The Argo - November 2024 Issue

The Argo Volume CXXXVI

Issue No. 1

November 2024

www.issuu.com/rutgersprep

Words For Seniors From 1908 Using scanned articles from the Argo Archives Club, who made it their mission to digitize and scan documents from school history, The Argo has decided to go back through previous editions, republishing and commenting on old articles.

When I looked back through the archive, I found that many students wrote about the experience of being a senior at Prep. Some gave advice while others just wrote down observations; either way, the words for seniors are worth sharing. The chosen excerpts have their title, date, and author, if provided.

“There is nothing anyone can do about that horrible week [(the week before the early college application deadline)] in October now.

It's over, and we have, if barely, survived. But, like any historical crisis, we can learn from what happened,” -“Senioritis Strikes,” 1991.

“I came to a realization that being a senior is not what your surroundings dictate, but what you feel inside. If you wallow in the past, your senior experience will never be whole. One must try to take advantage of all of the opportunities “Elation, relief, and gratitude”: these were the words of Ethics and AP Statistics teacher Mr. Wise after completing his lengthy journey along the east coast of the United States. After only 99 days, Mr. Wise completed his 2,197.4-mile-long journey, an extraordinary accomplishment for anyone willing to take on this daunting task. Despite knowing that only 25% of people who attempt to hike this trail complete it, Mr. Wise remained determined and hiked the entire Appalachian Trail: from Springer Mountain, Georgia on May 19th to Mount Katahdin, Maine on August 25th.

Mr. Wise explains his motivations for pursuing this trip came from his previous work experience as a teacher and a Co-Director of Outdoor Programming in Georgia. He remarked, “This has been a 30-year dream for me. Early in

Renee Bou Mansour ‘25

Class of 1908 | Photo Credit: Volume XIX of The Argo

that school has to offer, and always try to help others.” -“The Last First Day of Highschool” by Amar Maktal,” 1991.

“The most important thing to remember is that every senior is in the same boat. Whether it's the straight 'A' student applying to Yale or the excited student applying to her top choice school, they are both faced with the same problems… So, remember[,] seniors[,] when you see your fellow classmate crouched in a ball on that couch… an encouraging word and a few hundred calories goes a long way!!” -“The Dilemma of Being a Senior” by Nancy Sierotko, 1989.

“Looking back, I know I'll have plenty of meaningful memories of my years at Prep; from winning a county soccer game in a shootout, to

gathering in a silent library to watch a TV report on the space shuttle's explosion; from digging desks out of ashes, to rushing home hoping for thick college mail.” -“Senior ‘87 - Looking Back” by Paul Kuharsky, 1988.

“Now back in school, the senior is faced with a fate worse than death: college applications. It is indeed easier to do one's auto-biography. After writing every last detail of his/her past seventeen years, the senior sits back to await the outcome. Weeks turn into months as the agony of' 'the wait' increases…

This is the senioritis we all know and love. Now is when it begins, in September. Not in the spring.”

-“The Beginning of Major Senioritis,” 1983. “‘I remember a time,’ recalls

one former Senior, ‘when Autumn meant the final conclusion to a slow baseball season and football all day Sunday. I remember the daily change in colors of leaves and how each day seemed more beautiful than the one before. I don't know if I will ever be able to feel that beauty again without relapses of that terrible fall.’” -“Myth of the Senior Class,” 1983.

“Hear now our vows! Our class we’ll not disgrace; Whether we all in Hist’ry find a place; Or if we sink in life’s deep stormy sea, Still for her sake our names shall spotless be. But may we gain, at least in some small part, Those grand ambitions close to boyhood’s heart” -“To the Senior Class” by A.D. Campbell Jr, 1908. (Verse II of a song to the tune of “Love’s old Sweet Song”) Although these students experienced Prep at different times, their reflections on Senior Year still resonate. Looking at the class of 1908, it’s hard to imagine we have anything in common, but shared emotions and experiences like these remind us of our connection.

Mr. Wise’s 2,000-Mile Trek Michael Chang ‘25

my teaching career, I worked at a boarding school in the rural mountains of northeast Georgia, … [leading] many hiking and backpacking trips for students in addition to […] many personal trips […] I fell in love with the southern Appalachian Mountains and vowed that one day I would thru-hike the Appalachian Trail.” As a man of his word, Mr. Wise — with the support of members of the Rutgers Prep administration, including Dr. Chodl and Dr. Loy — fulfilled his vow during the summer of 2024.

With the support of the school administration, portions of food, and liters of water, Mr. Wise set out from Georgia to traverse the trail.

Hiking for over 10 hours every day, Mr. Wise underwent extreme physical exertion as evidenced by his rolled ankle and foot pain. Managing these discomforts, he self-mas-

saged his ankle and bandaged his foot to prevent further injury and infection. Mr. Wise endured physical pain as well as his trekking poles and his backpack breaking during his journey. He also encountered snakes and bears, which increased the difficulty of the hike.

Despite these challenges, he persevered and found hope through other experiences within his hike.

For instance, he met a mother and son who were also hiking through the trail. The three of them had a great conversation over lunch, and everyone left the meal happier and more motivated to continue their hikes. Additionally, with the help of his family and Rutgers Prep’s Director of Informational and Technical Services Mr. Nastus, he recovered from the breaking of his supplies, restocked them, and completed this remarkable trek across the East

Mr. Wise on Mount Katahdin’s Summit Photo Credit: Mr. Wise

Coast. According to Mr. Wise, the “breathtaking views,” “wonderfully supportive people,” and his “positive outlook” made the treacherous 2,197.4-mile-long hike genuinely worthwhile.

For more information about the hike, please email wise@rutgersprep.org or request to follow @ dwise.at on Instagram.

Highlights of Issue I Welcome Weekend (pg. 2)

Stem Cell Therapy (pg. 4)

Girls’ Fall Sports (pg. 5)

Op-Ed: Four More Years (pg. 7)

News

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November 2024

A Remarkably Rainy RPS Welcome Weekend While the rain may have tested the Rutgers Prep community, loyal Argonauts ventured to Rutgers Prep in their rain jackets for the 3rd Annual Welcome Weekend, excited to immerse themselves in everything from hayrides to pictures with the Argonaut mascot. From faculty to upper schoolers to lower schoolers, over 700 members showed up early Saturday morning.

Argonauts grabbed a quick bite at stationed taco and hotdog food trucks to fuel up before engaging in the fun.

Outside on the turf field, Clement Lacroix ‘26 and Siyona Sreejit ‘26 sang their

rendition of the national anthem, marking the start of Rutgers Prep's Boys soccer game. The team commenced their match against Middlesex High School, displaying their resilience through the downpour as students cheered nearby, waving their umbrellas. Despite initially being down 0-1, Prep Boys’ Soccer persisted.

Supported by goals dished out by Matthew Bilmes ‘26, Shafin Chaudhri ‘25, and Nick Chodl ‘26, the team reigned victorious 3-1.

While the soccer game was happening outside, the numerous talents of Rutgers Prep were being displayed inside the Dining

Kelli Chang ‘25

Rutgers Preparatory School Boys’ Soccer Team Photo Credit: Justin Storipan ‘27 | RPS Today

Commons. Lower Schoolers flocked to tables for pumpkin painting, dabbling vibrant strokes with acrylic

Siyona Sreejit ‘26, Clement Lacroix ‘26, and Aiden Betsch ‘26 Photo Credit: Justin Storipan ‘27 | RPS Upper School Bulletin

paints, while nearby, upper schoolers sat prepared with brushes for face painting.

The event was a showcase of diversity, with numerous clubs, such as Rutgers Prep’s Robotic Team, presenting their unique offerings. They showcased their small and nimble Sphero robots for curious watchers to control remotely with an iPad and drove their bigger Vex robot around the dining commons, delivering presents to attendees. Colorful canvas and patterned sketches sponsored by the

Art Club were also for all to see; the art was a collection of artwork from Upper School artists.

This drizzly delight of a Welcome Weekend would not have been possible without the invaluable support of the Parents Association, the dedicated organization of Ryan Klipstein ‘07, and the countless Upper Schooler volunteers. Their efforts, along with the unwavering spirit of the rain-prepared Argonauts, made this event a resounding success!

Campaign Strategies in Council Elections As the 2024-2025 school year begins at Rutgers Prep, so do the 2024-2025 Class Council elections. You can tell election season is here by the A4 papers taped up and down the hallways, usually with a portrait and some big text slapped on top. The critical part is the speech, the only time you will be able to address every one of your peers, trying

to convince them to give you their vote. However, it is an uphill battle because keeping teenagers engaged and entertained for any period is usually a job saved for content creators on YouTube and TikTok. But aside from the speeches, there are many things to consider when vying for your peers’ vote, in both Class Council and Student Council elec-

Senior Class Vice President Saima Jaitly ‘25 at the Podium Photo Credit: RPS Upper School Bulletin

Victoria Gu ‘27

tions.

Posters are the most popular method of campaigning. Posters can range from professional and serious to innovative and fun. On one hand, the professional posters show an earnest candidate, ready to take on the important role that hopefully you will bestow them. On the other hand, there are only so many different variations of “Vote for me!” before they all start blurring together.

Posters coming from a more humorous angle, however, tend to be more unique and memorable, from badly-edited photos to clever parodies of Wordle. Beware though, attempts at humor have the danger of being labeled as “cringe” and may do more harm than help. Do these posters actually have an impact? Current School Council Secretary Micheal Lyu ‘26 said, “People wouldn't think about your speech every day, but if you post enough posters around the school, they will see the

posters, and they will think about you and your speech.”

A sheet of paper is unlikely to make a significant impact on the Rutgers Prep community, but it is good reinforcement to remind people of your existence as a candidate.

Another rare and interesting tactic takes the proverb “the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach” directly. Candidates giving out treats like lollipops and handmade cookies to garner support for the election is not something unheard of.

Free food turns the heads of many students, however, this strategy is limited by the depth of your wallet and the extent of your baking prowess.

Campaigning for office is not an easy task, and there are many ways to go about it. But how much does it really matter? Soham Patel ‘27, previous class representative for the 2023-2024 term and current School Council Treasurer, managed to win both offices without

Michael Lyu ‘26 Photo Credit: RPS Upper School Bulletin

putting up any posters or offering any cookies. He said “The most important way to get votes is to go up to people and ask, ‘Can you vote for me?’”

In the end, there is no surefire formula to ensure victory; it is a hodgepodge of things: popularity, advertising, and public speaking skills, among many others.

But among the posters and cookies and the pins and t-shirts, there is no denying that they help make a day at Rutgers Prep a little more interesting.

November 2024

News

The Violation of Women’s Rights in Afghanistan Alina Zhu ‘27 and Zoe Xu ‘27

The Taliban are a Sunni Islamist nationalist movement that advocates for the Pashtuns. From the early 1990s, the Taliban ruled Afghanistan until October 2001 when the US-led an invasion removed them from power because of their support of al-Qaeda. Unfortunately, with the US army's withdrawal as a result of the insurgency in Afghanistan, the Taliban returned to power. This began a second reign of terror for the citizens of Afghanistan. Under the Taliban's unreasonable laws, Afghanistan's economy declined, and the country faced numerous issues, including high unemployment rates and serious human rights concerns.

Although the Afghan economy continues to lose five percent of GDP each year due to exclusion of women from the workforce, there is little hope for progress. 64% of women report feeling completely unsafe when leaving their house alone, an only increasing statistic. On August 21st, the Taliban published a law that further violated women’s rights in the country.

It declares that that women and girls are prohibited from

speaking in public areas and using public transportation.

It also requires that they cover their entire face and body when leaving their homes. In addition, women and girls are not allowed to look at or speak to men who are not within their family.

While the worldwide literacy rate has only risen over the past decades, standing at nearly 90% worldwide, less than 40% of the Afghan population is literate, with a literacy rate of a mere 22% among women and just over 50% among men. This statistic will likely only continue to decrease as the Taliban lay further restrictions on female education and job opportunities, an act intended to limit Afghani knowledge, survival, and independence.

The misogynistic and brutal treatment of Afghan women starkly contrasts the freedom and rights that other countries give their women, especially in European governments. The everyday rights given to women in developed countries and their constitutions are simply nonexistent for the women under Taliban rule. However, this is not to say that first world countries

Protests in Afghanistan Photo Credit: Victor J. Blue

like the US are without gender disparity. The gender pay gap is still prevalent in many fields, and the controversial ban of abortion in the overturn of Roe v. Wade has sparked debates about the future of the women’s rights movement.

During its rule, the Taliban has enacted hundreds of restrictions on women’s rights, inhibiting their access to education, healthcare, and freedom.

While the US Constitution mandates the right of free speech, Afghan women suffer in silence, knowing that if they are heard speaking, singing, or reading, they risk the penalty of jail time or worse. The world itself is not without its flaws, but the Taliban control of Afghanistan is a startling reminder of the discrepancy of women’s rights and the uphill battle they face every day.

Yunjin Choi ‘28 , Sophia Lai ‘28, and Zara Nagabhushana ‘28

Mr. Figaro Photo Credit: Meet our Faculty

often tasked with helping other students. Initially, he pursued engineering in college but soon discovered his deep passion for teaching music and English. After college, he worked at Leman Manhattan Preparatory School, where he taught band and spent six years teaching English. Mr. Figaro finds joy in encouraging students to push themselves, whether it be trying something new or attempting a challenging piece.

Using lessons from his own experiences, he reminds his students to never give up after a mistake and to keep pursuing what they love.

Additionally, Rutgers Prep welcomes Mr. Seibert to the World Language Department as a French teacher. Mr. Seibert started his career as a journalist. He wrote articles for print and worked at an NPR member station, where some of

Congress’s Role in Hurricane Recovery Efforts Jay Chavan ‘26

Welcoming New Teachers: A Bright Future for Rutgers Prep As a new school year begins, we are excited to welcome new faces to the teaching staff for the 20242025 school year. Rutgers Preparatory School has welcomed five new faculty members. We had the opportunity to interview two of them to find out a little bit about what they bring to the RPS community. Here is a glimpse into their journeys and what they look forward to this year!

Mr. Figaro is the Music Department’s newest addition as the Director of Bands. Starting his teaching career in middle school, Mr. Figaro stood out in his band,

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his stories were featured on national radio. Soon after, he taught for two years in Indiana. Afterward, Mr. Seibert earned his master's degree through Middlebury College in Paris, where he studied French history. Mr. Seibert wants to inspire his students to feel passionate about learning, not just French but other languages as well. Mr. Seibert hopes that his students' language education will continue throughout their lives. He encourages students to continue their curiosity and strongly advises to be kind to everyone around them.

Mr. Seibert Photo Credit: Meet our Faculty

Looking at the federal budget, you may notice that a small percentage of it is allocated toward FEMA’s Disaster Relief Fund (DRF). At the start of the fiscal year, Congress appropriated $20 billion dollars for this fund, well short of what the Biden administration requested for. With Hurricane Helene and Milton devastating coastal states, this decision to undercut FEMA’s funding could prove consequential.

Not too long ago, wildfires ravaged Maui, and the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore collapsed, causing significant damage. While still attempting to recover from these travesties, Hurricanes Helene and Milton added to the devastation. Hurricane Helene struck Keaton Beach in Florida on September 23rd.

The infamous Category 5 hurricane wrecked communities not only in Florida but all along the East Coast.

Massive storms and intense flooding caused innumerable infrastructure damages; heavy rains caused mudfall and power outages. There were estimates of upwards of 600 fatalities across six states. In quick succession, as Hurricane Helene started to dwindle, a new hurricane emerged: Hurricane Milton. The combination of these hurricanes has forced the national government to invest heavily in recovery efforts. According to Politico, FEMA has spent almost half of the DRF on just immediate relief efforts in affected areas. This means that essential infrastructure damaged during recent natural disasters won’t be properly addressed because FEMA has to preserve what little it has left for possi-

ble life-threatening events.

States rely heavily on the federal government for financial support post-disaster, so without FEMA’s support, the remnants of the hurricanes and any past and impending natural disaster won’t be properly resolved.

Unless Congress acts swiftly, recovery efforts could halt, small businesses could go out of business, and victims could go without essential resources.

Congress needs to pass a disaster aid bill, and they need to do it quickly. Adding to the problem, Congress is out of session until the general election in November is over. The President has the ability to call for an emergency session in extenuating circumstances, but it remains doubtful that something like that could happen. While several House Democrats have urged for the House to reconvene, the Speaker of the House, Mike Johnson, has been quite dismissive of the proposition.

Instead, a more realistic solution to this emergency would be to pass disaster aid legislation through “unanimous consent.” This is a procedure where bills can be passed without legislators being present in DC if all 535 members of Congress have no objections to said bill. For example, unanimous consent was used to designate funding for Hurricane Katrina.

Similarly, this method could be used in our present state to provide more aid to FEMA. Whatever path our federal government chooses to take, one thing remains clear – our representatives need to act, and they need to act now.

Hurricane Helene Photo Credit: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAAA) | AP

STEM

4 Stem Cell Therapy Making Revolutionizing Breakthroughs Suhani Davda ‘26

For the past decade, scientists have been researching stem cells and their potential applications for medical treatments. Stem cells are special human cells that have the ability to develop into different cell types and self-renew. These cells have been researched in an attempt to help treat many illnesses, including Parkinson’s, leukemia, Alzheimer’s, and cardiovascular diseases. As stem cells can be guided to become specialized cells, they can be used to generate healthy cells and replace cells affected by disease. Stem cell therapy is the treatment in which a patient’s dysfunctional or missing cells are replaced by stem cells that can help restore function in the body. Recently, a new breakthrough in stem cell therapy has helped to treat

diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is a chronic autoimmune disease that was previously thought to be incurable.

A few weeks ago, however, a 25-year-old woman in China was cured of type 1 diabetes. Less than three months after receiving stem cell therapy, the woman was able to produce her own insulin. She was the first person with type 1 diabetes to be treated with stem cell therapy, which seems to be a success. Despite this, researchers state that this treatment needs to be done on many more patients in order for it to be considered an effective cure. Nevertheless, this case was a huge step forward for researchers trying to find a type 1 diabetes cure. It also shows how various other illnesses have the potential to be cured by stem cell therapy.

Stem Cells Photo Credit: Nutrition World

November 2024

New Schizophrenia Drug Approved Suhani Jerath ‘25

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a new drug, Cobenfy, for the treatment of schizophrenic adults. This is the first schizophrenia drug to be approved by the FDA in many decades.

Schizophrenia can cause many psychotic symptoms, like hallucinations and paranoia. Additionally, individuals suffering from schizophrenia have a higher risk of dying young. This capsule-formed drug is the first antipsychotic drug that has been approved to treat schizophrenia and targets the cholinergic receptors; all previous treatments have targeted dopamine receptors. Cholinergic receptors affect brain circuits and can create cognitive impairment, and dopamine receptors can lead to more psychotic symptoms.

Previous treatments preventing dopamine receptors help to prevent symptoms like hallucinations and

Brain Activity Photo Credit: Sciepro | Getty

paranoia, but many significant side effects come with it. A common side effect is weight gain, which contributes to a higher chance of developing cardiac disease and earlier death among people with schizophrenia. This new drug changes the levels of acetylcholine, which helps with memory and motivation.

There have been two studies done on Cobenfy’s effectiveness, both randomized double-blind studies

Cobenfy Photo Credit: Steve Belkowitz | Bristol Myers Squibb

lasting five weeks. The main measurement to test the effectiveness was the change in the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) score, from week one to week five. This scale measures the symptoms of schizophrenia, where each of the 30 items on the list is rated between one and seven by a licensed clinician.

The results of both of these studies showed that the participants who received the Cobenfy had a large reduction in symptoms by week five, compared to those that had the placebo.

However, there are also warnings and side effects that come with Cobenfy.

These include increased heart rate, swelling, urinary retention, indigestion, and abdominal pain. The me -dication is also not recommended for anyone with liver impairments, as there is a risk for higher liver damage.

New Electrical Stitches Improve Healing Time Suhani Jerath ‘25

New electrical stitches have been developed by scientists that speed up healing time and reduce the risk of infection. Currently, the strong, flexible material has only been used in rats but is hoped to be safe for use in humans as well. Electrical

stitches have been used in the past, but those technologies used an external battery. With the new stitches, the sutures will be powered by the body itself. When the muscles move, the threads rub against each other, creating electricity.

Electrical Stitches Photo Credit: Tech Explorist

The stitching thread comprises of biodegradable polymers and magnesium, which the body can absorb over time. This means that a procedure to get stitches removed will not be necessary.

Scientists have created artificial wounds to test this simulation and have shown that, over the same period, the wound area treated with electrical stitches decreases from 70% to around 10%, while untreated wounds decrease from 70% to 30%.

In an experiment on rats, the rats that were treated with the electrical stitches had a faster recovery time and were less likely to get an infection than those that used traditional stitches.

Eletrical Stitches Photo Credit: Jazzirt | E+ | Getty

These new electrical stitches look promising for use in humans and may quicken healing time by almost 50%. Further tests are needed to assess the real effectiveness of the stitches in humans, but electrical stitches could change the medical world.

Lab Rat Photo Credit: Charles River Laboratories

November 2024

STEM and Sports

USA Falling Behind in STEM STEM, which stands for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, is experiencing significant growth. According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, STEM occupations are expanding at a rate of 24%, compared to just 4% for other fields. Furthermore, the Society for Human Resource Management said the country has a need to “boost STEM education to be prepared for the nearly 3.5 million STEM jobs that need to be staffed by 2025.”

Professionals in these areas are crucial for driving the sustained growth and stability of the U.S. economy, playing a pivotal role in the nation's future success.

However, there is a pressing concern: Is the U.S. adequately preparing the next generation of STEM professionals? According to the National Science Foundation, the answer is not promising. While the U.S. boasts some of the world's top universities for STEM education, the issue begins much earlier in the education pipeline. Only 41% of fourth graders score at or above average in mathematics, and the figure drops to 36% in science. By eighth grade, these numbers are 34% for math and 35% for science.

In fact, the USA has been slowly but surely dropping in ranking amongst other countries in STEM. It

Maanit Khanna ‘28

Photo Credit: US Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences, National Center for Education Statistics, National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP)

has not been scoring as high as it once was, highlighting the crisis this country is in.

In the latest Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) test for 15-year-old students by the OECD the US ranked 13th on Mathematics and 31st on Science test scores. The US has also been overtaken

by Japan, South Korea, and China in the top countries

U.S. high schools offer such courses. Another significant barrier is the cost of STEM education. The expenses associated with training teachers, acquiring equipment, and building labs make it difficult for many states and schools to allocate sufficient funds to support STEM programs. The high cost also discourages students and parents, with the average

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Girls’ Fall Sports

Anna Jane Mathey ‘27, Sharaya Soni ‘26, Julia Urioste ‘26 Fall sports play a significant role in the Rutgers Preparatory School culture and community. All of the fall sports teams are starting the 2024-2025 athletic year off strong. We spoke to all of the girls’ sports teams’ captains to gauge how they are feeling about the season.

First, we spoke with Varsity Girls’ Soccer captain, Brielle Baker ‘25, who told us about some of the team’s high aspirations beyond being ranked first in the country, which they have already achieved in their short season! Brielle said, “Our overall goal this season is bringing home the Prep B championship, country championship, as well as the state final… We all strive to remain undefeated and have a Cinderella season.”

We also spoke with Rutgers Prep Varsity Girls Tennis co-captain Avery San Filippo ‘25. We asked Avery to tell us about the culture and camaraderie of her team, and how they embody the traditions and values of Rutgers Prep. Avery said, “We are a very diverse team, especially on varsity, it’s very diverse grade-wise. ... We have a good mix of all the grade levels which is really nice, so everyone has different perspectives, we’re all very vocal, and we all just want to strive to do our best always and support each other.”

Avery San Filippo Photo Credit: Bikram Bhagat ‘26

Lastly, we spoke to Ava Ballard ‘25, Rutgers Prep Varsity Girls’ Volleyball captain, who was able to cost of earning a STEM detell us about the team's most gree ranging from $45,000 Brielle Baker ‘25 Photo Credit: Bikram Bhagat ‘26 difficult games coming up to $60,000. this season. Ava said, “I Additionally, the shortAs for Rutgers Prep believe our hardest games age of qualified teachers exacerbates the issue. The Varsity Girls Cross Country, will be Delaware Valley US is facing a nationwide they have a strong team this High School, Montgomery teacher shortage, and this season. Their captain, Ama- High School, and The Lawincludes STEM educa- lia Tsampalis ‘25, is con- renceville School. We have tors. Introducing students fident that they will leave exchanged wins with these to STEM early is essential, their mark this fall. We had talented teams in the past but without properly trained the opportunity to inter- and they are always a good teachers, it becomes a chal- view Amalia about how she challenge.” lenge, as clubs and extra- thinks the team will perform curricular programs can and she said, “I think we have a really strong team only do so much.

For change to occur the this year … I think we are country’s education system going to do great!”

Yellow = USA | Photo Credit: Organzation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), Program for International Student Assessment (PISA), 2018 Reading, Mathematics and Science Assessments

with highest technological expertise.

Several factors contribute to this problem. One major issue is the insufficient focus on technology which is an essential component of STEM. The US remains one of the few developed countries that does not mandate computer science courses in high school.

In fact, only about 50% of

Photo Credit: OECD, The Statistical Yearbooks of Russia, Indonesia, Iran, India, and China

will have to go through reform. This involves increasing standards and graduate requirements, allocating more budget towards stem facilities and education, changing the curriculum to involve STEM activities and lessons, and strengthening our current teachers.

Ava Ballard ‘25 Photo Credit: Bikram Bhagat ‘26

Amalia Tsampalis ‘25 Photo Credit: Bikram Bhagat ‘26

Overall, we are looking forward to seeing how well each of our fall sports teams carry themselves this season. Bring home some hardware this season ladies!

to an exciting start, having a record of 5-0 and outscoring their opponents six to one.

In the team’s home opener on September 4th, they battled against another top NJ girls soccer team, Freehold Township. The team came away with a great first win,

winning 3-1 with freshman Kyra Lomil, and juniors Olivia Robinson and Nyla Lopez scoring one goal respectively. The Prep Girls Soccer team continues to be strong and competitive. The Prep community is excited to see what's next for them!

Rutgers Prep Girls’ Soccer Kate Chung ‘25

The Rutgers Prep Girls Soccer team has been consistently great over the past few years. Last season, they won their first back-to-back state championship in a penalty shootout against Depaul Catholic winning 5-4. In addition, they won their first

county title as a program; the previous year they lost to Watchung Hills in the final. Having only one graduating senior from last year, this team's makeup this year is pretty similar. They have recently moved up the national chart to number one

in the country for the first time ever in the program's history. This is a massive accomplishment for the team. In addition to their overwhelming success, they continue to prove their spot at the top of the nation day in and day out. They are off

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Arts & Culture

From Crime Scene to TV Screen: Key Discrepancies in Monsters Kayla Hill ‘26

The Netflix series Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story has recently been receiving mixed reviews from critics and viewers. TV hitmaker Ryan Murphy, focuses on retelling the story from a variety of perspectives while attempting to capture the complexities of the case.

However, many are claiming that the show is not only riddled with inaccuracies, but also presents a narrative that strays from the case’s central facts. Murphy claims these creative liberties were done to take a “Rashomon” approach, in which multiple interpretations are used to tell a single story. Despite this, three major discrepancies stand out: the depiction of the murders, the portrayal of the brothers’ alibi, and the incestuous innuendo between Erik and Lyle.

the brothers’ alibi and future cover-up. The alibi in Monsters seems frantically constructed, with Erik and Lyle making intentional efforts to distance themselves from the crime. In the show, the two head to the movie theater to see Batman and then later stop at a restaurant to create a false timeline, returning home to “discover” their deceased parents. In reality, the brothers never actually left their home the night of the murders, instead waiting to see if anyone would call the police.

Arguably the most controversial discrepancy, would be the show's emphasis on incestuous undertones in the brothers’ relationship.

Monsters suggests Erik and Lyle had an inappropriate relationship by creating scenes where the two kiss, shower together, and share

Image from Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story Photo Credit: Miles Crist | Netflix

In Monsters, the killing of Kitty and José Menendez is incredibly dramatized and emotionally charged, with the brothers directly encountering the two before savagely killing them. But according to court records, Mr. and Mrs. Menendez were likely unaware of their killers. The brothers shot their parents from behind, without face-to-face confrontation like illustrated in the series. José Menendez was shot in the head while on the couch, and Kitty, who was chased down after the initial shot, was shot again, but it’s unlikely they saw their sons. This detail completely underscores the cold, detached, and indifferent nature of the murders that is depicted in the show.

The series makes the killings appear less methodical and more of an impulsive decision, skewing the audience’s understanding of the crime’s true brutality.

Another inaccuracy lies in how the series handles

intimate moments with each other. None of which are supported by any kind of court testimony or factual evidence, with Lyle testifying he never had any sexual relationship with his brother. These scenes drew on a lot of confusion between the brothers’ relationship and sparked outrage among the media, with many concluding that the implication was invented for nothing more than shock value.

Ryan Murphy’s Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story distorts the complexity of the case and alters the audience’s perception of the brothers.

While there are some things the show gets right, the series relies heavily on falsehoods and exaggerations of the story’s true events.

These discrepancies along with several others not only mislead viewers, but also undermine the reality the Menendez brothers endured.

November 2024

Tri-M Triad Shaunak Bose ‘26

At academic convocation, a number of our school’s finest musicians were inducted into the Rutgers Prep chapter of the Tri-M Honors Society!

Here’s what three of our newest members had to say about their musical journeys and their relationships with their instruments.

State your name, your ensemble, your instrument, and how long you have been practicing it: Kelli Chang ‘25: My name is Kelli Chang; I play the Violin at RPS and I’m a part of the chamber orchestra, although I was a part of the upper school orchestra my Sophomore year, and also a part of the fusion ensemble on campus.

I’ve been playing the violin since second grade, so nearly a decade.

Clement Lacroix ‘26: Hello! My name is Clement Lacroix and I am a part of Concert Choir. The instrument I use is my vocal chords and I’ve been singing for about seven to eight years now.

Sid Balijepalli ‘26: My name is Sid Balijepalli. I play saxophone and the piano; [...] currently I am in the saxophone ensemble and jazz band. I have been playing piano for almost 10 years now. I started the saxophone in middle school.

Can you tell us the story of how you first picked up your instrument?

Kelli: When I was around first grade, I played the piano back then, my parents wanted my brother, Ian Chang [‘27], to also pick up an instrument. They decided on Ian playing the violin and when I found out that Ian was playing the violin, I was like, “I also want to play the violin!” So that’s how I started the violin. Ian

and I started the violin at the same time, actually.

Clement: Well, it all starts[ed] a long time ago.

Third grade, walking into music class, and I just really enjoyed it a lot! I was known back in “ye olden days” as the “Opera Master” because I was the only one that could sing in an opera-ish tone, and everyone, including myself, thought it was absolutely hilarious.

That just kinda sparked an interest to continue singing!

Sid: Right, so I was in the fifth grade and I remember there was a showcase where a bunch of upper schoolers each came to show their different instruments. That was the day when we would pick which instrument we were going to play. I remember seeing the saxophone and being like, “oh it sounds cool.”

And a lot of other kids liked the trumpet or the flute, but I kind of liked the way the saxophone sounds, so I ended up choosing it.

What caused you to keep pursuing it?

Kelli: In my junior year of high school, I had been playing both violin and piano, but I had to decide between them because of time.

A large part of why I chose violin over piano is because with the violin, you can play with other people and ensembles and I had already committed myself to many

Kelli Chang ‘25 Photo Credit: Sarah Chen

Clement Lacroix ‘26 Photo Credit: @rpsmusicdept on Instagram

Modern Music Masters Logo Photo Credit: Colorado Music Educators Association

ensembles with the violin already, both in school and outside of school, especially regional and all-state. So, that’s why I stuck with the violin.

Clement: I just feel happy when I’m singing. It brings me joy. I feel good.

Sid: I just really like the way it sounds honestly.

I think it is a really versatile instrument because it is not only a brass instrument which is always loud. So I play alto sax, it can sound like a woodwind or like a brass and there are different parts like the melody and the harmony, kind of like the jazzy tone of it.

Do you have any future plans with your instrument?

Kelli: I am planning on continuing the violin through college. I’m not sure if I’m going to minor in music or not, but I'm definitely going to try to join some ensembles if I can.

Clement: Eh, maybe. What I’m thinking is I might have a chance to get into some really good music schools, but what I’ve been doing these days is singing in a lot of ensemble choirs.

I think if I want to get into those top-top music schools then I gotta focus on individual merit and achievement. I also know there are risks in the business of music and theater, so it’ll be more of, well, a side thing!

Sid: I don’t know. I think it is more of a fun hobby for me and I love performing for others. In the future, I definitely would love to perform, even for the lower school like we did last year.

Just seeing all the kids' reactions, they just loved it. I would love to do something like that in the future, to perform for others!

Sid Balijepalli ‘26 Photo Credit: RPS News

November 2024

Opinion

7

Four More Years

Opinion Article Written by Jay Chavan ‘26 Not all presidency terms are as consequential as others. Take, for instance, the 22nd and 24th President of the United States, Grover Cleveland, whose terms were relatively unimportant in the grandeur of the world. This election came at a pivotal time for the future of the free world. The candidate that you placed your ballot for will have to overcome economic, political, social, and global challenges. It was imperative that those who were of age to vote kept in mind the magnitude of this election when they made their choice.

One of the things touted by the Democratic party as being at stake in this election was the future of democracy. The 2020 election saga concluded in infamous fashion on January 6th when mobs of frenzied election deniers stormed the Capitol in an attempt to interfere with the election’s certification. Since then,

former President Trump has consistently asserted the claim that the election was “rigged” despite the empirical evidence against him.

In this election cycle, he has claimed that he wanted to be a “dictator” and that there won’t be another election if he is voted into office. Though he says that he made these statements in jest and that he “took a bullet for democracy” after his assassination attempt, the Democratic Party have not bought it. Joe Biden and Kamala Harris have both put the notion that democracy is at threat in the limelight, as they promised voters that if they were elected, they would preserve and protect the political system.

Another issue that has been hotly contested is the economy. Under Donald Trump’s administration, the GDP grew at a moderate pace before the pandemic.

Joe Biden and Kamala Harris were able to recover the

economy and stave off unemployment, but inflation has certainly been an issue.

While the economy has generally recovered to pre-pandemic levels, the American populus has a negative perception of the economy due to rising costs on essential goods. Both presidential candidates had an economic agenda to stimulate growth.

Trump’s plan primarily relies on tariffs, or taxes on foreign goods. He plans to implement a 10% to 20% tax on nations across the board and 60 % or more for China.

While economists generally agree that the cost of tariffs will just pass onto consumers, Trump claims that this will bring more manufacturing opportunities back to the United States.

There were also a number of social issues that were at stake in this past election.

The one of most importance to voters was abortion rights. Donald Trump has flip-flopped on the issue

President-Elect Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris Photo Credit: Saul Loeb | Getty Images

his whole political career, and during this Presidential cycle, he has taken a more moderate stance saying that he believes in exceptions caused by extenuating circumstances. Donald Trump’s rhetoric throughout his campaign has shown that he isn’t the strongest defender for reproductive freedoms based on his past assertions and switches his stance based on the political climate. With Trump as President, a federal abortion ban is a realistic possibility considering that a think tank named “The Heritage Foundation,” which is closely affiliated with Trump, made such a ban a pillar of Project 2025. According to project2025.org, it is “a historic movement, brought together by over 100 respected organizations from across the conservative movement, to take down the Deep State and return the government to the people.”

The final reason for why the outcome of this election was exceedingly important is foreign policy. Currently, there are numerous conflicts that are ravaging the world: Russia-Ukraine, Israel-Palestine, the Middle East, and more. While each candidate has distinct opinions on dealing with global issues, former President Trump’s foreign policy is nativist and focused on America and America alone. In contrast, Vice President Harris wanted to take a diplomatic approach, advocating for multiculturalism and alliances.

If you are interested in this piece and want to learn more about civics and policy, I recommend joining the Civic Engagement Club.

Even if this article didn’t pique your interest, make sure to vote if you are of age because politics pervades every sector of life, whether you like it or not.

President-Elect Donald Trump and President Joe Biden Photo Credit: AFP via Getty Images

Why American State Flags are Poorly Designed Opinion Article Written by Andrew Li ‘28

The flag of New Jersey sucks. And so do the flags of 33 other American states.

Wait, what? States have flags? Yes, all 50 states and the unincorporated territories, along with Washington DC, have their own flags.

Everyone has seen the American flag before. The Stars and Stripes are on flagpoles, clothes, and even toilet paper. But almost no one has heard of, let alone seen, a West Virginia flag, a Montana flag, or a New Jersey flag. Why is that?

New Jersey’s flag is the prime example of what vexillologists (people who

study flags) condescendingly call “a seal on a bedsheet.” The state’s seal is simply plopped onto a colored background (the “bedsheet”), and boom, it’s the state flag. But this is a terrible way to design a flag!

In 2001, vexillologist Ted Kaye listed the “Five Principles” that make a good flag. The flag should be simple, use easily understandable symbolism, have as few colors as possible, contain absolutely no words or seals, and be unique.

How many of these principles does the New Jersey flag follow? Zero! Howev-

er, there can be an argument made that the flag is unique because of the distinct yellow “bedsheet” color.

Speaking of the color of the “bedsheet”, many states are even more egregious violators of the fifth principle: uniqueness. A whopping 22 states have a seal-on-a-bedsheet flag with the “bedsheet” being some shade of blue, almost always dark blue. This group includes states like New York, Idaho, and Montana.

Why are seal-on-a-bedsheet flags terrible? Perhaps a side-by-side comparison with a good flag would

explain why: It should be painfully clear which flag is better here. The flag of Colorado meets all the requirements for a good flag as listed in the “Five Principles” of a good flag. It is simple, uses great symbolism (the red “C”), uses only four colors, contains no wording, and is more unique than many country flags — I’m looking at you, France, Romania, Chad, and Belgium.

In stark contrast, the flag of Nebraska is unnecessarily complicated, uses confusing symbolism, contains many words, and looks extremely similar to the flags of the

21 other US states that have the same blue “bedsheet” background. The only good thing about it are the colors.

If a flag looks good, people will love it. With a terrible flag, not only does no one know of it, but the community also prevents it from becoming a symbol of unity and pride.

However, hope still exists for state flags. Minnesota was the most recent state to change its seal-on-a-bedsheet flag, with this awesome design having become official in May. Maybe New Jersey’s flag will be changed sometime in the future.

Flag of Colorado Photo Credit: Andrew Carson

Flag of Nebraska Photo Credit: Florence Miller

Flag of Minnesota (2024) Photo Credit: Andrew Prekker

Flag of Minnesota (1983) Photo Credit: Amelia Center

The State Flag of New Jersey Photo Credit: State Symbols USA

8

Supplements

November 2024

Rutgers Prep Faculty Fun Facts Raislyn Palmer ‘27

Down 1. works as a sous chef on a little farm 3. used to have a commercial drivers license 4. once ran onto a moving train in the middle of the night in Italy 7. first name is arabic 9. holds their middle school half-mile record 12. used to have teal hair 14. has a music degree

Across 2. used to teach spanish at RPS 5. used to live overseas and had over 75 cats 6. uncle is the lead singer of Fountains of Wayne 7. delivered a baby as an EMT 8. is british 10. favorite food is ice cream 11. used to be an accountant 13. trained as a marine biologist and is scuba certified 15. not actually a pirate

The 136th Editorial Board of The Argo Chief Editors Renee Bou Mansour ‘25 Jurnee Caldwell ‘26 Kelli Chang ‘25 Jay Chavan ‘26 Clare Maldony ‘25 Associate Editor Raislyn Palmer ‘27 Tech Editor Michael Chang ‘25 Associate Tech Editor Dev Menon ‘27 Faculty Advisors Dr. Morgart Mx. Stewart

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

Answers: 1. zanfardino; 2. garrow; 3. kalkus; 4. angelos; 5. falzon; 6. curutchet; 7. shanes; 8. chodl; 9. laurion; 10. avella; s1. morgart; 12. pierce; 13. winn; 14. foil; 15. cohen

It is Never too Late for You

Layla Zaatreh ‘26 | Previously Published in Excelsior It is never too late for you.

If one day I was to wake to you at my door, I would let you in without question.

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.

I would sit you down, Make you a warm coffee, And simply let you speak.

Photo Credit: Freepik

In my worst days, your words consoled me, Your voice a gentle hum, Your phrases akin to hymns.

Let me do the same for you, sing you that same quiet lullaby, Til your eyes flutter shut and your mind is at rest.

It is never too late.

Photo Credit: Immediate Media Company Ltd.

I will always accept you.

If one day you were to tell me you’ve committed some unconscionable deed, I would let you in, Sit you down with some warm coffee, And allow myself to be shunned alongside you.

You are like a song.

Every breath you take is an elegant note, Every word you speak is a creative lyric.

You are a delicate tune, One that I will repeat until your gentle verses leave me deafened.

Even then, I will reread the lyrics.

It is never too late for you.

All articles and student photos herein are copyright © The Argo 2024.

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 CXXXVI Issue No. 1 View the Print Issue at Rutgers Preparatory School