GOODNEWS NEWS GOODMEMORIES MEMORIES GOODBYES BYES
3 Oxford University leads in global race to develop COVID-19 vaccine
4-5 Seniors reflect on their SIS memories and look ahead to college life.
8 SIS bids farewell to Mr. Schneider and thanks him for all that he has done.
Tiger Times
Issue 9 | Volume 51 | May | TTONL.org
Editorial
A call for positivity by
Brian Ham & Eric Hwang editors-in-chief
In recent days, reading the news is a downright depressing affair. The globe recently surpassed 350,000 confirmed coronavirus deaths, democratic autonomy in Hong Kong is under attack, police brutality has regained the spotlight, economic uncertainty has left tens of millions unemployed, and world leaders are scrambling to protect millions of vulnerable citizens, a task hard enough even without a pandemic looming. The coronavirus has wholly enveloped the lives of citizens all across the globe, and its influence has correspondingly engulfed the news cycle around the clock. Humans are naturally biased toward this kind of negative press. Some psychologists believe this stems from one’s survival instincts: in terms of survival, being notified of impending disasters is much more beneficial than being told that all is well with the world. However, in the context of modern society, this natural instinct can create an unhealthy addiction to negativity. The media tends to focus on disasters, and readers tend to click more on stories about terrorism or disease, creating a vicious cycle of pessimism. This is not to say that stories about negative events are inherently bad. The havoc and destruction caused by the coronavirus cannot be understated, and media coverage reporting on the severe consequences of the pandemic has been essential for raising awareness, holding world leaders accountable, and informing the public about the rise of a new threat. But for every crushing blow that coronavirus deals, it is also important to celebrate our victories, no matter how small they may be. Reading positive news can build trust in mankind and shed glimmers of hope for the future. Indulging in the heroism of medical professionals, celebrating the gradual reopening of sports leagues, and highlighting the progress toward a vaccine can all help us keep our belief in humanity at a time in which mutual trust is at a premium; especially during a pandemic—when healthy citizens are asked to stay inside not only for their sake, but to protect the elderly, when the world must depend on collective action and social distancing to save lives, when students and teachers and businessmen and farmers alike must face a common threat to our livelihoods—faith in humanity simply cannot be understated. It is this very faith, this very trust in our neighbors and fellow global citizens that will inspire the world to act together toward recovery. In response to the call for positivity, Tiger Times focused its final issue of the school year on trying to couple the negativity of the pandemic with more uplifting storylines from our community, shedding light not only on the tragic losses of the dead but also those who have fought valiantly to protect the living. We also urge you, the reader, to stay positive and have a media diet balanced with both the good and bad; after all, there are small victories in each of our lives, even during a pandemic. Now more than ever, it is essential for our publications and media consumption habits to reflect these triumphs, to step back and recognize that the world can be celebrated even during the darkest of times. Let yourself be heard. If you have any responses to articles published in the Tiger Times or original contributions, please send them to tigertimes@gmail.com.
2 VIEWPOINT Universities exclude standardized test scores in admissions process
T
by Sarah
Ju
he outbreak of COVID19 and the consequent obstruction of learning that resulted from it has recently unveiled a new question regarding the importance of standardized testing in determining future paths. The SAT and ACT tests this year have been cancelled in light of the coronavirus situation, and in response to this, some schools such as Harvard and Cornell have now announced that due to the extraordinary circumstance, SAT and ACT scores will not be mandated to submit a college application for the Class of 2021. This change on one end does make sense to fit the current circumstances, as many juniors did not have sufficient time to take the necessary standardized tests for applications due to the unexpected cancellations. Many would argue that this seems only fair for the students who had less time to prepare for college than students of any other grade level. This change would also allow schools to place more emphasis on students’ quality
of character rather than having numerical values define them. However, the alteration to the system then poses the question of how colleges are going to be executing their admissions processes, as there would be no standard quantitative basis to compare students. For instance, Northeastern University stated that they would not be accepting standardized test scores and extracurricular activities as a part of the application. This led many people to wonder how the application process would proceed and what the school would be looking for to choose the best students out of the wide pool of applicants. While it is true that essays and academic recommendations are also a part of the process, simply basing an entire application off of such qualitative measures may pose difficulties when deciding what candidate stands out the most. The reason standardized testing exists in the first place is to attempt to get an objective view of the students’ abilities as a learner. Without this, there is no standard to go off of since every applicant’s personal story is vastly different.
The recent modification to the admission process has even pushed some people to express their opinions saying that standardized testing in general—regardless of whether the coronavirus situation affects anything or not—is an ineffective method of measuring student achievement. They claim that wealthier students have an unfair advantage due to their access to expensive preparatory academies and less advantaged students will fall behind. While this is true, the college admissions process becomes too complex without the standard measure of academic achievement that is present for every applicant. These tests allow schools to gain a clearer view of the applicant as a student, while the other portions of the application such as essays and recommendations provide colleges with a view of the applicant as a person. Thus, these two factors work together to form the application as a whole, and if one is not present, it leaves a lot of room for gray areas. However, it can only be acknowledged that problems with standardized testing do
Eased quarantine regulations lead to a potential second wave by Emily
Sung
In 1918, a deadly pandemic swept the entire globe: the Spanish flu. Many people were afraid that the flu might reach their families and thus, in a mad panic, stayed inside their homes for weeks. As time progressed and the pandemic died down, individuals deemed that the nation was safe, as seen by the decreasing number of cases of infectees and deaths due to the flu. They started to enjoy the outdoors, escaping the stuffy air of their houses in which they had been trapped in during the brunt of the pandemic. However, it was too early to assume that the pandemic was over, and nations experienced an extremely large second wave in the pandemic, where more people died compared to the first wave of the virus. This mirrors the current situation of the world, especially in South Korea. Only a few months ago, COVID-19 made the public panic due to the exponentially increasing number of positive cases, making every school switch to a virtual learning system and
trapping people inside their homes in quarantine. Phones were always buzzing with emergency alerts from the government, and people did not dare to leave their homes—public areas such as subway stations and cafes were empty, and only a few individuals could be seen on the streets, always wearing masks. Now that months have passed from the peak of this global pandemic, the number of overall infectees has been on a significant decline in South Korea. People were starting to become more relaxed when it comes to staying in quarantine or social distancing, as shown by the crowds that began flooding into public areas that used to be empty. Of course, due to the eased quarantine regulations, it is understandable that people are starting to escape quarantine and not obey its restrictions as strictly as they did before. Many have been stuck in their homes for months now, and it is inevitable that the wish to go outside is bigger than ever since the risk of being infected has now significantly decreased. The
government itself has shown that they believe that the pandemic is coming to an end by slowly opening Korean public schools for their students to physically attend classes, starting with high school seniors on May 20. However, one must keep in mind the risks of not staying in quarantine when the pandemic is not fully over yet. Although the number of people testing positive is decreasing, there are still people infected daily and a vaccine has yet to be invented. Similar cases were visible in other nations, as people decided by themselves that the pandemic was over and then experienced a second wave as a country. Similar cases were also visible in history, with the aforementioned 1918 Spanish Flu and its second wave. Enduring through a few more weeks or months of quarantine until officials deem that this pandemic has come to an end would be a wise choice to make in the current situation in order to avoid a worsened situation. Despite the constant warnings, South Korea is dreading a potential second wave due
exist. Thus, rather than omitting the system altogether, improvements should be made in order to provide students with a level playing field from the start, such as mandating public classes for all students so that no one student falls behind from their economic status. Additionally, in regards to the more pressing COVID-19 situation, instead of making the submission of standardized test scores optional or leaving them out of the process completely, it would be a better idea for modified methods of testing to be proposed such as online testing, like what the AP exams have been doing. Though standardized testing does pose a lot of issues, the admissions process without standardized testing would be extremely complicated. Hence, altering the traditional system to fit the circumstances students are currently enduring would be more beneficial. As the globe faces a diverse range of changes during this trying time, so does the world of education. Yet, one must not forget that with power at our fingertips in the modern world through extensive and meaningful collaboration with others, normal—or at least semi-normal—proceedings will still be possible in the months to come.
E.L to people not following social distancing rules. A confirmed COVID-19 patient was found in a crowded club in Itaewon, resulting in an indeterminable number of new infectees. Many gave fake phone numbers and personal information to enter the club, which made it nearly impossible to contact the thousands of people who were in the club or nearby regions, thereby worsening the issue. Currently, the government is begging the people who were anywhere nearby the club to report themselves to any medical facility for a checkup as the majority are refusing to do so. Thus, people of South Korea are worried that this situation, resulting from selfish desires to disobey social distancing rules, might be the new start of the pandemic. As of now, the situation of Itaewon seems to be dying down day by day with prompt responses from the government and medical staff. However, it is nevertheless important to remember that COVID-19 is not officially over yet and a second wave might break out any minute.
GLOBAL NEWS
3
Environment benefits from COVID-19 preventative measures
by Rosa
Suh
With the world grappling with a mounting death toll and the looming threat of a global recession, one of the more welcoming side effects of COVID-19 has been the temporary reversal of climate change. In order to maintain social distancing requirements, people across the world have quarantined themselves in their homes, causing streets to be empty of cars and pedestrians, factories to cease production, and
businesses to shutter. Although this has brought about economic hardship for countless individuals, it has also given the environment a short respite from pollution. According to Radley Horton, a climate scientist at Columbia University, pollution levels in some major cities have dropped 30 percent from their usual concentrations, while industrial regions in northern China and Italy have seen a 10 percent to 30 percent decrease in their emission levels.
“Most of the news about recent climate change was positive,” said June Jeong (9), a regular social media user. “On Instagram, I have seen many people say how the environment has become so much cleaner after the lockdown. For example, the air is much cleaner these days, and many people in lockdown have also posted pictures of animals beginning to appear in cities.” Many people are seeing the environmental effects of quarantine firsthand, sometimes right
Oxford University leading in global race to develop COVID-19 vaccine
I
by Jasmine
Jeong
n the global race to develop a vaccine that could put an end to the catastrophic COVID-19 pandemic, new trials performed at Oxford University have demonstrated the most progress for a potential vaccine. Because the virus spreads rapidly and the majority of the people worldwide are still susceptible to contracting it, many scientists are vigorously searching for a vaccine in the hopes that it would induce people’s immune systems to fight off the virus. It has been particularly challenging for scientists working to develop a vaccine, as this process usually takes at least a year, and the current situation demands
that they develop one as soon as possible. Nevertheless, Oxford researchers began conducting human trials on April 23 and have thus far tested 6000 people, with results expected in June. “I would rather have the scientist be thorough rather than rushing the development of the vaccine through,” said Eugene Lee, biology teacher. “In the end, the goal is to get ‘their’ vaccine out, but it must be proven to work and be safe.” The Oxford trials stand out from other efforts because of their advanced progress in the vaccine developmental process; in fact, they have already conducted successful preclinical trials with animal tests using monkeys. Six monkeys received single dosages of the
Oxford vaccine and were exposed to the virus. More than 28 days later, all of their results indicated that they were healthy. Despite the early success and a working prototype, researchers are still remaining cautious and taking full precautions. For instance, they are developing numerous variations of the prototype because of the possibility that there may be more than one vaccine necessary. They are currently evaluating all the different variables because some may work more efficiently among younger or older populations, while some may be more expensive or require more dosages. The researchers also predict that, if the human trials also prove successful, the first few million doses of the vaccine could
Tiger Times Tiger Times exercises the right to report on and editorialize all topics, events or issues, including those unpopular or controversial, insofar as they affect or interest the school, community, nation, and world. We refrain from publishing material that advertises illegal products or services, is obscene, libelous, or invades privacy. We refrain from publishing material that creates a clear and present danger or the immediate material and substantial physical disruption of the school.
outside their windows. On social media, pictures of wild sheep wandering into Welsh towns and the view of the Himalayan mountain range from Punjab, India—where the mountains are visible for the first time in thirty years—are going viral. In Mumbai, an estimated 150,000 flamingos, far more than the usual number—around 135,000—migrated to feed and breed. Most of these events have been met with an overwhelmingly positive response, with many people commenting that they were able to appreciate the beauty of their natural surroundings after being disrupted from their usual comings and goings. Additionally, several remarked that the resurgence of nature demonstrates how significant of an impact humans have on their surrounding environment, and how quickly things can change if they are removed from the equation. “Since we are ones that caused these drastic environmental changes, I believe that we should take responsibility to undo the situation,” said Jennah Yoo (9), a student interested in biology. “In reality, the COVID-19 pandemic has only been going on for a total of four to five months; the massive changes that happened on our planet’s ecosystem and environment proves the fact that humans contribute most in pollution, and that by pausing and limiting industrial movement, most of the wildlife that we’ve destroyed along the process of technological development could be preserved and healed.” Despite the positive feedback, experts predict that this change
is most likely temporary and that pollution will revert back to its normal levels once daily life resumes. Already in China, where the threat of the coronavirus has largely diminished, pollution has bounced back with the same intensity as in 2019. In order to prevent this relapse, some governments are planning to rebuild their economies in a more eco-friendly way. For instance, a number of countries are considering increasing funding for renewable energy and other environmentally conscious industries. This has brought opposition from some conservatives who fear job losses and further economic damage, especially in countries such as the United States, where fossil fuels are cornerstones of the economy. “Sadly, I believe the current environmental relief is short term,” said Eugene Lee, 9th grade biology teacher. “To be clear, I believe that it is absolutely amazing to have such clear skies and fresh air, however, I expect that pollution will return and the skies will again darken and haze. Quite simply, the goals of environmental protection and restarting the economy are often at opposing ends. Unless—and this is a big if—enough individuals will care enough and fondly remember their experience of a greener climate, they will act upon their morals by voting or use their wallets to support more eco-friendly solutions. This, in turn, may lead to a more long term change in the mindset of the population. However, many individuals are too busy focusing on the realities of providing food, shelter, and healthcare to even notice.”
be available by September, which is so far the earliest date that any company has promised. “I think the most important thing right now is to conduct various trials so we have a larger data set to figure out what works and what does not,” said Jinwook Shin (9), a student actively following news about recent endeavors in developing the vaccine. “I fully support all corporations that are working towards developing a potential vaccine.” Although the Oxford trials have thus far made the most progress towards creating a working vaccine, there are numerous other corporations that have also been working on a vaccine. Pfizer and BioNTech collaborated to develop a vaccine and began human testing on May 4. In addition, Moderna has been conducting human trials since March 13. Companies such as Novavax and Johnson & Johnson are also planning to start clinical
trials in the near future and are waiting for the approval of the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) to commence human trials. The utmost priority is to find a vaccine to get rid of the COVID-19 pandemic and scientists worldwide are following through by accumulating more data on the virus through conducting more trials. Due to all the arduous efforts made by various corporations, scientists have high hopes in developing a vaccine in the near future. “Covid-19 has had a devastating impact on so many families and has also changed our lives drastically. Thus, I am looking forward to seeing the end of this pandemic,” said Triston Lee (9), who has been keeping himself constantly updated on the COVID-19 situation. “I hope companies can find a vaccine quickly to stop the pandemic from growing so that we can go back to our normal lives.”
Tiger Times Staff Paper Editors-In-Chief Brian Ham Eric Hwang Website Editors-in-Chief Christopher Shin Joanne Yang
Paper Managing Editor Jiwon Lee Website Managing Editor Jenny Seo Production Editors Emily Oh Eddie Hahm
Layout Artists Ashley Kim Clara Lim Bona Suh Rachel Yoon Reporters Sarah Ju Emily Sung Jasmine Jeong Rosa Suh Hannah Kim
Sunny Lee Minjae Chun Jennifer Kwon Hugo Lee Erin Choi Jordan Kim Katherine Suk Irene Kim Katie Kim Skylar Peck Isabelle Lee Jack Lee
Aimee Choi Sally Lee Alice Lee Woojune Kim Sarah Baek Jennifer You Adviser Ms. Wendy Grant
THE LAST DANCE How do we say goodbye in the midst of a pandemic? As the curtains close on a tumultuous semester for SIS, seniors find themselves in an emotional limbo, having to bid farewell to friends and teachers during a nationwide lockdown. There will be no prom, no underclassmen friends packing the bleachers at graduation, no tearful goodbye hugs to treasured teachers, and no final glances at the bustling hallways filled with classmates socializing. For the class of 2020, the music is fading and the time for farewells is near. Here are some of their final, reflective thoughts as they close their chapter on SIS memories and look ahead to college life.
“ “
In the back of the cafeteria, there’s a terrace area that me and my friends used to eat lunch at while jamming to music and freestyle rapping. One specific story comes to mind: my friends and I had all just taken pretty difficult exams. Three of us had taken Calculus BC, the others, probably AP Statistics or Economics. Frustrated by my performance on the test, I waited a bit before walking into the lunchroom. Stepping inside, the first thing I saw were my friends, jumping around and rapping to some random beat on YouTube; the walls were soundproof so nobody could hear. Whether it was freezing during the winter or scorching during the summer, that terrace would always be our spot.
”
Eju Ro In essence, all of my senior plans disappeared altogether. I was really looking forward to traveling with friends during the spring; we were planning on going to Busan and had everything set—Airbnb reserved and all. Sadly, I wasn’t able to even meet those very friends for two to three months. The past few months have made me realize that even though I’m not the most extroverted person out there, I thrive off of social interactions with supportive friends: small things like celebrating a friend’s birthday with cake in the pagoda, chatting on D Wing sofas, or meeting up in the café during class. This year was definitely not the complete, satisfactory closure I was expecting, but I think I’ve found peace with my situation. I’m at a point where I’m ready to move on and leave my time at SIS as a memory and learning experience.
“ “
Eugene Jang
”
Jenny Oh My love-hate relationship with SIS has been a tough ride to say the least, but I’ll definitely miss the people the most. Whether that be my teachers, upper- and under-classmen, my closest friends, or the people I obliviously walked past everyday in the hallways, they’re truly what makes SIS an exclusively special place. I don’t think any one of my seven years could have been the same without all of the people making it such a difficult but enjoyable time. Small things like naps with my friends on the D-wing couch, HSSC carnivore shifts, free work study periods, or after school talks with Ms. Sadler have led me to the realization that I already extremely miss the people.
”
Lauren Kang My biggest regret at SIS is never getting a high school detention. If I had to describe my personality, I would say I am daring and crazy. I have always lived with the thought of trying everything when I had the chance, and after spending 14 years at SIS, I’ve realized that my best memories were when I did something spontaneous with my friends or did something bold and crazy. This includes getting in trouble. But in retrospect, I realize that my friends and I never did anything to truly get in trouble, nothing ever worthy of a detention. It makes me wonder if my high school life was boring. Getting a detention is also an experience in it of itself, so I do wish I had gotten a high school detention, as crazy as it may sound. I think it would have been fun, in a weird sort of way.
“
”
Joshua Hahn
As a senior, it is unfortunate that the situation has come to be this way. However, it is something that is not at the fault of anybody, and it is something we all have to accept as we move on. Sure, we did miss senior second semester–something many students have been looking forward to since 9th grade–but there is nothing anybody can do about it, and the best we can hope for is for the pandemic to die down. In many ways, Coronavirus has taught us seniors about what it means to transition into adulthood. Learning to cope with unfortunate events, learning to deal with isolation, and most importantly, appreciating what technology has done for us. Looking back, however, there are many times in SIS we took many things for granted–the daily conversations with friends as we walk down from 3rd period to lunch; the times we spent during activity period messing around in front of the library; at times, secretly meeting up during workstudy periods to say hi and chat for a bit; staying afterschool and playing in the playground; waiting for Mr. Macklin to pass by so we can hide our schoolbags in places he can’t take them; being together, spending time, not worrying about a pandemic. These memories are what will stick to us, and Coronavirus has allowed us to take a step back and appreciate what a prismatic, colorful, and bright time we had at SIS under the cover of a repetitive, mundane lifestyle.
”
6 SCHOOL NEWS Activities move online along with education
I
by Jennifer
Kwon
n the midst of transitioning to virtual classes due to the COVID-19 outbreak, a variety of activities at SIS have been forced to move to an online setting. By rescheduling events taking place in May and April to be online, events such as the Virtual Talent Show, the Senior Award Ceremony, and the HSSC Photo Contest have all been carried out successfully. “The transition regarding activities was smooth for me,” said EunBin Macklin (7), an SIS student who performed in the Virtual Talent Show. “Although it was a different and unique experience for my friend and I, being able to participate in entertaining activities virtually was interesting.” At 7 p.m. on April 30, the Community Service Club (CSC) hosted a Virtual Talent Show as an alternative fund-raising event to support Anna’s House, an organization that provides basic necessities for individuals affected by poverty. Usually, the CSC would make weekly trips to the house, taking on roles that supported the running of Anna’s House. However, the COVID-19 crisis prevented club members from attending their weekly trips. As a result, the club hosted a Virtual Talent Show in hopes of raising money, as proceeds went to Anna’s House. In order to attend, audience members reserved tickets and made donations through a Google form, while participants pre-recorded their performances or presented them live. Through this, the CSC raised one million won in donations, and the event was deemed a success. “I can say with full confidence that the dance I performed during the talent show was successful,” exclaimed Dorothy Banas, a Physical Education teacher and girls cheerleading coach who participated in the Virtual Talent show. “I loved being able to entertain people during quarantine by doing what I love.” Unlike the Virtual Talent Show that was aimed to raise donations, the Senior Award Ceremony was a gathering of the Class of 2020 where seniors would receive one last formal speech from their teachers before going off to college. This annual event usually takes place in the school’s auditorium in early May. However, due to quarantine requirements, the ceremony was held on the morning of April 29. The SIS faculty members were the audience physically present while the students listened through the livestream. Not only did the teachers give formal speeches, but they also gave recognitions to seniors who were exceptional in respecting the TIGERS values and academics. Overall, the event was a success, as the seniors were interested in the livestream. “This event was different from any other speech I made in the past,” said Michael Colaianni, the Head of School who gave an introductory speech for the Senior Award Ceremony. “Although I missed seeing the enthusiasm the senior class always expressed, this was the only way to get the information out, and I was glad to be part of this event.” Furthermore, the HSSC hosted a Photo Contest that took place between May 5 to 15, where students took photos of their quarantine life along with a tiger in the photo. The photos were submitted through Instagram, where contestants were given the time frame of between May 5 and May 12 to upload their photos using the hashtag #sisquarantinelife. Google forms were sent out to the SIS community to vote for a winning entry for the contest, and the winners were announced on May 15. Contestants who won were given a variety of objects including Airpods, Airpod cases, perfumes, speakers, and soap. “The HSSC council members thought this would be an opportunity for students and faculty members to see what others were doing during the outbreak,” said Yeji Kim (10), one of the sophomore HSSC representatives who contributed to create this event. “We thought a friendly competition would be enjoyable to keep everyone entertained.”
College Board proposes virtual AP exams by Minjae
Chun
W
ith millions of students experiencing the life of quarantine and social distancing, virtual testing and online resources are now in the spotlight. As the coronavirus started rapidly spreading in March and April, the majority of high schools across the world have shut down and are still struggling to decide on re-open dates. Hence, the indefinite answer to the end of this virus has left question marks to the current upperclassmen regarding the upcoming AP exams in May. In response to this problematic issue, the College Board announced a new testing format by proposing virtual exams. Although the new changes in the exam can be challenging for some students, many are still trying their best to aim for the highest scores. “Since this is my first AP exam in my life and the College Board is implementing a
new system in response to the COVID-19 crisis, it is making me really nervous and anxious about the test format,” said Emma Im (10), a sophomore student taking the upcoming AP tests in May. “My concerns about the online test are little things regarding network or technical problems.” The virtual AP tests will be 45 minutes long, and students are expected to have at least one technological device to take the test on. Fortunately, the College Board recognized how students were not able to go through the whole school year due to the COVID-19 crisis, and made modifications to the content of the exam by only covering topics that most students have already gone over in class by early March. Moreover, the College Board has also developed numerous security measures in order for students to receive equal grading systems and opportunities for success. For instance, confirming the exams to be open notes, establishing a plagiarism detection software,
and permitting teacher review for all student responses are examples of their effort to make the 2020 AP Exams as fair as possible. “In order to prepare my students, I have shared online videos on lectures and frequently went over numerous practice routines for submitting the answers to the problems just in case the directions were not clear,” said Leslie Gregori, an AP Literature instructor at SIS. “Teachers are constantly asking students if additional support is needed and are also making sure they have stable wifi connections and extra digital devices prepared at home.” Although online testing is a new experiment for both the students and the teachers, the vast majority of the colleges are accepting AP credits of 2020 the same way they have before. This means that this year’s AP exam is still one of the significant factors for one’s college application regardless of the world’s current hectic
situation. In order to prepare for the worst and hope for the best, teachers and online education programs are creating new online resources for students to familiarize the new format as much as possible. In fact, the College Board is offering free online question banks where students can access a library with 15,000 test practice questions. Additionally, Khan Academy, a famous online education program, is giving video tours and other test-taking simulations for students who are not accustomed to the online environment. “Using online lectures and online practice questions helped train my eyes to get used to taking in information through the screen,” said Ashley Seong (10), a sophomore studying for the virtual AP exam. “The good part of this online AP exam is that it only covers the contents I have learned in class before the COVID-19 outbreak, and the test itself is also shortened so I was able to study each topic clearly.”
Online classes bring major changes to school life
by Hannah
Kim
For the first time in 47 years, SIS had to close down its school for several months due to the recent COVID-19 outbreak. The rapid spread of the pandemic pushed SIS into deciding to close the school on Feb. 24 and beginning online classes the day after. As the school began entering the end of the school year, asynchronous classes have begun to take the place of virtual classes that were carried out through mediums such as Zoom and Google Meet. While online classes are live sessions that require students to gather in a virtual room at the same time, asynchronous classes do not require students to come together at any certain time. Rather, students are given tasks and homework to complete by a certain deadline and are expected to study more independently. “I think virtual learning is actually a lot harder than con-
ventional learning in a standard classroom setting,” said June Choi (10), a student with experience taking both online and asynchronous classes. “Since most of the teachers give about three times the work than we had in regular school, it has been affecting my grades a lot negatively, since I can't really keep up with all the sudden work.” Online classes and asynchronous classes both have some negative aspects compared to regular school. Because of the sudden change in the way classes are taught, many students have struggled to keep up with their classes. In addition, many teachers have switched to assigning projects, increasing workloads for many students. In contrast, asynchronous classes might be able to alleviate this situation for many students. For students who are not taking AP tests, asynchronous classes are a way for them to find a study method that best suits them. However, some
students might actually find it more difficult to manage their time to complete their tasks outside of an actual classroom environment. “For me, I think virtual school has reduced my stress level because I have more time due to the fact that I don't need to spend time going to school; the workload has also decreased quite a bit since we have limitations in time and space to do regular work,” said Rin Kishimoto (12), a senior who is taking asynchronous classes due to schedule conflicts with the AP exams. “I would prefer virtual learning more, though, because in asynchronous learning, it is very difficult to manage my time to finish the task and it's also difficult to get the help that I need.” Students are not the only ones struggling to adjust to this new system; teachers are also having a hard time preparing for classes and thinking of new teaching methods. Not only have they had to come
up with new assignments for students, but they also had to take care of their children while teaching a class. This raises the question of whether asynchronous classes could make teaching easier for teachers as well. Since asynchronous classes seem to be able to reduce the stress of students, the same effect may occur for teachers as well. However, in the end, many teachers find that they are still quite busy, no matter what type of class they are teaching. “In the perspective of the teachers, asynchronous classes and online classes aren’t that different,” said Alyssa Shelby, a biology teacher who has been teaching with both online and asynchronous classes. “Although asynchronous classes might be easier for students since they don’t have to attend classes, teachers on the other hand have to still be available during that certain time and meet one on one with students who request a meeting."
LIFESTYLE & SPORTS
Netflix shows to watch during quarantine by Erin
J. Choi
Due to the coronavirus outbreak, the popular international streaming service Netflix has gained around 16 million new members. This new outburst in popularity is in no small part due to the debut of “The World of The Married,” “The King,” and “The Last Dance,” all of which have satisfied millions of quarantined Netflix subscribers across Korea. “Because of the pandemic, my family and I started to spend time together watching Netflix” said Vivienne Cheung (9), avid Netflix subscriber. “It soothes my boredom and allows our family to bond together!” “The World of The Married,” a remake of a popular British show “Doctor Foster,” is currently the most viewed drama in Korean cable network history. The film unfolds the life of a devoted wife who comes to learn of her husband’s affair. What initially seems to be a romance series quickly evolves into an intellectual thriller, as the doting protagonist transforms into a schemer out for brutal revenge. As the story has progressed, violence has intensified, while a number of taboo topics, such as divorce and adultery, have surfaced, leading to a
heated debate regarding age appropriation. Despite such controversy, the sustained tension, dynamic acting, and the fresh approach to marital affairs has continued to captivate viewers. “Even after finding out the series wasn’t age appropriate, I couldn’t help but continue,” said Sarah Yim (9), Korean drama fanatic. “The show is very dramatic and there are a lot of plot twists, making it so addicting.” Boasting one of Korea’s most influential screenwriters and a popular cast, the unique political-fantasy drama “The King” has been long anticipated. Taking place in two parallel universes, an emperor fights to close the entrances to a dimension exposed to dark forces, while a detective performs her duty to protect the people. Although the show opened to high audience ratings, public interest has seemingly dropped. Subpar computer graphics have led to significant criticism, and Japanese style architecture within the show has angered many due to Korea and Japan’s profound historical conflict. Most importantly, the intricate narration, obscure characters, and frequent transitions between the two worlds, has left the majority perplexed, with even
the cast admitting to feel confused. “I was really looking forward to the drama,” said Hannah Kim (10), a long-time fantasy enthusiast. “But I don’t think it lives up to my expectations because it is quite confusing and the main characters, who were supposed to be lovers, lacked a lot of chemistry.” “The Last Dance,” one of the most in-demand sports documentaries in history, has marked ESPN’s biggest ever series release. The docuseries, which incorporated copious amounts of exclusive footage, is a riveting account of the NBA’s most celebrated player, Michael Jordan, and his career with the dominant 1990s Chicago Bulls. The enthralling invitation to experience Jordan’s breathtaking play via screen has hit home for all sports fans and has allowed many to reminisce on late 1900s pop culture and iconic basketball epoch. “For me, the show was like a time capsule, because I remember what happened during that time,” said Morgan Miller, girls junior varsity basketball coach. “I definitely think that showing how competitive and maybe somewhat mean Michael Jordan was is good because we idealize heroes in sports, and I don’t think they are perfect people.”
KBO returns to the turf
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by Hugo
Lee
n a sunny Tuesday afternoon, the familiar cracking of bats and popping of gloves split the air of empty baseball stadiums, marking the much delayed return of Korean baseball. The Korea Baseball Organization (KBO), the official South Korean professional baseball league, reopened its 2020 season on May 5th after a five week delay following the COVID19 outbreak. The KBO is the first professional baseball league in the world to reopen since the outbreak of the pandemic in late February. The league is scheduled to play a full 144-game season despite its delay, with the postseason expected to extend into late November. As a precautionary measure against COVID-19, all games will be played in empty stadiums without fans, and all non-athlete staff will be required to wear masks. Furthermore, the KBO commissioner has affirmed that the KBO will immediately cease operations for a minimum of three weeks if any player or staff member tests positive. Although now lacking the characteristic roar of Korean crowds, the KBO has kicked off with a promising start—the first dozen games have been played without any new cases. “I am so excited for the 2020 KBO season,” said Sean Lee (9), avid baseball fan. “I never thought baseball season would be coming back after the pandemic. I hope baseball season will carry on without any issues during these tumultuous times.” The upcoming KBO season has much to offer, especially following an unusually active offseason. New free agent policies decreased the service time required for free agency by one year and established a new tiered minimum salary system based on player performance grades. As a result, many competitive teams with many high grade players have been forced to release top free agents due to increased salary burdens. Collectively, the new free agent policies and consequent increase in the market
availability of top-notch players have set the stage for what many experts believe is going to be “one of the most competitive seasons in KBO history,” according to Sports Chosun. “Overall, I am pretty confident that the KBO can handle this pandemic situation.” said Sam Hong (9), former little league baseball player. “This upcoming season is definitely one of the more exciting ones and hopefully I will be able to attend a game by fall.” Although stringent sanitary policies and an improving situation in Korea have allowed the KBO to reopen, most other leagues, such as Major League Baseball, are still miles away from reopening. Major sports outlets like ESPN have reached out to the KBO to negotiate broadcasting licenses and have started live-streaming KBO games. The response of Americans to Korean baseball has been encouraging, with fan bases already starting to develop among devoted foreign baseball fans; one intriguing example being the explosion of the NC Dinos’ popularity in North Carolina, sparked by similar initials and familiar Carolina blue uniforms. Prominent MLB players including Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette have praised the KBO for its high-quality games and coherent sanitary policies. Amidst the stalemate of the global sports industry, the reopening of the KBO is a beacon of hope for fans all over the world anticipating the return of professional sports. “I really think the KBO has the potential to catch up with American baseball fans in this unique pandemic situation where watching the MLB is not an option.” said Timothy Munro, physical education teacher. “With American sports outlets like ESPN broadcasting the games, the KBO will definitely attract many American baseball enthusiasts since there is no longer the language barrier. You never know, the entire world might be watching the Korean Series this November.”
Entertainment adapts digitally during pandemic
E
by Jordan
Kim
ver since COVID-19 hit internationally, many talk shows and music concerts have not been able to function as per usual. As a result, they have quickly transitioned to online platforms such as YouTube videos, digital games, and live streams. Notably, the “Conan Show,” the “Daily Show,” and other talk shows have altered their shows to short videos and interviews on YouTube. Music concerts starring famous artists like Billie Eilish, Travis Scott, and Lady Gaga have found their own way to continue through live streams. In the midst of an unprecedented crisis and the shutdown of numerous studios and concert stadiums, entertainers have continued to be committed
to providing laughter for people to help cope with the difficult times. “I think that the Conan show producers who made the decision to move the show on to YouTube were very smart,” said Seung-Kyu Han (9), an avid fan of the “Conan Show.” “After quarantine people have been actively watching YouTube and Netflix. As a viewer, more content is just more fun.” Looking deeper into the transformation of the “Daily Show,” host Trevor Noah first attempted to continue the show without a live audience. However, as all New York citizens were forced into quarantine, the “Daily Show” had to alter its content and format for the YouTube platform. Ever since, Noah has been filming content in his New York home. While Trevor Noah’s
sarcastic, humorous critique of the news has stayed consistent, the absence of the studio audience and background laughter has been evident. In the “Conan Show,” host Conan O'Brien has also continued his show with short 10-20 minute videos on YouTube. The show has continued its guest interviews through having Conan O’Brien interview celebrities through Zoom meetings. Yet, the show was not an exception to the lack of a studio audience and background laughter in the new platform. “Without the audience, the jokes just aren’t the same,” said Jaewon Lee (9), a long-time fan of the “Daily Show.” “However, I continue to watch the show during quarantine and Trevor Noah is still very funny.” Artists have also figured out
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ways to connect with people and share their music through quarantine. American rapper Travis Scott creatively held an online concert through the popular video game, Fortnite. The Fortnite concert attracted many young fans of Travis Scott, garnering a total of 12 million viewers. Travis Scott’s innovative method elevated excitement for online concerts to new heights. Other famous artists such as Billie Eilish, Lady Gaga, and Lizzo shared their music through the charity concert, “One World Together At Home.” Starring over 70 different artists, the livestream of the concert was viewed by over 20 million people from around the world. All profits from the event were donated to a COVID-19 relief fund run by Global Citizens and the WHO.
“I have watched so many concerts and performances since the start of quarantine,” said Whitney Meininger, choir teacher. “I'm always a huge fan of artists who use their celebrity and fame for good, and it's incredible how these creative concerts have been put together so quickly and inspired so much support.” One major concern about the prolonged periods of COVID-19 social distancing and quarantine is mental health. Contributions from talk show hosts and artists, who have continued to provide entertainment for people, have been instrumental in coping with such metal stress. As a way of giving back to society, entertainers have embraced the notion that everyone is in this together.
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THANK YOU, MR. SCHNEIDER!
Congratulations on an extraordinary run! Your killer humor and world views remain indelibly imprinted upon my mind—thank you for being a beacon. If you’re ever in NYC, please let me know. Sending hugest love and appreciation, Caroline Kim, Class of 1982 Thank you for all your efforts! So many people are living better lives because of you. I hope you enjoy retirement to its fullest. —Ben Oslon, Class of 1994 I have so many fond memories of entering the staff area if I had any questions or needed a hallway pass. I would always pass by your office and if you saw me, you would always smile. I loved the warm atmosphere that you created wherever you went. You truly loved all of the students and it showed in your smile. Thank you so much for your time at SIS. You will never be forgotten. It may be hard at first to transition into this next phase of your life. Please enjoy it all and let it soak in. My parents mentioned how lovely it was to see you one more time. Much love and peace to you as your begin this new chapter of your life. —Luisa Brender Smith, Class of 1996 Mr. Schneider, thank you for all your guidance throughout the years helping us take the next leap in our lives, and keeping us sane during the process. Your dedication is truly an inspiration to us all. It truly was an honor, and I wish you all the best! —Andrew Y. Kim, Class of 1998
Fred, I remember you tying to explain the ins and outs of making curriculum schedules where we needed a left handed guitar player who could teach a class of biology. It was the only time I worked in that office during my side breaks. You gave me the freedom to work with the show choirs and travel with them to the DMZ for shows. You taught me so much about teaching in international schools, how to befriend students without compromising my authority, and how to treasure the gift of them without getting lost. You made me a new and better teacher. —Teri Maude, SIS Faculty 1984-1987 Thank you!, does not even come close the appreciation I have often felt looking back through the years, and on that note it has been 26 years!. Words of wisdom that often challenge myself to read between the lines, and decipher the underlining meaning that may only yield true wisdom years afterward. You are certainly part of of who I have become today. —Ranond Mintarkin, Class of 1987 You have influenced and helped shape so mamy lives. One of my greatest regrets is that I was not able to visit you and deliver my Northwestern sweatshirt...a seriously small token of my appreciation of what you did for me. I pray that the next chaper if your life is filled with much laughter and joy. — Jimmy Kim, Class of 1989 Mr Congrats on your retirement Mr. Schneider (to be honest we thought you’d never retire)! Without you, not sure where a lost, brooding 18-year old who spent too much time at hagwons would have ended up. Thank you for your eternal calmness, reassuring wisdom, and for cracking the whip to get us unruly seniors in line when we most needed it. Thank you for giving me a future. What will SIS do without you? —Phillipe Han, Class of 2007 I still remember the day you greeted me in the morning, half-forcing me to your room to check my acceptance e-mail. I turned back, right after reading the word “Congratulations”, to find myself looking at one of the most sincere smiles ever. Just like all other SIS graduates, I was incredibly lucky to have you as my counselor. —Jaehong Park, Class of 2009
I recently heard through the grapevines that this was your last semester at SIS. I was pleasantly surprised you were still at the school after all these years!
You are an institution that all SIS graduates share in common, and someone that everyone appreciates after all these years.
You helped us to be where we are today. Thank you for your service, your dedication, and your love for all your students. — Joshua Taehyun Kim, Class of 2005
Thank you for your incredible dedication and support to the SIS community Mr. Schneider! Your wisdom and guidance will be so missed, and SIS won’t be the same without you. —Beatrice Lindstrom, Class of 2002 Your advice, especially to pursue Emerson has helped me in more ways than I would’ve imagined. I remember being adamant against going to Emerson, but thanks to your advice and enthusiasm for the school I’ve met my now current wife. —Matthew Park, Class of 2011 Mr. Schneider, this is John Eun who went to Davidson College. Congratulations on your retirement! You’ve touched so many lives in meaningful ways, including mine, by encouraging me to attend Davidson with pride and boldness. You were right in that Davidson shaped me as a person of faith better than any other school could have. I am in the fourth-year of my MD/PhD program at Hofstra University in Long Island, and I am getting married this April in New York City. I hope I’ll get to learn where you choose to live after SIS. I would love to come see you. —John Eun, Class of 2011 Thank you for all your work at SIS! I wish you all the best as you close out your time at SIS, and move on to other exciting things in your life. It was a pleasure being able to get your guidance at such an important part of my life, and I appreciate all the guidance that you gave me, even after I graduated. You have influenced so many of us as we were making important decisions and I am sure that we all are going through life with the advices that you gave us. Thank you again, and wish you all the best! —Caroline Kim, Class of 2014
Thank you for your devotion and passion ! You will be missed so much when my 6 month old son attends SIS in the future! —Jennifer Han, Class of 2003 I’m preparing for PhD interviews right now. I wouldn’t be here if I hadn’t done transcriptomics research at Columbia. Wouldn’t have gotten to Columbia if I hadn’t learned statistics at Edinburgh. Wouldn’t have been considered at Edinburgh if I didn’t study neuroscience at USC. Wouldn’t have gotten into USC if it weren’t for you. Thank you. —Gautam Kumar, Class of 2009 Thank you for your tenure at SIS and for sending me to college. I was really hoping to see you before you retire. Everyday I thank you for what you did for me. Thank you sir. —Justin Jaewon Lee, Class of 2012 I hope this last class was a special class for you to end your counseling career. Above all, I want to express how grateful I am for all your support and encouragement in the last few months of my high school life. I still so clearly remember you saying, “you’re fabulous!” when I walked up to the podium during graduation. I’m doing fine in HK and I brought my cello here to perform for my hall from time to time. Thank you for your kind words, and please let me know your future contact email! —Jiwon Chung, Class of 2018 Thank you for everything you have done for all of us during your time at SIS! You probably graduated at least a few thousand students and safe to say we’re all thankful. I hope you enjoy wherever life takes you after SIS! —Justin Chang, Class of 2018