Volume II, Issue III

VOLUME II, ISSUE III

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2023

BLOGS.STMAUR.AC.JP/NEWSPAPER

SCHOOL NEWS

Saint Maur celebrates the season of giving with Christmas Toy Drive and Happy Bags

BY REI SAEKI | GRADE 12 As the joys of the holiday season and the new year approaches, the expectations of the “perfect” holiday follows. However, this holiday season,

The Movember Movement - Saint Maur Teachers raise awareness for men’s health

BY EMILY BEYER | GRADE 11 With the month of November, another year of the Movember Movement just concluded. Since 2003, the

Saint Maur focused on those who do not have access to the glamours of such

Movember Foundation has been a leading charity raising funds and awareness for men’s health, more specifically mental health and suicide prevention,

events let alone their basic needs. In the month of December, two charities centered around the theme of spreading love and empathy successfully and raised awareness for their differing

prostate cancer and testicular cancer.

causes.

SEE SAEKI PAGE 4

Happy Bag

Sports Day 2023: Seniors Secure Their Second Victory

BY TROIS ONO | GRADE 12 Each year, the entire high school required to design and wear their own partakes in a fiercely competitive Sports class t-shirts which were presented Day where grades go against each other during the assembly a month prior. In in a variety of sports, such as capture the this year's highly anticipated Sports flag, tug of war, and handball. Grades are Day, the Class of 2024 emerged victorious, once again showcasing their competitiveness and diligence.

Mr. Martin wearing his moustache

In 2003, everything started with Travis Garone and Luke Slattery, who met up for a beer in Melbourne, Australia discussing the idea of bringing the mustache back. The idea took off, and by November that year, 30 men were willing to wear a mustache for 30 days to raise awareness for prostate cancer and depression in men.

Class of 2024 celebrating triumph

WHAT’S INSIDE

SEE ONO PAGE 6

SEE BEYER PAGE 5

WORLD NEWS

SPORTS

FINE ARTS

TEACHER OF THE MONTH

The current state of the Israel-Hamas conflict

Girls Varsity Volleyball Team ends season with a stellar victory

Saint Maur takes a humble Third Place in the 2023 KPASS Speech Contest

Teacher of the Month: Ms. Dompor

BY MARIA CAROLINA MARTINS PAGE 9

BY EMMA NARVAEZ PAGE 11

BY SOPHIE WYNKOOP PAGE 8

BLOGS.STMAUR.AC.JP/NEWSPAPER

BY HANA LANG PAGE 13

2

THE MAURDIAN | SCHOOL NEWS | STEM

SCHOOL NEWS ● STEM

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2023

Saint Maur welcomes YSFH students in annual student exchange BY SOPHIE WYNKOOP | GRADE 10 In November, students from the Yokohama Science Frontier High School visited Saint Maur in order to learn about our school and immerse themselves in a new environment. YSFH is a high school that specializes in teaching students about the sciences (which includes medicine and engineering as well!). YSFH students were able to shadow Saint Maur students and follow them to their classes, learning how our school works. This exchange program was a follow-up to last month’s, where Saint Maur students were able to spend a couple of days touring YSFH. This was an overall amazing experience for both parties, and one Saint Maur will not forget!

Doctor Suzuki teaching students

especially appreciative of the “many languages that are taught here”. At YSFH, it seems that only English and Japanese are offered as language courses, which differs from Spanish and French, both of which are taught at Saint Maur. Satomi emphasized how important she sees language diversity in early adolescence to be, and is envious that our school takes that into consideration.

Similarly, Wuxon was impressed with the number of multilingual and multicultural students in our school. It seemed to him that, “everyone speaks more than one language”, something that doesn’t happen as often in YSFH. It was very interesting to hear about their takes on languages and crossculturalism.

Saint Maur student and YSFH student

Satomi and Wuxon (both aged 15) were two of the YSFH students who visited Saint Maur.

When asked why they chose to participate in the exchange program, Satomi responded that she wanted to “improve her English speaking skills”. Wuxon had a similar response, saying that he wanted to visit Saint Maur to meet English speakers and really challenge himself to only communicate in English. YSFH is not an international school, so all their classes are taught in Japanese. It is not surprising that many of their students are not advanced English speakers and have ambitions to improve their speaking in the language.

Overall, the YSFH student exchange program was beneficial for all students involved. We, at Saint Maur, were able to learn about a interactions difficult and wants to work school that centers around the sciences and towards a solution for that issue. By working in got to know some of the students that attend AI, Wuxon wants to help develop programs there better. The YSFH students had the that are designed to be the “best translation opportunity to get to know an international device”. We wish him luck in this endeavor, school, as well as meet our diverse school and hope that YSFH can aid him in achieving population. The experience was an incredible this goal! opportunity to bring students from the two Saint Maur and YSFH are both different in a schools together and help all participants to variety of ways. Satomi was quite surprised by understand a different form of education a couple of things here at Saint Maur: in than their own. addition to our smaller campus, she was

You may find yourself to be curious as to why Satomi and Wuxon chose to attend a high school that is so focused on the sciences. When probed with this question, it was intriguing to hear their reasons as well as future career aspirations. Satomi said that she has a “real passion for the sciences, especially biology”. In fact, as a career path, she is considering pursuing a job in the veterinary field. Wuxon chose YSFH for a slightly different reason, that being that he loved the diverse campus that the school offers and the food that is provided. He, of course, also has an enjoyment for the sciences– with the aspiration of working in AI, Wuxon hoped that attending YSFH would make it easier for him to work in that field.

Specifically, he is aware of the language Saint Maur student and YSFH student barriers that can make many global

BLOGS.STMAUR.AC.JP/NEWSPAPER

3

THE MAURDIAN | SCHOOL NEWS

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2023

SCHOOL NEWS

BY JUNLIN CHU, YILIN LIU | GRADE 9 A few weeks ago, on October 27th, Grade 9 students had their educational and fun-filled Day of Reflection, which was organized

by Ms. Mansson. Day of Reflection is a day to reflect on a student's past actions and experiences, for example, reflecting on the things they learned, the program they did, and the mistakes they made.

Reflection is an important part of learning. If students want to grow up or progress, reflecting on what they have done before is indispensable.

to contemplate the meaning of life.

Tingfei, a Grade 9 student who participated in the Day of Reflection, stated, “The definition of this topic can be divided into two different aspects. The first one is to keep learning new things when we are young because it is a new world for us and everything is new. The other one is to keep improving and summarizing our experiences in the past.” Grade 9 students got the opportunity to collaborate and foster greater cohesion within the class.

During this day, students in Grade 9 had some activities to approach SMEO “Life-Long Learner” which means that people can learn what they want whenever they want.

For Grade 9 students, this was also a wonderful opportunity to

In addition, Grade 9 students also had an activity with Grade 2 students who are quite special because they only entered elementary school a year ago, just beginning to develop a sense of community. At this age, they

harbor incredible imagination about the future and the world. For the activity, we interviewed another student to gain some feedback.

The student, Nuo (G9), stated: “I learned how to collaborate with friends and I also read a letter from a Grade 2 student that was so impressive for me.”

This answer shows that the things innocent children ponder about are always fascinating. We often wonder how such young minds can pose such profound questions. The inquiries they make might be ones we have asked, but as we grow older and become preoccupied with the demands of life, we often have less time to contemplate the true meaning of existence. The activity is reciprocal as it not only provides Grade 2 students with answers from those who have gained deeper experiences but also reminds the grown-up Grade 9 students of the of the innocent and profound thoughts of young children.

Overall, Day of Reflection was an important and unforgettable experience for Grade 9 students.

Mrs. Martin and Grade 9 student

This year’s Sakura Medal books are must-reads!

BY SOPHIE WYNKOOP | GRADE 11 The Sakura Medal program is an annual reading program that is part of many international schools across Japan. The program was designed to promote a diverse selection of books, celebrate authors, and generally encourage students to read outside of school. Here is a short overview of four of the 2024 Sakura Medal books that were selected for secondary students.

L

Grade 9 Day of Reflection: A Day of Fun, Exploration, and Collaboration

L

High School Sakura Medal books

Spy x Family, Vol 1 by Tatsuya Endo: This graphic novel follows Master spy Twilight, who excels in his field. Going undercover on secret missions comes naturally for himuntil he accepts a strange assignment that requires him to become a family man. If this wasn’t abnormal enough, Twilight is about to find out that his wife is an assassin and the child he's chosen to adopt is a telepath! This spy thriller is cozy, easy-to-read, and the first book of an engaging seven part series.

Lore by Alexandra Bracken: Every seven years, nine Greek Gods are sent to descend to earth to live as mortals. As punishment, they are hunted by the descendants of ancient bloodlines in what is known as the Agon. Lore Perseous, whose family was murdered during the Agon, leaves the world in hopes of a better life. She has always pushed away thoughts of getting revenge on the man responsible for her family’s brutal homicide- until now. This story is the fantastical adventure that lovers of Greek mythology have been waiting for!

Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mendel: Sea of Tranquility is a story that spans generations. Starting in the year 1912 and finishing on a colony on the moon nearly five hundred years later, this novel acts as a gentle ode to metaphysics and the nature of being. Gaspery-Jacques Roberts is a detective who has become aware of a strange event that seems to take place once every couple of centuries. To investigate this anomaly, he travels through time, collecting data and meeting a vibrant collection of characters.

The Cat Who Saved Books by Sosuke Natsukawa: Simple and heart-warming, The Cat Who Saved Books is made for people who know the tremendous power that reading holds.

Dealing with the grief of his recently deceased grandfather, Rintaro is at an all-time low. That is, until he is approached by an anthropomorphic cat with the mission of “saving” books. Together, the two embark on a journey to stop books from being imprisoned, mistreated and betrayed by their respective owners. Written for and by lovers of reading, this story tries to celebrate literature and all that it stands for.

Those were only four of the 15 selected Sakura Medal books for high school students. If any of these piques your interest, make sure to stop by the library to pick one up, or any of the 11 other books not mentioned in this article. Happy reading!

Class of 2027

BLOGS.STMAUR.AC.JP/NEWSPAPER

4

THE MAURDIAN | SCHOOL NEWS

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2023

SAEKI FROM PAGE 1 students and faculty combined through gifts or monetary donations. Given the budget, children created their own wishlists; however, the contents strayed far from toys or leisure goods. Over half of the wishlist was filled with basic stationary and school books. Yura (G12) reflected on the experience, stating: “I felt shocked how it was so different than what I would have asked for as a kid. This project wouldn't hold any Service Learning Club packaging Happy Bags meaning without people to support it The annual Christmas Toy Drive is a and I felt the good in people. The tradition in St. Maur where the St. feelings I felt when I looked at all the Maur community donates presents to wrapped presents still make me the children in the local orphanage in emotional.”

Honmoku. Run by Rei and Yura (G12), Another Charity is the Happy Bags this charity was supported by over 60 Drive run by the Saint Maur Charity

Christmas Toy Drive initiators

Community, an initiative to supply food and warm clothing to those in need in Kannai. Over 30 bags were delivered, and some Middle School and Elementary students decorated their bags with drawings and personalized message cards.

The Charity Committee is still accepting donations and participation in delivering is open every Tuesday night.

Charity initiatives such as these aim to acknowledge the privileges of being able to supply basic needs, as well as showcasing how people's small acts of kindness can bring about twice or triple the amount of happiness to someone else. Much appreciation for both the runners of respective charities and the St Maur Community for helping to spread Christmas Joy.

Service Learning Club with their Happy Bags

Saint Maur's MUN delegates tackle diplomatic challenges at BST conference BY EMMA NARVAEZ | GRADE 12 On December 9th, four Saint Maur MUN delegates attended an enriching conference held at The British School in Tokyo. It was the first ever conference BST held since the pandemic, which meant it was the first one for many of the attending delegates, including Saint Maur’s. Thus, the event was a significant learning experience that allowed students to understand the logistics of Model

United Nations while exercising skills of debate, communication, and collaborative problem-solving with other schools.

The conference commenced in the General Assembly room at 9:00AM, and opened with the keynote speaker Leo Lewis, the Asia Business Editor at the Financial Times. Drawing on his experiences interviewing diplomats and writing about

Saint Maur delegates at BST

global events, he highlighted the importance of international of international relations in today's interconnected world.

Keynote speaker presenting in General Assembly room

Once the clock struck 9:30, it was time for the delegates to convene in their respective committee sessions. There, they presented their opening speeches and discussed clauses with other

BLOGS.STMAUR.AC.JP/NEWSPAPER

delegates to form a resolution regarding the central issue. Both of these elements were prepared during the weekly MUN meetings at school. Mr. White, one of the MUN supervisors, emphasized that MUN conferences allow students to “see where their time and energy in preparing for the CONTINUATION ON NEXT PAGE

5

THE MAURDIAN | SCHOOL NEWS

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2023

CONTINUATION

conference can have the greatest energies”, which was the topic of impact.” discussion. However, Carol was In the committee rooms, new taking an alternative position, delegates learned how to which asserted that Saudi Arabia communicate and debate with “is highly dependable right now non-renewable energy other individuals before everyone on gathered in the General Assembly resources, but they're trying to room at the end to discuss an change that, and they have emergency situation.

One implemented multiple things in complication delegate Carol (G12) their government to do so.” Carol faced in the Environmental highlighted a challenging situation Committee was that as a delegate with one delegate, stating, “One of Saudi Arabia, “most people delegate kept on telling me that I expected [her] to be against the was wrong when it was my position in my country.” However, maximization of renewable Saudi Arabia delegate in Environmental Committee

United Kingdom delegates in General Assembly session

However, Carol explained that she was able to overcome the situation by effectively communicating her point of view.

After two rounds of committee sessions, all delegates gathered in the General Assembly room, where an urgent situation of

international importance was presented through a fictional briefing video. The emergency situation involved an attack and spill of oil tanks in a commerce route close to the country of Malaysia. For Aiden and Hanson (G9), who represented the United Kingdom, the most memorable moment during the conference was when a group of delegates proposed a clause that would divide Malaysia into 12 different nations to maintain the security and safety of the Malaysian people, in exchange for stereotypical resources given by each of the colonizing countries.

Hanson found the proposal to be “absolutely absurd”; however, the rather unconventional scheme allowed delegates to witness and engage in productive debates. As for Carol, a particular highlight

from the event when she and her partner, Emma (G12) passed a clause “by unanimous vote.” This accomplishment highlighted their effective teamwork to construct and present a purposeful clause.

Overall, the BST conference proved to be a pivotal learning experience for Saint Maur's Model United Nations delegates. Mr. White expressed that he was “impressed by the delegates’ willingness to take risks, to be thoughtful about their responsibilities and to work hard to contribute to the debate.” The conference not only honed diplomatic skills but also facilitated global perspectives and valuable debates, leaving delegates eager for more conferences in the near future.

BEYER FROM PAGE 1 In 2006, the movement expanded to include New Zealand along with Australia and in 2007 four more countries, the US, Canada, the UK and Spain, joined the movement.

By 2013, marking the ten-year anniversary, the group of 30 men had expanded to 4 million people from a total of 21 countries. Then, $559 million had already been raised to go towards various men’s health projects. The Movember Foundation has set their focus on addressing crises on a global scale by “unit[ing] experts from around the world to collaborate on projects that will fundamentally change the way men in need are treated and supported”, as they

Now you might wonder, how do I get involved? The obvious answer is growing a mustache, but there are more opportunities like donating, or moving for mental health, meaning running or walking 60 miles in the month, to advocate for mental health. We don’t have to look very far to find people involved in the movement here in Japan. Our very own Mr. Martin and Mr. Diaz participated

my way to help raise some who have suffered from some of awareness,” he said. He believes those things.” When asked how that participating can make a participating in Movember can difference in the lives of men, as “it make a difference in the lives of makes a topic that most men don’t men, he replied: “I think, for want to talk about more.” During mental health, I choose not to just his movember journey, Mr. Diaz do a normal mustache, I prefer to encountered the difficulty, that he do something, you know a little was not used to having a mustache more fun so that just amuses so that took some somebody that helps with some getting used to. health in an indirect kind of way, but I guess sometimes people will For Mr. Martin, ask you why you're doing it, just there were a there were a couple of things that like this interview, and it raises awareness.” One thing which he inspired him to participate in the thought did not go as planned was that he

Movember Movement logo, Source - https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ready-set-mo-movember-2022-is-here-301664652.html

state on their website. They act by providing facts, creating services uniting people and advocating. On average, men die 4.5 years before women do, and the reasons for this could often be prevented. By last year, over 1,320 men’s health programs, like TrueNTH, were funded by the foundation to help change this.

in the Movember movement this year, growing out mustaches for the duration of the 30 days. I was lucky enough to get to interview both of them about their Movember experience.

When asked what inspired him to participate in the Movember movement, Mr. Diaz replied that his mom was part of research for cancer treatment for years. “This is

Movember Movement: “One I think it's just kind of fun but also, I guess Movember the events its kinda centered or driven towards raising awareness for certain issues for men, prostate cancer, I think its testicular cancer and just like mental health, suicide prevention, that kind of thing.

There are people in my family

BLOGS.STMAUR.AC.JP/NEWSPAPER

wasn’t able to raise much money for the charity. “I guess I didn't do a very good job of promoting verbally to everyone - something I will try to improve on in future years.”

Let this be our call to action and motivation for more participation next year. Whether or not you are planning to participate by growing a mustache, donating or running 60 miles next year, we can spread the word about the Movember Movement, so next November even more awareness is raised for men’s health.

6

THE MAURDIAN | SCHOOL NEWS

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2023

ONO FROM PAGE 1 competition. I think we all know the reason some of the less sporty who’s a better player anyways.” people missed MS sports day” Charles remarks. recalls Julia (9).

On the volleyball court, the In the end, the seniors emerged sophomores’ teamwork and victorious, showcasing not only strategic plays were evident as their athletic prowess but also they faced off against determined their ability to work cooperatively opponents. The atmosphere in the as a team. The underclassmen, gym was tense, with each point while disappointed by their defeat, hotly contested. The seniors' solid took the loss in stride. "The seniors sportsmanship and coordinated played pretty well, and efforts eventually secured their we gave it our all. I multiple wins. know we'll Badminton was no less intense, with the juniors and freshmen Class of 2024 watching football

This year, several new rules were introduced to mitigate dissent among grades after matches.

Firstly, all participants were required to either bow or shake hands before and after the games.

While this generated some controversy among the students, the majority managed to adhere to this rule, resulting in a decrease in the foul play we usually observe every year. Another rule that was established was the confirmation of scores by one leader from each group of participants.

This measure aimed to prevent complaints made about "unjust scorekeeping" that the student council has previously dealt with.

yet, their cohesive teamwork and strategic plays kept us on the edge of our seats. The sophomores fought valiantly and students also saw sibling rivalry between some of our most athletic students.

Charles (12) and his brother Hippolyte (11), both on the varsity basketball team, played terrifically. “It was awkward playing with my little brother but, you know, it's a friendly

displaying impressive skills and precise shots. The seniors faced some serious competition, losing game after

come back stronger next year when we’re seniors," remarked an 11th grader.

game. Although they left the courts with zero wins, they reserved any resentment and harbored their confidence. “I found that high school sports day was more competitive and had more physical contact … I think that’s

The atmosphere was electric from the morning (an uncommon sight on St.Maur grounds) as students and teachers gathered at Peverly Place to witness the first of many games. Football and Tug of War took center stage in what can be described as high-tension clashes between the grades as ruthless players were determined to secure their first wins of the day. Led by Koutarou in the front, the seniors completely obliterated the other grades in Tug of War. The seniors' dominance on the basketball court was expected and Class of 2024

Freshmen playing football against the Juniors

BLOGS.STMAUR.AC.JP/NEWSPAPER

Grade 10 throwing dodgeball

7

THE MAURDIAN | SCHOOL NEWS

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2023

Saint Maur’s MSSC spends the day at Futaba for student exchange BY HARU OTSUJI | GRADE 7

Saint Maur MSSC member in Futaba classroom

Futaba is our sister school and we barely know them, therefore, I was very excited when I heard that MSSC could go there and experience it ourselves. Even though we have the same school logo, founders, and location, it was very different from our school.

First of all, the school is operated

by Japanese. That was a big difference. Even though many of the equations were familiar to me in math class, I could not recognize them—especially word problems since my Japanese is not as advanced as Futaba students.

Furthermore, they used a chalkboard and not a whiteboard.

It was interesting since I got to

hear the screeching sound of chalk which I only heard online and there was also a machine that’s dedicated to cleaning the blackboard eraser! Futaba also had us change into our indoor shoes which I am not used to. I usually take off my shoes completely (when I go in my house) or put them on (when I go out of my house). That was an interesting experience.

Moreover, the learning style of Futaba was different from Saint Maur. They have no morning break and have 4 classes in A ROW! That was very surreal for me. I was not used to that.

However, they had 10-minute

breaks in between classes which was very nice since I got to change classrooms and go to the restroom without rushing, and the classrooms felt very far to me.

Maybe it’s because I don’t know anything about Futaba’s building structure.

when they were in middle school.

I still remembered a little bit about how to play the recorder but, my skill was nowhere near my classmates. Singing was also very hard for me since every other student had a high voice but I was the only one who had a low voice.

Withal, the lessons at Futaba were That was very awkward. hard (except for English). Teachers One of my highlights was when we spoke as if they were rapping. I got to go outside and play could only understand a fraction dodgeball. We played a game with of what the teachers were saying. Saint Maur V.S Futaba, and the Also in music class, we learned Futaba students were very good at how to play the recorder and sing. dodgeball. Their throw was strong It was very new to me. Saint Maur and accurate! We found ourselves stopped learning the recorder in losing by a lot of points very elementary school, however, quickly.

Futaba was still learning even This day was very special. I got to meet new people and learn new cultures. I was amazed at how lives and cultures can be different in just walking distance. I thought that the school would look and feel similar to Saint Maur, however, I was very wrong. They had their separate pros and cons and I loved how I got to experience that.

Saint Maur emblem, Source - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Maur_International_School

Saint Maur and Futaba students working together

BLOGS.STMAUR.AC.JP/NEWSPAPER

8

THE MAURDIAN | WORLD NEWS | SPORTS

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2023

WORLD NEWS

The current state of the Israel-Hamas conflict

BY SOPHIE WYNKOOP GRADE 10

The Israel-Hamas war has its roots in the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The conflict is the result of tensions and disputes over land, as well as disagreements over who should have political control in the region. The recent escalation in violence between Israel and Hamas was triggered by a series of events, including fights between the Israeli police and Palestinian protesters in Jerusalem, as well as bombing attacks from Gaza and Israeli airstrikes in response.

Destruction of Palestine tower during airstrike (Wikipedia Commons)

The conflict is one that has deep historical, political, and religious sides to it. As a matter of fact, it has tended to be a difficult subject to discuss globally because of its complexities. It is very important to approach this topic with empathy for both sides involved and all the lives lost.

than 15,500 Palestinians, including over 6,000 children, have been killed, making this one of the deadliest wars for children in all of modern times [1]. The insanely large number of civilian deaths have led to both Israel and Hamas being accused of war crimes and of starting the conflict. Because of this, many people believe that it is difficult to accuse one side or the other. Israel recently ordered the people of Gaza to evacuate northern Gaza, while Hamas ordered the people to stay in their homes. These conflicting orders are also partially responsible for the high number of deaths. Both parties engage and rely on deceitful warfare to help them do the most damage possible. The United Nations reported

that around 1.8 million Palestinians and around 500,000 Israelis have been reported missing. This is only a fraction of the millions killed in war.

If you're looking to help those affected by the Israel-Hamas war, one way to contribute is by donating to organizations that provide relief Throughout the month of November, there and support. These organizations often have were intense rocket attacks from Gaza towards international branches or partnerships that Israel and airstrikes by Israel in response. This allow everyone to contribute, regardless of the resulted in significant casualties and damage country you are living in right now. on both sides. This conflict seems to be getting Additionally, spreading awareness and sharing nowhere near a solution, as both sides have information about fundraising efforts can help pulled out of truce talks, saying that raise funds and support for those in need. negotiations have reached a dead end.

Educating yourself and others is also always a costless and effective way to help out. These According to the Gaza Health Ministry, more efforts may seem small, but they are still [1] Wikipedia Contributors, “2023 Israel–Hamas War,” Wikipedia (Wikimedia Foundation, impactful and necessary.

October 12, 2023), https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2023_Israel%E2%80%93Hamas_war.

SPORTS

A winning of the Varsity Girls Basketball Team against Seisen

BY JUNLIN CHU | GRADE 9

The High School Girls' Basketball team had two games against the International School of Sacred Heart (ISSH) and Seisen International School on November 28th and December 1st.

This was a highly intense match. The Varsity team was very honored to emerge victorious in the game against Seisen. However, both the JV and Varsity basketball teams lost to ISSH and the JV basketball team lost to Seisen.

Sports competitions are extremely challenging, and each member must put in much effort. In every match, spectators or those not participating in the game cannot understand the pressure on the players and the effort they put in privately.

To gain more information about the game, I interviewed a Grade 9 student, Tingfei, who is

Varsity Girls Basketball Team huddle

CONTINUATION ON NEXT PAGE

BLOGS.STMAUR.AC.JP/NEWSPAPER

9

THE MAURDIAN | SPORTS

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2023

CONTINUATION

who is a member of the JV basketball team.

When asked about her thoughts on the games, she stated: “I feel sad and I think we can do better for these games against ISSH and Seisen.

For the improvement, we should practice more about our collaboration, especially for the JV team because most of the members in JV are new students in the high school so we have less synergy than the Varsity team.” Basketball players on the court must make many decisions; for example, when to pass the ball, when to shoot, and when to defend the basket.

Therefore, the sport requires a high degree of trust and collaboration between the players.

For these games, the process and reflection often matter much more than the result. Wins

and losses are inevitable, but the experiences and skills gained are irreplaceable. For the Varsity team, winning the game is truly a celebratory achievement and is a testament to their efforts in training. For the JV team, this is just the beginning, and winning or losing is less important than gaining experience, improving playing skills, and surpassing oneself with each experience.

Varsity Girls Basketball Team group photo

Girls Varsity Volleyball Team ends season with a stellar victory

BY MARIA CAROLINA MARTINS GRADE 12

The Girl’s Varsity team has had a wonderful season this year, and their last game, which was held on November 1st couldn’t be any different. Senior night is an ongoing tradition that happens all over the world, where seniors who are part of the school’s Varsity team are celebrated and honored by their fellow teammates and the overall student body. The younger players from JV and Varsity prepare a surprise for the seniors, usually consisting of a personalized poster as well as beautiful flowers that make the event a truly memorable one.

This year’s senior night was a tad different, as it happened in our rival’s court - YIS. That, however, did not make it any less special.

Cheers and screams in favor of our varsity team could be heard from all corners of the gym. Parents, teachers, and other students all came together to celebrate and cheer on our wonderful seniors who brought nothing but Cougar pride for us this year. Even the boys, who had a game at Saint Maur right before the night came to cheer on.

After a nerve-wracking game with many close calls and beautiful plays that went up to five sets, our varsity team was able to defeat the Dragons, finishing the game at 3-2 sets. The much-deserved victory was incredibly celebrated by the team and the school. A fantastic ending to close an impressive volleyball season.

Being part of the team these past two years has been an unforgettable experience and I’ll definitely take this team and the lessons I learned from it with me for years to come. As the season and the seniors’ High School volleyball careers come to an end, I would like to thank our coaches, who worked so hard and gave so many hours into making us better players, everyone who cheered and supported us during the games, the people and parents who connected to the live games online to see us during our tournament, the team managers who helped out every day and gave as much as the players, the volleyball mothers who moved mountains to make sure we were well fed, our younger teammates who also made this team so special and everyone involved in making these Varsity years so special for all our seniors. On behalf of the whole team, thank you!!

Varsity Girls Volleyball Team clapping hands with YIS team

Now, it is up to the soon-to-be seniors and JV players to keep up our school’s legacy, continue to achieve great things, and well represent the true Cougar spirit. We hope you have as much fun as we did and have no doubt you will be brilliant.

BLOGS.STMAUR.AC.JP/NEWSPAPER

10

THE MAURDIAN | FINE ARTS

FINE ARTS ● MUSIC

High School November Playlist

BY JULIA TANAKA | GRADE 11 Music is a very important part of different memories or past events. our everyday lives. It can change Personally, I find myself listening our situations from stressful to to music on days that I want a calming and can add filters into boost of energy or days that feel mundane days that need an extra like I am going to be suffocated by boost. Some people believe that the workload. I would recommend music can take us into the fourth listening to music when you feel a dimension and sometimes it can need to filter out society and add a definitely make us time travel to better perspective to the world.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2023

FINE ARTS ● DRAMA

Drama Production Poster Winners The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time

I wonder what high school students are listening to…

Grade 9

Grade 10

Jiachun: Diet Mountain Dew by Lana Del Ray

Private: Agora Hills by Doja Cat

T-shirt winner - Shu Li (G9)

Born to Die album cover, Source https://open.spotify.com/track/4O9dZs2B0ilk4PEfX2bPEv

Private: Official

Pretender dism

髭男

by

Program winner - Eojin Choi (G9)

Scarlet album cover, Source https://open.spotify.com/track/7iS42bQlCikTwqq3WGBS7g

Private: Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen

Poster winner - Kylie Kitaoka (G10)

Pretender album cover, Source https://open.spotify.com/track/7iS42bQlCikTwqq3WGBS7g

Grade 11

Bohemian Rhapsody (Original Soundtrack) album cover, Source https://open.spotify.com/track/7iS42bQlCikTwqq3WGBS7g

Grade 12

Ayaka: My Tears Ricochet by Taylor Swift

Jenny: Stick Season by Noah Kahan

folkore album cover, Source https://open.spotify.com/track/4O9dZs2B0ilk4PEfX2bPEv

Stick Season album cover, Source https://open.spotify.com/track/7iS42bQlCikTwqq3WGBS7g

Roy: Etude of Memory

by Exhibition

Exhibition album cover, Source https://open.spotify.com/track/7iS42bQlCikTwqq3WGBS7g

Juan: Wiedaa by Luciano

Wiedaa album cover, Source https://open.spotify.com/track/7iS42bQlCikTwqq3WGBS7g

This month there was a wide variety of songs from different genres: pop, rock, rap etc. I found them all very interesting songs and appreciate the wide variety of song genres! So if you are having trouble finding a song to listen to… there are eight songs above that might help!

KPASS Dance Festival advertisement

BLOGS.STMAUR.AC.JP/NEWSPAPER

11

THE MAURDIAN | FINE ARTS

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2023

Saint Maur’s two-time winning Speech Contest team takes a humble EMMA NARVAEZ Third Place finish in the 2023 KPASS Speech Contest BY GRADE 12 For the past two KPASS Speech Contests, Saint Maur has risen to the top, showcasing their supreme rhetorical skills.

However, the 2023 KPASS Speech Contest, which was held on November 11, regrettably broke this winning streak, with Saint Maur achieving Third Place overall.

Nonetheless, Mr. Gregoriades, Saint Maur’s drama teacher, highlighted that each member was able to earn an award of some kind, including an All Star award for the Multiple team.

Regardless of any placement on the podium, the Speech Contest is an incredibly rewarding experience that allows students to overcome the number one fear in the world, which Mr. G claims to be public speaking.

He states, “I think experiencing what it is to speak in front of people can help you no matter what career path you are in, is a really, really good experience to have.”

complex speeches in a compelling people all in the same room at the positive experience, stating, “It’s a manner requires both technical same time, especially since we’re good memory that we went to each and creative expertise, Mr. involved in a million things. So it other’s performances for support.”

Gregoriades explained, consisted mostly of after school Overall, the 2023 KPASS Speech emphasizing the technical aspects: and morning rehearsals.” It’s safe Contest was a great success, “How do you actually use your to say that these difficulties paid facilitating inter school voice? Can you breathe from your off, and their efforts even became camaraderie and diaphragm? Can you project your the thing Mr. Gregoriades was the entertainment for the voice clearly? Can you articulate most proud of. He stated: “I school community. clearly? Are you actually putting worked very closely with them Although the emphasis where it should be?” and some people in that group I've Mr. G was In addition, Mr. Gregoriades worked for for many, many years just a tad explained that the creative side and other people I've worked for disappointed by involved with creating the the 1st time, but it was really a the results, he was still material itself can be even more lovely experience.” very pleased with the challenging.

Despite these After a well-deserved lunch break, numerous individual challenges, the Saint Maur Speech the teams reconvened for the final achievements. He also Contest team was able to navigate third round, involving the stated: “The two schools them with determination.

Humorous, Dramatic that did better than us, Round 2 began at 11:00 AM, with a Interpretation, and Impromptu Sacred Heart and Saint strong start from the Multiple categories.

Charles (G12) Mary's are both at least team, who achieved an All Star explained that “[he] was motivated twice as big as we are. award and were chosen to to join the impromptu category to So I think given how perform in the encore put [himself] in a challenging and small we are, I think performance. The team members, unfamiliar environment in order Third Place is a very, very Masaya (G10), Luke (G10), Kai to hopefully learn something from good achievement.”

(G11), Sarah (G12), Carol (G12), it.” The Impromptu category is an Mr. G also noticed that and Jenny (G12) performed a exceptionally difficult one, as it the competition has Speech Contest teams from all speech written by Luke and Kai, involves very limited preparation. gotten stronger, especially with over the Kanto region arrived at which explored the evolution of For Charles, preparation prior to other schools becoming “aware that Saint Maur at around 8:00 AM, technology starting from the wheel the Speech Contest involved Saint Maur has risen up in the ready to deliver their highly all the way to the AI bot “staying up to date with ranks.” Regardless of the outcome, awaited speeches. Round 1 ChatGPT. Jenny explained that current events especially on Saint Maur’s Speech commenced at 9:00 AM with the they “wanted [their] speech the chosen topic and practicing Contest team represented categories Dramatic Duo, Original to not direct the topic being able to structure a Saint Maur excellently, and immediately” and that Informative, and speech within a limited The Maurdian congratulates they “wanted to make the Storytelling. Grade 11 amount of time.” them on audience think a little participant, Hyunseo, Although the event may all bit.” The team definitely wrote an have been a rather their succeeded in doing so, informative stress-inducing efforts. engaging the speech experience for With audience with a regarding some, Rosa valuacatchy, comical rap the dangers ble (G10), who written by ChatGPT of meat lessons performed a itself. However, consumption learned Dramatic this triumph did from and Interpretation this not come at no cost. alternatives speech, pointed past Jenny explained that have out that Grade 11 Original Informative that the team found been invented encouragement within Speech Contest, the Saint Maur it difficult to coordinate to subside the issue. the team allowed it to be team is determined to reclaim the practice times, stating: To prepare for such a memorable and trophy next year at Saint Mary’s!

“It’s really hard to get 6 Grade 10 Dramatic Interpretation

Grade 9 Poetry

Multiple team

BLOGS.STMAUR.AC.JP/NEWSPAPER

12

THE MAURDIAN | FEATURES

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2023

The 1993-movie by Tim Burton,

FEATURES ● REVIEWS

Halloween meets Christmas: The Night Before Christmas Review The 1993-movie by Tim Burton, The Night Before Christmas, is a movie loved by all ages from its fascinating plots to deeper meaning of self-identification.

The movie begins in a peculiar forest with trees that have different holiday symbols painted on them. Then we’re immediately taken to the cheery Halloween town, where the people of the town are celebrating the reincarnation of their hero, Jack Skellington, who is also the protagonist of the story.

We see Sally, a rag doll monster, watching from afar as if she’s hiding from something. Or someone. As the townspeople praise Jack, he can’t help feeling as though each Halloween is always the same.

While walking through the graveyard (and calling on his dog “Zero”), he starts singing how easy and boring halloween has become, and his yearning for something more exciting, even

BY PAULINE LI GAUDEFROY | GRADE 9 claiming that “he’s growing weary of the sounds of screams”. From a distance, Sally watches him sing to the moon his emotions of longing as she longs to be with him. Jack isn’t aware of the time and wanders farther and farther into the forest we were shown at the beginning of the movie, until he reaches the circle of holiday trees.

He senses a strong attraction to the tree with a Christmas tree painted on it, and opens the door only to be sucked in by a strong gust of snowy breeze. He finds in a winter wonderland with illuminating lights, snow falling everywhere, and elves working about. This sparks an idea for Jack as he goes on to sing “What’s this”. Upon his return in Halloween town, the people are perplexed

The Night Before Christmas scene, Source - https://the-nightmare-before-christmas.fandom.com/wiki/Finale_(Song)

at the multiple items he has brought back, and what they are.

For this reason, a town meeting is soon called. While this happens, we get to see why Sally is so shy at the beginning of the movie. It appears that a peculiar scientist created her to assist him through his old age. However, her restlessness seems to be a problem for him as she always seems to find a way to escape him. Nevertheless, she flees from him once again and attends the town meeting where Jack Skellington attempts to make the people of the town understand the unusual objects in front of them.

The story would have never happened if it weren’t for Jack’s hunger for something new and dynamic. At the same time, he feared if he was actually fulfilling his duties to the fullest, and wondered what he would be if Halloween didn’t exist. I believe that stop-motion movies protrude a major philosophical question many people are afraid to answer, but explains that being us is enough to be content with ourselves.

As the plot progresses and unravels, and the love between Sally and Jack blooms, the story tells us important messages on what makes us people.

As Jack depressingly wanders through the forest, pondering his own existence, he encounters a tree with a Christmas tree painted on it. And out of curiosity for new

Main themes 1. Identity and acceptance

2. Curiosity, exploration, and discovery

ideas, he enters a brand new realm and his mind lights up with many plans for halloween. This, like many historical events, brings an important change in life and it highlights how breaking apart from a routine is normal, and might even be beneficial, a problem that many people seem to have nowadays due to social media influence.

3. Creative expression While it may not look like it, because the creators of the film are just that good, The Nightmare Before Christmas is a stop-motion movie. However, multiple other forms of art adds on to the brilliance of the film. First of all, the visual arts and idea of the movie itself was all of Burton’s idea. He composed the drawings and the poem of the movie when he was still working at Disney as

The Night Before Christmas scene, Source - https://rebrainey.com/2014/10/22/the-nightmare-before-christmas-where-halloween-meets-christmas/

BLOGS.STMAUR.AC.JP/NEWSPAPER

an animator. Secondly, the music perfectly describes the jolly vibes it gives, all thanks to Danny Elfman.

And lastly, the use of storytelling, which I will explain in the next block.

4. Storytelling and childhood fairytales The story borrows many famous fiction stories, such as Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, which depicts Jack Skellington’s dog “Zero”, particularly when Jack Skellington takes off in the fog thanks to the help of Zero’s abnormally shiny nose.

Moreover, the title of the movie itself is inspired by the poem “A Visit from St. Nicolas”, or more commonly known as “‘Twas the night before Christmas”. It can be seen in the title of the movie, as a smart wordplay.

Overall, the movie is a family friendly, must-watch between the holidays Halloween and Christmas.

13

THE MAURDIAN | SPORTS

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2023

FEATURES ● TEACHER OF THE MONTH

Teacher of the Month: Ms. Dompor BY HANA LANG | GRADE 12 In recognition of this month's outstanding educator, I am pleased to feature Ms. Dompor in our Teacher of the Month spotlight. A cherished guidance counselor and psychology instructor at Saint Maur, Ms. Dompor has become a go-to figure for students seeking assistance and support, particularly among the senior class. As our seniors navigate the crucial phase of university preparations, Ms. Dompor has offered daily guidance discussions, giving invaluable insights and advice any time of the week. Her dedication to helping students chart their course toward a successful future has not gone unnoticed.

Witnessing a line of students outside her office is a testament to the impact Ms. Dompor has made. Her genuine commitment to guiding students along the path to their academic and personal aspirations has truly set her apart.

1. Where were you born?

“I was born and grew up in Manila, which is in the Philippines.”

2. What are some of your hobbies or interests outside of the classroom?

“I like building model kits!”

3. Can you share a favorite book, movie, or TV show that you enjoy?

“One of my favorite books is Toshikazu Kawaguchi's Before the Coffee 4. Do you have any favorite travel destinations or places you would like to visit in the future?

“Austria. My friend lives there and tells me that it's a lovely place!”

As we all know, Ms. Dompor is not only a beloved guidance counselor but also the instructor for G11 Psychology. Curious about the journey that led her to this intriguing subject, I delved into the story of how she discovered and embraced the world of psychology.In our conversation, Ms. Dompor shared the origins of her fascination with

psychology and how it became a central part of her professional journey. It was evident that her passion for understanding the human mind and behavior played a pivotal role in her decision to teach this captivating subject to Grade 11 students.

4. What was your university life like?

“I had a full scholarship at uni, which required me to maintain a certain grade and be involved in extracurricular activities. I wasn't sporty but I was involved in several service-oriented activities at the university.”

5. Did you have any favorite subjects when you were a student?

“At uni?

Neuroanatomy, Psychological testing, Counselling, Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry” 6. How/why did you become a teacher?

“In my final year at uni, I did an internship at a school and loved the experience.

So, after graduating with a bachelor's degree in Psychology, I worked on earning my teaching license. I had to take postgraduate courses for that. So, I was doing my postgraduate studies whilst I was working.

My postgraduate certificate was on Guida00nce and Counselling with a specialisation in Career Counselling.”

Ms. Dompor with Mr. Alexander

paths ahead. It is with immense gratitude and admiration that we acknowledge the significant role Ms. Dompor plays in shaping our journeys through education and into the vast landscape of our futures.

8, What is your favorite thing about Psychology and Guidance? What made you want to become a teacher?

“Teaching Psychology allows me to teach about something I am 7. Can you share a memorable fascinated about: human teaching moment or a lesson behaviour. Guidance is, I think, that had a significant impact on my core. I've been in this field for your students? more than 20 years and I never “I’ll leave this up to you, Hana.” got tired of doing it.”

Ms. Dompor’s influence extends far beyond the realm of academic guidance. She has become a confidante for us seniors, providing a compassionate ear and valuable advice when we need a space to rant or seek reassurance. Her ability to listen attentively and offer meaningful insights speaks volumes about her dedication to not only our academic success but also our personal well-being. In a phase of our lives where uncertainty often looms, Ms. Dompor stands as a guiding force, even when we may not have a clear vision of our

SUPERVISOR: MR. FEEZELL EDITOR-IN-CHIEF & LAYOUT DESIGNER: EMMA NARVAEZ (G12) WRITERS: EMILY BEYER (G11)

JUNLIN CHU (G9) PAULINE GAUDEFROY (G9) HANA LANG (G12) YILIN LIU (G9)

In the simplicity of this interview, we cannot overlook the extraordinary impact Ms. Dompor has had on each of us, earning her the well-deserved title of Teacher of the Month. As seniors stand on the brink of new and exciting journeys, we owe a significant part of our readiness to Ms. Dompor. Her guidance has been a compass, steering us through uncertainties and propelling us towards success. It's not just the academic achievements; it's the life skills, the confidence, and the sense of direction she has instilled in each of us. So, here's a

collective expression of gratitude to Ms. Dompor. Thank you for being more than a teacher; for being a mentor, a confidante, and a friend.

Your impact resonates far beyond the classroom, and on behalf of the Class of 2024, we are immensely grateful for the indelible mark you've left on our senior year.

Editor’s Note: Dear readers, Happy Holidays! With only 14 school days in December, this third issue is a double edition that covers the months of both November and December. These were two very busy months for Saint Maur, starting strong with the much-anticipated Sports Day, and ending with various charitable initiatives.

It has been a very fulfilling experience to work with each of my writers these past two months, and I was happy to see many writers successfully cover complex issues by effectively communicating with diverse community members.

Each one of my writers is diligent, hardworking, and has consistently met deadlines. For this issue, I was very pleased to be highlighting the voices of such a large range of students, including a Grade 7!

As we embrace the holiday spirit and the impending new year, The Maurdian extends its utmost gratitude to your readership. We hope you all have a rejuvenating break, a joyous Christmas, and a fantastic New Year!

Thank you for reading and stay tuned for more when we come back from break!

MARIA CAROLINA MARTINS (G12) EMMA NARVAEZ (G12) TROIS ONO (G12) HARU OTSUJI (G7)

BLOGS.STMAUR.AC.JP/NEWSPAPER

- Emma Narvaez

REI SAEKI (G12) JULIA TANAKA (G11) ​SOPHIE WYNKOOP (G10) DANNA YOON (G9)