As a non-partisan entity, the Nyack Spectrum Newspaper is often careful to take political stances. 

However, when an administration imposes a threat to education, a student voice must resound. 

At the end of February, the Trump administration launched a federal tip portal to report any instances of DEI in schools.

Tears, cheers, and spirit fingers were abundant at the 8th annual New York State YMCA’s Youth And Government Middle School Conference. From November 24th to 26th, a few dozen adults and 25 high school Resource Team members supported 600 middle school students in creating, debating and voting on legislation.

An election so monumental, an election that could decide the fate of democracy, is intimidating at the least. With structures existing like the electoral college, it is easy for Nyack’s newly 18 year-olds to feel as though their one vote won’t make a difference. But that’s untrue.

Parents chanting “child predator” and “resign!” set the tone for the February 8th Clarkstown Central School District Board of Education meeting. 

Hundreds of parents and students filled Clarkstown South’s auditorium, split down the middle of the room, literally taking the sides they’ve expressed about CCSD’s addition of GENDA to the district’s Equal Opportunity and Nondiscrimination policy.

On March 13, the US House of Representatives passed a bill that will effectively ban TikTok in the US if its parent company, ByteDance, refuses to sell it. 

While this bill hasn’t been passed through the Senate, it has created mass hysteria across all platforms, and further discourse about TikTok and its impact on our generation.

January 14, 2024 marked 100 days of war between Israel and Hamas. This grim milestone has only raised media tensions, producing split headlines like “Israel's 100 days of relentless war on Gaza” (“Al Jazeera”) and “‘Our world stopped on October 7': Families of hostages mark 100 days of Hamas Captivity” (“Times of Israel”).

Following the closing night of Nyack High School’s fall play, director Ben Tostado ‘put up’ the show Rent to be approved for the spring musical. Nyack’s superintendent, Susan Yom, denied this show, opting for something more family-friendly, a show for all ages.

The approved musical was Grease. 

As a politically involved, progressive, Jewish student, the war in the Middle East, and its subsequent media frenzy, is increasingly troubling for me. I’m fearful for my Israeli friends and my extended family. I’m mourning all of the lives taken, ones I’ve met, and ones I’ll never know.

At 7 AM on May 16, polls opened for the Nyack School Board election. This was an unusually competitive election, with 4 challengers running against 2 incumbents. Along with the passing of the budget, the 2023 election winners were Jen Marracinno, Jessica Goodman and Benny Vásquez.  

American women have always had to fight for autonomy. From voting rights to birth control access, feminists have been working to protect women’s liberties for centuries. However, these advances are now at risk of reversal. On Friday, April 21, the US Supreme Court ruled on the fate of millions of livelihoods. 

In the past few years, we’ve had to watch immense change happen on a federal level. Women are being persecuted and prosecuted for getting abortions since the overturning of Roe vs. Wade, the end of Affirmative Action, which has already limited opportunities for students of color, and the Willow Project having drastic effects on the environment. It’s so frustrating to sit and watch our futures be manipulated, without having any control.

It’s been a long year. 2023 has brought immense joy and even more challenges. From Barbenheimer to The Eras and Renaissance tours, to Twitter becoming X, to the horrifyingly countless school shootings, and the recent and terrible events in the Middle East, we’ve experienced some whiplash. 

For those wondering how they can spread love this holiday season, local nonprofits especially can use donations. 

Why have America's change-makers become categorized as “controversial”? Rockland community members used this adjective, among many others, to deter North Rockland High School from hosting political activist Dr. Angela Davis on December 1st, 2022 in an off-campus event.

On Tuesday, January 18, 2022, Nyack High School’s Social Justice Club stood before Nyack School District’s Board of Education and presented their findings after attending a Racial Equity Workshop with principles developed from the People’s Institute for Survival & Beyond. There, they were taught ideas such as “learning from history, analyzing power, undoing racism, developing leadership, internalized racial oppression, gatekeeping, identifying and analyzing manifestations of racism and maintaining accountability.” 

On September 8, 2022, the world gasped at the news. London Bridge was Down. Queen Elizabeth II had died. Not many were shocked by this, as Queen Elizabeth was the longest reigning monarch in history, ruling the British commonwealth for 70 years. As people processed her death, questions emerged about the countries that England colonized during her reign, ownership of the queen’s precious corgis, and the future of the monarchy. After a lengthy funeral procession, the queen was lowered into the ground. But was the monarchy buried with her? 

As Pride Month has been approaching, we’ve seen an influx of people coming out on social media, fundraisers for LGBTQ+ non-profits, and rainbow products on the shelves... Recently, companies have become involved in the celebration. Brands like Target have been recognized for providing visibility to those in the LGBTQ+ community. What could possibly be foul about support, representation, and cute rainbow socks?