The Pingry Record - June 2023

COMMENCEMENT 2023

After completing their classes in early May, 141 seniors pursued Independent Senior Projects (ISPs). These projects ranged from interning at a finance firm, to researching ancient exercise routines, to camping out in the wilderness of Maine. ISPs allowed seniors to explore their interests in the final months of their high school careers. The following seniors elected to have information regarding their ISPs shared.

BODY WEIGHT TO BARBELLS

Kai Andersen researched and performed the exercise routines of four ancient civilizations.

APPALACHIAN TRAIL

Clayton Annis performed the impressive feat of hiking the Appalachian Trail. In addition to his expedition, he mapped a trail at Pottersville.

LEARNING SHARADA

Zala Bhan decided to learn Sharada, an ancient Indian script that fell into disuse over time. Sharada, used in some of the oldest Sanskrit manuscripts, was recently studied by scholars. She learned the script to a degree that she could transliterate ancient Sanskrit manuscripts from Sharada to Devanagari, the predominant script used to read and write Sanskrit today, so that Sanskrit scholars could easily read and interpret the text.

THE BUSINESS OF PHOTOGRAPHY

Ella Budenbender combined both art and entrepreneurship, creating

Seniors Embark On ISPs

a photo book out of her pictures while learning how to successfully market her art. She visited galleries, met with artists, and shadowed a local entrepreneur throughout the process.

LEARNING GUITAR

Camille Collins learned how to play the guitar. Because she loved classic rock music, a big part of her project involved learning to play the songs she adored. She also decided to research whether someone with many years of musical experience with one instrument could translate some of that knowledge into playing another instrument in a short and intense period of practicing.

IN CHAMBERS

For his ISP, Charlie Cooperman worked for Honorable Judge William Mennen ‘85. He learned about how laws were interpreted and carried out. He shadowed Judge Mennen’s law clerk, read through cases and wrote orders for them, and had the opportunity to observe a murder trial.

POTTERY AT BISC

Julia Flood interned at BISC Pottery Studio. Among her many responsibilities, she recycled clay, created flyers, assisted with teaching classes, and loaded and unloaded kilns. In addition, she worked with Upper School 3D Art Teacher Mr. Seth Goodwin at Pingry’s own studio to do a raku firing, a handson firing involving new glazes and techniques.

DON’T LOOK DOWN.

John Grissinger worked on

getting his private pilot’s license. First, he learned all the theory about flight, weather, and regulations to pass the written test. He then went on to learn how to actually fly the airplane in order to pass the practical checkride.

MEN IN MAINE

Sam Hecht, Matt Marsico, Kyle Nicoll, Henry Peacock, & Sebi Sampedro learned how to survive out in the wilderness. They went on a road trip to Maine and camped out at Acadia National Park. During their visit, they looked specifically at filming, editing, species counting, trail mapping, and survival skills.

FINANCE INTERN AT TOORAK CAPITAL PARTNERS

Mirika Jambudi interned at Toorak Capital Partners in Summit. She shadowed members of the Finance, Accounting, and Treasury team to learn more about what they did on a day-to-day basis. Her project as an intern focused on analyzing contracts Toorak had formed with different servicers and doing research on various companies. It was a valuable experience to learn more about what a career in finance could look like for her.

PROJECT SHADOW CENNTRO

Charles Jiang interned at Cenntro, an electric car startup, helping them build their warehouse management database, proofreading vehicle manuals, conducting inventory checks, and test-driving vehicles. Throughout his time with Cenntro, he was able to learn about how startups worked.

NURSERY NURTURING

Kirsten Kamerkar helped out preschool teachers at St. John’s Nursery School. She acted as a teacher’s assistant, popping in and out of classrooms with kids aged from two to five years old. She kept a journal that accounted for what she did and learned each day.

DEIRDRE’S HOUSE:

CREATING A SAFE RECOVERY ENVIRONMENT FOR THE CHILDREN OF MORRIS COUNTY

Meher Khan & Stephanie Ticas participated in a wide range of tasks that assisted the work done at Deirdre’s House, a children’s advocacy center in Morris County. On some days, they interacted directly with the children receiving aid at the center, and on other days, they created flyers and presentations for outreach posters. They created numerous newsletters, social media posts, and educational presentations to be used by the center.

HISTORICAL VESSELS: A REINTERPRETATION

Drawing inspiration from historical pots, Katie Lin dove into ceramics. For her project, she decided to create her own ceramic pots.

FINDING TAYLOR SWIFT TICKETS

Since the exorbitant prices of Taylor Swift tickets prevented many fans from attending concerts, Max Liu worked on an app to continuously search online for inexpensive tickets and help his friend Mirika.

INTERNING WITH CLEAR STREET: LESSONS AND EXPERIENCES IN THE FINANCE INDUSTRY

Alex Massey interned with Clear Street LLC, a FinTech company aimed at simplifying the accessibility and navigation of capital markets for both individuals and firms. The objective of his internship was to delve deeper into the world of finance in order to gauge his interest in the field when considering a future of college, a job, and other life pursuits.

BUSINESS THROUGH BEAUTY: ONEIRO

Alexis Matthews worked as an intern for Oneiro, a company that sells luxury travel care products. She helped with marketing, designing packages, and creating content for their social media platforms. Through her work, she observed how they functioned and grew.

A SNEAK PEEK INTO THE LIFE OF A NEUROONCOLOGIST

Morgan McDonald shadowed a neuro-oncologist at the Siteman Cancer Center in St. Louis. She observed him primarily work with patients who had glioblastomas, but he also treated patients with other brain tumors. In her time away from the hospital, she watched lectures on glioblastomas and cancer research.

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Photo Credits: Pingry Communications

Balladeers Assembly

AANVI TRIVEDI (III)

On April 19, the Balladeers held their annual mini-concert in the Senior Commons during community time surrounded by their peers and faculty. They opened with an incredible acapella performance of “Dancing Queen” by ABBA, followed by “Heat Waves” by Glass Animals, both arranged by Balladeer Music Directors Jordan Miller (VI) and Sejal Patel (VI). The remarkable soloists for these songs were Meher Khan (VI), Kelly Cao (V), and Ananya Sanyal (V). The ensemble then transitioned into “Material Girl” by Madonna, an encore act by the fantastic soloists Saniya Kamat (V) and Alexis Matthews (VI) from a concert at the Short Hills campus earlier this year. Next up was a rendition of “Mirrors” by Justin Timberlake, with soloists Miller and Patel. The beautiful arrangement was an extended version, initially created by Patel as a Valentine’s Day serenade. The group finished with the remarkable “Smooth Criminal” by Micheal Jackson, arranged by Miller and performed by soloists Mykah Weckesser (IV) and Brielle Marques (V), with Matthews adding the occasional classic Micheal Jackson hoots and

yelps. Many of the Balladeers are involved in arranging the music within the group, including both serenades and assembly music.

Marques gave us some insight into the assembly, saying, “This year was a huge challenge because the songs we learned had particularly elaborate notation, since our music directors are very advanced arrangers. Working both inside and outside of class, we learned all the songs and put our heads together to create fun production and choreography ideas. It was a team effort. From initial planning to the final performance, the Balladeers and Mr. Winston gave it their all.” She also mentioned that this was the first formal introduction of the student body to the Balladeers this year, with everyone there watching the concert together. Kamat added, “Finally having our assembly that we worked so hard to prepare was very exciting for the entire group. We’d put in so many hours of practice into every song. Sharing that with the school through a performance, which such a large portion of the student body came to support, was truly a wonderful experience.” Overall, this was an incredible production put on by the Balladeers. Congratulations on all of their hard work!

The Earth Day Assembly: A Celebration of Sustainability and Collective

SRIYA TALLAPRAGADA (IV)

Since its inception in April 1970, Earth Day has been globally recognized as a call to collective action, underscoring our shared responsibility to safeguard our planet. Adhering to this tradition, Pingry organized a week-long series of activities that shed light on various sustainability initiatives, culminating in an Earth Day assembly for the Middle and Upper School on April 20. This assembly, helmed by Assistant Director of Experiential Education Ms. Olivia Tandon, placed students at its forefront. The assembly featured presentations that addressed the many objectives of Earth Day and principally served to educate and acquaint the community with vital facets of environmental conservation and sustainability. This objective was brilliantly executed through an enlightening presentation on Pingry's composting system.

Attendees of the assembly were educated on the composting mechanism and its pivotal role in mitigating the school's waste production. A potent testament to the success of this initiative was shared: a whopping 7,445.17 pounds of food waste were

JINGJING LUO (IV)

Honor Board Speaker: Mr. Poprik

AVERY HOFFMAN (III)

On May 12, students gathered in Hauser Auditorium to listen to beloved math teacher Mr. Bradford Poprik give a speech on behalf of the Honor Board. Mr. Poprik discussed the trials and tribulations of high school and gave students advice for dealing with the negatives and judgment in life.

Mr. Poprik grew up loving dance, but unfortunately, many of his peers disapproved of this, causing him to give up his passion. From that moment on, he learned lessons including: don’t dwell on the negative, don’t let ignorant people control your self-worth, and don’t worry about the things you can’t control.

Mr. Poprik’s speech was inspirational, fun, and reassuring about what the future may hold. First, his speech emphasized not to hyperfixate on the negatives in life. He noted the importance of learning from mistakes but stressed that your mood should not depend on those mistakes. Life holds so many challenges, and sometimes they look impossible. Sometimes it’s a bad grade on a test, or having trouble with your friends. However, you must internalize the negatives and try to improve next time.

Mr. Poprik’s second lesson was,

“Don’t let ignorant people control your self-worth.” Other people’s opinions shouldn’t detract from your own hard work, because they have no idea what’s happening in your life. This message, simple yet powerful, is so important in the world we live in today. Social media and external pressure can make it hard to feel good about yourself, but it is necessary to live your best life.

Mr. Poprik’s last piece of advice was to not “worry about the things you can’t control.” As school comes to an end, the abundance of exams and finals induces stress for students. Mr. Poprik’s belief that “once you finish one final, forget about it, focus on the next one” was helpful for many, including myself. As someone who is always worrying, it feels good to let the last test go and just focus on what’s coming up ahead.

The students loved Mr. Poprik’s speech and left the auditorium feeling inspired. His speech was hilarious with his popular line, “As you kids would say, W rizz,” but also serious and motivating. Mr. Poprik’s wisdom gave the audience helpful insight into navigating life as a high school student and will always be remembered by students across all grades.

composted in the past year, sparing the environment 1,861.29 pounds of methane production. The assembly also integrated an interactive Jeopardy!-style game with trivia, engaging students while teaching critical environmental facts.

In addition to education, the assembly raised environmental awareness. A succinct history of Earth Day and the pressing issue of climate change helped highlight the urgency to adopt sustainable practices.

The assembly sought to inspire individual action towards a more sustainable future. The emphasis on Pingry's environmental initiatives, such as Green

Group, coupled with general advice, such as that concerning appropriate waste segregation, showed the significant impact of individual contributions toward environmental conservation. The assembly didn't shy away from integrating fun elements. The announcement of the Earth Week Cupcake Competition winners and a spirited performance by a student-led jazz band infused the event with a celebratory ambiance. Underscoring the importance of long-term sustainability, the assembly ultimately called for community collaboration for adopting green practices in an engaging and enjoyable manner.

SAAG Holi Celebration

On April 27, the Pingry community celebrated Holi. Holi, also known as the Festival of Colors, actually fell a month prior on March 8. It is celebrated to welcome the spring season and is a time for new beginnings. The religious aspect of the holiday also celebrates the eternal love between Radha and Lord Krishna

Led by Rahil Kakar (V), Saniya Kamat (V), and Meher Khan (VI), the South Asian Affinity Group (SAAG) planned the celebration to incorporate traditional music, food, and the quintessential colored powder, gulal, which participants threw at each other to pay homage to the

bright colors of the spring season. Upper and Middle School students gathered in the field behind the Senior Commons during conference period that Thursday. Many students brought traditional Indian dishes to the celebration, and everyone enjoyed the samosas, laddus, gulab jamun, and other sweets.

Accompanied by Bollywood music, students threw colorful powder at each other, filling the air with red and blue hues. At the end of the celebration, students arrived back indoors covered from head to toe with colored powder. Many exclaimed that the celebration was full of joy, saying that they would undoubtedly participate again next year.

Students from different cultures, age groups, and backgrounds all came together to celebrate, bridging the cultural divide that often separates individuals. This year, Holi emphasized the celebration of cultures and differences, uniting the diverse student body in a shower of powder and colors. Thank you to the South Asian Affinity Group, parent volunteers, and everyone else that helped make this event possible. In addition, we would like to thank Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Mr. Gilberto Olvera for his help in organizing this event. Finally, thank you to all the participants. We are looking forward to many more Holi celebrations in the coming years!

Photo Credits (Top to Bottom): Google Images, Pingry Communications, Mrs. Anupama Menon

Annual Research Week Showcases Student Exploration

OLIVIA BUVANOVA (IV)

April 10 to April 14 marked the 11th annual Pingry Research Week and was organized by Dr. Morgan D’Ausilio. The exhibit was an opportunity for students to present developments in their research projects. This year featured a variety of programs, including Independent Research Team (IRT), SMART Team, Humanities

IRT (HIRT), Upper School and Middle School Robotics, Computer Science, AP Biology, Anatomy Club, Journal Club, FYI Sci, Pingry Community Research Journal (PCR), Green Team, Green Key, and The Parker Road Review.

Research Week kicked off with an assembly, featuring presentations from current seniors, Mirika Jambudi (VI) and Stephanie Ticas (VI), and a keynote presentation from alumni researcher Claire

O’Mara ‘17. Jambudi discussed the various facets of research she partook in throughout her high school career, including the American Modernism HIRT, the Diet Flies IRT, and the DNAse1L3 IRT. O’Mara reflected on her contributions to the research field at Pingry, which ultimately led her to her own research discoveries in college and beyond.

The Students Modeling a Research Topic (SMART) Team displayed a 3-D printed model of the enzyme DNAse1L3, which they also presented at the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB) national conference. FYI Sci ran several demonstrations about basic science concepts and played science-related movies. Journal Club, which helps prepare students and faculty to present and discuss research papers, had a few of their

past student presenters explain their papers to visitors. AP Biology classes presented their research projects in the upper halls of the exhibit, and research classes displayed their projects in the lower halls of the exhibit. HIRT groups presented their research on various topics, such as looking at the importance of creative nonfiction as a means of broadening the humanitarian audience, looking at evolutionary biology through the lens of children’s stories, the analysis of William Faulkner using the lens of American Modernism, and the presence of architectural descriptions in stories.

The IRT groups are composed of small four-to-five person teams that participate in original research projects on various areas of the sciences. They often work in conjunction with college researchers and used this

opportunity to share the results they have gathered in the past year. In addition to presenting posters, several teams also had interactive activities for the visitors. In the technology and engineering section, Computer Science classes used the Student Technology and Publishing Center to demonstrate their programs, which included complex concepts like Artificial Intelligence and

Remembering the Holocaust

In this year’s Holocaust Remembrance Assembly on April 4, Pingry was lucky enough to be visited by Seldi Ruchlin, Lisa Ruchlin-Halperin, and Evan Halperin. Mrs. Ruchlin grew up as a Jew living in Germany during

the Nazi regime, and fled with her family when she was four years old to the United States. Mrs. Ruchlin-Halperin is Mrs. Ruchlin’s daughter, and Evan Halperin is Mrs. Ruchlin-Halperin’s son. As the three generations spoke to the community about the Holocaust, they shared what it means to be a survivor and

how we can all stand up to hatred. The Holocaust was the genocide of the Jewish people in Europe from 1933 to 1945. Between 1941 and 1945, the Nazis established concentration camps where six million Jews were murdered. In remembrance of the Holocaust, Evan Halperin and Mrs. RuchlinHalperin both attended the March of the Living, which is a powerful demonstration that brings people from around the globe to Poland, where they walk the two miles between Auschwitz and Birkenau. The walk honors the death marches that thousands of prisoners were forced to take during the Holocaust after the Nazis fled Auschwitz in 1944 and forced the prisoners to evacuate to other camps or

train stations. The marches were extremely deadly and 1 out of 4 prisoners died. The March of the Living serves to remind the world of the Nazi’s cruelty, inspiring people to stand up in the face of discrimination, and to never allow a genocide like the Holocaust occur again. The march also pays tribute to the survivors – ones who survived a concentration camp or who, like Mrs. Ruchlin, escaped before the Nazis could take them. Mrs. Ruchlin did not see herself as a survivor of the Holocaust. Even Evan Halperin, her grandson, didn’t know about his grandmother’s past until only recently, and he was at once energized to research and understand her story. This is why he attended the March of the Living.

AAPI History Month Assembly

CAROLYN ZHOU (IV)

Pingry’s annual Asian-American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) History Month Assembly returned to the stage of Hauser Auditorium on May 17, with colorful presentations, energetic music, and delightful student-led performances displaying the diversity of AAPI cultures.

The assembly started with a bang, as Taiko Drumming took to the stage to perform the contemporary piece “Tonde Tonde Tonde” or “Jump Jump Jump.” Next, Leo Lvoff (Grade 6) continued the presentation, offering a basic overview of the history and importance of AAPI Heritage Month. Several musical and dance performances lit up the stage, with Indian Dance Club performing a Bollywood/Bharatnatyam medley to the songs “Khwab Dekhe” and “Pasoori.” This was followed by a Kathak performance to a remix of

the song “Humma,” with added Kathak beats. East Asian Affinity Group showed a video recapping the lessons they learned on a field trip to the Museum of Chinese in America. Then, middle school students took to the stage to perform Tinikling, a traditional Filipino folk dance where two people tap and slide bamboo against each other, while dancers step in between to the beat. Rahil Kakar (V), Durga Menon (III), and Sasha Gupta (V) gave a presentation on the impact of British colonization and South Asian diaspora on South Asian cuisine, asking the audience to determine the origin of various dishes and telling the story of chicken tikka masala

Next, Saniya Kamat (V) performed a captivating rendition of the Hindi song “Main Kaun Hoon,” followed by trivia questions that provided fun facts on Asian American figures.

Presenters Zoya Abbasi (Grade 6)

and Sahana Kakar (I) addressed the difference between being Asian and Asian American, illustrating the critical impact of Asian ancestors on enriching American history.

Julianna Zhang (II), Jasmine Zhou (II), Angela Liang (II), Kayla Chin (II), and Rachel Bai (Grade 6) performed a traditional Chinese fan dance meant to represent beauty, grace, delicacy, and express feelings of joy. Durga Menon then sang the Hindi song “Lagan Lagi,” followed by an ASU video interviewing members of the Pingry community about their AAPI identity. The Pingry Middle School AAPI Orchestra, led by Alex Wong (IV), performed an arrangement consisting of traditional and contemporary Japanese songs and a Korean folk song. The assembly was closed out by a collaborative performance by Brick City Bhangra, together with Pingry students Durga Menon (III), Navi Gautam (I), Shanti

Swadia (II), and Skye Nicoll (II).

Overall, the AAPI Heritage Month Assembly served as another excellent example of what students can achieve through collaboration between the upper and middle school, with the help of faculty advisors and assembly coordinators Ms. Chao Wang and Ms. Yifan Xu. Viewed by students throughout

Neural Networks. In the Hyde and Watson Gymnasium, the Robotics team set up their awardwinning robots to demonstrate their work to the community.

Over 30 exhibits were presented throughout the week regarding a range of interesting topics that inspired great minds. It is clear the research exhibit will continue to showcase the ingenuity of students and faculty in the coming years.

Mrs. Ruchlin shared her story with the school as well. She described what living in Nazi Germany felt like, and how the experience contrasted with living in America. In Nazi Germany, Mrs. Ruchlin lived in constant fear. Kids disappeared everyday; adults in her life lost their jobs and disappeared as well. In comparison, Mrs. Ruchlin experienced new freedoms the moment she arrived in America. However, the United States still battles the same conflict German Jews faced in the 1930s and 1940s. Hatred and discrimination are remain prevalent themes in today’s society, and it is our responsibility to stand up to the injustices we see as a result. As Mrs. Hartz wisely stated, “Never again starts with us.”

the Basking Ridge campus, the assembly showcased a diverse range of artistic performances, educational presentations, and AAPI cultures. It was a great way to commemorate the month’s importance, recognize AAPI individuals’ achievements, and share unique cultural perspectives. AAPI individuals’ achievements, and share unique cultural perspectives.

Photo Credits (Left to Right): Google Images, Pingry Communications

GABBY DELORENZO (III)

Night of Noise

KELLY CAO (V)

On April 27, the Balladeers continued their annual tradition of Night of Noise. The event was organized by this year’s junior students: Jaidyn Barnes, Kelly Cao, Daniela Henriques, Saniya Kamat, Gabrielle Marques, Ananya Sanyal, Francesca Zarbin, and Isabel Zarbin.

Night of Noise featured a variety of talented students from all grades, including Uma Menon (IV) and her band, the March of the Masons, who performed an original song. There were 19 performances total which ranged from mesmerizing and original poetry recited by Mark Mason (V), to powerful vocals by students, including Mykah Weckesser (IV), to spellbinding instrumentals such as Schumann’s

Arabesque Opus 18 , played on the piano by Laura Liu (V). The joy-filled night finished with an enthralling rendition of “Her Voice” from The Little Mermaid sung by Balladers teacher, Mr. Jay Winston and concluded with an open-mic session.

In addition to showcasing Pingry’s talent, the event was a fundraiser, raising money for Cool Earth, a charity which aims to combat the worldwide climate crisis.

Overall, the event was a massive success, as the Balladeers raised over $600 for Cool Earth, and they engaged students in the community through performances.

The Balladeers plan to host Night of Noise again to showcase and laud the many performing artists of the community.

Bringing Back Spring Fling

STELLA REHEMAN (III)

On May 19, Peer2Peer successfully hosted Spring Fling once again. This long-awaited homecoming and carnival event delighted students with its array of activities, including a dunk tank, face painting, raffle, dance, and more. Traditionally held every spring, Spring Fling provided a much-needed break from the pressures of impending final exams. The highlight of the event was undoubtedly the opportunity for students to dunk Dean Robert Hoepfl and Mr. Jonathan Kelly in the dunk tank. Laughter and cheers filled the air, as everyone lined up to take their shots. Meanwhile, the sweet aroma of cotton candy surrounded the venue, where students eagerly indulged in the sugary treat produced by a dedicated cotton candy machine. Talented student volunteers showcased their artistic skills by painting intricate designs of jellyfish, octopuses, and other sea creatures on

participants' faces. These captivating designs perfectly aligned with this year's theme: Under the Sea. Additionally, a raffle was held to raise funds for nonprofit organizations.

Fortunate winners walked away with enticing gift baskets from establishments such as Panera, Ani Ramen, the Pink Pear, Sweet Nothings, Junbi, and more. All proceeds from the event would be donated to Peer2Peer's chosen nonprofit organizations.

Spring Fling not only served as a temporary escape from the impending horrors of finals week but also provided an enchanting atmosphere. The combination of beautiful weather, lively music, and delectable food created an ambiance of carefree enjoyment for everyone in attendance. The Peer2Peer students collaborated with teachers including Mr. Harlen Shangold, Ms. Xiomara Babilonia, Ms. Shelley Hartz, and the deans to revive Spring Fling for the entire community. Together, they adorned the

BAC gym and outdoor tables with vibrant balloons and streamers, transforming the venue into a festive wonderland. Students, including Anthony Truncale (III), Ava Khan (IV), and Sylvia Ardon (IV), took charge of the event's marketing efforts, ensuring its success. The accomplishment of Spring Fling was made possible by the diligent preparation, setup, and execution of the activities, exemplifying the hard work of everyone involved in Peer2Peer. Whether attendees sought out the cotton candy, the face painting, or simply the sight of Dean Hoepfl and Mr. Kelly taking the plunge, Spring Fling provided a delightful and memorable experience for all. Looking ahead, the event promises to return next year, even grander in scale and offerings. So, for those who missed out this year, let's keep our fingers crossed that we can all come together and make next year's Spring Fling an unforgettable celebration!

Human Resources: The Cabaret

LAUREN POPRIK (V)

On Wednesday, May 17, the Musical Theater Club held the first-ever student-led cabaret. After founding the musical theater club at the beginning of this school year, Uma Menon (IV), Brielle Marques (V), and Lauren Poprik (V) knew that they wanted to host a student-led performance sometime in their Pingry careers. When they began to experience symptoms of the infamous “postshow depression” which often follows successful and engaging productions such as the Drama Department’s winter musical, Spring Awakening, they knew they had to do something.

A week after the show closed, they chose the theme of "The Pingry Human Resources Desk" and compiled a list of songs that expressed hopes and desires from various genres of Broadway shows. They held auditions, cast 17 students from all grades, and began rehearsals after spring break. The students met about once a week, during either conference period or after school. The cast would spend this time learning the music, choreography, and blocking, all led by Poprik, Marques, and Menon. Coordinating with Sia Ghatak (IV) and Jonathan Robustelli (IV), they added sound, microphones, lighting, and other technical elements to elevate the show. Their rehearsals were typically accompanied by

DoorDashed boba and Mexican food.

After two months, "Human Resources: The Cabaret" was performed on the Attic Theater stage and was a success! Sylvia Ardon (IV) performed a chilling rendition of “The Wizard and I” from Wicked; upbeat dance numbers such as “Coffee Break” from How to Succeed In Business Without Trying and “I Won't Say I'm in Love” from Hercules raised the energy of the entire room. During intermission, Eloise Williamson (VI) perfectly executed a comedic monologue. The students' hard work paid off, and they received glowing reviews. "Brielle's song taught me that I need psychiatric help — It was great!" said Divya Subramanian (V). Mr. Alan Van Antwerp left the show saying, "I thought it was awful…LY GOOD." "I pirated the sheet music off of the Internet… it was worth it," "Life changing," and "Missing the cabaret was the low point in my life" were some of the more sarcastic takes on the show.

Drama Department Chair Mrs. Stephanie Romankow left saying, "I am incredibly proud of these students. Everything was student-driven, and it was a huge success. They had a full house filled with parents, friends, faculty, and fans. I am so proud." Saniya Kamat (V) said "Cabaret was an entertaining opportunity outside of the musical and Pingry's productions to participate in a production in which everyone had such a big part and to get to know people from other grades." Mr. Van Antwerp said that he thinks "it shows how committed Pingry drama and music students are to cultivate a good community of artists." Uma, Lauren, and Brielle would like to thank Mrs. Romankow, Van, Mr. Winston, Mr. Napolitano, and Mr. McAnally for all their help and support throughout the process. With a full house, high spirits, and devotion to the art of theater, the student-led 2023 Cabaret was an achievement in the arts community for the 2022-2023 season.

Snapshots: Pingry’s Wellness Week in Pictures

SOPHIA ODUNSI (V)

Thanks to the efforts of Pingry's Student Athletic Advisory Committee (SAAC), students had the pleasure of participating in a series of themed Relaxed Dress Days designed as a fun and relaxing prelude to final exams. Below, you can find a comprehensive summary of the themes and activities part of this enjoyable initiative.

DAY 1: JERSEY DAY

Community members repped their favorite sports teams to kick off Wellness Week on a fabulous Monday. Pictured below are Allie Alston (V) wearing the Philadelphia Eagles jersey and Sophia Odunis (V) wearing the Kansas City Chiefs.

DAY 2: DRESS LIKE A TEACHER AND KONA ICE TRUCK

In a gesture of admiration, students paid tribute to their favorite teachers by mirroring their attire. As the clock hit 2:45 p.m., the entire Upper School eagerly savored the icy delights of the Kona Ice Truck under the splendid warmth of the sun. Special commendation goes to incoming Student Body President Jada Watson (V), who flawlessly emulated Director of Athletics and Community Wellness

Mrs. Carter Abbott's distinctive style.

DAY 3: ADAM SANDLER DAY

You’ve seen him in Hotel Transylvania and Grown Ups , but today, students dressed as the iconic comedian and actor Adam Sandler. Students and faculty enjoyed indulging in the celebrity's comfortable fashion, and in the words of Dean Hoepfl, “this is my whole wardrobe.” Featured below is Brielle Marques (V).

DAY 4: BBQ DADS V. SOCCER MOMS

Serena Lin (III), featured below, represents the perfect soccer mom. On this day, students and faculty decided whether to wear a legging and jacket combo or an apron and spatula look. All of those who participated looked amazing and committed!

DAY 5: DRESS TO IMPRESS

With the final day of classes for the 202223 school year culminating in the Academic Awards Assembly, students dressed “to the nines.” Everyone looked incredible in their nicest attire as it was a sweet send-off to the seniors who won awards. Congratulations to all the award winners, and thanks again to SAAC for the week!

Photo Credits (Top to Bottom, Left to Right): Shilpa Kamat P ’24, Brielle Marques (V), Jennifer Herrera-Perez (V), Mr. Ahmad Nicholson, Sophia Odunsi (V)

Prom 2023: A Night to Remember Spring Festival Concert

SRIYA TALLAPRAGADA (IV)

Pingry’s much-anticipated annual prom was an extraordinary evening filled with laughter, fun, and heartfelt memories. On Thursday, April 20, juniors and seniors were excused from their last two periods to get ready for the dance. The event began at 7 p.m. at the Stone House on Stirling Ridge, a breathtaking venue that set the stage for an unforgettable prom experience.

From the stunning decor to the upbeat music, everything was designed to create an enjoyable experience for the students. At first, the air was filled with anticipation, as attendees mingled and captured picture-perfect moments. The DJ's playlist featured popular hits, classic anthems, and dance music, ensuring there was something for everyone.

As the night drew to a close, students left with huge smiles, carrying memories to be cherished for a lifetime. Saniya Kamat (V) thoroughly loved the evening, saying, “It was a really fun experience, and I enjoyed dancing with my friends very much. The food and music were great, and I know that we all had a great time!”

Prom is not just about the glitz and glamor; it also serves as the last school dance for the graduating class. As the evening drew to a close, the sentimental atmosphere was palpable. For Mirika Jambudi (VI), the event proved to be a fun night with celebration of achievements and friendships, and a reminder of the bright futures that lie ahead for the Class of 2023: “As a senior, prom was a really great way to spend time with my friends and connect with

the rest of the community. I loved seeing all my classmates dressed up and spending time dancing to our fav songs. It's a memory that will stay with me beyond graduation and one that I will look back on fondly.” School administration, teachers, and staff members played a vital role in making this year's prom a resounding success. They ensured the evening ran smoothly and provided a safe and enjoyable environment for all attendees. Their commitment to creating a memorable event allowed students to revel in the magic of the night while creating strong bonds with their classmates. Prom 2023 will undoubtedly be remembered as a night that brought the community together in celebration of each other. Thank you to everyone who made it possible!

OLIVIA BUVANOVA (IV) & CAROLYN ZHOU (IV)

On the Wednesday evening of May 10, parents, students, and faculty gathered in Hauser Auditorium for the annual Spring Festival Concert presented by the music department. This performance marked the seniors’ last show and allowed robust music programs to exhibit their growth over the past year, as students performed a variety of pieces and displayed their skills on different instruments. The first feature was Lower Voices Glee Club, with soloists Dami Shote (V), Vared Shmuler (VI), and Rahil Kakar (V), and Wind Sinfonia followed. Upper Voices Glee Club then sang the traditional Latin song Vere Languores as well as a choir classic, “This Little Light of Mine.” String Orchestra followed with three performances: Symphony No. 1 in D Major, by Gustav Mahler, Symphony No. 4: Andante con moto, by Felix Mendelssohn, and Finale Symphony No. 2 in C, by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky.

A prominent feature of the Balladeers' performance was the song “Smooth Criminal” by Michael

Jackson, which was arranged by Jordan Miller (VI) and included solos from Stephanie Ticas (VI) and Sejal Patel (VI). Matthew Parish (VI) and Vared Shmuler (VI) were soloists for the Buttondowns. Next, the Jazz Ensemble delivered an exciting rendition of highlights from The Phantom of the Opera, and the Chamber Choir performed traditional choral pieces. Finally, the concert was rounded out by the Combined Glee Clubs, which performed “Wheels of a Dream” and “No One is Alone.” Prior to the festival, the Glee Club seniors received pins to commemorate their last performance as a token of appreciation. Meher Khan (VI), one of the leaders of the Balladeers, commented, “It has been a wonderful four years with Balladeers. We have grown so close, and the Spring Festival, which marked my last performance with the Balladeers, was certainly a bittersweet ending.” Congratulations to all the students who shared their artistic performances with us, and special congrats to the seniors on their final Pingry performance!

A Message of Aspirations and Reflection for the Pingry Community

JADA WATSON (V)

As the academic year draws to a close, I can’t help but reflect on everything that students and the community have accomplished and endured during the 2022-2023 school year. In the past couple of years, the impact of the seemingly never-ending pandemic has exacerbated the complex challenges that members of our community face daily. This year, however, was our first year of normalcy since the pandemic, and members of

the community have not taken that for granted. Our dedication, talent, and perseverance has shone brightly throughout the year and is a complete reflection of who we are as a community. Our commitment to excellence and honor has been demonstrated in all aspects of school, whether it be academic, artistic, or athletic. The amount of community engagement we have achieved and the number of relationships we have formed are beyond refreshing, especially since the pandemic prohibited us to do so for so long.

For me, the highlight of this year was the Girls’ Ice Hockey state championship final at Prudential Center, because it was truly a moment in which I felt that everyone was united. Throughout the game, there was this magical energy that filled the arena, and in those moments, we became more than just a collection of individuals

but, as cheesy as it sounds, a united force bound together by a shared sense of school pride. Witnessing faculty members, students, and families all dressed in blue cheering on our team was a remarkable experience, and it reminded me of why I love Pingry so much. Pingry has truly been like my second home over the past nine years that I’ve spent here, and the unity and sense of community are part of the reason I’m so excited to take on the role of Student Body President next year. The community has given and taught me so much during my time here, and this role is an opportunity for me to give back to it.

When I think of Pingry, I think of a school that fosters creativity, celebrates diversity, and embraces differences. While these three components are all wildly important and shouldn’t be forgotten, next year, I hope to put a larger emphasis on the

importance of building connections between students, faculty, and administration. A lot of the time, it feels like there is a certain disconnect between students, faculty, and the administration because we’re not all working closely with each other. Next year, I hope to bridge that gap by encouraging open communication channels between Pingry personnel and acting as a liaison to ensure student voices are heard, valued, and integrated into decisionmaking processes. I also hope to prioritize the wellbeing of students and our community members by destigmatizing mental health and creating academic outlets through more fun events. At Pingry, we are allowed to be many things at once, but sometimes balancing everything can get hard. As a student, I’ve experienced firsthand how daunting it can be during various times of the year to maintain balance while also

carving out time for yourself. Due to my personal experiences, next year, I plan on working closely with Head of School Mr. Tim Lear and our CAST crew to implement mental health days and no homework days when needed to ensure that students are getting breaks. As we segway into the summer for some much-needed relaxation, it is essential to take a moment to appreciate the collective accomplishments and growth we have experienced as a community. Everyone should be so proud of the work that they’ve completed, the athletic victories they’ve obtained, and the artistic endeavors they’ve pursued. I challenge all of you to keep pursuing whatever it is that is important to you, and I hope that we can use the positive momentum we’ve built up this year to fuel a successful transition into the new school year in the fall.

GHOSTBUSTERS: IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF THOSE WE’VE KNOWN

Milenka Men’s ISP was about the Pingry Drama Department, including its history and impact on students and faculty. Through faculty, student, and alumni interviews, as well as Pingry archival research and backstage footage from the Middle School Musical, she documented how theater at Pingry had changed over the years and what it looked like now. Her film was half-investigative, half-

documentative, in the hopes of capturing Pingry Drama in its past, present, and future.

ADVANCING THE MUNDIAL IN MUNDIAL ROBOTICS

JP Salvatore continued his project of creating the best kit for students to enter the RoboCup robot soccer competition with rudimentary coding and electrical knowledge. He was a guest speaker at the 2023 National RoboCup competition on May 21 for his work in previous years with the kit. His goal was to

have his kit promoted by RoboCup as the official starter kit for the competition.

INTO PT

To gain insight into physical therapy, Andrew Schauers shadowed a physical therapist. He learned about their practice and treatment methods.

FOR LOVE OF THE GAME WITH THE SOMERSET PATRIOTS

Ryan Travers worked as a

business intern with the Somerset Patriots. She was able to participate in many different departments, but her main focus was the ticketing office.

DEEP LEARNING AND DEEP SPACE

Max Watzky explored several topics at the intersection of astronomy and computer science. After building a neural network from scratch to analyze astronomical image data, he worked on a program to simulate

gravitational interactions between large numbers of particles and used it to study the formation and development of galaxies.

OBSERVATION

AND CREATION: A

SCRIPTWRITING PROCESS

Eloise Williamson plans to pursue acting in college, but she had never explored the scriptwriting process prior to her ISP. She wrote a complete playscript to appreciate the other half of theater performances.

Photo Credits (Top to Bottom): Pingry Communications, Kain Wang (V)

JP SALVATORE (VI)

Dearest Readers of The Pingry Record,

It is an honor to be writing to you one last time. Fun fact, I tried being a writer for the Record as a sophomore. After a few articles, I realized it definitely wasn’t my thing, but watching the Record personnel passionately write each new issue and reading them upon release has been fun. I have loved being involved at Pingry in these little ways, and eventually, I did find my own niches: Student Government, Latino Student Union, founding an IRT, and tennis. Student Government, in particular, has changed my life. To everyone thinking about doing it, DO IT! As student body president and class president for years, I have had the pleasure of interacting with almost every group at Pingry which has given

Student Body President Farewell

me a unique, all-encompassing perspective of our school. Today, as the class of 2023 bids Pingry farewell, I will share with you the current state of that perspective.

Arriving in 5th grade, I spent the vast majority of my time as a teenager within the Pingry walls. In my last few days as student body president, I have been reflecting on how this school helped shape me and so many other students into who they are today. I can confidently say, after seeing kids from all other types of schools around the world, Pingry does by far the best job of fostering student-to-teacher relationships. Personally, Mr. Barr, Mr. Keating, Mrs. Santiago, and Mr. Lear have changed my life with their wise advice and consistent support. But to me, what is truly incredible about Pingry is that every student can name on their fingers a few teachers who have had a genuine

impact on them. DEIB, which focuses on diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, is in the best place I have ever seen. We have seen great involvement with all the different diversity groups at Pingry. Athletics are also incredible. Our teams are reaching new heights each season (shout out to the tennis team), attendance is at an all time high, and social media has kept everyone consistently updated about the newest Pingry sports news allowing students to be more involved. With some of the best facilities in the state, our athletics program is soaring. Student Government has done a phenomenal job of keeping the momentum of school spirit going. In Mr. Lear’s words, “we have made school fun,” which has been a huge effort on all fronts. We should all be proud of our school and our spirit. We have

seen record attendance at all events and involvement from faculty, alumni, and students like never before. I love this school so much, and I am so grateful that you have accepted me as your student body president this past

year to help make the place we love that much better. Thank you all. It has been a real pleasure and I look forward to crossing paths with you in the future.

For the Common Good: A Letter From the Honor Board Chair

STEPHANIE TICAS (VI)

Dear Pingry,

After 13 years, it is surreal to be writing goodbye to the community I grew up in. Although bittersweet, I walk away with a bright smile and loads of beautiful memories, confident that Pingry provided my peers and I the tools to navigate life outside our supportive school environment. In my final two years here, I have been a part of the Honor Board with the privilege of being the Honor Board Chair my senior year. The experiences I

gained from this group have been some of the most impactful in my time at Pingry. My understanding of leadership has grown while working with incredible mentors and peers, all striving for a greater sense of self and others and working towards the common good.

Together, the Honor Board has focused on reaching out to the community and making an active effort to be visible and better understood in our school. In addition, it has been a priority to increase our transparency and foster open, productive conversations

with the student body. After all, the Honor Code was initially created by students themselves, and we must continue carrying forth its spirit.

As we kicked off the year at Convocation, when the community annually signs the Honor Code, there was an emphasis on “showing up.” This has been one of Head of School Mr. Tim Lear’s priorities and a goal for Study Body President John Paul Salvatore (VI) and I as student leaders. Having experienced a period of separation as a community during the COVID pandemic, it was easy to fall into the shadows and focus only on personal objectives. By doing so, we overlook the parts of our school that make it so unique: the people and the relationships. So, entering this year, there was an aim to put active effort into fostering relationships and bettering the community.

This year, the Honor Board strove to do this by visiting the Lower School and bringing engaging conversations to their classrooms. We prepared, recited, and discussed skits that addressed relevant topics in their day-to-day lives. As a result, the students had meaningful conversations about bullying, kindness, and being a positive community member. In addition, this experience allowed

Student Body President

Jada Watson

Form V

Form VI

Luke Evans

Emily Gao

Sarina Lalin

Mark Mason

Sebastian Talarek*

President

Jack Buckley

Eddy Chen

Menaal Khan*

Ziv Shah

Keira Troy

Form IV

Hannah Abdi

Jayden Battles-Cobb

Will Overdeck*

Stella Reheman

Jack Sherman

upper schoolers to connect with the lower school students and hear their impressive ideas. This is just the beginning of strengthening our relationship amongst the student body while spreading the Honor Code’s values. Another way the Honor Board expanded its outreach was through engaging in discussions with other student groups, such as Student Government and affinity groups. In the future, I hope the Honor Board will continue collaborating closely with student groups to create engaging, effective connections with the student body.

The Honor Board and its goals are constantly evolving with our everchanging community, but the core focus is creating our school’s most productive, kind environment. As the Honor Board has grown this year, I too, feel I have gone through personal development as a result. At the start of the year, I faced my fear of public speaking as I delivered a speech at Convocation. Although frightened to speak in front of a large audience, I appreciated the opportunity to share my voice.

Through the Honor Board, I have learned the importance of communicating your thoughts and ideas and listening intently to understand the views held by others. Throughout the year, I

Chairperson

Divya Subramanian

Form VI

Ethan Boroditsky

Kate Marine

Ally Smith

Best, JP

greatly enjoyed working alongside the other Honor Board members and having thought-provoking conversations. It is inspiring to see how each student brings a unique, insightful perspective to our discussions and helps shape our school’s future. I look forward to seeing how the Honor Board group grows and, most importantly, how the community grows.

It is bittersweet to look back on my Pingry journey and bid farewell to this formative stage of my life. Pingry has been the only school I’ve ever known, and being a “lifer” within this incredibly supportive community has been a privilege. Although I will soon be living my daily life in a new place, I will always carry a bit of Pingry with me. As I said at the start, our focus this year was on “showing up” and, as the Honor Code states, “working for the common good.” When I look upon my final days as a Pingry student, I am proud to have felt firsthand Pingry’s strong, community-centered attitude and witnessed so many individuals go out of their way to spread kindness and support to make the school thrive. Moving forward, I encourage you all to be spirited contributors to the change you want in this vibrant community.

Form V

Alexis Glasofer

Nick Henry

Katharine Shea

Alex Wong

Form IV

Chloe Huang

Jordan McDonald

Alex Terpstra

Photo Credits: Kain Wang (V)

Beloved Director of Community and Civic Engagement Mrs. Hartz Departs from Pingry

ALEX TERPSTRA (III) & AANVI TRIVEDI (III)

After 28 illustrious years, Director of Community and Civic Engagement

Mrs. Shelly Hartz will retire in June.

Mrs. Hartz attended Rutgers University and spent her junior year at Hebrew School in Israel. After receiving her degree in political science, she moved to Washington, D.C., to work at George Washington University. She simultaneously pursued her master’s from their Public and International Affairs School.

Before working at Pingry, Mrs. Hartz taught at the Hebrew School while raising her children. In 1995, after her youngest child started first grade, she took a job at Pingry working part-time in the library. Little did she know that she had just begun her long career at Pingry. After four years in the library, she became the Middle School Technology Facilitator.

In 2003, she became the community service coordinator, alongside five other faculty members responsible for a grade. However, as the job grew and more students came to the school, she petitioned to make it a full-time position, which she’s been doing since 2010. Mrs. Hartz said, “For every job I’ve ever had at Pingry, I was the first person in that job. Middle School Technology

SOPHIA ODUNSI (V)

Mr. Davidson Barr, AP Calculus BC and AP Economics teacher, will be saying his goodbyes to the community at the end of this school year. Before coming to Pingry, Mr. Barr taught at a school in Indiana for two years. Prior to entering the teaching field, Mr. Barr wanted to work in banking. However, due to the Great Recession, Mr. Barr decided to begin his career as a teacher. “I am glad I did,” he said. He recalls, ten years later, teaching a large variety of couses: Intermediate Algebra, Geometry, Geometry and Advanced Algebra, Pre-

CAROLYN ZHOU (IV)

After two years as an Upper School Biology teacher, Dr. Jennifer Pousont will depart from the Pingry community. She has taught Biology I, II, and Methods in Molecular Biology Research and advised two IRT teams and the SMART research team.

Dr. Pousont received a B.S. in Chemistry from Keene State College and a Ph.D. in Chemistry from Dartmouth College. Before Pingry, she spent two years at the National Institutes of Health as a postdoctoral fellow. She also taught chemistry, biology, and research at

Facilitator was a new position, and while we’ve always had a Community Service Coordinator, having one person responsible for all of the community service was new.”

Volunteering and community service have always been a big part of Mrs. Hartz’s life — whether at her synagogue, the Somerset Hospital, or the Samaritan Homeless Interim Program, where she has served dinners and volunteered for the past 32 years. “I just found that it was something that fulfilled me. So when I had the opportunity to become the coordinator and subsequently create a job completely

involved with community engagement, it was like a dream come true,” she shared. Mrs. Hartz has loved coming to work

say that I have the best job at Pingry. And I get to come to work every day and live my passion. And my passion is people.”

When asked about her favorite memories of Pingry, Mrs. Hartz mentioned two. The first is the growth of the drama department’s community performances, which are formal “dress rehearsals” or “run-throughs” of shows that are put on for communities outside of school, like those of special needs. After discussions with Ms. Stephanie Romankow and Mr. Al Romano, former Drama Department

show, the performers share lunch with the community and learn more about their lives. The second is the growth of Rufus Gunther Day, which grew from visiting a single location for half a day to sending 800 students to various locations for an entire day to give back to the larger community. She achieved her goal of every student and faculty member at Pingry being involved in community engagement for one day.

daily, living her dream, and talking to students who want to volunteer and get involved. “And that’s what I say. I often

Chair, it is now a tradition for every school performance. Following the

Mr. Davidson Barr

calculus, Pre-calculus Honors, Linear Algebra, Principles of Economics, Survey of Computer Science, and serving as The Nature of Infinity Spring Intensive instructor. Besides his decorated teaching achievements, Mr. Barr has been a fencing coach for the past ten years, primarily focusing on epee, and an advisor to the FBLA and Economics clubs. Mr. Barr said his favorite memory at Pingry is being visited by former students after graduation, an event he claimed he has been “lucky enough to have happened to him a few times.”

Mr. Barr’s students had many kind words to say about him. Daniel

Lano (IV) stated, “He will be dearly missed; I wish him the best and keep Minecrafting.” A slightly older student, Kain Wang (V), also noted, “I love how he made us explore beyond the AP curriculum… [I] also love how casual he is; it makes it easier to ask questions.”

Personally, I have enjoyed knowing Mr. Barr for the past two years. He has been an incredible fencing coach, and I am honored to have met him. I’d like the community to give Mr. Barr a Big Blue goodbye. We wish him the best of luck as he finishes his Ph.D. and moves back to Chicago. Thank you, Mr. Barr, for your warm spirit and endless knowledge!

Dr. Jennifer Pousont

Deerfield Academy for seven years.

Commenting on her time at Pingry, Dr. Pousont says, “I have felt warmly welcomed by the community and supported in pursuing my interests.”

She believes Pingry stands out for the ways it creates opportunities for students to celebrate and learn from their diverse interests, such as spring intensives and Research Week.

“Having a safe base for exploration opens up so many creative opportunities for people in the Pingry community,” she says, “and I think this makes Pingry special!”

A favorite memory of hers has been leading the SMART team trips in Philadelphia and Seattle, where they

collectively engaged in many new experiences. Dr. Pousont has also enjoyed teaching science to many enthusiastic students and sharing her interest in biology and research with them. She will spend her last month at Pingry again exploring with students on the Belize trip.

Dr. Pousont will return to Deerfield as a science teacher and to be closer to her family in Massachusetts. She plans to “spend a lot of time hiking, sailing, and helping my daughter and son-in-law, who are expecting their first child this summer!”

Congratulations, Dr. Pousont, and thanks for everything! The Pingry community will miss you.

Next year, Mrs. Hartz and her husband will retire to the home they built in New Hampshire. She, of course, will stay active in her volunteer work, including serving on the board of her Synagogue and running their Social Action and Justice Committee. In addition, she is part of the Black Heritage Trail, an organization working with new immigrants. But most of all, she wishes to continue to work with students. We could never fully express our gratitude for all she has brought to the students of the Pingry community, and we know whichever fortunate individuals she works with in the future will feel the same way. We say a huge congratulations and thank you to Mrs. Hartz for being an inspiration to so many within our community and for making Pingry a better place for the past 28 years. We will miss you!

Kindergarten Teacher Mrs. Judy Previti Says Goodbye to Pingry

JULIA ENG (V)

After 19 years of teaching kindergarten at Pingry, Mrs. Judy Previti will be retiring at the end of this year. For many, including myself, Mrs. Previti was the first member of the Pingry community to extend a welcome. With her young students, she is incredibly patient, caring, and understanding, and she offers endless support as her students begin on their journeys at Pingry.

Mrs. Previti graduated from Douglass College with a bachelor’s degree in pre-K through kindergarten education as well as sociology, which she studied through observations of the on-campus daycare. On her studies in college, she stated, “Once I combined early childhood with sociology — the study of how people affect each other in groups — I found my passion. Children were always at the core of my papers.” She went on to earn her master’s from Rutgers University for kindergarten through eighth-grade education.

She explained that her passion for teaching is genuine and that she has always loved teaching, whether she knew it or not. As a child, Mrs.

SOPHIA ODUNSI (V)

Throughout this school year, I had the honor of being a student in Dr. Azadeh Samadani’s Physics class. Incredibly, she has guided my transformation from a novice in the realm of physics to a confident and competent learner.

With eight years at Pingry under her belt, Dr. Samadani brought a rich background to our school, having previously served as an Assistant Physics Professor at Brandeis University. Although she will no longer be teaching Physics and AP Physics C at Pingry, she will continue to work with our community and further extend her educational reach this summer. Alongside Dr. Daniel Fried, she will introduce Physics to elementary school

GABBY DELORENZO (III)

After a year of teaching English 9 and 10, Ms. Naomi François will leave Pingry. She is known for her buoyancy and kindness, always brightening up a room with a smile. During her time at Pingry, Ms. François ran the Binging Blaq spring intensive. She had students analyze representation in American media, specifically the transition of the representation of Black people in the late 20th century to the present. Students were then given the opportunity to create TV shows that try to dismantle stereotypes commonly present in the media.

Previti, her siblings, and her friends would all gather to play “school” each day. “I would write on the chalkboard and give a lesson, give them papers…They complied, and I took being a teacher seriously…I never thought about it, that was just what we did.”

When asked why she loves teaching, Mrs. Previti said, “I wanted [my students] to love kindergarten and to love learning. They need to have a good, solid, beginning experience. They deserve it. They’re five and six years old. They deserve to be happy and to play.”

On a regular day in her class, you might find her playing guitar while her students sing along to familiar songs. “We always learned the national anthem before the

Super Bowl,” she laughed. As any former student of her’s might recall, Mrs. Previti is a true believer in hands-on learning. “Everyone learns better when they do it — you can’t just learn through a book. Not even an app. You need to do it with all your senses.”

When asked about the legacy she hopes to leave on the community,

Mrs. Previti replied, “The children that were here who became adults… they have careers now. You never know what advice you’ll get out of someone until you need it. And maybe they’ll say, ‘[I got it] from my kindergarten teacher.’”

She believes, at its core, kindergarten is less about academics, and more about building character. “Skills like thinking, having patience, believing in yourself, giving yourself some slack when you can’t get it right… they’re essential.”

As the school year comes to a close, Mrs. Previti has reflected on what she will miss the most about teaching kindergarten. “I’m gonna miss the kids the most… going to assemblies, being with the whole student body, watching

Dr. Azadeh Samadani

students through the Biochemistry Literacy for Kids program hosted at Pingry. When asked about her favorite memories at Pingry, Dr. Samadani warmly recalled times “of students lounging on the physics office couches... engaging in lively conversations with faculty about every conceivable topic.”

In tribute to Dr. Samadani, I also reached out to several students to gather their perspectives. Their responses overflowed with gratitude and respect, as incoming Student Body President Jada Watson (V) shared, “I loved that she is able to joke around and have fun with us sometimes…she knows how to have fun and never gets hurt when we joke around.”

On a personal note, I must express my profound appreciation for Dr.

Ms. François was also a leader of the Green Team and the Black Student Union: all this goes to show how involved she is in the Pingry community. Her impact has made Pingry more open-minded, kind, and educated. Students in her classes wrote multiple essays, and on all of them, Ms. François gave supportive, constructive criticism. She has an admirable ability to make students feel confident about themselves and their abilities, while still helping them improve and notice their mistakes. In her 9th grade classes, one standout project was the essay comparing two of the short

Samadani’s unwavering support and guidance. Despite initially entering her class with apprehension due to my lack of physics experience, her expert teaching enabled me to not only grasp but also enjoy the subject. My sense of accomplishment has been immense, thanks to her dedicated assistance.

As Dr. Samadani prepares to continue her educational journey, she leaves behind a resounding impact at Pingry. Her ultimate mission as a physics teacher is “to show the beauty of our physical world and instill the love of physics and critical thinking at a much younger age.” As we give her a heartfelt Big Blue farewell, we extend our deepest gratitude for nurturing this “love of physics and critical thinking” within us. Thank you, Dr. Samadani, for inspiring us all.

stories that were read in class. The project taught students how to write a comparative essay and analyze elements of fiction. In her 10th-grade classes, students wrote a critical theory paper that incorporated ideas from secondary sources and the original book. In both grades, students wrote two independent reading papers, where they reflected on books they read outside of school. In all, Ms. François has left an indelible mark on Pingry. She has uplifted all her students and colleagues, teaching us critical skills. Ms. François will be missed, but we wish her the best of luck in all her future endeavors!

kids have an ‘a-ha’ moment, seeing them take pride in their work… they tell it like it is. I try not to think about this being the end.”

“I get emotional. On Thursday, we’re singing for all the parents, and [the students] made a video about how to be a Pingry kindergartener. I hope I can do it,” she said tearfully as she looked towards the end of the year. As for her retirement, Mrs. Previti explained, “I’m not gonna get up early. [Mr. Previti and I] are figuring it out, but we have some weekend trips planned. I need to be busy in retirement. I did community theater for ten years, so I might go and do that again. Stopping working after so many years is a big deal. I need some time to figure out what the next act is, but there will be a next act.”

We thank Mrs. Previti for her enormous contribution to and impact on the community. She undoubtedly embodies the positive spirit with which we all seek to approach learning. Her former students and I would like to sincerely thank Mrs. Previti for giving us the gift of curiosity and of a love for learning, and we congratulate her on her retirement.

Ms. Naomi Francois

Photo Credits: Pingry Communications

SARAH GU (V)

After seven years of dedicated service, Mr. Andrew Brown, an esteemed Upper School math teacher, has announced his impending departure from Pingry. His next educational endeavor will be at Morristown Beard School, where he will continue his passion for math instruction.

Since his arrival, Mr. Brown has left an indelible mark on the community, making invaluable contributions to enrich the math curriculum and igniting a love for mathematics in his students that echoes his own.

Although Mr. Brown is an accomplished math teacher today, his initial career trajectory aimed towards pastoral work, a path inspired by his upbringing in a Tennessee Baptist Church. He pursued this interest at Carson-Newman University, earning double majors in religion and philosophy, and subsequently acquired his Master’s in Divinity at the Princeton Theological Seminary. However, during his seminary studies, Mr. Brown realized his true passion lay in imparting knowledge. “It was while I was in seminary that I decided I didn’t want to work in the Church anymore,” he said. He realized that what he “enjoyed about working in a church was … learning

SRIYA TALLAPRAGADA (IV)

Ms. Kelly Mauger will be leaving Pingry at the end of this school year. Over her time at Pingry, she has been very involved with the community, both teaching AP Calculus AB and Geometry and assisting with this spring’s middle school musical. Ms. Mauger’s interest in mathematics started in high school. She then went on

GABRIEL RAYKIN (III)

As the school year comes to a close, we find ourselves both saying farewell and giving thanks to one of Pingry’s esteemed faculty members, Dr. Lisa Ievers.

Throughout her time at Pingry, Dr. Ievers has made significant contributions to the community through her dedication as a teacher for Geometry, Geometry Honors, and Advanced Algebra. She also followed her passion for running, graciously serving as an assistant coach for the Middle School Track and Field Team.

Prior to joining Pingry, Dr. Ievers earned a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and

CAROLYN ZHOU (IV)

After 11 years at Pingry, Mrs. Paula Fisher will be departing from the community. She has worked daily as a librarian to help students find resources, create libguides for projects, and put together book displays. She teaches students how to use library databases, and she keeps Pingry’s library running smoothly through cataloging, shelving, and ordering books.

Mrs. Fisher has helped innumerable students by providing them with the resources they need to succeed in their academic efforts. She has encouraged many of them to find a love of reading, and she enjoys it when students come

Mr. Andrew Brown

things and teaching people things.”

Combining his experience as a high school mathlete and a graduate school tutor, Mr. Brown decided to translate his passion for teaching into the realm of mathematics. “It was tricky,” he said, “because it was hard without a math background to convince people that I could actually do it … people kept telling me, ‘What about history? You could teach history,’ and I just didn’t want to.”

Mr. Brown started his teaching career at the Princeton Academy of the Sacred Heart as a middle school math teacher. He then journeyed to Jordan, where, in addition to teaching, he coached soccer at Kings Academy. After, he returned to New Jersey and joined Pingry, initially teaching geometry and algebra courses before transitioning into pre-calculus classes and AP Calculus AB.

Although he candidly admits that precalculus was not originally his favorite subject — “even now, I don’t find the general pre-calculus curriculum to be the most interesting” — Mr. Brown has found great satisfaction in shaping the Pre-calculus Honors course over the past four years.

Beyond academics, Mr. Brown has immersed himself in the community as a Junior Varsity Golf coach and a devoted leader of the Middle School Math Team.

Reflecting on his tenure at Pingry, he cherishes moments spent solving logical puzzles and playing games with Math Club, designing a Spring Intensive course combining his dual passions of math and board games, enjoying the Broadway show Dear Evan Hansen with Form IV students during their class trip in September, 2018, and engaging in lively debates about quadrilateral definitions with his colleagues in the math office.

As he looks to the future, Mr. Brown is eager to embrace the thrill of teaching in a new environment, maintaining his commitment to constant growth and keeping his educational journey “fresh and exciting.” He is also excited to continue his hobby of disc golf and dive into the renovation of the new home he and his wife recently purchased. “I am deeply grateful for the relationships I’ve built and the lessons I’ve learned during my seven years at Pingry,” he shared in his parting remarks. “I’ve had the privilege of teaching exceptional students and working with colleagues who have helped me become a better teacher and person.”

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Mr. Brown for his unwavering enthusiasm and influential contributions to Pingry, and we wish him all the best in his future endeavors.

Ms. Kelly Mauger

to receive her BA in mathematics from Drew University, later earning an MA in Mathematics Education from New York University. Prior to coming to Pingry, she taught at Morristown Beard School for 12 years, where she is returning to teach next year.

When asked why she became a teacher, Ms. Mauger references her time in the classroom: “I like helping students uncover

Philosophy from Bucknell University. She further pursued her education, obtaining Master’s and Ph.D. degrees in philosophy from John Hopkins University. Despite initial anxiety over public speaking, Dr. Ievers discovered her ability to break down complex concepts into manageable pieces of information. This talent led her to embark on a teaching career, spending eight years instructing collegelevel philosophy before transitioning to mathematics at Morristown Beard School.

One of Dr. Ievers’ fondest memories at Pingry is witnessing her students come together to review the year’s material in preparation for final exams. Seeing

new ideas — especially new mathematical ideas!” Her favorite Pingry memories include her time teaching and collaborating with her math colleagues. She enjoyed her time at Pingry, saying “I learned a lot being in a different school and community and look forward to taking those lessons with me into my life after Pingry.” The community wishes her the best of luck in her future!

Dr. Lisa Ievers

students recall forgotten information and apply their knowledge in new ways serves as a testament to the impact Dr. Ievers has had on this community, instilling both drive and confidence in her pupils. Looking ahead, Dr. Ievers plans to continue her teaching journey as she returns to Morristown Beard School. In bidding farewell, Dr. Ievers expresses her heartfelt gratitude to the entire Pingry community. She considers herself incredibly fortunate to have had the opportunity to teach such gifted students, who fearlessly tackled challenges and needed little motivation to excel. Thank you, Dr. Ievers, for your invaluable contributions to Pingry!

Mrs. Paula Fisher

back from college to visit and convey how much they recognize the importance of their college library to their studies. She has also been proclaimed the “Cricut Wizard,” helping clubs and faculty members alike create custom projects using the Cricut machine.

Mrs. Fisher was inspired to become a librarian after volunteering at her children’s school’s library. Before coming to Pingry, she worked as a librarian at Mount Saint Mary Academy in Watchung, New Jersey. She recalls, “There, I learned how every day is different. A librarian teaches, catalogs, conducts book talks, troubleshoots technology issues, and shelves books… all in a single day!”

Mrs. Fisher emphasizes the importance of reading banned or challenged books to the Pingry community, and she states that she is “passionate about supporting the freedom to read.” She says that “Librarians champion the right to access information for all people.” With this inclusive mindset, she has helped foster a welcoming and educational library environment for all students. Mrs. Fisher adds that “Books are a portal to different life experiences, and reading encourages empathy and understanding.” Her presence in Pingry’s library and the greater community will be sorely missed, and we wish her good luck in all of her future endeavors!

Photo Credits: Pingry

JINGJING LUO (IV)

After two years as a Middle School history teacher, Mr. Joseph Karpman will be leaving the Pingry community. Mr. Karpman graduated with a Bachelor’s degree from Vassar College and went on to complete his Master’s degree at Lesley University, specializing in K-8 literacy. Before Pingry, he taught at the New Canaan Country School and Saint Mary’s Hall. Since becoming a teacher, Mr. Karpman has been an active

ALESSIO PASINI (III)

After five years as a French teacher in the Upper and Middle Schools, Madame Anne Changeux is leaving us in June. As a very experienced teacher, Madame Changeux joined Pingry after nine years of teaching French and coordinating French exchange programs at Millburn High School, and another nine at the Peck School. She chose Pingry for the strength of the community and because she knew she could grow professionally with the support of the administration.

Madame Changeux said she will

MAX WATZKY (VI)

After seven years, Ms. Kathryn Smith is departing Pingry. Since arriving in 2016, Ms. Smith has had an enormous impact on the Upper School as a teacher and advisor. The community will greatly miss her warm presence and unwavering commitment to students.

Before her time at Pingry, Ms. Smith received a bachelor’s degree from Skidmore College and a master’s degree from the University of Kansas, both in classics. While at KU, Ms. Smith found fulfillment in teaching her discipline to a diverse student population. She recalled

GRACE FERNICOLA (V)

After 13 years as a member of the community, Ms. Julie Perlow will be leaving the school and moving to Boston, where she has taken a job as the Director of Student Life at the Kingsley Montessori School.

Ms. Perlow received her undergraduate degree at Skidmore College for social work and later attended Simmons University where she earned her

Mr. Joseph Karpman

member of the Pingry community, coaching football and lacrosse, sponsoring Model Rockets Club, co-running the Middle School Jewish Affinity Group, and leading two sixth-grade advisories. Aside from these various activities, Mr. Karpman also worked to exact change on an academic level, incorporating precolonial history into the seventh-grade curriculum, a topic that is often unexplored in many Middle School history courses. He has left a lasting impact on our school, especially on his

students. One of his favorite memories at Pingry is spending time with his advisory and seeing them grow from curious fifthgrade graduates to mature sixthgraders ready to take on Middle School. Mr. Karpman has forged a wonderful relationship with his students and will be missed next year as he moves to Massachusetts and continues to teach seventh and eighth-grade history. Mr. Karpman, we wish you the best of luck with your future endeavors!

Madame Anne Changeux

miss “everything about Pingry,” including the students, colleagues, the community, and the Basking Ridge campus. “Family is everything,” she said, and Pingry felt like a very special family. In particular, she will miss growing plants and vegetables with Ms. Tandon in the Pingry garden. Students will miss her ratatouille, her authentic crepes, and, most importantly, her infectious love for the French language and culture. Her students love how she made her classes “hands-on and engaging, with the perfect mix of instruction and fun.” Her legacy will remain in Basking Ridge, as she

knows that the French program, including the exchange programs, will remain strong without her, and students will continue to thrive.

Madame Changeux will be relocating to France over the summer. She will live in her beloved city of Paris, where she will teach French at a bilingual international school. She looks forward to reconnecting with family and friends and to eating delicious food. As her children are attending college in the US, she will be coming back regularly and is looking forward to visiting us when she does. Au revoir, Madame, et merci pour tout!

Ms. Kathryn Smith

how “the hope that I could make classics, a field which historically has been inaccessible to many, relatable and fun for every student who walks into my classroom, inspired me to become a teacher.”

While at Pingry, Ms. Smith taught Latin 4 Honors, Latin Literature, a two-part Advanced Topics Latin course, and the spring intensive course “Voices of a Cultural (R) evolution.” One of Ms. Smith’s Latin students, Ella Budenbender (VI), remarked that Ms. Smith “was always there when I needed help reviewing a topic or going over a test. She encouraged us to not only translate the Latin readings, but to connect

the ideas to culture, literature, and our world today.” Outside of teaching, Ms. Smith advised the Quiz Bowl team and the Spectrum Affinity Group. In all of her roles, Ms. Smith was proud that her classroom “had served as a safe space for these past seven years.” She remarked that her favorite moments at Pingry were those spent connecting with students, both present and former. Over the next few years, Ms. Smith hopes to spend more time with her three children before pursuing a Ph.D. in classics. We wish her the best of luck in all her future studies and endeavors. Thank you, Ms. Smith!

Ms. Julie Perlow

master’s in social work. Before coming to Pingry, Ms. Perlow worked in various elementary schools as a school social worker. At Pingry, Ms. Perlow is the Assistant Director of Student Life. She taught and expanded the Decisions course in the Lower School. She was a member of the Multicultural Team, collaborated with the student council, oversaw the community service events, and ran the assemblies at the Short Hills campus. Ms. Perlow

was also responsible for the establishment of Rufus Gunther Day in the Lower School. Ms. Perlow particularly enjoyed Pingry’s annual field days, the all-school concerts, the Lower School Rufus Gunther Days, and the visits from different Upper School groups and teams to greet the students in the mornings. The Pingry community sends our best wishes for happiness and success to Ms. Perlow in her new career!

Photo Credits: Pingry

We would also like to extend our heartfelt farewell to Ms. Kimberly Ady, Ms. Sara Borden, Ms. Shengjie Chen, Mrs. Ann D’Innocenzo, Dr. John Farhat, Ms. Jessica Gonzalez, Mr. Walker Smith, Ms. Kelsey Smits, and Ms. Olga Wickerhauser. These individuals have made significant and enduring contributions to our school, providing unwavering support to students throughout their journeys at Pingry. We deeply appreciate everything that they’ve brought to our community, and their absence will be felt profoundly in the upcoming school year.

Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow

MILENKA MEN (VI)

Over my high school experience, I’ve written a lot of monologues about saying goodbye. Funny how when it’s actually time to say goodbye, nothing comes out. I’m trying to recall my most memorable moments from high school. And to be honest, I’m failing. Trying to remember everything that has happened is like trying to download a deluge of photos from iCloud that I haven’t seen in years. It’s like playing an old film reel that was never developed in the first place: faded, foggy, and

grainy. Out of all of the current grades, the Class of 2023 has had the most disrupted high school experience. When I returned to campus in September of 2022, I felt like I was about to begin my first day of high school. It was right there: a high school completely de-plexiglassed, de-tented, and de-Zoomed. It was like time had reversed graciously, so I could actually live the freshman year I never got to have. But then it hit me that I would be walking into my first college lecture only a year later.

We all know that “time flies.”

From a metaphorical perspective, we all get that feeling sooner or later. When the days become too short for your brain to process and all of a sudden, the only highlight from your day’s events is what you had for lunch. Then you spend the night lamenting the fact that your short-term memory no longer efficiently stores anything in long-term memory anymore…

or that your long-term memory has been trashing memories you didn’t give permission for it to expel. Turns out, biology is not on our side. Children perceive more than adults do in the sense that they have more “memories” of each event. Imagine a slow-mo camera set to 60 frames per second. What you get is a nice, smooth, and connected shot. Now imagine a normal camera set to 30 frames per second. It’s clunky, choppy, and disjointed in comparison. Children capture more mental images per event than adults do. Thus, every unit of time seems longer to children than it would to a teenager or adult. So, as we grow up, we realize the true value of time.

I’m having trouble deciphering sophomore-year Spanish short stories from senior-year Spanish short stories. Sorry, when did I meet Ignacio again? Which one was Santiago Nasar? I can no longer recall which show it was that

my mic pack slipped off my shorts, and I had to hold it for the duration of the required jumping without tripping on its cord (although this could apply to multiple shows). Singing outside in a tent at freezing temperatures seems like a distant dream. There have been simply too many memories for my mind to flicker through with clarity. It’s like playing every Charlie Chaplin film at the same time — entertaining, but lacking in sense. Even my brain is procrastinating finality.

I started this year writing about the meaning of legacy in my first editorial as per Hamilton: “What is a legacy? It is planting seeds in a garden you never get to see.” I’ve spent my senior year hoping to give back to the Pingry community that helped raise me. As a soon-to-be graduate, I face the same predicament as Alexander Hamilton (albeit there is no Aaron Burr parallel). What will people remember me by — if anything?

The End of a Chapter

ELLA KARCH (IV)

As we flip the calendar and summer approaches, drawing us closer to the conclusion of another school year, our school corridors are abuzz with a unique blend of emotions. A sense of anticipation hangs in the air, with a hint of nostalgia. The approach of summer marks the inevitable turning point in our lives: the closing of one chapter and the thrilling uncertainty of the one to come. It stirs a contemplative question within us — should we greet this transition with sadness, mourning the ties we leave behind, or should we revel in the excitement of new beginnings?

The end of the school year

is undoubtedly a momentous occasion where we say farewell to friends and teachers who have become our second family, leave behind classrooms that have been the stage for our learning and growth, and part with routines and experiences that have become an intrinsic part of our daily lives. These ties that bind us to our school community are not easily severed, and the looming separation can fill our hearts with a sense of loss.

Yet, in the midst of this nostalgia, it’s important to remember that every ending is a new beginning.

Each completed school year marks a milestone in our personal and academic development, moving us forward on our individual journeys. We carry with us not just the

HITS

memories of the past year, but the knowledge, skills, and experiences that have shaped our character and worldview. As we step into the next phase, whether it’s a new grade, a different school, or an entirely distinct chapter of life, we don’t merely leave our past behind, but use it as the foundation upon which we build our future.

Embracing this dual perspective allows us to navigate this transition with resilience. It helps us to cherish the memories we’ve made while also anticipating the adventures that lie ahead. In this light, the end of the school year transforms into a celebration of growth, and testament to our evolving identities. Perhaps, then, the answer to our contemplative

question isn’t as binary as it initially seems. The conclusion of the school year should be met not with either sadness or excitement, but with a mature blend of both. It’s a moment to appreciate the profound journey

HITS AND MISSES

Who have I really become in the eyes of those around me?

But as a filmmaker and writer, I know that Lin-Manuel Miranda’s George Washington was right about only two of three things. I certainly don’t have control over who dies and who lives, but I do have control over who tells my story. Right here, right now. My story is one of friendship and compassion. It’s one of confusion and resolution. It’s one of curiosity and caution. It’s one of tears and laughter. It’s one of individuality and risk. And it’s nowhere near over. Life isn’t meant to be recorded. It’s meant to be experienced. I carry those experiences with me, whether I can recite them or not. All I need to know is that I’m here, on the edge of the world, and there is no day but today.

MISSES

THE RETURN OF MRS. KINNEY

SENIOR ASSASSIN

SNOWBALL

HOLI CELEBRATION

we’ve undertaken, acknowledge the friendships and connections we’ve fostered, and also look forward with eager hearts to the boundless opportunities awaiting us.

MRS. HARTZ LEAVING

SAC ASSEMBLY

CELEBRATE PINGRY CANCELED

SENIOR PRANK DAY

STUDENT

V. FACULTY GAME

COLLEGE BOARD

Photo Credits: Spotify, Kain Wang (V)

JAMBUDI (VI)

As my time at Pingry comes to an end, it’s bittersweet to think about the finality with which this chapter is ending. Over the past four years, I’ve found a second home and family in these hallowed halls. It’s strange leaving the enclosed safety net of Pingry and the Honor Code, which has caught me as I’ve experimented with new activities, tried out different interests, and faced challenging decisions.

I’ve already had to start the journey of saying goodbye to activities that I’ve loved and cherished at this school — swimming, passing down the Quizbowl QOTD list, IRT, HIRT, and various publications. Yet, it seems fitting that my final goodbye is through the Record

After all, it was my first introduction to the school. Before even setting foot on

SANIYA KAMAT (V)

My parents first moved from India to the United States in 1997 with a small amount of money accompanied by an abundance of dreams. It was a considerable shift, and I’ve heard innumerable immigrant stories about the struggles they encountered in this period of their lives.

The coldest temperature ever recorded in Mumbai was 45° Fahrenheit. My mom tells me they weren’t aware you were supposed to wear boots in the snow, so it would always soak through their shoes. Thanksgiving is not a holiday celebrated in India. My mom tells me about how on their first Thanksgiving here, all the restaurants were closed by 5 PM, and they couldn’t find any food.

She tells me about how she didn’t know a student named “Jesus” (He-soos) wasn’t called “Jesus” (Jee-sus). She tells me about how she bought a car before even knowing how to drive. She tells me about how she used to sleep with a knife under her bed.

I am a first-generation American of immigrant parentage, and my ethnicity has dramatically influenced who I am today. My name is Saniya Kamat, but over the years, I have learned to respond to “Sa-nee-ya Khumaat,” “Sa-na-ya Kha-mut,” or at some points during my time at Pingry, completely different names altogether, including but not limited to Aanya, Ananya, Anika, Sasha, and even Divya — all of which are names of friends in my grade, if you’re not aware.

Remember This Moment

campus as a freshman, I’d read every issue of the Record I could find from the past ten years, trying to get a glimpse of what was in store for me. Naively, I thought that I could figure everything out and plan the next four years ahead of me before I’d even started. A completely new school and environment was a daunting adjustment, and I was a wide-eyed and lost freshman who looked ridiculous limping around the first two months of school in my fracture boot. Reading through the Record, however, calmed some of the anxieties I was facing. I especially cherished the senior reflections and editorials in the Commencement issue, hoping that one day I would be able to pen a profound reflection of my own, defining my Pingry experience with my own #BigBlueMoment, or meaningful interaction.

But the truth is that it wasn’t that simple for me. When I try to think of something that defines my experience into a singular moment, my mind draws a blank — it’s simply impossible. It’s like trying to choose a single person you want to stay in touch with, a single photo to keep from your camera roll, or the best Taylor Swift album of all time.

Nothing I read about high school could have prepared me for my own experience, though. Class of 2023, we admittedly got the short end of the stick. COVID-19 cut

our freshman year short and took hold of our sophomore and junior years. It was astonishing to me when I realized that senior year would be our first actual year of high school, one that we could finally spend fully together and put the days of plexiglass and masks behind us. Moments of impromptu karaoke in the senior area, solidarity and camaraderie during the college application season, and bonding together as a grade during the retreat defined the Class of 2023 for me this year. It may be a bit cliché, but the people, not the place, are what make Pingry so special. Within the greater community, I’ve found so many subsets of communities through clubs, sports, and even just common interests. I’m grateful to have met so many considerate and exciting people at this school. I also consider myself lucky to have had so many teachers along the way who genuinely care about what I’m interested in doing, supporting me as I’ve looked to get involved with subjects beyond classroom walls.

On that note, some of my most valuable learning experiences at Pingry weren’t within the classroom walls. It was talking about William Faulkner and American Modernism with my HIRT, getting to dissect the brain of a fruit fly after school in my sophomore year (and spending a summer taking care of them in my garage), learning random bits

and pieces of trivia with Quizbowl, or simply spending hours and hours in the freshman area talking with Mr. Keating or lying on the floor in the Chemistry office to pester my teachers with questions. If you try to lean into the community and all it offers, you’ll emerge as a more enjoyable and genuine person to talk to and develop a lifelong love for learning.

The best part about Pingry is that you can embrace the moniker “And.” You can be a swimmer and do Quizbowl. You can enjoy the sciences and love the humanities. You can do the publications and be involved with research. Some of my favorite activities and memories came from saying “yes” to clubs and opportunities offered, like participating in LeBow, doing a virtual global travel course to the Balkans, and getting involved with the publications. I can’t imagine having done anything differently. No box limits you to who you can be or what you can do, and I would take advantage of that.

One final thing — don’t forget to have fun and spend time with your friends. Spending time with the people you love and care about is the most meaningful way to spend your time, far more than last-minute cramming for that test, taking an extra AP instead of a free, or stressing out over a minor grade. In the grand scheme, grades and test scores fade away. I can’t remember what I

Words from a Methi Thepla Eater

I have been learning to acclimate to the casual racism faced by so many in America since I was a child. In kindergarten, my mom would pack me methi theplas, an Indian flatbread made with the herb fenugreek, almost every day for lunch. One day, I was silently eating my methi thepla when a boy in my class turned to me: “Why are you eating dog poop?”

My generation grew up watching popular, seemingly innocent, Disney Channel TV shows like Jessie and Phineas and Ferb, both of which, in reality, have extremely ethnically stereotypical Indian characters. The supposedly humorous personas of Ravi in Jessie and Baljeet in Phineas and Ferb constantly portray stereotypical Indian traits, such as being exceedingly nerdy with no social skills and having exceptionally thick accents that most Indian people you’ll meet do not have. The children who watch these shows — literal elementary schoolers — have no idea they’re being exposed to all kinds of racist stereotypes that will almost definitely form biases in their minds and impact how they view different ethnicities.

My own brother, who’s ten years old and, not to mention, Indian American, still watches both of

these shows on Disney+. I, in turn, as his older sister, have to fulfill the duty of constantly reminding him about the stereotypes being portrayed so he doesn’t grow up believing that all Indian people are “supposed” to act like that. We are in the 21st century, and I still see little to no accurate South Asian representation in the media. A study conducted by the University of Southern California found that less than 3.4% of the top-grossing films

and both of them are from Aladdin

got on my sophomore year Honors Bio problem sets, but I do remember the latenight conversations I had during Model Congress my freshman year, grabbing dinner with the Record , and yelling myself hoarse with my teammates at swim meets. I remember people rushing up to the stage and enveloping me in hugs after winning LeBow, classmates reassuring me after I walked into a wall in the library (and chipped my tooth pretty badly), and talking about anything and everything with friends as we went on nature walks around Pingry. I would highly recommend going outside, going to the pond and birdwatching, or even spending time with the chickens. In the end, it’s the memories and relationships you carry forward from your time at Pingry, and I think this is a big part of why so many alums come back to the school to visit, year after year.

There’s not much I would change about my high school experience and the choices I’ve made, but I hope that I’ve been able to leave even an inkling of a legacy behind. For now, I’m looking forward to holding onto the memories and friendships, returning to visiting teachers and friends, and the next chapter ahead. And to any nervous freshmen reading this — you’ve got no reason to be afraid. Take a moment and cherish the time you have here. You can face this.

from 2007 to 2019 had an Asian or Pacific Islander character in the lead. Additionally, 40.2% of these movies had neither characters with Asian names nor characters who spoke Asian languages. As a performer and avid lover of musical theater, I am constantly searching for Asian, specifically, South Asian, representation in the media and performing arts, longing to feel like I belong. And yet, there are only two South Asian American Broadway performers I can name,

This brings me to my next point: while representation is rising, it also feels like South Asian American actors are only cast into roles that need to be played by someone who is South Asian. In the show Never Have I Ever, the plot centers around Indian-American high schooler Devi Vishwakumar, played by Tamil-Canadian Maitreyi Ramakrishnan. And while I love the show and often can relate to Devi, the entire storyline is based on the fact that Devi’s family is from India. The role needs to be played by someone who is brown. It would be nice to see South Asian American actors in parts that don’t center around the character being South Asian so that South Asian American youth like me don’t grow up thinking that their only defining trait is their South Asian heritage.

Due to a lack of representation in the media, I, at the age of 17, still excitedly point out Asian people I see on screen while watching TV like a little girl or note their absence, sometimes causing an awkward silence: “Why are all 19 of the named characters in the Into the Woods movie white?” Have you ever noticed? Maybe if children were exposed to more diverse and accurately represented

cultures and characters, I wouldn’t have had such negative experiences with my ethnicity growing up. My point is that while we’ve improved a great deal as a society, it needs to be acknowledged and remembered that we still have so far to go, especially with South Asian representation. The fact that Priyanka Chopra, a remarkably famous and successful former Bollywood (now Hollywood) actress, who has significantly more than double her husband’s followers on Instagram, is still sometimes referred to as just “Nick Jonas’s wife” is astonishing. The fact that schools are given days off for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur but not Diwali or Durga Pooja is absurd. And the fact that some children of color still grow up wishing they were white because boys in their kindergarten class make fun of them for eating “dog poop” hurts me more than words can express.

As a high school student, I do my best to accurately represent my culture: speaking up at South Asian Affinity Group meetings, teaching 20 young girls Bollywood dance over the summers, telling people to watch shows like Bridgerton, starting an Indian Dance Club, performing on the Hauser stage countless times, and reminding people that South Asians, while we have brown skin, are Asian too. There is so much more we need to do in order for people to feel represented so that the generation after us doesn’t grow up feeling the same way some of us did. I can only hope the change comes soon enough for me to see it.

Photo Credits: Kain Wang (V)

MIRIKA

ADAM ELAYAN (V)

Let’s rewind to the NBA AllStar game in February. If you don’t remember much about it, that might be because it was just another game in a long line of NBA All-Star snoozefests. The match that used to be a chance to see the best players compete against one another has become, as Celtic’s All-Star Jalen Brown put it, “a glorified layup line.” His sentiments are echoed by much of the NBA community, and the game’s worsening unwatchability, caused by players’ lack of effort to “load manage” in preparation for the playoffs, denotes a larger trend towards efficiency that has swept through two mainstream American sports: basketball and baseball.

In today’s NBA, a large number of stars play the fewest amount of games possible while still being able to take their teams to the playoffs. Most

Efficiency: The Bane of the Sports Fan

teams have also chosen to live and die by the three-pointer. The popularity of the shot had been slowly rising in the decades between its inception in 1979 and the mid-2010s, but Steph Curry’s superhuman shooting displays in his back-to-back MVP campaigns in 2015 and 2016 sent the shot’s growth into overdrive. He showed how valuable good threepoint shooting could be to an offense for spacing the floor and scoring in volume. Curry’s prowess started a revolution which values three-point shooting over nearly any other skill. The math of the shot makes it a surprise that the movement did not happen sooner — a few simple calculations reveal it’s statistically more productive to shoot 34% from the three line than to shoot 50% from the two point line. Efficient as the shot may be, the heavy reliance on the three-pointer, whose average conversion rate hovers around 36%,

JULIA ENG (V)

As I reflect on my junior year, I find that the greatest challenge I faced was not the colossal amount of work, the difficulty to maintain grades, or the weight of college — it was managing the stress induced by self-inflicted pressure. But managing stress is much easier said than done. It was a constant challenge to reframe the way I viewed my relationships with school, my social life, and ultimately myself. That was, until my anxiety seemed to vanish last summer. Overnight, I became the carefree girl that I had dreamed of becoming. It wasn’t that my self-improvement had paid off or that I had “put in the work” — it felt like I had been granted some

leads to some games where one or both teams listlessly chuck up threes regardless of how many they miss in a row. Combine this with the number of games that stars miss for “load management” in preparation for unguaranteed playoff appearances, and fans can drive hundreds of miles to see their favorite players sit out while bench players trade turns bricking three-point attempts.

The move towards a more efficient game took over the MLB about a decade earlier than it did the NBA. The analytics movement started by the Money-Ball Oakland Athletics taught teams that OnBase Percentage (OBP) should reign supreme rather than Batting Average because the value of a walk compared with a single is negligible. With the focus shifted to OBP, the league-wide batting average has been plummeting since 2002, despite relatively normal league-wide OBPs. Overall offensive

production, despite fewer hits, remains at a familiar rate because home runs became the main source of offense. This shift in the game should, in theory, make baseball even more attractive to fans, given the obsession and fanfare that have surrounded the home run since Babe Ruth originally gave rise to its popularity over a hundred years ago. However, the one drawback of the home run has always been the strikeouts that come with it. The league’s top home run hitters have always posted above-average strikeout rates, but today, when more players are capable of hitting home runs and pitchers are pitching with strikeouts in mind, swing-and-miss numbers have skyrocketed. Seeing fewer than 20 punch-outs in a single trip to the ballpark has become a rarity. Having so many at-bats end fruitlessly makes an already slowmoving game borderline glacial. In some cases, a professional baseball

The Promises of Modern Wellness Culture

sort of miracle. Thus, I came into my junior year with the hubris and naïvité that only comes from being freshly seventeen, full of sun, and having spent six weeks in paradise, otherwise known as a walkable city.

But after six months of bliss and breezing through class, my time was up. I was bursting into tears at the supermarket, unable to sleep or think clearly. I panicked. How was I supposed to fix myself this time?

For this, I turned to the wellness market of green smoothies, workout videos, 5 a.m. wakeups, and shiny, neon orb-filled Instagram ads telling you that buying a new mattress will cure your anxiety. Online, I consumed images of visual wellness, each depicting a carefully curated “healthy” lifestyle which is

marketed as intuitive and easy to achieve. These images are a mere representation of the supposed hard work of self-love. But images are misleading; we buy things we don’t need, and we do things that don’t work. In the end, we don’t see the benefits of wellness culture — influencers and corporations do. The modern wellness movement, rather than emphasizing solitary growth, is about virtue signaling to others that you have the time and resources to take care of yourself.

Now, wellness on its own is not necessarily a negative thing. It normalizes taking better care of ourselves, which in turn benefits those around us, and it permits us to indulge in the small pleasures that we were born to experience

— quiet afternoons, lemon loaves, warm showers, and peace. But with the addition of social media to this mix, our curated personas are not ones that garner pity, but rather jealousy. There’s something so easily consumable about wellness, and it quickly becomes a competition. Who can enjoy life the most? We want others to see and to envy how we let the stress gracefully roll off our back like beads of sweat after a pilates class. Online, wellness culture hides clever marketing schemes and the capitalist desire to profit off of insecurity.

So, when I tried my hand at being “well” by the standards of social media, of course it didn’t work. Mental and physical health are things that we would like to believe

game can be a truly punishing watch. While the NBA’s attendance continues to thrive (despite many fans’ reservations about the playstyle), MLB’s attendance has undergone a steady decline over the last 30 years, a trend exacerbated by the waning attention spans of much of the population. Fans like to complain about the directions of both sports, myself included. There are rampant discussions of better days when players were more competitive and played the right way. The fact is, with the leaps forward in technology, analytics were bound to take over sports. The shifting playstyles are due to analysts, players, and coaches looking for the most efficient ways to do their jobs. Fans just have to suck it up and enjoy all the great things left rather than wish for some makebelieve past in which the games had no issues.

are simple goals. But wellness is not one-size-fits-all, neither is it tangible, purchasable, or easy to achieve. We would all love it if being anxiety-free was as simple as handing everyone an overpriced sweatshirt that has the word empathy in bold letters. We, as consumers, must be conscious of what we’re buying — a product or a promise?

A Modern Take on A Doll’s House, With the Same Old Flaws

GRACE FERNICOLA (V)

Last month, I saw the Broadway production of A Doll’s House, based on the play written by Henrik Ibsen. The revival starred Academy Awardwinning actress Jessica Chastain as the protagonist, Nora Helmer, a young housewife and mother who realizes she no longer wants to be what her husband and society expect her to. The play is one of several works about a woman’s “awakening” from the constraints of the late nineteenth-century patriarchal society that my English class studied last year.

The Hudson Theater stage is completely gutted to the bricks and pipes, with the walls and ceiling painted black, save for “1879” projected on the back wall. For 20 minutes before showtime, Chastain sits motionless in a wooden chair, spinning slowly around the stage's perimeter, seemingly watching the audience. Apart from five wooden chairs, one for each actor, all dressed in black, the show uses no props.

For most of the play, Chastain performs from the confines of her chair, like a stationary ballerina in a

music box, leaving it to the audience to imagine the scenes around her. When the play opens, Nora is cheerful about her husband Torvald’s upcoming promotion, as it should allow her more time to play with her children and keep up the clean, beautiful house Torvald likes. In addition, Nora can finally repay the money she secretly borrowed for a trip to help Torvald recuperate from an illness. We later learn that Nora obtained the loan unlawfully by forging her father’s signature.

Nora seems genuinely happy about her family’s future, and even about playing the role of Torvald’s beautiful doll, his “songbird,” which is dependent on him yet indulges in entertaining him: she flirts, dances, and even talks in a babyish voice, despite Torvald’s criticisms.

Nora’s apparent contentment for

a good portion of the play leaves me wondering what ultimately leads her to decide that she can’t bear another minute in a home controlled by Torvald. Nothing suggests that Nora has tired of her family duties; there are no hints of frustration or indignation over

be different, but other than depicting Torvald as a crueler, unhinged spouse any woman — in 1879 or 2023 — would reasonably despise after eight years of marriage, the same holes in the story remain.

sacrificed desires or ambitions. Her heart is not set on a future profession, owning property, pursuing hobbies, or other romantic partners. After all, she loves Torvald enough to break the law for his welfare. Maybe I had wrongly hoped this version of the play might

Even the triggering moment, when Nora finally realizes she is trapped, seems at odds with a woman desperate to break free from her husband and stand on her own two feet: when Torvald learns about her past forgery, he refuses to sacrifice his reputation and take the blame for Nora. But why should he? Yet, disappointingly, that is the “aha” moment when Nora sees her future path: she is an independent human being who must discover herself away from a home in which she is no more than a doll.

Oddly enough, the sparseness of

the set makes Nora’s decision slightly more credible for me. We never get to see the façade she creates to hide the emptiness inside her — no glimpse into her luxurious Victorian home filled with beautifully dressed, polite children and fancy parties. The lack of these details conceals the complexities of Nora’s decision to leave all that comfort and security behind. Instead, after staring at the sterile darkness for almost two hours, I wanted to finally get up out of my seat and flee as much as Nora did. I knew from English class how this was likely to end for Nora. However progressive her feelings may have been in 1879, she would soon discover that patriarchal society had not yet evolved enough to enable her to flourish as an autonomous woman. With her realization more like an epiphany rather than a gradual awakening — and inadequate time to strengthen her resolve or devise a plan — Nora is doomed from the get-go. Besides her trendy black dress and boots, she is ill-equipped to survive on her own as she exits the stage door onto the New York City streets, glancing left, then right, before aimlessly walking away with her head down.

Photo Credits: Google Images

Class of 2023: Off to College

Babson College

Barnard College

Bates College

Boston College

Boston University

Brown University

Carnegie Mellon University

Clemson University

Colgate University

College of the Holy Cross

Columbia University

Cornell University

Dartmouth College

Denison University

Duke University

Elon University

Emory University

Fairfield University

Fordham University

George Washington University

Georgetown University

Hampton University

Harvard University

Haverford College

Hobart and William Smith Colleges

Howard University

Indiana University

Johns Hopkins University

Lafayette College

Lehigh University

Loyola Marymount University

Loyola University Maryland

Macalester College

Middlebury College

New York University

Northeastern University

Northwestern University

Oberlin College of Arts and Sciences

Occidental College

Pennsylvania State UniversityUniversity Park

Pomona College

Princeton University

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Ringling College of Art and Design

Rutgers UniversityNew Brunswick

Skidmore College

Smith College

Southern Methodist University

Stanford University

Stevens Institute of Technology

Texas A&M University

Texas Christian University

The University of Texas at Austin

Tulane University

University of California, Berkeley

University of California, Merced

University of Chicago

University of Denver

University of Florida

University of Maryland

University of Miami

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

University of Notre Dame

University of Pennsylvania

University of Richmond

University of Rochester

University of Southern California

University of Wisconsin, Madison

Vanderbilt University

Villanova University

Virginia Polytechnic Institute

Wake Forest University

Washington and Lee University

Washington University in St. Louis

Williams College

Wofford College

Yale University

The 1902 Emblem

The Class of 1902 Emblem is awarded to John Paul Salvatore of the Class of 2023, who, while at The Pingry School, by the efficiency and the amount of service and loyalty of attitude has done the most for the school, and who has been judged therefore by schoolfellows and faculty to have shown of them all the greatest amount of school spirit.

The Class of 1902 Emblem represents the highest ideals of The Pingry School. The nominees chosen by their classmates and faculty are considered to embody the very principles of integrity and service that lie at the heart of the institution. Thus, even to be nominated for this award is regarded as a paramount honor.

E, M

How many years have you attended Pingry?: 8

What are your trademark characteristics?: Leadership, charisma, resourceful, a little too loud, the kid with the glasses

What Pingry activities are you involved with?: Student Government, Latino Student Union, Tennis Captain, SmartHeart IRT

What are your college plans?: Columbia University

Career possibilities?: Mechanical Engineer or some other type of engineer but definitely an engineer

What is your senior year song?: “Some Nights” by FUN

What is your favorite memory from Pingry?: Being “Steve Harvey” for Family Feud with Luigi at the Hispanic Heritage Month assembly. Everyone on stage was super funny, the audience was laughing, I was sharing my culture with the community, and it was a moment I will never forget.

What will you take away from Pingry?: What I believe and hope will be the perfect preparation for me to begin my journey in the real world. I have cultivated a myriad of skills in leadership, academics, negotiation, ethics which are unique to my Pingry experience and will serve me well in the future. This school helped form me into who I am. What advice do you have for underclassmen?: Make tangible and long-lasting relationships with people. I have met so many incredible people through this school. Checking-in with them and having them check-in with me because they truly care gave me a real community at Pingry, one which will continue to be a part of me for the rest of my life.

JOHN PAul SAlvAtORE

The Magistri Laudandi Award

In every class, there is one student who graciously gives of themself to help the school and fellow students, who demonstrates a personal integrity and generosity that inspire the best in others. This person’s own achievements are many, yet their sense of purpose is to the greater good. While others may be identified as "the student most likely to succeed," this person is prized as "the student who helps all succeed.”

How many years have you attended Pingry?: 10

What are your trademark characteristics?: Empathy, dedication, pushing on ‘pull’ doors, pulling on ‘push’ doors

What Pingry activities are you involved with?: IRT, Fencing, Jewish Affinity Group, Broken Wreckord, Astronomy Club

What are your college plans?: Yale University

Career possibilities?: Something related to science or engineering, but I’m open to having my mind changed.

What is your senior year song?: “Buttercup” by Jack Stauber

What is your favorite memory from Pingry?: Senior Prom

What will you take away from Pingry?: Relationships with peers, friends, and teachers, and an appreciation of how those relationships have shaped me into the person I am today.

What advice do you have for underclassmen?: Show up for the people you care about, and don’t be afraid to ask for help.

The Magistri Laudandi Award is awarded to Max Watzky.

Nominees for 1902 Emblem (E) & Magistri l a udandi (M) Awards

CARSON CluNIS M

How many years have you attended Pingry?: 4

What are your trademark characteristics?: Smiling, upbeat, open-minded, witty, enthusiastic

What Pingry activities are you involved with?: Peer Leadership, Ski Team, Black Student Union, Track and Field

What are your college plans?: Tulane University

Career possibilities?: Not too sure yet... Maybe something geared towards business law

What is your senior year song?: “Circles” by Post Malone

What is your favorite memory from Pingry?: Seniors holding hands and jumping into the pool at night during the senior retreat

What will you take away from Pingry?: I will be leaving this school with a stronger work ethic and a greater appreciation for connections with people both older and younger who have different stories to tell.

What advice do you have for underclassmen?: Try your best to find balance now before later. You can have a lot of fun and still do well in school. Do not burn yourself out.

JulIA COvEllO E

How many years have you attended Pingry?: 4

What are your trademark characteristics?: Leadership, outgoing, dedicated

What Pingry activities are you involved with?: Student Government, SAC, Peer Leadership, Covenant House Student Ambassador, Soccer, Basketball, and Track and Field

What are your college plans?: Boston College

Career possibilities?: Molecular Biological Research

What is your senior year song?: “Belly Belly Nice” by Dave Matthews Band

What is your favorite memory from Pingry?: Basketball Senior Night

What will you take away from Pingry?: A genuine appreciation for my teachers who recognized and nurtured my individual strengths, and my peers whose diverse talents and perspectives created an enriching and stimulating environment.

What advice do you have for underclassmen?: Take advantage of the bright minds you are surrounded by and abundant opportunities you are provided with.

AlExANdRA dROvEtSky M

How many years have you attended Pingry?: 13

What are your trademark characteristics?: Extroverted, kind, loud, “sorry I can’t go, I have fencing”

What Pingry activities are you involved with?: Student Government, IRT, Fencing, Senior Giving Committee, Humans of Pingry

What are your college plans?: Yale University

Career possibilities?: Consulting, marketing, sales, entrepreneurship

What is your senior year song?: “Doses & Mimosas” by Cherub

What is your favorite memory from Pingry?: The entirety of Mr. Keating’s Freedom class

What will you take away from Pingry?: How grateful I was to be surrounded by some of the most amazing and intelligent people in the world, and all the things I’ve learned from them. Wouldn’t trade these 13 years for anything else.

What advice do you have for underclassmen?: Take advantage of the present. Don’t be too hard on yourself about your future - it all works out how it’s supposed to. Work hard, but don’t forget to have fun!

JOHN GRISSINGER E

How many years have you attended Pingry?: 7

What are your trademark characteristics?: Adventurous, kind, observant, succinct

What Pingry activities are you involved with?: Water Polo, Swimming, Outing Club, IRT

What are your college plans?: Duke University after a gap year

Career possibilities?: I don’t really know what I want to do, I see myself doing something biology related though

What is your senior year song?: “Burn, Burn, Burn” by Zach Bryan

What is your favorite memory from Pingry?: Junior year, beating Lawrenceville in the water polo state tournament

What will you take away from Pingry?: The ability to talk with adults and create meaningful connections.

What advice do you have for underclassmen?: Get to know your teachers.

How many years have you attended Pingry?: 4

What are your trademark characteristics?: Passionate, friendly, smiling a lot, always on my way to a meeting, sleep-deprived

What Pingry activities are you involved with?: Pingry Record, Calliope, PCR, Broken Wreckord, IRT, AmMod HIRT, Varsity Swimming, Quizbowl, The Denan Project

What are your college plans?: Harvard College

Career possibilities?: Possibly medicine, maybe government... hopefully something meaningful

What is your senior year song?: “You’re On Your Own, Kid” by Taylor Swift

What is your favorite memory from Pingry?: Senior year, winning the swimming Prep Championships and breaking 30 seconds in the 50 free

What will you take away from Pingry?: Lifelong friends and mentors, a love of learning, many navy blue t-shirts, unforgettable friendships and memories, and a place to always call home.

What advice do you have for underclassmen?: Take advantage of all Pingry has to offer and cherish the time you have here. Build relationships with your peers and teachers. Support the people you care about and show up for the things they love. Working hard and being a good person matters more than pretty much anything.

MIRIkA JAMbudI E, M

Nominees for 1902 Emblem (E) & Magistri l a udandi (M) Awards

CHARlES JIANG E, M

How many years have you attended Pingry?: 7

What are your trademark characteristics?: Diligent, earnest, kind, passionate, driven, red hair

What Pingry activities are you involved with?: Varsity Fencing, Drover IRT, Taiko Drumming, Fall Play

What are your college plans?: University of Notre Dame

Career possibilities?: Maybe technology sector, maybe AI, maybe health, something I can make an impact in.

What is your senior year song?: “Hope” by NF

What is your favorite memory from Pingry?: Senior Prom

What will you take away from Pingry?: The importance of forming strong relationships. You can always accomplish more as a group than by yourself.

What advice do you have for underclassmen?: Be proactive and put yourself out there. There’s so much Pingry has to offer as a community beyond just getting good grades and doing your required activities, so utilize it. Get involved in the community whether it’s befriending teachers and students from other grades or joining organizations and extracurriculars. Figure out who you are, and have fun while doing it.

MEHER kHAN E, M

How many years have you attended Pingry?: 10

What are your trademark characteristics?: Sweet, caring, attentive, passionate, diligent What Pingry activities are you involved with?: Balladeers, South Asian Affinity Group, Squash, HIRT, FYI Sci, The Denan Project, Care-Full, Blue Key, Peer Leadership

What are your college plans?: Middlebury College

Career possibilities?: Law and advocacy, maybe human rights law and criminal law. What is your senior year song?: “Everything is Everything” by Lauryn Hill

What is your favorite memory from Pingry?: Field Day in the Lower School

What will you take away from Pingry?: Hard work does not always result in success, but it does result in resilience, patience, and strength.

What advice do you have for underclassmen?: Be friends with everybody. It’s easy to let your friends influence your opinion on others and think that certain people are weird and unlikeable, but what matters the most is your own relationship with them. Do not let people bring you down for being who you are. What matters the most is what makes you content!

MARIA lOSS E, M

How many years have you attended Pingry?: 4

What are your trademark characteristics?: Charismatic, outgoing, adventurous, bad speller

What Pingry activities are you involved with?: Lacrosse, Basketball, IRT, FYI Sci, Anatomy Club, Multiracial Affinity Group, Handbells, Outing Club, Blue Key

What are your college plans?: Washington University St. Louis

Career possibilities?: Healthcare Management

What is your senior year song?: “Guilty Pleasure” by Bryce Vine

What is your favorite memory from Pingry?: Listening to Mr. Grant’s stories in AP Chem while working very hard

What will you take away from Pingry?: Life and high school are not as deep as everyone makes it out to be. Take AP Chem and fail half of the tests. Pingry is a place where it is encouraged to make mistakes, learn from them, and improve the next time. It’s ok to be afraid to fail, but it is vital to learn to have the courage to take risks despite the fear of failure. What advice do you have for underclassmen?: Take every opportunity to make yourself a better student, athlete, and friend by chasing challenges in the form of starting a new club or taking a difficult course that will improve your character. Involve yourself in the school and get to know the community; it will open so many doors for you in the future. And have fun!

How many years have you attended Pingry?: 13

What are your trademark characteristics?: Compassion, respect, perseverance, integrity, empathy

What Pingry activities are you involved with?: Boys Soccer, ESG Business Club, Stock Market Club, Athletics Media Team

What are your college plans?: University of Florida

Career possibilities?: Something within the finance industry

What is your senior year song?: “Learning to Fly” by Tom Petty

What is your favorite memory from Pingry?: Senior Prom - it was great to see everyone in the grade come together for a special event and have a really fun night with each other. What will you take away from Pingry?: The importance of community as each one of us experiences our own highs and lows in life.

What advice do you have for underclassmen?: Work your hardest to enjoy every single day at Pingry because time truly does fly. Go to that party with your friends, practice with the basketball team, reach for an extra AP course, and try something new.

AlEx MASSEy E, M

Nominees for 1902 Emblem (E) & Magistri l a udandi (M) Awards

MIlENkA MEN E, M

How many years have you attended Pingry?: 11

What are your trademark characteristics?: Driven, creative, reliable, compassionate, that one person belting in the hallways

What Pingry activities are you involved with?: Fall Play, Winter Musical, Middle School Musical, IRT, Pingry Record, Parker Road Review

What are your college plans?: Dartmouth College

Career possibilities?: Something related to astrophysics, science, and media - Carl Sagan 2.0 - maybe I’ll go back to being starstuff

What is your senior year song?: “Long Live” by Taylor Swift

What is your favorite memory from Pingry?: “Urinetown” opening night when we all found out that we could perform mask-less for the first time since the pandemic began

What will you take away from Pingry?: All of the people that I have met and interacted with, whether it’s a student, teacher, or alumnus. I’ve learned to treasure the relationships and connections I’ve made. All of them have taught me something. They’ll be with me “like a handprint on my heart” (iykyk).

What advice do you have for underclassmen?: Take risks and make mistakes. Pingry is a place that supports you and gives you a safety net full of teachers, classmates, and community to fall back on. Most of the time, you’ll end up rising farther than you would have if you played it safe.

dIEGO PASINI E

How many years have you attended Pingry?: 4

What are your trademark characteristics?: Inquisitive, passionate, optimistic, fascination with Napoleonic History

What Pingry activities are you involved with?: Robotics, Drover IRT, Honor Board, Cross Country

What are your college plans?: UPenn M&T program

Career possibilities?: Something in tech, likely related to robotics or artificial intelligence

What is your senior year song?: “Here Comes the Sun” by the Beatles

What is your favorite memory from Pingry?: Winning FTC States with the Robotics Team

What will you take away from Pingry?: Besides the amazing bonds with friends and teachers I made, Pingry has taught me to truly be interdisciplinary. From the late nights in the robotics room, history debates, and ethical discussions with the Honor Board, Pingry has expanded my horizons and allowed me to explore different fields.

What advice do you have for underclassmen?: Pingry is full of incredible people and resources. The four years go by quickly, so take advantage of every second. Try the new club, take the new class, and don’t be afraid. In the end your time at Pingry is about finding who you are and what you love to do.

StEPHANIE tICAS E,

M

How many years have you attended Pingry?: 13

What are your trademark characteristics?: Kindness, hardworking, gratitude, good listener

What Pingry activities are you involved with?: Honor Board, HIRT, Balladeers, Writing Center, Peer Leadership

What are your college plans?: Villanova University

Career possibilities?: I’m interested in Psychology, but still need to see how I want to apply that to a career.

What is your senior year song?: “Vienna” by Billy Joel

What is your favorite memory from Pingry?: Field day in the lower school is my favorite memory, specifically the relay races and tug-of-war. I’m a committed blue team member and still remember the excitement of that day!

What will you take away from Pingry?: I’ve learnt at Pingry that people will remember you less for what you’ve done, and most for how you made them feel. It is important to make an active effort to spread positivity and live the qualities you want to be remembered for.

What advice do you have for underclassmen?: Although it’s said often, you really don’t know what others are going through. So try your best to view situations and people in a positive light. Your kindness and caring can make all the difference to someone having a hard time.

luIS zAvAlA E

How many years have you attended Pingry?: 4

What are your trademark characteristics?: Passionate, outgoing, optimistic

What Pingry activities are you involved with?: Buttondowns, Latino Student Union, Wrestling, Peer Leadership, Student Government

What are your college plans?: Columbia University

Career possibilities?: Something with psychology or medicine

What is your senior year song?: “Neverita” by Bad Bunny

What is your favorite memory from Pingry?: Buttondowns Movie 2022-2023

What will you take away from Pingry?: Building strong relationships with yourself and other people begins by just being your authentic self.

What advice do you have for underclassmen?: Step out of your comfort zone once in a while because you’d be surprised by the opportunities that come your way

MIRIKA JAMBUDI (VI)

Welcome to the final book column of the year and my final book column of high school! For my last book column, I wanted to share three of my favorite books of all time. While many books have contributed to shaping me into the person I am today, these three have remained timeless classics

Mirika’s Reading Range

that I return to time and time again.

The first book on my list is Sharon Creech’s Walk Two Moons. Walk Two Moons follows the journey of Salamanca “Sal” Huddle, a 13-year-old girl who is dealing with the loss of her mom, moving to a new town, and making new friends as she embarks on a cross-country trip with her grandparents to retrace her mother’s steps. This book is one that I’ve revisited as I’ve grown older. What I like most about it is its emphasis on empathy and the human experience. People come from diverse backgrounds and have different stories to tell, so you “can’t judge a man until you’ve walked two moons in his moccasins.” It’s important to try to understand other perspectives before jumping to conclusions. The snippets from different forms of communication in the book — letters, journal entries, and folk songs — all come together to tell one cohesive story about Sal and her search for her mother.

Next on my list is Outliers, by Malcolm Gladwell. Gladwell looks at different factors that contribute to high levels

CAROLYN ZHOU (IV)

When confronted with another Chinese “fusion” restaurant, many Chinese diners looking for authentic food from home, like my family, might scoff at the idea of more Orange Chicken and Lo Mein. However, this all changed when I finally tried Jiang Nan, a new Chinese restaurant in Montclair, originally hailing from Flushing, Queens. Unlike other fusion restaurants which present more westernized dishes, Jiang Nan’s fusion pulls inspiration from various regions of China, redefining traditional assumptions about the dish. As a Michelinrecommended restaurant, Jiang Nan serves authentic flavors that are high quality and ethically sourced at prices

KELLY CAO (V)

As a six-time viewer of both the 1995 and 2005 adaptations of the classic Jane Austen novel, I have replayed the timeless debate about the superiority of either version in my head countless times. Released 10 years apart, the two Pride and

of success. He examines specific case studies, such as Microsoft, the rise of the Beatles, and the stories of people like Christopher Langan and J. Robert Oppenheimer. Throughout the book, Gladwell keeps bringing up the “10,000 Hour” rule, claiming that mastering a skill requires around 10,000 hours of practicing it. My journey with the

book came full circle when I attended an event with Malcolm Gladwell as the keynote speaker. His words on success are aptly put and highly applicable — if aiming to be “successful,” it’s important to put in the time and dedication toward whatever you are passionate about. Though slightly outdated, the book is well written and in digestible form, and I highly encourage taking the time to read it.

Last but certainly not least is The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, by Douglas Adams. The story follows the adventures of Arthur Dent, who is saved from Earth’s destruction by Ford Prefect, an alien working for the eponymous guidebook. I’ve treasured my copy of the guide for many reasons, but I especially love my version because the cover has “Don’t Panic” written across, which I think sums up the most important lesson to carry with you. There’s so much valuable advice to be taken from the book, especially on how to live a more fulfilling life and let go of societal burdens. And after reading

A New Kind of Chinese “Fusion”

reasonable for fine dining of its kind.

The Montclair location is particularly striking in its ambient environment. The moment you walk in, you are transported into a seemingly separate realm, with sleek, dark walls all around and dim lighting emulating a chic modern vibe. Hexagonal wood patterns add contrast to the walls, while small lamps and occasional leafy green plants spruce up the otherwise pitch-black tablecloths and chairs.

A must-try dish for first-timers is the Deep Fried Diced Chicken with Crispy Dough Twists, which is smothered in vibrant red chilis and is a delight for the taste buds with a peppery and sweet combination. The Sweet and Sour Spareribs are extremely tender. They simply fall off the bone

and are drenched in a dark sauce of soy, vinegar, and sugar. If the sea is more your style, you can taste the freshness in Jiang Nan’s Grilled Fish, and the delicate meat of bass and flounder come with a variety of sauces. They also serve half or whole Peking Ducks, which come with an extensive list of sides, including thin pancakes to wrap the meat in, sweet bean sauce, cucumbers, scallions, and pineapple to customize rolls. No part of the duck is wasted, and the crispy skin can be dipped into sugar granules for a delightful umami texture. The bones are cooked in a broth served alongside the meat, which absorbs all the savory flavors. Of course, no meal at a Chinese restaurant would be complete without soup dumplings, of which Jiang Nan

offers a variety, including fillings of pork, crab, shrimp, and black truffle. Jiang Nan’s location is an ideal spot, in the heart of Montclair’s bustling downtown, with nearby stores for

Pride vs. Prejudice

Prejudice’s may appear very similar — after all, they share the same characters, plot, and lavish ballroom dancing scenes. However, they are intrinsically, even in format, very different.

To begin, the 1995 version is a sixepisode television mini-series, whereas the 2005 rendition is a feature film. Although this change may not seem to affect the adaptations, the mini-series format of the 1995 Pride and Prejudice allows the viewer to explore the story in further depth than the 2005 one, placing focus on the nuances of the relationships between characters and the customs of the time. Lizzy, Darcy, and company all seem to stick closer to the source text in

this version, and viewers get to see them slowly flourish over the six episodes, growing in subtle, yet drastic ways.

The fashions of the 1995 adaptation of Pride and Prejudice are widely regarded as some of the most accurate costumes of the time period, with the beautifully crafted Empire silhouette gowns in creams, pinks, and blues matching the distinctive waistcoats and jackets worn by the men of the Regency era. In terms of historical and literary accuracy, the 1995 Pride and Prejudice ranks above the 2005 one. However, when viewed through the lens of a modern audience, the 2005 adaptation may be more appealing

the book so many times, I think I can confirm that 42 truly means life, the universe, and everything in between. And that wraps up my book column. I hope you get the chance to add any of these books to your shelf. Signing off for the last time, enjoy the summer, and happy reading!

shopping, cafes, boba shops, and other unique eateries. On your next trip up to North Jersey, be sure to check out this fast-growing restaurant and snag a taste of authentic Chinese fusion, done right.

for a number of reasons. The newer version captures an even feistier, more rebellious Elizabeth Bennet who passionately spars in the rain with her soon-to-be paramour, whereas the 1995 Lizzy, though witty, still slightly retains the reserved air of the time. This, alongside the heightened romance in the 2005 Pride and Prejudice, are both results of the intense time constraint. Although the length of the film forces less subtlety, it does cause the need for increased expressions of emotion, which are perhaps best exemplified in the finale scene when Darcy crosses through the sprawling mist to exclaim in a love-drunk stupor how Lizzy has

“bewitched [him], body and soul.” This is evidently different from how the novel portrayed Darcy’s second proposal, yet equally as good, if not better. Perhaps then, the question of which Pride and Prejudice is superior should really be reshaped into which Pride and Prejudice better matches your values. Although I, as a fashion history nut, will always be a 1995 Pride and Prejudice girl, the 2005 adaptation has its merits too in its sweeping romance and fresh interpretation of the tale, and for this reason, I will continue replaying and enjoying the qualities that make the 1995 and 2005 Pride and Prejudice ’s so different.

JULIA ENG (V) & GRACE FERNICOLA (V)

On May 1, Anna

Wintour, Editor

Jared Leto Strikes Again at the Met Gala

Chief of Vogue, hosted the annual Met Gala which benefited the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute. This year’s exhibit and theme are “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty,” each honoring the late designer. Lagerfeld was famously responsible for Chanel’s revival after he took over as creative director in 1983. His reintegration of iconic Chanel motifs into ready-towear design, such as pearls, tweed, and the interlocking c’s, made the brand more appealing to larger audiences.

For the 2023 Gala, many guests recalled elements of Lagerfeld’s designs, channeled his spirit, and even wore some of his archived couture pieces.

Actress Elle Fanning’s look reflected her favorite memory of Lagerfeld while still showing off her personal style. Fanning remembers

Little Black Jacket. She wore a gown upcycled from the Vivienne Westwood Bridal Collection with a classic black Chanel jacket. Her personal touch was the daisy crown, which she wore in the shot featured in Little Black Jacket.

Australian race car driver Daniel Ricciardo wore a custom tweed

Thom Browne suit inspired by Lagerfeld’s trademark black suit.

Jared Leto continued his tradition of wearing crazy and over-the-top looks to the Met Gala every year with a giant cat costume designed to look like Lagerfeld’s famous cat, Choupette. Though Leto’s look was very out of place on the red carpet, Lagerfeld likely would have loved its absurdity and uniqueness.

The Kardashians seemed to have missed the memo, dressing as one another rather

Word in the Senior Area

than sticking to the theme. Kendall dressed as Kris. However, though the Kardashians’ looks were sub-par, the attendants as a whole were dressed to the nines and generally on theme. We look forward to next year’s Met Gala and all of the interesting looks it will bring us.

What did you like most about this year, and what are you looking forward to most over this summer?

Katie Niccolai

“I enjoyed the outdoor activities, going to Starbucks, and participating in sports this year. The Girls’ Hockey Team did really well this year. I’m looking forward to going to the beach and not doing schoolwork.”

Nikita Kogan

“I liked my classes. As for the summer, I’m looking forward to going to Maine for vacation.”

Sophia Odunsi

“I liked leaving school to go to the Pru [(Prudential Center)] for the ice hockey game. I’m excited to go swim in my friend Allie’s pool.”

Alan Zhong

“The CodeQuest competition because they catered free Chick-Fil-A for us. I’m excited for summer programs like the Kenyon Young Writers Program!”

Martin Fields

“Trashketball. And I’m looking forward to playing with Rob Patten over the summer.”

Daniela Henriques

”I’m part of the Balladeers and the serenades were really fun! It was really exciting going to each classroom and singing to different people. I’m doing two internships over the summer in quantum physics and a law firm. I’m also traveling to Seattle!”

being photographed by Lagerfeld when she was 13 for his book,

Photo Credits (Top to Bottom): Google Images, Sarah Gu (V)

ELLA BUDENBENDER (VI)

High school: the topic of many early 2000s dramas, where, amidst the growing pains and teen angst, nearly everything turned out okay for the characters by the end. On my screen, I saw high school as one of my life’s most essential experiences. I dreamed of being like these characters, who would go out every weekend and end up at excellent colleges despite never doing any homework.

But the drawback of being excited

MAX WATZKY (VI)

When I first came to Pingry in 3rd grade, my adjustment was far from smooth. Overwhelmed by the newness of

Enjoy It While It Lasts

about something is that it seldom lives up to expectations. Freshman year was filled with adjusting and was then cut short due to COVID-19. I spent most of my time sophomore year isolated in the library, struggling to socialize during the fallout of the pandemic. My junior year was split between Pingry and a study abroad program in Switzerland, only continuing my abnormal high school experience. By the time it was senior year, I had tried cramming everything I had thought I had missed over the past

four years — things that I had thought were essential for good high school experience — into a mere nine months.

I held onto so many thoughts about what high school could be that I missed out on everything it truly was. Looking back, I wish I put myself out there more. I wish I was more confident to talk to new people or didn’t care so much about what others thought.

I wish I better appreciated the vast resources Pingry had. Instead, I wasted numerous attempts in trying to “fix” my past adversity rather than moving

forward. I forgot about the world beyond high school and concentrated all of my efforts on a merely impossible task. Nothing can change the things I have experienced these past four years, good or bad, but learning to move on means reflecting on my time at Pingry in a better light than I have previously.

At the beginning of my freshman year, I wrote myself a letter saying, “I hope that I can enjoy my time left at Pingry because before I know it, it will be over.” Despite the many other delusions in the letter, this line

Choose Your Own Adventure

it all, I struggled to find my social footing, and it took me years to start making friendships that lasted. Feeling like an interloper in the real world, I found solace in virtual ones. I logged thousands of hours in the game Minecraft , not actually playing, but instead using the multiplayer chat feature to find people I could talk to. I probably read more books in those first few years at Pingry than I have in all my time since, and my favorite genre, above all others, was “Choose Your Own Adventure.”

“Choose Your Own Adventure” stories allow the reader to act as the protagonist, navigating choices which affect the plot

by skipping between different sections of the book. Most are poorly made; lazy writing means that almost all paths either end quickly or converge back together again. I know this because I never read these books as intended — I’d explore every branch one-by-one, even drawing maps and diagrams to keep my explorations organized. It’s a tempting proposition, being able to explore all your options before you commit to one, never having to take a risk or face consequences for your actions. It was a particularly tempting form of escapism for me, as I struggled to find my footing in a new environment

full of strangers and strange choices. But real life doesn’t work this way. There are far too many paths, millions upon billions, that each wind their way to their own disparate infinities. There’s no way to know beforehand where your path will lead; you just have to accept that you’ll make some wrong turns along the way.

Accepting this risk, I think, is the key to making the most of your time here. At Pingry, there are so many little choices to make, from who to sit with at lunch, to which classes to prioritize, to what clubs and sports to join; the sheer volume of different paths can seem overwhelming. Some respond to this

stood true; my time at Pingry flew by. Even after various obstacles over the past four years, Pingry has made me a smarter and stronger human being and introduced me to some of the most important people in my life. Don’t wish that your time in high school could be something else because you will fail to realize what you already have. In the end, though, high school is only a short four years of your life, and there will always be chances for you to move forward and people there for you to help along the way.

feeling by attempting to traverse every path — varsity captain, researcher, club leader, academic superstar — and in doing so, deny themselves the opportunity to engage deeply with any one cause. Others respond by withdrawing altogether. I’ve been guilty of both. But in being willing to make mistakes, in being willing to dive headfirst into new friendships and commitments, even if they might not work out in the end, we can begin to discover the people and causes we truly care about. It is only through choosing these adventures that we can make our time at Pingry our own.

DIEGO PASINI (VI)

One of my fondest memories from Pingry was, ironically, my disastrous freshman-year student government speech. In September of 2019, during the first few weeks of high school for the class of 2023, announcements for student government applications came out. Excited, I began writing my speech.

SEBASTIAN SAMPEDRO

(VI)

In 1990, Christopher McCandless just graduated from Emory University and came from a well-off family. Instead of pursuing the normal route of obtaining a degree and searching for a job, he destroyed all evidence of his identity, gave away his last dollar, and headed to Alaska.

Pushed to the breaking point by the falsehoods surrounding him, McCandless took on the alias Alex Supertramp, who was free from restrictions and the harsh demands of society. The imprisonment of expectations slowly dwindled until they disappeared altogether. No longer did materialistic items control his

MARIA LOSS (VI)

I walked into Pingry knowing absolutely no one. I was a scared, awkward freshman wearing a questionable outfit and a side part. Making it into the building was a blur, but I remember sitting in my first math class and feeling lonely. I hated math, but you know what I hated more? The thought of enduring an entire year of geometry without a friend. So, I turned to the girl beside me and asked, “Do you need some graph paper?” Boom. My first Pingry friend. To be clear, this does not mark the turning point of my social career, but rather one of the first steps. People often saw me making the mountainous trek up to the library until I finally made enough friends where

To make an unforgettable impression, I decided that I would memorize it. I rehearsed and practiced in front of the mirror for a week, trying to perfect my speech. The day finally came, and when it was my turn to speak, I confidently placed the hardcopy of my speech under my chair and walked up the steps of Macrae, and as I stood in front of my other 140 classmates, ready to speak — I

Keep Your Head Up Sharing Happiness

thoughts and decisions. Supertramp developed true freedom and, with it, a sense of peace. While his detachment garnered self-discovery, he pushed the limits of the individual. Supertramp was reluctant to accept help from other people, no matter how genuine. After finally reaching Alaska, he found himself alone both physically and emotionally.

When reflecting on this journey, he realized, despite feeling a sense of peace, that “happiness is only real when shared.”

McCandless soon passed away from starvation, but the ideas of Supertramp, his alter ego, lived on to shock the world.

Into the Wild is both a book and a movie that depicts the story of McCandless’

froze. After what seemed like an eternity, I quickly recited the only line I could remember and walked down the stairs. The weight of embarrassment stuck with me for the rest of the day. After school ended, I got on the bus, ready to go home, when a stranger, who I recognized from our grade but hadn’t met yet, told me, “Keep your head up, man.” Besides being a cautionary tale for

underclassmen to always bring a script to Hauser announcements, this memory stuck out as one of my favorites that defines Pingry. It’s a place where people support and care about each other over everything. Sure, my time at Pingry has helped me push myself intellectually, but what I have loved most about my experience here is the community. My friendships, forged from the late nights in the robotics room,

adventure. I had the pleasure of watching the film this year as a part of my Freedom Honors class. Led by the beloved Mr. Keating, the curriculum of freedom is composed of ethical and moral dilemmas that students take on through thoughtprovoking discussions. I looked forward to every class to take a step away from the confining formulas and theories of my other classes, and instead, think and challenge not only my beliefs but the beliefs of my peers and the meanings behind the works we studied. This class pushed me to enjoy critical thinking and the discourse that follows. It motivated me to pursue English and Creative Writing in higher education. Most recently, it

inspired me to create my own Into the Wild for my Independent Senior Project.

Men in Maine is essentially a spinoff of McCandless’ experience in the form of a documentary. Opposed to attempting a similar journey alone, four friends and I decided to test this conclusion of needing to share happiness. We road-tripped to Maine, stayed off of technology, and disconnected from the modern world. I found myself re-energized without the pressures of social media and by being in the constant presence of nature. While this lifestyle promoted peace, it was the companionship of my friends that provided the bliss.

My time at Pingry has been defined by

Knowing No One

our presence was too rowdy for the quiet space, and we were condemned to the freshman area. Nevertheless, I found a solid group of friends and was so excited to spend the rest of the year with them–but then boom, COVID-19! Suddenly Chloe Ting was my new best friend, along with the thousands of characters in my beloved fantasy books. Then sophomore year rolled around, and Pingry slapped some masks on our faces, separated us with plexiglass, and said, try to be friends now! The whirlwind of politics, teenage suicide, and school shootings threatened to pop the lovely Pingry bubble we had come to love. But the friends I had scavenged for at lunch tables by asking, “Who likes cheese?” made coming to school each day worth it. After that,

life was as normal as it could be. While Pingry was developing new health procedures, my friends and I worked hard on friend group code names. At the time, the pinnacle of sports was running around at Hoop Heaven, trying to breathe through asthma and a mask. Then… junior year. It was the usual high school hell. Leading several clubs kept me sane from the monotony of homework and had me debating taking the punishment for strangling several underclassmen. Honestly, let’s move on from that scary time. But a bit of advice, it’s not that deep, and life will figure itself out. Just survive and have some fun! Ok, so senior year. Suddenly it’s been four years, and my hairline has finally reached the center of my head, and I have found the perfect blend of comfort

and style. College and the prospect of leaving the relationships I worked so hard to create, started to become all too real way too fast—the beginning of the end. I began to appreciate the little things just a tad more. Things like Ms. Dunbar dress-coding me, getting a stomach ache from Sage avocados, and watching freshmen trip up the senior stairs. The thought that H.A.G.S. would turn into H.A.G.L. in a few months sat in the back of my mind. It was the end of a chapter that I wasn’t ready to read. I wasn’t prepared to cry all of CP to “Rivers and Roads” while hanging out with the most random kids for the last time. But, knowing that our crazy intelligent, crazy in general class would do amazing things, did soften the blow of leaving. It’s genuinely impossible

IRT grinds, and long cross-country runs have shaped who I am. The mentorship from teachers has been invaluable. Just like that moment on the bus, the Pingry community uplifts one another and celebrates each other’s victories. When we fail, we grow and learn because there are people who support us and, most importantly, care about us. I have loved everything about my Pingry experience.

the people I’ve met and the happiness I was able to share with them. Whether I reflect on my time spent on the soccer field or grinding schoolwork, I first think of the people who were with me along the way. As someone stubborn like McCandless, I’d often shy away from Pingry’s welcoming community. As the years went on, I learned to open up, take in help, and give back when I could. Thanks to special coaches, faculty, and peers, I formed unforgettable memories and felt a sense of belonging. At Pingry, you are never alone, with happiness available at every turn. My hope is that once you find it, you share the joy with others.

to get more concrete than “amazing things” because it could range from Lauren Kim becoming president to Betsy Muller getting her reality TV show. With the rest of us as surgeons, venture capitalists, and lawyers thrown into the mix, you can say that the Class of 2023 will make their mark on the world. I walked into Pingry knowing no one, and now I’ll walk across the graduation stage knowing almost every face standing with me in caps and gowns. She is no longer a scared little freshman, but an equally short senior who is confident in her skin. A benchwarmer turned captain and starter; a friend who has found another family. Life is moving on, and so must I. So, thank you, Pingry, and the people I’ve met here, who I now call home.

Photo Credits: Kain Wang (V)

KEIRA CHEN (V), JINGJING LUO (IV), MILENKA MEN (VI), SEBASTIAN SAMPEDRO (VI), AANYA SHAH (V), JOAQUIN STEVENSON (IV), MAX WATZKY (VI), & HANSEN ZHANG (V)

Baseball

The 2023 Baseball season kicked off with some intense days of spring training in Florida at Diamond Nation. During the second week of spring break, the team departed and was greeted by warm weather in Orlando. The training worked to sharpen the team’s skills for the season and as a time for its players to bond. Once the team returned to New Jersey, the season began immediately with five scrimmages in six days, followed by two major division wins. The team went into the Valley division with a 7-1 record and came out with a win. The team not only found success in the division, but they also reached the TD Ameritrade Ballpark county semi-finals, which was the farthest any current Pingry player had made it in the tournament. The team shifted its focus to the Prep A tournament where it picked up a win against Hun before unfortunately falling in the semi-finals. With the regular season over, all that was left was the State Tournament. Pingry drew the top team in the state, Red Bank Catholic, in the first round. The team fought hard but unfortunately lost by a score of 4-2. It was a season filled with ups and downs but highlighted by many incredible moments and wins.

Boys’ Golf

Led by Captains Timothy Moriarty (VI) and Eshaan Golchha (V), the Boys’ Golf Team closed out their season with their last match on May 17. The team, coached by Coach Mark McAvoy, ended with the final record of five wins and six losses, with the highlight of the season being their 161-158 win against Montgomery High School. Boys’ Golf achieved their best overall score at the match with three sub-40 scores, including a 37 from Moriarty. Though the team unfortunately did not meet their goal of qualifying for the Tournament of Champions, after just missing out on qualifications last year as well, Golchha and Rohan “Ro”

Spring Sports Season Update

Yadav (IV) were able to represent the team while competing individually.

“We are definitely hopeful for next year,” Golchha said, “and [we] feel like we could make a run at the state title.”

Congratulations to the team for finishing their season, and good luck for next year!

Girls’ Golf

The Girls’ Golf Team, led by Coach Sean McAnally, Coach Alan Van Antwerp, and Captain Alexandra Ouzounian (VI), recently concluded a fantastic 2022-2023 season. The team achieved a stellar 9-1 record, and ultimately competed in several tournaments and championships. Energized by their regular-season victories, the team won the Somerset County tournament in a hard-fought battle with BridgewaterRaritan, achieving victory by a single stroke after the two teams initially tied. The team also came in a close second in the Skyland Conference tournament, overcoming teams such as Ridge and Voorhees to vie for the title.

The team’s record was bolstered by freshman phenom Rayee Feng (III), who provided stellar performances throughout the season. Feng took the Somerset County individual title by delivering a record, 4-under score of 68, and won the Skyland individual title with another impressive score of 73.

Softball

As the spring sports season approaches its final weeks, the Pingry Softball Team currently stands at a 12-9 overall record. It has been an exhilarating season for the team, as they have celebrated their second Skylands Conference Valley division championship in 18 years. They also achieved success at the county tournament, where they were seeded fourth, the highest seed they have ever received. With their accomplishments so far, the team made the Courier News Top 10 for three weeks in a row.

Under the guidance of Coaches Chip Carver, Jill Law, and Bryanna Gallagher, as well as Captains Grace Stowe (VI) and Ryan Travers (VI), Pingry Softball has been thriving and improving. Stowe fondly remarked, “We have a truly incredible team this year, and it has been such an unforgettable experience to work with such an amazing group of girls. We challenged ourselves with difficult competition and

grew as a team, developing our skills to new levels and breaking existing expectations.” After fulfilling two of their three goals of the year — to win the Skylands Conference Valley division and to advance far in counties — the team is heading into the final games with excitement, determination, and drive to attain their final aspiration for the season: to perform well at states. As Stowe reflected, “From bunting, to clutch catches, to home runs, this team really can do it all and I am so proud to call all of them my teammates.”

Boys’ Tennis

This season, the Boys’ Varsity Tennis Team, led by Captains Asher Matthias (VI) and John Paul (JP) Salvatore (VI), demonstrated continued dominance in New Jersey. They were ranked first in the state with a 17-1 record and a slew of tournament wins. Throughout the season, the tennis team proved their worth as the number one team by winning the Bryan Bennett Memorial Tournament for the first time since its founding in 1994. In a nail-biting 3-2 victory against East Brunswick, they secured the title. They also followed up with a third consecutive Somerset County tournament win and a Prep A state win.

This year, the four seniors, Caleb Park (VI), Ryan Burns (VI), JP Salvatore (VI), and Asher Matthias (VI), remain the backbone of the team, as the lineup has remained largely unchanged other than new additions Cole Langer (III) and Ethan Liu (IV). In the near future, the tennis team is set to face off against Newark Academy in the non-public north championships. However, regardless of the outcome against Newark Academy, it shouldn’t hide the fact that the Boys’ Tennis team has still had a phenomenal and historically significant season with their first ever Bennett Memorial Tournament win. The Pingry Boys’ Tennis team has established themselves as a powerhouse in these past few years, and the Pingry community wishes them luck in continuing their success in the coming year.

Boys’ Lacrosse

Pingry’s Boys’ Lacrosse Team finished out the season with an impressive record of 15-3 at the hands of St. Augustine in the Non-Public A State Tournament. Their only two previous losses were avenged in the Somerset County Tournament, where Pingry defeated Ridge and Bridgewater to secure back-to-back titles.

This year’s team is composed of a balanced lineup with depth in every position. From a goal-hungry attack to a lockdown defense, Pingry’s unity and resilience have catapulted them into the best in New Jersey. When asked about memorable moments from the season, Captain Franklin Mau (VI) highlights winning the Bristol Bowl for the first time since 2012. The matchup was a heated rivalry against Westfield that went into double overtime last

year. This year, Pingry ran riot with a 10-7 victory. Mau credits the team’s perseverance through highs and lows to the “brotherhood within the players.”

Girls’ Lacrosse

The Girls’ Lacrosse Team has had a riveting season, remaining almost undefeated and, for the first time, winning the county championships. Led by Coaches Carter Abbott, Julia Featherman, and Taylor Pennell, and Captains Sydney Puntus (VI) and Bella Goodwin (VI), the team has been resilient through their few defeats.

The team have broken Pingry records by earning the title of number one in the state following their victory at the county championships. They were undefeated until their first game with Bridgewater Rarotonga High School where they lost 6-8 and dropped from first to tenth in the state. However, this did not stop them from making an incredible comeback and beating Bridgewater two weeks later in the Counties Championship with an astounding ten point victory.

“It was the first time we won against them in 13 years,” says Jada Watson (V). The girls showed outstanding team spirit as they played against this challenging team in the pouring rain!

This season also saw individual milestones for some of the team’s players. Goodwin broke the school record for most goals achieved in one’s time at Pingry. She achieved this in only three years with over 200 goals. In addition, goalkeeper Mary Claire Morgan (VI) had her

hundredth save and Rebecca Kirschner (IV) scored her hundredth point.

As the season comes to an end, the girls lacrosse team has their semifinals game against Kent Place on Tuesday, June 6 and their finals game against Oak Knoll on Friday, June 9.

Track

This spring, the Boys’ and Girls’ Track Teams performed outstandingly at the Prep A Championships, setting over 30 personal records and taking home second place overall. Not only did the boys track team take gold in the 100-meter dash, 200-meter dash, and long jump after a few incredible performances by Graham Houghton (IV), but the girls track team also took home first place in the discus. The boys 4x400 relay won the Prep A Championship and secured a national qualifying time. At the same time, the girls 4x1600 relay had a massive win at Skyland Conference Relays, qualifying for nationals.

In addition to these unbelievable achievements on the track, the team has a strong team spirit and is always prepared to cheer each other on. They closed off their already successful season with a win at the Skyland Conference Valley Division Championships on May 23, marking the Boys’ Track’s first championship victory in over 10 years! With impressive performances from the freshmen, who have demonstrated success in events ranging from pole vault to distance running, the team is looking strong for the end of the season and future years.

Photo Credits: Pingry Communications

What is Your Most Cherished Memory at Pingry?

“Serenading Luigi’s mom at the Buttondowns assembly”

“A 2 a.m. swim at Pocono Valley”

“Conversations with friends and classmates in the Senior Area”

“Mrs. Smith’s Willis Scented Candles”

“Senior Retreat”

“Girls’ Ice Hockey game at Prudential”

“My freshman year cross country trip to Rhode Island”

“Friday Night Lights”

“Passing Calculus”

“My last Upper School traditions during Spring Awakening”

“Being done with physics”

“The Taiko Drumming Assembly”

You Know You Go to Pingry When...

“You walk from the history rooms to the airconditioned health rooms during the summer, and it feels like you went from the Sahara to the Arctic”

“You leave your car unlocked”

“You take a bagel from a random bag of bagels in one of the areas”

“Multiple people are asleep in the library”

“You think ISPs are a normal high school experience”

“You uber your computer to school”

“You see at least five kids you know at the airport during Spring Break”

“There are at least 20 Teslas in the senior lot”

“Half the school goes on vacation to another country during a 3-day weekend”

“You see Mr. Keating working out in the BAC”

What is One Thing Future Seniors Should Do Before They Graduate?

“Go on the roof and take in the view”

“Meet every teacher”

“Skip class and go to O’Bagel or Starbucks”

“Have fun!”

“Go barefoot on the World Cup turf”

“Revisit your Middle School teachers”

“Break a rule”

“Grab a friend and go birdwatching by the Pingry pond”

“Make a Chipotle lunch run”

“Take a nap in the library”

“Swim in the pool”

“Get their yearbooks signed by all the teachers they ever had”

Summer Break! (Taylor’s Version)

2. "All my _______ grew back as thorns / Windows boarded up after storm"

7. "It's a _______ kinda rush"

9. "In the _______ would you trust me / If I told you it was just a summer thing?"

12. "I'll stare directly at the _______ but never in the mirror"

14. "Take me to the _______ where all the poets went to die"

15. "In a _______ in my best dress, fearless"

17. "And the _______ town we never found / Will never see a love as pure as it"

18. "See the lights, see the _______, the ball gowns"

21. "Loving him is like _______ a new Maserati down a dead-end street"

22. "Say you'll remember me, standing in a nice dress, staring at the _______"

1. "Filled the _______ with champagne and swam with the big names"

3. "It's a cruel _______"

4. "Like we were in _______ / Like we were somewhere else"

5. "_______ blue eyes, lookin' in mine, I feel like I might sink and drown and die"

6. "So baby drive slow 'til we run out of _______"

8. "You know I love a _______ boy"

10. "I don't wanna hurt you / I just wanna be / Drinking on the _______ / With you all over me"

11. "Grab your _______ and my hand."

12. "Eyes like sinking _______ on water / So inviting, I almost jump in"

13. "Fighting with him was like trying to solve a _______ / And realizing there's no right answer"

16. "Gray November / I've been down since _______"

19. "_______ slipped away into a moment in time"

20. "I'm in a getaway car / I left you at the _______ bar"