Volume II, Issue VII

This Year’s Senior Prank: Class of 2024 bids farewell with a lasting scent SCHOOL NEWS STEM

BY SOPHIE WYNKOOP | GRADE 10

The annual senior prank is a way for seniors to give a final message to the underclassmen as they part ways and move on to the next stage of their lives. This year, the prank was executed on the 19th of April, involving

fart spray and hidden alarms (not to mention the usual chaos of desk rearrangem- ent!). It is definitely fair to say that this year’s senior prank left a memor- able mark on the underclassmen something staff, they that can keep in mind as the senior graduation ceremony approaches.

SEE WYNKOOP PAGE 3

SPORTS

Total Solar Eclipse enchants North America’s skies

BY HANA LANG | GRADE 12

High School Soccer Season ends with bittersweet farewell on Senior Night

BY SAKURA MYA | GRADE 10

On April 8th, 2024, North America was graced with a starry phenomenon that had not been witnessed in seven years: a total solar eclipse. This captivating event occurs when the the Sun and Earth, entirely obscuring the Sun's luminous visage. As the lunar silhouette moves across the solar disk, the sky descends into an ethereal darkness akin to twilight, casting an enchanting atmosphere over the landscape. Unlike its partial counterpart, where only a portion of the Sun is obscured, a total solar eclipse offers a breathtaking display as the Sun's outer atmosphere, known as the solar corona, emanates a radiant glow around the edges of the moon. Lasting approximately 4 minutes and 28 seconds, this particular eclipse captured the imagination of millions across North America.

Moon traverses between Saint Maur mascot, Maurice, makes his big debut at

different weather, sunny or stormy, or going against teams of

different strategies. But if there is anything that

we will miss most, no doubt, it is playing in

The 2024 three-month long season of sport which consisted of major accomplishments and team-bonding has sadly come to conclude. There are many to reminisce reflecting on such a season: playing in SEE MYA PAGE 9

Boys’ and Girls’ team going st Yokota and both matches vigorous and fiercelyspirited. For the boys, this was their last game, where the the againa team, and playing with the seniors in their last season.

Fair More in the next issue! SCHOOL

This year's Senior Night took place at Yokota High School on the 23rd of April with both

team gave it their last, best shot. Though it was a loss with tight results (23), it was gratifying overall with such a great game and the team sticking together.

Are Easter bunny photos a thing of the past, or were they never really a hit to begin with?

Day to Honor our Home Planet: Earth Day

SEE LANG PAGE 6

Dear Class of 2025 & Underclassmen,

Here’s some advice.

College Application Process

“One personal statement can be used to apply to 5 different universities through UCAS National Japanese university’s tuition is about 20% of Saint Maur’s.” - Chengkai

“It's important to note that life is not fair Some opportunities are available to few and there are times when external factors come into play with the college admissions process. Keep your chin up and don't compare your stats to other students because of this. Organization is also incredibly important. A calendar (or planner) is your best friend when it comes to deadlines and planning out days to complete your applications. By using a calendar, I was able to squeeze in 3 more college applications only a few days before they were due.” - Trois

“Talk to Doc S ASAP if applying to the UK.” - Go

“Know what you want to do! Especially with European schools as they are program based, being able to understand what career you want to pursue is crucial to the application process. As I only applied to UK schools, I had to apply to only courses, so being able to know what you’re interested in beforehand is important.” - Hana

“Set realistic goals, look for schools you have a chance of getting into and where you will enjoy going to, and bear in mind this will most likely have an important impact on your near future. But also don't be afraid to dream big and try to get into your most desired school. You don't lose anything by trying, especially when your options represent a big selection between safeties, good schools, and dream schools.” - Carol

“Do a lot of research.” - Koh

“Start thinking about university as soon as possible, it’s never too early. Never leave essay writing until the end because it’s where you have the most freedom to show who you are. I would plan for about a month and draft at least twice. Decide on university based on your program because a popular name doesn’t mean the best for your subject! Always keep a list of your achievements and experience so you don’t leave out anything when you apply.” - Rin

The High School Experience

“Remember to have fun while studying. ” - Chengkai

“I know it may be stressful but it's important to plan out what you want to do in the future and where you want to go for higher education as soon as possible. Universities these days have high expectations and applicant pools are filled with people who have sculpted the "perfect student" in order to get accepted. Find your niche, try to stick to it, and don't forget that they aren't only looking for academic excellence, but genuine personality as well. In general, I think everyone should be exploring their interests in any field. You never know what you'll enjoy until you actually try it out. You might be very sporty with an interest in handicrafts as well, no one is stopping you from leaving your bubble.” - Trois

“Try to have a balance between your social life and academic life.” - Hana

“High school is not as hard as you might think. Like most things in life, the high school experience is filled with awesome things and some notso-great things -- you have to enjoy and learn from them as much as you can. Also, this time goes by incredibly fast, so take every opportunity you have and make the most of it.” - Carol

“Social wise, try different activities and clubs. Academic wise, make use of after school academic support.” - Koh

“I personally think high school is one of the most difficult times because some are more mature and some are not. Some people have dreams but some people would still be figuring things out. But I think high school isn’t everything and it’s what’s waiting after that so do what you have to do and not what your friends are doing. Think about what you need to prepare yourself for the future because you still have your stable support system with parents nearby and friends for years there to support you.” - Rin

WYNKOOP FROM PAGE 1

For some, it may have seemed like an average day at school. There were no toilet paper-wrapped walls, or towers of desks piled on top of each other. But it wasn’t until they ventured slightly deeper into their classrooms that students began noticing what exactly the Class of 2024 was scheming. “I walked in from the cafeteria side and then past the bathroom, and I smelled this insane smell of fart. And my nose was about to fall off. I was just kinda hoping it's not HS4. But it was. It was. Yeah. Not a good start to the day,” comments Masaya (G10). He was one of the unlucky recipients of the generously sprayed fart spray. One of the senior prank planners, Emma (G12), mentioned that her classmate Ricky (G12) was the culprit who came up with the fart spray idea. Another student, Anay (G10), stated that his classroom “was a gas chamber when [he] first entered the school.” In addition, Rian (G10) claimed that he “was about to throw up.” Their comments definitely encapsulate the heinous odor that seemed to linger in HS-4 and HS-5 for the remainder of the day. This was undoubtedly a unique take on the senior prank, so we can at least applaud them for their creativity. In comparison to past senior pranks, Masaya also mentioned that “it definitely took longer for it to go back to normal.” He explain-

ed: “We couldn’t just strip away and throw away the wrappers they did last year. I was in period 3 history and it still smelled from the desks. I really appreciate it. Good prank.”

On the other side of the prank, we have the seniors who planned their final celebration of their high school years. “We all came [to school] at around 7:00-7:30 so we could get everything done,” says Emma. “Still, though, we didn’t have enough time to do everything we wanted. Originally, we wanted to fill Mr. Matsumoto’s office with varsity jackets, but he was in his office so we quickly had to abandon that idea,” she adds. While the fart spray was the most memorable of this year’s senior prank, there were still other aspects of it that seemed to slip under the radar. In the midst of the overwhelming stench, some may even have noticed the countless hidden alarms that went off during morning homeroom.

While the senior prank was a nuisance for us underclassmen, it’s also a reminder that the Class of 2024 will soon be leaving high school. For some seniors, this means saying goodbye to the school they grew up in. “It feels so weird because especially for me, I remember all of the past senior prank days and it feels weird to be the one pranking people, and

hearing people's screams made me feel great,” comments Rei (G12). One aspect of Saint Maur that contrasts many universities is its small school population. Many seniors, including Rei, will miss how easy it is to feel welcome here. “I'm gonna miss how close we are. Everybody knows everybody because it's such a small school, and you know all the teachers and you're just so used to

seeing each other multiple times a day, and it's gonna be weird being exposed to such a wider community.” Others, such as Carol (G12), who has only been at Saint Maur for two

years, have similar thoughts.

“There's the bad part of having to study and struggling throough exams, but also, coming every day and just being able to say good morning to your favorite teachers, or that little break that you get in your morning, and after school activities where you can also be with your friends and socialize. I think that's what I'm gonna miss most because there's the bad part, but it comes attached with a good part, which is what makes being in school fun, you know?” She explained that even though she’s only been at Saint Maur for two

years,

the universal high school experience of forming connections and establishing a routine is

something to be cherished. “You grow used to it and then all of a

sudden it's just like done. You have 18 years of it and then you don't have it anymore and there's no way to come back.” This ties into Rei’s feeling of community at Saint Maur. The sudden change in environment will surely be tough for both of them.

Senior art student graffiti; Photo Credit: Trois Ono

CONTINUATION

As the seniors graduate, it is also a time for them to reflect back on their high school experiences and how they have grown since then. When reflecting on her freshman self, Rei laughed, “Oh, ew. I don't even wanna think about it.” Despite the initial memory of her past self, she was also able to reflect on how long she’s come since then. “I think I've gotten a lot more room to look out for other people, not just looking at myself. When you're in 9th grade, you're so desperate to just live and try to get things done, but at this point in senior year, you're done with everything, so you have more mental capacity to look at other people and try to give them any sort of wisdom,” she explained. Finishing high school has helped Rei empathize with current underclassmen:

“You know what they're going through and you just wanna make it as painless as possible, even though it is part of the process.”

Carol also expressed her perspective of learning and growing throughout high school, as it allowed her to adapt to new environments. “I think that especially with the amount of changes I had throughout my high school life, I made a lot of friends and I met a lot of different people, and I feel like I've grown a lot because of my experiences,” she states. In addition to that, Carol also thanks herself for much of the growth she’s been through. “I feel very grateful for little Carol from the beginning because she was full of hopes and dreams and stuff that she wanted to do. And maybe I didn't accomplish everything,

but that definitely gave me the drive to continue and get to this point in my life where I'm ready to move on to the next phase.”

As the class of 2024 say goodbye to their underclassmen friends and favorite teachers, it will undoubtedly be an emotional time for them all. Throughout their years in Saint Maur, the seniors have learned countless lessons that will be with them in their personal lives, careers, and beyond. The tight-knit community at Saint Maur has helped each student blossom into unique and responsible individuals who are more than prepared to take on the world. This “completely different 180-degree phase of my life,” as Carol calls it, will be a big change for each graduating senior, but one that they are equipped to handle. We wish the Seniors the best of luck in the next stages of their lives!

Waves of Change: 15th Anniversary Fujisawa Beach Cleaning Project

BY PAULINE LI GAUDEFROY, CHAEMIN YOON | GRADE 9

On the eventful day of April 14, 2024, many people from the Kanto region teamed up at Katase Higashihama Beach to clean it up. Organized by SEGO, whose slogan is “Doing Good Together”, their aim is to spread awareness about environmental issues in the world through beach cleanings open to both locals and foreigners.

To gain more insight into this annual event, we interviewed Alana Bonzi, the SEGO Initiative Co-Director. When we asked her why the organization happened in the first place, she answered that

the organization, now in its 15th year, began in 2009 to give back to the local community that had welcomed its founders, Michel Bonzi from Greece and Alana from Trinidad and Tobago, when they moved to Japan. They wanted to make a positive impact and bring

people together, regardless of their language or background, around the common goal of environmental protection. Eventually, their gift became a local environmental safe space. They aim to create a networking opportunity while caring for the environment. The

PhotoCredit:TroisOno

PhotoCredit:TroisOno

PhotoCredit:TroisOno

PhotoCredit:TroisOno

organization has since grown, focusing not only on cleaning beaches but also on raising awareness and fostering connections between people and their environment, whether on, in, or by the water. They recognize the importance of their work in keeping the local beaches clean and accessible, especially when

WORLD NEWS

especially when compared to other areas in need of help along Japan’s Coast.

Now thanks to Michel and Alana’s hardship, people from all over the Kanto region can come together and share different backgrounds whilst saving a fraction of the planet. For instance, while some Saint Maur students went and lent

a hand with distributing food, they weren’t alone on the toil; students from Keio University had also come! And thanks to this day, a bond between the two schools merged.

Fortunately, there are still many chances for YOU to get involved in SEGO’s beach cleanups! Coming up in September, along with other

events in the future, SEGO will make a bigger impact on the world. However, it won’t be possible with several more helping hands. Please come and join us in this eco-conscious movement and be part of the effort to keep our beaches clean and beautiful for everyone to enjoy. Your participation makes a difference!

What do April fools traditions look like around the world?

BY SOPHIE WYNKOOP | GRADE 10

This April 1st marked not only the start of a new month, but also another annual tradition of April fool’s day. Every year on April Fool’s day, millions of people around the world prank their friends and loved ones. This tradition has been observed since the late middle ages, dating all the way back to around 1582. With every April Fool’s day presenting a new opportunity for people to get creative with their play-on-words or practical jokes, it’s interesting to see how pranks have evolved in each corner of the world. Here are 4 different places and how their unique April Fool’s traditions vary!

France

French April Fool’s traditions are by far some of the more outlandish on this list. The most popular French April Fools tradition is called Poisson d’avril, or “April fish” in English. For this prank, French people enjoy cutting out paper fish, sometimes coloring them in bright and happy colors. Then, throughout the day, they try to stick these paper fish on their friends and family’s backs. The recipient of these fish then spend the rest of their days looking silly, as everyone knows that they have been successfully fooled. This tradition is observed in all parts of France, and is participated in by all ages.

Imagecredits:Gamma-Keystone/GettyImages

Scotland

Historically, in Scotland, they stretch April Fool’s day out over two days. The first day is Hunt the Gowk Day, which isn’t as dangerous as it may seem. “Gowk” is a word for a type of bird, but is also slang in Scotland for “fool,”. On this day, Scots send unsuspecting “gowks” on fool’s errands just to waste their time. If you don’t get gowked, there’s always an opportunity for humiliation the next day, which is “Tailie Day.” Tailie Day is for harmless derrière-related pranks, like pinning a tail on someone or sticking a “kick me” sign on their back.

Iran

Iran has the oldest April Fools traditions observed with Sizdah Bedar. It’s celebrated on the thirteenth day of the Persian New Year (either on April 1st or 2nd). Sizdah Bedar, which is said to have been celebrated as far back as the 5th century BC, is translated as “getting of 13,” meaning it carries a superstitious air. The day is also celebrated with a spring festival, tying in to other April Fool’s predecessors, such as the ancient Roman celebration of Hilaria.

Imagecredits:TasnimNewsAgency,CCBY4.0https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0,viaWikimediaCommons

Ibi, Alicante, Spain

In Ibi, Alicante, Spain, they celebrate El Día de los Inocentes by having a town-wide food fight, complete with military strategy and historical lore. The Els Enfarinats tradition is reportedly over 200 years old and involves a mock military-style “takeover” of the town, where the new rulers get to make up strange laws that others must abide by. If they don’t, they get “fined” and the money goes to charity.

There are many things in the world that are working to divide us right now in the world. However, we are united on April Fool’s day by performing light-hearted and good-spirited jokes on each other. Hopefully, the world can learn to come together more often, as we do every year on April Fool’s day.

LANG FROM PAGE 1

However, the

mesmerizing allure of a solar eclipse is accompanied by a stark warning.

The rarity of total solar eclipses further underscores the significance of this celestial event. While they occur sporadically, with intervals ranging from once every year to three years, most are visible only

Direct viewing of the Sun during an eclipse, even during partial phases, poses a significant risk to eye health. The intense solar radiation can lead to a condition known as "eclipse blindness" or solar retinopathy, wherein the sensitive cells of the retina are damaged or destroyed, impairing from remote locations such as the poles or the vast expanses of the ocean. From any given vantage point, the opportunity to witness a total solar eclipse arises just once every four centuries.

vision. To safeguard against this potential harm, experts advise the use of specialized eclipse glasses, similar to those worn for 3D movie screenings. These protective lenses shield the eyes from harmful solar rays, ensuring a safe and enjoyable viewing experience.

As North America basks in the aftermath of this awe- inspiring phenomenon, anticipation

planned for the year 2044. mounts for the next celestial event,

Until then, memories of a testament to the magnificence of the cosmos!

Imagecredits:2024TotalSolarEclipse-Composite,JeffGeerling, https://www.flickr.com/photos/lifeisaprayer/53641395770,Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike(CCBY-NC-SA2.0)

A

Day to Honor our Home Planet: Earth Day

BY SOPHIE WYNKOOP | GRADE 10

The 22nd of April is International Earth Day, a day reserved for recognizing our earth and working towards finding solutions to the climate issues it faces today. The day was first created in 1970, and now includes a wide includes a wide range of events coordinated globally by EARTHDAY.ORG which includes over 1 billion countries. Earth Day reminds citizens of the importance of environmental conservation and sustainability, encouraging us to come together and take action for a healthier planet and brighter future. The day raises awareness and inspires change, fostering a deep connection with nature. The origin of Earth Day can be traced back to 1970. The idea behind the event originated from Gaylord Nelson, a US senator, and Denis Hayes, a Harvard student. He was deeply disturbed by the deteriorating environment in the United States and the massive January 1969 oil spill in Santa Barbara, California. Worried about the environ mental impacts from this, he wanted to start a start a movement to get the youth involved with combating climate change. He recruited Denis Hayes, an active university activist, to manage teaching on-campus and to bring the idea of

environment conservation to a broader public. They choose April 22, a weekday between Spring Break and Final Exams, to increase student participation. Its immediate success was evident, as the public wanted to come together to combat climate change. This was a catalyst for the movement’s immense growth over the years. By 1990, Earth Day became an international event in almost every country. The day holds significance as it shifts our perspective, encouraging people to see ourselves not separate from nature but inseparably connected. It encourages humans to make small changes in our daily lives, supporting environmental causes and contributing to a more sustainable future. While Earth Day was created with the idea of encouraging participation in the climate change movement, it is not limited to that. Many use Earth Day as an opportunity to practice gratitude directed towards our earth and the millions of years we have spent on it. Celebrating Earth Day does not entail shaming others for poor climate-care habits, or forcing your ideologies on them. It was ultimately established as a day to bring us together, helping create a more livable and more healthy earth for all beings.

Are Easter bunny photos a thing of the past, or were they never really a hit to begin with?

A core memory of my childhood will always be my visits to the shopping mall, where my mom would drag my two siblings and I through a seemingly endless line, the air thick with the scent of fast food and filled with blaring music from the stores’ speakers. It was a sensory overload every time, but what greeted us at the end of it was a huge, fluffy white bunny holding a basket of chocolate. Now, we all had our own relationship with the Easter bunny, and let’s just say I wasn’t necessarily enthralled by the idea of sitting in the lap of a fluffy creature that smelled of sweaty polyester. Yet every year, there I was, tears streaming down my face (Rest assured, my mother has framed this image for all house guests to enjoy). Nevertheless, these dreaded photo shoots became tradition – a dressed up family bonding day to the mall where a

hilarious (to some extent) memory was printed on glossy paper for permanent enjoyment. Fast forward to the present, and that line that once snaked around the entire Easterthemed photo booth has completely deserted, fake grass and glitter eggs left to dust. This could be due to the times we live in –malls are dying out, and kids would rather watch YouTube on their iPads than hug a mega fluffy bunny. On a more controversial note, perhaps modern parenting ethics have shifted in an era when rarely anyone can be trusted, not even a comical character. All of these factors bring me to the question: Is society progressing by defaming the Easter bunny, or is this another event becoming tragically obsolete?

importance of children’s well-being, stating “Don’t strive for perfection, try to show the real family moments as they happen.” In particular, he suggested that parents allow their children to hold their favorite stuffed animal, or sit with their child in the photo to maximize comfort.

importance of children’s well-being, stating “Don’t strive for perfection, try to show the real familOn the other hand, some parents simply cannot look past the danger of allowing your child to sit in the lap of a strange man disguised as a strange character. On a mommy blog “Mommy Nearest”, blogger Amanda Russo wrote an article titled “Please Stop Taking Your Kids to See the Easter Bunny”. One reason was that parents have no idea who is inside that

outwardly friendly fursuit. She wrote, “I wouldn’t walk into a deli and ask the guy behind the counter to let my child sit

on his lap. How does a bunny suit change anything?”

A final approach to this surprisingly controversial situation is that it should be the decision of the child on whether they want to take a picture with the Easter bunny. In another parenting magazine, “Nola Family”, writer Madison Voorhies wrote “Parents shouldn’t subdue their kids to this emotional trauma if they cannot verbally consent to it.”

BY EMMA NARVAEZ | GRADE 12

Modern Childhood

Secondly, modern childhood is characterized as tech-savvy, trendy, and digitally connected. Little girls shop at Sephora, and little boys game on Twitch. How does the Easter bunny fit into this picture of contemporary childhood? Rather than taking a wholesome picture with the Easter bunny, teenagers have even started filming TikToks of the Easter bunny sitting miserably by itself waiting for its first visitor.

Price Constraints & Modern Technology

Thirdly, these pictures are quite pricey, usually with a starting price of $20.00 or more. In past decades, these photoshoots were either free or offered at a cheaper price, and inflation has likely driven

up the cost. In today’s economy, it’s understand able that people might not want to spend an excessive amount of money for a professiona l picture, when most people have a smartphone in their pocket that can take a high-quality 4K resolution picture at no cost.

Admit It, the Easter Bunny is Creepy

Parental Concerns of the Easter Bunny

On WCVB Channel 5 Boston, pediatrician Dr. Scott Hadland explained that the trauma involved with Easter bunny photo shoots for children is impacted by three elements: separation from parents, having to sit with a strange creature, and the overwhelming amount of attention that is put on the child at that moment. Although Dr. Scott Hadland did not advise parents to completely steer clear of the Easter bunny, he emphasized the

Definitely not a philosophy my mother lived by! All jokes aside, there is validity in recognizing that a funny memory may not be worth a child’s discomfort.

Nonetheless, parental caution isn’t that only factor playing into the soon-to-be extinction of the Easter bunny.

Other Factors

Indoor Shopping Malls Dying Out

For starters, the natural habitat of Easter bunnies, indoor malls, are slowly but surely becoming antiques of the past. According to a Capital One report, an average of 1,170 American shopping malls closed every year between 2017 and 2022. With the convenience

Last but not least, I think many of us can admit that the Easter bunny is just plain creepy. Although the costume has improved since the Easter bunny became capitalized back in the 1950s (Trust me, do not Google “1950s Easter bunny”), the problem lies more in the fact that it’s nearly impossible to create an anthropomorphic costume that’s not extremely unsettling.

So, whether mall managers stop bringing out the Easter bunny next year, or in 10 years, the reality is that the once beloved mall character is fading into the background of our collective consciousness. It’s important to note that this decline is not just about malls closing or children preferring screens over fluffy creatures. It’s about the changing landscape of our society, where traditions collide with modern realities. While some may argue that the Easter bunny nostalgia will be mourned,

others see it as a much-needed evolution in parenting norms. But perhaps it’s not about assigning blame or pointing fingers. Maybe it’s just a natural progression, a sign of the times.

TrendingTikToksbroadcastingthelonesomeEasterbunny

Bibliography: CapitalOneShoppingResearch.“ShoppingMallClosureStatistics(2023):AreMallsDying?”CapitalOneShopping,7June2023, capitaloneshopping.com/research/mall-closure-statistics/ Russo,Amanda.“PleaseStopTakingYourKidstoSeetheEasterBunny.”Mommynearest.com,2024, www.mommynearest.com/article/please-stop-taking-your-kids-to-see-the-easter-bunny Sanburn,Josh.“WhytheDeathofMallsIsaboutMorethanShopping.”Time,Time,20July2017, time.com/4865957/death-and-life-shopping-mall/ Voorhies,Madison.“MeetingtheEasterBunny:ScarierthanSantaClaus?”NOLAFamilyMagazine,1Mar.2024, www.nolafamily.com/meeting-the-easter-bunny-scarier-than-santa-claus/ WCVBChannel5Boston.“EasterBunnyTrauma?Mass.Pediatrician’sAdvicetoParents.”Www.youtube.com,30Mar.2024, youtu.be/7OfymoLA_Vs?si=NQTwfQzLkKEXh8j9

How to train your stress: Friend or Foe?

As the cherry blossoms bloom, and the weather takes a turn, the special month of April reminds us of a very important emotion – one that we experience daily whether we like it or not: stress! Ever since 1992, April has been designated as stress awareness month by health authorities around the world, and it is most important for us teenagers to understand how to

deal with it. A pest to all and a seem-

worry or mental tension caused by a difficult situation.” They further state that it is a “natural human response that prompts us to address challenges and threats in our lives.” While everyone experiences stress, the way each individual responds to it makes a big impact on our mental health.

Stressing too much can cause you to feel unwell or sick and have a

ripple effect on your overall well-being. As listed in Mayo Clinic, stress can cause headaches, fatigue, aches, sleep probmuscle pain, and potentially even cancer. All of these can then lead to cranky behavior such

BY PAULINE LI GAUDEFROY | GRADE 9

under-eating, anger issues, avoiding social interactions with friends and families, and much more (Mayo Clinic). On the other hand, a human cannot live fully well without stress too. Oftentimes what motivates us to achieve big goals such as finishing an assignment or winning a basketball game is thanks to stress.

A study from Stanford university

found that “viewing stress as harmful leads people to cope in ways that are less helpful.” In contrast, they stomach lems, advise that people take a more positive approach to coping with stress. They

state that in order to deal with it, there are three protective beliefs about stress which are: 1) to view your body’s response to stress as a helpful review, not weakening; 2) to see yourself capable of handling, learning, and growing from stressful experiences in your life; and 3) to understand that stress is something everyone deals with, “and not something that

Howis it explainWorld emotion can be very in our lives. ever, what really? As ed by the Health

ingly useless as over- or to have, stress oftentimes important daily

can help you use your time Organisation (WHO), “stress can be defined as a state of

screwed up you or your life is” (Parker). Now, how do we deal with stress? It’s really quite simple, and it doesn’t include paying a thousand bucks to see a psychologist. Firstly, keeping a daily routine proves how uniquely

more efficiently and feel more in control of your life rather than finding all your assignments are due the next day. This will also help

you arrange time for family and friends (CDC).

Another big reason to manage your time effectively is because you will have more time to sleep. Sleep, an important part of life, helps both our body and mind relax, repair, and summarily ease our stress. But this won’t work if you aren’t consistent in your sleep schedule (CDC).

Socializing with others can also help us a lot with managing stress.

Bibliography:

Talking to trusted friends and family about your concerns and feelings can help you understand your mood better and give different views on how to resolve the problem. And all the while you feel connected to others (CDC). Talk about killing two birds with one stone!

And lastly, limiting our time on social media will also help cope with stress. While it is nice and coherent to use social media

platforms to talk to your friends and stay up-to-date with the news, it isn’t always the best way to ease stress. As a matter of fact, we tend to compare ourselves to influencers we see online, even if we know everything we see isn’t real, which increases our stress levels. If this is your case, it might be best to take frequent breaks from social media and reflect on yourself rather than molding yourself into someone else’s spitting image.

To sum it up, the long-questioned stress seems to have its ups and downs. On one hand, too much of it can harm us in any way possible, but on the other hand it’s also a key factor to motivation. As explained in this article, there are many, many ways to deal with stress, and you might have your own ways! But what are your thoughts on stress?

CDC. “Tips for Coping with Stress.” Www.cdc.gov, CDC, 30 Nov. 2021, www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/about/copingwith-stresstips.html.

Mayo Clinic “Stress Management.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Clinic, 10 Aug. 2023, www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/stresssymptoms/art-20050987.

Parker, Clifton B. “Embracing Stress Is More Important than Reducing Stress, Stanford Psychologist Says.” Stanford News, 7 May 2015, news.stanford.edu/2015/05/07/stress-embrace-mcgonigal-050715/.

World Health Organization. “Stress.” Www.who.int, World Health Organization, 21 Feb. 2023, www.who.int/news-room/questions-and-answers/item/stress.

FINE ARTS

2024 Spring Concert's Seasonal Symphony

BY JUNLIN CHU | GRADE 9

On Thursday, April 11th, the school organized a spring concert. Music is a magical thing; it can perfectly express the emotions deep within the human heart. The school provided a wonderful opportunity for many students who love and are passionate about music to showcase their talents and express their emotions. The spring concert was a great success, with everyone preparing stunning performances that captivated the audience.

From the audience’s perspective, this performance was exceptional. Even after it ended, everyone remained immersed in the afterglow of the concert. I also interviewed a performer to inquire about her thoughts as a performer, including her views on the outcomes and effectiveness of their performances. Because I believe the perspectives of both the audience and the performers may differ, and they can approach the matter from completely different levels. I interviewed Rio, a ninth-grader who plays the flute and is a member of the Orchestra and Senior Band. I asked her, “What are your thoughts on the concert performance?” She said, “I think, in terms of the out- come, we were successful be- cause despite not having enough time to practice, like a

year or so, we still put in a lot of effort this semester and achieved a lot. “Playing such wonderful music in such a short amount of

time is truly impressive.”After that, I asked her about some aspects she thought went well. She responded, “I think we did very well as a band. Because I believe we are very united, so we can quickly coordinate with each other. When we got the music score, we were able to come together quickly after practicing, and I think that’s where our unity and coordination shine. And we performed very naturally, so I think overall we did better than last time.

I appreciate our group and I think the concert not only brought music and our practice together but also connected our spirits.” As long as everyone’s hearts are united, that’s the most precious thing for a team. In addition, I asked Rio about areas for improvement for the next time. She replied, "I think our overall performance was very close to perfect, our coordination and harmony were very high. But if there are areas for improvement, I believe we can practice more because the longer we

practice, the better our harmony becomes. So, I think we need to practice more and rehearse together, which can deepen our connection and coordination. This way, we can be even more successful in our next performance. But we still have plenty of opportunities." Every experience gained and every summary made is extremely valuable.

From the overall effect of the concert and the feedback from the participants, it's clear that this concert was highly successful. We can also see the dedication of musicloving studen ts who put in a lot of effort for this event.

SPORTS MYA FROM PAGE 1

The girls also displayed their best efforts in the

duration of the game. On a more serious note, Keita stated: “Honestly, I think we got better as a team. We really started to play as a team during games towards the end. And then I

much work you were willing to put in, and fight for each other.” Continuing on to strengths and developments, he believes that the tactic of narrow defense really worked early on, with some of the players committing to it just after very little practice.

The team only started playing attacking football later in the season, which leads him to believe that with additional weeks, they could have demonstrated even more of their potential. sun and despite the losing result, maintained enthusiasm and perseverance all throughout. Following their dedication in the heat, the seniors were finally honor- ed with gift bags after being individually acknowledged. Sentiments were shared and gratitudes were exchanged afterwards. This was their final game overall, or at least boys, it was. For the As game was for the girls, the last against K

International in YCAC instead, where the team was able to gain victory with a satisfying score of 2-0. For this, technically, the girls experienced the emotions on two occasions. International in YCAC instead, where we were able to gain victory with a satisfying score of 20. For this, technically, the girls experienced the emotions on two occasions.

Keita (G10) who has taken the role of captain this year, has expressed his perspective towards the season for the boys’ team. “Strengths”, he starts, “I think in words, we are really passionate.” He thinks that passion has the ability to translate into energy and vigor on the field, but still thinks the team could put it out on the field even more. When asked about the highlights of the season, he humorously admits that not being able to get a win was probably a concluding highlight. However, he elaborated on how the team had close moments that were just not able to extend through the entire

think if we can carry that over to the next season and just be a bit more focused with the coach, then I think we can get some wins at least.” In addition, Keita mentioned that a notable highlight of the season was the very tight match against BST with a score of 4-3, a drastic improvement from their previous 11-0 loss at the start of the season. As a sophomore with teammates one or two grades above, Keita initially found being captain rather tough, stating: “I didn't feel like I was the one who was supposed to lead them.” However, as the season went on, he was able to adapt to this honorable role and bring the team together. Finally, he is hit with the big question: with the seniors leaving, how does he plan to fill that void next season with the rest of the team? “I think we have freshmen who got much better towards the end of the season, so I think we're going to use them a lot”, he concludes.

The next person that offered a fresh perspective on the season was Mr. Patmore, who expressed his perspective as the coach for the Girls’ team. When asked about the highlights, he says, “results wise, I think the first game of WJAA, beating Canadian Academy 3-1, considering they went on to finish third that tournament, I thought that was a great result.” Then the team went on beating Sacred Heart at YCAC with a closely fought 1-0 victory, and that, he states as another one of his highlights. “And then, actually, the two 1-0 defeats to YIS and ASIJ at WJAA again. And that the team just suffered to

just play against a much larger school with a lot more experience.” I think we could all agree that Mr. Patmore had several notable moments during the season. But last but not least, what left the most impression was how they stuck toget- her for almost the entire game to come away with those two narrow defthat early in season. “It an indicator me just eats the was to how

He is then asked, "What qualities do you think the seniors have brought to the team that you will miss the most?" “Oh, where to begin”, he replies. It was simply the leadership, leading by example on the pitch, being fearless against every opponent, keeping the team motivated when, perhaps, conceding an early goal. He then adds that it is also the bits of hysterics that sometimes raises the team’s atmosphere as well. Finally, when asked about adjusting the team’s strategy with the absence of the seniors, he says that the grade eights’ that had played for the high school team had settled in really quickly so he hopes even more people would join in for the journey. He hopes that the examples the seniors had set, whether its accomplishments or the enjoyment would lead to encouraging the younger grades to join the team. That’s all he’s willing to share regarding team strategy because, apparently it’s a secret. “I don’t want the other teams reading our newspaper to find out” (classic Mr. Patmore move there).

His direct message to the seniors: “Well, thank you. Thank you to all of them. First time I coached some of the seniors was back in 2018, my first year at Saint Maur when they were in grade 7. So, it wasn't until about this time last year where I found out that I would be coaching the Girls’ team this year. So it was a really nice sort of bookends for me to be their coach in their senior year. I think I've said throughout the season, like, being part of a team sport, you learn a lot of things that perhaps, in our quite individualistic society, we don't always get. So, cooperation work, hanging out or

Keita (G10)

Saint Maur vs. Yokota; Photo credit: Danna Yoon

Kouhai holding senior poster; Photo credit: Danna Yoon

hanging out or working together with people perhaps you don't normally hang out with for a shared goal. Like I said earlier, you're willing to commit to plan A, and we all committed to plan A. Then we switched to plan B. We all committed to plan B. So, that togetherness and

as you guys go off to college as I've mentioned, it's a shortcut to making friends, to making connections, and and as you go onto new cities, new countries, team sports is just a great way to make friends, and to enjoy your time together. I hope to hear from many of you that you play futsal or football in some form or

another, whether it's socially or try to make the uni team as well.”

Thank you to all the seniors who participated in this year's soccer season. We wish you the best in your future pursuits and encounters!

TEACHER OF THE MONTH

Exploring Mr. White's World of Literature, Sports, and International Adventures

This April’s Teacher of the month is Mr White, a new teacher at Saint Maur. In this exclusive interview, we delve into various aspects of his life, from childhood memories to teaching philosophy, hobbies, and experiences in Japan. Get ready to learn more about the man behind the classroom and discover what makes him such a valued member of our school community.

1. Where did you grow up?

“I grew up in a small town in Canada, in Nova Scotia. It was very small, with a population of fewer than 5000 people.” It must have been great to grow up in such a small town, in a closely-knit community. It's remarkable to see how Mr. White can so easily adjust to both rural and urban life, like here in Yokohama.

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

We know Mr. White as our passionate English teacher, but what does he do outside of school?

Mr. White is a big fan of North American sports teams. He follows two teams, “one that has been very successful and one that has been a disaster for 50 years”. In addition, he also enjoys reading and listening to music.

3. Can you share a favourite book, film or TV show that you enjoy?

Mr. White, as an English teacher, has come in contact with many good books. A favourite book of his is a collection of short stories, which was written by a Canadian writer from Nova Scotia, Alistair MacLeod. The collection includes his favourite story, “The Boat”, which is “a story about family, family connections and being defeated by the circumstances you're in”. Filled with life lessons, such as the importance of making one’s own decisions and being open to new experiences and changes, it is a story that Mr. White can always come back to.

4. How or why did you become a teacher?

“I come from a family of teachers. My father was a high school principal, and one of my brothers was an English teacher, while I had another brother who was a computer professor. So in my family, it's kind of part of the deal.” Growing up in a family of educators, Mr. White was introduced to the profession from a young age. “I guess I just sort of grew up around teachers. I think that's what made me consider going into that occupation.”

5. What were some of your favourite childhood memories or activities with childhood memories?

“I come from a big family, with six kids in total. We used to go to my uncle's cottage at the beach in Nova Scotia I have really strong memories of those kinds of experiences being in the cottage, of campfires, digging for clams and all that kind of stuff.”

6. Did you have a favourite subject when you were a student?

“My favourite subject when I was in high school was history. I was a keen history student because I had a good memory. I'm not sure that that's what you need to be a good history student, but I had those two things together: I had a good memory and I could write pretty well. So I enjoyed history in school.”

7. What was your dream job when you were a kid?

“As a kid, I had daydreams about being a professional hockey player. I did not come even close to that, but I used to hope for it every night”

Well, who didn't dream big as a kid, right? It's kind of nostalgic

BY EMILY BEYER, JULIA TANAKA | GRADE 11

uni team as well.”

to think about those childhood hopes and dreams. While we could totally see him as a hockey star, we are glad Mr. White didn't end up on the ice professionally, otherwise we’d have missed the chance of having him as our English teacher.

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

With his over many years of experience as a teacher, Mr. White has collected much experience and can give us some much appreciated valuable advice. "It often strikes me that students struggle to think about the long term. They tend to believe that their current situation is permanent, when in reality, things constantly evolve. Our attitudes, ideas, and experiences change us over time. It's important to understand that what we see now isn't how things will always be. By being patient and adaptable, we can feel more confident that things will eventually align with our goals."

9. Why did you decide to come to Japan?

“I came to Japan, and before that I taught for almost 20 years in Canada, and I was looking to make a change. I had met a guy who had been overseas and some other people who had experience with international teaching. It sounded really attractive, and I liked the idea of going somewhere other than home. It was just Japan that it ended up being, and I'm happy to be here, and thank God for bringing me here every day. “

10. What is the craziest thing you've ever done?

“This is a story I tell students all the time, it's not crazy exactly. When I was a little boy, like three years old, I had an experience of playing a game and the game involved pushing open a screen door and running outside. Once when I was playing the game, somebody had shut the door tight, and I actually went through the door instead of opening it. I ended up with a big scar on my arm and a big scar on my lip. It's definitely a memory that has impacted my life.

11. What is your spirit animal?

“I had a dog when I was a child. Because he was a German Shepherd, I decided to name him Oscar. Oscar the dog. Anyway, I think of that dog, who was sometimes focused, sometimes not, sometimes easy to go along with, sometimes not. That, I would say, is a good description of my spirit animal.”

12. What is your favourite memory at Saint Maur?

Even though this is only just his first year at St. Maur, Mr. White has already got to experience many memorable events.

PHOTO EXTRAS

He particularly enjoyed Sports Day this year. “I think it was fascinating to see people at the school doing things that were fun and entertaining and so on, but relaxed about, run by the students. I guess that was an interesting thing for me to see as I have never seen that before in other schools.”

13. What is your favourite food?

“I have a Japanese answer. My favourite Japanese meal is tonkatsu.”

14. What's the best thing about being a teacher?

“The best part of being a teacher is the chance to see people be really, really good at things. So whether it's sports or whether it's writing or whether it's arts, you get to see some very talented people in lots of different situations.”

Mr. White is a very impressive teacher that has a lot to offer to Saint Maur. We are both extremely glad that he is our English teacher and hope that he will continue to have a very enjoyable teaching experience at Saint Maur. Thank you very much, Mr. White!

Editor’s Note:

Dearreaders, Timesurehasflownby!ThisissuewasbroughttoyouinthemidstofIB/IGCSEexamsaswellasotherfinaleventscollectively markingthequicklyapproachingendtothisschoolyearDespitethefrenziesourteamhasremainedcommittedtoproducing theirwork,andI’mgratefultobeputtingoutapaperduringthebusiestoftimesWehopeyouwillbeabletotakeamomentfrom yourpacked,end-of-yearscheduleandindulgeinqualitywritingthatcapturestheessenceofourSaintMaurcommunityThank youforreading! -EmmaNarvaez

SUPERVISOR: MR FEEZELL

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF & LAYOUT

DESIGNER: EMMA NARVAEZ (G12)

WRITERS/EDITORS:

EMILY BEYER (G11)

JUNLIN CHU (G9)

PAULINE GAUDEFROY (G9)

JULIA TANAKA (G11)

SOPHIE WYNKOOP (G10)

DANNA YOON (G9)

HANA LANG (G12)

SAKURA MYA (G10)

EMMA NARVAEZ (G12)