Riya covers Bill Long’s decision to attend West Point & pursue a future in aerospace engineering.
READ MORE ON PAGE 2
Sports
Kayden highlights Leo Gray’s standout senior year, from ASB & theater to a debut on the volleyball court.
READ MORE ON PAGE 3
Editorial
Gabby reflects on growth, friendship, & finding her voice during her fouryear journey at Pinewood.
READ MORE ON PAGE 5
Arts & Cultures
Esha features three Pinewood seniors who plan to pursue their passions for the arts in college & beyond.
READ MORE ON PAGE 9
JAKE REYNDERS Staff Writer
As the 2024-25 school year winds down, English Teacher David Wells and Theater Teacher Doug Eivers say goodbye to Pinewood.
The pair of indispensable teachers have made the decision to move on in less than a month, and they will be missed.
In his 17 years of teaching at Pinewood, Wells has had a profound effect on Pinewood students as writers, communicators, and people. Junior Zoe Detrick said she will miss his dedication.
“These two have had a profound impact on our students for many years. We can’t thank them enough for all that they have done for the school.”
“Mr. Wells is always willing to help students, whether he’s staying after school or spending some extra time during lunch with us,” Detrick said. “I really appreciate it because he was always there when I needed the help.”
While Wells has helped hundreds of Pinewood students improve their English skills, his mentorship reaches far beyond the classroom.
Senior Alakh Kapadia said Wells provided him and his classmates with invaluable life advice.
“We were sitting in class and, talking about relationships, and he asked our class, ‘what are the two words you can say to your partner to win any argument and equally frustrate them?’” Kapadia said. “After I guessed the words ‘I’m sorry,’ he said that the two words were
Wells and Eivers Leave Lasting Legacy at Pinewood Upper Campus To Undergo Historic Renovation
NONA BROZELL Staff Writer
For the first time in its history, Pinewood Upper Campus will receive a full renovation. The rebuild, which could possibly begin as early as the summer of 2027, will make existing classrooms larger, add in new specialty spaces for non-core subjects, and foster community growth.
President and Head of School Scott Riches played a large part in the creation of the renovation plan. However, this process also included meeting with members of the faculty and administration in order to establish a design that most benefits the community.
Pinewood is currently fundraising for the rebuild through donations from the community and profits from the annual auction. The school is also waiting for the renovation plans to be approved by the town of Los Altos Hills.
One of the primary goals of the reconstruction is to create larger, more modern classrooms with advanced equipment.
Head of Upper Campus Eve Kulbieda said that the school wanted to improve the experience for students and visibly express its strong curriculum.
“Pinewood has an amazing academic program, and
we would like the buildings to represent that in a physical way,” Kulbieda said.
In addition to larger classrooms, the renovation will include new specialty areas, such as a larger theater for the performing arts program and a makerspace for robotics and engineering.
“With this new state-of-the-art equipment, we’ll be able to better prepare students for college and their future careers,” Riches said.
The new campus will also include more community spaces, such as a student center called The Hub, an indoor cafeteria, a larger Cue Quad, and a refurbished gym.
“It’s very important to us that the students have places to be themselves and spend time with one another,” Riches said.
Along with improving physical spaces, the school hopes that the rebuild will further strengthen Pinewood’s community. One way that Pinewood aims to accomplish this is by adding 75 new high school students to Upper Campus. This will result in each grade growing by around 18 students.
Kulbieda noted that the construction process itself will help students become more comfortable with change.
“Often people will anticipate a build with anxiety,
‘Yes, dear.’ Now, every time he has that conversation with his 10th grade class and I’m walking by, he calls me in to answer his question. It’s our running joke.”
Eivers has had a huge impact on his students throughout his 25 years at Pinewood, and he says he will miss it dearly.
“Pinewood is my family and community,” Eivers said. “I basically grew up here and met a bunch of amazing people who helped me develop professionally and personally.”
Eivers has too many memories to count from his decades teaching at the school.
“My highlights come from traveling internationally and watching students perform in some of the most beautiful places in the world,” Eivers said. “The Vatican was a very special trip for me because our students sang in St. Peter’s Basilica around New Year’s, and then the next morning listened to the Pope give his New Year’s Day message. Seeing so many people in the same place be passionate about something was an amazing experience.”
Eivers said he will miss everyone, especially the students.
“The department can do the minimum and still get paid, but we’re willing to go the extra mile and make performing arts the best we can for the students,” Eivers said. “I do this every day so they can get their shine and experience that feeling of accomplishment.”
Scott Riches, President and Head of Pinewood School, said that both of them will be missed.
“The Pinewood community will deeply miss Doug Eivers as he begins a new adventure in Texas and David Wells as he enjoys his next chapter in retirement,” Riches said. “These two have had a profound impact on our students for many years. We can’t thank them enough for all that they have done for the school.”
and they forget about all of the neat stuff that will come with it,” Kulbieda said. “This renovation will give students an experience that will help them become more resilient and open minded.”
With the renovation comes the chance that classes will take place in different locations. However, Kulbieda mentioned that possible challenges, such as the need to switch classrooms or move off campus for periods of time during the rebuild, won’t negatively affect academics.
“It’s very important to us that the students have places to be themselves.”
“The renovations won’t have an impact in the classroom,” Kulbieda said. “Our curriculum will still be as strong as it is, with the only difference being the physical locations.”
Both Riches and Kulbieda are looking forward to the renovation, the expanded course offerings, and the community growth that it will bring to Pinewood.
“This is one of the most transformational times in the school’s history, other than the founding,” Riches said. “It’s very exciting, and we’re all looking forward to it.”
Photo by NOX BRADLEY
DAVID WELLS , English teacher, to depart from Pinewood after 17 years.
DOUG EIVERS , Theater teacher, to leave after 25 years.
Photo by NOX BRADLEY
A Fawned Goodbye to the Theater Seniors
Dear Seniors,
What a run we’ve had together. From “Mr. Burns” to “Alice by Heart,” it’s been such a pleasure to perform by your side or hang out backstage (I love the tech crew!). Although our time together is coming to an end, I want to reflect on the years I’ve spent with you all.
Marley Thornson, my little butterfly! The first time I had the pleasure of performing with you was in “Argonautika,” and what a joy it was! I’ve loved getting to know you, especially this past year in the rock climbing club and in New York. Thank you for letting me walk on your back in “Alice by Heart” (it’s my favorite part of the show). I’m so sad to see you graduate, but just know that you will forever be my little butterfly, and that song will always remind me of you.
Sophia Ellis, you are so talented, sweet, kind, and one of the most helpful people I know. You have such a big heart and never fail to show up for people and assist when needed. I’ve had the pleasure of working with you in Women’s Chorus and “Mr. Burns” my freshman year. You have the most beautiful voice, and I love watching you perform on stage or nail a solo in choir. I’m so excited for you to continue pursuing musical theatre in college, and I can’t wait to see you on stage again!
Arjun Ari, performing on stage and getting to know you off stage has been such a joy. You are one of the funniest people I know, and you never fail to make me laugh, whether it’s because you’re nailing the Duchess scene in “Alice by Heart” or searching for the hidden Mickeys. Disneyland was so much fun with you, especially going on the Grizzly ride at night and eating the birria grilled cheese.
Mia Gustavson, you are just talented beyond words. It amazes me how much you are capable of, from rock climbing to singing the most gorgeous and smoothest riffs I’ve ever heard. I’ve been so lucky to have someone like you to perform with, and I will never forget playing your mother in “Mr. Burns” or being a figment of your imagination in Matilda. Our holiday choir project was probably one of my favorite projects I’ve ever done, and I can’t even begin to fathom what next year will be like without you.
Caroline Blotter, my sweet Caroline! Honestly, I wouldn’t have survived three years of soccer without you, our goalie. Being in Pinewood Singers and the musical has been so much fun because you bring me tons of joy, and our backstage moments are so fun. It was so thrilling going to hell and back with you at Disneyland. I look forward to seeing your college journey! Thank you so much to all of the seniors who have been a part of my Pinewood Performing Arts experience from choir to theatre. I’m so grateful to have performed with each of you, and your presence will be missed greatly next year.
Sonnets and Shakespeare Cakes: Pinewood Celebrates Bard Day
CLAIRE WU Staff Writer
Who was the inventor of words like “swindled,” “suave,” “bamboozled,” and “loneliness”? Who lived so mysteriously that his appearance has never been captured in a verifiably accurate portrait? Whose face was plastered on an uncannily large sheet cake during Bard Day at Upper Campus on April 25? None other than England’s national poet, the Bard of Avon, and arguably the greatest writer in the English language—William Shakespeare.
Even though Shakespeare died more than 400 years ago, the esteemed bard is still commemorated annually on his birth and death date, April 23. Pinewood’s own variation of the celebration took place two days later and featured Renaissance attire, Shakespearean insults and compliments, sonnet battles, and Shakespeare trivia.
Junior Esha Joshi, one of the sonnet duelists who walked away with a $10 Starbucks gift card for her performance, shared that her love for Shakespeare propelled her to perform during the celebration.
to appreciate Shakespeare’s literary works, other students see the day as an opportunity to channel their creativity into sartorial elements.
“I’ve always liked to express myself through my clothing,” sophomore Elizabeth Liang, who wore a Renaissance-themed outfit, said.
Senior Marley Thornson dressed up as Ophelia from Hamlet, complete with a bouquet of stargazer lilies. The inspiration for her costume came from an article she read about the portrayal of Ophelia and how the character impacted public perception and diagnoses of female insanity.
“He has so many beautiful images in his poetry and plays, and he’s just so fun to read because he talks about a lot of timeless themes, and you can take the opportunity to express those in a different way than you normally would,” Joshi said.
The sonnet Joshi performed was Sonnet 55, a poem about the permanence of love.
“While I was performing, I was thinking, ‘Oh my god, is that actually a word?’” Joshi said.
While some students think of Bard Day as an occasion
“Ophelia typically is in a lighter colored dress; it’s often compared to a wedding dress, and it symbolizes light or purity,” Thornson said. “But this one really famous actress wore a black dress, and it was like a whole different kind of Ophelia.”
English teacher Sabrina Strand, the self-appointed “cake guard,” explained why celebrating Shakespeare four centuries after his death is important.
“He just has had such a big impact on culture,” Strand said. “He created such important words for the human experience, so we pay homage to this man who made tales that live with us forever.”
Whether it be delivering sonnets, dressing up in Shakespearean garb, or gorging oneself with funfetti cake, this tradition and its many activities are well-loved by students.
“So festive, man,” senior Mia Gustavson, a veteran attendee of six Bard Days over the years, said. “It’s like a Renaissance Fair, but at Pinewood.”
From Pinewood to West Point: Bill Long Heads to Military Academy
RIYA KOLAPPA Staff Writer
Have you ever thought about what it might be like to leave everything you’ve ever known and fly halfway across the country for military training? Senior Bill Long certainly has. In a couple months, he will travel to New York to attend U.S. Military Academy West Point, where he plans on majoring in aerospace engineering while taking part in the school’s traditional military training.
This idea first struck Long when he went to a summer camp called “Army Navy Academy.” This nophone camp consisted of two weeks of working out, studying, and surfing, giving Long insight into the military experience.
“Those two weeks felt like half a year to me because there was nothing to distract us, and all of us were facing the challenges together,” Long said. “It was a lot of fun.”
itary service, he believes West Point is the perfect path for him.
“When I was younger, I wanted to be an explorer to sail the seven seas and do all that stuff, but there's not much left to explore on Earth,” Long said.
One of Long’s motivating factors to attend a military academy was his desire to push himself to try something out-of-the-ordinary, a career his family members have never explored.
“I always wanted to get out of my shell and do something that I've never done before, especially since I live in the Bay Area bubble, and it's kind of just the same thing over and over,” Long said.
In the future, Long hopes to become an astronaut. Since most astronauts have historically come from mil-
Striving toward a mindset of pushing students to their limits, West Point prides itself in its intense programs.
“They have this funny saying where they want you to spend 50% of your time on academics, 50% of your time on physical stuff, 50% of your time on developing a character," Long said. "And for sleep, you just gotta figure that out yourself.”
As high school comes to a close, Long looks forward to immersing himself in the West Point culture this summer.
“I'm going to boot camp on June 29, and I’m gonna shave my head off, and we're gonna do six weeks of just pain and torture,” Long said.
Although Long’s plan to attend West Point Academy is set now, it wasn’t an easy decision, as his parents had more traditional college plans for him in mind. However, Long knew the conventional path wasn't right for him and stayed persistent on following his dream.
“I want to do it my way, and I want to take an adventurous path to do stuff that I'm not comfortable doing and kind of grow into myself a little more,” Long said.
Through the Green and Gold Gates: Gabby’s Reflection of Her Pinewood Journey
GABBY YANG Staff Editor
To My Freshman Self, Aug. 16, 2021. 1,361 days ago. Your first day of high school.
Mom drove you through the clanky black gates. As you got out of the car, she said the same, “Have a good first day of school” that you had heard for the past 10 years. Despite the familiar phrase, I know you felt different. Alone. All of your best friends were going to a different school. On top of that, a 10-minute commute turned into 45. It was as if a hurricane swept away everything you once knew, leaving behind only freshman fears.
Freshman physics. The non-stop word problems were a nightmare for you, and seating charts emerged as your worst enemy. You were assigned to a table with five girls, and you didn’t know any of them. Your shy and quiet self refused to say a word as your hands trembled at the sight of unknown and new people. The following day, a lab was assigned, and you finally spoke, and you even laughed. Little did you know that these five people, who created a group chat called “Asian Sensations,” would stick with you throughout all of high school.
picked up the camera to outsmart time, trying desperately to cling to the past or jump to the future, hoping to skip the present entirely. Ever since your discovery of a camera, you’ve also had a knack for experimentation and chemistry labs, often combining the two together. That’s when you fully understood the true meaning of the phrase: “When one door closes, another opens.”
break when everyone else around you advised against it. Sometimes, you have to tune out all the noise around you to maintain your sense of self and experience the extraordinary.
Flashing forward to senior night. You’ve been waiting for this moment for a long time. After two surgeries, seven ankle sprains, a torn plantar fascia, and too many sprained fingers to count, it’s your night, and you’re alongside your four fellow seniors.
Skipping ahead to sophomore year; You discovered your passion for chemistry and art, which is what you’ll be studying in college! You explored both of these while suffering from an inexplicable amount of pain on the court, and you soon realized your hopes of playing college basketball were shattered. As a result, you first
The
CHRISTINA TANASE Staff Editor
“Do
The infamous junior year. You always heard myths about it. They were true. Thirty-eight college tours. Signing up for the SATs. All honors and AP classes. Learning to drive. Constant migraines due to stress. Extreme focus on extracurriculars. Four hours of sleep every night. Despite all this, you chose to go to Costa Rica with Pinewood as the only junior during spring
The stands are completely packed, and it’s the fourth quarter. When you see the ball swish through the net, the crowd erupts for you, and a huge smile appears across your face. You should’ve heard the entire school chanting “Yang Bang.” It was more than you could’ve pictured in your head. It meant everything.
After the game, you gave your senior speech to the team, expressing your gratitude for everyone who made your time at Pinewood so transformative. You would be proud to know that you are far from alone, unlike day one. Although it’s not over yet, in your heart, you know that this special chapter at Pinewood is nearly ending.
In just 21 days, you’ll be driving out of those green and gold gates, onto the next chapter and away from the cozy and comfortable confines of what you now call home.
As you reflect on these past four years, your goal for the future is to live your life in the present more often, lip sync like Beyoncé whenever given the opportunity, and take it all in.
Love,
My Senior Self
Not Disturb” Epidemic
Think you can DND me? Get over yourself
“Notify anyway” are the words printed on the screen in front of me. A slight grin appears on my face before I passionately smash that button.
“Did you just ‘notify anyway’ me?” I immediately hear back from my reasonably annoyed friend.
Yes. Yes I did.
Who do you think you are? A celebrity? The President of the United States? The manager at In-N-Out on a Friday night?
Whatever the reason. I don’t care. You will see my text.
The fact is that there has been a gross misconception of the meaning of “DND.” For years the acronym has been interpreted as “Do Not Disturb.” Well, I’m here to clarify that it stands for “Do Not Deny (me attention).” If I’m given the option to disturb, I will be disturbing. Something worse than denying me attention completely is deciding that you’ve given me enough. When I’m in a heated conversation with my friend and mid-conversation, they turn on DND. You might as well just run me over with your car, and when I get up to tell you to take me off DND, run me over again. Good thing I never take anything personally, or else I would seriously crash out. Hey, don’t get me wrong. I think it’s admirable that
the teens of this generation are taking a step towards being less reliant on their devices. But blatantly ignoring the ones you love (me) is not the antidote to your addiction. I’m not insensitive. In fact, I’m very sensi-
tive. I’m very sensitive to the fact that you may have a million reasons to silence me.
Maybe you want to save all your notifications for later and reward yourself with a little sweet treat after finishing your work. Valid.
But let’s not forget all those times you’ve excitedly
unclicked Do Not Disturb to see who hit you up and to your disappointment, you have no notifications. None. Maybe you don’t like to see your notifications. That, I get. But what notifications are you hiding from? Schoology? Gmail? Your ex who never texted you back (it’s been six months, c’mon)? Or if you are one of those people who are on Do Not Disturb constantly, yet you respond to my text in an instant. What is wrong with you? Seriously. You desperately attempt to appear mysterious and off-the-grid, but you clearly check your notifications every second. Save yourself the embarrassment and just turn it off. Or maybe you’re truly one of those few who locked eyes with Dino Ambrosi, renowned for helping teens build a healthier relationship with their devices, during the assembly and felt deeply moved at the fact that one-third of your life is spent on your phone. In that case, kudos to you. But I know you deleted the Clearspace app a couple weeks after the assembly. You know who you are. I won’t name names.
I guess what I’m trying to say is: what am I truly disturbing? Your six-hour nap? You scrolling on TikTok for eight hours? Your feeble attempts at trying to reach a new high score on Block Blast? If you’re not driving, studying, or at a movie, I never want to see that stupid, little blue moon. Ever. Again.
Photo illustration by GABBY YANG
COLLAGE of Gabby’s favorite experiences at Pinewood
Illustration by MALAIKA BOROS
Farewell to Robotics Leaders Saying Goodbye to Culinary Collective’s Seniors
DAVIN TERNUS Staff Writer
Pinewood Robotics has been thriving under the leadership of the Class of 2025’s seniors for the past school year. The program has grown considerably while they have been in charge, and the effects of this growth will remain for years to come. As seniors Leo Shang, Jared Bowman, and Julianne Ting prepare to leave the program, their leadership and presence will be sorely missed. Despite their departure, excitement is strong within the club for the next season and those after.
Shang joined robotics during his sophomore year, finding the engineering aspects of the club appealing. Over time, Shang learned about the engineering process, including the cycle of prototyping and building as well as the teamwork required to make a successful product in a given timeframe.
“It’s one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve had,” Shang said.
Shang largely contributed to the hardware side of the team. He invested hundreds of hours into the program, making the concepts for multiple critical mechanisms by finding clever and unique solutions to the problems he was presented with.
Bowman joined the club in his freshman year, first discovering robotics at Middle Campus during a presentation of that year’s robot. When Bowman made it to high school, he joined the program.
“It’s really great to be able to work with other people who are committed to the club,” Bowman said.
Bowman was extremely dedicated and spent countless hours working on both the hardware and software aspects of the team. Notably, he built the foundation of their software, including the code for the swerve drive of the robot.
Ting joined in her freshman year after the club fair. Knowing little about robotics, she saw it as the perfect opportunity to learn. Ting worked on hardware as well as management and planning. During her time leading the club’s logistics, she improved communication, project management, and problem solving.
“I like being able to collaborate,” Ting said. “I like being in a leadership role. I like passing down my knowledge to underclassmen, because I found these things generally very useful.”
Ting’s work on the logistical side of robotics, although challenging, was critical to the success of the program.
Outside of their importance in the mechanics of the team, the three captains contributed massively to the warm and supportive atmosphere of the club.
“A highlight of my time mentoring is teaching all of them and having the chance to work with them,” Andrew Zerbe, a mentor of the club said.
RYAN CHOU Staff Writer
Pinewood got a tasty new addition to their club offerings this year when seniors Trevor Chin and Jacob Young helped junior founder Kyle Ma launch the Culinary Collective. The cooking club hosts weekly meetings during lunch, where members, including myself, get the unique opportunity to cook a wide array of dishes, learn essential cooking skills, and enjoy homemade food.
I became friends with Chin and Young through the Culinary Collective, and they inspired me to try different cooking techniques and recipes at home. Before they graduate, I asked them to reflect on their experiences with the new club.
“ We made the Culinary Collective to share the passion of creation with people specifically to cook, to learn and to make new things, and mostly as enjoyment,” Chin, founder and logistics manager of the club, said.
cooking is a good skill to know because you can make healthier meals.”
Each club meeting incorporates lessons and demonstrations with an emphasis on food safety.
“One of the things we get to teach people is they have to be really careful because you don’t want to cross-contaminate raw meats with vegetables,” Young said. “ We also wanted to teach people some basic cooking skills like cutting: how to properly cut certain vegetables and what side of the knife to use.”
Some popular dishes that were prepared this year include lamb skewers, fried rice, and cupcakes. Although Chin and Young will be graduating soon, they hope that the club will continue with an expansion of recipes.
On a personal level, Young’s involvement in the Culinary Collective taught him how to be a stronger leader.
Photo by SEAN SIRHAN
Young, the treasurer of the Culinary Collective, enjoys the creative aspects of cooking and believes it is a useful skill to share with the Pinewood community.
“ I think cooking food is very satisfying — to make raw ingredients look pretty nice and taste good,” Young said. “ A lot of us here don’t necessarily cook, and
“ I learned some more soft skills, like teaching people how to lead,” Young said. “One thing about leadership is you always have to be concise, but you also have to put in enough details.”
Chin also appreciated seeing others enjoy cooking.
“ Feeding people is just nice to do, and seeing people enjoy that, having fun, and being able to learn how to make it themselves is just rewarding in itself,” Chin said.
Christine Tran Wins Fellowship Award for Teaching Computer Science
ZACHARY CHOI Staff Writer
Last month, Upper Campus computer science teacher Christine Tran received the Sarah D. Barder Fellowship Award for her work in teaching computer science to students over the past 20 years. It was created by Johns Hopkins University’s Center for Talented Youth, a program designed to provide challenging courses to gifted students. The award is given to 10 applicants selected from a pool of teachers who have been nominated by CTY participants.
“This program recognizes teachers who discover and keep talented youth engaged and interested in whatever they want to pursue,” Tran said.
Tran was surprised when she was nominated by junior Soha Budhani. The nomination, which included an essay written by Budhani, inspired Tran to complete the rest of the application without any expectations of winning.
“It’s not just you checking the box,” Tran said. “I felt I had to complete my application because…my student took time and effort to write the essay and to nominate me.”
have received the award can take advantage of professional development opportunities and learn from other like-minded instructors.
Once a fellow, a teacher is invited to attend the conference for life. After initially flying to Las Vegas to receive the award, Tran said she is most excited for the chance to meet and learn from similar teachers at the conference.
For Budhani, Tran’s nomination was a reflection of how gifted she is as a teacher.
“Tran truly understands her students—not just how we learn, but who we are as people,” Budhani said. “She finds the perfect balance between kindness and humor with a strength that commands respect.”
Winning this award has opened new doors for Tran, with her receiving an invite to the annual Sarah D. Barder Conference. There, fellows or teachers who
“For me, it was all about the community of teachers and working together with them,” Tran said. “I’m most excited about meeting other teachers… and…teachers that teach different things.”
Tran would like to credit her students for working their hardest in her classes and pushing her to teach more.
“I’ll thank my kids and my students because they try to push themselves,” Tran said. “They recognize that they want more.”
Inspired by her award, Tran wants to develop a more creative and unconventional computer science curriculum at Pinewood.
“I want a class that attracts students with more design intuition,” Tran said. “Not only designing fashion or clothing that you wear, but also with the electronic and code computing component in it.”
Above all, Tran hopes to make her computer science classes more accessible to non-STEM students.
“I want to attract students who are not just STEM focused, but creative art focused, creative problem solving, girls, and people who think that coding is hard,” Tran said.
YOUNG AND CHIN cook on the Murphy Patio.
Photo by ROSE XU TRAN with her fellowship award.
Photo by SAM JEZAK
BOWMAN prepares a robot for testing.
A Teary Goodbye to The Perennial’s Senior Editors
Jolyn Ding
When people look up the definition of well-rounded, they’re met with two words: Jolyn Ding. I’ve known Jo since my freshman year when we were both sports writers together. Over the past three years, she has become nearly perfect in every aspect: a star basketball player, The Perennial’s editor-in-chief, an unbelievable student, and bound for a top-five undergraduate business program in the U.S. However, behind her amazing academic and athletic record lies an even greater person. Over the past month, she has diligently organized the grade-wide “Senior Assassin” competition, which is not an easy task at all when eliminated participants are complaining to her every second of the day. While her ability to put up with whining seniors is impressive, I’m most grateful for Jo because of her willingness to help others. Over the past two years, I have stretched her capacity for selflessness to the absolute maximum through constant texts and calls asking about interviews and article ideas. She could have easily told me to figure it out, but her support has led to some great articles (we spent hours editing my 2024 April Fool’s article about Sara Dorset) and my appointment as Sports Editor next year. Jo, thank you for everything you’ve done for me and The Perennial; NYU isn’t ready for DINGALING. - Jake Reynders
Prisha Mohapatra
Prisha, I truly have no idea what I would have done this year without you. Your perfectly-timed humor coupled with your steady leadership has guided me not only through journalism but through my high school experience. Thank you for always being there for me, whether it was a late-night call where I would pester you for copy editing help or letting me drink your coffee on those early mornings studying for a Calculus test. Your perseverance and courage have inspired me countless times, and you embody the leader I strive to be. From watching you on stage as SLC secretary to serving with you on ASB this year, you have been the model of a leader and a friend that the world will value highly. I’ll never understand your fascination with country music, but I’ll always love how you made every experience I’ve shared with you one that I’ll remember for years, whether it was climbing a mountain or diving in the ocean. I can’t count the times your ceaseless optimism has pulled me out of a rut and your good-natured criticism has pulled me back on track. You are unbelievably determined, loving, and incredible, and I can’t put into words how much I’ll miss you next year. Thank you for being the best older sister I never had, and good luck at whatever life brings you. I know you’ll crush it. - Dhruv Gupta
Abigail Kamenetsky
Abby, I’ve had the pleasure of being your writer for two years: last year as a wide-eyed, enthusiastic opinion writer and this year writing for editorial. To me, you’ve been a safe haven and voice of reason in journalism, even when copy editing 14 articles each month felt too challenging and layout seemed too overwhelming. Thank you (and your inbox) for putting up with the million times I “mentioned” you in a Google Docs comment for a copy-editing question. As my editor, you always pushed me to interview more people, focusing my writing through a Pinewood-centric lens. You were actually the person who encouraged me to apply for an editor position last year; I am incredibly grateful for the support you showed me, despite being a new writer. Outside of journalism, you play the role of “cool older sister” to anyone who is lucky enough to know you; I’ll never forget how you debriefed me on every single book in our English department and offered your vehemently passionate opinions, whether it was starry-eyed acclaim or deep-seated loathing. Being
the editor of the editors, you are truly the backbone of The Perennial. I wish you amazing things at UChicago, and please come visit next year! - Alisha Ramani
Annabelle Eaton
Annabelle, although I’ve never had you as my editor, I have seen the light you bring to The Perennial staff. Your selflessness shines through in your work — in both my interactions with you and how I see you care for each one of your own writers. Next year will not be the same without you, but I will forever cherish every laugh with you, every conversation about “The Sound and the Fury,” every time we use Australian accents together, every poem you taught me, every piece of advice you give me, and every opera song you continue to impress me with. I am so eternally grateful for the connection we have built, especially through volleyball — from celebrating each other’s kills to helping each other get through tough times on the court, I know I can always turn to you as my supportive older sister I never had. I know you will do great things in the world, and I am so grateful to have been a part of your journey. Wishing you the best of luck as you continue that journey at Brown!
- Mailey Wang
Violet Negrette
My first impression of Violet was AP Lang last semester when she raised her hand to offer her opinion on “The Right Stuff” by Tom Wolfe. “Wolfe’s description of John Glenn allows for an ethereal and angelic image that places Glenn on a pedestal above the rest of American society.” I remember looking to my left and giving her the biggest side eye because that was honestly the nerdiest statement I’ve heard in a Pinewood classroom. Since then, I’ve gotten to know Violet for who she really is — a hard-working student who can always make you laugh. Whether she is complaining to Sara Dorset about the impossibility of solving antiderivatives or telling me how bad my cyanotype is in art class, her energy never fails to bring a good time. While I appreciate the countless pieces of advice you have provided me about college applications and senior year classes, it is time to look ahead to a new chapter at Stanford. Although I won’t miss the constant jabs at my artwork, I’m extremely grateful for your guidance, Violet. I, along with the rest of the Perennial editors, am proud of all that you’ve accomplished. Good luck! - Jake Reynders
Michael Shtrom
Michael, I know journalistic writing is meant to be direct and unbiased, but I can’t read a single piece of your writing without feeling your personality shine through. Seriously, your eccentric humor is as unforgettable as it is impactful, giving the editorial squad, your writers, and the entire Pinewood community a boost of positive energy. Your pieces are as colorful as you are, and your juicy gossip, silly jokes, and beautiful karaoke performances will be severely missed during our otherwise interminable layout sessions. The best part of every month this year has been watching you sing your favorite songs, interrupting our usual routine to remind us that the close community we’re building more than makes up for our hard work. I hope you have a ton of fun in the real world, but not too much without us!
as both a writer and an editor, helping me grow as a journalist and exemplifying exactly the kind of person I want to be for my writers going forward. I also want you to know how grateful I am for your confidence. Whenever you have an idea you’re passionate about, you fight to make it happen while simultaneously maintaining an open mind. That kind of frankness is what keeps journalism alive. The faith that you have in yourself is admirable and infectious, setting an example for my introverted self and the rest of The Perennial staff. We’re going to miss you so much next year, but I know you’ll fit in super well in New York—a cool city fit for a cool person! - Katie Maier
Kathleen Xie
Kathleen, I had the pleasure of being your Features writer sophomore year, and I am so grateful for your guidance in helping me grow as a writer. Thank you for pouring your heart into all your writers and their articles; you truly left a positive impact on so many. Once I became an editor myself, I was and continue to be inspired by the editor you once were for me. From you, I learned EVERYTHING, from how to be the best editor for my writers to how to leave helpful comments on articles, truly strengthening their writing. I admire your genuine care for your writers and for The Perennial; the level of passion you hold for journalism and everything you do is so rare but so valuable. Although you won’t be here next year, your spirit will still stand strong in all the writers you’ve helped grow, including me. You are on a path towards greatness, Kathleen. We will all miss you next year, but we wish you the best at Stanford! - Mailey Wang
Rose Xu
Rose, looking through your past photos, your passion, creativity, personality, and humor are incredibly evident. Your satirical pieces are the most notable; I just can’t get over how you photoshopped Raghav punching Travis Kelce. Even outside of journalism, I admire your amazing work in AP art, where you’ve master all facets of artistic expression. Cameras hate to see me coming, so I wish I had just half the photography skills you have. Thank you for also scrambling to take last-minute photos during layout sessions; you always make sure that the visuals are super high-quality even with time constraints. We’re so grateful for you and everything you’ve done for us, and I truly wish you the best in this next chapter of your life!
Gabby Yang
- Lara Parikh
- Katie Maier
Christina Tanase
Christina, I have about a million things to thank you for, starting with your unending patience. On top of balancing basketball, journalism, and classwork, you have also had to deal with my pestering for two years in a row. Your support has meant the world to me
Gabby, bonding over trauma from AP Chemistry, stifling laughs during art, and thinking about when the food will come while watching home games are memories that I will never forget. Thank you. Not only have you been a great friend, but you’ve been an amazing photography editor. I seriously loved your photo for the sleep experiment article; it was everything I could have hoped for. You always take the most creative angle, yielding photos unlike no other. They unfailingly communicate the story in the article and are extremely visually appealing. Your attention to detail is not only apparent in your photography, but also in your creative, detailed, and appealing pieces in AP Art. As a photo editor, student council representative, AP student, and varsity basketball player, I truly admire your well-roundedness, drive, and perseverance. You inspire me to do my best and be my best, so thank you. This past year you’ve also endowed me with college advice that I will forever be thankful for. I’m so grateful to have gotten to know you, and I hope you know how privileged UCLA is to have you. Thank you for everything!
- Lara Parikh
The Perennial Welcomes New Editorial Staff
As another school year comes to a close, The Perennial is looking forward to starting the next year strong. With a new editorial staff rising into leadership, the 2025-26 team brings a mix of experience and new ideas.
Leading The Perennial will be incoming Editors-in-Chief, sophomore Kaitlyn Maier and junior Mailey Wang. The two are returning staff members who pride themselves on being detail-oriented, driven, and creative. Maier served as a News editor and is focused on the details of writers’ articles and bringing out writers’ full potential.
“I think that when you’re editing, you really need to pay attention to the details,” Maier said. “It’s also important to note that sometimes you might give a comment to a writer that isn’t necessarily what they wanted or the direction they wanted their article to go.”
Wang is known for her dedication to the program and passion for being a journalist. From being a Sports editor, she has gained the experience and knowledge to extend The Perennial’s reach even further throughout Pinewood.
“I think the most rewarding thing is also seeing that growth from everybody, not just in my section, but across the paper as well,” Ding said.
The new section editors are just as motivated to take the lead. Junior Dhruv Gupta and sophomore Alisha Ramani will head The Perennial’s News section, which covers important events on campus. Sophomore Claire Wu is the new Features Editor, junior Jake Reynders is the new Sports editor, junior Addison Parenti is the new Opinion editor, junior Esha Joshi is the new Arts and Culture editor, junior Braxton Kimura is the new Science and Tech editor, and junior Lara Parikh is the new Editorial Manager. Sophomores Tiffany Au and Kayden Ge will also join the editorial staff as copy editors.
“I love everything about journalism at Pinewood, so I wanted to be in a position to lead it,” Wang said. “I am so excited to be able to help new writers and guide them to find a passion for journalism as strong as my own.”
Together, the new editors-in-chief hope to create a program where writers of all levels can collaborate, take ownership, and dig deeper into stories.
Their leadership follows in the footsteps of seniors Jolyn Ding and Prisha Mohapatra, who helped guide The Perennial through a year full of exciting changes. Ding describes her past year as Editor-in-Chief as extremely gratifying.
Kimura is eager to take on the new challenges of being an editor, such as going to layout and helping writers produce quality work.
“Stepping into an editor position feels like the natural next step for me; to not only keep writing, but to help others find their voice, too,” Kimura said.
For the visual department of the editorial staff, juniors Billy Lloyd and Avery Hall will take charge, while sophomore Elizabeth Liang returns as The Perennial’s Illustration Manager. Finally, junior Riya Kolappa will be spearheading a new position focused on the newspaper’s website and social media outreach.
With the mentorship of advisers Sam Jezak and Kim Wetzel, the editors hope to invest more time and effort into training the new writers to write the best articles they possibly can.
“I wish to keep The Perennial a very diverse publication because we have so many different sections,” Maier said. “We have so many different writers with different levels of experience and different interests.”
Celebrating Seniors Studying STEM
Recently, there has been a notable rise in the number of Pinewood students gravitating towards STEM majors. While STEM occupations are often associated with higher salaries and job market demand, most choosing this field aim to use their passion in STEM to help people. This goal aligns with many Pinewood seniors pursuing STEM majors as well.
Senior Christina Tanase plans to major in nursing at New York University at the Rory Meyers College of Nursing, one of the highest-ranking nursing programs in the nation. The program is known for its hands-on approach, preparing its students for high-stress environments.
Tanase first discovered her interest in nursing during her sophomore year.
“There’s really nothing like nursing out there,” Tanase said. “The versatility of this job and being there for people during their most vulnerable moments are really important to me.”
ton said. “[High school chemistry teacher Sarah] Prestwood helped me realize that chemistry could be used in so many ways.”
To expand her knowledge on this subject, Eaton also participated in two summer opportunities throughout high school. She worked in a lab at University of California, Santa Cruz and attended the Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program, both of which solidified her passion for chemistry.
While senior James Chang is currently undecided, he plans to major in either mathematical economics at the College of Arts and Sciences or digital media design at the School of Engineering at the University of Pennsylvania.
On the other hand, senior Annabelle Eaton intends to study chemical engineering at Brown University, where the Open Curriculum offers students more freedom to explore their interests before completely committing to a field.
Eaton’s interest in chemical engineering was largely influenced by her experiences at Pinewood.
“Taking chemistry at Pinewood was pretty difficult, but being able to succeed with that pressure made me realize how intricate and complex this subject was,” Ea-
Chang’s interest in digital media design stemmed from creating his own video games during his junior year.
“I mostly explored my interests during my own time and learned using tutorials,” Chang said.
Chang also attended the TeenArch program at University of California, Los Angeles and the National High School Game Academy program at Carnegie Mellon University, which allowed him to further develop this interest.
Driven by their passion and dedication, Tanase, Eaton, and Chang will leave a lasting impact on both the Pinewood community and others, regardless of their future career paths.
“Pinewood encouraged me to go for my dreams, and even though the nursing program I was admitted to was very competitive, no one told me I couldn’t do it,” Tanase said.
Pinewood’s New Robotics Space: Embracing Engineering
LUCAS GUAN Staff Writer
Pinewood School is opening a new off-campus facility for its Upper Campus Robotics Program. The 6,000-square-foot space is dedicated to design, fabrication, assembly, testing, and practice as part of the school’s ongoing expansion of its engineering and computer science programs. The Pinewood Engineering Aid and Robotics Lab (PEARL), located in Palo Alto near the Pinewood Activities Center, will replace the robotics team’s former workspace in the physics classroom, offering a specialized workspace tailored to their needs.
Due to space limitations in the physics classroom, the robotics team was previously unable to set up a regulation competition field; the new PEARL facility now makes that possible. This additional space not only allows for full practice setups, but it also supports more effective collaboration during the build season.
“PEARL provides more space for drive practice, which is one thing that we desperately needed this robotics season,” senior and robotics hardware lead Leo Shang said. “It makes it easier to coordinate software and hardware together.”
In recent years, Pinewood has been actively expanding their STEM curriculum, with more robotics courses and classes being introduced at a young age. Programs such as the KIBO Robotics Club based around KIBO robots and VEX GO at Lower Campus, along with LEGO Spike and VEX IQ platforms at Middle Campus, have helped spark early interest in engineering and programming. That early momentum has continued into Upper Campus, as Robotics Program Manager Will Rees reports significant growth in student involvement.
“In the past couple of years, Robotics has grown from a couple students to around 18 members,” Rees said. “There’s a lot more student interest in robotics, and so it evolved from a casual after school club to a serious program.”
Pinewood’s robotics program continues to expand, now including two junior high teams in Botball (a hands-on robotics competition where students build and program autonomous robots) and entry-level robotics education starting in kindergarten. PEARL marks a major milestone in preparing students not only for competition but for future careers in STEM.
“We are proud of the innovative, hands-on learning experiences we offer students at Pinewood,” Pinewood President and Head of School Scott Riches said. “The new PEARL facility will be a key resource in supporting our growing robotics program.”
