The Hewitt Times

Violent Protests in Ukraine

Against the biting winter cold, thousands of protesters clad in the Ukrainian flag crowd Ukraine’s Independence Square in capital city Kiev in opposition against President Viktor Yanukovych. Many claim Yanukovych has taken away the country’s chance at a brighter economic future through integration with the rest of Europe and departure from the grip that Russia continues to hold on Ukraine. The European Union (EU) launched the Eastern Partnership Program four years ago, a foreign policy project designed to widen the trade area for partner countries by visa liberalization, support energy efficiency, and gradually elimination tariffs and trade quotas. This initiative targets former Soviet republics such as Ukraine, Moldova, Armenia, and Georgia. President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia pressured these ex-Soviet republics not to sign this agreement by imposing damaging sanctions on them, since all of these countries depend on Russia for trade. … Continue reading →

The Wiz Has Arrived!

“He’s the Wiz and he lives in Oz…” Well, this week he actually lives in the Kaye Playhouse at Hunter College! Although you might be inclined to stay “Home” on Thursday and Friday nights, you should “Ease on Down the Road” to 68th Street between Park and Lex to see the 7-12th grade production of “The Wiz”! Get your tickets now for the 5:00 PM performance this Thursday and/or the 7:00 PM performance this Friday by calling the Kaye box office at (212) 772 – 4448.

Student Profile: Gillian Presto

Hewitt senior Gillian Presto ’14 has been balancing ice-skating and school, among her other commitments, for years now. She is a very accomplished skater and a role model for the Hewitt community. I got the chance to ask her about her talent: Hewitt Times: When did you first start ice-skating? Gillian Presto: I first started skating when I was about eight years old but started getting serious about it a couple years later. HT: How often do you practice? GP: I used to practice about five to six times a week, but now I skate about three to four times a week because of how stressful school can be and how much work I have during senior year. HT: How often do you compete? GP: My skating season runs from about March to September/October. I … Continue reading →

Young Olympians

With thousands of athletes having made their Olympic debuts in the Sochi 2014 Olympics, few have gained worldwide acclaim. Three athletes, who have captured the attention of millions, are not only remarkable for their drive and skill; these Olympians are also just 15 years old. Yulia Lipnitskaya: Russia This ice princess held her own in these Olympic games and helped lead the Russian team to gold in the team figure skating event. She wowed audiences around the world with her graceful jumps, spins, and incredible flexibility. Lipnitskaya began skating at the age of four, and she is the youngest winner ever of the European Championships as of this January. After receiving the second best-ever results in the ladies’ free skating event with a 141.51 point score, her biggest rival in these Olympic games was South Korean skater Yuna Kim who … Continue reading →

The Iconic Jean Paul Gaultier

The futuristic, elegant, and avant-garde world of fashion icon Jean Paul Gaultier can now be experienced by the public at the Brooklyn Museum‘s latest exhibition, “From the Sidewalk to the Catwalk.” Centered around the five progressive designs explored through Gaultier’s work, the exhibit begins with the heading, “The Odyssey of Jean Paul Gaultier.” In this section, Gaultier’s trademark designs are displayed: open-back sailor shirts, skirts for men, lavish and mermaid-like dresses, and pieces that contain the printed image of the Virgin Mary. Aside from the art itself, the mannequins are brought to life by audiovisual projections of facial features so realistic, they give wax figures at Madame Tussauds a run for their money. Next, the exhibit offers a deeper look into Gaultier’s transformative ideas surrounding lingerie. The majority of his work in lingerie stems from two distinct fascinations of the … Continue reading →

As You Cooked the Porridge, So Must You Eat It

by Ria Sawhney Posted on March 9, 2014

SOCHI, RUSSIA – Under the façade of the glamour and extravagance of the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics, a plethora of controversies have emerged ever since Sochi was selected to host the Olympics. These controversies, including human rights violations, safety breaches, unfinished Olympic construction, threats of terrorist attacks, and stray dog abuse, have undermined the progressive political image the Russian government has tried to portray. One of the major concerns circulating even before the Olympics was the Gay Propaganda Law, passed in June of 2013. The law bans what Russia’s Parliament calls, “the propaganda of nontraditional sexual relations” to minors. In effect, the law makes it illegal to state that gay relationships are tantamount to heterosexual relationships, to hold events that defend homosexuality, and to advocate for gay rights. The penalties for individual Russians include fines up to … Continue reading →

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Sochi Olympics: Comments From Student Athletes

by Jamie Russo Posted on March 7, 2014

Looking back on the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics, I spoke to athletes and avid Olympic fans to hear their impressions of how this year’s games progressed in the events that they follow. Read on to hear what these students had to say! Student Head of Athletics and ice hockey fan Tyra Abraham ’14 stated, “I follow the Olympics because it’s interesting to see the athletes compete at a such an intense level. For most athletes, winning an Olympic gold medal is the pinnacle of their career. These athletes train for four years and only have this one moment to show off all their hard work, which makes for some very compelling action.” Regarding ice hockey, she commented, “Before the Olympics had even started, there was much debate about the roster of the [US] men’s ice … Continue reading →

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Belgium Extends Euthanasia To Children

by Rebecca Meyer Posted on March 3, 2014

Belgium is one of the only countries whose legislature permits the use of euthanasia on human adults. In the United States, the use of euthanasia is only legal in Washington, Oregon, Montana, and Vermont. But Belgium has just recently become the third country in the world, after the Netherlands and Luxembourg, to grant children the right to die. The “right to die” is the ethical or institutional entitlement of any individual to undergo voluntary euthanasia and end one’s life. Belgium is now extending its euthanasia law to children under 18, so minors with terminal illnesses can choose to end their suffering. An added condition specifies that the parents of the minor must approve and understand what the decision means. Karine Lalieux, a Socialist member of the Belgium House of Representatives, favored extending Belgium’s 2002 euthanasia law to minors and claimed, ”Our responsibility is … Continue reading →

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4 Food Fads Explored

by Grayson Brower Posted on March 3, 2014

Juicing, gluten-free dieting, and veganism: these are just a few of the “healthy” food trends that students hear about with increasing frequency in the Stacks Room. You can’t walk down a NYC street without passing a juice bar, vegan restaurant or gluten-free bakery. But are these diets good for you? When it comes to fad diets, there are no clear-cut answers on what is healthy and what is not. For every nutritionist that says doing a juice cleanse is a wonderful experience that will rid your body of evil toxins, another will tell you it could land you in the hospital. Whatever diet you choose, common sense needs to prevail. If you are planning to eliminate all animal products, for example, then you need to get your proteins and fats from other sources. Here is a summary of … Continue reading →