The Paw Print

A news publication created by Baruch's College Now high school journalism class

Archives for July 2011

Patricia Jasionek

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Patricia Jasionek, a rising junior at the High School of Economics and Finance, is a young woman of many talents. Only 16, this Middle Village resident already has eight years of ballroom dancing experience under her belt. In addition, Patricia was her school’s sophomore class president and wishes to put her leadership experience to use one day by taking an editorial position at a fashion magazine, such as Teen Vogue. She hopes a degree in journalism from Boston University will help get her there. But before she starts her college career, Patricia plans to backpack across Europe and Australia.

Water Fireworks at the Lincoln Center

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    For July 4th, I was dying to see the fireworks by the Hudson River, but I ended up seeing a different type of fireworks. My mom, her boyfriend and I had decided to walk around our neighborhood, and ended up at the Lincoln Center. As most people may know, the Lincoln Center has steps leading to a big fountain.

    As we all got closer to the fountain, we noticed a group of 12-year-old girls who were laying down by the fountain. They looked as if they fell into the fountain, because they were soaked from head to toe. They were laughing loudly and smiling a lot, so we walked closer to get a better look at what they were doing. Suddenly, the fountain started shooting  water high into the sky, and it looked like fireworks. The fountain not only shot water in the air, but it also angled the water so it fell on one side of the fountain, falling on anyone who stood close enough. My mom’s boyfriend grabbed my mom and I, and pushed us close to the fountain. We shrieked as the water fell over our bodies, and when it finally stopped, water dripped off our hair and faces. Our clothes were completely drenched.
    The three of us started acting like little kids, and we were laughing and yelling louder than the little girls. We stayed there for about two hours, and I can honestly say I had a lot more fun than seeing the fireworks. My mom’s boyfriend asked security if this only happened for the fourth of July, and he was given a schedule and said that security told him that this happens almost everyday. We were super happy, and we plan on going back soon.
    Lincoln Center is an awesome place to go on a hot summer day, or when you’re in the mood to just act silly with some friends. It’s like running through the sprinkles in Central Park, only you will find people of different ages and not just little kids. And best of all, it’s free!

Ariel Villa

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Ariel Villa, 17, lives in Manhattan, where she attends the New York City Lab School. She has been a part of her school’s theater company for two years. During her free time, she enjoys learning new songs on the ukulele. To cool off from her hectic life, Ariel relaxes by watching Disney movies and hanging out with her pet rabbit, named Mr. Bunny.

Syed Ferdous

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Syed Ferdous is a 16-year-old rising senior at Stuyvesant High School, a specialized high school located in downtown Manhattan. Born in Bangladesh, he moved to New York when at the age of one and currently lives in Woodside, Queens. He is involved in extracurricular activities like the Stuyvesant Standard (school newspaper), the Muslim Student Association, Red Cross Club, and volunteering at the South Asian Youth Action community center. In his free time he enjoys playing basketball and reading. Syed hopes to attend the Ross School of Business at Michigan University in the future and one day open his own tutoring service or a halal food restaurant.

Niki Chen

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Niki Chen, 15, lives in Douglaston, Queens, NY. She attends Stuyvesant High School where she writes for the arts and entertainment section of her school’s newspaper. She is also an active attendee in the National Honors Society. Her hobbies include playing basketball, even though she’s not that good at it. Niki has a love for music (especially Arcade Fire) and movies (especially “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind”). This humble and achieved teen believes in being fair and treating others the same way she would like to be treated.

Latoya Bethune

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A resident of Rosedale, Queens, 17-year-old Latoya Bethune lives by the quote “Whenever one door closes, try turning the knob. It doesn’t always mean it’s locked.” As a student at Thomas Edison High School in Jamaica, Queens, Latoya is a member of both the debate team and National Honors Society. When not attending these afterschool activities, she enjoys visiting “The City”, reading, listening to music and watching movies. Her favorite movie is “No Strings Attached”. Bethune also enjoys shopping online, though she does occasionally stop by Urban Outfitters and H&M.