The Growl
LA VIE EN FRANCE
Organized by TASIS Dorado’s very own French teacher, Madame Denisse Cintrón, the French Educational Exchange has opened countless students to the extraordinary opportunity to experience the beautiful French culture and immerse themselves in the language, undoubtedly transforming their lives in the process. As part of the exchange, our Frenchlanguage students each host a student from France who’s learning Spanish or English and later travel to the country, staying two weeks with their host family
This year, the exchange was between TASIS and Les Chartreux, a private catholic school in Lyon, France. The day the French students arrived in Puerto Rico, eagerness filled the air As someone who participated in this astounding experience, I can confirm that while waiting at the airport, none of us really knew what to expect, but we all knew what awaited was a multitude of memories to be created and stories to be shared.
I had always dreamed of going to France since I was little, and it felt so surreal to know that I was soon going to visit When it was our turn to travel, we spent a weekend in Paris and then took a train to Lyon where we met up with our host families. In Paris we walked around the picturesque town of Mont-Martre, known for its history and beautiful sites, and the Basilique du Sacré-coeur We also visited the Eiffel Tower and the Champs-Élysées. Seeing these famous landmarks was unbelievable. Once in Lyon, we had the opportunity to live like locals; staying with a host family was an extremely immersive experience. Some of my favorite places we visited were Vieux Lyon and the city of Annecy.
By Alejandra Barrientos
I will never forget walking around the streets of the town and sitting in front of a café looking at the mountain, taking a mental picture of everything I could lay my eyes on. I treasure every carefree moment I spent with my host family, feeling complete and utter peace.
Having the thrilling opportunity to experience the day to day life of a student in France, my TASIS peers and I found it very intriguing; it felt like we were living another life. From this enriching experience, I identified and reflected on a few differences in lifestyle and culture between France and Puerto Rico. Firstly, the public transportation system in France is more efficient and accessible to everyone. In fact, buses will actually stop on the side of the road if they are too early to ensure timely departures and arrivals to stops. Walking is also a very popular way to get around, with many places being pedestrian-friendly
Something that we learned about our host school that surprised us was that students can actually leave campus for lunch. They have a full hour to eat, and while they may get food from the cafeteria, many students go to other places such as cafés or bakeries to get their meals Something curious about many schools in France is that students must remain standing up until the professor tells them they may sit down, although
-Taken by Ivanna Feria
-Taken from TASIS Dorado SmugMug
not all of them are that strict about it. These were definitely some culture shocks.
The exchange was a mutual learning experience for the TASIS and Les Chartreux students When speaking with one of the Frenchexchange students, she mentioned she had noticed a cultural difference between the school hours of France and Puerto Rico. An average school day in Puerto Rico starts at 8:00 AM and ends at around 3:00 PM; however, their days start at 8:00 AM but end at 6:00 PM She definitely envied our school schedule. She also expressed she would love to come back to Puerto Rico with her whole family.
I honestly don’t think that the right words exist to describe my time during this exchange What I can say is that it was probably the best experience of my life. I had the opportunity to embark on this journey and gain a lot of knowledge. The French Exchange is such an amazing occasion to meet new people and explore new places where you’ve never been I’ll never forget all the memories created with my new friends and my host family as well as all the beautiful places visited.
Programs like these open our minds to different cultures in a way that expand our views of life. It truly is an extraordinary learning experience, so if you’re ever presented the opportunity to go on trips like this, definitely take advantage of it.
EARTH DAY: A GLOBAL WAKE-UP CALL
By Carolina Hormaza
April 22nd, 2025 marked the 55th annual celebration of Earth Day, an event widelyrecognized but seldom acknowledged in its truest significance.
Founded in 1970 by United States Senator of Wisconsin, Gaylord Nelson, the day has served as a way to raise public awareness and support for environmental protection. At that time, vast amounts of industrial pollution were enveloping America, with factories and cars exerting toxins into the atmosphere, deforestation levels increasing, and oceans becoming dumping grounds for waste The catalyst for the creation of this day was considered to be the Santa Barbara Oil Spill in 1969, which released approximately 4 2 million gallons of oil into the sea and had devastating
devastating effects on marine wildlife. The publication of Rachel Carson's Silent Spring in 1962 also contributed to Earth Day’s formation as it documented the environmental harm caused by the indiscriminate use of the pesticide DDT As a result of this urgency, over 20 million Americans partook in this celebration, making it one of the largest civic events in U.S. history at the time.
Since its creation, schools worldwide have made sure to pay homage to this day, whether through community outreach activities, field trips, discussions, or research projects. It is no coincidence that Earth Day falls on the academic calendar; its creators aimed to maximize participation on school campuses, utilizing the “teach-in” method to raise awareness and inspire action.
What measures has TASIS Dorado taken to prompt action and draw focus on ecological issues? Well, inspired by the UN’s 17 goals, the middle-school Sustainable Future Leadership Program, coordinated by Ms. Valeria Quintana, Mr. Kris Torres, and a few other faculty members, has undertaken initiatives to promote awareness about sustainable development practices, food insecurity, and self-sufficiency on campus and across the island. According to Mr. Kris, the program is currently working on developing a portable and community-friendly greenhouse that could be used in TASIS Dorado and possibly other settings Their findings for this project were presented in the AgroPlug Fair in UPR Mayaguez, an annual event that promotes agricultural sciences through exhibitions, seminars, workshops and more.
To commemorate Earth Day in TASIS, this program also designed a collaborative bulletin board layout in which multiple grades created posters on certain environmental facets, such as the effect of greenhouse gases on the environment, hydroponics, renewable and efficient energy, water conservation and environmentally sustainable transportation. Such initiatives show we’re doing our part to spread sustainability across our communities.
Although there is only one designated Earth Day, we should strive to ensure that positive change is a constant, ongoing effort throughout the year because today over 1 million animals are on the brink of extinction; the ozone layer has decreased by 4% in the
Este día tanto conmemora como llama a las mujeres a reconocer todas las oportunidades que tienen en el día de hoy, no solo para poder votar pero también para liderar, que, como estudiante de TASIS Dorado, puedo decir con mucho orgullo que todos los días veo a más y más mujeres participando como líderes de clubes, sociedades y organizaciones estudiantiles.
THE POWER OF WOMEN
Translated By Editorial Staff
Every March 8th we celebrate International Women's Day, a day that invites reflection and acknowledgement. Its origins date back to the 20th century when women fought for labor rights, and in 1977 the United Nations officially made March 8th the Day for International Women's Rights and International Peace.
This day is of great importance to all women. It honors their fight for the right to vote; it honors women scientists who overcame barriers along with mothers, sisters, teachers, and friends who inspire us every day Their stories are not just reminders of the past: they continue to be written today Every person, regardless of who they are or where the come from, was born of a woman As such, women represent strength, resilience, and life
For me (as for the female student body), March 8th is more than a celebration: it's a reminder that there is still much to be done It's an opportunity to recognize the bravery of women who came before as well as to commit ourselves to keep fighting for equality This day not only commemorates but also calls all women to recognize the opportunities they have at present, such as to vote and to lead As a student of TASIS Dorado, I can proudly say that I see more and more women each day serving as leaders in student clubs, societies and organizations.
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY POEM
By Ivanna Feria She
She always felt like she had to hold back.
To speak softer.
To fit in.
To be quieter. . . smaller. . . less.
Every dream she had seemed too big. Every final felt out of reach
She saw the world telling her to shrink.
To sit down.
To be perfect but never too perfect.
But today? Today something shifted.
It was Día de las Mujeres a day for every girl to remember who she is She raised her hand. She spoke up.
She stood tall
And for the first time she felt her voice was loud enough to be heard.
She realized she didn't need to shrink anymore.
She doesn't need to apologize for wanting more
She doesn't need to fit into anyone’s box.
She was enough, just as she is.
Her voice was enough. Her dreams were enough.
And the world needs her
HAND IN HAND INTO OUR SENIOR YEAR
By Valentina Fuentes & JoAnna Eva Raffaele
With senior year approaching and the excitement rising, the class of 2026 looked forward to the opportunity to build stronger bonds and create lasting memories during this year's Junior Overnight.
It all started with a bus ride where we had fun, listening to music and conversing with peers As we arrived at CopaMarina, everyone was excited to see the amazing seaside view. Soon after settling in, we enjoyed an all-youcan-eat BBQ meal, followed by tons of fun in the sun. While some played volleyball and soccer, several went out paddleboarding or kayaking, and others still chilled at the pool or by the shore, chatting away on the latest lore
Friend groups merged; teachers shared stories with students, with everyone simply enjoying their time It was a great start to our celebration of this pivotal moment: the transition from juniors to seniors.
As the evening approached, bringing in a beautiful sunset, we all came together for an amazing dinner. It was definitely the escape
from the overloading work of junior year that we all needed and wanted.
The most notable moment of our stay at CopaMarina was watching the sunrise our morning there. Everyone was sad that we were leaving, but we came together to make the most of the last day Most of the juniors (and even a few teachers) made the effort of waking up early to watch the sunrise as a class and then dip in the ocean. As we all held hands, jumping into the ocean together as one, we realized that we were a family that has grown throughout our time at TASIS. This fantastic moment finished with a spectacular buffet-style breakfast, overlooking the water and the last glimpses of that treasured sunrise.
The Junior Overnight was an unforgettable experience that the class will cherish forever. It brought us closer as a class and reminded us to make this last year count by sticking together as a family, hand in hand as we had done at our sunrise ocean dip.
-Taken by Ted Lammot
FACING PHOBIAS
As writers, we’re always looking for new ways to think creatively and explore the world as we challenge ourselves and expand our minds.
For this issue, Mr. Kris invited us to do something unexpected, perhaps even undesired: whether small or severe, we were encouraged to face our personal fears in some way and transform them into learning experiences
experiences. Some of us were ready take their fears head on. Here's what they have to say.
DOWN & OUT
By Eliana Raffaele
April 25, 2025. Today, I faced one of my biggest fears: claustrophobia.
In theory, it sounded like a powerful idea: confront one of your fears to overcome it. In reality, I’m not sure Mr Kris realized just how intense that might be for some of us. For reasons I can't fully explain, enclosed spaces have always made me uneasy panicky even But I decided I was ready to challenge myself. Not alone, though. I had my friend Vida right there with me. And honestly, that made all the difference.
Ever since I came to TASIS, the school elevator has looked like a trap small, silent, and far too confined Just walking past it would give me chills. But today, I pressed the button. I waited (though it felt like forever), and when the doors finally opened, I stepped inside. The ride lasted only a few seconds, but to me, it felt like the longest time.
I’m proud of myself. More than that, I’m incredibly grateful for Vida Facing your fears is terrifying, but when someone you trust stands beside you, it becomes just a little bit easier—and a whole lot more possible.
LIGHTS OUT
By Ivanna Feria
You stand by the light switch. Fingers hovering.
You know the layout of your room
You could walk it with your eyes closed. And yet
The second you flip the switch, you know you’re going to run.
Click. The light vanishes, and suddenly the room feels alive
The shadows stretch. The silence sharpens. And your brain starts screaming: MOVE.
You sprint to the bed three steps, maybe four but it feels like an eternity.
The darkness is behind you. Heavy. Chasing. Almost touching.
The Growl
Staff Reporters and Editors
Luciana Pérez
Gia Soto
Matilda Murphy
Bianca Maldonado
Andrea Herrera
Jennifer Encarnación
Andrelle Rivera
Ivanna Feria
JoAnna Eva Raffaele
Valentina Fuentes
Alejandra Barrientos
Carolina Hormaza
Ana López
Layla Navarro
Vida Vando
Eliana Raffaele
Nathleen Rovira
Vivecca Santiago Advisors
Kristopher Torres
Royale McCormack
Photographers
Ted Lammot
Milan McClammy
GROWL GAMES
WORD WHEEL - GUESS THE WORD THE
SUDOKU (INTERMEDIATE)
