MOMENTS IN BLOOM
24’-25’ Lebow Oratorical Competition
AANVI TRIVEDI (V)
On March 5, 2025, six finalists competed in the annual Lebow Oratorical Competition, a speech competition created by classmates of Dr. Robert H. Lebow ’58 in honor of his passion for public speaking. Lebow was a strong advocate for global healthcare reform; he frequently used public speaking to express his opinions while traveling to developing countries, alongside his wife, to provide medical services. Today, sophomores and juniors celebrate his legacy by presenting 4–6 minute speeches about a topic of their choosing, developing both their writing and public speaking skills through
his namesake competition.
Students first competed in a preliminary round held over two days, with contestants split between two rooms, each with two judges. The top three speakers from each room proceeded to the final round, which was delivered in Hauser Auditorium in front of Upper School and Middle School students and faculty. This year’s finalists were Samaya Shah (IV), Shane Varneckas (IV), Alicia Chen (V), Sophia Guild (V), Jonah Park (V), and Shanti Swadia (IV). Shah spoke first with her speech titled “Living in Rewind: Our Obsession with Nostalgia,” which explored the concept of nostalgia as an invisible time machine, pulling us back to a comforting past.
Then, Varneckas delivered his speech, “The Pingry Vision: Why Pingry Needs More School Spirit.” He painted a clear picture of the ideal Pingry community, complete with school spirit that fuels our athletes and musicians, providing specific ideas to increase school spirit.
After a standard two-minute break for judge scoring, Chen reminded us that AI and other technological advances won’t replace artists in her speech, “The Comfort for the Creative in a Coven of Computerization.”
After Guild, Park delivered his speech titled “What is Vintage?” addressing how vintage clothing acts as a form of selfexpression, connecting the idea of vintage to his Korean past.
Swadia went next, delivering a personal story about how music changed her life, titled “The Music That Speaks.” She opened up about the years she
Guild spoke next with her speech titled “How to Win the Game of Life,” where she compared life to the beloved board game The Game of Life and challenged the idea that we have to chase traditional success. When asked about what inspired her to choose her topic, she said, “I chose a topic that mattered to me and hoped it would mean something to others, too. I honestly never could’ve imagined how warmly the speech would be received—it truly meant so much to me.”
spent unable to speak due to selective mutism and shared how discovering music gave her the courage to find her voice through singing and speaking. Ultimately, Swadia was declared the winner, with Guild announced as the runner-up. When asked about her experience speaking during the Lebow Oratorical Competition, Swadia shared, “I was very nervous at first, but once I got into the speech, the flow became more natural, and I stopped thinking about everyone watching me. I was able to live in the present and enjoy delivering the speech.” Congratulations to everyone who participated in the 2024–2025 Lebow Oratorical Competition!
Photo Credits: Pingry Communications
Prom 2025
AANVI TRIVEDI (V)
On April 11, juniors and seniors attended Prom at American Beauty Events in Berkeley Heights, NJ. From attending nail and hair appointments to exchanging corsages and boutonnieres, the day was filled with anticipation and preparation for the event.
Before the dance, families of juniors and seniors attended pre-prom celebrations. Juniors attended their pre-prom event at the Canoe Brook Country Club in Summit, while seniors celebrated at the Short Hills Country Club. Families, friends, and dates took photos and ate small appetizers before piling into cars, limousines, and buses to head to the main event. Upon entering the event, students were greeted by Upper School Dean of Student Life Mr. Robert Hoepfl and Upper School Dean of Student Life Mr. Alan Van Antwerp, among other faculty chaperones. The space was decorated beautifully, with warm lights and ornate furniture that gave the room an elegant charm.
Dinner was served in buffet style, consisting of vegetable and shrimp dumplings, tortellini alfredo pasta, and chicken wings. A dessert of ice cream followed, and, as always, the Shirley Temples
and strawberry daiquiris were a huge hit among students.
The lines for the photo booth stretched all the way to the door, and students danced the night away to popular hits such as “Nokia” by Drake and “Since You’ve Been Gone” by Kelly Clarkson. Upper School Dean Ms. Julia Dunbar commented on the event, saying, “The venue was different this year, and it seemed like most students had a good time!”
As the clock struck 9:30 p.m., students left the venue holding photo strips that captured memories of the unforgettable night. It was evident from the pictures posted and memories shared that both students and faculty had an amazing time at the dance.
Upper School Counselor Ms. Leah Charles shared: “I thought prom this year was fantastic. The new venue brought a refreshing change and created a beautiful setting that added to the overall experience. The energy throughout the night was so positive, and I heard many students rating it a 10/10, which really speaks to how much everyone enjoyed it.”
From gorgeous dresses and pictureperfect tuxedos to delicious food and shared laughter with friends, Prom 2025 was a night to remember.
RYAN DICKS (III)
As we emerged from the frigid winter months, when the heat blasted so high we were forced to open windows in classrooms, students noticed a certain banging noise around the school. The incessant noise coming from the athletics entrance was the result of the construction and expansion of the Miller A. Bugliari ‘52 World Cup Field, as well as the creation of a new varsity baseball field.
Boys’ Varsity Soccer Team Head Coach Mr. Miller Bugliari said, “I am looking forward to the redo of the field so that we can host some international teams for the Club World Cup this summer and the World Cup next year.” As Coach Bugliari explained, a major benefit of this expansion is the ability to host international club and
A Prideful Performance
ZOE ARGENTIERI (III)
On Friday, April 4, Upper and Middle School students greeted the annual Taiko Drumming performance with cheers in Hauser Auditorium. The first song, “Firmament,” was written by Daniel Lanao (VI). The club previously performed this piece at the Bernards Chinese Association’s Mid-Autumn Festival celebration, and their expertise was evident, especially in Somdeep Nath’s (III) performance. The club performed several other pieces that students wrote at the Taiko Drumming’s annual overnight retreat to Pottersville, including “Futari” by Ollie Lanao (V) and Ryan Hao (IV) and the piece “Sekai no Bakuhatsu” by Alex Wong (VI) and William Zhou-Zheng (IV). The student-written pieces were extra special as they had been years in the making, with “Firmament” taking over two years to perfect.
The highlight of the assembly was Taiko Drumming Advisor Mr. Christofer Leone’s speech in
which he revealed the word of the year—”Hokori.” “Hokori” roughly translates to “pride” in English. With that announcement, Mr. Leone captured the sentiment of the evening. In every song, pride was evident in each performer’s precision and energy.
In his speech, Mr. Leone also spoke about the close bond that the club shares as he honored the two seniors leaving the group, Lanao and Wong, as well as the whole club for their dedication and work ethic. Mr. Leone described the club environment, stating that “with any ensemble, not just with Taiko, the ideal is for it to feel like one cohesive unit, and that’s what we have. Many student performers supported each other and went out of their way to help each other. They’d come in on their own time and work on perfecting what they know or just hang out and have fun.” Ending the speech sentimentally, Mr. Leone thanked both Lanao and Wong for their hard work throughout their years with the club and gifted both drummers a set of
bachi (drumsticks used for Taiko). The Taiko drumming assembly included a mix of culture, art, and humor. The club presented several videos in between songs that added a fun element to the assembly. In these video skits, Mr. Leone and Wong tried to figure out who would be the next club leader. The clips incorporated both the Upper and Middle School Taiko groups, with Head of School Mr. Tim Lear also making an appearance. The assembly ended with a performance of “Omiyage,” written by Shoji Kameda, during which Taiko drummers ran on stage chanting and hyping up the crowd. Mr. Leone explained that this song has introduced many people to Taiko, including him, and continues to be a unifier in the global Taiko community. This song included several solos, including a brilliant performance by Wong. This year’s Taiko Drumming assembly lived up to the hype, and the Pingry community is excited to see what next year has in store for the Taiko Drumming Club
World Cup Field Renovations
national teams in the summers of 2025 and 2026 for major FIFA-run tournaments. Expanding to two fields is becoming the increasing standard around the globe for high-caliber teams and a necessity if Pingry wants to keep hosting AC Milan, Juventus, and national teams like Italy and Uruguay. Besides introducing a second field to the World Club complex, the expansion also includes increasing the size of the original field and providing better seating and viewing areas. Overlooking both fields, the new seating section has 400 seats in five separate sections. The creation of the second field forced the construction team to cut back into the hill where students previously sat during games. However, there is still a hillside for students on either side of the block of seats, although some may opt
for the new seating arrangement. The standing terrace will be relocated above the new seats.
Reminiscent of Coach Bugliari’s earlier days at Pingry, there will be a blue pavilion and walk-in area leading to the expansive seating area. This project presented numerous challenges, but Boys’ Varsity Soccer Team Associate Coach and Director of Institutional Advancement Mr. David Fahey ‘99 successfully navigated these obstacles with foresight and creative problem solving.
When Coach Fahey gave players from the Boys’ and Girls’ Soccer Teams a tour of the renovations in progress, he raved about the new field’s pristine grass, which Pingry was able to obtain over the requests of the Pittsburgh Steelers and New York Giants. The original World Cup Field will be expanded
to 78 x 118 yards, which is larger than almost every professional stadium in the world. The second field is now the same size as the old one, at 70 x 110 yards, and remains one of the biggest high school
fields in the state. With the new expansion, students and faculty will have more opportunities to come out and support our soccer teams next fall at the newly renovated World Cup Field!
Photo Credits (Top to Bottom): Pingry Communications
LEAH HOLMES (IV)
On Thursday, April 10, Middle and Upper School students gathered in Hauser Auditorium for the 37th annual Henry G. Stifel III ’83 Award Assembly. The award honors the legacy of its namesake, Henry G. Stifel III ’83, who demonstrated extraordinary
Stifel Award Assembly
resilience after a 1982 car accident left him paralyzed. Despite the severity of his injury, he returned to Pingry with determination, graduating with his class the following year. Mr. Stifel went on to earn a degree in finance from the College of William & Mary in 1988 and later became a Senior Vice President at Morgan
Stanley. Beyond his professional achievements, he played a pivotal role in founding the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, serving as Vice Chairman and advancing its mission to find a cure for spinal cord injuries.
Each year, the Stifel Award is presented to “the person who best exemplifies those characteristics
KALLIE STERN (IV)
The annual Student vs. Faculty Basketball Game took place in Bristol Gymnasium on March 28, 2025. Students from all grades waved pom-poms in the air and cheered on their classmates, while faculty spectators lined Bristol’s walls, rallying behind their colleagues. The game was structured into two 18-minute halves under standard high school basketball rules. Various faculty members participated, including Girls’ Basketball Head Coach Robert
On April 3, fifteen students from L’Institut des Chartreux in Lyon, France, arrived in New Jersey. The following day, they attended the Taiko Drumming Assembly and met their exchange buddies at Pingry. Over the next week, they explored New York City, toured Princeton University, and participated in a variety of immersive activities with their host families. A few even had the chance to attend an American prom. One of the French students, Pauline Laporte, reflected, “Experiencing American daily life showed me how many differences there are between French and American culture, and how much we can learn from one another.” The purpose
exhibited by Henry G. Stifel III ’83 in the aftermath of his accident and spinal injury: courage, endurance, optimism, compassion, and spirit.”
This year’s recipient, Jeremy Betz (VI), embodies each of those values.
To begin the assembly, Upper School Director Dr. Reid Cottingham welcomed the community, introduced the significance of the event, and shared Mr. Stifel’s story. Mrs. Susan Kinney, Co-Director of College Counseling, then introduced Betz, offering heartfelt remarks on the many ways he contributes to the Pingry community and beyond.
A talented artist and performer, Jeremy is a dedicated member of Pingry’s a cappella group, the Buttondowns, and has played leading roles in many school productions, most recently as Colonel Mustard in the fall play Clue . Outside the classroom, he is an Eagle Scout, committed to mentoring younger Scouts and giving back to his community.
Jeremy also lives with autism, a neurological condition that affects communication and social interaction. But rather than
Student vs. Faculty Basketball Game
Hoepfl and Boys’ Basketball Head Coach Jason Murdock. Coaching the student team was Ethan Cowen (VI), and the roster included athletes from several of Pingry’s sports teams. Key players included members of the Girls’ and Boys’ Basketball Teams, such as Taylor Francis (VI), Becca Kirshner (VI), and Steven Lentz (VI).
The encouraging, vibrant atmosphere in the stands energized the players on the court, fueling an intense game. While the students’ athleticism shone in the opening minutes, the teachers quickly responded, keeping the score within
five points during the first quarter. Laughter erupted in the stands
Mr. Timothy Grant made a fashionably late entrance in the second quarter,
donning a Syracuse jersey, sweatbands, and knee-high socks.
Heading into the second half, the students held an impressive lead, their athletic prowess on full display. However, as the game progressed, the teachers’ communication and teamwork began to shine. In a surprising upset, the faculty ultimately secured the victory, finishing six points ahead of the students.
The team many considered underdogs proved that age is just a number. This was best exemplified by Mr. Grant, who was fouled twice
French Exchange
of the exchange extended beyond language practice—it aimed to foster a deeper understanding of American and French customs, bridging political and ideological divides. Being in a new country also offers an opportunity to build relationships and develop empathy. It’s a rare and humbling chance to connect with people from different backgrounds. As Laporte noted, “Creating new relations is always an enriching and unique experience that allows you to be your best self.”
Laporte and the other French students departed on Sunday, April 13. However, the cultural exchange is far from over. During Spring Intensives, Pingry students will travel to Lyon, where they will immerse themselves in French culture, strengthen
allowing it to define him, Jeremy has taken it upon himself to better understand his experience so he can connect more deeply with those around him. He strives to be the best student, performer, and community member he can be, exemplifying the characteristics of resilience and spirit. Mrs. Kinney stated, “Today, we proudly celebrate Jeremy Betz for being a true inspiration and role model within our community — for how he has navigated the challenges of his diagnosis, for what he has chosen to overcome, for what he has accomplished, and for his bright future.” In the fall, he, like Mr. Stifel, will attend the College of William & Mary.
To conclude the assembly, Mr. Stifel left the audience with a final reminder: optimism, kindness, and perseverance can help us overcome even the most difficult challenges. His words reinforced the spirit of the award and celebrated Jeremy as a student who truly exemplifies its meaning. The Pingry community congratulates Jeremy Betz on this well-deserved honor and continues to honor Mr. Stifel’s legacy.
in the final minutes and confidently sank both free throws, earning a standing ovation from the crowd. Mr. Hoepfl remarked, “Obviously, I’ve seen a lot of these people play, but I’d say Tim Grant was MVP, coming in with those free throws. What a cool way to finish a long career here.” Next year’s game will offer the students a chance to settle the score. Throughout this fiery competition, the Student vs. Faculty Basketball Game remained a memorable event for all involved, celebrating Pingry’s school spirit and the strength of its community.
their bonds with their exchange partners, and continue their journey of personal growth.
VICTORIA XIE (V)
Photo Credits (Top to Bottom): Pingry Communications, Sheryl Chen (V), Victoria Xie (V)
Baseball Opening Day
RYAN DICKS
(III)
On Friday, March 31, the Pingry community gathered to celebrate a historic moment: the first official varsity game on the new Pingry baseball field. The 25-player Boys’ Baseball Team faced off against The Pennington School in this highly anticipated season opener. The day was filled with excitement and tradition. To mark the occasion, the baseball team invited Head of School Mr. Tim Lear to throw the ceremonial first pitch. At 3:30 p.m., parents organized a visit from the Mr. Softee ice cream truck, and snacks were distributed to fans congregating around the field.
Although the game was scheduled to begin at 4:15 p.m., the team first shared a special moment in the dugout with Mr. Lear and Boys’ Varsity Soccer Coach Miller Bugliari. A former Pingry baseball player himself, Coach Bugliari spoke about the history of the program. He noted that the new turf field is located where the original field once stood, before moving to its most recent location next to World Cup Field.
In Coach Bugliari’s words: “This was the original baseball field, so the team played here from 1985 to 1994. When the World Cup [Field] came, not only did they build the [soccer] field, but we convinced them that we also needed a baseball diamond. So they put that baseball diamond in— last year, some of you played on it.”
Coach Bugliari also shared memories of Coach Reese Williams, who dedicated 40 years to Pingry baseball and coached during Coach Bugliari’s time as a student:
“The Williams Field… Reese Williams was a coach when I was here. He coached 40 years of baseball, and they had some really good ball players. A lot of them went on to play in college. It is a great tradition that your coaches are keeping here.”
Before leaving the dugout, Coach Bugliari offered parting words of encouragement:
“I will be here for two or three games.
I usually look at the calendar. Maybe Joaquin can tell me what games are good, and I will get to some games. You guys look great. Have a good season!”
Following this meaningful conversation, Mr. Eric Weaver, parent of a former Pingry baseball player, announced the players and coaches of both Pingry and Pennington. Pingry lined up along third base, while Pennington lined up at first. After the National Anthem, the community eagerly awaited Mr. Lear’s ceremonial pitch. As Mr. Lear wound up, Joaquin Stevenson readied to catch the ball at home plate. One baseball player exclaimed, “We have never seen this many people come out to our baseball games!”
It was a joyful day, with parents, students, and supporters coming together to enjoy the game, delicious ice cream, and great company. As Pingry Baseball embarks on a new chapter with its new field, this special moment will long be remembered.
Intergenerational Prom
DURGA MENON (V)
Pingry’s Intergenerational Prom, held on April 8, was a lively and much-loved event that brought together students and seniors for an unforgettable evening of joy and connection. Over 200 guests from nearby towns and various senior living communities joined us for a night full of delicious food, cheerful performances, and dancing.
As buses arrived on campus, volunteers greeted guests and escorted them into the cafeteria, which had been beautifully decorated by Pingry students. The space was transformed with balloons, streamers, and themed centerpieces, creating a festive prom atmosphere. Guests were seated and served appetizers, with Pingry student volunteers acting as servers, greeters, and friendly companions throughout the night.
The entertainment began with performances by the Balladeers,
the Buttondowns, and Mr. Winston. Mr. Winston wowed the crowd with a classical whistling solo that drew enthusiastic applause and smiles from the audience. The Buttondowns followed with two crowd-pleasers: “Ain’t No Sunshine” by Bill Withers, featuring soloist Will Overdeck (V), and “Life Could Be a Dream” by The Chords, featuring Cole Langer (V).
Next, the Balladeers performed “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” led by Uma Menon (VI) and Shanti Swadia (IV), followed by a beautiful rendition of “La Vie en Rose,” with solos by Izzy Berger (IV) and Mykah Weckesser (VI). The Balladeers and Buttondowns then joined together for a heartwarming performance of “Stand By Me,” featuring soloists Kayla Goldstein (IV) and Will Overdeck (V), bringing smiles to many in the audience.
As the student jazz band began to play, servers brought out dinner. Guests enjoyed a meal that included Brussels sprouts,
tomatoes, warm bread, Caesar salad, garlic breadsticks, a variety of vegetables, and sandwiches.
After dinner, the dance floor opened—and it didn’t take long before it was full. The jazz band kept spirits high with a playlist of classics and upbeat tunes. Popular songs like “Don’t Stop Believin’” and “Georgia On My Mind” had both students and guests dancing together, laughing, and enjoying each other’s company.
As the evening drew to a close, the announcer revealed the Prom King and Queen. Staff had handed out raffle tickets to guests upon arrival and later announced one male and one female winner. To end the night, the jazz band played a final slow tune, “Tequila,” allowing guests to share one last dance.
The evening concluded with smiles all around and memories to cherish—marking yet another successful Intergenerational Prom at Pingry filled with warmth, music, and cross-generational connection.
The Balladeers and Buttondowns at Disney
World
SHANTI SWADIA (IV)
From March 27 to March 30, Pingry’s two a cappella groups—the Balladeers and Buttondowns—embarked on a four-day trip to Orlando, Florida, to participate in Festival Disney, a national music competition hosted at Walt Disney World. The students were accompanied by Buttondowns Director Dr. Andrew Moore, Upper and Middle School Music Teacher and Balladeers
Director Mr. Jay Winston, Middle School Assistant Teacher and Music Coordinator Ms. Tina Atkinson, and Dean of Student Life and Upper School Performing Arts Teacher Mr. Alan Van Antwerp. After arriving in Orlando and getting settled into their hotel, the students took in the atmosphere and prepared for the competition the next day. On their second day, they dressed in formal attire and sashes. The singers warmed up their voices
on a grass patch outside the hotel before heading to the Saratoga Springs performance center. The groups performed three pieces:
“Zion’s Walls,” a revivalist choral work by Aaron Copland and William Warfield; “Cantique de Jean Racine,” a French sacred piece by Gabriel Fauré; and “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” an iconic ballad originally written by Harold Arlen and Yip Harburg. Mykah Weckesser (VI) was featured as the soloist in the final piece. All selections were directed by Mr. Winston, with piano accompaniment provided by Dr. Moore.
After their performances, students received live feedback from adjudicators, who shared both praise and constructive suggestions.
The students took this advice seriously, refining their technique and expression for the judges.
“It was such a great opportunity to get feedback from an outside source!” reflected Fiona Rovito (IV), who found the experience
both humbling and motivating. Once the competition was over, the groups explored EPCOT Park in small groups, taking in the attractions and celebrating their hard work. The following day was spent in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, leading up to the highly anticipated awards ceremony that evening. With schools from around the country in attendance, Pingry proudly earned the highest possible distinction: a
“Superior” rating in their division. Following the awards, the students returned to the hotel to pack for their final day. On Sunday, they made a stop at a local mall, picking up souvenirs to remember their trip. Thanks to school-provided meal vouchers, meals throughout the trip were covered, adding convenience to the adventure. In a surprise moment at the airport, the Balladeers bumped
into alumna Saniya Kamat ‘24. The reunion was filled with smiles and memories before the group boarded their flight back to New Jersey.
On the plane, many students chatted with new friends or deepened bonds they formed during the trip. From unforgettable performances to theme park adventures and meaningful moments with peers, the community felt that this trip was a truly rewarding experience for all.
Photo Credits (Top to Bottom): Bruce Morrison ‘64, Pingry Communications, Pingry Arts
TINGTING LUO (V)
The annual Research Week, organized by Upper School Science Teacher Dr. Morgan D’Ausilio, was held from April 21 to April 25. The event highlighted class-affiliated and independent research across STEM, humanities, and interdisciplinary fields, drawing excitement from the entire school community.
The Research Week kickoff assembly began with an announcement of the Pingry
Research Week
Community Research Journal’s spring edition and was followed by an announcement of Atomic Antics’ activities for the week, which included oobleck and slime-making.
Julia Ronnen (V), co-president of Journal Club, demonstrated how to dissect complex scientific literature by presenting a gene therapy paper.
Ronnen shared, “Research at Pingry has challenged me to think critically about real-world problems and collaborate closely with peers and faculty to create meaningful
impacts,” and she encouraged all students to participate in research.
In addition, leaders of the two new economics Humanities Independent Research Teams (HIRT) shared their experiences leading the groups and expressed their excitement with the vast number of students interested in social sciences research.
Senior Elbert Ho reflected on his journey from the course Biology II Honors: Mechanisms of Cancer to leading the SmartHeart Independent Research Team (IRT),
which uses AI to drive drug discovery for heart disease. This experience propelled him to do independent research using AI for drug discovery, which earned him recognition as a Regeneron Scholar, one of only 300 nationwide. Ho encouraged students to embrace unfamiliar fields, as he did by venturing into psychology research at the New Jersey Governor’s School of the Sciences.
The alumni keynote speaker, Dr. Zachary Cordero ‘06, Associate Professor at the Massachusetts
Earth Day Assembly
On Thursday, April 17, Pingry held the annual Earth Day assembly to honor our planet while shedding light on the environmental challenges we face. Earth Day, officially on April 22, is a global movement that strives to bring awareness to issues such as climate change, pollution, and deforestation. It serves as a time for individuals to educate others about nature, advocate for activism, and promote sustainable practices.
Pingry’s week-long celebration began on Monday, April 14, and culminated with an assembly on April 17. Each day featured a different event that allowed students to engage with the spirit of Earth Day. Events included nature walks with Green Key, a bake sale to raise money for the Raptor Trust program at the Great Swamp, and a “Trashion Show” featuring sustainable attire.
Middle School Green Group began the assembly with an informative presentation on how the school and different animals compost. The students shared that in 2024, the school saved approximately 8.5 tons of food waste through composting.
Later, Kathryn Flanigan (V) and Arjun Kapur (V) presented an overview of the research they gathered through the new
Bodega Project. The two students recognized the need for fresh produce in bodegas, specifically those in Newark, NJ. They shared that their mission is to provide communities in Newark, NJ with a trustworthy and affordable source of fresh produce, all while minimizing food loss and promoting sustainable growing techniques such as avoiding pesticides and
fertilizers. According to Kapur, “food insecurity disproportionately affects low-income and historically marginalized communities. By growing and distributing fresh produce locally, we are actively working to dismantle these inequities and empower residents with the resources to thrive.”
Following the presentation was a beautiful dance choreographed by
Navi Gautam (III) and performed by Macayla Addison (I), Kareena Amin (I), Aarushi Sharma (I), Anika Varshneya (I), and Arika Gupta (Grade 6). Students also shared a recap of the Raritan Headwaters River Cleanup, which helped remove trash from river basins to prevent pollution in New Jersey’s drinking water and to ensure that wildlife continues to
Institute of Technology, inspired students with his research in discovering novel aerospace materials. Professor Cordero’s team combined science and engineering to reach solutions for reusable rocket engines now used by large corporations like SpaceX. Professor Cordero credited his passion for research to his Pingry roots, including the SMART Team and Upper School Biology Teacher Mrs. Deirdre O’Mara. Over 180 students presented their research projects to the community, featuring programs from IRTs, the SMART Team, HIRTs, Robotics, AP Biology, Molecular Biology Research, Journal Club, Green Team, Green Key, the Differential Equations course, and students’ independent research. Posters lined the Upper and Lower Commons, with students explaining their methods, findings, and future directions. The lively atmosphere showcased Pingry’s culture of intellectual curiosity and collaboration, as underclassmen and upperclassmen alike crowded the presentations. Thank you to Dr. D’Ausilio and all of the participants for another amazing Research Week!
survive in their natural habitat. Finally, the assembly concluded with an interactive renewable energy trivia, hosted by Leo Lvoff (II), that encouraged audience participation. Overall, this year’s Earth Day celebrations truly reflected the school’s commitment to environmental responsibility, community involvement, and education.
SIMRIN SHAH (V)
Photo Credits (Top to Bottom): Pingry Communications
Jayden Battles-Cobb (V) Congratulations New Student Body President! Congratulations New Honor Board Members!
Sophie Davidkhanian (IV), Sophie Schachter (IV), Ishaan Sinha (IV), and Shane Varneckas (IV)
A Tragic Swan and a Message About Life
SRIYA TALLAPRAGADA (VI)
I grew up being told that my bones are young and will grow back stronger than ever if I break them. I was raised in a friend group of bold, brilliant young girls who launched themselves off high-speed jets during family trips to Nantucket, won the school spelling bee by reciting words like “paradigm” or “idyllic,” and navigated the various witch hunts of the middle school cafeteria past prying eyes. The fearless girls I spent my childhood with seemed to effortlessly trailblaze past their critics, while I, shy and mousy even at the ripe age of seven, stomped past in their wake, ever flat-footed. The first time I visited the ballet was with this same group of girls; sitting cross-legged atop the crunch of stale popcorn in the plush chairs of my cheap local theater, I spent two hours watching swan-necked beauties spin upon pointed toes to the poignant story of The Nutcracker. Even from the nosebleed section of the auditorium, I could see the
TINGTING LUO
(V)
muscles in their back form elegant ripples, peaks, and indents of a body contorted to tell complex stories. I wondered what bruises lay behind the harsh spotlight. After the ballet, I visited a local park with my best friend, Emma. She was an award-winning figure skater who had just returned from training camp in Boston. Emma was as tough as the calluses she received from hours balancing on ice atop a blade. She roughhoused with bullies in the schoolyard, made thought-provoking statements under layers of sarcasm, smudged black eyeliner over her lids, wore platform boots that forced me to look up while talking to her, and walked around our scrawling suburbia with a confident swagger to her step. The day was like any other: I accidentally dropped my copy of Harry Potter into the koi pond and had to leave the damp pages on a bench to dry in the sun, my fingers sticky and red from the raspberry ice pop melting over me. I had just skinned my knee from hopscotch a few minutes earlier and lay against the bark of a redwood tree, pressing the corners of a SpongeBob Band-Aid over my wound. Suddenly, a shadow appeared over the shaft of light. Turning around so quickly I got whiplash, I felt my heart drop. Above me was a large swan free-falling down from the heavens. It's a sight I will never forget: its feathered arms curled up with the wind pressure, contorted into a crescent moon, its long back grazed under the
sun, its elegant beak pointing up. I was just close enough to hear the sound of the splash as it landed in the lake; It was dead upon impact, its corpse plunging down to the murky blue. Within the blink of an eye, the day returned to normal. I was reduced to tears. Emma, as always, had the answer to the unexplainable phenomenon of a swan dropping from the heavens.
“Do you know,” she told me, “that swans are the only animals that truly stay loyal to their partner for life. Upon the death of their lover, they perform a swan dive. They fly to great heights and free fall, letting themselves plummet to their death.” I was horrified by the whole concept, but her eyes lit up with the grotesque fascination of death that one has in grade school.
Emma and I eventually grew apart. The park we were at shut down, likely to be renovated into a strip mall or an empty token of consumerism. Time has a funny way of separating people, places, and memories. I grew up, trading lazy summer days at the park for summers jampacked with SAT tutoring and camp counseling. But I never stopped thinking about that swan.
For years, the image lingered in my mind—an innocent bird surrendering to gravity in the name of love. I was young, still scared of scraped knees and speaking too loudly, yet the people around me embraced pain like a rite of passage, a necessary cost of being extraordinary. Their risks were bold and visible, but mine
were quieter — of watching and wondering. I found extraordinary joy in the small and insignificant, like feigning a lilting British accent to strangers at the local Stop & Shop, or cutting off a chunk of hair at my navel where no one could see it. Eventually, the risks I would take became more public: trying out for the tennis team knowing I would fail, performing Vivaldi in front of the judgmental zoom screen of family members oceans away, and disturbing my
peace while confronting friends and advocating for myself. As I grew older, I stopped imitating those around me, and I tried to push myself out of my comfort zone in my own way. Risk is not always loud. It does not always win gold medals, perform in ballets, or free-fall for lovers. Sometimes it’s silent, soft—a decision to feel deeply, to fall in love with life’s mysteries, to make sense of a world that drops swans from the sky and keeps spinning anyway.
The Five Stages of Group Project Grief
We know the ritual by heart. The teacher beams as they announce the upcoming “collaborative learning experience.” Half the class exchanges knowing glances; the other half scans the room like war refugees seeking safe passage. This is not merely an assignment — it is an emotional obstacle course disguised as pedagogy. Having survived more dysfunctional collaborative projects than I can count, I now recognize the universal stages of this particular adolescent trial.
Stage 1: Delusional Optimism
The teacher pitches this as a “fun group project.” What you hear: “Easy A with friends.” This euphoria lasts until the first group meeting, when reality arrives like a bucket of ice water. Two members proudly claim they haven’t read the rubric. One thinks “research” means skimming a Wikipedia summary, and the single competent friend you counted on is suddenly “really busy with sports.” The project, you realize, is now a hostage situation — and you are the only negotiator.
Stage 2: Passive-Aggressive Paralysis Here, social dynamics wage war on academic survival. With friends, you are shackled by unspoken rules against being the one who “ruins
diplomatic masterpieces could fuel a semester of therapy.
Stage 3: The Desperate Reorganization By week two, roles
The slacker suddenly becomes invested in font choices. Someone suggests a 7:30 a.m. library meeting to “really nail this,” while another vanishes into a mysterious “family thing.” The project transforms into a psychological thriller where
2:00 a.m. You start to wonder: is any grade worth this?
fact-checked. The psychological toll of masking screams with
begins covertly rewriting sections.
The deadline looms. That peer evaluation form? It’s a meaningless ritual where everyone gets full credit to avoid drama. The teacher’s promise that “in the real world, you’ll need these skills” mocks you as you stitch together a
Frankenstein’s monster of mismatched work at
Stage 5: Bittersweet Release Submission brings not triumph but exhausted relief. That A feels hollow as you carry the dead weight; the B burns with injustice. You vow never again — until next semester, when the cycle renews with fresh victims. Here’s the secret: these disasters might be working exactly as designed. The real curriculum is not in the rubric’s bullet points — it’s in the messy human lessons no teacher articulates. Navigating unreliable allies? Check. Self-advocacy without burning relationships? Check. Recognizing when to stop polishing others’ subpar work? Priceless. Group projects won’t disappear, but their suffering shouldn’t be inevitable. If schools genuinely value collaboration, they must mirror the real world: clear roles, mandatory check-ins, and consequences for freeloaders. No more rigged systems where the diligent subsidize the disengaged. True teamwork should mean achieving what no one could do alone — not just sharing grades, but sharing the work.
JINGJING LUO (VI)
114 minutes past midnight is an hour folded in silence, lit by hazy corner dorm lights, and weighed down by ancient stone arches rising from the earth. As I walked along the red brick dormitories, hearing the ringing of my flat feet with each step, I looked for the iron gate that led outside the university quadrangle. Finding it, I
The Weight of a Name
attempted to lift its thick latches… but it was locked. The shadows behind the patchy grass wrapped around the nighttime mosquitoes, crept up plastic lawn chairs, and engulfed the night with its absence of life. I looked for a smooth, metal button that would swing the doors to the large gate open, but the walls were bare besides the names of lovers carved into concrete, the vines that clung to the tarnished pipes, and crooked, multicolored bricks steeped in history. Panicking, I slipped my hands through the iron bars to check if they unlocked from the other side—they did not. I envisioned myself camping out underneath the bare stars, with my small tote bag, a phone on low battery, and a borrowed Essentials hoodie.
A quarter of an hour later, although it felt like more, a university student,
pushing his bicycle, emerged into view from behind a lawn chair. I smiled, embarrassed, and walked over, asking him how to open the gate. He, shrugging off his headphones, came over, brushed aside yellowing vines that clung to the wall, and pushed the button that was now revealed. From being in a state of surreal tranquility to disbelief that evolved into panic, I found that nighttime harbored a great capacity for emotional wanderings.
After I exited the gates, the environment seemed to change in an instant: the muted, bronze spires that protruded like phantoms began to twinkle, strangers lingering in the park donned a pleasant countenance, and the thick walls, neo-Gothic in style, thinned into an aesthetic backdrop for my journey back to my dorms at nearly three in the morning. The ways
that words describe surroundings are ephemeral in nature due to the fluidity of human thought, which infuses life into the lifeless. The adjectives and letters cannot capture the intesity of emotions. Words, bounded by their first and final letters, convey the melancholy, the content, and fear in a fraction of time, a tangent to the full experience.
Yet it’s natural to spend a lifetime chasing after words, slicing continuous events into fragments easier to define, from “summer flings” to “freshout-of-college self-exploration” to the many eras that come after.
But if you asked me now what I’d like to do with these labels I’ll collect over the years, I’d have no clear answer, besides that I hope to instill some meaning into them. “I don’t know what I want to do in life,
but I know I want to learn,” a friend recently said. I, always fascinated by entrepreneurship, and my friend, by academia, envision a future where we invest our intellectual capital into creation, christened with a “name” and original identity whos worth endures. Entering college is an opportunity to tack on another label to the end of my email, but behind the curve of the “s” and void in the “o” is a story I hope persists through time, one whose value extends beyond necessity. This label carries the weight of late nights, weeknight dates, the wisteria in spring, the bridges, the lakes, the libraries… and the white petals that whisk up into the air and land in my disheveled hair. I want to name the next chapter of my life, a name whose worth I create, one that means forever
In Defense of Doilies: A Love Letter to Teaberry’s
Upon opening the dark cranberrycolored door, the outside world falls quiet. Light streams through sheer lace curtains and vintage valances,
casting soft patterns on the floral wallpaper. The scent of bergamot and sweet florals mingles with the aroma of warm scones and clotted cream. Every detail—from the delicate china teacups to the cozy armchairs nestled around
low tables—feels tenderly preserved in time. Tucked inside a Victorian house just off the main road, Teaberry’s is the kind of place where you lower your voice without meaning to, as if you've entered somewhere sacred. I grew up coming here, and while I’ve changed in a hundred ways since then, Teaberry’s hasn’t—and that’s exactly why I love it. In a world filled with uniform cafés sporting Instagrammable walls, Teaberry’s reminds me that uniqueness isn’t something you can design with a computer. It’s something you accumulate over time, through stories and experiences. We live in an era of constant updates, often trading charm for minimalism. While modern design has its merits, it frequently comes at the cost of personality and individuality. Walk into almost any new coffee shop and you’ll find the same white walls,
SAMAYA SHAH (IV)
industrial lights, and sleek furniture. It’s pretty—yet entirely forgettable.
When we strip things of their quirks in the name of progress, we risk losing the very qualities that make them worth remembering. Not everything needs to be optimized, renovated, or rebranded. Some things should stay exactly as they are—not because they are perfect, but because they are personal. Teaberry’s isn’t immune to change; in fact, it’s in the process of relocating. But even in transition, it’s carrying its heart with it. The owners aren’t chasing a trend or rebranding into something more “modern”—they’re simply picking up the charm of the teahouse and moving it elsewhere.
When everything starts to look the same, it becomes harder to feel connected to the spaces we inhabit. Places lose their soul, their stories, their
character. The little antique bookstore gets replaced by a chain. The McDonald’s isn’t red and yellow anymore but gray and entirely unrecognizable. Without realizing it, we start to lose the memories tied to the uniqueness of certain places. Places like Teaberry’s remind us that uniqueness matters—not just for aesthetic reasons, but because it shapes how we feel, how we remember, and how we connect with others. When a place has personality, it leaves a memory. Teaberry’s may not be flashy, but that’s precisely the point. In choosing comfort over novelty and depth over trendiness, it’s doing something radical in today’s world. Teaberry’s charm lies in its quiet rebellion against the idea that progress always means change. Remarkably, Teaberry’s charm lies in its quiet rebellion against the idea that progress always means change.
The Role of Homework in High School Education: Necessary or Just an Unproductive Burden?
In the fast-paced world of high school, where students have to balance academics, extracurriculars, and personal lives, the role of homework has been a subject of endless debate. Is homework an essential tool for reinforcing learning, or is it an unproductive burden? While some argue that homework fosters discipline and deeper understanding, others point out that excessive assignments can lead to stress, burnout, and even a loss of love for learning. As we move into an era that increasingly values mental health, I believe it is crucial to reconsider how homework fits into high school education.
Advocates of homework argue that it is essential for reinforcing lessons learned in class. When students are assigned assignments outside of the classroom, they can solidify their understanding of the material. The extra practice can be especially beneficial for subjects that require memorization or complex problem solving, such as foreign languages or math. Moreover, homework can teach students important life skills such as time management, responsibility, and the ability to work independently. In high school, students begin to prepare for the challenges of college
and finding a career, where selfmotivation and time management are very important. Homework, when assigned in moderation, can serve in helping to develop these skills.
Despite these benefits, the growing trend of excessive homework has sparked concern among teachers, parents, and students. A study conducted by the American Psychological Association found that homework can contribute to high levels of stress among students, particularly when assignments are long, too complicated, or poorly planned. This stress is combined with the pressure to do well academically while managing extracurricular activities, part-time jobs, and social lives. Furthermore, the quality of homework is often questioned. Is homework truly enhancing learning, or is it just busy work? Too often, assignments feel like annoying and time-consuming tasks that offer no actual educational value.
When students are given assignments that don’t seem to contribute to their understanding of the subject, it can lead to disengagement and even resentment toward learning.
Another significant concern is mental health. Research has shown that excessive homework can lead to increased levels of anxiety and sleep deprivation. These factors not only affect academic performance but also
have long-term consequences on a student’s well-being. A study from Stanford University revealed that students who spent more than three hours per day on homework reported higher levels of stress and worse physical health compared to their friends who spent less time on assignments.
The key to solving the homework dilemma lies in finding a balance between the benefits and the drawbacks. Rather than piling on an overwhelming amount of assignments, schools should focus on the actual quality and importance of the homework given. Assignments should be designed to reinforce key concepts, stimulate critical thinking, and encourage creativity instead of just checking off boxes on a premade syllabus. In addition, homework should be spaced out over time to prevent students from becoming overwhelmed.
One potential solution is flipped classrooms, where students engage with lessons at home, through videos or readings, and spend classroom time working on assignments or discussions that reinforce the material. This approach can help students learn at their own pace, while also minimizing the burden of after-school homework.
Another important aspect is the involvement of teachers and parents in setting realistic homework
expectations. Teachers should take into account the extracurricular commitments many students have.
Parents can play a role in helping their children manage their workload and prioritize tasks effectively, creating a supportive environment that encourages learning rather than stress.
It is clear that homework remains a highly debated topic in high school education. While it reinforces classroom learning and creates important life
skills, too many or poorly structured assignments can lead to student stress, disengagement, and poor mental health. To ensure that homework serves its true educational purpose, schools should focus on quality over quantity, reevaluating the role it plays in student lives. By doing so, we can create a system that encourages learning and growth while recognizing the importance of balance, well-being, and a sustainable educational experience for all students.
SIMRIN SHAH (V)
DURGA MENON (V)
When I was younger, all I wanted was to grow up. I often dreamed of late nights with no bedtime, making my own decisions, going wherever I wanted without having to ask for permission. I thought getting older meant gaining freedom. I used to borrow my mom’s heels and strut around the house, pretending I had somewhere important to be. I would often look to my older brothers as inspiration and see how they had, in my mind, much more freedom than I. I counted down the days until high school, then college, then the real world. But now that I’m older, the feeling has changed. Suddenly, I find myself wanting to return to childhood—not permanently, but just for a moment. To when things were much simpler. The way life used to feel before the stress of college, before the late nights spent studying, before everything started to matter. It wasn’t like I suddenly woke up one day and realized I wasn’t a kid anymore. Growing up happened
I Used to Play Pretend. Now It’s Real.
slowly—little by little—until I didn’t feel so little anymore. One week, I was organizing my locker and decorating my pencil case, and the next, I was having conversations
the stability of routines, and the ease of feeling like everything was under control. Now, there are no more nap times or
AANVI TRIVEDI (V)
College. The ever-present word that pervades our hallways, group chats, and minds. The walls seem to close in, the sky darkens, and the voices in our heads grow louder.
As a junior with looming AP tests and final exams, I feel the college admissions process inching closer by the day. It dominates classrooms, lunch tables, club meetings, and after-school activities. Everyone is running around comparing stats, summer programs, and early decision choices in a whirlwind of anxious conversations and stress-induced desperation. Everywhere you turn, there it is, staring you in the face like a beacon of impending pressure.
On a phone call with a friend recently, we decided to challenge ourselves: how long could we talk without bringing up school or college? After multiple failed attempts to last even 15 minutes, we realized something. Every topic—whether it was activities we enjoyed or trips to the Bridgewater Mall—somehow circled back to the same question: How will this help us get into a good university next year? Every activity we discussed somehow tied back to an extracurricular activity that we hoped would be the key to
recesses. You start to carry things— expectations, decisions, choices— all on your own. I can’t imagine “go to bed” as a punishment now, but when I was a kid, that was the fight is now something I wish I had more of. And it’s disorienting. Because for so long, the idea of being older
was this faraway thing that was the goal. A thing that, when achieved, everything would make sense. I believed the older I got, the more I’d know. But growing up didn’t
last forever. I miss how days felt long. Now, everything is measured in deadlines and countdowns and how many hours
of sleep I’ll get if I finish this one last thing. But maybe that’s what growing up really is: not getting more freedom, but figuring out how to handle it. It’s learning that possibilities, which used to feel exciting, can sometimes feel overwhelming. When I was little, I used to dress up as everything from a teacher to a doctor to a rock star and imagine my own little world in my room. I loved imagining all the things I could be. The options felt endless, and that felt like magic. Now, that same wideopen future feels like pressure, like choosing wrong might mean missing out on something else. Still, on the hard days, I try to revisit my younger self: the one who lined up stuffed animals in a row, used markers as pretend microphones, and read picture books to an imaginary audience. She always had a plan, always knew exactly what she wanted to be that week. Things feel a lot more uncertain now, but I think she’d get it. And even if I’m still figuring things out, I like to think she’s cheering me on.
The College Conundrum: Reclaiming Our Narrative
getting into a top institution; every hobby made us question how we could utilize those skills to further our place at our dream school.
But here’s the truth: while college may feel like the end goal, it’s really just the beginning. Although college may seem like the ultimate challenge, what we do once we get into college makes the difference between success and academic failure. The skills from hobbies and the knowledge from extracurriculars may not only help us get into our dream college but also help us navigate the complexities of life after high school and as an adult. They will help us stay grounded once we’re in college and thrive far beyond it.
It’s important to take the time to explore our authentic passions and interests, even if they may not seem advantageous at the moment. Whether that be writing, sketching, or baking, it will be more beneficial in the long term to participate in activities that make us genuinely happy rather than ones that fit into the cookie-cutter stereotype of being “Ivy-approved.” We should regard ourselves as unique individuals who do not need to be an identical copy of those who have achieved perceptual “success.”
What if we stopped defining our narrative based on extracurricular
activities and GPAs and instead began to reclaim the pen? Right now, we are all protagonists in the same story, living out the path to a college acceptance, a stack of solid internships at prestigious
corporations, and a picture-perfect LinkedIn profile. Our worth shouldn’t be defined by how many boxes we check in the Common Application. Instead, it should be determined by who we are as individuals with unique interests and passions. It’s time we stop chasing someone else’s blueprint for success and start writing a narrative that truly belongs to us.
Photo Credits (Top to Bottom): Sheryl Chen (V), Anna Ojo (IV)
Why 2025 Proved that No Lead is Safe
TINGTING LUO (V)
College basketball pretends to be chess, a game where meticulous coaching, disciplined execution, and cold-blooded decisions separate champions from mere participants. But the 2025 NCAA Tournament replaced the playbook with a slot machine. The only rule was that no lead, strategy, or pedigree could guarantee survival.
From the opening rounds to the final buzzer of the championship, March Madness 2025 unfolded as a relentless assault on basketball orthodoxy. Bluebloods fell. Underdogs rose. And the only consistent truth was that control was an illusion. Duke’s Elite Eight meltdown against Houston will be remembered as the tournament’s defining moment. The Blue Devils, led by future No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg, were up 14 points in the second half, a lead that seemed
insurmountable. Then, Houston’s defense transformed into something primal, Duke’s offense collapsed like a house of cards, and in the span of about eight game minutes, everything we thought we knew about tournament basketball was rewritten as Houston emerged victorious. In this new era of March Madness, even the most talented teams were just one cold stretch away from disaster.
If Duke’s collapse was the tournament’s defining moment, Texas A&M’s Sweet 16 loss to Michigan was its harbinger. For 35 minutes, the Aggies played textbook tournament basketball: protecting the ball, managing the clock, and maintaining their lead. Then, in the final five minutes, it all evaporated. Michigan’s relentless pressure created turnovers, their shooters caught fire, and a ninepoint deficit disappeared. The stunned expressions on A&M’s players’ faces said it all: they’d done
everything right by conventional wisdom, and conventional wisdom had failed them completely.
And then there were the Florida Gators, who didn’t just embrace the chaos—they weaponized it. Their championship performance against Houston was less a basketball game than a magic trick. Trailing by 12 in the second half? No problem. Leading for just 64 seconds of the game time? Apparently sufficient. The Gators didn’t so much win the national championship as they conjured it into existence through sheer force of will.
This wasn’t luck. Florida’s entire tournament run had been a masterclass in comebacks, each one proving that momentum, once seized, is nearly impossible to stop.
The 2025 NCAA Tournament didn’t just reward resilience—it demanded it. Surviving teams shared one crucial trait: they played with the desperate intensity of teams that knew no lead was safe, because none were.
“Survive and advance” has always been the tournament’s mantra, but this year revealed that survival is not passive. It became an act of defiance: Houston erasing Duke’s 14-point lead, Florida stealing a title despite barely leading, the team that refuses to believe it’s beaten until the clock hits zero. There is no such thing as a safe lead. There is only the next play, the next shot, the next chance for everything to flip in an instant. That is why we will return — because March’s only certainty is the lie of certainty itself.
Club Spotlight: A Glimpse of the Year’s Club Activities
BRYNNE DRAGERT (IV)
Since returning from spring break, school clubs have been as active as ever. With 147 official clubs this year, many showcased at the Upper School Club Fair in October, students explored diverse interests in academics, arts, sports, nonprofits, and other recreational activities. As the school year concludes, here are a few fun club highlights:
The Wanderer’s Club combats student stress by hosting nature walks across campus. During these fun walks, participants avoid stressful discussions about schoolwork and focus on their surroundings. This allows students to forget about their busy lives for a while and actively enjoy pleasant conversations and views. No matter what kind of stress levels one has, the Wanderer’s Club is the perfect escape.
Atomic Antics makes learning fun by hosting group activities and engaging chemistry lessons. Club meetings feature slime-making and understanding the chemical
processes behind it. While there is some learning during sessions, the club provides a space for students to de-stress by doing creative, hands-on experiments together.
The club approaches learning in a very creative and unique way, making it less stressful to learn chemistry, which many appreciate.
Sports may be a male-dominated field at many schools, but Girls in Sports creates a safe environment for
females to share their perspectives and emotions about being athletes.
Club members share their experiences in playing sports with others who can relate to them.
The club meetings’ comfortable and positive environment greatly empowers and promotes female participation in sports. Girls in Sports breaks stereotypes and proves that a strong support system helps girls thrive in sports.
Coachella 2025: Dream or Mirage?
AMELIA LIU (IV)
Every spring, the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival takes over Indio, California, transforming the desert into a hazy mirage of music, glitter, and overpriced iced matcha. It’s the biggest festival of the year, drawing millions of viewers online and thousands of attendees—from die-hard fans to influencers flaunting their occasionally questionable outfits.
This year, the festival spanned two weekends, from April 11–13 and April 18–20. It promised the usual: star-studded lineups, viral moments, and the all-important chance to say, “I was there.”
From the moment Lady Gaga opened the festival on Day 1, it was clear that Coachella hadn’t lost its flair for the dramatic. Gaga, ever the performer, turned the main stage into an opera house in the middle of the desert, celebrating both her newest album and beloved throwbacks.
Missy Elliott reminded the crowd why she’s a legend, powering through her set dressed as a Transformer.
BLACKPINK soloist LISA made a splash with the release of her new album. Benson Boone, though not yet a household name, proved he can hold his own among the industry’s biggest. And The Marías delivered a passionate performance that solidified their rising star status.
On Day 2, things got iconic, experimental, and a little neon green.
Green Day headlined Saturday, bringing nostalgic punk energy to the desert. But all eyes were on Charli XCX, who proved her brat summer is far from over, delivering a surprisefilled set featuring Billie Eilish and Lorde. If that weren’t headlineworthy enough, she showed up to an afterparty wearing a sash that read “Miss Should Be Headliner.”
Meanwhile, Clairo returned for her first Coachella set in six years, delivering an intimate and reflective performance. Her set was introduced by none other than Senator Bernie Sanders, who encouraged youth political activism. Later, she surprised the crowd by performing with her indie band, Shelly. Day 3 leaned into variety. Post Malone took a stripped-back approach with just his guitar and some seriously emotional vocals, making the main stage feel unexpectedly intimate. Megan Thee Stallion turned up the heat, bringing out hip-hop legends like Victoria Monét, Ciara, and Queen Latifah. Beabadoobee added a dreamy indie vibe with her hazy, guitar-driven pop. Meanwhile, BLACKPINK’s Jennie delivered one of the most buzzed-about solo sets of the festival, blending high fashion with even higher notes. And then there was the mysterious line at the bottom of this year’s Coachella poster: “Travis Scott Designs the Desert.” Scott hadn’t performed at the festival since 2017—so what did this mean? The answer: a chaotic, high-intensity set that felt more like an art installation than a concert. Giant structures rose from the stage, and Scott climbed one mid-song to rap from the top. The show was packed with fire, lasers, and smoke, including a jawdropping moment where the smoke cut through the lasers, creating the illusion of glowing clouds. Of course, it wouldn’t be Coachella without the fashion. Instagram feeds flooded with fringe, mesh, and metallics. Some outfits earned rave reviews, while others—like Katie Fang’s bubble skirt and 2010s boots—left followers scratching their heads. But this isn’t a fashion column, so I digress.
Photo Credits (Top to Bottom): Google Images, Sheryl Chen (V)
The Book Nook
AANVI TRIVEDI (V)
With AP tests and finals week fast approaching, we could all use a selection of fast-paced, captivating novels to get us through the stressful weeks ahead (and help us procrastinate all the work we have to do). The following mix of fantasy, dystopian fiction, and classic literature will definitely help distract from the overwhelming downpour of tests, essays, and projects we’re all facing. In the last issue, I covered the popular YA fantasy novel Powerless by Lauren Roberts, so it’s only fitting that I now spotlight the newest release in the Powerless trilogy: Fearless Released on April 8 of this year, Fearless quickly climbed the charts to become a New York Times bestseller, selling 266,000 copies globally on its first day. The story follows main characters Paedyn and Kai as they return to the kingdom of Ilya, where the
first book largely takes place. Paedyn, now betrothed to the king of Ilya, must survive a series of deadly trials to prove her worth as queen—all while navigating her lingering feelings for Kai, the kingdom’s Enforcer. As a fan of the series, I appreciated how Roberts brought back characters from the previous novels and the novella, tying the trilogy together with the perfect mix of suspense, action, and romance. While opinions on Fearless vary online, I personally enjoyed it and recommend the entire series to anyone interested in fantasy or fiction!
Switching gears, another great read— though very different in tone— is To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. I recently reread this timeless classic, three years after first encountering it in my 8th-grade English class. Thoughtprovoking and emotionally rich, To Kill a Mockingbird begins slowly but picks up momentum as the story unfolds. Set in the small Southern town of Maycomb, Alabama, over the course of three summers, the novel is narrated by six-year-old Scout Finch (Jean Louise). Her father, Atticus Finch, is appointed to defend Tom Robinson, a Black man falsely accused of raping a white woman, Mayella Ewell. As the trial progresses, Scout and her brother face ridicule and harassment, and the story becomes a powerful narrative of justice, prejudice, and coming of age. The book masterfully explores the loss of innocence as Scout begins to question her understanding of
morality and human nature. I recommend this book to anyone looking for a moving, thoughtful read that leaves a lasting impact.
Lastly, returning to popular BookTok territory, Suzanne Collins has added a new title to her Hunger Games collection: Sunrise on the Reaping . This latest installment tells the story of the 50th Hunger Games, when beloved character Haymitch Abernathy won the Quarter Quell— a special version of the Games featuring twice the usual number of tributes. While I found the writing in this sequel not quite as strong as in the original trilogy, it was still an exciting read. I’d recommend it to any fan of The Hunger Games or the dystopian fiction genre.
Some honorable mentions for your spring reading list include Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros, The Naturals by Jennifer Lynn Barnes, The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne, and Five Survive by Holly Jackson.
Pingry in Pictures
Crunch, Spice, and Everything Nice at Namkeen
Located on Main Street in Chatham, Namkeen is hard to miss. This fastcasual restaurant blends the bold flavors of Pakistani cuisine with the spice and crunch of Southern-style hot chicken. The food is flavorful and approachable, whether you’re familiar with South Asian cuisine or trying it for the first time. The word namkeen comes from Urdu, meaning “savory” or “full of flavor.” However, according to the restaurant’s owners, it holds an even deeper meaning. It can also be interpreted as “you’re home now, sit down, let’s eat” — a phrase that perfectly captures the restaurant’s welcoming vibe. Namkeen aims to blend two drastically different cultures, bringing together traditional warmth and hospitality with a modern twist on flavor,
presentation, and the overall dining experience, all while staying true to the roots that inspire their food. The menu is concise yet carefully curated.
At the top of the list is the Nashville fried chicken sandwich, which has quickly become a customer favorite.
The chicken is fried to golden perfection and seasoned with a spice blend that enhances, rather than overpowers, its flavor. Topped with crunchy slaw and pickles, it’s messy, flavorful, and satisfying in a way that makes every bite worth it.
Right next to it on the menu is the Tikkaville sandwich, which leans more toward the South Asian side of the flavor spectrum. This dish swaps the usual chipotle aioli for a chicken tikka marinade and housemade chutney that adds sweetness, acidity, and balance. It’s less about crunch and more about warmth and depth, with a smoky, savory flavor
profile that’s equally satisfying.
Alongside the sandwiches, the Dhamaka fries are a must. They come coated in a spice mix and topped with fried chicken and mint chutney, giving loaded fries a whole new meaning. For something richer, the Tikka mac and cheese takes comfort food to the next level.
During the most recent Super Bowl, Namkeen spiced things up by introducing boneless chicken bites in three bold flavors. There was a spicy maple option paired with house-made sauce, a classic buffalo with creamy blue cheese, and a standout chicken tikka served with cool mint chutney. While all three had something to offer, the chicken tikka bites were hands down my favorite—packed with flavor and perfectly balanced. The best part? These bites were such a crowd-pleaser that they’ve
officially earned a permanent spot on Namkeen’s menu!
Namkeen isn’t just a place to eat — it’s an experience.
Whether you’re stopping in
for a quick dinner or ordering a feast for game day, Namkeen delivers bold flavors, creative twists, and a dining experience that’s anything but ordinary.
SIMRIN SHAH (V)
Photo Credits (Top to Bottom): Google Images, Namkeen
ARIELLA ALLARIEZ (IV)
Fashion is deeply personal. It’s an opportunity for self-expression— especially during the spring season.
While scrolling through social media, I came across interviews where influencers asked random strangers to describe their outfits. Many teens proudly showcased vibrant looks that blended past eras with modern fashion trends. I was amazed that even the smallest accessories—like scarves, jewelry, and sunglasses—revealed so much creativity and individuality.
As I admired the authenticity these teens expressed through their outfits, I realized that social media plays a major role in why adolescents dress in such diverse styles. Platforms like TikTok and Instagram have a huge impact by exposing users to fashion trends from around the world. Today, styles ranging from cottagecore to balletcore are just a click away. These online categories invite young people to explore their own forms of self-expression through fashion. Each aesthetic has its
Authentic Fashion and Social Media
own name and sends a unique message. For instance, balletcore emphasizes femininity and youthfulness, while boho reflects a free-spirited and carefree vibe. According to a fashion article from Who What Wear, individuality is making a big comeback this spring. However, while social media introduces a wide variety of styles, it also fuels the rise of micro trends— fast-moving fashion moments that burn bright and disappear quickly. At this year’s Milan Fashion Week, Prada pushed back against these short-lived styles, promoting “highly individual anti-algorithm fashion.” As Who What Wear explains, Prada is tired of the inauthenticity that micro trends bring and is committed to celebrating uniqueness and originality.
Fashion is meant to express ideas, perspectives, and personal stories. That’s why these fleeting trends are losing their appeal. Teens are growing tired of styles that vanish as quickly as they appear. These trends often lack depth and seem more designed for clicks than true expression. On
SOPHIE SCHACHTER (IV)
The 2025 Oscars made one thing abundantly clear: the independent film is no longer the underdog; it’s front and center.
The indie drama Anora was the clear winner of the night, sweeping up five awards, including the coveted Best Picture. The film’s star, Mikey Madison, took home Best Actress for her understated, emotionally raw performance. At the same time, director Sean Baker won a record-breaking four awards: Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Film Editing (in addition to Best Picture).
Considering the film’s enormous success, you might expect Anora to have been a box office smash, full of A-list actors and backed by a massive budget. You would be wrong. The film was made for just $6 million, starred relatively unknown actors, and brought in a domestic total of $20.47 million. That makes it the lowest-grossing Best Picture winner since The Hurt Locker in the 1990s. And yet, here it is, standing above multi-million-dollar blockbusters.
But Anora wasn’t the only indie darling to take the spotlight. The animated Latvian film Flow scored
Editors-in-Chief
JingJing Luo
Sriya Tallapragada
Faculty Advisors
Ms. Lynne Cattafi
Ms. Sara Courtney
social media, I noticed that people are starting to ignore fast fashion looks filled with repetitive symbols or logos, instead celebrating handmade or authentic pieces that feel original and meaningful. The online fashion community increasingly values clothing that reflects true individuality. This spring marks a season of new
beginnings, where authenticity and self-expression are finally taking center stage. It’s a chance to go beyond what the algorithm tells us to wear—and instead, choose styles that speak to who we really are.
Today’s teens don’t just want to look stylish; they want their outfits to say something. Whether it’s through a small accessory or a carefully
crafted garment, authenticity remains the ultimate goal. Thanks to social media, the conversation around fashion is shifting to prioritize originality over trends. So this spring, why not embrace self-expression and wear what truly represents you? Micro trends may fade, but individuality and authenticity are here to stay.
The Rise of the Independent Film
a landmark victory by winning Best Animated Feature, becoming the first independent film to ever win in that category. Gints Zilbalodis directed the film, which features no dialogue, utilizes open-source software, and cost approximately €3.5 million (around $3.65 million) to make. A one-person passion project turned Oscar-winning feature. That’s not just impressive; it’s historic.
So, what does all this tell us about the current state of the film industry?
For one, it signals a significant shift in what the Academy and audiences value. Storytelling, authenticity, and bold artistic vision are beginning to outshine big budgets, CGI, and studio hype. Films like Anora and Flow aren’t just succeeding despite their independence; they’re succeeding because of it. They offer something fresher, riskier, and often more emotionally resonant than what we usually get from traditional studies. It also reflects the transformation of filmmaking itself. With cheaper technology, accessible software, and a growing appetite for diverse and unconventional stories, indie filmmakers are finally finding their space on the biggest stage. The rise of streaming platforms and smaller distributors has only accelerated
this shift, giving independent films a wider reach than ever before.
This year’s Oscars also showed a growing global presence in the indie space. Many of the night’s major contenders and winners hailed from outside the U.S., including Flow , which not only won but brought Latvia its first Academy Award. Films like Emilia
Pérez and The Substance further reinforced how audiences and critics increasingly embrace international stories alongside American ones. The Academy’s tastes seem to be broadening—and for the better.
Moreover, the fact that smaller, character-driven stories took home the big prize suggests a reinvigorated appetite for emotional
nuance and grounded storytelling. These films aren’t just pushing boundaries; they’re bringing the audience back to the heart of cinema.
The 2025 Oscars didn’t just reward great films. They highlighted a broader movement taking place across the film industry. And if this year is any indication, the era of the independent film has only just begun.
Head Assistant Editors
Vanya Shah
Carolyn Zhou
Head Layout Editors
Vanya Shah Joaquin Stevenson
Assistant Editors
Tingting Luo
Durga Menon
Gabriel Raykin
Simrin Shah
Aanvi Trivedi
Copy Editors
Olivia Buvanova
Leah Holmes
Chloe Huang
Ella Karch
Amelia Liu
Leila Souayah
Sophie Schachter
Shanti Swadia
Victoria Xie
Cartoon Editors
Sheryl Chen
Anna Ojo
MALCOLM ADEDJOUMA (VI)
High school is nothing like the movies. At Pingry, we have our fair share of Regina Georges or even Troy Boltons, but after looking past a rose-colored lens of the screen, a different reality is revealed: we are all just children trying to act like adults. Four years ago, I walked through the clock tower entrance for the first time. What I encountered was not the learning curve I expected. Coming from a class of 500 people in the West Orange public school system, I had certain expectations, or say fears, of going to the
The Only Thing Inevitable is Change
illustrious private institution that was The Pingry School. Naturally, I felt the need to try and change myself to adapt to my surroundings. When my mom and I found out that there was a dress code (something completely foreign to me), we quickly realized that I had nothing to wear. So, we went to the Short Hills Mall and bought five buttonup dress shirts and five pairs of khakis and chinos, hiding impostor syndrome behind my new wardrobe.
I’m sure that my classmates remember my signature tucked-in shirt and awkward smiles filling the halls during my freshman year. However, after my first day,
my illusion was shattered. Both my fears and expectations falsely guided my efforts to fit into the stereotypical, preparatory high school environment I designed in my head. In reality, students wore all different kinds of polos and clothes. Though the idea of professionalism was maintained, it perhaps did not meet the wedding attire standard that I had dressed up for. But thankfully, over the course of my high school experience, I changed. In fact, we all changed. For me, it was wearing more hoodies and jeans rather than true business casual, but for some, change became evident in personality, choice of friends, or
even laughter. Throughout the trials and tribulations of high school, for better or worse, we have gone through our storylines and evolved. We all contributed something to the legacy of our class, and for that, I am forever grateful. Coming from a multitude of cultures, interests, and ideas, we have left indelible marks on each other. This energy will stay with us throughout college and eventually the rest of our lives. Wherever we go, change will happen. It isn’t just a part of life; it is life itself. Growing, learning, failing, and succeeding cannot happen without change. Something seemingly insignificant
The Value In Smaller Moments
can unknowingly alter the entire trajectory of life. If I ever miss my years at Pingry, where the biggest problems were tests and high school drama rather than taxes and finding jobs, I will remind myself that everything happens for a reason. Don’t forget these fleeting moments here, whether it’s pumpkins, pandemics, or parties. The past will always be a piece of who I am; the present is always going to be a work in progress; the future will always be ready for us when we are ready for it. Thank you, Class of 2025, for giving me the best high school experience I could have ever asked for.
When I think about my time at Pingry, I see how much I have changed. I arrived unsure, believing I needed to prove my worth to everyone. Over time, I realized I only needed to stay true to the people and values that kept me steady. Each year brought something new, but senior
year helped me see what truly mattered. I learned to let go of pressure and pay attention to what made this place feel like home. To the younger grades, stop chasing perfection. You will not remember the test scores. You will remember the people who made you feel understood. Trust yourself. Ask real questions. Let people in. What lasts are
the moments you share with others, not the ones of you alone.
My friends shaped my time here in every way. They gave me a reason to show up, even when things felt heavy. They made me laugh when I needed to forget the pressure. They reminded me that I didn’t have to face everything on my own. Nico, my best friend, never walked away from me. He
stayed close through every high and low. I never had to ask him to care. He just did. That quiet loyalty became something I could count on. My teachers never treated me like a number. They looked me in the eye and saw a full person. They gave me space to grow and helped me believe in my own voice. Mrs. Reynolds changed the way I saw myself. She helped me stay
April Crossword
calm when I felt overwhelmed. She gave me time even when she had none. She reminded me that I had worth beyond outcomes. Without her, I would not have made it through this year as I did. I leave Pingry knowing that the most important part of my journey was never the grades or the awards. It was the people who saw me for who I am and stayed.
NATALY RUIZ (VI)