Nerves settle in. A close game against a challenging opponent is coming down to the wire. With the difference only being a single goal, Ellie Naggar ’25 sprints around the field, switches on to open players, and manages to hit a pivotal slide on the opposing team to prevent a goal. The Tigers are able to hold on for a close 8–7 victory, gaining a huge win backed by Naggar’s stellar defense.

Naggar was first introduced to the sport in second grade by following her sister, Winnie Naggar ’20 in her footsteps, leading her to join the Princeton Girls Lacrosse Club. Ever since then, she has loved lacrosse, a love that she still holds with her in what is now her 10th year in the sport. Additionally, Naggar’s defensive style of play was inspired by players that came before her at PHS, such as Eva Petrone ’21, who was also a defender and now plays lacrosse at Fairfield University.

“A lot of my sister’s friends played, and [they were] pretty inspiring ... They looked like they had a lot of fun playing the sport. I did some summer camps and I really liked it,” said Naggar.

As a defender, Naggar is responsible for being an effective communicator and executing key plays to prevent the opposing team from scoring goals, as one mistake can be the difference between a win or a loss.

“Ellie is one of the best communicators on the field. You can always hear her, no matter where she is on the field,” said Head Coach Katherine Federico.

As team captain, Naggar leads the team with her aggressive defensive strategy and optimistic spirit. In a winning game against Hillsborough, Naggar played a key role in helping her team secure the win before going into the state tournament. As a fellow defender, Zoie Reynolds ’26 has known Naggar since second grade and played club lacrosse with her from third to fifth grade.

“Ellie inspires me [to be] a leader and [to be] loud and vocal on defense. She’s actually one of the people I depend on because she’s very vocal,” said Reynolds ’26.

Throughout her time on the team, Naggar has shown tremendous growth from her earlier years to her current role as captain of the team. Despite not making varsity freshman year, Naggar worked hard to improve her game by playing at the Gym and Center Court, which is a winter lacrosse league played during the offseason.

During her career as captain, Naggar learned about the importance of a positive attitude and body language on her team’s performance.

“I can see the [team’s] body language change when we cheer them on versus when we don’t. That’s the part of being captain you enjoy most, empowering your teammates.”

In addition to cheering on teammates, Naggar takes pride in continuing traditions that she took part in as an underclassman. One of these involves surprising new members of the varsity team by going to their home or other places to let them know they have made the team. When she was a sophomore, Naggar remembers this as one of her most memorable moments on this team.

“It was just so much fun, and it was a great team bonding activity. It’s a tradition,” said Naggar. “I literally cried when I made varsity because I was so excited, so doing that for the other kids that made it this year was super fun.”

The girls lacrosse team finished the season 12–9 before falling to Red Bank Regional High School in the first round of the state tournament. While Naggar currently has no official plan to play lacrosse at the next level, she acknowledges the impact it has made on her life.

“I’ll definitely be friends with all of these girls forever, and I might play club and college. I just think it has taught me that sports are super important,” said Naggar.

Outside of gaining lifelong friends because of lacrosse, Naggar also learned that success often comes from constant vigilance.

“You need to always be looking around. You need to watch both the girl and the ball at the same time, and you need to be able to multitask, which a lot of people say is impossible, but I think most defenders have it down pretty well.”

Photo: Charley Hu


Naggar leads her last team practice as varsity captain, bringing an end to her 10-year lacrosse career.

Ellie Naggar ’25: lacrosse

Bouncing the ball against the court, Shaan Zaveri ’25 adjusts his feet as he prepares to serve. Taking a deep breath, he hits a fast flat serve out wide with his racket and rushes to the net as the opponent returns the ball. Angling his racket face, Zaveri hits a volley winner between the opposing players.

Zaveri was introduced to tennis when he was in fifth grade, inspired by his sister. Growing up, Zaveri also played table tennis and soccer, which caused him to take many breaks from tennis. He eventually decided to focus on tennis, choosing to do so because of how much he enjoyed watching his favorite players, especially his role model Novak Djokovic.

“One of my role models is Novak Djokovic. He's a pretty famous tennis player, and I like how he's calm in tense moments,” said Zaveri. “I really like his mental toughness, and that's something I put towards my game whenever I'm down a set, or I'm down a couple games, so I'm not [scared] to make a comeback or hit a shot.”

Mental toughness is especially important in tennis, since while playing, players only have themselves or a partner. Zaveri tries to exemplify this ideal, especially in a tough match.

“I'm a risk taker ... I never back down from the big moments ... and I'm never giving up on a point. Even if the ball looks like it’s going out, I'm still hustling towards the ball,” said Zaveri.

Being strong mentally and emotionally has also helped Zaveri win important matches. One such example was the 2025 Colonial Valley Conference tournament first doubles final, where he and his doubles partner Tacto Yamada ’27 were able to beat the same doubles team they had lost to previously, winning first place. 

“Winning the Mercer County tournament individually with my partner Tacto this year [was a highlight of my season], because the last two years we've been [losing] and [getting] third place,” said Zaveri.

In addition to his skills and mental strategy during matches, Zaveri has also learned to be a leader on the team, understanding the importance of balancing being competitive with having fun on the court, which stood out to PHS boys tennis Head Coach Sarah Hibbert.

“He enjoys the lighter side of things as well. He enjoys having fun on court, and I think that it's important to be able to lighten up the intensity sometimes because it can be an intense sport,” said Hibbert. “There can be a lot of pressure. So being able to find moments of comedy is important.”

In tennis, players also need to be able to grow and adapt their game to play well against stronger opponents. Last year, in the doubles tournament, Zaveri and Yamada nearly beat the number two seeded pair in a close match.

“They really rose to the level [that was needed] and played a great match. [Zaveri]’s improved over the years and I think overall he has really stepped into the role as first doubles this year, and it's been a pleasure watching him grow as a player and as a person,” said Hibbert.

Even with the amount of time and effort Zaveri puts into tennis, he has been able to find a balance between his academic and athletic lives.

“I used to schedule my tennis [according] to my school schedule, I would play right after school, and then I'd go home, and I would rest, like a nap or a snack, and then I'd do my homework, and then it's just a cycle,” said Zaveri.

This season has been his second with Yamada as his partner. After working out the imperfections in their partnership, their chemistry has grown to be stronger, built on their trust and communication.

“Last year I was paired up with Shaan as well, and we were still figuring out what we should do as doubles [partners] but this year, we were able to figure out how to play doubles and talk to each other and stuff like that,” said Yamada.

Zaveri’s tennis journey has also been about personal growth as it is about getting better as a player and being a part of the team, learning lessons along the way that go beyond the court.

“I've made a lot of good buddies that I wouldn't think that I would make just regularly interacting with the high school and the community,” said Zaveri. “[I’ve learned to] never give up and just try to have fun.”


photo: Jasur Agzamov

Zaveri finishes his high school tennis career with many accomplishments, including winning first place at the Mercer County tournament in doubles. 

Shaan Zaveri '25: tennis

The crowd holds their breath as Jacqueline Zang ’25, with her driver in hand, steps
up into the tee box of the first hole. She carefully chooses a spot to place her tee and
golf ball. Visualizing her shot, Zang takes a confident swing, influenced by her favorite
professional golfer, Nelly Korda. Her shot breaks the crowd’s silence as it flies through
the sky and lands perfectly on the green.
At age five, Zang began playing golf after her father introduced her to it. She initially
only played golf with her family, but later in her career, she would compete in big
tournaments.
“I used to play tennis, and
when I was around 11, my
parents told me to choose one
or the other,” said Zang. “It’s
funny, because I didn’t want
to do tennis because my dad
told me I’d be running around
in the heat. So I chose golf not
because I liked one more than
the other, [but] just because I
didn’t want to run.”
After deciding to pursue
golf over tennis, Zang went to
her local country club’s driving
range and practiced with her
sister, Madeline Zang ’23. When they practiced, they would mutually help and encourage
one another, along with the additional coaching from their father.
“November through March, I try to do around an hour a day. Sometimes, I skip a few
days. In the summer, if I’m not playing a tournament that weekend, I’ll be practicing
five to seven [hours],” said Zang.
Zang joined the PHS golf team in her freshman year, when golf was a co-ed sport
led by Head Coach Patrick Noone and Assistant Coach Jess Monzo. During Zang’s
sophomore year, a girls-only golf team was formed with Monzo as head coach. Over
the course of the past few years, Monzo has been able to see Zang grow as a player
and a person.
“She’s definitely matured a lot. She’s always been very focused, very lights out,” said
Monzo. “[She] knows what she wants to do, but I think as she’s gotten older, she’s
developed and kind of matured in the sport and understands that if I don’t make every
shot, it’s not going to make or break me.”
Zang’s determination and dedication not only helped her reach her current level
but also inspired the rest of her team, including teammate and close friend Kyuyoung
Chung ’26.
“She’s definitely very skilled as a golfer, and so I think that’s definitely inspired a lot
of the girls to practice more,” said Chung. “We’ve seen scores go down from last year,
so score-wise we’re doing better than we did last year.”
In addition to being a skilled golfer, Zang, who is captain of the team, serves as a
leader and role model to her teammates.
“She also has this sort of leadership [quality] about her, and so she’s just sort of
someone you can look up to, [and]
I certainly look up to her,” said
Chung.
Monzo witnessed the effect of
Zang’s leadership on the team and
how she serves as a role model for
her teammates.
“Every girl looks up to her,” said
Monzo. “She’s able to kind of help,
and she lends a hand, and she’s
always available to give girls advice.
So she’s been one of a kind.”
Throughout her career, Zang
qualified for the National Junior
PGA championship, the highest
level of junior golf, being inducted
into the Rolex Honor Society, and
placing in the top five in an American Junior Golf Association tournament in 2022.
Despite this, there were challenges that Zang had to overcome. Staying calm under
pressure and controlling emotions are both aspects of the sport that Zang has learned
to play with.
“[The most difficult part of] golf for me [is] probably the mental side. Just being
in the moment, committing to it, and actually doing what I’m trying to do on the
course,” said Zang.
While individual golf can be mentally challenging and stressful, Zang’s favorite part
of golf is a more enjoyable and less stressful way of playing it.
“[My favorite part] ... is team golf because golf is an individual sport, so it can get
kind of lonely sometimes,” said Zang. “Everyone plays their own ball, and then you
add up each individual sport for a combined team.”
Committed to Carnegie Mellon University, Zang hopes to contribute to another
season as one of their best players. As she prepares to leave PHS and start college, Zang
reflects on the valuable lessons golf has taught her throughout her years of playing.
“It’s a lot of ups and downs. It’s never really consistent, so when you’re not playing
as well, [be] patient with yourself, and keep your hard work up,” said Zang.

Photo: Charley Hu

Zang is one of the original members of the girls golf team, and is preparing with the
rest of the team to gear up for the Mercer County Championships in May. 

Jaqueline Zang ’25: golf

Pushing past the wall of defenders, Brendan Beatty ’25 shoots the winning goal by flicking his stick forward, allowing the ball to glide into the back of the net as the crowd goes wild. With only thirty seconds left on the clock, Beatty demonstrates perseverance and grit, key skills needed to secure the win for the team. 

Beatty’s lacrosse journey started in third grade after he moved from England to the United States. Following his older brother’s example, Beatty soon picked up the sport as well. Throughout his lacrosse career, Beatty found inspiration from one of the coaches of his club team, CJ Kirst, a senior at Cornell and one of the top players in college lacrosse. Beatty learned that success in lacrosse isn’t only about skill, but patience and dedication as well.

“Hard work and dedication will take you places,” said Beatty. “You have to respect those who’ve been around longer and learn from them. It’s a slow process, and things don’t come right away.”

As a freshman, Beatty stood out to PHS boys lacrosse Head Coach Chip Casto as one the more advanced players, having experience in both hockey and lacrosse. 

“He also brought the other things you want to see in athletes, which is effort, tenacity, intensity, and commitment to getting better at the sport during the off-season, and he really personifies that,” said Casto.

However, at a higher level, it can be difficult to deal with pressures to achieve perfection. 
“There are times when he doesn't feel like he's done enough for the team and he struggles with holding on to that for too long and that might affect the way he plays,” said Casto.

However, as Beatty progressed throughout the years, he has come to understand that mistakes are just part of the process of improvement. 

“As a player he's become better at everything, at playing defense, at figuring out situations so his mental game is much better. He's a better shooter,” said Casto. 

Apart from becoming a better player, he has also grown as a person and a leader, becoming more disciplined, confident in the process of how a game will play out. 

“He’s a great leader. He’s always stepping up to do the right job,” said teammate Peter Pessutti ’27. “He’s always helping out younger kids and teaching us to do respectful things.”

Looking back on his high school career, Brendon’s advice to his freshman self is simple yet telling. 

“Don’t take anything for granted. Always go out to get more reps and work when people aren't watching or listening because that's the biggest thing,” said Beatty.

Beatty’s final season is soon to start, and everyone is looking forward to how much he has grown both on and off the field in the last four years. 

“He’s becoming more vocal and people listen to him. We’re excited to see how he leads us in his senior season,” his coach said. 

Beyond his school career, Beatty is looking forward to playing for the University of Vermont. On September 1st of his junior year, schools began to reach out to him, but Vermont stood out to him the most. 

“Vermont was one of my top schools. When I visited, I saw the campus and met the team. It checked all the boxes, and I knew I wanted to go there,” said Beatty. 


Photo: Jasur Agzamov

Beatty, who has been a lacrosse player since freshman year, looks to continue his legacy at PHS with his senior season.

Brendon Beatty '25: lacrosse

With each precise stroke, Ellie Kovalick ’25 brings her team closer to the finish line. Guided by the rhythmic splash of the oars against the water, the boat inches past the others. In a succinct, combined effort, Kovalick and her teammates secure 15th place out of a total of 90 competitors in the 2024 USRowing National Championships.

Despite doing track in middle school, Kovalick began focusing on rowing as her main sport starting freshman year. She specializes in rowing eights, the largest, fastest, and most competitive type of boat.

“I started rowing the summer before my freshman year, and I kind of just knew that I loved it,” said Kovalick. “And the thing about rowing is that it’s year-round, so it’s hard to do multiple sports at once. So once I discovered that I loved rowing, I looked back. I never really looked back. I’ve never considered doing another sport since I started.”

This commitment has propelled her to find success at the highest level. Kovalick has gone to Nationals during her sophomore and junior year. In addition, her team, Mercer Juniors, was the 13th fastest in the nation last year with this year’s national championships yet to take place. However, the achievement comes with challenges.

Throughout her high school career, Kovalick has seen three changes in coaching, turning what can be a very chaotic, fast-evolving sport into a test of resilience.

“Our team has gone through a lot so there have been rebuilding years in a way, for sure. But one of the athletes has to step up and take a more active role in how we want the team culture around how we want the dynamic of our team to be,” said Kovalick. “But overall, I think we’re a resilient group, and we managed all right, even through coaching changes.”

Despite the stress, Kovalick and her team are still very competitive. Rowers have to row nonstop for races that can be up to three miles long, such as the Head of the Charles in Boston that Kovalick’s team will participate in this fall.

Kovalick’s impact isn’t limited to her contributions on the water. Yita Moss-Wang ’25, Kovalick’s teammate and long-time friend, explained what helps Kovalick set herself apart from the rest.

“What’s really unique about Ellie is … [her] consistency, every day at practice, every day on the water; and you can see that when she rows, she’s very decisive with her stroke,” said Moss-Wang.

Sam Atter, Kovalick’s coach on the girls rowing team, confirmed her dedication.

“I think that’s been a consistent theme for Kovalick from 2023 to now: her ability to be in these hard situations, these hard races, and [being] this kind of a leader, demonstrating and acting on this is just great. If you get the job done, don’t talk under pressure kind of success,” said Atter.

Here at PHS, Kovalick has taken the initiative to expand the sport of rowing to a wider audience, founding the PHS Crew Club from its few year hiatus.

“I’ve definitely been trying to get more PHS kids involved in the sport, because it’s not too good in Princeton right now. And it’s just such an awesome opportunity … I have nothing but good things to say about [Mercer Rowing],” said Kovalick.

Kovalick is now committed to continue rowing at the Division I school of Wisconsin, in addition to serving as the Collegiate Rowing Commitments Intern. As she embarks on the next chapter of her rowing career at the collegiate level, Kovalick reflects on her choice to row.

“There’s people that discover this sport their year and immediately quit [rowing], and then there’s people that stick with it. And I think I [have] just found a passion, and it’s not something I ever want to give up,” said Kovalick.

Photo: Charley Hu

Kovalick, who has commited to the University of Wisconsin, continues her senior rowing season while looking forward to competing at the collegiate level.

Ellie Kovalick '25: rowing

The gym falls silent as Blase Mele ’25 squares off with his opponent on the mat, eyes
locked. He shifts his stance, a subtle bounce in his step, tension building in the audience
with every move. He goes for a single leg takedown, causing his opponent to go down,
and the crowd roars. He just won against a top-ten nationally-ranked wrestler, and his
victory is a moment that has encapsulated the years of perseverance and sacrifice that
Mele has offered to wrestling. 

Introduced to the sport at a young age by his father, Mele found his calling early. He
attributed his success to his parents, recalling that they encouraged him to do the right
things and had a great support system throughout his whole career.

“All [my family] talks about is wrestling, so I’m in an environment where it’s easy to stay
focused,” said Mele.

Jess Monzo, the PHS boy’s wrestling team
coach, was immediately impressed when he
saw Mele’s skillset as an incoming freshman.
 “I was excited. I knew he could do really,
really good things by what he brought to the
program and to the team,” said Monzo. 

Despite his success at both the state and
national level, where Mele placed sixth at
the NJSIAA/Rothman Orthopaedic State
Wrestling Championships, making him
the third PHS student to ever place, Mele
constantly strives for improvement. 

“My club coaches are starting to implement
a lot of techniques from foreign wrestlers and stuff that was used at the Olympics,” said
Mele. “I am just trying to focus on getting bigger, getting stronger, getting better.”

Blase is not only able to train hard, but he works hard at school as well. Blase credits his
parents and family for raising him in an environment that worked for him.

“I think being a good student makes me a better wrestler, and I think being a good
wrestler makes me a better student,” said Blase. 

However, his success did not come without adversity. He had faced multiple injuries
over his career that caused him to take time off of practice. 

“I dealt with some knee problems. I had to have two knee surgeries. It was fine in the
long term, but at the time, it was really frustrating,” said Mele. 

Despite a rough setback, Mele believes part of overcoming challenges is to have faith
and recover as diligently as possible, while also taking time off as needed.

“When you sign up to go play sports, you’re not signing up to automatically win. You’re
signing up to test yourself,” said Mele. “You have to be prepared for things to go wrong,
and you have to be ready to put yourself back on track.”

This tenacious mentality has allowed him to rank in the top 20 nationwide while
placing at the state level. Monzo saw Mele grow as both an athlete and person, especially
during his Junior year after Mele won one of his biggest matches.

“He always believed in himself, that he could be that guy ... from that day forward ... he
saw it was true. He believed it into fruition, and he knew he belonged at that level,” said
Monzo. 

During the season, practices are demanding and many students quit the team before
the end of the season. Mele affirms that even though it’s difficult to stay motivated because
of the long season, by the end, those who stuck around are good friends and work even
harder together.

“Blase is always on everyone
about working hard and putting
forth your best,” said Mele’s fellow
teammate Chase Hammerschlag
’25. “He is both assertive and
supportive ... I admire his work
ethic.”

After his strong junior season,
Mele committed to Princeton
University to pursue a degree in
economics while fulfilling his
dream of competing at the Division
I level. His successful career is the
result of long years of consistent
hard work and dedication.

“[Consistency] allowed me to
accomplish a lot of my goals. I do not think I would have done that without wrestling,”
said Mele. “I’ve encountered a lot of failure in my career — both failure and success in my
career. And through it all, I’ve been able to remain consistent and just pursue my goals.

Mele is able to find this consistency for practice because of his love for the journey. 

“The process of achieving a goal is just as fun and just as rewarding as achieving the
goal itself,” said Mele. “When you start to find enjoyment in the [process], then your
performance will increase, and you’ll just feel better about where you are as an athlete.”

Before going to college, Mele has been able to refelect on what wrestling has given him.

“Wrestling taught me the importance of consistency. [Consistency] allowed me to
accomplish my goals,” said Mele. “I don’t think I would have done that without wrestling."

Photo Courtesy: Blase Mele
Already committed to Princeton, Mele is hoping for one more great high school season.

Blase Mele ’25: wrestling

As the puck drops, Cassie Speir ’25 glides across the rink with unwavering focus, her
eyes sharp and her grip firm. She closes in on the net and shoots, sending the puck into
the back of the posts and marking her 31st goal of the season. 

Speir, a senior and forward, first discovered her love for hockey at the age of nine.
“I started in a rec league ... [because] one of my really good friends from elementary
school was doing it ... ever since I started, I just loved it,” said Speir. 

She soon transitioned into playing travel hockey, which introduced her to competitive
play and extensive travel, allowing her to go to different states such as Illinois, Wisconsin,
and Michigan. Although Speir also dabbled in lacrosse and softball throughout middle
and high school, it was hockey that she was most passionate about. 

“Quitting has never really been an option for me ... hocky is an outlet for me,” said Speir.
Many athletes have role models they admire, and Speir is inspired by two renowned
hockey athletes: Hilary Knight, who has won a gold medal at the IIHF World Women’s
Championship and the 2018 Winter Olympics, and Sarah Fillier, a former Princeton
University standout now playing in the newly formed Professional Women’s Hockey
League (PWHL).

“I would go watch [Fillier’s] games when I was
younger ... they did have [the PWHL back then],
but the women didn’t really get paid much, and i t
wasn’t super known. But this one’s being marketed
really well, so they are good role models to girls
who want to play,” said Speir.

Speir’s commitment to hockey is year-round,
as she competes for both the PHS girls ice hockey
team and the Princeton Tiger Lilies, a club team
in the National Girls Hockey League. 

“[I play hockey] basically every day,” said Speir.
“At school, I play defense, but for my club, I’m
usually a forward. Playing both positions has
been great for understanding the game better.”

Last season, Speir played a crucial role, leading her team to a 3–11 record to qualify for
the Annis Cup semifinals. She led not just her team, but also the state, in number of goals
in one season, embodying the team’s spirit throughout the season. 

“She’s definitely more down to earth and she connects personally with the players on
our team, and she’s really great for morale. She’s very inspiring. The energy she brings to
the game inspires other people to be more energetic,” said Co-Captain Maya Hagt ’25. 

Christian Herzog, head coach of the girls ice hockey team, who witnessed Speir’s journey
from an ambitious freshman to a leading scorer, reflects on her success. 

“She’s had a lot of success in this sport because she’s been playing quite a while, and she
works extremely hard,” said Herzog. “I would expect to hear about her accomplishments
playing in college as well. She’s definitely going to be a tough personality to lose next season.”

Hagt expresses Speir’s importance to the team, not just as a hockey player, but as a
person as well. 

“She’s so inspiring to have on the ice. But even off the ice, she works so hard. You can tell
that she puts a lot of effort into everything she does. I think she’s also a very empathetic
person. Having her as a friend and a teammate is really, really special,” said Hagt. 

Looking forward, Speir has set personal goals for this season, aiming to continue her
streak by increasing the number of goals she scores and improving her assist count. 

“I’m always working on improving my game all-around, skating, shooting, and handles.
On my travel team we’ve been working on some new o-zone faceoff plays,” said Speir. 

For the rest of the season, Speir aims to continue her streak by increasing the number
of goals she scores and improve her assist count. As for her future beyond high school,
Speir seeks to keep playing the sport she loves. 

“I just want to continue to play, probably at the club level ... [and also] keep introducing
new players to the game,” said Speir.

As she enters her final season at PHS, Speir is determined to make every game count and
build lasting connections with her team. Preparing to skate off into a new chapter of her
life she remembers and appericates
all of the moments that have led her to
become the player and person that she
is now.

“Ice hockey has taught me that hard
work makes good things (goals and other
life things),” said Speir. “It has taught
me a lot about being a very supportive
teammate and friend and my experiences
have made me a more confident leader.”

To Speir, every game, tournament has
meant more to her than her team. Most
important of all, Speir knows that hockey
has given her more than skills — it’s given her unforgettable friendships and memories
that will last a lifetime.

“In the future I hope that I can continue to play for fun and that I will be able to bring
in new players to the game,” said Speir. “Hockey is where I’ve made my best friends in
the world.”

Photo: Katherine Chen
Spier is looking forward to another successful season, both on and off the rink.

Cassie Speir ’25: ice hockey

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

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

Running up the field with the ball, Mia Ramirez ’25 sees a defender coming her way.
Rather than taking them on, she finds her teammate with a perfect pass, leading to a goal.
Seeing how her style of play has led others to success is one of her favorite joys of playing
the sport.

Ramirez discovered her passion for field hockey when she was in middle school. With
three siblings who played different sports, she was always encouraged to find a sport that
she liked.

“I wanted to play a sport for middle school, so I kept trying sports until I found one
that stuck,” said Ramirez. “I signed up for field hockey in the fall of middle school, and I
really loved it.”

While some things were different to her, like playing on turf instead of playing on grass,
her desire to improve always remained. This sense of responsibility immediately made an
impression with their coach, Heather
Serverson.

“When she came in as a freshmen,
I knew she was going to be captain,
because she’s always listening,” said
Serverson. “She was always getting
other people [on track] when they got
distracted at practice, she would always
be giving older players tips when they
needed help, so she wasn’t afraid to step
up and lead, even as a young player.”

As a captain, Ramirez wants to return
the same positive energy she recieved
as a freshman. To bring unity to the
squad, Ramirez regularly organizes
team dinners, group studies, and movie
nights.

 “The thing about PHS field hockey is that we’re always super close,” said Ramirez. “I
remember freshman year, everyone was super welcoming to me, and that’s just kind of
the culture that we have, where the older players and younger players just naturally mesh
together.”

Sophie Gono ’25 has been right beside Ramirez for most of their time on the team, and
has seen how Ramirez has grown as a player. As the team’s other co-captain, she feels that
Ramirez has the qualities needed in a leader.

 “We have a similar working style, so we’re always there to support each other, playing
or not playing field hockey,” said Gono. “She’s always willing to listen and help, and when
I want to get extra touches in the off season, she’s always open to going to a field to go
and practice.”

 The desire to improve has had great results; Ramirez currently leads the girls field hockey
team with an astounding 21 goals, and will be looking to add to that tally in the coming
weeks. For her, there’s no need for extra motivation.

“I’m naturally competitive and self-motivated,” said Ramirez. “I think that no matter
what my day was like, or what warm up felt like when I got onto the field, I naturally turn
into my competitive nature. That’s always really helpful, because there’s nothing I really
have to do to tune into that.”

 When it comes to motivating and helping other teammates out on the pitch, Ramirez
can do that as well. Serverson recalls a game against Lawrence High School in the Mercer
County Tournament where, although they eventually lost the game, Ramirez’s captain
qualities really stood out.

 “In the MCT game, the younger players were very, very nervous. I had some freshmen
starting, and these were freshmen who weren’t used to the crowd and the lights, which
can be a lot for a young player,” said Serverson. “They were getting frustrated in the moment because they weren’t performing at the
level that a senior would be expected
to perform at. Ramirez was on the
field, telling them to hang on and
that they were doing well.”

Looking towards the future,
Ramirez is demonstrating that, like
most things she has done so far in her
athletic career, she wants to make sure
that the final decision is right for her.

 “I was going through the recruiting
process for a while, but ultimately
didn’t find a school that was the
right fit, so I decided to not commit
anywhere,” said Ramirez. “If I go
somewhere that has a team, that’s
definitely something I would like to
think about pursuing, either at the club level or at the varsity level in the future.”

For new players considering trying out for the PHS field hockey team, Ramirez has
some words of encouragement.

 “You shouldn’t be afraid to make mistakes, and you should always be open to trying
things,” said Ramirez. “Field hockey is a game where there is always something more that
you can learn.

Mia Ramirez '25: field hockey

As the school year comes to a close, it can be tempting to sit back and relax, letting the whole summer blur past while you stay indoors and retreat to the online world. While relaxing is crucial, staying physically fit can be just as important.


Exercise has numerous health benefits, but without school sports in the summer, it can be hard to find ways to stay healthy. Fortunately, staying active doesn’t mean you have to do vigorous exercise every day. Even something as simple and small as going outside for a stroll can be beneficial.



Parks are a great place to spend time outside and enjoy the nice summer weather. Whether it’s taking a walk or walking your dog, parks are there for you to get some fresh air. Smoyer Park is a classic, with open fields and ponds, which is a nice and peaceful environment to walk through. Marquand Park offers labelled trees and well-kept trails, perfect for those who love nature. For those sports and skateboard enthusiasts, Hilltop Park contains a soccer field, baseball/softball diamond, basketball courts, and a whole skate park. These parks are perfect for sports lovers that play sports even outside of the school season, like Sebastian Balestri ’28.



“I like playing tennis, so sometimes during the summer I like going to certain parks with tennis courts and just play tennis with my friends,” said Balestri.



The Community Park Pool is also open during the summer, and swimming is a great way to stay active, with your body burning calories to stay warm and swimming itself being a strenuous activity. Pools are the place to go if you just want to spend time with your family, cool off, or just have fun and fool around with your friends.



There are a number of hiking trails in and around Princeton too. The Watershed Reserve, located in Hopewell Valley, has over 10 miles of trails and supports one of the largest nature centers in New Jersey. Within Princeton are the Herrontown Woods, which is open to the public everyday free of charge, and the 5.2 mile Stony Brook trail. For those who are willing to travel the distance, the Sourland Mountain Preserve is 30 minutes away with hiking trails that have amazing views and beautiful rock formations.



“Over the summer I like to hike at the Watershed Reserve because I really like the environment there. I like to go there when the sun is about to rise to get a good view,” said Gavin Macatangay ’27.



As for indoor activities, there are also many options nearby. Gyms such as Planet Fitness offer a traditional gym experience, while places like the Gravity Vault have other options, such as rock climbing.



The key to staying active is keeping consistent while making the most out of your summer, even if the things you do are small and simple. Staying active doesn’t mean missing out on the summer fun, it means making the most out of the time that you have.

Photo: Emily Kim


Lily Berkery ’26, Kalina Tacheva ’26, and Mercy Ebong ’26 walk laps during gym.

Ways to stay active after school ends

“Charlie the Chocolate Factory” takes
a twist at the Odyssey of the Mind World
Finals, as Chef Oopsie Doopsie (an oompa
loompa) overthrows Willy Wonka and
decides to use the factory for a dinner
party instead.


But things soon go awry for Chef Oopsie
Doopsie as his guests begin reacting poorly
to his concoctions (including hair toffee),
and at the last moment Chef Oopsie
Doopsie decides to pursue his true passion
instead: becoming an opera singer.


Joy Chen ’27 , Claire Yang ’27, Viola
Que ’27, and Julia Li ’27 and Luna Xu ’28
competed and performed this skit from
May 21–24 at the Odyssey of the Mind
World Finals in Michigan. Odyssey of
the Mind is an international competition
encouraging students to use creativity in
a theatrical performance that responds to
one of five prompts, while incorporating
STEM or literarature-related topics. This
year, the PHS team chose the prompt
“Classics...Cooking with Books,” where
they were challenged to create a skit based
on “an original chef character inspired by
classic literature.”


 In addition to creating the skit, the team
also had to create props and costumes out
of materials totalling no more than $140,
which led the team to use recycled materials
— using cardboard and construction paper
to make large green wigs for the Oompa
Loompas and a mechanical lazy susan to
present the dishes.


The largest part of the judge’s final score
are the creative aspects of the skit, which
encouraged the team to think in a different
way than usual. Que noted that some of the
most engaging presentations came from
younger competitors in the elementary
and middle school divisions.


“[In] Odyssey of the Mind, you think
in a different way — like [someone] at a
younger age. I think as you get older, in
high school, [you’re] afraid to be judged,”
said Que. “[But] when you do Odyssey of
the Mind, anything goes. If you want to
do something, you can do it, and nobody’s
going to judge you, even if it sounds silly.”


The team began each session with a brain
dump, coming up with ideas, trying out
different possibilities, and dividing up the
work according to the strengths of each
member. Marcus Strum ’27, a member of
a different team in the PHS Odyssey of the
Mind club, noted the strong work ethic of
the team that qualified for Worlds.


“Before the competition, there’s typically
several working sessions at people’s houses
and script writing sessions over FaceTime.
The team that went to worlds this year
worked all day going into a sleepover,”
said Strum.


Throughout the year, the team fundraised
for their event and journey to Worlds
through GoFundMe and chocolate bar
sales, as the trip was not supported
financially by the school.


“It was unfortunate that for all the
hard work we [put in that] we [weren’t]
able to get funded by the school on our
trip, even though we were also going to
be representing Princeton High School
at [an] international competition ... with
thousands of people,” said Que.


Although Que admits that the team
was initially unfamiliar with Odyssey of
the Mind, their experience at Worlds,
where they ultimately placed 25th out of
38 teams in their category, has energized
and motivated the team to perform even
better next year.


“It’s made me excited for next year,
because I [realized that] if I put my mind
to [something], I can make whatever I
want, and it can be a fun experience. If you
want to make something really cool, like,
mechanical gadget, or a robot ... [I realized]
you can do it,” said Que.

Photo Courtesy: Jacqueline Katz

From left to right: Viola Que ’27, Julia Li ’27, Joy Chen ’27, Luna Xu ’28, and Claire
Yang ’27 after their performance of ‘Chef Oopsie’s Revelation’ at World Finals.

PHS Odyssey of the Mind team competes at Worlds

In its first top-five finish since 2022, PHS’s
Euro Challenge team earned fourth place
at the Euro Challenge national competition
on May 7. Euro Challenge, a competition
co-funded by the European Union (EU),
encourages students in the United States
to learn about European Union economic
policies by proposing solutions to realworld economic issues faced by an EU
nation of the team’s choosing.


This year, the PHS team addressed
issues in Lithuania regarding growth and
competitiveness, such as wealth inequality,
economic stagnation, and rural-urban
disparities. Their solutions were evaluated
on their creativity, effectiveness, and
feasibility, criteria the team sought to meet
with a particular solution which used AI
to combat financial corruption.


“We [proposed] implementing ... an AI
system that sifts through large amounts of
data so [the system] can find suspicious
tax filings. This is much faster and more
efficient when it comes to identifying these
false tax filings ... it decreases tax fraud,
and the government is earning more,” said
Helen Yu ’27, a member of the presentation
panel at Nationals.


Euro Challenge consists of three rounds
of competitions held in New York City: a
preliminary round, then a semifinal and
finals round. The team first presented a
15-minute slideshow on the country’s
economic problems and their proposed
solutions to a panel of judges, followed
by a 10-minute Q&A on the team’s
recommendations.


The judges of Euro Challenge are often
leaders in finance and economics fields or
are economic policy workers within the
EU, which helped the team develop their
solutions.


“They were the chief financial officers
or advisors of major investment banks, so
[there were] definitely a lot of people who
were really specialized in this field,” said Yu.
“And it was really interesting to see what
they had to say and what questions they
had, because it’s completely different from
what high school students would tell you.”


The preparation for the competition starts
early in the year, after seven of the applicants
are selected for the team following tryouts
for interested underclassmen. The team
first researched the economic state of
their chosen nation, then categorized the
economic issues in the country under root
causes and proposed solutions for these
issues. Finally, the team heavily practiced
the Q&A portion of the presentation, one
of the most important parts for the team’s
score.


“[The] captains would give me questions,
and we’d have to come up with responses
on the spot. Just having this as a routine
really helped prepare us, because you could
just take whatever question came at us, no
matter if we really knew how to answer it
or not. Having that practice also helped us
be coherent as a group,” said Yu.


The team also had to practice soft
skills like public speaking and effective
communication to help them communicate
their policies to judges.


“I think the most important skill is
being able to speak in a conversational way
because when the judges are asking you
questions – you’re trying to convince them
out of their concerns about your solutions,
but you’re not debating people ... I had a bit
of debate experience, but what Euro taught
me was how to convince people instead of
how to win an argument,” said Sebastian
Balestri ’28, another member of the team.


Through the months that the team
spent for preparation, Euro Challenge
members built connections that will extend
beyond the competition. They were able to
capitalize on each other’s strengths to create
a strong team for the national competion.


 “[Before] becoming a captain, I had a
lot of meaningful experiences interacting
with my captains at the time. I think they
really gave me a lot of insight into not only
econ[omics] and topics pertaining to Euro
Challenge, but also bigger things pertaining
to personal life, especially with school and
future tracks that you could take beyond
that,” said Emma Liu ’26, current co-captain
of the Euro Challenge team.

Photo Courtesy: Elif Cam

Sebastian Balestri ’28, Joshua Huang ’28, Jane Hu ’27, Emma Liu ’26, Aritra Ray ’27, Elif Cam ’26, and Helen Yu ’27 met Jovita Neliupšien, Ambassador of the European Union to the United States

Euro Challenge wins fourth place at Nationals

## Dia Beri

On June 30, less than two weeks after
PHS graduation, Dia Beri ’25 will begin
Cadet Basic Training at the U.S. Military
Academy at West Point, a six week long
program known as “the beast,” designed
to ensure that cadets are prepared for their
next 12 years in the army — four years at
the academy, five years of required activeduty service, and three years in the reserves.


“I’m really excited, but at the same time,
I’m terrified. For six weeks, they take away
our phones, and we’re going to be out in the
field learning how to use rifles for the first
time,” said Beri. “We’re going to be dirty.
We’re going to be stressed. We’re going to be
running on only four hours of sleep every
night. And the upperclassmen are going to
be yelling at us.”


In her four years at West Point, Beri will
train to be an officer in the U.S. military
while earning a Bachelor of Science degree.
Beri first developed an interest in West Point
during freshman year, motivated by a desire
to find satisfaction and fulfillment in life.
“I feel like everyone has their purpose
on earth,” said Beri. “For me, it’s defending
a nation that has given my family and so
many other immigrant families so much
to work with.”


Beri’s high school experience has, in
her words, “revolved around” her goal
of getting into West Point. West Point
requires applicants to not only submit their
GPA, SAT, and essays, but also secure a
recommendation from a U.S. Congress
member (in Beri’s case, Representative
Bonnie Watson Coleman), and complete
a six-part Candidate Fitness Assessment.
For Beri, the intensepreparation leading
up to it required not only physical, but also
mental, growth.


“I’ve never [put] as [much] dedication
in my life as [I did in] preparing for the
West Point fitness test. Then mentally, my
mindset about becoming better at things
completely changed. I thought that there
were some things that you really couldn’t
change about yourself, and then I realized
that if you worked hard enough ... you can
change those things,” said Beri.


West Point requires students to follow a
rigid schedule throughout the school year:
the day begins at 6:30 a.m., includes several
classes, military training, mandatory athletic
activity, and an 11:30 p.m. curfew.


“I don’t really enjoy the athletic part as
much as the academic part, but I know that
there are certain things that I [will] enjoy,
like teamwork with friends,” said Beri. “And
my favorite saying that I learned from this
process is ‘two is one and one is none.’


Because when you have two people, you have
someone that’s always having your back, and
if you have one, you’re alone; there’s no one
that has your back, you’re basically dead.”


Following graduation, Beri will be a
second lieutenant, leading a platoon of
around 30 to 50 soldiers in operations
concerning aspects such as cybersecurity,
military intelligence, or infantry.
However, for now, Beri is focused on what
lies just a few weeks ahead.


“I think one of my goals is to not give up
when the going gets really tough. I feel like
once I tackle that fear of not knowing how
hard something is or what’s lying at the end,
I’ll really be able to do things that I never
thought I could do,” said Beri.

## Yael Dveer


This past year, Yael Dveer ’25 moved
from Israel to Princeton with her family,
following political instability in Israel.
This coming year, Dveer plans on moving
again — this time, taking a gap year for a
backpacking and volunteering trip around
the United States and South America instead
of attending college.


“We moved here, [in] a very quick
decision ... because of the war in Israel.
And when we decided to move, I told my
mom that I’m not going to be ready to go
to college right [after] I finish high school
... [the gap year] will also [give] me more
time to go volunteering ... in South America
— which is something I wanted to do for a
long time — and a few [more] months for
me to live in the U.S. and get more used [to]
American culture,” said Dveer.


In Israel, it’s mandatory for high school
graduates to enlist in the Israeli army for
several years. Following this, it’s common for
Israelis to go on a backpacking trip (literally,
“the big hike”) for several months. Though
Dveer won’t be in Israel, nor serving in the
Israeli army, she still wanted to experience
this Israeli rite of passage.


“For a person to develop and grow, they
have to travel and explore the world not
only in the U.S. or rich countries,” said
Dveer. “I’ve been wanting to travel for [as
long as] I can remember, because in Israel,
backpacking and camping is a really big part
of the culture there. I wanted to continue
that tradition in my own way.”


Though her plans aren’t finalized
yet, Dveer plans on participating in an
environmental volunteer program in
the Amazon region in Peru and then go
backpacking independently, all while
practicing her Spanish.


“[There are] so many countries that I want
to go to ... Chile and Argentina, to Bucha,
to the Patagonia Mountain range, and to
Brazil, because I love Bossa Nova music
and Portuguese,” said Dveer.


Dveer eventually plans on settling
in the United States after a few months
of backpacking, adjusting to American
culture and preparing for her studies in
higher education as a physics major at the
University of Maryland in the fall of 2026.
For now, though, she’s focused on taking
a step back before diving into academics
again.


“There’s no rush to get us a head start
in your career — everything’s going to
be here in 10 years. I think taking some
time after high school, especially [after]
Princeton High School, where everything
is so stressful and unnecessarily competitive
... is a good [way] to discover yourself — at
the end of the day, that’s what’s important.
You’re living your life. You’re learning the
American dream. You’re not living anything
else,” said Dveer.

Photo: Charley Hu

Dia Beri will join West Point as one of 4,500 cadets.

PHS seniors not attending traditional academic institutions this fall

Following 23 years of dedication to her students, colleagues, and community,
veteran PHS teacher and Princeton-Cranbury community member Martha
Hayden is preparing to retire from
teaching. Throughout her career, Hayden
preferred real-world learning over textbook
instruction, developed Spanish exchange
trips to Peru and Cuba, and founded the
Cranbury Arts Council.


Hayden didn’t originally intend to pursue
teaching, but after her husband lost his job,
she started working at PHS to support their
family. For Hayden, teaching was a daunting
task at first, especially given the difficult
courses she was expected to teach.


“In the beginning, I really did not want
to be here ... I [originally] wanted to go to
teach fourth grade and then I was told ‘you
belong in the high school’ ... so the first year
was really hard because I was really nervous
... and I [wasn’t sure] if I could teach kids
that were older,” said Hayden.


However, a powerful personal experience
completely changed her perspective on
teaching. Hayden had a student who
refused to engage in class or with classwork.
But when he mentioned he wrote poetry,
she gave him an alternative assignment
and challenged him to write slam poetry
instead. Hayden was moved by his poetry,
and compiled it into a book for him.


 “Five years later, I was in the library
... and he tapped me on the shoulder. I
said,‘How are you?’ and he said, ‘I’m doing
really well. I’m a DJ for a radio station ...
I just wanted to come by to tell you that
you’re the only person that believed in me
... every time I feel bad about myself, I read
my book, and I know that I can make it,’”
said Hayden. “I think that was the turning
point for me to understand that the reason
why I was here as a teacher was not [just] to
teach Spanish, that there are other reasons
... bigger than ourselves.”


Hayden also founded and organized of
the foreign exchange trips between PHS
students and schools in Peru and Cuba.
Throughout the years, these trips began to
incorporate community service along with
cultural immersion.


“I honestly thought [the Cuba trip]
was really nice [and] it was a really great
experience. A lot of kids didn’t have toys
[and] we also brought supplies to the kids
in the schools — I thought this was a really
nice way to give back to the community,
especially because they need it so much.”
said Valen Roden ’26, Hayden’s former
student who attended the trip to Cuba.


Hayden emphasizes the fact that her
classroom is “textbook-free” and focuses
more on the applications of a language
rather than technical aspects. Instead of
relying on standardized lesson plans, she
designed a unique curriculum exploring
social issues and Latin American history.


“I don’t want to teach something that
they’re not going to like. I always tell the
kids you’re not going to get off a plane and
they’re not going to ask you to conjugate
the verb,” said Hayden. “They’re going to
ask you, what’s your country like? What do
you know about my country?”


Hayden also uses the arts to supplement
her teaching — for example, “Latinoamérica”
by Calle 13 is used to help teach Spanish IV
Advanced students about environmental
destruction in Latin America.


“Senora Hayden prompts us to connect
with Latin American culture outside of class
in various ways. The songs in particular
get me thinking about their origins and
Hispanic history when I’m listening to
them outside of school,” said Thomas
Basso ’27, a student in Hayden’s Spanish
IV Advanced class.


Outside of PHS, Hayden and a friend,
Susan Leson, created the Cranbury
Arts Council around 30 years ago —
a non-profit volunteer organization
dedicated to enriching the cultural and
artistic experiences of the community by
providing arts programs, workshops, and
performances.


“I took a pottery class, and I was so good
at it, I couldn’t believe it. And then I’m
thinking, if I’m good, can you imagine how
many people are good at different arts, but
they don’t know it,” said Hayden. “So we
started taking classes, and I said to [Susan],
‘Imagine how many people don’t know that
they have a gift ... so why don’t we start an
Arts Council in Cranbury?’”


In retirement, she plans to spend time
with her family and continue organizing
exchange trips. Though Hayden is leaving
PHS, her impact on the languages
department and the whole community will
not be forgotten.


 “If I could say one thing to her, I would
say ‘Gracias por todo, Senora Hayden!’”
said Basso. “Your dedication to teaching is
something I will never forget, and I want
to know that each and every one of your
students are extremely fortunate to have
you as their teacher whether they know
it or not.” 

PHS Profile: Martha Hayden

Princeton’s new housing projects have come with
increasing debates about whether the developments
adequately meet Princeton’s affordable housing obligations
while at the same time preserving the town’s unique historic
identity. The projects, most notably the Alice and
Avalon Bay developments surrounding the Princeton
Shopping Center and a proposed development near the
Princeton Theological Seminary, generally include both
market-priced and affordable housing units.


Princeton Council’s strategy, as outlined in their master
plan, is to promote developments that have both affordable
units and market-priced units through PILOT (payment
in lieu of taxes) agreements. PILOTs are designed to
make critical infrastructure developments, like affordable
housing, more financially attractive to developers, while
at the same time providing the town with extra revenue.
On May 12, the Princeton Council approved a resolution
to share surplus funds with PPS from a PILOT agreement
between the 232-unit Avalon Bay development and the
municipality; the additional funds for PPS are expected to
amount to about $300,000 to $500,000 annually.


“[This agreement] comes at a critical time for the PPS,”
said Dafna Kendal, president of the Board of Education,
at the May 12 Town Council meeting. “In April, we were
notified that our state aid will be reduced by 3 percent.
We are also at risk of losing more than a million dollars
in federal funding because we do not want to compromise
our educational programming to accommodate an agenda
that does not reflect our community’s values.”


In New Jersey, housing is classified as “affordable” when
the occupant’s housing costs are no more than 30 percent of
their gross income. Mia Sacks, President of the Princeton
Council, noted that the town’s primary approach to city
development is one of “smart growth.”


“We have a housing crisis and a climate crisis. How
can you address both? Smart Growth: bikeable, walkable,
transit-oriented development close to economically
productive downtown centers where people can walk to
work, bike to schools. The old model of building affordable
housing ... was build it on the outskirts of town ... and
you have to have a car to get anywhere. It’s not genuinely
integrated housing. This is genuinely integrated housing,”
said Mia Sacks, president of the Princeton Council.


However, there exists considerable opposition to these
new developments, especially the proposed developments
near the Princeton Theological Seminary, from the
Princeton Coalition for Responsible Development (PCRD),
who question whether the district and the town can
accommodate a larger population. On April 23, the Ad Hoc
Commitee of Historians in Defense of Historic Princeton,
published a full page letter in the Town Topics which is
now featured on the PCRD website.


The letter alleges that a rapidly expanding Princeton
could threaten downtown Princeton’s historic character.
The proposed Seminary development in particular would
sit a quarter of a mile from the Barracks, a 1684 house
that was the temporary residence of James Madison and
Alexander Hamilton, and the house of former Princeton
resident Albert Einstein. In the past few weeks, a number of
orange and black signs reading “Defend Historic Princeton,”
distributed by the PCRD have gone up around Princeton,
particularly in the historic Mercer Hill neighborhood.


Sean Wilentz, professor of American history at Princeton
University and signee of the letter, argues that the size and
height of the proposed developments, which would be 50
feet— could damage Princeton’s historical character.
“This kind of high density project is an assault on
historical integrity. It’s [important to]find ways to
harmonize development and the preservation of what
make s Princeton, Princeton.” said Wilentz. “It makes it different from any other place, this history
which is unique in all the world ... If you
undo that, if you endanger that, then the
entire town suffers. It’s no longer Princeton.”


In response to the Town Topics letter
by the PCRD and the “Defend Historic
Princeton” signs, the Princeton Town
Councilman Leighton Newlin released a letter in the Town Topics.


“These arguments about PILOT
agreements, density, traffic, walkability,
storm water management and architectural
design are not arguments at all. The surface
looks polite and technical, the core is about
power, privilege and a refusal
refusal to share space,”
read the the letter.


Wilentz argues that the PCRD is not
anti-affordable housing, nor a not-in-myback-yard group, but rather it opposes
large developments with affordable and
market-priced units. The town’s current
strategy is to support developments with
80 percent market-priced units and 20
percent affordable units, with the idea
being that developers will use the revenue
from the market-priced units to support
affordable units.


“You end up ... justifying luxury housing
developments on the basis of affordable
housing ... but it’s a bait and switch. [The
developers] are basically gonna build four
times as much luxury apartment stuff ... as
affordable housing. That’s not gonna help
the social imbalance, it’s only gonna make
it worse,” said Wilentz.


Wilentz instead supports developments
with 100 percent affordable housing.
“We want affordable [housing]. We’re not
objecting to the historical integrity because
they’re gonna be low income people living
here — some people accuse us of that. That’s
not a threat to the historical stuff ... quite
the opposite ... it’s the luxury [development]
that’s going to present a problem to the
historical integrity of the neighborhood —
the height [and] sheer mass of the [luxury
developments],” said Wilentz.


However, Princeton Council officials
have pointed to the financial inviability
of the housing projects PCRD proposes.


“The proposal, for 100 percent affordable
(i.e., municipally-sponsored) housing,
would require the financial backing of the
municipality, including millions of taxpayer
funds to purchase the property, to construct
the housing, and to provide tax subsidies
over time. Further, the low unit count would
make it uncompetitive for state financing,
causing Princeton residents to make up
significant funding shortfalls,” said a letter
from Mayor Mark Freda and the Princeton
Council in response to PCRD’s letter.


The recent surge in housing developments
throughout Princeton is primarily due to
the Mount Laurel Doctrine, a judicial
doctrine in the New Jersey Constitution
that requires towns to use their zoning
powers to provide its share of affordable
housing to those who have lower and
moderate incomes. In 1996, Princeton
fulfilled its affordable housing obligation
by paying $460,000 to build 23 affordable
units in Trenton.


“The housing that’s being built in
Princeton is a result of municipal
compliance with that very critical housing
desegregation case,” said Sacks. “Princeton
[is] making up for 20 years of not fulfilling
its obligation. That’s why there is so much
housing in such a short amount of time.”


The array of proposed developments
is slated to add over 800 units, and it
remains to be seen how both sides of this
debate work to balance the need for new
housing and ensuring that the town and
the school system can accommodate a
growing population.


“You know, we are not the same small
village we were in the 1700s and 1600s
when Europeans began to settle in this
area. However, we can’t stop the growth,
right? We can’t just say no one else can
move into Princeton,” said PHS history
teacher Rick Miller.

 PILOT agreement passed admist larger debates on housing developments in Princeton

On May 30, students, club leaders, a
cappella groups, and local organizations
gathered on the front lawn for the annual
Pride for PHS day to support and celebrate
the LGBTQ+ community. PHS clubs and
outside organizations including Princeton
Public Library (PPL) and HiTOPS led a
variety of activities, including a pride themed piñata and an LGBTQ+ history
stand.


Pride for PHS was first organized in
2023 through the efforts of PHS art
teacher Bridget Schmidt and PHS special
education teacher Torie Esposito. However,
this year, the event had a special significance.


“In 2025, we’re being told to be quiet —
and not be so out, proud, and loud. We as
adults need to encourage our youth that
we’re educating ... to be proud about who
they are and speak about their experiences,
which are very different [from] mine as a
queer adult,” said Schmidt.


Though Pride for PHS involved many
teachers and outside organizations, PHS
students played a significant role in
managing the booths at the event. Sylven
Waldman ’25, ran the makeup station; Pearl
Agel ’25 ran the pottery booth, a perennial
favorite; and Lilly Tuliszewski ’25, a leader
of the Gender and Sexuality Alliance club,
led an trivia stand on LGBTQ+ history.


“GSA provideed a lot of educational
resources for the community, and then
we made trivia questions based on those
resources. I think this event helps solidify
that there is a place for [LGBTQ+ students]
here in in our community, and that GSA
will advocate for them whenever they need,”
said Tuliszewski.


PHS students who simply participated,
like Olivia Chen ’27, also enjoyed the event.
“I think it’s really nice to have events
organized for you to feel accepted in. I
don’t necessarily need it because I don’t
live in a terribly homophobic community
... but I definitely feel a lot more accepted.
[PHS takes] queer people seriously instead
of ignoring the issue or outwardly opposing
it,” said Chen.


Osbaldo Morales ’25, the president of
Latinos Unidos, emphasized the supportive
nature throughout event. Though not a club
focused on pride-related themes, Latinos
Unidos presented a pride themed piñata.


“Pride Fest is an important event for the
whole community because it just shows
that there’s inclusivity. In this climate … I
feel like everyone should know that they’re
supported. There’s worries that they’re
trying to push down sexuality down people’s
throat, [but] we’re just being supportive,”
said Morales.

Pride for PHS unites local organizations and students in support of LGBTQ+ community

Spring recap

2025 FIFA Club World Cup

Millions of soccer fans across the globe look forward to the FIFA Club World Cup every 4 years. This year, the United States will be hosting the tournament, with the final taking place at the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. This tournament brings all the action of the well-known FIFA World Cup, which features national teams, but is played by 32 of the strongest club teams in the world; all 63 matches will be mainly broadcasted on DAZN. Follow along with the tournament this summer from June 14 to July 13. “It provides all the fans in America a chance to see some of their favorite clubs,” said Ryan Litvinsky ’27. 

2025 UEFA Women’s Euro

16 European nations will send out their women’s soccer teams to compete in Switzerland this summer in hopes of winning the 2025 UEFA Women’s Euro, a continent-wide soccer event that takes place every four years. The first tournament took place in 1983 and has continued up until present day, Germany winning the most with 8 trophies. The most recent winner in 2021 was England. These countries along with many others spread across Europe look to compete for the trophy this year in hopes of bringing home glory and victory to their country. The tournament will take place from July 2 to July 27, and will mainly be broadcasted on FOX Sports network. “I thought the men’s tournament last year was pretty great so I’m excited to see the women’s tournament this year,” said Charissa Hu ’28

2025 Tennis U.S. Open

A yearly tennis event taking place in New York City is an event many look forward to, especially for fans who live in the area. The U.S. Open is the fourth and final grand slam championship of the tennis season and it is not only known for its phenomenal tennis matches, but also is played at the largest tennis complex in the world, the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. The area features the two largest stadiums in the world: Arthur Ashe Stadium and Louis Armstrong Stadium. “Tennis is a really cool sport and it’s nice to see a big tournament that's fairly local,” said Alex LeBouef ’27.  


Sports events to watch over the summer

On May 13, the PHS girls golf team made history by winning this year’s NJSIAA Girls Golf State Championship. This is the team’s first state title ever since its founding in 2023 by player Madeline Zang ’23. Behind this success was a roster of veterans who managed to shine both as a team and individually, with each member hitting under 100 strokes, a display of their consistency.

“They stayed committed to the process, supported one another, and consistently held themselves to a higher standard,” said Head Coach Jess Monzo. “That belief and mindset shift became a turning point that propelled them toward the state championship.”

For the team, this title is more than a trophy; it is proof of the effort and endurance from the team throughout the grueling season. Kyuyoung Chung ’26, one of the five players in the state-winning team, explains that this title was crucial for the team’s confidence — serving as redemption for the team after not doing as well in previous years.

“[The title] definitely adds to our confidence and it’s an accomplishment that we’ve worked towards collectively; so I think that really adds to the bonds between the girls as well,” said Chung. 

Monzo echoes this sentiment, emphasizing that the title means more to the players, who saw themselves overcome various obstacles to achieve this feat, than it might to a spectator.

“For the team, it’s more than just a title — it’s validation that every practice, every tough round, and every challenge they faced was worth it,” said Monzo. “It’s a shared achievement that reflects their growth not just as athletes, but as a unified group.” 

Despite facing numerous challenges, the team managed to not only pull through but also come out stronger than before. Throughout the season, Monzo has seen this team develop into the standout athletes they are now.

“This team has matured tremendously — not just in skill but in leadership, resilience, and their understanding of the game,” said Monzo. “Over the year, they've learned how to handle pressure, support each other, and bounce back from setbacks.”

Monzo cites consistency under pressure as one of the biggest challenges this team faced going into the state championship.
 
“High-stakes rounds can get into your head, especially at a state-level competition,” said Monzo. “Learning how to play one shot at a time and not let a bad hole spiral was something we worked hard on. Staying mentally tough was key — and they rose to that challenge beautifully.”

Individually, Yasna Shahriariana ’27 faced challenges on her way to the title, such as her dissatisfaction with her own playing. 

“In golf it is easy to get caught up on the bad shots that you have hit previously,” said Shahriarian. “But the most important shot is always the next and I often find the need to remind myself of that.” 

According to Monzo, the team showed signs of their capability and skill even before their state championship triumph. Prior to their victory at the state competition, the team also won the Red Devil Invitational and the CVC tournament.

“There was a defining moment mid-season during a tough invitational played in less-than-ideal weather conditions,” said Monzo. “Despite the challenges, the team rose to the occasion and played exceptionally well, taking home the team title against some of the top programs in the state. [Jacqueline Zang ’25] won the tournament individually, and Kyuyoung finished fourth — both incredible performances. That day, the team realized what they were truly capable of.”

Regardless of what happens next year, Monzo has an optimistic outlook for the team and the players individually.

“Every practice, every match, and every moment of support helped push this team forward,” said Monzo. “Their sportsmanship, camaraderie, and relentless work ethic made this journey truly special. This championship is a milestone, but it’s also just the beginning of what this program is capable of achieving.”


Girls golf team wins state championship for the first time

While most students are introduced to history through textbooks, few recognize the educational value that historical films can provide. Although these films are not always historically accurate, they offer a captivating way to introduce students to the complexities in the past. By recreating stories, movie directors are able to transform historical events into engaging and entertaining experiences, bringing life to events in ways textbooks cannot. While these films may include slight modifications to the original storyline, they provide a powerful passage for students to learn about history’s most fascinating people and events.

One of the most effective ways films can teach history to students is by humanizing real events by providing personal stories. “Black Hawk Down,” for instance — set during the Somali Civil War — follows the crew of a Black Hawk helicopter which was shot down in the Battle of Mogadishu in 1993. The movie plunges students into the chaos of warfare, with soldiers fighting for their lives and losing their loved ones, showing the dangers and troubles of a soldier at battle. This helps students understand the fear that the soldiers faced during the conflict.

Furthermore, in “Selena,” a movie directed by Gregory Nava about Selena Quintanilla-Perez, one of the most famous Mexican American singers in the 20th century, students are able to learn beyond her fame and into her personal struggles. While a famous singer like Selena may appear jubilant on stage, singing and laughing with a big smile, the film sheds light on the discrimination and challenges Selena faces growing up. For example, when Selena and her sister are shopping to buy Selena a dress, they encounter an unpleasant interaction with the sales associate who discriminates against the two sisters because of their skin color. While issues with discrimination may be taught in classes, historical films like “Selena” provide firsthand experience for students to understand the troubles to a greater extent.

Similarly, “Hacksaw Ridge,” a film about Desmond Doss — a U.S. soldier who saved tens of lives during WWII without carrying a single weapon — also provides a powerful depiction of the war and prompts students to engage with the past. This movie not only teaches facts about the war, but also proposes themes like the complexity of heroism and moral conviction. By focusing on Doss, the film teaches students about conscience, faith, and perseverance.

Films also provide opportunities for students to discuss the complexities in history. Take “Schindler’s List,” for example — while it highlights the horrors of the Holocaust, it also raises important questions about morals, courage, and how power in the hands of one can influence the lives of others. The movie encourages students to consider the deeper implications behind the Holocaust, rather than observing from the surface. Teachers can use certain scenes, such as the burning of thousands of books, to spark conversations about broader historical themes such as propaganda, resistance, and consequences of discrimination. Additionally, students are also encouraged to identify what historical details are included — and left out — developing a stronger understanding of how the media portrays history. This not only enhances students’ critical thinking skill, but also their ability to analyze media literature.

In the end, historical films — while not always 100 percent historically accurate — offer a meaningful and engaging way to revisit the past. Through powerful stories and deeper discussions, movies like “Black Hawk Down” and “Schindler’s List” make historical events more accessible and emotionally resonant. When used in educational settings, these films can spark curiosity and encourage critical thinking, turning entertainment into a valuable learning experience.

Photo: Katherine Chen


After learning about the Holocaust and WWII, Mr. Campbell’s APUSH Period 2 class watches Schindler’s List.

The Tower

Student Athletes

The Tower