February 21
Vol. 2, Issue #9
Embedded Files
In This Issue:
Students React to DoDEA Policy Changes; Clubs, Books, Curricula, and More Under Review
Students React to DoDEA Policy Changes; Clubs, Books, Curricula, and More Under Review
By Emily W and Gabby F
On Thursday, February 6th, the SHS Pride Club held a short-notice meeting during lunch. It was there that the group were some of the first to hear of the immediate impact of DoDEA-wide policy changes: no more gender neutral bathrooms, no more posters related to heritage months, and no more meetings of the Pride Club.
They were just one of five groups told that they would be unable to officially organize and meet as school-sponsored clubs, the other “affinity groups” being the Afro-Centric Explorers Association, the Feminist Club, Women in STEM, and the Asian and Pacific Islanders Club.
DoDEA Europe-East district superintendent Ms. Elizabeth Fales later amended this, announcing over the intercom on Wednesday, February 19th and at the town hall meeting held the same day that affinity groups can be organized by and for students, so long as teachers only supervise rather than sponsor the clubs. Even before that announcement, Feminist Club and Women in STEM leadership had been told that they will be able to resume meetings.
Afro-Centric Explorers Association leader Naomi G created the club with the mission statement to educate and celebrate Afro-centric culture and history. Along with other club members, Naomi was outraged by the news of the AEA’s forced end as a school-sponsored club and the erasure of Black History Month in school; posters were taken down, and the typical Black History Month assembly could not be held in the school auditorium as it has been in past years. “We should not be erasing history. No matter how bad it is, we need to learn about the negative parts to realize how far we’ve come,” stated Naomi.
Similarly, Asian and Pacific Islanders Club president Sophie T felt dismay over the new policy changes. Sophie joined the club to connect with her South Korean heritage and eventually assumed leadership. “It is extremely disappointing, frustrating, and unfair that our club was banned. I was looking forward to our plans for this year, and I'm sad they'll never be realized,” Sophie expressed.
Though both club leaders have been faced with the challenge of no longer being able to have official endorsement from the school, neither plan to stop educating and raising awareness. Both leaders made their comments before Ms. Fayles announced the new rule about allowing fully student-organized clubs at school.
According to the Society for Human Resource Management, these groups are labelled as affinity-based in the workplace (or, in this case, at school) due to their focus on “a shared and often protected characteristic, life experience, or interest.” There was concern that the German and Spanish Honor Societies would also have to stop meeting, but they remain in good standing presumably because membership is merit-based.
The DoDEA policy changes are the result of executive orders signed by President Trump, namely those entitled “Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government” and “Ending Radical Indoctrination in K-12 Schooling.” In response to these orders, celebrating heritage months, which are now no longer recognized by the Department of Defense, and other “Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion” or DEI practices fell under review in DoDEA. As part of this, library books and school curricula are under review, though all books remain available for checkout at the SHS library for the time being.
It was the day after the Pride Club held their meeting that LGBTQ students began observing the effects on the school environment. One of the most notable was the almost overnight switch of the former gender neutral bathrooms to male and female, with the only remaining non-gendered option being the single stall restroom in Nurse King’s office. In an interview with the Insider, Brooks C described feeling nervous.
Brooks is a trans girl, and has identified as a girl for years. She has taken hormone blockers for nearly four years, which delay the effects of puberty, and presents in a feminine manner. Yet that Thursday, she was called down to the nurse’s office personally and told that she would have to use the restroom of her assigned sex at birth.
Another student who identifies as transgender told the Insider that, based on his experience, even if people are made to use the restroom of their assigned sex at birth, some cisgender (non-trans) people will be uncomfortable either way. Presenting masculine yet using female locker rooms, he gets dirty looks- but feels he would also be out of place in the boys locker room.
Brooks and others also spoke out about the removal of “safe space” stickers, posters and flags celebrating diversity, and more. While many said that such symbols in teachers’ rooms had been things they’d perhaps taken for granted, or that they didn’t think they meant anything, but that they were shocked by their removal. Brooks stated that, “for the longest time even in middle school, I never thought those stickers meant much to me, but now that I don’t see anything on the walls…I feel a little scared.”
The feeling of fear arising from the removal of these outward symbols of acceptance and support was shared by Maddie M, who was an active member of Pride Club and other affinity clubs. She said that she feels the school is becoming an unsupportive environment- “not based on teachers or people but because of the new policy changes…Right now a lot of my fears and concerns do not reside in the fact of what is happening right now but what will potentially happen because of this.”
Many SHS students were quick to speak out openly about their feelings, in person or online. Messages that called the current situation in DoDEA schools “disgusting” or that people should be proud of diversity populated Instagram stories. Stuttgart Friends, the Facebook group used by members of the community, was filled with messages from concerned parents.
Perhaps the most outspoken the school got was on Tuesday, February 11th, with the Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth visiting the garrison. At a walkout at Patch Middle School, which gained national coverage, more than 50 middle school students left class for almost an hour. That same day, students at SHS wore shirts celebrating diversity and one could begin to see an influx in posters, graffiti, and stickers relating to diversity around the school.
It was the amount of graffiti in particular, much of it containing what may be considered inappropriate language for a school environment, that caused bathroom closures later in the week. As a way for people to express their feelings in another way, Mr. Jimmerson informed students on Thursday, a week after the policy changes began to be rolled out, that they could go to the library and write on provided sticky notes to share their thoughts.
Many SHS students have been vocal against the new policy changes, as well as students throughout DoDEA. More than 100 students staged a walkout similar to the one at Kinnick High School on Yokosuka Air Base in Japan on Friday, February 21st, partially inspired by the one at Patch Middle School. It has become clear that throughout the district, students are upset by the removal of celebrations of diversity.
A special thank you to Naomi G, Sophie T, Brooks C, Maddie M, and anyone else who was interviewed or quoted for this article. Photos courtesy of Emily W. Please note that, due to misinformation or being written before certain events, some comments in the sticky notes pictured may be inaccurate, while still reflecting students' concerns.
Sports
Sports
Girls Basketball Closes Out Season with a Win
Girls Basketball Closes Out Season with a Win
By Jordan R
Congratulations to the Girls basketball team for bringing home the European Championship 45-35 against the Vilseck Falcons! Hannah H, a Stuttgart Panther junior, and Mia S, a Stuttgart Panther senior, both brought home an Outstanding Player Award after their win, signifying their outstanding performance during the whole championship. Leading up to the final 3 seconds of the match, Serenity S received an assist from Hannah, making one final layup before the buzzer. After the end of the game, all the girls ran and hugged Mia on the gymnasium floor- celebrating the win and comforting Mia after her last basketball game and season as a Stuttgart Panther.
This is now the second time in a row that the team has brought home this prestigious award- only more training and practice will lead them to a victory next season. Go Panthers!
Photo and information courtesy of Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes.
Featured Artist
Featured Artist
Zuriah V is a 17 year old senior who created this wonderful cicada shell. She has invested a lot of her academic time into the arts, taking both AP 2D and AP 3D art. She has been dedicated to creating since she was much younger and would recreate works of classic artists, with a preference for abstraction. This specific piece was fairly unique in that she had only ever worked with cardboard as a medium once before, and because it actually took her about two months to complete from start to finish while also working on other projects. When describing the materials used, she said she “used wax paper for transparency and you can tell that it's a sculpture and not the most realistic however it’s very detailed.”
Like many of our other featured artists, this piece sprung forth from her AP 3d art portfolio exploration, which is currently centered around bugs and insects. The idea is to create different bugs in different mediums that reflect the perception of the chosen bug. For example, Zuriah chose to make her ladybug based piece out of crochet as she sees ladybugs as a kind of childhood thing, a comforting memory, and crochet matches that energy very well. Cardboard was chosen for this subject because it seemed easy to work with and it matches the texture of a cicada shell in a way that is perfect for her exploration.
The original plan for this piece was simply to make any bug out of cardboard. At first a rolly polly seemed like a good pick, but she then decided that a cicada would be a better fit. This choice also allowed her to make a two part piece. She recently made a cicada out by needle felting on a wire frame skeleton. Needle felting is a technique in which you take felt or another kind of wool or cotton based fabric and stab it with a specialized needle to force it into a certain shape. The cicada shell came out “just as intended” and she is “very happy with the way it looks” while noting that if she had to choose to change something, she would fix the proportions, as the anatomy isn’t 100% accurate.
Some of her future plans for projects include a rolly polly made from either paper mache or carved from wood and a goliath beetle that would be hand sewn and embroidered. These pieces follow the theme exploration of a deeper dive into insects. Her pieces aren’t exactly intended to have a deeper meaning or message. However, for this cicada shell, she noted that there could be a case made that the cicada shell was discarded, left where it stands after the life inside emerges, and in a similar fashion, people often treat cardboard boxes with the same cadence. Two contemporary artists who inspired her AP exploration as a whole are Alexandria Masse, whose crochet style inspired the theme of bugs, and Nicole Parish, who helped Zuriah notice that her love of bugs was so much more than she realized and that she could make real art based on insects.
Images courtesy of Zuriah V.
Local Events
Local Events
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth Visits AFRICOM and EUCOM
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth Visits AFRICOM and EUCOM
By Tadek N
Newly appointed Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth recently visited AFRICOM and EUCOM on February 11th as part of his first visit overseas.The primary purpose of his visit was to speak to senior members of both commands to discuss strategic planning and relationships with European and African allies in the future. Secretary Hegseth also met with American and German papers to answer questions, where he discussed the shifting of military priorities, stating that, “The biggest threat was securing our own border, which we are addressing rapidly.” Additionally, he cemented President Trump's plans to increase military spending to five percent of U.S. GDP, criticizing former president Biden for a lack of military capability.
While Secretary Hegseth was able to discuss military proceedings with the public and high ranking officers in AFRICOM and EUCOM, his presence was greatly bemoaned by portions of the military community. Secretary Hegseth's visit being inextricably linked to the controversies surrounding the dismantling of diversity, equality, and inclusion (DEI) programs. Since the signing of some executive orders by president Trump, federal offices and schools have been a ground zero for the wider goals of removing “radical indoctrination." This led to a protest at his arrival, where two dozen people chanted DEI in direct defiance of the current administration's policies. Additionally, 55 students walked out at Patch Middle School for 50 minutes “in protest of recent events.” These two events highlight a shift in the relationship between the President's Administration and the Military Community, as overseas military communities very rarely protest. However, as current policies continue to attack the diverse groups found in federal employees they feel the need to defend themselves, either as an entire community or individually.
Pop Culture
Pop Culture
Influential Performers You Might Not Know About
Influential Performers You Might Not Know About
By Presley C
Music has a way of touching people’s hearts and it inspires people in ways nothing else can. There’s many big name artists who receive all the attention and accolades, but it’s important to highlight lesser known musicians. These music artists deserve just as much recognition but often go unnoticed. Historically, there have been countless artists who work themselves to the bone, creating music that’s just as good– if not better – than what’s being played today on the radio. It’s important to acknowledge these people who didn’t have as large of a platform.
Chuck Berry was a pioneer in the rock ‘n’ roll genre. Born in 1926 in St. Louis, Missouri, Berry was one of the first African American musicians to gain widespread recognition and success in a time when the rock ‘n’ roll space wasn’t as inclusive. Berry grew up in a working class neighborhood and developed a passion for music at an early age. He learned to play the guitar from a friend and started performing in local bars and clubs. By 1953, Berry formed his own band, “The Chuck Berry Combo.” With his energetic performances and catchy guitar riffs, Berry had a huge influence on future musicians. He was a great inspiration for iconic artists such as The Beatles and The Rolling Stones.
Juanita Hall was a talented actress and singer who made a significant impact on Broadway and Hollywood. Born in New York in 1901, Hall began her career in vaudeville before making the leap to Broadway and Hollywood. She was best known for her versatility and her ability to play a wide range of acting roles. She received critical acclaim for her performance as Bloody Mary in the musical “South Pacific,” and she went on to appear in other productions such as “Show Boat” and “The King and I.” She was the first African American woman to be nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. Hall’s powerful character and voice made her a standout performer in all the productions she was a part of.
Lastly, James Brown, also known as the “Godfather of Soul,” was an influential singer who had a massive influence on R&B, funk, and soul music. He was born in South Carolina during the Great Depression. Brown began his career in the 1950s, initially being a gospel singer. Once he turned to creating secular music, he quickly became well known for how he experimented with musical styles and fusions. Brown’s music has been of great inspiration to some of the best artists, including Mick Jagger, David Bowie, Michael Jackson, and Prince.
By taking a look at where your favorite songs, books, and even movies come from, you can find different people who inspire you. Although you may be someone who isn’t skilled in any particular form of art, it’s equally important to be someone who enjoys it. Any art, physical or not, holds a great significance if it makes someone feel something.
Politics
Politics
How can Students Express Themselves with their Clothing?
How can Students Express Themselves with their Clothing?
By Anna K
Many people in the local community have begun to wear various articles of clothing to school that reflect their views on current events. Students and teachers alike have been seen wearing shirts with slogans such as, "Girls Just Want to Have Fundamental Human Rights" and "Diversity is our Strength." Some students wearing these clothes have received backlash from their peers because of their actions. Many agree that school officials should not restrict their students' clothing choices. However, there may be exceptions if a reasonable person would find the clothing to be offensive. It is a commonly held belief that schools should not exercise a large amount of control over students' freedom to express themselves through clothing.
The majority of students strongly share this opinion, and in 1969, the United States Supreme Court reached the same conclusion. In 1969, the Supreme Court decided that the wearing of armbands to express the wearer's ideology is an act protected by the First Amendment. The amendment states that all citizens of the United States have freedom of speech. The Supreme Court reasoned that since students are citizens of the U.S., "It can hardly be argued that either students or teachers shed their constitutional rights to freedom of speech or expression at the schoolhouse gate" (Tinker v. Des Moines). Julia M, a student at Stuttgart High School, agrees, saying all students have the right to express their beliefs, as long as the clothing doesn't create a disturbance or distract other people.
Wearing clothes with powerful messages on them is a form of expression. These two statements, one by a person who is most affected by the topic at hand and another by a governing body, are in agreement with the stance that school officials should not have a large amount of control over what their students wear.
Looking Forward
Looking Forward
How to Enter the Insider's March Madness Bracket
How to Enter the Insider's March Madness Bracket
By Gabby F
The Stuttgart Insider will be holding a bracket challenge for March Madness. The rules are simple: brackets will be available in Coach Garrett’s room starting on March 10th and must be returned to his room no later than the morning of March 18th. Once selections are made on the 16th, the official picks will be available to view on the Stuttgart Insider website to help participants fill out their brackets. Brackets will be scored, with the highest scoring winning the challenge. Following the tournament’s end on April 7th, that winner will be announced and prizes will be distributed.
Any student may submit a bracket at no cost, but only one submission can be made per person. Any submissions after the morning of March 18th will not be accepted. Prizes are yet to be announced, so keep an eye out on our website and Instagram (@_stuttgart.insider_). For any questions email Emily W at ewhe2449@student.dodea.edu or DM us on Instagram.
Information and bracket courtesy of the NCAA. Information reprinted from the February 7th issue.
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