Volume II, Issue VI

WORLD NEWS

BY TROIS ONO | GRADE 12

The 29th of February was an unusual day. While some celebrated the leap day, others began a period of grief and acceptance after Shohei Ohtani, the world’s rising face in baseball, announced his marriage on Instagram. Millions of new baseball fans, girls all over the world, and I (obviously) had our souls crushed. After my friend during their five-minute break told me in the midst of our study session, I was forced to put studying on hold to get myself together. The post received immense traction with the comment section blowing up with fans congratulating him, others speculating possible candidates, and trolls claiming to be his wife.

SEE ONO PAGE 4

FINE ARTS

Saint Maur’s most successful play: A review of ‘The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time’ production

BY MARIA CAROLINA MARTINS | GRADE 12

For many years now, Saint Maur has put on a series of successful plays that often leave the audience at a loss for words. I can honestly say that The Curious Incident of the Dog in the NightTime is no different and is most certainly to be remembered for years to come.

SEE MARTINS PAGE 6

STEM

The Dreaded Return: With spring comes spring pollen dispersion

BY EMILY BEYER | GRADE 11

BY JULIA TANAKA

April is about to begin and temperatures have finally started to rise. Along with the eagerly awaited cherry blossom season which is due to peak soon, another natural occurrence, hay fever season, is already bringing challenges to people who are sensitive to pollen allergies. Also known as seasonal allergic rhinitis, allergies, especially pollen allergy, as one of the most common, are widespread among the population. According to the Japanese Ministry of the Environment, in 2019, hay fever affected 42.5% of Japanese, 38.8% of whom suffered from cedar pollinosis. SEE

Themastermindbehinditall,Mr.G TheCast!

Saint Maur students excel at annual KPASS Math Field Day

Earlier this March, a number of dedicated students represented Saint Maur in the annual KPASS Math Field Day which was held at Zama International School. Participants eagerly took part in three categorised contests, all of which not only tested the math skills, but also teamwork, precision and even… athleticism!? Such creative aspects in addition to math provided both fun and knowledge. Participants were seated according to their assigned groups with people of different schools and grades. From the very

correctly, or else, this first round would be difficult.

The second contest was more about laughs than stress, or actually, laughing from stressing. It was called the “Tech Challenge” and students were provided with a package of spaghetti and one, single piece of tic-tac and were asked to create the tallest structure possible. Then, a ping pong ball has to be able to stay on top, too. Different groups had varying approaches working with just a piece of gum and fragile uncooked strings of noodle. However,

BY SAKURA MYA

| GRADE 10

do was run to the assigned teachers to go receive a math paper with three questions and come back to the table so the group solved it. They then had to run back to them when once you were done solving, where you will receive yet another paper. This goes on and the maximum points you could get was eighty. Participants could skip a paper too if they wanted to move on. It is undecided still whether it was stamina or your algebraic ability that could win you this round.

Many of the Saint Maur students

Another Saint Maur student that made it to one of the positions was Yunseo (G9), who placed 3rd also in the first individual contest. The most interesting question she thought was solving the algebra composed with trigonometric ratios. “I spent plenty of time on solving it, but after I figured out how to solve it, it was so simple that I was so invested”. There were few problems that she found challenging and those were the geometric problems. “Even though I took excessive time on analyzing, I was not able to solve those.”

Techchallenge beginning, chatting amongst peers who shared a common interest, there was no moment where you could find it once “disinteresting”.

The first contest was an individual one where you had to answer as many questions out of twenty five in total in a limited time of sixty minutes. Participants were provided with a bubble sheet, and there, you were to choose your answer from a-e. Say you had no idea how to even begin solving a question; a guessing game of 20% chance is walking on a tightrope indeed! The grade 9 and 10’s had the same set of questions while the 11 and 12’s were provided another set that is more challenging. Questions varied from geometry to functions and with just one set, could mathematics be summarized as a whole In just an hour, ideas are to formulate quickly, and

everyone had a goal: to create the strongest base possible so the spaghetti tower wouldn’t collapse. Around the hallroom, bases of all shapes and sizes were to be observed; square and triangular bases were most common but there were also ones that were cone-like. Either way, if your structure wasn’t stable, you’d have to strive to make sure it didn’t topple over. It certainly wouldn’t help if your hand was trembling due to uncontrollable laughter and your time of forty-minutes was coming to an end. Jokes aside, the tallest one of all had a height of 57 cm!

Last but not least, comes the “Energiser Round” where the groups used teamwork and strategy to solve math problems. There had to be one runner in each group and what they had to

placed in the top positions for all the rounds. Xingyang (G12) was one of them, and being an avid math lover, had placed 1st in all of Grade 12 for the first test paper contest. “Doing these types of problems has always been enjoyable for me, and being able to meet other mathematicians who share the same interest is nice,” he says. That was his enjoyable aspect. As for the tough aspect, he says that the Tech round was another challenge adding on to the original one, having to work with new people who had various ideas to present. Nevertheless, it was all entertaining. His advice for the other students who aspire to excel in math competitions can be summarized in one word: practice. He believes that the sole mastery comes from the act of consistent training which is truly admirable.

Nevertheless, the most exciting aspect to her was when she was awarded for her performance. “I was happy to be recognized for the efforts I had put in.” Her advice would be to practice as well and even review specifically for geometric problems because they are very likely to appear in these contests. She also thinks that the past competition papers have helped her build an even better foundation which is why it is never a bad idea to take a look at them.

Big congratulations to Xingyang and Yunseo, as well as other Saint Maur participants who ranked in the other two categories (in groups)! A mention to Mr. Ito and Mr. Martin as well who had made this Math Field Day possible for us and the chance for these talented mathematicians to be recognized.

Celebrating our differences: International Day 2024 at Saint Maur

BY MARIA CAROLINA MARTINS | GRADE 12

International Day has been a tradition at Saint Maur for a long time. Composed of an incredibly diverse student body and staff, our school is the perfect environment to host a successful event like this where we can showcase all the different cultural traditions and backgrounds represented in our community, while also allowing us to learn more about our peers and the world around us.

People often choose to share their culture in different ways. Many individuals in our community decide to come to school wearing their culture’s traditional garments, clothing that resembles trends or customs in their country, or simply sports jerseys. This school tradition is something that often prompts curious discussions and interesting conversations about culture and traditions. I interviewed some of the people who exhibited elaborate costumes that most certainly caught your eye during the day.

Ms. Aguilera, who is originally from Mexico, walked around the school wearing a traditional Mexican dance costume of mesmerizing colors. For her, sharing her culture is something very meaningful, as she is “really proud to be Mexican.” Ms. Aguilera was very enthusiastic about the day because it allows her to share her own culture with other people, which she did by “showing [her classes] some videos and discussing some interesting facts about Mexico.” She also enjoys learning about her students and peers’ “cultures, traditions, everything!” For her, the day brings the perfect excuse to “ask [people] ‘Where are you from’ and then get to know more about their culture and traditions. Ms. Aguilera also shared some interesting facts about Mexican culture, like they “love spicy food, so we [Mexicans] put salsa on everything. Every. Single. Thing.” Lime is also a must-have in any Mexican household since it is added to “fruit, food, snacks, anything really.” To complement the subject of foods, she added that “[they] love tacos, of course.” Latin cultures are very family-centered and “any excuse is good to celebrate.” She fondly remembered all the different holidays they have in her country of origin – Children's Day, Mother's Day, Father's Day, Students Day, Teachers Day, and Posadas (traditional Christmas parties) – all a day to celebrate together with your close ones. Her inspiring mind was also the one responsible for the creative decorations atmosphere in the Senior classroom, creating a festive for the students. In her vision, this gesture is “a way to celebrate our differences” while also “represent- ting every single one of [the seniors].” She declared that she is “very interested in getting to know more about each student beyond the “regular classroom, about where they are from, the traditions, cultures that they celebrate in their own countries.”

the opportunity to celebrate our differences.

Mrs. Martin also decided to dress for the occasion and showed us what true Salvadoran

Additionally, Ms. Aguilera emphasizes the fact that being part of our international community means we are all able to make “connections, everything, everywhere” and we have

traditionclothing

She and Mr. matching and female garments composed of a dashing al looks like. Martin wore traditional male that were also combination of vibrant

colors, characteristic of cultural clothing in the Americas. She shared that, for her, “International Day is an opportunity to have fun and get to know about lots of different national costumes and to just enjoy the day.” She mentioned that El Salvador “is a beautiful country with lots of beaches and amazing food,” inviting us all to visit and advising us not to “be scared of the news.” Mrs. Martin also made an important reflection on what this day brings to us as international people: “I think diversity is important because it makes us more understanding of different perspectives.” She added that understanding diversity and recognizing diversity in any form, whether it be cultural, sexual, or racial, is essential to be critical and knowledgeable people and that without this understanding, “you’re not gonna be able to survive in our current world.’

For our third and last interviewee, we have a student, Shraddha (G11). For this cultural day, she decided to wear a beautiful piece of traditional Indian clothing, a Khamis which she said represents the aspect of female youth and is what younger women wear. For her, international day gives her the opportunity to “show what Indian culture means to Indian people” and to show the aspects that “don't necessarily fit the stereotypes propagated by people who are not part of [the] culture.” A noble mission to work on an issue that affects many people from different cultures – stereotypes and prejudices. International Day opens doors to experiencing new cultures and getting to know people from all around the world and their experiences, backgrounds, cultures, and traditions while bringing our community together. Whether you decided to showcase your own culture or got to know and talk to different people from other countries, I hope you got to enjoy this beautiful celebration like me and our interviewees. International Day is a beautiful festivity that brings us together in unison to celebrate the differences that make us so unique.

Ms.Aguilera

Mr.andMrs.Martin

WORLD NEWS

ONO FROM PAGE 1

Rumors spurred immediately and the internet, once again, proves its eerie accuracy as Ohtani “hard-launched” his wife, the suspected Mamiko Tanaka, on his way to South Korea for the MLB World Tour. Many commented on her striking resemblance to Ohtani’s mother much to the collective cringe of many.

Standing at 180 cm and 193 cm respectively, Mr. and Mrs. Ohtani have sparked excitement among fans, who eagerly anticipate the potential athleticism of their future offspring. With the pairing of the Dodgers’ superstar and former Fujitsu Red Wave player, speculations are rife that their children may inherit the

genetic blueprint for sporting greatness, igniting dreams of the next generation of superstar athletes.

The internet’s honeymoon period with Ohtani’s marriage came to an abrupt end when his interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, was found to be guilty of paying off gambling debts with Ohtani’s bank account. The sum of 700 million yen being transferred from Ohtani’s bank account to a Southern California-based illegal bookmaker has led to Mizuhara gaining the nickname “700 million yen thief” in Japanese tabloids. Ohtani found himself once again thrust into the spotlight due to allegations of

being involved in Mizuhara’s gambling activities. These accusations have sent shockwaves globally, casting a shadow over what should have been a moment of celebration for the newlyweds. Ohtani has denied any claims of him gambling and states “I’m very sad and shocked that someone who I trusted has done this.”

Nevertheless, as Ohtani prepares to conclude March with four home games for the Dodgers, fans remain steadfast in their support. The baseball diamond awaits his return, offering a sanctuary from the storm of controversies that have engulfed him.

Celebrating Girl’s Day and Saint Patrick's Day in Japan

BY JULIA TANAKA | GRADE 11

Saint Patrick's Day

Saint Patrick's Day is a religious and cultural holiday held every year on 17 March, which observes the death of St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. But overtime it has become a global celebration of Irish culture, which is packed with lucky charms, parades and all things green! Fun fact: St. Patrick was born in Britain in the fourth century and didn’t arrive in Ireland until he was 16 years old, when he was sent to work in the country!

Girl’s Day: Hinamatsuri

How can you celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day?

1. Watch a Parade: These parades are packed with people wearing festive costumes, usually in a bright green color, parading down streets, celebrating the culture. In Japan, the Tokyo St. Patrick's Day Parade is held from March 16-17, and sees people turn up full of spirit and energy! It is celebrated in Omotesando and it is free entry!

2. Eat Irish Food: Corned beef, cabbage and lamb stew accompanied by traditional Irish soda bread is a great way to understand Irish culture! I would also recommend eating potatoes as they are a staple in Ireland and can come in a variety of forms.

Girl’s Day or Hinamatsuri (in Japanese) is a celebration traditionally held in Japan that happens every year on March 3rd. The festival is dedicated to praying for the healthy growth, prosperity and happiness of girls, especially those that are 10 or younger. This tradition can be traced back to the beginning of the Edo period (1603-1868), although some people believe it came from the Peach Festival (Momo no sekku), which was first celebrated during the Heien era (794–1185).

https://www.istockphoto.com/jp/%E5%86%99%E7%9C%9F/hishi-mochi

How can you celebrate Hinamatsuri?

1. Display a set of Dolls: Families with young girls might display traditional Japanese dolls called Hina-ningto at their home. This is usually placed at the front of the home specifically because they are meant to ward off evil and misery. These dolls are also displayed with prayers for good health and happy marriages for girls in the future.

2. Eat sweet snacks in colors such as Pink, Green and White. These colors symbolize certain themes; pink for health, green for new life, and white for longevity. These can also relate to the colors of spring, such as the plum blossoms and new leaves growing on the trees. I would recommend eating Hina-arare, which is a Sweet, bite-sized rice cracker in pink, white, and green. I would also recommend eating Hishi-mochi: a three-layer mochi cake, in the same spring colors.

Grade 12 student Iori becomes a two-time All Star in the KPASS Composition Festival with his jazz-fusion piece, “Chinatown”

BY EMMA NARVAEZ | GRADE 12

On January 26, 2024, young musicians all across the Kanto region submitted skilfully composed music pieces for the annual KPASS Composition Festival. After a period of anticipation, it was announced that our very own Iori (G12) scored maximum points by the professional composers adjudicating. The student had previously been a high scorer in 2022 for his solo piano piece titled “Summer”. This year, Iori submitted a jazz fusion inspired piece for a 6-piece band called “Chinatown”, choosing its name

on various instruments, including bass, piano, guitar, and saxophone. Afterwards, Iori went into a “computer program and notated all the notes down.” The outcome of his inspired experimentation was a vibrant composition that captured the lively rhythm of jazz fusion tunes. “The chord changes use modal mixture, borrowing from the parallel minor key. My intent was to have a progression that I personally found fun to improvise a solo over,” Iori explained.

Like many acclaimed composers, Iori went down the “musician-to-

several musical groups here at Saint Maur, including the High School Jazz Band, Jazz Honor Combo, and the Saint Maur Big Band. Furthermore, if you watched this year’s high school drama production, “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time”, you may be familiar with the cosmic, pulsating music that reverberated throughout the auditorium. This ethereal soundscape was composed by Iori himself! Iori stated that Mr. G, the director of the play, provided him with little direction on how to compose the music, granting him extensive

not misguided, as the performance rang beautifully with music that only enhanced the narrative. “Having a lack of restraints per se was really helpful,” Iori admitted. “I was able to do it the way I saw fit, and it was fun.”

Iori’s dedication to his music and subsequent success ought to be celebrated by the school community, which has witnessed his vast contributions throughout Iori’s entire career at Saint Maur. Driven by passion, commitment, and pure talent, The Maurdian is confident that Iori will continue to

“The complexity and maturity of his writing is well beyond what you would normally see for a High School student.”

- Jonathan Doherty, Head of Music

upon working on the piece after an afternoon out in Chinatown.

In creating “Chinatown”, Iori drew inspiration from jazz fusion music, which is a genre that fuses elements of jazz with other genres such as rock, funk, R&B, and even electronic music. In particular, Iori stated that he had been “listening to a lot of Japanese fusion from the

for the eighties.” Iori also detailed his creative

process piece, which involved experimentation

composer pipeline”, as he calls it, starting with saxophone and piano. It wasn’t until he started reading music theory textbooks and watching inspiring YouTube videos when the talented composer we recognize today emerged.

Iori’s musical talent also shines

creative liberties. “He just told me, ‘Here's the original soundtrack, take a listen, and then do

excel in all his future musical

through in his dedicated involvement in something like that, but make your own,’” Iori explained. Mr. G’s trust in Iori was truly pursuits.

MARTINS FROM PAGE 1

This incomparable production was composed not only of wonderfully creative stagecraft, immersive sound and lighting, and heartbreaking acting but also of an impeccable and talented cast and crew that managed to tell the emotional story of 15year-old Christopher Boone in such a delicate and heartfelt manner that left me and many others attending the spectacle in true awe. I must mention that I even saw some teary eyes during some of the more emotional scenes, so we can say that this show really touched those who saw it.

The Cast

The casting was on point. From the smallest part of a policeman, to the main actors who did an amazing job at portraying raw and real emotions through their characters, each character contributed to building the story, background, and surroundings of Christopher’s life very realistically. You don’t really expect to watch a high school play and see this level of acting and emotional portrayal. The actors greatly impressed the audience and surpassed all expectations.

The decision to cast two different people to play the protagonist, Christopher, was not only an incredibly clever idea to show the transformation of Christopher as the play moves from Act One to Act Two, but also gave us the opportunity to experience the character through the interpretation of two brilliant actors: Luke (G10) and Yuta (G11). Both actors did a wonderful job, experimenting and adding their own style to the character while also managing to be consistent with Christopher’s character and personality. They researched well and committed themselves to portraying a character on the spectrum in a way that never felt degrading or mocking, but rather very realistic and respectful. Both actors made sure to not use stereotypical behavior, which is often seen in the media.

Behind the Scenes

along with the play so that the lights, sounds, and music go at the proper time, all of which are essential in building the story. Last but certainly not least, the music was originally composed by a Saint Maur student, Iori (Read more on page 5!). This brought to the play a sense of originality and perfectly transmitted what Christopher’s mind looks like from the inside. All this work and creative ideas were put into practice and created a beautiful atmosphere that helped move the story along and transport the audience to Christopher’s world and adventure in the UK.

Direction

This show most definitely would not have been the same without its wonderful director Mr. G. He has been directing Saint Maur’s productions for the longest time (20 years and counting) and has managed to put on wonderful productions

On the brighter side, projects often create cherished and rewarding memories for the people who participate in them. Mr. G. said he was proudest seeing everything come together in the final rehearsals and performances. He made special mention of the two back-to-back performances on Saturday. “The cast and crew managed to sustain their energy and deliver two extremely powerful performances with only a twenty-minute break in between,” he added. Impressive work and commitment, in my opinion.

The feedback has been quite positive, and for the director, it wasn't any different. He mentioned that “two people (one who has seen six Saint Maur shows and one who has seen every Saint Maur show I have directed for the past 20 years!) have said it was their favorite high school drama club performance ever.” He added that it feels

especially gratifying to see how moved people seem to be by Christopher's journey. This is not only a win for the production but for the world as a whole. Having productions that talk about stigmatized topics such as autism helps raise awareness and break the taboo, especially when done in such a delicate and careful way like this production.

Finally, Mr. G talked a bit about his final considerations about the play and things he would like to have made differently –“I wish we had been able to integrate the technical elements a little sooner but it is so difficult with everyone's extremely busy schedules.” However, given the constraints of time and resources, he feels that “[the group] was able to put on a very effective and powerful show.”

This production was quite different from some in the past. This year, just like the Broadway version of this play, the audience was cozily placed on the stage, so the amount of seats available was significantly diminished. This created a connection between the characters and the audience, and worked well in helping us experience the events more closely as if we were also participating in Christopher’s adventure. Another curious thing about the production is that actors were on stage at all times, except when costume changes were needed. This brilliant result was not only, however, the work of the cast. Many other students were working in the background to make sure this play could run smoothly and the story could be told the way it was intended. Props were carefully curated and gathered, including Christopher’s rat, train, all the things he found inside the boxes, the letters, and many others. A big crew of light, sound, and stage followed

in the past. I had the pleasure of interviewing him for his postshow opinions and insights. Mr. G said that his “primary goal was to create an environment where the audience could see the world the way that Christopher does.” By doing so, he

wanted to make

sure the audience was given space to “empathize with him and other people who are neurodiverse.” In his opinion, the immersive space combined with the lighting, sound, projection, and the “fantastic work of the actors” is what made this possible.

Productions of this magnitude often mean that challenges must be overcome. In his case, Mr. G. mentioned that one of the biggest problems faced was “the movement sequences and the integration of the design elements with the acting.” Movement practices were exhaustive to make sure they were “a) safe and b) convincing.” He added that “the crew worked incredibly hard in conjunction with the cast to blend all of the elements together.”

This is one play to be remembered. I am very glad I had the opportunity to witness the work of these talented people and hope you were able to enjoy it as well. For the future of Saint Maur’s drama, I expect productions to be nothing less than The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. This work is truly inspiring and shows what can be done when

creative and committed people work together to create. Let's hope that

in the future, productions like this which promote the art and creativity of our brilliant students will continue to be incentivized and supported, because we know that talent mixed with the right motivation and encouragement can result in wonder. Congratulations to the cast, crew, and Mr. G, you all did a wonderful job and indelibly left your mark on this production.

BY EMMA NARVAEZ | GRADE 12

Underdogs or Champions? Saint Maur Girls’ Soccer Team redefines success at WJAA Tournament

Underdogs are contenders typically recognized as less likely to win in a competition. For the past few years, the Saint Maur Girls’ Soccer Team has carried this reputation, often finding themselves unlucky on the field. However, underdogs are also known to defy expectations, and this upcoming soccer season, the Saint Maur Girls’ Soccer Team is no exception. While they may not

have defied expectations in terms of ranking, their performance at the 2024 WJAA Tournament has undoubtedly exceeded all predictions.

The team is led by Team Captain Alana (G12), along with Vice-Captains Trois (G12), Yura (G12), Carol (G12), and Alisha (G11)

This year, Mr. Patmore has returned to coach the team, reuniting with many seniors whom he previously coached during their middle school years. He has proactively taken on the role alongside Mr. Davignon, and is committed to bringing out the full potential of each player.

YIS the year before Thus, 0-1 losses against both teams were tremendous accomplishments.

However, for the players themselves, the team’s performance holds much more significance than the points on the scoreboard. “Our successes are

purely based on personal and team

drastically with a positive mindset and a major change in [the] team dynamic.” Carol agreed, stating, “Honestly, we don't even look like

the same team. We improved so much on

in these competitions,” it is evident

that the team is rebuilding

and restrengthening their reputation in the Kanto region. Against all schools, the With a 3-1 victory against Canadian Academy, who eventually achieved a third place ranking, and a 1-1 tie against the British School in Tokyo, the girls definitely showcased their potential. Success was even found in unconventional ways, such as 01 losses against Yokohama

improvements and not on points,” Alisha stated. In particular, Trois noticed the team had improved in communication and encouragement on the field. She explained, “The encouragement we gave each other allowed us to gain a bit more confidence which also definitely carried us to perform better than last year.” Alisha also highlighted

our communication and unity, and our general game vision and strategy.” Carol also mentioned that the team put forth a strong defense, which they had been focusing on prior to the tournament. “This year, we actually competed instead of just participating,” she added.

The season has only just begun for the Saint Maur Girls’ Soccer Team, but already they have proven

team put up respectable fights, displaying determination and resilience on the field. The rest of the season eagerly awaits our determined Cougars, and the players are optimistic that their productive mindsets will meet success. “I believe we have the potential to win a lot more games than we did last year and show International (YIS) and The School in (ASIJ), both Saint prevexperunfortulosses

Last team loss and a 0School American Japan of which Maur had iously ienced more against. year, the faced a 0-12 against ASIJ, 17 loss against

the overall team spirit, asserting that it “has changed

themselves as a team not to be underestimated. “I think with the new members and getting used to new positions we’ll only get stronger,” Trois stated. Although Carol explained that “Saint Maur isn't really seen as a sports school”, and has previously felt “a bit looked down upon other schools in the region that we are all committed and focused on getting great results, ” Carol stated.

CA game scoreboard

Refreshing your home for spring: A How-To

Spring is a time for starting fresh and preparing for the new season. In nature, snow begins to melt, welcoming the resurfacing of plants. Flowers bloom, representing a period of growth. Many people like to follow nature by cleaning up parts of their home in preparation for spring. Spring cleaning is a beneficial way to refresh your space and mind in welcoming the new season. Here are four steps to ensure a productive and effective spring cleaning!

1. Choosing a space to clean

“Spring cleaning” is a rather broad statement that can feel discouraging to people who aren’t sure where to start. For some, the term can mean purging your entire home of any rubbish that has accumulated during the past few months. For others, spring cleaning is a small and menial task, involving folding one’s clothes or dusting a bookshelf. If this is your first time participating in the spring cleaning ritual, I recommend choosing an area that you are most familiar with and feels least intimidating. You could choose your bedroom, closet, or even your garden!

2. Decluttering & tidying

Start cleaning by removing any unwanted

items from your cleaning area. This includes dirty clothing, trash, and any other miscellaneous items that aren’t in their designated spots. If you aren’t sure where something is supposed to go, put it aside or in a storage box where it won’t be lost. Make sure your area is stripped of anything that clutters your floors or might make you trip while cleaning.

3 Cleansing, washing, & dusting

Now that your space is clear of any clutter, it’s time to start cleaning! First, dust or scrub away any dirt or grime in your space Vacuum your floors to get rid of dust bunnies, and wash any mirrors that are dirty. Don’t forget to scrub down flat surfaces such as tables, counters, bookshelves, or anywhere else that dust can easily build up. Your space should be spick-and-span after this step.

4. Organizing

Lastly, finish by arranging the items in your space. Change your sheets, make your bed, fold clothes, or even find new places for things. If you feel inclined to, you could even rearrange the furniture in your space. If you found any miscellaneous items in Step 2, you can now find spots to put them.

Tokyo’s Top 3 Hanami Hotspots

As Japan approaches the famous cherry blossom season, everyone wants to get the best view and pictures of the trees in bloom. Hanami, the traditional Japanese custom of flower viewing, is a cherished cultural activity during this time, where people gather to appreciate the beauty of cherry blossoms. The Tokyo Cherry Blossom Broadcast has predicted sakura to start blooming on March

BY SOPHIE WYNKOOP | GRADE 10

If you find that you have an abundance of unnecessary items, keep them in closets (you can buy organizational boxes at your local daiso!). Never discard items on the floor, as it makes rooms seem more cluttered than they actually are.

Whether you decide to clean your home or not, spring is still a time to refresh in all areas of life. If you don’t want to spring clean, you can pick up a new hobby or fix your sleep schedule (if need be). We hope this how-to can serve as inspiration for spring cleaning or other forms of freshening for the new season. Happy spring cleaning!

CCBY2.0DEED,https://www.flickr.com/photos/30478819@N08/51851332279

BY HANA LANG | GRADE 12

23 and be in peak bloom on the 30th. Therefore, here are the top three places in Tokyo to get the best view of the cherry blossoms in full bloom!

First on the list is the famous Meguro River, renowned for its extensive stretches surrounded by blooming sakura trees, with pink hues reflecting beautifully off the water. To experience the highlights, disembark at JR Meguro

Station and make your way to Naka-Meguro. The river's illumination, running from March 19 to March 31 (17:00-20:00), adds to the enchantment. Complemented by an array of food trucks, special sakura-themed treats, and festivals, this location is celebrated for good reason.

Next up is Shinjuku Gyoen, a park just a ten-minute walk from the southeast exit of Shinjuku Station.

It hosts an impressive collection of 68 different varieties of cherry blossom trees. While there is an entrance fee, it's a small price to pay for such a breathtaking view, and you can also use a Suica card for entry. The park features several traditional Japanese gardens, complete with koi ponds, and is scattered with cafes where you can indulge in a dessert while watching the cherry blossoms

gently fall, making a beautiful snapshot! walk from either Myogadani Station on the Marunouchi Subway Line or Hakusan Station on the Mita Subway Line. This spot is for those who prefer a more

quiet and less crowded place to view the cherry blossoms. There is an entrance fee of 500 Yen. However, there are 4,000 different plant species to observe at this

beautiful park, and you’re allowed to prepare a picnic underneath the blooming sakura. Finally, there is the Koishikawa Botanical Gardens Koishikawa Botanical Garden is a 10-15 minute

STEM

BEYER FROM PAGE 1

To understand this incoming threat it is beneficial to understand the mechanisms behind allergic reactions. Allergies are the immune system's response to environmental substances, allergens, that are harmless to most people. Pollen is an airborne allergen that is transported by wind. The tiny particles that are released by weeds, trees and grasses release water-soluble proteins which will enter the mucous membrane of the eyes, nose or mouth. Then, the immune system of people with allergies will trigger an antibody response, where chemicals like histamine are produced, which can irritate the nerves, leading to itching and sneezing, as well as causing other symptoms. While it may be annoying, this response of the body helps it remove pollen, while also signali that there is high

Although specific allergies may not directly be inherited, general research suggests that the risk of having asthma or an allergy, like a pollen allergy, does increase, when

a blood relative also has that allergy, yet the specific type is not being passed on. To make the

situation even more complicated, prolonged exposure to an allergen also influences the development of allergies. When allergens are avoided, allergic symptoms can be prevented, even if there is a genetic predisposition. However, having atopic dermatitis, asthma or other allergies can increase the risk of developing a pollen allergy. As it has been found that allergies can develop well into adulthood, even into middle age, it is still too early for most of us to know for sure, whether we will ever develop a pollen allergy if we have not already.

Globally, the prevalence of hay fever has been increasing, which may be explained by a number of factors, however at this point, researchers can only speculate and are unable to confirm these potential causes. One possible

mite populations and airborne pollutants, as researchers speculate. Another contributing factor may be an unhealthy lifestyle, which includes not enough exercise and a poor diet. Furthermore, another theory is the hygiene hypothesis, which suggests that the environments in which we live and eat are relatively sanitary, which can lead to an overreaction of the immune system to allergens. Lastly, other potential factors include exposure to a threshold, moving to an area with new and different plants or getting a new pet.

Here in Japan, the main sources of seasonal allergies are pollen from Japanese cedar trees (cryptomeria) and Japanese cypress trees, which have started spreading as soon as temperatures surpassed the 10°C hurdle. Since the number of Japanese cedar trees and Japanese

factor is reduced ventilation in connection to dust cypress trees has increased due to

reforestation policies in the early 1960s, the risk of hay fever has also increased. Similar to sakura blossoms, the pollen season moves from the south to the north across Japan, as well as from the Western to East of Japan, which means that it started later for us here in the Kanto region, putting our starting point in the later end of the spectrum of end of January to midFebruary. The peak of the cryptomeria pollen season will occur in late March to the beginning of April, then gradually diminishing in the following six to eight weeks. Approximately a month after the Japanese cedar, Japanese cypress pollen dispersion will peak. Depending on the varying degree of sensitivity in individuals for the two different pollen types, the onset and duration of allergic symptoms will

Dinosaur fish is practically immune to evolution

Charles Darwin was the first to use the term “living fossil” in 1859. He used this term to describe species that have remained stagnant in their evolutionary history for tens of millions of years. Animals such as the coelacanth, sturgeon, and horseshoe crab all fall under this category. Ever since the term was first coined, scientists haven’t been able to deduce whether living fossil species simply look very similar to their ancestors or if they really haven’t evolved much over the years they’ve been on the planet.

Charles Darwin was the first to use the term “living fossil” in 1859. He used this term to describe species that have remained stagnant in their evolutionary history for tens of millions of years. Animals such as the coelacanth, sturgeon, and horseshoe crab all fall under this category. Ever since the term was first coined, scientists haven’t been able to deduce whether living fossil species simply look very similar to their ancestors or if they really haven’t evolved much over the years they’ve been on the planet.

not all living fossil species, evolution is at a virtual standstill. One of the best examples of this is a fish called the Gar. These unique looking fish have long and slender bodies, with elongated snouts that are similar to that of an alligator.

BY SOPHIE WYNKOOP | GRADE 10

around their habitats, the In the research paper, Gars were found to have the slowest rate of molecular evolution. “I

animals remained resilient to evolutionary changes. A

evolutionary developmental biologist at Rutgers University.

came into this project cautious about using the term living fossil,” commented Chase Brownstein, an evolutionary biology Ph.D. student at Yale University. “But for gars at least, it’s an appropriate term.”

similar conclusion has previously been hypothesized by other researchers for sturgeon, which hold the title of secondlowest evolution rates.

Understanding how gars keep their mutation rate so low could have benefits beyond understanding living fossils at a molecular level.

Recently, in a research paper published, scientists have been able to confirm that in some-but

OPINION

The authors of the paper propose that there’s likely a global mechanism driving the slow evolution of gars. This means that gars repair their DNA extremely quickly after having been damaged or mutated by outside influences. This high DNA repair rate has kept gars from going through evolution even as their environments have changed. Even when the continents shifted

The next step in this investigation will be to actually prove that the DNA of gars’ repair mechanisms is what drives their slow evolution rates. Scientists plan to inject zebrafish (standard experimental fish) with gar DNA repair genes.“This will be a challenging experiment though, because [DNA repair genes] are fundamental,” and tinkering with them could have unintended consequences, says

Tetsuya Nakamura,

an

Sakura Consumerism: The Issue with Limited Edition Products

As sakura trees bloom beginning the transition into spring, the Japanese public happily anticipate the various sakura-themed products that line the aisles. Convenience stores five meters apart scramble to fill their shelves with cherry blossom-flavored pastries and shops find any way to make their products pink to match the nation’s Kawaii aesthetic.

Sakura season heralds a time of celebration and renewal in Japan, as the short-lived blossoms symbolize the transient nature of life itself. Against this cultural backdrop, companies take the opportunity to capitalize on the

public's appetite for novelty, releasing as many limited edition products as they can, ranging from snacks and beverages to cosmetics and apparel.

Japan has welcomed many tourists since reopening the country. In the last year, tourists spent a whopping total of 5.3 trillion yen, according to the Japan Tourism Agency. With all the hype around Japan, the country expects the tourism industry to aid its declining economy and there's no doubt that companies will continue to push for more limited edition products

It may also aid humans to better understand our own DNA repair pathways, which can lead to cancer when they fail. We wish the evolutionary biologists luck in their new investigation!

BY TROIS ONO | GRADE 12

It is imperative that people are aware of their overconsumption in today’s age. Trendy products do not need to be repurchased every year; you probably do not need another sakura-patterned Starbucks tumbler. While cherry blossom-adorned items may satisfy customers temporarily, they will soon be replaced by another trend. Let us all consume mindfully and rationally!

TEACHER OF THE MONTH

Saint Maur’s Van Gogh, Frida Kahlo, and Monet: Ms. Littani

BY PAULINE LI GAUDEFROY, CHAEMIN YOON | GRADE 9

She’s mysterious, she’s nice, she’s approachable, and most importantly, she’s our art teacher. Welcome, ladies and gentlemen, to the premiere article of Saint Maur’s elite artist: Ms Littani! Here, we asked her a few brief questions about her life for you to enjoy.

1. What was your childhood like?

Thriving from her birth country, Ms Littani grew up in the countryside of Belgium with her sister who would play with her night and day and go on mini adventures. The most memorable, and fun, reminiscence of her childhood was making forts in the backyard with blankets and big garden umbrellas, and lots of stuffed toys and pillows. Oftentimes, they would also go out cycling. “There were a couple of people that lived near us that kept deer,” she said, “so we would go and feed them old bread, which was always fun to do.”

Another way she would describe her childhood is lowtech. Not many people would know, but Ms Littani lived in the pre-internet/pre-computer era, as she would describe it. It was only in late elementary school when she got her first Gameboy (an ancient brick that you can play video games on), and even that didn’t revolutionize her life. What truly changed the course of her future were her “stuffies”. “I would play with my stuffed toys, and I would pretend to do art class, and so I would give them all the same assignment,” she explained. Little did she know that this would be the beginning of her art career.

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

As we can all guess, her favorite subject was art. But only those who are decently close to her would know that she also enjoys some history. At one point in her life, she was even interested in becoming an archaeologist! “ When I was in elementary school,” she said, “I wanted to become an Egyptologist. I was really obsessed with ancient Egypt. So had I known that word in elementary school, it would have been that more than anything.” She could’ve been our Indiana Jones!

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

Like the seasons of the year change, Ms Littani’s interests have also changed over time. Starting from elementary school we already know she had a deep passion for art. However, her passion didn’t didn’t include reading. But in middle and high school, she did nothing else but read fantasy and historical books. Full proof of how people can change over time!

Throughout middle school, she enjoyed playing board games until in high school she discovered the magic of medieval reenactment. “We would make our own clothes based on, like, 15th-century medieval garments, and you have to sew it by hand because, otherwise, it wouldn't be authentic,” she described, “The guys that did sword fighting would make their own chainmail. And we would go to a camp, set up our medieval tents and start a fire. We’d cook, there would be battles on Saturday. For example, I was an archer. So we had real arrows. The only thing is that it doesn't have a pointy tip. It has a rubber tip. It still hits hard. You still have to wear armor because it still will leave big bruises.

“Then whenever arrows are incoming, someone will shout “Incoming!” and you look down, and then they land on your helmet because you have to wear a helmet. There are cannons as well.” Now that is one way to enjoy

your high school years!

Currently, she finds comfort in traveling and hiking. However, the one thing that will never change is her serene love for art.

4. What was the university like?

Following her heart, she went to a college that specialized in art in, you guessed it, Belgium. In the premise of her college life, she had to study everything, but eventually, she picked game design. On the side, she also did 1 year of Japanese and had a choice of doing an extra four years to get a master’s degree, however, that didn’t seem necessary since she had already done 4-to 5 years of study. Instead, she spent an extra year getting a teaching certificate.

As for her free time, she would recount it as “pretty fun, but different from most people. You know, how some people go to parties? That's not me. I played World of Warcraft with the people in the same house as me… And I still did my medieval reenactment on the weekends.”

5. What’s the craziest thing you’ve ever done?

While some people consider moving to Japan as crazy, she did wilder things on her many visits that one should not do…

For instance, “getting lost in the mountains in China on a bicycle with no life in the countryside in the middle of nowhere” is probably not something one should try out. Or walking from a monastery secluded from the city because the taxi fare is too absurd is probably also not ideal.

“I also petted a rhino,” she adds, “That's not recommended. Well, I mean the rhino was sweet, but you shouldn't pet animals in the zoo unless it's a petting zoo.”

6. What was your first job?

“My first full-time job was as an art teacher in Malaysia… If I hadn't found this job at Saint Maur, I would have been happy staying in Malaysia, but this was my dream. So I'm glad it popped up as an opportunity.”

She describes Malaysia as a fun place and very multicultural. “One day, you're celebrating at a Muslim coworker's house, and then you have Chinese New Year and you're making dumplings, and then you're invited to an Indian wedding.”

But it was only two years later that she moved to Japan and started working in Japan.

7. How/why did you become a teacher in Saint Maur?

As simple as applying for any job is, she decided to work at Saint Maur once she saw the vacant spot open. Now, why Saint Maur you may ask? “I like the city, and I saw a video on the Saint Maur website where they went through the elevator, and they showed the different rooms in the fine art building, and I saw the art room.”

The moment she saw the art room, she says, she was smitten like a moth to a flame. Not in those exact words. To be exact: “I've met art teachers from pretty much all the international schools at this point [...] and they've never made me feel like, “Oh, I'd wanna switch schools and go to that school.” They've always made me feel, “Ih, I'm happy I teach at Saint Maur. I'm pretty happy here.”

8. Where would we find you if you’re not at Saint Maur?

Surprisingly not at home sketching away! And after all this time, she has brought her middle school affection with her. “If it's a Sunday, somewhere playing board games all day.”

“If not,” she continues, “sightseeing, traveling, going to exhibitions–there's so much to do in Japan and Yokohama and Tokyo.”

That is really a lot of places she could be!

9. What is your favorite memory of working at Saint Maur?

Throughout the nine years she has worked here, she has found peace seeing the exhibitions of her students and what it leads up to every year. She also enjoys dressing up at any opportunity she is given. “I really like dressing up. So Japanese Culture Day and International Day are some of my favorite days. Any excuse to dress up, I'll take it, as you may have noticed.”

10. What advice would you like to give to students?

“The main advice I've always followed in my life…kind of translates to ‘you miss 100% of the shots you don't take’. So many people fail not because they really failed; they failed because they were too scared to try; because they assume the answer would be no.”

She goes on to explain all the possible events

that might cause this, no matter how important the situation is. Maybe you want to get a cool poster from the movie theater that you know they will throw away but you’re too afraid to ask. Yet you don’t know that until you

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Editor’s Note:

Dearreaders

WehopeyouallhadarevitalizingSpringBreakandtooktheopportunityto unwindandrecharge!ThefirstthreemonthsofMarchwerecertainlybusyones forSaintMaur,withthemuchanticipateddramaproductionstartingoffthe monthandcountlessmemorableeventsdispersedthroughoutIamalsoexcitedto announcethatthiswillbemylastissueasthesoleEditor-in-ChiefofTheMaurdian, asmysuccessorwillbetestingthereinsasEditor-in-Chieffortheselastupcoming issuesIthasbeenanhonorservingyouall,andIamconfidentthatthefutureof TheMaurdianisincapablehandsThankyouforyourcontinuedsupport,and here'stomanymorememorableissuestocome!

-EmmaNarvaez

have asked, right? Perhaps they will say yes. Perhaps you will have to pay an insane amount of money.

And it’s the same thing with job applications. “A lot of job applications require 4 years of experience. And so people don't apply for them because they think, “Well, I don't have 4 years of experience”. But a lot of them put requirements there that they're willing to negotiate based on what other skills you have. So there's no harm in trying, really, and a lot of people are too afraid to try. But you'd be surprised how much people are willing to do and what you can get done, what opportunities there are if you're just willing to give it a go.” Words have never been truer.

Thank you, Ms. Littani, for being our distinguished Teacher of the Month and for generously sharing your rich and colorful journey with us.

SUPERVISORS: MR FEEZELL

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF & LAYOUT

DESIGNER: EMMA NARVAEZ (G12)

WRITERS/EDITORS:

EMILY BEYER (G11)

HANA LANG (G12)

Egg Hunt

Can you spot these 12 Easter eggs hidden throughout the issue?

*Not drawn to scale

Medium: PUZZLES

Easy: Difficult:

PAULINE GAUDEFROY

(G9)

JULIA TANAKA (G11)

SOPHIE WYNKOOP (G10)

DANNA YOON (G9)

MARIA CAROLINA MARTINS (G12)

SAKURA MYA (G10)

EMMA NARVAEZ (G12)

TROIS ONO (G12)