GRAPHIC ILLUSTRATION BY SHIVATEJA VEMIREDDY
BY JUSTINE CHEN AND DIVYA NELAKONDA
C
oke and Pepsi, the Yankees and the Red Sox, Batman and the Joker. Each are one of an endless number of rivalries. Rivalries are everywhere, from business to sports to pop culture. Individuals constantly compete with one another for higher scores, better positions on sports teams and more reputable resumes. While the sparks of competitive spirit may begin in high school, competition can become a prominent factor later in life as students graduate and begin to build their career. Rivalries, direct challenges between opponents for a similar objective or position, are an escalation of competition.
There are several factors that contribute to the formation of rivalries. The nature of the relationship between the parties involved in a certain situation can determine whether or not a competitive energy will turn into a rivalry. Rivalries also develop when opposing teams or individuals in the team have been at odds before. Upon encountering past opponents at later competitions, the previously “friendly competition” may develop into a rivalry. Such an experience can leave participants with antagonistic feelings that may affect relationships in future competitions.
“I still had to practice and play water polo [a rival] but we didn’t talk as much,” said senior Joshua Soong, describing a rivalry he had with a teammate. “There was de�initely strain and tension in our conversations.” The outcomes and natures of previous competitions can also form or strengthen rivalries. For example, if a team were to lose by a small margin, the defeat may elicit aggressive thoughts, increasing the need to do better than that speci�ic opponent in the future. Rivalry can allow participants to set goals and incentives for future contests based on
Lynbrook prepares for future with Shadow Day BY MEHEK KAPUR
O
n Jan. 13 and Jan. 20, two Shadow Days were held to give prospective eighth grade students from the McAuliffe School and Hyde and Miller middle schools a chance to look at a typical Lynbrook school day. The event was created after the FUHSD Board of Trustees passed a plan that proposed to give eighth graders currently attending Hyde Middle School or McAuliffe School, in addition to those at Miller Middle School who do not reside in Lynbrook’s boundaries, an option to attend Lynbrook given that they live within the FUHSD boundaries. This is the latest action in the �ight against declining enrollment at Lynbrook. The Shadow Days were headed by Assistant Principal Eric Wong, and a group of Link Crew leaders who hosted the eighth graders. Two eighth graders shadowed each leader, following them around and spending third, fourth and �ifth period going to different classrooms to get an idea of what classes and everyday life at Lynbrook are like. Teachers placed a green card outside their rooms to indicate an open class, and a red card to indicate a closed classroom. “One of the best things I’ve seen at Lynbrook is the great teachers, their emotions and the way they’re giving a good in�luence
to all the students in the class,” said Hyde Middle School eighth grader Aaron Jew. In total, 88 eighth graders from Hyde Middle School, the McAuliffe School and various other private schools signed up to attend the Shadow Days. All interested students will be placed in a lottery by Jan. 26 and be informed of their acceptance in early February. “It’s kinda like visiting colleges—coming, touring the campus, just like you would for college.” said senior Ahana Narang, one of the Link Crew leaders being shadowed. “In my opinion, it’s a similar jump from high school to college as it is from middle to high school
so it’s a very good opportunity for them to be able to choose the school that they want to go to.” The administration is hopeful that these Shadow Days will peak the interest of prospective eighth graders and that Lynbrook’s steadily declining enrollment will soon improve and stabilize. “We’ll take it year by year and �igure out if we have a need for Shadow Days,” said Wong. “We had a need for it this year, and depending on what the situation is next year, if we have to open up the campus for students to make a choice, we’ll do it.”
NEW FRIENDS| Link crew leader Anika Singh bonds with prospective Lynbrook students.
LUNCH BUDDIES| Link crew leaders eat pizza with middle schoolers in the quad.
WILLIAM GUO—EPIC
WILLIAM GUO—EPIC
the outcome of the competition, and they are usually more willing to put forth more effort in order to achieve their goal. When a team plays an opponent they have lost to before, their motivation to beat them will increase. People also have a tendency to evaluate their success by comparing themselves with those who perform similarly. While similarities between individuals may promote friendship and cooperation, they can also cause a heightened sense of rivalry. For example, rivalries can develop quickly when competitors are from the same area. On a larger scale, if an industry is geographically dependent,
see RIVALRY page 11
CROSS COUNTRY // pg. 14