Inside Chapel #26 English

CHAPEL

LEARNING INNOVATION HUB

Chapel inaugurates a multidisciplinary space for learning and experimenting

IN SEARCH

OF THE SWEET SPOT

Former student Alexandre Yamashiro remembers his life at Chapel

A FUN MIND: IS IT

POSSIBLE?

A narrative/chronicle by Nadine do Carmo

LIFE MISSION

Dietrich couple: the youngest couple to travel around the world before 30 (years of age)

WE MUST BECOME BETTER HUMAN BEINGS

An exclusive interview with writer Leila Ferreira, who travels/roams the world talking to incredible people

Fr. Lindomar Felix da Silva OMI, Provincial of Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate in Brazil

NEW YEAR: A SIGN OF HOPE FOR A HAPPY LIFE

Dear Inside Chapel readers,

As the new year gets underway, I cordially greet you to wish that this year be a better one for all of us. We are sure that these wishes will come true with everyone’s contribution. For this, we require a disposition with which to change ourselves and help us build a better world. With the arrival of December each year, we start to plan what we intend to do in the upcoming year. Obviously, our plans stem from our desire to accomplish certain things that we were unable to do in the previous year. Through our projects, we look to achieve our personal and professional accomplishments, always prioritizing a better life. Each one of us is on a different path, but our main goal to find that sought-out happiness is the same. No one achieves dreams on their own or in isolation. We are social beings in need of relationships, and to maintain these, we must constantly evaluate our attitudes so that they align with our plans for the upcoming year. “No one can mature or find fulfillment by withdrawing from others.” (Pope Francis, Fratelli Tutti, nº 95). Our choices stem from our desires, hopes, and wishes for a better life. They demand that our energy is focused in that same direction and moves us effectively so as to help us accomplish our plans.

In this edition of Inside Chapel, you will find interesting articles that can contribute to our intellectual formation and help us in our great challenge to “be better people.” In the following pages, for example, the exclusive thought-provoking interview granted by journalist Leila Ferreira helps us to focus on our goals. Our lives are full of challenges and oftentimes, we stop ourselves and cannot move forward. In the article titled “To Infinity and Beyond,” Rafael and Lídia Dietrich narrate their diverse experiences when they challenged themselves to start a great adventure and visit all the world’s countries. Without a doubt, their testimony leaves us with the knowledge that obstacles and struggles that arise in our lives are just extra things we find in our paths.

Former student Alexandre Yamashiro’s testimony brings the beautiful memory of how important it was and still is, to have studied at Chapel, allowing the values he learned at school to become an important part of his life.

Seguimos, assim, com “um novo olhar para o futuro”, oferecendo sempre algo inovador aos nossos alunos e proporcionando-lhes uma verdadeira imersão na realidade digital, despertando a criatividade e priorizando, desde o início de sua formação, um pensamento crítico.

Desejo a todos e todas uma boa leitura e um ano abençoado!

We move forward with a “new look to the future,” always offering something innovative for our students and providing them with a true immersion into digital reality to spark their creativity and ignite their critical-thinking skills.

I wish everyone a good read and a blessed year!

STAFF

INSIDE CHAPEL IS A SEMI-ANNUAL PUBLICATION BY CHAPEL SCHOOL WWW.CHAPELSCHOOL.COM

EDITORS-IN-CHIEF: Miguel Tavares Ferreira, Marcos Tavares Ferreira, Adriana Rede, and Luciana Brandespim

EDITOR: Paula Veneroso MTB 23.596 (paulaveneroso@gmail.com)

EDITORIAL ASSISTANT: Fernanda Caires (publications@chapelschool.com)

CONTRIBUTORS IN THIS EDITION: Adriana Calabró, Maurício Oliveira, Nadine do Carmo, and Paula Veneroso

PHOTOS: Personal Archives, Chapel Archive, DMT Palestras, and Jô Aguiar

GRAPHIC DESIGN AND LAYOUT: Vitor de Castro Fernandes (design.vitor@gmail.com)

TRANSLATIONS: Chapel School

PRINTER: Pancrom

The 26th edition of Inside Chapel opens the 2023 year. Another year has begun, and we wish everyone’s year to be filled with joy, laughter, and countless blessings. Does it feel like time is flying by unnoticed? It sure does! This issue speaks to the importance of pausing every day, being present, noticing the time, and living our passions and lives to the fullest.

With our busy schedules, we have been multitasking daily. From time to time, we miss significant moments with our loved ones and make careless mistakes just because our attention is caught up in many thoughts and activities. When was the last time someone or something had your undivided attention? It can be a challenge to recall. With information at our fingertips, we hold the world in our hands. We can write an email or post on social media while listening to music, grocery shopping, and doing other things. Our brain does not pause for a moment, and we have been working our brain and memory to their full potential and speed. The many repetitions lead to millions of new synapses, which create a great network of connections. Neuroscience can be fascinating, but when do we pause?

We invite you to reflect, observe, and identify if there is a moment in your day when you disconnect from the external world and all its stimulations and pay undivided attention to yourself. Do you know yourself enough and take care of yourself and your needs?

To live a life entirely, we must find and value balance. There is a time and place for everything, and we do not always have to be busy or in a rush. It’s absolutely necessary to slow it down. It’s essential to pay attention and enjoy the simple things. Do not miss the opportunity to live the simplest moments. Perhaps it’s the smell of morning coffee, a peaceful place to sit, flowers beginning to bloom on a spring day, lighting an aromatic candle, watching the sunrise or the sunset, or the pitter-patter of rain, to name a few. We must always remember to enjoy the little things because when we look back, we will notice that nothing is as little as we thought or too little not to be seen.

Ms. Juliana Menezes, School Director and Elementary School Principal at Chapel School

ADRIANA CALABRÓ

[To Infinity and Beyond, p. 09]

Is a journalist, writer, and screenwriter. She has received awards in the areas of communication (Best of Bates International, NY Festival, and Creation Club) and literature (Puc/UNESCO Best Books of 2017, ProAc Literature Scholarship, Off-Flip Award Finalist, winner of the João de Barro Award, Free Opinion Award finalist, and Paulo Leminski Award finalist). Adriana has been working as a facilitator at a Creative Writing Workshop called Palavra Criada (palavracriada.com.br) since 2005.

MAURÍCIO OLIVEIRA

[A New Look into the Future, p. 14]

Is a journalist from Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (UFSC), and has a master’s in Cultural History and a PhD in journalism from the same institution. He worked as a reporter at Gazeta Mercantil newspaper and Veja magazine. He has been a freelance journalist for 20 years, writing regularly to media such as Valor Econômico and O Estado de S. Paulo. He is the author of 30 books such as Patápio Silva, o Sopro da Arte, Garibaldi, Herói dos Dois Mundos and Pelé 1283

NADINE DO CARMO

[A Fun Mind: Is It Possible?, p. 31]

Nadine is a specialist in emotional intelligence, with a post-graduate degree in Neuroscience, Positive Psychology, and Mindfulness from Pontifícia Universidade Católica in Paraná (PUC-PR). Since 2018 she has been working as a social media content creator, forming connections with all types of audiences. In addition to all this, she has also worked as a director, screenwriter, and TV host for shows on Canal Rural, amongst them Balcão Real and Rural Store

PAULA VENEROSO

[Family Project, p. 26, and “The great challenge of human kind is not to climb Everest. Our great challenge is to be better people”, p. 19]

Is the editor of Inside Chapel. She is a journalist with a Master’s degree in Portuguese from PUCSP. She has worked as a copyeditor, writer and reporter at Veja and Veja São Paulo magazines and at Folha de S. Paulo Newspaper. She currently works as a book designer and editor, in addition to producing and editing news articles for print and digital media.

GAINING THE WORLD

Couple Dietrich, who have visited every country in the world, see traveling as a life mission.

A LOOK INTO THE FUTURE

Learning Innovation Hub promotes organic integration in STEAM areas.

THE FASCINATION IN BEING HUMAN

Exclusive interview with journalist and writer Leila Ferreira, author of the best-seller A arte de ser leve.

SHAPING GENERATIONS

Just as his father did years ago, former student Alexandre Yamashiro also chose Chapel for his children.

NARRATIVE

Creator of the YouTube Channel N de Nadine, Nadine do Carmo chose a fun way to express feelings.

SPOTLIGHT

Teachers in Literature, Book Fair highlights, Children’s Day Celebration, Thanksgiving, and Chapel Day. The news on Chapel’s 75th anniversary.

TALENTS AND PASSIONS

Get to know the skills and interests of seven students and two teachers at school.

GALLERY

Records from commemorative events: Book Fair, Children’s Day, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Chapel Day, NHS, and NJHS ceremonies.

Get

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By Adriana Calabró Photos: Personal Archive

#IJC #deapaedespparaIJC

TO INFINITY AND BEYOND

Both born in the countryside, he in São Carlos, in the state of São Paulo, she in Uberlândia, in Minas Gerais, neither imagined that one day they would conquer the world. Or, perhaps, deep down they knew, because Rafael and Lídia Dietrich’s spirit of adventure was already part of each one’s essence. The very way in which they met and established bonds shows this. During their preadolescence, they regularly asked their parents to go to a camp in Goiás, which fit in the families’ budget and took place every six months during the school holidays. Over the years their bond grew stronger, even when they stopped being camp goers, at age 16 and 15, and trained together to be camp monitors, that is, to assume the role of leaders and take care of the activities, including those done with the youngest camp goers. Rafael’s wedding proposal came only three years later and the marriage took place when he was 21 and had already graduated from two colleges, and she was in her final year of nursing school. “The wedding was very simple, we had no money, and I worked in schools and social institutions. How to have our honeymoon trip?” It was then that the internet brought up an offer that seemed tempting to Rafael: a ticket to Israel at an incredibly low price. As one of the courses he had taken was in Theology, Lídia encouraged him to go even if it was alone, but he thought of both of them and bought two tickets. They would have their longawaited journey.

A COUPLE THAT STARTED TRAVELING AT AN EARLY AGE AND TODAY HOLDS THE RECORD FOR THE YOUNGEST DUO TO VISIT EVERY COUNTRY. THERE IS NO SHORTAGE OF GOOD STORIES FROM RAFAEL AND LÍDIA DIETRICH’S ADVENTURE

From One Point to Another It was from that point on that a new dynamic arose and that surprised both of them and became part of their lifestyle: getting to know new countries was easier than they imagined. The proof of this was that, while enjoying the attractions of Israel, they learned that, to go to Athens, the ticket was very cheap, around R$100,00 at the time. Going to the Greek Islands had been Lidia’s dream since she had seen the movie Mamma Mia, so they didn’t think twice about boarding. As luck was on their side, they discovered a super affordable ship that passed precisely through islands such as Mykonos, Crete and the famous Kusadasi, a biblical city that, in antiquity, went by the name of Ephesus. In Santorini, they literally abandoned the ship to spend four days on the island. Afterwards, they had to rent a car to return to Israel, but since they were there... how about a stop in Egypt? They couldn’t miss the opportunity and decided to hit the road. All done in a way that allowed for minimal expenses. As if that wasn’t enough, they added one more country to the list of visits. This is because their flight from Israel to Brazil had a layover in the USA, so they inquired about the possibility of making a stop over, which was confirmed by the airline. A few additional days in New York rounded out the experience.

The couple’s visit to all these destinations cost around R$5.800,00, which came from Rafael’s hard-earned savings, but, according to him, people who saw the content on social media thought it looked like a rich person’s trip. “During my childhood had never left the country, nor Lídia, our families were simple and, to top it off, I studied Social Work and Theology, that is, professions that are not for those who chase money. In addition to working with social and volunteer work, my official occupation was as a clown - I performed magic in public and private

educational institutions, and I went to 700 schools in 21 states. It was my livelihood. Later, I did a master’s and a doctorate in education,” says Rafael.

Travel as a Goal

After this first trip, we can say that packing their bags and conquering the world started to become something important for them. With the same simplicity of the first trip, the duo continued to explore destinations and when they were getting close to ten countries visited, they came to the conclusion that traveling to just one country can cost more or less the same as going to six or seven that are close to each other. With this realization came the goal of conquering fifty countries before they turned 30. At that time, the most cost-effective tickets were precisely to Europe, a continent that confirmed the cluster of countries theory: “We traveled by car, which was a way of getting to know more about the local culture, and this meant that we were moving very fast towards our goal. At about 24 years old, we were already very close to completing it,” they say. The solution was to increase the target to 100 countries before age 30. That’s when something new, and quite positive, began to happen in the lives of the young travelers. Brands began to approach them to offer the most diverse products. “Wow! Are we getting things to travel?” they thought. But the sponsorship was only in items such as clothes and accessories, not in money, and when they noticed that brands were earning a lot from the practically free advertising they did, the idea came to put together a project and start a monetization process. They started to send a presentation to the brands with an appeal that interested several of them: “The couple who wants to visit more than a hundred countries before the age of 30”. The acceptance was good, not least because they had a good presence

on social networks and some brands bought sponsorship quotas that went up to the hundredth trip. “That’s when we stopped spending on travel,” explains Lídia.

It is worth noting that, in addition to living on the road, they also live a life of faith. They are Christians, and when they reached their target of a hundred countries and thought that maybe it was time to stop, they asked for a sign to confirm if this was really the best decision. Apparently, their plans were about to be turned on its head, as it was precisely at that moment that a large company in the travel insurance sector came forward and said that it would sponsor the journey through the one hundred countries that were missing. But these locations were not exactly heavenly destinations. Syria, North Korea, Algeria, and other countries with many political and economic difficulties were in the final stretch. The brand still wanted to invest, already estimating the expenses with special visas, exclusive transport, and even private escort. They joke that they are from tourism and need to show the beautiful things, but that “Whoever sees the Maldives that we photograph does not see the Afghanistans that we face”. In other words, not everything is rosy in the life of those who have the airport as their second home. “We even choose not to show so much suffering so as not to be sensationalist, but in many countries we got involved with humanitarian actions, with Lídia providing consultancy in her area of nursing. What they needed was help. We face risks in many of these areas,” recalls Rafael.

Lessons on the Move

The fact is that the record was broken, and this was verified by several official institutions (yes, Guinness isn’t the only record checking group). The couple knows that, despite this record being very important, the value of the lessons

“VISITING SO MANY COUNTRIES AND INSPIRING WOMEN TO TRAVEL IS PART OF OUR MISSION, BUT WE ALSO KNOW THAT IT IS IMPORTANT TO SHOW THAT SOME REALITIES ARE VERY HARSH, BOTH FOR WOMEN AND FOR THOSE WHO PROVIDE HUMANITARIAN AID IN THESE COUNTRIES.” LYDIA DIETRICH

learned went far beyond it. “Travel is movement, and it also brings situations of discomfort. Even in very beautiful places, you face the unknown and when that happens you have to pay attention, adapt, listen to people. This raises the bar of adaptability and resilience,” says the young man.

According to Lídia, other challenges were added to those of the journey itself. As one of the few women in the world to visit every country, she understood firsthand that not every place is safe for women. The data confirms this: only five women reached the mark, compared to hundreds of men. “I would say that some countries are not very suitable to tourism, and for women, where there is religious extremism, war, it becomes even more complicated. Visiting so many countries and inspiring women to travel is part of our mission, but we also know that it is important to show that some realities are very harsh, both for women living in countries such as Afghanistan, the Republic of South Africa, South Sudan, and for those that go there to offer

humanitarian aid. Nonetheless, I think the world is much more prepared to welcome women than we expect. It is only necessary to be careful and research the culture of the place. I also always recommend looking at the US Travel Advisories to check the risk that each country presents,” she explains. The Dietrich couple also point out three things they gained from this life of travels that end up being very useful at all times of life. The first is that they became excellent time managers. “The road taught us this, including the to-do lists we put together.” They were also “educated” as great administrators, handling the budget sensibly and also understanding the financial style of each country. Another benefit was the removal of fear: “We found ourselves facing the unknown so much that even the fears developed in adolescence and childhood were minimized”. Such absence of fear was not unanimous in the family. “My grandparents, who live in the interior of Minas, were terrified to see us in dangerous countries,” says Lídia.

New Passenger

In reality, they themselves had not planned such an intense life; things happened, sometimes, unexpectedly.

This was the case with the birth of Liz, the couple’s first child, who has just turned two. She arrived at the peak of the pandemic and, as soon as people were able to travel, she also got her own passport (which already has several stamps!) and went with her parents on trips to the last eight countries necessary for the record.

Rafael, who has a specialization in Neurosciences from Universidade Presbiteriana Mackenzie, delves into this issue: “when you are a traveler, you become a collector of memories. And the same goes for Liz. Even though perhaps her cognition is not yet ready to remember, she has had moments of great happiness during her trips abroad. She’s a cheerful, well-developed child, so we think the traveling contributed to that.” When referring to the record, he says that the fact that they are Brazilians made the undertaking much easier, since

“we don’t fight with anyone” and access to the different countries with our passport is not restricted. As long as everything is in order, including the visas, there is nothing to prevent entry.

The Value of Things

“The youngest duo to travel to all countries before the age of 30” is in the process of validating the record also in Guinness, but they are not sure if it is worth investing a few tens of thousands of dollars to have the certificate, especially since they already hold the record. “We’re going to try to get a sponsor to pay for the Guinness plaque, but it’s not a priority.” During the conversation it is possible to notice that the important thing for them are the emotions experienced, the problems faced, and the stroke of luck to be dazzled sometimes. Among them is the fascinating episode that Rafael and Lídia tell us, stating that the wonders of the world are sometimes closer than we can imagine. “We were doing social work in Vale do

Jequitinhonha, one of the poorest regions in Brazil. On the way back from the village, which was 50 km from the city, on a dirt road, everyone’s cell batteries had died. It was time for the Festa do Milho, and we were there to give a talk. Then, along the way, we saw something incredible. In the middle of the field was a tree that seemed to be full of lights. It was like a bright cloud. We went there to see what had happened and found that the entire tree was covered with a swarm of fireflies. One of the most incredible scenes of our life! It seemed that the stars of that extremely clear sky had fallen on the tree. We were moved, tears flowed from our eyes,” they say.

Non Stop

As for the next steps (or flights), there are some regions of the world that the record holders want to visit, in countries they have already visited. On the list are Hawaii, Alaska, Greenland, and French Polynesia. Ah, there’s another place they want to visit too,

but they’re waiting for the tickets to get cheaper. We’re talking about a trip to space. For them, more than a dream, this is a plan! In the meantime, they are still here on the earth’s crust, always with the desire to inspire people.

“We want to keep going to the places we like the most, making cool content, showing people that it’s possible to travel. Only 4% of people have left Brazil,” says Rafael. “We believe that travel makes people grow. Ours did not fuel our ego, desire, or pride, but led to the construction of what we are today,” he adds. By the way, the journey continues!

@DIETRICH

https://travel.state.gov/content/ travel/en/traveladvisories/ traveladvisories.html/

By Maurício Oliveira

Photos: Chapel Archive

A NEW LOOK INTO THE FUTURE

Chapel announced great news in August: the inauguration of the Innovation Hub, a multidisciplinary space where students from Kindergarten to 6th Grade (5 to 11 years old) learn and experiment. The space went under a complete remodel. The room, once used for Technology classes, has now become the hub that integrates several other subjects. The space is furnished with specific materials including paper, glue, paint, scissors, wood scraps, LED lights, and many other maker culture items. Laptops and tablets become active learning tools enriching the learning in a variety of subjects areas.

The hub was created considering the wide research on the best global practices and STEAM (acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) approach. The new infrastructure aims to promote an organic integration of these five areas. One of the hub’s innovations is to implement this vision in early Elementary School.

“The intersection amongst the different subjects happens naturally and

through play, the feeling for the kids is one of discovery. The processes spark curiosity, activate critical thinking, and initiate questioning,” describes Chapel School Director, Ms. Juliana Menezes. Thus, without labeling, students are introduced to the first concepts of robotics, machine learning, artificial intelligence, and design thinking.

Exchanging Experiences

The fun and inquisitive nature of the activities contribute to the high level of engagement and enthusiasm on behalf of the children, observes teacher, Mr. Otávio Garcia. “The lessons are now filled with ‘wow moments!’ in which the children manifest their surprise or excitement with everything they discover.”

With sixteen years of experience at Chapel, Mr. Garcia was primarily responsible for Technology lessons. He is now part of the Learning Innovation Specialists duo, which facilitates the activities in the hub. His partner is teacher Karina Wenda. Ms. Wenda has been at Chapel for twelve years. Her professional journey has been marked by the vast and successful use of creative and critical thinking in Early Elementary. “It has been proven that the merge between Science, Technology, and Creativity brings a series of benefits, from wider student engagement to the improvement of academic performance,” she says.

The projects developed by the hub are grounded in four principles: critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and communication. The objective goes beyond providing specific experiences, (some students have class in the hub twice a week, others once, according to the grade level), it aims at dispersing this culture to other subjects in the school curriculum.

Teachers whose classes participate in the Innovation Hub are undergoing training workshops. These workshops aim to develop activities that align with the new infrastructure’s purposes and also to replicate the logic in their respective specialty areas. There is a strong internal incentive for the exchange of knowledge amongst the teaching staff and the development of multidisciplinary projects. Parents will also have the opportunity to “savor” the hubs’ experiences and better understand their connection with their child’s learning.

Collaborative Process

The purpose of the hub is to understand that the use of technology is not limited to screens and can be associated with the use of other physical objects. In the early years, up to 2nd Grade, the projects that are developed are short. Projects typically last up to four classes and focus on experimenting, understanding the processes, and developing a sense of the tools being used. For example,

students can design a setting on a physical sheet of paper and then digitalize their drawingusing the tools in the hub. Several additions can be made, like adding an automated ladybug to move around their original scene. This was the first interdisciplinary project involving Language, Arts, and Block Coding. The wide variety of resources available includes Lego Education (mechanisms, strength, balance), snap circuits (electricity), Sphero (programmable robot), iPads, Chromebooks, magnetic shapes, clay, and playdough, among others. “The common characteristic among these materials and tools is that, at some point, there are problems that require students to solve. When this happens, we act more as facilitators than directors,” explains Mr. Garcia. “The idea is not to present them with exact formulas and demand correct answers, but to develop creative and critical thinking,” adds Ms. Wenda.

As of 3rd Grade, there is a transition from experimenting to their own longer projects, that can span up to two months resulting in a final physical product. Although these are individual projects, the creation process can be collaborative, with comments and suggestions amongst peers being allowed and encouraged.

To define the project’s theme, each child is challenged to choose a topic that greatly interests them. For

CHAPEL BUILDS AN INFRASTRUCTURE THAT INTEGRATES SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, ARTS, AND MAKERS IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

example, a pet, a sport, a dance style, or anything else. The next step is to find a way to represent this passion. The framework for the project is chosen from seven possibilities which include a catapult, a car powered by elastic bands, a bridge, offline animation, scratch, a video game, or a flashlight. The only objective is that the result must have the passion evident, without the need for additional explanations.

Mistakes Teach

One of the most important characteristics of the hub is the eventual mistakes students make along the process, which are transformed into opportunities for learning. This represents a change in paradigm for many children. “It is very clear how they learn to deal with frustrations and begin to understand mistakes as masterpieces for the improvement of the processes and products, and how they do not fail,” describes Ms. Wenda. Another interesting aspect is the opportunity to observe different types of learning. “Students demonstrate their understanding and present their productions in the way they can

best express themselves, whether visual, communicative, interpersonal, kinesthetic, linguistic, or analytical learners,” emphasizes Ms. Menezes. The establishment of the hub was planned before the pandemic. However, the global health crises pushed back these plans. On the other hand, the experiences with remote learning during the social distancing period reinforced the conviction on the pertinence of the initiative. It became extremely clear that Technology needed to be a part of children’s daily lives in an integrative manner in relation to other aspects of their school life.

At the beginning of 2022, the team responsible for designing the Learning Innovation Hub gained an important addition with the hiring of Peruvian, Javier Rebagliati. Mr. Rebagliati, a specialist in educational technology, attracted Chapel’s attention with the work he developed in an international school in Lima. He arrived with the mission to structure and synchronize the school’s technological education with these new concepts.

To complete the Learning Innovation program, in June of this year,

Chapel concluded the recognition program Common Sense Learning. Common Sense (commonsense.org) is an international organization that dedicates itself to developing Digital Citizenship and creating a digital culture to spread good practices. The Learning Innovation team also received the Common Sense Educators Certification.

Children from Kindergarten to 6th Grade, the same grades that participate in the Learning Innovation Hub classes, also follow the Common Sense program. The programs’ standards relate to digital citizenship and the lessons are developed to meet the needs of each age level. The idea is to always maintain in our daily practices topics such as strategies to improve the technology use balance, the importance of taking care of our digital footprint, awareness and how to combat cyberbullying and hate speech, as well as distinguishing fake news and reliable sources, the importance of identifying safe websites and apps, the need to respect copyright and avoid plagiarism, among other important themes which are constantly present in children’s daily lives.

AFTER A LONG AND SUCCESSFUL CAREER AS AN INTERVIEWER, JOURNALIST LEILA FERREIRA BECAME A WRITER AND IS ABOUT TO RELEASE HER SEVENTH BOOK. HER WELL-WRITTEN CHRONICLES NOT ONLY TOOK HER TO THE BEST-SELLING WRITERS LISTS, BUT ALSO TO THE MOST DIVERSE PLACES, BOTH IN BRAZIL AND AROUND THE WORLD. WHAT DOES SHE NOTICE ON HER TRAVELS? PEOPLE. WHAT TOPICS DOES SHE COVER? SEVERAL, FROM LIGHTHEARTEDNESS, KINDNESS, AND AFFECTION TO ANXIETY, SADNESS, AND DEPRESSION, ALL INHERENT TO HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS. “THE MOST INTERESTING

LANDSCAPE I KNOW IS THAT OF THE HUMAN BEING,” SHE REVEALS

Born in Araxá, Minas Gerais, Leila Ferreira grew up surrounded by books because of her mother, a Portuguese teacher. Her home, she says, was a territory of books and ideas in circulation. Not for nothing, her first degree was in literature, and she even taught classes and started a master’s degree in the area, but her passion for language and interaction with people was of a different nature, which led her to journalism, the same profession of two of her five brothers. With a master’s degree in Communication from the University of London, she worked as a reporter, editor and, finally, an interviewer, her greatest professional achievement. “I always liked deeper interactions; wanted to talk to people just like my mother talked to her children in the kitchen of our house in Araxá. didn’t know if that was possible in journalism, but I was sure had to try,” she said. Her TV show “Leila Entrevista”, on Rede Minas de Televisão, lasted ten years and to this day she is recognized on the streets because of it.

She moved away from TV to take care of her mother in the final years of the one person who had always inspired her. After her mother’s death, Leila was unable to return to television, as she felt that a cycle had ended. Although she already had two published books, it was with the 2012 release of A arte de ser leve that she established herself as a writer and speaker. “This book took me all over Brazil. Which is perhaps something symptomatic: there is a lack of lightness, and that is a fact,” says the author in an exclusive interview with Inside Chapel

By Paula Veneroso

Photos: DMT Palestras

THE GREAT CHALLENGE OF HUMAN KIND IS NOT TO CLIMB EVEREST. OUR GREAT CHALLENGE IS TO BE BETTER PEOPLE”

important person because I could go to the library alone to choose my books. My brothers all liked to read – I had five older brothers – and the books circulated among us. That house was a territory of books and ideas in circulation and we all began to enjoy writing as well as reading. The most natural path for me was to study literature. Therefore, I got a degree in Portuguese and English and I taught classes for a few years, but I felt that it was not what wanted. I loved using language, not necessarily teaching it. I even attended a semester of the Masters in Comparative Literature at the University of Mexico, but it only made me realize more clearly that it was not what I wanted.

You have had a successful career in television journalism. How did you make the choice to practice communications instead of teaching?

LF: I had two brothers who were journalists, and I was passionate about the conversations we had and their work. That’s when I decided on journalism. I worked as a reporter for a few years at Rede Globo de Minas. But I also knew I didn’t want to be a street reporter. I always liked interactions with more reflection, I wanted to talk to people like my mother talked to her six children in the kitchen of our house in Araxá. didn’t know if that was possible in journalism, but was sure I had to try. I achieved this when a colleague of mine from Globo assumed the presidency of Rede Minas de Televisão (associated with TV Cultura) and invited me to become the culture editor. There was already a talk show on the station called “Programa Entrevista,” and the week joined the station, the show’s presenter took a leave of absence. They asked me to take over the show, and as soon as I finished my first interview, I thought, “This is what I have been looking for in my life.” The program was renamed “Leila Entrevista” and lasted ten years. In Belo Horizonte I am known as Leila Entrevista – the name of the program became my last name – and to this day people stop me on the street asking about the show.

Your professional career took another turn when you left TV and began writing books and giving talks. How did this turnaround come about?

LF: I decided to leave television to go to Araxá and take care of my mother in the last years of her life. This period lasted three years, and when my mother passed away and I was about to resume the TV show felt that it was no longer the time for this, that a cycle had ended. At the time, I had many proposals to write books and give talks, and started touring Brazil no longer as a reporter or interviewer, but as a speaker. I’ve published six books and I’m preparing

the next one. The third book I wrote, A arte de ser leve, took me all over Brazil. Which is perhaps symptomatic: there is a lack of lightness and that is a fact.

What was the inspiration that led you to write about the possibility of living in a less complicated way, carrying less weight?

LF: had written a book for Editora Globo about women. The title is Mulheres, por que será que elas…?, a very light and irreverent book. It worked out pretty well and the publisher ended up calling me to write another one. They were thinking about a book related to quality of life and asked me to suggest a topic. I was the one who suggested the theme of lightness. The editors were a little reticent, perhaps thinking that I could make a very “hippie” book, like let’s be light, life is beautiful. I reassured them that there was no danger of me writing a very “pink” book since had been dealing with depression for twenty years. The fact is that it amazed me that people become obsessed with their body weight and do not realize that the great danger is morbid obesity of the spirit, of the soul. Inside, we are increasingly irascible, impatient, intolerant, stressed, hostile, and thought I’d talk about the possibility of taking care of the soul, the spirit, with the same intensity with which we take care of the body. When explained that it would be a lightness that is possible, realistic, a lightness that coexists with our pain, our losses, and our anxieties, the editor accepted the proposal right away.

What was your motivation in proposing this theme to the publisher?

LF: proposed it because wanted to learn to live more lightly. It was a personal journey. was going through a phase of a lot of stress, a lot of anxiety, and had recurrent panic attacks. always say that learned to deal with depression. It is already a family member. Every now and then, it knocks on the door, comes to stay for a while, and

then packs its bags and leaves. And I celebrate, even though I know that, although it leaves, it remains in the area, it doesn’t disappear. Therefore, I can say that I learned to live with depression, but with anxiety, oh, that’s still terrible. I was carrying that internal weight, sometimes I even became short of breath from so much anxiety, when stopped and said, “No, I don’t want this for myself anymore”. At the same time, didn’t see myself practicing meditation or taking extended retreats. I couldn’t move from acute anxiety to a Zen state. wanted something in between, so decided to interview behavioral experts and talk to people about the possibility of living more lightly. I wanted to try to learn and share that learning with people, because I saw many people around me carrying this weight. have lived in many places – Brasília, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Mexico, the United States, and England to name a few. Today I divide my time between Portugal and Brazil and see heavy people everywhere, even in Araxá. We have carried an impressive weight.

To what do you attribute this weight?

LF: There are a number of factors that contribute to this weight that people carry. The lack of breaks – life has no more breaks – the lack of conversation, families and friends don’t talk anymore, because when we eliminate pauses, we eliminate conversations together. The lack of reflection, the stopping to think, has disappeared. Before, when you went to the doctor and were waiting for the appointment, you kept thinking about life. Today, with the cell phone, who thinks about life? There is no time. We are living the compulsion to do things. We don’t stop anymore. If you need to travel ten floors in the elevator, you already take out your cell phone so you don’t get bored, as if you were traveling to Recife. People can’t stand not doing anything anymore, we are always doing something, at home, at work, on the street, at leisure, on vacation, even on weekends there are no more breaks,

WE HAVE TO THINK A LOT ABOUT COEXISTENCE. SYMPATHY, WHICH HAS BEEN FORGOTTEN SO MUCH, MUST PREVAIL. WE TALK SO MUCH ABOUT EMPATHY – WHICH IS VERY IMPORTANT – BUT SYMPATHY IS JUST AS IMPORTANT

IN THIS POST-WAR PERIOD – WHICH IS THE POST-PANDEMIC PERIOD – WE NEED PEOPLE WHO ARE KINDER, WITH A GREATER SENSE OF HUMOR, MORE PLEASANT, MORE SYMPATHETIC, MORE WELCOMING AND, ABOVE ALL, MORE AFFECTIONATE

there is no stillness, there is no silence. And with that, we get heavier and heavier.

To what extent has your experience writing books and interviewing people helped you to understand yourself better and be lighter? Can you be lighter today?

LF: I’m not light yet, but I’m much lighter than used to be, and that, for me, is already a victory. I went to therapy for many years and I think that today I can manage better. For example, during the pandemic I lost two brothers, a terrible experience. thought the panic attacks would return but they didn’t. So in some manner am lighter. I’m an overly concerned person, but I think that when we try to be lighter, we live less tormented lives. A sense of humor is paramount to me, so one of the things I’ve been allowing myself to do to live more lightly is to stay away from people who don’t have a sense of humor. Bitter, sour, and sullen people, with poorly resolved issues, you can’t have lightness living with people like that. have nothing against them, I just don’t want to be in the same space as them.

In your books and in your talks, you notably approach human relationships as being essential to improve our quality of life. Talk a little about that.

LF: talk a lot about kindness, which, for me, is the basis of human coexistence. Kindness and respect are the ground that holds us up 24 hours a day. We are very concerned about quality of life, and that is great, but quality of life is not just about physical activity and following a balanced diet. Quality of life, above all, is knowing how to have relationships, knowing how to live together. Several studies show that human relationships are the most important thing in life. Having good relationships with those close to you, whether at home or at work, is perhaps the most essential ingredient for the sought-after quality of life and the long-awaited happiness. Therefore, I think we have to be more attentive to everything that has the capacity to improve our relationships, our coexistence. Kindness, respect, good mood – and when say good

mood it’s not being happy for no reason or laughing all the time, it’s not this artificial and manufactured joy. We all have the right to have bad moments and even bad days, but then being grumpy fulltime and wanting to be happy and having quality of life becomes impossible. believe we have to think a lot about coexistence. Sympathy, which has been forgotten, must prevail. We talk a lot about empathy – which is very important – but sympathy is just as much. In this post-war period – which is the post-pandemic period – we need people who are kinder, with a better sense of humor, more pleasant, more sympathetic, more welcoming and, above all, more affectionate. I believe that the central word of our times is affection. The great challenge of the human being is not to climb Everest. Our great challenge is to be better people, and to be better people, we have to practice affection full time. Live for each other, for the benefit of each other. Without this focus, we reduce the value of life.

In your opinion, what are the consequences of not stopping to reflect on our life?

LF: One of the biggest problems is when we dive into this fantasy world of social media. We are living in the so-called society of the spectacle, as the French philosopher Guy Debord, creator of this concept, says, and thus we become characters and begin to act. Often, we pretend to be happier than we really are, pretend to have the money we don’t have, and pretend not to have the depression we do. Life becomes a great theater and those who are not actors pay a very high price for being that way. Social networks have been a major complicating factor in this because you start to compare your real life, the one you know like the palm of your hand, with the fictionalized life of the other, who chooses what they will show you, and this comparison can de-structure a person. It is a life of having to do this or that, of having to be this or that. However, at the end of the day, the only thing we “must” be in this life, using a very simple word, is: we just have

to be nice. We are here to be good, kind, ethical, generous and, if possible, pleasant people.

During all the time you worked as an interviewer, what were the encounters, the experiences that most marked your trajectory?

LF: The human being fascinates me. I always joked that I tried to be interested in nature, but was always very interested in human beings. For me, the most interesting landscape I know is that of the human being. can say that I went to several colleges just by interviewing people. I interviewed Queen Silvia of Sweden at Stockholm’s royal palace, a 608-room palace. Then, I went to Vale do Jequitinhonha, a poor region of Minas Gerais, to interview Sá Luiza, a 106-year-old healer. She was poor, sick, illiterate, but was also a queen, had the posture of a queen, and talked like a queen. I went from the Queen of Sweden to a healer in the Vale do Jequitinhonha, and that is very rich. went to California to the home of best-selling writer Sidney Sheldon. I have never seen a person as kind, simple, and warm as him. After the interview, he sent me a letter thanking me for visiting. I went to Isabel Allende’s house in California too. had dinner with her and her husband on two occasions. Right after that, interviewed a farmer who only attended two years of Elementary School, but he wrote and recited poems. He would recite poems in the pasture, in the middle of the farm.

“Eu queria ter um peito, forgado como um salão, brilhando de ouro e prata, cheinho de inspiração, que quando eu desse um suspiro, caísse verso no chão”. His name is Juca Poeta. I had the opportunity to be with these human beings: Sidney Sheldon, Juca Poeta, and Maria do Cemitério, Machado’s gravedigger in the south of Minas, who was a wonderful character. After so many years of interviewing, you get to know the human being at their most fragile, strongest, and human. You get in touch with dreams, joys, despair, fear, shadows, light... It’s a very rich landscape. To this day, when I look at an

LEILA FERREIRA TALKS ABOUT THE BRIEF MOMENTS OF RESTORATION

“ we have to create small breaks throughout the days, over the weeks. If you stop for two minutes and go to the window of your apartment, to the window of your office, without your cell phone in your hand, and just look outside, that already restores you in some way. If you grab a cup of coffee and for a minute and a half you just drink coffee, that’s a moment of stillness. These small moments of restoration are called micropauses. We have to create time for not doing anything, not running, not posting, because we need moments of stillness, silence, and a break from activities. This routine of doing one thing after another, not being able to stop, it makes us sick, so we have to be aware of the importance of breaks in life. believe that when we stop, even for seconds or minutes, it becomes easier to reflect on life, because in this frenetic and dizzying pace that we have been living, we do not reflect.”

When the pandemic started, I had just ordered the book Do Pause: You Are Not a to Do List by Professor Robert Poynton of Oxford University. The book arrived and contacted the author. We chatted virtually for an hour and ended up becoming friends. I will repeat what he told me, which consider very wise: Today, we have this great fantasy of slowing down. This is a utopia, because the world is not going to slow down, we are not going to slow down. There are a few exceptions, only a few people are capable of doing that. In general, the tendency is for life to get faster and faster. Technology, the economic model, the pressures of the job market, and the values that we have been nurturing, sometimes wrongly, lead us to an increasing acceleration, everything is pushing us to do more, to run more. Poynton says that since slowing down is practically a utopia,

BOOKS BY LEILA FERREIRA

interesting person, I think, ‘He’s going to make a great interview.’ And in that moment I miss it all. Talking to people is what I love to do most.”

How do you manage your day to day?

Can you incorporate into your routine what you learn from your interviewees?

LF: My routine is very busy, but much less than it has been in the past, because I’ve been trying to be more selective of what do, even in terms of leisure. I’ve been trying to contain the anxiety of doing a thousand things at once. think that even when we have

an overloaded schedule and many demands, we need to find a way to not burden people with our anxiety, our lack of time. It’s not about pretending or hiding, but being careful not to put our demands on others. The least we should try to do is to have a little more lightness, a sense of humor. interviewed a professor at Johns Hopkins University, Pier Massimo Forni, author of a best seller on kindness and who recently passed away, and he told me the following: “I have a simple philosophy of life. If I don’t add to the weight of life for those who live with

me it is a sign that I am living well. Of course, the ideal is to reduce the weight of life for those who live with us, but if we can’t reduce it, at least we shouldn’t increase it.” This has been my mantra ever since I interviewed him for my book. already felt this, as a child, listening to the words of my mother, who never transferred the burden of her problems to others. With Dr. Forni just gained the certainty that if we can’t lessen the burden of life for others, at least we shouldn’t increase it. It takes respect, a sense of humor, and affection to do this.

VIVER NÃO DÓI - 2013 LEILA ENTREVISTA: BASTIDORES - 2007

A ARTE DE SER LEVE - 2012

By Paula Veneroso

Alexandre Yamashiro’s journey at Chapel began before he started Pre in 1987. “When I was born, my parents decided to enroll me in an American school as soon as was old enough. Still very young, I was enrolled in Dona Érica’s school, considered a prep school for Chapel,” tells the former student. After, he started Pre I, where he continued until his high school graduation in 2001. With a Bachelor’s Degree in Business and professionally successful in the finance market, Alexandre learned at an early age how to deal with his personality, being extroverted and social, and sometimes a bit too much. “I have to confess that, as a student, I was never the most academic. I would always mess around, talk, and enjoyed having my friends around,” he comments laughing while reminiscing about the fond memories of his temperament that has been following him since a young age. “I was the one that would mess around during nap time, not letting others sleep.” He then reflects that despite the responsibilities that come with maturing, this profile has persisted. “I always realized and understood this characteristic of mine, and this was great because I recognized from an early age that this was something I needed to learn to balance for two reasons. First, not to repeat a school year, and secondly, not to make my life harder,” he reveals. Making his life harder, according to him, was mainly getting grounded for receiving poor grades. Thus, being unable to attend parties, travel with friends, or participate in any sports, which is his great passion.

In Search of the Sweet Spot

Studying was synonymous with enjoying everything cool the school had to offer.

“This win-win was the result of the combined work of Chapel teachers, counselors, and my parents,” he says. Consequently, it was one of the first learning moments he took for life. On one occasion, while still very young, he could not participate in a tournament because he did not achieve an average grade in a specific subject, and this impacted him. “I was not very studious, but I balanced this out throughout my school life. I knew I had to do well, but did not study to get an A+. I studied to understand and get a passing grade. I always searched to hit the sweet spot.” This balance gave Alexandre the freedom to practice all of the sports Chapel had to offer. As well as, the opportunity to travel and defend Chapel in Little 8 and Big 4, tournaments

played amongst international schools. Besides sports, scouts were another fond memory he cherishes about school. “The other day my mom gave me a box with many keepsakes from that time. The scouts were an afterschool activity that loved and made a lasting impression on me. We had an activity book and we traveled to camp to practice everything we had learned,” he says. He also remembers that participation in these activities too was conditional on one’s academic performance.

Global Experience

The analytical sense and ability to weigh pros and cons before making any decision are others skills Alexandre developed during his time at school. When he finished high school he had his first significant decision to make. To stay in Brazil for university or to go abroad. In this case, his family

connection outweighed the thought of studying abroad, and the young man decided to stay in his home country. In the aftermath of his choice, he jokes that choosing his undergraduate course was a “whole other issue”. “ Today, looking back, I think I chose business because I was undecided at the time about what I wanted to do. I chose this course as a trial. If by any chance, it wasn’t what I wanted, I would change. Fortunately, it was a course I enjoyed and finished. It was a good experience,” he affirms. As soon as he started university, he made another decision. He decided to start working as soon as possible to acquire different experiences and steer himself in the direction of a field he would like to work in. “Since Business is such a broad course that offers many possibilities in different areas, I wanted to try out various segments, and markets, and try to find myself,” he says. After

BY HIS PARENTS’ CHOICE, ALEXANDRE YAMASHIRO WENT TO CHAPEL FOR FIFTEEN YEARS. WHEN IT WAS HIS SON’S TURN, HE AND HIS WIFE DID NOT HAVE ANY DOUBTS ABOUT WHERE HE WOULD ATTEND SCHOOL, “I WANTED ARTHUR TO INTERNALIZE THE SAME VALUES I LEARNED HERE”

Photos: Jô Aguiar

his first internship in a national electric energy company, he joined the financial sector. Specifically a global credit card company, and realized he was close to his dream job. “American Express was the school of my professional career. In this company I had the opportunity to utilize all my knowledge, including what I had learned at Chapel. These abilities to understand different cultures, communicate well in English, and have a good global perspective,” he explains, justifying the reason why he stayed at the company for almost a decade, where his responsibilities demanded many international trips.

It was precisely why Chapel made all the difference. The interaction with classmates of different nationalities at school facilitated Alexandre’s professional experience, notably because it promoted his internal relationship with his teams and facilitated teamwork. “And am not even talking about the language, I am referring to the intercultural coexistence and familiarity. I see now how impactful this is to those who did not have this experience like I did at Chapel,” he explains. Alexandre always felt confident about connecting with people from different cultures, especially to understand the various cultural dynamics of other people. “I simply remembered, when was five years old, having learned certain cultural customs from my friend’s parents who went to Chapel to present to the class about their countries before the International Festival. These experiences were inspiring and they are rooted in me,” he says.

New Opportunities

Staying in the finance market was the right decision because another

great professional experience arose in Alexandre’s life right when he joined 3G Capital. He was responsible for structuring the expansion plan of the Burger King chain, recently acquired by the group. “My experience in this joint venture was great and intense, as I was responsible for elaborating and executing the expansion plan of the fast food chain in Brazil, planning, and opening more than 100 stores per month,” he reveals.

He says that, coincidentally, his departure from the company was around the time he got married, when the need to balance career and family life spoke louder. It was then while monitoring market opportunities, he built an out-of-home media company, where he stayed for two years, enough time to structure and sell it.

“This was excellent because, right after, BlackRock reached out with an incredible opportunity. The job is very pleasant because it combines a little of everything I like from my past experiences while providing me time to have a work-life balance,” comments Alexandre on his current job at the world’s largest finance management company. For him, being able to work in a global company while at the same time living in Brazil, is crucial now that he has children (one is five years old and the other is one year old). This job has allowed him to have the balance he always searched for in his life. His responsibilities in the Brazilian office include marketing and digital platform management.

Second Generation

When he and his wife began looking for a school for their firstborn, Arthur, the couple had several strong beliefs in

mind. “I was already sure I wanted my son to study in an international school and have the same education I did. Also, we wanted him to develop an open mind towards the world, not only to acquire other languages but mainly for the opportunity for intercultural interactions. Our only doubt was where to enroll him,” he says. Chapel was on their list and was the first school they visited. After all, Alexandre wanted to see what the school currently looked like, now from a parent’s perspective. To his satisfaction, he noticed the changes made were very positive. “Even so, I put aside my emotional connection to the school and respected my wife’s impressions,” he explains. Visiting two other schools was enough for his wife to reveal she also preferred Chapel.

Today, his son is currently in Pre II. Alexandre, now a parent, has been involved with the school and reveals how the experience has been wonderful. “I have friends that graduated High School with me, whose children are in the same grade as mine,” he says, remembering Chapel’s strong suit: the friendships. For example, on his birthday last year, Alexandre invited 30 people for a celebration at his home, and in total 20 were friends from Chapel. “This shows the strength of my school friendships and how they were formed throughout the years. feel like we get along so well because we maintained the values we learned at Chapel, and this is very nice because we preserved the familiarity,” he points out. Speaking of familiarity, Alexandre revealed that as soon as his youngest, Ana, is old enough to go to school, no visits are necessary, the school is already chosen.

“I SIMPLY REMEMBERED, WHEN I WAS FIVE YEARS OLD, HAVING LEARNED CERTAIN CULTURAL CUSTOMS WITH MY FRIEND’S PARENTS WHO VISITED CHAPEL TO PRESENT FOR THE CLASS ABOUT THEIR COUNTRIES BEFORE THE INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL. THESE EXPERIENCES WERE INSPIRING AND THEY ARE ROOTED IN ME”

35 centuries of art and culture

The Ema Klabin House Museum’s mission is to safeguard, study and publicize the collection, residence and memory of Ema Klabin, aiming at the promotion of cultural, educational and social activities, inspired by her performance in life, in order to build, together with the widest possible audience, an environment of enjoyment, dialogue and reflection.

The residence where Ema Klabin lived from 1961 to 1994 is one of the few collector house museums in Brazil with preserved rooms. It holds a comprehensive collection of art, decorative arts and archaeological pieces, in addition to offering a broad cultural program.

The garden of the Ema Klabin House Museum was designed by Roberto Burle Marx.

The Ema Klabin Collection brings together a variety of cultures and covers a time span of 35 centuries.

House Museum hours

Wednesday to Sunday

11 am, 2 pm, 3:15 pm and 4:30 pm

Ema Klabin House Museum

rua Portugal 43

Jardim Europa São Paulo SP

emaklabin.org.br

By Nadine do Carmo

A FUN MIND: IS IT POSSIBLE?

Photos: Personal Archive

When was 17 years old, had a choice to make. A choice that you may have also made, or will have to make. Choosing your degree. What was going through my mind at that moment? How this choice would change the rest of my life, forever!

Part of me wanted to work in the arts, expressing emotions and telling stories: being an actress. Another part of me was scared that I would not be able to provide for myself, being unsuccessful, constantly remembering my uncle saying, “Nadine, you will starve if you become an actress.” There was another part of me, with deep sadness, when I thought about going to university far from my family and everyone I loved. It confuses our minds when we have to make decisions, right? There are countless imagined future scenarios, and it sometimes can be difficult to focus on the good side, the joys, and our objectives. Have you ever been in one of these situations?

Well, still feeling reluctant and struggling with my thoughts, I took the entrance exam. In addition, participated in three days of specific testing for the Performing Arts at FUVEST in São Paulo. Those three days were unsettling. It seemed as though everything in my life had been impacted by that exam, by that choice. Whether I would be successful or unsuccessful professionally and grappling with the idea of distancing myself forever from my family, friends, and boyfriend.

Being 600 km away from home, living off what I loved, and forever changing the course of my journey. It was the defining moment of my life. While also a test of resistance, for living through three straight days with 6,200 thoughts unraveling all the possible scenarios, with a thousand different things running through my mind.

I did well during the group activities too. Despite the internal voice telling me constantly that I was worse than everyone. had a certain talent for it. At the end of those three days, I saw that I had the chance of passing and had

the requirements to continue with this choice. During the last stage, the final interview, and enduring three days of mental pressure and infinite thoughts, I told the examiner, “Miss, do not accept me. Do not accept me because do not have the psyche for this career, to live here, away from my family, to live this dream. am sorry.” I got my backpack and left. I gave up.

How many times has this happened to you? Giving up something important to you because you could not control your emotions? Sometimes it might not be a big dream, like a career, but it might be a small conversation that you did not have out of fear. Or the affection you did not show from being upset, or even something you said that hurt someone else, but it was too late. How many times do we wish we had a light, happy day? However, instead, we allow ourselves to dive deep into our thoughts, making us tense and stressed.

At that moment in my life, at 17 years old, realized that I had no idea what was going on inside my head. How those thoughts and emotions could sabotage my plans and distance me from a happier, lighter life filled with all the expression and meaning I searched for. I needed to get to know myself.

I returned to Uberlândia, where I lived with my family, and studied Business at the Federal University there. lived with the frustration of my “alternate choice” and with the need to get to know and understand myself better.

During my university classes, I learned about managing companies. kept obsessing about using those organizational tools to organize my own life. Was it possible to use this knowledge also to manage our minds? I was sure that my mind needed some!

Throughout university, I dedicated myself to self-knowledge. Everyone who has success with mind and relationship management, says to “look within.”

Gandhi, Obama, Jesus Christ, Louise Hay, and even Madonna. I spent a couple of days trying to meditate, although the

intolerant voice inside kept telling me this was “too zen” and did not suit me. I read a lot. I read from many authors who spoke about emotional intelligence, neuroscience, and psychology. I wanted to acquire knowledge beyond administration, and attempt to apply some of those tools to myself. also wrote a lot. To me, it was like printing my thoughts, and that helped me understand myself.

In business, we learn it is only possible to improve something we can measure. To improve my mind, I needed to understand what went on in it, the thought patterns, and the emotions associated with them.

In these daily self-observations, whether through meditation or writing, I understood my critical voice. This voice, that did not meditate and willfully tried to impose limits and communicate possession, was in fact anger.

My thoughts about the future, anxious for answers, always asking, “what if?” was in fact, fear. The voice telling me was not capable during those entrance exams, and in so many other moments, was sadness. Ah, and I also had joy here within, I still had dreams, but, at that time, it felt as if the other feelings had taken over.

In 2015, watched Disney Pixar’s Inside Out and said, “Man, this is it! My mind is exactly like this.” also have a control panel where anger, fear, and sadness take over, and joy had a hard time appearing.

One thought that was constant: since when are minds fun like this?

I don’t know about you, but for me, it was not fun to be angry, have anxiety attacks, or spend an entire day sulking. It was not fun wanting endlessly to be happy, and at the same time, having no idea how to deal with all the other emotions.

I continued to dive into my selfawareness, looking within and following the advice of those I admired. Besides observing myself, I also started therapy, something that helped me a lot. As time

went by, I recognized my emotions and gave my internal voices names. Which became something funny, not only for self-realization but also by sharing with people all “sides” of me. When something happened to me, for example getting cut off in traffic, and my intolerant feelings began, I would say, “there goes ‘Nadiaba,’ who does not shut up, always criticizing everyone and everything.” Nadiaba is the name gave to my anger. I named all of my main emotions as if they were characters. “Nadeprê for Sadness, “Nomalia” for Fear, “Nadyely” for Joy, “Nadm” for Reason. (The last one is not a feeling, by the way).

And who would have thought that imagining, observing, and recognizing my feelings would have made the whole experience fun? By becoming this “detached observer,” I began to understand the triggers for each one of them. took control of my own story and understood that my thoughts and feelings are my allies. The knowledge behind Emotional Intelligence made me understand that, even if some feelings are unpleasant, they only want to protect me.

My fear, back then, only wanted to protect me by bringing me all of the possible scenarios that I would face if I had chosen to be an actress. Sadness

showed me how much I valued my family and brought me this reflection. Anger was fundamental in teaching me to impose limits in different situations that crossed my path. The more I studied my history and my repertoire the more understood them (my emotions).

To finish my story, I graduated and got a job in marketing. The wish to be an actress did not die, but now there was also the desire to talk to others about emotions and self-awareness. In 2018 combined my passions and started N de Nadine, a YouTube channel that shows how our thoughts talk in our head. I write the script, film, and act out the five characters who are the voices in my head: Anger, Fear, Sadness, and Reason, in enjoyable and humorous skits.

With this channel, discovered that I was not the only one who felt like this and that all of us have difficulties with numerous thoughts, self-sabotage, and feelings. This is what is most human about us. built a community of people who enjoy talking about emotion and self-knowledge in a fun and light way, laughing about our downfalls and stories. The characters and thought patterns that noticed internally and helped me understand myself are now helping others dive into this world and transform their lives.

Today in 2022, I am finalizing my postgraduate degree in Neuroscience, Positive Psychology, and Mindfulness. I creatively work with human development, by using characters from my channel for each emotional intelligence. That same person, who was lacking back then opened a huge door for me to look within and create a life with more meaning and purpose.

If you are still wondering, is it possible to have a fun mind, Nadine? Well, humor can be defined as the breach of expectation, this is what causes the laughter effect.

Think with me, isn’t our mind and life a sequence of breaches in expectations? It is up to us to give this idea of emotions a lighter and more playful look. My invitation to you is to start welcoming your inner voices, observe them, recognize them, and believe that all of them have their good side. In the moments with the biggest breach in expectations, difficulties, and challenges, you too can take a lot of meaning and have fun with it.

When you look within, get to know yourself, and understand your universe of infinite possibilities inside, you have more chances of success and fun on the outside.

Embracing your different sides makes everything more “fun.”

SPOTLIGHT

BOOK FAIR SUPPORTS CREATIVE THINKING

With the theme “Reading Makes You Think Outside the Box,” the 2022 Chapel Book Fair edition took place from September 14th to 17th, kicking off the school’s commemorative 75th anniversary. Throughout the week, along with the traditional new and used book sales (all with incredibly low prices), students from Early Childhood to High School, participated in storytelling sessions and literary conversations. These events were hosted by writers Jonas Ribeiro and Andi Rubinstein, as well as creativity and imagination workshops with Ms. Rubinstein and Luccas Garcia from The Dreamers Theater. Saturday, the fair’s last day, concluded with a special program. Four Learning Innovation workshops were planned especially to encourage students’ creative thinking, problem-solving, and disposition to absorb new knowledge and ideas. In the “Celebration: Art Collage with Felt” workshop, participants made colorful collages based on the theme ‘celebration.’ “The STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) Light Painting” workshop counted on participants using light as a painting instrument to write motivational sentences in the air. Participants in the “Catapult DIY (Do It Yourself)” workshop had fun building miniature catapults with popsicle sticks. For the “Block Coding Using Scratch” workshop, the objective was to create games, animations, and interactive stories using Scratch visual programming language.

After the workshops, while children were having fun with another storytelling session with Andi Rubinstein, families participated in the launch of the Chapel Cookbook 3rd edition. Authors Marcia Berkowitz and Flora Spolidoro from the school’s Nutrition Department were present and signed sold copies. All of the cookbook sales profits were fully reverted to the Escola Santo Eugenio. During the launch, guests had the opportunity to sample some of the book’s delicious recipes.

To close the event, a performance from the band Estralo uplifted the entire school community. According to the librarian and event organizer Fernanda Caires, the development of good readers counts on events such as the Book Fair. “The Book Fair is a very special moment for everyone in the school community, and one of our main goals is to expand the walls of the library to families’ homes. It is an event that promotes reading amongst families, choosing books together, acquiring them, and then reading them together. This makes a significant and very positive difference in children’s lives,” affirms Ms. Caires.

CHILDREN’S DAY AS IT SHOULD BE

Aspecial date for the little ones celebrated with great joy and creativity: that was Children’s Day at Chapel. Held on the eve of the October 12th holiday, the program included a series of playful workshops for Early Childhood Education students.

Based on an “under the sea” theme, which included decorations in the classrooms and other environments, children created ocean sensory bottles. Small objects such as shells, miniature sea animals, and glitter were inserted into a mixture of water and special glue. This resulted in very slow movements of the objects inside the bottle. “The children naturally realized that it was a situation similar to what happens at the bottom of the sea,” describes Ms. Emanoelli do Valle, Early Childhood Education Center (ECEC) coordinator, which welcomes children between the ages of three and six years old.

Another activity was neon painting in the dark. The activity was produced in an environment with a total absence of light, which required the installation of blackout curtains to create the desired atmosphere. The children were delighted with the novelty and eager to show at home the “trick” of the pictures that come to life in the dark. To complete the festive day, there was the preparation of special brigadeiros, made with premade ingredients.

The older children participated in a Mass in honor of Nossa Senhora de Aparecida, the Patroness of Brazil, whose day is also commemorated on October 12th. While Children’s Day was instituted by law in 1924, the religious celebration dates back to 1717, when three fishermen found the image of the saint on the banks of the Paraíba do Sul River.

There was also a morning of outdoor activities, in a special edition of CARES, the school’s socio-emotional curriculum. The acronym is formed from the English words Cooperation, Assertion, Responsibility, Empathy, and Self-control. CARES class is held on Fridays, as an occasion in which Elementary School students up to 5th Grade carry out shared activities with mixed classes. “That morning, several cooperative games were organized to practice responsibility, the attribute chosen to guide the semester,” explains Ms. Juliana Menezes, School Director, and Elementary School Principal.

The 6th Grade students, the last group in Elementary School – who are well into the transition phase between childhood and adolescence – acted as monitors of the smaller children’s games in the morning, with the task of explaining the games and observing compliance with the rules. As a result, they were included in the Children’s Day celebrations, but with different status and responsibilities. In the afternoon, however, they were free to engage in their favorite games.

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THANKSGIVING: TIME TO GIVE THANKS

Thanksgiving, a significant holiday in the United States, originated as an occasion to give thanks for the successful harvest over the past year. With time, its meaning was expanded to a broader reflection on the importance of being grateful for accomplishments and gifts in life.

Celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November, Thanksgiving is a time for families and loved ones to come together in an environment very similar to Christmas in Brazil. Chapel School celebrates Thanksgiving not only for the date’s representation in North American culture but also to transmit to students the importance and understanding of gratefulness. This year, the celebration extended itself throughout the week, including the production of props and decorations. In Early Childhood Education, the focus was recognizing the importance of people who work in all sections of the school, for the care and affection shown by them daily. “We took advantage of the students’ routine to emphasize the importance of the role each person plays,” explains Ms. Emanoelli do Valle, Early Childhood Education Center (ECEC) coordinator. Students prepared cookies to give to employees with thankyou notes. “We saw people very touched in the hallways after receiving these tokens of appreciation. It truly is a special time for all,” describes Mr. Sean Quinn, High School Principal.

Mr. Quinn explained that the High School observed Thanksgiving from the perspective of not only being grateful but also reflecting on those who do not experience the same conditions. Especially in a country where there is significant inequality as Brazil. It is about reinforcing social consciences, one of Chapel’s educational pillars.

After all of the preparations throughout the week, Thanksgiving Day began with religious events catered to each grade level. Students from Kindergarten to 3rd Grade had a prayer service in the chapel. Students from 4th to 6th Grade participated in a Mass in the auditorium, as well as High School students.

The highlight of the celebration was the typical lunch. Amongst the delights served were the traditional turkey, mashed potatoes, corn, roasted vegetables, gravy, and cranberry sauce.

Something new this year for Thanksgiving at Chapel was the dinner offered to parents as part of the school’s 75th-anniversary celebration. “It was an opportunity to come together, with many families meeting right there, at the table, and starting new friendships,” remembers Ms. Juliana Menezes, School Director and Elementary School Principal.

CHAPEL DAY, A DAY FOR HISTORY

Chapel was founded in 1947, by the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate, as a Catholic primary school for children from American families residing in São Paulo. Over the years, Chapel’s scope has expanded to include Brazilian students and those from all over the world, with classes ranging from Pre I to High School.

Chapel’s origins are always remembered with pride and affection. The traditional Chapel Day celebrated on December 8, the Day of the Immaculate Conception, had special circumstances in the 2022 edition due to the celebration of the school’s 75th anniversary. “It is a day that makes us very happy, as it brings together the school anniversary with a significant religious date,” says Ms. Juliana Menezes, School Director and Elementary School Principal.

In Elementary School, the central idea was to remember the history of the institution. Throughout the week, students were invited to delve into the habits and pastimes of Chapel’s founding year. They learned about the popular songs and the preferred games by children of that era, such as the game of marbles and jumping rope.

During the semester, students from 4th to 6th Grades of Elementary learned to sing the Hail Holy Queen (or Salve Regina, in Latin), the last prayer of the Holy Rosary, in celebration of the school’s 75th anniversary. There was also a Mass dedicated to the Immaculate Conception.

On Chapel Day, everyone showed up to campus wearing the 75th anniversary T-shirt. There were musical performances by the Glee Club, the High School choir, and a special commemorative barbecue, with ice cream for dessert. Children from the Early Childhood Education Center (ECEC) prepared cakes and sang Happy Birthday to Chapel. In the afternoon, classes from 7th Grade onwards participated in various games and activities.

Chapel Day consolidated the climate of friendship and togetherness cultivated throughout the year. The special day was marked by various events related to the school’s anniversary. With this, great expectations are already being set for the 80th anniversary of the institution, which will be celebrated in 2027.

TEACHERS RELEASE LITERARY WORK

In the last academic semester, two books written by Chapel teachers were released. Revoada, by Ana Shitara Inglesi, is a collection of stories that, according to the author, promote a diverse literary experience. “Inserted in small episodes of trivial daily lives, sensitive themes such as loneliness, search for identity, death, love, and fear, allow the reader to identify themselves with the characters,” comments Ms. Inglesi. The link between narratives comes from the encounter of poetry in daily life, “that helps us rediscover the beauty amongst the pain of our day to day,” she explains.

Released in August at the Livraria Mandarina, the work marks the premier of the French teacher as an author. She was encouraged to write regularly after participating in the Chapel Literary Events promoted by Chapel. “The gatherings provoked in me a great incentive to write,” reveals the author, who will release her first novel this year, recounting the year of history in a Japanese-Brazilian family through the eyes of the women, who are the pillars of this family. “My work is a search for the voice and space for Japanese-Brazilian writers, still underrepresented in the national literary scene,” affirms Ms. Inglesi.

Teacher Paulo Henrique Gonçalves released the book Se eu quiser falar com Deus (If Want to Talk to God) in November, at the Livraria da Vila. The theme revolves around one of the most severe social problems in Brazil, racism. Protagonist Zé Carlos’ story is told from his childhood, and with the help of

his mother, Irene, he can overcome obstacles and challenges imposed on him because of his skin color. “Zé will therefore face difficulties from a story that is not fiction at all. How many Zé Carlos existed before him? How many will come after his death?” questions the author.

The book was influenced by the repercussions of the deaths of George Floyd in the United States, and young João Pedro Mattos in Brazil, in a span of a few days of each other. Furthermore, the different outcomes that the murders caused in each country. The author dedicated himself to reflecting on how we see and live with racism in Brazil, a place that ignores atrocities committed daily against black children and youth. “I don’t want to devalue at all the American anti racist fight, but I think we Brazilians lack a more empathetic look towards what happens in our backyard and question these events,” affirms the Portuguese teacher. The book highlights other literary and musical works. Including Quarto de Despejo, by Carolina Maria de Jesus, the same name song by Gilberto Gil, which gives the title to the book, and other Emicida compositions such as É tudo pra ontem e Principia. “In addition to those inspirations, João Pedro Mattos, Ágatha Félix, Marcos Vinicius da Silva, and many other black children and adults who lost their lives by “lost bullets” are honored throughout this book. More than asking for help or an end to racism, Se eu quiser falar com Deus is a cry, a prayer in search of peace and respect,” concludes the author.

In this edition, the Talents & Passions section presents the manual skills of educational counselor Cristiana Cavalcanti, who knits and crochets beautiful pieces, and the culinary adventures of Learning Innovation teacher, Otávio Garcia, who maintains a blog with step-by-step pictures of his delicious recipes. Among students, the section features seven highlights, from 6th to 12th Grade. Dancing, drawing, music, arts, sports, and the development of social projects are among the favorite activities of these students.

CROCHET, KNITTING, AND A THERAPY DOG

Anyone who sees the knitting and crochet pieces made by Cristiana Cavalcanti doubts that she started this hobby so recently, such is the beauty of the impeccably finished pieces. “It was during the pandemic that, looking for some activity to occupy my mind, I talked to a friend who suggested I attend some online classes,” says the educational counselor for Early Childhood Education and Elementary School at Chapel. She has had the desire to learn to knit since she was a child, when she watched her aunt on the sofa. She was always skilled at weaving pieces for her nephews.

Ms. Cavalcanti says that a hectic routine – including study, work, and then marriage and children – was one of the factors that prevented her from taking classes with her aunt. She confesses that she also lacked a little patience for such a meticulous activity, which made her believe that she would never be able to learn, but that has changed. With the help of technology, she began to interact with teachers and artisans on social media and ended up learning not only crochet stitches and techniques, but also knitting. “The first blouse wove was based on the instructions of a London artisan with whom spoke. Afterwards, I took online classes with a Brazilian teacher who taught me how to read the instructions and wove the blouse with me, from a distance,” she says.

Today, the counselor follows the instructions on her own, venturing into the production of increasingly complex pieces, all for herself to wear. “As it takes me a while to weave the clothes, end up getting attached to them and I can’t give them away,” she says, laughing. For her, crochet and knitting “are also a form of active meditation, as they require concentration and it helps to keep calm.” In addition, they are pleasurable activities: “It is an achievement to wear something have made, and I feel proud when people praise the pieces,” she says.

If, on the one hand, the pandemic facilitated Ms. Cavalcanti’s exploration of handicrafts, on the other hand, it delayed the monthly volunteer work she does with her 5-year-old golden retriever Samba. “About two years ago, he underwent training and was approved as a therapy dog at the NGO Patas Therapeutas. accompanied him in training and every month we visit a children’s shelter,” says the counselor. There, about fifteen children play with him and other therapy dogs for an hour.

Ms. Cavalcanti explains that, because of this special training, Samba is not frightened by noises and sudden movements, in addition to knowing how to deal with wheelchair users and people who use crutches, for example. “It’s amazing how he, who is huge and very energetic at home, completely changes his posture as soon as I put the leash and the therapist vest on him. He knows he’s going to work, behaves extremely well, is focused, doesn’t take his eyes off me, and never jumps on anyone. I am very proud of him,” she concludes.

Learning Innovation teacher Otávio Garcia became interested in cooking after a test class he took. It was 2011, when he and a group of friends hired a chef to teach them some recipes. They started with the basics, learning food cutting techniques, and, during the same night, prepared an entree, main course, and dessert. “Before that, I had always liked to cook, but wasn’t that interested. After that class, I started to like it and to study on my own,” he says. The inspiration was such that, that same year, he launched a recipe blog (otaviogourmet.blogspot.com.br), which was quite successful among his friends. “People liked it because, in addition to the picture of the finished dish, posted pictures of the whole process step by step with comments on the ingredients used. This guaranteed a great interaction with the public,” explains Mr. Garcia.

The teacher turns to books, television programs, and internet videos when looking for inspiration. However, he does not follow any recipe exactly: “When I get a recipe, always modify it a little to see the result.” An example is borscht, the traditional cold beetroot soup of Russian origin. “The dish is already delicious, but I served it with a drop of cottage cheese and, as a side dish, I served toast with dill,” he reveals. It is no wonder that when he wants to repeat a recipe he has already made, he usually consults his own blog, which ended up becoming his cookbook. “When I want to repeat the same result in a recipe I’ve already prepared, follow the step by step have on the blog to guarantee the same flavor,” he says, laughing. On the other hand, when he wants to remember some flavor of his childhood, he resorts to his mother’s old cookbook, on paper, with typed and handwritten recipes. These, however, he doesn’t dare to modify.

Mr. Garcia is of Portuguese and Spanish descent, and he comments that his family appreciates good food he usually cooks on festive dates, along with his sister and niece. At Christmas, for example, the table is plentiful, with many dishes, and each person is responsible for preparing their specialties. “Mine are the walnut cake covered in chocolate, octopus rice, and the octopus with vinaigrette,” he reveals. As a family, they have even organized a soup festival and for his mother’s birthday, he cooked brunch. Despite enjoying every dish he prepares, Mr. Garcia has some favorites, of which he is proud: “An octopus salad that turned out beautiful and very tasty, and a Romeo and Juliet soufflé,” he concludes.

“IT’S AN ACCOMPLISHMENT TO WEAR SOMETHING I MADE, AND I FEEL PROUD WHEN PEOPLE COMPLIMENT THE PIECES”

“I ALWAYS LIKED TO COOK, BUT I BECAME MORE INTERESTED AFTER AN EXPERIMENTAL CLASS WITH A CHEF”

Ballet has been part of Lais Ribeiro’s life since she was three years old, when she started attending a gym in São Paulo. The 6th Grade student says that her mother’s desire for her to be a ballerina coincided with her interest in dance. “I always liked it, but not like today, when love it. Sometimes, I can’t wait for school day to end so I can go dancing,” reveals the 12-year-old.

A student at Company Dance Center in São Paulo, Lais goes to the gym almost every day of the week, where, in addition to participating in a special ballet group for advanced students, she takes jazz and tap dancing classes. At the end of 2022, during the gym’s annual performance, she danced five choreographies, two in ballet, two in tap, and one in jazz. Even though rehearsals are tiring, she feels happy dancing. “Sometimes a sprain bothers me, can’t deny it, but I have intensive follow-up from a physiotherapist, which makes me feel calm,” she says.

In her spare time, what Lais likes to do most, besides sleeping when she’s tired, is spending time with her friends. Her commitment to dance is intense, and she is very concerned about her posture and the details of her movements: “I’m competitive with myself and consider myself disciplined. I am committed to the group and I worry about not being absent so as not to affect the group. This discipline relaxes me and makes me happy,” she reveals.

At Chapel since 2020, Lais is enjoying the school, which she transferred to due to the American curriculum and, especially, the IB program. She has made friends that she meets up with at the dance gym, she likes the school food, and her favorite subject is Mathematics. She plans to continue dancing until she finishes High School, but does not intend to become a professional dancer.

Nina Kameyama has liked to draw for as long as she can remember, and three years ago she started taking private lessons that help her learn techniques and proportions, as creativity is something the 13-year-old 7th grader does not lack. What she most likes to draw are people, especially women, and flowers, of all types and colors. Despite tracing her drawings from time to time on the iPad, Nina prefers traditional materials, such as paper and colored pencils or watercolor.

Inspired by the work of designer Flavia Carrano, with whom they took a course, Nina and her mother started making paper flowers two years ago. “We started making paper flowers as a hobby; we decorated the wall in my room and gave some to several friends,” says Nina. “Also, this activity is great because we both like flowers and it’s something we can do together,” she adds. When they opened an Instagram account (@ninapaperflower), their flowers, bouquets, garlands, and arrangements gained visibility and they were invited to decorate the window of a women’s clothing store with gigantic paper flowers.

Nina, who has been studying at Chapel since the 2nd Grade of Elementary, considers drawing as a form of relaxation. “It is my favorite activity. Now, with the paper flowers, I’m really excited and, in the future, I intend to study something related to the arts and improve my techniques.” says the student, who is a member of Chapel’s Glee Club and, outside school, takes tap dancing, jazz, and contemporary dance classes. What does she like most about Chapel? In addition to the extensive and verdant campus, it is the food, without a doubt. “For a school, it’s the best food there is,” she says, smiling.

“DANCING MAKES ME HAPPY; IT’S A PLACE WHERE I FEEL SAFE. I FEEL VERY GOOD DANCING”

“I MAKE PAPER FLOWERS WITH MY MOTHER. I LIKE IT BECAUSE IT IS AN ACTIVITY WE CAN DO TOGETHER”

No one who today sees Natalia Castellanos training every day of the week and playing in national and international tournaments can imagine that tennis came into her life by chance. She was three years old, lived with her family in Mexico, where she was born, and her four older brothers played tennis at a club. As she couldn’t be alone, her mother took her along and it didn’t take long for the little girl to pick up the racket and take a liking to the sport. At the age of six, she played – and won – her first tournament and, since then, she regularly participates in competitions, inside and outside the country. When the family moved to Brazil, after having also lived in Colombia, Natalia’s brothers stopped playing, but she didn’t. About to turn 13 years old, the young girl is in the 8th Grade and her routine includes daily training sessions lasting one to three hours, which involve movement exercises on the court, strength and resistance, in addition, of course, to improving her swings. “What I like most about this sport is that it brings me good energy and happiness, in addition to the feeling of competing, which is awesome,” she comments, adding, “I always feel good when I play. If I’m angry tennis calms me down, and if I’m sad, I cheer up playing.”

Her mother is her greatest supporter. “My mother accompanies me in everything, she supports me while my father stays with my brothers,” she explains, remembering that her father likes that she dedicates herself to a sport. In order not to disrupt her study routine, Natalia usually competes in tournaments in Brazil during her school months, and travels to participate in international competitions when she is on vacation. She has already played in Paraguay, Bolivia, Colombia, and Ecuador. What she most appreciates at Chapel, which she has been attending since the 5th Grade, are the people. “I really like my friends and the school environment, everyone here is nice, everyone helps me,” she reveals.

Talent is something that isn’t lacking for young Stella Hodge, 14 years old. A skilled artist and dedicated sportswoman, the 9th Grade student also enjoys music and participates in several clubs at Chapel, where she has been studying since 2020. A member of the Drama Club and Glee, Stella reconciles the arts with sports, her great passion. “I love volleyball. I started at SESI, when I was 10 years old, and only stopped during the pandemic,” says the 9th Grade student, who is also part of the Junior Varsity team at the school and practices four days a week. “This sport is very good for my mental health and still feel good physically. After the pandemic, it was a relief to be able to play again,” she says. Acting as a setter, Stella appreciates the sport’s techniques, which she considers fast and exciting: “Volleyball is not a game for those who win, it’s a game for those who make fewer mistakes, it’s fast and that is exciting. like to set up the attack and it’s very satisfying to send a perfect ball,” she says.

When not playing, Stella enjoys singing, playing electric guitar in a rock band, and drawing. “I draw everywhere and at all times. I’ve been drawing since I learned to hold a pencil,” reveals the young woman, who has never attended drawing classes and considers herself a bit of a perfectionist: “I’ve always been very keen on observation, looking and reproducing. People are what I like to draw the most,” she says. The materials she uses the most are graphite pencil and watercolor paint, although she tends to draw on a tablet. “Drawing helps me put my ideas on paper, and that defines me,” she says.

Despite being involved in so many activities, Stella still finds time to participate in the NJHS (National Junior Honor Society), Chapel’s honor club. “I never rest, I’m used to this routine,” she concludes, smiling.

“IN VOLLEYBALL, I LIKE TO SET UP THE ATTACK, AND IT’S VERY SATISFYING TO SEND A PERFECT BALL”

“TENNIS MAKES ME FEEL GOOD. PLAYING BRINGS ME GOOD ENERGY AND HAPPINESS. AND COMPETING GIVES ME A GOOD FEELING”

Be useful to a cause, improve someone’s day, make a difference. These are some driving forces for João Pedro Fegyveres, who, at the age of 15, already has extensive experience in the most varied community services. His vocation for solidarity was awakened very early on, when he joined the Bororos Scout Group and visited children’s shelters. In 2017, he joined the youth group ECyD (Meetings, Convictions and Decisions), an international Catholic organization for teenagers. There, Chapel’s 10th Grade student participates in two apostolates: Irmãos na Rua, which collects food, clothes, and blankets for distribution to homeless people in São Paulo once a month; and Um Sorriso A+, at Paróquia de Santa Edwiges, aimed at children. “We have prepared fun activities that transmit Christian values to children from the community close to the church, who participate in a monthly meeting. On that day, we play and talk with the children,” explains João Pedro.

Last year, the young man participated in the Mi Casa, Tu Casa project, which collected books for libraries being built in shelters for Venezuelan refugees and migrants in Roraima. In January 2022, he joined the group of volunteers who raised money for this project, and traveled to Boa Vista (RR) to help paint the spaces, assemble the shelves, and organize the books, in addition to reading stories to Venezuelan children and young adolescents. “At the time, I met several refugee children and young people and we had the opportunity to interact with them,” he says. “The social projects make me see the world in a very different manner than I am used to. feel happy to make a person’s day, or week, better. This is very nice, I feel good, I feel useful,” he adds.

At Chapel, what João Pedro likes to do most is play soccer and be with his friends. A member of the Varsity field soccer team, he also plays volleyball and participates in the National Honor Society.

What moves Pedro Nottingham is teamwork. From the clubs he participates in at Chapel to his activities outside the school, they both have in common the fact that they focus on the group. It is no wonder that what the 17-year-old young man appreciates the most about the school is the community spirit: “Chapel is a close-knit community, my group of friends is very connected, I feel like we are a family,” he says.

It was because of this group of friends that the 11th Grade student started to work with community service, specifically at Help the Homeless United (@hthunited), an organization that distributes food kits to homeless people in downtown São Paulo. “I got involved with this project in 2021 and it made me give more value to the things have and that not everyone can have,” he says, adding, “The food distribution project shows how simple things for some are so important for others.” He and a group of friends get together weekly to assemble 150 kits, which include bread, cookies, water, and fruit.

Pedro is also interested in investments and he is part of the Chapel Investment Club, where, as a group, he is developing the Projeto Valor, to teach finance to those who have no knowledge in the area.

“Our goal is to produce affordable financial education videos, so people can learn to invest and take care of their money,” he explains. He and his friends also participate in the Knowledge@Wharton High School (KWHS) Investment Competition, promoted by the Wharton Business School of the University of Pennsylvania. This program is a simulation in which participants create and manage an investment portfolio for a fictitious client.

At Chapel since the 7th Grade, Pedro plays field soccer for the Varsity team. “It’s where I feel free. What I like most about soccer is that it’s not an individual sport, it’s a group sport where you have to work as a team,” he concludes.

“THE FOOD DISTRIBUTION PROJECT SHOWS HOW SIMPLE THINGS FOR SOME CAN BE SO IMPORTANT FOR OTHERS”

“WHENEVER IT IS POSSIBLE TO CREATE OR PARTICIPATE IN A SOCIAL PROJECT OR COMMUNITY SERVICE, I WILL”

Victoria Pizzonia’s love for animals was strengthened when she started riding, three years ago, at Sociedade Hípica Paulista. Little did the 18-year-old girl know that equestrian competitions would enter her life in a definitive manner. “I had been practicing at the equestrian school for some time when I watched a competition and I was enchanted. had never followed anything at a professional level,” says the 12th Grade student, who has been studying at Chapel since the 2nd Grade of Elementary. Soon after, she decided to join a professional team and started riding and practicing every day with several horses. “I bought my first mare, Ágata do Rio Acima, which is at a riding stable in Cotia (SP), where I practice,” she explains.

Victoria started to travel all over Brazil when she started competing. She placed fourth among ninety participants in the first national tournament in which she competed. In the next one she finished in third place. The results began to show and the young woman’s parents decided to invest in another horse, Ziezo V, so that their daughter would have more opportunities to compete.

The year 2022 was intense. Competing with both horses, Victoria qualified in almost all 1.10m and 1.15m jumping tournaments. She was three times national champion, three times runner-up, and even collected some bronze medals. Currently, the young woman also practices with other horses that are in training and competes in championships with four animals. “I practice every day, with two or three animals, as each one receives specific training,” she explains.

Last year she had the opportunity to go to Belgium, meet a Brazilian rider and practice with him. “That experience inspired me, I watched competitions and got excited about the possibility of practicing abroad,” she comments, revealing her intention to become a professional in the sport.

GALLERY

The Book Fair and Children’s Day activities, Halloween fun/play, Thanksgiving dinner, the introduction ceremony for NHS and NJHS honor club members, and the Chapel Day celebrations were some of the events that marked the last semester at Chapel, when the school celebrated its 75th anniversary. In the following pages, you will find photographs from these cultural and festive events that involved the school community.

“IN

2021, I COMPETED IN 15 CHAMPIONSHIPS AND IN ALL OF THEM I WON AT LEAST ONE MEDAL”