The Perennial | Senior Issue | May 2025 by Pinewood School

Riya covers Bill Long’s decision to attend West Point & pursue a future in aerospace engineering.

Arts & Cultures

Esha features three Pinewood seniors who plan to pursue their passions for the arts in college & beyond.

Wells and Eivers Leave Lasting Legacy at Pinewood Upper Campus To Undergo Historic Renovation

NONA BROZELL Staff Writer

For the first time in its history, Pinewood Upper Campus will receive a full renovation. The rebuild, which could possibly begin as early as the summer of 2027, will make existing classrooms larger, add in new specialty spaces for non-core subjects, and foster community growth.

President and Head of School Scott Riches played a large part in the creation of the renovation plan. However, this process also included meeting with members of the faculty and administration in order to establish a design that most benefits the community.

Pinewood is currently fundraising for the rebuild through donations from the community and profits from the annual auction. The school is also waiting for the renovation plans to be approved by the town of Los Altos Hills.

One of the primary goals of the reconstruction is to create larger, more modern classrooms with advanced equipment.

Head of Upper Campus Eve Kulbieda said that the school wanted to improve the experience for students and visibly express its strong curriculum.

“Pinewood has an amazing academic program, and

we would like the buildings to represent that in a physical way,” Kulbieda said.

In addition to larger classrooms, the renovation will include new specialty areas, such as a larger theater for the performing arts program and a makerspace for robotics and engineering.

“With this new state-of-the-art equipment, we’ll be able to better prepare students for college and their future careers,” Riches said.

The new campus will also include more community spaces, such as a student center called The Hub, an indoor cafeteria, a larger Cue Quad, and a refurbished gym.

“It’s very important to us that the students have places to be themselves and spend time with one another,” Riches said.

Along with improving physical spaces, the school hopes that the rebuild will further strengthen Pinewood’s community. One way that Pinewood aims to accomplish this is by adding 75 new high school students to Upper Campus. This will result in each grade growing by around 18 students.

Kulbieda noted that the construction process itself will help students become more comfortable with change.

“Often people will anticipate a build with anxiety,

‘Yes, dear.’ Now, every time he has that conversation with his 10th grade class and I’m walking by, he calls me in to answer his question. It’s our running joke.”

Eivers has had a huge impact on his students throughout his 25 years at Pinewood, and he says he will miss it dearly.

“Pinewood is my family and community,” Eivers said. “I basically grew up here and met a bunch of amazing people who helped me develop professionally and personally.”

Eivers has too many memories to count from his decades teaching at the school.

“My highlights come from traveling internationally and watching students perform in some of the most beautiful places in the world,” Eivers said. “The Vatican was a very special trip for me because our students sang in St. Peter’s Basilica around New Year’s, and then the next morning listened to the Pope give his New Year’s Day message. Seeing so many people in the same place be passionate about something was an amazing experience.”

Eivers said he will miss everyone, especially the students.

“The department can do the minimum and still get paid, but we’re willing to go the extra mile and make performing arts the best we can for the students,” Eivers said. “I do this every day so they can get their shine and experience that feeling of accomplishment.”

Scott Riches, President and Head of Pinewood School, said that both of them will be missed.

“The Pinewood community will deeply miss Doug Eivers as he begins a new adventure in Texas and David Wells as he enjoys his next chapter in retirement,” Riches said. “These two have had a profound impact on our students for many years. We can’t thank them enough for all that they have done for the school.”

and they forget about all of the neat stuff that will come with it,” Kulbieda said. “This renovation will give students an experience that will help them become more resilient and open minded.”

With the renovation comes the chance that classes will take place in different locations. However, Kulbieda mentioned that possible challenges, such as the need to switch classrooms or move off campus for periods of time during the rebuild, won’t negatively affect academics.

“It’s very important to us that the students have places to be themselves.”

“The renovations won’t have an impact in the classroom,” Kulbieda said. “Our curriculum will still be as strong as it is, with the only difference being the physical locations.”

Both Riches and Kulbieda are looking forward to the renovation, the expanded course offerings, and the community growth that it will bring to Pinewood.

“This is one of the most transformational times in the school’s history, other than the founding,” Riches said. “It’s very exciting, and we’re all looking forward to it.”

Photo by NOX BRADLEY

DAVID WELLS , English teacher, to depart from Pinewood after 17 years.

DOUG EIVERS , Theater teacher, to leave after 25 years.

Photo by NOX BRADLEY

Five Seniors Sign to Continue Their Athletic Careers in College

NEIL KULKARNI Staff Writer

Five of Pinewood’s top senior athletes celebrated their college commitments and the continuation of their athletic careers during Signing Day on May 2.

Senior Vallory Kuelker will play Division I basketball at Southern Utah University, while seniors Katherine Garr and Jolyn Ding will play Division III basketball at Bowdoin College and New York University, respectively. Senior Paul Sapilewski will play Division III soccer at Johns Hopkins University, and senior Arjun Ari will play Division III football at the University of Rochester.

ish the connections they have built throughout their high school years.

“The teammates and people I’ve met have been my best friends, and the coaches are my role models,” Garr said. “I just feel like there have been so many positives in my life from basketball, and it just makes my life better.”

Throughout the recruiting process, these athletes were focused on finding a team that shared their values.

“When I visited Rochester and saw their team play, I loved how everyone on the team supported and cared for each other,” Ari said. “They weren’t just teammates; they were brothers.”

Having each chosen the right school for them, all five of these athletes are looking forward to continuing their athletic journeys collegiately, each with their own goals in mind.

“My goals at Johns Hopkins are to continue to work as hard as possible both academically and athletically,” Sapilewski said.

Although these Pinewood athletes are moving on to the next step of their journey, they will forever cher-

Photo by SAM JEZAK

These senior athletes are also reflecting on their favorite memories and experiences with their coaches and teammates.

“I look back on the big games and the emotional moments,” Kuelker said.

“I would say senior night was the most memorable time because I got to celebrate my high school career with my team and fellow seniors.”

While Ding is sad to leave these memories in the past, she is looking forward to her next chapter.

“My memories and experiences at Pinewood will always hold a special place in my heart, but I’m also really excited to start fresh and create more memories at the next level,” Ding said.

As they embark on their collegiate careers, they hope to pass on their knowledge and advice to the younger Pinewood athletes.

“At the end of the day, hard work and obsession beats talent,” Ari said. “Goals aren’t given; they are earned.”

“Always have fun and remember why you play,” Kuelker said.

From the Theater to the Court: Gray Does it All

KAYDEN GE Staff Writer

“Leo Gray-ay! Leo Gray-ay!”

A sea of green and gold rises to its feet, sending thunderous echoes through the gym with their claps and stomps. The Panther Pit erupts in support of senior Leo Gray as he steps onto the court, playing his first-ever high school sport as a member of the boys volleyball team.

Before this spring, Gray had already been incredibly involved in the Pine wood community, serving as this year’s Associated Student Body President and performing regularly with the PPA, appearing in productions such as last year’s “Argonautika” and this year’s “Alice By Heart.” To close out high school, Gray, after a long-stand ing interest in athletics, was finally able to add playing a sport to his diverse list of Pinewood experiences.

“I’ve wanted to play volleyball since I was a freshman because I remember freshman year I would practice a little bit with the girls team and I was like, ‘This is fun’,” Gray said. “It was super fun to try out this new thing.”

Gray, as ASB President, has al ways brought his contagious energy by cheering in the Panther Pit during games. After years of being the one to rally the student section, Gray was finally able to feel what it’s like to be supported himself.

Tennis Seniors Lead the Team to Qualify for CCS

Under the leadership of seniors Shay Mallempati, Tim Schusser, and Netane Ofa, the Pinewood tennis team qualified for the CCS tournament, having gone 11-4 this season.

“No matter what grade, I was starting as a rookie and now as a team captain, having the inclusive and laidback community is what makes the tennis program what it is,” senior Ofa said.

“This year we managed to beat every team that we normally struggle to beat, like Crystal Springs School and Kings Academy,” Schusser said.

For the tennis team, one of the biggest games of the season was their matchup against Kings Academy. They managed to sweep Kings 7-0 in a win that set the team up for the CCS tournament. This match was one of Mallempati’s biggest games because his opponent was getting constant advice from the other team’s coach, which made it difficult for Mallempati to focus.

“The coach would always be coaching him to the point that it was really annoying, and it was just getting on my nerves,” Mallempati said. “Beating my opponent and the coach was one of the greatest feelings.”

All three seniors started as freshmen on the tennis team, and watching the team grow is something they are all proud of.

“Since my freshman year, we have progressively gotten better, and having a team with a high ceiling is a big part of this success,” Ofa said.

Along with that, as individual players, each senior has grown into a leader on the team. Because of their leadership, most of the team practiced on their own time, including during breaks, showing their high level of commitment to the team.

“Being on ASB has given me the opportunity to cheer on a lot of other people, and so it’s been nice reversing those roles,” Gray said.

Throughout his PPA career, Gray has received his fair share of standing ovations and applause on the stage, but he had never known what it felt like to receive that type of support on the gym floor. Gray compared the dynamic between him and the audience in the theater versus

“In theater, people aren’t really like cheering for you since they’re kind of just clapping, so it’s cool to have that kind of interaction with the Panther Pit while you’re out there,” Gray said. “It’s nice to have the kind of

As Gray has continued to stay involved at Pinewood, he reflects on how the community has shaped his high school experience and made him the

“Pinewood has let me experience so many different things,” Gray said. “Being involved in other activities has definitely given me many communities across campus, and it’s nice to be meeting new

As high school comes to a close, Gray feels immense gratitude for the support he has received throughout

“I’m just grateful for the people that are willing to go out to the games and support you in theater, wherever you’re just showing yourself off on campus,” Gray said.

Heading off to college, Gray, having explored many different interests at Pinewood, hopes to continue to find new things to do in the future.

“I expect that I’m gonna join a bunch of other things in college that I’m not necessarily doing in high school,” Gray said. “Just staying excited to try new things.”

“[Sophomore] Dylan Faerber, our singles two became significantly better,” Mallempati said. “With that, we had a bunch of freshmen that had the drive to win points and matches, and collectively, everybody practiced over all the breaks, which led to a significantly better season.”

Another factor in the tennis team’s success was their tennis coach, Craig Corfield. Corfield has been coaching Pinewood tennis for years and has established a culture revolving around inclusion and success. For the past four years, Corfield has motivated and taught the seniors, improving their play.

“Craig is definitely the

funniest and best tennis coach there is, and he makes all the games and practices so incredibly fun,” Schusser said.

This focus on having fun has contributed to the team’s success, letting players feel less pressure when they play. Every year, the tennis team has gotten better, culminating in

“Pinewood tennis is special because it’s kind of like a child,” Mallempati said. “You raise it from birth, and you know once they go to college, you’re just happy and proud to see

HARRY YANG Staff Writer

Photo by AVERY HALL

Left to right: Vallory, Katherine, Jolyn, Arjun, and Paul pose before signing to play collegiately.

Leo celebrates after a point.

Tim hits a forehand over the net.

Photo by SAM JEZAK

What Being an Evergreen Taught Me

VIOLET NEGRETTE Staff Editor

For the past 13 years, I’ve seen the same green tree outlined in the corner of my papers and embroidered on my uniforms. The short stem and pointed leaves have decorated my household for as long as I can remember, and longer.

Now that I am graduating, which is something that I simply refuse to come to terms with, I have the privilege of looking back on the past 13 years and the academic continuity that has remained steadfast. As a bonus point, my mother had a very different, basketball-instead-of-soccer experience of her own at Pinewood for 13 years. Life’s funny like that. We shared many of the same teachers, leading to many confusing conversations and wonderful realizations.

Pinewood has always prided itself on being a haven for intellectual growth, community, and honesty. However, I’ll be honest, this really doesn’t sum up what this place taught me.

For so long, people have asked me what school I attend, and I’ve hesitantly said, “Oh, a small school in Los Altos Hills; you might have heard of it.” And I won’t lie, sometimes it was difficult to be unable to bond over larger school activities and memories, especially when someone doesn’t recognize my school. But I’ve come to the realization that the people I’ve met at Pinewood are the spirit and strength of this school. Being an Evergreen, I can assuredly say that I am the epit-

Jo’s

JOLYN DING

Editor-in-Chief

ome of a Pinewood student, so I’m a reputable source. I’ve also realized that the sanctity and near secrecy of Pinewood actually adds to its specialness. People’s initial trepidation about my reclusive school transforms into awe and respect at the mention of its class sizes, community, and opportunities. I have met people who simultaneously push my boundaries and create a safety net of kindness and genuineness that I can constantly rely on, especially in this past year. More importantly, Pinewood has been a conduit for my understanding of how friendships grow and develop, sometimes to diverge and sometimes to become stronger.

I’m the type of person who always liked to have a plan or an idea of where I was going with my life. Even at the age of eight, I had convinced myself that I was destined to be an English teacher. That pathway transformed often – to therapist, lawyer, president, princess, etc. The world really was my oyster throughout my childhood, and that was because of Pinewood. I woke up every morning and knew that my day was going to be full of surprises and opportunities for me to discover a new part of myself. At Pinewood, I discovered that I loved soccer, and books, and debating, and learning, and testing people’s boundaries.

Going forward, although I’ll still be right here in the Bay Area, the lessons I have learned over 13 wonderful years will undoubtedly continue to shape the person I will become. I will forever have Pinewood to thank for that, and I couldn’t be more grateful.

Final Farewell to Basketball Seniors

Not going to lie, the tears hit me like a train wreck. I didn’t expect to lose the way we did. I didn’t expect four years to be over just like that. And I certainly didn’t expect to cry, at least not as much as I did.

I truly believe time has a beautiful way of showing us what matters, and looking back on our final game, I’ve finally realized why I was so emotional that day. My tears weren’t a result of the loss; they weren’t a result of our missed shots or missed opportunities; and they weren’t a result of us falling short of our goals. Instead, the tears came because I was confronted with the ugly truth: season was over, senior year was coming to an end, and there was no “next year.” There would be no more pre-game handshakes, no more chances to beat a team that we lost to, no more post-game meals at Jeffrey’s, no more late-night car rides, and no more chances to run it back. That was it.

No matter how much I avoid confronting this reality, my heart always circles back to the same conclusion: Pinewood will always be home. It doesn’t matter if I’m 3,149 miles away at college or visiting campus as an alumni — this place and the people in it will forever be ingrained in the very fabric of who I am. I couldn’t be more grateful for the lessons I’ve learned, the memories I’ve created, and the relationships I’ve built. So, to my seniors, thank you for being the best class I could’ve ever asked for. Even though we haven’t been together all that long, I couldn’t imagine another group of girls I’d rather walk the stage with at graduation. I’ll miss you all tremendously.

Oh, Vallory. What a journey it’s been. From scrawny, freshman-year, cheetah-print shoes Val to flexing in the mirror at Riekes and holding up your follow through after every made three, our past three years together have absolutely flown by. I know leaving everything behind at Gunn was difficult, but I’m so glad you took a chance on Pinewood and made the most of your time here. Seeing you blossom into the player and person you are has been a joy to witness, and I’m so happy that you’ve achieved the success you deserve. In case the people reading this don’t know, Vallory Kuelker has earned herself a Division I scholarship to play collegiate basketball at Southern Utah Univer-

sity. In addition to that, she is, in fact, the swaggiest person I know. Thank you for being such a joy to play with and be around — your quirky dance moves will forever crack me up, and your ridiculously quick and witty comebacks never fail to put a smile on my face. I can confidently say that my experience here wouldn’t have been the same without you. SUU is so lucky; I can’t wait to see you do your thing at the next level.

K Garr. Starr Garr. The best Garr. Oh girly, even though you don’t remember our first interaction, which I’m still incredibly offended by, I always had a feeling we’d get along. Flash forward two seasons, and what do you know, I was right — we have inside jokes up the wazoo, an undeniable chemistry on the court, and a friendship that’ll last a lifetime. In the short period we’ve known each other, I’ve learned so much from you, and I genuinely don’t think I would’ve made it through this past year without you by my side. All I can say now is thank you, and I hope that I’ve been able to do the same for you. Not to mention, I’m so glad you took a leap of faith and chose Pinewood. We talk about it all the time, but it’s these little chance occurrences, like you transferring your junior year, that can make a world of a difference in the lives we lead. I’m so glad our paths crossed, and I can’t wait to see when they cross again. When that time comes, my hope is that you’ll finally be able to see yourself the way I see you. You are magical; you just don’t know it yet. And by the way…it’s always been “go polar bears.” See you in Brunswick!

Hearing “YANG BANGG” chanted in our tiny Pinewood gym will forever give me the chills. Thank you for letting me live out my dream of being a part of a bench mob… because believe me, I was shouting that at the top of my lungs every time you hit a three. On a more serious note, though, thank you for always being someone I can turn to for anything. You were always there to check in on me after a tough game, and you reminded me that I was more than what I showed on the court, that I was more than just a player playing a game, but rather a human still trying to figure it all out. In addition to that, I continue to be impressed with your

perseverance and willingness to fight for what you love. Your courage to show up even when things aren’t going your way is truly admirable, and I commend you for that. More than anything, though, I’ll miss trading vinyls with you, I’ll miss agonizing over the stress of our academic schedules, and I’ll miss running into your car to borrow a pair of goggles for Senior Assassin. Best of luck at UCLA and beyond! I’ll definitely be visiting Westwood in the near future.

Tina the Screenaaaa! The joy I felt for you on senior night was second to none. Watching you splash three after three, sprint your lane for an electric rim run, and shoot a blistering 100% from the field nearly brought a tear to my eye. You closed out your Pinewood career the exact way you deserved, and I couldn’t have been happier for you. No one saw the extra shots you got up after practice, no one saw how hard you worked on and off the court, and no one saw everything you’ve overcome to be where you are today. For that, I’m so proud of you and all that you’ve accomplished. In the end, I also hope that you can look back on your journey and time at Pinewood with a sense of pride, a sense that you did everything you could’ve to be the best you could be. Beyond that, thank you for listening to me rant and complain after a failed test, thank you for driving me all over the globe before I got my license, and thank you for always having my back. I’ll never forget the unwavering support you’ve shown me. Oh, and by the way, see you in New York City next year!

If there’s anything I’ve learned from my time at Pinewood, it’s that the people make the place. With the right people and a shared purpose amongst those people, magical things are bound to happen. So, to my fellow seniors, to my coaches, to everyone who made this last season as special as it was, thank you. More specifically, to my seniors, my fellow Class of 2025 graduates, thank you for letting me be a part of your story, and thank you for shining your light for the rest of us to see. As this chapter in our lives comes to a close, other doors of opportunity will open, and I can’t wait for the real world to see the magic within you all. We’re just getting started.

- Jolyn Ding

Photo courtesy of VIOLET NEGRETTE

Through the Green and Gold Gates: Gabby’s Reflection of Her Pinewood Journey

GABBY YANG Staff Editor

To My Freshman Self, Aug. 16, 2021. 1,361 days ago. Your first day of high school.

Mom drove you through the clanky black gates. As you got out of the car, she said the same, “Have a good first day of school” that you had heard for the past 10 years. Despite the familiar phrase, I know you felt different. Alone. All of your best friends were going to a different school. On top of that, a 10-minute commute turned into 45. It was as if a hurricane swept away everything you once knew, leaving behind only freshman fears.

Freshman physics. The non-stop word problems were a nightmare for you, and seating charts emerged as your worst enemy. You were assigned to a table with five girls, and you didn’t know any of them. Your shy and quiet self refused to say a word as your hands trembled at the sight of unknown and new people. The following day, a lab was assigned, and you finally spoke, and you even laughed. Little did you know that these five people, who created a group chat called “Asian Sensations,” would stick with you throughout all of high school.

picked up the camera to outsmart time, trying desperately to cling to the past or jump to the future, hoping to skip the present entirely. Ever since your discovery of a camera, you’ve also had a knack for experimentation and chemistry labs, often combining the two together. That’s when you fully understood the true meaning of the phrase: “When one door closes, another opens.”

break when everyone else around you advised against it. Sometimes, you have to tune out all the noise around you to maintain your sense of self and experience the extraordinary.

Flashing forward to senior night. You’ve been waiting for this moment for a long time. After two surgeries, seven ankle sprains, a torn plantar fascia, and too many sprained fingers to count, it’s your night, and you’re alongside your four fellow seniors.

Skipping ahead to sophomore year; You discovered your passion for chemistry and art, which is what you’ll be studying in college! You explored both of these while suffering from an inexplicable amount of pain on the court, and you soon realized your hopes of playing college basketball were shattered. As a result, you first

The

CHRISTINA TANASE Staff Editor

“Do

The infamous junior year. You always heard myths about it. They were true. Thirty-eight college tours. Signing up for the SATs. All honors and AP classes. Learning to drive. Constant migraines due to stress. Extreme focus on extracurriculars. Four hours of sleep every night. Despite all this, you chose to go to Costa Rica with Pinewood as the only junior during spring

The stands are completely packed, and it’s the fourth quarter. When you see the ball swish through the net, the crowd erupts for you, and a huge smile appears across your face. You should’ve heard the entire school chanting “Yang Bang.” It was more than you could’ve pictured in your head. It meant everything.

After the game, you gave your senior speech to the team, expressing your gratitude for everyone who made your time at Pinewood so transformative. You would be proud to know that you are far from alone, unlike day one. Although it’s not over yet, in your heart, you know that this special chapter at Pinewood is nearly ending.

In just 21 days, you’ll be driving out of those green and gold gates, onto the next chapter and away from the cozy and comfortable confines of what you now call home.

As you reflect on these past four years, your goal for the future is to live your life in the present more often, lip sync like Beyoncé whenever given the opportunity, and take it all in.

Love,

My Senior Self

Not Disturb” Epidemic

Think you can DND me? Get over yourself

“Notify anyway” are the words printed on the screen in front of me. A slight grin appears on my face before I passionately smash that button.

“Did you just ‘notify anyway’ me?” I immediately hear back from my reasonably annoyed friend.

Yes. Yes I did.

Who do you think you are? A celebrity? The President of the United States? The manager at In-N-Out on a Friday night?

Whatever the reason. I don’t care. You will see my text.

The fact is that there has been a gross misconception of the meaning of “DND.” For years the acronym has been interpreted as “Do Not Disturb.” Well, I’m here to clarify that it stands for “Do Not Deny (me attention).” If I’m given the option to disturb, I will be disturbing. Something worse than denying me attention completely is deciding that you’ve given me enough. When I’m in a heated conversation with my friend and mid-conversation, they turn on DND. You might as well just run me over with your car, and when I get up to tell you to take me off DND, run me over again. Good thing I never take anything personally, or else I would seriously crash out. Hey, don’t get me wrong. I think it’s admirable that

the teens of this generation are taking a step towards being less reliant on their devices. But blatantly ignoring the ones you love (me) is not the antidote to your addiction. I’m not insensitive. In fact, I’m very sensi-

tive. I’m very sensitive to the fact that you may have a million reasons to silence me.

Maybe you want to save all your notifications for later and reward yourself with a little sweet treat after finishing your work. Valid.

But let’s not forget all those times you’ve excitedly

unclicked Do Not Disturb to see who hit you up and to your disappointment, you have no notifications. None. Maybe you don’t like to see your notifications. That, I get. But what notifications are you hiding from? Schoology? Gmail? Your ex who never texted you back (it’s been six months, c’mon)? Or if you are one of those people who are on Do Not Disturb constantly, yet you respond to my text in an instant. What is wrong with you? Seriously. You desperately attempt to appear mysterious and off-the-grid, but you clearly check your notifications every second. Save yourself the embarrassment and just turn it off. Or maybe you’re truly one of those few who locked eyes with Dino Ambrosi, renowned for helping teens build a healthier relationship with their devices, during the assembly and felt deeply moved at the fact that one-third of your life is spent on your phone. In that case, kudos to you. But I know you deleted the Clearspace app a couple weeks after the assembly. You know who you are. I won’t name names.

I guess what I’m trying to say is: what am I truly disturbing? Your six-hour nap? You scrolling on TikTok for eight hours? Your feeble attempts at trying to reach a new high score on Block Blast? If you’re not driving, studying, or at a movie, I never want to see that stupid, little blue moon. Ever. Again.

Photo illustration by GABBY YANG

COLLAGE of Gabby’s favorite experiences at Pinewood

Illustration by MALAIKA BOROS

Farewell to Robotics Leaders Saying Goodbye to Culinary Collective’s Seniors

DAVIN TERNUS Staff Writer

Pinewood Robotics has been thriving under the leadership of the Class of 2025’s seniors for the past school year. The program has grown considerably while they have been in charge, and the effects of this growth will remain for years to come. As seniors Leo Shang, Jared Bowman, and Julianne Ting prepare to leave the program, their leadership and presence will be sorely missed. Despite their departure, excitement is strong within the club for the next season and those after.

Shang joined robotics during his sophomore year, finding the engineering aspects of the club appealing. Over time, Shang learned about the engineering process, including the cycle of prototyping and building as well as the teamwork required to make a successful product in a given timeframe.

“It’s one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve had,” Shang said.

Shang largely contributed to the hardware side of the team. He invested hundreds of hours into the program, making the concepts for multiple critical mechanisms by finding clever and unique solutions to the problems he was presented with.

Bowman joined the club in his freshman year, first discovering robotics at Middle Campus during a presentation of that year’s robot. When Bowman made it to high school, he joined the program.

“It’s really great to be able to work with other people who are committed to the club,” Bowman said.

Bowman was extremely dedicated and spent countless hours working on both the hardware and software aspects of the team. Notably, he built the foundation of their software, including the code for the swerve drive of the robot.

Ting joined in her freshman year after the club fair. Knowing little about robotics, she saw it as the perfect opportunity to learn. Ting worked on hardware as well as management and planning. During her time leading the club’s logistics, she improved communication, project management, and problem solving.

“I like being able to collaborate,” Ting said. “I like being in a leadership role. I like passing down my knowledge to underclassmen, because I found these things generally very useful.”

Ting’s work on the logistical side of robotics, although challenging, was critical to the success of the program.

Outside of their importance in the mechanics of the team, the three captains contributed massively to the warm and supportive atmosphere of the club.

“A highlight of my time mentoring is teaching all of them and having the chance to work with them,” Andrew Zerbe, a mentor of the club said.

RYAN CHOU Staff Writer

Pinewood got a tasty new addition to their club offerings this year when seniors Trevor Chin and Jacob Young helped junior founder Kyle Ma launch the Culinary Collective. The cooking club hosts weekly meetings during lunch, where members, including myself, get the unique opportunity to cook a wide array of dishes, learn essential cooking skills, and enjoy homemade food.

I became friends with Chin and Young through the Culinary Collective, and they inspired me to try different cooking techniques and recipes at home. Before they graduate, I asked them to reflect on their experiences with the new club.

“ We made the Culinary Collective to share the passion of creation with people specifically to cook, to learn and to make new things, and mostly as enjoyment,” Chin, founder and logistics manager of the club, said.

cooking is a good skill to know because you can make healthier meals.”

Each club meeting incorporates lessons and demonstrations with an emphasis on food safety.

“One of the things we get to teach people is they have to be really careful because you don’t want to cross-contaminate raw meats with vegetables,” Young said. “ We also wanted to teach people some basic cooking skills like cutting: how to properly cut certain vegetables and what side of the knife to use.”

Some popular dishes that were prepared this year include lamb skewers, fried rice, and cupcakes. Although Chin and Young will be graduating soon, they hope that the club will continue with an expansion of recipes.

On a personal level, Young’s involvement in the Culinary Collective taught him how to be a stronger leader.

Photo by SEAN SIRHAN

Young, the treasurer of the Culinary Collective, enjoys the creative aspects of cooking and believes it is a useful skill to share with the Pinewood community.

“ I think cooking food is very satisfying — to make raw ingredients look pretty nice and taste good,” Young said. “ A lot of us here don’t necessarily cook, and

“ I learned some more soft skills, like teaching people how to lead,” Young said. “One thing about leadership is you always have to be concise, but you also have to put in enough details.”

Chin also appreciated seeing others enjoy cooking.

“ Feeding people is just nice to do, and seeing people enjoy that, having fun, and being able to learn how to make it themselves is just rewarding in itself,” Chin said.

Christine Tran Wins Fellowship Award for Teaching Computer Science

ZACHARY CHOI Staff Writer

Last month, Upper Campus computer science teacher Christine Tran received the Sarah D. Barder Fellowship Award for her work in teaching computer science to students over the past 20 years. It was created by Johns Hopkins University’s Center for Talented Youth, a program designed to provide challenging courses to gifted students. The award is given to 10 applicants selected from a pool of teachers who have been nominated by CTY participants.

“This program recognizes teachers who discover and keep talented youth engaged and interested in whatever they want to pursue,” Tran said.

Tran was surprised when she was nominated by junior Soha Budhani. The nomination, which included an essay written by Budhani, inspired Tran to complete the rest of the application without any expectations of winning.

“It’s not just you checking the box,” Tran said. “I felt I had to complete my application because…my student took time and effort to write the essay and to nominate me.”

have received the award can take advantage of professional development opportunities and learn from other like-minded instructors.

Once a fellow, a teacher is invited to attend the conference for life. After initially flying to Las Vegas to receive the award, Tran said she is most excited for the chance to meet and learn from similar teachers at the conference.

For Budhani, Tran’s nomination was a reflection of how gifted she is as a teacher.

“Tran truly understands her students—not just how we learn, but who we are as people,” Budhani said. “She finds the perfect balance between kindness and humor with a strength that commands respect.”

Winning this award has opened new doors for Tran, with her receiving an invite to the annual Sarah D. Barder Conference. There, fellows or teachers who

“For me, it was all about the community of teachers and working together with them,” Tran said. “I’m most excited about meeting other teachers… and…teachers that teach different things.”

Tran would like to credit her students for working their hardest in her classes and pushing her to teach more.

“I’ll thank my kids and my students because they try to push themselves,” Tran said. “They recognize that they want more.”

Inspired by her award, Tran wants to develop a more creative and unconventional computer science curriculum at Pinewood.

“I want a class that attracts students with more design intuition,” Tran said. “Not only designing fashion or clothing that you wear, but also with the electronic and code computing component in it.”

Above all, Tran hopes to make her computer science classes more accessible to non-STEM students.

“I want to attract students who are not just STEM focused, but creative art focused, creative problem solving, girls, and people who think that coding is hard,” Tran said.

YOUNG AND CHIN cook on the Murphy Patio.

Photo by ROSE XU TRAN with her fellowship award.

Photo by SAM JEZAK

BOWMAN prepares a robot for testing.

Pinewood Seniors Pursue Arts in College

ESHA JOSHI Staff Writer

As they prepare to graduate, three students from the Class of 2025 plan to carry their interest in the arts into their college educations and careers.

Senior Sophia Ellis plans to pursue performing arts by majoring in theater studies at Montclair State University. She hopes to concentrate in performance in musical theater, but she’s also open to a possible double major in hospitality.

“Theater is definitely something that I want to continue to broaden my knowledge of, and I’m also hoping it goes into larger things,” Ellis said. “The studying of performance and hospitality may make it easier to enter into cruise ships, which I’m interested in pursuing after college.”

Along with performing in every Pinewood production during her high school career, Ellis often participates backstage by helping with props, microphones, costumes, and other elements of any production. Ellis noted that the community she finds in theater productions at Pinewood is one of her favorite parts of performing.

“To me, I think it is truly what the best part of theater is,” Ellis said. “I think it’s really amazing to be with people who I truly feel I’m closest with.”

Senior Gabby Yang will attend the University of California, Los Angeles, where she plans to study both art and chemistry. She cites a flame test lab from her sophomore year chemistry class, which featured various

Save Space for Bass

RISHI CHEN Staff Writer

In any song you listen to, it’ll be there. It’s easy to tune it out as background noise, write it off as unnecessary, or even just forget about it. Yet bass is often the most crucial component of any musical piece of any genre; all it takes is one attentive listen to recognize this.

The versatile instrument can take many forms. In a rock song, it could be the bass guitar. The bassist can choose to pluck it with a pick in order to give it punch, slap it to maximize funk levels, or play in the traditional fingerstyle for speed and precision. In a jazz song, it could be the upright bass, massive as it is striking. In a pop or dance song, it could be the bass synthesiser, distorted and twisted, or soft and ethereal. Yet there is a reason why a musician never neglects to include bass in their songs.

this, tinging their intros with a feeling of anticipation by withholding the bass and playing solely mid-range instruments — usually guitar or keyboards — until multiple seconds later. The next time you hear a song with a quiet or foreboding intro, keep your ears primed and get ready for the inevitable grumble of the bass. Music without bass is wild, volatile, and directionless. Bass is, both technically and less palpably, what gives music its essence.

From a technical point of view, bass provides the critical low end, one of the three “sides” of the sonic spectrum — the others being the more melodic mids and the flashier highs. These parts comprise the audible frequency that our ears can hear, from the lowest note to the highest. In essence, they are simply a way to delineate how our ears process sound. The low end is what truly completes the song — what makes it feel full, or what makes it drive. It adds a punch. Without the low end, a song would feel too light and unfulfilling. Artists often weaponise

Upon cursory listens, many popular songs can be revealed as slyly (or blatantly) bass-centric. The obvious ones are famous for their bass-isms: Queen’s “Another One Bites the Dust” or Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean”. Yet even when the bass is subtle, it continues to carry the song. Bruno Mars is a master of

the pop bassline: despite their lush instrumentations, “24k Magic” and “Uptown Funk” both rely on bass for their distinctive grooves. It is not, in fact, the synth or the guitar that creates the inscrutable rush of the songs, but the bass.

For every song, the low end is a necessity. Bass is the instrument that gets the job done. While the instruments of higher frequencies often steal the spotlight, it is high time that the bass garners its long-awaited appreciation. Your favorite songs carry a seemingly intangible power to harness emotion; a little awareness will reveal the source of this power as the humble bass.

metals changing the color of a flame, as a spark for her interest in tying together visual art and chemistry. She later returned to the chemistry room to take a photo for her AP Art portfolio.

“I experimented a little more because I wanted to try something new,” Yang said. “I ended up putting a spectroscope in front of my camera lens, and it created a rainbow effect.”

Senior Marley Thornson also plans to weave together her creative interests with a different field by majoring in Graphic Communications at California Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo. Thornson has taken Pinewood’s Studio Art classes and AP Art while also participating in Tech Theater and helping with props for shows. Recently, she has spent more time learning about graphic design.

“I did want to try doing something creative while still being marketable, so that’s why I’ve followed graphic design,” Thornson said. “I honestly think I do really enjoy the art of it.”

To Thornson, combining design with marketing gives her the opportunity to explore her interest in psychology and human expression. She would advise other students interested in the arts to examine the lifestyle they picture for themselves and whether they’re willing to put in the effort to achieve it.

“Whether you believe you have the talent or not, are you ready to put in the work towards it?” Thornson said. “No matter what program you’re a part of, it’s your effort that makes you better.”

“Alice by Heart” Reviewed

ELLA KIM Staff Writer

Honeyed voices, crazed cackling, haunting shadows, and the beautiful pain of moving forward. Pinewood’s spring musical “Alice by Heart” captures the anguish of fighting against time through the evocative portrayal of unique characters in a moving tale of perseverance.

Through whimsical images and maniacal characters, the play takes the audience on the journey of 15-year-old Alice Spencer, played by freshman Lola Hannelly, as she tries to retell Lewis Caroll’s “Alice in Wonderland” through her own memory. Carrying her tuberculosis-ridden friend Alfred, portrayed by sophomore Zachary Gill, down the rabbit hole with her, she is constantly attempting to escape both the agonizing ticking of time and the Blitz of World War II. It seems like the world within Alice’s imagination, in which she once found comfort and wonder, is falling apart as she twists the tale to allow herself more time to linger in the past.

As she disobeys and distorts the story for her own desires while the clock ticks away, chaos and misery pile up within the beloved world of Wonderland.

Hannelly does an incredible job of capturing such hopeless yet fervent persistence in the chaos, building the character of Alice with masterfully portrayed flaws.

The play sensationally conveys the absolute chaos of Wonderland through its

actors. With quirky characters such as Alice’s beloved bird friends, the Duchess, the Queen of Hearts and her court, the caterpillar, the turtles, and the iconic Mad Hatter, the stage is a flurry of unraveling insanity. Each actor fully submerges themselves into their roles in this performance, dragging the audience down the rabbit hole with them. It was fun and almost unsettling at times seeing the unhinged behavior Pinewood students took on in their parts, yet beautifully tragic all the same. Both the playwright and the production of this musical formed endlessly complex, layered characters that were easy to sympathize with and fun to watch.

Sophomore Elizabeth Liang’s performance as the Cheshire Cat stands out especially. With her wise and mysterious air, she captures the essence of the classic sly cat beautifully while also adding the extra underlying layer. In the play, she acts as a mentor towards Alice, guiding her when she is lost yet always leaving somewhat of a riddle of instructions.

This play has an incredibly powerful message that shows itself through countless layers of madness that underscore the race through Wonderland with multi-faceted portrayals of characters, hypnotic vocals, atmospheric instrumentals, and visual effects. The moral shared by Liang’s portrayal of the Cheshire Cat that sometimes we overcome just by going on has immense depth and truth that Pinewood was able to beautifully convey with this production.

Illustration by MALAIKA BOROS

Photo by HANNA HECK

Photos by HANNA HECK & ROSE XU

A Teary Goodbye to The Perennial’s Senior Editors

Jolyn Ding

When people look up the definition of well-rounded, they’re met with two words: Jolyn Ding. I’ve known Jo since my freshman year when we were both sports writers together. Over the past three years, she has become nearly perfect in every aspect: a star basketball player, The Perennial’s editor-in-chief, an unbelievable student, and bound for a top-five undergraduate business program in the U.S. However, behind her amazing academic and athletic record lies an even greater person. Over the past month, she has diligently organized the grade-wide “Senior Assassin” competition, which is not an easy task at all when eliminated participants are complaining to her every second of the day. While her ability to put up with whining seniors is impressive, I’m most grateful for Jo because of her willingness to help others. Over the past two years, I have stretched her capacity for selflessness to the absolute maximum through constant texts and calls asking about interviews and article ideas. She could have easily told me to figure it out, but her support has led to some great articles (we spent hours editing my 2024 April Fool’s article about Sara Dorset) and my appointment as Sports Editor next year. Jo, thank you for everything you’ve done for me and The Perennial; NYU isn’t ready for DINGALING. - Jake Reynders

Prisha Mohapatra

Prisha, I truly have no idea what I would have done this year without you. Your perfectly-timed humor coupled with your steady leadership has guided me not only through journalism but through my high school experience. Thank you for always being there for me, whether it was a late-night call where I would pester you for copy editing help or letting me drink your coffee on those early mornings studying for a Calculus test. Your perseverance and courage have inspired me countless times, and you embody the leader I strive to be. From watching you on stage as SLC secretary to serving with you on ASB this year, you have been the model of a leader and a friend that the world will value highly. I’ll never understand your fascination with country music, but I’ll always love how you made every experience I’ve shared with you one that I’ll remember for years, whether it was climbing a mountain or diving in the ocean. I can’t count the times your ceaseless optimism has pulled me out of a rut and your good-natured criticism has pulled me back on track. You are unbelievably determined, loving, and incredible, and I can’t put into words how much I’ll miss you next year. Thank you for being the best older sister I never had, and good luck at whatever life brings you. I know you’ll crush it. - Dhruv Gupta

Abigail Kamenetsky

Abby, I’ve had the pleasure of being your writer for two years: last year as a wide-eyed, enthusiastic opinion writer and this year writing for editorial. To me, you’ve been a safe haven and voice of reason in journalism, even when copy editing 14 articles each month felt too challenging and layout seemed too overwhelming. Thank you (and your inbox) for putting up with the million times I “mentioned” you in a Google Docs comment for a copy-editing question. As my editor, you always pushed me to interview more people, focusing my writing through a Pinewood-centric lens. You were actually the person who encouraged me to apply for an editor position last year; I am incredibly grateful for the support you showed me, despite being a new writer. Outside of journalism, you play the role of “cool older sister” to anyone who is lucky enough to know you; I’ll never forget how you debriefed me on every single book in our English department and offered your vehemently passionate opinions, whether it was starry-eyed acclaim or deep-seated loathing. Being

the editor of the editors, you are truly the backbone of The Perennial. I wish you amazing things at UChicago, and please come visit next year! - Alisha Ramani

Annabelle Eaton

Annabelle, although I’ve never had you as my editor, I have seen the light you bring to The Perennial staff. Your selflessness shines through in your work — in both my interactions with you and how I see you care for each one of your own writers. Next year will not be the same without you, but I will forever cherish every laugh with you, every conversation about “The Sound and the Fury,” every time we use Australian accents together, every poem you taught me, every piece of advice you give me, and every opera song you continue to impress me with. I am so eternally grateful for the connection we have built, especially through volleyball — from celebrating each other’s kills to helping each other get through tough times on the court, I know I can always turn to you as my supportive older sister I never had. I know you will do great things in the world, and I am so grateful to have been a part of your journey. Wishing you the best of luck as you continue that journey at Brown!

- Mailey Wang

Violet Negrette

My first impression of Violet was AP Lang last semester when she raised her hand to offer her opinion on “The Right Stuff” by Tom Wolfe. “Wolfe’s description of John Glenn allows for an ethereal and angelic image that places Glenn on a pedestal above the rest of American society.” I remember looking to my left and giving her the biggest side eye because that was honestly the nerdiest statement I’ve heard in a Pinewood classroom. Since then, I’ve gotten to know Violet for who she really is — a hard-working student who can always make you laugh. Whether she is complaining to Sara Dorset about the impossibility of solving antiderivatives or telling me how bad my cyanotype is in art class, her energy never fails to bring a good time. While I appreciate the countless pieces of advice you have provided me about college applications and senior year classes, it is time to look ahead to a new chapter at Stanford. Although I won’t miss the constant jabs at my artwork, I’m extremely grateful for your guidance, Violet. I, along with the rest of the Perennial editors, am proud of all that you’ve accomplished. Good luck! - Jake Reynders

Michael Shtrom

Michael, I know journalistic writing is meant to be direct and unbiased, but I can’t read a single piece of your writing without feeling your personality shine through. Seriously, your eccentric humor is as unforgettable as it is impactful, giving the editorial squad, your writers, and the entire Pinewood community a boost of positive energy. Your pieces are as colorful as you are, and your juicy gossip, silly jokes, and beautiful karaoke performances will be severely missed during our otherwise interminable layout sessions. The best part of every month this year has been watching you sing your favorite songs, interrupting our usual routine to remind us that the close community we’re building more than makes up for our hard work. I hope you have a ton of fun in the real world, but not too much without us!

as both a writer and an editor, helping me grow as a journalist and exemplifying exactly the kind of person I want to be for my writers going forward. I also want you to know how grateful I am for your confidence. Whenever you have an idea you’re passionate about, you fight to make it happen while simultaneously maintaining an open mind. That kind of frankness is what keeps journalism alive. The faith that you have in yourself is admirable and infectious, setting an example for my introverted self and the rest of The Perennial staff. We’re going to miss you so much next year, but I know you’ll fit in super well in New York—a cool city fit for a cool person! - Katie Maier

Kathleen Xie

Kathleen, I had the pleasure of being your Features writer sophomore year, and I am so grateful for your guidance in helping me grow as a writer. Thank you for pouring your heart into all your writers and their articles; you truly left a positive impact on so many. Once I became an editor myself, I was and continue to be inspired by the editor you once were for me. From you, I learned EVERYTHING, from how to be the best editor for my writers to how to leave helpful comments on articles, truly strengthening their writing. I admire your genuine care for your writers and for The Perennial; the level of passion you hold for journalism and everything you do is so rare but so valuable. Although you won’t be here next year, your spirit will still stand strong in all the writers you’ve helped grow, including me. You are on a path towards greatness, Kathleen. We will all miss you next year, but we wish you the best at Stanford! - Mailey Wang

Rose Xu

Rose, looking through your past photos, your passion, creativity, personality, and humor are incredibly evident. Your satirical pieces are the most notable; I just can’t get over how you photoshopped Raghav punching Travis Kelce. Even outside of journalism, I admire your amazing work in AP art, where you’ve master all facets of artistic expression. Cameras hate to see me coming, so I wish I had just half the photography skills you have. Thank you for also scrambling to take last-minute photos during layout sessions; you always make sure that the visuals are super high-quality even with time constraints. We’re so grateful for you and everything you’ve done for us, and I truly wish you the best in this next chapter of your life!

Gabby Yang

- Lara Parikh

- Katie Maier

Christina Tanase

Christina, I have about a million things to thank you for, starting with your unending patience. On top of balancing basketball, journalism, and classwork, you have also had to deal with my pestering for two years in a row. Your support has meant the world to me

Gabby, bonding over trauma from AP Chemistry, stifling laughs during art, and thinking about when the food will come while watching home games are memories that I will never forget. Thank you. Not only have you been a great friend, but you’ve been an amazing photography editor. I seriously loved your photo for the sleep experiment article; it was everything I could have hoped for. You always take the most creative angle, yielding photos unlike no other. They unfailingly communicate the story in the article and are extremely visually appealing. Your attention to detail is not only apparent in your photography, but also in your creative, detailed, and appealing pieces in AP Art. As a photo editor, student council representative, AP student, and varsity basketball player, I truly admire your well-roundedness, drive, and perseverance. You inspire me to do my best and be my best, so thank you. This past year you’ve also endowed me with college advice that I will forever be thankful for. I’m so grateful to have gotten to know you, and I hope you know how privileged UCLA is to have you. Thank you for everything!

- Lara Parikh