The Argo

May 2024

Remembering Isha Agarwal and Isha’s Day

For the first half of Freshman year, “Isha Agarwal” was just the name of an absentee in numerous classes. Whenever the gym teachers called out her name for attendance and asked where she was, we would have to repeatedly explain how she had been absent for months and how we had never met her before. There was word that she was in the hospital, but besides that, we knew nothing about her except for her long-haired, bright-smiled photo on Argonet.

On the only snow day of the 2021-2022 school year, we logged into Zoom and saw a new class member. While for us it was another school day in December, it was Isha’s first day.

Pink was always incorporated into her outfits, whether through her hats or clothing. That and her high, sweet voice helped her embody positivity. She liked doodling

Kelli Chang ‘25

in the Notes App, always had a neat lunch box from home, and sent a candy-o-gram to every friend. Although she was always smiling, you could tell it wasn’t easy. She often spoke about the work she was overwhelmed with and how it was hard to accomplish due to how tired she usually was. But of course, she always persevered, going to extra help with teachers and earning excellent grades in her classes.

By the end of Freshman year, things were looking up. She had said that it was over, and on the last day of school, she showed up without her usual hat and with a nice short hairdo. However, when school started again in Sophomore year, the hat was back.

Gradually, she came to school

less and less. Lunch was different, and we were worried, but we knew she would return.

There was news that she would be back on campus one day in December during community time, and we went to the Zen den to meet her. We were overjoyed. We played UNO and chatted, and she said she would be back by the time Winter break was over, which we were relieved to hear. Like a procession, we all walked to lunch, saying she was the main character the whole way there. Little did we know that was the last time we would see her.

On April 11th, 2024, the Rutgers Prep Upper School participated in a walk in memory of Isha. Both students and faculty walked together around campus during ninth pe-

riod. Participants were encouraged to wear purple, Isha’s favorite color. As members of the Upper School passed Isha’s bench, they were encouraged to touch it and think about Isha. Although it began to rain near the end of the walk, participants continued to walk in honor of Isha. In total, the Upper School raised $1,160 for Isha Cares, an organization founded by Isha’s parents to help other families with childhood cancer. Although Isha is no longer here with us, her positive personality will not be forgotten. She will always be a part of the Rutgers Prep community.

Rutgers Preparatory School Blood Drive

For the past few months, a group of students and faculty have been working endlessly with the American Red Cross to host this year’s annual blood drive, which occurred on March 12. The blood drive was a huge success, with around 170 pints of blood being donated. The blood drive takes major planning, including “making and distributing flyers, timing correctly, and making people feel comfortable about donating their blood,” said Manasvi Rajiv ‘25, a coordinator for the blood drive.

The process of donating blood is not difficult at all. There are some requirements including weight, general health, and vitamin levels to ensure the donation is safe and

Suhani Jerath ‘25

eligible. If all the requirements are met, you may be prompted to answer further questions about your health. After going through the eligibility process, a trained staff member of the American Red Cross will draw your blood.

During the Rutgers Prep Blood

Drive, many students volunteered to help run it smoothly. For example, some students helped check in donors, some assisted donors by providing them with juice and snacks, and others helped run the blood drive in the background. Many students, faculty, and parents came to

Rutgers Prep to donate blood. While the Rutgers Prep Blood Drive has passed, there are still more opportunities to donate blood. Blood drives sponsored by the American Red Cross are held throughout New Jersey multiple times a month. Each donation can save over three lives, and there are so many people to support you if you are nervous about donating. Additionally, many different types of donations can be made at blood drives. These include whole blood, red cells, platelets, and plasma donations. All donations go to various patients such as cancer patients, trauma patients, sickle cell patients, burn patients, and patients with chronic diseases.

Isha Agarwal ‘25

Señora Dutta and Mr. Avella

Photo Credit: RPS Upper School Bulletin

Student Volunteers at the Rutgers Preparatory School Blood Drive Photo Credit: rutgersprep.org

Leela Menon ‘25, Kelli Chang ‘25, Arya Agarwal, Shashi Agarwal, Laela Domanski ‘26, Mr. Domanski

The World Language Department is an integral part of the Rutgers Prep curriculum, providing an immersive and interactive learning experience for all students. The myriad of languages and course selections offered are only made possible by all of the teachers and faculty working tirelessly to provide different learning opportunities for students. This school year, Rutgers Prep welcomes two new teachers into this de-

Getting to Know the New Faculty

Alina Zhu ‘27 and Ian Chang ‘27

partment, and their enthusiasm for learning and teaching has already made such a positive impact on the community.

For Señora Gelpi’s third year of teaching, she joined Rutgers Prep as a Spanish teacher. Part of the reason Señora Gelpi became a teacher is because she loves learning, referring to teaching as one of those things “you fall into.” Outside of school, Señora pursues a variety of hobbies, such as

playing the piano and cooking, as she is a music and art lover. When it comes to her students, she wants them to not put too much pressure on themselves but still work hard. As a teacher, she feels accomplished when she’s able to connect with her students. Señora loves to see students feel confident and to hear them use the language competently. In the end, she just wants students to have fun and be themselves.

This school year, we also welcome Ms. Zhou to the Rutgers Prep Library and World Language Department. A firm believer that communication can help people understand the perspectives of others, she worked as a journalist in China and Russia before coming to RPS. At the same time, she wanted to bring her experiences and knowledge to different people around the world, so she became a teacher. It is her

fifth year teaching, and she has taught a range of subjects such as math, science, Chinese, language arts, and PE. She has come to enjoy some hobbies, like playing the violin and practicing Ti Kwon Do. When it comes to teaching, she believes that what you learn about the language and the culture behind it is far more important than a student’s grade. As a teacher, she feels like she has achieved her goal when the student can adjust, be

prepared, understand, and take action in her class. Her motto for learning is “Opportunity is always ready for the people who are fully prepared,” and her motto for morality is “Freedom is a light in which many men have died in darkness.” Ms. Zhou is a very dedicated teacher wanting to bring her knowledge and experience to different people around the world.

RPS Speech and Debate Club at the Montville Invitational

On Saturday, February 24, 2024, eight debaters and two coaches of the Rutgers Preparatory School Speech and Debate Club debated against students from high schools all over New Jersey. Coached by club president Michael Chang ‘25 and vice president Avni Yedlarajaiah ‘26, the team performed exceptionally well in their first interscholastic debate tournament of the year. Chris Patel ‘25 and Mohit Reddy ‘25 won three out of their four rounds.

All eight RPS debaters debated in the public forum format. This competitive debate format consists of eight total speeches given by two teams of two debaters each. One team affirms the resolution, and the other negates it. With opening speeches, rebuttals, summaries, final foci, and crossfires, the public forum debate format ensures that each debater has plenty of time to articulate their arguments clearly and persuasively.

In February 2024, the National Speech and De-

bate Association’s public forum resolution was “Resolved: The United States federal government should ban single-use plastics.”

Michael Chang ‘25

paratory School conveyed contentions relating to the sterilization of medical equipment, the use of alternative materials, contracep-

plastic bans. This debate encouraged all the members of the club to consider the beneficial and harmful effects of single-use plastics

Throughout these entertaining debates, the student debaters from Rutgers Pre-

tives, recycling facilities, ocean and landfill waste, and the global impacts of

and to ponder the costly convenience plastic brings to human society and the environment.

Not only did the debaters from Rutgers Preparatory School learn about the subject matter of the debate, but they also learned many useful strategies and tactics. For instance, throughout the process of preparing and competing in this tournament, the debaters learned about off-time roadmaps, impacts, turns, and managing their preparation time. With these strategies, a growing passion for debate, and opportunities to practice, there is no limit to how skilled Rutgers Preparatory School debaters can become.

All of the debaters and coaches genuinely enjoyed this experience and are looking forward to future tournaments. The Rutgers Preparatory School Speech and Debate Club looks forward to continuing to offer these exhilarating, educational, and lucrative opportunities to students for years to come.

Ms. Zhou

Photo Credit: Meet Our Faculty (rutgersprep.org)

The RPS Public Forum Debaters and Coaches at Montville RPS Students in Photo From Left to Right:

Harry Cao ‘27, Adit Trivedi ‘25, Avni Yedlarajaiah ‘26, Nadira Dietz ‘26, Claire Wang ‘26, Michael Chang ‘25, Chris Patel ‘25, Mohit Reddy‘25, Peter Liu ‘27, Abhishek Venkata ‘25

Photo Credit: Rishikesh Ravi

Señora Gelpi

Photo Credit: Meet Our Faculty (rutgersprep.org)

The United States Presidential Election

The United States of America is entering another presidential election year in 2024. However, this election isn’t that different from the previous one in 2020, when Joe Biden and incumbent President Donald Trump faced off in one of the most intense elections in United States history. Now, President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump will once again be the faces of this year’s election. The other Republican candidate Nikki Haley, the former governor of South Carolina and UN ambassador under Donald Trump, dropped out of the race after voters elected Donald Trump as the republican candidate for this year’s election. This happened on a day called Super Tuesday, in which sixteen states, including American Samoa, have their primaries, and voters are allowed to pick their candidate for each par-

Archisha Sonig ‘25

staffer.

The Democratic candidates remaining are Marianne Williamson, an author, and Cenk Uygur, a political commentator. However, Uygur was born in Istanbul, Turkey, making him a naturalized citizen and thus ineligible to run for president. He says otherwise and promises to prove it in court. But Williamson and

ty. While every state has its primaries, Super Tuesday is just when most states hold them at the same time.

Previous Republican candidates included Ron DeSantis, the governor of Florida, and Vivek Ramaswamy, a tech entrepreneur. Independent candidates are on the ballot as well, including: Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., the nephew of President John F. Kennedy; Jill Stein, a doctor and activist; and Cornel West, a tenured professor at Union Theological Seminary and member of the People’s Party headed by Bernie Sanders’s former campaign

Uygur both suffered severe losses on Super Tuesday, falling behind Biden. The end of Super Tuesday and the dropout of Nikki Haley has officially kicked off the

general election that will end in November on election day.

However, both presidential candidates, Biden and Trump, are heavily disliked by American voters. Biden’s approval rating stands at 38.1%, and Trump at 42.6%. Many wish that they had the choice to have different candidates, and according to a poll conducted in January by the University of Massachusetts, 45% of Americans believe a Trump-Biden rematch is unfavorable, 26% are neutral, and 29% view it as good for the country. Many Americans also feel that the candidates are too old and tend to focus on issues that were “problems of yesterday.” Biden is currently 81 years old, making him the oldest President in history. Before him, Trump was the oldest, now at the age of 77. This election determines the next four years of our country, and with ongoing issues such as the Ukraine crisis, Gaza, and the shaky future of reproductive rights, many Americans are torn in deciding who the future president will be.

Peer Leadership Program

Jurnee Caldwell ‘26

On March 1st, 2024, it was announced to the sophomore and junior classes that Rutgers Preparatory School’s Peer Leadership Program would be making a return. This program is an opportunity open exclusively to rising juniors and seniors to connect with the freshmen class and aid them in their transition to the Upper School. To become a part of the program, students must fill out an application that helps to get an idea of who they are and whether they would be qualified for the role. After these applications are submitted and reviewed by the Peer Leader Advisors, a select few students will be picked for interviews. The students that are chosen from these interviews will become the Peer Leaders for the following year. Peer Leaders are expected to meet and lead discussions with their freshmen advisory group every other week, with two leaders being assigned to each group. They are meant to be mentors for the freshmen class, and their main goal is to help guide these students through the new experiences they will encounter in the Upper School. In doing this, the Peer Leadership program aims not only to help freshmen feel more comfortable as they begin high school but also to create a stronger bond between upperclassmen and underclassmen and thus, the Rutgers Prep community as a

whole.

But what makes a good Peer Leader? Realistically, it could be anyone. As previously stated, the Peer Leadership application process asks students questions to get a better understanding of who they are and whether they would do well if given the role. Someone who genuinely wants to help their community, who is caring, and who engages well with others is likely someone who has the makings of a good Peer Leader. However, one does not have to be “perfect” to be qualified. In fact, it is encouraged for students to also aim to improve themselves with this program, which truly shows that anyone could be a Peer Leader.

Overall, the Peer Leadership program is a great way for students to help make the freshmen experience better, gain important non-academic skills, and make a significant contribution to their community. As Maya Angelou once said, “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” What is so special about the Peer Leadership program is that it is open to anyone willing to help others, and it allows students to be remembered as someone who had a real, lasting impact on their community.

Joe Biden

Photo Credit: Demetrius Freeman

The Washington Post

Donald Trump

Photo Credit: Jim Lo Scalzo Getty Images Community

Photo Credit: Clipground

2024 Presidential Candidates

Photo Credit Gold Andhra

Stress Management in Adolescents

Avery San Filippo ‘25

As adolescents grow, our bodies and brains start to change. We may begin to question who we are or what we want throughout our high school, college, and eventually, adult lives. While undergoing physical changes and preparing for life as an adult may be exciting for some, many find this process to be mentally taxing, inducing high levels of stress. Even though this immense stress may feel endless, there are ways to reduce and manage it to promote a better state of well-being. Before trying to manage stress, it is important to understand what it is and what it arises from.

Stress is a physical and/ or mental response to an external event, but it can also emerge as a response to positive events such as searching for that perfect prom dress or working the first day at a new job/internship. When stressed, people often feel overwhelmed or anxious until the external event that has caused these feelings subsides, or until a new stress-inducing event presents itself. Some events in particular trigger stress among many high school students.

Stress-inducing events for high school students are most often identified as either academic or social in nature. The pressure to succeed academically is an external stimulus that can cause one to feel overwhelmed in the pursuit of great grades and involvement in extracurriculars to appeal to colleges. While the majority of stress in high school comes from academic pressure, it may also occur from peer pressure. In high school, students build

varied relationships with peers. Adolescents may feel coerced into having relationships and can struggle as they learn to balance these foreign social and academic aspects of high school. These sources of stress can be overstimulating. However, there are ways to reduce them.

To lessen side effects of stress, it is suggested to keep a journal, reach out to friends/family, and/or exercise. Writing down thoughts on paper organizes and releases them from your mind, bringing clarity. Another way to let out these stressful thoughts is talking to a close relative or friend. Rather than writing down your feelings, you can explain how you feel. Speaking to someone about you feelings can make you feel like you are not alone, which can alleviate stress. Exercising can also help, since physical activity causes your brain to release endorphins, which make you feel happier and less stressed. There are other ways to relieve stress, but it is important to use the method, or methods, that work best for you.

Overall, stress in teens stems from a variety of external circumstances and can be extremely difficult to manage alone. While it may feel impossible to cope with these stresses, there are ways to regulate them. Journaling, meditating, speaking with those close to you, and exercising are just a few examples of stress-controlling techniques. Although stress may feel endless at times, there is always a light at the end of the tunnel, showing us that stress will subside.

Applesauce Lead Poisoning

Recently, cases of lead poisoning have been rapidly increasing, with The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reporting over 64 in children younger than seven since December of 2023. Additionally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported over 200 cases in this same time span. Upon further research, The FDA found the cause of the influx of lead poisoning: lead contamination in applesauce, including many popular brands such as WanaBana, Schnucks, and Weis (FDA). Recently, the FDA concluded that the main lead source was the cinnamon used in making these products. The facility where the packets were made is located in Ecuador,

Suhani Jerath

‘25

where the FDA and Ecuadorian government authorities are further investigating the issue.

In one investigation facilitated by Ecuadorian authorities, Negasmart, the supplier of cinnamon used by companies like WanaBana, was found to have levels of lead that were significantly higher than those allowed by Ecuadorian law. The maximum level of lead deemed safe is around 2.5 parts per million (ppm). However, applesauce pouches were found to have lead contents averaging 2270 ppm and up to 5110 ppm.

There are many ways that ingredients like cinnamon can be contaminated with high lead levels. One theory proposed by the FDA is that the cause of the high lead levels came from soil contamination during the cultivation process of cinnamon. The FDA also hypothesized that the lead contamination occurred as a result of low-quality equipment use during production. This occurrence of lead poisoning in applesauce is extremely important to address, as it can have major effects on the health of young children. Lead poisoning can cause damage to the nervous system and brain, can slow the development of children, and can even cause death when present in the body at high levels. When unsure of whether or not someone has ingested lead, symptoms to look out for include headaches, abdominal pain, vomiting, fatigue, and muscle aches.

Although the companies recalled their products, many lead-related cases are still being reported by the FDA in children from one to six years old. As of now, investigations are still being held to gather more information about the lead toxicity in applesauce packets.

Stingray Living Alone Gets Pregnant

In early February of 2024, at a small aquarium in North Carolina, a female stingray named Charlotte was discovered to be pregnant. Normally, this would not be a surprise, but one thing set Charlotte’s case apart: there had been no male stingrays living in her tank, and somehow Charlotte was pregnant with multiple babies. The exact reason for this occurrence is still unknown, but there are a couple of hypotheses about how it happened.

One hypothesis is parthenogenesis, an asexual reproduction process. Parthenogenesis occurs when a female egg byproduct with almost the same DNA as the egg fuses back together with the eggs, replacing male fertilization with the egg. Offspring resulting from Parthenogenesis has a high percentage of being born unhealthy. Many studies with other species have

Suhani Jerath ‘25

found that parthenogens usually die very early in life, with many dying after just a few days. More details about this process are still widely unknown, as it was only first introduced around twenty years ago within sharks and rays. Another hypothesis is that Charlotte mated with a shark. Two male white-spotted bamboo sharks lived in Charlotte’s tank, and there appeared to be bite marks on Charlotte, which could be a sign of shark mating. However, many experts believe this is very unlikely,

given their distinct genetic differences.

Although both hypotheses are possible, they can not be verified until well after the babies are born. The Field Museum of Natural History, located in Chicago, has agreed to perform a DNA test on the pups to find out how Charlotte got pregnant, but this test could take up to weeks after the birth of the pups. As of right now, the real reason as to how Charlotte got pregnant is still unknown.

Photo Credit:

Johns Hopkins University

Charlotte the Stingray

Photo Credit: Getty Images

WanaBana, Schnucks, and Weis

Photo Credit: FDA via AP

Introduction of Spring Sports Captains

Diya Bhagat ‘24 Golf

“One lesson I have learned is to be more patient because even if one shot or round doesn’t go as well as you want, you should let that go and focus on what is to come.”

Diya Bhagat has been playing golf for four years. Bhagat knew she wanted

to stick with golf after she played her first match as a Freshman on varsity. This experience proved to her that she had the potential to improve with hard work and perseverance. She notes that the hardest part about golf is getting over the little things that mess up a match. Her goal this season is to keep up with higher ranking teams, to stay in the division the team has moved up in, and to personally achieve a score in the low 40’s. Her biggest advice to teammates is to keep playing, regardless of how discouraged they get.

Arjan Singh ‘24 Golf

“The biggest thing I’ve taken away from playing golf is how to be tough mentally. Golf is such a mental game.”

Arjan Singh began playing golf in second grade just for fun, but in high school, he began to take it seriously. He knew from the beginning he would play throughout high school because of how much joy he felt playing the sport. He says the hardest part about golf is consistency and that even if you’re doing well, one little mistake can ruin the whole match. His personal

goal is to shoot under 40 in at least 4 matches. Singh’s biggest advice to players is to remember to have fun, because this is what makes playing enjoyable and worth the effort and dedication.

Vikram Wadawahan ‘24 Golf

“One lesson golf has taught me is to be kind to everyone. You never know who you might meet on the golf course and what opportunities they can present you with.”

Vikram Wadawahan began playing golf for two and a half years and since then he knew this was a sport he wanted to pursue. The hardest part about golf, he notes, is being consistent. His personal goal is to drop his

Matthew Telyczka ‘24

Sunay Davda ‘24 Boys’ Tennis

“A pivotal lesson I’ve learned through this journey is to never doubt oneself.”

Sunay Davda began playing tennis his freshman year. Since then, he discovered his potential which motivated him greatly. He saw that he had the ability to improve himself gradually which fueled his drive to succeed in the sport. His main goal for the team is to win the conference, and his personal goal is to win the Prep B tournament. Davda notes that hard work is the one thing that truly goes a long way in anything you set your mind to. What he will miss the most is playing doubles with his best friends and forming lifelong friendships and memories.

Carly Tomfohrde ‘24 Softball

“The memories you make through sports are some of the greatest you can have.”

scoring, all while savoring in his last season. Wadawahan will miss the feeling of going out on the course after a long day, getting into the zone of playing, and enjoying the matches with his friends. His biggest advice to his fellow teammates is to enjoy the sport as much as possible and to not give up easily because each season goes by quickly. Vikram plans on playing club golf in college.

Carly Tomfohrde began playing softball in 7th grade for Rutgers Prep and initially wasn’t planning to play in high school. However, after Coach Oswick convinced her, she found a love for the sport, forming some of her closest friendships on the team. She says the hardest part about softball is anticipating where the ball will be and the situation on the field. Tomfohrde is an infielder which means that she has a short window of time to decide where to throw the ball before every pitch. Her goal this year is to go further in the state tournament than previous years and effectively collaborate with her team as captain. Tomfohrde will be attending Penn State University studying kinesiology on the pre-PT track in the fall.

Scott Chen ‘24 Boys’ Lacrosse

“It’s necessary to stay level headed when playing in order to gain success and constantly improve.”

Scott Chen has been playing lacrosse for 9 years, starting out for South Brunswick PAL. Since the beginning of middle school, he began to take the sport more seriously, noting that the mental strength is something that he’s had to gradually learn. His goal this year is to not only win a championship, but to also guide younger players to become high quality people. Through lacrosse, he’s learned that progression isn’t linear, and that struggle is necessary to grow.

Evan Laub ‘24 Baseball

“I'm most excited for the new level of competition that I will be facing next year in college. It's a fresh start and there's nothing better than making a name for yourself as a freshman.”

Evan Laub began playing baseball when he was 4 years old, and since then it has been a dream of his to play in college and professionally. His goal this year is for the team to win back the county championships and to also win states this year after last years’ loss in the finals. Laub notes that the hardest thing about baseball is the level of concentration required. His personal goal is to break the 100 hit mark for career hits, and to break the school’s stolen base record. Laub’s greatest advice to his teammates is for them to be grateful and realize how lucky they are. Laub will be playing D3 baseball at the University of Scranton in the fall.

Maggie Turco ‘24

“Ever since I was young, I knew I wanted to play in college. I always knew this is what I wanted.”

Maggie Turco began playing lacrosse 11 years ago and since then, she has worked hard to get where she is now. The hardest part about lacrosse, she says, is constantly improving stick skills. Her main goal for the team this season is to provide an environment where her teammates can push themselves while having fun. Her personal goal is to work to her fullest potential and beat her scoring record from last year. The thing Turco will miss most about the team is the sense of

community, and the shared joy experienced by the team. Her biggest advice to fellow teammates is to always have fun playing and to not get worked up about the small things. Maggie Turco will be playing D1 lacrosse at Hofstra University in the fall.

Evan Laub ‘24

Photo Credit: Instagram @evanlaub_

Diya Bhagat ‘24

Photo Credit: rutgersprep.org

Maggie Turco ‘24

Photo Credit: Bikram Bhagat ‘26 Instagram: @flicks_by_bik

Arjan Singh ‘24 Photo Credit: rutgersprep.org

Sunay Davda ‘24

Photo Credit: Aidan Rico ‘27 Instagram: @fellasphotoss

Scott Chen ‘24

Photo Credit: Instagram @iron44combine

Vikram Wadawahan ‘24

Photo Credit: Mr. Quenault

Carly Tomfohrde ‘24

Photo Credit: Bikram Bhagat ‘26 Instagram: @flicks_by_bik

Girls’ Lacrosse

The FIFA World Cup is the biggest sporting event in the world. Every four years, the best national teams compete on the world’s biggest stage, with the event being the most televised sporting event in history. This was proven with the most recent World Cup held in Qatar, with 1.5 billion people tuning in. The next World Cup in 2026 will be held in the United States. In the past, the game had taken place at the biggest stadiums in the country. Cities like Boston, Atlanta, Dallas, LA, and other major cities

The FIFA 2026 World Cup Preview

in the U.S. have been home to the soccer world. These games help give exposure to the U.S. and its grandeur, as well as introduce a new American audience to soccer. The U.S. gaining the opportunity to host the World Cup allows for exposure of the sport to the whole country, including both young kids and old people who have never watched the sport, helping the American Soccer League (MLS).

Not only would this boost interest in soccer, but also undoubtedly boost the tourism industry in the

Davi Soares ‘25

U.S.. Since The World Cup has so many countries from all around the world participating in one tournament, naturally the fans tuning into The World Cup are also diverse.

The stadium that will be holding the 2026 World Cup final is none other than MetLife Stadium, which is located in New Jersey. This undoubtedly is a once-in-alifetime opportunity for this region, as it might be the only time that the Northeast region of the United States has the opportunity to host an event like this.

Governor Murphy said that hosting the World Cup will introduce the world to the “unparalleled platform to brilliantly showcase what we [the people of New Jersey] stand for — diversity, equality, access, and inclusion.”

The expense of this event will be costly, as the plan to renovate the area that MetLife provides, including transportation and stadium renovation, will equate to roughly 16 million dollars. This amount, while

expensive, is well worth it for the attention and the once-in-a-lifetime experience for people who attend, as compared to the priceless experience, money is easily recuperable.

Hosting the biggest sports tournament in history is no easy task, but also a difficult opportunity to even come by. New Jersey will be stamped into the history of the World Cup in the Summer of 2026.

Trump Civil Lawsuit

Opinion Article Written by Jay Chavan ‘26 355 million dollars. One could purchase five Gulfstream G650s (a private jet) with such a large sum of money. In February, a New York judge ordered Donald Trump to pay this fee plus interest as a result of his lying on key financial documents to grow his real estate enterprise. More specifically, the former President was convicted of inflating his net worth and the value of his properties resulting in better opportunities for loans and reduced taxes, a form of financial fraud. And with interest accruing every day on his bond, Letitia James, the New York attorney general, predicts that this figure will be closer to 450 million dollars. According to Forbes, Trump has a net worth close to six billion dollars but his liquid assets are closer to 600 million. Considering the circumstances, the upcoming 2024 Presidential election, and his legal troubles, this ruling could have massive implications.

goes wrong when Mollie’s two remaining sisters, her mother, and twenty other Osage members die under mysterious circumstances.

For those who like American history and crime, this book encompasses those two topics perfectly. Grann thoroughly discusses the prejudices and discrimination that the Osage had faced while, at the same time, uncovering a vile conspiracy. Grann has meticulously organized the book, starting from the murders, to the case, and finally, an aftermath set in 2015, when Grann visits Osage County and meets Margie Burkhart, Mollie and Ernest’s granddaughter. He discovers that the Osage murders from over 100 years ago have still not been forgotten by the community, even when the rest of the world has moved on.

Grann leaves you with a sense of closure, which is an impressive feat, as many crime stories are often left incomplete. But he leaves no stone unturned, no person’s story untold.

Along with the hefty fine, the ruling came with some other stipulations regarding his business dealings. First, Trump is barred for the next three years from holding top executive positions at any company residing in New York. Considering that Trump holds a substantial amount of real estate in the state, this punishment drastically reduces the former President’s influence in his own company. Moreover, the court sent two monitors to oversee the financial dealings of Trump’s company, further reducing his power. The last significant consequence of the ruling was Trump was no longer allowed to take loans from New York banks, limiting his financial avenues.

Sentiment around this case varied significantly throughout the political spectrum. Republicans claim that this ruling was politicized and was a means for the Democrats to hamper the Republican presidential nominee. This reinforces the Democrats’ view of Trump being an untrustworthy individual who is incapable of being a competent President.

Before giving my perspective on the matter, I would like to preface by acknowledging the complexity of such a case and its implications for our nation’s future. The ruling of this case has come at a critical time in the 2024 presidential election. The Trump campaign has disclosed that they have raised approximately 93 million heading into April which is a measly sum in comparison to the 1 billion dollars that were raised for his re-election bid in 2020. This figure is made even worse when looking at how much President Biden was able to fundraise: 155 million dollars. With such a hefty fine along with his legal fees, he is extremely short on cash. This fact can and will have a significant impact on the election as one of the candidates has drastically more resources than the other. But while it's important to consider the effects on our democratic system, the fact of the matter is that Mr. Trump committed financial fraud. Take the person out of this matter and consider the situation at hand. If this was any other individual, I’m confident that the perception among the public would be different. If we are going to punish Trump for his financial wrongdoings, we should apply the same standard and same vigor when it comes to other cases of financial fraud. After all, New York ranks fourth in the country for the most fraud reports. This is not a Trump or political issue. This is an enforcement issue. We need sweeping change in our judicial system so that it's possible to try more cases, so that it’s possible to deter individuals from crime, and so that it’s possible to make the world ever so fairer.

Goku from Dragon Ball Z

Photo Credit: Wallpaper Flare

Photo Credit: Walmart

Donald Trump

Photo Credit: Mike Segar Reuters

Spring

Raislyn Palmer ‘27

Across

4. Seasonal allergy trigger

6. Outdoor meal enjoyed with a basket

7. Spring month associated with flowers

8. Spring event for playing pranks

11. Baby bird’s home

13. Symbol of good luck

15. April precipitation

16. Prospective plant

The 135th Editorial Board of The Argo

Chief Editors

Renee Bou Mansour ‘25

Kelli Chang ‘25

Clare Maldony ‘25

Audrey Qian ‘24

Tech Editor

Michael Chang ‘25

Faculty Advisors

Dr. Morgart

Mx. Stewart

Down

1. Upper school event marking the end of the school year

2. Easter representative

3. Springtime visitor with a long bill and webbed feet

5. Bright yellow spring flower

9. Flower with thorns

10. Young bird just learning to fly

12. Flowering tree famous in Washington DC

14. Buzzing insect

15. showers; 16. seed

10. fledgling; 11. nest; 12. cherry; 13. ladybug; 14. bee;

len; 5. daffodil; 6. picnic; 7. may; 8. aprilfools; 9. rose;

Answers: 1. convocation; 2. bunny; 3. duckling; 4. -pol

Where are you, Boeing?

Sasha Portnoy ‘26

Preview of Excelsior’s Spring Issue

In the nineteen sixties, When jets roamed the sky If it was a Boeing You wanted to fly!

When Boeing was great, No one could wait For the next plane they’d create…

All seats in the air Were first class, no ploy. It was just and fair And all flew with joy.

Oh, those were the good days, The elegant planes. They were so much better than trains…

Oh Boeing what happened? Why’re screws falling off? You pushed away talent And fell off the top.

It was all ‘bout money, Executives’ greed. You’re no longer running The old esteemed creed.

Your quality’s lacking And bureaucrats lie, Technicians are slacking, And people could die.

Oh, glorious Boeing, Please be you once more! Let’s see the planes growing Like never before.

With screws where they should be, Attached with right force. I wish that you would see, You’re on the wrong course!

You find the best people And treat them like kings! Rid yourself of evil And spread wide your wings.

Special Thanks to Dr. Loy, Mrs. Bautista-Burk, and Mr. Ladd.

The Argo is the student-run newspaper of Rutgers Preparatory School. The opinions and views expressed within articles are not necessarily representative of the opinions and views held by The Argo or Rutgers Preparatory School.

Interested in submitting an article, taking pictures, or drawing graphics? Have a complaint or concern? Notice an inaccurate fact or statement?

Reach us at theargo@rutgersprep.org.

Volume CXXXV Issue No. 4

View the Print Issue at Rutgers Preparatory School

The Argo - May 2024 Issue