Pingry Record - December 17, 2025

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

Wednesday, December 17, 2025

Volume CLII — No. II

record.pingry.org

ON CHARACTER AND SERVICE General Stanley McChrystal’s Historic Veteran’s Day Visit

TINGTING LUO (VI)

before stating, “self-discipline.”

Day Assembly in a packed Hauser

a “silver lining to almost anything.”

answers and must sometimes “make

Following the breakfast, the

Auditorium. After opening remarks

He defined character through examples

a decision you don’t like, but the

In a tribute to Veterans Day, Pingry

community gathered for the

from Mr. Lear and Dr. Ward, Anna

of sacrifice: the firefighters during 9/11

organization needs.” He ended his

welcomed retired United States Army

unveiling of the Veterans’ Wall. The

Butrico Conti ‘14 took the stage.

who advanced into danger and Arland

time on stage with a powerful goal,

General Stanley McChrystal to campus

permanent tribute, a project led by

Ms. Conti, who served as General

D. Williams Jr., who repeatedly passed

“make our contributions count.”

on November 11. The historic visit,

four students from the Class of 2022

McChrystal’s speechwriter before

a rescue line to other survivors of the

For those in attendance, the day was

which occurred exactly 80 years after

and Archivist Peter Blasevick, honors

co-authoring Risk: A User’s

Air Florida Flight 90 until he drowned.

truly unforgettable. Sophia Guild (VI)

Admiral William Halsey Jr. spoke at

Pingry veterans dating back to 1871.

Guide with him, reflected on how

General McChrystal connected these

reflected that the general told a “really

Pingry, featured the dedication of a new

Head of School Mr. Tim Lear ‘92,

Pingry’s emphasis on “character”

acts to the vow in The Ranger Creed

important message,” as the “importance

Veterans’ Wall and an assembly focused

Special Assistant to the Headmaster

and “hard work” from the Honor

to “never leave a fallen comrade.”

of character is often overlooked, and it’s

on character, discipline, and leadership.

and veteran Mr. Miller Bugliari ‘52,

Code prepared her for her career.

Character is a product of convictions

probably one of the most fundamental

The day began with a breakfast,

and English Teacher and former U.S.

Ms. Conti then introduced the

and the discipline to live up to those

things that everyone has to keep close

where a group of students and faculty

Army officer Dr. Barrett Ward delivered

general, noting his command

convictions. The general told the

to them.” William Brisson (VI) said

had the rare opportunity to speak

remarks for the dedication of the wall.

of the Joint Special Operations

audience to “think for ourselves,”

that hearing the general speak was

directly with General McChrystal and

Together with the project’s donors,

Command from 2003 to 2008.

as a nation’s character is its fate.

“inspiring in both how to become

Pingry alumni veterans. When asked

Mr. Lear and General McChrystal cut

General McChrystal’s speech was

During Q&A, when a student asked

a better leader and how to build a

for one piece of advice he would give to

the blue ribbon, officially opening the

strikingly honest. He began his speech

about leadership in difficult times,

better character.” It was truly an

a Pingry student interested in service,

display for the school community.

by directly addressing the topic of his

General McChrystal explained that

honor to welcome General McChrystal

General McChrystal didn’t hesitate

The main event was the Veterans’

sudden retirement, and that there was

senior leaders often face no clear

and our veterans to our campus.

NEWS, Pages 2-3

COMMENTARY, Pages 4-6

COLUMNS, Pages 7-8

Pingry

What School Doesn’t

Skims: The Future of

Next Level

Teach Us

Shapewear or Another

Assembly

Zoe Argentieri (IV)

Leah Holmes (V)

Guilty Of Growth Sarah Diao (III)

Celebrity Company Gone Wrong?

Amelia Liu (V)

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

THE PINGRY RECORD SCHOOL NEWS DECEMBER 17, 2025

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LGBTQ+ History Month Assembly SHANTI SWADIA (V) On October 29, the Upper and Middle Schools united in Hauser Auditorium for the annual LGBTQ+ History Month Assembly to celebrate the history of queerness and queer activism in the United States.

LGBTQ+ History Month was created in 1995 and is held in October, with National Coming Out Day on October 11. The assembly was a product of the combined efforts of faculty and students, featuring presentations, poems, singing, and more.

As students trickled into Hauser, songs by LGBTQ+ artists filled the auditorium, including “Sailor Song” by Gigi Perez, a popular artist who identifies as lesbian, and “Not Strong Enough” by boygenius, a band with many members who identify as LGBTQ+.

To begin, Middle School English Coordinator Ms.Lori Esmond read a student-authored poem titled “Womanhood,” which gives voice to someone whose womanhood is questioned by others.

Next, the projector showed a video of Dean of Student Life Mr. Alan Van Antwerp reminiscing about Stephen Sondheim, an American composer and lyricist who revolutionized Broadway musicals, and who identified as gay.

Afterwards, Upper School English teacher Dr. Barrett Ward spotlighted Virginia Woolf, one of the most influential and inventive authors of her time, who wrote

scenes of lesbian eroticism.

Jolly presented on Alan Turing,

1973, homosexuality was listed

life in all of its amazing diversity.

Dr. Ward then presented on his

the brilliant mathematician and

as a “personality disorder.”

After Mrs. O’Mara’s presentation,

former LGBTQ+ student in the

logician who played a crucial part in

She spotlighted two queer

Upper School English Teacher

military, Katie Wilson, who went on

the Allied victory over Nazi Germany

individuals, Noah Adams and Dr.

Mr. Tom Keating read an untitled

to graduate and become one of the

in WWII. Turing was also gay and,

Anneliese Singh, who are queer

poem, also written by a student,

very first female Infantry Officers

unfortunately, faced persecution

advocates for transgender rights.

which detailed queer love and

in the 82nd Airborne Division.

for his sexuality in 1950s Britain.

Next, Upper School Science Teacher

the limits of the law, insisting

After Dr. Ward’s insights,

Visual Arts Teacher Ms.

Mrs. Deirdre O’Mara presented

that legislation should not decide

Middle & Upper School Latin

Nancy Ring shared five LGBTQ+

on Rachel Carson, an American

who someone loves or marries.

Teacher Ms. Margaret Kelleher

artists to celebrate, including

marine biologist and writer whose

To close off the assembly, Saige

presented on the Ancient Roman

Ester Hernandez, Simone Leigh,

book, Silent Spring, changed the

Smith (IV) sang Billie Eilish’s “The

Emperor Hadrian, who had a

Mickalene Thomas, and more.

world. Carson shared a deep bond

Greatest,” earning thunderous

lifelong homosexual relationship

Following Ms. Ring’s presentation,

with Dorothy Freeman in a world

applause. Thank you to the

with a man named Antinous.

AP Psychology Teacher Ms. Lauren

that didn’t protect her right to exist

students and faculty who helped

Next, Computer Science

Kelly shared the psychological

as her fullest self. However, she

make this assembly a success!

Department Chair Dr. Marie-Pierre

side of sexuality and how, until

was a woman who protected all

Club Fair participated in this event. By the

previewed spring performances,

end of the first half-hour, many

while competitive teams shared

On October 1, the Upper School

leaders reported long interest lists

tournament dates and schedules.

buzzed as students packed into Hyde

and nearly empty munchkin boxes.

Some underclassmen used the

and Watson Gym for this year’s Club

This year’s Club Fair emphasized

event to map out potential programs

Fair, where rows of trifolds, posters,

discovery as well as recruitment.

to join, while some presented their

and demonstrations showcased

Clubs explained which problems

own clubs to engage listeners.

the variety of student life. More

they’re trying to solve, whose voices

Similarly, upperclassmen signed

than 150 student-led organizations

they hope to amplify, and which skills

themselves up for clubs they were

signed up for the event, including

members will build. Academic teams

a part of in prior years, joined

academic teams, affinity groups,

highlighted how beginners can get

new ones, and introduced their

publications, service initiatives, and

started without prior experience.

own. Advisors stationed near

special-interest clubs. They ranged

Service groups outlined concrete

the exits reminded students to

from highly technical to pure fun.

projects and partnerships beyond

pace themselves, prioritize a deep

More than 400 students

campus. Creative organizations

interest in a club over quantity, and

SHANTI SWADIA (V)

actually attend the first meetings.

The fair also served to demonstrate the school’s evolving interests. New tables this year included Piano with a Purpose and Pingry Artificial Intelligence Club, while several longrunning organizations presented new initiatives and missions.

As sign-up sheets circulated, it became clear that student life

was only as strong as the people

the passionate student body

who participated in it. Anna

continues to foster community.

Ojo (V) enthusiastically noted,

For anyone who missed a table

“I loved the Club Fair because

or signed up for too many clubs,

it made me realize how much

most clubs will host introductory

the student body is engaged

meetings over the next two weeks.

with this school. I also enjoyed

The Club Fair showcased

eating the snacks and candy!”

that there is something in the

The year’s projects, performances,

Pingry community for everyone

and service days are just beginning,

— whether you’re competing on a

brought to life by the students

national stage, mentoring younger

who stepped up to lead. The

students, writing and performing,

Club Fair was a reminder of how

or just trying something brand new.

Photo Credits (Top to Bottom): Pingry Communications

THE PINGRY RECORD SCHOOL NEWS DECEMBER 17, 2025

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Pingry Next Level Assembly ZOE ARGENTIERI (IV)

of 2026 who are committed to

they brought to the team culture

playing sports at the collegiate

and the playing field. While these

On Friday, November 14,

level. The assembly started with a

messages were personalized to

families, students, faculty,

speech from Director of Athletics

each athlete, a common theme

and staff gathered in Hauser

Carter Abbott, who highlighted

of dedication and leadership was

auditorium for the annual Next

the sacrifices each athlete and their

present. Each athlete signed a

Level Assembly. The assembly

families made to reach this point.

letter of intent and was presented

honored 17 members of the class

She emphasized the discipline

a poster that included photos of

required to balance schoolwork

moments from their high school

with athletic commitments,

athletic career, as well as a gift

a challenge that reflects each

box to recognize their success.

student’s dedication to their sport.

Out of these 17 athletes,

Mrs. Abbott also thanked the

seven of them will compete in

families for their support and for the

Division I programs, including

time and resources they invested

three Ivy League schools.

to help the athletes succeed.

The Pingry community is so

Then, as each athlete walked on

proud of these athletes and is

stage, Mrs. Abbott shared a message

excited to see what they do at

from their coach describing what

the next level! GO BIG BLUE!

Buttondowns Assembly AMELIA LIU (V)

far in the Buttondowns, Hayden

a magical serum that could enhance

Chiang (III) explained that there are

the musical abilities of the members

On November 21, Upper School

a “lot of elements” he enjoys, such as

in the group. The seniors conducted

students attended the Buttondowns

“making the movie, the nice seniors,

several experiments to perfect the

Assembly in Hauser Auditorium.

and the sense of community there.”

serum, incorporating questionable

The Buttondowns, Pingry’s male

The assembly began with the

ingredients until one of their test

a cappella group, performs every

iconic Buttondowns movie, which

subjects obtained a “majestic” singing

year to showcase their talents as

is written, edited, and produced

voice. Over the course of the rest of

singers, producers, and actors. When

entirely by members of the group.

the movie, a group of Buttondowns

asked to reflect upon his time so

The film focused on the pursuit of

went on a hunt to find the serum, which was hidden among the woods.

When they finally procured it, they realized that the serum had actually

trademark dress shirts and lack of

the third song, Langer was joined

expired six months prior and that it

shoes to begin the performance.

by fellow senior Aadi Stewart, and

wouldn’t work. In true Buttondowns

The crowd was treated to a series

the two sang “The Way You Look

fashion, senior Cole Langer explained

of songs, starting with “Sway” by

Tonight” by Frank Sinatra. The

that the “real serum was the friends

Michael Bublé, arranged by and

assembly ended with a captivating

we made along the way.” With

featuring Langer. During the song,

performance of Sean Kingston’s

that, the Buttondowns began to

the Buttondowns each threw a rose

“Beautiful Girls” by Overdeck. It

run around school, concluding yet

to the enthusiastic crowd. Next,

was the best way to send students

another crowd-pleasing movie.

senior Will Overdeck enchanted the

and faculty off into a well-deserved

After the film, the Buttondowns

audience with a beautiful rendition

week of Thanksgiving Break, and it

ran down from the stairs in their

of “Yesterday” by the Beatles. For

will certainly be well-remembered.

Joseph Napolitano, Mr. Alan Van

and behind the scenes) and win

crew on stage-operating scenery)

Antwerp, Ms. Stephanie Romankow,

EVERY night. There are hundreds

and I’m very proud of them.”

and Dr. Charlotte Madere led the

of small details that must go

Before the paid performances,

students to the play’s success.

according to plan, and moment-to-

the cast and crew had a community

When asked what most

moment critical thinking, problem

performance for senior citizens,

contributed to the play’s success,

solving, and communication that

which a few drama classes also

Mr. Napolitano, one of the directors,

happens to create a performance

viewed. There were three paid

responded, “The entire cast and

like The Grapes of Wrath. You

evening shows, all of which

crew’s teamwork. Our group of

have to be locked-in, listening,

had high attendance rates, so

dedicated students are indeed a

reacting, and ready to score;

thank you to all who participated

team that must go out (on stage

they were (particularly our run

in or attended the play!

Fall Play CORINNE WILSON (III)

are forced to leave their farm, the

and even a truck that the actors

Joads travel to California, facing

drove onstage. Preparation for the

This year, Pingry’s fall play,

hardships and obstacles along the

production began in September.

The Grapes of Wrath, was a

way. This is a more mature story

The tech crew built and painted

resounding success, thanks to the

compared to some of the plays

fences and set pieces, including

hard work of the actors and tech

Pingry has done in the past, but

a fully functional truck, while

crew. Written by John Steinbeck

the crew and actors executed it well.

the actors diligently learned and

and adapted by Frank Galati, the

All of the actors and tech crew

rehearsed their lines and added

play chronicles the journey of the

members brought this moving

a backstory to their characters.

Joads, a family living in Oklahoma

story to life, using special effects,

The company included more

during the Dust Bowl. When they

acting techniques, costumes,

than 40 dedicated members, and it showed in the quality of the play!

Upper School faculty members Mr.

Photo Credits (Top to Bottom): Pingry Communications

THE PINGRY RECORD COMMENTARY DECEMBER 17, 2025

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Assembling Your Own Constellation find someone to imitate completely,

His very public fall could’ve been a

into a coherent body of wisdom. We

re d uc ing the c o m p le x w ork of

story of ruin. Instead, it taught a rarer

can engage in intellectual redemption

building character to the simple

virtue: accountability. In his refusal

without litigating his entire past.

act of copying a finished product.

to offer excuses, he demonstrated,

This process isn’t unique to a

True influence isn’t a single

with almost surgical precision, how to

general. It’s how we can engage with

North Star. The world’s true leaders,

own a catastrophic failure. We should

anyone. You don’t have to think

innovators, and artists learned to

take this lesson, separate it from the

your teacher is the coolest person

navigate by assembling their ethos

controversy that necessitated it, and

ever to learn how he structures an

from disparate points of light.

see what integrity looks like when

argument. You don’t have to be best

This perception allows us to

General Stanley McChrystal’s recent

everything is on the line. In the years

friends with the star athlete to adopt

learn from complex, flawed, and

visit offered many lessons. We’re

that followed, he exemplified the

her disciplined practice routine. You

surprising places without requiring

not asked to approve of his entire

skill of synthesis, rebuilding a life of

can even learn from a super popular

total allegiance. It also dismantles the

record or to see his life as a seamless

purpose by integrating all experiences

influencer, not by wanting their life

paralyzing pressure of being a perfect

picture. We’re presented with

but by noticing how they’ve built a

“role model” ourselves. Our task should

We are taught to look for role

separate points of brilliance within it.

community.Think about Taylor Swift.

be to live in a way that might offer, even

models in heroes, singular figures

One point is the strategist, who

A songwriter can study her lyrical

in isolation, a single point of light for

whose paths of ascent we can follow.

architected a relentless form of warfare.

storytelling without idolizing every

someone else’s constellation. So, stop

Look at the visionary entrepreneur,

We can study that model of intellectual

career move. An entrepreneur can

wracking your brain for a single hero

the flawless leader, or the star athlete,

agility and networked leadership

investigate her brand evolution and

to copy. Let’s start with the much

and follow their blueprint for success.

without endorsing the grueling

strategic control of her own work

more interesting work of assembling

But this search is a trap. It makes

personal austerity that accompanied

without enjoying her music. A “role

ourselves, stemming from the wisdom

you feel like a failure if you can’t

it. Then, there is the leader in defeat.

model’s” value is not their wholeness,

to select and the courage to combine.

TINGTING LUO (VI)

but their specific, usable insights.

What School Doesn’t Teach Us LEAH HOLMES (V) I’m sure that at some point, we have all been told that Pingry provides us with an excellent education, evident in the

rigor of our courses, our standardized test scores, and what many of us consider paramount, the colleges we attend. But when we break it down, what exactly are we being educated

in? We learn math, sciences, and humanities to gain knowledge in those areas, but is that truly an education?

The Oxford Dictionary offers two definitions for the word education. The first: the process of receiving or giving systematic instruction, especially at a school or university. This is the education that we are most familiar with, receiving instruction based on plans that have been curated for us.

However, I find the second definition more interesting: an enlightening experience. While some may have had such moments, for most of us, the educational system does not regularly provide enlightening experiences.

Does this mean that Pingry is offering us a bad education? No, it does not. It means that educational systems and institutions, as we know them, need to be reimagined. But how could that be accomplished?

The first part of this process is to identify the problem: what is it that educational systems fail to teach

us? Obviously, the list could go on and on, but here are my top two: an ability to learn real-world skills, and the ability to fail and learn from it.

Step two: propose solutions. Instead of solely emphasizing tests, focus on learning how to manage money, write resumes, and function in the workplace. Instead of waiting for ISPs and colleges to provide internships, students should learn from the best teacher there is: lived experience.

And for the other problem, in an environment like Pingry, students face so much extrinsic and intrinsic pressure to get good grades and do well in school that we forget that good grades do not equal happiness or future success.

We spend so much time working to prevent failure that we become less equipped to confront it when we inevitably face it. While I believe objective assessments are necessary to ensure students are keeping up with their work, they should not be the largest, or sometimes the only,

parts of our grades, as that reinforces the incredibly flawed idea that failure is not an option. If we are not able to learn to come back from failure now, how will we cope with it later in life, when the stakes are inevitably higher?

Step three: Put the plan into action.

Now, this part of the plan is not straightforward. Indeed, some parts of this plan could be accomplished, but it would require a large group effort at a high level, which, of course, begins with recognizing the problem that while school prepares us for college-level coursework, it does not prepare us for the real world and overcoming inevitable adversity.

We need more freedom in school to pursue our interests, not just follow the educational framework most schools in this country follow. Only then will we be able to learn more about ourselves through experience and adversity, which will bring about the enlightening experience we all need and clarity and purpose in our lives.

Life Lessons in Driving AMELIA LIU (V) Ever since I received my learner’s permit, one of my parents has always been in the passenger seat whenever I drive somewhere. At first, I thought they were just there to make sure I don’t do anything reckless. But somewhere between drives to Costco and early-morning trips to school, I realized my parents weren’t just teaching me how to drive. They were teaching me how to navigate life.

Growing up, I always thought driving was like Mario Kart 8 — a game where you can go as fast as you can, bumping into Bowser and Donkey Kong to get ahead. The controls for Mario Kart 8 are simple: just press A to go fast, navigate using the mini joystick with your left hand, and press ZR if you want to drift like a pro. To drive a car, on the other hand, requires a little bit more concentration and precision. Understanding the controls is relatively simple, but instead of hitting other cars to go faster, you have to drive strategically in order to anticipate dangerous

situations or pass slower cars.

Most importantly, the cars around you aren’t controlled by a computer.

They’re controlled by humans and you have no way of knowing whether or not they’re having a bad day. That’s the first piece of driving advice my mom gave me: always be ready for unexpected movement, and keep your foot near the brake at all times.

This translated to the life lesson of embracing the present and not letting the past dictate the future, because anything can happen at any moment.

Similarly, before I even started driving, my mom would always give me tips for when we got into tricky situations. Every time a car overtook her or sped past her for whatever reason, she would calmly maintain the same speed, sometimes even going slower. I was confused, because why didn’t it bother her that someone just rudely cut her off? Every time, she would smile, and explain to me that “there is no need to rush. We all stop at the same red light eventually.” And every time she said that, our car and the car that had just passed us would

end up side by side, stopped by the same red light. Watching my mother drive taught me that there’s no need to compare ourselves to those who are speeding ahead or boasting their great achievements. Just like on the road, we each have our own pace and path, and at the end of the day, we’ll reach where we are meant to be.

My dad, on the other hand, is an expert at calming me down whenever I get too stressed on the road. In the days after my required driving lessons, I developed the habit of always checking in the rearview mirror to make sure I wasn’t holding anyone up because I was driving too slow. Every time I saw a long line of cars forming behind me, I tended to speed up really quickly, afraid that the other drivers were calling me too slow. Once, when a driver honked at me for not reacting quickly enough at a green light, I panicked and hit the gas too hard, nearly swerving into the opposite lane. My father, seeing that my panicked actions could cause even more danger to others on the road, reminded me to stop caring about the other drivers. He instructed me

to keep my eyes on the road, paving my own path without worrying about what others think. As I began to drive more frequently, I noticed that his advice was working, not just on the

road, but in life. He taught me that it is okay to move at my own pace, because the path is wide enough for everyone to find their place on the road.

Photo Credits (Top to Bottom): Serena Shi (III), Google Images, Anna Ojo (V)

THE PINGRY RECORD COMMENTARY DECEMBER 17, 2025

5

A Modest Proposal for a Little Privacy

SIMRIN SHAH (VI) In an era that celebrates openness, privacy can feel almost subversive.

Public life increasingly rewards those who explain themselves fully, through personal statements, touching childhood vignettes, and emotional

transparency. Writing in particular, often seems to demand unfiltered self-disclosure, as though sincerity can only be proven by revealing one’s inner life. While this culture of openness is admirable in theory, it can be exhausting in practice.

Anticonfessionalism offers a necessary corrective. The stance argues that writing and conversation improve when we refuse to rely on personal experience to make a point.

It shifts attention from the individual to the idea, a distinction that is not trivial. It determines whether we judge an argument by its reasoning or the emotional appeal attached to it.

A confessional default runs the risk that dissent becomes too

delicate and that challenging a claim automatically challenges a person as well. Anticonfessionalism, on the other hand, does not necessarily reject transparency, but rather refuses to treat personal experience as mandatory evidence for an argument. Essentially, a well-made argument should be able to stand without biographical backing.

There is no requirement for every opinion to have a memoir attached.

Arguably, the biggest advantage to the anticonfessionalist approach is its ability to strengthen intellectual flexibility. When one’s identity is not tethered to every statement, it becomes easier to reconsider, adjust, or even reverse a position, allowing

for personal growth. A person is now allowed to change their mind without feeling they have betrayed themselves.

None of this means that personal experience has no value. It has tremendous power when used deliberately. It brings humanity through its self-expression and emotional nakedness. However, when confession becomes an expected currency of discourse, we lose the ability to engage with the idea apart from the individuals presenting them. Arguments begin to be treated as extensions of identity, rather than contributions to a shared conversation. Anticonfessionalism simply restores balance by keeping the “I” in proportion and placing

emphasis on the thought itself. To an extreme degree, it can take the self out of a piece of art entirely. While this may be controversial, as identity and self-expression often constitute art entirely, anticonfessionalism can serve a purpose in the development of ideas.

It extends the reach of an author’s work from merely internal reflection to external, real world application.

In a culture that often equates personal revelation with honesty, it is worth remembering that clarity can emerge from restraint. The unseen can still be sincere. Most importantly, there is a strength in choosing what to reveal and a wisdom in choosing what to keep.

Guilty of Growth SARAH DIAO (III) High school students are afraid to be inconsistent. In an age where influencers are dragged for revising old opinions, teenagers have absorbed a troubling message: evolving is embarrassing. High school, supposedly the place where our thinking should stretch and shift the most, has instead become a stage where we perform consistency at all costs.

One reason for this shift is the rise of “consistency culture,” the idea that the best stance is one that never shifts. With the rise of the internet, changing your mind is often reframed as hypocrisy. Screenshots live forever and group chats archive every offhand comment. If you supported a now-unpopular idea or expressed an opinion that no longer reflects who you are, the evidence can be resurrected instantly.

In this environment, teenagers begin to interpret flexibility as inconsistency.

A comment you made as a joke can be brought up in an argument months later. A political stance you held

before taking AP Government can be used to discredit you. As a result, students cling to positions because abandoning them feels socially dangerous. A freshman makes a bold claim in a humanities class, and then spends their entire high school career defending it — not because it still makes sense, but because it became engrained into their reputation.

Meanwhile, real-world issues are becoming more complex. Climate science is updating rapidly. Economic theories are shifting as inflation patterns change. Even nutrition guidelines, once stable, are constantly revised as new research emerges.

If adults in these fields are allowed to adjust their positions based on new evidence, why are students punished for doing the same?

This cultural rigidity actively undermines the purpose of education.

The entire process of learning rests on the assumption that new information shapes us. If you take a science course and don’t revise some of your beliefs about the world, something has gone wrong. If you read literature and your

perspective remains identical, you’re not actually engaging with the ideas.

Even socially, changing your mind is a sign of emotional intelligence: realizing you misjudged someone, reconsidering a rumor, or rethinking a conflict is all a part of maturing. And when people feel socially punished for reconsidering their views, they stop listening. They double down on bad arguments rather than admit they’ve learned something new. They choose the safety of static opinions over the vulnerability of intellectual honesty.

The solution to this rigidity is surprisingly simple: we must start praising rethinking. This means creating classroom environments where students are encouraged to revise their opinions without embarrassment. It means normalizing the sentence “I used to think that, but now I think this.” It means treating intellectual evolution as a strength, a sign of engagement, curiosity, and courage. And socially, it means refusing to weaponize old comments as if they define someone forever.

Changing your mind is not a flaw. It’s

not indecision. It’s not inconsistency.

It is, in many ways, the clearest evidence that learning is happening.

If high school is supposed to shape

our minds, then we should not fear the moments when our minds actually change. Instead, we should recognize them for what they are: growth.

Does Soccer’s Future Lie With Video Assistant Referees?

RYAN DICKS (IV) As I have watched soccer lately, a major topic of debate has been the presence of two additional referees in front of monitors, who critique and change calls that the officials on the field make in important moments.

Video Assistant Referees, better known as VAR in the soccer world, were meant to fix the sport’s biggest problem: human error. Instead, they have created a new challenge between precise decisions down to the millimeter and inconsistent refereeing.

VAR was first introduced in the spring of 2018, before the World Cup, which took place in Russia. It was presented as the “future of refereeing” that would minimize most of the errors taking place. The first statement from FIFA was that these “virtual officials” would only intervene on “clear and obvious errors” from the on-field referee. Because FIFA didn’t want to interrupt the flow of the game, they stated that VAR could only be used to alter penalty decisions, possible red cards, and fouls and offsides in

the build-up to a goal. Six years prior to the introduction of VAR, FIFA had succeeded in the creation of goal-line technology: placing cameras and sensors on the goal posts to accurately receive information on whether the ball crossed the line. This happened in real time, and the information was sent to the referee’s watch.

Fans responded in many different ways after the first trials of VAR. Some praised the new system, believing it would end years of controversy over missed penalties or goals that should not have stood. Many thought of some of the most famous and debated goals of all time, such as Diego Maradona’s “Hand of God” goal in the 1986 World Cup against England, which Argentina went on to win.

In contrast, Frank Lampard was on the opposite end of the spectrum. At the 2010 World Cup, his shot clearly crossed the line to equalize the match against Germany, but the referee did not see the goal. England went on to lose the match 4-1, dropping out of

the World Cup in the Round of 16.

The more VAR becomes part of the game, the more it detaches the fans inside the stadium from the players in the game. Right

now, in the Premier League, fans are unaware of what is actually going on during these VAR reviews. All they are shown is a graphic on the video board

that says there is an ongoing VAR check and the general play they are looking at. Additionally, the time used for goal, penalty, and red card checks has begun to increase since the introduction of VAR, and players are suffering the consequences. A match between Tottenham and Chelsea in 2023 had a total of 12 minutes of VAR intervention in the first half alone. After a six-minute check for a red card on Tottenham player Christian Romero, two other Tottenham players suffered long-term muscle injuries. By the end of the game, five goals had been disallowed by VAR, and two red cards were issued. Watching this intense match myself, I felt frustrated and distracted as the flow of the game was continuously lost.

How can we fix these issues before the World Cup comes to the United States next summer? The first step is transparency. Fans in the stadium

should not be left guessing during long pauses. Other sports, like rugby, let people hear the conversation between the referee and video officials. Soccer should follow that model so everyone knows what is happening and why.

VAR also needs to return to its original purpose. If a call is not clearly wrong within a minute, it should stand. The referee on the field must regain authority, instead of every close play being slowed down and re-officiated from a booth.

However, the VAR technology itself is changing too. Semi-automated offside, which is already used in the Champions League, uses tracking data and 3D mapping to make offside decisions faster and more consistent.

This could remove the endless freeze frames and drawn lines that frustrate players and fans. If implemented correctly, it might allow offside calls to be accurate without stopping the match for several minutes.

Soccer is a sport best played through emotion, flow, and skill. Technology should help to aid and improve the game, without stripping it of its identity.

Photo Credits (Top to Bottom): Sheryl Chen (VI)

THE PINGRY RECORD COMMENTARY DECEMBER 17, 2025

6

How Holden Would Feel Today

Do Statistics in Sports Really Matter That Much Anymore?

CAROLINE OUYANG (III)

ARJUN SHEKDAR (III)

He’d also feel lonelier, despite the rise

records, creating history, and having an

is now paying closer attention to detail.

all time season should win the award.

They’re more focused on who brings more

If Holden Caulfield were a teenager in

where digital connection is encouraged,

January is almost here, and while most

In fact, out of the last seven recipients,

to their team, especially in those critical

2025, he would flip out at the filtered,

with accessible notifications, group people are excited for the fresh start chats for every occasion, and even and all the New Year celebrations, I’m apps to track your friends’ locations most looking forward to something else. at all times. On the surface, it looks As a huge fan of the National Football like we’ve never been closer. But these League, I can’t wait to witness tools can just as easily make someone who will be crowned this like Holden feel frustrated, invisible, season’s most valuable and excluded. He understands these player. While thinking feelings intimately as he wanders about who’s name will be through New York, surrounded by written into NFL history this year, I thought back everyone else’s happiness while he feels to last year’s MVP race, lonelier than ever. It’s the same feeling between frontrunners you get when you see all your friends’ Lamar Jackson, the Bitmojis coming together somewhere quarterback of the on Snapchat, while you weren’t invited.

Baltimore Ravens, and Teenagers today face even more Josh Allen, quarterback pressure. We’re told to start planning of the Buffalo Bills. the rest of our lives the moment we When you take a look step into high school. We need to at their statlines from the balance extracurricular activities, find regular season, it’s clear who your internships, build a strong résume, winner is. In the 2024-25 regular and chase perfect grades. There’s barely season, Jackson beat Allen in nearly any time left to enjoy being young. every single stat you could think of. He Holden barely knew what he wanted broke many records, both on the ground to do tomorrow, let alone in the next and through the air. So with this, surely decade. He’d be overwhelmed by all he won MVP, right? Wrong. After a long the expectations and talk of the future. and highly controversial voting process, What is striking is that Holden Allen came out on top, winning his first would feel the same way we teens ever award. When two candidates are do now: lonely, lost, nostalgic, and up for the same award, and the one stressed out. Although the world has who clearly excelled doesn’t win, that changed dramatically in the 70 years raises the question: Do statistics in since The Catcher in the Rye was sports really matter that much anymore? written, Holden’s story still resonates In most years, when a player has with many of us in 2025. Perhaps sensational numbers and performances we’re more like Holden than we’ve all throughout the season, they end up realized. And perhaps, we’re more winning the award. There’s absolutely like each other than we’ve realized. no denying that someone who’s breaking

five of them won due to their incredible

moments. Those fourth-down plays in

seasons when it came down to the

the final minutes against the undefeated

numbers. While this number in itself

teams, where a quarterback can run

demonstrates that

in for a touchdown, or those games

of digital messaging. We live in an age

curated, “phony” world we live in today.

This character from J.D. Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye would likely fold under the weight of social media, complicated relationships, and the immense pressure we teens face today.

Modern life often encourages us to conform to what is popular and to fit into a superficial norm, leaving little room for individuality. Today, these norms and trends are more extensive than ever: the rise of skincare and fashion, often targeted directly at children and teens, pushes young people to conform to a single standard.

Anyone who can’t meet said standard is made to feel like they’re falling behind.

Holden would be disgusted by this pressure — he already cannot stand the idea of pretending to be someone he isn’t. Today, open any social media app and you’ll find post after post with the same “aesthetic” filters, forced smiles, overconsumed products, and clichéd captions. Holden would “lose it,” as he’d believe even actors are phony for pretending to be people they’re not.

where he can run, catch, and throw for a touchdown, are what separate the most valuable players from the best players. It’s those moments where he can put the team on his back and still take home the victory, even when all odds are against him.

As the league and its players have evolved over the years, the importance of statistics in award voting has only dropped lower and lower. To me, with players getting stronger, smarter, and better overall, whether they’re

numbers win awards, these five recipients all happened before the 2023-24 season. That’s right. In five consecutive years we saw those who dominated the leaderboards win MVP, but in these last two years, there appears to have been a shift in the motives of the voters.

Lately, the league’s voters seem to have focused more on the most valuable player, rather than the best performer.

Rather than searching for who has the best stats and broken records, the league

rookies or veterans, the impact a player has on the game is far more important than the numbers they can put up. Nowadays, when you’re comparing players with one another, it’s hard to heavily rely on the stats. There may have been one or even multiple times a player started all minutes of the game, while the other had their team up by so much they didn’t need to be in anymore. With the way competitive sports leagues have grown, statistics are quickly getting closer and closer to becoming completely irrelevant.

If I Can’t Trust a Video, How Am I Supposed to Vote?

SHANTI SWADIA (V) A few months after the New Hampshire primary, I read about a consultant who spent around

150 dollars to clone Biden’s voice with AI and blast robocalls telling Democrats to “save” their vote and stay home from the primary. He admitted doing it, was later acquitted

in court, and still faces a multimillion dollar fine from the FCC. The story broke something in my brain. I am supposed to walk into a voting booth in two years and make responsible, informed choices about the future of this country, but if a random person with a laptop can hijack a president’s voice for 150 dollars, how exactly am I supposed to trust anything I hear during an election season?

To be blunt, I believe that political deepfakes are fundamentally incompatible with free and fair elections. If we care about voting at all, we need to treat deepfakes like a direct threat, not just a weird side effect of new technology.

Deepfakes are AI-generated images, videos, or audio clips that impersonate real people. I used to think that I could “just tell” when something was off, but the research says I’m wrong. A recent study in Communications of the ACM found that people asked to spot AIgenerated content across images, video, audio, and mixed media performed as well as a coin toss. In other words, my confidence that I can spot fakes is almost pure illusion.

For me, the scariest part is what

deepfakes can do to our sense of reality. If a candidate looks terrible in a clip, their supporters can just yell “AI fake” and feel justified in ignoring it. If a fake clip confirms what I already believe about someone, I am more likely to share it without checking. Scholars at Brookings and Brennan Center call this the “liar’s dividend.” Once deepfakes exist, anyone trying to manipulate the public can exploit them in two ways: by creating lies, and by calling the truth a lie.

Now, imagine that a convincing deepfake of a candidate drops on social media 48 hours before an election. The video shows them insulting a key group of voters or admitting to a crime. It spreads everywhere before fact-checkers can put out the fire. By the time journalists prove it is fake, early voting is over, and minds are set.

If I cannot trust that a video of a candidate is real, then I am not making an informed choice; I am guessing in a sea of emotionally manipulative content.

I believe that AI-generated impersonations of real candidates or public officials should be banned in campaigns. If you are running

for office or spending money to influence an election, you should not be allowed to use cloned voices or photorealistic fake videos of real politicians. Satire and art should exist, but they should be aggressively labeled so that a reasonable person could not mistake them for news.

I also believe we need laws that treat deceptive political deepfakes like voter suppression, platforms that flag suspicious content, and schools that teach us how to verify media as a basic civic skill.

When I picture my first time voting, I want to argue with friends about real choices, grounded in what people actually said and did. I do not want my vote influenced by a model running on some stranger’s graphics card.

Deepfakes make me question every shocking clip I see about a candidate.

They encourage politicians to deny reality and supporters to believe whatever feels good, but I am not willing to accept that. If we let political deepfakes spread unchecked, we are saying that whoever makes the best artificial content can rewrite reality before we vote. I refuse to let my future ballot be decided by the highest quality deepfake.

Photo Credits: Sheryl Chen (VI), Serena Shi (III)

THE PINGRY RECORD COLUMNS DECEMBER 17, 2025

Reading 1984 in 2025 SHANTI SWADIA (V)

7

December Crossword

stream of content. In 1984, the telescreen is always on, delivering

It’s easy to joke that a website

propaganda. There is no time to

asking for cookies is “so 1984,” but

think quietly. Today, much of

the world Orwell describes looks a

the content we consume pushes

lot closer to our own world in 2025

emotions and narratives that keep us

than many of us would like to admit.

watching and reacting, not reflecting.

In George Orwell’s 1984, Winston

Surveillance is another obvious

Smith lives in Oceania, a totalitarian

connection. In the novel, the Party

state where the Party controls

watches citizens through telescreens

everything from food to jobs,

and informants, threatening

language, and even people’s facial

them: Step out of line, and you

expressions. Big Brother’s face is

disappear. In our world, tech

everywhere. Telescreens watch you

companies track our clicks and

at home and at work. The Thought

locations, governments can request

Police punish anyone who even

data, and schools add monitoring

appears to be thinking the wrong

software to student laptops. You

thing. Winston works at the Ministry

might lose a job, a scholarship, or

of Truth, where his job is to rewrite

a reputation over one moment.

old newspapers so the past always

What scares me most in 1984 is the

matches whatever the Party currently

implication that if someone controls

claims is true. If the Party says they

your information, they can eventually

have always been at war with Eastasia,

control your mind. Winston’s final

then they have always been at war

defeat is mental because he betrays

with Eastasia. He knows it is all a lie,

Julia and repeats Party slogans

and his tiny act of rebellion is to write

until he believes them. In reality,

in a diary and fall in love with Julia.

once your memory is shakier than

But the Party eventually crushes both

the truth, resistance feels pointless.

his body and his mind, and by the

So, why should anyone still read

end, he genuinely loves Big Brother.

1984 in 2025, when we have our own

Today, we do not have telescreens

problems to deal with? It pushes us

bolted to our walls that scream at

to ask vital questions: Who benefits

us to exercise, but the creepy part

if I believe this headline? Has this

is how familiar the bigger themes

clip been edited? Why do I see

of the novel are: surveillance, the

this story and not another one?

rewriting of reality, and the pressure

Many dismiss 1984 as exaggerated,

to agree with whatever your “side”

since our world is not Oceania. But the

says, even if it makes no sense.

book matters because it shows what

In 2025, it is so easy for information

our world could devolve into. For truth

to morph online. Posts get edited.

to erode, you just need enough people

Headlines change. Videos can be

to stop caring whether something

taken down, reuploaded, or replaced.

is real, as long as it feels right.

With AI tools, images and audio can

Reading 1984 might make you

be manipulated so realistically that

notice who controls the facts and how

you can no longer trust your eyes

they present them. And that, in a time

and ears to verify what happened.

of edited posts, algorithmic feeds, and

Orwell probably did not imagine

AI-generated “evidence,” it is a pretty

the internet, but he definitely

good time to read George Orwell’s

understood the power of a constant

critically acclaimed, timely novel.

Please email your responses to tluo2026@pingry.org or sshah2026@pingry.org. If you are the first to respond, we will contact you about a prize!

The Best First Bite VICTORIA XIE (VI)

We ordered Peking Duck,

sweet and savory, and the fried

Shrimp into the perfect entree.

Francisco's Chinatown, stop by

Sichuan Braised Eggplant, and

exterior of the shrimp was thin yet

As my family and I left the

the restaurant that roasts richly

S o m e t i m e s , I r e m i n i sce

Honey Walnut Shrimp. The Peking

crisp. Even the garnish of candied

restaurant and stepped back into

flavored Peking duck and stir-fries

about the summer days I spent

Duck had a thin layer of crisp skin

walnuts added a striking sweetness

the bustling streets of Chinatown,

spicy Sichuan braised eggplant.

in San Francisco, California. It

and was perfectly paired with

and an earthy aroma to the dish.

I found myself still savoring that

Stop by Z & Y Peking Duck, and

was there, on a crowded street

hoisin sauce and green onions.

Without a doubt, the chefs had

first bite of Honey Walnut Shrimp.

take your first bite of Honey Walnut

in San Francisco’s Chinatown,

The Sichuan Braised Eggplant

elevated the modest Honey Walnut

If you ever find yourself in San

Shrimp. It will not disappoint.

that I took the first bite of the

was spicy, yet savory. The dish

best dish I've tasted in my life.

that stole my heart, however,

After taking a red cable car

was the Honey Walnut Shrimp.

to Chinatown, my family and I

Nothing could have prepared

stepped into the Z & Y Peking Duck

me for the dramatic entrance of

restaurant and were greeted by a

what would become my favorite

wall of cool, fresh air. The brick red

dish. The waitress slowly lifted

walls and the rustic, contemporary

the glass lid off of the platter

setup of the restaurant created

of shrimp. White nitrogen gas

a warm, yet inviting, ambiance.

glided off the edges of the dish,

The room was not packed, but

revealing caramelized walnuts and

customers talked merrily and

a generous stack of honey walnut

freely amongst themselves. As a

shrimp lightly coated in a sweet,

waitress led us to our seats, I had

white sauce. Eagerly, I took my first

the impression that I was heading

bite. The shrimp's creamy glaze

towards a truly unique experience.

struck the right balance between

Photo Credits (Top to Bottom): Sarah Diao (III), Google Images

THE PINGRY RECORD COLUMNS DECEMBER 17, 2025

8

Skims: The Future of Shapewear The Money Problem: What to Do about Sports Betting? or Another Celebrity Company SOPHIE SCHACHTER (V) Gone Wrong?

XCX. During the release of White

Lately, it seems like you can’t open

Lotus season 2, Skims featured stars

ESPN without being hit with yet

Skims, a fashion brand co-

Simona Tabasco and Beatrice Grannò,

another major gambling scandal or

founded by American socialite Kim

appealing to audiences at just the

news that more professional teams

Kardashian, has recently secured

right time. Sometimes, however,

are being investigated. And don’t

$225 million in funding, which has

their marketing strategy, particularly

think you can just turn on the TV and

skyrocketed the company’s value to

when it comes to the products

watch the game in peace — DraftKings

$5 billion. Armed with this funding,

themselves, comes up short of its mark.

is waiting to accost you with a deluge

which Goldman Sachs Alternatives

Kim Kardashian’s fashion company

of ads, glorifying sports betting.

primarily backed, Skims plans on

was originally named Kimono

So what exactly happened to the

expanding its physical retail presence

Intimates. After facing backlash

sanctity of professional athletics? And

worldwide. This investment, which

for appropriating the traditional

when did it start to feel so artificial?

follows a recent marketing campaign

Japanese outfit, she quickly rebranded

Although there is no exact answer,

featuring models Nara and Lucky

as Skims. Despite recovering from

we can pinpoint the start of this

Blue Smith, cements Skims as an

this inconsiderate naming choice, it

innovative force in the fashion industry.

cultural change to May 14, 2018,

would only be the beginning of the

Skims was cofounded in 2018 by

with the Supreme Court's decision in

many controversies the company

Kim Kardashian and Jens Grede as a

Murphy v. NCAA. The court ruled that

would face. Most recently, and perhaps

shapewear brand that is, as Kardashian

the 1992 Professional and Amateur

the one that you’ve seen on social

described on Instagram, “the closest

Sports Protection Act, which banned

media, was the release of a particular

thing to someone’s skin, skimming

article of clothing adorned with faux

states (except Nevada) from legalizing

with amazingly soft and supportive

hair. Now, I won’t go into too many

fabrics which accentuate the best parts

details of the launch, but I will say

of our bodies.” Since its initial launch

that you’ve definitely seen it on social

six years ago, Skims has expanded into

media. It created vast media attention

the lounge and athletic wear markets,

and sparked chatter across social

facing competition from companies

media platforms. It was completely

such as Lululemon and Alo. However,

sold out. This wasn’t the first time

what lies in Skims’ success is more than

Skims launched such evocative pieces,

just from Kardashian’s fame — it's tied

as August introduced a $68 face

to their loyal customer base and unique

wrap and 2023 brought a different

products. Skims pieces are flexible,

type of undergarment to the market.

comfortable, and foundational for any

As for the future of Skims, there’s

wardrobe look. They live up to their

no telling when the powerhouse

inclusivity, offering tailored products

will slow down. The recent cash

in a wide range of sizes, diverse shade

boost has enabled the company to

options, and featuring models with

grow and develop. And with Kim

different body types. The company is

Kardashian still as CEO, there’s no

considered part of the accessible luxury

doubt that her celebrity status will

category, which falls between cheaper

keep Skims in the running for at

fast-fashion brands such as Shein and

least a few more years. Unless she

high-end brands like Gucci or Burberry.

gets cancelled again, or her company

Another aspect of Skims that

comes up with something even more

contributes to its success is its

diabolical. But so far, it seems that

marketing strategy. As mentioned

the more outrageous the product, the

previously, Skims partners with many

more people want to purchase it. Who

influencers and celebrities. During the

knows? Maybe in the future, we’ll all

peak of Brat summer, for example,

own a piece of clothing created by a

they landed a partnership with Charli

billionaire trying to become a lawyer.

AMELIA LIU (V)

Editors-in-Chief Tingting Luo Simrin Shah Faculty Advisors Ms. Lynne Cattafi Ms. Sara Courtney

Senior Assistant Editors Durga Menon Gabriel Raykin Managing Editor Aanvi Trivedi Head Layout Editor Gabriel Raykin

sports betting, was unconstitutional.

And so, the modern American sports-betting industry began.

Today, sports betting dominates American athletic culture, and its corrupt influence is evident in recent headlines. In 2023, the world’s most famous baseball player, Shohei Ohtani, became the topic of conversation not for his versatility in pitching and batting but for his involvement in a 16-million-dollar illegal gambling scandal. While the MLB cleared Ohtani of any wrongdoing — his interpreter was found guilty of bank and tax fraud — the incident made it clear that even America’s pastime wasn’t safe from the allure of gambling. And if a star of Ohtani’s caliber could get wrapped up in sports betting, would other athletes?

Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups and Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier answered this question with their arrests. Rozier was accused of feeding insider

Assistant Editors Amelia Liu Leah Holmes Sophie Schachter Shanti Swadia

NBA information to gamblers as

they’ve been approached by someone

part of an illegal sports betting

attempting to influence a game.

scheme. Billups was charged with

Returning honor and character

helping rig underground poker

to sports proves difficult in the face

games backed by Mafia families

of this billion-dollar industry, but

and is also suspected of being a

tighter guardrails on sports betting

co-conspirator in the Rozier case.

are not impossible. And if there’s

These incidents all prompted an

anywhere those guardrails are

outcry from league officials, and

most urgently needed, it’s around

yet, the leagues are just as complicit

microbets: dangerous, rapid-fire

in promoting gambling. The NFL,

wagers. These bets turn seemingly

NBA, MLB, and NHL all have

insignificant moments — a pitch, a

official partnerships with major

possession, a free throw — into quick

sportsbooks. These deals are worth

cash opportunities. Not only are they

hundreds of millions of dollars,

increasingly addictive, but they’re

and leagues now openly encourage

also the most corruptible of all the

fans to “make every moment

bets and nearly impossible to track.

more.” When the organizations

No one notices if a pitcher throws a

responsible for maintaining fair play

ball on his 53rd pitch. And still, simply

simultaneously profit from fans’

missing the strike zone by a few

gambling on outcomes, can they really

inches is enough to turn a nice profit.

be surprised when the athletes and

For athletes, it’s incredibly alluring

coaches get pulled into gambling too?

and almost justifiable; it doesn’t have

The rise of sports betting isn’t

any major influence on the game, but

isolated to professional sports;

it’s enough to make a quick buck.

college sports have also become

Fans, leagues, and players must

fertile ground for gambling scandals.

recognize that these seemingly

Young athletes, many of whom are

inconsequential cash opportunities

not yet 20 years old, are struggling

erode the very unity that sports are

to manage betting pressures they

supposed to promote. Sports betting’s

are unprepared to handle. In 2024,

looming influence isn’t going to go

the NCAA reported an increase

away, but maybe it can be curbed.

in harassment of student-athletes

Banning microbets is an essential

by angry gamblers, and about ten

first step to preserving the sanctity

percent of men’s D1 athletes said

and tradition of professional sports.

Layout Editor Matias Stevenson Cartoon Editors Anna Ojo Sheryl Chen Serena Shi

Copy Editors Zoe Argentieri Sarah Diao Ryan Dicks Brynne Dragert Caroline Ouyang Arjun Shekdar Kallie Stern Corinne Wilson Victoria Xie

Photo Credits (Top to Bottom): Google Images, Kevin Mazur/Getty Images