Calling for a pass on the right side of the pitch, Connor Hewitt ’25 receives the ball
and charges up the field, cutting inside and launching a perfect cross into the box for one
of his teammates. Following the attack, Hewitt drops back and commands the defense
back into shape, stopping any chance for the opponent to score. In control of both the
offense and defense, Hewitt has been a key player in the team’s success this season.

Growing up, Hewitt did Taekwondo as well, but eventually settled on the soccer. His
decision ultimately came down to a love for the game and the people who played on his
team.

“I think it really was just my friends that made me continue to play soccer,” said
Hewitt. “My team was really good, and I really just love the game of soccer. It’s super
fun.”

Since then, Hewitt says he has continuously been motivated to improve through
watching the the world of professional soccer. He looks up to athletes who are the best
at what they do in order to continue improving in his position at right back.

“My favorite soccer player is probably Sergio Ramos. I really like his attitude in the
game and how he plays with a lot of heart,” said Hewitt. “Before games, I always watch
soccer games. I like to watch center
backs play because I feel that I’m good
at attacking, but defense is what I’m
wary about.”

Ryan Walsh, the head coach for the
boys varsity soccer team, was quick to
notice Hewitt’s progression over the
years, attributing his exciting character
and dogged personality as quality
traits.

“When Connor first tried out
with the soccer team, he was a young
freshman and he was super energetic
and you can tell that he loves soccer,”
said Walsh. “He played varsity for us
sophomore year, but he didn’t play. We
had a meeting before the offseason just
about his progress in training and stuff,
and he came back his junior year great
from the very beginning. He was so
much stronger. He was much better in
the air. He’s probably become the best
right back in the county.”

Hewitt’s strong impression doesn’t
just stop with his coaches, but is felt
through the team as well. Having spent
many years as his teammate, both on
the high school and club teams, Brian Donis ’25 knows what Hewitt brings to the table.

“Connor is someone who’s a good friend and teammate since I was in first grade,” said
Donis. “He may not wear the captain’s armband, but he gives everyone that reassurance
that we need. He always makes his presence felt, he is very loud and clear.”

According to his coaches, what sets Hewitt’s leadership apart is that he doesn’t just
order people around. He gives out directions and is respected based on the connections
he has with his teammates.

“I think my leadership really comes from the practices and team bonding. It’s
important to be a role model for them as well, to help them through practice,” said
Hewitt. “My leadership comes from getting everybody to talk and encourage them, such
as if they score a good goal or make a good save.”

However, Hewitt faced setbacks this season, most notably the injuries he picked up.

“Injuries happen a lot, especially with high school soccer because we play so many
games in a short amount of days,” said Walsh. “Guys that play maximum minutes like
Connor, you have to manage their workloads in practice. So there was a period of time
when he wasn’t really training because we had to deal with his groin and knee issues, and
we had to make sure he was ready for games.”

Even with the loss in the semifinal of the NJSIAA Group 4 tournament, the Little
Tigers had success, winning both the Colonial Valley Conference and the Central Jersey
Group 4 titles. After losing many
important senior players from last
year, Hewitt is immensely proud of
the season that his team had.

“I think that everyone really stepped
up to fill the shoes of the kids who left,
and all the new kids that were a part
of our team this year stepped up too,”
said Hewitt. “As the season started,
we didn’t have much of a connection,
but we developed as the season went
onwards. In the end, that’s how you
win championships: by having a team,
not a group of individuals.”

In the future, Hewitt is considering playing club soccer when he goes to college,
but is also thinking of playing lacrosse and hockey for fun. In the end, Hewitt is
making the most of his time at PHS, and is loving every minute of it.

“I would love to continue playing my athletic career, but nothing super serious,”
said Hewitt. “I’ll keep going to the field for soccer and to just kick the ball around with
friends, so that I can keep my skills together.”

Connor Hewitt ’25: soccer

As the opponent hitter leaps up for a swing, Anya Haeberli ’25 is in place, loading a
jump before blocking the hit back over for a point. As she lands back on the ground, her
teammates crowd around her as the bleachers erupt in a roar.

Although Haeberli started playing volleyball in sixth grade, the onset of the
COVID-19 pandemic temporarily cut her playing short. She cycled between rowing and
field hockey but missed volleyball more than she wished to play either sport.

“I really didn’t like any other sport I was doing at the time,” said Haeberli. “So I was
like, ‘let me try [volleyball],’ and it turned out to be a lot more fun than anything else.”

Although she is a successful
player now, Haeberli’s
reacquaintance with
volleyball started on a sour
note, as she failed to make
the team in ninth grade. This
was a challenging period for
her, and though she never
planned on quitting, there
were moments where she felt
like her skills did not measure
up.

“In my freshman year ...
I thought I knew what I was
doing more than I really did,”
said Haeberli. “But putting
myself out there during
tryouts was really hard for me, and I didn’t play club like a bunch of the other girls did.”

When Haeberli made the junior varsity team the following year, she started to find her
stride as a player. She recalls making her first good hit, which, even though the ball went
out, still inspires her today.

“[With] the feeling that was left on my hand afterwards, I knew that I’d done things
right. It went out, but I was like, ‘that’s what I have to strive for every single time now,
this feeling,’” said Haeberli.

Now that she is a returning varsity player and a senior, Haeberli finds that she has a
new role to play on the team. Beyond being an example for others with her skills, she
takes an active role in improving the underclassmen’s game.

“I definitely try to take on a mentorship role ... when I see [underclassmen] struggling
to do something during practice, [I point] out things that don’t seem right. [I] also cheer
for them,” said Haeberli.

According to Girls Volleyball Assistant Coach Katie Dineen, the energy and her
commitment to helping her teammates both on and off the court is the strongest traits
Haeberli brings to the team.

“There’s never a time when she doesn’t put a smile on every other player’s face,” said
Dineen. “When she scores a point, when she gets a kill, everybody cheers louder. They’re
just so happy to be happy for somebody who makes them feel important.”

One of Haeberli’s teammates, Sedona Arminio ’27, also finds that Haeberli has a
major positive influence on the team. As a fellow middle blocker, Arminio has seen
Haeberli grow over the time they have played together.

“She’s gotten much more
confident on the court. Towards
the end of the year she got the
confidence to [serve], and she
actually got to serve in a game.
We were all screaming for her,”
said Arminio.

Beyond her energy and
positivity, Haeberli is known
by her teammates as a talented
volleyball player who significantly
increased her skills over a
short period through personal
dedication. As her coach, Dineen
has seen her grow from her first
tryouts as a freshman into her key
role as a middle blocker on the varsity team.

“She ... was the starting middle [blocker] on JV, and ... she became really consistent at
blocking. In fact, she has the highest vertical of anyone in the program. And then she’s a
state champion her junior and her senior year on the starting roster, playing middle, and
just being a really instrumental part of our defense,” said Dineen.

As a middle blocker, Dineen says she reliably supports her teammates every game.

“Blockers really are the unsung heroes of the defense,” said Dineen. “She is just so
consistent in closing that block every time. Her timing has gotten much better, her hand
positioning has gotten much better, and it’s really her specialization.”

After high school, she plans to explore her interests in literature, neuroscience, and
psychology. She will not leave volleyball behind, though, and plans to join her school’s
volleyball club or intramural team.

“[Volleyball has] given me insight into having people to go to and how I want to find
that in the future again,” said Haeberli.

As Haeberli’s final year on the PHS girls volleyball team comes to a close, she leaves
some final words of advice for younger players both on and off the court.

“I think being okay with failure and having other people around you be okay with that
failure as well is really important,” said Haeberli. “Having experienced a lot of failure
myself, it’s something you just need to accept and move on from and learn from.”

Anya Haeberli ’25: volleyball

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.”

Volleyball season highlights

Pressure is normal in sports and affects almost every
athlete. It often manifests itself as frustration, where
a player ends up fighting themselves rather than their
actual opponent; a mix of anger and disappointment
clouds their judgment and prevents them from seeing the
game from an objective, strategic view. Frustration’s
effect is rapidly evident: mistakes, especially those
easily avoidable during practice, show up again
and again; injuries increase in frequency; matches
are lost. Fortunately, this is both avoidable and,
although difficult, reversible.

The first step is to understand where the pressure
comes from. It could be from a combination of
stressors: game-clinching moments, strict time
constraints, onlookers, expectations, or important
games. All of these can get into an athlete’s head and
disrupt their rhythm. But what are some methods
to deal with these stress factors?

An athlete’s attitude and preparation can set
the tone for a match. Physical activities like a warm
up or breathing exercises are particularly significant.
Researchers at the College of Physical Education and
Sports in China found in 2023 that dynamic stretching
for seven to ten minutes produces the best explosive
performance. This includes high knees, squats, and
lunges — anything that relaxes the body while moving.
According to another study conducted in 2022 by the
German Sport University Cologne, long-term practice
of slow-paced breathing and breath-holding is associated
with improved performance in sports. In
conclusion, feeling prepared for a match
often boosts self-confidence, a key factor
for a competitive player.

Another way to escape the jitters is
staying healthy. Physical health affects
one’s mentality; people with better
sleep are generally more resilient, as
reported by research conducted at
Baylor University earlier this year. In
addition, maintaining a healthy body
can prevent or reduce the risk of injury.
Besides proper warm-up and correct
form, proper hydration and electrolyte
balance, an important part of physical health, are also
crucial for injury prevention. Sweating results in the
loss of ions such as sodium, potassium, and calcium,
and their imbalance in the body may cause involuntary
muscle cramps or spasms. This is why athletes may pause
in the middle of a game to eat a banana or drink coconut
water. Keeping one’s body in tip-top shape is a significant
way to reduce anxiety for a match, as it boosts one’s mood
in general, making it easier to cope with stress.

Of course, even with all of these preparations, a match
can still offer up unexpected challenges. This is where
one’s mental fortitude is extremely important. Kelli
Moran-Miller, a certified mental performance consultant
at Stanford Sports Medicine, teaches athletes about focus
cues and instructional self-talk to get back on track.
Focus cues are words or actions meant to refocus an
athlete. For example, an athlete may say to themselves,
“compete,” to remind themselves to stay active. A visual
cue could be a stationary object or frequent observations,
like the netpost on a tennis court or a toss of the ball
during a volleyball serve. Grounding oneself in habits is
an easy gateway out of mental spirals, but it also takes
practice and matchplay to notice calming patterns to fall
back into during games. Moran-Miller also discusses the
importance of self-talk and divides it into two categories:
helpful and unhelpful. Helpful self-talk is positive, such
as “you got this,” “it’s okay,” or “focus on the next one.” It
is often action-orientated as well: “breathe, calm down”
or “focus.” Negative self-talk, such as “I’m so bad,” or “that
was supposed to be easy,” is unhelpful and will only make
mistakes seem worse than they really are.

As a tennis player myself, I struggle with pressure
during competitions. Positive self-talk used to seem like
pseudoscience to me; I refused to believe that words
could have an impact on my performance. I ignored
recommendations to pause and take a breath, especially
during physically or mentally tiring situations. It wasn’t
until my coach forced me to walk in a small circle to catch
my breath and regain composure that I realized how
much clearer my mind became. My mental approach to
competitions also changed when I remembered that what
I was playing was, in the end, just a game. Sports are meant
to be fun and to bring people together. It is important for
athletes to remember that, although pressure may help
them push themselves to their mental and physical limits,
they should make sure to take care of themselves and to
remember to enjoy what they do — pressure may be a
tough monster to beat, but it can be done.

How to fight the pressure (and come out on top)

Brightly colored bottles and bold advertisements
promise a multitude of benefits for athletes, from
enhancing energy to boosting overall performance.
These advertisements are highly attractive — according
to a 2018 study led by pediatrician Kyla Cordrey,
there is a positive correlation between the
aggressiveness of energy drink advertisements
and the proportion of U.S. high school students
who consume them. This trend is evident at
PHS: students in the Fitness Center are rarely
seen without a bright blue beverage, bottles
of Powerade sit on desk corners, and vending
machines sell Gatorade G-Zero, vitaminwater,
BODYARMOR, and Gatorade Propel. What are
the real health benefits of energy drinks, though? What
ingredients do they contain? Are they worth peddling to
the PHS crowd?

Beyond advertisements, sports drinks are increasingly
popular in the United States due to a rising athlete
population and greater interest in fitness-related activities,
with the sports drink industry projected to reach a value
of $36.35 billion in 2028, according to Fortune Business.
Furthermore, accessibility through online stores, effective
branding, and collaborations with sports teams or
celebrities have bolstered the industry through the years.
In order to keep up with the current trends, companies
have started to change their advertising and packaging
to emphasize the use of natural and organic ingredients
to reflect the growing support towards sustainability and
clean-label sources. However, even with these changes,
the main ingredients of the drinks remain largely the
same, including large amounts of sugar,
carbohydrates, sodium, and caffeine.

A popular sports drink brand and go-to
choice for athletes, Gatorade claims their
product hydrates better than water due to
two additional ingredients: electrolytes and
carbohydrates. Electrolytes are minerals
essential for maintaining the body’s ionic
balance — the balance between the fluids in
and outside the cells — which is necessary for
muscle, brain, and nerve function. As one of the
three main nutrients, carbohydrates are sugar
molecules that are eventually broken down into glucose,
and are the main source of energy for organs and cells.

However, sports drinks like Gatorade contain excessive
amounts of sugar, with some even including caffeine,
which can spike blood glucose levels significantly,
according to the American Diabetes Association.
Regularly having high blood glucose levels can lead to
severe or permanent damage in the kidneys, nerves,
eyes, and blood vessels. Many companies advertise their
products as “zero sugar” to appear healthier but only
minorly disclose that the alternative sweeteners they
use, such as aspartame and sucralose, may alter healthy
gut bacteria, according to Anglia Ruskin
University researchers Aparna Shil and
Havovi Chichger. The long-term effects
of low-calorie sweeteners are unknown,
but studies from Harvard University have
found them to be correlated with diabetes.
Additionally, the vibrant colors of sports
drinks are achieved by using artificial dyes
such as Red #40, a common additive that
has been linked to concerning carcinogenic
effects such as tumor growth.

However, despite containing high amounts of sugar
and mysterious additives, sports drinks can be beneficial
when consumed during intense exercise, where extra
calories and sugar are offset by the energy burned during
the workout. According to the Academy of Pediatrics,
sports drinks may be more useful than water for athletes
who engage in vigorous physical activity for longer than
an hour, especially in hot conditions. But while athletes
are still the primary consumers of sports drinks, the
industry’s shift in focus towards non-athletes and other
consumers, particularly through aggressive advertising,
often results in unintended and excessive consumption.
Gatorade, for example, can be found in children’s
lunchboxes and is even used as a hangover remedy. A
study conducted by researchers at UC Berkeley found
that people who aren’t athletes and drink sports drinks
once a day are usually not as physically
active as they should be in order to balance
the intake of the sugar and calories. For less
active people, the extra calories and sugars
aren’t necessary and cause more problems,
such as increased risk of high blood pressure
and obesity. Water remains the ideal source
of hydration by effectively replenishing fluids
lost through sweat without added sugars or
calories for light exercise.

> High amounts of sugar, sodium, and artificial dyes can pose health risks.

Though water is widely considered the
best source of hydration, it does not contain
the electrolytes and carbohydrates needed for longer,
more intense workouts. But instead of turning to neon-
colored drinks with an abundance of added sugar, there
are healthier alternatives that contain the same essential
ingredients as sports drinks. Coconut water and orange
juice contain electrolytes, natural sugars, and water,
offering all the benefits of a sports drink without harmful
additives. For an easy homemade alternative, try mixing
a glass of coconut water with honey for added sugar, a
pinch of sea salt to replace sodium lost through sweat,
and a splash of lime for flavor.

> There are healthier alternatives that contain the same essential ingredients as sports drinks.

Sports drinks have their place for intense exercise, but
they are often incorrectly used in everyday situations
where they may not be necessary. Despite marketing
claims that emphasize performance benefits, high
amounts of sugar, sodium, and artificial dyes can pose
health risks when consumed regularly by less active
individuals. With their popularity at PHS, sports drinks
will certainly not leave the vending machines soon. Thus,
it falls on students to weigh the risks and benefits of what
they consume.

Sports drinks: healthy or harmful?

### Pakoras

By Suroor Menai

Total time: 30 minutes; prep time: 10 minutes; cook time: 20 minutes;

Growing up, Thanksgiving had always been the
holiday when my aunts and uncles gathered at
my grandmother’s house here in New Jersey. My
cousins and I would look forward to the many
delicious Pakistani dishes we would get to eat over
the long weekend. Last year, however, we hosted
Thanksgiving at my house. Because of this, my mom,
aunts, and uncles made all the food instead, and put
their own spin on the meal. For example, instead
of the traditional pakoras made with potatoes, my
mom decided to use spinach and onions and fry
them in a lighter batter instead. The pakoras with
this new twist were a big hit, so at my house, we’ve
been making pakoras that way ever since.

**Ingredients**

Any neutral vegetable oil to fill up to about ¾ of a
deep frying container;
2 cups gram (besan) flour;
1 cup of warm water (add more as needed for
batter consistency);
½ tsp baking powder;
2 tsp salt;
1 ½ tsp turmeric;
½ tsp red chili pepper (or add to taste);
1 tsp cumin powder;
1 tsp coriander powder;
3 cups of spinach, chopped into thin strips;
3 onions, thinly sliced.

**Instructions**

Put the oil in a frying pan and heat it on low heat while preparing the batter.
Add the gram flour to a large mixing bowl. Slowly add the warm water, mixing as you add, until it has the
consistency of pancake batter. Try to remove bubbles or clumps from the batter as you mix.
Add the baking powder, salt, turmeric, red chili pepper, cumin powder, and coriander powder into the batter.
Add the spinach and onions to the batter and mix well so that they are evenly coated by the batter. It is best
to mix with your hands, but you can also use a spatula or big spoon.
Using a large tablespoon or serving spoon, scoop dollops of batter into the hot pan (make sure the oil is
sizzling before you place the batter in).
Wait for the fritters to get golden brown and crispy, then flip and continue to fry for another minute or two.
Remove the fritters from the oil using tongs or a slotted spoon, and store in a container lined with paper
towels to drain any excess oil.
Repeat steps five and six until you use up all the batter.
Serve hot with your favorite chutney or dipping sauce.

### Sweet potato black bean salad

By Aarna Dharmavarpu

As the Thanksgiving holiday approaches, there’s
nothing better than a hearty, comforting side dish
to add to your seasonal feast. This sweet potato
and black bean pasta salad is the perfect recipe to
embrace this holiday’s flavors. With its vibrant
combination of roasted sweet potatoes, black beans,
and the satisfying crunch of corn, this pasta salad
offers a warm, earthy base that is balanced by the
tangy dressing. For me, it’s a go-to side dish that’s
become a holiday favorite — a comforting reminder
of this season’s warmth and the joy of sharing meals
with loved ones.

Recipe adapted from AllRecipes.

Total time: 1 hour 5 minutes; prep time: 25 minutes; cook time: 40 minutes.

**Ingredients**

PASTA SALAD:
½ pound of pasta;
1 medium sized sweet potato, peeled and cut into;
1 inch cubes;
½ cup black beans, drained and rinsed;
½ cup fresh corn;
⅓ cup minced red onion;
¼ cup finely chopped cilantro;
½ cup shredded cheese (can be any cheese);
2 tbsp olive oil;
1 tsp kosher salt;
1 tsp black pepper.

SALAD DRESSING:
2 ½ chipotle peppers in adobo;
1 ½ tsp adobo sauce;
1 clove of garlic;
½ tsp dried oregano;
Ground cumin to taste;
1 tbsp honey;
3 tbsp rice vinegar;
¼ cup olive oil,

**Instructions**

Preheat your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Toss the sweet potato with olive oil, black pepper, and kosher
salt, then lay the sweet potato cubes evenly on a baking tray. Roast the sweet potato in the oven for 20 minutes,
or until they are brown and tender.
Cook the pasta in salted boiling water for about ten minutes, or until al dente. Drain the pasta and set it
aside to cool.
In a small bowl, prepare the salad dressing by mixing together the chipotle peppers, adobo sauce, garlic,
oregano, cumin, honey, rice vinegar, and olive oil, until a smooth consistency is achieved. Season with kosher
salt and black pepper to taste.
In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, black beans, corn, sweet potato, red onion, cilantro, and olive
oil. Season with additional kosher salt and black pepper if desired. Then, stir in the cheese, plate, and enjoy!

Let's dish this out: two Thanksgiving sides to add to your feast

From perfect GPAs to Ivy League
acceptance letters and abundant
extracurriculars, characters on
screen seem to glide through the
college application process, all
while balancing several romantic
relationships and some serious
personal drama. The media’s
glossy depiction of the college
application process disregards the
late-night cramming, weekend
shifts, and lunch meetings
with teachers that make
up real students’ lives.
Protagonists in “Gilmore
Girls” and “Never Have I
Ever” are all living an idealistic
illusion of a stressless senior
year and college application
season. As viewers, we can’t
help but feel drawn to these
characters who seem effortlessly
intelligent, accomplished, and
goal-oriented.

Many high schoolers dream
of attending a top university, yet
the reality of getting accepted is far
more challenging than popular TV shows
portray. In “Gilmore Girls,” the journey to
a prestigious college appears deceptively
easy, creating an illusion of guaranteed
success for any hardworking or
successful student. The protagonist
Rory Gilmore is an overachiever
who excels in academics and is
involved in many extracurricular
activities. Throughout her high
school journey, she doesn’t
encounter many struggles and
ends up only applying to and
getting accepted into her
dream colleges: Harvard,
Princeton, and Yale.
However, “Gilmore Girls”
fails to acknowledge the
difficulties and complex
feelings high schoolers
often face during the
admissions process. Real-
life college admissions are
often full of uncertainty and
rejection. The reality is that
even high achieving students
may not be accepted to their
top choices.

The media’s narrative of the college
application process glorifies prestige.
Time and again, TV shows and movies
only mention the names of Ivy League
or top 20 universities, as if attending
one of these institutions is the
only acceptable route to success.
In “Never Have I Ever,” Devi, a
smart and driven student, only
applies to Ivy League schools.
When college acceptances come
out, she is left with only one
waitlist and considers waiting
another year to reapply to the
Ivy Leagues if she is denied
from that school. Devi’s
story is a prime example of
the media’s romanticization
of prestigious schools.
This unhealthy portrayal
creates misguided beliefs
among students, where one’s
hard work in school becomes
automatically pointless if denied
admission to top universities.

However, the media is
overlooking the thousands of
other colleges all around the
world that also provide quality
education for students to pursue what they
love. College admissions should be about
finding a place where one can thrive, not
simply aiming for the name that looks
best on a bumper sticker.

Not only are there a wide range
of excellent colleges, but some
students may not realize that
college is not the only suitable
path after high school. While
attending college can provide
opportunities and a degree,
high school graduates can
also find joy and achievement
through working, training, or
pursuing other experiences.
Additionally, some students
choose to take a gap year and
travel, volunteer, or work to
help shape their goals and find
their interests. It’s important
to remember to embrace your
own journey as there is more
than one path to success.

For PHS students, the college
admissions process can be much
tougher and more stressful than
what we see on screen. However,
success isn’t defined by one
decision, and the college journey should
be a time for us to explore who we are and
find where we belong.

Debunking college admissions in TV

Fashion trends today are constantly evolving and never
stick around for long. And yet, it seems that the latest
styles often cycle back to old favorites — jorts, chunky
sneakers and bold animal prints, for example— which
keeps history’s styles at the forefront of our minds. While
this endless loop of reinvention makes fashion thrillingly
unpredictable, it also leaves thousands of clothes discarded,
primarily due to fast fashion, as closets adapt to
these changing trends.

Popular clothing styles from past decades are
slowly making their comeback into the lives
of the new generation. Jorts became a trend
during the 1960s counterculture movement as
younger generations embraced the scandalous
nature of cutting their jeans to above the knees.
The lengths and styles of jorts have changed over
the years: people in the 1970s and 1980s opted for
shorter and tighter-fitting styles, while hip hop
artists in the 1990s pushed for lower waistlines
with longer and baggier pant legs.

Another item of clothing that grew in popularity in the
1990s were chunky sneakers, but they fell out of fashion
later on shoes that were more sleek and minimalist replaced
them. However, by the mid to late 2010s, chunky sneakers
were brought back into the fashion realm after the “dad
shoes” trend arose.

While these aesthetic comebacks are being widely
accepted by the newer generations, rapidly changing
fashion styles pose many issues. For one, what
makes fast fashion “fast” is the poor quality of the
clothing, which often results in garments becoming
unwearable after only a few uses. This creates a cycle
for the wearer: buy cheap clothes, wear them a few
times, throw them out, buy more cheap clothes,
wear them a few times, throw them out, etc. As
trends shift shorter, consumers feel compelled to
constantly replace items, perpetuating the loop
and increasing environmental harm.

Moreover, the concept of “fast fashion” has become
more widespread due to these fashion changes.
Teenagers are often the target audience of fast fashion
companies like Shein and Temu, as they’re drawn to buying
large heaps of clothing at once due to the cheap prices. While
there is a wave of excitement when one receives their Shein
package, most are unaware or overlook the underlying
issue of inadequately treated workers. According to
Humanium, an organization focused on children’s rights,
in Asian countries such as India and Bangladesh, many
child laborers are overworked and underpaid to create
clothing for fast-fashion brands following such trends.
Unfortunately, the production of fast-fashion clothes also
creates environmental problems due to the excessive use of
water and the amount of plastic used within the garments.

The concept of fashion trends being cyclical isn’t
inherently bad; the old is brought back as “new.” However,
issues emerge when society is always looking for the
next new thing to popularize, discarding clothes with
the blink of an eye, as many of fast-fashion’s workers and
the environment are left to shoulder the consequences
of our temporary desires.

What goes around comes around: a fashion commentary

### Connecting through cultures

By Asma Frough

Thanksgiving, the heart and joy of November, is celebrated in the United
States and Canada every fall, when people gather with their families to ap-
preciate the blessings of the past year. The holiday holds a special place in
many people’s hearts, as it is a time for family reunions, celebration,
gratitude, and delicious food. It’s a joyful time of year that symbolizes
the transition from fall to winter, marking the cold weather. For me,
however, the joy of celebrating Thanksgiving always felt empty.

I was born in Kabul, Afghanistan. I grew up there as a Muslim girl,
getting to experience other joyful celebrations such as Eid and
Nawroz (the Muslim New Year). Those occasions, especially
Eid, have a special place in my heart. Every morning of Eid,
I would excitedly wake up and put on the new clothes that
I chose for myself. The scent of my mom’s cooking and freshly
baked pastries would fill the entire house as I waited for guests and
family to arrive so we could enjoy the delicious food together. Getting to
see my cousins and receive gifts from the adults made the celebration
all the more special.

When I moved to the United States in August of 2022, I was introduced
to a whole new culture and society that I was previously unfamiliar with;
I had never celebrated Halloween, Thanksgiving, or Christmas. Although
I knew a little about how people celebrated Halloween and Christmas,
Thanksgiving was completely new to me. What was this celebration that
took up two whole days of school? That year, my family and I were invited
to our first Thanksgiving in a church by some friends. When I went there,
I saw so many people and so many different types of food.
I soon realized the holiday’s true meaning, which led me to dis-
cover that it is actually very similar to what we do during Eid. Even
though Eid is celebrated to end the fasting month of Ramadan for
Muslims, it brings people together, just like Thanksgiving. Since my
first Thanksgiving experience, my family and I have looked forward to this
holiday every year.

On Thanksgiving day, my mom prepares different dishes that mix
our own cultural food with classic Thanksgiving dishes; for instance,
she often serves the Afghan rice dish Qabuli with a turkey. On this day,
we all gather around to enjoy the meal and spend quality time with each
other, appreciating everyone and everything in our lives. My Thanksgiving
celebration connects me back to my country and to the joyful celebrations
of Eid, while helping me create new cherished memories.

### Finding magic in the mess

By Samantha Henderson

A long time ago, my dad and his siblings decided, to keep things fair,
that they would split hosting holidays. My aunt took Easter and my uncle
claimed Christmas Eve, which left arguably the most elaborate holiday,
Thanksgiving, to my family. Every year it sneaks up on us. Only when the
leaves have all fallen to the ground and November has begun are we suddenly
reminded of Thanksgiving.

A week or so into November, my family gathers with a spreadsheet from
the year before, going over all of the things we won’t do again. For example,
we always make way too many sides; every year we say, “This year we won’t
have leftovers for weeks,” and every year we’re still eating stuffing two weeks
after Thanksgiving.

Besides this initial spreadsheet making, for the first few weeks of November,
nobody is really worried about Thanksgiving preparations. As the day creeps
closer, however, this laissez-faire attitude slowly shifts to full-blown panic. I
know the Thanksgiving anxiety has fully set in when my parents struggle to
fit 20 chairs into our dining room. On Thanksgiving morning, the kitchen
quickly becomes a frenzy of activity. My dad and grandma will peer
nervously in the oven at the turkey as my mom stirs the cranberry sauce
on the stove and my brother and I hurriedly set the table.

When people start to arrive, this frenzy soon turns to chaos, as the house
begins to resemble the scene in “Home Alone” when the McCallisters are
leaving for the airport. In my house, football always blares from the den, where
everybody huddles around the TV, yelling at the Giants. I set out the placecards
in the dining room. My uncle uses every spoon in the house to stir canned
cranberry sauce into the pot of homemade sauce that my mom labored over
for hours. My brother and cousin playfully shoot each other with Nerf guns
while my aunt ducks, creamed spinach in hand.

When dinner is finally ready, I breathe a sigh of relief. Everybody drops
what they’re doing and rushes to make themselves plates. Once
we’re all gathered around the table, my grandpa, Big Mac,
begins a toast. “Let’s all go around the table and say what
we’re grateful for,” he’ll say. Every year as I listen to everyone
share what they are thankful for, it hits me all over again what
Thanksgiving is really about: giving thanks. It doesn’t matter if some
spinach got spilled on the floor or if the Giants lost or if there is way too
much cauliflower. Getting to sit around the table with my family is the most
important thing to be thankful for and, ultimately, that’s the reason why Big
Mac has made this same toast every year for as long as I can remember.

Our memories of gathering and appreciation

From colored pencils to acrylics, Cynthia Zhou ’25 creates art using various mediums.
Since seventh grade, she has learned to translate her personality into her art style. Besides
drawing as a hobby and gifting paintings, Zhou is a member of the art studio Keke Studio,
and co-president of the Numina Gallery. Over the course of her artistic journey, Zhou’s
former art teacher and younger sister have become her inspirations.

**What made you interested in creating art?**

I was always self-taught when I was younger. I really liked to doodle in class [and] I
think that’s really my biggest thing. I liked comics a lot, so I read a lot of Webtoons and
stuff like that growing up. I think the main reason why I
started learning was because originally I wanted to draw
web comics ... Later on, I realized that, honestly, [art is] just
really calming, and a [way for me to] express myself.

**What is your artistic process?**

I think it depends for the most part. I have a bank of ideas
[that I think] about. Usually, I [use] the best idea and then
pick a color scheme [for the piece]. I’m into really random
colors mixed together to create really vibrant pieces ... My
idea, and then the colors that I want to incorporate ... are
the [two] things that I always decide before drawing and
then I usually sketch it out. Right now, I’m doing a lot of
acrylic. I start with the base colors [and] the face first. I get
very excited to do certain parts, so I skip around, and focus
on one specific part, really in detail, [then I] skip over to the
next part. I don’t do the full thing all at once.

**Have you ever felt like quitting art because of challenges that you faced?**

Yeah, I think in eighth grade, I went through a really hard time with my life during
COVID. I would rip up my drawings and stuff like that because I just would take my anger
out on art. I really wanted to just stop [doing] art, because I didn’t feel like myself. Because
art was such a big part of myself, I thought that was the issue, and I just wanted to quit.

**What made you continue art?**

My sister was especially [helpful]. She taped all my drawings back up together, which
was really thoughtful. And I think I eventually just got over it. I came to the realization
that I really love drawing and I can’t stop.

**What were some goals that you had when you
started and how have they changed over the
course of your journey?**

I think my original goal was ... to do something
big, like draw a Webtoon or enter a competition and
win something massive. But I think because I wanted
that, I had to follow this very structured art type. But
honestly, I think throughout the years, I realized that
I don’t want to draw this very standard type of art. I’ve
been exploring with a ton of different crazy ideas that
I get from my head. I really love writing with art too.
I think originally I did not want to write at all with
my art, but now I just like to tie those two together.
But I don’t really have a huge goal. [I] just like to do
[art] for fun.

Cynthia Zhou ’25 finds strength through art

Shh, did you hear? PHS Spectacle Theatre and Tech Crew
presented “Rumors,” a 1988 comedy, as their fall play. This
award-winning play written by Neil Simon showcases a
chaotic and seemingly joyous dinner party. Beneath the
smiles, however, darker conflicts of mistaken identities
and rumors lurk in the atmosphere.

Because of the characters’ deceptive identities, the actors
had to familiarize themselves with multiple personalities
within a singular role.

“[My character] is a bit of a people pleaser, so there [were]
some scenes where she’s with a lot of people … and she’s
doing her best to appeal to them and appear cheerful,” said
Alexandra Sandt ’25, who played Chris Gorman in the blue
cast. “The real struggle with my character ... was trying to
find who she was behind that veil ... how [she would] act
when she’s not placed in that high-stress situation.”

Konrad Hedges ’26, who played Lenny Ganz in the red
cast, shared his experience of exploring his character.

“I think Lenny is a bit of a suppressed drama queen …
[his career] doesn’t allow for much creative freedom, and
I think in this play, Lenny gets to explore a side of him
that’s more creatively free and expressive,” said Hedges.

Aside from the traditional challenges of getting into
character, the comedic aspect of this play added a layer of
complexity that offered new opportunities for the cast as
they learned to adapt to this style.

“[In comedy], it’s so easy to fall flat and you really have
to be very detailed in the rhythm and the pace ... or the
jokes won’t land,” said Technical Director Jeffrey Van Velsor.

“[Performing ‘Rumors’ was] a really great exercise in
delivering the lines quickly and clearly so that the audience
gets the joke.”

Performers and the Tech Crew had been preparing for
this play since the beginning of the school year. During
Tech Week, the cast and crew collaborated on stage for the
first time to resolve difficulties for the final performance.

“We [didn’t] want you to notice that there were any
mishaps ... and that’s part of the beauty of it,” said Stage
Manager Grace Waldman ’25. “[Tech Crew worked] as
many hours as all the actors [did] to build the set, paint
the set, be in rehearsal, and communicate all the things
that [needed to] happen.”

Throughout the play’s production, PHS performers
were given the opportunity to further their own narratives
through their specific roles in the play.

“With every role I play, I find out a new thing about
myself as a person, [like] something that is a quirk of mine
... Sometimes I’ll take a line from a show and I’ll just start
saying it in my everyday vocabulary,” said Noa Zacks ’25,
who played Chris Gorman in the red cast. “Playing different
roles that come from different perspectives and walks of
life helps you grow as a person and kind of realize where
you’ve come from, because acting is putting yourself in
another person’s shoes.”

“Rumors” brings laughter and joy beyond the stage

### Cheers
Christmas music; Tyler, the Creator's new album; cafeteria bagels; plush keychains; Thanksgiving break; new seasonal jelly cats.

### Jeers
National Merit cutoff; Doordash thieves; Temperature turbulence; "homework free weekends" that have homework anyway

Cheers & Jeers: November 2024

If there are laws to protect individuals in marginalized
communities from discrimination in areas like employment,
healthcare, and education, why shouldn’t there be laws to
protect books that reflect their stories and experiences?
Students at PHS and across the country deserve access
to the voices of minority
groups and a chance to
learn about their lives and
beliefs through literature.
According to the American
Library Association
(ALA), censorship of
books has increased by
65 percent from 2022
to 2023, with over 4,000
books containing themes
of racial justice or gender
identity being banned
from public and school
libraries. Recently,
however, the New Jersey
Senate has started to focus
on preventing censorship
to promote diversity.

On October 28, 2024,
the Freedom to Read
Act was passed by the
New Jersey Senate, but is
currently awaiting the approval of Governor Phil Murphy.
This law will prevent books from being banned solely
because of their origin, background, or views in public
and school libraries. It aims to enforce the ALA’s Library
Bill of Rights, which seeks to make libraries inclusive and
diverse environments. This is especially important for
students as access to more diverse literature allows them
to build cultural awareness, empathy, and critical thinking.

In addition, if the Freedom to Read Act is approved, it
will protect librarians. Currently, librarians face pressure
to remove certain books, especially those dealing with
sensitive topics such as race and gender. In 2023, a survey
conducted by the School Library Journal found that 18
percent of elementary
school librarians
reported experiencing
harassment, and the
rate rose to 30 percent
among librarians
in high schools.
Harassment often
comes from parents
who want to protect
their children from
content they consider
harmful. It also often
comes from political
groups who oppose
the representation of
certain ideas, such as
LGBTQ+ themes, in
libraries. As a result,
these people claim that
librarians are spreading
inappropriate content
and pressure them to
remove those books, despite a lack of evidence. With the
Freedom to Read Act in place, librarians will be granted
liability protection, encouraging them to do their jobs
without fear of legal repercussions and harassment from
the public, leading to a less stressful work environment.

The harmful effects of censorship on society are
displayed in Ray Bradbury’s dystopian novel “Fahrenheit
451.” Bradbury’s novel is a direct reference to historical
censorship events like the Nazi book burnings, where
thousands of books, primarily written by Jewish authors
or others considered “un-German,” were destroyed to
control public thought. In the book, everything that goes
against the government’s ideals are censored, leaving
people desensitized and overly reliant on technology,
making them unable to think for themselves. Individuals
also refrain from sharing their opinions due to the fear of
retribution. Today, the novel serves as a reminder of the
importance of protecting individuality and preventing
censorship from enforcing conformity and suppressing
critical thought within individuals.

In a world where the voices of marginalized groups are
suppressed, it is incredibly important to solve the issue of
censorship and be able to connect with all communities.
The Freedom to Read Act is one step towards this, but
censorship still remains a concern: Pen America found
that in the United States, there are over 40 educational gag
orders that have become law in over 22 states, restricting
topics such as race and gender to be taught in schools.
Such policies prevent individuals from developing beliefs
and critical thinking. With the Freedom to Read Act, New
Jersey will set an example for other states to establish laws
that restrain censorship. Now it is time for us to advocate
and promote similar ideas that advocate for freedom of
expression and access to diverse perspectives so that we
can explore our own interests and beliefs without our
rights being infringed by censorship.

Librarians need to be protected

Ashvi Gadagottu ’28: “Usually I just talk with
them and they … know how to
comfort me or they’ll give me
some advice on the situation.”

Milania Kapoor ’27: “[My friends will] be like, ‘Oh,
I’m here whenever you need to
talk,’ or if it’s something school-
related, they’ll be like, ‘Oh, it’s
okay, you can do better next
time.’”

Skye Pinneo ’26: “People I know ... reach out and
offer to help with stuff. If I’m
talking to people who have gone
through the same thing, it’s very
helpful.”

Anya Haeberli ’25: “I prefer … talking through an
issue and it’s very nice when [my
friends and I] can just sit through
a lunch period and we get to talk
about it and … just let off some
steam."

PHS Speaks Out: How do you feel supported by your friends during tough times?

November marks the final month of
college representative visits to PHS in
2024 , concluding three months of
visits from over 200 colleges
and universities from
around the country
and the world.
Students were able to
explore a wide range
of institutions
during school
hours, learning about
the unique features each
college offers.

Nipurna Shah, PHS’s college
counselor begins the planning process
by opening a calendar on Scoir in mid-
August for schools to begin registering
their representatives for visits. This calendar
streamlines the scheduling process,
allowing institutions to coordinate with
other high schools and arrange visits more
efficiently. Currently registered colleges
return year after
year, and many
others show
interest
in visiting
PHS.

“For the most part,
we have a robust
assortment of different
colleges, and many
of them come back
every year,” said
Shah. “They like our
students. They want
our students.”

Adjusting to the bell
schedule each year to squeeze
in college visits requires
a close look at holidays,
professional development
days, and other
school activities.
To minimize
potential scheduling
conflicts, Shah
communicates
with both college
representatives
and the school’s
administration .
However, coordinating
many people’s schedules
is never an easy task.

“Our schedule gets
really full very quickly, and
then some colleges, at the
last minute … decide they
want to come. So I have
to work around existing
colleges to see if I can fit
other ones in,” said Shah.

Shah also considers the
students’ bell schedule,
as seen in her decision to
avoid hosting college visits
on Tiger Day Thursdays
since it is a shortened day
with limited availability.
Unexpected evacuation
and fire drills can also
create complications,
often requiring last-
minute adjustments.

“When we had the
evacuation drill, I had
two colleges scheduled.
The evacuation drill was
scheduled after those
colleges had already
committed to coming, so I
had to figure out another ... time for them
to come,” said Shah.

Despite these logistical challenges,
Shah stresses that visits are a valuable
opportunity for students to learn what
unique programs individual colleges have
to offer. In addition to exploring these
academic options, students gain
insights into how the admissions
teams view applicants. The
representatives who visit PHS
are often the first readers
of students’ applications.
Shah notes that having a
personal connection with a
college representative can be
meaningful in the application
process. Additionally, many U.S.
colleges track demonstrated interest from
prospective students, which can be shown
by attending a college visit.

“It’s a good opportunity
for the students to ask
any specific questions
about programming
or research ... which
they can use ... when
they write their essays
on why [they] want to
go to the school,” said
Shah. “You know they don’t
say that forthcomingly, but they’ll give
you little tidbits on how to support your
application.”

Shah describes college visits as a chance
for students to make more informed
decisions about their future, empowering
them to choose a school or program
that best aligns with their personal and
academic interests.

Behind the scenes: college visits at PHS

“I don’t like math,” said geometry and
AP Statistics teacher Suzanne Stevens.

For Stevens, the motivation to teach
math instead comes from her enjoyment
of helping others. Stevens found her spark
for teaching while helping her peers in
college understand a subject that she
already knew well. This love of helping
others grasp concepts and do well in
subjects they may not enjoy is what led
her to become a teacher.

“I never liked math. I hated math in
high school. I went to college and said,
‘I’m going to take the easiest math I could
possibly take in my whole life so I can get
it over with,’” said Stevens.

Pursuing her passion for teaching,
Stevens taught at many places before
coming to PHS. Beginning her career in
New York, Stevens went on to teach at
Robbinsville High School, South Brunswick
High School, and the Princeton University
Preparatory Program. Ultimately, PHS
drew Stevens’ attention because of the
freedom that both teachers and students
have in teaching and learning.

“The administration lets you run your
classroom the way you want to run your
classroom. Students are held to a high
standard, but also given some freedom,
which is really nice, and it seems to be a
good blend that works,” said Stevens.

Stevens recognizes that many students
struggle with learning math from equations
written on a board.

“I try to do all hands-on stuff ... My
philosophy of teaching is that I give you
an activity or you try something and figure
it out, and then you get to the main idea ...
there’s exploration and discovery which
translates better into recall and processing,
but ... the actual experience helps in recall
later,” said Stevens.

Learning through exploration allows
students to remember concepts through
hands-on application, rather than
terminology they may have a hard time
remembering.

Stevens believes that though students
may not believe in their own ability to
understand something, they can still learn
it. All they need is someone to put in the
effort to make the content accessible to
them.

“I like helping people recognize they
could do something. If someone took the
time to explain something in a way that
was understandable ... they were able to
get it, and it was amazing to help people
do that,” said Stevens.

PHS Profiles: Suzanne Stevens

Vending machines have long been a
staple in high school, providing students
with easy access to snacks and drinks
during busy school days. At PHS, however,
recent changes to the snack and drink
options in vending machines have caused
varying opinions and discussions among
students and faculty. This shift in snack
choices comes in part as a result of working
with PPS’s new food provider, Pomptonian
Food Services, and a stricter adherence to
state nutrition guidelines.

As administrators strive to balance state
regulations with student preferences, PHS
vending machines have become a testing
ground to find the right mix of health
guidelines, pricing, and taste.

The decisions regarding what goes in the
vending machines are complex, involving
both the school district and third-party
providers who stock the machines.
Pomptonian manages the food in the
cafeteria, but is not directly responsible
for stocking the vending machines.

“It’s just the transition between one
school food service and the next. This
piece of the vending machine has kind
of fallen into a vague area that we are still
trying to figure out,” said Dean of Students
Diana Lygas, one of the main coordinators
between PHS and Pomptonian.

For now, a third party vending machine
company continues to replenish snacks
based on sales trends and overall
availability.

In addition to a change in providers,
state regulations limiting the grams of
sugar in the vending machine products
have resulted in alternative snacks and
drinks such as baked Cheetos, zero-sugar
Gatorade, and reduced-fat Doritos being
stocked in the machines. However, as long
as the food adheres to the regulations, the
school is working to provide what the
students want.

“We are trying to get enough data [for
what] our students’ preferences are,”
said PHS Principal Cecilia Birge. “We
can still bring some of the favorites back
while meeting the guidelines; [those are]
improvements that we’re hoping to make
together with Pomptonian.”

In an effort to gain student input on
the vending machines, Lygas recently
conducted a Canvas survey. In the survey,
many students have expressed that they
would like to see non-diet gatorade, chips,
and fruit snacks back in the machines.
PHS will be working with Pomptonian
Food Services and a third-party vendor
to provide food in the vending machines
that meets everyone’s needs.

“What is popular, what’s not, it takes a
little time for the company to get used to,”
said PPS Business Administrator Matthew
Bouldin. “So we’re definitely listening
to the feedback. We want to hear what
[people] like and what [they] don’t like.”

PHS Investigates: stocking vending machines

Getting the 3,800 students in the
Princeton district to and from school
would cause a considerable amount
of traffic in Princeton if not for the
district’s transportation system. As the
Transportation Supervisor of PPS, Donna
Bradin ensures that all students are able
to attend school and events safely and
on time.

In order to coordinate transportation for
over 30 other schools in addition to PPS’s
six public schools, Bradin starts months
ahead of the first day of school to prepare
for the upcoming school year. She begins
with private schools, drafting routes in
April and May, before planning routes for
public schools in July, and sending them
to contractors by August.

“We have 26 contracted routes, which
consist of mostly our public schools
and some of our [private] schools. The
challenging part is everybody [has]
basically the same dismissal time, so I have
to be really creative with how I do these
routes,” said Bradin.

Bradin also helps to coordinate athletics
and events. A contract with Irvin Raphael,
a school bus company, allows flexibility in
coordination with Princeton drivers. This
allows Irvin Raphael to do nighttime or
weekend trips when Princeton drivers are
unavailable. She also helps to coordinate
transportation for Princeton events such
as the Princeton High School Marathon,
Community Diversity Day, and even Teen
Travel Camp.

“I’m very busy, always busy. I have a
list of things each month that need to be
done, whether it be reports or not, and I
enjoy doing it all. It’s like a big puzzle, I
have to put it all together,” said Bradin. “I
always say that anybody can come to my
office and visit just to see how we work.”

With nearly 30 years of experience,
Donna Bradin has worked her way through
the transportation ladder, from driving
buses to becoming a trainer for CDL and
a third party tester, before finally landing
in the transportation office of PPS.

“I started doing this almost 30 years ago
as a school bus driver, and I came from
Pennsylvania. And when I started, my
two children were young, and I was like,
‘I gotta get a job.’ Never thought of making
it a career, to be honest with you, but here
I am,” said Bradin.

As a former bus driver, Bradin says that
being a driver is easy for the most part, but
may encounter many challenges, including
traffic, road closures, or bad weather.
Nevertheless, Bradin believes the positives
of her job outweigh the negatives.

“I know from my own experience, you
get to watch kids grow. I try and keep the
same drivers on the same run ... I’m a
firm believer [in that] because you build
a relationship with families and you get to
watch students grow up,” said Bradin. “I’m
a people person ... I’ll run into somebody
that I drove many years ago, and they’ll
have families, and they’ll be like, ‘Hey, you
were my bus driver,’ so that is rewarding
in itself.”

Bradin stresses the importance of being
able to connect with new students and their
families who may not be used to taking a
school bus every morning.

“I know we have a lot of families that
come from other countries and their
children may never have been on a school
bus,” said Bradin. “I’ll say [to them] ‘Why
don’t you come here with your child? We’ll
take them for a bus ride and show them.’
I love doing that.”

PHS Investigates: coordinating transportation

On September 1, the Princeton Board of Education
passed a resolution to vote on a bond referendum worth
over $85 million intended to renovate school facilities.
The proposed renovations, if passed in full, would impact
Princeton Middle School, PHS, and each of the four
PPS elementary schools by modernizing aging district
buildings and expanding PPS’s capacity to accommodate
an increasing student population.

The projected spike in student population is a result of
the municipality of Princeton complying with New Jersey’s
affordable housing requirements via the construction of
multiple residential developments across the township,
the largest being those adjacent to the Princeton Shopping
Center. Moreover, on October 18, the state mandated
municipalities across New Jersey to meet specific housing
obligations: Princeton is calculated to currently need 60
affordable housing units, with an additional 276 in total
over the next decade. As such, the district expects an even
greater influx of students, which the BOE purports will
be beyond the current capacity of PPS.

“We, as a community, know that there’s been some
affordable housing mandates and that the ... housing that
Princeton was required to build resulted in about seven
new developments that were approved by the council
and are now underway and being built around town,”
said Beth Behrend, an executive BOE member.

If approved, the BOE’s proposal for a bond referendum
— where the local government asks for a vote from the
public to approve or reject a project — would allow the
government to borrow (via bonds) funding to complete
the project. Princeton Township residents will vote on
this referendum on January 28, 2025. To ensure that the
public has a greater degree of flexibility surrounding
the parts of the proposal they support, the BOE has
divided it into three parts, each of which will be voted
on independently.

“There’ll be three questions on the bond referendum,
and question one has to pass for question two to pass,
and questions one and two have to pass for question
three to pass as well,” said BOE member Susan Kanter.
“Since I’ve been in Princeton, that [hasn’t been] how
referendums have gone out, so it’ll be new to the public
to have that choice.”

The first proposal section, or “question,” would renew
Community Park Elementary facilities and install
small-scale ventilators at PHS, along with a broader
HVAC system. Although the improvements would cost
approximately $37 million, savings from the new HVAC
may total $150,000 to $200,000 annually.

“The renovation will encompass the building’s HVAC
system, including the chillers, the boilers, and the air
handling units,” according to the PPS website. “This work
will bring these outdated systems up to par with those at
the elementary and middle schools."

If the first question were to be approved,
Princeton residents would then vote on the
second question, which costs $38.3 million
and largely consists of changes to PMS
infrastructure. However, this question
would also remodel the Numina Art
Gallery and transform current district tech
offices to be used for student instruction.
The third question of the proposal, worth
nearly $13 million, is focused entirely
on constructing more classrooms and
enlarging existing facilities at Littlebrook
Elementary.

“The school district does not operate
in a vacuum, and we are aware of other
recent impacts to the taxpayer. After much
discussion, the Board and administration
believe that a three-question format is
the best approach to let voters decide
their additional level of investment in
the public schools,” said BOE president
Dafna Kendal.

Behrend and Kanter emphasized that the
state, rather than the municipality, would
pay for significant parts of the proposal;
approximately 15 percent of the question
one and two funds would come from
New Jersey. If all three questions were to
pass, owners of Princeton homes with an
average assessed value of $853,000 would
see an estimated increase of $532 yearly
for 27 years of financing.

BOE members disavowed any form
of advocacy from other members,
emphasizing the importance of voter input
in the January decision.

“Our job is just to put together the
solutions, and we’ve worked really hard on
it for many years, and had some really good
professionals advising us,” said Behrend.
“We’ve had a lot of forums with the public
… it’s been a really collaborative process.
We all learned a lot, and I think we all
feel pretty good about the solutions we’ve
come to, and now putting it out there for
the voters to consider.”

BOE passes resolution to hold $85 million referendum

The campus of Westminster Choir College, which sits
adjacent to PHS, is set to be acquired by the Princeton
Town Council following the passage of a $50 million
bond ordinance. The status of the property, which is
currently owned by Rider University, had been uncertain
ever since the university decided to move its well-known
music program from Princeton to their Lawrenceville
campus. The only active organization that remains on the
Princeton campus is the Westminster Conservatory of
Music, which offers music lessons and other programs to
local residents; the remaining 28 acres are largely unused.

In 2018, a Chinese company attempted to purchase the
property, but the deal fell through. According to Princeton
mayor Mark Freda, the town is acquiring the property
in part to prevent the property from being purchased by
similar large developers.

“I don’t think there’s very many people that live in
town that would like to suddenly see 1000 housing units
on that property. I think people hope that there’s some
way to maintain some of what’s there — it’s a beautiful
property,” said Freda.

Because of the campus’s proximity to PHS and Princeton
Middle School, Freda and other town officials also
hope that the property could be used by the Board of
Education in future expansion efforts. However, all plans
are tentative, and the town has not yet had an official
meeting with the full BOE.

“The schools need to determine how they use it,” said
Freda. “Do you put another school there? Do you close
part of Franklin Avenue and put an addition on the middle
school? Do you need more fields?”

The current $50 million ordinance only covers the
acquisition of the property and minor repairs to the
buildings. Any significant capital improvements would
require additional funding from the BOE’s budget. Even
still, the current bond puts an estimated $329 annual tax
burden, over 30 years, on the average Princeton household.
To help lower this cost, the town is planning on potentially
renting out the space to local organizations.

While Freda said that he has not personally heard any
resistance to the plans, he understands that the purchase
could jeopardize the only existing program on site —
Westminster Conservatory. Dr. Ruth Ochs, the current
director of the Westminster Conservatory’s community
orchestra, believes that special care must be taken to
ensure the institution can continue in Princeton.

“The Westminster conservatory is the strongest and
largest musical asset that the Princeton community owns,”
said Ochs. “It is a unique and special opportunity for
accomplished individuals from different backgrounds
[and] generations to come together and unite and learn
from each other.”

The curriculum development and programming
has become challenging due to lack of clarity of the
convseratory’s future, even in the near term, according to
Ochs. She also described the uncertainty that conservatory
faculty have felt because of unclear messaging from the
various parties involved in the acquisition process.

“We have no idea what comes on January 1,” said Ochs.
“We’re hoping that things will just continue through the
end of the year. Beyond that, it’s quite hard to imagine.”

In the long term, Ochs hopes that the conservatory
could potentially partner with existing arts organizations.

“I would hope, if there comes a point when — and this
is 100 percent hypothetical — that if the Westminster
Conservatory somehow needed to find independent
partnership that there are arts organizations in the area
that we might find fruitful partnership with,” said Ochs.

Rider University has said that the
Conservatory will continue to operate
through the end of this academic year.
Beyond that, however, plans are still
uncertain, according to Kristine Brown,
Rider University’s Vice President of
External Affairs.

“The municipality has recognized the
value of the Westminster Conservatory
for the community, and at this time, we
expect the Conservatory will continue to
operate in Princeton through June 2025,”
said Brown. “As the municipality’s process
to acquire the property continues, and any
future decisions regarding operations on
that property are made, we will certainly
keep the community informed as we go
forward.”

Even if the Conservatory stays under
the administration of Rider University,
Ochs has expressed concerns regarding
the business-focused approach the
university has to the music education the
Conservatory offers. The Conservatory is
ostensibly a non-profit, according to Ochs,
which doesn’t align with the way Rider
University views the program.

“There’s a very fundamental conflict at
play ... it’s business versus the cultivation
and the teaching of music, which is in
itself, not a sustainable endeavor,” said
Ochs. “I would love Rider University to
find a way to continue the relationship
with the Conservatory because I really
like continuing to have a relationship with
Westminster Choir College.”

Robert Loughran, the director of the
PHS orchestra program, believes that if
the deal goes through and Rider University
sells the conservatory, the conservatory
could potentially return to its old level
of activity.

“It would be great to see it return to its
vibrancy,” said Loughran. “[The orchestra
performs] there every spring, so I’m all for
[the purchase].”

One of the major barriers to the
acquisition of the land remains the
outstanding legal challenges between
Rider and the Princeton Theological
Seminary. Because the trust that initially
founded Westminster Choir College in the
1930s stipulates that the property must be
used “for the purpose of training ministers
of music for Evangelical churches,” a group
of Westminster Choir College affiliates
are contending that the town cannot use
the land for recreation or building public
schools.

However, the town is planning on
fighting this lawsuit through the concept
known as eminent domain — the power
the government has to seize private
land and convert it for public use. This
power, historically used to facilitate
transportation and create public buildings,
is being considered in this case to facilitate
the potential expansion of the public
schools.

“We assume that the legal hurdles will
be resolved which will allow us to move
forward. But you know, while we’re pretty
confident of that, nothing’s for certain until
it happens,” said Freda.

Princeton Town Council to purchase Westminster campus

​In a world where AI can be used as an automated thesaurus, grammar checker, editor, and worksheet filler all in one, it is understandable that schools may be hesitant about its ethics; but the benefits of integrating it into education are still hard to ignore. So why are we holding back on a tool that could transform how we learn? Instead of worrying that AI might “spoil” students, maybe it’s time to recognize it as a potential solution for the United States’ deteriorating education system — a tool that empowers students to learn more efficiently.

At PHS,  students constantly juggle rigorous coursework, intense extracurriculars, and ever-looming college prep. So what if AI could step in? Imagine a world where AI tools can keep track of deadlines, create personalized study guides for your hardest classes, or even streamline teacher feedback, leaving you and your teachers more time for critical one-on-one moments.

Instead of sifting through hour-long videos or scouring lengthy research papers for that one idea you need, AI-powered tools such as Otter or NoteGPT are able to categorize information and provide concise summaries. This allows students to allocate more time to absorbing or understanding key ideas instead of spending time searching for them. AI can be an on-demand and cost-effective tutor, with programs like Khan Academy’s Khanmigo that are always available to assist students with difficult concepts by walking them through step-by-step.          
                            
But the benefits of AI go beyond supporting students at PHS; it can also provide valuable assistance to teachers. As the country faces a teacher shortage driven by feelings of being underpaid and overworked, AI can be a valuable tool to ease educators’ stress and retain more teachers in the profession. By using AI to handle some time-consuming and repetitive tasks, such as grading work based on completion, teachers can instead invest that time into providing personalized support or planning engaging lessons that are memorable and valuable. Tasks that previously took hours can now be knocked off of to-do lists in minutes, allowing teachers to destress and prioritize impactful teaching over busy work, creating a stronger and more supportive environment for students.

In a 2023 article titled “New York City Public Schools Ban Access to AI Tool That Could Help Students Cheat,” Jennifer Korn and Samantha Kelly of CNN express concerns about AI’s ability to generate “convincing responses and even essays in response to user prompts, could make it easier for students to cheat.” They also note the worry that tools like ChatGPT could spread inaccurate information. However, misinformation is not unique to AI; it’s a challenge we face daily, whether through the internet, social media, or even word of mouth. Just as students are taught to verify information from these traditional sources, they can also apply this valuable skill to using AI responsibly. Rather than blocking access, teachers at PHS could incorporate lessons on how to use AI effectively into their classes, helping students understand its potential and warn of its ethical concerns. Additionally, PHS teachers have access to School AI, a program that can identify generated AI content, holding students who misuse this privilege accountable while teaching integrity. Restricting access to AI is an ineffective solution; it is more beneficial to equip students with values and critical thinking   skills that help them realize AI is a resource for growth and learning — not just for easy answers. 

Empowering minds: a new era of learning at PHS

Last month, The Jersey Journal, a 157-year-old newspaper
that has covered Hudson County since before the Civil War,
printed its final edition. It joins the growing list of local
papers that have closed in recent years because of financial
hardship, leaving communities without dedicated news
sources. While national outlets such as The New York Times
and The Washington Post continue to thrive, the loss of local
newspapers is creating a void in journalism.


Local newspapers also serve as watchdogs for more
specific issues that directly impact our daily lives. National
newspapers must cast a wide net, covering stories that
resonate with readers across the country. They can’t dedicate
reporters to cover every town hall meeting or investigate
why the construction of the new community center is
behind schedule. But these are exactly the kinds of stories
that impact people’s lives the most, and local newspapers
meet their community’s need for them. When our Board
of Education debates changes to the school curriculum or
considers budget cuts, local reporters are there in the room,
taking notes and asking tough questions. They translate
complex policy decisions into clear, demystified information
for the public to process.


Additionally, small-town culture is preserved through
local news sources. Consider our own local community
events such as the upcoming annual Christmas tree lighting
in Palmer Square. While this event probably wouldn’t interest
readers in California or Texas, it’s a cherished tradition in
Princeton that brings community members together each
year. You won’t find coverage of it in The New York Times,
but that doesn’t make it any less meaningful to the families
who attend, the local musicians and artists who participate,
or the small businesses that benefit from the increased foot
traffic. It’s worthy of recognition, and that recognition is
only likely to come from a local newspaper.


The closure of local newspapers creates what journalists
call “news deserts” — communities without access to local
reporting. Without reporters attending city council meetings
or investigating local concerns, who will hold our local
officials accountable? Who will tell the stories that matter
most to our community?


As student journalists, we have an inside perspective on
this issue. Because we focus primarily on school news, we’re
learning firsthand the importance of local reporting. Every
story we write about our school’s achievements, challenges,
or changes reminds us that local journalism matters — not
because it generates profit monetarily, but because it serves
a community.


The loss of The Jersey Journal should serve as a wake-
up call. Local newspapers might not always be financially
profitable, but their value to community life is immeasurable.
Supporting local journalism isn’t just about preserving jobs
or tradition — it’s about ensuring that our community’s
voice continues to be heard, its stories told, and its citizens
informed about the issues that affect them most directly.
That’s something worth protecting, even if it doesn’t show
up on a balance sheet.

In support of local news sources

In the United States, endurance is a virtue valued above
all else. It’s a foundation of the American dream, the belief
that through determination anyone can achieve anything.
And while not a bad ideal by itself, somehow society has
also accepted that the opposite is true — that
quitting guarantees failure.


As high school students, we are often the most
susceptible to this way of thinking. We’ve all stuck
with things we hated for years simply because of
the faults associated with being a quitter.


However, quitting — especially in high
school — is sometimes the best course of action,
contrary to the sign of laziness or emotional weakness that
it’s stereotypically believed to be.


In order to improve in anything, one first has to accept
that the current state of things is not perfect — that it can be
improved upon. This principle seems so obvious in school
or sports. We go to school and learn because we know that
our current understanding of the world isn’t perfect. We
exercise because the current state of our body isn’t perfect.


Somehow, when it comes to deciding what we spend time
on, we don’t acknowledge imperfection or have any desire
to improve. This isn’t about trivial things like watching
movies or scrolling online — this is about the activities we
put effort and focus into, day after day. All too
often, we endure activities that we don’t enjoy or
don’t improve in simply out of habit.


In being more open to quitting things, we are
acknowledging that the way we spend our time
can be improved. In an article for The New York
Times, MIT professor Sendhil Mullainathan
wrote that “experimentation is an act of humility,
an acknowledgment that there is simply no way of knowing
without trying something different.”


Though the act of quitting is a risk, and therefore admittedly
scary, it’s usually the only way to experiment with figuring
out how to spend our time. And as high school students, it’s
ridiculous to think that we have it all figured out.


In addition to this fear comes the psychological
phenomenon known as the sunk-cost fallacy. The fallacy
(so called because it’s completely illogical)
describes an all too common action that
people take: continuing with something
pointless or unpleasant simply because of past
investment in the activity. Although
you shouldn’t give up after every little
hiccup, if something is consistently
unrewarding, perhaps it’s best to move
on and experiment with a different
activity.


Quitting shouldn’t immediately
be thought of negatively, or as a
sign of defeat. It’s not permanent.
Though it is a change, it can also
provide some distance and a
space for reflection. It allows us to
compare how we feel both with and
without a given activity in our life.
It’s never too late to try new things,
but it’s also never too late to quit.

We should embrace quitting

“If you can recognize these songs, you’re a real fan of Sabrina
Carpenter,” reads an Instagram reel. At the 10 percent mark, a
radio hit like “Espresso” plays, but the songs get progressively
harder to recognize. By the 100 percent mark, an original
fan is expected to know the “Girl Meets World” theme song
from early on in Carpenter’s career. Other videos on social
media made by these self-proclaimed “original fans” claim
that “only true fans deserve tour tickets,” advocating for
Ticketmaster’s Verified Fan system to include
a test of fandom membership in order to
prove “concert eligibility.” In today’s
fandoms, simply enjoying an artist’s
music isn’t enough to be considered
a real fan — you now have to pass
a series of loyalty tests to earn your
place. The pressure to be considered a
“true” fan has turned artists’ fanbases
into exclusive clubs where entirely
random criteria are more important
than genuine appreciation.


In order to be considered a “true”
fan, not only do you have to know
the lyrics, but you have to know the
meaning behind each verse,
every milestone in the artist’s
life, and even the outfits they
wore at a specific concert. This
leads to a contrived hierarchy,
where long-time fans view themselves as superior to newer
ones who may not yet be as familiar with the artist. This
mentality is given the perfect opportunity to thrive on
social media, which teenagers are heavily exposed to and
influenced by. Through videos posted by die-hard fans that
promote standards for belonging to the fandom, such as
being able to understand a niche interview reference or an
obscure childhood fact, students who only recently started
liking an artist’s music
feel as if they must
know every possible
detail in order to
be considered a
real fan.


The idea that
only those who
fit the criteria of a true fan
should be able to join an
artist’s fanbase significantly
undermines the idea that
a fandom should be about
inclusivity and shared love for
the artist’s music. When longtime
fans create arbitrary standards of
worthiness for
newer fans to
gain “entry” into
the fandom, they
cultivate an atmosphere that’s less based on celebrating and
enjoying the artist’s work, and more about separating the true
fans from the fake ones. In a space originally meant to bring
people with a shared passion together, the concept of being
a die-hard fan has become a weapon that pits fans against
one another, creating a toxic space where only a select few
get to claim ownership over the music they love.


The current concept of a “true” fan has significantly
undermined the point of fandoms. By plaguing
fanbases with arbitrary “tests” and pecking orders
to prove worthiness of being part of the fandom,
older fans are shutting out newer ones, stopping
keeping fanbases from being inclusive spaces. This
shift harbors a toxic environment where ownership
over an artist’s work becomes a source of division
that can tear these fan communities apart.


While many teenagers may feel pressured to conform to
this culture, they, as the largest consumers of music, have
the power to realign fandoms with their original value of
unity. Superfans, in particular, have a responsibility to take
a step back and recognize that just because they have been a
fan of an artist longer than their classmates, it doesn’t mean
they are automatically superior. By discouraging demeaning
behavior toward newer fans and offering guidance instead
of judgment, long-time fans can help cultivate a welcoming
and supportive space. In doing so, fandoms can thrive as
the communities of warmth and excitement we all want
them to be.

The Tower

PHS Profiles

The Tower