### StuCocoa day

*January 9, 2025 at Tiger Time*

A long day at school can wear down
even the toughest of students. On
January 9 at Tiger Time, you can stop
by at the main intersection for a sweet
pick-me-up! At Student Coucil’s annual
StuCocao fundraiser for PHS’s spring
events, you can buy a delicious cup of
hot chocolate for only $1 each! You can
also add marshmallows and whipped
cream to level up the perfect, limited-edition after-school comfort drink.

### A Cappella Night

*January 10, 2025*

Like singing, harmonies, and catchy
tunes? Attend A Cappella Night
hosted by the Princeton Student
Board on January 10 in the Princeton
Public Library! Featuring a handful
of PHS a cappella groups including
Around 8, Cat’s Meow, and Cloud
Nine, the musical event will leave you
saying “encore!”

### PHS building tours

*January 15 6:15 p.m., January 24 5:30 p.m., January 26 10:00 a.m.*

In one month, Princeton voters will
vote on a $90 million referendum that
would support renovations at PHS.
These tours might be your last chance
to get a sneak-peak at all PHS’s quirks,
including a 20 year old HVAC system!
You will also have the chance to ask Ms.
Birge any of your burning questions
on our heating, air conditioning, and
modular classrooms.

### Planetary alignment

*January 18, 2025*

Join the six planets in a once-in-100-
year event that will dazzle both the
eye and the night sky! On January 18,
Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus
and Neptune will look as if they’re
gathered in a small area, appearing
like a bright cluster across the night
sky. Visible anywhere in the Northern
Hemisphere, this celestial gathering
is not something Princeton residents
would want to miss. 

### Big Band Dance

*January 31, 2025 at 7 p.m.–10 p.m.*

Do you feel like dancing when you
hear jazz? Unleash your funk at the Big
Band Dance in the PHS Cafeteria on
January 31. Under bright disco lights,
Studio Band and Jazz Ensemble will
play popular jazz tunes that will get
your feet moving. Bring a friend, your
favorite dancing shoes, and be ready for
a night of nonstop, swinging fun!

January 2025: Save the dates

As a published author and the creator of the Mandarin
curriculum at PHS, Shwu-Fen Lin has taught Mandarin
for over 30 years. Growing up in Taiwan, Lin dreamed
of becoming a Mandarin teacher ever since she was a
young girl.

 “I think [being] a teacher is a powerful job. You can
teach somebody something new,” said Lin. “I think [it
is important that] you teach a student [so that] they can
see, they can read, they can speak, they can talk.”

 Lin’s journey as an educator began in Taiwan, where she
taught high school Mandarin for 3 years before moving
to the United States. She initially taught elementary and
middle schoolers in the Highland Park School District.
She ultimately found herself drawn to PHS because of
the students and the quality of the district.

 “I’m here because Princeton High School [is in] a very
good school district ... they have very nice students ... I
love to teach here,” said Lin.

 Lin employs a number of teaching methods that involve
simulating real-world situations to help students become
more confident with their Mandarin.

 “We can ‘shop’ in the classroom. So some students
become the vendor, some students become the buyer ...
[this is] very practical, how to shop in the real world,”
said Lin. “[I also use the] bicycle-chain [method] every
day. So all the students [stand] ... in the center of the
classroom [and talk about] different topics every day
[with a] friend [until] they rotate like a bicycle chain.”

 Another particularly unique method she uses is called
“ban zhang,” which means class captain. Being ban zhang
allows students to model the lesson for the day, setting
an example for their peers.

 “All the students can become a ban zhang for one
week ... to help ... the student’s self-confidence,” said Lin.
 Outside the classroom, Lin has also co-authored
books on Mandarin, from basic levels all the way to AP.
Her effective teaching style has led her to give talks at
multiple large teacher conferences.

 “The past 19 years ... I [gave] a lot of good [speeches]
in very huge teacher [conferences], like [the] National
Chinese Language Conference, and ACTFL, a very big
World Language teacher conference,” said Lin.
 Thomas Basso ’27, who has been taking Mandarin for
three and a half years, appreciates Lin’s energetic teaching
style and the enthusiasm she brings to class.

“She ... tries her very best to get everyone to participate
and will often cold-call on people who she thinks aren’t
participating enough, which in a way forces everyone
to pay attention and stay engaged ... I’ve been learning
Spanish since kindergarten, and I still feel like I know
more Mandarin than Spanish,” said Basso. “Mrs. Lin
sometimes makes jokes in class to make us laugh and is
happy to answer any questions that we have.”

 Lin believes that the end goal of learning Mandarin
is to connect with Chinese culture. To help spread
and showcase Asian culture throughout the Princeton
community, Lin established the annual Asian Festival
at PHS in 2007, an event featuring performances and
booths from several Asian culture clubs.

“Every year, we have around 500 people that come
together to celebrate [and] learn Asian culture. This is very
important [as] people need to talk to people, [because]
if I understand your culture, I will respect your culture,”
said Lin. “So I say language is communication, the tool,
but most important that you use this tool in real life, and
be able to use language not only as regular conversation,
but also as a skill to develop.

 Lin believes that learning a new language is not
something that can happen in a classroom alone, but
requires skillful practice throughout one’s life.

 “I like to help my [students] become life [learners],
not only in my classroom ... so they can continue to
learn, even in society,” said Lin. “When you graduate,
you will continue to learn your whole life. I think that’s
very important.

PHS Profile: Shwu-Fen Lin

Pollution, climate change, and overpopulation are just
a few of the major global issues that are yet to be solved.
Posts about these issues are omnipresent on social media,
along with comments sections full of people exclaiming
that humanity is doomed. This nihilistic content is
extremely harmful, particularly for teenagers, as they spend
significant time on social media. Moreover, while it is true
that these major global issues have yet to be solved, adopting
a mindset that states these problems are insurmountable
achieves nothing. The constant stream of pessimism
can make people feel
hopeless, deteriorating
their mental well-being
and decreasing their
motivation to enact
change. 

With teenagers’
dependability on
social media comes
the increased risk
of being exposed to
misinformation or
biased content, making
it nearly impossible to
discern what is true
from false. A 2022
study conducted by the
Common Sense Media
found that on average,
teenagers spend around
eight and a half hours on social media platforms each day. Moreover, reports
from the World Press Institute in 2022, found that about
50 percent of teenagers use Facebook or YouTube over
credible news sources to obtain their news. As a result of
engaging with such distorted and inaccurate content, teens
often feel overwhelmed by the negativity, and they see this
feeling reflected in the “doomer,” an internet character
that depicts a man living a life of helplessness and despair.

While it may be convenient to indulge in this doomer
mindset, the more effective approach to combating personal
and global issues
is by embracing
positivity, which
can improve one’s
mental health
as well as their
problem-solving
skills. Focusing
on positivity helps
lower stress levels
and anxiety, which is
important for both
emotional wellbeing and physical
health. For instance,
a study done by
Kansas University
in 2012 found that
smiling and fake
smiling both reduce
heart rate and blood pressure in stressful situations. 

Importantly, students who remain optimistic, rather
than pessimistic, are more confident and creative when
approaching problems, as they’re better at handling their
emotions. Research done by Edward Chang of Oxford
University in 2013 also revealed that individuals exposed
to optimistic thoughts demonstrated significantly better
problem solving skills than those exposed to neutral or
negative thoughts. This means that promoting critical
thinking and problem solving skills starting as teenagers
will take us towards a solution for our global problems
much more effectively.

It is essential to identify what PHS can do to help embrace
optimism. One way to spread positivity is by incorporating
it into our daily lives. The school can recognize and
reward efforts to build a more positive environment, not
just achievements, to build morale. For example, in PHS
Principal Cecilia Birge’s weekly newsletters, there could
be a section dedicated to sharing motivational stories
or uplifting quotes. In a world where negativity is more
prevalent than ever, building a positive mindset is the most
crucial step towards solving our global problems. 

The importance of positivity

On the morning of December 4, Brian Thompson,
the CEO of health insurance giant UnitedHealthcare
(UHC), was fatally shot on the sidewalk next to midtown
Manhattan’s Hilton Hotel. Thompson led one of America’s
most reviled insurance companies.

Since becoming CEO in 2021, he has presided over
140,000 employees and fostered record yearly profits.
Critics have purported, however, that these profits came
at the expense of insurees in need. In his tenure,
UHC denied almost 20 percent of claims filed
while charging deductibles that many find
unaffordable. In the wake of his murder, social
media sites were inundated with people voicing
displeasure with the late CEO by telling their
stories of high prices, outrageous denied claims,
and quips such as “the claim for my condolences
has been denied.”

After a six day manhunt, the alleged murderer
was identified at a McDonald’s in Altoona, Pennsylvania. An
outpouring of public support ensued for Luigi Mangione,
the prime suspect, including calls for an acquittal.
Mangione was even more deified after his motives became
clear; his manifesto villainized Thompson as a “parasite”
who, along with others in his corporate class, deserved a
comeuppance because he’s “simply gotten too powerful,”
and “[continues] to abuse [the people of the United States]
for immense profit.”

Praises for Mangione, however, are only a part of
“vigilante justice” movements in the past year. In February,
New York-based vigilante group the Guardian Angels
boasted to have “taken down one of those migrant guys”
following an altercation. In July, Thomas Matthew Crooks
came inches from assassinating Donald Trump in Butler,
Pennsylvania.

This politically motivated violence is ultimately an
outlet for a surge in ire toward a government
perceived as serving corporations rather than
the people it represents. A rising number view
the U.S. legislature as in the pocket of corporate
lobbyists, including health insurance companies
like UHC.

However, by using violence to foster political
change, we risk undermining the democratic
principles that allow us to have a representative
voice in the first place. Violent means circumvent
our fundamental rights to advocate change through
the polls. Moreover, bypassing advocacy by traditional
democratic means risks creating a spiral of violence, with
instability and autocracy as the bottom. We, as young
people, must engage with our political system in productive
means, like peaceful advocacy, protest, and voting. In this
way, we can make meaningful progress toward reforming
a deeply-flawed governmental institution so it is truly for
the people.

> "We, as young
people, must
engage with our
political system
in productive
means."

A fatal shot to our democracy

Sports video games, whether you love them or hate
them, have undeniably been entrenched in youth culture
for decades. Announcements of new FIFA games are
met with months of anticipation, even if the new release
is a near replica of the previous version. Professional
athletes play as themselves in their sports games and
livestream to millions of fans. The rise of the sports
video game industry has been rapid and astronomically
lucrative ever since the first late 1950’s. But why?

Part of the answer stems from the wide variety that
sports video games have to offer. Some involve physical
interaction and allow for exercise, while others are
more laid back and oriented around relaxing through
sports. Active games include popular classics such
as Just Dance and Wii Sports, where you have to
physically move to earn points and win. These games
also allow you to play with friends in-person and
compete, promoting exercise and overall health while
also creating friendly competition between peers.

Tarquin Wood ’25 loves this aspect of sports video
games and calls himself a devoted fan. He also knows
the value of video games that promote physical
health, especially during a time where many youth
increasingly spend more time inside or at a chair.

“What makes Wii really successful is that it combines
the good things about video games with the good things
about sports,” said Wood. “It can help you exercise,
burn calories, and stay fit, and that’s really good for
kids who play the games. They’ll be taught that early
and instill it into their lifestyles as they grow up.”

Wood also loves the social aspect of these types
of video games, sharing personal stories about how
the game impacted his connections with others.

“I remember I went to my friend’s house a lot,
and he introduced me to Wii Tennis,” said Wood.
“I grew closer to my friend because he taught me
something that became really important to me
later, so it really solidified my friendship with him.”

The other, more sedentary, type of sports video
games include popular modern games such as
MADDEN, FIFA, NBA2K, and MLB The Show. These
games are licensed by professional sports leagues
and teams, allowing players to have a realistic and
fun experience by involving their favorite teams and
players in real life. This is a more relaxing experience
as there is no real physical activity involved.

For many, watching professional athletes play as
themselves in the video games is a primary source
for the genre’s boost in popularity. Many athletes
grew up playing these video games, and when they
become professional athletes, it only increases the
game’s popularity. Certain game modes put the players
in critical situations where they feel that they are in
more control such, as a career as a player or coach.

Similarly to active games, these types of video
games also allow players to have fun with peers and
compete in person, but also online against other users
of similar skill levels, testing the user’s skills against
people from around the world. Overall, although this
type of sports video game lacks exercise, it is still an
enjoyable experience in its own unique ways.

Max Mazo ’25 has been playing FIFA for the
past four years, and has found that it is a great
way for him to wind down after a long day.

“I started playing FIFA in freshman year because
my friends had it, and because I enjoyed playing
soccer so it seemed like a fun thing to do,” said
Mazo. “Additionally, if I have a friend that lives
in another state, I can still play with them.”

For Mazo, the best part about playing games
like FIFA is that the player can replicate the
feeling of being in control of a team and compete
with friends to see who can make the best teams.

“I play [FIFA] Pro Clubs with my friends. I used to
play by myself but now I play with [my] friends on the
soccer team. It’s fun because we all yell at each other,
which relieves stress when you play together,” said
Mazo. “You can play against the computer, such as in
FIFA ultimate team, but you can also play single player.”

Both types of games have a strong impact on not only
PHS students, but on the rest of the world. Although both
have unrelenting fanbases who claim that their game style
is better, they appeal to different audiences under different
circumstances. As players browse the game shelves, it’s
almost guaranteed they will find the perfect video game to
immerse themselves in both the sport and the game itself.

The impact of sports video games

This season, the PHS girls
volleyball team had a 24-1
winning streak. They won
most of their games two
sets to none.

Players like Naomi
Lygas ’26, Kaelin
Bobetich ’26, and
Charlotte Woods
’26 (pictured right)
have racked up an
immense number of
kills, contributing
significantly to the
team’s 818 number
kill season total.

Naomi Lygas ’26: “Last year, we were
the underdogs in most
of our games, and the
roles have definitely
reversed this year.
We go into every
game with a target
on our backs. That’s
when we found that
having a lot of energy
helps us win over the
teams that bring large
crowds or are super
inspired to beat us.”

Lois Matsukawa ’25: “[Playing at the
Williamstown
tournament] was the
best memory because we
had worked so hard the
past couple of years to
finally come out on top.
Also, this year being my
last season playing high
school volleyball, it felt
so good to bring the first
place trophy home.”

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