The Pingry Record - September 2021

FOUNDED 1895 • THE NATION’S OLDEST COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL NEWSPAPER

Volume CXLVII — No. 1

Wednesday, September 29, 2021

record.pingry.org

A NEW YEAR BEGINS

SANIYA KAMAT (IV) As the 2021-2022 school year begins, the questions on many students’ minds are, “What are the plans for the upcoming year? What is it going to look like?”

This year, Pingry is committed to being much more in person compared to last year. The driving theme is “Better Together,” instead of the previous year’s “Pingry Anywhere.” “We’re emphasizing the idea of coming back together because we’ve learned that we’re better as a community,” Assistant Head of School Dr. Delvin Dinkins said.

The hope for this school year was not to require masks, but this has proved to be infeasible at the moment.

Masks remain necessary to keep our community safe due to the rise in cases related to COVID-19 variants in New Jersey. Governor Murphy announced an indoor mask requirement for the start of the 2021-2022 school year, and Pingry will continue to operate under the latest set of guidelines by the state of New Jersey. It is unknown what will change in the future, but the plan is to continue using masks and allow the administration to determine the best course of action.

However, this year does bring some good news: the removal of plexiglass in the Upper School. Because a significant

portion of Upper School students is vaccinated, classrooms will return to being the open spaces (both literally and figuratively) they were before the pandemic. The middle school and lower school will remain with plexiglass due to the lack of a vaccine for children under the age of twelve.

Another precautionary measure introduced this past year because of COVID-19 was saliva testing. At the end of the last school year, saliva testing slowly started to come to an end. For this year, Pingry is restarting testing twice a week. In the future, the administration may check if testing once a week is sufficient.

As the number of vaccinations increases and positive tests decrease, another possibility is for testing to be stopped altogether. Nonetheless, Pingry does not want to let its guard down and will base its decision according to the circumstances.

Regarding the contact tracing sensors used last year, the goal is to put the sensors aside for now. They will return if the administration deems it necessary, but it is improbable.

Last year, Hyde and Watson Gymnasium was transformed into a dining area. However, this year, it has returned to being a gymnasium, and students will once again eat in Engel Dining Hall. Since middle schoolers

eat in Engel, plexiglass will continue to be used there. Although, Pingry has come up with a solution to use more tent space while dining, and many students can be seen eating lunch outside. Tents will also remain open during flex, and the classrooms and lounge spaces will be available as well. In addition to the student village, Hyde and Watson will also be open to students in their free time.

The performing arts are a significant part of many Pingry students’ lives and were considerably harder to participate in during the pandemic.

Neither singing nor band were allowed indoors, and even outdoors, singing required a mask. Especially during winter months, performing outdoors proved to be quite difficult.

Even so, Pingry’s performing arts overcame the challenges they were faced with. Fortunately, this year, singing indoors with masks has been allowed, and singing outdoors without a mask has been permitted, as well! This is a huge step in the right direction for the performing arts.

Band continues to practice outdoors, but the administration is hopeful for what is yet to come. Dr. Dinkins mentioned that, “We’ll have to wait and see. We know that the experience for everyone is better when we’re able to perform without masks, but I also

know that we’ve been able to perform amazing performances outdoors, such as Hamlet and Almost Maine.”

Arguably, the most significant change for this school year is that remote learning will only be permitted for extenuating circumstances related to COVID-19. Students will not be allowed to choose whether they would like to go in person or remote daily.

Instead, students will only go remote if they are isolated due to having contracted COVID-19 or quarantining if they have been in close contact with someone else who has contracted the virus. However, if a person who has received the vaccine is exposed to someone with COVID-19, it will not be necessary for them to quarantine.

Remote learning should be an infrequent occurrence and must be communicated with members of the administration beforehand. Sick students will follow pre-pandemic protocol and simply stay home instead of going remote. On the bright side, unless there happens to be a particularly long blizzard, Pingry still plans to go about snow days as usual.

Some news for this year unrelated to COVID-19 is that, as many students have already heard, Pingry will be introducing spring intensives. These miniature courses that students will take at the end of this school year

are a departure from the regular academic program. There will be 40 of these different courses offered, and they are currently being designed.

The spring intensives will consume 11 days between the end of May and the Friday before graduation, most likely pushing finals into mid-May rather than early June.

Speaking of finals, this year, most finals (if they do occur) will be taken during a standard class period. Some final exams will be likely, but it is highly unlikely that there will be a final for every class. Some departments may even be getting rid of finals altogether.

All of the information given above is as of today, and the current situation is subject to change. “The Bernards Township Department of Health is working in a partnership with The Pingry School to find something that works,” Assistant Director of Operations Mr. Michael Saraceno explained. Even though much is still unknown about what the upcoming year will look like, Mr. Saraceno is confident that, “We are very quick to adapt and pivot, and we are prepared.”

The increasing vaccination rates amongst students, faculty, and staff will be a great contributor for change in the near future. Despite the uncertainties of what lies ahead, Pingry welcomes its students back for another great year!

Photo Credits: Pingry Communications

THE PINGRY RECORD

2

COMMENTARY SEPTEMBER 29, 2021

Finding Fun in the Ordinary EVAN WEN (V) On the first day of school, all Form V students participated in a rafting trip on the Delaware River. As I lined up to get onto the raft, a feeling of dread washed over me. The thought of spending hours on a boat with people I was largely unfamiliar with just felt strange: it was not something I was looking forward to.

The unsightly environment did not help either. The waters were calm unlike the mentioned white water rapids; people quickly began to dub the trip “brown water paddling” instead of “white water rafting.”

I quickly started to acknowledge the reality that the trip would not be entertaining and thought about how I would pass the time.

The adventure began, and it was off to a terrible start. My advisor struggled to paddle, and we quickly fell behind all the other rafts. Our plans to blitz across the river never materialized. Instead, we just floated along at a slow tempo. After an hour of drifting, we all hopped into the cold waters to entertain ourselves.

I certainly did not expect to dive in, but a feeling of adrenaline brushed

over me as I waded through the shallow waters. By the time we all returned to the raft, every other boat was out of sight. For the remainder of the trip, we discussed the trending television shows on Netflix and how certain authors are underrated. Not being concerned about pacing, we spent the afternoon joking around, to the discontent of our advisor who futilely pleaded with us to paddle.

Our boat ended up finishing the trip one hour and five minutes following the first boat. In fact, the resort staff even sent a motor boat out to make sure we were still alive.

As someone fascinated by pushing myself to the limits, I’ve always undertaken wild endeavors in the hopes of learning more about myself. I live by the motto “do what excites,” believing that I have to participate in thrillseeking activities to find satisfying experiences. My tenet of always finding the next frightening mission blindsided me from the possible joys of ordinary events. We don’t always need to find class five rapids to find exciting experiences; sometimes the lazy river can be just as enjoyable.

Our comfort zone is created from

things we used to believe were novel, but have since become seemingly normal and mundane. However, maybe there is more wisdom to salvage from our comfort zone. I’m not saying that we shouldn’t try to live outside our comfort zone or that

the best moments necessarily come from boring affairs. Rather, we can gain value from not immediately dismissing events right off the bat as mundane. Looking for events outside our comfort zone will help us grow as people, but we should always

see if there is added value in our everyday activities. The best solution is to reach equilibrium; some of our excitement should be derived from sensation-seeking activities while others can stem from the various novelties in our basic lifestyle.

In the Wake of Hurricane Ida SANIYA KAMAT (IV)

at home seemed to think the storm

state of emergency early Thursday,

flooding in coastal communities

The effects of these disasters are

was a big deal. Why was this ignored?

September 2, after the storm had

around the world.” This is one of the

blown out of proportion for these

Walking down the streets littered

vulnerable communities, and they

with broken objects and years of

may often suffer with “emotional

memories, I come to understand

distress, loss of property, temporary

the full extent of damage done by

or permanent displacement, illness,

Hurricane Ida. Destroyed furniture

and death”. These communities

was scattered across lawns, ruined

need to be specially accommodated

photographs sat in boxes, and soaked

in the event of a natural disaster.

books were shoved into trash bags.

One of the main things that

Upon stepping into a house on

can be done to help is ensuring

Ridgewood Road, the strong odor

that buildings and infrastructure

coming from the muck on the floors

are not built in a floodplain. A

reminded me of the smell inside the

floodplain is a part of low land

Duane Reade in Jersey City after

directly adjacent to a river, and at

Hurricane Sandy hit so many years

risk of flooding. People who live in

ago. I spent that afternoon going

these areas are at extremely high risk

from house to house, and helping

of flooding damage from hurricanes.

out with whatever I could — whether

Additionally, green infrastructure

it was packing away the few objects

can be used to prevent flooding, and

that were spared by the hurricane, or

wetland restoration projects can help

carrying sofas and tables outside to

recreate wetlands that can help divert

be disposed of. By the end of the day,

water away from communities in

my hands and face were sweaty inside

floodplains. When combined, these

of my gloves and mask, and I had barely made a dent in the work that needed to be done for these houses.

That night, after doing a quick bit of research, I found that more than 25 people had died from Hurricane Ida in New Jersey alone, which was more than any other state in the US, according to The Guardian. So why weren’t we prepared? With such a big storm, we should have known in advance to be ready for flash flooding and to move to higher ground if we were in areas that could be heavily affected. Hurricane Ida struck on the first full day I was back from vacation. I wasn’t even aware that a storm was coming. I wasn’t paying too much attention to the news while I was away, and almost no one back

Flood damage of Hurricane Ida in Louisiana

Warnings about the storm were

arrived in New York. People living

reasons why hurricanes of increasing

sent out far later than they should

in areas susceptible to flooding did

intensity are hitting us more often.

have. Considering that Hurricane

not have enough time to prepare,

After knowing all of this, you might be

Ida made landfall in Louisiana on

and lives were lost as a result of

wondering: what can we do about it?

Sunday, August 29, with winds of 150

these inexcusably late warnings.

While there is much to be considered

mph and by the following day, was

Another problem we face is the

when finding sustainable solutions

projected to impact the Northeast as

issue of climate change. Hurricanes

for flooding, it’s important to note

it continued its northeastern course

are actually getting stronger. Climate

that underprivileged communities

over the Southeast, we should have

change is impacting the water cycle

are the disproportionate victims

received warnings at least a day

because “as air temperatures increase,

of natural disasters like these.

in advance. New Jersey was hit

more water evaporates into the air”,

Minority groups, the homeless, and

by Ida on September 1, the same

according to an article written by The

disadvantaged communities are often

day the state of emergency was

Climate Reality Project, a non-profit

examples of those who suffer the

declared by Governor Phil Murphy

climate activist organization. The

most. “Social vulnerability influences

declared a state of emergency late

article explains that “warmer air can

the capacity to anticipate, cope with,

Wednesday, September 1. New York

hold more water vapor, which can

resist, and recover from the impact of

fared even worse, with New York

lead to more intense rainstorms,

a disaster,” states an article written

Governor Kathy Hochul declaring a

causing major problems like extreme

by the National Hazards Center.

methods may prove to be a cost efficient way and effective to greatly reduce flooding for low lying areas.

Hurricane Ida has shed light upon recent large hurricanes causing major flooding due to climate change. One thing we can collectively do as a community is take safety measures to prepare for natural disasters. We as a community need to be more aware of the growing risk of flooding and hurricane damage, especially as the effects of climate change get worse and worse as the century wears on.

Though Hurricane Ida has hurt many homes and families and devastated many of our communities, we must never forget the lesson it has provided us with. We must be prepared for the next storms that come our way.

Photo Credits: Google Images

THE PINGRY RECORD

COMMENTARY SEPTEMBER 29, 2021

3

Doing Good, Looking Good EMILY SHEN (VI) Every year, all Pingry students are required to complete ten hours of mandatory community service in order to graduate. Many of

letting us understand how we can

extracurricular lists to check off.

spread awareness on an issue, but

makes a lot of advocates into loud

effectively do more. Researchers

A quick Google search tells us that

do not act upon what we believe in,

cheerleaders but hesitant actors.

from DoSomething.org found that

various college counseling and

the cause dies. Back in 2012, Kony

As a result of such slacktivism, it

over 75 percent of interviewed teens

admissions websites recommend

2012—a documentary produced

has created a cycle in which people

will volunteer if their friends do

volunteering as a way to demonstrate

by Invisible Children, Inc.—called

blindly shout out the social change that is trending without actually

us, myself included, frantically

doing anything to fix the problem.

scramble to hit that ten-hour quota

I am not saying that we should

on the community service database.

dedicate all of our energy to one

But in the rush to fill that 10 hour

problem before moving onto the

requirement, it ends up revealing

next. Unfortunately, there are just too

the fact that too many of us prioritize

many problems in this world for us to

looking good over doing good.

solve. However, real change requires

Philanthropy teaches us to work for

real work. That’s why we should aim

a certain cause for a specific amount

to do better rather than look better.

of time in a particular manner.

How do we solve this problem?

I know how easy it is to want to

First, the public should work to

engage in shallow acts of kindness,

demand transparency for the

but helping should never be just

donations that charities receive. It

another box to check off. Kindness

is crucial that we know how they

should never feel like an obligation.

distribute their money and why

According to GiveWell, a website that

it is done that way, or how their

spotlights the world’s most effective

work has positively impacted the

charities, there’s a disturbing trend

problem that we want to resolve.

towards “selfish giving”—where the

Secondly, we must take action

donor cares more about themselves

and do so frequently. Instead of just

than the people they are supposed to support. Too many of us treat charity like a checkbox. To fully understand this problem, let’s start with why so many people engage in shallow acts of kindness.

When it comes to service, many of us only engage because we are obsessed with our outward image.

Today, many people volunteer as a means to showcase their support, demonstrating to their peers that they did the right thing, then move on. Our society does a terrible job of

donating to a charity, we need to so, as opposed to the 42 percent of

personal values. Richard G. Niemi,

attention to Joseph Kony, an African

teens who volunteer on their own.

a professor of political science

warlord who led an extremely violent

Since peer pressure is such a huge

at the University of Rochester,

militant organization that utilized

part of volunteering, caring about

admitted that “Some portion of

child soldiers in Uganda. However,

the cause begins to feel more and

community service is prompted

after an initial surge of interest

more like a chore. Passion becomes

by students interested more in

on social media, the movement

drained from genuine engagement.

résumé-building.” It is easy to see

completely fizzled out: Joseph Kony

This superficial level of caring

that the students are focused on what

was never brought to justice. Like

creates a whole host of issues. When

looks good for admissions when

Kony 2012, many social movements

people volunteer for all the wrong

they were supposedly “doing good”.

that were once trending died down

reasons, it simply becomes another

These shallow acts of kindness

as the popularity of the topic waned.

item on high school students’

come at a high cost. When we only

The personal disconnect to the issue

actively participate in becoming the solution to the problem. And don’t forget that whoever you are helping is a human being, too. They have names; they aren’t simply “homeless” or “poor.” So let’s take a step back and ask ourselves, are we genuinely caring about the issues, and doing something about them? Or are we just checking off a box and doing something that makes us look good to our peers? The difference matters.

Community Service Hours: A Contradiction?

KEIRA CHEN (IV)

aren’t exactly compelled to serve their

community service out of genuine

outside the school, or limiting the

was really enjoyable, and I was

greater communities. Of course, many

goodwill, but simply because it’s

number of hours that can be earned

only able to discover that through

Upon hearing the words

students do find opportunities for

a task that must be completed.

at school would benefit the students

my sixth grade Rufus Gunther Day.

“community service,” one might

community service outside the school:

However, this doesn’t mean

by allowing them to discover new

The very existence of requirements

suddenly feel a wave of dread

working in food banks, performing in

Pingry should get rid of community

opportunities that they might turn

for community service hours may

wash over oneself—particularly if

senior living centers, and helping

service hours altogether, because

out to be really passionate about.

undercut their intended purpose,

May 1 is fast approaching. Every

out at community gardens are just

the whole purpose of the community

More community service days similar

but their impact is undeniable.

year, the ten hour requirement of

a few examples. But is it enough?

service requirement is to teach

to Rufus Gunther Day could also be

So go to a garden, volunteer at an

community service looms like a

Pingry encourages its students to

students to serve their communities.

helpful, as Pingry exposes students

animal shelter, find whatever

dark cloud above the student body,

seek out their own opportunities for

There’s no perfect solution here, but

to external organizations that do

opportunity you like; and

a reminder to complete the hours

community service; however, it’s far

I think Pingry requiring students to

community service. Personally, I

this time, serve the community

lest they face the consequences.

too easy to take the easy route and

seek out a certain number of hours

found that working in a food bank

because you want to help.

And for most students, these mere

simply show up at various clubs for

ten hours aren’t a problem: there

a few hours. At this point, community

are plenty of opportunities inside

service hours have become a sort of

and outside Pingry that can be used

currency among the student body;

to fulfill the necessary hours. But

I’m sure you’ve seen clubs advertising

in reducing community service to

by offering community service hours

just a requirement for graduation,

if students come to their events.

is Pingry really teaching the

If Pingry really wants students to

students to serve the greater good?

continue serving others “throughout

There are a lot of places within

their lives as citizens of and

the school where students can earn

contributors to the larger community

community service hours, be it

of the world,” as the Honor Code says,

bake sales, working on the farm,

Pingry needs to raise its standards.

participating in student-hosted

When you think about it, ten hours

fundraiser events, and so on. And

are almost nothing in comparison

these activities are not bad in and of

to a whole year. While this is good

themselves; in fact, they are serving

for students with busy lives and

the community, which is exactly

not much time to spare, it doesn’t

the point of community service

exactly encourage students to serve

hours. But the problem lies in what

the community consistently. You

happens after graduation: after years

might argue that this means Pingry

of community service contained to

should increase the requirements,

just the Pingry community, students

but I think that simply perpetuates the issue that students aren’t doing

Photo Credits (Top to Bottom): Keira Chen (IV), Pingry Communications

THE PINGRY RECORD

4

COMMENTARY SEPTEMBER 29, 2021

Slowing Down One day, something clicked for me.

After a session of hitting an entire bucket of balls that hooked and sliced in practically every fathomable direction, I finally figured out what was giving me the most trouble: it was my lack of set up before the shot. In my excitement to try and hit the best shots over and over

ANDREW WONG (VI) This past April, as the Masters wrapped up, inspired by the great golf I had seen from the likes of Hideki Matsuyama, breakout star Will Zalatoris, Jordan Spieth, and Xander Schauffele, I went out with a couple of friends to the local course to play my first game in nearly two years. Swaggering up to the tee box, I was ready. 400 yards to the pin, all I had to do was hit an easy straight shot with my driver. I teed up my ball, set up, and swung. This was going to be my triumphant return to the links, a 300 yard bomb that would set up a glorious victory for me that day.

I swung with all my might, felt the club make contact with the ball, and looked to see the results of what I thought was my very excellent shot.

A slice to the right and a loud “FORE!” from my friends was what ensued. I had hit my ball into hole 15.

I’ll spare you the details on the trainwreck of a round I had that day, but in short, it can be summed up as 6 lost balls, a whole host of Snapchat videos of me stuck in the trees desperately trying to dig my ball out onto the fairway, a score in the triple digits, and jokes about my questionable putting that continue to be told by my friends to this day.

But if there’s one good thing that came out of that day, it was a desire to get better. So when summer rolled around, I went to the range nearly every free day I had, got a large bucket of balls, and went to work.

again, I never checked to see if my grip was fine, if my stance was right, or if my positioning was correct.

I just walked right up to the box and swung. All of these missteps were costing me on the shot.

It was time to slow down. I began creating a routine for myself, making sure everything was right before the shot, trying to stay calm, and not letting excessive energy get the better of me. I focused on the fundamentals, going back to drills I had learned when I was first starting to golf, redoing my grip, and working on my posture and positioning. Sure, it was frustrating having to go through the basics again while other golfers around me were hitting 300 yard bombs, but I dug my heels in, and focused on the small things rather than always trying to hit long vanity shots.

And for that, my game improved.

Though the golf season is about to end as fall sets in, I am happy about all that I did this summer. I played dozens of amazing rounds, and throughout them all, employing this trick of slowing down and getting the big picture look at everything in my shot, rather than solely focusing on hitting, enabled me to be more consistent and play a better game.

I was finally able to break 90 this past summer, and I look forward to setting new personal bests as the spring rolls around again.

But just because the courses are closing doesn’t mean that the lessons learned on the links stop mattering. In life, as we chase our

dreams, we often approach with the

focus on the fundamentals, no

end goal. You will hit those great

glory of the end result in mind, and

matter how boring it may seem, will

shots someday, no doubt, but if you

we lose focus on the steps taken to

make that final result even better.

take the extra time to look over the

get there. As a result, small things

So as we set about doing whatever it

fundamentals and focus on those

can get missed easily, and victory,

is we strive to do, be it getting into

small things, you will achieve even

when we do achieve it, may not be

college, getting that higher grade in

greater successes. Just be patient,

as sweet as we initially thought.

a class, or making the varsity team,

take a deep breath, and open your

Taking the time to slow down, and

don’t mindlessly go towards the

eyes. Future you will thank you for it.

Lessons for a Film Camera SARAH GU (IV)

countless vacation photos from a

the event and me. I always had to

on themselves, imagining themselves

include different positions, but

single hour, or maybe a video of

ensure that whatever I captured

much happier later, often with a

not necessarily shifts in careers and fields).

My memory has been declining

my friend blowing out birthday

was within the camera’s frame,

feeling of success through obtaining

at an unsettling rate. Oftentimes

candles if you choose to dig deep

and my divided attention took

a job or making a sum of money. The

To put it into perspective, I

I would look something up on the

enough in my phone’s storage.

away my feeling of presence at

ticket to happiness, it seems, is to

encourage you to think about what

internet, only to forget it a split

Last June, an incredibly generous

the event. And while I don’t think

stay up late to study for the perfect

you answered when people asked you

second later. If someone asked

coworker of my dad gave me a film

that taking many photos of videos

grade or overload schedules with a

what you wanted to be in elementary

me to do them a favor, I would

camera. It was a little grey box, no

is necessarily a bad thing, my

tremendous list of activities. I’m not

school. I’m sure that some of you

always write it down on my phone

larger than a cell phone in width

gluttonous camera usage caused me

saying that it is a bad idea to invest in

have the same answer now as you

because I knew for certain I would

and height, and it was about two

to later remember how I videotaped

the future, (in fact, I think it’s much

did then, but I can imagine that

forget if I didn’t. I’ve had to set

or three inches in depth. One roll

something, rather than experienced

better to do so rather than avoid

others have completely different

multiple alerts in intervals of a

of film could provide twenty to

it. Often, when I looked back on

doing it at all), but I fear that the

aspirations. My point isn’t that you

few minutes to remind myself to

thirty pictures, and each roll was

those videos or pictures, I would

amount of hope we put in our future

shouldn’t be ambitious and work

complete a task. Otherwise, it

expensive, which made me feel

cringe at myself or wish I had done

happiness will have a high chance of

hard to achieve your dreams, but

would slip from my mind entirely.

obligated to ensure each photo was

this or that. In the end, I invested

disappointing us. While there is no

I think it’s good not to romanticize

Although those were trivial things,

meaningful. As I shifted my camera

my time in capturing an event that

official data from the U.S. Bureau of

the success we hope to attain. We

I began worrying about forgetting

device from cell phone to film

I would likely regret rewatching.

Labor Statistics regarding how many

cannot accurately predict what our

special moments, especially

camera, I realized how my previous

I worry that this idea of regret

adults switch careers or even fields,

values will be in the future, and if we

ones involving other people. My

efforts to preserve memories came

will become a familiar story in ten,

it is safe to assume that our mindsets

let ourselves define the rest of our

dependence on reminders and alerts

with a price. When I had practically

twenty, even fifty years down the

may change as we grow older. (Many

lives within these brief four years of

spread to my phone’s camera. I

unlimited videos and pictures I

road. Many students put incredible

surveys conducted by third-party

high school, I’m worried that we will

started to photograph every second

could take, there was constantly

amounts of pressure—concerning

companies provide statistics for job

regret looking through the wrong

of every occasion. You can find

a barrier—my phone—between

academics, athletics, and so forth—

changes, which might potentially

lenses when it’s already too late.

Photo Credits: Olivia Hung (V)

THE PINGRY RECORD

COMMENTARY SEPTEMBER 29, 2021

5

Football’s Coming Home ANDREW WONG (VI)

75,000 England fans (And a mere 4,000 Italian fans). It couldn’t be more perfect.

This past summer, for six beautiful weeks,

Yet it wasn’t meant to be.

myself and every England fan around the

After a nail biting 90 minutes, which saw

globe were united in singing “Three Lions,”

a 2nd minute strike from left back Luke

the unofficial anthem of English football,

Shaw equalized by the Italians in the 62nd

as we watched England try to take home

minute, and 30 minutes of extra time, Euro

Euro 2020. With every chant of the chorus,

2020 came down to a penalty shoot-out.

“IT’S COMING HOME! FOOTBALL’S

The Forza Azzurri would win, 3-2.

COMING HOME,” it seemed like the

My friends love to bemoan and mock

impossible could finally happen. England

chants of “IT’S COMING HOME” everytime

could finally win its first tournament since

England comes up short. They ask why

last winning at the 1966 World Cup. 55

I haven’t yet given up on a side that has

agonizing years of hurt could be finally

failed to win a championship in over 55

over. Football was coming home again.

years, a side that, in the words of “Three

Week after week, our young squad, with

Lions’,’ is always going to “throw it away

the likes of Harry Kane, Mason Mount,

and blow it away” like it did this year.

Raheem Sterling, Harry Maguire, Jack

So why continue to believe when

Grealish, and Jordan Pickford, all managed

the stats say otherwise? Perhaps it’s

under the cautious eye of manager Gareth

reckless faith, or maybe hopeless optimism

Southgate, continued to do the impossible

birthed from our lifetimes of hurt. Maybe

and silence the doubters. One by one we

it’s a mix of both as encapsulated by

vanquished old adversaries and exorcised

the words of “Three Lions,” “30 years

longstanding demons. A much needed 1-0

of hurt, never stopped me dreaming!”

opening victory over Croatia, a thrilling

One thing’s for sure: reckless faith is

2-0 rout over old adversary Germany in the

not necessarily a bad thing. If there’s one

round of 16, a 4-0 shutout versus Ukraine in

lesson that the world should learn from

the quarterfinals, and a 2-1 extra time victory

England this year, it is the power of belief

versus Denmark to send us to the final.

in the future. Even if they did come up

Our date with destiny was set. A Euro 2020

short, the impact that the English side had

final against Italy, at home in Wembley

on the English psyche in 2021 cannot be

Stadium in front of a crowd of more than

understated; amidst the dark depths of

COVID-19 and post-Brexit woes, the Three

So even if the entire world is telling

Keep trying, and victory will come soon.

Lions managed to lift and energize the hopes

you to give up, don’t budge. Hold firm

Next November, the 2022 World Cup will

of a hurting nation and people around the

in your belief, and keep your head in the

be played in Qatar, and I, like millions

world. The lesson we should all learn from

game. There will eventually be an end

of other England fans, will be screaming

England’s stellar performance on and

to the hurt. Good days are just around

“FOOTBALL’S COMING HOME’’ at

off the pitch this summer is the power of

the corner. Let yourself dream. Cherish

the top of our lungs as we watch our

believing. Football is a beautiful game, and

the small wins on your path to glory,

Three Lions try to bring home the World

anything can happen, as evidenced by this

and keep trying again over and over

Cup. 55 years of hurt never stopped us

past summer: all we had to do was believe.

again every time you come up short.

dreaming. Football’s coming home again.

The Christian Eriksen Story: What We Should Learn from Euro 2020 KATE MARINE (IV)

people experience cardiac arrest in a

to reach Eriksen and recognize the

along with most high schools across

important that more people complete

location other than the hospital per

severity of the situation by immediately

America, requires students to complete

adequate first response training,

At 5:43 PM on Saturday, June 12

year. Of this number, about 80–90%

turning him on his side and opening

a comprehensive health course with

or at least know what to do in an

2021, 13,790 people held their breaths

die before reaching the hospital. Eriksen

his airway. Team doctors later praised

this training. However, most adults

emergency, and refresh the skills

at the Parken Stadium in Copenhagen,

was fortunate enough to have the

Kjær, emphasizing the crucial part

who have received this training and

periodically. It might seem like what

Denmark. Millions more like myself sat

attention of advanced medical support

his actions played in saving Eriksen’s

find themselves bystanders during

you are doing is small, but the efforts

silenced around the world. It was the

readily available nearby, which is

life. Since cardiac arrests can happen

a cardiac arrest do not continue

of first responders often end up being

43rd minute in the UEFA European

undoubtedly the reason why he will

anywhere and advanced medical help

practicing their skills, which might

a vital part of a person’s survival. If

Championship group stage match

not be included in that percentage.

is usually more than a couple minutes

have long since faded, and they may

people weren’t completely aware of

between Denmark and Finland, and

However, for the average cardiac

from the scene, the importance of

find themselves unconfident (and

this before, then the events of the

Danish midfielder Christian Eriksen

arrest case, which could occur

there being first responders who are

thus less able to provide effective

UEFA European Championship and

lay motionless on the pitch. With the

anywhere, the odds are not so generous.

trained or knowledgeable in first aid

care) in emergency situations.

the story of Christian Eriksen should

heroic efforts of fellow players and

At Pingry, there are nine AEDs located

and CPR is immeasurable. Pingry,

Going forward, it is increasingly

serve as an alarming wake-up call.

team doctors, Eriksen was eventually

throughout the building, as well as four

carried off the field on a stretcher

outdoor AEDs located at each of the

after 14 agonizing minutes during

athletic fields. An AED, or automated

which the player was deemed “gone.”

external defibrillator, is an essential

Watching it on TV with my family,

piece of technology that can shock the

I was stunned. I thought I had just

heart back into rhythm and is currently

witnessed a death on national television.

the most effective device used to restore

According to later medical accounts,

someone’s heart beat. According to the

what Eriksen suffered from was cardiac

American Red Cross, “for each minute

arrest. He had no known previous heart

defibrillation is delayed, the odds of

conditions. He was a 29-year-old healthy

survival are reduced by approximately

athlete. And yet, for 14 long minutes on

10%.” Thus it is especially critical

the soccer field, he was thought dead.

that AEDs be available not just in the

For athletes across the world and

most major sports stadiums but also

anyone else, this should be terrifying––a

at every public space possible. There

reminder of “life’s fragility,” as former

is nowhere in the Pingry building

teammate and captain of the English

where someone can be more than a 1.5

national team Harry Kane described.

minute walk from an AED. Every school

But it should also be a lesson––one

and organization with public spaces

that fortunately did not have a fatal

should seek to follow this example

consequence but should be treated

That said, it’s not just AED availability

with equal severity across the world.

that marks the difference between life

Christian Eriksen’s tragedy struck on

and death during a case of cardiac

one of the biggest stages in the sports

arrest. Having fast responders who

world, and the stadium was fortunately

are trained in first aid and CPR is

equipped with an abundance of medical

especially critical as well. Trained

resources and well-trained doctors.

medical professionals were of course

But what happens when a similar

available almost immediately in the case

tragedy occurs on a significantly smaller

of Christian Eriksen, but even they took

scale, such as at a high school athletic

a few minutes to reach him. The real

event, or even just the grocery store?

first responders were his teammates on

The answer isn’t positive. According

the pitch, particularly Danish midfielder

to the CDC, approximately 357,000

Simon Kjær, who was one of the first

Volume CXLVII, Number I

Editors-in-Chief Andrew Wong Brian Li Senior Assistant Editors Emma Drzala Emily Shen

Copy Editors Kate Marine Saniya Kamat Lauren Kim Sarah Gu Milenka Men Rohan Prabhu Evan Wen

Layout Editor Kyra Li Assistant Editors Mirika Jambudi Keira Chen Sarah Kloss

Faculty Advisors Dr. Megan Jones Mrs. Meghan Finegan

Cartoon Editor Olivia Hung

Photo Credits: Google Images

THE PINGRY RECORD

6

COMMENTARY SEPTEMBER 29, 2021

Goodbye Childhood

BRIAN LI (VI) Three weeks ago, while lying on my bed and desperately trying to fall asleep at four o’clock in the morning, a realization washed over me that seemed to defy reality.

I was 17 years old and a high school senior.

How did I become so old?

Wasn’t I a freshman a few months ago? Just thinking about the upcoming school year and the workload that I would be forced

to endure was strenuous enough.

When I first entered high school, I felt like the world was my canvas and I had a clean slate. Middle school was history and I had four whole years to achieve something extraordinary, be it a renowned research project, a published novel, or a nationally recognized nonprofit.

I was aware of the infamous reputation Pingry has regarding its workload. I knew I would have hours of homework to complete every night and stress would become the new norm, but I must have been in denial. I was ready to take on the rigors of Pingry with relish.

I shouldn’t have been so naïve.

Many a student walks into their first classes in the Upper School confidently thinking they’re the special student to whom that reputation won’t apply, but reality

soon catches up to them. Three years have passed, and though many of my goals have been accomplished, there are many more that remain out of reach. I never got past the first chapter of that mystery novel I hoped to write. Do I have regrets?

Possibly, but that’s the nature of life: you have to keep moving forwards.

As I sit here today, stuck on the ever-moving hamster wheel of time, I’m faced with the existential crisis of inevitably graduating high school. Before I knew it, that Commencement ceremony, that tiny speck far away on the horizon is right in front of my eyes, and I can’t turn back now. I’m heading to college, and next year, my childhood is over. It’s difficult to accept that I’m entering the foreign, intimidating, adult world of college and beyond.

Of course, it’s exciting to venture

into the world on my own and have unrestrained freedom for the first time (I’m definitely looking forward to it!), but fear of the unknown isn’t something that I can simply shrug off. My parents will begin retreating from my life as I enter college and eventually begin my career, and I will need to take up many more responsibilities as I become my own self, separate from my family.

The choices I make now have real life consequences, and from here, the true story of my life begins.

I can’t help but think that the summer after senior year is the “closing ceremony” of childhood, thanks to another one of my early morning thoughts. Wildly exaggerated, perhaps, but it does bear a grain of truth. This upcoming summer is the first time I’ll truly be free of academic burdens in at

least four years—the first time I can genuinely relax. It’s stereotypically seen as three months of unrestrained fun and celebration, though I can’t predict if that’s going to be the case. In any case, it will be my last hurrah before I enter college, when suddenly I’ll be expected to snatch up internships every summer and then find a lucrative career upon graduating with which I can support myself, my future family, and my community. While that future is both bright and inspiring, I will miss the more carefree days of lounging with friends in the halls of Pingry, receiving guidance from teachers who willingly stay after hours, and cheering on the squash team.

High school has been a wonderful experience during which I’ve grown intellectually and emotionally, and I’m reluctant to say goodbye.

Considering “Cruella,” Disney Seriously Needs to Move On MILENKA MEN (V)

climbs her way up in the fashion world

possibly be linked, but none of them

explain, or contextualize the original

children into the future of society.

in Baroness von Hellman’s couturier.

are completely predetermined and

character. While the movie boasts

In a cheap effort to hop on the “girl

In an unsurprising plot twist, Estella

all of them are difficult to pinpoint.

a great soundtrack and gorgeous

boss” trend, Cruella states, “I am

discovers that the Baroness is her

The field of mental health is

costumes, it lacks substance. The

woman, hear me roar.” Suddenly the

birth mother who originally ordered

constantly evolving and adapting,

movie looks brilliant only to cover

“psycho girl boss” is meant to be seen

her to be killed as a baby due to

but Disney disregards all of that.

up its harmful content. People are

as empowering. Built on a mountain

her “narcissistic tendencies.” Baby

This movie goes beyond the “nature

molded the easiest as children.

of misconceptions, this movie is

Estella is instead given to one of the

vs. nurture” debate as Cruella bluntly

What would happen if a child with

nothing but an attempt to gain social

Since the release of “Maleficent” in

Baroness’s employees (Catherine)

decides to fully embrace her “psycho

a schizophrenic parent is led to

brownie points while profiting from

2014, Disney has crusaded down a path

to be raised as her own. In a tragic

genetics.” Disney’s implication that

believe mental illness is inescapable—

Disney-brand nostalgia. Rather than

of live-action remakes. While Disney’s

turn of events, the Baroness brutally

all of Cruella’s evil is inherited from

that they are fated to be the same?

delivering half-baked attempts to

production value always guarantees

orders her three dalmations to murder

her mother is the essence of lazy

This goes for every mental illness.

revise problematic old movies (and

the construction of beautiful costumes,

Catherine, leaving Estella orphaned

writing and stereotyping. The film

Disney needs to start taking

in the process create new problems),

lavish sets, and almost lifelike CGI,

at a young age. The Baroness herself

fails to humanize Cruella or offer

responsibility for their track record of

Disney should continue to improve

they often fail to conjure the magic

is explicitly described as having NPD

any empathetic reason for why she

perpetuating harmful and to recognize

their representation through new

of the original animations. While

(narcissistic personality disorder

hates dalmations. It fails to justify,

its considerable influence on shaping

creations. It’s time for a new era.

direct remakes such as “Cinderella”

as outlined in DSM-5). The idea

and “Beauty and the Beast” manage

that someone with NPD would be

to retell our childhood stories with

driven to murder their own child

relative heartwarming joy, Disney tried

simply to remain in the spotlight is

a different formula with “Maleficent”, a

highly problematic, and Disney’s

remake of Sleeping Beauty, told from

flippant use of NPD as a plot device

the point of view of the eponymous

displays ignorance and insensitivity.

This article contains spoilers for Disney’s Cruella.

TW: Mental illness, Personality disorders

antagonist, Maleficent. Maleficent is

In addition to Disney’s use of NPD,

painted as a misunderstood villain as

the word “psycho” is thrown around

the tale unravels into a sophisticated

the movie with reckless abandon.

backstory, paving the way for a movie

After establishing the Baroness’s

that follows a formula unlike any

inherent “narcissism,” Estella prefers

other Disney movie. Disney’s gamble

to describe her as a straight-up

worked. “Maleficent” grossed nearly

“psycho,” a trait she believes to have

785.5 million dollars at the box office.

inherited from the Baroness. Thus,

In an attempt to replicate the success

“Cruella” is born—the “psycho” alter

of the film, Disney unveiled its newest

ego of Estella. And that’s it. If you

addition this past spring: “Cruella”,

expected Cruella to have a tragic

following the same formula that brought

backstory for her apparent hatred of

box office success to “Maleficent”.

dalmations, there is none: she was

Based on the original “101

born “psycho.” The only real goal

Dalmatians,” “Cruella” attempts to

Cruella seems to have is to topple the

give backstory to the notorious puppy-

Baroness at the height of her political

skinner. As a child, I watched “101

and social influence. While Cruella

Dalmations” and even comprehended

could hold a grudge against dalmations

Cruella’s motivation at its core: she

for murdering her adoptive mom, she

wants a dalmatian fur coat, and she’ll

only survives the end of the movie by

murder 101 dalmations to get it.

training the Baroness’s dalmations

I never really asked why. Disney

and bonding with them herself, so

seemed to think there needed to be a

the question remains: why does she

reason. While I would have been fully

become a dalmatian puppy killer?

invested in another sophisticated

Cruella doesn’t demonstrate enough

backstory for one of my favorite

evil intent to fully explain her later

villains of all time, Disney stepped

actions or why she ends up the way she

into a delicate discussion around

does. The idea that she’ll grow into her

mental health and human behavior.

genetically predetermined “psychosis”

Most of the movie reads as a childish

is a dangerous one that Disney seems

rehash of “The Devil Wears Prada”

to joke about thoughtlessly. There

as Estella (Cruella’s original name)

are some mental illnesses that could

Photo Credits: Google Images

THE PINGRY RECORD

COLUMNS SEPTEMBER 29, 2021

7

Broadcasting Boba MILENKA MEN (V)

At this point, boba has popped up

relatively tasteless, it soaks up the

syrup—from mango to strawberry

its fruit flavors to the next level.

the shelf life of products and in

flavor of whatever drink it is paired

to coconut. It is often paired with

Some might say that popping boba

salt processing. Popping boba is

with.

smoothies or offered as an ice

isn’t real boba since it isn’t made

popular because of its burst of real

on everyone’s Instagram or TikTok

The pearls will absorb the flavor

cream or fro-yo topping. While the

from tapioca flour, but I’m all for

fruit juice, similar to the candy,

feeds at least once. From decadent

of the tea, minimizing any risks of a

concentrated and strong flavors

stepping outside the boundaries.

Gushers. Mostly used in smoothies

desserts such as boba stuffed cream

flavor clash. Speaking of absorbing

might seem less versatile, the

Popping boba is made with flavored

and iced teas, popping boba is an

puffs or milk tea flan with brown

flavor, jelly boba is an excellent

customization and multitude of

fruit juices, sodium alginate, and

example of science at its finest.

sugar boba, boba has emerged as a

option for those looking to stray

combinations awaiting the curious

calcium alginate. Sodium alginate

The next time you go to a bubble

trend that is here to stay. Since the

past the bounds of traditional boba.

bubble tea drinker is undeniably

is used as a stabilizer in all types of

tea shop, experiment! With so many

start of quarantine, people have

Jelly boba is made by cooking or

exciting. The evolved version of jelly

foods such as ice cream and yogurt.

wacky different drinks and boba to

been eager to make their own boba,

coating boba pearls in flavored

boba is popping boba, which takes

Calcium alginate is used to extend

try, there are infinite possibilities.

sharing their fruity flavored boba recipes on social media for others to enjoy from home. Originally an accompaniment for black tea mixed with condensed milk, bubble tea itself has evolved. With a wide variety of flavors—classic milk tea to cotton candy to salted caramel iced coffee—black tea is no longer the most popular flavor, but it’s not only the tea that has changed.

In fact, there are several different types of boba, each with their own unique flavors and characteristics.

In simple terms, boba consists of small round pearls made from tapioca flour which provides a distinctive chewy texture. Black boba, probably the most widely known, is usually paired with milk tea. Its black coloring is created by adding brown sugar or caramel coloring which makes it slightly sweet. These boba pearls are classic and a great choice for boba beginners. While black boba is the standard, clear boba offers a less sweet version if one still wishes to experience the texture of boba.

Since clear boba is just starch and

FYISci: The Effect of COVID-19 on the Spread of the Influenza Virus MEHER KHAN (V)

for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently reported that it had

Over a year into this devastating

logged 1,316 positive flu cases in

pandemic, people are starting to

its surveillance network between

wonder: what happened to the

September 2020 and the end of

flu? To reduce the transmission

January 2021. During that same

of COVID-19, safety precautions

period last year, the CDC had

such as mask-wearing and social

recorded nearly 130,000 cases.”

distancing have been adopted.

Essentially, there was a 98.877%

Although the addition of these new

decrease in flu cases during one of

protocols is a dramatic change,

the worst periods of the pandemic.

the practice of these measures

What does this suggest about

is credited for the substantial

the future of flu prevention and

decrease of flu cases this year.

containment? In the case of a flu

The infection rate of COVID-19 is far

outbreak in a school or workplace,

greater than that of the flu. Similar

we can refer back to these safety

to COVID-19, the flu is transmitted

measures as a way to prevent

through bodily fluids. These fluids

further circulation of the flu.

can be spread through surfaces, or

Although this change is beneficial,

even through coughing, sneezing,

the concern of the influenza virus

and talking. However, COVID-19

mutating to evade these new

diverges from the flu because it can

precautions still arises. Due to the

also be transmitted through the air.

pandemic, scientists are uncertain

Therefore, the safety measures that

about the severity of next year’s flu

were enforced to prevent the spread

strain and how it has evolved. It is

of COVID-19 also successfully

unknown whether the number of

prevented the spread of the flu.

flu cases will increase or decrease

In an article published by the

in the future, but it is important to

Harvard Chan School blog, the

acknowledge the stark difference

author articulates that “The Centers

in cases between this year and last.

Record’s Reading Range MIRIKA JAMBUDI (V)

only to write this review. If you have

is a Woman found its rightful

time to spare and not much to read,

place on my shelf this summer.

The summer of 2021 brought

The Anthropocene Reviewed is a

The book dives into over 4,000

a myriad of new releases and

worthy candidate to pick for your

years of systemic gender bias,

bestsellers from authors such

shelf. Considering I spent $16 on

highlighting the struggles

as John Green and Malcolm

the book at Costco, the fact that it’s

women have faced in every era.

Gladwell. Keeping up with the

signed is the only real reason I’ll

With a Virginia-Woolf-inspired

literary world, here are my takes

keep it on mine. In the meantime,

title, the book recognizes fifty of

on some of these latest releases

I’ll be waiting on the next cliché

the most influential women in

— and whether or not they are

coming-of-age novel Green releases.

history whose accomplishments

worth adding to your bookshelf.

Malcolm Gladwell, another

and contributions have often

Diverging from his typical coming-

long-standing favorite author of

been overlooked. The selection of

of-age teenage narrative, John

mine, recently released The Bomber

women featured in the book is also

Green released The Anthropocene

Mafia: A Dream, A Temptation, and

diverse, and encompasses various

Reviewed, a collection of essays

The Longest Night of the Second

fields such as science and poetry

and anecdotes analyzing and rating

World War. Straying away from his

to art and war. Anonymous is a

various facets of human life. Ranging

typical realm of psychological and

Woman really pushes for inclusion

from subject matters such as

sociological studies, Gladwell’s book

and equality, and I gained a lot of

“Canada Geese” and the “QWERTY

is a fascinating nonfiction read about

invaluable insight after reading it.

Keyboard” to “Halley’s Comet” and

one of the greatest ethical dilemmas

Dr. Ansary’s writing is captivating,

“CNN,” the topics were captivating.

in US history: the firebombing of

and I found myself immersed in

However, some of the essays were

Tokyo during the Second World

each story. Although the book

hard to stay interested in. This book

War. Background knowledge from

may seem a tad lengthy at first

fell a little short for me, as many

World History 10 was undoubtedly

glance, it is one that you can spend

of the pieces seemed a little too

helpful to have had, and this book

time breaking down into chunks

stretched in their “insightfulness”.

felt like an extension of what the

to appreciate each remarkable

Nevertheless, some other essays

curriculum covered regarding the

story fully. I definitely recommend

were great, so the book overall

Pacific Theater of the Second World

Anonymous is a Woman to be

became a hit-or-miss situation.

War. For anyone interested in

the next book on your shelf,

Critics may have raved about the

history or ethics, The Bomber Mafia

no matter what you identify with.

book, but it didn’t quite grab my

is definitely one to add to your list.

That’s all for this issue! Thanks for

attention as Green’s other novels

Finally, even though the book

dropping by, and I hope you get some

have done in the past. I eventually

was technically published last year,

much-needed relaxation and reading

read the book in chunks, finishing it

Dr. Nina Ansary’s Anonymous

done this upcoming school year!

Photo Credits: Sarah Gu (IV)

THE PINGRY RECORD

8

COMMENTARY SEPTEMBER 29, 2021

A Giant Concern SAM BENTON (VI)

his numbers. Courtesy of the Chicago

from Oklahoma and Sam Howell from

Saquon Barkley is back, but his role feels

is back and ready to go, so Joe Judge

Bears, the Giants will have two first

UNC, so the Giants could potentially

very limited. Barkley, coming back from

must play him. If the Giants want to

The NFL season is finally upon us.

round picks in this upcoming draft. If

have their pick of two elite college

the ACL tear, had 26 yards on only 10

produce a winning season, it has to start

After Week 1, the Giants are already

Jones fails to live up to expectations, the

Quarterbacks. Daniel Jones will either

carries against Denver. Coach Joe Judge

with players like Jones and Barkley,

0-1 following their loss to the Denver

Giants will need to draft a quarterback.

have to prove himself to be a worthy

is wary of giving Saquon 20+ carries a

and end with the defense closing out

Broncos. The past offseason gave many

This upcoming draft will likely feature

franchise QB or soon be out of a job.

game right now, but how can he expect to

games. Only then will the Giants have

Giants fans hope with their big name

star quarterbacks Spencer Rattler

On the other hand, running back

win if they cannot run the ball? Saquon

a shot at finding success this season.

signings and dynamic draft picks, but Week 1 was a huge letdown for fans.

Yes, the Broncos undoubtedly improved during the offseason, but the Giants were simply inept. The defense was torched for 27 points while the offense only managed to put up 13. With their personnel, the defense will likely see a bounce back week against Washington.

However, the offense is already raising much bigger concerns. This is Daniel Jones’ final year to prove himself, and he is already off to a shaky start. Jones went 22 for 37 with 267 yards and 1 touchdown. His statline also included a costly red zone fumble in the midst of a crucial offensive drive. Jones’ 40 turnovers over 28 starts has been a real back-breaker for the offense.

While some people might be quick to blame the Giants’ abysmal offensive line, Jones himself has to take better care of the ball. It seems that any time the offense is moving along, Jones is destined to turn the ball over. Nobody questions Jones’ arm strength or speed, but his turnovers overshadow the rest of

Analyzing Pingry’s Writing Curriculum LAUREN KIM (V)

read literature with a critical lens

given the opportunity to explore

both in class and during flexes and

take advantage of the resources at

and develop arguments which they

different forms of writing, with

CP’s, and access to the Writing Center

Pingry are often (unsurprisingly)

Used to communicate, to entertain,

are able to express and support in

assignments ranging from digital

guarantee that students who take

the most successful in their writing.

to inform, to provoke thought, and

their writing. Dr. Ann Dickerson P ‘22

text to personal essay to satire.

initiative have ample opportunity

Dr. Dickerson noted that on the flip

to convince, writing is a versatile

described that the writing curriculum

This approach teaches students to

to improve their writing. Because of

side, the greatest weakness of Pingry

skill that is key to success in today’s

is built around three core objectives:

eloquently convey their ideas in

Pingry’s multidimensional writing

students stems from an unwillingness

world. The ability to manipulate

“formulating a clear, concise literary

a variety of mediums, using their

curriculum and valuable resources,

to really wrestle with text and uncover

tone and employ figurative language

argument and supporting it logically

creativity to reach different audiences.

Pingry students will continue to

the more subtle ideas in literature,

and precise diction to create cogent

and coherently with carefully-

An essential component to writer

excel in their writing. Dr. Dickerson

resulting in superficial or unoriginal

pieces of writing is invaluable. Thus,

selected and well-integrated textual

development is mentor guidance.

noted that last year’s senior class

writing. It is clear that Pingry’s

it comes as no surprise that writing

evidence; developing one’s own voice

Systems in place at Pingry ensure

included some of the best writers

English department has put much

is a core component of education

in personal and creative essays; and

that no student experiences a lack of

she has seen since joining Pingry’s

thought and effort into developing

in schools across the nation.

practicing creative writing through

guidance when it comes to writing;

English department in 2005. As

a writing curriculum that gives

The writing curriculum in the

a spectrum of genres’’. Freshman

relatively small English classes,

with most skills, what you put into

students the best possible foundation

Pingry Upper School focuses on

year English focuses on mastering

individualized faculty feedback on

writing has a direct impact on what

for writing, as long as the students

literary analysis, criticism, and

the traditional five paragraph essay.

writing assignments, opportunities

you get out of it. Students who are

themselves are willing to put in the

theory. Students are encouraged to

In subsequent years, students are

to meet one-on-one with teachers

unafraid to dig deep into text and

time and effort necessary to improve.

Photo Credits (Top to Bottom): Google Images, Pingry Communications