Olympic Figure Skating Champion was a dream come true. Being the first Asian American man to win Olympic gold in figure skating singles, Nathan Chen made history on the ice at the 2022 Beijing Olympics. Despite how effortless Chen’s routine may have looked, his path to reaching the peak of his dreams was not an easy feat. The practice, the training, the comeback, and the competition were all forces that acted as slippery footing which challenged him. It took great leaps of control, discipline, strength, and persistence to continue on despite the falls. Thanks to his inspired and determined efforts, Chen made himself the one who took those challenging leaps across slippery ground to ultimately soar above and beyond his own expectations. He paved a path up that daunting mountain for not just himself but for the masses of both young and old Asian Americans who too saw their dreams waiting out of reach at the mountain’s peak.

THE BEGINNINGS OF A DREAM

Looking in from the glass outside his brothers’ hockey games and his sisters’ figure skating performances was the beginnings of Chen's skating. Going out on the ice at the age of three, Chen had begun crafting his dream of becoming a professional figure skater. With every slip and fall there became this determination and ultimately Chen rose up and tried again. His persistence brought him great success, and his figure skating career first brought him to the Olympics at the age of 18. After landing in Korea, Chen had to prepare with his team for when it was their turn on the Olympic ice. The 2018 Pyeong Chang Olympics landed Chen’s team a bronze-medal finish after Chen attempted six quadruple jumps and landing five cleanly, becoming the first man to do so in the individual free skate in the Olympics. This pivotal win, however, was just the beginning of Chen’s upward path. For Chen there was still more he set out to do in his lifetime, and one goal was to win gold.

THE RACIAL MOUNTAIN + THE FIGHT FOR CHAMPIONSHIP

Up till Chen’s win at the 2022 Beijing Olympics, no other Asian American man had won gold in Olympic figure skating. Chen had said his inspiration for his gold in Olympic figure skating was Michelle Kwan, a fellow Asian American Olympic figure skater. Michelle Kwan had also worked extremely hard earning her silver and bronze medals in the 1998 Nagano Olympics and the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics, and her success set the idea for a future path for Chen and many successors. For Chen to follow Kwan’s path and to excel forward from her success’ guidance, he allowed not just Kwan but also many Asian Americans recognition for their achievements and their culture. By accomplishing his dream of Olympic gold in figure skating, Chen cut through negative Asian American stereotypes and laid down a new path leading a good way up the racial mountain for future successors to pick up where he left off and one day conquer the mountain’s peak.

BY: BAILEY M.

Hijab: Head cover Muslim women wear

Hijabis: Muslim women who wear the head cover

Islam: Religion Muslim people follow

Muslims: People who believe in Islam

Quran: Holy book Muslims follow (it’s like the bible)

Hello! My name is Oumoukalsoum. I am a junior at CHS this year. I was born and raised in a Muslim household. In Islam, wearing the head covering is mandatory past the age of puberty, however, it is a decision you get to make. I didn’t start wearing it until May 2021. I was not forced.

Due to lockdown, we had a lot more free time on our hands and somehow I slowly started doing more and more research about my religion. I was a practicing Muslim but to be completely honest, I barely ever did research on the religion. Like I mentioned before, I was born into the religion so I never saw the true beauty of it until I went out of my way to find it.

If I am being completely honest, I didn’t plan on wearing the hijab anytime soon, let alone a month before my 16th birthday. However, the more and more research I did, the more and more I fell in love with it.

Even as a Muslim myself, I had misconceptions about the hijab and what it represents. But after doing research and finding out what it actually meant and symbolized, I personally just felt like I was ready to start wearing it.

Some common misconceptions that I used to believe or hear are that hijabis believe they’re better than other people. That is completely false. Just because we chose to cover a little more than the average person doesn’t mean we judge others who chose not to. There are even Muslim women who chose not to wear the hijab due to the prejudice we sometimes face or the fear of being judged. Being a hijabi doesn’t make you a perfect human being. Yes, you will always be recognized as a Muslim everywhere you go but we aren’t Islam. We simply represent it.

Besides the random glances, I get from time to time, I haven’t faced any outward prejudice, yet... When I was in Las Vegas for the summer, people thought that my younger sister, who is eleven years old, was my daughter. This was the first time in my life this has ever occurred. This is because people immediately assumed that I was older since I wore a hijab. At school, a lot of my close friends are afraid to ask me why I started wearing the hijab since they don’t want to offend me. What they all fail to realize is that assuming that asking would offend me, offends me. I am a normal person just like everybody else at this school so why should you be afraid that asking a question would upset me?

Hijab is more than just a head wrap. It represents modesty. It’s seen as a form of protection. Since I’ve started wearing it, I wouldn’t say I had a whole personality switch but you can’t act a certain way and wear hijab since you’re representing a religion that is already seen as harsh and severe when in reality, all it represents is peace.

Nowhere in the Quran does it say that it is okay to force someone to wear the hijab, let alone kill those who don’t believe in the religion. By doing so, you instantly leave the fold of Islam because that’s not at all that the religion represents. “Allahuakbubar” just means god is the greatest in Arabic. Terrorists who CLAIM to be Muslim use that phrase and have caused a distorted connotation with a word that most people would agree with.

We have included an infographic with this article so you can learn more about various types of Islamic veils. Feel free to explore the different aspects of culture and reflect on why it is important to study unique people from around the world!

Shirley Chisholm was the first African American U.S. Congresswoman as well as the first African American woman to run for a major party’s nomination for President. Having succeeded at both Brooklyn High School and Brooklyn College, Chisholm’s teachers urged that her to pursue a career in politics; however, Chisholm noted that as a Black woman, she faced a “double barrier”. After working in the early childhood education field, she began getting involved with organizations such as the League of Women Voters and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).

Chisholm gained a seat in the U.S. Congress in 1974 and co-founded the National Organization for Women and National Congress for Black Women. In Congress, she initiated legislation regarding access to education and food stamps, reproductive rights, and a higher minimum wage. All while doing this work, she kept in mind the need for racial and gender equality, later running for the Democratic party’s nomination for President. While doing so, Chisholm faced numerous barriers. She was initially not allowed to participate in televised debate, and her campaign lacked funding. Despite these barriers, Chisholm persisted in her run and continued to advocate for change. Although she lost the nomination, her run for the nomination was reflective of her tireless efforts to achieve unity in lieu of polarization. Her contributions to politics have been incredibly important in developing a more just and equal American political system.

BY: ZABEI F.

Piri Thomas was born and grew up in New York City to a Puerto Rican mother and Cuban father and faced discrimination for his Afro-Latino origins. He’s famous for his autobiography Down These Mean Streets and giving lectures and helping at-risk youth to avoid a life of crime. He died in 2011.

Piri Thomas nació y creció en la ciudad Nueva York a una madre puertorriqueña y un padre cubano. Thomas enfrentó a la discriminación por su origenes afro latinos. Él es famoso por su autobiografía se llama Abajo Estas Malas Calles y por dar conferencias y ayudar los jóvenes que necesitan evitar una vida de crimen. Él murió en 2011.

BY: ARDEN B.

Dr. Dorothy Height is often referred to as the “Godmother of Women’s Rights.” Dr. Height received degrees from New York University, Columbia, and New York School of Social Work. After her education, she began work as a social activist for African Americans, women, and criminal justice system reform as a member of the Young Women’s Christian Association and the National Council of Negro Women. Because of her active role in the Civil Rights Movement, Height was invited to attend the March on Washington in 1963 as a primary organizer and representative for women; however, no women were invited to speak, in response Height and Anna Arnold Hedgeman persuaded the organizers to allow a women to speak. In her later life, Height served on the President's Committee on the Employment of the Handicapped and the Presidential Commission on the Status of Women. She was later awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1994, the Congressional Gold Medal in 2004, and 24 honorary degrees. Dr. Height passed away in 2010 at the age of 98.

BY: SYDNEY T.

Often referred to as “Mr. March-On-Washington,” Rustin was an advisor to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and prominent organizer of the civil rights movement. Rustin was an outspoken advocate for civil rights as well as a pacifist, a result of a his Quaker upbringing. He promoted a non-violent approach to activism, organizing peaceful protests throughout the 1940s, 50s, and 60s. Rustin joined the Fellowship of Reconciliation (FOR) and co-founded the Congress of Racial Equality in his early adulthood. After spending two years in jail during WWII as a conscientious objector, he travelled abroad to study Gandhian philosophy of non-violence in India. Despite his homosexuality and the resulting opposition Rustin faced, Dr. King asked Rustin to join him as an advisor, ghostwriter, organizer, and nonviolence strategist. As a key influence in the Montgomery Bus Boycott, the March on Washington, the formation of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, Rustin was a significant figure throughout the Civil Rights Movement in the 20th century.

Following the passage of the Civil Rights Act, Rustin shifted his activism toward gay rights, economic injustice, anti-colonialism, and human rights. Rustin passed away from a ruptured appendix in 1987 at the age of 75.

BY: SYDNEY T.

Biography: Christina Milian was born in New Jersey with Afro-Cuban descent and was raised in Maryland. She is a famous singer, songwriter, and actress starring in roles such as the movies “Falling Inn Love”, “Resort to Love”, and “Memories of Christmas.” Christina wrote the songs “Baby” sung by Justin Bieber and “Us Against the World.”

Biografía: Christina Milian nació en las Nueva Jersey con Afro-Cubano descendencia y crió en Maryland. Ella es un famosa cantante, actriz y escritora de canciones, protagonizado en papeles como las películas “Enamorarse”, “Recurrir el Amor”, y “Recuerdos de Navidad.” Christina escribió los canciones “Baby” de Justin Bieber, y “Nosotros contra el Mundo.”

BY: EMMA M.

Medgar Evers was 20th century Civil Rights activist that advocated against Jim Crow Laws and segregation in education; he also fought hard to investigate the Emmett Till lynching. He fought in World War II then attended an HBCU in Mississippi, later taking on a position of President for a local Regional Council of Black Leadership. He started off with swift activism regarding the segregation of restrooms on a grassroots level. Evers then became an NAACP officer in Mississippi, organizing events such as voter registration drives and helping lead protests to desegregate schools, parks, and beaches around the area. After years of death threats for unjust claims of crimes surrounding his activism in the Emmett Till lynching and the Clyde Kennard conviction, Evers was fatally shot in his home, dying hours later in the hospital.

BY: ANDREW R.

Araminta Ross, who later changed her name to Harriet Tubman, was born in March 1822 and died 91 years later on March 10, 1913. Harriet Tubman has always been brave and courageous. At around age 12, Harriet Tubman faced a serious head injury after getting hit by a heavyweight in her head by a furious overseer. Because of this whenever she went into a deep sleep, she would experience spells, which later helped guide her to freedom. Afterward, in 1847, she married John Tubman, a free man. 2 years later in fear of getting sold, she escaped to Philadelphia for freedom. When she got to Philadelphia, she met William Still, a member of the Underground Railroad, and now as a free woman changed her name to Harriet Tubman. She had taken her mother’s first name and husband’s last name. Some time after she escaped Harriet Tubman went back to her hometown for her husband and to help her family escape to gain freedom, as well. When she returned back to Maryland, she found out that her husband John Tubman had remarried. Since John Tubman had remarried Harriet Tubman just rescued part of her family at a time during various trips until she had rescued them all. After she took her family to freedom, she then started helping other slaves in different plantations to freedom. Overall Harriet Tubman made 13 trips and helped 70 enslaved people get freedom through the Underground Railroad. In 1861, Harriet Tubman helped the Union army in the Civil War. 4 years after the Civil War ended, Harriet Tubman married Nelson Davis in 1869. This all led to Harriet Tubman becoming a brave and courageous hero, as well a role model for many.

BY: TRENIDY W.

In 1925, Philip Randolph founded the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters (BSCP). Randolph secured membership in the American Federation of Labor for the BSCP, making it the first black labor union in the United States. Building upon his efforts with organized labor, Randolph collaborated with Bayard Rustin to develop non-violent strategies to protest discrimination in the defense industries and armed forces. In 1941, they planned a march on Washington, DC to protest discrimination in the defense industry. The proposed march pressured President Franklin D. Roosevelt to issue an Executive Order abolishing discrimination in the defense industry. In 1947, Randolph planned another march on Washington to protest segregation in the military. Once again, the proposed march placed political pressure on the government, and in 1948 President Harry S Truman issued an Executive Order ending segregation in the military.

During the 1950s, Randolph taught other civil rights leaders how to utilize non-violent protests to oppose racial discrimination. Randolph was a principal organizer for the 1963 March on Washington and was among the leaders that met with President John F. Kennedy after the march. In 1964, Randolph received the Presidential Medal of Freedom for his efforts and founded the A. Philip Randolph Institute in Washington, D.C., an organization aimed at studying poverty.

BY: SIMON M.

In 2015, at Conway Junior High School the step team Chi Sigma Chi was started. It was later brought over to Conway High School. The step team was started to provide students with more opportunities in fine arts. Chi Sigma Chi is sponsored by Mr. Glass, a biology teacher at Conway High School and also a member of the fraternity Omega Psi Phi. Chi Sigma Chi’s 2022 team consists of 10 girls which are Amia Phillips as Big Steppa, Mary Helms as M Shiesty, Anastasia McDaniel as Unique, Jasmine O’Neal as Soldier, Ka’Niya Stubbs as Goddess, Zanasia Wade as Angel, Ahlisa Logan as Majorette, Iyanna Patterson as Tiny, Jennifer Patton as Big Jeneral, and me, Trenidy Washington as Perfectionist. The leaders of Chi Sigma are me, Trenidy, as the captain of the team, Amia is the co-captain, Jennifer is the Step Master, and Zanasia is the Co-Step Master. Chi Sigma Chi went through a lot within the team from either losing members or having to miss practice because of school being canceled. Regardless of missing days because of school breaks, Covid-19, or bad weather Chi Sigma Chi has continued to practice and work hard. Chi Sigma Chi has been practicing since November 2021 to be able to have a performance, so we could introduce to the school who we are and what we can do. Being a part of a step team takes patience for either waiting until every member has the step-down or waiting to perform because something happened. Chi Sigma Chi was supposed to perform at the first and second lunch in the courtyard on Friday, February 25th, but we weren’t able to because it snowed causing the school to be canceled. Luckily the weather got better and we were able to perform Friday, March 4th. Every member of the team was nervous and had anxiety about performing, but it all went away while we performed because we did it together as a team. After the performance, we received so many compliments from students and teachers at Conway High School about our stepping, and that made us very proud and joyful. We were filled with content because we spent so much time and effort putting on a show, and it all went according to the plan. We were also filled with happiness because we finally got to show off our talent and it went great. Chi Sigma Chi continues to practice to have another performance, and best believe the next show will be even better.

BY: TRENIDY W.

Kid Cudi was born in Cleveland, Ohio to Lindberg Mescudi, who is African-American, and Elsie Mescudi, who is Hispanic. Kid Cudi moved to New York City to get started in the music industry, and created his first mixtape, which caught the attention of hip hop superstar, Kanye West. Since then, Kid Cudi has made multiple successful alternative rap albums, and has even been Grammy nominated.

Kid Cudi nació en Cleveland, Ohio, hijo de Lindberg Mescudi, que es afroamericano, y Elsie Mescudi, que es hispana. Kid Cudi se mudó a la ciudad de Nueva York para comenzar en la industria de la música, y creó su primer mixtape, que llamó la atención de la superestrella del hip hop, Kanye West. Desde entonces, Kid Cudi ha hecho múltiples álbumes exitosos de rap alternativo, e incluso ha sido nominado al Grammy.

BY: BRODY W.

The ABC series ‘Abbott Elementary’ by Quinta Brunson has been met with immediate praise after premiering just three months ago in December 2021. The show is inspired by Brunson’s experience attending Philadelphia’s Public School District and is even named after her favorite elementary school teacher, Mrs. Abbott. Along with her own experiences as a student in Philadelphia, Brunson mentioned taking inspiration from her mother who worked in Philadelphia's Public School District for 40 years. But many people are probably wondering what makes ‘Abbott Elementary’ so noteworthy? To many viewers, it’s the show’s ability to capture the experiences of black educators and their students, in an underfunded public school, without solely concentrating on the tragedies that come along with it.

This makes ‘Abbott Elementary’ a breath of fresh air to black viewers especially because, now more than ever, they are often forced to consume media that works to remind them of the oppression they face daily. Although film and media can and should be used to garner awareness, for black consumers this can quickly become mentally and emotionally exhausting. They should not have to see themselves constantly being oppressed in film and media just to feel represented. This is exactly what ‘Abbott Elementary’ does right - it proves that it is possible to highlight black voices in 2022 without the intention of focusing on the hardship that comes with the black experience.

BY: MAKYLA P.

La herencia

Carmelo Anthony nació en Brooklyn, New York en 1994. Aunque el nació aquí en Los Estados Unidos, el tiene antepasados de todo alrededor África y Sur America. La madre de Carmelo es afroamericano. Su padre en la otra mano tiene raíces en muchos países, pero principalmente en Puerto Rico. Otros países incluyen España, Venezuela, y países en África.

Heritage

Carmelo Anthony was born in Brooklyn, New York in 1994. Although he was born here in the US he has ancestors from all around Africa and South America. Carmelos’ mother is African American. His father on the other hand has roots in many countries, but mainly in Puerto Rico. Other countries include Spain, Venezuela, and countries in Africa.

Viajes

Carmelo Anthony y sus padres nacieron en Los Estados Unidos, pero sus abuelos paternos nacieron en Puerto Rico. Sus abuelos maternos nacieron en Los Estados Unidos, pero ellos tuvieron antepasados africanos.

Travels

Carmelo Anthony and his parents were born in the US, but his paternal grandparents were born in Puerto Rico. His maternal grandparents were born in the US, but they had African ancestry.

Ahora Qué?

Ahora, Carmelo Anthony juega en la NBA para los Los Angeles Lakers. Él Empezó su carrera en Denver, Colorado con los Nuggets y él ha jugado desde 2003 para equipos múltiples.

What now?

Now, Carmelo Anthony plays in the NBA for the Los Angeles Lakers. He started his career in Denver, Colorado with the Nuggets and he has played since 2003 for multiple teams.

BY: AIDAN B.

Bruce Lee was born in 1940. Most of his life, he was in Chinese films and his dad was on tour. During that time, Lee learned about dancing and started training with a fighting style called Wing Chun; a type of martial arts related to Kung Fu. He graduated from University Of Washington and opened his own martial arts school in Seattle, Texas. Bruce Lee’s first ever appearance was on a T.V. show called “The Green Hornet”. He also was recognized in karate tournaments all over the U.S. In hopes of roles that suited him better, he went to Hong Kong and directed two movies which he also starred in. His movies were released from Warner Brothers Studios and they boosted his acknowledgement to where he was widely known around the world. Bruce Lee sadly died around the time of the release date for "Enter the Dragon," but his legacy still lives on as his fighting style, Jeet Kune Do, has been taught by many martial art schools around the world.

Bruce Lee made martial arts what it is today. Different video games and movies use martial arts in fighting scenes. His influence made a difference on self defense and creativity. Meditation and focus was his main thought as in one of his interviews in 1971, Bruce Lee gave advice on how to flow through the mind and body. “Empty your mind. Be formless, shapeless, like water. You put water into a cup, it becomes the cup, you put water into a bottle, it becomes the bottle. You put water into a teapot, it becomes the teapot. Now water can flow, or it can crash. Be water my friend.” His quote has been around for decades and still has its value today. Bruce Lee’s legacy will exist forever.

BY: CAVAN B.

Adriano Espaillat was born in 1954 in the Dominican Republic. Adriano Espaillat and his family moved to the United States in 1964. Adriano Espaillat is currently a member of the House of Representatives for New York. Adriano Espaillat was born in the Dominican Republic but moved to the United States when he was ten, where he has continued to live in New York. Adriano Espaillat went to many colleges, but the most prestigious is Rutgers University where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in political science.

Adriano Espaillat nació en 1954 en la República Dominicana. Adriano Espaillat y su familia fueron a los Estados Unidos en 1964. Adriano Espaillat es actualmente miembro de la Cámara de Representantes por Nueva York. Adriano Espaillat nació en la República Dominicana pero se fue a los Estados Unidos cuando tenía diez años, donde ha seguido viviendo en Nueva York. Adriano Espaillat fue a muchas universidades, pero la más prestigiosa es la Universidad de Rutgers, donde obtuvo su licenciatura en ciencias políticas.

BY: LUKE C.

Zoe Saldaña was born in Passaic, New Jersey to a Dominican father and a Puerto Rican Mother. When her father died in a car accident, they moved to her father’s home country, Dominican Republic. When she was 17, she moved back to the U.S. to New York City. She is currently an actor and has acted in many popular movies. She grew up in New York and began performing with youth theatre groups. Her career grew after two small appearances on ‘Law and Order’ .

Zoe Saldaña nació en Passaic, Nueva Jersey, de padre dominicano y madre puertorriqueña. Cuando su padre murió en un accidente de coche, se mudaron al país de origen de su padre, República Dominicana. Cuando tenía 17 años, regresó a los Estados Unidos a la ciudad de Nueva York. Actualmente es actriz y ha actuado en muchas películas populares. Creció en Nueva York y comenzó a actuar con grupos de teatro de jóvenes. Su carrera creció tras dos pequeñas apariciones en 'Law and Order'.

BY: STEPHANY M.

As wrestling season starts and ends, I often ask myself how I even got the opportunity to join a team of co-ed wrestlers at Conway High School. Sure, Bobo Brazil made it possible for African American men to show their strength on the mat, but Ethel Johnson made it possible for African American women like me to dominate our opponents in wrestling matches.

Ethel Blanche Hairston was born on May 14, 1935 in Decatur, Georgia into a family of wrestling lovers. Ethel started her training at the age of 16 alongside her older sister, Betty (Babs Wingo) and they tag teamed at a main event in Baltimore, Maryland in 1952. With it gaining the attention of 3,611 fans, Ethel got signed by Billy Wolfe and became known as Ethel Johnson and later, Rita Valdez, in Latin America. Johnson was well known for her athleticism, “Standing Dropkick,” and “Flying Headscissors" in her matches. Fans favored Johnson and often boasted that she was “the biggest attraction to hit girl wrestling since girl wrestling began." Johnson went on to compete against popular wrestlers like June Byers, Penny Banner, and Mildred Burke in the NWA World Women’s Championship. She won the Colored Women’s World Championship three times, Ohio Women’s Tag Team Championship with Marva Scott once, and the Texas Colored Women’s Championship twice. Ethel Johnson earned a seat in the World Wrestling Entertainment Hall of Fame before dying of heart disease on September 14, 2018.

Ethel Johnson is not only an inspiration to female wrestlers that strive during their matches, she’s also a game changer in the wrestling industry for African Americans in proving that they can also use their skills to reign victorious on the mat. Ethel Johnson’s existence in the wrestling community will always be the reason why I strive for victory. She Drop-kicked so I could Cross-Face.

BY: ABIGAIL C.

Lizzie is a junior at Conway High School. She is Chinese-American; her mom was born in Taiwan, and her family came to the United States in 1982. Lizzie was born in the US. She grew up in Texas and Arkansas and has been in Conway Public Schools since kindergarten. Her family celebrates the Lunar New Year and Mid-Autumn Festival, or the Moon Festival. She is a ballerina for Arkansas Festival Ballet and has been doing ballet for 12 years. After high school, Lizzie plans to major in neuroscience and continue ballet in college.

PHOTO AND INTRO BY: DESIREE C.

I have not pulled back as the sponsor, founding teacher, and director of Mirrors to talk to our readers directly. My goal has always been to focus on the kids, but as we look to the end of the school year - now is the time.

Thank you so much for reading all our volumes, particularly this installment. EX!ST is very special to me because it represents perfectly what we wanted to do when we began assembling this collaborative effort. We are highlighting student voices and empowering meaningful conversations. Our goal was to produce something students would take ownership of and feel proud to participate in. I think we've done that very clearly.

My original ambition was to create a "quarterly" that would quite literally launch a new volume every nine weeks. I can officially say that our goal has been met and surpassed. We will launch volume #5, a special bonus to our students, in May 2022. That means this entry will be the last for our Chief Editing Officer, senior Lillian G.

To Lillian, I say thank you. Thank you so much for your hard work and dedication to this project, as your work has helped shine a light on fellow students, their achievements, and areas wherein we might all grow. The extra time put in is immeasurable, and the difference made profound. I know I speak for everyone here at CHS when I say that we cannot wait to see how you change the world.

Happy learning, everyone.

Brick Cullum "Mr. C"

Photos by Jackson K. of CEO Lillian G.