Author Archives: princetonsjp

Zwicker makes second bid for office

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By Marsriana Datta
Memphis, Tenn.

For Andrew Zwicker, a Democrat running for the New Jersey General Assembly in the 16th District, science as well as politics can help to solve the state’s problems.

“The one thing I promise to do is use evidence to make decisions,” Zwicker said at a press conference with the Princeton Summer Journal on Aug. 1.

Zwicker, who is a physicist at the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, is focusing on protecting the environment and ensuring better job prospects for college graduates. Continue reading →

Princeton physicist seeks public office

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By Cinthia Leon
Albuquerque, N.M.

Andrew Zwicker wants to change politics. His prescription for change, however, is not the typical one.

“I want to use evidence to make decisions,” he said at a press conference Aug. 1, discussing his candidacy for New Jersey assemblyman for the 16th District. “I come from a different background and I have a different approach.”

Zwicker’s focus on evidence is not surprising. For the last 18 years, Zwicker has been a plasma physicist — focusing on fusion energy research — at the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory. Although he’s a scientist, Zwicker has always had passion for politics. Continue reading →

PUPP aims to improve college access

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By Jeannie Regidor
Miami, Fl.

Programs like the Princeton University Preparatory Program (PUPP) — a college preparatory program for low-income high school students in the Princeton and Trenton areas — are few and far between. But when low-income students find them, they are like diamonds in the rough. Over 80 percent of top-performing low-income students don’t apply to highly selective universities, according to Questbridge.

“Some people are breezing by and unconcerned about paying for college, and others have lost hope of going to college,” said Renata Stankowska, a 16-year-old rising junior at Ewing High School and a student at PUPP this summer. Continue reading →

Program readies young ‘PUPPs’ for college

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By Jada Fitzpatrick
Queens, N.Y.

To be a high achieving low-income student isn’t easy. Imagine being trapped in perpetual limbo between knowing what you’re capable of and not knowing how to cultivate your intellect. Reflect upon the sad predicament of not having regular access to test prep programs, college visits, or other vital aspects of the application process because your family is financially disadvantaged.

This was the reality for Janina Calle, a student at Trenton Central High School West. She is a great student, but like many students from low-income households in schools with limited resources, Janina also faces the challenge of not being able to take advantage of educational opportunities and resources. However, the founding of the Princeton University Preparatory Program (PUPP) has helped to turn around the lives of Janina and other students like her. Continue reading →

In Princeton, Christie’s bid falls flat

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By Trista Merrival
Pine Ridge, S.D.

Voters in Princeton say Chris Christie doesn’t make the mark in the 2016 presidential race. People interviewed by the Princeton Summer Journal on July 31 said the Governor is not cooperative and doesn’t have the profile to get the Republican nomination.

Christie’s poll numbers have recently dropped in his home state, in part due to the increase in time he has spent on the campaign trail in pursuit of the 2016 Republican nomination. However, voters still like that he expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act in New Jersey.

Ricardo Dummodie, a 24-year-old graduate student who has lived in New Jersey for two years, said that “Chris Christie is not much of a statesman.” Continue reading →

Princeton residents question Christie’s presidential bid

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By ShiWanda Sheard-Perry
West Helena, Ark.

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie has been down in the polls for the Republican presidential nomination. A recent poll conducted by Monmouth University showed he only had the support of 4.4 percent of Republican voters, trailing fellow GOP candidates Donald Trump (26%), Jeb Bush (12.2%), Scott Walker (11.1%), Ted Cruz (5.8%), Mike Huckabee (5.7%) and Ben Carson (4.6%).

Even in his home state, he doesn’t seem to have a firm group of supporters. After conducting four interviews with New Jersey residents for the Princeton Summer Journal, Christie seemed to be hated. Continue reading →

Women athletes still discriminated against despite recent successes

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By Rave’n DaJon Coleman
Philadelphia, Pa.

This July, Jen Welter became a coach for the Arizona Cardinals. She is the first woman in NFL history to become a female coach. The sports world greeted her hiring as a moment of great progress for women in sports. “I want little girls to grow up knowing that when they put their mind to something, when they work hard, that they can do anything regardless,” Welter told the New York Times. Continue reading →

Utley proves fan favorite during Trenton rehab

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By Kaleb Anderson
Atlanta, G.A.

TRENTON — Fans adore him. His teammates need him. People travel to see him. The team would be nothing without him. Who is this superstar? Two words: Chase Utley. Utley is a widely popular, professional baseball player who is irresistibly talented and has a large fan base. He currently plays for the Philadelphia Phillies, but because of his recent ankle injury he has played for the Double-A baseball team, the Reading Fightin’ Phils. Utley represents the archetype for athletes who will always have support from their fans regardless of their performance in games. Continue reading →

For Utley, rehab draws crowds

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By Sharon Bayantemur
Brooklyn, N.Y.

TRENTON — The smell of fried food in the muggy air mingled with the crowd’s boisterousness at Arm & Hammer Park in Trenton, N.J. Everyone was waiting for the Trenton Thunder to go head-to-head with the Reading Fightin’ Phils. The $15-million major leaguer Chase Utley, a star Philadelphia Phillies infielder, was in the lineup while recuperating from a recent ankle injury. He was the main motivation for most Phillies fans to come to the Aug. 4 Double-A game. Continue reading →

Price speaks for Princeton

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By Trista Merrival
Pine Ridge, S.D.

Jerry Price, 52, is in many ways the public face of Princeton sports. He’s responsible for the publication and promotion of the university’s athletic program—a job that calls for him to tell positive stories about Tiger athletics.

“If you’re relying on media to come cover your team, what are they going to say? ‘They lost again; they can’t score a goal,’” Price said. By contrast, in telling the stories himself, he can put forward an upbeat narrative about Princeton athletics. Continue reading →