The Pingry Record - October 2023

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

record.pingry.org

Wednesday, October 25, 2023

Volume CXLIX — No. I

CONVOCATION 2023

GRACE FERNICOLA (VI) On Friday, September 8, Pingry officially started the new school year with Convocation, held outside on Parsons Field as it has since 2021. Senior faculty member Mr. Miller Bugliari ’52 opened the ceremony by delivering his Invocation, in which he reminded students how lucky they are to attend Pingry and receive such an excellent education. Head of School Tim Lear ’92, Board of Trustees Chair Mr. Ian

Shrank ’71, Student Body President Jada Watson (VI), and Honor Board Chairperson Divya Subramanian (VI) subsequently delivered speeches discussing the difficulties of navigating high school and the world in general, and wished us the best for the new school year.

Mr. Lear also recognized the Magistri, faculty members who have worked at Pingry for at least 25 years. Altogether, this year’s Magistri have served Pingry for 586 years.

The school also presented the

NEWS, Page 2

Homecoming Jingjing Luo (V)

Letter-In-Life Award during Convocation, the highest distinction awarded to an alumnus who has achieved notable success in their professional endeavors and brought honor and excellence upon Pingry’s name. This year’s recipient was Lyric Wallwork Winik ’84, an acclaimed author with a history of collaborating with prominent figures on their bestselling books. She holds the distinction of being the youngest graduate ever to receive this award and is also the first recipient of the

COMMENTARY, Page 8-9

Aliens Are Here: So Why Does No

Lyric Winik

One Care?

Julia Eng (VI) & Saniya Kamat (VI)

Carolyn Zhou (V)

Letter-In-Life Award to have been previously honored with the Magistri Laudandi Award, which is presented to the student prized as one who helps all succeed.

The Honor Pledge Ceremony followed, where representatives from each advisory walked onstage to hand in signed pledges from all students, ensuring their commitment to Pingry’s Honor Code. Despite the scorching heat, members of the Pingry community enjoyed the event. Kika Habayeb COLUMNS, Page 10-11

The Barbie Movie Is a Love Letter to Women Everywhere

(VI) said, “Convocation was executed very well, like always. I loved everyone’s speeches, especially Jada’s.

Everything she said about ‘benergy’ really resonated with me.” She continued, “I liked how Divya described our growth and achievements as ‘small Big Blue moments.’”

The tradition of Convocation has begun our 2023-2024 school year on a positive and inspiring note, preparing us to embrace this year’s challenges and joys with determination, honor, and strength.

Write for us!

We’re always looking for new writers for both our print and online media.

Email us! jeng2024@pingry.org skamat2024@pingry.org

Sriya Tallapragada (V)

Photo Credits (Top to Bottom, Left to Right): Pingry Communications, Kain Wang (V), Google Images

THE PINGRY RECORD SCHOOL NEWS OCTOBER 25, 2023

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Homecoming

Pep Rally JINGJING LUO (V)

SRIYA TALLAPRAGADA (V)

rings, complete with a padded belly.

At the end, everyone was curious

On Friday, September 29, Upper School students and faculty made their way to Bristol Gym for the

Boys’ Football Team beat Montclair

transformed into a venue fit for the

Kimberley Academy with a score of

theme of “Under the Sea.” The walls

After a week of cloudy skies

38-15. On the soccer field, the Pingry

were adorned with decorative fish

and unpredictable winds, Saturday,

Boys’ Soccer Team, also undefeated,

nets, sea shells, and plastic seaweed.

September 30 arrived to the relief

faced Old Bridge High School, and

Students fittingly showed up as

of students, parents, and faculty

Martin Fields (VI) scored the winning

pirates, sailors, and mermaids, and

alike. There was no sign of rain,

goal in a thrilling overtime. And

some even came in full Nemo attire.

and the weather appeared perfectly

although the Girls’ Soccer Team was

Students found themselves dancing

cool in preparation for a day filled

playing against Rutgers Prep, the

to popular hits and catchy classics like

with activities. Early in the morning,

number five team in the nation, they

“Cotton Eye Joe.” Seniors, juniors,

parents crowded Hauser Auditorium

still played a great game and came

sophomores, and freshmen crowded

to listen to Upper School Director

just short of victory during overtime.

the dance floor, and Sonia Nkansah

Dr. Reid Cottingham speak about

At the tennis courts, the Girls’

(V) commented that she really

the importance of education before

Tennis Team, ranked first in the

enjoyed “having fun with friends.” The

they headed off to their child’s

state, defended their title as the

electrifying atmosphere at the dance

classes for Back to School Day.

Somerset County Champions by

continued throughout the night, and

When classes ended, parents

winning every match. The Girls’ Field

the day ended in a huge success.

to see which grade level had proceeded outside and were met won overall. After counting up with the smoky smell of traditional

the points, the Pingry Student A m e r i c a n b a r b e q u e . P a r e n t s ,

Hockey Team also dominated in their

Homecoming would not have

game against Blair Academy, coming

been the same without the Pep Rally

home with a 6-1 win. While some

hosted by the Pingry Student Athletic

Fall Pep Rally. Students dressed

Athletic Advisory Committee students, alumni, and faculty from

sports teams excelled at home, both

Advisory Committee (PSAAC) the

in their designated grade colors:

of the cross country teams attended

day before. The four grades faced

freshmen wore red, sophomores

(PSAAC) announced that the the Lower School, Middle School, sophomores came out on top, and and Upper School gathered under

the Shore Coaches Invitational,

off in tug-of-war, musical chairs,

wore blue, juniors wore white, and

they were given a gold trophy.

the large tent serving buffet-style

and the Girls’ Cross Country Team

sumo-suit wrestling, and basketball

seniors wore black. Each student

For some students, the Pep Rally

American and Italian cuisine. For

came home with an impressive first

tic-tac-toe as the crowds screamed

section had colorful, decorated

was a much-needed break in an

those who preferred a more casual

place win while the Boys’ Cross

in support for their respective grades.

signs boasting their class pride.

lunch, a hotdog stand provided

otherwise hectic day. For others, freshly grilled sausages and a variety it was a good reminder to not take of condiments right outside the tent.

Country Team came in second.

While the sophomores came out on

As the afternoon sports events came

top, everyone enjoyed the event.

to a close, students went home to

Homecoming displayed the infectious

One of the Pep Rally activities was a tug-of-war competition between

things too seriously. “Something

While some waited in line for

prepare for the Homecoming dance

energy of the Pingry community,

the grade levels. In an elimination-

that I love about Pingry is that you’ll the food, others danced to music,

taking place in the evening. Students

and the tradition continues!

style competition, teams of student-

never expect anything,” Malcolm clustered around the face-painting

arrived to find the gymnasium

athletes represented each grade.

There was a game of basketball

Adedjouma (V) said. “Sure, you station, and competed in Pingry Credit Union’s (PCU) spin-the-wheel can expect a good education and

competition. Many students also

tic-tac-toe, where three people from

long-lasting friends, but something

each grade shot basketball hoops

that I personally didn’t expect to

while playing a life-sized game of tic-

see was sumo wrestling. You can and grab a free T-shirt as they did so. never get bored here.” Indeed, it is Then, they made their way to the ice

tac-toe. Then, three students from each grade participated in a game of

got the chance to meet and take a picture with Pingry’s new mascot

musical chairs. Finally, there was a

safe to say that students left the Pep cream truck, a standard at all Pingry Rally in high spirits, invigorated events, and headed off to the athletic

sumo wrestling competition, where

after cheering on their classmates. fields to cheer on the sports teams.

students wore inflatable safety

At the football field, the undefeated

Lyric Wallwork Winik: Youngest Letter-in-Life Winner JULIA ENG (VI) & SANIYA

Princeton University in English

Winik went on to work for the U.S.

I never misquoted anybody… I

KAMAT (VI)

Language and Literature. Even

Senate, earn a master’s degree at

wanted to get everything right.” She

as a freshman, she had already

Johns Hopkins University, and

believes that through sharing the

On September 8, Lyric Wallwork

placed into the upper-level

write a book with Holocaust

stories of others truthfully, she can

Winik ‘84 received the prestigious

English course, taking her first

survivor Jack Pomerantz before

help them communicate their point

Letter-in-Life Award, the highest

class with juniors and seniors.

taking her love of storytelling

of view and story fairly. For her, the

honor bestowed by Pingry on an

“That was a great opportunity

to magazine journalism.

most rewarding words she can hear

alumnus, during the Convocation

for me,” she says, “and I felt

As Parade Magazine’s

from a collaborator are, “I’m so

ceremony for her exceptional work

very fortunate.” While Ms.

Washington, D.C. correspondent,

glad I spent the time on this book.”

and outstanding achievement in

Winik describes her time at

Ms. Winik relished once-in-

Ms. Winik’s favorite book she

the fields of journalism, publishing,

Princeton as a very different

a-lifetime opportunities to

has published so far is How to

and writing. Ms. Winik has helped

step from high school, she

interview influential figures

Be Human: An Autistic Man’s

convey the compelling life stories

believes that her academic

ranging from Bill Gates to Laura

Guide to Life, which she wrote in

of many remarkable celebrities, co-

and experiential foundation

Bush, the latter eventually leading

collaboration with Jory Fleming. “It

authoring highly praised political

at Pingry made her incredibly

to the book deal that launched her

made me rethink communication…

memoirs such as former First

well-prepared for college.

career in memoir co-authoring.

[how] you can modify the way you

Lady Laura Bush’s Spoken from

Upon graduating from

lecturing her students for three hours

The process of co-authoring a

communicate,” Ms. Winik states,

the Heart and former First Lady

Princeton, Ms. Winik decided to teach

at a stretch, donning a ski jacket and

book starts with listening intently

expressing that the best way to avoid

Michelle Obama’s American Grown.

at Hubei University of Education

fingerless gloves amidst a lack of

and building a trusting relationship.

miscommunication is by “being

Ms. Winik began at Pingry in

(HUE), initially established as Hubei

central heating. At a time before

“It’s different for each person; you

clearer” and “more intentional.”

4th grade, where she continued

Provincial College of Education, in

emails and cell phones, she would

have to adapt to each,” Ms. Winik

She emphasizes the importance

her education through high school

Wuhan, China. She wanted to learn

communicate with her family and

says. “When I started talking to

of maintaining strong bonds of

and discovered her passion for

more about Asia, try living abroad,

friends back home primarily through

Laura Bush, she told me about her

communication in the modern era,

writing. She joined The Pingry

and “do something really different.”

letters. She recalls the challenges

first memory…that’s where the

a topic she stressed during her

Record during her freshman year,

Her students were high school

of being a white female in China:

story begins. People need to be

2016 Career Day speech: “You have

eventually becoming Editor-in-

English teachers and administrators,

“Little kids would burst into tears

comfortable with telling you things.”

to be able to communicate your

Chief. She fondly remembers her

most of whom had grown up during

looking at me,” she says. “Everyone

Regarding the legacy she hopes

ideas to people that don’t know

time at Pingry, saying, “I’m just

the Cultural Revolution and never

would touch my hair… my skin…

to leave through her work, Ms.

your terminology…If I could say

amazed at what we could do. We felt

attended college. “Everyone I was

just hands all over me constantly.”

Winik proudly says, “From the time

anything, at least pick up the phone…

old at the time, but we were young!”

teaching was way older than me,”

Once back in the United States, Ms.

I worked in journalism, I never had

Talking — that, we can’t lose.”

Ms. Winik received her B.A. from

Ms. Winik says. She remembers

to issue a rejection or retraction.

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

THE PINGRY RECORD NEW FACULTY OCTOBER 25, 2023

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Pingry Welcomes New Associate Head of School Mr. Ben Courchesne!

GRACE FERNICOLA (VI)

This fall, we warmly welcome Mr. Ben Courchesne to the Pingry community as our new Associate Head of School.

Having majored in English at Connecticut College, Mr. Courchesne pursued his first M.A. at Middlebury College’s Bread Loaf School of English, followed by an M.Ed. from Columbia University. Before joining us, he worked in various administrative roles.

His latest position was the division head at St. Andrews, an independent school in Austin, Texas. He also served as a dean at The Episcopal High School near Washington D.C. and devoted ten years as a teacher and coach at an all-boys school in Boston.

Mr. Courchesne holds a deep appreciation for the ethos of Pingry. He notices the unique

character of each campus, but aims to discover common values that bring them together. He is fond of the Lower School tradition where children shake hands and make eye contact with the principal, the advisory system in the Middle School, and the atmosphere of intellectual respect and rigor in the Upper School. He also values the wide range of opportunities available to Pingry students.

A significant portion of Mr. Courchesne’s time at Pingry will involve working with Mr. Lear on behind-the-scenes projects, which may limit his direct interactions with students. Nonetheless, he is keen on being a friendly face to students and finding various ways to engage with the community. Whether it’s greeting students in the hallway, sharing lunch, or cheering at a sports game, he encourages students to

reach out to him. He is eager to learn about students’ experiences, whether through clubs, passion projects, or just a casual chat. Being approachable and engaging with students are central to his commitment to Pingry.

Mr. Courchesne looks forward to getting involved with Spring Intensives, advising Independent Senior Projects and student clubs, and possibly becoming an assistant coach for Middle School Lacrosse.

Over time, he’s interested in exploring team teaching, and making sure his classes will continue smoothly even if scheduling conflicts arise.

With a strong dedication to education and a welcoming demeanor, Mr. Courchesne is a valuable addition to the community. We anticipate a great school year ahead with Mr. Courchesne as Pingry’s Associate Head of School!

Mr. Jason Blazosek JINGJING LUO (V)

Education, alongside an M.A. in

spending time with family and friends,

Higher Education Administration.

engaging in workouts, exploring

Mr. Jason Blazosek recently joined

Before joining Pingry, Mr. Blazosek

new places, and attending sports

the Counseling & Academic Support

was a learning specialist at two high

events. Since he is passionate about

Team (CAST) as the new Upper

schools in Pennsylvania and took

sports, Mr. Blazosek also takes

School Learning Specialist. In this

on the role of a high school boys’

on the role of coaching the Girls’

position, he plans to assist students

basketball coach. Additionally, he

Junior Varsity Basketball Team.

in honing executive functioning

served at St. Christopher’s Hospital

Upon his arrival at Pingry,

skills such as organization, time

for Children in Philadelphia,

Mr. Blazosek observed, “there is

management, and prioritization

dedicating his efforts to bridge the

a true sense of community that

of activities or assignments.

educational gap faced by children

is evident through the continuity

Mr. Blazosek is an alumnus of

following their hospital admission.

between students and staff.” He

Marywood University, holding a B.S.

Outside of his professional

is brimming with excitement

in Special Education and Elementary

commitments, Mr. Blazosek cherishes

for

the

upcoming

year.

Mrs. Casey Brandt ADAM ELAYAN (VI)

The Upper School is excited to welcome Mrs. Casey Brandt to the Mathematics Department this school year. Mrs. Brandt instructs upperclassmen and underclassmen, as she will teach two Geometry and Advanced Algebra courses and two AP Economics courses. She will also run the Math Team and is looking to lead the well-established group to continued success. She is eager to start a new “Econ Club” after being approached by several prospective student leaders.

Mrs. Brandt has an impressive college background; she earned a B.S. in Management Science from Massachusetts Institute of Technology before moving on to Notre Dame to get her M.Ed. in Mathematics. She then entered a doctoral program in cognitive science at Columbia University which is on hold for the moment as she focuses on her teaching career. Mrs. Brandt taught math at Gonzaga College High School for six years and at Trinity High School

for three years before arriving at Pingry.

She says she is comforted by Pingry’s similarity to Trinity in its schedule and setup but is looking forward to having everything be in one place instead of a campus spread across the city.

Mrs. Brandt says that after her involvement in a community service program at Notre Dame similar to Teach for America, she “couldn’t imagine going back to a desk job,” though she began as a finance major at MIT. She felt “energized” by being part of a school and the interpersonal relationships she could forge with her students.

Of her experience at Pingry so far, Mrs. Brandt said that she can “feel a lot of great energy here,” and that she gets a sense that the students want to be here. She went even further by saying that she could feel the community’s motivation to give everyone a sense of belonging from her first moments on campus, whether in orientation or watching teams prepare for their seasons.

In her free time, Mrs. Brandt loves to

travel, and she shared that her trip to the desert in Morocco and her friend’s wedding in Bali have been her favorite experiences so far. She used to play many sports and enjoys watching them at all levels. Like most of us, she is a massive fan of Taylor Swift (she didn’t share her favorite era, but I’ll guess Fearless) and enjoys listening to country music.

Mrs. Brandt’s big goal for her first year is to “soak all the culture in.” “Each school has its ticks,” she says, and she plans to find Pingry’s by becoming a more involved member of the community, primarily through attendance at community events.

Finally, though she teaches mostly sophomores and seniors, she looks forward to getting to know as many people as possible. She encourages students to feel free to pop into her office with their math or economics questions or even to commiserate about D.C. sports. Her final message was short and sweet, but it captured her warmth: “Don’t be afraid to say hi.”

Ms. Bianca Cabrera SRIYA TALLAPRGADA (V)

special education students. Her platform

You typically see this kind of standalone role

became a space for living documents to be

in colleges. It excited me that Pingry was so

This fall, Ms. Bianca Cabrera joins Pingry as the

shared with families and teaching staff in

passionate and committed to service learning”.

Director of Service Learning and Community

meaningful ways, and it won her the TFA

Ms. Cabrera sees her job as an avenue

Engagement. Ms. Cabrera attended Princeton

Social Innovation Award. This type of creative

towards cultivating a culture of service and

University for her bachelor’s degree and

innovation is Ms. Cabrera’s favorite part about

learning in the community. She wants to

then received her master’s degree in the

community service: “I think it is great when

build service opportunities into academic

Science of Education from Brooklyn

you can take a special skill or interest that you

classes while also supporting large service

College through Teach For America (TFA).

may have and can use it to be of service to

events, such as the annual Martin Luther

Prior to Pingry, Ms. Cabrera taught for

your larger community. I also like to support

King, Jr. Day of Service, Intergenerational

several years in grades K-9 in public schools

people in thinking about collective impact,

Prom, and community performances.

throughout the US, including in Lawrence,

which is why I often encourage students to

She looks forward to immersing herself in

Massachusetts, as well as on Chicago’s

think about how to work with other students

the Pingry experience by supporting student

South Side, the South Bronx, East New

rather than starting their own separate club.”

extracurricular activities. She is the advisor

York, and Brooklyn. She then worked at

Ms. Cabrera was inspired to join Pingry

to many service-oriented clubs, helps out with

Teach for America New York for four years

because the position combines her passion for

ISPs, coaches Middle School Volleyball, and

to support school principals and teachers,

working with students with her dedication to

plans to be an Assistant Fencing Coach in

becoming their first director of community

service and community engagement. She feels

the winter. The entire school looks forward

partnerships. Notably, Ms. Cabrera designed

that the community engagement program is

to seeing the many ways Ms. Cabrera will be

a software platform that was focused on

a unique opportunity: “I don’t know of many

impacting the community for good this year.

making individualized education plans for

schools that have a role dedicated to that.

Photo Credits: Pingry Communications

THE PINGRY RECORD NEW FACULTY OCTOBER 25, 2023

4

ARJUN KAPUR (IV)

This fall, Mr. Steve Ciarrocca becomes a part of the Pingry family, finding his home in the math offices. He will be teaching two sections of AP Calculus AB and two sections of Pre-Calculus Honors, intending to make all of his students experts in math by the end of the year.

Mr. Ciarrocca’s journey into teaching mathematics began with a genuine passion for the subject. From his days in high school, math was always his forte, fueling his desire to explore its complexities further. However, he didn’t see himself following the conventional career path many of his peers were pursuing. Rather, he found the idea of sharing his love for mathematics and helping students especially intriguing.

He attended Villanova University, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in mathematics education. After that,

Mr. Steven Ciarrocca

he pursued a master’s degree in pure and applied Mathematics at Montclair State University. His graduate studies focused on theoretical mathematics, delving deep into less-explored abstract and fascinating aspects of the subject.

Before joining our community, Mr. Ciarrocca devoted 32 years to teaching in various public schools throughout New Jersey. His previous position was at Governor Livingston High School in Berkeley Heights, where he taught for 23 years. His experience at Pingry has felt somewhat familiar, as teaching mathematics transcends school-specific boundaries. Throughout his career, he has taught numerous AP courses, and he has found that Pingry students’ commitment to learning aligns closely with what he has experienced elsewhere.

Mr. Ciarrocca’s initial experience at Pingry has been overwhelmingly positive. He spoke highly of the support

and kindness he has received from his colleagues, which has made the transition seamless. Equally important, he has found Pingry students to be extremely motivated and ready to learn without the fear of being wrong.

As for his goals for the school year, Mr. Ciarrocca’s primary focus is to be the most effective teacher he can be for his students. He aims to continue aiding them where they need help to become experts in the subject.

Outside of the classroom, Mr. Ciarrocca cherishes his free time with family and friends. To him, family comes first, and he relishes the moments they spend together.

He enjoys going to the beach with his family as well as rooting for the New Jersey Devils alongside them. He said, “I would like to express my gratitude for the warm welcome I’ve received at Pingry. It’s a privilege to be part of this community of wonderful colleagues and students.”

Ms. Salomé Copin in teaching, she replied, “I like Pingry so

value of being able to speak multiple

far. It is a unique experience and a very

languages for effective communication

This fall, Pingry’s Language Department

unique school. There is a strong sense

with others. I would like to share that

welcomes Ms. Salomé Copin, who will teach

of community, and it’s the first time

with students and give them the tools

three French sections as well as French

I’ve experienced that. All the students

to be part of this interconnected world.”

Advanced Topics. She will also be involved

cooperate, and they help each other. There

In her free time, Ms. Copin likes to

with the community as a co-advisor and

is also a lot of cooperation between teachers

“read thrillers and mysteries, spend time

potentially a leader of the French club.

and students, which I think is amazing.”

outdoors, watch movies, and go camping.”

Ms. Salomé Copin graduated from West

When asked what inspired her to

She also likes to play the piano at Pingry.

Virginia University, receiving a master’s

teach, Ms. Copin explained, “My mom

Ms. Copin established that she doesn’t

degree in TESOL (Teaching English to

is an English teacher in France, and I

have a piano where she lives, but she enjoys

Speakers of Other Languages) and a

have always admired her. She shared

playing the piano when she’s back in France.

master’s degree in Linguistics. Prior to

her passion for teaching and languages

In her career at Pingry, she “would like

arriving at Pingry, she attended college in

with me. I also believe that learning

to be remembered as a friendly, lively

Lille, France, before moving to Jackson,

languages is so important nowadays

person who encourages students, and

Mississippi, where she taught for a year.

in our interconnected world. While

an involved member of the community.”

When asked about her current experience

traveling, I came to appreciate the

ELLIOT ENG (IV) & EVAN CHEN (IV)

ADAM ELAYAN (VI)

Mr. Brian Davison

radiation and “nasty” chemicals frequently

and wine at faculty meetings?...The main

at the hospital, he realized, “I don’t think I

thing is students that are motivated…it’s like

The Science Department is excited to

want to do this for the rest of my life…I’d

food to a teacher.” He says that this culture

welcome Mr. Brian Davison this fall. Mr.

rather interact with people.” He then moved

of motivation is what he missed during his

Davison will fill Dr. Samadani’s position as

on to teaching. Mr. Davison attributes his

18 years at Jonathan Dayton High School,

the teacher for all sections of Introduction

inspiration to teach to his grandparents,

where he worked most recently. Speaking

to Physics. He will coach Boys’ Soccer’s third

who were both active teachers their whole

about his goals for his first year at Pingry,

team, and he plans to establish a new “food

careers. He says he was intrigued mainly

he said that he wants to make sure the kids

forest” on campus with the help of Mrs. Olivia

by the lifestyle that his grandparents

in his classroom enjoy learning, and that he

Tandon, Mr. David Maxwell, and Dr. Reid

were able to engage in outside of their

plans to facilitate that with a variety of demos.

Cottingham. He will also be pioneering a new

work, in addition to having summers off.

In keeping with his food forest plans and

Spring Intensive with Mr. Maxwell, where

He continued to teach until he was

kayaking Spring Intensive, Mr. Davison

students will build their own wooden kayaks.

accepted into Kean University’s master’s

enjoys all things outdoors, including

A Del Mar native, Mr. Davison attended

program for educational administration.

gardening, building boats, fishing, and

the University of California at San Diego,

He says that while he realized that

backpacking. When asked about his favorite

where he earned a BA in Molecular Biology.

administrational work was not for him during

song, he recalled his high school days

Mr. Davison said of his experience at UCSD,

the program, he gained valuable insight

and being fascinated by the long and

“It was a lot…I had to work three days a week

into the perspectives of administrators that

calamitous “Revolution 9” by the Beatles.

to put myself through school.” He pushed

allows him to see both sides as a teacher.

Mr. Davison would like to say “thank you.” He

through, however, and after graduating,

In an assessment of his first few weeks at

felt welcomed from day one and was extremely

he ended up at Scripps Hospital in San

Pingry, Mr. Davison started with a spirited

impressed with all the onboarding initiatives.

Diego, where he studied gene expression.

double-thumbs up, then got straight to the

As a student, I would highly recommend

He described this position as valuable and

point: “How can you argue with mountains

stopping by his office even just to say hello:

eye-opening. In reference to working with

of shrimp, students that are motivated, beer

he might even have a bowl of fruit for you.

Mrs. Megan DeGraff ADAM ELAYAN (VI)

This fall, Mrs. Megan DeGraff joins the World Languages Department to teach Latin B in the Middle School as well as Latin 2 and Latin 4 Honors in the Upper School.

Mrs. DeGraff completed a B.S. at New York University in Childhood Special Education, a B.A. at Montclair State University in Latin, an M.A. at Villanova University in Classical Studies, and an M.A. at Teachers College, Columbia University in Computing Education.

Mrs. Degraff says the teachers she had growing up inspired her to pursue this career. Specifically, she references a teacher she had right after her father’s passing who she says was “pivotal” in her life and someone she always “looked up to.” She also thinks back to her time as an adolescent at Poly Prep Middle School where she says she was able to establish

“very deep connections” with her teachers.

She began her career at Tuxedo Park Middle School as a Latin teacher and the Associate Placement Director for two years before going to Elizabeth Morrow Middle School to hold the same positions. Eight years ago, Mrs. Degraff returned to Poly Prep Middle School as a Latin teacher and learning specialist.

In her free time, Mrs. Degraff keeps it simple: she likes to spend time with her family (her son is three and her daughter is one) and listen to Celine Dion — admitting to having watched Titanic at least ten times. She also makes time a few days a week to play squash, her “area of expertise.” Fittingly, she serves as an Assistant Water Polo Coach in the fall and an Assistant Squash Coach in the winter.

When asked about her first impression of being a part of the Pingry faculty, Mrs. Degraff says, “It’s been great.” She

enjoys Pingry’s size in comparison to the smaller schools that she has taught at and appreciates the opportunity to coach at a higher level here as well.

She is also a fan of the less-stressful schedule: she says having two to three classes a day with ample breaks in between is a welcomed change of pace from teaching five to six classes a day at her previous schools. Additionally, she owes some of her interest in working at Pingry to her good friend on the faculty, Mrs. Olivia Tandon, who will coach squash with her in a few months.

For this upcoming school year, Mrs. Degraff’s goals are to “continue to get involved” in the community and get acclimated to her new environment.

She would like the Pingry community to know that she is “excited to be here and looking forward to the years to come.”

Photo Credits: Pingry Communications

THE PINGRY RECORD NEW FACULTY OCTOBER 25, 2023

OLIVIA BUVANOVA (V)

Mr. David Gold

5

taught various music classes and

has collaborated in the orchestras

history, or culture. Teaching gives

isn’t all music. When asked about his

ensembles at Morristown Beard for

of several world-renowned dance

me a unique perspective within

hobbies, Mr. Gold immediately replied,

This fall, Mr. David Gold joins

over ten years and held the position

companies like Jose Limon, the

the musical field, and I often end

“I’m a total crossword puzzle geek. I do

Pingry’s Music Department, where he

of Performing Arts Department Chair.

New York City Ballet, and Lincoln

up learning from my students just

the New York Times crossword puzzle

will be directing the Lower, Middle,

In addition to his hefty teaching

Center, has recorded with Lady Gaga,

as much as they learn from me.”

every day.” In fact, Mr. Gold holds

and Upper School orchestra ensembles.

experience, Mr. Gold is a professional

and has even been featured in the

Given the chance to meet any musician,

an astounding daily streak of 2,537!

Mr. Gold received his B.A. in

violist as well. Most notably, he served

television series, Saturday Night Live.

alive or dead, Mr. Gold would choose

Looking towards the year ahead,

music at University of California,

as the Principal Violist of the Grace

When asked what inspired him

Bernstein, Stravinsky, and John Cage.

Mr. Gold hopes to build a more

Los Angeles, before going to The

Church Choral Society Chamber

to become a full-time teacher, Mr.

He also said that by the time he reads

cohesive string ensemble across the

Juilliard School to receive his Master

Orchestra for over 25 years. Not to

Gold said, “I love learning anything

this article, his answers probably will

Lower, Middle, and Upper schools,

of Music degree in viola performance.

mention, Mr. Gold has been a part

and everything about music, whether

have changed several times already.

where kids “will look forward to

Before coming to Pingry, Mr. Gold

of over twenty Broadway shows,

that be theory, performance,

As hard as it may be to believe, Mr. Gold

orchestra rehearsals as much as I do.”

Dr. Iris Hood AANVI TRIVEDI (IV)

did her second postdoctoral at the National

She says, “I especially like working with

Institute of Health, studying how the

those who come up to me and say, ‘I’ve

This fall, Dr. Iris Hood joins the Upper

immune system knows when a cell has been

always been bad at science,’ or ‘I’m not a

School Science Department, teaching

infected by a virus. Specifically, she solved

science person,’ and I want to teach them

Honors Biology II: Mechanisms of Cancer

the structure of an RNA molecule called

because so many brilliant, talented people

and Methods of Molecular Biology. In

non-coding VA1 RNA, which scientists have

were losing in science education early on

addition to teaching, she is a research advisor

tried to understand for nearly 60 years,

in middle and high school.” She describes

for a group of students in the IRT program

and published her findings in the Nature

how it was hard to find representation of

as well as an advisor for the SMART team.

Communications paper titled “Crystal

girls like herself in science when she was

Dr. Hood received her bachelor’s degree

structure of an adenovirus virus-associated

young, especially with all the scientists

at the University of Oregon, where she

RNA.” Dr. Hood did her third postdoctoral

she learned about in class. “I didn’t see

majored in biochemistry with a minor

at the University of San Francisco School

it in the textbook,” she says. “I didn’t see

in mathematics. She graduated from

of Medicine, where she worked on solving

it in the readings or when the teacher

the University of California, Berkeley

the crystal structure of membrane proteins.

was teaching. I didn’t see anyone else,

and completed her Ph.D. in molecular

Dr. Hood worked at the Chapin School

so it was hard for me to imagine just

and cell biology with a subspecialty in

in Manhattan for three years, teaching 9th

being a female in the world of science. I

biochemistry, biophysics, and structural

Grade Biology, 10th Grade Chemistry, and a

used to ask myself, ‘Can I do that too?’”

biology. She fondly looks upon her

new course she developed called “Diseases

In her free time, Dr. Hood loves to

experience at UC Berkeley, saying, “It

Detectives: Case Studies of Host-Pathogen

paint. Dr. Hood also volunteers with Little

was a great environment to learn how to

Interactions.” Through this experience, Dr.

Wanderers, a non-profit organization that

be a structural biologist because I had

Hood fell in love with teaching high school

focuses mainly on cats. She currently has two

these wonderful people to work with—a

students, which was part of the reason

cats of her own: Sherlock and Dr. Watson.

passionate, kind, diverse group of people.”

she decided to teach at Pingry. Dr. Hood

Dr. Hood is highly passionate about

Dr. Hood did her first postdoctoral

hopes to make an impact here because

teaching and appreciates the incredible

fellowship at the Johns Hopkins School

she loves working with people relatively

Pingry community. She loves her classes

of Medicine, where she explored how

new to learning about biology, chemistry,

and hopes to get to know her students more

phages could be used for novel drug

or any science, and teaching them about

over the next year. Welcome, Dr. Hood!

discovery, specifically for antibiotics. She

subjects she’s extremely passionate about.

Mrs. Lauren Kelly SOPHIA ODUNSI (VI)

behavior as well as psychology

So far, she is having a wonderful

from Towson University as

time at Pingry and appreciates the

The community welcomes Mrs.

well as a master’s in education

motivation, interest, and friendly

Lauren Kelly this fall as she joins

from Louisiana State University

nature of Pingry students. This

the History Department as an AP

Shreveport in curriculum and

year, she hopes to work with many

Psychology teacher. Mrs. Kelly

instruction. Although teaching

students and will strive to become

will also be a co-advisor for Green

began as her side job, it quickly

an integral part of the community.

Team and advise the Psychology

became her passion. This upcoming

When Mrs. Kelly is not teaching,

Humanities Independent

year will be her 18th year of teaching.

her favorite activities include

Research Team, where students

She has spent the majority of her

bird-watching, gardening,

will examine research gaps,

first 17 years teaching biology,

hiking, spending time with her

develop operational definitions,

animal studies, marine biology,

family, and drinking loads of

and learn about influential

and psychology. She has also

coffee. She is thrilled to join the

psychological case studies.

taught various science electives

Pingry community and wishes

Mrs. Kelly has a B.S. in animal

and worked in special education.

everyone a fantastic school year.

Dr. Julie Keyer CAROLYN ZHOU (V)

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

grew to tutoring chemistry at MIT.

(MIT), where she was also a coxswain

In graduate school, she was

This fall, Pingry welcomed Dr. Julie

for the Lightweight Varsity Crew Team.

recognized twice by the Chemistry

Keyer from the Lewis School of Princeton,

She then earned her Ph.D. in Inorganic

Department’s Teaching Assistant of

where she formerly taught science and

Chemistry from the University of

the Year Award. Additional work in

math to college-bound students with

California, Irvine. Dr. Keyer went on

the industry gave her the experience

language-based learning differences.

to complete a postdoctoral fellowship

to support research teams and engage

She also helped develop a relationship

at NEC in Princeton, where she worked

with customers to help solve problems.

between the Lewis School and the

on synthesizing and characterizing

This year, Dr. Keyer looks forward to

Princeton Neuroscience Institute. Dr.

novel materials, and later worked

“becoming a part of the extraordinary

Keyer is currently teaching Chemistry

as a research manager at Rhodia.

Pingry community—the people here are

I and will be teaching Chemistry II and

Dr. Keyer credits her interest in science

amazing!” She will be a positive presence

Biology I in the spring. She is also the

and education to an extraordinary high

in the science department, Upper School

Materials IRT faculty advisor and looks

school chemistry teacher who instilled

research, and the wider community.

forward to getting involved in more

her love of learning and teaching. She

We are so excited to have her join us

school activities throughout the year.

has always enjoyed teaching, which

this year and hope everyone will give

Before becoming a teacher, Dr.

started with giving piano and horseback-

Dr. Keyer a warm Pingry welcome!

Ke y e r re ce ive d a B.S. fro m t h e

riding lessons in high school, and later

Photo Credits: Pingry Communications

THE PINGRY RECORD NEW FACULTY OCTOBER 25, 2023

6

SOPHIA ODUNSI (VI)

This year, Dr. Charlotte Madere joins the English Department, teaching Form VI’s courses in Crime and Punishment, Creative Writing, the Greek Epic, and Magical Realism, as well as Form V’s American Literature.

Her students shared that her classrooms are an inclusive and fun environment to be in.

Additionally, she is starting a Humanities Independent Research Team which will examine the coming-of-age stories of women from Austen’s

Dr. Charlotte Madere

lens and conduct research on fiction and nonfiction by female writers of the 18th century.

Dr. Madere decided to become an English teacher because she wanted to spend her life “engrossed in literature,” and added that she enjoys it over research and writing. She attended Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland, earning a B.A. in drama and English.

She then received a Ph.D. in English from the University of Minnesota, as she wanted more teaching experience.

Before coming to Pingry, Dr.

Madere taught English at King’s Academy, a boarding and day school in Jordan.

In her free time, Dr. Madere likes to attend the theater, noting that she enjoyed some good shows this past summer. She also loves cooking, and her favorite recipe is a Persian dish complete with chicken, rice, dates, and butter.

So far, she says that she loves Pingry and is “excited to explore different genres and teach different forms of writing.” She’d love to meet new people, so feel free to greet her in the English office or the halls!

Mr. Jeff Nazareno KEIRA CHEN (VI)

after-school program curricula

expertise and management

likes the school. He notes the

juniors” in robotics, team

in STEAM, teaching in creative

skills. Rather than taking over

similarities between Pingry

management, and leadership

This year, Mr. Jeff Nazareno

fields, and using his skills in

as an authoritative figure in

and some of his favorite private

skills “so that they can be

joins the faculty as a mentor

multimedia to work in video

the lab, Mr. Nazareno prefers

schools that he’s worked at in

even better seniors next year.”

to the Upper School Robotics

editing, post-production, and

a more hands-off mentoring

New York City, also adding

In his free time, Mr. Nazareno

Team. Mr. Nazareno has been

media management roles.

style and encourages students to

how he is impressed by the

enjoys working on his other

an educator for over 12 years

Mr. Nazareno’s experience

work through problems on their

independence of Pingry

creative projects. He produces

and a creative professional for

working with robotics teams

own first, providing guidance

students. Mr. Nazareno

music, films videos, and builds

over seven. Prior to Pingry, Mr.

of all levels is a great asset for

and support when needed.

describes his goal for the year as

mechanical keyboards. Welcome

Nazareno worked on developing

Pingry’s team, as are his technical

So far, Mr. Nazareno really

striving “to prime the incoming

to Pingry, Mr. Nazareno!

Ms. Sarah O’Holla ZARA ABBASI (IV)

interested in getting a job in a library.

this period. Ms. O’Holla worked at the

While looking for a job, Ms. O’Holla went

Far Brook school for one year during

Ms. Sarah O’Holla is our new lower

to PRATT Institute and received an MLIS

COVID but could have had a better

school librarian. She teaches all Lower

degree (Masters in Library Information

experience since the pandemic hit. She

School students in their library class. Each

Science). She was inspired to become a

stayed home for some years after and now

lower-school grade does different activities

school librarian during her last semester

is at Pingry! She has loved her experience

depending on their age. One thing they

of library school when she took a children’s

at Pingry, and she says that everyone

all do is pick out a pleasure book they

literature class. She decided she loved

in our community is so welcoming

are interested in, and Ms. O’Holla enjoys

children’s books, hoping to write one

and friendly, and she appreciates all

helping these students find what they are

of her own one day. Her first job was at

the hellos she gets in the hallway.

passionate about. Currently, Ms. O’Holla

the Village Community School (a K-8

One of her biggest goals this year is to get

is not involved in any extracurricular

school) in the West Village, where she

to know everyone’s names and learn what

activities at Pingry as she hopes to adjust to

was an assistant librarian. She worked

they like to read. She is excited to form

her schedule, the library, and just meeting

there for ten years and takes pride in

connections with students like she did at

new students. In the future, she would

seeing some of her first students grow

her previous school. In Ms. O’Holla’s free

like to start a creative writing workshop

up during her time there. She hopes to

time, she likes to dance, and as of right

with Pingry students because she enjoys

create these kinds of connections with

now, she is taking a class called Dance

writing with kids. Ms. O’Holla describes

Pingry students, especially seeing some of

Fusion. She loves to read and write and

the library as beautiful, open, and airy,

her younger students grow up. Currently,

is excited to publish a children’s book of

with many windows. She loves the library’s

she is in an MFA program in writing for

her own. She also loves concerts–over the

location because it is in a central part of

children and adults. She is hoping to

summer, she saw Beyoncé, Harry Styles,

the Lower School, so each day, she gets to

graduate from this program in January.

and Boy Genius. Her main message to

wave to students as they pass by the library.

Between Ms. O’Holla’s time at the

the whole Pingry community is that she

Ms. O’Holla received her undergraduate

Village School and Pingry, she had two

wants everyone across all divisions to

degree at UMass Amherst with a bachelor’s

children and stayed home for some time

know that they belong in the library;

degree in English. After she received

with them. She reflected that she hoped

it is the community’s library, and we

her degree, she found that she was most

to start writing her children’s book during

should all make the most of this space.

Ms. Stacy Povshko GRACE FERNICOLA (VI) joined the Upper School Math Department to teach Precalculus and Calculus to junior and senior students.

Ms. Povshko’s professional background is both impressive and international. She attended university in Moscow, Russia, where she pursued a dual degree in math and education. After graduating, she began her career at various private schools in Washington, D.C. and in New York.

Although she’s only been on campus for a few weeks, Ms. Povshko has already become an integral part of the community. Not only has she become acquainted with students, faculty, and staff, but she has also taken on the role of co-advisor to sophomores and as an advisor to the Slavic Affinity Group. She thrives in the fast-paced environment that is synonymous with Pingry and is working hard to create a dynamic and engaging learning experience. Her enthusiasm

for teaching is undeniable.

As the school year progresses, Ms. Povshko looks forward to engaging more with the community. She hopes to strengthen her connections with students and colleagues and is excited about the many opportunities for growth and collaboration that await her.

Outside the classroom, Ms. Povshko enjoys spending time with her family and two dogs, hiking, and swimming in the ocean in Long Branch, New Jersey.

Photo Credits: Pingry Communications

THE PINGRY RECORD NEW FACULTY OCTOBER 25, 2023

7

Ms. Betsy Quinn JINGJING LUO (V)

she was inspired to acquire an M.A. in

When asked about her favorite book, she

library science at Rutgers University.

responded “whichever book I am currently

This fall, Ms. Betsy Quinn takes on

After working for 14 years at several New

reading!” Aside from being an avid reader,

the role of Upper School Librarian. She

Jersey public schools, and even receiving

Ms. Quinn enjoys cooking and hiking,

completed her B.A. in Asian Studies

the Educational Service Professional of the

having recently traveled to Scotland

at St. John’s University, and before

Year in the Governor’s Educator of the Year

for a hiking trip. She would love to join

her career as a librarian, Ms. Quinn

Program for her district during the 2022-

any travel opportunity that is looking

served as a flight attendant for Delta

2023 school year, Ms. Quinn brings her

for another teacher or faculty advisor.

Airlines, specializing in routes to Asia.

expertise and passion to the Pingry School.

Ms. Quinn believes that as a librarian,

After 13 years as a flight attendant, Ms.

She co-leads the Student Library Advocacy

it is important to collaborate with

Quinn decided to dedicate her time to

Committee (SLAC) and is excited to help

students, saying “I am interested in

her family. When her children entered

coordinate various learning experiences

your ideas and would like to hear your

elementary school, Ms. Quinn began

such as Independent Research Team,

recommendations for the library.”

volunteering at the school library, and

Humanities Independent Research Team,

The Pingry community welcomes

while working alongside librarians,

Spring Intensives, and Pottersville events.

Ms. Quinn this fall with open arms!

Ms. Linda Sees JULIA ENG (VI)

This year, Pingry extends a warm welcome to Ms. Linda Sees, who joins us from Roselle Catholic High School where she admirably served as Chair of the Social Studies Department for eight years. Boasting a teaching career spanning 14 years, Ms. Sees now enriches our academic milieu, offering her expertise in AP European History and United States History Honors. She acquired her B.A. from Rutgers University, majoring in political science and art history with a minor in general history, followed by an M.A. in social studies teaching from the University of Southern California.

Ms. Sees has always been enthusiastic about teaching. As a child, she would borrow old assignments from her aunt, who was also a teacher. “I had a chalkboard, and I would teach my stuffed animals…it was always something that I wanted to do.” When asked why she chose a high school setting, Ms. Sees explained that she likes working with students in the stages before they go to college, when they are still figuring out the

next steps in their academic careers and lives.

Ms. Sees’ passion for teaching, along with her passion for art history, which she discovered while at Rutgers, is apparent to those who attend her classes. “I always liked museums,” she says, reflecting on her experiences studying art history abroad in France. She also explains that the teachers of her college art classes would often integrate art history into their lessons. “I love teaching AP Euro,” she expresses. “You can incorporate art within everything that you’re studying.

Art is history. It is the feelings, attitudes, and beliefs of the people of the time…a snapshot into what is going on in that era.”

Outside of teaching, Ms. Sees has also published two novels, the first of which was written during the three-month gap between leaving her entertainment advertising job in New York City and attending University of Southern California. She hopes to write a third.

When asked about her first weeks teaching at Pingry, Ms. Sees gushed: “I love it. It’s perfect.” She imagined her protagonist

attending a school like Pingry when writing her novels. Ms. Sees first visited Pingry as a teen accompanying her sister to a Harvard interview. “We had to print the directions,” she laughs. “I didn’t know anything about The Pingry School, we walked in, and I just remember being like—this is a high school? I remember seeing art on the walls…I saw the cafeteria, which I thought looked like a food court. I would refer to it as the epitome of a high school.”

“My goal would be to make my first year count, and to make the biggest impact I can this year with my students,” Ms. Sees says, referring to her classes and especially to her freshman advisory. “As for her long term goals,” she remarks, “I’d love to get my Ph.D., I want to write my third novel…Pingry’s an inspiring school. You guys are amazing. You push me to do better. I say something, and [my students] know exactly what I’m talking about. I’ve never experienced that before.”

We welcome Ms. Sees warmly to our community and wish her good luck with her first year at Pingry!

Ms. Gozde Unal VINAV SHAH (V) This fall, Dr. Gozde Unal joins the Upper School Mathematics and Computer Scie nce De p art me nt s t o t e ach AP Statistics, AP Computer Science A, and Advanced Topics Computer Science.

Dr. Unal received a B.S. in electrical and electronics engineering from Middle East Technical University, then acquired her Ph.D. in electrical and computer engineering from North Carolina State University with a minor in mathematics. After her Ph.D., Dr. Unal completed her postdoctoral studies at the Georgia Institute of Technology.

Ten years ago, Dr. Unal would have never imagined that she would become a high school teacher. But now, she can’t imagine herself anywhere else. Dr. Unal especially connects with the Honor Code, saying that, “As members of a society, we have to learn to live with others and contribute to tasks for the common good.”

Previously a professor at the Istanbul Technical University (ITU), one of the top engineering schools in Turkey, she brings a refreshing perspective to high school teaching. Dr. Unal believes that learning should happen both inside and outside of the classroom, encouraging students to look for applications of the subject in their everyday lives. In her own words, she believes that the ability to use what you learn, whether it be mathematics or computer science, allows you to be a “world citizen, and contribute to society at large.”

Dr. Unal is also a pioneer, helping to found new initiatives both at her old institution and at Pingry. At ITU, she was a founding professor of the AI and Data Engineering Department, as well as a founder of ITU’s Artificial Intelligence Research Center. At Pingry, she’s spearheading an AI-focused Independent Research Team and is taking a new approach to teaching Advanced Topics Computer Science (ATCS), where

she delves into the advanced calculus that drives artificial intelligence. The course is split up into two segments: the first semester focuses on supervised learning problems, such as regression and classification, while the second semester focuses on unsupervised learning, like the deep neural networks which made ChatGPT. And, as one might expect for a class that focuses on AI, students are allowed to use artificial intelligence for any part of their assignments.

Outside of mathematics and computer science, Dr. Unal is passionate about learning psychology and Eastern philosophy. While these fields in the humanities might feel distant from her STEM-focused teaching, Dr. Unal explains that AI is an extremely cross-disciplinary area. She believes that artificial intelligence is intrinsically in the center of many disciplines by the tools and solutions it provides, acting as a bridge between fields.

Ms. Melanie Weyland SANIYA KAMAT (VI) This fall, Pingry welcomes Upper School French and Spanish Teacher Ms. Melanie Weyland. She will be teaching three sections of AP Spanish Language and Culture as well as one section of French Language and Francophone Identity through Film and Arts.

Ms. Weyland was born in what was known at the time as West Germany but is today part of reunited Germany. She was brought up and educated mostly abroad, so there was a large foreign influence on her life as a child. She and her siblings attended French schools in Venezuela, the Soviet Union (now known as Russia), and Switzerland, as well as American schools in Colorado and New York. “It was our job to get to know the culture,”

she reflects. “If we were living somewhere foreign…[our parents] really wanted us to be part of the culture where we live[d].”

Ms. Weyland received a B.A. in international affairs with a specialization in Western Europe and Latin America from the University of Colorado Boulder.

Additionally, she received her M.A. in Peninsular and Latin American Literature at the City University of New York.

Ms. Weyland refers to her teaching career as “a good accident.” She has taught at four schools for a total of 29 years before coming to Pingry.

This year, Ms. Weyland plans to become fully acclimated to the school while being an active member of the community. She has definitely found the transition into teaching at Pingry easier than at other places in the past: “There’s a lot of support from the

administration [and] from other faculty,” she says. “I’ve certainly been at schools where you’re much more on your own.”

Outside of the classroom, Ms. Weyland can be found reading, traveling, and enjoying the performing arts. Another one of her favorites is spending time with her 19-year-old adopted daughter from Colombia, whom she’s been with for the past nine years. “I like to say we adopted each other,” Ms. Weyland says, a sentiment that stems from Colombia’s adoption laws requiring children above a certain age to agree to their adoption.

From her time with us so far, Ms. Weyland can confidently say that she genuinely loves Pingry, from the people to the food. “It sounds corny but [I love] really everything,” she states.

Welcome to Pingry, Ms. Weyland!

Photo Credits: Pingry Communications

THE PINGRY RECORD COMMENTARY OCTOBER 25, 2023

8

A New Era lot more than I would assume

before. More and more articles

Being in my senior year, it

figure out how to put a fitted

the average person does. While

are being published about Gen Z

feels weird that my voice will

sheet on a mattress. I sometimes

I’m generally disappointed with

demanding equity and inclusion

have an impact on how the world

can’t understand how I’ll be able

the lack of representation I find,

in the workplace. As a result,

is shaped, too. Seventeen is a

to go out into the real world and

during Convocation speeches this

our generation is stepping into

strange age. My parents can’t

be an adult, until I look at my

year, something felt different. On

a world different from the one of

seem to decide whether to treat

friends. I look at my friend Ananya

the stage from the student body

our predecessors. And with new

me like a kid or an adult; and

speaking with effortless eloquence and grace, whether it’s to the entire student body or just to my

SANIYA KAMAT (VI)

mother. I look at my friend Jess managing entire rock climbing

White men have ruled the

birthday parties as part of her job.

world for a long time. From

I look at my friend Annika as she

European colonialism dating

drives me on the highway with

back centuries, to the majority

one hand on the steering wheel,

of college presidents today

windows down and music up, a

being male and white (67% and

skill I don’t think I’ll ever be able

72% respectively, according to

to achieve. And everything seems

the American Psychological

like it’ll work out fine in the end.

Association), it’s easy to feel as

It’s now our generation’s turn

if they are always in charge. Even

to make a difference. I’m hopeful

at Pingry, if you look at the long

that we’ll be the ones to go out

list of the Heads of School, the prevailing narrative continues.

stood not one but two young

DEIB commitment statements,

within the next year, I’ll somehow

and do good, rewriting the history

As a woman of color in theater,

women of color. It seemed like

companies are making changes

be legally allowed to vote, drive my

of our past. I believe that we

an industry (in which looks really

a symbol of the change that our

to match that. Our generation

friends around past midnight, get

can be better than before — and

do matter!) that is dominated

generation is going to bring.

is not afraid to speak up about

piercings or tattoos, and even get

when I look to my peers, I only

by white males, I think about

As Gen Zers, we have grown up

issues that matter to us, and it’s

married. But my mom still does

feel more encouraged and sure.

identity groups and diversity a

in a more diverse society than ever

actually making a difference.

my own laundry, and I can barely

It’s a new era.

Aliens Are Here: So Why Does No One Care?

CAROLYN ZHOU (V)

me images of alleged “non-

to-back climate disasters are all a

it will register as a whimper.” After

apathy imbued into each digital

human” remains presented to

constant presence, the interjection

all, how much can the atmosphere

consumer. In a day and age where

On July 26, three former American

the Mexican Congress in mid-

of government-released UFO

of alternate galaxies or tiny extinct

we can access information of

military officials testified under

September, we both immediately

information does little to break

microbes on another planet affect

wild magnitude from the tiny

oath at a Congressional hearing

dismissed the findings as just

into the evening news cycles—no

us? Legitimate scientific research

screens at our fingertips in a

that the US government has

another convoluted “report”

one even breaks a sweat. Many

into alternate lifeforms is perceived

matter of milliseconds, it seems

information on unidentified flying

straight out of one of The Onion’s

people have become numb to the

as mundane and perhaps not

that no claim, however wild,

object (UFO) activity which they

parodies. I just couldn’t take the

never-ending waves of what would

nearly as stimulating for our

may be able to faze the average

are concealing from the public.

mummified corpse seriously when

have been life-changing news in

already over-stimulated minds

desensitized internet user. So

The government referred to

all I could see was an elongated

the past; our world is changing fast

and wild alien presumptions.

don’t worry — even if the aliens

these phenomena as unidentified

Baby Yoda or the paper mache

with little time to catch up, thus

Even if extraterrestrials have

are here, it will surely be a long

aerial phenomena (UAP) and

project of my elementary school

we’ve resigned ourselves to a fate

actually been unearthed, there’s

time before mass hysteria and

non-human, rather than UFO

nightmares. Jaime Maussan,

of constant fluctuation to which

a long way to go to disperse the

total apocalyptic destruction

and alien; these specific naming

the self-proclaimed UFO expert

we respond with bitter humor.

inherent skepticism and general

kicks in, if it even comes at all.

choices are made with the aim

and journalist responsible for

It doesn’t help that UFOs and

of distancing the phenomena

presenting these potentially

aliens are the subjects of long-

from the stereotypical, pop-

world-changing claims, may

lived legends, media blockbusters,

cultural green extraterrestrials

have undermined the legitimacy

and conspiracy theorist content.

in flying silver saucers.

of the evidence presented, his

Extraterrestrials are a topic ripe

While headlines like “US

past “alien discoveries” having

with disinformation, already

Government Concealing

been previously debunked. In

bordering on a gray area of the

Information on Aliens” are

fact, Maussan’s ability to rise

unknown; they bring with them

certainly immediate eye-catchers,

and maintain the status of an

naturally preconceived notions

a majority of the information

investigative reporter concerns

embedded by pop culture.

divulged in this hearing can be

me more than an imminent

Should we be concerned with

attributed to a variety of factors

threat of extraterrestrials.

the rising skepticism towards

more likely than extraterrestrials,

There’s a growing dysfunctional

formerly well-trusted institutions

such as spy balloons, drones,

relationship between news media

— such as the government,

optical illusions, or airliner

and waning trust in journalism.

journalism, and scientific

blinking lights. Naturally, some

We’re so inundated by digital

research — that were pillars

of these whistleblower testimonies

news these days that one rarely

of our society? These days, it’s

seem more believable than others,

has the energy to separate truth

hard to find someone who trusts

like the discovery of “disturbing”

from fiction, so we often take

at least one of these sources, if

non-human organisms at UAP

information at face value or

not all three. Sarah Rugheimer,

crash sites, compared to the

ignore it. In a reality where a

professor of astronomy at York

supposed sighting of a supersonic

global pandemic, toilet paper

University, admits, “The saddest

white Tic-Tac out of a Navy jet.

shortage, killer wasps, babies

thought for me about my career

Thus, when my friend showed

named McKayzleigh, and back-

is that if life is detected elsewhere,

Photo Credits (Top To Bottom): Saniya Kamat (VI), Pingry Communications, Kain Wang (VI)

THE PINGRY RECORD COMMENTARY OCTOBER 25, 2023

Doing Nothing

JULIA ENG (VI) The last days of my summer vacation should have been spent writing supplemental essays, cleaning my room, and preparing for my first days of school. Instead, I was reckoning with a terrible and frightening realization: this was, effectively, the last summer of my childhood.

When I think about my childhood, which is technically ongoing in the legal terms of the definition, I can only seem to remember summer.

My summer memories are marked by trips to art museums in New York, days capped with Spiderman popsicles whose gumball eyes always

tasted bland, and feeding parakeets at the zoo — they never seemed bookended or cut short by the start or end of a school year. I joke to my parents that if they could put together a film reel of my in-school memories from ages one to twelve, they would have about a minute and a half of footage, maybe two.

For the past seventeen summers, I have melted into picnic benches, attempted to outrace the boys’ bunk in go-karts, braided hair (both Dutch and French), and poorly clunked out Chopin or Debussy on the outof-tune pianos at sleepaway camp.

I find myself missing these moments, the closeness of my mother checking for ticks behind my knees and ears after rolling down a grassy hill on my side, or the resounding chirps of cicadas as I sat on the porch with my cousins, plotting to trap fireflies, Bigfoot, and racoons.

As most children are, I was eager and ungrateful. I was always trying to scrounge together bits of a story to bring back to school, and yet, I

always came up short. My closest friends visited temples in Kyoto, held koalas in Australia, or helped their older brother move into Harvard; all I had to share was that I tipped over my kayak and got laughed off the beach by the boys of Camp Greylock.

I still find myself waiting for the Next Big Thing to happen — I find dresses for school dances months in advance, wait in anticipation for the end of the year, and dream about the day that I’ll live alone.

But in the final days of my summer, I sought nothing in particular. I needed to learn to undo my anticipation. I took a ferry to Brookfield Place with an old friend, where we sat by the water and laughed at millennials queueing in ridiculously long lines for overpriced salads. I dropped books in the pool, drove to the dentist, sobbed to Interstellar, and ate everything with heaps of olive oil. But mostly, I did nothing. There are no wild stories to be told about drinking tea alone in the kitchen or watching men in fluorescent

vests fell the sick trees in the yard.

I’m on the brink of adulthood with nothing but a provisional driver’s license to show for it, but I have spent my childhood trying to grow up faster. I realize only now that at the end of my sprint to eighteen, I’ve become tired. To be in a constant state of anticipation is to be constantly dissatisfied with the

present. In the modern day, we’re constantly bombarded with newness, discourse, sound, and more. Though it requires an antithetical amount of discipline, maturity comes with being satisfied when alone in your thoughts, not the ability to absorb as much noise as you can. Take a nap—it’ll only do you good. It’s pertinent to be happy doing nothing.

Another 365 Days Around the Sun: A Paradox JINGJING LUO (V) The frozen desert, also known as the South Pole, is home to TikTokfamous penguins, millions of tons of icy fresh water, and blooming pink flowers — a surprising fact.

The Antarctic pearlwort and Antarctic hair grass have flowered five to ten times faster in the past decade than ever before, well on their way to reviving Antarctica’s once luscious landscape last seen 90 million years ago. Perhaps the frozen desert will soon resemble the Italian Riviera, with rolling hills and three-story villas, complete with cruise-goers making the most of their European summer. Although this vision may seem enticing, the proliferation of flowers is a beautiful masquerade for the severe consequences of global warming.

While I can easily expose the trickery of Antarctica’s flowers, it is far more challenging to recognize the nature of my own problems.

It just so happens that I recently encountered two perplexing scenarios, leaving me unsure of how to react. Over the summer, I taught a six-year-old girl how to swim. In our first class, she told me she was born in 2016 — this was the first surprise. She then said that I was her role model, which confused me even more. It was the first time I had met her, so what did I do in the first five minutes to deserve this title? I reddened a bit in the cheeks and thanked her for the praise, still struggling to understand her reasoning.

The second situation began right after I turned 16 and continues into the current school year.

Entering junior year and completing a new cycle around the Sun, I can now drive with a permit, leave school during the day, and even pilot a hot air balloon (I checked, and this is legal in New Jersey). Not only did the

legal institutions wish me a happy birthday by gifting me all these privileges, but my parents also followed suit. Before leaving the car in the mornings, my mom no longer lectures me about my untidy room and unfurled laundry.

My dad also does not criticize my

procrastination in ten different ways, demonstrating his mastery of the English language.

These positive changes in the behavior of the people around me seemed like a reward, but I felt neither responsible nor mature enough to deserve the praise and trust. As I exploited my freedoms and received more flattery, I began to feel a growing sense of pressure. By allowing me to make more decisions, people around me trusted me to do the right thing and be a mature, responsible, and essentially “perfect” teenager. This unspoken expectation bore more weight on my conscience than the typical verbal criticism. Furthermore, I was obliged to consider the opinion of my little six-year-old student, who viewed me as her “role model,” and reflect on whether my actions

lived up to this impressive title.

When I make my own decisions, I lose the ability to make excuses for my mistakes. I can no longer complain to my parents for not reminding me to wake up early the next day, nor can I blame my sister for misplacing my phone.

Similarly, I am now responsible for getting into the driver’s seat and maneuvering the steering wheel instead of being six years old and strapped into my red car seat, with its plastic bottle holders and polypropylene cushions, by my parents. This sense of “maturity” compels me to consider the direct consequences of my actions and pressures me to do everything right.

Even though I did not deserve the rewards for “growing up” in the first place, the accompanying expectations have ironically helped me mature. I am slowly learning to fulfill my role as a responsible high school junior — though I have yet to satisfy the title of “role model.”

Civic Engagement is More Important Than Ever… Here’s What Pingry Can Do About It SRIYA TALLAPRAGADA (V) Growing up, I never received a formal civic education in school. My parents, both first-generation immigrants and firm believers in the importance of

youth civic engagement, made sure to close this gap by filling our house with books, newspapers, and open discussions about policy issues in the US. I'm lucky to have grown up with a understanding in the power of my

voice, especially through the democratic process.

However, I have watched many of my peers lose interest in current events, politics, and the issues affecting our youth. The pandemic made this problem worse, leading to significant learning losses, including civic engagement education. In fact, according to the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) test results this year, only 22 percent of eighth graders were proficient in civic engagement topics, a dip from 24 percent in 2018.

Furthermore, only 49 percent of the participants reported having a civic engagement or government class.

Now more than ever, it is essential that educational departments prioritize multidisciplinary approaches to teaching civic education and engagement. This must go beyond investment in civic education programs and classes, although that would undoubtedly be helpful; instead, it requires curriculums

that proactively address how civic education and policy affect society.

Schools can best prepare students to engage with civic information through media literacy. As a teenager, I receive my current event information through print and digital media as well as news sites. Reliable reporting and journalism remain crucial in my understanding of the world. At Pingry, this can be accomplished through a curriculum that integrates current events and global issues in everyday education.

Another way that schools can strengthen civic engagement is through youth activism programs, where students can use their voices to make changes in their local communities. Even something as simple as hosting voting drives to increase voter registration and turnout can be beneficial. There are many different ways that Pingry can help with this issue, and a commitment to these strategies can go a long way in increasing civic engagement.

With the 2024 election coming up, young people must receive the civic education experience they deserve and should be encouraged to speak out about policies affecting them. Over the past year, it has been far too common for politicians and adults in power to influence students’ education. Calls to ban books have been echoed nationwide, and some states have passed legislation making it more difficult for schools to teach critical race theory, sex education, and even certain parts of American history. Just a month ago, right before students entered the classroom, the Florida State Education Department effectively banned AP Psychology by prohibiting its gender and sexuality content.

I will be a first-time voter for the 2024 presidential election, and I hope that I will be able to see other members of my generation at the polls, informed about current issues, and filling out ballots with confidence.

Photo Credits: Julia Eng (VI), Kain Wang (VI)

THE PINGRY RECORD COLUMNS OCTOBER 25, 2023

10

Club Spotlight: Pingry Robotics

The Barbie Movie Is a Love Letter to Women Everywhere SRIYA TALLAPRAGADA (V)

CAROLYN ZHOU (V)

team return to its roots and better appreciate the basics of engineering

Since its inception in 2008, Pingry

design skills, noting that this year’s

Robotics has been one of the most

approach is to “Start simple, be more

active clubs at the school, working

consistent, and then work our way up.”

diligently every year to participate in

Led by Keira Chen (VI), Laura Liu

the internationally renowned FIRST

(VI), and Alan Zhong (VI), the team

Robotics Competition. Beyond their

is hoping for a fresh start this year,

work in engineering, though, the

already making moves to revamp the

robotics team has served as a place for

room and structure of the team with

students to gather under a common

an end goal of a better welcome for new

interest, work hard, learn new skills,

members and increased participation

and develop lifelong friendships.

in the club. Zhong understands how

Whether it’s late at night before

the prospect of building robots from

competitions or during CP afternoons,

scratch may seem like a daunting task

as room 456 comes alive with the

to unfamiliar students, one he certainly

excitement of middle and high school

felt coming in as a freshman, but he

students alike, the robotics team is

states that the club is just “a place where

always open for students to explore

you can explore some cool concepts and

a passion for STEM that they will

be a part of a tight-knit community.”

hopefully carry throughout their lives.

As Mr. Nazareno reminds the school,

Under the tutelage of Robotics

“I would love for them to know that we

Mentor Mr. Jeff Nazareno, an exciting

welcome all.” He encourages students to

new addition to the faculty this year, as

reach out to him or their team members

well as Upper School Science Teacher

to learn about what robotics is and how

Mr. William Bourne, the team is

they can participate. “Even if you don’t

looking forward to continuing a legacy

know anything yet but want to learn,

of cooperation and competition as

the easiest path for anything, not just

they head into another season of the

robotics, is getting involved.” Liu echoed

FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) and the

these sentiments of encouragement

FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC).

for curious new members, adding,

Each year, there’s a new game with

“Once FRC season hits, feel free to

specific tasks the robots must complete

come watch 6-foot-tall robots duke

to earn points as they demonstrate a

it out on the field!” That certainly

stunning collaboration between design,

sounds like motivation enough. Good

building, coding, and teamwork.

luck to all involved, and we hope the

Mr. Nazareno is seeking to help the

team has another fantastic season!

“Two tickets for Barbie, please!”

Decked in a fuchsia power dress and rose-colored heels, I smile brightly at the amused cashier, who slides over two ticket stubs.

Beside me, my mother, clutching a champagne pink wallet, takes my hand. Together, we walk towards the theater to watch Greta Gerwig’s highly anticipated Barbie movie.

As soon as I heard that the Barbie movie would be released on June 21, I knew I had to go with my mother. As a child, I had a collection of various dolls, including American Girl Dolls, Bratz, and Monster High, but Barbie had always been my favorite. I was gifted them by my mother, who wanted me to grow up dreaming big.

I carried them with me everywhere, referring to them as my “career Barbies” — intelligent, beautiful dolls representing a variety of professions, from teachers to politicians to doctors. In my eyes, these Barbies were destined to change the world.

While enjoying a solid fan base, Barbie’s brand has also faced criticism from many. The seemingly unattainable perfection that Barbie represents has caused some to excessively dislike the brand. I admit, I walked into the movie theater with my mom thinking it

would be a light watch, as we laughed at the completely unrelatable Barbie characters on the screen.

I was in for a surprise.

The Barbie movie was, in many ways, an unexpected but refreshing sociopolitical commentary on a woman’s life. In one of its most heart-wrenching moments, America Ferrera, cast as a frustrated Mattel employee and mother, delivers a searing monologue about the double standards women everywhere face: “It is literally impossible to be a woman,” she says. “You are so beautiful and so smart, and it kills me that you don’t think you’re good enough. Like, we have to always be extraordinary, but somehow we’re always doing it wrong.” This quote put words to the insecurities that I and many other teenage girls experience with the societal expectations placed on women.

Today, women encounter unique challenges in their daily lives.

Extensive research supports this fact: Women earn only 83% of what men earn, and female representation in leadership roles, such as CEOs, remains dismally low at around 5%.

Unrealistic expectations demand that women excel in both their personal and professional lives, leaving little to no room for mistakes or failure.

As a 16-year-old girl, I feel an

immense pressure to be “perfect.”

Every day, I can’t help but question myself: Are my clothes trendy enough? Am I being friendly to everyone I meet? Am I working hard enough to be successful in life? No matter what I do, my fear of failure dictates many of my decisions.

The strength of the Barbie movie lies in its self-awareness, acknowledging the unattainable standards of perfection set by Barbie and confronting this issue head-on. It eloquently captures the struggle of being held to impossible standards, illuminating the internal conflict women face growing up in a patriarchal society.

As I leave the theater with my mother, I can’t help but notice the other people there. It’s a wide assortment of women, ranging from little girls in sparkly pink taffeta, to teens in short bubblegum dresses, and even to older women wearing floral gowns and pinkrimmed glasses. However, one thing common about the generations of women in the theater is the stricken and tearful looks on their faces.

As I write this article, it is safe to say that Barbie is a love letter to women everywhere, touching upon our challenges and empowering us to embrace our imperfections.

Around the World, in New Jersey: Four Monkeys SIMRIN SHAH (IV) Nestled in the busy streets of downtown Summit, New Jersey, Four Monkeys is a restaurant that combines traditional and modern Indian flavors into innovative dishes. The name comes from

an ancient tale encompassing four virtues: “Hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil, do no evil.”

The restaurant was founded by four friends who sought to “bring both their Indian and American culture to the heart of New Jersey.” Situated in a

small yet inviting setting, Four Monkeys has a warm and casual environment, with tables and booths that dress the room.

Despite the intimate environment, Four Monkeys is a bustling, familyfriendly restaurant. Most of the time, they cannot accommodate walk-ins, so reservations are highly recommended.

The menu offers vegetarian, meat, seafood, gluten-free, and vegan dishes, making the restaurant a great place for everyone. Visiting a second time, I tried a great deal of their selections. The pani puri, a typical street food dish, stood out as a favorite. The puri, a spherical, fried, breaded shell stuffed with potatoes, is meant to be filled with sour and spicy mint-flavored water, or pani, and eaten in one flavorful bite.

Mahesh, one of three chefs at

Four Monkeys, says his favorite dish is the Bhoot Jolokia (ghost pepper) Chicken Tikka. He admits, however, that the spice levels are not for everyone. Despite being warned, I had to give his recommendation a try. Marinated in the world’s hottest chili pepper, this chicken dish requires an extra glass (or two) of water.

The main dishes are more

traditional than the appetizers. The menu offers a variety of entrées accompanied with rice and a choice of naan. Some favorites that stood out were the chili naan and homestyle bhuna chicken.

Dining at Four Monkeys was an experience that I truly enjoyed.

From the delightful ambiance to the delicious food, this restaurant did not disappoint.

Photo Credits (Top to Bottom): Pingry Robotics, Google Images, Simrin Shah (IV)

THE PINGRY RECORD COLUMNS OCTOBER 25, 2023

11

Making the Most of Local Music GRACE FERNICOLA (VI) When we think of iconic music scenes, cities like Nashville, Austin, and New Orleans often come to mind. Those few are regarded as the best, and for good reason. But New Jersey has an

active music culture that I think does not get the recognition it deserves.

New Jersey houses an eclectic mix of artists across various genres, some of the most famous being Bon Jovi, My Chemical Romance, SZA, and the legendary Whitney Houston.

It’s worth noting that Frank Sinatra, Lauryn Hill, and Queen Latifah are also originally from New Jersey, although they’re often associated with New York. Perhaps the most iconic figure in Jersey’s music scene is Bruce Springsteen. His humble rise to fame, beginning in Asbury Park, put the Jersey Shore on the map as a place not only with retirees who winter in Florida and twenty-somethings that frequent casinos, but a place with great musicians and shows as well.

New Jersey’s music scene isn’t just about the big names; it thrives on the local level too. Some of my favorite bands like The Front Bottoms, Deal Casino, and Pinegrove are from New Jersey and have gained devoted followings largely made up of people from locals. There are also great venues in-state such as White Eagle Hall in Jersey City, Starland Ballroom in Sayreville, The Stone Pony in Asbury Park, and Holmdel’s PNC Bank Arts Center that provide platforms for both emerging talents, like Butterfly Garden, and established artists, like The Smashing Pumpkins. The laid-back Barefoot Country festival in Wildwood and the alternative Sea.Hear.Now festival

in Asbury Park sell out nearly every year. I’ve also been seeing more and more recommendations on Spotify for a new genre called “New Jersey Indie,” which is best described as a mix of folk, pop, and alternative-rock.

Venturing beyond your musical comfort zone can be a bit intimidating.

It’s human nature to gravitate towards the familiar. I understand the devotion that many of us have to a single artist or genre that helped us get through seventh-grade. I often fall victim to listening to the same 12 songs over and over again, just because they are that good. But as corny as it may sound, I think that we should all follow the adage “you’ll never know until you try” and listen to a band, singer, or genre that you would never normally put on your playlist.

Attending a local concert by an artist you’re not acquainted with may not sound very intriguing. Why would I pay money to see someone play songs that I don’t know? It’s a fair point. Not everyone can enjoy themselves in a situation like that.

But, believe it or not, it is possible to enjoy live music without breaking the bank. 99 percent of the time, local concerts are more affordable than

big-name acts. By attending local concerts, you help these aspiring musicians pursue their passion, and you become a contributor to a thriving local culture. Maybe you’ll discover a genre or subculture that resonates with you in unexpected ways, or even stumble upon the next big thing. Local concerts are treasure troves of undiscovered talent.

Smaller venues also offer a level of intimacy and connection that is hard to replicate in larger arenas. Last week, I went to see All Time Low at the Starland Ballroom. I got a few minutes to talk with the lead singer before he went on stage, and I was able to see his emotions up close when performing as well as his dedication to his music — that’s something that I could never have experienced at a big venue like Madison Square Garden.

So, next time you’re putting in your earbuds, about to press “shuffle” on This Is: Drake, think instead about listening to something new. Or, download Songkick or Ticketmaster, even if it’s just for the bus ride to school one morning, or to keep you busy during Flex. You never know what you might find.

The Ugly Truth Behind Standardized Testing ELLA KARCH (V)

becomes clear: fail the test, fail at life.

teachers may be swayed by the impact

academic aptitude, standardized tests

young minds. In doing so, we wouldn’t just

The results of these tests are often a

of student test scores on performance

offer just one piece of the puzzle and can’t

help level the academic playing field; we

Standardized tests were created with

key factor for admissions to prestigious

evaluations and unintentionally

provide the whole picture. It’s time we

would enrich it, cultivating a generation

the intention of leveling the academic

institutions, scholarships, or advanced

project their concerns onto students.

expanded our assessment tools to truly

of diverse thinkers prepared to tackle

playing field. In other words, they were

placements, thus the pressure on

Ultimately, in terms of measuring

capture the complexities and potential of

the multifaceted challenges to come.

supposed to be a “neutral” means of

students is immense. They are not merely

assessing performance. Yet, as students

taking a test — students can instead feel

continue to fill in bubble after bubble,

like they are battling for their future. For

year after year, one must wonder:

some, the fear of letting down their family

what is the psychological impact of

or failing to secure a desired result can be

these tests on the young mind? Not

overwhelming. Such emotional stress can

only do standardized tests fall short of

interfere with their performance, making

capturing the full spectrum of student

the test score not a measure of their true

intelligence, they also induce various

capabilities but rather a reflection of their

adverse effects, such as perpetuating

test-taking anxiety. Adding another layer

inequality and hindering learning and

of stress can be damaging for a generation

well-being. We frequently ignore the

already grappling with increasing rates of

underlying costs associated with these

psychological disorders. Test anxiety

evaluations, namely the emotional

doesn’t just cause short-term stress, it

and psychological tolls they impose on

can result in long-lasting adverse effects,

students. Students are taught from an

such as a decreased enthusiasm for

early age to see these assessments as an

learning and diminished self-confidence.

appraisal of their value, aptitude, and

Standardized test performance

potential for success rather than a simple

pressure can have rippling effects on a

evaluation of their knowledge. This

student’s life, affecting how they interact

view contributes to the atmosphere of

with parents, peers, and teachers. Even

constant anxiety over academic success.

with the best intentions, parents may

With the dominant presence of SATs and

push their kids excessively, causing

APs in the college application process, the

conflicts and creating a less supportive

message these standardized tests deliver

environment at home. At school,

Ask the Honor Board What does being on the Honor Board mean to you?

I noticed that my friend was cheating on a test – what should I do?

Chloe Huang (IV)

Ethan Boroditsky (VI)

“To me, being on the Honor Board means having influence on the

“As a member of the Pingry community, I believe that you should use

Honor Code, something that ties our community together. The

your own discretion in determining how to address this issue. This does

Honor Code pushes ourselves to be the best versions of ourselves.

not mean that you necessarily must report this offense if you do not feel

Allowing the Honor Code to guide us in a dedicated, peer-driven

comfortable doing so. However, rather than turning a blind eye, you might

environment is a very cool experience to be a part of. Being at a

have a conversation with your friend, because the Honor Code is only as

school where everyone is eager to put themselves out there is really

strong as the students’ belief in it. As Pingry community members, we

motivating. It inspires us to make the most of our opportunities.”

should each strive to uplift one another and hold each other accountable.”

Photo Credits: Google Images

12

THE PINGRY RECORD SPORTS OCTOBER 25, 2023

Fall Sports Season Update

BY SARAH GU (VI), JINGJING LUO (V), KATE MARINE (VI), MARK MASON (VI), LIV MURRAY (VI), GABRIEL RAYKIN (IV), VANYA SHAH (V), SOFIA WOOD (V), HANSEN ZHANG (VI), & THE PINGRY FOOTBALL TEAM Girls’ Tennis The Girls’ Varsity Tennis Team is on track for another stellar season. Last year, they boasted an impressive record: undefeated, number one in the state, and champions of the County, Prep, Group, and State tournaments.

Two star players, Isabelle Chen (V) and Leila Souayah (V), also won singles last year. This year, the team is led by Coaches Marion Weber and George Roser, along with Captains Isabelle Chen (V) and Ava Grunstra (V).

In preparation for the season, varsity and junior varsity members played against one another in one-set challenge matches to determine ladder-based rankings. As the regular season matches began, Chen commended the tough competition and rivalry from Ridge High School. She also mentioned that the team makeup is mostly the same, as the team only lost one senior and gained a freshman and two sophomores. “Even though it’s relatively the same people,” Chen noted, “it’s kind of a different team dynamic and a lot of us are playing different positions this year. It’s new and a little bit unknown, and I’m excited to see how far we get.” The Girls’ Tennis Team expects a great season ahead of them.

Water Polo Under the guidance of Boys’ Head Coach Granger Abuhoff, Girls’ Head Coach Megan Hilliard, and Assistant Coaches Megan DeGraff and Anna Marie Hope, the Pingry Water Polo Team showcased a strong presence at the Beast of the East Tournament held in Pennsylvania from September 22 to September 23. The Girls’ Team, led by Captain Emily Gao (VI), brought home a victory in their closing game against Lower Merion High School. This season, they have exhibited remarkable team spirit and created significant bonding experiences, which played a pivotal role in enhancing their in-pool coordination.

On the flip side, the Boys’ Team, led by Captain Alex Wong (V), is also displaying much potential and rapid improvement, and it hopes to continue its rivalry with Saint Benedict’s Preparatory School. As the season unfolds, the Water Polo Team is keen to enthusiastically embrace the challenges and opportunities in finishing the season!

Field Hockey The Girls’ Field Hockey season is off to a successful start with a record of 5–1.

Led by Captains Avery Santomassimo (VI), McKenna Dwyer (VI), and Morgan Dwyer (V), varsity aims to continue their winning streak by using each practice as an opportunity to work both individually and as a team on ball control and stick skills.

Head Coach Julia Martinez says the team this season is “filled with talented players who connect very well with one another.”

Part of this on and off field chemistry is undoubtedly due to the team’s trip to the Netherlands this summer, where players connected and bonded with one another outside of the school environment. In addition to sightseeing through Amsterdam and Utrecht, the team had the opportunity to train under world-class coaches and scrimmage against various teams so that, as noted by

Coach Martinez, “every player picked up a new skill and came back much stronger.”

Varsity aims to win the Skyland Conference this season and contend for the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) Non-Public A title. With the team’s talent and connection on the field, Girls’ Field Hockey is expecting much success this fall.

Football “Brotherhood” and “family” are two words that describe the Big Blue Football team perfectly. As the team’s success grows, one can’t help but remember the past performances of the team, when the team lost game after game, people began to lose faith—that was, until 2021, when the Big Blue Football program began to be taken more seriously. With the help of Coach Joe Passaro and other staff, as well as key players of the past, such as Matt Caruso ‘22, Niles Luke ‘22, Jacob Ventura ‘22, and Zach Ventura ‘22, the team finally began to subvert the narrative surrounding Big Blue Football.

After the team’s first positive season in many years, people began to notice change for the better. As the 2022 season approached, the team acquired new players who would make a huge impact on every game played in the Metropolitan Independent Football League (MIFL). Josh Woodford (VI), Mike Hollomon (VI), and Carson DeRoner (VI) joined the team in 2022, and the team began to see even stronger results. With the help of key players such as Peter O’Mara ‘23, who now attends Harvard University, Henry Pyne ‘23, who now attends Rensselaer Polytechnic University, and Reilly Cavanaugh, who now attends University of Rochester, the team made it to semi-finals. So far this season, Big Blue Football have a record of 3-0, and have scored at least four touchdowns each game.

Woodford has averaged four touchdowns per game throughout the season, and most recently, in a game against Fieldston, he scored touchdowns with three interceptions.

Woodfod has 597 all-purpose yards, and Hollomon has 668 all-purpose yards with five touchdowns. They are putting up numbers that have yet to be seen in the team’s history. The team follows a guiding mantra: E.A.T., which stands for Effort, Attitude, and Intensity, and they make an effort to bring this energy to each practice and game. Big Blue Football wants to make a statement: they will not be something to ignore or doubt, and they will win the MIFL this year, and nobody will get in their way.

Girls’ Cross Country The Girls’ Cross Country Team is already off to a historic start, and they are excited to turn some heads this season. Trained by Head Coach Sarah Christensen and Assistant Coaches Tim Grant and Matthew Osbourne, the team is eager to establish itself as one to beat.

Following a 10th place finish at last year’s NJ Meet of Champions, the Girls’ Cross Country Team returned with four All-American runners honored last spring. Fortunately for Pingry, none of them have yet graduated.

At this season’s first meet, the team posted the third-fastest team average across five kilometers (20:08) in the state, which is also the fastest team average in Pingry history. The girls are determined to improve their current ranking of #7 in the state and finish on the podium at the NJ Meet of Champions this season.

“We’re in the best shapes of our lives, and everyone is always pushing one another to go the extra mile,” Captain Olivia

Murray (VI) commented after the first meet. Sari Berman (IV), Devan Gambello (VI), Julia Ronnen (IV), and Gia Sachan (IV) all posted personal bests in the race.

When asked about their goal for top three in the state, Captain Kayla Kerr said, “After doing so well last season, the whole team has strong motivation to go even further this year. We’re ready to show New Jersey what Pingry is capable of.” Watch out for Big Blue!

Boys’ Soccer The Boys’ Soccer Team is currently ranked first in the state with a record of 12-0. They are off to an excellent start in the season, exhibiting great team chemistry from all positions on the field. On September 23, they won against Ridge High School with a final score of 2-1. When asked about the game, Coach Miller Bugliari ‘52, the team’s head coach, says, “The team played pretty well overall, with both teams being heavily impacted by the wind and rain. However, our team needs to work on taking more shots and taking advantage of rebounds.”

When preparing for upcoming matches, the team works through a structured routine to improve gameplay and review tactics they can use to beat their opponents. However, in the practices shortly after their games, the team usually works on fundamentals with a repetition-based approach. The team has some very talented young players that Mr. Bugiliari proclaims “have brought scoring, high energy, and great defense onto the team.” Henry Foster (IV) believes, “The team can go very far this year with hard work and dedication! We are in the hardest conference in the Tri-State Area, and no [game] will be an easy match.” Encouraging his teammates, Foster said, “Keep up the great work, boys!”

Girls’ Soccer The Varsity Girls’ Soccer Team commenced their season with an exhilarating journey to Paris, France. There, they immersed themselves in team-bonding activities, explored attractions, and played two games against local teams. With the leadership of Captains Greta Pew (VI), Maggie Ellsworth (VI), and Delaney Swain (VI) under the tutelage of Head Coach Lauren Molinaro and Assistant Coaches Paul Sykes and Sara Poole, the team is ardently eyeing their first championship title since 2020. After a disappointing start to the season, with a 1-1 tie to Hunterdon Central High School and a 5-0 loss to Rutgers Prep, the team’s season took a turn for the better after their 3-1 win against Bridgewater-Raritan High School. The team also participated in the annual Mountain vs.

Seas charity tournament, which pits Skyland Conference teams against Shore Conference teams to raise money for a different charity every year. This year, the Girls’ Soccer Team raised almost $3,000 for Sarah’s Fight for Hope Foundation, an organization that fights pediatric cancer, before defeating Howell High School 3-1 in the tournament. With eyes set on winning the Somerset County Tournament, the team’s determination is palpable. “We really want to win Counties this year,” Swain stated, “because we haven’t done that in the past decade, and this team definitely has the ability to do that.” The team demonstrates exceptional talent, including leading goalscorers Maya Nuwayhid (IV) and Alyssa Hammoud (III).

The season brims with promise, and support for the team resonates with every cheer of “Go Big Blue!” Best of luck to the Girls’ Soccer Team as they navigate the journey ahead!

Volleyball Led by Captains Coco Simon (VI) and Keira Chen (VI) and Coaches Amrita Minhas and Josh Lyons, the Girls’ Volleyball Team is excited to lead the first season of volleyball at Pingry.

Varsity Girls’ Volleyball made school history on September 19 when the team won its first home game. As the coach of the program, Coach Minhas says that she is “most excited to help the team realize that they are making their mark on Pingry Athletics.” Additionally, the volleyball used during the game was signed by the coaches and all members of the varsity and junior varsity teams and will be displayed in the Bugliari Athletics Center.

With many players who are new to the sport, the team aims to improve individual skills as well as overall teamwork. Simon adds, “In volleyball, you can’t touch the ball more than once in a row, so teamwork is essential.” Overall, Girls’ Volleyball is motivated to grow as a competitive team and to prepare for the rest of the season together.

The team anticipates an inspirational first season and looks forward to leaving a legacy for the program in the coming years.

Boys’ Cross Country The keyword for this year’s Boys’ Cross Country team, led by Captains Ziv Shah (V) and Andrew Vilarin (VI), along with Coaches Matthew Horesta and Sterling Kouri, is “potential.” Head Coach Horesta has greatly emphasized the possibility that the 2023-2024 Cross Country team will be one of the best in the school’s history, and the team is working hard to make it a reality. In fact, during their preseason, they were already ranked by Milesplit as a top 20 team in New Jersey, and

they intend to retain and gain on this position.

Beginning their season at the Natirar Speedway, the team asserted their position as a top ranking team with a dominant performance against Bernards and Somerville and a five-man average time of 17:03. In the next two months, the team will compete in seven meets and a possible eighth if they qualify for the Meet of Champions. To accomplish this, the Somerset County Championships, Prep A Championships, and Non-Public A Championships stand out as integral meets.

With the addition of the Bowdoin Invitational, which attracts top teams in the Tri-State area, including New Jersey’s perennial powerhouse Christian Brothers Academy and other rivals in Somerset County, there will be no shortage of competition for the team. Coach Horesta commented on adding Bowdoin to the team’s schedule, stating, “This year’s squad was ready for a new challenge against top teams.

Racing at the Bowdoin Invitational was the kind of preparation we needed for racing against deep fields in the Somerset County and Non-Public A Championship races.”

But beyond this competition, the future is bright for the team whose top runners are juniors and sophomores. Regarding the future, Coach Horesta said, “For now the focus is on this year’s team… It’s reasonable to shoot for being a top 20 team for at least the next two years, but for this to be possible we need our underclassmen to see themselves as responsible for building on the success and stature that our upperclassmen have helped to establish. In the years ahead I hope we will always see ourselves as on par with the top team in the county and Non-Public A.”

Volume CXLIX — No. I

Editors-in-Chief

Cartoon Editor

Julia Eng

Kain Wang

Saniya Kamat Assistant Editors Layout Editors

Sarah Gu

Saniya Kamat

Kate Marine

Joaquin Stevenson Sriya Tallapragada

Copy Editors Adam Elayan

Senior Assistant Editors

Grace Fernicola

Keira Chen

Ella Karch

Evan Xie

JingJing Luo Gabriel Raykin

Faculty Advisors

Sriya Tallapragada

Ms. Sara Courtney

Carolyn Zhou

Mr. Michael Taylor Photo Credits: Pingry Communications