Photo

Four high school seniors from the Bronx reluctantly left the rally just as Bernie Sanders began to talk about a major theme of his campaign: tuition-free higher education. They had to go because it was a schools night.

“We love Bernie. We support Bernie. But… parents,” said Andrea Garcia, 17, who, like her friends, was festooned in Bernie stickers.

The group — Ms. Garcia, as well as Tabatha Roman, Kelvin Ayala and Sarah Mouddene — said that they believed the candidate “represented everybody.”

But Ms. Garcia was the only one in the group who had recognized one of the performers, Tracy Chapman, who was popular the decade they were born. “‘Fast Car,’ I love that song,” said Ms. Garcia, as her friends looked on blankly.

“Spike Lee, he was great,” broke in Ms. Mouddene, 17, who noted they were all minorities. “Spike Lee represents us. Are you aware of ‘Do the Right Thing’? He fights against racial injustice.”

Then they left the park, to catch a train back to the Bronx, and get home before their curfews.