By Jake Cohen ’14, Commentary Editor

Did you save the front page from the Sunday Times on April 21st? If you didn’t, go back further–did you save the front page when President Obama was elected? Inaugurated? How about the front page from September 12th 2001? While the world moves on around the Academy, it can feel as if the “bubble” that our warm and open community forms can not pop. Even dramatic and emotional moments for the school seem to be somewhat contained within this bubble. When Dr. Michael Fowlin spoke, he didn’t change the world–just the school community. When the GSA gave a powerful morning meeting presentation, our school dynamic seemed to change, yet it was all contained within this bubble.

So what does it take to remove these protective barriers? One would think that, after a terrorist attack only a few hours’ drive from New Jersey, our bubble would go: “POP!” But was that really the case? We live through history, and today is one of the most intense times of change and evolution for our society, but do we at Newark Academy fully appreciate these circumstances? The tragic events that occurred in Boston are not only a reminder that we are living through history, but also remind the Newark Academy community that the events that shape our world may be more relevant to us than they initially seem.

The History Channel’s new motto is “made every day.” While for them it may seem to mean that history is made through shows about “Swamp People” and “Pawn Stars,” this motto has much more practical applications. As Jordyn Norris ‘14 puts it, “we don’t realize it, but everything that happens around us will one day be in the history books.” Indeed, Jordyn is correct — we often do not think about it, but there were millions of people living during the periods that students are studying every day in their classes. When students learn about the American Revolution, or the civil rights movement, it is often hard to connect the readings to the ideas that people actually lived through these events. In one hundred years, when Newark Academy students are reading about the early 2000’s, our reality will become their history.

The attacks, manhunt, and arrests that precipitated in Boston are a prime example of this. We are living through events that will one day be required knowledge in history books and classes–one day, the Boston Marathon Bombings and ensuing manhunt will be cited as the first use of mass and social media to hunt down and capture suspects. Police used thousands upon thousands of pictures and videos sent in from the public to piece together the scene that unfolded prior to the bombings, then identified two suspects from these pictures and videos, and finally used all media platforms to ask the general public for help finding the suspects. “Although it was definitely not on the same scale as 9/11, it is still going to go down in history” said Jason Li ‘15. It is important that we identify and value our experiences living through history, as they can help us expand upon our understanding of the world.

Newark Academy prides itself on producing well-rounded students with a greater grasp on the world around them. Part of accomplishing that goal, one would assume, would be keeping students in touch and up-to-date with the latest events. We are, after all, living through history. But we may not do as great a job as we think. The day after the bombings, junior Griffin Burrough ‘14 “was expecting a kind of sad mood–a mood more like after 9/11 where everyone would hug-their-brother and feel more American.” Instead, Griffin was greeted with what seemed to be a casual acknowledgement of the tragedy with a 20-second moment of silence for the victims, and it seemed like a normal school day. As Ms. Galvin puts it, “we want students to recognize that we are a small community within the larger world around us…we want students to know what is going on.” In our busy lives at Newark Academy, it is often necessary to stop and take a step back.

By Monday the flag was at half staff, a reflection was given by Ms. Powell to the student body on Tuesday, and it seemed as if the school had finally acknowledged what had happened. Beyond that, it seemed as if the Boston Marathon bombings and ensuing manhunt was taken as just another tragic event–another story in the news. If Newark Academy wants to continue to produce students who are well versed in events of the world, then the active discussion and acknowledgment of current events must be promoted.

There is no denying that the events that transpired in mid-April were remarkable and historical, and we are only just beginning to see their far-reaching implications. They cement the idea that history really is made every day, and give time to be reflective and introspective. If we as a community and a school can begin to appreciate our role in history, then the “global academy” can become even more well-rounded, and produce students with an even better understanding of the world. So next time an event comes around that will change the world, save the front page. You never know when it will come in handy.