Lutnick fish tank makes triumphant return

Maeve Goldman Staff Writer

After two years of anticipation, the Lutnick Hall fan favorite has officially been restored to its former glory and is once again swimming with marine organisms.

Since that fateful Tuesday on November 23, 2021, the school has worked tirelessly to ensure that the new fish do not suffer the same outcome as their fishy friends. “It was probably a good nine months in the making,” Director of Facilities Management Gordon Jensen said. “They put metal strapping across the bottom to hold the sides together for stability and then tested the tank under a higher pressure than they tested the last one.”

Showcasing three types of “designer” clownfish — Ocellaris, Misbar, Clark’s — along with five other species, the new tank ensured that all fish are friends, not foe. Four types of coral provide lodging for the fish: Toadstool Leather, Green Cabbage, Xenia, and Star Polyps.

For the Science Department, the return of the tank poses an opportunity for in-depth learning, Head of the Science Department Dr. Lisa Rosenblum said. At the start of freshman year, biology teachers use the tank during the ecology unit to teach students about animal behavior by making observations about how species interact with each other in the saltwater environment.

Rosenblum hopes the fish tank will increase students’ overall awareness of different or- ganisms and ecosystems, she said. “Ninth graders who did the lab might look for the species they were responsible for learning about when they pass by the tank.” A student even incorporated the tank into their Independent Study on clownfish behavior in 2018.

The new additions to the tank add a certain flair that was not there before, Ellie Campbell (11) said. “The fish are smaller and cuter,” she said. “I love the tiny Nemos.”

For sophomores who have been impacted most by the tank-catastrophe, the tank is an exciting addition to Lutnick, Madison Mitchell (10) said. “The neon pink fish is my favorite — I even named her.”

In contrast, for Jah’si Eyre (11) the tank did not live up to the wait, he said. “Where are the sea urchins?” Eyre said upon looking at the tank for the first time. “There is no light; it’s depressing, damp, and the water is now dark and gray in despair,” he said. “I’m very grateful but it seems like the fish want to swim up and jump out.”

Rizaa Fazal (11) also mourns the loss of the old fish tank. “I had two urchin babies in the old tank: Ursula and Urnie,” she said. “I thought I would be reunited with my loves, but sadly not.”

Which fish are you? Which fish are you? Which fish are you?

Director

You cannot swim (but your Instagram says otherwise)

Pajama cardinalfish

Clownfish

You often get confused for your celebrity look alike

The amount seniors give is not important. It’s the act of wanting to participate together as a class and support their alma mater for the benefit of students who follow that is important. Seniors could consider giving as little as $1 if they wanted to, or forego that specialty coffee and make that amount their gift.We brainstormed with the class’s new Alumni Class Agents about creative ways to encourage class participation and thank the class, and so we presented the idea of an ice cream party. Their donations will go towards their school scholarship fund. The ice cream party is something that the Alumni office would do for them as a small gesture of appreciation and celebration. If the class would rather not have an ice cream bar and the Class Agents decide to pivot, that is completely fine. It’s not set in stone.

- Kristen Pietraszek, Director of Annual

Giving

You crave attention

Neon dottyback

You are a male empath who can pronounce the word “anemone”

You have luscious lips

Yellowtail Coris

Neon damselfish

You exude toxic masculinity

Chromis fish