GEOPRISM8.1Display

A Global Studies Journal

Caption contest illustration by Anna Ciccozzi

We welcome fish to our bowl Caption Contest

We know that international students may have trouble completely settling in and feeling comfortable like they would at home. They often feel anxious to move into a dorm in a completely different country with completely different people.

Studying abroad far from home is a life-changing experience. Along with the benefits of studying in the U.S., international students may develop a phenomenon known as “culture shock.”

Culture shock is a term used to describe the psychological and emotional discomfort experienced when individuals are exposed to a markedly different culture. International students coming to the U.S. face many differences in language, customs and social norms.

Whether 4,000 miles from home in Siberia, Russia or 7,300 miles away from home in China, international NCS students have the ability to call Roanoke their new home.

Canadian born Carter Smith ‘25 from Vancouver, Canada, said, “I’d say it took me about two weeks to get used to NCS; just making friends and finding my group of people. For me, personally, NCS has been very welcoming. Everyone has been nice to me, asking me questions about where I’m from and everything when I came. Especially Mrs. Wenk, who has really been uplifting and encouraging of school spirit.”

“I maybe became comfortable in a month and a half,” said Nicolas Cobas Gomez ‘26. “I began to speak to more English students and got better at English,” when asked about his settlement in the U.S. “I’d say a culture shock was not a huge problem because I had other Spanish students with me to talk.”

For some, branching and out meeting new people isn’t a struggle. For Smith, it was simple to make new friends at a new school. The friendly environment at NCS was a contributing factor, as students and teachers were curious and excited to meet him.

Adapting to a different culture may be a struggle for most students. Milica Andjelkovic ‘26 from Mladenovac, Serbia said, “It sure is a different lifestyle. It took time to adapt to weather, people, food and the way to approach people.” Andjelkovic said “I didn’t think it was too difficult moving here.”

“When I came from Serbia,” Andjelkovic said, “I’d say a culture shock was how people wear pajamas everywhere. How popcorn and drinks from places like the cinema are so oversized, too. I also noticed how cold it was indoors, because Americans have ACs everywhere.”

Aleksa Ziavnov ‘27, also from Serbia said, “a culture shock was speaking

GeoPrism

Founded in 2010 and based in the Journalism elective, The Willis Hall Herald is the official student-led publication of the Upper School at North Cross School. The Herald may be published in magazine form three or more times per year. Founded in 2017 and produced by the Herald staff, GeoPrism: A Global Studies Journal may be published in magazine form once or twice per year. The Herald welcomes letters, commentary and submissions of original content that adhere to the Herald’s dedication to factual journalism. Letters and other content must be signed and may be edited for length and Herald style. The Herald does not guarantee publication of outside submissions. Submit letters to willishallherald@northcross.org. The Herald won Gold Medals from the Columbia Scholastic Press Association in 2012 and 2015. The Herald is also a member of the National Student Press Association, whih awarded The Herald “First Class” honors in 2024.

“Finternational waters” Bob Almenas ‘25

English all of the time and the food here, of course,” he said, “Meeting my friends and the faculty helped me get comfortable.”

Arriving almost halfway through the school year, Tinaishe “Tina” Chikwata ‘26 from Zimbabwe said, “Shona was my first language, and English was my second. I knew English already.”

“No, really, I wasn’t uncomfortable,” Chikwata said.

Culture shock depends on the person and where they come from and can be overcome. International students should be welcomed and supported by the students, staff members and teachers at NCS. Different cultures are noticed here and definitely appreciated.

Colonial Ave. Roanoke, VA 24018 www.willishallherald.org Instagram: willis.hall.herald

Scenes from Lunar New Year Feast

Helping the NCS community celebrate the year of the dragon, Director of International Operations and Instructor of Chinese Nicki Dabney organized a hotpot dinner enjoyed by more than 100 students, staff, faculty, parents and guests.

BON VOYAGE: Director of International Operations Nicki Dabney organized two EF Tours trips for this summer. She will lead a group of 18 students to Japan June 4-13. Getulio Brasil will help lead 15 students to France in late June as well.

Señora Aragon de Peru

New teacher adds native language expertise to AP and upper

level Spanish classes.

By Monica Koene

Rossana Aragon never imagined leaving her home country, Peru, to come to a whole different world — and end up calling it home.

With her two sons living in the United States, Aragon and her husband felt like they needed to reunite their family, moving 3883 miles away from her house to start a new life. When Aragon arrived in the U.S. with a career already made, a bachelor’s degree from Federico Villarreal University, and a master’s from Universidad Europea del Atlántico, she found a job doing what she loved: teaching.

As the new addition to the North Cross faculty, Aragon explains that she feels really welcome and comfortable.

“The flexibility with classes, how everyone is so united, I love that we have international students,” she said. She listens to her students and tries to help them with everything she can:

gone by really fast,” she said, “and when you think about it you say ‘And what did I do these ten years?’ but I think I did many things.”

When she first came here, it was not long until she noticed one of the main differences between both Peru and the U.S: individualism. In Peru, the lifestyle is based on community and socialization, meaning everything is done together, unlike the U.S., where personal space and independence take priority.

As a nature lover, she quickly found comfort in the landscapes surrounding her house, reigniting her love for hiking. With every step and every trail bringing her closer to her roots, for Aragon, nature is more than just a hobby, it is her lifestyle.

“I notice very often that students feel unmotivated when they are struggling and I wish they could see that it’s okay.” -- Rossana Aragon

“If I could have any superpower, I’d choose to be able to give positivity to students by just extending my arms,” she said. “I notice very often that students feel unmotivated when they are struggling and I wish they could see that it’s okay.”

Aragon has been here in Roanoke for over 10 years. “The years have

“Just sitting outside makes me feel connected,” she said.

Music and dancing were also elements that linked her to her country, and that’s another difference between the two countries. There, everyone danced, sang and music was always present in her life.

Here in the states, dancing and singing are not as common.

Aragon also likes cooking, and listening to music while she does it. She is always trying new recipes.

Even though she left her country, she found a new home. “I don’t regret moving here,” she said.

Fun Fact: Lower School Director Victor Lamas led students on a global studies trip to Peru in 2017 that included community service and a visit to Machu Picchu. Image from a story in the second issue of GeoPrism.

Señora Aragon instructs her class. Photos by Monica Koene Machu Picchu 2017

Senhor Brasil é do Brasil

By Victoria Real

Getulio Brasil, a new addition to the North Cross roster, is the latest member of this great and big family, comes from Brazil, but he can be considered to be from everywhere.

‘’If my life was a movie,” Brasil said, “it would be one about moving abroad and surviving a messy travel.’’

In his heart, his native country always predominates. Although his desire was always to be a veterinarian, it was not far away because he studied Biology at Brasilia Higher Education Center, a university located in the capital of his country. Years later in the same city he began his professional career. The first institute lucky to have him was School of the Nations, where he educated boys and girls from 9th to 12th grade, teaching Physics, Chemistry and Biology.

While teaching he took the time to simultaneously study a master’s degree in science at State University of New York at Buffalo. In July of the same year, he began teaching classes in Bolivia, a country whose main language is Spanish.

Getulio knows a total of four languages, Spanish, French, Portuguese and English, these last two dominating them. In addition to his science teaching duties, he has recently contributed to the North Cross French program, specifically teaching levels 1 and 2. In Santa Cruz de la Sierra he spent three years providing 10th grade Biology students, 11th grade Chemistry students, and Bolivian seniors AP Environmental Science and AP Biology. Later, for two years he taught both Biology and Chemistry at a school in Medellin, Colombia. And for five more years he was teaching in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Then, he moved to the United States because of his wife who is American as are both of his kids. He got a green card in December last year.

Brasil teaches multiple sciences and French!

There were two things that he could do, afford to and those were the chances of becoming an American citizen or he could just go abroad like he has been doing forever. Living in many countries allows him to find quite notable differences:

“Brazilians are really good about expressing their emotions,” he said.

“And I feel like people here are a little bit more shy about that. All Latinos are very loud, and they would like to walk in and start dancing in the middle of the class, because they love to. Kind of weird, right? It was funny at the same time. So like the students here in the US, they’re very focused. They really want to learn, at least right now. It’s just the beginning of the year, might change, but I feel like the students here are very academic.’’

And now, North Cross is lucky to have him on their team. But he thinks the same, he had it very clear to him as soon as he entered through the door:

‘’North Cross stood out as a place that would be a good beginning for

me as a safe environment,” Brasil said. “I came here for a new year. I met so many people, everyone was just so happy. And I was like, I want to work at a place where everyone seems happy. It’s been great.’’

Apart from teaching and being with his family he likes rock music, Harry Potter and Crossfit, but now with a small baby, he has to put it aside a bit. As he says, his driving force is his family.

‘’Brazilians are really good about expressing their emotions,” he said.

“And I feel like people here are a little bit more shy about that.”

YABBA DABBA DO! Above, at Family Fun Night a few days before Halloween, Getulio Brasil, aka Fred Flinstone holds his 6-monthold baby Pebbles. He also has a 2-year-old Bam Bam at home. Below, Brasil sports his native country’s colors in the classroom he shares with biology teacher Mistie Dickenson on Jersey Day during Spirit Week. Photos by Victoria Real

Willis Hall says ‘salut’ to French student

By Mason Bibby

As I beckon him over amid the student commons’ daily lunch rush, Antoine Finot ‘26 happily bounds over with a smile and a “hello” with a charismatic French accent.

When I met Finot at the back-toschool pool party in late August, I was immediately struck with infectious enthusiasm and contagious energy. We quickly formed a strong bond over our numerous cultural exchanges and shared interests over topics such as UFC and North Cross’ environment. All of this culminated in my decision to travel Downtown to the dorm to not only follow up on previous conversations, but also to see my friend. A lacrosse player for three years, Finot trekked to the United States and joined us from the area surrounding Grenoble, France. He joined his team off of a Facebook account run by the president of the organization, and quickly found his love for the sport and its players burgeoning. While he is mainly here for the aforementioned sport,

he was extremely impressed with the school, the city, and their characteristic Southern charm.

“My favorite North Cross moment,” he said, signaling a look that evidenced deep thought. “I think it was just like, when I came on the first day of school and saw this whole assembly and all the classes, I was very, very, very, impressed.”

Curious to understand the circumstances of his move and the ramifications thereof, I asked Antoine how his move to the United States was, what he was looking forward to, and what he missed from France. “I think I miss food from france. Like, in France, it’s easier to have more active, like, fresher food, you know? Like fruits and vegetables, ‘pain’, bread too, baguette, croissant, all the French stuff. But here, it’s definitely safer than in France.”

Our conversations mainly revolved around his love of sports and how athletically active he is, despite reduced opportunities in France. He highlighted the importance of better collegiate opportunities in the

States, and also mentioned the fact that many talented players in France often see their abilities neglected or overlooked. “So in France,” he started, furrowing his brow“School is free, it depends, but it is usually free. Like, the problem is not the money. The problem is if you can succeed.” His passion for the sport piqued my interest, and I asked about his regard to other sports. “I’m interested in a lot of other sports in France,” he said, his eyes lit up speaking about his interests. “I practice grappling, it’s like wrestling, and I also did badminton.”

As we sat in the dorm’s game room, enjoying a game called “Intensity,” it was evident that Antoine felt very comfortable and relaxed around his friends, receiving myriad compliments (and playful jabs). “My favorite thing about Antoine,” Mercedes Hererra, ‘27, said as she moved her piece, “is definitely his sense of humor, and the French accent.”

As hours flew by, the tone of our interview slipped into a more casual manner. “What do you bring to the

table,” I asked, attempting to maintain at least some formality. “What makes Antoine Finot tick?”

Gesturing towards the table with a bit of confusion, he asked “What, like a real object or?” As we laughed, and briefly helped explain idiomatic expressions, I had a realization: he really did have a great sense of humor, ironically or not.

There is no doubt about it, Antoine Finot is a valuable asset to our school and we are more than privileged to have him as a Raider. “The school is really good,” he said, sharing final thoughts, “because all the students are kind.”

Emily Nguyen brings upbeat attitude from Vietnam

By Dara Kerman Photo by Monica Koene

Emily Nguyen comes from a small city in the south of Vietnam where she loves to play badminton with friends after school.

One of Nguyen’s favorite Vietnamese foods is pho –noodle soup.

“When I was in Vietnam,” she said, “I had Pho every morning for breakfast.”

When asked if she has any Amer ican faves yet, Nguyen replied that she hasn’t been acquainted properly with the food here yet.

At NCS, the dormitory for interna tional students such as Nguyen is in downtown Roanoke. Nguyen talked about how the dorm was one of the deciding factors for her when she was looking into North Cross. Along with the dorm, Nguyen also men tioned that her friends introduced

her to a study abroad agency, which is how she originally found out about the school. Nguyen also expressed that she loved the freedom of the dorm and that because of the dorm’s location, it makes it easier to walk around and shop in the commercial areas downtown. Another thing about dorm life is that Nguyen gets to live with another international student. Nguyen said that she loves living with Monica Koene, her roommate from Spain, and that they are comfortable around each other. While making new friends has come easily to Nguyen, saying goodbye to friends in Vietnam is not as easy.

“Of course it’s hard,” she said, “and I think it’s hard for not only me but also every overseas student to leave a place where we call home and say goodbye to our families and friends who had been together with us for

Nguyen said that the hardest thing about leaving her home is living far from

friends and family. She mentions that in her first week at North Cross she felt lonely because she “didn’t have many friends to talk with.” Though, throughout her stay here, she has felt more welcomed. Another struggle she mentioned was that she felt nervous when communicating with others because she felt that her English skills were not perfect. While she did have a few struggles, Emily stated that the school and dorm have both brought her a sense of comfort and welcoming. She said that her current favorite class is Pre-calculus and that she plans to try out some new school sports with her friends, as she said she hadn’t previously tried any in Vietnam.

Overall, Nguyen seems to be loving NCS so far. With a few struggles within the first week of school, she quickly overcame those barriers and created many new friendships. Nguyen’s journey from Vietnam to America seems to have been a rollercoaster of emotions from sad to ecstatic, and while she seems to miss friends and family from Vietnam, the new relationships that she forms at NCS will make up for those that she can no longer communicate with.

Homecoming photo by Sarah Sledd

Weng hoops from Shanghai Acebes-Latz misses Madrid

By Luke Cocowitch

Victor Acebes-Latz ‘27 pays close attention to the teacher in his first-period French class.

“Teachers in America care much more about the students,” he said, “and you can do sports in school.”

Acebes is from Madrid, Spain. He started here at North Cross in the 10th grade and fits perfectly into the North Cross community. Having two 9-year old siblings back home in Madrid, he left his home in Spain for America.

“In Spain,” he said, “I leave school at 2:00 pm every day. I can then go home, eat, and go to soccer practice at night.” When asked about what he misses about his home in Madrid, Latz responded with “I miss Madrid for a lot of

Duc Le

reasons.” He said. “I miss the vibe there and my family and friends.” “Even schools are different,.” Latz saidtated. “We start school later and

Compared to the food back in Spain, Latz said, “The food in America is gross compared to the food in Spain. We have real fish and meat and not everything has so much fat.” He also stated. “Mediterranean food is the best in the world.”

“I came to North Cross to come to America and have an American experience,.” Latz said.

So far this year, Latz has participated in the boys JV and Varsity soccer teams. He is also currently participating in the Intro to Theater class, taught by English teacher Polly Jones. He helped create the set for the Upper School play Alice in Wonderland.

plays Valorant, goes to gym

By Hanchen Ou

video games with his headphones in his room as always. He likes to play Valorant in his free time and he also likes to chat with

By Caroline Welfare

Andrew Weng ‘28 came to America for education and to be with his aunt, but misses the bright lights of the Shanghai cityscape and his family and friends.

It was relatively easy for him to adjust to student life in America, especially in classes such as Geometry, the class that he says is easiest for him.

The hardest part was getting here, he says, past all the checkpoints.

If he could travel anywhere in the world, he would want to visit Northern Europe.

In his free time, he loves gaming, sleeping and doing anything that involves his favorite sport, basketball.

“Andrew is generally very quiet but he enjoys being around other students,” English and drama teacher Polly Jones said. “He is working very hard to adjust to learning in a second language.”

his roommates Andrew Weng ’28 and Evan Valdez ’27.

Le ‘28 is a new student to North Cross from Vietnam. He has a big dream to accomplish in the future, which is getting into MIT.

“I wish I could control the time,” he said, “because I will not only have more time to study, but also have more free time by doing so.”

Although Le doesn’t look very muscular and even a little skinny, he is actually a big gym guy and he can bench 135 lbs while only weighing 110 lbs.

body, but also can reduce my stress from school.”

Le also met a lot of new friends at school, including Tristan Lange ‘26 and Ethan Grigas ‘26.

“I love to go to the gym,” Le said, “because it’s not only good for my body, but also can reduce my stress from school.”

“They are very enthusiastic,” Le said, “and their heartwarming actions make me feel like home at North Cross.”

Le faces his life at North Cross with his positive attitude.

“I love to go to the gym,”Le said, “because it’s not only good for my

“North Cross school is a beautiful place and I enjoy the time I study here,” he said. “I will also try my best to live everyday seriously at North Cross in the future.”

Room 302 in the Boxley Building is quiet as usual. Duc Le is playing

Branciforte directs the dorm with energy and enthusiasm

By Victoria Real

Describing herself as a “northern girl,” dormitory director Katelynn Braciforte is originally from Connecticut and spent her childhood farming and enjoying the outdoors.

One surprising fact about her is that she was a competitive cheerleader. After spending five years in Virginia, with four of those years at various independent schools, she was drawn to the dorm staff position advertised online. She was thrilled about the chance to make a difference for a diverse group of international students.

Her favorite aspect of living on campus is interacting with the students daily, greeting them as they return home, and sharing meals with them. She remarks,

"It's my favorite part of my day," she said.

One of the funniest dorm stories that she remembers involved a game where students unwrapped a large ball of plastic wrap to win prizes.

"It was the funniest thing I have seen this group do this year,” Bran-

ciforte said. “There were so many smiles, so much laughter, so much competition, and it was really just a joy to watch during the tough month of January."

She enjoys attending sport ing events and getting to know students through these activ ities. She also values when non-dorm stu dents visit the dorm and share meals with the residents. She wants students to know that her door is always open for them.

"If they ever have anything come up in their day,” she said, “they can come to me.’’

The most surprising aspect of working in the dorm has been observing how different cultures can genuinely interact within a shared space. With 14 different countries represented, she finds it powerful to see how people can interact and treat each other with kindness.

Branciforte comes from a large family and has always been surrounded by people. This background

has helped her develop strong interpersonal skills and a deep appreciation for community. She believes that living in a dormitory setting is similar to being part of a big family, where everyone supports and looks out for each other. This perspective has shaped her approach to her role, making her a compassionate and approachable figure for the students. She is enthusiastic about off-campus opportunities and the emphasis on different holidays and celebrations in the dorm.

"Any off-campus trip where we get to go and just kind of witness the students be teenagers and enjoy a game of bowling or even tubing is just a lot of fun," she said.

The dorm is getting ready for going to the Bahamas in Spring Break. She is also excited about students who are interested in both athletics and the arts and getting to see what they do every day.

Reflecting on her own school days, she revealed that she was a

straight-A, dedicated student-athlete who took both academics and athletics very seriously. Her advice for residents is to get as involved as they can in the life of North Cross.

"As much as we are a community here and like to support people here,” Branciforte said, “it is far more wonderful when we can extend the love that we have in our building outward and also welcome people here with us."

Looking ahead, she is enthusiastic to meet more people from different countries and expand the cultural representation in the dorm. Although she is fluent in English, she dabbles in Spanish and Greek, adding a touch of linguistic diversity to her interactions.

Describing the dorm vibe in three words, she chose "community, laughter, and welcoming." Her dedication to creating a welcoming and engaging environment in the dorm is evident in her enthusiasm and commitment to the students. Her background, experiences, and passion for connecting with others make her a valuable member of the campus community.

Jonathan Mack works in the dorm and helps coach track team

By Monica Koene

What happens when 14 different countries live under the same roof? Memories, friendships, and unexpected moments. For Jonathan Mack, this is what makes dorm life special.

“My favorite thing is the kids, the students,” Mack said. “You have 32 different students from 14 different countries. It gives you a chance to really see how people from other countries live and how they make adjustments and balance their culture and American culture.”

Living in a dorm filled with students from around the world means plenty of unforgettable stories. He has one funniest moment: “Probably scaring Jonas,” Mack said. “Coming out of the dorm, I was so excited that I scared him, and then I was like, ‘Cool, chill.’ And then he just fell out laughing afterwards because it was different. He wasn’t expecting it.”

Mack also went to a boarding school for a year after graduating high school. His time at Fork

Union Military Academy provided him with many experiences that help him understand the students in the dorm better.

After graduating Northeastern University, with a degree in sociology, he ended up working several jobs involving juvenile mental health, therapist, advisor and coach.

Because of this, Mack is more than just a worker in the dorm. His background, working in juvenile mental health, and his own experience living in a boarding school, made Mack the perfect fit for his role in the dorm. More importantly, it gives him the chance to connect with the students on a more personal level.

“I’m a voice of reason,” he said. “Because of my age, y’all kind of see me more as a parent than someone who can relate, but I can re late to your things. Some things I’ve experienced, I know how to help you get through. My experience, per sonal growth, and being a parent all help me guide students

through life as a teenager.”

As a teenager, he was very involved in sports, always doing something.

“I was a jock. I was an athlete,” he said. “I was constantly playing football, basketball and running track. So this is a little different. Yes, we have some athletes here, but they’re not as competitive as the athletes I was around growing up.”

Outside of sports, he has a passion for musicals. “I love musicals,” he said. “Especially ‘Sound of Music’. Nobody expects that.”

Mack is a great addition to the dorm. He is someone anyone can talk to and know he is going to listen and help.

The advice he gives after his own experiences is “that everybody comes from different cultures, different walks, different backgrounds; so be patient enough and be willing to listen and understand, because not everything is black and white.”

Winter Break in Norway

Sander Frogner shares his country and family with Ava Dalaski for 24 days.

By Lauren Boone

Ava Dalaski ‘25 spent winter break with Sander Frogner ‘25 and explored his home country, Norway.

Frogner is a native of Raelingen and Fjellhamar, Norway. Born and raised in Salem, Dalaski has been a student of NCS for nine years. The two met at the beginning of their junior year in English class.

Dalaski spent 24 days in Norway. She had Christmas at Frogner’s winter cabin, where she had a lot of close bonding with the Norwegian family. She had been looking forward to meeting her boyfriend’s extended family. Dalaski and Frogner

2033 Electric Rd. Cave Spring, VA 24018

Hours:

Monday-Friday: 4:30-9 PM

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celebrated his birthday, Christmas, and New Years together.

Throughout the trip, the couple went cross country skiing, downhill skiing and steer sledding on the Norway slopes.

“Sander’s family lives pretty close to the major cities, Oslo and Lillestrom, which were so, so pretty,” Dalaski said.

The two had a great time shopping, touring and eating.

“We visited the Norway national museum in Oslo, where I saw a copy of the Mona Lisa and the Scream,” by Norwegian artist Edvard Munch, Dalaski said, “and I got to eat both moose and reindeer. We ate at lots of fancy restaurants.”

Reading War over Winter Break felt great

By Mason Bibby

Over Winter Break, I had the great satisfaction of humoring myself with a bit of personal time at the mall. While not my favorite place to be, as I much prefer the silence and sanctity of my own home, I decided a moment of mental clarity would greatly work to my advantage. Valley View Mall in the later hours of the morning is definitely one of the finer experiences in the Roanoke Valley, allowing me to freely traverse the building’s vast concourse without much hindrance from passersby.

While not much of an avid shopper, I have always found a humble reprieve from the constant nagging of everyday life between the simple folds of a book. Therefore, I thought it appropriate to treat myself to a new book and maybe a few other items. I entered Barnes & Noble, a store that has always served as a calming atmosphere. Hit immediately with the colloquially known “new book smell” and other scents such as freshly ground coffee beans and the ever-present aroma of pretzels, I felt free to browse books of my interests without interruption, of course.

As I perused the enticing catalog of books, magazines, and toys on display, a bright-red hardcover caught my attention. On it, the single word “WAR” was scrawled across in all-capital white letters. My eyes journeyed to the bottom of the glossy jacket, which contained the author’s name: Bob Woodward. Intrigued, I meandered over to a vacant chair, where I set my coat down and opened the book. Inside, a map of the current situation in Ukraine was displayed, including all territorial advances through October.

“Okay, now it’s definitely piqued my interest,” I thought as I methodically flipped through a few more pages.

I glanced at the table of contents, which covered a vast number of topics including the War in Gaza, the domestic situation, Donald Trump’s resurgence, among many others. It wasn’t long before the pages pulled me from the peaceful hum of the bookstore into the stark realities of global conflict and political intrigue.

“Alright,” I decided, “I’m absolutely buying this.”

While waiting in line, I noticed a copy of TIME Magazine’s latest issue: “PERSON OF THE YEAR: DONALD TRUMP.” This was not necessarily out of place; TIME’s Person of the Year has been the victor of the presidential election for years. I figured I would purchase that

too, along with the weekend publication of The Wall Street Journal. Approaching the checkout, my eclectic mix of selections certainly garnered a strange look from the cashier who was ringing me up, and for a brief moment. I wondered if she was silently crafting my political profile based solely on my reading material. Was I about to be pegged as a staunch conservative? Or just someone who takes their news seriously? Either way, I grabbed my items and walked out, leaving the mystery intact. Somehow, I figured, she knew it was a little bit of both.

I left the mall around noon, granting me free rein to spend the rest of the day poring over my new acquisitions. I quickly became engrossed in Woodward’s book, which prompted reflections on several foreign policy challenges that have emerged in the wake of the presidential election. While I’ve been inundated with chapter and verse over which candidate was “better” or “more deserving of the win,” the reality remains that the victory has been bestowed upon the 45th President, Donald Trump. Nearly every American is well-acquainted with the domestic debates surrounding the election, yet few pause to consider its implications for international relations—most notably, the intense friction between the United States and Russia amid its escalation of the Russo-Ukrainian War through a full-scale invasion in February 2022. Will Putin’s paranoia force his hand, or will President Trump’s characteristic volatility push Russia over “the red line?”

Donald Trump, then a household-name business mogul, said in a 1989 interview that “instinct is far more important than any other ingredient if you have the right instincts. And the worst deals I’ve made have been ones where I didn’t follow my instinct.” That attitude, it seems, he has carried into the White House.

Nearly 5,000 miles east of Washington, Vladimir Putin, the cautious, analytical, multi-term “modern tsar” of the Russian Federation, has often been characterized as paranoid, oligarchist and vehemently oriented towards restoring Russian territorial integrity in Eastern Europe and the Black Sea. The meticulously pragmatic president has been benchmarked by his resonant megalomania and misguided savior complex. Despite a multitude of pleas from Biden and the West to de-escalate the situation before its onset, Putin deflected, simply saying that “we defend the interests of our countries, our peoples, and our relations are always primarily pragmatic in nature.”

Trump’s instinct-driven “go for broke” tendencies and Putin’s calculated Amero-skepticism represent two clashing ideologies with the power to reshape not only U.S.-Russia relations but also the broader stability of European allies. It all comes down to the perpetuation of a strained, high-stakes relationship, renewed indifference toward allies, and the uncertainty surrounding U.S. support for Europe during Donald Trump’s rebirth as the 47th President.

In 2017, after securing a significant underdog victory in the prior year’s election, Donald J. Trump, a New York native, was inaugurated as the 45th President of the United States. Immediately thrust into the pressures of the White House—pressures often at odds with his campaign promises—Trump’s first priority was not closing the border, deregulating the economy, or confronting China, but addressing growing concerns over Russia’s alleged interference in the election. If true, such interference could have potentially tipped the scales for either candidate, raising questions about the integrity of the election process itself. Questions that, as observed,

Google Forms survey of students on January 27 distrubuted by email

OPINION

Venezuela suffers under corrupt dictator

By Joaquin Downey

South American dictators have always posed a huge problem for their countries. For this, I will heavily rely on Venezuela as an example.

A long while ago, Venezuela was one of the most successful oil giants in the world. However, due to law and actions taken by Hugo Chavez during his rule, Venezuela’s oil production and profits haves fallen dramatically.

Its current dictator Nicolas Maduro has only worsened the economy ever since he was first tookput in power. Like many other corrupt rulers, Maduro seeks power. He wants to expand his reign as much as possible, silencing anyone who stands in his way. In my opinion, and I believe many others, the U.S. should most certainly do something to help peoplethese countries fight back against their dictators. However, while we all want this to happen, it won’t any time soon. To start, the U.S. has its own problems at the moment. They’re busy trying to pass new laws now that President Trump is back in office and also negotiate

a peace talk (supposedly) between Russia and Ukraine.

Moreover, if the U.S. did engage, it would only result in a war, distracting the government from more pressing matters. On top of that, the U.S would gain no practical benefits or advantages from doing this. It would only be a waste of resources resulting in a larger loss than win for the U.S. Furthermore, this might spark backlash from whichever countries' allies, thus prolonging the war and loss of resources and funds. Backlash could also stem from citizens of both the

U.S. and Venezuelathe invaded country. While few, there are some citizens that support their dictators and fully endorse their plans. Also, citizens of the U.S would also protest, more than likely, due to the fact that it would again distract from other much more pressing matters. Also, tThe U.S. doesn't have any technical reasons to invade a South American country at the moment. We can't just start a war just because we believe a country's leader is cruel and unjust. We must have some viable explanation and reason to launch and attack, which

Reading War over Winter Break felt great continued

have continued to this day. Trump’s initial perceptions of Putin were favorable; he admired his ability to assert control over such a vast nation and agreed with some of his more conservative policies of anti-LGBTQ governance and an integration of Eastern Orthodox ideals into the country. This praise of the ex-KGB head was old news by the time Trump even stepped foot on the campaign trail; as he once said on a 2007 CNN interview that “[Putin] has done – whether you like him or don’t like him – he’s doing a great job in rebuilding the image of Russia and also rebuilding Russia period.”

This unusual relationship also was not one-sided. During the race, Putin said of Trump that he was a “genius” and “the absolute leader of the presidential election.” They appeared on 60 Minutes in the same 2015 episode, and amassed some of the show’s highest ratings to date. In ironic contrast to Trump’s aforementioned characterization of his instincts, Putin said that

Trump “doesn’t have the usual political instincts, but I think that can be a good thing.” In the same interview, Trump said that “I think that I would probably get along with [Putin] very well. And I don’t think you’d be having the kind of problems that you’re having right now.”

So with this myriad praise, one must ask: is there any contention at all?

Well, yes, and it stems from a few key factors. For starters, Russia’s interference in the 2016 election and the subsequent Mueller investigation made Trump’s relationship with Putin a domestic liability. This limited Trump’s ability to forge closer ties without facing bipartisan backlash. So in essence, President Trump was forced to give Putin the cold shoulder or risk suspicion of treason or collusion. This reaction, however, was not immediate, and drew even stronger criticism after the 2018 Helsinki Summit, when Trump appeared to side with Moscow over security

is currently absent. Maduro, for example, is unlikely to give us one. Although cruel, he is smart, and knows that launching any sort of offense against the U.S. could result in major consequences for his tyranny. Not just this, but many spies, news reporters and othereven civilians have ventured to Venezuela and have “disappeared” under mysterious circumstances.

I’m going to share a quick personal story.

My mother was born and raised in Venezuela, but settled down and had a family in the U.S. Unfortunately, my grandparents were still stuck in Venezuela. One year, she had to go and get them to the U.S. when things were starting to look really bad there. She was lucky to get back, as it’s very hard for people to leave Venezuela once they enter, and this process took her over four months to accomplish.

So, should the U.S do something about these dictators? How much I want to say yes is immeasurable; however, I must say no. There are just far too many cons to outway the pros; so for now, we will just have to wait.

concerns rather than points stipulated by U.S. intelligence. This damaged his public image even further, and led to adopting a tougher stance on Russia. Post-presidency, Trump has been a vocal opponent of Russia’s 2022 Invasion of Ukraine (albeit praising the strategy), and repeatedly claims that he would have prevented it if given the opportunity.

Across the Arctic, this sentiment is echoed. Putin reportedly became disillusioned with Trump’s unpredictability and limited ability to deliver outcomes that were advantageous to Moscow. While Trump’s rhetoric was often favorable, many of his administration’s actions—sanctions, support for Ukraine, and NATO strengthening—worked against Russia’s interests. Trump’s rage at Putin was cemented during the 2024 Election which, although a victory, served as a reminder of the Kremlin’s souring attitude toward a second Trump Administration.

By Aadeetri Pandey

Iran then jumped off of the edge of the mountain. I was scared at first, because I had never done anything like it before, but it wasn’t scary at all. Instead, it was peaceful.

My sister and I knew we wanted to go paragliding if we came to Pokhara, the place in Nepal that has a lot of tourists and activities. When we came to Pokhara we reached out to an agency for paragliding. On the day we went paragliding the agency picked us up to take us to their headquarters to sign waivers. Technically I wasn’t allowed to go because I wasn’t 18, but the great thing about Nepal is that no one follows any of the rules.

The first five minutes up in the air were great. I truly felt like I was a bird, relaxed and free.

“It was a once in a lifetime experience,” my sister Aaryaa Pandey ‘20 said, “and I am so glad we got to do it.”

Paragliding in Nepal

However, after that I started to feel extremely nauseous. I still had 10 more minutes left, and I wanted to get the full experience, so I didn’t say anything to my instructor. After I landed back on the ground I felt sick, so I quickly ran to the side and started barfing. But even after all that, I don’t regret it and would love to do it again.

Exploring Hobbiton during a year in New Zealand

By Kaitlyn Perkins

This photo highlights one of my favorite parts of the Hobbiton set that my family visited in the past year while we were in New Zealand. We had to remind each other, “Watch your head,” as we entered the tiny hobbit homes. Our family is a bit too tall for those tiny hobbit-sized doorways. “Ouch,” my mom said as she hit her head in the doorway, again!

My sister, Devon, and my brother, Braden, are featured in these photos as well. We are very close and enjoy going on adventures together. Our trip to New Zealand was our biggest

adventure yet.

“Aaaahhh,” we all screamed as we placed our hands on the hot coals on the stove in Hobbiton’s mini welding shop. JK-Don’t worry it’s just a prop! Those coals aren’t real, but they made for a fun picture.

My favorite photo is the one of my brother in the bathtub made for hobbits. He’s the only one in our family who could fit in the tub, as he is the only one who is at “Hobbit Height.”

The Lord of the Rings and Hobbit movies are some of my family’s favorites. We enjoyed visiting the set where some of the most iconic scenes from these movies took place.

‘Cruel Summer’ seeing Taylor Swift in Munich,

By Fiona Parnell

After several months of excitement and anticipation leading up to summer, and 5,000 miles later, I’m at a Taylor Swift concert in Munich, Germany. I chose this photo because it is by far the highlight of my summer.

My mom, cousin, aunt and I all traveled to Germany together in late July to attend Swift’s concert, The Eras Tour, in Munich. After going to the Tampa show in April 2023, I immediately knew I had to go again. For my 16th birthday, my mom surprised me with tickets to her Germany show.

In the picture, I’m shown among the other 124,000 Swifties watching with the combined 74,000 people inside the sold out stadium but also the 50,000 who gathered on a hill overlooking the show.

When asking my mom what she thought of the concert, she said, “The concert itself was amazing and so much fun, but the really crazy part was how impressive Taylor was. To put on a three hour show full of singing, dancing, outfit changes, acting and so much more for multiple nights in a row all with a smile on her face is mind blowing. It was obvious she put her all into it and I think that’s the same for every show.”

In the picture, I am shown putting my hands

As a self proclaimed Swiftie, I can tell you that the concert was absolutely worth the trip. It was a life changing experience filled with so much love and intimacy not only because of Taylor, but the joy of all the fellow Swifties around me.

Attending a wedding in India, hoping to return

By Shree Patel

Though it was 97 degrees in India, this photo shows my mom and I enjoying the best wedding we have been to.

My mom and I are standing in front of a wedding venue in Jaisalmer, India. Most of my family lives in Gujrat, India, which I try to visit often.

This summer, my family went to India, and while we were there, we went to my dad’s old friend’s wedding. It was actually a vow renewal, but it had practically the same extravagant energy.

“Wow, this is one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen,”

said my mom.

There were four events along with the wedding and each one had its own purpose.

For example, one event was for the family and friends of the bride and groom to perform dances and another was to get henna done. Henna are basically temporary tattoos which are legends to show the groom’s love.

We were both at a loss of words when we saw how luxurious and pretty the Indian palace was. It was huge and had housed many royal kings and queens decades ago. Today, this palace is a luxury hotel and wedding venue.

I felt very lucky to have an experience to visit it and can’t wait to

above my head, making a heart symbol. This was not just for the photo but is actually a tradition for everyone to hold them up during the song “Fearless.”

How individuals think differently between countries:

The United States educational system prioritizes creativity, critical analysis and student well-being.

By Victoria Real

When he wrote, “Cogito, ergo sum.”

(“I think, therefore I am.”) the philosopher René Descartes underscored the importance of thinking, and posited that the act of thinking is proof of one’s existence. A significant virtue of this act is that it highlights the diversity and variety of our world, as people’s ways of thinking vary depending on their country of origin due to factors such as history, education, social media and culture of that region. This diversity enriches our global society, fostering a multitude of perspectives and ideas that contribute to the collective human experience.

As a 15-year-old girl from Spain residing in the United States, I have had the unique opportunity to observe and experience the profound impact that different cultures have on shaping individuals’ thought processes. This cross-cultural exposure has provided me with valuable insights into how various

‘’The

exam system in my country is more difficult. A big test will be more than 80% in the total grade. In the case of the U.S., tests like the mid-term exams, just count 5%. Here the finals are not only counting the grades in big tests, they are more about the effort given day by day in class.’’ - Emily Nguyen ‘27 Vietnam

factors, such as history, education, and culture, influence the way people perceive and interact with the world around them. Through my personal journey, I have come to appreciate the diversity of perspectives that arise from different cultural backgrounds and the importance of understanding these differences in fostering effective communication and collaboration.

The article will begin by explaining the significant variations in thinking and perception among individuals based on their country of origin, influenced by culture, history, education, social media, and regional traditions. It will explore the impact of global integration, digital advancements, traditions, education systems, and historical context on cognitive processes, using examples from various countries. The conclusion will emphasize the importance of recognizing these elements to appreciate the diversity of perspectives.

I am trying to communicate and express how important it is to understand how education and

culture shape thinking is important for better communication with people from other countries. Global integration and digital advancements: In the contemporary interconnected environment, global integration and digital advancements are also shaping how individuals perceive and think. Interaction with various cultures through journeys, media, and the web can expand viewpoints and result in more varied ways of thinking. Nonetheless, it can also pose difficulties as people navigate differing cultural standards and values. Online platforms such as Instagram and TikTok enable individuals from various nations to exchange their traditions and concepts, promoting increased cultural interaction. However, this can also lead to cultural conflicts and misinterpretations as people experience different modes of thinking and living.

Traditions significantly influence the way people think. For instance, in numerous Western nations, individualism is highly esteemed. Individuals are motivated to think autonomously and prioritize

Educational systems shape student perspectives.

How does education at NCS compare with your former school?

‘’I think history here is more extensive at NCS, but the math and science there is harder. Also, the teachers there communicate a little bit less, they are less friendly.’’- Harper Godfrey ‘28, lived in France for three months. Compass photo

“The most different thing compared to my school in Vietnam is that we don’t have diversity there. We don’ t have different cultures in the same school.’’ Ezra Vu ‘25 with her JK buddy.

Photo by Sarah Sledd

‘’It is better. There are more subjects to learn. Also, teachers here have degrees, which makes the teaching quality better than where I am from.’’ -- Duke Le ‘28 from Vietnam. Photo by Sarah Sledd

‘’The first thing that caught my attention was that by NCS being a private school, the amount of student is significantly less compared to my country, Vietnam.” -- Emily Nguyen with Victoria Real from Spain Compass photo

personal objectives. Conversely, many Eastern societies stress collectivism, where the aspirations and needs of the group are deemed more crucial than those of the individual. This cultural distinction can result in different methods of problem-solving, communication, and decision-making. In the United States, individuals frequently celebrate personal accomplishments and promote self-expression. In Japan, however, harmony and group consensus are highly esteemed, and individuals may prioritize the group’s needs over their own.

Learning structures differ greatly among nations and can profoundly influence cognitive processes. In certain regions, education prioritizes rote learning and standardized assessments, resulting in a more rigid and uniform thought pattern. Conversely, other regions’ educational systems prioritize critical analysis, innovation, and problem-solving abilities, fostering independent and creative thinking in students.

In Vietnam, according to Emily Nguyen ‘27, one

her teach differently, they listen

the

‘’It is very different. At NCS you can choose the classes that you want. In Austria, we don’t have A and B days, lunch .... Also, teachers care a lot more here.’’- Jonas Köegl-Wallner ‘27 from Austria. Photo by Sarah Sledd

“School here is easier and you are more free than in Vietnam.”

- Nguyen Nguyen ‘26

Photo by Sarah Sledd

of the exchange students that forms North Cross,, ‘’The exam system in my country is more difficult. A big test will be more than 80% in the total grade. In the case of the U.S., tests like the mid-term exams, just count 5%. Here the finals are not only counting the grades in big tests, they are more about the effort given day by day in class.’’

The learning structure in Vietnam is intensely competitive and centers on memorization and exam results.

On the other hand, according to articles like ‘’The State of Creativity in America’s Schools’’ in ‘’Getting Smart,’, the United States educational system prioritizes creativity, critical analysis, and student well-being, promoting a more comprehensive approach to education. “The researchers found that creativity in learning led to positive cognitive outcomes, especially when supported by transformative uses of technology, meaning uses that could not be accomplished without digital tools.”

The past of a nation can also shape the way its

“It’s more fun here at NCS and, also, more formal. Teachers are really good and nice.” --Tinaishe Chikwata ‘26 from Zimbabwe with Monica Koene of Spain. Photo by Akali Koeda

citizens think. For instance, countries that have undergone colonization or significant political upheaval may have a different outlook on authority and governance compared to those with a more stable history. Historical events can shape national identity and influence how people perceive their place in the world. In India, the history of British colonization has left a lasting impact on its legal and educational systems, as well as its views on independence and self-governance. In contrast, Switzerland’s long history of neutrality and stability has fostered a strong sense of national identity and trust in democratic processes.

To sum up, the manner in which individuals perceive and process information is profoundly shaped by their cultural heritage, historical experiences, educational framework, societal norms, and the effects of global interconnectedness. Recognizing these elements can enable us to value the variety of perspectives and enhance interaction and cooperation among various cultures.

“Teachers

more to

students. It’s nice, everyone is.’’ -- César Suárez ‘25 from Spain Compass photo

Alice in Fishburn Theatre

“Say what you mean, and write it down afterwards,” the Red Chess Queen (played by Margaret Bass ‘28) tells Alice, the protagonist of Alice in Wonderland. Alice, is often confused by the antics of the creatures she meets, but “that’s the effect of living backwards”. She meets the royalty of Wonderland, the seaside dwelling singers, Humpty Dumpy, the mad trio of the March Hare’s Garden, and a smiling cat. Some of the cast are seniors, including Via Dancea playing Alice and Jahnvi Patel playing the White Queen. The original Alice in Wonderland was written by an Oxford professor under the pen name of Lewis Caroll for the daughter of the Dean of Christchurch, Oxford; Henry George Liddel. The daughter in question is Alice, inspiration for the famous blond girl in a blue dress. By Caroline Welfare

A life of dance

By Shree Patel

From Classical to Bollywood styles, Garima Patel has loved to dance since childhood.

Garima Patel ‘28 has been dancing for 11 years, first at Ardell School of dancing then later at Star City Ballet. She does ballet, partnering and pointe. She also participates in out of school cultural dance events. Some include her dances in Diwali and the Festival of India, which is an event held locally. There are many vendors and stalls that contain food, clothes and artwork. This event is typically taking place during the end of August.

Diwali is the celebration of lights and new year in the Hindu culture; during this time many local indians from Roanoke and nearby cities come to attend this event at Northside High School. To Patel this holiday means “celebrating a new year and celebrating our gods.” This year it was held on November 09, 2024. Patel has shown her enthusiasm for dance through her performances in previous years. This year she performed an upbeat Bollywood dance to the songs Soni Soni, Aaj ki Raat, Tauba Tauba and Naachi Saree.

When asked about her favorite Indian holiday

Patel said, “Holi is my favorite holiday since I can throw colors at people.” Holi is a festival that celebrates colors, love, and the coming of spring. This holiday is celebrated by throwing colored powders at your friends and family.

Patel also used to do an Indian classical dance called Bharatanatyam. Bharatanatyam is a dance

using precise movements and expressive body language to tell a story. This is one of the oldest classical dances that originated from Tamil Nadu in South India. She has been doing it since she was 9. In all, Patel shows her love for her culture and community by participating in the local events and classical dances.

Herald Staff Photo

Garima Patel ‘28 shows her skills and bravery on the stage at Elmwood Park when she was 6 years old. She rocks a traditional indian dress in the colors blue and pink called a chanya chori,which orginated in India. Today her love for dancing still grows as does her love for tennis. She loves dancing with her friends and dressing traditionally.

GEO ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

Pietra arrives from Brazil with love of theatre

By Margaret Bass and Mia Esposito

Many people are scared of the stage, but Pietra Fischer takes comfort in the lights.

Fischer is from Sao Paulo, Brazil. She is very close with her family and lives with her mom, her 12-year-old brother Henrique, and stray mixedbreed dog Amora. She loves spending time with them no matter the workload.

“When my mom got home she could be on her phone and I could be on mine,” Fischer said, “but at least we are in the same room.”

The hardest part about this time away is the separation from her family.

“It’s not like when my mom is in her work and I’m at school,” she said. Back home she always knows that, “I will see her at night, or when I’m sleeping in my room and she’s sleeping in her room.” Now, they are separated not by walls but by oceans and countries.

Fischer likes it here so far, however the cold has thrown a kink in her enjoyment.

She still likes “to need to speak English all the time,” she says it is “out of my comfort zone.” It is not her first time in America. She had visited the regular tourist attractions, but not “a city.” Before North Cross, Fischer was planning on attending school in Greensboro where her God-father lives. Only one problem, the school misplaced her information. So they turned to a family friend. They

helped connect her to a director at North Cross. She said she was awarded an arts scholarship. Fischer is enjoying her classes so far but some are difficult “like chemistry or math.” It is hard for her to “understand and write the things in English, because I already have [learned] the content in Brazil.”

That being said, she is thriving in her art class and has even gotten involved with the North Cross theater program.

Her love for performing was sparked when she was 4 years old. Fischer started doing ballet, and her love for the stage grew year after year. The lights, costumes, and makeup drew her in from the start. She did twelve years of ballet but that came to a halt with COVID’s beginning. Looking back on those years, she recalls the little dancers, 3 or 4 years old, looking up to the older girls for guidance and inspiration. It is important to her that she was able to grow up and become that example for future dancers. Her first lead character on stage was in the ballet The Nutcracker as Clara. Then she played Flounder in The Little Mermaid. She says that one of the main reasons she is drawn to performing is seeing the audience of people supporting her and cheering her on.

Fischer’s admiration of the stage leveled up when she was 7 and her mother took her to see Wicked. She was in awe of the dancers doing “all these beautiful things.” She remembers that from then on that she knew this was something she needed to do. After seeing Wicked she said, “I could be the grass,” and she would still be so happy to be a part of the magic she saw on stage. Soon after, she started taking theatre classes. She felt less experienced and a little behind her classmates, but that never stopped her. Her dream roles include Anna from Frozen, Glinda in Wicked, and Odette in Swan Lake.

She has since been in about 20 plays back home in Brazil and wants to continue while in America. Sadly, she joined the North Cross community too late to participate in the winter play, Alice in Wonderland, but she plans on auditioning for the spring musical, Matilda. She is a bit nervous, as anyone would be, but she is taking the chance because it is her passion and she wants to be involved in any way she can. Fischer’s theatrical background leaves us extremely excited to see what amazing things she will bring to the North Cross stage in the future.

One of Pietra Fischer’s dream roles is Glinda in Wicked.

The many benefits of playing guitar

Stress relief, creative spark, hand-eye coordination, more!

By Joaquin Downey

You should have a hobby! Yeah, that’s right, I’m talking to you! What hobbies do you have? Maybe you play a sport, or read books, or even do art of some sort. These are all very good choices to pursue, but what if I told you that there was a specific hobby that could help you in more ways than you can count.

This passion is rather common, but it is overlooked in modern times. I’m talking about playing a guitar. I’ll even go as far as saying HOT TAKE: GUITAR IS THE BEST HOBBY YOU CAN PURSUE! There, I said it, happy?

Anyways, I say this from personal experience and here are some of the benefits I have observed and believe that everyone should get from playing a guitar: it’s a stress re liever; it’s also a great hand-eye coordination trainer; and, it’s just an over all good time.

To start, it’s a stress reliever. Whenever I’m mad, I break out my guitar and just start strumming. It usually helps me out a lot. I always feel better after playing and can go back to chilling out. But don’t just take it from me. Recently, I asked Anderson Ratliff ‘26 why he plays guitar, and he shared my views, saying, “Well, I play guitar to help relieve stress, and so that’s kind of why I picked it up. And I’ve just, I’ve taught myself how to play guitar over the past two

years.” So, as I believe many others can relate to, playing guitar is a good stress reliever. Daniel Levitin, an award winning neuroscientist, musician, recowrd producer, and who is well known for his New York Times best seller This is your Brain on Music, worked with popular guitar brand Fender to write about this very concept. “Playing an instrument has a meditative aspect that can release positive hormones in the brain and can reduce the stress hormone Cortisol, increase productivity, and create social bonding to combat loneliness in the digital age,” Levitin said. “Playing music with other people produces the chemical oxytocin, a binding chemical that promotes trust and social bonding and makes you feel better.”

By Joaquin Downey

The Strings Club is looking for anyone willing to come and join the fun every Friday at break in Mistie Dickenson’s room.

the club, bringing all electric guitars, and had some fun practicing. Anderson Ratliff, brought two of his electric guitars, plugged in and started playing a few riffs from popular songs.

To continue, practicing guitar can greatly improve your hand-eye coordination. Learning how to do riffs takes a lot of training, especially complicated and fastly timed ones. This training can greatly improve other tasks you could have that require good coordination. For example, craftsmanship. Say you also do other art forms, like carving. That also takes a lot of practice to master, and playing guitar can greatly improve your dexterity and aid in the carving process. Or, you might play another instrument. Again, most instruments require good dexterity, and guitar can help improve on that. Don’t just take it from me though, many sources agree

In the past, Dr. Timothy Naginey used to have a “guitar club” in which students could bring their guitars to school, and Dr. Naginey would teach them some lessons to improve their skills.

However, due to the rise in the number of clubs, the club shut down for a while.

Recently, Dickenson and Dr. Naginey have been working together to bring back the club. However, instead of a teaching session of sorts, students can bring any sort of stringed instrument and have a fun time fiddling around. One Friday, a good number of students turned up for

with this claim. MJP Guitar Tuition claims, “Playing an instrument requires a certain level of hand-eye coordination, which is of course developed with practice. Reading guitar tablature and/or music involves your brain converting that information into specific motor patterns.”

Playing guitar is a healthy passtime. Before the internet, kids went outside and played games with each

“I play guitar to help relieve stress, and so that’s kind of why I picked it up,” Ratliff said. “And I’ve just taught myself how to play guitar over the past two years. It’s just really important to me to, sort of like, relieve stress, and it’s just, it’s just helpful. Like midway through the day like keeps me going, gets me energized.”

The kicker is that it doesn’t matter what skill level you are. From complete beginners to masters of their respective instruments, everyone is welcome to come have a fun time, work on songs they are learning, and even help each other improve.

other when they were bored. Adults used to read the morning paper and listen to music on the radio. Occasionally, the family would gather around the television to watch their favorite shows, but technology was not as prominent as it is in modern times. Nowadays, kids and adults spend hours a day on their devices, either watching videos, playing vid-

Continued on page 19

STRINGS ATTACHED: Ameer Albishah ‘26 and Anderson Ratliff ‘26 play guitars in The String Club in Mistie Dickenson’s classroom. Compass photo

GEO ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

Spanish band camp memories

By Monica Koene

ALBUM COVER: After a long day, my band and I (on the left) sit beside the pool, with the exception of the drummer, who takes the picture. This

was on the last night of music camp in Granada on August 9 and our original song was ready for the final concert. With Patricia (keyboard) on the right, besides her Ciara (voice and violin), then

Guitars continued

eo games or writing up business reports. It’s not a good thing, and that’s another reason why I began playing guitar.

When I was younger, I never had a device of my own. I would occasionally get to play games on my mom’s phone, but that was it. Then, Covid hit, and everything changed, not just for me, but for all of us. People’s online presence grew and grew, and with that, consequences arose. I became addicted to screens, sometimes going hours at a time without stopping. I grew lazy, and lost a lot of curiosity in anything that wasn’t on a screen. Eventually though, I snapped out of this trancelike state and realized it was a very bad thing that I needed to fix. I began looking for alternatives, and one thing I remembered I could do was to play guitar. From there, my online presence drastically decreased and I began to actually have energy and the willpower to do the things I loved again.

But don’t just take it from me, ask your friends, family, or even yourself, because I guarantee that most of you reading this have experienced a similar time in your lives.

My point here is that guitar is a great pastime. It keeps us occupied, entertained, and brings out the best in us. It’s a way for people to express their creativity through song, either by themselves or with their friends and family.

In short, playing guitar is a great, if not the best hobby one can acquire. The benefits go farther than what I have covered, including joining The Strings Club every Friday in room 19, where everyone is welcome! So, stay happy out there, go down to your local Fret Mill, buy a good guitar, and just mess around, have fun, learn new things, and most importantly, enjoy yourself.

Violeta (voice) next to me (guitar), Bruno took the picture. We decided to block out the world around us and be just us for the last night. “Please, please, shut up,” Violeta said to me. By that time, I was already known for making really bad jokes, and even if they say the opposite, I know they love them. After talking for a while, we just sat there in silence, each one of us thinking deeply about something. In my case, I was thinking about my foot. After I pushed Violeta into the pool, she tried to get revenge, which ended up with me stepping on a broken tile and not being able to walk for the next 10 days. I had to sit on stage during the concert. After a few minutes, Patricia broke the silence and voiced what we were all thinking: “I’ll really miss you, guys.”

Boys play pool instead of dancing at Sadies

By Hanchen Ou

The Sadies Dance on Jan. 25 caused the dorm to gradually become empty, so a couple of international students from Vietnam decided to find some fun downtown while most of the dorm students went to the dance.

It was a busy week for the North Cross basketball team, they played three games in four days and two of them awere away games.

Kevin Tran ‘26, behind Alex Nguyen ‘27, is a member of the JV basketball team, who played two straight away games, which completely elimated his desire to go to Sadies.

Nguyen (on the right) is a very close friend with Tran. He chose to stay at the dorm with Tran instead of going to Saidies. They went out to eat, and after they finished eating, the azure blue pool tables attracted

their attention on the way back to the dorm, and they decided to play.

Tran played pool a lot in Vietnam, but Nguyen never played pool before. Tran taught Nguyen step by step. Tran set everything up for Nguyen. He set all the balls up and even fixed Nguyen’s hand position on the pool stick.

Tran released his hand from the stick after everything was all set.

Nguyen held his breath and hit the ball. The orange ball drew a beautiful trajectory and went straight into the net.

“Let’s go! ” Nguyen said. “Playing pool is so fun.”

Ngyuen’s expression could hardly conceal his inner excitement after he hit the first ball into the net. While they were immersed in the joy of hitting the ball in, they might not have noticed, the real fun thing is not the pool itself, the real fun thing is their strong-bonded friendship.

Dorm team has fun funding the

fight against juvenile diabetes

By Dara Kerman

Charlie Zhao ‘26 of China (lower right) and Kevin Tran ‘26 of Vietnam, prepared to demolish their opponents in the NCS dodgeball competition.

Zhao and Tran had help from teammates Hanchen Ou ‘26, Tina Chikwata ‘26, Milica Andelkovic ‘26, Brooklyn Chen ‘26 and Monica Koene ‘28. Leyton Sturm ‘25 has hosted a dodgeball tournament for

the past couple of years to have fun raising money, as well as awareness, for those who suffer from diabetes. This year the dodgeball tournament raised over $150, which was donated to a charity for diabetics.

“I loved playing in the dodgeball tournament,” Sophia Camp ‘27 said, “and it felt good knowing I was supporting a good cause.”

In short, this year’s dodgeball tournament was filled with fun, and it was all towards a good cause.

TO RUSH OR NOT TO RUSH: The dorm team, left to right, of Brooklyn Chen (China), Kevin Tran (Vietnam), Aleksa Zivanov (Serbia), Milica Andjelkovic (Serbia),Tinaishe Chikwata (Zimbabwe), Monica Koene (Spain) and Hanchen Ou (China), show various strategies as a round of dodgeball begins. Some stay back to play opportunistically, while others rush forward hoping to get to the balls ahead of their opponents. The dorm team made it to the semifinals. Ryan Thomas (USA), far left, and Mario Mitzkewitz (Spain), second from right, worked as referees. Photo by Akali Koeda

Photo by Akali Koeda

Jonas blocks, tackles, throws, swims!

By Jacob Johnson

In the Cregger Center Fieldhouse of Roanoke College, on Dec.14, Koegl-Wallner stepped into the oval of the unbanked, loud track. He was nervous but ready.

“It was impressive,” Koegl-Wallner said, “I’ve never seen something like that before you know, that many high school athletes in one place. It was amazing.” With a few track meets behind him, Jonas has gained some experience with his art in the circle.

At VMI, Jan. 18, Jonas threw a PR of 32-05.5. Although, this isn’t a qualifying mark this is a big step in the right direction to do so.

“I was happy to see the work pay off,” Koegl-Wallner said, “even though I’ve been between swim and track practice.”.

Speaking on the dual sport aspect of this pow-

erhouse of an Austrian, Koegl-Wallner has taken on the stress of practicing with the swim team and Coach Jonathan Mac, the throwing coach.

Many times after whichever practice he has, Jonas can be found in the weight room lifting to increase his skills and strength.

Koegl-Wallner will take on the challenge of the 100-meter race in the upcoming swim meet on Jan. 29.

Arriving to play football for new coaches Dwayne Priest and Derek Ruben as well as the returning coach Reed. He played on both offensive and defensive lines last fall.

Koegl-Wallner also joined the party life of North Cross by attending not only Homecoming but the Sadie Hawkins dance also.

Jonas throws his way to Raider nation: Jonas Koegl-Wallner ‘27 heaves the shot put for his first time as a Raider at a track meet at Roanoke College. Compass photo

Buddies read together

Brianna Lee ‘38 and Clair Reeder ‘38 are all smiles while spending time with their international buddy from Russia, Viktoriia Iarkova ‘25. On Jan. 14 the seniors met up with their Junior Kindergarten buddies to read stories together in the library. Reeder spoke about reading a book about an animal that picks something to perform in a show. Reeder’s favorite activity with her buddy is, “When she reads to me.” Seniors meet with their buddies multiple times per year to play and learn together. This year Iarkova, Lee and Reeder walked in the Halloween Parade together, made turkeys out of fruit loops and apples, and made gingerbread houses together. “[I like]all the crafts we do,” Iarkova said. “You get really close to them, you treat them like your children, like your babies.”

Photo and caption by Kaitlyn Perkins.

Milica models Serbian sport

By Nola Daninger

Milica Andjelkovic ‘26 poses for Next Revolution action pictures, showcasing her personality. through the screen.

Milica has been known throughout the school year as a volleyball star.

Adding on to her exemplary pre-existing talent, she has decided to take part on NRV’s 17’s Silver team! This is a high level team that pushes athletes past their expectations. Milicia talks about well known Next Revolution Volleyball and Hidden Valley High School coach, Pierre Ellis.

“Pierre is a very experienced coach,” she said, “that actually see’s what players are capable of and wants to push us past our limits.” She states. Peyton Greer ‘26 also participates on Milicia’s travel team as well as the Raiders.

Milica can’t wait for her final year playing volleyball in high school as well as the rest of her club team season.

Milica Andjelkovic wraps herself in the Serbian flag as she posess for the camera promoting her volleyball club.

Goalies: the most underappreciated players

By Monica Koene

It’s a cold Friday evening under the stadium lights. The crowd roars at every near miss and shot, their eyes glued to the ball. But there’s someone else standing on the far end of the pitch. Someone who stands there quietly and goes unnoticed. Someone who isn’t always seen. This is the goalkeeper: the invisible hero in most cases, and the villain when they’re finally seen. Goalkeepers are underrated. They have always carried the weight of the team on their shoulders. Their performance determines if they lose a game, and that often goes unnoticed. A striker can miss 10 shots and still be considered the hero if he scores in the 11th, but in this case, after 10 saves, the goalkeeper becomes the villain. One single mistake can overshadow 90 minutes of perfection.

This is what makes this position so challenging. They are never recognized enough, and they are blamed for every loss. Not the striker who missed ten opportunities, but the goalie who conceded one.

Consider Andre Onana, Manchester United’s goalkeeper, who has been one of the most hated goalkeepers last season. According to the Premier League Official Stats, Onana has only made one mistake that ended up in a goal. Despite this, he has managed to keep nine clean sheets and has conceded only 58 goals out of 207 shots, which is a respectable save rate. However, public perception blames him for United’s losses, especially when being compared to Arsenal’s David Raya. While Raya is seen as a reliable goalkeeper, he has kept 16 clean sheets, but only saved 24 out of 70 shots, also making three mistakes that led to a goal. But beyond statistics, goalkeepers are more than just the last line of

The Ballon d’Or, soccer’s biggest award, has only been won by a goalkeeper once: Lev Yashin in 1963.

“Keepers like Manuel Neuer or Hope Solo have had game-changing performances, yet they’re often overlooked.”

Puerto Rican senior helped the Raiders get to the state semifinals the last two years while being named VISAA Second Team. Compass photo

defense, they analyze the game, organize the defense and start attacking plays. Modern keepers like Manchester City’s Ederson have shown how important good passing and decision-making are for this role. Yet, despite all this, they still don’t get the credit they deserve compared to goal-scorers.

Being a goalkeeper also takes incredible mental strength. According to research, goalkeepers face more blame and pressure than any other players on the field. This level of pressure, along with the isolation of the position, makes it one of the toughest roles in soccer. One way to give goalkeepers

more credit would be to give them more awards and recognition. For example, the Ballon d’Or, soccer’s biggest award, has only been won by a goalkeeper once: Lev Yashin in1963. Keepers like Manuel Neuer or Hope Solo have had game-changing performances, yet they’re often overlooked.

Bob Alemenas warms up early in the season. The

Hope Solo

Ederson,

Ederson Manuel Neuer David Raya SNUBBED:

Andre Onana

Teenage Takeover

By Jacob Johnson

Many adults say teenagers are the future, are taking over and are already running things. The years of hard work and dedication to get to the level of calling yourself an Olympic contenter is impressive in itself, let alone if you’re years younger than the people you are competing against. Teenagers are taking over the Olympics and it’s more impressive to be a teen in the Olympics.

In the 2024 Paris Olympics there were a total of 32 teenagers that represented team U.S.A. across a variety of different events. In the 2016 Olympics Gaurika Singh, a 13 year old Nepalese female swimmer, participated in the 100-meter backstroke.

“I really like seeing these youngins like us do their thing in their sport and succeed.” Chris Carter ‘25 said. While the starting bullet was still hot in the heat that 16-year-old Quincey Wilson, ran first leg for

“I really like seeing these youngins like us do their thing in their sport and succeed.” Chris Carter

the U.S.A. 4x400 meter relay.

“Their mentallity is way different from noraml people,” Nate Bonds ‘25 said, “and some have natural gifted abilities, and some people who run track aren’t going to be fast out the get go, and some started slow, but they also practice young because their family put that on them.”

One of the youthful competitors at the summer games was just the ripe old age of 11. Zheng Haohao competed in the Olympic games for skateboarding for his home country of China.

“It’s pretty impressive,” Blake Pearson ‘26 said. “I saw some girl on Instagram get a gold medal then take junior pictures, it’s crazy.”

With teenagers running in the Olympics we can see this high level longer, rather than only seeing the success level of someone in their 30s who can only compete at this level for maybe one or two Olympic games, depending on their sport. With seeing people their age competing at such a high level, many teenagers become motivated and believe that they can do anything. Teens in the Olympics are the future and are more impressive because of their age and the obvious time and effort they put in around their already busy schedule. Young

My favorite event to watch in the Olympics is . . .

• I really enjoyed watching the track events. I almost can’t believe my eyes, everyone is running so fast, it’s inspiring.

• Olympic basketball because we get to watch all the best basketball players in the world play on one team.

• Gymnastics because it so cool to see how gymnast perform insane stunts.

• Gymnastics because it’s incredibly difficult yet they make it look easy.

• Swimming because of how long they go for (its very impressive).

• My favorite event to watch in the Olympics is the opening act.

• Volleyball or gymnastics because this is what is populierized.

• Track and field because it is more entertaining and hype

• Women’s Gymnastics because I am a fan of Simone Biles.

• Sking and gymnastics because I have interest in both.

• Soccer, because its my sport and love to watch it.

• Baseball, because I love watching baseball games.

• The 300m Hurdles because it is my race.

• I like watching the acrobatics and track.

• Shotput, to improve my own technique

• Breakdancing. it makes my heart jiggle

• Cross country biking

• Skiing because fast

• Waterpolo

Teens in the Olympics

“Never put an age limit on your dreams.”

- Dara Torres,who won her first Olympic swimming medal at 17 and her last at 41!

Summer McIntosh, the 17-year-old Canadian swimmer, took home three gold medals and one silver medal in Paris.

32 teens competed for team USA in the Paris Olympics.

Katie Grimes, 18, swam to a silver medal in the women’s 400m individual medley.

Arisa Trew, a 14-year-old Australian skateboader, was the youngest athlete to win a gold medal at the Paris Olympics. Cocona Hiraki, 16, of Japan won silver. Sky Brown, 16, of Great Britain won bronze for a teen sweep of medals in park.

Phoebe Gill, 17, of Great Britain ran 1:58.47 in the 800. Toby Roberts, a 19-yearold British rock climber, took gold in Paris.

https://www.nbc.com/nbc-insider/2024paris-olympics-all-us-medal-winners

Olympians also give hope and inspiration to other young athletes. Not only will they be able to compete at the highest level for longer, but it means more to the sports community.

“It’s pretty impressive. I saw some girl on Instagram get a gold medal then take junior pictures. It’s crazy.” Blake Pearson ‘26

Arisa Trew: Wikipedia photo

Extracurricular Activities:

The importance of practicing sports for students.

By Hanchen Ou

As the chances of getting into a good college become smaller and smaller in Asia, more and more parents in Asia believe that a student’s first task is to study, and doing sports and physical exercise is a waste of time. This phenomenon has led to a sharp increase in depression, and the number of people wearing glasses. By these negative effects of students only studying but not doing sports, we can notice the importance of practicing sports for students. Practicing sports for students is important because it can protect our mental health, cultivate our good personalities, and give us a healthy body.

Practicing sports as a student can protect our mental health. Engaging in sports as a student can significantly benefit a student’s mental health by reducing stress, anxiety and depression. Without practicing sports as a student masy increase the percentage of getting depression and cause varying degrees of mental illness. Physical activity such as doing sports can stimulate the release of endorphins, which are natural mood boosters, which can also help students to alleviate feelings of tension and frustration. According to the paragraph from National Library of Medicine, the impact of sports participation on mental health and social outcomes, the writer highlighted the fact that participation in sport can improve student’s psychological well-being such as higher self-esteem and life satisfaction.

For example, Aleksa Zivanov ‘27 a basketball player from Serbia, shared his idea about the relationship between practicing sports as a student and mental health problems. “Practicing sports can definitely reduce the chance for a student to get mental health problems,” Zivanov said, “because when you are practicing heartily on the court, you will not have any distracting thoughts. You will always feel that your whole being is brand new.”

Thus, practicing a sport or doing exercises in a student’s free time can protect our mental health by reducing our stress and estimating our distracting thoughts.

Practicing sports as a student can cultivate our good personalities. Sports such as baseball, basketball and football require each player not only to perform their best, but also teaches the players important life skills such as teamwork.

For example, baseball has a special play that other sports don’t have, which is called a sacrifice

The negative effects of not doing sports as a student:

Percentage of teenagers wearing glasses:

Data from sciencedirect.com

In a school assembly in China, Chinese college students gather together for a special event. The interesting thing is that all of them are wearing glsses in the picture.

“There are so many Chinese students wearing glasses because of poor lifestyle choices.”

--China Daily

bunt. The sacrifice bunt means the hitter will sacrifice themself in order to let their teammates move to a closer base to score. Yubing Jia, a coach from the Chinese National baseball team gives us an insight of how sports cultivate player’s personalities. “Baseball isn’t only a sport, it’s more like an instructor of your life,” Coach Jia said. “Baseball teaches players to have self discipline outside of the game and the spirit of never giving up in the game.”

He said that for a reason, because a baseball game won’t finish until the end of the bottom ninth, there are so many precedents of teams coming back to win the game in the bottom of the ninth inning. Thus, practicing a sport like baseball can build our positive personalities by giving us self discipline and the spirit of teamwork and never giving up.

Practicing sports as a student can also give us a healthy body. Without practicing sports, students will have higher chances to wear glasses. For example, in China, it’s very hard to find a whole class without wearing glasses. In comparison, this phenomenon is way better in the United States.

“Baseball isn’t only a sport, it’s more like an instructor of your life.” --Yunbing Jia Chinese National Team Coach

In the U.S., every single student has played or tried a sport before. U.S. students will also try at least one sport in high school, but for most Chinese high school students, the only thing they can do is study. In China, they can only study in high school due to the pressure of getting into a good college. They have to choose between study and doing sports, because the study hours in school will take student’s time all the way from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. This kind of education system eliminates the possibility of being a student athlete. Under this situation, most Chinese parents will force their kids to study because they think studying is a safer way to success.

Practicing sports as a student is also beneficial for many of the organs in the student’s body. Regular physical activity such as sports can strengthen the cardiovascular system, enhancing heart health by increasing circulation and reducing the risk of heart disease. It also boosts lung function, allowing for better oxygen flow throughout the body. Thus, student’s physical functions are likely to decline significantly in all aspects without doing sports.

In conclusion, practicing at least one sport is crucial for students because it’s good for student’s mental health, personality cultivation, and health. By practicing a sport, students are able to estimate their distracting thoughts in their mind, and prevent the chance of getting depression. By practicing a sport, students can build their spirit of teamwork and never giving up. By practicing a sport, students can also get a healthy body by reducing the risk of any kind of illness such as heart diseases.

Overall, practicing a sport as a student can teach us the things that we can’t learn or gain from the textbook, so it is very important to practice at least one sport as a student.

An NPR report from 2015 found that, “In Shanghai, for instance, 86 percent of high school students suffer from myopia, or nearsightedness, according to the government’s Xinhua News Agency.” In 2018, a China Daily report revealed that, “According to a WHO report, the myopia rate among Chinese youth is the highest in the world, at 70 percent for high school and college students.” Myopia may be caused by too much time indoors and too little exposure to sunlight.

Cobas brings Spanish tennis talent

By Lauren Boone

Flying over to the United States from his hometown Madrid, Spain, Nicolas Cobas Gomez ’26, started a new chapter of his life this school year.

Cobas’ parents wanted him to come to the U.S. to have many opportunities and to learn about the culture.

Cobas said that his old school was “100 times bigger,” and that at North Cross, it is more practical. He said that at his old school the students use textbooks more than teaching the children themselves. Cobas misses his old school even though he likes North Cross.

Kidd Keo is one of Cobas’ favorite artists, well as RAP, Duki and Anuel AA.

ticipating in the sport since the young age of 6. Cobas wishes that he could meet Kidd Keo if he could meet anyone in the world. Kidd Keo is one of Cobas’ favorite artists, well as RAP, Duki and Anuel AA. Besides listening to his favorite type of music, Cobas enjoys occupying his free time by playing video games. He said that he is entertained by any type of shooting game, such as Call of Duty or Counter Strike 2.

Qin’s last season

He also misses his family, friends and girlfriend very much. Although, people aren’t the only thing that he misses. Cobas states that he misses the big parties in Spain very much, as well as the traditional Spanish cuisine.

This is not all for this international student, he is also a very good tennis player who has been par-

Although Cobas loves a lot of the teachers here at North Cross, his favorite is chemistry teacher, Getulio Brasil. Cobas talks about how Brasil teaches at a fast pace, which he is used to and feels the most comfortable with. Not only does Brasil match Cobas’ preferred method of teaching, but he is also said to teach well and overall a very good teacher. Cobas’ year at North Cross so far is going pretty well, his favorite part might be the sports, especially tennis. Cobas is excited to see where the rest of his Raider journey will go!

Thor Construction

The

out assists,

contributed quality

and

Mercedes speeds from sport to sport

Get Ready: Mercedes Herrera-Arias ‘27 works on her soccer skills at the second pre-season workout of the year. The Spaniard is preparing for the upcoming spring soccer season. Throughout this fall and beginning of the winter, Herrera played for Virginia United’s 2010 girls ECNL RL team. She joined the team last year and brought drive and energy that led her team to the regional finals. She was a key player, locking down the defense from the center of back. “I’m looking forward to playing with her this school season,” said Elizabeth Jackson ‘28, who also plays with Herrera on her Virginia United team. She is a multisport athlete, as she also played field hockey in the fall and currently plays basketball as well. Caption and photo by Isla Whittle

GREAT TEAMMATE: ‘Siah Hines ‘27 talks strategy on court with Jiale Qin ‘26, who will be celebrated Feb. 3 as a senior, since he will age out of eligibility next year.

senior has

play at guard, dishing

making steals

opportunistic baskets. The Raiders are ranked No. 3 in VISAA Div. II, so Qin’s final year may prove to be one of the msost successful in school history. Photo by Compass staff

My experience in a New Zealand school

Personal experiences teach in a way that second-hand experiences never can.

By Kaitlyn Perkins

Founding Father and renowned inventor, Benjamin Franklin once said, “Tell me and I forget, teach me and I remember, involve me and I learn.” Traveling and experiencing things for oneself provides knowledge one could never learn from others. From mid-summer 2023 to mid-summer 2024 my family and I lived in New Plymouth, New Zealand. Leaving my friends, family, and teammates behind for a year and moving to the other side of the world was scary. I cried as we took off from California. Little did I know I’d end up crying as we took off from Auckland to head home.

By living in New Zealand for a year I was able to experience what highschool is like on the other side of the planet, my parents got to work in an entirely different healthcare system, my brother spent practically every day of elementary school outside, and I made friendships to last a lifetime.

After about a week of living in New Zealand, my little brother, Braden started primary school, my younger sister, Devon started intermediate school and I started high school. Although not all high schools in New Zealand are, the school I attended was a same-sex school for girls from year 9 to year 13. Due to the differences in curriculum between New Zealand and the States I was placed in year 10. I started mid-way through the year in New Zealand because the school year goes from the beginning of February to early December.

From the moment I stepped into the classroom my first day, everyone was eager to get to know me. The girls had so many questions ranging from pretty typical questions like,“Do all the kids in the U.S. ride yellow buses to school?” to weirder questions like, “Who do you think is crazier, Trump or Biden?” to questions that shocked me like “Have you ever been in a school shooting?” This was all good and well, because I too had so many questions and was a little nervous that everyone would think I’m weird and wouldn't want to be my friend. In general everyone was very nice, but it is still like any other high school, and I got picked on from time to time.

I had so many fantastic and fascinating experiences there it’s hard to summarize it all, but there are definitely a few things that stood out. To begin with, Kiwis (N.Z. people) are very friendly, but they do all have a strangely common custom of using profanity. Ever since I was little my parents and teachers would look at cussing as a sin, something you could get in a lot of trouble for. However, cussing was almost normal in New Zealand.

So many of my fellow classmates cussed multiple times per couple of sentences, a couple of my teachers cussed on occasion, some of my coaches cussed, and my mom even seemed to get a little more comfortable with cussing, too (ha ha). The difference between using cuss words in America and in New Zealand is that in the U.S. expletives as we think of them are more of a sign of rage and immaturity than anything else, but in New Zealand it was more of a way of expressing strong emotion. For example in New Zealand one might say “Aw f*ck, now I’m out of the dodgeball match” or “Man, this f*cking headache has been ruining my whole f*cking week!” Kiwis generally didn’t direct these words at anyone out of anger but just to express disappointment.

My school day started at 8:40 a.m. and ended at 3:20 p.m. from Monday through Friday, except on Tuesday it would end at the same time but start at 9:10 a.m. The school day would somewhat resemble a schedule of two hour-long spells (classes), then a half-hour-long morning tea (break, also nobody drinks tea during break), then two more hour-long spells, lunch which is roughly 50 minutes long, and one final hour-long spell. After the school day, students could ride the bus, walk or bike home to have afternoon tea (after-school snack). Some students would stay after school for sports or clubs. Some of the school or club sports many Kiwi kids participate in are rugby, touch (like rugby’s version of touch football), football (soccer), basketball, netball (like basketball but also nothing like basketball), adventure racing (involves maps, teamwork, and many different sports combined), futsal (like soccer, but on a hard surface like a basketball court), badminton, volleyball, track and field, cross country, and surf lifesaving (basically a combination of swimming, surfing and lifesaving) among other things. I gen-

erally went home straight after school despite participating in the running club, because practices were held either before school or during lunch. While in the classroom I learned and tried so many new things. Teachers in New Zealand generally have more leeway as far as what things they can teach, show and do in class. For example my teacher could show me movies like the Hunger Games or videos with “inappropriate” language and images without getting the school’s or parents' consent. In science class we got to use bunsen burners and chemicals all the time when conducting experiments without parental or school approval. Teachers could teach about politics and opinionated topics without fearing school officials or parental complaints. I even ended up in one of my teacher's cars alone because I was new and hadn’t got the email about the field trip my class was taking. My teacher felt so bad for me. She used her break to drive me all the way to the field trip location so that I wouldn’t get left out and didn’t even need to contact my parents for permission before leaving. One of my favorite teachers even lit my hands on fire (sort-of, I had these chemicals on my hands so I didn’t feel a thing) for a science experiment. She used a lighter to set the bubbles on fire and the fire burst into flames straight up in a magnificent, jaw-dropping moment and instantly disappeared. Yes, my teachers did take every precaution to keep us safe and limit their opinions on subjects, but the freedom to teach without fear of reprisal allowed us students to learn and experience things we would never get to in a typical American high school.

The thing I liked the most about school in New Zealand was the integration of Maori culture into everyday life. The Maori are the Native people of New Zealand and much like the Native Americans, they were not treated with the kindness or respect they deserved by the British settlers arriving on their land. Throughout New Zealand, significant efforts are made to inform people about the not-so-great treatment of the Maori people and to embrace Maori culture as a special and important part of New Zealand’s rich heritage. My high school embraced Maori culture by having year 9 students take mandatory Maori immersion classes as one of their core subjects as well as by offering Maori Immersion classes as an elective throughout all of high school. My school had a beautiful school waitata (song) that was sung in Maori at each assembly. School spirit was celebrated by breaking the students up evenly into four wakas (meaning canoes, but also spirit mediums).

FIRST HAND: One of my favorite teachers even lit my hands on fire (sort-of, I had these chemicals on my hands so I didn’t feel a thing) for a science experiment.

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