Kyle C. (‘27) is already kicking off his professional hockey career as a freshman. He participated as a defenseman in the Winter Youth Olympic Games Gangwon 2024 on behalf of Taiwan’s hockey team this past winter. is year, the tournament was held in Gangwon, Korea, and was the fourth-ever Youth Olympic Games tournament. e Taiwanese team, competing formally as Chinese Taipei, took home a win against Spain in the men’s 3-on-3 preliminary rounds. Kyle’s passion for hockey first started when he was only seven years old. “I started by roller skating when I was a kid,” Kyle said. “ en, at an ice skating rink, a coach asked me if I wanted to play [hockey].” e trialing process for the youth hockey team lasted a total of three days, but preparation for the athletes began almost three months prior to tryouts. “ e coach chose the players on the last tryout day after watching us scrimmage and practice,” Kyle said. “I had a good time playing with some of my friends over the course of the three tryout days.”
Kyle has to put in a lot of work to maintain his hockey skills, both on and off hockey season. During hockey season, Kyle practices six times a week, three times with his team and three times individually. Off-season, he reduces his training to three days a week, all of which are private lessons where he is able to refine his own skills.
In the future, Kyle hopes to continue playing hockey for the Taiwan National team. “If there are teams I can join in college or university, I’ll probably join,” he said. “However, I don’t have any plans to play professionally.”
Annual “Adulting 101” workshops teach seniors skills for success
e “Adulting 101” program, an annual teaching event consisting of a wide range of workshops designed to help seniors transition into an independent lifestyle after high school, has been ongoing for the past five to six years. With student and alumni feedback regarding the program, changes to the timing and content have been implemented this year. Depending on the workshop, the session ranges from 30 minutes to about an hour. is year, the event
includes two mandatory workshops.
e first one featured Luna Gayeski from Prevention Ed, an organization that partners with schools to inform students about current research regarding substance use and promote healthy decisions. Mr. Gayeski’s discussion aimed to inform students about the dangers of drug use and encourage them to make educated decisions.
e second workshop was hosted by the Director of Inclusion and Wellbeing at Taipei American School (TAS), Ms. E-chieh Lin. Ms. Lin discussed how microaggressions can
impact students and how students can best navigate them. ere were also optional workshops o ff ered, featuring topics such as financial literacy and self-defense.
Di ff ering from previous years, this year’s workshops have been moved to the Spring semester so seniors can be more receptive and engaged with the content as they prepare for life after high school. “We know that at this time of the school year, many of our seniors are mentally rehearsing what their next chapter will look, sound, and feel like,” Dr. Evelyn Chen, one of the Upper School (US) Associate
Principals at TAS, said.
Designed to spread awareness about critical topics for students going to colleges and universities all over the world, these mandatory workshops provide insight into the di ffi culties and di ff erences students may experience and witness outside of Taiwan.
“We love that our grade 12 students have this intentional time set aside to engage in conversations with one another about topics that feel both really important and relevant for them at this stage in their lives,” Dr. Chen said.
By Victoria Hsu & Katherine Ma (‘24)
By Katherine Ma & Abby Chang (‘24)
IASAS Season 3
IASAS Season 3
By Erin Wu (‘25) & Katrina Fu (‘24)
Taipei American School (TAS) athletes returned after another successful Interscholastic Association of Southeast Asian Schools (IASAS) sports competition. The track and eld, softball and baseball athletes traveled to International School Bangkok (ISB), while the golf and badminton athletes traveled to International School of Kuala Lumpur (ISKL).
This year, the IASAS boy’s golf team placed fth overall. e boy’s team’s captain, Danny C. (‘24) was disappointed to see Jakarta Intercultural School (JIS) take gold. “We were disappointed since most of us didn’t really play well but we’re happy we didn’t get last,” Danny said. Danny felt like this season was di erent and memorable due to the signi cantly shortened season and half of the team being comprised of underclassmen. “ e highlight of this season was when Spencer L. (‘27) got alltournament this year,” Danny said.
BADMINTON
BOYS - THIRD GIRLS - FIRST
The boy’s badminton team placed third. is year, the team was led by captains Ian H. (‘24), Avery H. (‘24) and Jonathan H. (‘24). “I was extremely nervous.
Last year, there were still two seniors to lift some pressure o our backs, but this year Avery and I became ‘the seniors’.” Ian said.
“Not only did the pressure we feel increase, but with last year’s achievement, our expectations for this year are only higher.”
Moving forward, Ian is con dent that his team is ready to place gold next year. “Our team has some strong souls as we learn, we adapt, and we come back stronger. e team is not only ready for next year but also for the following year and the year after that,” Ian said.
TRACK & FIELD
BOYS - FIRST GIRLS - THIRD
T he boy’s track team placed rst this year. Charlie H. (‘24) led the distance team this year while Devin C. (‘24) led the sprints team. Some highlights of this year’s IASAS tournament included breaking the TAS boy’s record for 4x400, running a combined time of 3:28.52.
Although this season was signi cantly shorter than previous years, the track team still worked hard during practices, putting in lots of e ort to be in the best condition for IASAS. “I think we were very prepared. We’ve done a lot to train, so I feel good,” Charlie said.
Overall, Charlie is very happy with this year’s results. “It was a very good IASAS, and being it was my last one, I couldn’t have asked for anything better,” he said.
SOFTBALL
T he baseball team won the silver medal this year. e team was led by captains Matthew C. (‘24) and Will B. (‘25). Regardless of the outcome, Will was proud of their performance. “Granted we didn’t end up bringing gold home, we dominated pool play,” he said.
In preparation for IASAS, the baseball team trained diligently by playing games and honing their skills. Will is anticipating an even better result next year. “I know if we keep at it we’ll get it next year.” He feels like their team has bonded greatly and improved altogether.
“We grew so much as a team and everyone played their role so well,” he said. “I’m so proud of our team for how we performed this year.”
& BASEBALL
GIRLS - FIRST
T
he girl’s golf team placed rst. is year, the teams were led by captains Gene C. (‘24), Francesa T. (‘24) and Daphne K. (‘24). Going into IASAS, Gene was most excited about meeting new friends and aiming to win back the gold. “ is year we went into IASAS with the mindset that it was our redemption year and I couldn’t be prouder of our team for making that mindset a reality,” Gene said. “It’s amazing to see how our hard work and determination paid o , and I’m thrilled to celebrate this victory with everyone, especially as this is the last year of IASAS for most of our team.”
Gene advises her teammates to keep practicing hard for next year while remembering to have fun.
T he girl’s badminton team placed rst. is year, the team was led by captains Daphne W. (‘24), Mia H. (‘24) and Florence L. (‘24). Going into IASAS, Daphne was most excited about the experience of traveling with the team and representing TAS while also making new friends and meeting with old friends. “I felt very con dent in my team but also a bit scared because we didn’t have pre-IASAS so I didn’t know what to expect from our opponents,” she said.
Moving ahead, Daphne feels con dent that her team is prepared for next year’s IASAS tournament. “I am sure the girls got it next year, especially with the amount of e ort and training they put into this,” she said.
T he girl’s track team came in third place, earning the bronze medal. Nyah R. (‘24), captain of the throwing team, Elliette S. (‘24), captain of the hurdles team and Iris L. (‘24), captain of the jump event, thought everyone did very well and were happy to have this experience. As a senior Iris was not only excited but also nervous to perform. “I didn’t do as well as I had hoped to, but I still think it was really fun,” she said.
Preparing for IASAS, her team was very dedicated to practices and trained vigorously. She encourages her teammates to continue working hard at training in the future for next year. “I think it’s important to show up and be consistent,” Iris said.
T he softball team won rst place this year, winning the nal match against SAS. Chloe L. (‘24), Victoria H. (‘24), Danielle Y. (‘24) and Rinoa Y. (‘24) were the captains of the girl’s softball team this year. e team was undefeated with the nal record of 6-0.
“I love playing softball, and also just being able to compete with other people as well as meeting new people,” she said. She hopes her teammates will continue to put in their best e ort and play well in the future.
“I would say just stay disciplined during the o season, and to not forget anything about the sport,” Rinoa said. “Watch games to know more about how to play the game because softball is a lot of mental toughness and strategizing.”
[PHOTO COURTESY OF ISKL ATHLETICS]
[PHOTO COURTESY OF ISB ATHLETICS]
[PHOTO COURTESY OF ISB ATHLETICS]
[PHOTO COURTESY OF MS. SUSAN CHEN]
[PHOTO COURTESY OF MS. SUSAN CHEN]
[PHOTO COURTESY OF ISKL ATHLETICS]
[PHOTO COURTESY OF ISKL ATHLETICS]
[PHOTO COURTESY OF ISKL ATHLETICS]
800 ZHONGSHAN N. RD. TAIPEI 11152 TAIWAN
EDITORIAL BOARD
EDITORS-IN-CHIEF
VICTORIA HSU (‘24)
ABBY CHANG (‘24)
MANAGING EDITOR (PRINT)
KATHERINE MA (‘24)
MANAGING EDITOR (ONLINE) ERIN WU (‘25)
STAFF WRITERS
KATRINA FU (‘24)
SOFIA VALADAO (‘26)
SONJA HAMMOND-SMITH (‘26)
AIDEN SHEN (‘27)
ANNABELLE HSU (‘27)
ADVISER
MR. PATRICK YOUNG
MISSION STATEMENT
The Blue & Gold is a student-run publication dedicated to sharing stories from the Taipei American School community. Regularly publishing content by student reporters during the academic year, The Blue & Gold strives to inform our school community by covering events and issues relevant to TAS and showcasing the diversity of our community.
CORRECTIONS
We take all measures possible to report accurately and seek to bring professional, thorough reporting to our readers. Please report any inaccuracies in our content to our email, blueandgold@students.tas.tw.
OP-EDS AND EDITORIALS
Editorials collectively represent the opinions of The Blue & Gold’s editorial board, while op-eds represent the opinions of each writer. Opinions in The Blue & Gold do not necessarily reflect the views of the TAS student body, staff, faculty or administration.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
We welcome letter submissions from all readers. Email your signed letter of under 500 words to blueandgold@ students.tas.tw.
Lenovo or Leno-GO: Laptops at TAS
TAS requires students to buy a Lenovo laptop. [AIDEN
By Aiden S. (‘27)
How many times have you had to take your school laptop to the Information Technology (IT) Help Desk? How long does your laptop last on a full charge? How many of your USB ports are dysfunctional? For too long, faculty, staff and students of Taipei American School (TAS) have been troubled by the Lenovo laptops that the school provides. Since 2020, TAS has made it mandatory for students, sixth grade to ninth grade, to purchase the X13 Yoga for school—a device that has fallen short to fulfill its promise of having the simple capability of being a functional tablet-desktop hybrid.
“[TAS] first chose as a school to use Lenovo Tablets in 2008. A committee analyzed several devices and chose the one that would best support our goals,” Dr. Leanne Rainbow (she/her), the assistant director of technology at TAS said. “It’s exciting to watch teachers teach and students learn with a laptop supporting their work. They gravitate to whatever is the easiest and most natural way for them. It’s a very powerful and versatile tool.”
Whilst the committee chose the Lenovo Tablet back in 2008, some students believe the laptop should
be replaced. While the X13 Yoga has some strong points regarding its inking and touchscreen elements, its lack of durability and unreasonably high price outweigh whatever beneficial features it may provide. The screen, even without evidence of misuse, can still have shattered connectors, which leads to a dysfunctional touch screen. Additionally, the screen can easily fall off of the backplate of the laptop, and the hinges that connect the screen to the keyboard loosen significantly over time, leading to
“It’s exciting to watch teachers teach and students learn with a laptop supporting their work. “
the screen falling off and smashing down on the keyboard.
The frustration that the X13 Yoga has induced has resulted in many students thinking about alternative devices. A common replacement laptop that has been mentioned is the MacBook Pro.
38% of the sophomore and above student population at TAS choose an iOS for their Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) laptop. Compared to the X13 Yoga, the MacBook Pro runs the MacOS software, a more optimal software to run high performance coding programs. Although Lenovo can also run complex operating systems (such as Ubuntu and Linux), Lenovo’s processing chip – the electronic board that runs the most of the laptop’s executive functions – is less efficient than the Macbook’s M3 chip. Additionally, the Lenovo boasts a 13.3 inch touchscreen whilst the MacBook has a 14 inch screen. To summarize, unless you’re a huge tech nerd who needs specialized programs and comprehensive coding apps on your laptop, Apple is the much more functionally efficient and desirable option for you.
Despite its cool touchscreen and inking features, the functional longevity and reliability of Lenovo’s X13 Yoga makes it an extremely frustrating and rage-inducing device to use on a dayto-day basis. I believe that TAS should consider Apple’s MacBook Pro as an alternative device for student and faculty use, for the sake of us all.
6. Who wrote 1984?
7. eme of restaurant
9. Topic taught at the program for
is preferable?
1. e House on ____
2. What are women commonly treated as in media?
5. What did the softball team score at IASAS?
8. e brand of laptop TAS requires students to
SHEN/THE BLUE & GOLD]
Surprise! It’s
not always
the woman’s fault
By So a Valadao (‘26)
Since the beginning of civilization, every culture, family and society known to humankind —no matter how stark their ideological or ethnic di erences may be—share an impassioned love for blaming one demographic for all of the world’s drawbacks: women.
Whether it be fanatic Catholic evangelists insisting that Eve was the sole perpetrator of original sin, or alpha male podcasters claiming that toxic femininity is the genesis of every modern man’s woes, it’s crystal clear that women are always the problem. But…are they really? Or are women just easy targets and scapegoats for blame and condemnation?
Yoko Ono broke up the Beatles, Monica Lewinsky caused the impeachment of Bill Clinton, JadaPinkett Smith forced Will to slap Chris Rock and Taylor Swift is destroying the game of football.
Time and time again, we have been witnesses to society’s tradition of declaring women—especially those who stand in the public eye— liable for every inconvenience or upsetting situation we encounter.
But, why are women condemned so much more than men are?
e biggest arguable root cause of this discriminatory habit is the systematic holding of women to higher moral and emotional standards than their male counterparts.
Whenever a man acts irrationally or immaturely—whether it be by inappropriately talking about his female colleagues with his friends, insulting a bartender for disturbing him as he watches a basketball game or hardly being involved in his child’s life—his actions are often overlooked and excused by a
plethora of misogyny-fueled idioms (‘boys will be boys’, ‘that’s just locker talk’, ‘he is just a passionate sports lover, ‘he is just letting o steam’ or ‘he is doing his best’, to name a few).
Yet, in stark contrast, women are continually burdened with societal expectations imposed on every aspect of their lives.
ey are expected to ful ll all of their professional and domestic responsibilities, control their emotions, be kind, look pretty, be moderately assertive in a way that doesn’t threaten the power of the men in their life and more—all without receiving any praise or recognition.
erefore, because of how deeply ingrained these double standards are within our collective mindset, it seems perfectly normal to condemn a woman for acting in a way that doesn’t meet all of our inherently sexist and unreasonable expectations.
In short, constantly blaming women has become another quick and easy way for people to defending and directing attention away from the blatant immaturity, irrationality and irresponsiblity of men’s actions.
It’s easier to condemn Taylor Swift for attending her boyfriend’s football games than it is to get upset with the National Football League (NFL)—the ever-so-loved sanctuary for masculinity—for making a spectacle out of her presence.
It’s easier to slut-shame Monica Lewinsky for seducing Bill Clinton than it is to admit that Clinton— the ever-so-trustworthy President of the United States—made the irresponsible, predatory decision to pursue a relationship with his
22-year-old intern.
And it’s easier to blame Jada Pinkett-Smith for giving Will Smith a ‘dirty look’ than it is to face the fact that Will Smith—the ever-so-adored Fresh Prince of BelAir—slapped Chris Rock upon his own free will.
Recognizing the highly awed actions of these men would mean completely shattering the age-old narrative that women are always dramatic, overly emotional and, most importantly, wrong.
However, instead of choosing to acknowledge that this narrative is a lie, people resort to the easy way out—blaming the woman. By doing so, they involve her in the line of cross re, subjecting her to unjust criticism and scrutiny. eir actions thus perepetuate endless cycles of unnecessary societal scrutiny, denunciation and humiliation of women—a cycle that needs to be stopped now.
Now, I am not saying that everyone should be let o the hook for their heedless choices and behavior, nor am I suggesting that we create some sort of ‘boys will be boys’ equivalent for girls. But, I do believe it is imperative that we regularly check ourselves for potential gender-based biases before we blindly denounce and scrutinize a female public gure for doing something upsetting that doesn not align with our personal values.
So what can we do? To begin to combat our ingrained biases, we must reevaluate the ethical standards that we hold men and women to, and how those standards may uctuate and di er.
So, before you decide to criticize and vilify a woman in the limelight for doing something wrong, take
a step back and ask yourself, “Am I genuinely upset about what this woman did, or is she just a convenient place for me to direct my anger and frustration towards? Would I be just as upset if a man were to do the same thing?”
“Am
I genuinely upset about what this woman did, or is she just a convenient place for me to direct my anger and frustration towards? Would I be just as upset if a man were to do the same thing?”
If you ultimately feel that your criticism towards this woman is valid and genuine, try to also nd male celebrities who have made similar irresponsible decisions to ensure you are not encouraging the unjust scapegoating of women.
If you’re going to denounce Taylor Swift for her excessive carbon emissions, also denounce Drake, Elon Musk, Travis Scott or any other male public gure who has also sel shly contributed to climate change.
If you’re going to denounce Jada Pinkett-Smith for ‘prompting’ her husband to physically assault someone in front of hundreds of people, also denounce Will Smith himself for actually following through with it. Let’s not let history repeat itself; don’t make Yoko, Monica, Jada and Taylor the new Eves.
One Day: Exploring the Impact of the Show
One Day: Exploring the Impact of the Show
By Annabelle Hsu (‘27) & Katrina Fu (‘24)
Grab your tissues and cozy blankets because Net ix’s new “One Day” television series will tug at your heartstrings. Adapted from David Nicholls’ 2009 novel, “One Day” has taken the internet by storm, leaving
many fans bawling by the end of its 14 heartfelt episodes.
e show kicks o at a graduation party for the University of Edinburgh’s class of 1988, where main characters Emma Morley and
Dexter Mayhew begin their journey together a er their failed one-night stand. e show documents their twenty years of somewhat platonic friendship only on one day of every year, July 15. A er children, moments of weakness, fruitless careers and bottles and bottles of alcohol, the couple nally gets the timing right. However, the happy ending they deserved was shattered when Emma gets into a fatal car accident.
A er watching “One Day,” fans dissected and discussed each character’s red ags on the internet.
Dex cannot live without Emma, yet when they were friends, he took her for granted and treated her horribly. For example, a er moving to London, Emma works in a Mexican restaurant to make ends meet. As an act of kindness, Dex tries to tip Emma, resulting in a deeply insulted Emma. Similarly, Emma’s red ags consist of mocking Dex’s dreams of being famous and traveling the world. Furthermore, she constantly makes it known that she is smarter than Dex.
While praise for the adaptation ooded in, it was not without a few critiques. Emma’s actress, Ambika Mod, received backlash for taking
By Sonja Hammond-Smith (‘26)
Finding a meal in Taipei is not a di!cult task. At every corner, alley and intersection there are restaurants. Mossy cafe signs just from the sides of buildings, rusting carts sell meat from greaseblackened barbeques and the everpresent FamilyMart sits bright and sterile, never more than a block away. ese were all potential meals I trudged past April 19th en route to the Modern Toilet Restaurant.
I’m being overdramatic. e Google reviews make this sound like a great time, and why not? is is a laugh, an experience and a meal all in one. Maybe I should lighten up and let Modern Toilet treat me to an enchanting evening of excrementthemed excitement. is could be fun!
It was not. e dining experience is constantly a little bit uncomfortable owing to the friction between good meals and defecation. While the bathroom humor can be giggled at in juvenile appreciation, it gets less funny when you actually have to eat from a toilet. Seeing the
“Pee Combo” (a drink or dessert with your meal for only 110 New Taiwan Dollars (NTD) more!) on the menu is fun, looking into the waitress’ eyes as you order it less so. is is perhaps why the chain –once operating 19 locations across Taiwan and Hong Kong – is now down to three operating branches. At some point in its now 20-year history, the idea of “PooPoo Bread” and “Sh*t Ice Cream” must have lost its novelty – and the 2018 incident in which a Hong Kong customer actually defecated into one of the many non-functional toilets couldn’t have helped the restaurant’s popularity either.
My stir-fried pork comes at a high price for Taiwan (330 NTD), but tastes good if not remarkable and is only slightly diminished by the large toilet in which it is served. At this point in the evening, the diner is well-adjusted to the plethora of toilet imagery and can scoop food from the porcelain bowl with nary a trembling chopstick.
Modern Toilet would be
the part. As a long-time fan of the novel, Ambika initially rejected the role of Emma as she couldn’t picture herself as the famous Emma Morely. Many criticized her for not tting into the conventional Eurocentric beauty standards anticipated in romantic dramas, while others were shocked by the casting of a person of Indian descent.
Over the last decades, a pattern in the entertainment industry concerning the race of lead characters has been prominent, with most protagonists being white and conventionally attractive. Furthermore, Indian actors are o en typecast as comic relief characters or as traditional and uptight characters. In our opinion, Ambika was perfect for the role of Emma. She did an amazing job balancing Emma’s quick wit and deep love. Many fans from South Asia have come forward, saying how momentous it was for them to see a fellow woman of South Asian descent be a lead in a Western show. Overall, “One Day” should de nitely be added to everyone’s “To Watch List.” Its classic friends-tolovers trope and the actors’ intense chemistry is the perfect formula for a great romance television show.
signi cantly improved by the presence of other customers. Perhaps I would have laughed with them at the huge wallpaper declaring, “THIS IS THE SH*T,” or the poop-shaped porcelain in
which the drinks were served. If the world needed a poop-themed restaurant, this would be the best way to do it. Unfortunately, I am le unconvinced that the world needs this at all. is restaurant just isn’t for me, and nor is it for any more than four of Taipei’s thirty million people.
[PHOTO COURTESY OF LUDOVIC ROBERT]
COVER TO COVER
By Sofia Valadao (‘26) & Sonja Hammond-Smith (‘26)
Taipei American School’s (TAS’) rigorous English classes teach dozens of books to students. Like all good literature, they inspire a wide range of ideas in the student body. Some of the books are well-loved, while others become the butt of jokes, or are notoriously disliked. The Blue & Gold administered a survey to a small pool of students inquiring about their opinions of texts taught at TAS. Based on the results, as well as interviews with English teachers and B&G journalists’ own analysis, here are our most and least loved texts at TAS.
Most loved: The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros
Sandra Cisneros’ “The House on Mango Street” – a series of simplistically written yet deeply profound vignettes included in Taipei American Schools’ Honors English 9 curriculum – has topped the reading charts of TAS Upper School students. Loosely based on Cisneros’ own life experiences, the 144-page novella follows the adolescent life of Esperanza, a young Mexican girl from Chicago, as she navigates her immigrant upbringing, transition into womanhood and everchanging relationships. The novel is notable for its use of single-vignette chapters, rather than one chronological tale. Several vignettes tell the idiosyncratic stories of Esperanza’s fellow Mango Street residents, from rebellious Puerto Rican
teenagers to passively racist cat ladies.
“I hope one day we can study the text soley for its links to home and identity.”
Through her overtly simplistic writing style (commonly dubbed ‘lazy poetry’), Cisneros is able to accurately and eloquently portray Esperanza’s childlike perception of the world, making the descriptions of her damaging experiences that much more heart-wrenching. “[The novella covers] very serious topics,
but from a child’s perspective, which I thought was interesting,” Zoe L. (‘26, she/her) said.
Initially published in 1983, “!e House on Mango Street” has since sold over six million copies, been translated into over 20 languages, was accorded the American Book Award and is a mandatory text in many schools across the world. “Cisneros’ exploration of the complexity of what home is and how that links to one’s identity is beautiful and timeless—so is, unfortunately, the sexual harassment and violence that the characters experience,” Mrs. Jessica Bywater, an Upper School English teacher who teaches the novella, said. “I hope one day we can study the text solely for its links to home and identity.”
Middleground: 1984 by George Orwell
TAS students’ opinions of “1984” by George Orwell, a classic dystopian novel included in the curriculum of Honors English 10, are more diverse than the friend groups photographed in NYU’s “Welcome to College!’ pamphlet. To some, it is a hauntingly thoughtprovoking portrayal of modern society’s corruption and complexity. Yet to others, it is 328 pages of uncomfortably Freudian sex scenes and an overload of digressive philosophical ramblings.
!e novel follows Winston Smith, a run-of-the-mill, middle-aged man living in the socialist dystopia of Oceania. Oceanic society is governed by the omnipresent, tyrannical ruling body of !e Party and its elusive figurehead, Big Brother. As a result of !e Party’s incessant surveillance of its subjects, dehumanizing propaganda,
brutal suppression of dissent and creation of an alarmingly simplistic language named Newspeak, most of Oceania’s civilians have been subdued into a life of political compliance and intellectual idleness that is void of privacy, enjoyment, individuality and love. However, Winston begins questioning !e Party’s unchallenged authority and obscure socio-political ideology, ultimately deciding to express his rebellious thoughts in a diary and pursue an illegal sexual relationship with one of his colleagues, Julia.
!roughout the story, Orwell explores themes of corruption, warfare, dehumanization, social hierarchy and humans’ skewed perception of reality, notions that are still highly relevant to our modern and (supposedly) equitable world.
Several TAS students appreciated
Orwell’s explorations, insight and writing techniques. “!e story was tense and intriguing,” Davina J. (‘25, they/ them) said. “[“1984” is] a hopeless world that somehow still gives us room to hope throughout, only to crush that hope in the end. [It was] a horror story that I had a great time analyzing and annotating.” Although Orwell’s analyses and perspectives on the human condition in the novel are interesting to read about, a common complaint amongst readers is his lack of creative storytelling. “!e way [Orwell] wrote the book felt very uninteresting[...]it sometimes felt like he was repeating himself over and over again,” Zoe L. (‘26, she/her) said. We agree with Zoe, to an extent. “1984” has the essence of a philosophy student’s lengthy dissertation more so than that of a compelling novel. [PHOTO
Most disliked: The Reluctant Fundamentalist by Moshin Hamid
Mohsin Hamid’s “The Reluctant Fundamentalist”, a historical/ psychological novel that was formerly included in TAS’ Honors English 10 curriculum and is now a mandatory text in English 10 classes, was by far the text most fervently detested by Upper School students. From unclear storylines to disturbingly chauvinistic rhetoric, there seems to be absolutely nothing about this book that students enjoy.
The novel follows a young Pakistani man named Changez as he begins working for a prestigious evaluation firm in New York. Shortly after moving, Changez enters a romantic relationship with wealthy Manhattanite Erica, who promises him entry to her world of status and luxury. However, after the tragic events of 9/11,
Changez grows increasingly distant from Erica, begins experiencing new levels of racial discrimination as a Muslim living in New York and his beliefs begin shifting dangerously close to anti-American fundamentalism.
“The greatest sin the Reluctant Fundamentalist commits is that it’s boring.”
Although the novel was awarded the Anisfield-Wolf Book Award for Fiction and the Ambassador Book Award for
Fiction, TAS students who have read the novel don’t seem to think it deserves all of the praise and recognition it has received, with widespread criticisms regarding its dull storyline. “The greatest sin the Reluctant Fundamentalist commits is that it’s boring,” Davina J. (‘25, they/ them) said. “As an allegory for the United States, it’s interesting for about two chapters, after which the metaphor is dull at best and tenuous at worst. As a story itself, I could never connect or care about any of the characters.” Several students also found the novel’s characters and plot points problematic and offensive. “The main male character’s misogyny and sexualization of women was very uncomfortable to read [about],” Chloe H. (‘24, she/her) said.
COURTESY OF SECKER & WARBURG]
[PHOTO COURTESY OF ARTE PUBLICO PRESS]
Class of 2024’s Camera Roll
Farewell from the Senior Class O cers
Andrea Y.
Dear Class of 2024,
In these !nal weeks, everything has become nostalgic for me. Perhaps for you too. I’ve rediscovered love for the serving bar, the sound of a middle school band, and the familiar faces—some of whom I’ve had the pleasure of knowing since third grade. At our last spirit week, seeing you all shout our parody Carnival cheer at the top of your lungs became a core memory. It hit me then that it was coming to an end—that these upcoming weeks will be the last times we’re all occupying the same space at the same chapter of our timeline. My only regret is that we spent too many class gatherings being embarrassed to cheer like we did that day. In college—or wherever life takes you next—I hope we all live it up a little more. Take it a little easier. When all 206 of us cheered together, I realized that it was never that serious. Let’s spend our next years without this regret, okay?
We entered high school in a time of chaos. Amidst the pandemic, we entered what was about to be the most challenging four years of our lives yet, separated by dividers and N95 masks. Now, as we approach our !nal month of high school, I have unwavering con!dence that we will greet the next chapter of our lives with the same open arms. Maybe Carnival won’t be the last time we’re all together after all. 2028 reunion?
With love, Andrea
Cedric L.
What a wild four years it has been. I remember our !rst class meeting together it was awkward and I was terri!ed, and I had yet to know all of you. Now, I’m thinking about when the next time our whole class will ever be together in the same room again after graduation. While we may not have all talked to each other, our memories of this school wouldn’t be complete without the people we pass in the halls. We all make up the very enriching, extremely uptight, TAS experience. For me, I’ll miss trying to !nd out who is in the same class as me the moment schedules are released and the distinct !rst-day-of-school smell. I always joked that all we’ll remember from this place is the stress and tests, but as it’s all coming to a close, I know that won’t be the case. Home is where the heart is, and TAS is where we grew ours together. anks for the last four years. e world is so big and there’s so much to see and do, but at least we can say there were two hundred and ten of us who started it all together.
You would think with so many graduating Class of 2024’s out there in the world, our departure wouldn’t be unique. And yet, we’ll only have one 2024 in our entire lives. So make the most of it! Have fun! Live life! You deserve it :)
See you soon, Cedric
Cedric R.
Hey Seniors,
I hope you are all !lled with love and happiness! As your class o cer, I just wanted to take a moment to re ect on the amazing journey we’ve had together throughout these high school years. We’ve experienced so many unforgettable moments, forged lifelong friendships, and grown both individually and collectively. rough the bad days and the good days, each day brought new adventures and memories to cherish. As we approach the end of this chapter and prepare to embark on our own complex lives, let’s not forget to celebrate how far we’ve come and the incredible bond we’ve formed as a class. No matter where life takes us, we’ll always have these high school years to look back on with fondness and nostalgia. Here’s to the Class of 2024, a group of resilient, talented, and extraordinary individuals. Before I conclude, I want you all to set yourself a goal to create as many memories as you can in the next few months. If your friends ask you to go to the beach at 4 am, do it! If your parents want to go to the theater with you, do it! You won’t regret it. We’re only young once, so make sure you strive to do things that your older self would have loved to do.
With warmest regards, Cedric
Victor C.
I came to TAS 6 years ago, known as “Victor Chao,” the new kid on the block. However, it didn’t even take a week before everyone stopped calling me “Victor.” Instead, it would be the name that changed my identity forever: Chao. (To be honest, I still don’t know who decided to call me by my last name, but I am so grateful for it.) I made so many memories throughout my life here at TAS. e thought of seeing our class together for one last time before we embark on our separate paths is painful. I’ve not only made incredible friends but also experienced things I never imagined possible—all thanks to you. You’ve all been as crucial to me as Shaq was to Kobe, Scottie to Jordan, and Irving to James. (If you don’t get the reference, just know they were dynamic duos). Looking ahead, I can’t wait for our reunion to see how all 200 of us have evolved from the seniors we were to the people we strive to be. ough I might not have connected with everyone during my years at TAS, I believe every one of you is destined to live a ful!lling life, pursuing your dreams. As Pop Smoke once said, “Shoot for the stars and aim for the moon.” Whether you want to be a pro, a politician, a doctor, or even someone who gambles for money 24/7—as long as you’re good at it or as lucky as Jonathan—just go for it. If it ain’t broke, don’t !x it, right? Just know that every one of you are legends, and legends never die.
Jalen H.
What’s good, my brothers and sisters?
is will probably be the last month or two that you’ll ever see many of your 2024 folks, the same blokes whom you’ve grown up with side by side for all these years. Amidst all the storms and tides, I’m glad we all stood united. I had my time in the trenches too, but I’m so grateful that this community and my fellas have been supportive and had my back through thick and thin (already thick so I’m halfway there). In the end, all this hard work that you’ve devoted has !nally paid o (hopefully). Before we move onto a new chapter in each of our lives, let’s take a tad second and make sure to savor and cherish these !nal moments with all these fellas that we’ve come to know, taking for granted those faces we’re accustomed to seeing every day. Whether it’d be that kid you’d see every once in a while in the hallway, the lunch ladies that swipe your meals every day, or even that drifted friend that you used to talk to all the time. Let’s appreciate and acknowledge these present connections before they become distant memories. Alright, that’s enough corny talk from my end. I’d like to end my message with a quote from renowned street philosopher, Aristotle, who once said, “Life is short, so don’t stress about the minor inconveniences fr, because at the end of the day, it’s night. Stay hard and stay gaming”.
Cheers to a new chapter, Jalen
Junui S.
I swear I need a change of scenery… Somewhere with a bit more of greenery. How we doing y’all. roughout our times in high school, we got to meet so many good people and have so much fun together. My Mandarin teacher once told me high school friends are the best friends we’ll ever have in our lives, and now that we are about to go o to our own ways, I have come to realize that. I still remember those awkward class meetings when we tried the cheer out in 11th grade. Who would’ve thought we would have our last class meeting one day? I’m gonna miss every moment I had in TAS and gonna miss this grade. It’s sad to think about how we used to see each other every day at school, but we might not ever see each other again after we part ways. I realized that I took those moments for granted a lot of times. I hope we can remember the good memories in TAS forever, and really be grateful for people around you that helped you along the way, regardless of whether they were your biggest haters or lovers. Even though we don’t feel like leaving, even though we feel like TAS is forever our home and our comfortable little place, we must realize that we are ready to go out to the bigger part of the world and achieve everything you ever wanted and be whoever you want to be. I’m not a believer in reincarnation, but sometimes I feel like I’ve been here before. Great minds thinkin’ alike, my guys and I got similar thoughts.
Hope to see you again, Junui Song
Seniors participate in a fashion show activity during a class meeting.
[PHOTO COURTESY OF MRS. HWAY ANICHOWSKI]
Lau
Seniors performing their class dance. [PHOTO COURTESY OF MR. TING FAN]
Seniors cheer together during their last spirit week.
[PHOTO COURTESY OF MR. TING FAN]
Mr. Kiang’s advisory pose together. [PHOTO COURTESY OF MR. JASON KIANG]
By Victoria Hsu & Abby Chang (‘24)
Our last four years as student journalists have led us to this final verdict: Journalism is invaluable.
Many people may think that journalism is just interviews and newspapers. However, it is so much more than that. Even though we don’t plan to pursue careers as journalists,
Love, Jour
the unique skillset we’ve built over these four years will remain vital for any kind of work. Being a student journalist means tracking deadlines, learning design layout, mentoring students and negotiating with the administration. Such skills stretch beyond just journalism, reaching into many di!erent fields in modern society.
Furthermore, journalism has been a great way for us to meet new friends and mentors who have helped us throughout our high school career. In a similar sense, we have been able to connect with people with di!erent backgrounds and perspectives through interviews and projects. Whether it be in the athletics department or the Lower
the blue & gold may 23, 2024
School, we have built relationships across the TAS community. For that, we are grateful to e B&G for giving us these opportunities and experiences that we will bring with us as we enter this new chapter of our lives. P.S. Next time you receive an email with the subject line “B&G Interview Request,” don’t ignore it!
Sending off the Blue & Gold Seniors
Victoria Hsu (‘24, she/her): editor-in-chief
By Erin Wu (‘25)
Victoria is one of the editors-in-chief of e Blue and Gold (the B&G). She has been involved in e B&G for four years, starting as a sta! writer in her freshman year. Outside of journalism, she is involved in Key Club and softball, as well as filmmaking.
Victoria first learned about e B&G from a prior member of the publication,
who taught her the process of writing a journalistic article and ultimately inspired her to join e B&G. rough writing, Victoria has enjoyed having many opportunities to learn about and make connections with the Taipei American School (TAS) community.
“I’ve really loved talking to a lot of di!erent people about their stories or things they’ve done recently,” she said. “I feel like it’s given
me a very unique perspective about life at TAS.”
e enthusiasm and dedication she has for the work she does is evident in many other areas of her high school career. “She’s extremely diligent and engaged with content,” Ms. Jessica Bywater, Victoria’s English teacher, said. “ ere’s never been a time that I can pinpoint where she hasn’t put
Abby Chang (‘24, she/her): editor-in-chief
By Annabelle Hsu (‘27)
Abby is the co-editor-in-chief of e B&G and has been a part of the journalism class since her freshman year. Outside of e B&G, Abby participates in the Interscholastic Association of Southeast Asian Schools (IASAS) as an art delegate and leads various clubs such as Good Neighbors, AARF and Lace the Love.
Abby was first intrigued by e B&G when her sister showed her a copy of the newspaper in middle school during the course selections. “I was impressed by the quality and the layouts,” Abby said, “I didn’t know high school students could produce that kind of quality work.” rough e B&G, Abby has the opportunity to inform and learn about her
community in ways that other classes and clubs do not o!er.
For instance, she really enjoyed making her video project titled, “What Makes You Happy?” in which she interviewed students across the Lower, Middle and Upper school divisions. “It was rewarding to be able to give a platform to students from all divisions to share their thoughts,” Abby said.
Katherine Ma (‘24, she/her): print managing editor
By Sonja Hammond-Smith (‘26)
Katherine Ma (‘24) is the print manager of e B&G. Over her three years at e B&G, she has met lots of great people and formed a close connection with the TAS community through her work.
Like many other journalism students, Katherine first joined the class because of a friend’s recommendation. She found herself
picking up vital journalism skills with ease and was especially drawn towards the print and layout process. Now, as a graduating senior, she looks forward to imparting her knowledge to the incoming print manager. However, nothing goes without any challenges. “Having to communicate with so many di!erent people can be difficult, whether it be because of time conflicts or
Katrina Fu (‘24, she/her): sta writer
By Sofia Valadao (‘26)
Having been inspired by several of her friends who were involved in journalism, Katrina decided to join e B&G at the beginning of her senior year as a sta! writer.
In addition to her involvement in e B&G, Katrina is the vice president of the Home 4 e Night club, a member of TAS’ yearbook team and a delegate of the IASAS film crew.
“Katrina is most comfortable when communicating through a lens. Whether in analog photography or video, each frame invites the viewers into her world, where beauty and inspiration abound,” Mr. Barrus, Katrina’s film teacher, said.
rough her participation in e B&G, Katrina has had the opportunity to hone
conflicting ideas,” Katherine said. “Being a part of e B&G has ultimately taught me how to navigate a variety of social situations.”
Besides journalism, Katherine is part of TAS’ robotics programs and clubs such as Home 4 e Night and PaintHouse, activities that she has been able to promote through her journalism projects.
her best e!ort forward.” ough she’ll miss TAS, especially the friends she’s made throughout her 14 years here, she’s excited to move on to a di!erent environment. She leaves the members of e B&G with a message of encouragement. “I’m excited to see what you will accomplish next year, and I’m very proud of all that we’ve overcome as a team this year,” she said.
Although Abby doesn’t plan to pursue a career related to journalism, e B&G has gifted her with experiences in leadership, communication and creativity.
“I hope more students decide to join because it’s a great opportunity for students to express themselves, while also learning how to work together to help the community,” Abby said.
Katherine’s parting advice to e B&G is to work on communication and continue improving together as a team. “Honestly, just have fun and do your best!” Katherine said. “ e B&G provides students with the perfect opportunity to experiment. Take on di!erent roles, write about topics you truly care about, whatever you do, don’t be afraid to try new things!”
her creativity, bond with her classmates and learn more about her journalistic skills.
“Chatting with my classmates and getting to be a part of the behind-the-scenes process of e B&G has been great,” Katrina said. “Also, one of the multimedia projects I did, where teachers guessed Gen Z slang terms, was very successful. at success was rewarding.”
Katrina’s hit YouTube video has amassed more than 1,300 views since its release in January.
Having attended TAS since 1st grade, Katrina is certain she’ll feel homesick after leaving for college. “I’ll miss my friends and the memories I’ve made. [TAS] is my safety bubble,” Katrina said. “But I’m excited to meet new people and try new things.”
