Category Archives: News

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 →

Princeton public schools work to bring students back to the lunch line

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Items like black bean cookies and yogurt parfaits will be added to the lunch menus at Princeton Public schools this fall.

Items like black bean cookies and yogurt parfaits will be added to the lunch menus at Princeton Public schools this fall.

By Eric Macias
Chicago, Ill.

This year, Princeton Public Schools will implement a new, upgraded lunch program due to low participation in the current school lunch program.

Rather than eat the food offered by the Princeton Public School system, students from all grade levels opt out. Due to short lunch periods, limited and often unhealthy food options and a lack of education on the importance of eating well, students have been avoiding the cafeteria lunches, leaving some faculty members worried about student health.

“Only nine percent of all students at Princeton High School participate in the lunch program, and most of those students receive free lunch,” said Stephen Cochrane, 53, during an interview in the recently renovated library of Princeton Middle School. Cochrane is the superintendent of Princeton Public Schools and plans to improve the lunch system this year by making lunch more interesting for students. Currently, only between nine and 45 percent of students at Princeton Public schools participates. Continue reading →

Battle over future of historic site

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A couple strolls through the Princeton Battlefield State Park. The Institute for Advanced Study is proposing to build a new site beyond these trees.

A couple strolls through the Princeton Battlefield State Park. The Institute for Advanced Study is proposing to build a new site beyond these trees.

By Eliana Lanfranco
Brooklyn, N.Y.

On January 3, 1777, gun smoke, cannon fire and musket balls filled the air of Princeton, as American forces under General John Sullivan’s command cornered British-hired Hessian mercenaries near Princeton University’s Nassau Hall. British forces surrendered as General George Washington and his troops drove another regiment into the woods while shouting, “It’s a fine fox hunt, boys!” Washington’s victory at the Battle of Princeton boosted morale and convinced others, particularly the French, to support the nascent American rebellion.

Two hundred and thirty-seven years later, the Institute for Advanced Study and Princeton Battlefield Society (PBS) are engaging in what PBS calls the “second Battle of Princeton.” This time, at stake is a plot of land considered by PBS to be pivotal to the battle. Continue reading →

Robeson House in jeopardy

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The Paul Robeson House Committee must raise at least $1 million to pay off the mortgage of the house.

The Paul Robeson House Committee must raise at least $1 million to pay off the mortgage of the house.

By Marily Lopez
Los Angeles, Calif.

Football player, actor, civil rights activist and singer, Paul Robeson was born in Princeton, New Jersey in a combined two-story house on the corner of Witherspoon and Green Street in 1898. Almost 116 years later, the Paul Robeson House, a historical centerpiece of the community, may now be in jeopardy due to increasing property values, gentrification and financial issues.

In order to save the house, a historical centerpiece of the community’s rich history, the Paul Robeson House Committee is considering some combination of five possible options: a Memorial Gallery of Paul Robeson, a Center for the Study and Advancement of Human Rights, a Center for the Promotion of the Arts, a Community Resource Center, and/or Mentoring and Referral Services. Continue reading →

Princetonians divided on immigration border crisis

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By Paige Pagan
Bronx, N.Y.

Tens of thousands of undocumented, unaccompanied minors from Central America have recently passed over the United States border. Parents from countries including Guatemala and Honduras have been paying smugglers in a desperate attempt to have their children whisked away to the safety of the United States.

This ever-growing problem is focused in Texas. Containment hotels and refugee camps are being filled by the day, and places to send these incoming children are increasingly running out. Now, some view government officials as babysitters to care for these children. Continue reading →

Debenedetti discovers dual nature of water molecules

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By Paige Pagan
Bronx, N.Y.

Pablo Debenedetti’s personality is kind of like a pancake: Each side, when you flip it over, has its own distinguished characteristics. One side of him is highly intellectual, a scholar at the top of his field. Another side of him, however, is gentler and more relaxed, befitting a father of two who loves classical, jazz and tango music and enjoys (well, “enjoyed,” as he tells it) playing soccer.

Debenedetti grew up in Argentina and studied chemical engineering at the University of Buenos Aires. He began studying industrial engineering but ultimately decided to pursue chemical engineering instead. Most recently, he has been using a computer model to study the ability of water molecules to spontaneously split. He has received many awards and honors, and in 2008 was named one of “100 Chemical Engineers of the Modern Era,” by the American Institute of Chemical Engineers. But despite his many accomplishments, there is a humility and optimistic air about him. Continue reading →

Princetonians express mixed feelings on border crisis

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By Vanessa Zamora
Vista, Calif.

As the border crisis in Texas worsens daily, with an average of 155 undocumented children crossing every day, the opinions of Americans have grown more complicated. Recent interviews of Princeton residents confirm the complex and conflicted nature of the crisis.

“It’s not a humanitarian crisis — it’s a safety crisis,” said Steve Beamer, 61, of Princeton. When asked if he thought the children’s reason for crossing the border was valid, he replied, “It’s a good excuse.”

Beamer said that he had no problem with immigration, and that he knows that the United States was built upon immigrants. However, he believes that it should be done through legal means. Continue reading →

Princetonians divided on border crisis

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By Razia Sultana
Brooklyn, N.Y.

The recent crisis at the Southwestern border of Texas has sparked a dialogue within Princeton. On a recent Saturday, residents offered their perspectives on the controversial topic, adding to an ongoing national conversation.

Since last October, there has been an influx of undocumented immigrants entering the United States. According to the New York Times, nearly 63,000 undocumented minors remain detained in hotel spaces throughout the country. Congress continues to debate possible solutions for this humanitarian crisis. Continue reading →