Month: February 2018

Are Workout Classes Worth It?

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By: Caitlin R. (’20)
You’ve probably heard of fitness fads like spinning classes, hot yoga, and other exercises made into classes in fun, artsy environments. People who go to these classes claim to be addicted and praise them to no end. And, while there’s probably some truth to these allegations of greatness, classes like SoulCycle and Bikram Yoga come with a high price tag. A 45 minute SoulCycle class is $32, while a 90 minute Bikram Yoga class is $25. Although these classes are definitely fun and beneficial, are they really anything more than normal fitness classes made to look trendy?

Keep it Real; The Role of Affinity Spaces at Crystal

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By: Sarina D. (’19)
Most of us are familiar with the term alliance group, and have seen or participated in some form of this specialized type of community through organizations such as the Gender Sexuality Alliance or a culture club.  In the past few decades, alliance groups have been normalized in American high schools and communities, and are becoming increasingly prevalent and diversified across the board. Crystal is no exception. Our campus is home to a variety of alliance groups, from GSA to Asian Culture Club to French Club, and we utilize these spaces to bring together people with a common commitment to an identifier group, e.g race, gender, religion, family status. In essence, an alliance group is a place for members of said group and people who support and stand in solidarity with that group to advocate for its benefits.

Response to Keep it Real

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By: Max D. (’18)
In August of 2016, the University of Chicago sent a letter to its incoming freshman plainly stating that the college would not support or encourage ‘trigger warnings’ or ‘safe spaces’. The university asserted that allowing students to shape the school’s curriculum away from material that was controversial or uncomfortable would hamper the freedom given to their professors to pursue ideas and challenge established thought.