Pingry Record May 2017

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Volume CXLII, Number 5

Research Exhibit Shares Science with All

By FELICIA HO (IV)

On Sunday April 9th, friends, family, staff, alumni and faculty attended the annual Pingry Research Exhibit to learn about the groundbreaking work 120 students have conducted over the past year. This year’s exhibit featured a wide selection of programs, including SMART Team, Independent Research Team (iRT), Computer Science, AP Biology Master Projects, Anatomy Club, AstroPingry Club, Journal Club, Middle School Science Olympiad, PCR (Pingry Community Research) Journal, Project 80, Research Class, Robotics Team, Science in Art, and the Waksman Student Scholars Program.

To begin the day’s events, Katharine Matthias (VI) set the tone with her keynote on how she developed her iRT project from her love of scuba diving. Matthias began to take summer courses on fish anatomy and soon took interest in the zebrafish’s sensory system. After diving deeper into the subject, she learned that zebrafish ear hair cells can regenerate, whereas the hair cells of humans cannot. With her iRT project, Matthias and her research team are working towards further understanding hair cell regeneration in zebrafish and applying that information towards human recovery from hearing loss. Matthias ended her keynote by explaining why students should become involved in science at Pingry.

“It’s a great way to pursue your interests and research them,” she said. “Science is about curiosity—asking questions, looking deeper, and exploring new worlds.”

Afterwards, attendees were invited to attend exhibits set up around the school, which offered a variety of hands-on activities and events. Some highlights included the bottle rocket launch by the Middle School Science Olympiad team, Project 80’s activity of extracting DNA from strawberries, the AP Biology Master Projects on the effects of caffeine, the efficacy of tutoring, and sleep deprivation, as well as dissection opportunities from snakes to sheep brains by the Anatomy Club.

The exhibit wrapped up with Amanda King ’07 giving a keynote on “finding success in failure.” King, a graduate of the University of PennRose Beatty (VI) teaches parents and students about animal dissection

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sylvania who is currently pursuing an M.D. P.H.D. at Yale University, explained that “fail is not a dirty four-letter word.” Students should expect to fail, as failure provides new opportunities. King became involved in science after losing a four-year-old girl she had babysat, Jacquie, to a DIPG brain tumor. Years later, progress on curing DIPD is yet to be made, and this failure of medicine continues to motivate King in her medical career.

King also reflected on two decisions that have led to failure: she failed epidemiology because she had no interest in the subject, and an organic chemistry test because she had prioritized swimming instead. In the end, King reminded the audience, “Failure informs decisions,” but also warned them, “don’t let it decide your actions for you.”

Dr. Morgan D’Ausilio, the organizer of the research exhibit, labeled this year’s exhibit as a great success, as it “especially engaged people of all ages, from younger siblings to parents.” It “truly gives kids the chance to show off the research they have been working on for the past year and make it available to the general Pingry community,” she said.

The Pingry School, Basking Ridge, New Jersey

Dean Chatterji Transitions from Interim Head to Full-Time Head of Upper School

By JONATHAN CHEN (IV)

At the start of next year, students will look to Dean Chatterji as the full-time Head of the Upper School. This year, Dean Chatterji represented the school as both the Academic Dean and the Interim Head of the Upper School. With experience under her belt from this year, Dean Chatterji will easily adjust to her new role, hoping “it will be easier than this year, even though this year has been great.”

When asked to summarize her new job, Dean Chatterji responded, “I’m the one who has to make sure the ship sails.”

What that means is that she has to manage the day-to-day operations of the Upper School.

From Dean Chatterji’s perspective, she approaches her new role from three different directions, in which she “thinks about the happiness and well-being of the students, the faculty and their vision and growth, and the inclusion of parents and encouragement of their kids to make good decisions.” With her new approach in mind, Dean Chatterji’s new job differs slightly from her old job. Not only does she have to think about everybody in the Pingry community, but she must also make sure the school runs properly each and every day. She does not only have to manage academics anymore, as she did in her previous job, but she has to run the whole school.

Although Dean Chatterji loves being the academic dean, she looks forward to transitioning from the academic dean to the Head. Although she hopes that the role is not much different, she thinks the primary way that it will be different is that she “will always be able to consider the future outside of my time as the

By MEGAN PAN (V) On Friday, April 7, the Justin Society celebrated its biennial Creative Writing Festival with an assembly, Q&A sessions, and writing workshops led by guest writers. While inspired by the structure of the Dodge Poetry Festival, in which high school students and teachers from around the country convene to meet with guest poets, the Justin Society Creative Writing Festival “brings the festival to the students” by inviting the writers to the school itself to meet, talk to, and work with the students.

The festival began with an Upper School assembly in which Dr. Reid Cottingham, the festival organizer, introduced the writers. Each writer then talked a bit about his writing and read some of his work. This year featured three poets and one fiction author for a total of four guest writers.

The first to read was poet Deborah Landau, currently the Director of the Creative Writing Program at New York University, who recited a few of her poems, including “The City of Paris has You in Mind Tonight.”

Next to read was poet and translator Rowan Ricardo Phillips, recipient of the 2013 Whiting Writers’ Award, who

dean.” With her current role, she thinks in one-year increments, but as the Head, she has to think about the long-term future. “I get to think about how the Upper School will be better even when none of us are here anymore,” she said.

She will take on the responsibility of improving the quality of Pingry for the future generations.

As she looks to her new job, Dean Chatterji feels confident and excited, and when asked about whether she is enthusiastic about the position, she exclaimed, “Of course! This is an amazing place to come to every day.” She looks forward to the unpredictability of the job, as no day will ever be the same as any previous ones. “You never know what you’re going to get, which is really unique in life, to have a career in which you can’t predict what your day is going to look like,” she said.

In addition to the unpredictability, she respects “100% of the moments with the students” and focuses on her short-term goal of “how to make this day a good day for the people in the building.”

As she bids farewell to many of the seniors, Dean Chatterji is setting an ultimate goal for herself: to create an environment that the seniors will have to walk away from, “wishing they never had to leave.”

Finally, Dean Chatterji remembers that she absolutely loves the student body. She realizes that the kids here “are always willing to learn from each other. I’ve seen it in classrooms, athletic fields, and advisory groups. No student walks around as if they are the center of the world because they know everyone around them has something to contribute to their success.” She hopes to continue this trend and prepare students for life outside of Pingry.

Dean Chatterji announcing her new role as Full-Time Head of the Upper School

Pingry Communications

Mr. Romano Directs his Final Senior Play: SMOKEFALL!

By RACHEL CHEN (V)

On April 6, 7, and 8, Drama 6 seniors bid farewell to the Drama Program and to Drama Department Chair Mr. Albert Romano with three stunning performances of the play Smokefall, a three-act play following an eccentric family across four generations.

Violet, played by Katharine Matthias (VI), struggles to balance her life as a wife to her discontented husband Daniel, played by Connor Beard (VI; a mother to her self-imposed mute daughter Beauty, played by Raena LeBourne (VI); and a daughter to the

Justin Society Hosts Biennial Writing Festival also read a few of his poems, such as “Violins.”

After, author Roxana Robinson, currently the President of the Authors Guild, read an excerpt from her short story “At the Beach.”

Unfortunately, the assembly ended without enough time for poet Danniel Schoonebeek, editor of the PEN Poetry Series since 2013, to present his work, but at the later Q&A sessions he was able to introduce himself and share some of his poems, such as “Cold Open.”

After the assembly, students who had signed up for Q&A sessions convened in either Hauser or the faculty lounge to talk with the writers and ask questions. There, the writers were able to provide some insight into their work and writing processes.

When asked about how he was introduced to poetry, Danniel Schoonebeek said, “From a young age, I remember memorizing nursery rhymes, and there was a moment when I realized you could add your own words to the rhythm.” He talked about how the rhythmic, musical aspect of poetry was very appealing to him.

Deborah Landau talked about how her interest in poetry began at a young age, when she was thirteen years old

May 12, 2017

and received a book of Anne Sexton’s love poems. She cites poetry as a way to “make art [out of] things that are happening to you at every stage of your life.”

Similarly, Rowan Ricardo Phillips said, “I understand the world best through poetry. It is my baseline.” He went on to explain how after having experiences, the poetry comes afterward.

Roxana Robinson talked about how she was drawn to the narrative aspect of fiction with its specificity and depth. On the nature of writers, she said, “Everybody learns to write at the same time, but writers never stop. We all start writing, setting down our view of the world.”

After a lunch break in the faculty lounge, students participated in writing workshops with one of the writers to learn more about the art of poetry or fiction.

“I loved being able to talk with the writers on a very personal level,” Allie Verdesca (V) said. “Working with them really helped me improve my writing technique and learn lots of valuable new ideas.” Her words resonated for many of the student participants who enjoyed the experience to get to know these writers, hear their work, and hone their own skills.

Alzheimer’s-afflicted Colonel, played

by Henry Biedron (VI).

As the play opens,Violet is pregnant with twin boys, played by Maddy Shilts (VI) and Jessie McLaughlin (VI), who by the middle of the play debate philosophical quandaries in the womb. After Daniel abandons the family, the show explores the impact of his absence on every family member, including the unborn, through the next 70 years.

Kayla Thau (VI) and Lauryn Rodney (VI) framed the piece with “footnotes,” speaking as omniscient narrators.

“It’s a hard piece to describe because it’s got everything, from magical realism to vaudeville to lyrical passages,” Mr. Romano said. “It’s a family drama, but through it, we experience the impact of time on human beings. From the fetuses to the Colonel with Alzheimer’s, nothing in the play isn’t about time.

It’s our curse and our salvation. And it raises the question, ‘If you knew your life would take a certain path, would you still choose it?’”

The play was meaningful in other ways as well. Not only was the senior play the last production seniors performed in as part of Pingry’s Drama Program, but it was also the last production Mr. Romano directed after 29 years at Pingry.

Matthias can testify to the impact of the Drama Program and Mr. Romano’s guidance on all his students.

She said, “Drama let me grow out

Mr. Romano and seniors who performed in Smokefall

of my shell in a way I wasn’t able to do before,” she said. “Through acting I learned how to be truthful, how to be vulnerable, and how to find genuine moments in spite of everything. And more than anything, I learned how to empathize with other people.”

“On the last night, we all gave speeches dedicated to Mr. Romano, and something that really struck me was how every single person—including all the alumni who came back—was truly touched and impacted by Mr. Romano.

It was incredible,” she said.

Mr. Romano was just as touched by his last play. “For me, it was all about looking back and wondering how I got

here. The show was performed in the Attic Theater, which was the initial space for the Drama Program all those years ago. The concept of time passing in the play felt so relevant. Life and art were constantly intermingling.”

“I mentioned that the play asks, ‘If you knew your life would take a certain path, would you still choose it?’” Mr. Romano said. “For me? 29 years…

Absolutely, I would choose this. It was purely by serendipity, completely luck, but Pingry gave me every opportunity to develop as a teacher and as a person.

I would absolutely choose this.”

Inside The Record

Op-Eds:

School News:

Rachel Chen (V) stresses the importance of taking a break from studying to explore and learn about the world. P.2

Mackinley Taylor (VI) discusses how Green Group continues to promote environmental conservation. P.5

Columns:

Sports:

Aashiya Jaggi (IV), Alison Boys’ Tennis has a solid Verdesca (V), and Kristine 5-1 record P.8 Fu (III) write columns about food, music, and fashion. P. 3-4 Danniel Schoonebeek reading his poems at Writing Festival

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THE PINGRY RECORD

Good Relationships Equate to Happiness

By KATIE HO (VI)

This year, I have talked to Mrs. O’Mara (as well as the entire science department!), Dr. Artis, Mr. Thomson, Dr. Dickerson, Ms. Yu, Dr. Dineen, and countless other amazing faculty members at our school about what’s been on my mind, and my general feelings of nervousness and excitement about graduating and going off to college. I’ve also been asking them for general life advice when I felt like I needed to talk to someone to help steer me back in the right direction. I have an amazing group of friends, both in and outside of school, that I know I can always turn to (and FaceTime at 11pm if absolutely necessary)! Every day when I come home from school and eat dinner with my family at the dinner table, I mention how fortunate I am to have found a close support system of trusted advisors and friends who genuinely care. These are teachers and classmates,who have genuinely been there for me no matter what and are incredibly supportive of my endeavors. I love them all so much.

Four years ago, I would have been terrified to open up to my teachers and many of my peers. If I wes feeling happy, sad, upset, confused, or tired, I most likely would have kept everything to myself instead of expressing how I was feeling or what questions I might have had. I still remember what it felt like to be a wary little freshman wandering the halls, desperately trying to find my schedule to figure out where my next classroom was, and feeling incredibly overwhelmed and terrified looking at the intimidating seniors passing me in the hallways.

Now that classes are over for the seniors and I am working on the last two issues of The Record along with writing a daily blog for my ISP, I have had much time to reflect about my nine years at Pingry. The part of Pingry that I am most grateful for, and will always cherish the most, are the relationships I have formed here. I was able to be part of a community of people whom I love and whom I consider to be my extended family. It is at Pingry that I have learned the importance of reaching out for help and advice, and supporting others just as they have supported me.

Probably my favorite Ted Talk of all time (other than Susan Cain’s on “The Power of Introverts”) is Robert Waldinger’s called “What Makes a Good Life? Lessons from the Longest Study on Happiness.” If you asked me four years ago what I thought would make my future self most fulfilled, I, similar to a vast majority of millennials, would most likely have said that a major life goal was to “get rich” or “become famous.” When we think of what will make us happy in the future, we often think in terms of status: we need material things to prove that we are worthy enough and grand achievements to guarantee a good life filled with happiness.

However, over the past four years, and during senior year in particular, I have realized that what makes me happy long-term isn’t getting a good grade on a test or an essay, having a new material possession, or seeking to obtain an esteemed “status.” Those are just short-term feelings of happiness before I am left feeling empty again. What truly makes me feeling happy, grateful, and loved – like I’ve just drunk a nice warm bowl of chicken noodle soup while giving another person a big hug – is surrounding myself with genuinely good people who care about each other. As Waldinger said in his Ted Talk, “Good relationships keep us happier and healthier. Period. It turns out that people who are more socially connected to family, to friends, to community, are happier. Good, close relationships are good for our health and well-being.”

In a highly number- and status-oriented world, it is incredibly important for members of our community to appreciate each other’s presence and value collaboration over competition. When people take the time to establish strong, kind, and healthy bonds with each other - surround themselves with people who inspire them, motivate them, and care about them - they will be part of a greater community and feel like they are living a more fulfilling, meaningful life.

If there are a few lessons that I’ve taken away from Waldinger’s Ted Talk and my own personal experiences with family members, teachers, and friends, it’s that “the good life is built with good relationships,” and the quality of a relationship is more important than the quantity of relationships that a person has. Always make the effort to stay in touch with people you love, no matter how close or far away you are from each other, because they are true gems.

-Katie Ho

EDITORIALS May 12, 2017

More Than Just STEM: The Humanities and the Arts Matter Too!

By CALVARY DOMINIQUE (V)

Quick: imagine the brightest, most promising futuristic society you can think of! Imagine a world of limitless, ceaseless scientific discovery, ingenuity, and technological innovation! Imagine a world in which all of today’s dangerous diseases have been cured! Society is now an eco-friendly Shangri-la: flying cars, hover boards, and robots are a daily reality, global warming is on a rapid decline, and new planets are discovered everyday! America’s hyper-investment into STEM education during the 2010’s has paid off! People are living longer, healthier, more prosperous lives!

Everything is perfect. But hold up one second. When you take a closer look at this Brave New World, you’ll find that all that glitters isn’t gold.

Something is horribly wrong. Maybe this isn’t as much of a utopia as you had originally thought. In this futuristic society, books are mostly a thing of the past, unless we’re talking about scientific textbooks. History, philosophy, theology, and the arts are now relics of the past. Imagination and creativity are rare birds indeed. In 2050, the U.S. government banned the humanities from being taught at high schools and colleges. Americans are smarter and more efficient than ever, but there’s the sense that something weighty is missing. Has she gained the whole world but lost her soul in the process?

Now this hypothetical future might seem melodramatic, and in some ways, it is. While physical books may be on the decline with the rise of Kindle and iBooks, I doubt reading is going to completely disappear anytime soon.

And I doubt the government is going to ban studying the humanities in school.

But this dark potential future does raise some serious questions about what we’re doing to our kids. Might some of our honest, earnest dedication to

By RACHEL CHEN (V)

Stepping off the PATH train into the World Trade Center was disorienting. After weeks of bright screens and tiny text, my eyes could barely adjust to the light, depth, and color of the city. For weeks, I had been bending over backward balancing school, the research exhibit, and upcoming AP exams—even standing there, blinking in the greatest city in the world, a part of me felt guilty for leaving my textbooks behind for a day. And for what?

To visit museums, that’s what. My older sister had dragged me away from my laptop to explore the Museum of Natural History and the Museum of Chinese Americans—firstly, because “school scavenger hunts aren’t real museum experiences,” and secondly, because “I bet you’ll cry.” Spoiler alert: she was right on both counts.

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Editor-in-Chief Katie Ho Assistant Editors Rachel Chen Megan Pan

Website Editor Lindsey Larson

Column Editor Alexis Elliot

Sports Editor Will DiGrande

ence Research Exhibition Day the other day, and it was quite fascinating.

I thoroughly enjoyed walking around, viewing the different exhibits, and hearing from my friends and peers about the cool projects they’ve been working on.

It’s during moments like these that you fully get caught up in the transcendent weight of what it means to be a Pingry student! And Journal Club is cool too. There have been some re-

Generally speaking, majors like business, finance, and physics really do result in more immediate, real-world results (and higher salaries) than majors like English, anthropology, and history.

And the future really does depend on our generation finding cures for strange diseases, experimenting with technology to create new solutions, and expertly managing the Almighty Dollar.

Pingry is wise to recognize this reality and to take steps into the future.

While science may not personally be my strength, I’m not attacking the science-centric focus of the school by any means. I was just at the Sci-

Nancy Lu ally fascinating presentations.

But here’s the issue. Way too often at this school, I’m afraid the humanities get the short end of the stick. STEM is important, but it is certainly not the end-all-be-all of our existence!

In his article “The Humanities Are Important Too,” popular columnist Nicholas Kristof writes, “Our world is enriched when coders and marketers dazzle us with smartphones and tablets, but, by themselves, they are just slabs. It is the music, essays, entertainment and provocations that they access, spawned by the humanities, that

animate them—and us.” Without the humanities and without the arts, we are left with nothing more than a shell—a shell of epic proportions no doubt, but a shell nonetheless. We are left with an Oreo without the frosted filling. It’s the stuff in the middle that makes this life worthwhile. Often times at this school, I’ve found that intelligence in math, economics, and science is heralded, while adroit skill at writing is often brushed off or pushed aside. Why is this the case? This is silly.

STEM is just one way of being smart, but it is far from being the only way. STEM is the future, but by no means is everyone wired to be brilliant at STEM, nor should this be expected.

At this school, brilliance can be found in the laboratory, in the debate room, and in the theatre, and this should never be underemphasized. What you do is important and valuable and beautiful even if it doesn’t fit society’s linear box of what constitutes brilliance. This world needs artists and historians and musicians and journalists and outsidethe-box thinkers too; we don’t all need to be brilliant at coding.

The humanities are how we make sense of the world around us. STEM may be the notes, but the humanities are the lyrics. Over the past several years, this school has rapidly expanded its science department. There’s a whole section of this school called the science wing where unbelievable research and hands-on-learning take place on a regular basis. Science classes are required to take up flexes, which adds even more time dedicated to the sciences.

But what about the kids who love history with all their hearts? Shouldn’t they have the same opportunity to flourish that the science kids have? This is why I was so ecstatic when Pingry announced the new humanities-based research projects for next year. This is a step in the right direction. Yes, STEM is the future, but hopefully there’s a future worth living when we get there.

Don’t Forget: We Live Close to New York!

Volume CXLII

Copy Editors Alyssa Chen Will DiGrande Mackinley Taylor Mariam Trichas Yelena Salvador

STEM backfire if not balanced with other pursuits? Might we be solving one problem by creating another problem? Now the problem at hand is quite clear. Don’t get me wrong. Objectively speaking, STEM really is the future.

The American education system is at an all time low, but if we can invest in high-quality STEM education in our communities, we can bring people out of poverty.

Layout Editors Ryan Fuentes Mary Nussbaumer Photo Editors Brooke Murphy (Head) Tyler Williams (Assistant) Faculty Advisor Dr. Susan Dineen Layout Advisor Mr. Tom Varnes

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The few hours we spent at the Museum of Natural History restored some kind of childish wonder in me that I hadn’t even realized I’d lost.

Instead of racing through trying to beat other advisories, as I had sophomore year, we slowly meandered through each cavernous hall and read about Pacific Island culture. I gaped at real dinosaur fossils and laughed at tiny Aladdin soaring above miniature ancient Isfahan. I felt smaller than an ant in the Scale of the Universe, but I felt the immense power of human destruction learning about species extinction in the Hall of Biodiversity. Evolution impressed upon me the absolute miracle of civilization. How did we advance past survival of the fittest to create society?

To find religion? To treasure beautiful things?

Every exhibit was breathtaking. I didn’t want to leave, but my sister was determined that I see the Museum of Chinese Americans. To reach it, we had to navigate the dirty, crowded streets of Chinatown and push past men wheeling barrels of smelly fish and dried plums. My feet hurt. I was hungry. I was not in the mood to be touched by the struggles of my people—self-pity rarely leaves space for compassion.

And yet how could I not?

The Museum of Natural History restored my childlike wonder, and the Museum of Chinese Americans restored my connection to my heritage.

The blank detachment I felt reading about the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 in my history textbook gave way to sorrowful wonder as I read poems found on the walls of Angel Island and diaries of separated families. The

English translations couldn’t capture the depth of the anguish found in these texts—10 years of Chinese school and Google Translate enabled me to appreciate the rawness of the original language.

In the dark, quiet halls of the MOCA, every captioned photo documented invisible Chinese sweat, blood and tears. Every exhibit displayed the silent, unacknowledged suffering of a model minority both then and now.

I walked out of MOCA with new eyes. Each fish market and loud restaurant we passed, so noisy and distasteful before, now represented a survival story, an American Dream in progress.

So why am I writing about my day off? Aside from subtly pressuring you to enjoy all of NYC’s fantastic museums, I want to remind you of the bigger picture behind the bullet points and review sheets

Nancy Lu of our studies. In only a few hours, I had learned things about the world and about myself that Barron’s and Princeton Review could never teach me. The museum trip I saw as a distraction from homework put into context everything I was learning—from the Neolithic Revolution to Darwinian Evolution to antiChinese propaganda, all the facts I had slapped on flashcards became relevant to me in a very real, eye-opening way.

I know it’s hard to remember with standardized tests coming around, but ultimately, we don’t learn for the 4.0, or the 800, or the perfect 36.

In the end, we learn to understand the wonders of our world and our place in it. We learn to answer the questions: What came before me? What will come after me? And what am I going to do about it?

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THE PINGRY RECORD May 12, 2017

Noticing Trends in Student Government

By MIRO BERGAM (IV)

I was moved as Zach Keller delivered his teary-eyed, final address to the student body. There was no denying that Zach was an amazing president. As a member of student government myself, I have had the privilege of witnessing his inspiring professionalism and leadership behind the scenes. I was taken aback by how the entire school, despite the conflicting viewpoints and challenges we faced this year, was able to get behind our student body president with such unity. My mind then drifted to Pingry’s recently elected student body president, M i c h a e l We ber. Then, to the sophomore class president. The freshman class president. The head boy of the Middle School. I began to see an unsettling pattern: Every single class president at Pingry, all the way down to the middle school, is white and male. After researching this further, I was disappointed to see that this isn’t a new trend; of the past five student body presidents, there was only one girl and one person of color.

This article is in no way meant to take away from the accomplishments of these leaders. They are all very qualified; having worked with Michael in student government for the past two years, I can assure that he’s a great fit for student body president. However, these people are not the only people qualified for the job. The factor that consistently puts white male candidates over other equally qualified candidates

could be the fact that they are white and male—or so this trend of class presidents implies.

This pattern of class presidents isn’t representative of Pingry as a whole. Girls make up the majority of the student body in Pingry. They also make up the majority of many skill-and application-based clubs like Journal Club, iRT, and SDLC. Yet, when it comes to being elected by peers as opposed to being se-

lected by teachers, they are much less represented. This is shown most glaringly in student government elections. In my own grade’s student government alone, only two of the seven members are girls and only two are people of color.

A certain level of privilege comes with this identity as well. In the recent election for student body president, Michael made the mistake of responding to the questions at the forum out of order but still won against two candidates who made no mistake in their presentation. Obviously, perfection isn’t the only factor that goes into being elected, but we must consider: if any other candidate had made the

same mistake, would it have hurt her chance at being elected more than it hurt Michael’s?

Would it have been “funny” in the way it was when Michael did it?

As someone who is white and male myself, I think about all the times in my history with student government that I’ve benefitted from the privileges of my identity. I recognize that fitting a certain mold sadly predisposes me above many of my peers in an election.

I believe in Pingry’s student body. I believe that we could get behind any candidate, regardless of race, gender, sexuality, or any other factor, with as much zeal as we got behind Zach when we all gave him a standing ovation.

The only problem is that we aren’t given a chance to do so because class president elections are overwhelmingly dominated by a single demographic.

That said, I’m Nancy Lu not encouraging voters to elect solely based on diversity, as that would directly contradict the point of this article. I encourage students to be blind to identity politics in their decision and vote solely based on who they believe is the most qualified to lead their grade, whether that person be White, Black, Asian, Latinx, female, male, gay, straight, cis, trans, or anything in between. We must change the way we vote because to ignore this glaringly obvious trend is not only dangerous but misrepresentative of the body of educated, open-minded thinkers that make Pingry such a great school.

“Reader Rage” Can Have Its Benefits

By MARIAM TRICHAS (V)

We all know the feeling of reading a book we hate. Boring books can leave us falling asleep, and books we disagree with can make us want to throw them against a wall.

Whether we dislike the book for its plot, characters, author, language, or ideas, reading a book we despise can be an unpleasant experience, and many times, our desire to end our discomfort can lead us to just stop reading. In her article “Why You Should Read Books You Hate,” published in the New York Times’ opinion section last week, Pamela Paul explains the importance of forcing ourselves to read the books we dislike.

With the onset of technology and the availability of a variety of news and social networking services such as Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, it has become increasingly easy to pick and choose our sources of information. Similarly, with the new “News” app on iPhones, we can choose our sources of media and news. If someone were conservative and opposed to liberal-leaning news networks,

for example, this would allow them to completely block out liberal sources so that they would get information solely from conservative sources, and vice versa. As a result of this technology, it has become easy for us to control what we hear-a selective hearing of sorts.

Similarly, we often read books that interest us, whether

that be because of the author, style, or subject, and we rarely choose books on topics that anger us or put us to sleep.

Ms. Paul says that while it is easier and more enjoyable to read and be surrounded by information that will please us, “reading what [we] hate helps [us] refine what it is [we] value, whether it’s a style, story line, or an argument.” She explains how unlike movies, which we can easily forget right after watching, books allow us to immerse ourselves in a different world and come

face to face with what it is that makes us uncomfortable.

Books that provoke feelings of rage and irritation within us are the ones that cause us to develop a point of view. As Ms. Paul says, defensiveness can cause one to become a “critic” and read more closely to “gather opposing evidence.”

As in a debate, listening to your opponent helps you define your position and extrapolate points of evidence that you disagree with in order to bolster your argument.

When a book provokes such hostility, it may cause us to learn more about certain subjects, but it can tell us a lot about ourselves by making us more aware of our interests, dislikes, and how we react Nancy Lu to different things. Ms. Paul also says that some of the “most spirited discussions” she’s ever had have been when she’s talking to people about a book they both hate.

So next time you’re trying to pick out a book you want to read, remember to give the books you’d normally put back on the shelf a second chance. You could even seek out books you know you’ll hate, if you’re feeling adventurous.

Can You Be Anything You Want To Be? Independent Research Extended to Humanities

By JENNY COYNE (V)

“You can be anything you want to be.”

This may be the parenting dogma of the 21st century. Growing up, my family, friends, and neighbors have buttressed, bolstered, and emboldened my ambitions. They have encouraged me to jump higher, dive deeper, and run faster. Their constant cheering seemed to imply that if I ran fast enough or tried hard enough, I could do anything.

Admittedly, I fell victim to this idea; when everyone around be told me that I could be “anything I wanted to be,” I believed them.

I was forced to reconsider the merits of this belief when I was told in an iRT meeting last week that, “You can’t do both [iRT and the humanities research program].”

At first, this sudden denial of opportunity made me angry. I was upset by the way the same teachers who smiled at my eighth-grade self as admissions officers told me that, at Pingry, students can be involved in anything they want, now told me that I could not “do both.”

Then, I felt vaguely disillusioned.

How could a school that promotes a wholesome, country-day education simultaneously condone a message of specialization and discourage interdisciplinary activities? In limiting students’ involvement, administrators and faculty had crushed the wisdom of my previous role models: I could

By KATYA DROVETSKY V)

no longer be anything and everything.

I was sitting at the base of a fig tree, with each fig offering a ripe future, but only able to choose one.

After feeling deprived of my supposed “rights” as a student, I finally realized that my previous indignation was a product of my privileged and contrived environment. I realized that I had been seduced by a siren

song - which promised to match my effort with reward.

Before, I had been conditioned to think that sheer effort would culminate in endless opportunity. This perspective is innately privileged because it removes the friction of society, the external forces of society that discourage upward mobility because of race, creed, sexual-orientation, or disability. My parents taught me that hard work is rewarded because that was their experience. As white Christian children of college graduates, their progress was not impeded by their background and, for them, hard work guaranteed success. However, the idea that Workin = Workout does not apply to everyone.

In addition to the privilege that enabled me to think that effort warrant-

ed opportunity, I was also privileged to believe that the school “owed” me opportunities. While it is true that my family writes a check to Pingry every year, I had subconsciously exaggerated this relationship to where I believed that I was entitled to try every opportunity she presented. Instead of viewing education as an opportunity to serve society, I saw Pingry as a garden of opportunity for my own, selfish curiosity. I did not see a purpose of my education beyond satisfying my “showerquestions.”

Learning for the sake of learning, while certainly noble, is innately accompanied Nancy Lu by a sense of socio-economic security and privilege. Even though Pingry lauds “intellectual curiosity” as the penultimate mark of a scholar, learning just for curiosity’s sake discounts the pressing need for education in order to combat society’s ills and ignores the arguably “practical” skills needed for employment.

Like most of us, figuring out I can’t do everything, has been disappointing. Apart from feeling powerless, I also was disappointed in myself for my previous naïve blindness. But perhaps it’s important to acknowledge that everyone learns this lesson at some time or another.

And even I can concede that this lesson may, in the end, be bigger than any research project.

New to Pingry this year is a Humanities Research program, which will allow students to conduct research in both humanities and other interdisciplinary fields.

Following in the footsteps of the established science research programs, the Humanities Re-

with Ms. Taylor and Mr. Lear; The History and Epidemiology of Malaria with Dr. Jones and Mrs. O’Mara; a look at the way American Modernist Literature can define and create experiences with Mr. Burkhart; questioning how storytelling can be linked

search groups aim to provide students with the unique opportunity to experience what real world scholarship entails, allow them to pursue projects in areas that high school students typically do not get the chance to explore in depth, and make connections with mentors who are experts in their fields of study. The culmination of the students’ work will be a poster presentation session at next year’s annual Research Exhibit in April.

Currently, the projects include: an exploration of the questions, “Does poetry matter?” and “What does it mean to be a poet today?”

to evolutionary adaptations of empathy and morality with Mr. Peterson; and working as a research assistant to two of Dr. Toler’s projects. Students also have the option of creating and researching their own topic under the guidance of Dr. Staude.

Mr. Peterson’s interdisciplinary project combines the study of behavioral evolution with literature, and more specifically, the human ability and desire to tell and read stories. From Paleolithic fables, to oral storytellers like Homer, humans are undeniably drawn to fictional plots and characters.

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Some researchers speculate that learning to relate to imaginary situations and people enhances our empathy towards real people.

Thus, storytelling becomes an evolutionary adaptation. Mr. Peterson wishes to explore this concept in works written by Pingry students themselves from the Short Hills campus, offering a unique opportunity to bridge the two campuses.

The community is just as excited for the program as the faculty mentors are. Junior Ben Ramos (V), who has signed up to work with Dr. Staude, said, “The opportunity excites me because I love the idea of pursuing a topic of my choice and seeing where it takes me. I’m happy to see how the program has aspects that appeal to everyone. Not only are there projects that will prepare students who intend on doing heavy historical research after high school, but there are also opportunities geared towards humanities- minded students who want a creative outlet to express their interest.”

English teacher Dr. Dineen is cautiously optimistic, and wishes to one day to be able to “waive her class’ final multimedia project if a student is involved in humanities research on a similar topic.”

Art teacher Mr. Delman thinks, “It’s great that this idea of research is being broadened into other disciplines. One opportunity that I’ve been interested in a long time is doing some research on our campus about our 200 acres and its history. There are a lot of sites where you would be able to do suburban archeology, and people have found some quite old materials and relics from the 19th century. This could really help paint a picture of what happened on this property.”

4

THE PINGRY RECORD

By ALISON VERDESCA (V)

This spring season has been incredibly rich for the release of new music spanning a variety of genres, from alternative and indie to pop and rock, and featuring many star, strong, female singers. As a junior girl, all this new music and girl power is definitely helping me get through my spring workout sessions (looking at you, PM fitness) and is also helping me relieve some stress while studying.

I hope these songs can keep you going with finals and a fast approaching summer break!

D o n ’ t worry, it’s closer than you think!

In standard pop music, New Zealandian artist Lorde has announced that her newest album Melodrama will be released on June 16th, 2017, a date that I am eagerly anticipating. This will be her second studio album, following the wild success that Pure Heroine gained. Lorde has already released two singles from the album, “Green Light” and “Li-

COLUMNS MAY 12, 2017

Verdesca Shares Her Pre-Finals Playlist

same sort of theme lyrically but turning heartbreak into a dance-anthem. These two songs alone show the vast range of Lorde’s talent and promise that Melodrama will be another smash hit.

On the more alternative side, two of my favorite female bands and artists are releasing new work.

Brought into the mainstream media with her song “Castle” in the trailer of The Huntsm a n : Wi n ter’s War and her duet with The Chainsmokers in the everpopular tune “Closer,” Halsey’s new single from her second album has gotten people chomping at the bit for

Google Images more.

H a l s e y that breed of individudropped a music video ality is extraordinarily impressive for a person for her new song “Now her age in the industry. Or Never,” which deHer personal charac- picts two lovers in a ter aside, Lorde’s two post-apocalyptic world new singles are absolute trying to get by. The masterpieces. They go song draws upon themes very well together, “Li- Halsey had established ability” being a heart- in her previous album breakingly simple song Badlands, combining paired with her breathy, her sultry voice with a deep vocals and an un- techno-indie vibe.

Her album Hopeless adorned piano accompaniment and “Green Fountain Kingdom is Light” following the scheduled to release on ability.”

I have always adored Lorde, not only as an artist, but also as a person.

She is never abashed to be herself, even if it means exposing the hypocrisies that are abundant in the music industry. She dresses how she wants, dances how she wants, and sings what she wants, and I think

June 2nd, and I can’t wait not only to see her new videos to follow the saga painted in “Now Or Never” but also to hear how her sound has evolved since last year.

Another pop-rock band to release a new single is the female-led band Hey Violet. Hey Violet is fairly new to the music scene, having not yet released a debut album, but their latest song “Break My Heart” is insanely catchy. With an upbeat rhythm and an infectious message, Hey Violet is sure to take the alternative scene by storm.

Some other songs I’ve been listening to in- clude “Reflections” by MisterWives and “Sign of the Times” by Harry Styles. Although “Reflections” is three-years old, MisterWives is an extremely underrated band. “Reflections” brings out my desperate desires for summer vacation; their style contains an infectious, addictive beat that makes one long for the outdoors.

It has been one of my favorite songs for spring, and it’s a great way to explore more work

by MisterWives.

In addition to this, while I was never much of a One Direction fan, I’ve been listening to Harry Styles’s new solo track “Sign of the Times.” While I don’t tend to listen to many pop songs as much

Fu’s Summer Dress Guide

sleeve or sleeveless The T-shirt dress- have the reputation of dress that hangs from a loose fit dress re- resembling a picnic With temperatures the shoulders. sembling a T-shirt that blanket, this summer, rising above 80 degrees, Pro: this basic get creative by styling the summer fashion seadress can be endit in new and fun ways. son has finally arrived! lessly styled and A gingham button While we all adore our will always redown can be paired cozy turtlenecks and main in trend. with solid colored knee-high boots, the Con: this dress pants and a pastel-coltransition to florals, has no contour ored belt. Preppy gingpastels, and the endand almost no deham pants have also less styles of summer tailing. become popular, and fashion is always welThe wrap they can be worn with comed. dress- a front a solid colored top Dresses are the staclosure formed and bright shoes. One ple item for summer by wrapping one can find a plethora of fashion, even within side across the gingham inspired tops the bounds of the dress other. from Zara or Brandy code, which mandates Pro: this dress Melville. that skirts and dresses often comes in end two inches above stylish florals and Summer the knee. There are still patterns.

The Fashion plenty of trendy and The skater Summer Staples: comfortable styles out dress- a short Dress Guide: there. From maxi to dress that has a A denim jacket midi, there are styles The shift dress- short- fitted waist and Google Images can show off perflares into an A-line sonal style, espemid-thigh. shape. This timeless reaches with styles Pro: this dress is a cially and adorable dress is comfortable ranging from and casual named after the style look that can easily be frayed to holes to of dresses that figure accessorized. acid-wash. skaters wear. white tee can summer, don’t beAworn The maxi dress- an beThis with sima wallflower!

Opt ankle dress that is gen- for big, bright florals ple jewelry for a erally form fitting at the or gingham patterns basic look, or it can top and flowing at the to really make a state- be layered underbottom. a strapless Express your- neath Pros: for those who ment. dress. through abstract wish to appear to be self bateau shirt or feisty color is The taller, this dress cre- designs the of When wear- preppy staple ates a height illusion. schemes. fashioning florals, try pairing Also, this is a versa- them with stripes in with its nauticaltile style that can be the same color fam- inspired stripes. dressed down or worn ily, neutral or metalWhite sneakers with heels. may be inshoes, and delicate tendednot Cons: generally, it lic for running jewelry.

Next, gingham can be difficult to find is a checkered pattern purposes, but they a petite maxi dress that closely related to plaid. are a casual basic that go

Polyvore does not drag on the everything from an While gingham may with floor.

LBD to cropped slacks.

By KRISTINE FU (IV)

suited for everyone!

Popular styles seen around school include shift and trapeze dresses, which loosely hang from the shoulders and are often worn with a cardigan. These minimalist dresses can be easily paired with fun accessories. When styling an outfit, contrast is key. With a brightly patterned dress, one may opt for simpler accessories and flats. With a basic- or neutral-colored dress, statement jewelry and bold footwear can really stand out.

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as I used to in middle school, “Sign of the Times” really shows a lot of growth for Styles not only in his voice but also in the tone of his songs.

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Ballet flats are the perfect balance between comfort and style.

Espadrilles are the quintessential summer shoes. They can be paired with anything from frocks to chinos.

While all espadrilles share the same comfortable plaited fiber sole, the designs can range from slip-on shoes to wedges. They always have fun and chic designs!

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THE PINGRY RECORD

5

SCHOOL NEWS MAY 12, 2017

Green Group Grows: Expanding the Club’s Scope

By MACKINLEY TAYLOR (VI)

Pingry’s Green Group has held a variety of activities this year to promote environmental conservation and raise awareness.

The group has hosted its annual garden lunch, hosted a garden crêpe party, and conducted green community service projects at seven different sites on Rufus Gunther Day. Green Group also partnered with the Sustainability Club in its visit to Duke Farms and is planning a trip to the Lakota Wolf Preserve.

Green Group will also be collaborating with the Biology department to propagate seedlings for the Pingry garden. According to Mr. Peter Delman, the faculty advisor of Green Group, other major initiatives will aim to “develop [Pingry’s] back campus and woodland areas as a resource for teaching and learning and make Pingry’s commitment to sustainability visible.”

These initiatives include installing shade sails and a storage shed in the garden, building a boardwalk in the marsh in front of the Arts Wing for studying science and art, and improving the trail loop to the campsite so it can be used as a cross-country route.

To expand Green Group’s reach within the Pingry community, the club plans to help develop a STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math) summer course to be offered at Pingry, help develop an experiential education curriculum for the Middle School, and partner with the Lower School Green Team.

The Green Group is also collaborating with minds outside of the Pingry community. Architects Scott Loikits ’90 and Anthony Sblendorio are donating their services towards working on site design for the back campus in collaboration with Pingry’s Green Campus Design team, led by Lily Cao (VI), Josie Cummings (V), and Nick Ladino (V).

Mr. Loikits, a Pingry graduate, has gone on to design major buildings worldwide, including playing a major role in designing the new Whitney Museum. Mr. Sblendorio was the lead landscape artist for the Willow School campus in Bedminster, New Jersey.

These two talented architects are working on a site plan for a major redesign of the green space behind Pingry’s cafeteria to include a woodland garden, meet-and-eat areas, and improvements to encourage a smoother transition from indoor to outdoor spaces. They are also developing a proposal for an all-season, net zero, outdoor classroom and conference building as well as a tree canopy walk for scientific study and unique access to the natural world. The walk would be located near the campsite.

Isabel DeVito (IV), one of the student leaders of Green Group, says she believes Green Group and its projects are important because they have the ability to “push the school into more eco-friendly and sustainable practices as well as raise awareness about environmental issues.”

She added, “We hope to get students to think about how their actions impact the environment and to come up with solutions that can make a positive impact.”

Pingry Communications

Mr. Leone Spreads Love of Taiko Drumming

By HANNA DAVIS (IV)

A special opportunity for Pingry students, Taiko drumming is both historical and entertaining. According to Math teacher and Taiko afficianado, Mr. Christopher Leone, Taiko drumming utilizes “traditional Japanese drums that date back thousands of years.”

These ancient drums were

used in festivals, for communication, and as warning signs of an enemy approaching. In the 1950s a Japanese jazz musician had the idea to use these traditional drums for music. A decade later this drum based music reached the United States and has been spreading across the country ever since.

Mr. Leone discovered

Taiko drumming in Pennsylvania while he was in college and exploring a possible topic for a field project necessary to complete his minor in music. Along with a fellow TCNJ student, Mr. Leone brought their passion to his school, leading to the formation of TCNJ Taiko.

Since having graduated from TCNJ, Mr. Leone still plays a

role in their Taiko program.

“I occasionally go down and visit my college group and help them prepare for big performances,” he said.

Aside from TCNJ Taiko, Mr. Leone is a member of Taiko Drumming groups both at Pingry and in West Orange, a group that performed earlier this year at the Basking Ridge Campus.

A math teacher at the Upper School, Mr. Leone enjoys how everyone is “good at celebrating what other people do and have to offer.”

So, last year he began discussing his Taiko Drumming involvement and college experience with students who showed an interest participating. With student interest increasing, Leone brought his

Club members practicing at Taiko drumming club

Tyler Williams (V)

ideas to former Upper School Dean Dr. Brown-Allen, who “pushed and motivated me.

She said, ‘share your passion I think that the school will love it,’” said Mr. Leone.

After its inception, Leone started workshops and had enough momentum to make an official club this year.

Though only having been an official club for under a year, Taiko Drumming has grown to include weekly club meetings and bi-weekly workshops. Thomas Campbell (IV), President of the Taiko Drumming Club, said, “Taiko is a great way to learn about a different culture.

Those who join have a great time!” Other active members include Megan Pan (V), Lauryn Rodney (VI), and Ryan Henriques (IV).

Leone is impressed by his students. “They have all made so much progress,” he said. “I can honestly say that I’m proud of what everyone has done and accomplished and I hope they are too.”

When asked what he hopes for the club’s future, Leone responded, “I would love to go out and do performances during halftime of a game, just jumping in and playing something upbeat and fun to get the crowd energized for the second half.”

Thomas Campbell added, “It’s fun, come join!”

THE PINGRY RECORD SCHOOL NEWS AND COLUMNS MAY 12, 2017

Whitney Biennial Inspires Art Students

By VICKY CHEN (IV)

On April 6, the Drawing and Painting, Film, Photography, Portfolio, and AP Art History classes took a break from their busy schedules to visit the Whitney Museum in New York City. Around 75 art students gathered onto buses to view the 2017 Whitney Biennial, which showcases work from many young artists.

The students arrived at the museum with brochures and audio sets in hand, ready to explore the multiple floors of art before them. This field trip was meticulously planned so that the students would have a productive and fun experience. Drawing and Painting teacher Peter Delman said, “Before the trip, I went in and scouted the museum to see what was there, and I arranged the buses and tickets and all the other details. There’s a lot of groundwork that goes into a trip like this.” Because of all the planning, the students were able to have a more efficient experience and visit all the floors of art.

Visiting the Biennial was an inspiring and eye-opening experience for many of the students. Among these students is Jewell Strickland (V), who said, “At first, I didn’t think I was going to like it because I am not a fan of modern art, but it actually really surprised me and I really enjoyed it. It was different from anything I’ve ever seen.”

The art displayed at the show provoked discussion among the students, as “a lot of pieces

By KATIE HO (VI)

were portraying a message, like Black Lives Matter, for example, and everything was just very cool to look at and

ing. There was also a number of women artists I wasn’t familiar with, so I saw art that was new to me.”

The Whitney Biennial exposed students to many different medias of art, many of which students had never encountered before.

Mariah Smith (IV) said, “There was a wide range of different medias that really challenged me.

For example, I really liked the room with the interactive computer strategy games. The simple, thought-provoking questions it proposed surprised me, and it was very impactful.”

The goal of the trip was for students to find inspiration for their own work, and it was successful. Mr. Delman said, “The main point of the trip is for students to see work that can inspire them and give Tyler Williams (V) them new ideas for new analyze,” said Strickland. work. My drawing and paintStudents viewed a wide ing class had an assignment range of art, including videos to write a script about an art and outdoor sculptures. When piece they connected with, asked about her experience, and also one that challenged Angelina Mayer (IV) said, “It them and pushed the limit was honestly a lot of fun to see of their understanding of art. the different interpretations A lot of students came back of everyone’s art. I enjoyed from the trip with new ideas the different videos, walking that got them started in new around with my friends, ana- directions.” lyzing everything, and getting Overall, the field trip to the a different perspective of what Whitney Biennial was a sucI can do with my art.” The cess and an enjoyable experiteachers also enjoyed their ence. Mr. Delman hoped that time at the museum. Although the trip “didn’t just inspire Mr. Delman had already seen students in their art, but that it the Biennial, he said, “I hadn’t also helped students grasp and seen the show on the top floor understand what major artists on 80’s art. I really liked it, are doing and trying to express especially some of the work in the art world.” that related to what I was do-

Jaggi Recommends Santina Under the High Line

By AASHIYA JAGGI (IV)

6

salad that also came with a thin “pancake.” This pancake resembled a crepe, but it was slimmer and crispier. The “pancake” and egg salad combination was truly innovative and flavorful. I ordered a more familiar dish, the Panettone French Toast, which was amazing.

It looked like a usual French toast dish with powdered sugar and bananas. However, once I took a bite of it, I discovered that it also held a hint of orange. The orange and bananas complemented the French toast beautifully and made it seem healthier. I also tried the spicy potatoes, which were delicious with various seasonings sprinkled on

With summer vacation right around the corner, students want a temporary escape from suburban Basking Ridge, New Jersey. What better place is there to go than the one and only New York City? Last weekend, my family and I went to Santina, a coastal Italian restaurant underneath the High Line, for Sunday brunch.

We entered to see a full and bustling restaurant with a line of people waiting to be seated. Upon entering this restaurant, I felt as though I were being transported into some kind of tropical island getaway. The waiters and waitresses were wearing fun, pastel colored shirts with “Santina”

The hostess asked us if we wanted to sit in the “private garden.” Not knowing what to expect, my family agreed, and the hostess took us to the back of the restaurant and through another clear door to reveal a small, private space that seats about fifty people.

The restaurant had a cool illusion because I was surrounded by glass doors, which made me feel as though I were in the middle of New York City, but when I saw the vibrant colors and palm-like trees inside the restaurant, I felt as though I were at the beach.

The menu had a pink and blue background to symbolize the ocean.

written on them in orange. The restaurant was surrounded by tall, clear windows that let in a lot of light. All around the restaurant were trees that looked exactly like palm trees, and the chandeliers above each table had pink pastel flowers on them. All the seating was blue (to resemble the ocean) and the tables were a beautiful white marble. The ceiling was made up of thin wooden planks, which complemented the white borders around the clear walls and gave the restaurant a very modern look.

Google Images Matching this “ocean” theme, all the plates had beautiful pastel top. These fruits and colorful plates flowers painted on them. The menu let me escape from New York City was moderately priced for the food to a tropical island getaway. and service. It offered the typical If you are craving a savory meal “American breakfast” complete and a tropical restaurant ambiance, with French toast and a fruit plat- take a trip to the perfectly picturter, but also boasted some diverse esque Santina right underneath the dishes such as Italian chickpea High Line. The beautifully decopancakes. The menu also had frit- rated restaurant will truly transport tatas, which are egg-based Italian you to the beach, while still keeping delicacies. you grounded in the New York We ordered the Truffle Egg City streets.

Salad, which was a delicious egg

Ms. Mack-Watkins Takes on New Role

Tuesday, March 7th, marked the launch of “Hostetter on the Five,” featuring a short performance from junior Jasmine McMorran, who sang an original song and played her guitar for those who attended the art gallery event. On Tuesday, April 25th, the Hostetter Arts Center Gallery opened its second “Hostetter on the Five” event, with Annaya Baynes (IV) performing three short spoken word poetry works based off of her interpretation of Zoe Keramea’s art, and Raena LeBourne (VI) singing “Who You Are,” by Jessie J. At both the first and the second “Hostetter on the Five” performances, which each lasted for five minutes during Conference Period, both students and teachers sat on the benches and floors of the art gallery, listening to and cheering for the talented performers.

Within the past few years and especially within this school year, Pingry has placed a larger emphasis

on art, with new exhibitions being showcased in the art gallery, and with teachers incorporating the gallery into their own lesson plans. They have been encouraging students to walk into the art gallery, take a look at which pieces inspire and fascinate them, and write poetic or prose responses after wandering and reflecting.

Art teacher Ms. Jennifer MackWatkins, who teaches film making to the eighth grade and art fundamentals to the freshmen, created the “Hostetter on the Five” idea. While attending a Kerri James Marshall symposium at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, she saw how Marshall was acknowledged for the hard work he had done throughout his life. People read papers about him, talked about how they were influenced by him, read poetry, and danced.

Ms. Mack-Watkins was suddenly inspired. As she explained, “It was an

all-day event, and while I was there, I thought, ‘This would be great if we just did it for five minutes!’” She continued to play with the idea in her head. “The concept came first and later on I had to find out who could perform,” she said. “I remember Jasmine McMorran won the school talent show last year, so I reached out to her and she was excited about it!”

Ms. Mack-Watkins hopes that she can have a “Hostetter on the Five” event every month, and expects another one in May, right before the start of finals start. To her, “Hostetter on the Five” is important because it is a way for both students and faculty to “come to together and enter a space for five minutes of their time to experience something new. It’s also a way to connect people, bring the community together, and acknowledge the people who you might not always see in the spotlight – the ‘quiet talents’ – that you don’t want to forget about.”

In addition to running the monthly Dr. Dineen brings her English students to the art gallery “Hostetter on the Five,” Ms. MackWatkins has recently been given a new role that has never existed before at Pingry. She is now Art Gallery Education Coordinator. The main purpose of this role is not only to promote arts at Pingry and the art gallery in general, but to “bring teachers into the art gallery, make them feel comfortable within the space, collaborate with them to teach, and encourage them to work on a lesson in their class that uses art in their lessons.”

During the course of the school Pingry Communications

the world is not just a box with mulyear, she has not only Ms. Wang works with students at the art gallery tiple choice answers and grade point worked with English averages. There is something more teachers, but language out there. It’s the something more that and math teachers as makes life worth living, and can help well. “I’m currently us figure out who we are, what we working with Ms. Coxe are passionate about, what we love, right now, and their class and I think it helps students to think is doing a math lesson outside the box, look at things from where they have to crea different viewpoint, and be more ate art projects,” she independent.” said.

She also noted that art allows Other teachers have people to look at another person’s also been utilizing the point of view and appreciate it for art gallery in their classwhat it is, or have a healthy discuses. English teacher Dr. sion about it.

Dineen brought her juMs. Mack-Watkins believes that nior and senior creative the integration of art and classes is writing classes to the art Ms. Mack-Watkins important, and the Hostetter Arts gallery to write fiction According to Ms. Esmond, the Center Gallery itself serves an imporand poetry and poetry in response to a recent show. Chinese teacher Ms. lesson went well, and she would tant role in the Pingry community bedefinitely bring her students back to cause “it helps to build a well rounded Wang brought her class to the art student, a person who is able to talk gallery during their Chinese zodiac the art gallery for other classes.

To Ms. Esmond, art is important about a little bit of everything. When unit. Seventh and eighth grade English teacher Ms. Esmond brought her because it gives students the opportu- students graduate from Pingry, we eighth grade students to the faculty nity for reflection and introspection. want them to have knowledge about As she explained, “We are in a world how to connect with the world.” art gallery during their unit on writing where we can get ekphrastic poetry.

Ms. Esmond said, “The opportu- so caught up in Students interact with Zoe Keramea’s art nity to look at art work that is free and grades, tests, asnot constrained was a good way to get sessments, am I my students to view their poetry in doing what I need the same way, and I wanted them to to do to get into work on using imagery in their own college and get a good job? I think work that was based on something real, not just something in their head. the arts provides us with a chance They had been writing so many esto explore who says up to that point, and I wanted to give them a more creative outlet. It w e r eally ar e was kind of an opportunity for them deep down inside, what we to show me what they knew instead value, and that of just telling me what they knew.”

Pingry Communications

THE PINGRY RECORD

SCHOOL NEWS MAY 12, 2017

7

Prom Season Features Creative Promposals

By ALEXIS ELLIOT (V)

This year’s prom took place on April 20th in Stone House in Stirling Ridge. The prom preparation process was extremely busy, and there never seemed to be enough time to get everything in before the big day. Hair appointments needed to be scheduled, limos needed to be arranged, and everyone needed to find perfect outfit. Yet, despite the business of the extensive preparation process, one of its most appreciated aspects was the “promposal.”

The promposal is the actual asking of a date, and it can range from a casual invitation to an elaborate scheme. Promposals always add an element of surprise and extra creativity to the prom experience, and this prom season, many people seized the opportunity to ask their dates in unique and memorable ways.

As prom approached, different promposal themes emerged.

Some promposals were complete surprises with carefully planned details, such as Giancarlo Castillo’s (V). Giancarlo asked Kayla Thau (VI), his date, and some friends to come to the dance studio to watch and critique a dance sequence. Giancarlo performed his

dance routine, but right before the end of the song, Giancarlo invited Kayla up to the dance floor. Kayla, still oblivious to the promposal, thought that it was part of the dance routine, until Giancarlo’s friends entered the studio with flowers, a chair for a mini serenade, and of course, the letters P-R-O-M spelled out on posters.

Someone else who tried the extensively planned out surprise approach was Jamie Moore-Gillon (VI). Jamie and his date, Julia Dannenbaum (VI), dated in the Lower School and remain close friends to this day. Julia’s friends told her they were getting pizza, but instead they took her back to the Short Hills Campus.

The Lower School has various signs to guide pickup, and each separate sign displayed the letters to “Prom.” Edward Johnson (VI) then escorted Julia inside and led her to the classroom where she and Jamie had class together. Jamie added even more flair to the invitation by giving Julia a stuffed frog and flowers. The frog had a cute riddle on it that formally asked Julia to prom.

There were also many simple yet meaningful promposals. The classic combination of flowers and a poster with a sentimental joke between friends was very popular and appreciated. Patrick Gilfillan (VI) asked Rose Beatty (VI) with a poster covered with roses. Other promposals had crafty elements to them. Mitchell Pavlak (V) used a drone to ask Ami Gianchandani (V) to prom.

People also had promposals that occurred over the span of a few days. Clyde Leef (V) asked Ally Pyne (V) with a handmade puzzle piece every day for four days. Each puzzle piece corresponded to a letter in the word “Prom,” so he gave her gifts each day, such as pottery on the “p” day and a dozen roses on the “r” day.

No matter how creative, sentimental, or simple a promposal was, they all started the prom experience on a positive note.

Prom was an amazing time, and the promposals at Pingry made everybody excited to attend the highly anticipated event.

Photos by: Jessie Carvelli (V), Jackie Chang (V), Charlotte Curnin (VI), Jackie Chang (V), Sana Sheikh (V), Dr. Dineen

8

Page Volume CXLI, Number 5

By ANNA WOOD (V), MILA STOVALL (V), MADELINE SKAPPER (III), ALLIE RIDDELL (III), CAROLINE PETROW-COHEN (V), KAYA LEE (III), LINDSEY LARSON (V), HANNAH GRUBER (IV), GRACE BROWN (IV)

BOYS’ TRACK

With a current 3-0 regular conference record, Boys’ Track hopes for individual and group improvement.

Led by captains Sean Wang (VI), Thomas Tarantino (VI), and Matthew Peacock (VI), the team is showing a wide range of talent in jumps, throws, sprints, and distance. Zach Aanstoots (V) and Obi Nnaeto (V) are “taking jumping by storm as first years,” says Wang.

Aanstoots broke the school

record with a high jump of 6’3” at the Somerset County Relays, while Nnaeto has been performing well in both the long jump and sprint events.

The distance runners have also demonstrated season success. Wang, Tarantino, Peacock, and Ben Vazquez (V) have been running fast times in their prospective events, consistently winning races. Jeffrey Xiao (IV) and Tom Drzik (IV) add further depth to the distance team, and hope to break 11 minutes for 3200 meters.

Ultimately, Head Coach Sepowski would like to have everyone on the team achieve his personal best.

With this goal, the team will be ready to take on the NonPublic A state division.

According to Tarantino, “It would be great to be able to show that we can compete with bigger schools where the teams are much more competitive.”

With high-achieving athletes competing in all areas, the team is looking forward to seeing what they can do throughout the rest of the season.

GIRLS’ LACROSSE Led by Coach Carter Abbott and captains Mary Pagano (VI), Charlotte Curnin (VI) and Natalie Lucciola (VI), the girls’ lacrosse team currently holds a 9-5 record.

Since their preseason trip to Florida, the team has radiated positivity. “It has really carried over into our conference play,” Pagano noted.

SportS The Pingry School, Basking Ridge, New Jersey

“Our Varsity team is pretty small this year, which gives us a great chance to become a really close team.”

When asked what her favorite part about playing lacrosse is, Pagano said, “I love that everyone on the team is willing to work hard while also trying to make others better. It’s a really great thing to be a part of.”

Coach Abbott also values this year’s positivity.

“Our goals for the season are mainly cultural goals,” Coach Abbott says, mentioning especially “how we treat one another, how we treat opponents, the attitude and work ethic we carry onto the field and the relationships we hold off the field.”

When asked what she was enjoying about the season so far, Coach Abbott replied, “I’m enjoying the girls.

We’re having a lot of fun!

When we show up to compete every day, we can compete with almost anybody.”

GIRLS’ TRACK

Girls’ Spring Track, led by Coach Tim Grant and captains Allyson Bisgay (VI), Victoria Watson (VI), and Sophia Weldon (V), is doing well this season. Their current conference meet record is 2-1 with a tough one-point loss. The team also competed in two other meets, the Skyland Conference Relays, placing sixth, and the SCIAA relays, placing fifth.

A goal for the team this season is to make it to Sectionals. Coach Grant noted the strong freshmen additions to the team in a wide range of events, notably pole

vault, sprinting, distance, and throwing.

When asked what his favorite part of coaching track was, Coach Grant says he enjoys that “every individual on the team has a goal, and it is satisfying watching them achieve it.” The team moved up to the Non-Public A division this year and Coach Grant is optimistic of the team’s performance. He said, “The team is performing well so far, and I am excited to see what the team can do in the larger team Coach Corvino aims to give division.” every one of the team’s competitors a hard-fought game SOFTBALL regardless of the outcome and to have “the other team The girls’ softball team have to play their best to has had a rough start to this beat us and leave thinking year’s season, with a 1-12 we are hard-nosed, tough record. They’ve played ex- competitors.” tremely challenging teams Pitcher Max Scherzer (V) this year, but as the team’s says he is most excited to coach Chip Carver has “be real contenders in our stated, “Our goals for this division this season,” and season are the same as any Coach Corvino agrees that season. As a team - learn this is a viable goal. Big Blue softball, have fun and win Baseball is currently tied for some games.” second place in the MounThe team is mostly under- tain Division and hopes to classmen this year, led by become division champions captains Kassidy Peterson through grit and hard work.

(V) and Maddie Parrish (V).

Peterson is looking forward BOYS’ TENNIS to the rest of the year. She The boys’ tennis team, led said, “We are going to keep a positive outlook and keep by Coach Marion Weber and trying to do the best we can senior captains Josh Metzger and enjoy the cohesiveness and Neel Sambamurthy, curof this team and the time rently has a solid 6-5 record. getting to play softball.”

When asked about the rest of the season, Coach Carver states, “I am excited by the next few weeks. We have steadily improved in many areas of the game. And we are looking forward to the county tournament.”

Although the girls were disappointed over loss to Delaware Valley Regional High School on April 21 with the score at 15-1, they still hold their heads high.

May 12, 2017

sons cultivating a good team dynamic. “The seventeen seniors know and understand how the team works, and they can give the younger kids an opportunity to follow them and learn,” Coach Webster said.

Now, in the middle of the season, the team keeps these relationships by beginning practice with Varsity, JV, and the freshman team before moving to their respective teams. As for areas of improvement, Webster points at “the number of goals that keeping the team together, they score and their indiand the team spirit is good vidual defense.” As the team works to get better, the team on and off the court.” continue to play their hardest in order to achieve their BOYS’ GOLF goal of winning the state Boys’ golf has a strong championship.

10-3 record, and is doing well especially after beating GIRLS’ GOLF South Hunterdon, Delaware Girls’ golf has had an Valley, Belvidere, Immaculata, and Bernards in their impressive start to what is first matches of the season. stacking up to be an incred“Our greatest accomplish- ible season with a current ment so far,” said Head 7-3 record. Led by captains Coach Joseph Forte, “is win- Kiara Smith (VI) and Ami ning the Somerset County Gianchandani (V), the team carries a roster of ten, inTournament.”

Captain Jake Mayer (VI) cluding eight returners and took the individual first place two new freshmen who are title in the tournament, his expected to add great depth third-consecutive Somer- to the team. The team is off set County title, while Big to a great start so far, with Blue took first in the team three wins and one loss, competition in the Somerset along with many strong inCounty Tournament at Ne- dividual performances. On shanic Valley Golf Course April 18, the team won the

BASEBALL The baseball team has a 9-8 record and looks forward to notching more wins as the season goes on. Head Coach Ted Corvino admires the team’s determination so far, praising that “the coaching staff could not ask for much more in terms of effort and attitude.” According to Coach Corvino, the team’s greatest strength lies in the pitching trio of Joe Possumato (VI), Jack Laurent (VI), and Mike Weber (V).

The team’s decisive 5-1 win in its opening match against Hunterdon Central helped boost morale.

Coach Weber said, “It was a good match to open the season, and it was hardfought at all positions.”

The team’s focus and consistency will be crucial as they work towards Coach Weber’s goal of “finishing in the top three in the Skyland Conference and placing well in the Somerset County Tournament.”

She also hopes that the team repeats in the Sectional Championships. The team is also looking forward to a competitive match against Montgomery this season.

“Their team is always really strong and deep!” Coach Weber said. She noted that the boys are having a good season together and are making efforts for team bonding.

Coach Weber said, “We are enjoying a competitive season while having fun. The captains are doing a good job

in Neshanic Station. “ “Young guns,” as Coach Forte calls them, Will Capanna (V), Michael Gallagher (IV), and Burke Pagano (III) were also a part of that championship team and have contributed to the team’s success as a whole over the past few weeks.

Coach Forte and Mayer hope to continue their winning streak and finish the season as strong as they started.

Somerset County Tournament title, upsetting Ridge.

Additionally, Gianchandani placed first in the tournament, shooting her lowest score yet, and Christine Shao (IV) took third. Both successes added to the already impressive team victory.

Looking ahead, Gianchandani hopes the team will “qualify for states, and then go on to win or place,” adding that in her time on the team, “This is the best record we’ve had so far, and this is the best we’ve done in counBOYS’ LACROSSE ties.” With a strong team and many early victories so far, The boys’ lacrosse team the team is looking forward has proved their strength to a successful season. thus far in the season with a 7-6 record.

Under their experienced All scores are current and talented head coach, Mike Webster, the team as of May 9th. hopes to win the Non-Public Group B State ChampionGo Big Blue! ship for the third year in a row. To prepare for this All photos are taken by Bruce Morrison. season, the team spent the fall and winter sports sea-