The Mariel Newspaper, Issue #91, School Year 2025-2026

The Mary Louis Academy

Issue No. 91

THE MARIEL ABOUT SAMANTHA HARRIS Sophia Clarisse Gonzales, ‘28 February 3, 2025 On November 30, 2024, we all felt a profound loss at The Mary Louis Academy. Samantha Harris, class of 2025, made a difference to those around her. Based on my knowledge of Samantha, she was an amazing and joyful person who was a senior here at TMLA. Although I never met her, seeing people who knew her well mourn her death upset me. Samantha was an incredible softball and volleyball player.

She was a strong woman who was facing the battle of cancer. I have dedicated some of my time to interviewing people who were close to her to help spread Sam’s kindness to those who may not have known her. #SamStrong Mrs. Kellie Correira Sophia Clarisse Gonzales: What was your first impression of Sam when she joined your home room?

Mrs. Correira: “My homeroom is one of the Ambassador homerooms, so I knew early on that Sam was a diligent, kind, hardworking student from the moment I interviewed her for the program. Sam made every person she encountered feel valued and loved, and no one ever had an unkind word to say about her.”

SCG: What did you admire most about her?

KC: “Something that always stood out to me about Sam was that no matter her role--student, athlete, daughter, sibling, friend--she gave 100% of herself in all that she was and everything she did. Sam also had the gift of knowing whenever you were having a bad day and made it her mission to be there for you in whatever way she could--offering advice, cracking a joke, making you smile. She always made the OTHER PERSON the priority over herself.”

SCG: Can you share a specific memory or moment that stands out to you about her?

KC: “I remember visiting Sam in the hospital shortly after she got sick, IVs running through her veins and machines hooked up to her body, but she was still very much SAM. Although I tried not to show worry on my face, I was immediately thrown into a state of anxiousness seeing this student I loved lying helplessly in a hospital bed. After a few moments of me just staring at her, Sam knew just how to break the tension and said ‘Don't worry, I'm still going to submit all of my assignments’. I needed in that moment to break me of my sadness looking at her. I kept the joke going and said "You better! No excuses!" and we laughed for a few

minutes before talking about other mundane happenings. Sam was the bravest person I knew because of gestures like that. Even in her own suffering and pain, she was STILL focused on making sure OTHER people were taken care of.”

Abigail Roy ‘25 Sophia Clarisse Gonzales: How did you first meet Sam? What was your first impression?

Abigail Roy: “I first met Sam in pre-k but have no real memories of that time. My first real interaction with her happened on our travel softball team when we were 8. From our first interaction she was the most welcoming and kind person ever. We were the youngest girls on the team and naturally I felt intimidated. However, Sam was completely the opposite, she was so bubbly and instantly made friends with everyone. Knowing me as a person, Sam always included me and made sure I felt comfortable and loved.”

SCG: What stood out to you most about Sam? AR: “Sam's consistent effort to show up for everyone always stood out the most to me. No matter who you were or how close she was to you she was always someone you could turn to for help. This was especially evident through her hardest days when she still showed up for everyone she cared about. When she was going through the hardest moments in her life she continued to make sure her family and friends were doing okay. Her biggest concern wasn't her own health but the emotions and well-being of everyone she loved.”

SCG: What is your favorite memory or moment that you shared with Sam? AR: “One of my favorite memories with Sam is one of our many bad decisions. We went to Jones beach and her, Rachele, and I were all out swimming. We happened to get stuck in the rip current and could not swim out of the ocean. Rachele and I had to get saved by lifeguards but Sam swam out completely on her own, essentially leaving us behind. She was smart enough to know how to get out and strong enough to actually do it. She was able to make something so scary seem like the funniest thing that has ever happened to us. Getting out of the ocean, we were terrified, but seeing Sam giggling made it all seem like just another silly situation we got ourselves into. This just proved to me how strong Sam truly was and she showed this throughout her entire fight.”

Avery Morgan ‘25 Sophia Clarisse Gonzales: How did you first meet Sam? What was your first impression?

Avery Morgan: “I first met Sam at the softball clinics before our freshman year. She was kind, compassionate, and truly cared about the people around.”

SCG: What stood out to you most about Sam? AM: “Sam was the type of person to go above and beyond for her friends. She was a great listener and always cared about what was going on in my life. Whenever there was a problem, she would be the first person to step up and help that problem go away.”

SCG: What is your favorite memory or moment that you shared with Sam? AM: “My favorite memory of Sam was going to the Noah Kahan concert. Seeing Sam meet one of her favorite singers and being able to hear all of our favorite songs live was truly a memory I will cherish forever.”

A NIGHT TO NEVER FORGET: GOD’S FAVORITE Melis Cavdar, ‘28 January 15, 2025 Neil Simon’s “God’s Favorite” is an incredible play that combines humor and deep meaning. It tells the story of Joe Benjamin (played by Jessica Maderik), a wealthy man whose faith is tested when a messenger from God, named Sidney Lipton (played

by Nelya Dlugunovych), arrives to challenge him.

The play is a modern retelling of the Biblical story of Job, filled with witty dialogue, hilarious moments, and heartwarming messages about faith, family, and perseverance. Watching the play unfold was a truly unforgettable experience, as the cast brought each character to life with so much energy and talent.

Seniors Jessica Maderik and Nelya Dlugunovych in “God’s Favorite.”

TMLA HOMECOMING

This year’s fall play was especially important because it was the seniors’ last one, and they gave it their all. Their performances were amazing, and you could tell how much they cared about the story and each other. At the end of the play, their thank-you speeches were so touching. They talked about their journey, the friendships they made, and how much being part of the theater program meant to them. It was clear that they will be greatly missed.

Olivia Guzman-Saavedra, ‘28 January 7, 2025

We also want to thank Mr. Titone and Mrs. Correira for producing this fantastic show and for always supporting the theater program. Their hard work and creativity made the play a success. A huge thank you to Mrs. DiLorenzo as well, for keeping everything organized and making sure the production ran smoothly. Without her, none of this would have been possible.

The festivities began at 7:00 PM and continued until 10:00 PM, creating an amazing environment. A DJ played energetic music that kept everyone on their feet, while beautiful lights and decorations transformed the cafeteria into a stunning dance floor! Delicious beverages were available throughout the night, and the overall ambiance was lively and welcoming.

“God’s Favorite” was not just a play—it was a celebration of talent, teamwork, and dedication. It was the perfect way to say goodbye to the seniors and honor all their contributions to the school’s theater program. They’ve left a legacy that will inspire future students for years to come!

A standout feature of the night was the photo booth, where students captured fun memories with playful props. The dance floor was alive with energy as everyone showed off their best moves and celebrated with friends. The night was filled with laughter, dancing, and memories.

Homecoming dances date back to the early 20th century. On November 26th, The Mary Louis Academy held its first homecoming celebration for students of all grades. The event was a tremendous success, with students arriving in stylish outfits, ready to enjoy an evening of fun and excitement.

The Mary Louis Academy’s first homecoming provided students with an opportunity to bond, celebrate their school spirit, and create lasting memories. This event set the path for many more homecoming celebrations to come, marking the beginning of a beloved tradition at TMLA.

Freshwomen having a blast at the Homecoming!

TRACK AND FIELD: PASSING THE COACHING BATON! Alexa Maldonado, ‘27 January 19, 2025 Some argue that the most unique aspect of track is that it keeps running all year long. All jokes aside, it really does! Cross Country, during the fall season, competes in long distance races of about 3 mile courses through difficult terrain and backwoods trails. Our previous coach, Coach Becker, brought the Varsity team, after winning the CHSAA City Championship, to State Championships in 2023! The winter season, Indoor Track, competes at the Armory or Ocean Breeze complexes, with distance and sprint races as well as field events like long or high jumps and throwing. Then, our runners cruise right into the spring season, Outdoor Track, at Icahn Stadium.

In December, TMLA’s Track and Field team welcomed two new coaches, Coach Yaz and Coach Blair! Passing the coaching baton just as the Indoor

season began, it didn’t stop the team from striving to set personal records and win medals. Still, “track is more than just running,” says Cross Country athlete Leila Ibáñez. As a current member of the Indoor team, I can attest that many friendships end up blossoming from year-round tough practices, nail-biting meets, and strength and conditioning workouts with Coach Aja. “Work hard and have fun,” Coach Yaz, the distance coach, replies when asked about her core values as a coach. She regards the TMLA community as a genuinely amazing group of people. Her goal is to make runners fall in love with track the way she did in high school. She ran Cross Country and races ranging from the 800 meter to the 3000 meter! Her advice to student athletes is: “Nutrition is important. If you’re not willing to work hard at something, don’t do it.”

Coach Blair, the sprint coach and TMLA’s Varsity Soccer coach, has a goal of getting girls who are just starting Track to find a reason to continue. To student athletes, her advice is, “if you enjoy the sport, have other options of teams outside of school to help you improve, especially if you want to be recruited in college!” Growing up, she was always into sports. In high school, she sprinted races like the 200 meter as well as did long jump and discus throw! She loves how TMLA girls are always so welcoming with ideas.

Lastly, Coach Blair and Coach Yaz want to emphasize that as much as runners should show competitive spirit, academics comes first. Go Hilltoppers, let’s have a strong finish!

Some juniors on the Track and Field team.

“THIS [ORCHESTRA] AND [GLEE CLUB] [ARE] SO FULL OF PEOPLE IT MAKES ME SICK! WHEN I GROW UP AND GET MARRIED, I’M LIVING ALONE!” -Kevin McCallister, Home Alone Julia McCarthy, ‘28 January 21, 2025 The Mary Louis Academy is gearing up to present its highly anticipated Christmas concert, scheduled to dazzle audiences on Friday the 13th and Saturday the 14th of December. After months of meticulous planning and countless hours of intense rehearsals, both our honorable Glee Club and talented Orchestra are excited to deliver a performance that will be nothing short of sensational. Let us all come together in joyful celebration of the festive spirit and unity that this concert embodies, a true testament to the unwavering dedication and passion of our performing arts community at The Mary Louis Academy. We honor our conductors Mr. Siemers, Mrs. Gecewicz, and our pianist, Mr. Cordero.

In the orchestra, selecting the perfect songs for the performance was quite a challenging task. It involved a meticulous process of carefully evaluating and reevaluating different song options. We found ourselves repeatedly swapping and refining the selection until we reached a point where we were finally satisfied with the choices.

Through this process, we were able to gradually shape the songs into cohesive and captivating pieces that not only showcased our musical capabilities but also conveyed the emotions and themes we wanted to impart to our audience.

As we got on stage, our heartbeats quickened with a mix of excitement and nerves. The spotlight gleamed brightly on Mr. Siemers, a signal that the long-awaited show was about to begin. As the first notes wafted through the air, a tension hung around us musicians, our fingers trembling slightly on our instruments. However, as the melodies intertwined and swirled gracefully, a sense of unity and confidence began to permeate throughout the group.

With each passing moment, the orchestra came into a cohesive unit, feeding off each other's energy and dedication.

Strong rhythms reverberated through the auditorium, filling the space with a symphony of emotions and harmonies. Despite the initial jitters, we found our rhythm and sank into the music. As the show progressed, the orchestra's collective talents shone brilliantly, like a constellation of stars lighting up the night sky. Mr. Siemers led us through intricate passages and majestic crescendos, helping each member play their part with precision and artistry. The audience, entranced by the breathtaking performance unfolding before them, became swept up in the music's magic.

As the final notes lingered in the air, a wave of euphoria washed over the orchestra. They had transcended their nervous beginnings to deliver a truly remarkable performance.

Members of the Orchestra and Glee Club after their successful performance!

Interview with Lindsay Nanan: Lindsay, a bright and friendly freshwoman, is an active member of the Glee Club at school. Curious about her experience, I couldn't help but ask, "How was it like singing on a stage?" Lindsay reflected on the memorable moment and shared her thoughts: "It was kind of cool but also kind of nerve-wracking." Her response resonated with the mix of excitement and jitters that often accompany stepping onto a stage for the first time.

Delving further into her emotions, I inquired, "How did you feel at the end?" She responded, "I felt kind of great actually. It felt easy to do and a calming thing to get done with." Her words encapsulated the satisfaction and relief that come from successfully completing a challenging task like performing on stage.

As Lindsay described her feelings, it became evident that her experience was a significant milestone in her journey as a performer. The blend of thrill and nervousness she felt while singing epitomized the rollercoaster of emotions that often accompany such endeavors. With her positive outlook and newfound confidence, it's clear that Lindsay's time on stage has left a lasting impression on her, setting the stage for future triumphs and personal growth in the world of music and performance.

CHRISTMAS AROUND THE WORLD! Meryem Roman, ‘28 January 24, 2025 Hot chocolate, cozy knit sweaters, and candy canes have been all the rage this winter, especially with the Christmas season having just ended. I’m pretty sure that all of you are aware as to how prominent Christmas is in the United States. I also know for a fact that you are aware of how many diverse groups of people celebrate this influential holiday. Whether they are from Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, North America, or South America, there’s always a Christmas celebration and tradition occurring somewhere around the world!

What better way to learn about the diverse ways that people celebrate the holidays than by directly asking TMLA students about their own traditions?

As someone deeply involved in the world of music as an orchestra member, I found myself inspired to further my passion for music by allowing myself time to fully immerse myself in the intricate layers and rich complexity that music has to offer. The experience of being part of the Christmas Concert not only ignited my love for music, but also propelled me to explore different facets of it, pushing me to dedicate more of my time and energy towards honing my craft. This journey of self-discovery has opened my eyes to the boundless opportunities for personal growth and artistic expression that music offers, transforming my hobby into a lifelong journey of passion and creative fulfillment.

Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree captured by Meryem Roman.

Please note that everyone who is featured in this article was posed the same question: Please tell me about your cultural Christmas traditions.

Juliana Tacuri ‘28 (Ecuador): This tradition isn’t really exclusive to Ecuador, it’s more of a Hispanic Christmas tradition. There is this nine-day tradition called Novena that lasts from December 16 to December 25. During this nineday period we usually pray and go to church to ask God for supplication and to request things from him. We also sometimes go to church during Novena and dress up as a saint that we love.

After going to church on Christmas, I’ll usually eat turkey with my family to celebrate!

Madison Tunis ‘28 (Haiti): On Christmas Eve, we usually eat many different kinds of food, such as djon djon and griot. During Christmas Eve, children are allowed to consume one alcoholic beverage called crèmas. At around 12 am, we start opening presents and gifts. Most of the time, kids on Christmas Day expect a present from tonton nwèl, or otherwise known as Santa; that usually consists of a new pair of shoes and little gifts stuffed in the shoes and around it. On Christmas morning, we usually attend a church service.

At the end, the pastor will usually give us something, either a gift or a sum of money.

My family typically keeps Christmas decorations up until La Befana, which is on January 6 and it marks the end of the Christmas season. La Befana is a story about an old woman who was asked by the three wise men whether she wanted to come see baby Jesus or not. She refused, but quickly regretted it and went out to search for the baby. Every year on January 6, La Befana leaves sweets or bread and cleans the rooms of every child, hoping that one of them will end up being the baby Jesus!

AnnaMaria Iannone ‘28 (Italy): Christmas is a huge celebration in Italy, especially in my family! On Christmas Eve, we have the Feast of the Seven Fishes, in which we basically eat fish. We also eat a lot of traditional Italian cookies such as panettone, almond cookies, and strufoli. Whenever I go to Italy for Christmas my family will usually gather around a fire and sing carols.

Gwen Raffinello ‘28 (Romania): My family has a very small yet beautiful way to celebrate Christmas! We don’t have huge and extravagant celebrations, it’s more of a small family gathering.

We usually have a delicious and large family meal together.

Sometimes, my mom and brother will also sing some Christmas carols while holding lit candles as a way to celebrate Christmas!

Shemariah Tariq ‘28 (Pakistan): On Christmas, we usually go to a church service that is predominantly said in Urdu. It is a very musical event, with many instruments being involved such as drums, guitars, pianos, and violins.

After this instrumental Christmas church service, we will usually eat some delicious sweets such as dried fruit cake and chane ki daal ka halwa. Chane ki daal ka halwa is a delicate yet time-consuming dessert that consists of chana ki daal (similar to chickpea flour), sugar, and ghee (clarified butter). It is usually only made during special occasions, so it’s a nice Christmas treat to have!

Cecelia Aguinaldo ‘28 (the Philippines): Most of the time during Christmas break, my family and I go to the Philippines to celebrate Christmas with my family in Batangas, a city in the Philippines.

A lot of Filipino Christmas traditions are very similar to American traditions, such as decorating our house for Christmas. However, we start decorating our house for Christmas in September instead of around November like here, in the US! We also love to sing and do karaoke during the holiday season.

Lastly, we eat lechon on Christmas, which is basically roasted pigling!

Gabriella Tsuo ‘28 (Taiwan): My family doesn’t really do anything “traditional” for Christmas, but we still proudly celebrate Christmas! My family usually decorates our house and our Christmas tree. We also buy gifts for our other family and friends!

Usually we will go to church on Christmas and attend a religious Christmas service. After the service, some volunteers from our church will serve Christmas dinner, which my family usually participates in!

Meryem Roman ‘28 (Egypt): Christmas in the Middle East and North Africa is a really small holiday because the region is predominantly Muslim. However, there is a huge Christian population in this region that proudly celebrates Christmas. I’m an Orthodox Christian; I celebrate Christmas on January 7th instead of December 25th. Usually on January 6, my family will prepare a lot of delicious food such as macarona béchamel and fa’ata.

Once the food is prepared, we will go to a church service on the night before Christmas, where everyone is wearing new and fresh clothing and shoes. After the church service, we will either go home and eat as a family or invite friends over to celebrate Christmas together. After dinner, we usually go to sleep or watch a movie together. The next day, my entire family takes the day off for Christmas Day and we spend the day together celebrating our beautiful holiday!

Spectacular is perfectly able to capture the essence of Christmas, making me feel the spirit and joyfulness that the Christmas season has.

Another way to celebrate Christmas is by enjoying Christmas treats. A personal favorite Christmas-time treat is hot chocolate, but I like to use a Christmas-themed hot chocolate mix, as well as add candy canes to give it that Christmas touch. One hot chocolate flavor that I enjoy using is vanilla bean, as it tastes good and also reminds me of vanilla bean noel, the Christmas fragrance from Bath and Body Works.

Akachi Abakporo ‘28 (Nigeria): We usually celebrate Christmas by having a huge dinner celebration with our family! The food that we usually eat is jollof rice, and some sweet treats such as puff puff and chin chin. After this dinner celebration we will usually go to sleep so that we can wake up early the next morning to attend mass in the morning. We also have our own version of Boxing Day which is similar to the ones that occur in England.

PERFECT WAYS TO CELEBRATE THE HOLIDAYS Briana Alexis, ‘26 January 21, 2025 Though the Christmas season may be over, there are still so many fun ways we could celebrate for next year’s! One of my favorite Christmas traditions is going to see the Christmas Spectacular at Radio City Hall. It’s a tradition that I’ve been enjoying for the past 10 years, and I look forward to it every year. The Christmas

If you have a group of friends, you could also celebrate Christmas by doing a Secret Santa with them. From personal experience, it’s not only fun to be on the receiving end of things but also on the giving side. Doing a Secret Santa allows you to learn more about your friends, grow closer to them, and enjoy your time together during the festive season.

One of the most classic ways to celebrate the holidays is by sitting back, relaxing, and watching a Christmas movie. One of my favorite Christmas movies is How the Grinch Stole Christmas, a story about a Grinch who hates Christmas and attempts to steal it, only to learn the true meaning of Christmas and grow a heart at the end. It’s a heartwarming movie that I’ve watched many times and it always helps me get into the Christmas spirit.

Some other Christmas movies you could watch are Elf, A Christmas Story, The Nightmare Before Christmas, and A Christmas Carol. Even simply decorating a Christmas tree, your front lawn, or your house is a perfect way to get ready for the holiday season.

REPORT ON CECILIA AGUINALDO’S WINTER BREAK ABROAD By: Ciara Hernandez January 20, 2025 One of our very own Freshwomen, Class President Cecelia Aguinaldo ‘28 had recently spent her winter break in the Philippines, reconnecting with the roots and immersing herself into the culture of her native country. We had the opportunity to interview her about her trip and she shared some unforgettable moments from our travels, the challenges she faced, and the cultural differences she encountered. CA’s most cherished memory from her trip was the time spent with family. She shared, “The most memorable experience I had during my time abroad was spending time with my family in my relative's house. It was such a warm and welcoming environment, and I felt a deep sense of belonging.”

CA noted a significant cultural difference, particularly around the holidays. “The culture is different from what I am used to because they take Christmas very seriously! Christmas is celebrated at the start of September, which differs from back home. I am amazed at how long the festivals lasted.

The decorations, the songs, the food. It’s all part of the experience!” One of the challenges CA faced was adjusting to the time difference. “Yes! The time zone was a challenge for me. The Philippines is 13 hours ahead of the US, so adjusting my body clock was a bit difficult. But once I got into the rhythm, it was fine.”

When asked about food, CA spoke fondly of the local Filipino cuisine. “Yes! I love the food from my native country. My favorite food I tried is sinigang, a sour soup usually served with chicken. It was so flavorful, and I loved how comforting it was during the cool evenings.”

The highlight of CA’s trip was a fun-filled karaoke session with her cousins. She said, “The highlight of my trip was singing karaoke with my cousins. In the Philippines, a karaoke machine is a must-have in multiple households, and it is so much fun. It brought everyone together, and we all laughed and sang to our heart's content.”

The people CA encountered had a profound impact on her understanding of her family history. “definitely my grandma’s sisters. They refreshed me with so much family history about my mother’s side, which was great.

It helped me understand more about where I came from and my family's tradition, which I didn’t know much about before.”

One notable cultural observation was the blending of languages. “I noticed the Filipinos do speak English quite frequently, but what was funny is that my cousin actually can’t count in Tagalog, in their native language, they can only count in English! Most Filipinos mix their daily dialogue with English, and it is very interesting to see how that influences their everyday communication.”

CA’s travels gave her a broader perspective on the world. She reflected, “ It was a learning experience. It made me have more of an open mind towards many other cultures! I realize that there’s so much to appreciate in every culture, especially when you embrace it with an open heart.”

CA recalls a humorous, yet meaningful moment when she was trying to communicate with locals in Tagalog.

“Definitely when natives tried speaking to me in Tagalog, then I converse back to them in English, guessing what they were trying to say! It was both a fun challenge and a way to connect with them, even though there was a language barrier.” Finally, CA Shared how her trip had already sparked new travel plans. “This experience has opened my eyes, as well as the fact that my family would like to visit them next year on Christmas as well!”

Cecelia’s trip to the Philippines was not only a chance to reconnect with her heritage, but also a journey of culture, exploration, and self-discovery. Her reflection on her experience, highlights the importance of family, the joys of learning about different cultures, and how travel can broaden our perspectives. As she continues to reflect on her time abroad, it is clear that this experience will shape her future decisions and travel choices.

WORRIED ABOUT MIDTERMS? YOU WON’T BE AFTER THIS ARTICLE! Isabella Ostrowski, ‘28 January 21, 2025 For all the freshwomen who are worried about your upcoming midterm examinations, don’t fret! The key to a successful midterm is to study as early as possible in order to have enough study time for all material and to focus on areas that are weaker than others. I know you’ve heard this a lot, but still, do NOT cram a trimester and a half’s material within one night!

You’ll be exhausted and you won’t have enough time to review everything you need to. Before your midterm, make sure to go to sleep early, or else you might end up wanting to sleep during your midterm... (speaking from experience). Finally, make sure not to stress too hard— I’m not saying don’t care about it at all, but don’t push yourself to the point of exhaustion. If you’ve known what you’ve been doing from the start of the year, you’ll do fine.

Do the best you can and use study methods to help you. Try not to get nervous and instead, remain calm so that you can better focus during the exam. All you need to do is run that extra mile in preparation and you’ll do great. Good luck!

FRESHWOMEN INTERVIEWS Gabriella Tsuo, ‘28 January 17, 2025 The Class of 2028 has just finished its first trimester of their TMLA journey. Let’s check up on them and see how they’re adjusting. I have interviewed four freshwomen on how they felt about their first trimester. One thing that TMLA values is intellectual and social growth, and I bet many freshwomen have experienced this in the last few weeks.

Gabriella Tsuo: How do you feel about this new trimester? Have your thoughts changed compared to the beginning of the year?

Akachi Abakporo: In the beginning of the year, I was nervous, worried, and shy. But now I'm more comfortable. Before, I thought nothing would work out and I would struggle to truly adjust, but as the year has gone on, It’s been a lot of fun!

Gwen Raffinello: In the beginning of the year, I was eager to get the trimester over with.

Before, I aimed to get an 85 average on my grades but now I’m aiming to get better grades and put more effort in.

Meryem Roman: I feel ready but also a bit stressed in this new trimester. I did really well in the 1st trimester so I’m hoping I can continue this streak in the second trimester. My thoughts have definitely changed in the beginning of the year because I had the mindset that everything was going to be easy…Then I discovered that I actually have to put effort into my work or else I wasn’t going to achieve my goal of getting good grades.

GT: How do you think that you’ve adapted?

AA: I’ve adjusted to my schedule and the new environment moderately. I've been enjoying it.

I’ve made many new friends and I strive to be more involved within the school community.

GR: I’ve adapted gradually as I’m getting used to the amount of work and schedule. Now, I’m able to balance my time between work time and free time. I feel that things are more stable for me now compared to the beginning of the year when I was struggling.

MR: I would say that I adapted very quickly. I learned how the school system works really fast and I quickly figured out what to do in order to succeed academically.

GT: Sounds good! Was there a goal you had for last trimester? Were you able to reach that and if not, what do you plan to do for the next trimester to reach that goal?

AA: One of my goals was to improve my grades and to have them higher compared to last year.

I’ve gotten into better habits which helped me achieve that goal last trimester. I’m still pushing towards keeping that up and aiming for higher grades.

GR: Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to reach my goal of getting good grades, especially in geometry. I felt like I was falling behind and couldn’t grasp the concept of it. For this trimester, I will try to participate more and to ask for help when I need it. I believe that through this method, I will be able to reach my goal.

MR: My goal was to get good grades but I also wanted to get involved in extracurriculars. I was definitely able to reach this goal and in fact, I even surpassed my original goal. I got grades that were higher than I anticipated and I got involved in more extracurriculars than I thought I would be. I would say that I definitely achieved my goal!

GT: Was this trimester how you anticipated it to be like? Or how was it different from what you anticipated?

AA: I had high hopes for this trimester as this was a fresh start for me and it went better than I had originally expected.

GR: This trimester was how I anticipated it to be. I thought I wouldn’t be able to do well because the tests were hard and confusing to me. I assumed my grades wouldn’t be high.

MR: This trimester wasn’t like how I anticipated.

I came into TMLA expecting that all of my subjects were going to be easy and that I didn’t need to bother about trying or putting in effort into my classes. I was quickly proven wrong though when I realized that the workload required much effort and concentration. So, I would definitely say that it wasn’t like what I expected.

GT: Any last words that you would want to share with us? Thanks!

AA: You can do anything you put your mind to!

GR: I’m focusing on trying to do what I can to reach my goal. Although my courses feel challenging, I’m cruising through it. We’re all in this together!

MR: My last words I want to share are just advice for whoever is reading this. You might be seeing this interview and compare yourself to me or to anyone else who was interviewed in this article. I just want to let you know that you’re so talented in your own way and you should never compare yourself to others because everyone is different and has different talents. Something that you may find easy could be a struggle for someone else, so never compare or judge anyone. I wish you the best!

SENIORS GIVING COLLEGE ADMISSIONS ADVICE Emily Deonarain, ‘28 January 22, 2025 I’m sure we all know about the stressful college application season, as it determines where you will spend the next three to four years of your life, as well as what you will do post-college.

Whether you are a freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior, college is probably what you are preparing and aiming for. However, once you enter your senior year, that is when all your college plans actually need to be completed, and it is when you actually prepare to apply to college. For this article I have interviewed and featured three seniors here at TMLA: Naomi Goya, Gianna Imbriano, and Patricia Mendoza.

Each girl had her own unique experience with college admissions. I hope you enjoy this article!

Emily Deonarain: What was the most surprising part of the college admissions process for you?

Naomi Goya: The most surprising thing is how many options you have. Obviously there are a lot of colleges in America, but there are so many different programs you don't really know because schools only advertise so much. You have to do a lot of research.

ED: Alright, thank you! Next question is, did you visit any colleges before applying? How important were those visits in your decisionmaking process?

NG: I did visit a couple. My sister is in college right now, so I did tours when she was applying

but I was a lot younger. I think the campus is something that is super important as well as the tour guide you have. I know a lot of people tour after they get in as supposed to before. But I really think it depends on the person.

ED: Thank you! Next question is, how did TMLA help your decision to choose the right school?

NG: I think generally speaking there are a lot of programs in this school, and a lot of resources geared with colleges. I think especially now with the college counselor we have now, she gives us a lot of videos and seminars about financial aid and scholarships. The teachers also influence you. Especially Mr. Brennan, he gave us a slideshow in English class last year about college and college debt. And that impacted my decision on what to look for and what I want in these colleges.

ED: Did you apply to a lot of different types of schools, like selective schools? How did you pick them?

NG: When you're applying to colleges, your guidance counselor will tell you that you need safety schools. Everyone is different so everyone's safety school will be different. I applied to less intense schools. I think I have one school that is considered a safety. But it all depends on what major you want to go into. It's different for everybody.

ED: How did you come up with ideas for your college essays?

NG: I struggled a lot to figure out what to write about. You have to think about it as a book you wanna read. I'm not someone who reads a lot.

But I thought to myself what is something I would like to read. So I pulled something out of the air, which was the meaning of my name. The way I wrote about it was like I explained how I made a name for myself. A lot of people call me by my

last name “Goya” instead of my first name. It has always been like a nickname for me, but it wasn't something that I really talk about because I'm very used to it. I explained it like how I gave my name a new meaning. And how I was able to be an independent person. My name is something that is super important to me. It tells a lot about me, my culture, my family, and my values.

ED: What is something you would encourage young girls to do to prepare themselves for college admissions?

NG: I would say just educate yourself. I think you should research because before you know it you're senior and everything comes by quickly.

So prepare yourself early and don't bombard yourself. Also, try to prepare yourself at the end of sophomore year. That way in senior year, you can spend the time submitting your applications.

Also, stay consistent because that is what colleges look for.

GI: By visiting the colleges it helped me visualize what I need and what is in a college. For example, some colleges didn’t have the career path I was going into and lacked the programs that I was interested in. And by visiting the college, it helped me narrow down my colleges and sparked my interest.

ED: How did TMLA help your decision to choose the right school?

GI: TMLA impacted my decision on my dream school because this school has impacted me for my passion of learning; TMLA has helped me discover the interest of what field I want to go into.

ED: Did you apply to a lot of different types of schools, like selective schools? How did you pick them?

GI: No, I already had in mind what I had desired.

ED: How did you come up with ideas for your college essays?

GI: In my freshman year, there was a significant part of my family that impacted my life and continues to impact my life.Therefore, I wrote about this event. In general, writing my college essay wasn’t that hard as everyone seems to make it. I would suggest writing about a significant personal experience or a hobby.

Naomi Goya ‘25

Emily Deonarain: What was the most surprising part of the college admissions process for you?

Gianna Imbriano: When I got back the colleges that I was accepted to, it showed that I worked very hard and achieved my dreams and goals.

ED: Did you visit any colleges before applying?

How important were those visits in your decisionmaking process?

ED: What is something you would encourage young girls to do to prepare themselves for college admissions?

GI: Start looking at colleges in your junior year and always look for college opportunities like open houses and programs and attend them to show your interest. In addition, prepare for the SAT in your junior year because the earlier you start the less stress you will be. The more you study the less you have to stress. Make sure you are doing many activities that will help impact your career and application.

PM: I actually didn't apply to many reach schools. Most of the schools I applied to are more match schools and safety schools. With my GPA, I was most likely going to get accepted into these schools. I also thought about the financial aspect of applying to these schools.

ED: How did you come up with ideas for your college essays?

Gianna Imbriano ‘25

Emily Deonarain: What was the most surprising part of the college admissions process for you?

Patricia Mendoza: I feel like the surprising part was how many steps we actually had to take, not to get into college, but in the college admissions process in general.

ED: Did you visit any colleges before applying?

How important were those visits in your decision-making process?

PM: TMLA provides college trips in your junior year. You have many options. And because of our program, one of the trips is free. So I just went on one. I went to a few schools. These schools weren't schools that I knew of before, but just visiting schools in general is very helpful because it helps you consider things that you didn't think of.

PM: Before I wrote my essay, I would see on social media how people would write their college essays. I saw that the essays that would be more interesting are about the randomest topics. So I was thinking about something that shaped me into who I am and something physical that I like. So my essay was called “ Matcha and Memories” because I really like matcha. I connected it to how the matcha experience is similar to going through life.

ED: What is something you would encourage young girls to do to prepare themselves for college admissions?

PM: They should research and think about what you want in your future. And think about what field you wanna go into. Even though you don't have to be set on what you want to be when you're older, you still have an idea because it's an essential part of knowing what schools and programs you want to get into.

ED: How did TMLA help your decision to choose the right school?

PM: TMLA’s guidance really helped me. Because of guidance, I really learned about things during the college process. It helps you learn about the different programs, how much you're paying, and what's really worth your money.

ED: Did you apply to a lot of different types of schools, like selective schools? How did you pick them?

Patricia Mendoza ‘25

A LULLABY TO A SOLDIER BY: ALEXANDRA ANTHONY, ’27 I am not going to sing you a lullaby Let it be rattled by tanks, As they're turning the world inside out, Flattening with crooked wheels The thin layer of your premature life That is splitted into segregated posters: "Missing: Soldier Fyodor Ivanov.

We advise you not to start the search; The reward is five million* roubles."

And when your teeth in handfuls Into roubles and kopecks** will be exchanged, And when the charcoal of your life Will land into negative-sixty-degrees, and rain That will show up on the weather channel As 6 droplets of water and a stormcloud As 6 flowers*** on the stone-cold grave, And when your husky seconds Will flare up and then decay May the tanks rattle you a lullaby; They will be able.

I shall not be able to sing you a lullaby Let it be it fired out by machine guns, As they set leaden phrases to flight, Each letter - Chechnya****, Each word - Syria, Each sentence - Ukraine.

They will set their sharp, sabled teeth Into your idols of past pop cultures, Who will be dissected to grated cheese, While you will stand by the grater, Remembering how Mommy used to show you How to grate vegetables on it Slide them to and fro, to and fro, Until you yourself will become a part Of a sandwich that's dripping with blood May the machine guns fire out your lullaby; They will be good at it.

I wouldn't be able to sing you a lullaby Let it be laughed out by the people, Who took you, like a baby, by the hand, And brought you to Neverland, In order for your hectic dreams To be flipped through, like the pages in an atlas On which the borders of what was now a stranger's land Blackened and threw themselves into an abyss, While you were asking nice Mr. Doctor: "This doesn't hurt, does it?"

And you were answered: "This is just an itty-bitty flu shot.

Sit calmly and don't suffer, please."

May those people laugh you out a lullaby.

I am sure that they will succeed.

* Five million roubles - this is the amount of money that will be given to families of soldiers who died at war with Ukraine, Vladimir Putin announced in May of 2023. Since Russia has a big percentage of people in poverty, the prospect of their getting such an amount of money led to many people willingly going to war and killing Ukrainians. ** The "Russian version" of cents. *** A Russian superstition - an even number of flowers is meant to symbolize death, so people will put them on gravestones, but only bring an odd number of flowers to a wedding, for example! **** A region in the South of Russia. Its desire to become independent from Russia led to the First Chechen War (1994-1996) and the Second Chechen War (1999-2000). Nowadays, the head of the region is the Islamic radical Ramzan Kadirov. In order for Chechnya to continue being a part of Russia, Russia sends a huge amount of money to Chechnya's government every year.

Editorial Staff Moderator: Mrs. Marianna Campanale Editor-in-Chief: Mikayla Traill Managing Editor: Danielle Saborio News Editors: Ava Kearney & Miley De La Luz Features Editor: Sofia Montero Photography & Art/Layout Editor: Claudia Wysocky

Writers Akachi Abakporo Alexa Maldonado Alexandra Anthony Audrey Millen Briana Alexis Ciara Hernandez Emily Deonarain Gabriella Tsuo Hema David Isabella Ostrowski Julia McCarthy Leanna Tzompa Luna Melis Cavadar Meryem Roman Naomi Phildor Olivia Guzman-Saavedra Sara Wu Sophia Clarisse Gonzales Vivian Lemke