Student
OneofthehighlightswasMorgan’s privatestudy,aroomfilledwithrichred velvet,gildedaccents,andheavywooden furniture.Aswestoodbeneathafaded RenaissanceceilingimportedfromFlorence, welearnedthatthestudyhadbeenacenter ofpowerinitsday,whereMorgan conductedcrucialbusinessmeetingsand negotiatedmajorfinancialdeals.
Thevisitofferedarareopportunity forstudentstoexperiencefirsthandhow buildingsreflectculturalandhistorical values.RatherthanreadingabouttheGilded Ageintextbooks,westoodinthelavishly decoratedroomsthatoncehosted conversationswithsomeofthemost influentialfiguresoftheearly20thcentury. WewerefortunatetoseetheGutenberg Bible,oneofonlyafewsurvivingcopiesof thefirstmajorbookprintedusingmovable typeinEurope.ThisBiblemarkedthe beginningoftheageofmasscommunication andplayedapivotalroleinthespreadof knowledgeduringtheRenaissance.Itwas hardnottofeelasenseofreverence standinginfrontofsuchamonumental pieceofhistory.Thepages,yellowedwith age,seemedtocarrytheweightoftheold book’shistory.
Formanystudents,thedayoffereda newwayofengagingwiththeircity.“Itwas surprisinglyinteresting,”sharedsophomore KaterinaS.“Ilovedhowintricatethe buildingwasandhowthetourguides pointedouteverylittledetail.”
Buildingsthathadpreviously seemedlikesilentblocksofstonesuddenly camealivewithmeaning,symbolism,and
hiddenstories.Itwasaneye-opening reminderthatNewYorkisnotonlyacityof skyscrapersandsubways,butalsooneof layeredhistoriesandculturallandmarks waitingtobeexplored.Tripslikethese remindusthathistoryisnotjustsomething youreadabout itissomethingyoucan walkthrough,touch,and,ifyoupayclose enoughattention,evenhearwhisperingfrom thewalls.
A Tradition of Connection and Collaboration: D.A. and Regis’ Annual Walkathon ByIrisM.
Artwork by Eileen L.
Student Prints | Spring 2025
OnFriday,May2nd,D.A.andRegis heldtheirannualjointWalkathon.D.A.has partneredwithitsbrotherschool,Regis,to arrangethisannualeventsince1986,andit hasbecomeahighlightofeveryschoolyear andaD.A.tradition.Organizedthroughthe collaborationoffacultyandStudentCouncil membersfromeachschool,theWalkathon offersstudentsfromD.A.andRegisthe opportunitytointeractwithoneanother duringthelongwalkthroughCentralPark andthelight-heartedfestivitiesheldatthe Regiscampusafterwards.
TheWalkathonisnotonlyan opportunityforstudentstotakeabreakfrom arigorousschoolweek,butafundraising eventaswell. Eachstudentwasencouraged todonate$150through MyFunRun.com.ThroughtheWalkathon fundraiser,D.A.raised$26,340ofitstarget of$34,000,andapercentageoftheproceeds willgotowardsreplacingthesignaturered carpetinD.A.’slobbyandonthestairsthat greetseachstudentastheywalkthroughthe school’sdoorseverymorning.
AllD.A.sophomoresattendeda mandatoryPSAT-prepcourseintheD.A. auditoriumbeforeleavingforRegistokick offthefun-filledday.Upperclassmen arrivedby10:30A.M.anddepartedonthe walkat10:45A.M.,whilethe underclassmenhadalaterarrivaltimeof 11:15anddepartedat11:30.Bothschools proudlysangtheirsongsatseparate assembliesfortheupper-andunderclassmen thatalsofeaturedappearancesbyDominic andtheOwl,theschoolmascots,and speechesfromStuComembers,Dr.Petit,
andRegis’sMr.Marianobeforeleavingfor thewalk. Blessedbysunny,warmweather, studentsenteredCentralParkat84thStreet andenjoyedascenicwalkthroughthe lusciousgreenfoliageandthe sweet-smellingflowersthathadbegunto bloomaroundthepark.Whilemoststudents stayedwiththeirfriends,somemixedand mingledwithpeoplefromtheopposite schoolaseveryonefollowedachalkedroute pastvariousCentralParklandmarkslikethe whimsical Alice in Wonderland sculpture andtheGreatLawn.
Aftertherefreshing,hour-longwalk concluded,studentsreturnedtoRegisin ordertoparticipateinthenumerous festivities. Asthetemperatureoutside begantoriseandallcloudsclearedaway, StudentCouncilmembersfrombothschools preparedandservedascrumptiousbarbeque lunchofhotdogsandcheeseburgersinthe directsunlight.Fluffy,pinkcottoncandy madewithRegis’sveryowncottoncandy machinewasservedasasweettreat.The D.A.girlslostinanintenseandchaotic kickballtournamentinthegymnasium,but theynevergaveup. AndalthoughtheD.A. fanswereoutnumberedbytheRegians,their spiritedshoutsof“GoD.A.!”neverceased. MaryS.‘28says,“Ihadsomuchfunat kickballthisyearandIencouragemore peoplefromD.A.toparticipatenextyear!” Anotherfan-favoriteeventwasthedunk tankinthequad.Ilaughedwithmyfriends whilewatchingfromawindowinsidethe schoolasMr.Ponceinhispinkswimcap andgogglesandDr Cagneyinhis“Pool Security”t-shirtweredunkedintothe
freezingwater. Thesecarefreefestivities, whichalsoincludedspikeball,JustDance, karaoke,pingpong,andmore,encouraged studentstointeractwithexistingfriendsor makenewones.AnnieM.‘25,Student Councilco-president,whowasontheboard toorganizetheevent,explainshowthe differentfestivitiesofWalkathonhelpD.A. andRegisforgestrongerconnections, saying,“It'salittlesillywhenyouthink aboutit,butitcreatesasharedexperience thatcanbereallyfunifyouleanintoit. Givingpeopletheopportunitytojustrelax andhavesomefunforaday,evenifitis awkwardbecausetherearesomanypeople youdon'tknow,helpseveryonetoconnect.”
TheWalkathonreflectsthehard work,dedication,andcollaborationofboth D.A.andRegis’administrations,Student Councils,faculties,financialdepartments, andD.A.’sSpiritTeam.Beforetheevent, D.A.’sWalkathonboardparticipatedin weeklyZoomcallswithRegistoorganize theevent’sdetails.Ms.ReardonandDr. Serpagliwerethemainfacultyorganizers fromD.A.Onthecollaborationand communicationnecessarytoorchestratethe Walkathon,AnnieM.says,“Everyone bringsdifferentideasandskills,andthe intersectionofthesevisionsmakesthe Walkathonthebestitcanbe.”
AsIreflectonmysecondoffour WalkathonsIwillexperienceatD.A.,Ithink abouthowluckyIamtogotoschoolinan environmentthatallowsforeventslikethese andforallofthehardworkputtowards makingtheWalkathonareality Yes,the Walkathon,attimes,canbeawkward,butI
knowthattenyearsfromnow,Iwon’t remembertheawkwardnessbutwillthink backtothetimeIspentlaughingand exploringwithmybestfriends.
What Hate Has Done: The Freshman School in the City Experience
ByAliceM.
OnApril9,thefreshmanclass touredanenlighteningbutappallingexhibit called“The Holocaust: What Hate Can Do” fromtheJewishHeritageMuseum.Since starting Night byElieWieselinMs. Spelman’sEnglishclass,wehavebeen askingmanyquestionsaboutwhatledtothe Holocaust,whyithappened,andwhatgave itthepowertostartatall.Toanswermany ofthefreshmanclass'squestionsandhavea thoroughunderstandingoftheHolocaust, Ms.SpelmanbroughtustotheJewish HeritageMuseum.There,wewouldlearn thatthroughpropaganda,aneconomic depression,dehumanizinglaws,andmurder, theHolocaustbecameoneofthedeadliest genocidesinhistory
Thefirstthingseenwhenentering theexhibitwasatunnelofdarkness.Itwas pitchdarksavethelightfromtheblackand whitephotosofnumerouspeople.Every singlepicturetoldadifferentstory I distinctlyrememberaphotoofa four-year-oldchildonatricycle.Another wasayounggirl,aroundthreeyearsold, walkingthestreetsofLuxembourgon vacation.Bothofthesephotoswerecandid momentsinlifewhenchildrenwerejust startingtofindskillsandseethebeautyof
anunknowncountry.Theinnocenceofeach photostruckme.Ifoundthatmyeyeskept goingbacktothem.Everyphotoonthe wallswasdifferent,andeachphoto encapsulatedthelifeofeveryperson featuredtoshowthevarietyofpeopleand livesaffectedbytheHolocaust.Ifound myselfmesmerizedbythedifferentsmiles andposes.Onewasserious,theother laughing.Someshowedthepictureofafull familyandlife,whiletheothersshowed youngchildrenonlyjuststartingtoexplore theworld.Ourknowledgeabletourguide madesureweallcouldpeekateveryphoto andtakealookatothers’lives.Thenour tourguide,John,said,“Eachoneofthese photosshowsdifferentpeopleindifferent placesaroundtheworldleadingdifferent lives,andyettheyareallconnectedtoeach otherasvictimsoftheHolocaust.”
Aswecontinuedonthroughthe museum,wewereshowntheroomsthat explainedthepropagandaofanti-Semitism. Thefirstartifactswerethreepostcards,each puttingfortharacialstereotypeofthe Jewishpeople.Eachpostcardwouldhave beendesigned,manufacturedandsoldwith theexplicitpurposeandintentof perpetuatingthesestereotypes.Thecards wereconsideredhumorous.Whenourtour guideaskedwherewebelievedthesecards originated,weallsatquietlyconsideringthe question.Ifoundmyselffirstthinkingitwas Germany,becauseofthehistoryof anti-Semitisminthecountry However,each postcardwascreatedandsoldintheUnited Statesintheearly1900s.Welearnedan importantlessonbeforetrulylearningabout
theHolocaust:Thehatethatwasspreadin NaziGermanywasnotisolatedtooneplace. Thisantagonism,spreadthroughoutthe world,wasnotanewideology Afterwards, wewereshownthepropagandafrom Germany.Frompostcardstochildren’s books,theNazisusedallsourcesof literatureandentertainmenttopushtheir ideologies.Whilewalkingthroughthe exhibit,posters,boardgames,movies, books,andeventoysdemonstratedthemany examplesofanti-Semiticpropaganda.The twothatstoodoutmosttomewereasmall posterofamonkeyplayingasaxophone withayellowstaronhislapelanda children’sbookcalled The Poisonous Mushroom, whichhadaphotoofa mushroomwithabignoseonthecover.The firstposterwasmeanttoportrayanAfrican AmericanandJewishjazzmusician, creatingtheimagethatbothpeopleofcolor andJewswerelessthanhuman.The children’sbook,writtenbyanelementary schoolteacher,wasplacedinclassrooms andhomesofGermanchildren.Thisbook promotedraciststereotypes,particularlyby usingthefacialcharacteristicsofJews,and encouragedkidstohateJewishcitizens.To seeabooksofullofhatepresentedtoyoung childrenwasfrightening.Itwaschillinghow easilyeverydayitemscouldbetwistedto spreadhateandharmfulwords.Andthenext partoftheexhibitfurtherhighlightedthe isolationanddehumanizationoftheJewish people.
TheJewishnamelawwasnot somethingwithwhichIwasfamiliar So whenourtourguidebroughtustodisplays
showingthepassportofayoungwoman,I sawthataneditinblackinkhadbeenmade onthepapertoincludethename“Sara"in themiddleofthewoman’sname.The JewishnamelawrequiredeveryJewish persontohaveadistinctJewishname,andif thepersondidnot,thenthename"Sara”(for females)or“Israel”(formales)wasinserted ashisorhermiddlename.Itwasanother waytopermanentlyseparateJewsfromthe restoftheGermanpopulation.Atimeline displayedanonslaughtofGermanlawsto continuetoisolatetheJewishpeople:Jews couldnolongerbedoctorsorlawyers;Jews ages10anduphadtowearanidentifying yellowstar;Jewswererefusedservice. Soon,thehatredandviolencegrew.
Bythen,hundredsofthousandsof peoplehadfledortriedtofleeGermany. Someweresuccessfulwhileothershad problemsbeingacceptedintoother countries.ManycountriesdeniedJewish peopleentryorsetaquota.TheDominican RepublicpromisedtoletmanyJewish refugeesin,butintheendacceptedlessthan 300.Thatwasstillmorethananyother country.Itwashorrifyingtohearhowso manypeoplewereunabletoleave. However,themostsuccessfulexodussaved 10,000childrenontheKindertransportand broughtJewishchildrentostayinhomesin GreatBritain.Ahauntingquoteonavideo screenthatshowedchildrenleaving underscoredhowthisinitiallytemporary solutioncametobepermanent:”IwastoldI wouldseemyparentsbyfall,butfallnever came.”
Atthestartofthesecondfloorofthe exhibitinsidethemuseum,wewere crammedintoaroomthesizeofthecattle carstheNazi’susedtotransportpeoplefrom theghettostotheconcentrationcamps.Asa groupofsixteen,wewerealreadycrowded, andyetaround60peoplewereforcedinto carsofthesamesize.Aswewentthrough theexhibit,wesawwallsofchildrenposing forphotos.Theywereprisoners,many frightened.SixmillionJewishpeoplewere killedinthesecamps,manyofwhomwere children,mothers,andtheelderly,whowere killeduponarrivalinthegaschambers. Photosshowprisonersmovingthebodiesof theirownfriendsandfamiliesintothe crematoria.AlthoughIlearnedaboutthe Holocaustinmiddleschoolandthrough books,everytimeIseeanotherpictureor learnanotherstoryaboutthepeoplewho suffered,itremindsmeagainofthetragedy thatoccurredduringthistime.Wewalked aroundtheexhibit,readingaboutpeople whousedtheirtalentsinmetalworking,art, music,andsomuchmoretosurvive.Aswe reachedtheendoftheexhibit,we rememberedthosewhosurvivedandthose whodidnot.
ThemostpowerfuldisplayIsawwas apillarwithnewspaperarticlesfromGreat BritainandtheUnitedStates.Thesearticles wereaboutthegenocideoftheJewish people,andweredatedduringthetimeit happened.Itwasshockingtoseethatother countrieshadknownaboutthethousandsof peoplebeingkilledeverydaybytheNazi partyandyetremainedsilent.Evennow, manystillinsistthattheyhadnoidea.This
factmakesitevenmoreimportanttospeak outforothersandtrytohelpthosewhomay notbeheard.
Attheendoftheexhibit,therewasa tunneloflight.Whitewallssurroundedusas wewalkedthrough,lookingatbothcolor andblackandwhitephotos.Thecolor picturesshowedhappyfamilieson birthdays,boththeyoungandtheold celebratingandposingproudly.Thesewere photosofsurvivorsoftheHolocaustasthey enjoyedtheirfamiliesandfoundthegoodin everydaylife.Theblackandwhitephotos werearemembranceofthosewhohadnot survived.Itwasinspiringtoseesurvivors whofoundthestrengthtorebuildtheirlives aftereverythinghadbeenstrippedaway fromthem.Itwasevenmorepoignanttosee thefacesofthosewhocouldnotcarryon withtheirlives.
Attheendofthetunnel,ourtour guidehadtoldustorememberwhathate coulddo,theharmthatittriggers,andhow loveandrespectcanmakeallthedifference inhelpingtheworld.Afterwehadallleft themuseum,Ifoundmyselfreflectingon whatIhadlearned.Itsatheavyinmysoul, allthesadnessandharmthathadoccurred.I thinkmanyofusfoundourselvessilently reflectingonourmorningatthemuseum.To leadwithloveandkindnessistochangethe worldforthebetter,onepositiveactata time.
Learning from the First: FIYA’s Panelist Event ByElnazM.
OnApril7th,theFirstGeneration ImmigrantYouthAdvocacyClub(FIYA) hostedapaneleventwhereguestspeakers whoarefirstgenerationintheirrespective fieldscametoenlightenparticipantsontheir knowledgeandexperience.Allstudents werewelcomed.
AsIwalkedintoRoom4,Isawthree women:MaryHom,JonakiSingh,and HonorableBetseyJean-Jaques.MaryHom, Ms.Oing’smother,istheChiefRiskOfficer attheNewYorkHousingDevelopment Corporation.Thiscorporationaimsto increasethesupplyofmulti-familyhousing, stimulateeconomicgrowth,andrevitalize neighborhoodsbyfinancingthecreationand preservationofaffordablehousinginNew York.Ms.HomwasbornintheBronxto parentswhoimmigratedfromChina.Jonaki SinghisalawyeratKramerLevinand worksinthelitigationdepartment.Shealso enjoysgivingbacktothecommunity throughprobonowork,whichis professionalworkdonevoluntarilyandfree totheclient.Herparentsimmigratedtothe UnitedStatesfromIndia.Lastly,the HonorableBetseyJean-Jacquesispresident oftheCatholicLawyersGuildofKings County.ShewasalsoelectedtotheKings CountyCivilCourt,andherparents immigratedfromHaitiafterMartinLuther KingJr.died.IwasabouttositdownwhenI sawthattheyhadbroughtgiftsforthe students.Iwasastonishedbytheir generosityandthankfulforwhattheydid.
Someofthegiftsincludedahat,areusable bag,asack,andpens.
Thefirstquestionaskedoftheguests wasaboutthechallengestheyfacedwhen comingtotheUnitedStates.Ms.Homsaid thatwhenherparentsimmigrated,theydid notspeakEnglish,soshewasresponsible fortranslatingwhatotherssaidor completingformsforherparents.Chinese childrenaretaughttobequietandnotspeak much.Icouldunderstand,therefore,why interviewsweresodifficultforher.Finding ajobwasalsodifficultbecauseoftheway peopleperceivedher Ms.Homsaid,“When peoplelookatme,Iamalwaysaforeigner.” Peoplewouldjudgeherbasedonherlooks andignorehertruecharacter.
Ms.Singhtoldus,“Theknowledge gapisdefinitelychallenging.”Bothher parentswerescientists,andwhenshe wantedtobecomealawyer,therewasno onetoguideher.However,shedidnotlet thisdiscourageherfromsucceedingasshe toldus,“Beingfirstgenerationisa superpower.Itmakesyouempathetic,and youseetheworldinanewway.”How inspirational!Ms.Singhdecidedtodopro bonoworkbecausesheknewmanypeople donothavethemeanstofindalawyer,and shewantedtohelpthosewhocouldnot accesslegalservices.
TheHonorableJean-Jacques remarkedhowitwasdifficultdealingwith Americanvaluescomparedtoherown parents’values.Whenshestartedhigh school,herparentsbelievedthatafter-school activitieswereanexcusetohangoutwith friends.Furthermore,herparentsworried
aboutherspeakingEnglishwithanaccent, soJean-JacquesonlyspokeEnglishathome. Sheoftenexperiencedpeoplemaking assumptionsbasedonherlooks.Moreover, whenshewasalittlegirl,Jean-Jacques wantedtobeaballerina,butsherealized thatshedidnothavegoodfeet.Infifth grade,shewatchedavideoinschoolabout thejudicialsystem,andsheknewshe wantedtobealawyer.Throughouther youth,sheconsideredoccupationsof scientist,engineer,psychologist,and journalist,butlawalwaysstuckwithher. Thiswasalwaysherpassion,andshesaid, “ImakesureIamtreatingothersfairlyand thattheyarebeingheard.”
Toconcludetheevent,thespeakers sharedonepieceofadvicetheywouldtell theiryoungerselves.Ms.Homsaid, “Exploreanythingthrownatyoubecause youneverknowwhatyouwillbeinterested in.”Shegrewupinpoverty,andherparents wantedhertofocusonacareerthatwould putfoodonthetable,soMs.Homdidnot havetheopportunitytoexploreherinterests. Ms.Singhsaid,“Neverbeafraidtoaskthe questionsyouhave.Thatishowyougrow andputyourselfoutthere.”Jean-Jacques stated,“Thedifferencebetweenaheroanda cowardisthattheheroovercomesherfear.” Sheaddedtothisbysayingthatinlife, peoplewillsaynotoyou,butyoushould notbeafraidtoperseverenonetheless.
FIYA’spaneleventofferedvaluable insightsfromfirst-generationprofessionals, andthosewhoattendedhadtheopportunity toengagewiththem.Asafirst-generation studentmyself,Irelatedtowhatthe
speakerssaid.Ifoundtheirwordstobe inspirationalandmotivating.Similarto them,Ihavehadtoundertakemore responsibilities,especiallyrecentlywhenI wastryingtochoosewhathighschoolI wantedtoattend.Myparentswereunaware oftheexamsIneededtotakeorwhat schoolswouldfitmebest.Sometimes,their traditionsandvaluescanmakeittoughto connectwithfriendsordowhatothersdo.It feelsasthoughthereisagapbetweenmy homelifeandmyschoollife.Hearingthe speakerstalkaboutfacingsimilarchallenges mademefeelunderstood.Wesharethis unspokenexperienceoftryingtofitinwhile alsostayingtruetoourroots.Theirjourneys showedmethateventhoughitisnotalways easy,itispossibletofindyourwayand succeed.
ARTS AND CULTURE
Little Women: From Behind the Curtain
BySophieN.
Itis3:00p.m.sharponApril3rd. FortheaverageD.A.student,itistimeto embarkontheirafter-schoolcommute home,butfortheDramaClub,showtimeis drawingnear Sincethebeginningof October,theDramaClubhasbeenworking hardtoperfecttheiryearlyproduction.From theearlydaysofsearchingforanideal show,throughtheextensiveauditionprocess andbiweeklyrehearsalsfilledwithblocking andrecitation,tothemomentsbeforeopen dressrehearsal,theDominicanAcademy
Playhouseprovestobenotjustaroutine clubbutafoundfamily
Thesecondfloorisabuzzwith excitedanticipationmixedwithahealthy amountofnerves.IntheAuditorium,crew membersandthecasttransformtheempty stageintoa19th-centurycottage.Inthe MPR,thecastbecomestheirCivilWarera charactersbyhelpingeachotherrehearse linesandscenes.Inthecenteroftheaction, ontheMezzanine,adoringfriendsand facultystayafterhourstowatchthevery firstperformanceof Little Women,a six-month-longlaboroflove.
Thisstageplayoftheclassicnovel byLouisaMayAlcotttellsthestoryweall knowandlove.TheplaybyMarisha Chamberlainfollowsfoursisters:JoMarch (NicoleL.‘26),BethMarch(MaeC.‘25), MegMarch(JaidaC.‘25),andAmyMarch (NoraW ‘27)andthetrialsandtribulations thatcomewithbeingapoverty-stricken familyduringtheCivilWar Theheartand souloftheshowisunconditionallove amongacommunity,andthecastandcrew haveimplementedthismessageintoevery aspectofthisproduction.
JustasJo,Meg,Amy,andBethrely oneachotherthroughoutstrugglesand celebratioOhns,themembersoftheDrama Clubhaveadoptedthisunwaveringlovefor oneanotherastheirrespectivecharacters andbehindthecurtains.Whetheritwas productiveSaturdayrehearsals,laughsfrom doingbackstagetimelapsesandperfectinga scenewithawind-uprat,orlunchbreaksat PandaExpressandMcDonald's,every memberhadtakentheirfinalbowonclosing
nightwithcountlessmemoriesand appreciationfortheirfellowthespians.Nora sharedherexperienceonformingbonds withthoseinandoutsideofhergrade, saying,“Thisproductionhastaughtmethat eventhoughwemightnotallbethesame ageandexperiencingthesamethings,when wecometoDramaClubwecanallbe ourselvesandjusthaveafuntimetogether doingwhatwelove.”
Ofcourse,theDramaClubwould notbethesamewithoutourpersistent director,juniorEmilyWieler.Althoughthis isherfirstyeardirectingalarge-scaleshow, shehastakenfullinitiativeinboth moderatingandbeingatirelessleader From runningscenesoverandoveragainto extendingrehearsalstoperfectprecise details,itisclearthatEmilyputsherallinto hercraftandtrulywantseveryoneinvolved tobepushedtotheirhighestpotential.When askedaboutthedirectingprocess,Emily said,“Theprocesswasverygratifyingfor me.Ihadanamazingcastandcrew. Everyonewassotalentedandsupportive, andworkedtogetherextremelywell. Managinghastaughtmetobeopentonew ideasandtotrusttheprocess.Thecastand crewremindedmeeverydayoftheirtalents andcreativity Theyhadgreatideasfor actionchoicesandsetpiecesthewholetime, andIamsoproudofeveryone!”
Inhersecondtimemoderating DramaClub,Ms.Cerullihasgoneabove andbeyondtoexpandthecastmembership andtoinvolveotherD.A.clubs.Anotable clubcollaborationwaswhentheKnitting andCrochetingClubtaughtthecasthowto
crochet,whichimmersedtheaudienceas wellastheactressesintothetimeperiod (andwasafunbreakfromrehearsal!).Ms. Oing,asafirst-timemoderator,broughtan abundanceofinnovationandcreativityto thestage.Shespearheadedabrandnewtech crew,mappedoutanimpressivediagramof theD.A.Auditoriumforsetbuilding,and startedasentimentalandsweetnew tradition:stargrams.Shehadtoldtheclub, “ThiswasabelovedtraditionwhenIdid theaterincollege,andIhopeyouallwill enjoyittoo.”Beforetheshowandduring intermission,friendsandfamilycan purchaseacandygramwithahandwritten messagetoanyactressorcrewmember Aftereveryshow,theappreciationand gratitudethecastandcrewfeltforthose wholovethemwasunforgettable.
Aftermonthsofpreparation,four excellentshowscameintofruitionand wowedthosewhowatched-andwecould nothavedoneitwithouteachother A specialthankstoMr.Chen,Mr.Frederick, Sr.Joan,andMr.Doyleforassistingwithset pieces,sounddesign,andintensiverehearsal schedules. Little Women hasdefinitelybeen themostfruitfulandsupportiveproduction yet,andthereismoretocomenextyear!
D.A.’s International Culture Day
ByNoraW.
OnApril16th,theD.A.community hostedourannualInternationalCultureDay atSt.John’sgym.Studentsandfacultywere exposedtothetraditionsandculturesof manydifferentcountries.Adayfilledwith
performing,dancing,singing,andcreativity providedentertainmentforall!
Asthedaykickedoff,Campus MinistryledeveryoneintheStationsofthe CrossinpreparationforEaster.Aftereach station,studentsdiscussedreal-world problemstodaythatrelatetoissuesfaced duringJesus’time.Nextup,weheardfrom studentswhohadparticipatedinprevious SpainandChinaExchangePrograms.Their experiencesprovidedinsightintolivingina foreigncountrywithahostfamily,including someofthecultureshocktheyfaced.Itwas interestingtolearnabouttheclosebonds formedbetweenhostfamiliesandD.A. students.AsaFrenchstudent,the presentationmotivatedmetoconsiderdoing theprogramnextsummer.
Next,theCultureDayperformances began!GleeClubsang“Siyahamba,”a ChristianZulusongfromSouthAfrica,and “IkanKekek,”aMalaysiantraditionalfolk song.SeniorsOliviaC.andCindyC.-fan favorites-sang“逆光” orinEnglish, “AgainsttheLight”byStephanieSung,a songaboutmaintainingperseveranceno matterwhatstrugglescomeyourway.Even thoughtheysanginChinese,Ifeltand understoodthestrengthandemotion conveyed.IfelttransportedtoChinaandfelt sadwhenitended.Anothergreat performanceincludedtheSeniorEnsemble’s renditionof “Edelweiss”from"TheSound ofMusic"writtenbyRodgersand Hammerstein.Anedelweissisawhite flowerfoundintheAlps.InGerman, “edelweiss”means“nobleandwise”,and thisflowerrepresentscourageandnoble
purity.ThesongisanAustrianhymnthat actsasaprotestsonginthemovie’s characterizationoftheNaziannexationof Austria.Thisbeautifulsongwasperfectfor anACappellagroup,anditsperformance wasmagnificent.
Nottobeoutdonebythevocalists, thedancersbroughtitonCultureDay! YsabelaS.andEnzaC.‘27performeda FilipinodancecalledTinikling.Tiniklingis afolkdanceoriginatingduringtheSpanish colonialerathatcopiesthemovementof birdsastheywalkongrassordodgethe bambootraps.Iwasontheedgeofmyseat asIwatched.Theymovedlikebirds:quick ontheirfeetandfast-paced,butatthesame timeelegantandfree.Asbirdsmoveand worktogetherinnature,YsabelaandEnza workedtogethertomakethedancebeautiful andfun.Itwasbreathtakingtowitness.In anotherrousingperformance,IzzyP ’26 introducedustoSka,adanceoriginatingin Jamaicaandeventuallymigratinginto England.Sheledagroupofvolunteersina circleaseveryonewavedtheirfistsbackand forthandjiggedtothemusic.Everyone cheeredandsmiledatthefunandjoyful celebrationofJamaicanculture.
D.A.Green‘97performedtheIrish songs“SeanSouth”and“FoggyDew.” ThesesongsdepictthestrugglesofIrish peopleduringtimesofviolenceandwar. However,itisamessageoffaithandhope forone’scountry.Green‘97includedLilyS. ‘25andmyselfasvocalist,EileenW ‘27on theviolin,HelenO.andIzzyP.‘26onthe tinwhistle,MaryS.‘28ontheviola,and EabhaP.‘26ontheIrishflute.I’lladmitthat
itwasalittlenerve-wrackingtoperformin frontofsuchahugeaudience,buttheD.A. community’sencouragementandsupport madeitmucheasier
Last,butcertainlynotleast,wasthe S.O.C.A.,ortheStudentsofColorAlliance, fashionshow Iwasamazedbythebeautyof allthetraditionalstylesofclothingfrom aroundtheworld.Thereweremanyamazing outfits,butJarisbelE.'25'srepresentationof theDominicanRepublicstoodouttome.As shemodeledhergorgeouswhitedress, playedherhand-helddrums,andwavedthe DominicanRepublicflag,sheexpressed prideandloveofherculturewhichmadethe fashionshowcaptivatingtowatch.
Thankyoutoalltheperformersfor anamazingInternationalCultureDay!If youwouldliketoshareyourculture,I encourageyoutoperformnextyeartoshare yourknowledgeandtraditionswiththerest ofD.A.Ourculturesareapartofwhowe are,andIamthankfulthatwegettoshare themtogether.
Le Grand Concours Medal Winners CongratulationstoallourFrench studentswhoparticipatedintheNational FrenchContest,alsoknownasLeGrand Concours.Thisisanannualcompetition whereFrenchstudentsingrades1-12,inall 50statesandabroad,takeawrittenexam andcompeteagainststudentsofsimilar educationalbackgroundforprizes.This year,sophomoreCamilaMartinezValencia wonthecovetedPlatinumMedal,the highestawardinLeGrandConcours.
Platinum Medal Winner, Camila, with the beloved Little Prince Platinum Medal Camila Martinez Valencia
Student Prints | Spring 2025 | Vol. 83 | No. 6
Gold Medal
Melissa Barbuit
Fiona Brennan
Emilianna Gonzalez
Bronze Medal
Zoe Bloor
Jaidaly Cruz
Nailah East
Lucy Packer
Eileen Serton
Noreen White
Silver Medal
Veronica Aliaga Vanderdys
Giada Brigode
Giovanna Buoninfante
Olivia Chin
Maya Faughnan
Nina McAfee
Helen O’Sullivan
Stella Pyrovolakis
Hailey Rodriguez
Vivienne Sercaru
Nora Wagner
Hon able Mention
Elizabeth Bright
Siena DiNardo
Dominique Flordeliza
Katharine Kalandadze
Margarethe Kelly
Tammy Lee
Genevieve Mechler
Keira Unger
COLUMNS
Book Review: A One-Way Ticket to an Italian Summer Adventure ByAnaD.
BookoftheIssue: Love and Gelato byJenna EvansWelch
Rating: Asthetemperaturerisesandstudents enjoyarelaxedenvironmentduringEaster Break,summerseemsincreasinglycloseron thehorizon.Itchingforalightsummer romancebook,Idecidedtogive Love and
Gelato achance.Imustadmitthatevery time Love and Gelato wasrecommendedto me,Iwasinstantlyputoffbyitsseemingly cheesynature.ButIhavecertainlylearned nottojudgeabookbyitscover.
Although Love and Gelato isa romanticfiction,itisfirstandforemosta storyabouta16-year-oldgirlwholongsto uncoverthemysteryofhermother’s adventurouspast.Lina,theprotagonist,is presentedwithanopportunitytoreliveher mother’slife-changingexperienceinoneof themostpicturesquecitiesinEurope throughajournalhermotherhadlefther WhileLinalearnsmoreaboutherparents, shemeetscharmingLorenzo,whohelpsher exploreFlorenceandexperienceItalyasher motherdid.Tomakemattersmore intriguing,thejaw-droppinglybeautiful ThomasHeath,theBritishloveinterest, entersthepicture.AsLinalearnstolove Italythroughtheeyesofhermotherata similarage,shealsogainsasenseof adventureassheexploresthecitywithher newfriends.
Love and Gelato isanexcellent novelforanyreaderwhoprefersnotto committolengthyandintensebooks.Itis theperfectworkoffictionforpeoplewho arelookingtojumpbackintoreading regularlybutareunsurewheretostart. AuthorJennaEvansWelchdoesa phenomenaljobofsettingscenes;attimes,it feltasifIwaszippingthroughthestreetsof FlorenceonLorenzo'smopedandeatinga gelatowithLinaforthefirsttime.Bythe endoftheboo,kIwasreadingtwiceasfast attheedgeofmyseattodiscoverthe
ending.Asexamseasoncreepsuponus,a laid-backandeasy-to-readfictionalworkset duringanItaliansummerisasurewayto easenerves. Love and Gelato mayseemlike anotherpredictablelovestory,butthe complexityofLina’spersonalstrugglesto understandhermotherwhilstenjoyingthe landscapeofFlorenceandtheItalian countrysidemakesitaworthwhileread.If youenjoyreading Love and Gelato,you havetheopportunitytoindulgeinmore storieslikeLina’s,asitisthefirstbookofa trilogy.
Doyouhaveanyfavoritefunromance novels?Letmeknowyourcommentsor recommendationsbyemailingmeat adelgado2026@dominicanacademy.org
Summer Book List ByAnaD. Whetheryoursummerplansinclude takinginthesunonabrighttropicalbeach orbed-rottingathome,Ihopethatyouhave arestfulsummerwithatleastoneincredible literaryadventure.HereIhavelistedafew booksthatmayhelponyourscholastic summerescapes.
Sunrise on the Reaping bySuzanneCollins
ThesecondprequeltotheHunger Gamesseries,thisdystopianfictionnovel takesacloserlookatHaymitchAbernathy, theyearheparticipatesinthe50thHunger Games.I’veheardwonderfulthingsabout thisnovel;though,forthepastmonth,ithas beenimpossibletogetaphysicalcopy.
FromwhatI’veread, Sunrise on the Reaping seemslikeanimmersivereadwith impeccableimagery,justliketherestofthe HungerGamesseries.
The Summer I Turned Pretty byJennyHan
Thoughitisagainstapersonalrule ofmine,ImustadmitthatIwatchedthe NetflixshowbeforeIrealizedtherewasa booktrilogy. The Summer I Turned Pretty is adrama-packedstoryaboutBelly,a 16-year-oldgirlwhovisitsherfamily friend'sbeachhouseeverysummerand reconnectswithherchildhoodfriends ConradandJeremiah.Onlythissummer, ConradandJeremiahmaywantmorethan justfriendship.Thislightandeasyreadis perfectforsummer,thoughithasbeen mentionedthatthenovelcan’tgetoverly cheesyandpredictable.
Where the Crawdads Sing byDeliaOwens
SetinthemarshesofNorthCarolina in1969,therumored“MarshGirl”is suspectedofmurder Kya,thealleged murderer,tellsusthestoryofherlifebefore themurderandhowshecametogrowup, love,andliveinthebeautifulbutviolent swampalone.Ireadthisthought-provoking noveltwoyearsagoandbelieveditwasa
greatstory.Butoccasionally,onethatmakes youskipafewpagestogettothegoodpart.
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn byBettySmith
Aclassicwell-knownforits emotionalnature,thissemi-autobiography, writtenin1943,followsBettySmith'slifein theslumsofWilliamsburg.I’veonlyheard spectacularrecommendationsforthisbook, whichhasbeenonmyto-readlistforquite sometime.
The Pachinko Parlor byElisaShuaDusapin
Anotherphenomenalbookonmy to-readlist, The Pachinko Parlor, explores thefictionallifeofClaire,whovisitsher grandparentslivinginTokyoforthe summer.Thenovelhasprovedtobequitean eye-openingstorythatexploresdeeper themessuchaslonelinessandunspoken historiesoffamilies.
Upper Eats Side - Food Review: Green Kitchen ByVivienneS.
Rating:
ThePantoneColorof2017was Greenery afresh,zesty,yellow-green shadethatscreamedspringtime.WhileD.A. mostlystucktoitsfamiliarblueandgold favorites,theannouncementsparkedatrend: Decoratorseverywhereembracedthe nature-inspiredcolorinthecook’sroom. Kitchensacrossthecountrysuddenly featurednewgreentiles,cupboardsbrushed inolivetones,andlightingfixturesglowing withemeraldhues.Unfortunately,theywere
alittlelatetotheparty.Turnsout,this kitchenhasbeengreensince1931.
GreenKitchenwasestablishedbyan Irishimmigrantwhodecoratedthekitchen inbrightgreentiles,givingthedinerits name.Therestauranthasbeencontinuously operatingsincethen,andthecurrentowners tookoverabouttwentyyearsago.Green Kitchennowboastsnotonebuttwo locationsontheUpperEastSide.Oncethe bellringsatthreeo’clock,youcandecide whethertoventurenorthorsouth.Onespot sitsonthecornerof84thStreetandSecond Avenue;theother,at70thandSecond. Growingup,Ithoughtbeingstuckinthe cornerwasabadthing,butthispairseems tolikeitthere.
Theplaceisanupscaleversionofa diner,maintainingatraditional,comfortable, andfriendlyatmospherewhileincorporating modern,morerefinedelements.Theopen kitchenareaandcounterseatingharkenback toitsdinerroots,whilethecleanlinesand contemporarytouchesbringintheurban feel.Fromthemomentyoustepthroughthe doors,thereisawarmthtotheplacethat's hardtocomebyinthisbusyneighborhood whetheritisthefriendlygreetingfrom thehost,thehumofconversationinthe background,orthecomfortingaromaof bakedbreadandheartysoups.Youare welcomedintoaclean,well-litspacewith largefrontwindowsthatfloodtheinterior withincrediblenaturallight.Thecolor paletteleansintosoftneutraltones,dark woodfinishes,andsubtlegreenaccents, frompine-coloredtilestopastelthrow pillowsandscatteredplants,anodtothe
restaurant’snameandhealth-conscious ethos.
Thereisamixofcozyboothsand well-spacedtables.Theseatingis comfortable,andeverythingfeels thoughtfullyarrangedtokeepthespaceopen yetintimate.Overheadissoftlighting.All aroundareframedvintageprintsandsmall pottedplants,whichaddpersonalitywithout clutteringtheenvironment.Itistheperfect spotforarelaxedbreakfastonalate-arrival morning,afunlunchwithfriendsafter school,oraquietdinnerfollowingalong weekoftests.
Themenuisextensivewithoutbeing overwhelming,andthepricesare surprisinglyaffordableforitslocation.Itisa greatchoiceifyou’reindecisiveorafraidof commitmentandnotquitesurewhatcuisine, course,ormealofthedayyou’recraving. WhetheryouwantaclassicNewYorkdiner breakfast,ahealthysalad,alightsandwich, orasatisfyingburger,you'llfindithere.The portionsaregenerousandtheingredients fresh.
ThepersonIdinedwithorderedthe “AllAmericanBurger”(Americancheese, bacon,lettuce,tomato&friedonions, servedwithFrenchfries),andIchosethe steakfrites(slicedribeyesteak,aupoivre peppercornsauce,hand-cutCajunFrench fries).Aburgerisastandoutcomfortfood, andGreenKitchendidnotjustplayitsafe; theywentaboveandbeyond.Firstofall,it wasenormous.Icouldnottellifitwas lunchorachallenge.Yougetyourmoney’s worth:stackedhighwithtoppingsand servedonsoftyetsturdybunstoholditall
together.Thepattyitselfwasthick,juicy, andflavorful,cookedexactlyasrequested, withsimplebutintentionalseasoningthat broughtoutthatrich,savorybeefiness.If youliketobeextrawithyourbeef accessories,theyoffercreativeversionsand add-ons(likeavocado,bacon,or mushroom-swiss).
Similarly,thesteakwasexactlywhat IlookforwhenIamcravingasubstantial mealwithoutheadingtoaformal steakhouse.Cookedtoyourpreference(and yes,they actually getitright,asanyonewho haseatenmeatcookedbysomeonewho can’treadathermometerwillfeelmy excitement),itwasjuicyandflavorfulwitha nicesearontheoutsideforthatfan-favorite
char.Itisservedwithcrisp,goldenfries dustedinCajunseasoning,orasidesaladif you'rewatchingyoursummerbody.The steak’sseasoningwassimplebuteffective: salt,pepper,andasprinkleofparsleyfora touchofflair(andbecausetheyreallylove greenaccents).Ibelievethereisnoneedto overdressclassicsteakfriteswhenjusta helpinghandinseasoningandcooking precisionwillallowthequalityofthemeat toshine.Thepeppercornsauceontheside addedaspecial,excitingtwisttotheflavor profilethatIreallyenjoyed.
Serviceisanothermajorhighlight. Thestaffwasattentive,polite,andefficient withoutrushingmeasIreadeach descriptionofthemanyoptions,shamelessly imaginingmyselfeatingeachoneaspartof myfoolproofdecisionprocess.
AccordingtoUpperEastSide friendsofmine,thisrestaurantistheirgo-to spotinthecity,andforgoodreason.Itisnot veryoftenIdeemalocationworthyoffive tigertokens,butGreenKitchen'sensemble ofgoodprices,amazingfood,thoughtful design,andcomfortingserviceconvinced me.Inaneighborhoodthat’sconstantly evolving,itisrefreshingtofindaplacethat feelsgrounded,reliable,andgenuinely welcoming.ItisacornerstoneoftheUpper EastSidediningscene,andtwocorners definitelyworthvisiting.
D.A. IN PHOTOS
Easter Break Trip to Greece
