By Ben Joravsky
Over the years her friendships evolved. “It’s pretty complicated how things are at Young,” she says. “There are different groups. They’re not negative cliques–at least I don’t think so. You just sort of hang out with your friends. And your friends hang out with their friends. And the circle grows.
Best of Chicago voting is live now. Vote for your favorites »
They were the sort of students who challenged authority, she says. “Madeline’s the most dedicated person I know–we talked about a lot of school issues all the time, like the security guards,” says Zahid Khalil, another graduating senior. “They were hassling us. Like they’d come up to us off campus and take our cigarettes. I know we’re not supposed to smoke in school. But this is off campus.”
Last September, at the start of their senior year, they formed a student union as an alternative to the student council. “The student council’s a little more traditional–they decide things like the theme for homecoming,” says Halperin-Robinson. “We wanted to deal with issues of student rights. We had an assembly, for instance, where we brought in someone from the ACLU to talk about student rights.”
“In general I was disappointed at how lightly they took public comments. There are some nutty people who want to speak, but a lot of the people have valid concerns that should be listened to. During closed sessions I’d eat dinner or do my homework. They could be in closed session for hours talking about personnel matters or whatever they talk about. Sometimes I went home before they came out.”
And what does she think she accomplished during her term on the board? “I don’t know, it’s sort of disappointing. They still have the tests and the metal detectors. I don’t know why they have the student member. They don’t really listen to us. At the last meeting Avis said, ‘This is Madeline’s last meeting. Thanks for coming. You were the first student board member to say anything.’ I said, ‘It’s hard to speak up. It’s intimidating. I wish you were a little more welcoming to student opinion.’”
