Stomachs
By Hifza Kaleem, Ankita Saha, Rhea Malhotra
A look at students’ eating habits as they balance their personal lives with heavy workloads and immense stress.

Stuyvesant’s Social Spaces Dilemma
By Ada Gordon, Daniella Solomon
An investigation into the English department room’s new policy of only allowing three students at a time.
There’s 104 Days of Summer Vacation…
By Adeline Sauberli, Elaine Huan
At Stuyvesant, summer often doesn’t feel like summer. How can students reclaim that sense of youthful, sun-soaked bliss?
Dear Program Office, There’s Something Missing From the Course Catalog
Students suggest classes (academic or otherwise) that they wish Stuyvesant offered.
What Have You Been Up To?: Summer 2023 Survey Results
An analysis of the summer 2023 survey results, including goals, productivity, recreation, and memories.
Learning In the Heat: The Summer School Strain
By Juni Park, Grace Jung, Abigail Jin
For many students, summer break hasn’t exactly been a break from school. Art/Photo Request: photo of classroom w/ students during summer school