V23 I5 - May 26, 2023

Friday, May 26, 2023

The Student Newspaper of Greenhills School

Volume 23, Issue 5

Meg Seng announces retirement after 34 years at school 2022 Michigan Athletic Director of the year steps away from position

NICHOLAS ALUMKAL ’23 sented the option to the head of school, who said am going to play it by ear. For the first few months Sports Staff if we could formally write it up, then it would be a I am going to try to do nothing, and then assess my Final basketball game. Final spring sea- one year thing on an interim basis. It was destined opportunities. Right now, I am teaching a class at son. Final postseason run.Final championship. Fi- to work.”

Eastern [Michigan University] in sports managenal home sporting event. These are the milestones For Seng, the opening proved to be an ment which I have enjoyed. That might be somethat athletic director Meg Seng is encountering, as exciting, and ultimately, long term opportunity for thing I continue. Some people are talking about a the ‘athletic director’ title before her name adds a her to grow her role in the athletic department. mentoring program at the state level, and that is ‘former’ to it after 20 years, and she retires at the “It was an organic shift and felt natural,” something I would be interested in. So, I would end of the school year. said Seng. “I had taught for 13 years and was look- like to continue to serve programs, more on a con“I talked to a buddy of mine, and he said ing for a new opportunity—maybe some leader- sulting-type basis or an interim basis. But I won’t he got some good advice when he was thinking ship roles that I would be able to fill. We made a just be at the beach.” about retiring,” said Seng. “One of his colleagues natural transition. We literally switched jobs: He Just like her life up to this point, sports told him ‘Jim, took mine [as a teacher], and will continue to be a part of Seng’s daily routine. when you think I took his [as athletic direc“I am a season ticket holder for volleyyou can go tor]. It was an opportuni- ball, basketball, and softball over at University of one more year: ty— we were both ready for Michigan,” said Seng. “I have athletes in my class don’t.’ I have something different at the at Eastern, so I would like to support them, which been doing it exact same time.”

I think would be important as a faculty member.” for a long time.

Assistant athletic diDuring her time as athletic director, I am good with rector Lisa Hogan arrived Seng’s work has garnered recognition from her stepping aside at Greenhills in 2005, where colleagues and the state and nation. to let Mr. Ward she joined the athletic de“Our big push has been faculty coaching,” run things the partment with Seng. In the said Hogan. “Our big push has been multi-sport way he wants years since Hogan arrived, athletes. One of the things that she accomplished to run things. It Seng has been a constant with the help of the school is the turf field and track is just time for advocate for her work and update. Those will be some lasting things. Under me to step aside growth.

Meg’s tenure, we have received the MIAAA Exfor someone “Meg has been an emplary Program Award. She and I recently recourtesy of Michael Shaw else to fill that THE VALUE OF SPORT Seng hasPhoto important piece of my ceived the NIAAA Quality Program Award. Those worked to be an advocate for space. I have female athletes and coaches throughout her tenure. She cites the development [here at are big achievements within our athletic adminishad a great run. value of sports as a source of joy and reflection of life as a whole. Greenhills],” said Hogan. tration associations that not many schools achieve.

I have been “In order to have a voice, you need to be at the table,” said Seng. “She has constantly urged That will be a legacy for her: to raise the standard here a lot lon- “That is why I have volunteered to step up and serve on a lot professional growth and and everything she has put time into.” ger than I ever of MHSAA (Michigan High School Athletic Association) commit- development through orSeng has also left a positive impact on a thought I would tees, as well as athletic administrator committees so that the fe- ganizations and providing large number of other Greenhills students: those be, because this male voice is heard and so that other females can be recognized opportunities for me to go interested in sports broadcasting. The Gryphon a really great and that we can be inclusive. Because, if sport is good for you, it’s to conferences. Working Sports Live (GSL) club, which offers broadcasts good for me too, there is just great value in it, regardless of gender.” place, it’s a alongside her in the same and coverage of many Greenhills contests and decomfortable place, and a very supportive place. office, learning from what she does daily, has had velops original content on social platforms to proDoing something for 20 years is a great run, so it is a huge impact on the type of athletic administrator mote Greenhills athletics. Seng and Hogan played time for someone else to step in.”

I am or I would want to be.” an integral part in the founding and development Seng’s path to becoming a leader in edThe colleagues who have worked along- of GSL, by finding and purchasing the vital broaducational athletics, one must understand the role side Seng constantly cited her accomplishments in casting equipment and allowing the coverage to be sports played in Seng’s life dating back to her own growing the athletic department and student-ath- broadcasted in both radio and television forms, the education. She was a three-sport athlete in high lete experience at Greenhills. latter via the subscription-based NFHS Network. school, playing volleyball, basketball and softball.

“She is a big proponent of educational “Meg and Lisa have done everything,” During college, Seng was a two-sport athlete at athletics and what it provides for all of our student said GSL co-president Austin Andrews. “They are University of Indiana, competing in volleyball and athletes,” said Hogan. “Esthe reason that we softball for the Hoosiers. pecially for our Greenhills got started in the first “I’ve always been an athlete, I’ve always athletes to take advantage place. If it wasn’t for just loved to play and I still like to play, ” said of all of the opportunities their investment in Seng. “I would say it has been a daily part of my that come with playing us and getting us the life.” sports. She always pushed equipment that we In late August of 1990, Seng arrived at for what was best for our needed, right now Greenhills. The academics or athletics looked dif- student athletes at Greenwe would still be doferent, but the school’s warmness and core princi- hills. Her outlook was aling a broadcast off of ples were intact. ways consistent: the honor a phone. I am hap“I came as a teacher, when one of the cur- of the game, doing it for py for the tools that rent teachers left to take a position at one of the big the right reasons and being they have provided public schools,” said Seng. “It was just a last min- a great leader always stood for the advancement ute hire and I was happy to step in. I coached a lot out to me.” of our team. This of different teams and I taught physical education This year, the has provided a toand health here for 14 or 15 years before becoming time felt right for Seng to tally different outlet, Photo courtesy of Michael Shaw creating an entirely athletic director [in 2003]. It was just opportunis- hand the baton and for her tic…When I was teaching and coaching at Green- to start the next chapter of ATHLETIC DIRECTOR AMBITION Seng has a simple answer in different team of response to what her goal is as athletic directior: “My job is to crehills, those were some of my favorite years. her life after Greenhills. people, a family reate an exemplary experience for our student athletes,” she said.

“The school was certainly smaller,” said “I want to creally, that have given Seng. “The athletic program was a bit smaller as ate a smooth transition for Mr. Ward,” said Seng. me and many others an outlet to express ourselves well. But, I would say the participation was as high “This is a job that is a ton of information. There and provide a product not only to our peers, but to or not higher. It was a time in the ’90s where a lot are a lot of moving parts, a lot of things to stay on other members of our community.” of people participated in all aspects of the school— top of and organize. I think the program is in great When reflecting on her 34 years at Greenthey did not have a lot of activities. We had more shape. I know Mr. Ward has great ideas. I know hills, it is not difficult for Seng to decide on what commitment, pretty high participation, great team Mr. Fayroian has great ideas. There are a few proj- she is most proud of during her tenure. spirit, certainly more spectators, and faculty atten- ects; I would like to leave an outline for a coach“Our athletes and our teams have accomdance. It felt like a home. It felt like a community.” ing mentoring program. I would like to make sure plishments,” Seng said. “I am proud to add some Seng succeeded boys tennis coach Eric there are programs for girls in sports before I go.” sports: girls golf, girls lacrosse. We have been able Gajar as athletic

Hogan does to continue to grow the program. We have been director in 2003. not remember when she able to add junior varsity levels. I also have been The switch ocheard the news that Seng, her highly involved at the state level and even the nacurred due to partner for the last 18 years in tional level. Doing that gives us more recognition Gajar having the athletic office, was retir- around the state. I think Greenhills is a name people young chiling, but understands the deci- know now. I am most proud of the way the teams dren at the time sion. comport themselves, I think we do it the right way. and wanting to “I knew eventually it I have been proud of the way we compete and the spend more evewould come,” said Hogan. “I success we have had. 30 state championships is nings at home do not know exactly when I phenomenal for a school of our size.” with them rather knew she was retiring, look“I will miss watching the kids,” said than attending ing back on the last year. Seng. “Every single year I get to see kids winning sporting events.

Most people retire at some and having joy through sport and that is really grat“I had point, so I knew she was not ifying to me.” young chilWith Seng vacating the office one final Photo courtesy of Michael Shaw going to stay as long as I was dren at the THE FITNESS FOUR Eric Gajar (left), athletic trainer Steve Oestre- going to be here. I don’t time at the conclusion of the school year, Hogan time, and was ich (second from left), former athletic director Marsha Mumm (sec- actually remember when I has one final message for her longtime teammate. spending a lot ond from right) and Seng (right) pose for a promotion for the athletic found out, but it was a sad “I would tell her to enjoy what comes of nights at department in 1997. “The school was smaller in terms of the student day.” next,” said Hogan. “Enjoy retirement. Enjoy doing Greenhills or population [back then],” said Gajar. “There have been sports and Entering retirement, what you want to do in the evenings, not that you facilities added since then. [The time of the picture], we had just traveling for Seng does not have a plan, don’t want to watch sports. But it’s hard to imagaway state competitions,” said Gajar. “I was start- but has some options in mind that will keep her ine a Greenhills athletic department without Meg ing to miss a lot of kids’s activities when they were busy and doing things that matters to her. in it.” younger. It was something that Meg was interested “I don’t have a plan. I am hoping to do in, so we got to talking about it. We eventually pre- something, because I am still young,” said Seng. “I

Junior golfer, ranked 7th in state, scores “hole-in-one”

LEO APPLEGATE ‘23 Sports Editor Max Shulman ‘24 sized up the fifteenth hole of the course. As it was a par three, he knew he wouldn’t need much power - it was the accuracy that mattered.

As he selected the 50-degree wedge out of his bag, he brushed off the bogey from the last hole and prepared to hit. Shulman swung, striking the ball perfectly. The ball landed just past the hole, a shot that would’ve set him up for an optimal birdie putt. However, he had a trick up his sleeve.

Due to the backspin placed on the ball, it began to trickle back toward the hole. As the junior watched the ball fall into the cup, a smile crept across his place as his parents and grandparents exclaimed with delight.

This shot is a perfect testament to the way Shulman’s season has been going, as he’s had a successful season thus far, as he’s tied for seventh across all divisions in the state of Michigan for 18-hole rounds.

“I worked really hard this offseason, and it’s paying off,” said Shulman.

“I’ve had a few rounds under par, and we’ll see how I do heading into the state tournament, that’s the thing that matters, really.”

Shulman would go on to birdie the next hole and come up just one stroke short of winning the tournament.

This tournament’s success is indicative of Shulman’s success this season - success that may very well guarante him good things in the future.

“I’m still really hoping to play D1 golf, and I just want to keep doing what I’m doing and keep improving,” said Shulman.

HOLE IN ONE Max Shulman ‘24 poses with flag after making a hole in one on Saturday, April 29.

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MAY 26, 2022

Winning isn’t everything Mustafa Zirapury ‘23

TikTok don’t stop TikTok has become a platform for creative expression and entertainment for millions of people around the world. With its short-form video format, users can showcase their talents, share their experiences, and connect with others in a fun and engaging way.

But TikTok is facing a federal government ban due to concerns about data privacy and security. The app, which is owned by the Chinese company ByteDance, has been accused of collecting user data and sharing it with the Chinese government. Additionally, there have been concerns about the app’s ability to censor content and limit free speech.

These concerns have led to calls for TikTok to be banned in several countries, including the United States. These calls led to congressional leaders from both major political parties grilling the CEO of ByteDance on Capitol Hill.

However, it’s important to note that while there have been concerns raised, there is no concrete evidence that TikTok has actually shared user data with the Chinese government or engaged in censorship. Banning TikTok would not only take away a source of entertainment for many people, but also limit their ability to express themselves and connect with others.

Furthermore, TikTok has become a source of income for many creators and influencers. With the platform’s popularity, many individuals have been able to monetize their content and make a living off of their creativity. Banning TikTok would not only take away a source of income for these individuals, but also limit their ability to reach a wider audience and grow their brand.

about?”

Additionally, TikTok has become a platform for social activism and awareness.

Many users have used the platform to raise awareness about important issues such as social justice, mental health, and climate change.

Banning TikTok would not only limit the ability for these individuals to spread awareness and educate others, but also limit the platform’s potential to be a force for positive change.

It’s important to note that concerns have been raised about TikTok’s data privacy and security practices. However, banning the platform altogether may not be the most effective solution. Instead, efforts should be made to hold TikTok accountable for its practices and ensure that user data is protected. This can be done through regulations and oversight, rather than an outright ban.

Furthermore, banning TikTok may set a dangerous precedent for the future of the internet and free speech. It’s important to protect the right to free expression and access to information, even if it means addressing concerns about data privacy and security.

We believe that TikTok should not be banned. The platform has become a source of entertainment, income, and social activism for millions of people around the world. While concerns about data privacy and security should be addressed, an outright ban may not be the most effective solution. Instead, efforts should be made to hold TikTok accountable and ensure that user data is protected, while still allowing individuals to express themselves and connect with others on the platform.

“What is Greenhills men’s tennis

I still remember when Coach Randolph first asked my team this question during my first year on the varsity tennis team. We were all sitting at the entrance to the courts, drinking water after a rough day of practice. My initial thought was ‘winning’ because to a younger me, that was all that mattered. However, as everyone began to give their answers, I realized mine was definitely not right. So, I changed my answer to ‘perseverance.’ It seemed like a plausible answer, right?

But no, I was wrong. Puzzled and waiting for Randolph to give us the answer, I sat there confused.

“The man next to you.”

That was Randolph’s answer. I was even more perplexed than before he gave the answer. What did that even mean? The worst part was that Randolph didn’t even expand on what it meant. Every time we asked him, he would just shrug his shoulders and say, “That’s for you to figure out.”

I remember sitting there trying to figure out what Randolph meant. Maybe this was going to be another one of his sayings that I would never understand. However, this was far from the truth. Although it took me three years to figure it out, I think I’ve finally grasped what it means.

Greenhills men’s tennis is not all about winning. Sure, we do like to win, but it isn’t everything. It’s about putting the needs of your teammates above your own. It’s about helping the rookies joining the team and making them feel like part of the group. It’s about assisting others in scouting their opponents and planning the matches they will play. It’s about being there

ON TOP Mustafa Zirapury ‘23 hoists the Region Championship trophy after a hard fought win.

Illustration by En-Lih Wang ‘24

team won.

The team wins felt like my own wins, and the team losses felt like my own losses, no matter what the outcome of my match was.

At times, it was challenging to stay true to putting my teammates’ needs above my own. During the State Tournament my senior year, it meant brushing aside the outcome of my own matches and putting my heart into cheering on my teammates. During the frigid two days of the tournament, I stood in the cold to support the other players on the team throughout their matches, applauding their efforts and trying to give them the energy they needed to pull through.

Our high school tennis season may have ended six months ago, but our connection as teammates remains stronger than ever. We developed a lasting bond on the courts, which has carried over into our daily lives. We continue to spend quality time together, whether it’s playing tennis for fun, going on group outings, or just catching up and sharing our life experiences. As we face new challenges and opportunities, we can always rely on the memories we created as a tennis team and the unwavering support of our tight-knit friendships.

to pick up your teammate’s equipment when they are physically incapable of doing so. It’s about supporting your teammate after a tough loss. It’s about staying up late, coming up with plans and strategies for upcoming matches. none of us knew anything about journalism. We struggled a lot at particularly when it comes to extracurricular activities. However, first, learning how to take pictures, interview properly, and how I’ve found that this has only encouraged us to be more creative could anyone forget the rule of thirds. Now looking back at it 4 and resourceful. When we wanted to start a new club, we had to semesters later, we grew with Dr. Lund and it feels like a well be strategic about how we allocated our time and resources. When oiled machine at this point. Our small size meant that we had to be we wanted to put on a school event, we had to be scrappy and find creative with our coverage, but it also meant that our stories had a ways to make it work. These challenges have taught me valuable more significant impact. Over time, we’ve gotten better at finding lessons about perseverance, ingenuity, and teamwork. stories that matter and putting together a nice looking paper. Now, As I prepare to graduate from Greenhills, I know that the when we report on a school event, it is meaningful to our readers experiences and friendships I’ve gained here will stay with me because they know the people involved and over time, the alcove forever. I’m grateful for the tight-knit community, the dedicated has gained credibility. When we wrote about a controversial issue, faculty, and the it sparked conversations and debates among our community. unique opportuWorking on the school newspaper has been a highlight of nities that have my high school experience. It’s given me the chance to hone my been available to writing skills, work collaboratively with my peers, and learn about me. While some Editor-in-Chief Musatafa Zirapury ‘23 Pranay Shah ‘23 the power of the media. It’s also provided me with some unfor- may see attending Editor-at-Large Fiona Lin ‘23 gettable memories. I’ll never forget staying up late with the team, a small private Managing Editor Associate Editor, Print Dylan Carvette ‘23 putting the fin- school as limit- Associate Editor, Online Arjun Prabhakar ‘23 ishing touches ing, I have come Associate Editor, Design Griffin White ‘23 Sarah Horan ‘23 on an issue, to appreciate the School Editor Dhruv Nallamothu ‘25 scrambling to many benefits School Editor School Staff Maraki Tamrat ‘23 get a last-min- that come with it. School Staff Rishi Verma ‘23 ute interview I encourage my School Staff Megan Peng ‘25 Anjan Singer ‘24 before a dead- fellow students Opinion Editor Eva Bernstein ‘25 line, or getting to cherish the re- Lifestyles Editor Lifestyles Editor Izzy Baru ‘25 lost in conver- lationships and Lifestyles Staff Aditya Kutty ‘23 sation about the experiences they Lifestyles Staff Eleana Zhuang ‘25 Leo Applegate ‘23 Murdaugh trial have here and to Sports Editor Sports Editor Nate Burke ‘23 with Dr. Lund. never forget the HARD AT WORK “Even after all these years there is still so Sports Staff Nicholas Alumkal ‘23 B e y o n d value of our small Sports Staff much to learn,” said Rishi Verma ‘23.

Lucas Wentzloff ‘23 the newspaper, school commu- Advisor John Lund my time at Greenhills has been filled with other meaningful expe- nity. And to the Alcove is a newspaper written by students, for the riences. I’ve participated in sports teams, taken on leadership roles faculty and staff students of Greenhills School. All opinions, views, and statements reflect those of the students working in student organizations, and volunteered in the local community. at Greenhills, on Alcove and not necessarily the faculty and staff All of these activities have been made more fulfilling because of thank you for of Greenhills. Alcove is written to inform, encourthe strong relationships I’ve formed with my fellow students and your unwaver- age, and expand upon the curiosity of the students teachers. ing support and that Greenhills strives to cultivate. Providing a foOf course, attending a small private school isn’t without its chal- guidance.

It’s rum for students to express their individuality, the Alcove reminds you to always read the pine print. lenges. The limited resources available can sometimes feel stifling, been an honor.

Small school, large personal growth Rishi Verma ‘23 As I sit at my desk, preparing to write my last column for the alcove, I can’t help but feel nostalgic.

Over the past four years, I have had the privilege of being a part of the community that exists within our small private school. Through the highs and lows, it’s the people I’ve met, the connections I’ve made, and the lessons I’ve learned that have truly shaped my experience.

The small class sizes at Greenhills have allowed for a more personalized education experience. With fewer students in each class, teachers have the opportunity to give more attention to each student. They can provide feedback, answer questions, and offer support when needed. It also allows for conversations that you might not have otherwise as well as a more in depth approach to learning and school which has allowed me to discover passions as well as meaningful relationships with teachers.

One of those passions has been journalism.

When I joined the school’s newspaper as a junior, I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect. There was a new teacher: Dr. Lund, we were bringing back an actual print newspaper, and

My Greenhills high school experience would have been different if it weren’t for the tennis team. It was the first time I felt like I was truly a part of something bigger than myself.

I began to care less about my wins and more about the team wins. I wouldn’t celebrate personal victories, but I would celebrate if the

PAGE 3

Defying STEM: My unconventional path Fiona Lin‘23

MAY 26, 2023

Sports fosters sense of community, teamwork Arjun Prabhakar‘23

The only science I’ve ever been interested in is political science.

And of course, it’s a subject one would not traditionally classify as a science. STEM has never been my forte, and I live to prove that.

Just last week, my fingers slipped while adjusting the voltage of my physics circuit, and I fried and burned the resistor in front of the whole class. While I awkwardly laughed and attempted to waft the smoke away from my unlucky groupmates, I’d realize how embarrassing it is to be in a class full of juniors – and still mess up this badly.

So here I present a guide for all the people who want to save themselves from this kind of embarrassment, students who intend to pursue the humanities and social sciences, and those who are too lazy to take any advanced science courses.

Junior year, as all of my classmates were loading their schedules up with courses like Advanced Biology, Advanced Chemistry, and A.P. Computer Science A, I impulsively dropped my Physics Accelerated class in the first marking period. Bold, right? I thought so too.

I’d consider my junior year schedule atypical. Nevertheless, I was able to dedicate time to subjects and classes that I genuinely enjoyed – Economics, Sociology, Constitution, and Journalism. There was no “advanced” label attached to any of these courses, but they prepared me well for what I plan to explore in college. At the end of the day, that’s what matters the most.

By no means am I trying to deter anyone from taking high-level STEM courses. Rather, I want to caution underclassmen against peer pressure – there is no wrong or right path, good or bad schedule. “If you only read the books that everyone else is reading, you can only think what everyone else is thinking.” This is a favorite from Murakami. You don’t have to do what everyone else is doing. Only do what feels right to you.

Lin’s take on humanities electives Microeconomics: Hard to get into as a Junior, but worth the try. This class is an essential for future Finance bros. It reinforced the idea that the College Board is a monopoly that profits off of our education (nothing new) and taught me that my existence is a negative externality. I loved copying Monte’s graphs down into my notebook and labeling them with random letters.

Macroeconomics: Applicable to life! We traded candies/ chocolates to learn about world commerce and globalization – I may have forgotten what international capital flows are, but I will always remember those glow-in-the-day kitkats. The MVP of this class is Jerome Powell; I feel like I now know more about him than most of my relatives.

Sociology: Watched more documentaries over the span of three months than the first sixteen years of my life. Can’t get over the fact that one spelling bee guy’s parents hired a thousand people in India to pray for him. To this day I’m still trying to figure out why I am so short – is it nurture or nature? Did I just have bad genes or should I have chugged more milk at the age of five?

Journalism: A wild ride but definitely worth the hype. Brace yourself for current events quizzes (guessed on half of these), Lund’s legendary life stories, and Monday morning editorial board meetings that I show up ten minutes late to.

Warning: Dr. Lund also has a lifelong supply of candy in his room, but only take one at a time.

Constitution: Who better to have deep, philosophical discussions than Mr. Zeller himself?

This writing and reading intensive will leave you questioning America.

Though I will be forever #TeamAntiFederalists, the biggest takeaway from this class is COMPROMISE. Talk to Zellers about the need to compromise in this polarized society. He will go on and on.

Going to a new school is a challenging experience for many students.

They have to adapt to a whole new environment where they may be unfamiliar with the school’s cultures and traditions. This poses many challenges for students as they have to adjust to the new social norms and expectations while knowing very little of them. Oftentimes new students will experience anxiety, excess stress, and loneliness during this adaptation process. However, one of the things that helps students to adapt are extracurriculars. Extracurricular activities help students get involved more with the community and understand the different cultures that exist within it. For me, the extracurricular activities that helped me to adapt to the Greenhills community were the sports teams, specifically golf and tennis.

When I came to Greenhills in 6th grade the shift from my elementary school to a rigorous middle school was difficult for me academically and socially. Almost all of the people I had seen every day for the last six years of my life, were no longer around. I only knew a few people in the grade because I had gone to elementary school with them. One of the aspects of Greenhills that helped me adapt to this new environment were the sports teams. The middle school tennis and track teams offered a place where I could be free of the stress of the academic and social atmosphere and focus on something I loved to do. They also helped me to become closer with some of my peers and become friends with people I am still friends with to this day.

Middle school tennis taught me a lot about the culture of Greenhills, but I didn’t truly understand it all until I made the varsity tennis team during my sophomore year. At the time we were in the middle of the pandemic and everyone was quarantined. During quarantine, it was hard for everyone to remain inside day after day with little to none human interactions with people other than your family. Despite school being solely online, I was able to play on the tennis team and see some of

My way of giving back to school through broadcasting Nicholas Alumkal‘23 When I arrived at Greenhills as a freshman I was not only a fish out of water, but a fish trying to ride a bicycle. Fresh off being uprooted with a cross-country move, I was thrust into an environment where I knew no one. On top of that, I had never experienced the stress of grades and had no semblance of how to prepare for an assessment. But the Greenhills community was there to settle my nerves and answer any questions that I had from the outset.

During an assignment early in ninth grade, I mentioned my passion for sports broadcasting. What I thought would be an off-handed remark, took off in a way I never expected, but could not be more proud of.

I believe the only way to make your way in the world is to walk alongside, to collaborate with, and to empower others. This idea embodies the power of community in any situation, where a collective can come together to accomplish a feat that an individual could not accomplish alone.

The person I needed to get my feet on the ground was Austin Andrews.

Not long after my first mention of my interest in broadcasting, he invited me to tag along with him as he provided a Public Address announcing for volleyball. From there, we worked toGraphics by Megan Peng ‘25 gether to put together live broadcasts for the upcoming basketball season. The only prob-

lem: we had no idea how.

We collaborated to research and execute the necessary steps to broadcast an event, and once again the athletic department was there to back each of our steps. A further sign of the incredibly motivational and receptive nature of the Greenhills

CALLING AT CRISLER Alumkal calls the Greenhills-Whitmore Lake Women’s basketball game at Whitmore Lake last year at the Crisler Center. Through the growth of Gryphon Sports Live, they have traveled around the state to call sports events. They were invited to commentate the high school state championships for football at Ford Field and basketball at Breslin Center. They have also called games at Michigan Stadium and Jackson Field.

community. Our two-man broadcast began, not without technical bumps, but our mission was clear from the start.

As the pandemic wore on, a time when people were especially disconnected, we were able to find an avenue to bring my

my friends. Having the opportunity to be a part of the tennis team allowed me to escape from quarantine and relieve some of the stress and anxiety from having to stay at home all the time.

During this season, I learned a lot from the coaches and upperclassmen about the importance of leadership, selflessness, and always being there for those close to you. Even after a tough loss I always felt better from the encouragement of my teammates and never felt truly alone. The friendships and bonds created on the tennis team were always unconditional and independent of a player’s success. These values imparted to me by the coaches and upperclassmen helped me to better understand the culture at Greenhills and grow as a person to better the community.

Another benefit to joining a sports team is that it allows you to create friendships and bonds with people whom you would otherwise not. If I had never joined the golf team or the tennis team, I would most likely have never become friends with people in other grades. Being on a sports team allows you to build special connections with others.

You spend countless hours with them through the best wins and the worst losses, all while building a relationship where they can trust you to always have their back. This camaraderie creates a special kind of friendship that would not be possible unless you are a part of the team.

The traditions and culture we learn from sports teams is an experience that not only helps us succeed in that sport but also in life. It helps you become a leader so that one day you can pass on the knowledge to someone else and help them understand what the Greenhills community truly is.

SERVING IT UP Arjun Prabhakar ‘23 has played tennis since he was a young child. He looks up to and hopes to reach the level of Pablo Carreno Busta.

community back together courtesy of our commentary. Through this endeavor, we provided a way for parents to tune into their child’s sporting event in real-time given that they were unable to attend in-person. Following one of our broadcasts, an athlete’s father reached out to express his gratitude after experiencing his daughter’s first three-pointer. This was an early indicator of what could be, and what would be—it was the first time I saw the tangible impact of our service, and we could see the potential for further impact.

Seeing the promise of our broadcasting initiative, we incorporated photo, video, media creation, public relations, and journalism elements to the coverage and set out to find students who believed in our mission of celebrating our school’s scholar athletes. Gryphon Sports Live was born—and by autumn 2021 an additional 25 passionate minds joined the Sports Live family.

With so many great minds contributing a bounty of ingenious ideas, we were able to integrate coverage of five additional sports teams, and lay the foundation for a more well rounded broadcasting program. For me, this all ties back to how one’s greatest impact can be achieved in tandem with others, and how a group of individuals can create a much larger footprint as a team—whether that’s the team on the court or the one in the broadcasting booth!

Broadcasting has allowed me to share my intellectual curiosity. By creating this community, I have nurtured and refined strong habits of teamwork, communication, relationship building, and a sense of belonging that can be applied to life itself.

While athletics originally sparked my interest in broadcasting, I’ve come to realize the value of sharing my knowledge to ethically inform others through this medium. It is yet another avenue by which I can serve my community and make a positive impact.

That’s when it hit me.

While on the surface it may seem like any other hobby one might dive into, broadcasting has meant much, much more than that to me. It has allowed me to build up my community, to further understand the power one yields to positively impact others, it has reinforced the value of working with others, and has heightened my intellectual curiosity. This journey has shed light on how merging one’s passions and skills can be both fulfilling to an individual and positively transform their community. So, as both Austin and I graduate, we hope we have sown the seeds for future generations to continue the Gryphon Sports Live mission with the same ethos and impact that it was founded upon.

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MAY 26, 2023

Less is more Leo Applegate ‘23 Greenhills’ unique size provides a different high school experience from many other schools in the Ann Arbor area. While the Ann Arbor public high schools Huron, Pioneer, and Skyline each have roughly 1,500 students, Greenhills has only 378 enrollees, less than a quarter of its counterparts. This size differential provides exceptional chances for students to have interactions with teachers and faculties and more involved learning experiences. However, an often overlooked aspect of Greenhills is how the school’s size affects its sports teams.

While larger schools have the luxury of depth and size on their teams, Greenhills’ sports teams often do not have this luxury, as almost every team at the school has only a varsity squad, lacking enough participants for a junior varsity or freshmen roster. While this may cause some obvious complications, I believe that having a smaller team provides a chance for other opportunities.

Being on a team of limited size not only encourages but requires players to build a team atmosphere and develop a greater sense of camaraderie in order to succeed. Without such a sense, it’s nearly impossible for a small team to fully work together. Smaller team settings allow athletes to have more frequent and personal interactions with their teammates. From this atmosphere often grows something better - players often find themselves going from strangers to teammates and even to friends with the people they spend so much time on the court, on the field, or in the pool with.

This mirrors my understanding of Greenhills sports. As I’ve been on the varsity swim team since my freshman year, I’ve had the opportunity to witness and be directly involved in this experience. After I was made a captain before my senior season, I had high expectations for both myself and the team entering the year. However, to my initial dismay, I had found that the team had shrunk in size by a wide margin - caused by the women’s team separating from the men’s or just simply from a lack of interest. Even though Greenhills holds a co-op agreement with Father Gabriel Richard and Whitmore Lake to field a swim team, the team isn’t nearly as large as one might imagine. Although disappointed at first, I quickly realized that the team of fewer than twenty swimmers afforded me many possibilities. I was able to get to know many of my teammates on a personal level, something that would never have been possible if I had to get to know twice the amount of people, for example. I went from being complete strangers with people that I never would have otherwise interacted with to developing friendships with them that will last long into the future. Although the team did well in the pool this year, it’s not the times or races that I’ll remember. I’ll remember all of the team dinners, bus rides, laughs, and everything else in between that made my time on the team so special. Even though our state meet was disappointing from a swimming perspective - we missed the final cut by less than three-tenths of a second in one of our relays - all of the happy memories I made outside of the pool with the other members of the state team far outweigh the negative ones.

Even months after the season has ended, I’m still in contact with many of my teammates, our team GroupMe is still active, and I still have the occasional conversation with them in school. My experience was and is truly remarkable, and I believe that it would have been very difficult, if not impossible, for me to replicate on a larger scaled team.

Graphic by Megan Peng ‘25

From students to colleagues, teachers and students develop unique connections at school Nate Burke ‘23 As I reflect on my seven years spent at Greenhills, one word comes to mind: community. As soon as I arrived, the tightknit connection between students and teachers alike was as clear as day; it was one of the main reasons why I decided to enroll and continue to attend throughout high school. While the relationships I have built with my classmates have been extremely impactful on my life, I cannot help but acknowledge the profound effect that my teachers have had on my life as I transition into college life and beyond. The intimate setting of our school–growing to 676 and 132 faculty members–has fostered deep, personal connections that stretch far outside of academics. In the following paragraphs, I invite you to walk with me through the hallways of Greenhills and explore the life-changing relationships I’ve formed with my teachers.

My journey began in 6th grade when I first met Señor Olson, my Spanish teacher and advisor. From day one, his energetic demeanor and contagious laughter brightened our classroom and encouraged an interactive and immersive learning experience.

I remember before our first speaking test, everyone was on edge while waiting in the classroom to get called out into the hallway.

Señor Olson must have realized my nervous demeanor as I was met with a resounding smile and a truly genuine “¿Qué tal?”. After talking casually for another minute, my fears quickly subsided and my confidence rose, which allowed me to score well on my test and left a big smile on my face. After getting to know Señor Olson through advisory and inside the classroom in 6th and 8th grade, I began to realize how much he and other teachers cared about me as a person in addition to students. His consistent check-ins, authentic conversations, and recognizable effort to get to know me on a deeper level allowed me to develop a n essential connection early on at our school. His unwavering support encouraged me to embrace my true self, helping me discover myself throughout my years in middle school.

Transitioning into high school, I was introduced to an unexpected experience: academics in the age of COVID. My passion for engineering was further sparked by Mr. Monte-Sano, whose Applied Engineering class presented me with opportunities to explore my passion for creative problem-solving, sustainability, and innovation.

Graphic by Megan Peng ‘25 Even taking classes via Zoom, his comedic demeanor and mentorship shined through, especially when he would greet our class with a joke or a roast at 8:30 in the morning. Having us partake in small-group projects facilitated creative brainstorming and brought our ideas to life. When designing a catapult made from popsicle sticks, he encouraged us to think outside the box and trust our instincts, working together as a team

to let ideas flow and let the final product be a combination of our diverse ideas. Even though I didn’t have him as a teacher after that year, he graciously volunteered his time to mentor me in building a solar-powered phone charging station for my independent study project this year. His continued personal support to students like myself–even after having them in class– as well as his passion for engineering has pushed me to strive to become an ethically and enGLORY DAYS Nate Burke ‘23 with one of his influenvironmentally tial teachers, Senor Olson, when he was in 6th grade. conscious engineer who wants to make the world a better place.

As a junior, I was introduced to Ms. Sterling, an advisor, who similar to Mr. Monte-Sano, challenged traditional teacher-student dynamics. By treating us as colleagues rather than students, she fostered an environment of mutual respect and understanding.

I remember our weekly advisory discussions; they felt more like a group of friends checking-in and talking about their lives rather than a typical advisory dynamic. Encouraging us to express our opinions on complex social issues and problems with the school, Ms. Sterling valued our input and created a safe space for open dialogue, empowering us to think critically and develop our own perspectives. It was essential at this point in our lives to start to receive this kind of support and guidance; transitioning from childhood to adulthood is an extremely difficult process to navigate alone and Ms. Sterling provided just what we needed.

Dr. Lund, my journalism and AP Government teacher, also has made a significant effort to get to know me as a person rather than a student as well. Walking into the classroom for AP Gov last Spring, I immediately felt welcome and at home. Dr. Lund mixed Mr. Monte-Sano and Ms. Sterling’s approaches and cultivated a classroom culture of humor and collaboration. As I got to know Dr. Lund through our routine conversations, he displayed how much he cared about me as a person. Asking about sports games and how social and academic life is going, I appreciated his authenticism and ability to talk with students as colleagues. Moving into Journalism this year, I continued to experience this culture. While our classes are productive, we are able to lace our time with casual conversations about anything and everything. Dr. Lund has continued to push me outside of my comfort zone academically and has supported me throughout issues and successes.

At Greenhills, my time l has been marked by the unforgettable bonds I’ve forged with my teachers. Their persistent support, encouragement, and understanding have transformed me into the person I am today and want to be. To my fellow students and the faculty members of Greenhills, I encourage you to develop and cherish these connections, as they will make more of an impact than you will ever realize.

Cracking the code Sarah Horan ‘23

Throughout my time at Greenhills, I have been encouraged to take a variety of courses to “explore my interests.” I have taken everything from Journalism, Computer Science, Ceramics, Applied Engineering Design, even Perspectives in Humanities. It has given me a platform to explore my interests and solidify what I plan to do with the rest of my life. Through this experience, I discovered my love for coding in my junior year. It all started when I got placed in a Computer Science class with seven people including myself and the teacher. Typically, only one Computer Science class is offered, however that particular year, there was an excess of students who wanted to take the class. This led to a second smaller Computer Science class.

As time progressed, the class became extremely close, we got comfortable with each other quickly due to the environment that coding brings in. Pair programming was one of the most fundamental parts that I was able to experience. Pair programming is when a team of coders work together to produce code. Pair programming enables collaborative thinking, faster problem solving and communication, and more efficient work. It taught me how to be a better team member, better communicator and in general learn how to learn from others.

Although a six person class wasn’t my first choice, I think it was one of the most beneficial and crucial moments in my high school career. The one on one interactions I was able to build with the students in the class showcased one of my favorite parts of Greenhills, the ability to have a close relationship with students and teachers. I truly discovered having people in your corner that are not only willing to help, but happy to help you learn, it really brought together one of my favorite communities.

Up until this point, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do with my future career. I had a lightbulb moment during the midterm that year. As I looked up from my paper, I for the first time saw both of the classes in the same room. About 30 males, to about three females (including myself). I had always heard about how the STEM field was “male dominated”, however at our STEM-centered school, I had never experienced anything like this. This moment made me realize that I want to be a part of this male-dominated field, I wanted to break the stigmas around what women can do for the betterment of the field.

I wanted to meaningfully contribute in coding to helping women and underrepresented groups in general discover the benefits of the Internet and how the Internet can help them in their daily lives. In the second semester, I was able to continue my success in the class and understand what it meant to have a different perspective than most of my peers.

In my senior year, I have continued to love this field and have continued to further my math education at Greenhills. I am grateful for the opportunity to have had such a positive experience. I would like to thank all of my teachers who made this possible and encouraged me to be the difference in the field; I couldn’t have done it without you. Looking forward, I am excited to pursue a career in Data Science, which includes principles from many different fields including mathematics, statistics, artificial intelligence, and computer engineering. I am confident that with my passion and dedication, I can contribute to the ever-growing field of technology a n d look towards a meaningful future I have a part in creating.

Graphic by Megan Peng ‘25

MAY 26, 2023

PAGE 5

What’s your favorite?

Alcove seniors’ top picks

Nick Alumkal

Leo Applegate

What is your favorite class(es)? Journalism, U.S. Government and Politics, What is Hip What is your favorite Plum Smart school lunch? Chicken and Waffles Where is your favorite “spot” at Greenhills? The broadcasting perch at the top of the bleachers in the west gym.

What was your favorite Greenhills out of school experience? Starting Gryphon Sports Live and laying the seeds for the club I founded to continue after I graduate.

What is your favorite spirit week event?

Bringing the trophy home senior year What was your favorite sports event, performance, club sponsored event? Catholic League championships ‘23 for swimming Who are your favorite teacher(s)? Ms. Renaud and Dr. Lund Where is your favorite “spot” at Greenhills? The Journalism/Gov classroom What was your favorite Greenhills out of school experience? Swimming States ‘23

Nate Burke

Dylan Carvette

Sarah Horan

Adi Kutty

What is your favorite Plum Smart school lunch? Chicken and Waffles What was your favorite Greenhills out of school experience? The Chicago trip senior year Who are your favorite teacher(s)? Mr. Monte-Sano, Dr. Lund What are your favorite class(es)? Engineering Independent Study, Journalism What was your favorite spirit week event?

Winning rhyme time junior year General advice that you would like to share? Enjoy your time here while it lasts

Where is your favorite “spot” at Greenhills? Gryphon den What is your favorite Plum Smart school lunch? Tacos What was your favorite spirit week event?

Mariokart What was your favorite Greenhills out of school experience? Chicago What was your favorite sports event, performance, club sponsored event? Tennis General advice that you would like to share? Don’t make Ward mad

Who are your favorite teacher(s)? Dr. Lund, Dr. Beery, Ms. Caramagno, Ms. Lewis Where is your favorite “spot” at Greenhills? Lunchroom Booths What was your favorite Greenhills out of school experience? Tigers Game What was your favorite sports event, performance, club sponsored event? Golf States ‘21 General advice that you would like to share? Everything will work out. Don’t stress too much. Take lots of pictures!!

What was your favorite sports event, performance, club sponsored event? Eating at nothai after lacrosse What are your favorite class(es)? Macro/ Micro, Ethics, French Who is your favorite teacher(s)? Monte Sano What is your favorite Plum Smart school lunch? General Tso’s Chicken General advice that you would like to share? Don’t take anything too seriously What was your favorite Greenhills out of school experience? Winning spirit week

Fiona Lin

Arjun Prabhakar

Pranay Shah

Maraki Tamrat

What was your favorite Greenhills out of school experience? Senior Skip Day Where is your favorite “spot” at Greenhills? Front of the lunch line What are your favorite class(es)? Journalism, Calculus, US Constitution What is your favorite Plum Smart school lunch? Chicken & Waffles!

General advice that you would like to share? Coffee runs in the middle of the day are worth it What was your favorite sports, performance, club sponsored event? Tigers Game

General advice that you would like to share? Use your free periods wisely Who are your favorite teacher(s)? John Lund, Mrs. Renaud, John Holler What was your favorite sports event, performance, club sponsored event? Golf states What was your favorite spirit week event?

Walk Off Junior year What is your favorite Plum Smart school lunch?

Pasta Day

What are your favorite class(es)? Journalism, Space Oddities Where is your favorite “spot” at Greenhills? Fishbowl High Tables Who are your favorite teacher(s)? Lund, Wicklund, Sterling, Schwartz What was your favorite Greenhills out of school experience? The 9th grade cabin trip What was your favorite spirit week event?

Rhyme Time What was your favorite sports event, performance, club sponsored event?

Boys Soccer

Rishi Verma

Lucas Wentzloff

Griffin White

What are your favorite class(es)? E2C : English II Honors, British Literature and Psychology: Human Mind and Behavior What was your favorite sports event, performance, club sponsored event? Chocolate lounge ft. the jazz lab Where is your favorite “spot” at Greenhills? The nooks in the library What was your favorite Greenhills out of school experience? Going to Chicago!

General advice that you would like to share? Enjoy the moment and don’t take the privilege of attending Greenhills for granted.

Mustafa Zirapury

What is your favorite Plum Smart school lunch? Chicken tikka masala Who is / are your favorite teacher(s)? Randy, Gajar, Zellers, Lund, Lupton Where is / was your favorite “spot” at Greenhills? Green room in theater What was your favorite Greenhills out of school experience? States for tennis every year, and I’m excited to continue playing the sport I love in college.

What is / are your favorite class(es)?

Macro/Micro. Financial Applications, Journalism.

Where is / was your favorite “spot” at Greenhills? Lacrosse Field What is / your favorite Plum Smart school lunch? Chicken drumsticks What was your favorite Greenhills out of school experience? Lacrosse Games General advice that you would like to share? Get good grades Who is / are your favorite teacher(s)?

Mr. Monte-Sano What is / are your favorite class(es)?

Free Period

What is / your favorite Plum Smart school lunch? French toast Who is / are your favorite teacher(s)? Mr. Donato What is / are your favorite class(es)? Jazz Where is / was your favorite “spot” at Greenhills? Lunch room What was your favorite Greenhills out of school experience? Winning a regional championship What was your favorite spirit week event?

Battle of the Bands

General advice that you would like to share? Be productive in your free periods.

Who is / are your favorite teacher(s)? John Lund, John Holler What is / are your favorite class(es)? Journalism Where is / was your favorite “spot” at Greenhills? Athletic Parking Lot What was your favorite spirit week event?

Walk off Freshman year What was your favorite Greenhills out of school experience?

Tennis States 2022

PAGE 6

May 26, 2023

May 26, 2023

PAGE 5

MAY 26, 2023

Small classes lead to lasting connections Dylan Carvette ‘23 Looking back at my time at Greenhills, I realized what my favorite thing about the school is. It is not the

PlumSmart lunches, not the forums, and definitely not the assemblies. My favorite thing about the school is the small classes.

The combination of small grades and small classes helped me make friends throughout the year and form relationships with teachers that I will always cherish.

Starting back in sixth grade, I was thrown into a school with a lot of new people. While trying to make friends, I quickly noticed that there was always a group of certain people in a majority of my

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Senior advises caution with popular traditions Maraki Tamrat ‘23

classes. Those people quickly became my friends as we ended up spending the most time together. I found myself constantly picking those people to work with in group projects, do homework together, and sit next to in class. Eventually, these study sessions ended up becoming group hangouts which turned into memories that will never be forgotten.

The small classes also led to me interacting with new people, especially in high school where I would have new classes every semester. I got to work with all kinds of people throughout my time here which ended up turning into a valuable lesson of learning how to be super flexible. Working with all kinds of people helped me be able to find ways to connect with people both faster and more successfully.

It is also important to acknowledge the teacher student relationships that are formed at Greenhills. For me personally, there are two teachers that I built close relationships with and both of them taught me whatever their subject was, but also a lot of life lessons: Eric Gajar and John Lund. I was able to become close with both of them and I truly appreciate everything they have done for me.

Mr. Gajar was my advisor, math teacher, and tennis coach and became an amazing mentor throughout high school. As a teacher, he was always available to meet to answer questions and would make sure I truly understood what he was saying. As an advisor, he always made sure I was on top of everything and constantly checked in to make sure I was doing well outside of school. Finally, as a coach, he never failed to keep showing me ways to be a better player. The most important lesson I ever learned from Mr. Gajar wasn’t a precalculus lesson or how to be the best tennis player, but it was to never give up. He showed me that if I worked hard enough and had the dedication, I could reach my goals. Mr. Gajar will always be an influential person in my life and I owe him my gratitude along with so much more.

Dr. Lund, on the other hand, was my advisor, government teacher, and journalism teacher and became another amazing mentor these past two years.

Classes and advisory with Lund were always enjoyable and filled with great memories. The one thing I will always appreciate and remember about Dr. Lund is how his door was always open. Some of my favorite memories are of me walking into Dr. Lund’s room and just talking to him about anything. He was always there to listen and give me advice or crack jokes about the Queen of England. There were endless amounts of conversations with him and it was always so easy to talk to him. I would always end up talking to him for long periods of time and each and every time I managed to learn something new.

Dr. Lund, thank you so much for the impact you had on me and always being there for me.

If it was not for Greenhills’ small classes, I don’t know if I would have been able to make these connections with these people.

It’s important to remember that everyone’s college journey and application process is different and there’s no one right way to go about it.

The college you attend should not define your worth or your future success. What matters most is what you make of your experience and the opportunities you take advantage of while you’re there.

Of course, there are some benefits to attending a prestigious university. You might have access to more advanced resources, like top-notch professors and cutting-edge research facilities. You might have more opportunities to network with successful alumni and land internships or jobs. And there’s no denying that having a prestigious school on your resume can be impressive to some employers.

But at the end of the day, what matters most is what you do with the opportunities you’re given. If you attend a less prestigious school, you might have to work a little harder to make connections and find opportunities. But that doesn’t mean you won’t be able to succeed.

Additionally, there are so many factors that go into the college admissions process, and many of them are beyond your control. The admissions committee considers your grades, test scores, extracurricular activities, essays, and letters of recommendation, but they also consider factors like your race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and geographic location. They’re looking for a diverse group of students who will bring unique perspectives and experiences to their campus.

Plus, college is what you make of it. No matter where you go to school, you’ll have the opportunity to learn, grow, and explore. You’ll meet new people, try new things, and discover new passions. And you’ll have the chance to take your education into your own hands and make it what you want it to be.

I am going to be attending The University of Indiana in Bloomington next fall, and plan to major in real estate at the Kelley School of Business. Originally I wanted to attend the University of Michigan just like many other members of my family. But I unfortunately did not get in.

While many people may be saddened by the news, I think that people should not be ashamed of where they are going to college and It should be celebrated regardless of family history and where your classmates are going.

At Greenhills many of us feel

pressured by the community to get into the best c o l leges and universities but I

hope that many s e niors realize that just because a school i s n ’ t ranked top five in their field it does not mean that it is a bad school, and millions of students don’t even get into the “bad’ colleges that we get into here at Greenhills.

Ultimately, what matters most is finding a college that’s a good fit for you, both academically and personally. The college you are attending may not have been your first choice, but it could end up being the perfect place for you to thrive Graphic by Megan Peng ‘25 and grow. So, don’t be ashamed of where you go to college - be proud of all that you’ve accomplished and excited for all that’s yet to come!

Senior makes connections between movie and life Pranay Shah ‘23 In my high school career I took over 30 classes. Do I remember everything from every class? No. But I do remember everything from the movie Rio. Movies can be a powerful tool for learning because they allow us to experience different perspectives and emotions in a way that is not possible in a traditional classroom setting.

Through movies, we can learn about historical events, cultural customs, and social issues in a way that is both entertaining and informative.

Also, movies have the ability to evoke empathy and inspire action.

While schools provide a structured and systematic approach t o learni n g , movi e s offer a more engaging and i m -

Graphic by Megan Peng ‘25

mersive learning experience that can stick with us long after we leave the theater. Here are some of my favorite movies which will teach you a lot. We often don’t realize that the movies we watch have valuable lessons embedded in them.

Surfs Up: The main character, Cody Maverick, is a young penguin

to improve his dish and ultimately impresses the harsh critic, Anton Ego. This teaches us that constructive criticism, though sometimes difficult to hear, can be incredibly helpful in improving our skills and achieving our goals. It’s important to listen to feedback, take it seriously, and use it to make positive changes in our lives.

Rio: The film follows the story of Blu, a domesticated macaw who is taken to Rio de Janeiro to mate with a female macaw, Jewel. However, Blu and Jewel are captured by smugglers, and must work together to escape and return to their natural habitat. Throughout the movie, Blu learns to accept his situation and adapt to his new environment. He also learns to accept himself for who he is, and to embrace his unique qualities. This message is reinforced through the character of Jewel, who encourages Blu to let go of his fears and live in the moment. Overall, Rio teaches us the importance of acceptMOVIE MUNCH Pramay Shah ‘23 alwasy has a bag of funions and candy when he watches a movie. “It doesn’t ing the things that we cannot change, and feel the same when if I don’t have my snakcs with me,” said Shah. finding joy in the present moment. Like when you get placed in a service day group who dreams of becoming a professional surfer. Throughout the with people you aren’t that close with, but you use that day to cremovie, Cody faces numerous challenges and setbacks, including a ate new friendships. rival surfer who seems to have it all and a lot of trophies to show for it. Despite these obstacles, Cody never gives up on his dream. Good Will Hunting: He continues to practice and work hard, even when it seems like The film follows the story of a young janitor named he will never achieve his goal. Through his perseverance, Cody Will Hunting, who is a mathematical genius with a troubled past. eventually succeeds and becomes a champion surfer. By watching Through his relationship with his therapist, Sean Maguire, Will Cody’s journey, you can learn that success often requires hard work learns to confront his demons and open up emotionally. One of the and dedication. This movie truly changed my life as I watched it key lessons from Good Will Hunting is the importance of facing after getting a 52 percent on my calculus test during junior year. It our fears and vulnerabilities in order to grow as individuals. The inspired me to work harder for the next one. movie also emphasizes the value of education and intellectual curiosity, as well as the importance of seeking help and support when Ratatouille: we need it. It reminds us that true growth and change often require In Ratatouille, the character Remy receives criticism from us to confront uncomfortable truths and step out of our comfort Chef Skinner about his cooking, but instead of getting defensive, he zones. Like when I had to confront the truth that I was 5’7’’ and not takes it as an opportunity for growth. Remy uses Skinner’s feedback 5’8’’ like I had claimed when my friends pulled out two yard sticks.

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Benefits and challenges of playing on a co-op team Griffin White ‘23 Playing sports is a great way to stay active, make friends, and learn important life skills like teamwork and perseverance. However, for students at small schools, participating in certain sports can be a challenge due to limited resources and a lack of available players.

That’s where co-op teams come in. By partnering with other schools, co-op teams allow students to participate in sports that they might not otherwise be able to, while also providing opportunities to meet new people and form n e w relationships.

There a r e many benefits o f coo p

MAY 26, 2023

About the journey not the destination Lucas Wentzloff ‘23

benefits the players who get to participate in the sport they love, but it also benefits the schools by allowing them to offer a wider range of extracurricular activities to their students.

Another benefit of co-op teams is the opportunity they provide for students to meet people from other schools and form new relationships. When you play on a co-op team, you’re not just representing your own school – you’re also representing the other school that is part of the team. This can be a great way to get to know people who you might not otherwise have the chance to meet. Whether it’s bonding over a shared love of the sport, or just getting to know each other during practices and games, co-op teams offer a unique opportunity to form new friendships and expand your social circle. In my experience playing for the FGR-Greenhills co-op team, I have been able to connect with an amazing group of guys and coaching staff that have helped me to become a better hockey player.

While there are many benefits to playing on a co-op team, there are also some unique challenges that come with representing two schools instead of one.

One of the biggest challenges is the feeling of disconnection that can sometimes arise between the team and their respective schools. When most of the fan base is from one school, it can be hard to feel like you’re really representing your own school when you play. However, I’ve found that this feeling of disconnection can be overcome with time and effort. After playing for the team long enough I grew a stronger connection to the team rather than any specific school. This connection transcended any division because every time I stepped on the ice I knew I wasn’t necessarily representing any school or any fanbase, only my team.

By playing on a co-op hockey team throughout the entirety of my high school career I have been very fortunate to experience its many benefits. Without the co-op option, I never would have had the opportu-

teams f o r small schools, as well as the unique challenges and opGraphic by Megan Peng ‘25 portunities that come with representing two teams instead of one.

By partnering with other schools, co-op teams can offer sports opportunities that might not otherwise be available. For example, a small school such as Greenhills might not have enough players to field a competitive hockey team on its own.

However, by joining forces with another school, they can combine their resources to create a team that is capable of competing at a high level. In the past, both Greenhills and Father Gabriel Richard would not have been able Photo by Lucas Wentzloff ‘23 to field a competitive team, SKATING ON ICE White (right) on the ice with FGR teammates Adam Kulick ‘23 (left) and Sean Ceor even a team at all. This sarini ‘23 (middle). “I made a lot of friendhips and had a great time, my highschool experience woud year as a co-op team we not be the same without the hockey team,” said Griffin White ‘23. were able to break a school record for wins in a season, win the Jilek Cup, win nity to play high school hockey or meet some of the the Metro League, win the Catholic League, win a re- best teammates I’ve ever played with. gional title, and compete for a state title. This not only

Show more gratitude for Greenhills

It’s important to remember that everyone’s college journey and application process is different and there’s no one right way to go about it.

T h e c o l lege you attend should not define your worth or your future success. What matters most is what y o u make o f your experience and t h e o p portunities you take advantage of while you’re there.

Of course, Graphic by Megan Peng ‘25 there are some benefits to attending a prestigious university. You might have access to more advanced resources, like top-notch professors and cutting-edge research facilities. You might have more opportunities to network with successful alumni and land internships or jobs. And there’s no denying that having a prestigious school on your resume can be impressive to some employers.

But at the end of the day, what matters most is what you do with the opportunities you’re given. If you attend a less prestigious school, you might have to work a little harder to make connections and find opportunities. But that doesn’t mean you won’t be able to succeed.

Additionally, there are so many factors that go into the college admissions process, and many of them are beyond your control. The admissions committee considers your grades, test scores, extracurricular activities, essays, and letters of recommendation, but they also consider factors like your race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and geographic location. They’re looking for a diverse group of students who will bring unique perspectives and experiences to their campus.

Plus, college is what you make of it. No matter where you go to school, you’ll have the opportunity to learn, grow, and explore. You’ll meet new people, try new

things, and discover new passions. And you’ll have the chance to take your education into your own hands and make it what you want it to be.

I am going to be attending The University of Indiana in Bloomington next fall, and plan to major in real estate at the Kelley School of Business. Originally I wanted to attend the University of Michigan just like many other members of my family. But I unfortunately did not get in.

While many people may be saddened by the news, I think that people should not be ashamed of where they are going to college and It should be celebrated regardless of family history and where your classmates are going.

At Greenhills many of us feel pressured by the community to get into the best colleges and universities but I hope that many seniors realize t h a t just because a school isn’t ranked t o p five in their field it does n o t mean that it is a bad school, a n d m i l lions of students don’t even g e t i n t o the “bad’ HOOSIER Wentzloff wearing his future school’s merch. “I’m proud of colleges my achievements at Greenhils and that we can’t wait to show my full potential in get into Indiana,” said Lucas Wentloff ‘23. here at Greenhills.

Ultimately, what matters most is finding a college that’s a good fit for you, both academically and personally. The college you are attending may not have been your first choice, but it could end up being the perfect place for you to thrive and grow. So, don’t be ashamed of where you go to college - be proud of all that you’ve accomplished and excited for all that’s yet to come!

Aditya Kutty‘23 After the end of our last jazz concert, my friends and I celebrated our last ever performance and our last 4-7 years in jazz with dinner at NoThai, a favorite hangout spot for many clubs and activities. We remembered how much we changed and improved with the different songs we played, and wondered how we would be able to play together the same way even after school ended. Eventually the conversation drifted to how we all seemed to wish we could spend more time at Greenhills, as if our high school experience had ended prematurely. We reflected on enjoyable experiences and wished we’d had more.time at greenhills.

M a k e good use of the time you have at greenhills, because it will eventually end. Try new things, allow yourself to change and learn from others in your time at greenhills.

Four years might feel like a long time, but it will fly by faster than you can expect. What you might not realize is that as much as you might complain about t h i s school, you w i l l come to realize how enjoyable the experiences you had here were.

Students o f t e n complain a b o u t t h e i r teachers not teaching or teaching well, but Graphic by Megan Peng ‘25

in my four years of greenhills I’ve never had a teacher that didn’t mediocre chicken sandwiches, and the cardboard crust pizzas of actually care about their students or about the class that they teach. public school, plumsmart was a savior, a glimpse of hope as I enAlmost every teacher I’ve ever had has been genuinely passiontered high school. I wondered if in four years I would be just as ate about the classes ungrateful for the food that they’ve taught, at plum market. and many students As I talked about don’t realize how our meals with great of a privilege friends from my midthat is. Many of the dle school who came teachers have dedover to Greenhills, we icated their lives gushed about the spice to these fields, so of the chicken curry respect their expeand the sweetness and rience and their detanginess of General cisions.

Tso’s chicken, taking The qualiseconds and thirds. ty of the teaching at To this day I remain a greenhills is much loyal follower of Plum better than that of Market, feasting on teachers I’ve learnt their incredible flavors from in public and exciting spices. schools. While you Look forward to every might feel like your meal and treasure the Photo courtesy of Michael Shaw teachers are being BEAT GOES ON Kutty plays the drums at Arts and Humanities Night. “It’s been great being able to be a food they make. In the unfair, and that your part of the Jazz band, I’ve learned so much other the years and grown my musical talents a lot,” said Kutti. vacuum of greenhills, classes might seem to it might be easy to hybe somewhat difficult, perfocus on every little your teachers do care about your academic success, and want to see detail, every missed spice. But in comparison to the meals which you succeed academically and socially. Make use of the time you many kids suffer through, plum market provides an incredible have at greenhills to communicate with teachers and to learn from amount and quality of food in an accessible buffet. their many experiences. Be grateful for the teachers you have and While 4 years might feel like a long time, these years will develop good relationships with them in order to help them go by faster than you can expect. Instead of complaining about evI still remember the first plumsmart meal I’d ever had, a ery little thing at Greenhills, it would be much wiser to fully enjoy chicken parm crusted with bread and covered in marinara sauce. the experiences you’ve had here and to show gratitude for everyWe were all outside for the freshman orientation, eating chicken thing you can, because eventually your time here will come to an parm in boxes outside. Everyone was complaining about how sogend. gy the breading was and how the chicken wasn’t cooked right, but for me the difference was immense. Compared to flavorless mush,

MAY 26, 2023

“Skating on Mars” spins to the shelves

Teacher Caroline Huntoon ‘02’s debut novel comes out May 30

Invasive or necessary

PAGE 10

Students divided over use of Life360

of their kids without breaching their “I draw connections between ADITYA KUTTY ‘23 received hundreds of rejections.

EVA BERNSTEIN ‘25 privacy.

“Part of it was that my craft the different spokes on the concept map Lifestyles Staff Lifestyles Editor “Life360 can be invasive of adoption rapid With the During the 2020 COVID-19 wasn’t where it needed to be yet, but to see what could stir up something inon who you have on it. depending technologies, and lockdown, many people took up new part of it is that publishing is a business teresting,” said Huntoon. “When you’re new parenting apps my friends I don’t rehave I Since notable especially hobbies like knitting, baking, and paint- decision,” said Huntoon. “People have writing a book, you don’t just want one one app has been know where I am they if care ally of phones the into ing. English teacher Caroline Huntoon to decide if they can sell a book and if good idea, you want a few that could in making its way somewhere that not I’m unless it, on 360.

Life alike: have interesting conversations with parents and teenagers ‘02 wrote their debut novel, “Skating it’s going to make money.” they would that be to supposed I’m and location-sharing Life360 is a Success finally came in De- each other.” on Mars”, which is being released on use wouldn’t “I Batts. said care,” users allows that For “Skating on Mars,” family safety app May 30. “Skating on Mars” tells the cember 2020 after Huntoon sent “Skathave might I parent. a as Life360 their with network story of Mars, a non-binary 12-year-old ing on Mars” to agents and got several Huntoon connected figure skating, to create a private figure skater’s journey to self discovery. responses that they were interested, and which they have always loved, with family and friends. The app uses GPS their location on Find My iPhone, gender and grief, two things that they, location data to track the real-time lo- but I feel like it is too much to have Huntoon’s journey to writing began at a signed by one in January. and many others, were reflect- cation of the members in the network, Life 360 with your child. I also don’t young age, through their love for and users can also receive alerts when like others being able to see my top ing on during the pandemic. storytelling, and has manifested “Those three things members arrive at or leave specific speed, especially when I’m going itself in various ways since then. together are what led me to locations. While some parents and fast speeds” “When I was a student Jibreel Rehman ‘24 uses students recognize the value of being this story,” said Huntoon. at Greenhills, that [storytelling] to share his location with Life360 loved or friends their When writing their able to check on came out in performing in theater members and with an old family his a be might it that novel two and a half years ago, ones, others worry and forensics,” said Huntoon. “I from his swim team. friends of group of overreach an and Huntoon did not expect it to be breach of privacy wrote some during and after colview it as benefiwho some Unlike authority. released at such a time when a friend’s or parent’s lege, but when I had my child, that Life360 can found Rehman cial, that, believe students Some trans rights are at the forefront Winnie, in 2016, I needed a creprivacy when of breach a like feel can Life360 of political debates across the despite some drawbacks, ative outlet that didn’t require expressed and family, his by used ‘23, Bardwell Adrian be a useful tool. country. that I get a babysitter or regularin havvalue much find didn’t he that couple a track to “I did not plan to who uses Life360 ly be away from my child.” it to used hasn’t he that noting it, ing dehelp to it used write a book about a trans ath- of his friends, has This led to Huntoon team, swim the from friends his track from are friends his lete in this moment when leg- termine how far finding their way back to writislation around trans existence, his house and can be valuable espe- many of whom have graduated and ing. particularly young people, with cially when they might be in need of moved out to college.

“I started writing com“It can be a little bit invawho should be allowed to com- some form of support. While Bardplete novels around when WinRehman.”I kind of don’t said sive.” is Life360 pete are at an all time high,” well believes that nie was born,” said Huntoon, “I it and I feel like as having like he said Huntoon. “I really hope generally beneficial, was going to the Bread Loaf School of out of the house move I as soon few a that this book helps remind did admit that just English, which is a Masters prothat app. The delete might I be could people that trans kids are kids. of its features gram through Middlebury Colyour privahaving of feeling invasive, They’re just kids who want to somewhat lege.”

I diswhat is invaded cy enable live their lives and they want like those that program, this In I While it. about like user’s a to be happy and understood others to notice Huntoon took a course called maintain not might and they’re messy and they driving habits.

“Writing for Children,” where Life360 with my “I feel like you get in fights with their friends, professors challenged them with parents, I might idea an have but their transness doesn’t take can always just course load and honest responskeep it with r u o y what of away from their humanity.” es to their writing, especially my friends doare These complex conversations f r i e n d s pertaining to writing for chilthe from they’re about gender come up for Mars ing and if dren. team. swim u o r t in some “Writing for children is Image aquired from Macmillan Publishers throughout their story. don’t I actually very hard because ambi- ONE FOR THE BOOKS Collaborating with artist Violet Tobacco on the cov- “Mars is super competitive and ble, you w. o n k guity doesn’t always play well,” er art for “Skating on Mars” was one of Huntoon’s favorite parts of the pro- talented as a figure skater, but k n o w mean I said Huntoon. “You need to be cess. “My input for the cover was a description of Mars, I wanted a the cov- they keep bumping up against where they most of very clear about what you’re do- er to be clearly legible, and I wanted imagery from David Bowie’s ‘Aladdin this gender thing that creates are so you can help Sane’ album cover somewhere on it.

A small touch that I don’t think many them are Bardwell. this struggle in their life, and them out,” said ing, what you’re describing, and Graphic by Megan Peng ‘25 off people will notice is that Mars is wearing white skates in the drawing, but there’s no good solution for it,” “But I also think that sometimes it in the purpose of every word.” they are black in the reflection on the ice, which is significant to the story.” too, college difthe of because said Huntoon. “The book ends could be invasive From there, Huntoon with a moment of activism, but ferent paid features it has, like know- I don’t think there’s much of a point began writing regularly, comu n p u b l i s h e d “We spent the winter revising and then it doesn’t end in solving the problem. ing your driving style, like where you in having it to be completely honest,” pleting three he said. before in the spring we sent it to McMillan, Instead it says that this is something we are all the time is kind of invasive.” els novDespite viewing Life360 stronhad ‘23 Batts Orrin “ S k a t i n g who said that they would publish my need to be thinking about that affects he did note that he has invasive, as believLife360, ger opinions about on Mars,” book,” said Huntoon. “It takes a long young people all around.” in the way that it has use some found trusted by used when Huntoon said they hope that ing that while w h i c h time to make a book, and the speed at where his parents know him helped invasive, as be not Huntoon which I’ve done it is probably the fastest “Skating on Mars” will create space for friends it might he might need to when especially are, be could it parents sent to you can, with the exception of if I were young readers to see themselves in an when used by up. picked get privaof breach a and agents, a celebrity with a really hot button issue endearing main character who is dealing overprotective “Though I think to some with many of the same things that they cy. Batts, who also only uses Life360 but that I was writing about.” necessary because it’s it’s extent, while that found to track his friends, The idea for “Skating on Mars” are. someone know where have to good friends his have to “I hope that this book can also it has helped him came to Huntoon from creating a “I don’t have Rehman. said are.” you came it when concept map, an activity that help people develop empathy and real- keep him accountable the time, so of most car a to access he events, important they do every couple months ize that the world may be a little bigger to attendance of house and the leaves mom my when that features certain does think that on different topics and mo- than they think.”

I get school at up me pick to comes driving his about Huntoon’s sophomore novel, share information ments in pop culture that while school at she’s when notified was and unnecessary stick with them, or things “Linus and Etta Could Use a Win,” will style might be not something he enjoyed. For par- I’m already ready to walk out - I that they are interested in be released on May 7, 2024. ents, he pointed to other apps like think that’s pretty helpful.” learning about. the “Find My iPhone” app as a better means for parents to keep track Graphic by Megan Peng ‘25

Sophomores in scouts navigate path to Eagle ranking

the same rank. Sheffield decided to join after the pandemic, resultspends extra hours outside of meetings to plan.

ELEANA ZHUANG ‘25 ing in a late start for her in the scouting community. make and organize I “I lead meetings so when we start, Lifestyles Staff “I started at the beginning of ninth grade, but most people leada “Having Perkins. sure everything is running smoothly,” said “On my honor, I will do my best to do my duty to God cub scouts when they’re in seventh grade,” said Shefthrough go leadother with meetings ership position also means I have separate and my country and to obey the Scout Law; to help other people at about it from one of my close friends who is in a heard “I field. that during and ers all times; to keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and new members.” needed that troop morally straight.” That is the Scout Oath that Ayaan Ahmed ‘25, is very small, with only six people, when troop Sheffield’s Jacob Perkins ‘25, and Lauren Sheffield ‘25 try to live up to every people. This has led to some limitations 15-20 have troops most day. Scouts have weekly meetings and monthly campouts, but it troop. her and her for is also full of other opportunities that these three sophomores have “We usually work on merit badges together during meettaken advantage of. sometimes we plan other trips, but my troop has a and ings “Scouts is an organization where young kids from across going on them because of the size,” said Sheffield. “I time hard the world come together,” said Ahmed. “It’s about having fun, have more people but I can’t do much about it. We rather would becoming a better person, and learning new things.” it also leads to potential new tensions which are but better bond A big aspect of scouts is the desire for merit badges every group.” with happen gonna which is a prominent part of each meeting. Through the process of part of scouts is ​​the Mackinaw Scout favorite Ahmed’s earning these badges, scouts learn a variety of skills, from cookthat only a select number of opportunity limited a Camp, Service ing to learning about the United States government. him to stand in a position requires This experience. to get scouts “You have a merit badge counselor for every merit badge like a soldier. hours three to two for rest parade called and the BSA (Boy Scouts of America) have many pamphlets of honor guard which is governor’s the of part a are “We requirements you need to complete in order to get the badge,” said came out to shake Michigan of governor the and official very Sheffield. “For example, we are learning about photography right out tourists when help “We Ahmed. said us,” of some with hands now and my dad is the counselor because of the sports photograa long flight of is There directions. for ask and out come they phy he does for Greenhills.” also supWe’re up. stuff their carry people help we where stairs For Perkins, his troop goes with a method called the edge so going, before Island Mackinaw of history the know to posed method, a four-step technique that helps scouts not only earn a well.” as it about people tell we merit badge, but also retain the skills that they learn.

Ahmed, Perkins, and Sheffield have had different experi“Older scouts first teach us how to do the skill, demonPhoto courtesy of Jacob Perkins‘25 scouts, but one goal is the same for all three of them: with ences OUT OF RANGE Jacob Perkins ‘25 backpacking on a trip last summer to Philmont, part strate it in front of us, guide us through it, and lastly have us do it of a mountain range owned by Boy Scouts of America in New Mexico.

“My favorite part of the Eagle Scout rank. Once they achieve the Eagle, achieve to on our own,” said Perkins. scouts is when you’re an older scout, you can do High Adventure,” said Perkins.

“This trip continue until the end of high school. to hope they The time commitment for most scouts is about one to was 14 days of intense backpacking and I plan on backpacking for 21 days this summer too.” you turn 18 you cannot be a scout anymore,” said “Once two hours, but Ahmed has taken up a leadership position that recan come back as an adult leader though, hopeful“You Ahmed. quires more time and effort for his troop. this year, and then I can stay on as a leader and Eagle get will I ly, time we plan future meetings and campouts.”

“Scouts is really about leadership in young people which leader.” adult an as back come program their made In 2019, Boy Scouts of America is why the adults are only there to supervise,” said Ahmed. “As a subsections are that available to girls. Now, girls can start troops leader, I plan and run meetings, and plan what we’re doing at camof the boy’s troops. Although the program is still referred to as Boy pouts that happen once every month.”

Scouts, both boys and girls earn the same merit badges and achieve Perkins shares a similar experience with Ahmed where he

MAY 26, 2023

From classroom to court

Becky Randolph’s passion for service transforms lives and elevates women’s tennis RISHI VERMA ‘23 School Staff Randolph leads by example: Inspires students “How much she does and continues to do for everyone around her is inspiring,” said Parini Rao ‘24.

life,” said Randolph when reflecting on her involvement with HouseN2home.

Randolph’s work with HouseN2home has expanded to involve students at Greenhills, who have participated in service day events and weekend volunteering op-

families in Washtenaw County. The organization started with just Becky and her four best friends doing service on their own, and has since grown to include four vans and four full-time employees.

“It’s really amazing and I don’t think anyone expected for it to turn into what it did,” said Becky.

M o r e o v e r, Becky’s vision of cultivating interest in making real, tangible change to the community has led to many students volunteering with HouseN2home on their own.

“This experience allowed me to see the Photo courtesy of Michael Shaw kind of impact this type CHECKING IN “Service Night is always a great time to showcase why giving back is so important and how we can be more proactive,” said Becky Randolph. of volunteer work has.

You can see the direct Becky Randolph’s portunities. influence you’re making on has made an impact on In addition to her the community,” said Harpthe Greenhills community work with HouseN2home, er Cash ‘26, a Greenhills through service and leader- Randolph has volunteered student who has volunship. Randolph’s commit- at Planned Parenthood for teered with HouseN2home ment to service began long over a decade and helped for several years. before she arrived at Green- establish a yearly fundraisStudents who hills. She attributes her pas- ing event that has raised a have worked with Becky sion for service to her up- total of $200,000 over the on HouseN2home and othbringing, which instilled in past ten years. She also uses er service projects appreciher the value of giving back her skills as a teacher to de- ate her leading by example to the community. velop a culture for Green- when it comes to service.

“I’m very grateful hills women’s tennis.

“It’s much easier to be for the position I am in life “Back in 2017 inspired by and listen to and the resources I have when Becky first came to someone who’s actually available to me, so giving Greenhills, we had a vision spent so much of their life back to the community has for the women’s middle giving back,” said Bennett never been a question,” school and upper school Formicola ‘24. says Randolph. teams to be one team,” said Becky’s impact on Randolph has vol- varsity women’s tennis the Greenhills community unteered with several or- coach Mark Randolph, who is far-reaching, with stuganizations over the years, is also her husband. dents and colleagues alike including HouseN2home Becky’s efforts on appreciating her dedication and Planned Parenthood. the middle school end of to service and leadership.

HouseN2home, which she the tennis courts lead to an Her work with HouseNco-founded in 2017, pro- impact on the varsity team, 2home has provided basic vides furnishings to those with students noting that furnishings to those trantransitioning out of home- they already feel like they sitioning out of homelesslessness in Washtenaw know what a team is about ness, while her involvement County. before they even join the with Planned Parenthood What I’ve gained varsity team. has raised thousands of dolis a lot of empathy for peoBecky’s dedica- lars for the organization. ple who find themselves tion to service and ability Her efforts to develop a without a home. We often to make a difference in the culture for Greenhills womsee the really hard-luck cas- community have left a last- en’s tennis have resulted in es of people on the streets, ing impact on the Greenhills a cohesive and successful but what you learn is that community and beyond. team. the range of homelessness Her work with HouseN- “A true team and lots of talencompasses so many 2home has furnished homes ent mean the sky’s the limit people of such varieties of of over 700 individuals and for us,” said Mark.

NCAA gains three new Gryphons PRANAY SHAH ‘23 Editor-at-Large Friends, family, and faculty gathered in the east gym on May 2 to watch Rishi Verma ‘23, Meezan Hamzavi ‘23, and Chakor Sankaran Rajendra ‘23 sign their national letters of intent and celebrate their achievement of making it to the collegiate level in their respective sports.

Grinnell College’s women’s basketball team added Hamzavi with her signature. The three year varsity player, who has signed to play for the team, was praised by her coach for her passion and dedication to the sport.

“Meezan has a passion and love for the game that is what makes her special,” said varsity basketball coach Tiffany Willard. “She is the first one in the gym and the last one to leave. She has a routine every day before she leaves practice.”

Willard stated that the team is getting an athlete who is hardworking, knowledgeable about the game, smart, and passionate. Despite coming back from an injury, her coach is confident that Hamzavi has a bright future in the sport.

“There is just so much more basketball in her future,” said Willard. “That [injury] tapped into her love for the game, because if you take away playing, she has to look at the game differently and that’s only going to make her better when she comes back.”

Reflecting on her own signing day, Willard noted that she had never experienced such a celebration. Willard played basketball at the University of Michigan from 1997-1998.

“I had a signing day, not like this though. It was just me and my family,” they said.

“I think it’s great and shows all your hard work.”

Hamzavi is no stranger to the work it requires to make it to the collegiate level. Her brother Naazir Hamzavi committed to play at

PAGE 11

Freshman focuses scientific research on leukemia, lung disease, and COVID-19 IZZY BARU ‘25 ested in their research projects and science fairs. Her first competition Lifestyles Editor From memorizing the periodic table to competing in science fairs all around Michigan, Judy Bai ‘26 has continued to foster her love for science. Over the past couple of years Bai has been a consistent competitor going against students two to three years older than her. This past March, Bai received first place in a category competition during the Science and Engineering Fair of Metropolitan Detroit (SEFMD).

Bai’s interest in science and STEM began in elementary school. Bai’s father is a bioinformatics researcher and encouraged her to begin participating in fairs once she entered middle school.

Science fairs are competitions where students choose a topic that interests them and conduct research about it. Students then enroll in the fair where they go through a series of judging with the goal of winning awards.

Research is worked on over the span of a couple of years. During the fair, booths are set up where students present their information or bring in trial experiments. The

have them share their work with other students who accepted.

Bai qualified for Broadcom MASTERS as a finalist. The finalists were selected from a pool of 1,841 entrants. Her research was about, “Computational Predictions of COVID-19 Risky Genes Associated with Lung Cancer.”

Bai’s research was influenced by her mother’s work with elderly patients with lung diseases. Bai learned that many of her mother’s patients had passed from COVID-19, this sparked an interest in whether there could be a link between the two.

“When I googled if there was an association, nothing came up, so then I knew I had to study if my prediction was true,” said Bai. “It became this big burning question for me.”

Before Bai experienced success with her research she faced a couple of struggles. From not getting the results she wanted to losing two years of work, she had to work through every problem thrown at her.

“Once I realized that I had been using the wrong data set for over a third of my work I was heartbroken, but my own motivation helped me solve the problem and get back on track,” said Bai. “This trial and error also allowed me time to work on my side projects which was nice because it can be stressful managing so many Photo courtesy of Michael Shaw different projects.”

GET A CLOSER LOOK Judy Bai ‘26 focusBai’s other projes on science experiment at Broadcom MASTERS.ect is on childhood leukemia. Bai comfairs compete at different levels, peted in the SEFMD during her ranging from elementary, middle, 8th grade year as well with the and high school. basics of her leukemia research.

“I’ve always been a During this year Bai made it to the STEM nerd but once I started international fair where she got the competing in fairs like Broadcom opportunity to sit in a seminar with my love for science just escalat- 30 other students led by the CEO ed,” said Bai. of Society for Science.

Bai’s first middle school “It was such an interestdivision science fair was for ing experience,” said Bai. “After SEFMD. This led to her being she finished the seminar she introqualified for the 2021 Broadcom duced herself to all the applicants MASTERS science fair. Broad- and spoke individually to us about com MASTERS is a program our plans with our research.” founded and produced by Society As Bai entered high for Science. The purpose of the school at Greenhills she was dedprogram is to find students inter- icated to continuing to compete in

Beloit college’s men’s basketball 4 years ago.

“I remember him signing his national letter of intent and I always looked forward to signing mine,” said Hamzavi. “He is a big reason why I am the player I am today and I would not be able to achieve this without him.”

often wanted to be pushed. He made people better on and off the court and was the captain his senior year.”

Gajar’s description of Rajendra’s leadership qualities and determination to excel high-

Meezan, like the other signees, has her coach confident that her passion, dedication, and hard work will make her a valuable asset to Grinnell in Iowa.

Rajendra committed to playing tennis at Johns Hopkins University.

“Chakor won 94 percent of all Photo courtesy of Michael Shaw Chakor Sankaran Rajendra ‘23 (left), Meezan Hammatches he’s SIGNED, SEALED, DELIVERED played as a var- zavi ‘23 (middle), and Rishi Verma ‘23 (right) sign NCAA letters of intent May 2. sity tennis player, with a record of 98-6,” said varsity tennis lights the caliber of student-athlete that Johns coach Eric Gajar. “He won four regional titles Hopkins is acquiring. As Rajendra steps into this individually, four state titles individually, and new chapter of his academic and athletic jourwas named All-Academic for all four years.” ney, he shared his enthusiasm for joining the Gajar praised Rajendra’s dedication prestigious university and carrying on its tradiand hard work, citing his note-taking skills and tion of excellence. leadership on and off the court.

“I am excited to join the Johns Hopkins “He set a high bar for himself and his team and contribute to its legacy of excellence,” teammates,” said Gajar. “He led the team in said Rajendra. “I am grateful for the opportunity conditioning and pushed them further than they to continue playing the sport I love at the next

in the high school division was with the SEFMD. She worked as a team with a freshman from Skyline High School.

“I was pretty nervous at first going into the fair,” said Bai. “However there were a lot of amazing researchers so as the fair continued I felt better and enjoyed the great experience.”

Bai’s research surrounded “Characterization of Racial Disparities in Cancers by Predicting Bio Markers.” Her inspiration for her studies was because of an upward trend of racial disparities in cancer and her interest in a potential career in the medical field.

Due to Bai not being old enough to conduct her experiments in a lab she used research tools she had learned from research organizations like The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). These tools allowed her to access resources that had cataloged the genetic mutations responsible for cancer.

Bai said help came from Head of Upper School Deano Smith. Smith said he has been attending science fairs for the past couple of years.

Smith, already familiar with the paperwork, would check in with Bai and help when needed.

“I was excited when I found out Judy was interested in attending the science fair,” said Smith. “It is a very energizing environment because everyone is into what is happening and geeking out about science.”

The competition consisted of two rounds of judging. If students passed both rounds then they were selected as an International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) finalist. Out of the two rounds Bai’s team made it past the first.

While Bai did not win any of the round awards she placed first in a category award. Organizations send judges who will offer awards based on categories students are participating in. Bai competed in computational biology and won an award from the US Agency of International Development (USAID).

Despite not placing as a finalist this year, Bai is interested in attending the SEFMD throughout high school. She will continue her research surrounding leukemia in children.

level and to be a part of such a great academic institution.”

Rajendra is not the only member of the men’s tennis team committing to play at the collegiate level this year.

Rishi Verma signed to play men’s tennis at Swarthmore College.

“Rishi had 4 years as a varsity athlete, 4 individual state, regional and all academic titles all catholic all state,” Gajar said. “Best Winning percentage in school history 114-2. 98 percent he was dependable on the court and off.”

Gajar also spoke about Verma’s leadership skills and how he helped elevate his team.

However, Verma was told by many coaches over the years to quiet down at tennis matches.

“He led by example, often finishing his match because he was more worried about supporting his teammates than winning his own. He was the team’s cheerleader vocally, sometimes too vocally,” Gajar stated.

Verma’s dedication to the program and his love for the sport was clear to see. His brother Sonaal Verma is a Greenhills tennis alumni and also helped lead the team to a state championship two times.

“Rishi clearly cares about the program’s legacy as he has been watching the program for as long as I can remember,” Gajar added.

Verma and his fellow tennis star, Rajendra, have been playing tennis beside each other since 6th grade and had a unique relationship.

“Rishi and Chakor often had a lovehate relationship more like a married couple than anything I’d seen,” Gajar said. “Their arguing no doubt drove one another to higher and higher heights. The program moved up to Division 3 all four of their years at the behest of them and those who came before them. They helped put and keep Greenhills tennis on the map not just locally but statewide.”

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MAY 26, 2023

Season Status: “We doubled our win total from last year which sounds really exciting, except it’s a total of two.” said assistant coach Chris Lemoine, “We’ve had a lot of growth, we’ve really struggled Record: Catholic league meets: Girls 2nd place in with injuries down the homestretch from concusthree meets; Boys 2nd place in two meets and 3rd sions to ACL tears, which has really hurt the depth place in one. of our team.

Special shoutout: “Lauren Sheffield ‘25 has been strong in multiple areas this season, she competes in multiple events and is flexible to go where we need her to go,” said head coach Mackenzie Hess.

Memorable moments: “I am looking forward to some of the rekindled old traditions, such as the 9th and 10th grade meet at Fenton High School when the 11th and 12th graders come out to support their teammates. I am also looking forward to the 9th grade meet where we always get ice cream after,” said Vic Cunningham ‘24.

Memorable moments: “The Whitmore Lake invitational tarted raining and tents were blowing away and it wasreally funny. One of my favorite team bonding moments is when we decorate the bus for regionals because everyone writes supportive messages and cute designs on it.”

Season Highlight: “That first win we had against riverview gabriel richard.” said Lemoine, “We acted like we had just won the superbowl. We stormed the field, dogpiled, it was just like ‘We won!’ I think the team as a whole started to really click.”

MVP: “The two that I give the tip of the hat are our captain Graeme Jagger ‘23, phenomenal leadership as a senior leading this team from last year and building off that, but also Bennett Formicola ‘24 who stepped into goal when we had an injury, and has taken leadership of the defense and owned that and has really grown from where he started,” said Lemoine.

Player quote: “We’re a pretty young team so it felt really good to see all the young guys improve throughout the season.” said Formicola ‘24.

Dual Match Record: 6-2-2 MVP: Danika Rakic-Dennis ‘26 “Danica Rakic-Dennis is doing outstanding this season,” said Coach Mark Randolph. “She is playing 3 singles and is currently undefeated in dual matches.

As a freshman, she has taken a leadership role. She is a powerful force and is finding her momentum throughout the season. She plays big points big.”

Player Quote: “The team is so fun and collaborative,” said Rakic-Dennis. “One thing about tennis is that it is such an individual sport that many players don’t know what it’s like to be on a team. Personally, I have made lots of new friends and have been improving my game throughout the season and really getting a lot of experience.

Favorite memory: “Winning Catholic leagues was definitely the highlight of the season,” said Randolph. “Watching the girls celebrate and use the motivation going into States and Regionals is very fun to watch because tennis is all about momentum and they definitely have tons of it right now.”

Coach Quote: “Sam Dorfman ‘23 and Talen Piltz ‘25 Record: 2-5-1 had the most hits in Greenhills baseball history in Dual match record: 5-1 one year. The fact that they were able to accomplish Memorable moment: “Playing against Liggett.

MVP: “Max Shulman is the MVP. He’s had multiple that is pretty remarkable,” said coach Tom Ward.

They have the top player in the state who is going rounds under par and certainly the best scoring avto UNC next year and she is the #12 overall recruit MVP: “Jeremiah Bowman ‘25 has been really great as erage on the team. [The hole in one] was very excitin the country and we held her to 0 goals,” said our catcher since two of our other catchers were in- ing,” said Coach Karr. assistant coach Harry Berkowitz. jured. The fact that we’re still doing so well despite all the injuries is a really great sign that everyone is Player Quote: “My goal is to keep on playing well.

MVP: Our 2 senior captains have been leading the Regionals are coming up soon, so I want to do well ready and prepared to step up when they need to.” team well. there and hopefully win states. Practice is always Favorite memory: My favorite moment was when fun with all the guys,” said Max Shulman ‘24 Memorable moment:“When Ava scored the first Talen [Pilz ‘25] hit his first home run against Luthergoal of the season,” said Jessica Wu ‘24 an Northwest. It was the first home run I’ve seen any- Favorite memory: “The first event of the year was body hit in my two years here, and I thought it was a called the Splitter Splitter. It was a split squad type Season Status: “Pretty good, the best have ever thing where I got to take eight guys, so it was a big really awesome moment for him,” said Bowman. been. Our team feels more organized like our poteam thing to kick off the season.” sitions and shape,” said Berkowitz. “[However,] Player Quote:“[Being on the team] is a way to be a we had a little setback when we lost Katie who got part of a larger community, and to make friends, said injured recently.

Bowman.