Hispanic Heritage Month at PHS continues another year of successful celebration as the Latinos Unidos Club will soon kick off with their student and staff run soccer tournament. Earlier this month, the Latinos Unidos Club performed in assemblies to exhibit Hispanic culture through literature, music, and dance. To add on to this month’s celebration, the club is planning to show off another very important cultural aspect: soccer, otherwise known as fútbol in Spanish. 
An enjoyable pastime for many, soccer has found popularity all over the world, especially in the Latino community. So, after bouncing around ideas for a fundraising event for the club, the club’s board ultimately decided on a soccer tournament. Both a cultural symbol and an entertaining sport, soccer was the perfect candidate for the Latino Unidos club to use as a way to spread their culture and unite sport enthusiasts. 
The Latinos Unidos Club busily began organizing, starting all the way back in September. Setting up such an event is no small task, and the club members invested hours into the tournament. Along with the school’s staff, they are aiming to provide an exciting experience for the rest of the student body. The Latinos Unidos club has already finished setting up the prizes, with a trophy for first, medal for second, and a surprise gift (oooh) for third place. 
“I’m learning so much by leading and organizing these events,” said Ozzy Morales ’25, a Latinos Unidos club leader. “I’m proud and honored that I was given this opportunity to lead and organize these events.”
But why soccer, anyway? Soccer was first introduced to Latin America at the end of the 19th century. Due to its easy-to-access nature, soccer also became a widespread hit across the whole continent, uniting Latin America by their love for this sport. 
Indeed, sharing Latino culture is the most vital goal of the club, but there are other themes as well. 
“[We want to] let people know that we can be together as a community, [as] it doesn’t matter if we have [a] different culture,” Dany Melchor Garza ’24, one of the club’s leaders, said. 
Aside from athletics, the Latinos Unidos Club has coordinated other events such as the Festival Latino, where families were able to have fun and get to know each other. Besides the fundraising event, the club is preparing the Numina Gallery for the Day of the Dead, a day where people commemorate passed loved ones. In addition, the club has plans for their next third annual Festival Latino in the spring. 
Students involved with setting up the tournament talk about their personal growth as well, valuing the cultural opportunities that come with their role as a member.            
“I’m learning to be a better leader, student, friend, and overall a voice in my community,” said Morales. “[Using] my platform to inspire and encourage others in the community to celebrate one another is something that I am willing to do over and over again.” 
People are often afraid to invest time and energy into big projects, and organizing a tournament is no small feat. However, Morales and Garza are capable of bringing together crowds and organizing massive events. The club has simultaneously brought the Latino community closer together, as well as spread the diverse aspects of Latino cultures to students throughout PHS. 
“If we can put [in] a little effort, we can make things come true,” Garza said.

The Latinos Unidos Club

   Due to the ravaging effects of climate change, coral reefs globally are on the decline. United against the same problem, both scientific and local communities in the Coral Triangle are working to protect their reefs. At Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok A team led by Dr. Suchana Chavanich is focusing on coral spore cryopreservation, a technique by which scientists preserve coral sperm for future generations. Additionally, native divers of Tidung Island, Indonesia, concerned about damage caused by pollution and overfishing, are transplanting coral all around the island to encourage growth. Thankfully, these efforts have been working. On the island, coral growth rates are 10-15 centimeters annually, and projected to increase even more. This island’s success story really goes to show that every community can make a difference, and that the ocean can be saved. 
The destruction of coral has been one of the worst repercussions of climate change and overfishing in the ocean. As one of the places most affected by these issues, Southeast Asia is working towards reversing these damages. United against the same problem, both scientific and local communities are working together to protect their reefs. A team led by Dr. Suchana Chavanich is focusing on coral spore cryopreservation, a technique used by preserving coral sperm for future propagation. Native divers of Tidung Island, Indonesia, concerned about pollution and destruction created by ports and fishing, are transporting coral all around the island to encourage growth. The growth rate on the island is currently 10-15 cm a year. By setting up concrete cube frames for both coral to grow on and fish to live in, sea life has a better  chance of survival. 

How South-East Asia is Fighting Back to Save Corals – Photo Essay

  In the past few months, PHS boys varsity soccer team Head Coach Wayne Sutcliffe made the decision to step down after more than 25 years. Leading the PHS boys varsity team in past years to 19 division titles, seven Mercer County Tournament titles, and two state titles, Sutcliffe’s career as the head coach is considered by many as legendary. 
   Sutcliffe has led the team to numerous victories and titles, and as such, his decision to step down has initiated reflection and recognition from the team. The decision ultimately came down to timing and setting the groundwork for future coaches and athletes to succeed. 
    “There was never a day in the 26 years that I've coached that I didn't enjoy ... [but] to do something for 26 years is a long time and I felt as though I gave everything I could,” said Sutcliffe. “The team and the program overall, are in really good shape right now in terms of health and we have a lot of good players. ... It's important to me to leave the team in a better place than it was, even when I became a coach, for the rest of the staff.”
   With Sutcliffe stepping down, there will be a new head coach the following season, but despite the change in staff, there should be little to no change in the way the team is run.
   “I get the same question from a few people that I've talked to, … asking what I'm going to change about the program,” said former Assistant Coach Ryan Walsh, who will be succeeding Sutcliffe’s role as head coach the upcoming fall. “Coach Sutcliffe has won 19 division titles, seven MCTs, [and] two state tournament titles. So what am I supposed to change? My goal is to keep doing and keep practicing his beliefs.”
   As the team bid farewell to their esteemed coach, players on the team, including co-captain of the boys varsity team Nick Matese ’24, , reflected on the transformative impact that Sutcliffe has had on their soccer journey. 
   “Throughout three years of being on his teams, Coach Sutcliffe has helped me improve a lot as a player through his encouragement and constructive criticism, which he was always able to deliver in an effective and positive way,” said Matese. “He created a team culture that really focused on support and togetherness." 
   Beyond the tactical elements of the game, Sutcliffe's team has succeeded because of his capacity to inspire and motivate them at crucial times. 
   “Looking back, I can remember some of his team talks before overtime periods in games such as Hightstown this season or Notre Dame and Steinert the year before,” said Matese. “He had a great ability to fire up the team when we needed it the most.”
   The team mentality that Sutcliffe has cultivated is one in which each player feels empowered to accept criticism and use it as a springboard for improvement. In addition, Sutcliffe's emphasis on efficient communication, which he views as one of the most important components of the game, has helped the players feel more united and cohesive.
   “He's always been there. He's always been pretty vocal, just taking control,” said Matthew Chao ’25, one of the players on Sutcliffe’s varsity team. “[We’ve] had some problems this past season, but he still did his best to show up to be there for us every step of the way.”
   Although Sutcliffe’s coaching journey has been filled with numerous victories, he recognizes that the most rewarding aspect of leading a team lies in the strong connections he’s formed with his players and watching them grow in the face of new challenges. 
   “[I will] never forget what it was like to win a state title. But next to those are the most important things,” said Sutcliffe. “In games, these moments [in my memory] about how young players develop, grow, and mature into different [people] than they might have been when they got here... those are the really important things [to me].”
   These connections that are made, starting as early as freshman or later as seniors, have remained strong even after the players graduate from high school. 
   “I think it's pretty clear to see the connections he's established with all these players throughout the years, because if you just look at the captain's practice[s], you have these alumni who were on the team five, six, seven, eight years ago, and still coming back,” said Chao. “The fact that he was able to establish these connections with other players really helped build a pretty tight team and … established a good team culture.”
   Sutcliffe’s impact and influence on the players are undeniable, inspiring many young athletes to push themselves into becoming better, not just as soccer players, but as people as well. Sutcliffe has not only had an impact on the athletes, but he has also guided and mentored his co-workers into becoming better versions of themselves, setting an example for them to build off of when it is eventually their turn to take over. 
   “[Sutcliffe] has taught me so much about being a coach, and a player's coach, really,” said Walsh. “When I came out of college, I loved soccer, I was good at soccer, but I wasn't a good coach …[Sutcliffe] really taught me how to properly manage a team. He was really good at making connections with all of the players … and he really helps players improve every day.”
   Returning players are excitedly anticipating the next chapter under Walsh's guidance as the team looks to the future. With a strong foundation built by Sutcliffe, the team is ready to embrace the challenges and triumphs that lie ahead. 
   “I'm looking forward to next season as we have a lot of returning guys with experience, and Coach Walsh is a really great coach to lead us,” Matese said.
   Together, Sutcliffe and Walsh have been able to work together as a cohesive team to foster success over the course of multiple seasons. Their combined efforts have created a positive and nurturing environment for the players that Walsh will carry on, allowing them to flourish on and off the field. 
  “I hope that the next 26 years, [Coach Walsh will have] the same opportunities that he can do that for the next coach,” said Sutcliffe. “That will be my hope for a legacy.”



Legendary PHS boys soccer Head Coach Sutcliffe leaves a lasting legacy

As the spring season begins, the PHS girls
golf team sets off in full swing for the first time.
The team had made an impressive start to their
first year as a PHS sports team, carrying a 3–0
record so far as they aim to maintain their peak
form heading further into the season. The team
dominated the Lady Bombers Tee Off Classic
Tournament on April 19, achieving first place.
 “We’re gonna have three home matches this
season, which is a lot fewer than we’ve had in the
past. But that’s super exciting, especially because
we get to go on . . . a much nicer course to play with
in the past,” said Madeleine Zang’s ’23, PHS girls
golf team captain.
 This year, the team has seven new additions,
ranging from new players to experienced golfers,
who weren’t on the co-ed team the previous
season.
 “We have a bunch of seniors and a lot of
freshmen I think that signed up. So I think [that
is a] really interesting district team dynamic,”
Zang said.
 Despite the changes in the team roster, they have
developed a strong, dynamic, and supportive
atmosphere, contributing to a tight knit team
culture both on and off the course.
 “I think that [the team has] a really positive vibe,”
said Shreya Gaekwad ’25, one of the new members
of the girls team. “Everyone’s supportive [of] each
other and [we] play as a team.”
 The team practices allow the players to improve
their golf game in an encouraging, yet competitive
atmosphere that motivates the golfers to record
lower scores on the course.
 “I believe I have become more consistent on the
course and I can definitely see that coming from
the fact that I am basically playing on the course
everyday,” said Raima Srivastava ’25, one of the
golfers on the girls golf team. “I can see my score
improving everyday.
Prior to this year, the PHS Golf Team had been coed. Efforts from Zang, as well as the current boys
golf team Coach Patrick Noone, were the backbone
for the start of a separate team.
 “[After the 2021 county tournaments], more girls
showed interest, and the boys golf coach, Patrick
Noone, met with the superintendent over multiple
years to institute a Princeton High School girls golf
team, which was finally approved for this school
year,” said Zang. “I know that I, along with all of
the other members of the golf team, were ecstatic
about having our very own team.”
 Girls golf Coach Jess Monzo is eagerly anticipating
stepping into this new role due to his background
in coaching wrestling, as well as guiding the players
with an encouraging mood.
 “It is extremely polar opposite from the other sport
I coach at PHS. Golf is very laid back and relaxing,
but the mental aspect is very much similar,” said
Monzo. “The truth is in golf you have to continue
to stay positive.”
 While the journey to getting the program into
play has been challenging, the players are making
the most out of this opportunity. As they strive to
level up their game, at the same time, they also look
forward to making valuable memories through
their commitment to golf.
 “A memorable time with the team was playing
‘best ball’ on the course, where you play golf and
play from the best shot,” said Srivastava. “It’s always
such a fun game and we don’t have to worry about
our scores, [since] it’s mostly for practice and fun.”
 What originally started out as a dream has become
a reality for Zang’s senior year season.
 “So far this season, our team has been playing
amazing, and everyone has shown immense team
spirit,” said Zang. “For the future, I hope the
Princeton High School girls golf team continues to
thrive; I know that we are all excited to see how far
our team can go in the game of golf!”

PHS girls golf team kicks off their first season

At full speed, Reece Gallagher ’23 charges down the field, weaving through a crowd
of defenders. She grips onto her stick, zoning in onto the goal ahead. With one swift
motion, she unleashes the ball at the net, slamming it into the goal. The crowd erupts
into a roar as Gallagher makes her way towards her teammates, victorious. For
Gallagher, this feeling of exhilaration and adrenaline is part of the thrill that comes
with playing the sport she loves.
 There are four positions in lacrosse: offense, defense, midfield, and goalie. Each
position has their own crucial role, so Gallagher makes sure she executes her own
position of offense well. In the 2022-2023 season, Gallagher has already made a total
of six goals and two assists, contributing to the team’s 3–0 record. Besides helping her
teammates with her technical abilities, she also helps coordinate the team dynamic as
one of the co-captains.
 “I’m a very big team player; I like to get everyone involved … we want all of our
voices to be heard, so we just work together. We don’t ever go against each other,”
Gallagher said.
 Gallagher has developed these skills since she began playing lacrosse at six years old.
Injuries such as her sprained Achilles tendon set her
back, but did not stop Gallagher from loving the
sport just the same.
 “It just gets better...[even though] shin splints
have been a bit of an injury
throughout my four years,” Gallagher said.
 A long term-injury would discourage any
athlete, but not Gallagher. In
junior year, she moved from
junior varsity to varsity and
now is one of the captains in
her senior year. She uses her
experience as both a teammate and
captain to play her best during games.
 “I am near the goal usually, and when plays are
going on, or if someone’s making a cut through,
I will pass it to them and they can have an easy
shot,” Gallagher said.
 Part of Gallagher’s responsibilities is to make
everyone feel included. She ensures that every
individual is given the opportunity to
showcase their unique talents, especially
for the freshmen players. She takes it upon
herself to improve the team, both on and off
the field with a system she created.
 “So green [means] you can shoot, red
[means] you can’t. So we’ll go, ‘Green,
Leah!’ or ‘Green, Quinn!’ if they want to,”
Gallagher said.
 With these efficient signals, the team
is able to make split-second decisions
together, score goals, and win games.
Communication is, of course, key, and
Gallagher has honed these skills to lead
the team
effectively. “Reece really stepped up
in the off-season to help organize the
team for winter league and organized
lifting sessions in the weight room... She leads in
a calm and positive manner,” said girls lacrosse Coach Katherine Federico.
With her unparalleled level of experience and devotion to the team, Gallagher has
become a pillar of strength for her teammates when they need it most.
 “Reece is always super supportive and always there to give me advice. She’s always
really organized, both on and off the field,” said Theona Hsu ’24, one of Gallagher’s
teammates on the varsity team.
 As Gallagher continues to grow in her role as captain, she hopes that she is able to use
her leadership skills as she transitions from high school to college.
 “She leads in a calm and positive manner,” said Federico. “I expect her to continue
to play a large role in helping lead the attack and set a positive example to the
underclassmen.”

Reece Gallagher ’23: lacrosse

After winning the first set by a tiebreaker of two points, Jonathan Gu ’23 holds
the advantage and continues to fight for the state title. Although he loses the second
set, Gu shows remarkable resilience and determination, ultimately coming back on
top afer more than three grueling hours to win the third and final set. Ending his
junior year season on a triumphant note, Gu not only remained unbeaten, but also
emerged as the state singles champion, the first time a Princeton High School tennis
player has done so in four decades.
 Inspired by his brother, Gu first picked up the racket at the age of five and has
been dedicated to the sport ever since. Over the years, Gu has been honing his skills,
especially his forehand, which has become one of his greatest strengths.
 “He has a huge forehand and a huge serve,” said Melvin Huang ’24, a singles player
on the PHS varsity tennis team. “He also hits a bunch of dropshots.”
 Paired with Gu’s aggresive playstyle is his determination to win every point, no
matter the circumstance.
 “He’s just very focused. When he’s on court, his
level of play is just impressive,” said PHS Tennis
Coach Sarah Hibbert. “Even people who don’t
know tennis will walk up and be like, ‘whoa’ —
they can sense the level of play.”
 Like many players, he looks up to the Big #ree
of tennis: Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak
Djokovic.
 “I try to look at what they do well, and how I can
do my best representation of what they do,” said Gu.
“They are the best tennis players of all time of course,
[so] no one is better to learn from.”
 His style of playing is modeled after different
aspects of these professional players, such as Nadal’s
physical strength, Federer’s control, and Djokovic’s
persistence, all of which he incorporates into his game.
 “I like to hit winners or keep control of the point on
my racket and don’t let my opponents [get control],” Gu said.
 His strategy evidently works, as he had a 14-0 win-loss record in
2022. Despite already having an amazing season full of achievements
as first singles on the varsity team, Gu is always striving for perfection.
 “I get frustrated when I play, when [I could] do something
better… I’m trying to improve on my serve. It’s the most important
shot in tennis,” Gu said.
 Gu’s journey has only gotten tougher as he progresses in the sport,
as his drive to improve has taken up a large portion of his time. Some
nights, he finds himself getting home at 1:00 a.m. following a tennis
tournament. But despite the major time commitment, Gu has never
considered quitting; tennis has been how he’s grown.
 “Some challenges [I’ve experienced] are fighting through a
tight match, and also just getting over tough losses,” Gu said. “Just
training hard, practicing, [and] playing lots of tournaments have
taught me how to be resilient.”
 Gu, being one of the top players on the team, inspires his
teammates, especially with his exceptional skill. He is essentially
their backbone, as his flawless record in 2022 contributed
significantly to the team’s success.
 “He’s carrying the team and sweeping first singles everyday. It’s
really nice knowing we have at least one point,” Huang said.
 Gu not only impresses others with his skills, but he also
rallies others on the team to do the best they can. Tennis is often
regarded as an individual sport, but encouragement off-court is what
keeps the team spirit alive.
 “I think he tries to encourage team spirit. We usually do captains once we start the
team, but as a senior, he will likely be one of our captains if he wants that distinction,”
Hibbert said.
 That will be up for Gu to decide as he looks forward to another successful season. As
he navigates the transition towards Division III tennis at Carnegie Mellon University,
Gu’s passion for the sport extends beyond his high school career as he anticipates
this new challenge.
 “I’m excited to play college tennis; it’s always been a dream,” Gu said. “Carnegie
Mellon is a great place to get a great education and also [to] join a really good tennis
team with some amazing people.

Jonathan Gu ’23: tennis

Every morning, students hear a short announcement of an important person in Black history. These announcements represent a small portion of a larger movement towards greater equity and activism in the PHS community and beyond.                                                                                                                                         
The tradition of honoring African-American history within a specific time period of the calendar year began with Carter G. Woodson when he started the celebration of Negro History Week in February of 1926. Woodson, a noted Black activist and historian, felt that African-American history should be particularly honored given that it was insufficiently prioritized in many American school districts. The week was eventually extended to encompass the entire month.                                                                                                                                          
PHS has been celebrating Black History Month since 2006, and traditions such as making announcements are being kept, while new activities have been formed over the years. Being a thoughtfully planned  and  diverse  celebration  of  history, it is no surprise that the PHS Regional Educational Support Staff Association officer Olive Giles, who helped organize Black History Month, hosted conferences in order to get opinions from the community on how commemorations should manifest themselves.                                                                                                                                     
“It’s like,  how do we tell all these stories…the team put together comprehensive announcements for the entire month that show examples of Black excellence in the sciences, government, politics, military, history, [and] the arts, and it’s laid out [in a way that] makes it easy for me to be able to include that in my announcements in the morning,” said PHS Principal Frank Chmiel.                                                                                                                                         
The Black Student Union (BSU), which had been inactive since 2016, has also recently made a comeback at the February club fair. Many students, not just Black students, are excited to contribute, celebrate, and commemorate Black history every day.                                                                                                                                            
“Something that’s very exciting to me is the revitalization of the Black Student Union… They’ve had 90 students sign up at the club fair, all [with] different cultures and backgrounds, including Black American  students, and so they’re going to be having meetings and getting really active. And to me, as a principal, that’s exciting,” Chmiel said.                                                                                                                                               King-David Ndubisi ’23, who is the president of the Black Student Union, believes that the comeback of the BSU will be an overall benefit to achieving racial equality at PHS.                                                                                                                                               “I believe the purpose is to reform, revive, and expose the hidden Black excellence in our school. By reviving the club, I ‘m giving an opportunity to the upcoming class of Black students,” Ndubisi said.                                                                                                                                               Other new events include Black film screenings that will continue into March, a celebration of activist Paul Robeson, and a Black history program that will run later in the  spring.                                                                                                                                             “We have a series of Black films that we’re going to be showing over the course of the next six to eight weeks, one of which is called ‘1776’… The last big thing we’re doing is celebrating Paul Robeson, who was born in Princeton, and this year is his 125th birthday, making 2023’s Black History Month particularly special and close to home. Then we actually hope to do an actual Black History Month program once the pressure of testing for APs and other graduation requirements are out of the way,” said PHS science supervisor Joy Barnes-Johnson.
“I get to see lots of different things which helped me understand why we still need to have Black history, and it’s kind of just like any other cultural celebration to humanize children; humanize people who identify as Black whether they are African, Caribbean, African-American, or just identify as Black. [We’re] so diverse,” Barnes-Johnson said.
Today, Princeton spearheads N.J.’s efforts toward affordable housing and equity and is home to the Not in Our Town initiative, which offers classes and lesson plans to schools and hosts meetings for people in the community to voice their grievances. The organization has heavily awarded PHS students and staff, notably PHS Racial Literacy supervisor and history teacher Patricia Manhart, and Barnes-Johnson. This push, which was started by a few trailblazing students and teachers, has snowballed into a greater attempt to expand to a wider audience at not only PHS, but also the entirety of Princeton.       
While Princeton currently strives to be a state leader in equity, diversity, and inclusion, its history casts a jarring shadow. Throughout the 19th and the first half of the 20th century, the practice of segregation was exhibited in its schools, institutions such as the YMCA, and businesses along Nassau Street. 
While segregationist outlooks continued to maintain traction in Princeton during the post-Civil War era, integration was finally able to be realized in the 1947 Princeton Plan. This vision aimed to eliminate racial segregation in education through the clearing of biased border lines; for example, it created the first integrated elementary school in Princeton. Although the transition was bumpy, the anti-racist trend continued into the 21st century. 
“The Princeton Plan of 1947 was basically the beginning of school integration here in New Jersey. We realize that here on the East Coast, most people think about Brown v. the Board of Education. But [the Princeton Plan] is a big deal … this is the 75th anniversary of the Princeton Plan here in Princeton … It’s like how do we tell all these stories about who we are; this is what we want to do. And so Black History Month is about telling a bigger story,” Barnes-Johnson said.
In America, Black History Month honors the hardships and successes of African Americans who have contributed to the success of the nation. At PHS, Black History Month also represents a spotlight on cultural diversity and social acceptance. Black History Month may only be during February, but it emphasizes that Black culture and accomplishments should be acknowledged and celebrated all 365 days a year. Everybody has achievements and stories, whether that is expressed through words, art, literature, or ideas; BHM is just one of many ways of passing down Black history. 
“But really, Black history is American history. And that’s a quote from Morgan Freeman, the famous American actor and civil rights activist. [Black history] should permeate all aspects of education,” Chmiel said.


PHS continues its efforts for greater recognition of Black History Month

  What’s more classic than red hearts, chocolates, and big teddy bears on Valentine’s Day? The answer is the traditional norms that people often feel the need to conform to during this holiday. As Valentine’s Day just passed, it’s a good time to discuss how these norms can be harmful to many people who want to celebrate the holiday, but may not fit into the mold of the traditions held by society. Additionally, the desire to be in a romantic relationship often seems to overshadow the appreciation people have for themselves and their friends. Our community at PHS is very diverse, and we should find ways to create inclusivity in the way we celebrate and discuss Valentine’s Day. It is imperative that we start prioritizing creating new holiday traditions over the old-fashioned norms that are often more harmful than helpful.
  The traditional themes of Valentine’s Day do not apply to the diverse spectrum of relationships that exist in contemporary America, and the outdated traditions of Valentine’s Day should be replaced with more inclusive ones to celebrate our love for each other. LGBTQ+ people are often underrepresented during this holiday, and it’s important that companies keep these types of relationships in mind when creating Valentine’s Day products. Instead of exclusively “His” and “Hers” themed products, there should be gender-neutral pronouns available as an option. Although several companies are already starting to do this, if the production of LGBTQ-oriented holiday items was more widespread, more couples and gender-nonconforming individuals would feel much more included in the holiday celebrations. Not only do the traditional norms of Valentine’s Day exclude people who may not fit the stereotypical image of a Valentine’s Day couple, but they make many people feel the need to have a partner, even if they may not actually want to. “Cuffing season” can pressure people to be in public relationships because they think that it can get them more attention on social media. However, those quickly planned Valentine’s relationships are not what the holiday is about. Valentine’s Day is intended to be a way to celebrate all love, including those who don’t have a romantic partner in their lives. Small gestures like sending notes to your friends on Valentine’s Day can reaffirm the already strong relationships that you have in your life, without adding the pressure to conform to the relationship standard surrounding Valentine’s Day. Society has told us that Valentine’s Day is all about these types of relationships, but if we start to break those traditions and celebrate the holiday of love in whatever way fits us, we can prevent the uncomfortable feelings that people may have around this time of year.
  The love we have towards other people is very important, but it can also be beneficial to look within and understand the importance of self-love on a day that celebrates relationships. Your relationship with yourself is so important, and Valentine’s Day is an opportunity to cultivate it. This can be through treating yourself to your favorite meal, buying something that you’ve been eyeing for a long time, or even simply setting time aside to relax and let your mind be at ease. Prioritizing self-love can be a great way for people to appreciate Valentine’s Day, and it should be normalized by society.
   The day of love recently concluded, and we should take the opportunity to reevaluate the way we discuss love and relationships at PHS. Even if we can’t convince major companies to change their gendered products that are clearly marketed towards straight, cisgender people, we can change the way we speak about Valentine’s Day and the types of relationships that exist in and out of our school. We should work to eliminate the pressure to conform to the standard Valentine’s Day traditions, and should instead use Valentine’s Day as a time to express love to our friends, family, and ourselves. At the end of the day, Valentine’s Day is supposed to celebrate love, but that can’t be fully realized until we reinvent the holiday to celebrate all of its expressions.


Battling Toxic Norms on Valentine’s Day

America has become notorious in the past few  years  for  the  almost  weekly  occurrence  of  school  shootings.  Even  in  our  town  of  Princeton,  where  violent  crimes  are  rare,  school  safety  has  begun  to  become  more  of  a  worry.  As  such,  it’s  completely  understandable  that PHS administrators have decided to double down on its security policies. For example, the school has begun to actually enforce its policy of prohibiting non-seniors from leaving campus and  is  implementing  a  measure  which  will  require  students  to  wear  lanyards  for identification. After all, PHS cannot legally  allow  students  under  18  to  leave  campus.  Ultimately,  though  these  policies  are  well-intentioned,  they overlook one essential question: Why do students want to leave in the first place?      Although being on the campus comes with its positives, among them friends and  extracurriculars,  most  of  us  no  doubt associate PHS with stress, schoolwork, and the pressure from our families or ourselves to be successful. Unfortunately, being in school for eight hours a day can take a toll  on  students’  mental  health.  As  burnout progresses over months of the same monotonous routines, it becomes more and more difficult for  us  to  enjoy  going  to  school.  So, it’s no surprise that many PHS students want an escape from the building, allowing them to change up their schedule. The truth is that even with stricter security policies in place, students still find ways to leave during school hours. Unless the  school  wishes  to  station  vigilant security guards at every entrance  and  exit  and  institute  harsh penalties for students who choose to leave campus, students will continue to leave. However,  there  is  a  better  way  to  prevent  students  from  leaving  than  instituting  a  kind  of  border  patrol.  Such excessively strict measures would do more to arouse animosity  against  the  administration  than  to  protect  students.  Instead,  we  should  find  a  middle  ground.  The  school should institute moderately strict security measures, such as the addition of just a few more guards, in combination with a genuine and systematic effort to  make school a place that students actually want to be. On  the  whole,  PHS  should  make  the  school  more  amenable to students who wish to escape from the often-stressful high school academic environment. That means that the school must try to come up with better ways for us non-seniors to be less  stressed,  especially  while  on  campus.    For  example,  the  administration  can  use  the sprawling new wing or one of our three courtyards  to  create  a  sort  of  “common  room”, with activities like a Ping-Pong table or Spikeball sets. This way, the school could be  made  to  feel  more  relaxing  and  inviting.  Furthermore,  private  study  spaces  could  be  created  to  encourage productivity during free periods, and the Tiger Cafe’s  hours  could  be  expanded  to  provide  hungry  or  decaffeinated students with a mid-day boost. These policies, along with others not listed here, would allow us to have a better relationship with PHS’s campus, and hopefully help us non-seniors feel a little bit less anxious. Of course, it’s understandable that PHS wants to keep its students safe, which includes keeping its younger students on campus during times they don’t have class and making sure that nobody can get into the building unless they’re a  member  of  PHS’s  community.  Unfortunately,  however,  in the absence of further measures to improve the school environment, the addition of more easily evaded security measures are a waste of the school’s resources. If the school truly  wants  to  prevent  students  from  leaving  campus,  it  should  pair  reinforced  security  measures  with  new  in-school amenities that would help students manage time or give them a break from the often stifling environment of PHS. As such, the administration would be knocking out two birds with one stone—one being school stress, and the other being school security. 

Katie Qin's Work

The Tower