Table of Contents
Soaked and Stoked
By Jeff Zheng
NJHS: Pre-K Easter Egg Hunt
By Mayumi Haruna
Changing Waves
By Bea Mariano
The Undeniable Drive - SJS Girls Varsity Soccer Team
By Sujin Oh
Book Report
By Apple Lu
What Courses Should You Should Select and Why is it Important?
By Seah Lee
The Ultimate Guide to the Best Summer
By Jaein Kim
Events
Soaked and Stoked
By Jeff Zheng
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The STUCO event for the 4th quarter featured a unique theme that piqued students’ interests: the first ever beach-themed event in which students headed outdoors and participated in friendly competition against other grade levels and faculty. This memorable event was organized by STUCO committee leaders, Elijah Dewan, Ian Park, Maria Calvo, and Grace Kang. The STUCO committee members were led under the guidance of Ms. McCormic, whose support and energy helped bring the vision to life. Despite working under time constraints, the STUCO team delivered one-of-a-kind events for middle school and upper school students and raised the expectations for future STUCO events.
The STUCO team was divided into three branches: Judiciary, Executive, and Buildings and Grounds. The Judiciary branch focused on brainstorming and developing ideas that were presented to the whole committee. The Executive branch coordinated with volunteers in order to set up the event. The Buildings and Grounds branch was responsible for gathering materials required for the event such as buckets and |
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water balloons. Additionally, the PTA contributed sponges. This event would not have been possible without the cooperation of each of these groups working together.
Since this was STUCO’s first time hosting a beach-themed event, the team faced several unexpected challenges along the way. The sunny day, while perfect for the theme, brought intense heat and created a difficult environment to watch the games. In addition, the outdoor setting, while fitting the theme, created a more chaotic atmosphere that made it difficult to maintain a well organized event and keep the students’ attention. Students had trouble hearing instructions due to the open space, which led to confusion. The STUCO team quickly noticed these issues and adapted. They confirmed with each team whether they understood their task, stopped the music during explanations, and used hand held microphones. Prior to the event, ideas of slip ‘n slides, water gun fights, and balloon fights were proposed, however, these ideas never made it to the actual event due to school regulations, safety, or time constraints.
The final games that were featured in the event were the bucket relay, sponge relay, water balloon toss, and wet plank. These games included both the faculty and the students, divided by their grade levels. The bucket relay and sponge relay each allowed 10 participants per team. Both games shared the same goal: to transfer as much water as possible from the front of the line to the back. In bucket relay, players had to pour water over their heads into the bucket of the person behind them. The team that collected the most water at the end was announced the winner. In the sponge relay, players passed a soaked sponge over their head to the person behind them. The person at the end of the line would have to quickly deposit the water and run up to the front with the sponge and repeat the process. The team that emptied their bucket at the front to the end bucket first would win. The water balloon toss had each team divide into groups of 2 and toss a water balloon back and forth as they gradually increased the distance. The team that made it the farthest won. The wet plank challenge had players endure chilling water being thrown upon them while planking. The last person planking was declared the winner. Jackson Fulkerson-Smith, having participated in all of the events, said that the sponge relay was his favorite because “was a fun mix of tossing a sponge over your head, screaming at your teammates to be faster, and sacrificing any thoughts of being dry.” During the wet planks, Dr. Guile, a faculty member and participant, had his birthday honored. He was cheered on by many students for his great performance.
Despite some flaws in organizing this first-of-a-kind event, it was successful according to both students and the committee. Elijah and Grace both felt that more time could have been spent on planning and organizing this event, however, they still felt this event had brought the St. John’s community together, and they had a great time in the process. As Grace stated, “I personally thought that the event was successful, especially since we haven't had an outdoor activity like this in a while. It really brought students and teachers together and created a fun, refreshing atmosphere!” In addition, Elijah thought that the event was “Good and engaging but we definitely can work to make more events fun and productive for other classes.” The students mostly enjoyed this event too. Alwyn Lin, a sophomore, commented, “I really enjoyed the water and sponge relay, as it was a unique twist to a rather simple STUCO event. By having the theme of the beach and implementing water related minigames, it allows the SJS community to share some long lasting memories.” Overall, this event served as a valuable memory and learning experience for what to expect in future STUCO events.
The final games that were featured in the event were the bucket relay, sponge relay, water balloon toss, and wet plank. These games included both the faculty and the students, divided by their grade levels. The bucket relay and sponge relay each allowed 10 participants per team. Both games shared the same goal: to transfer as much water as possible from the front of the line to the back. In bucket relay, players had to pour water over their heads into the bucket of the person behind them. The team that collected the most water at the end was announced the winner. In the sponge relay, players passed a soaked sponge over their head to the person behind them. The person at the end of the line would have to quickly deposit the water and run up to the front with the sponge and repeat the process. The team that emptied their bucket at the front to the end bucket first would win. The water balloon toss had each team divide into groups of 2 and toss a water balloon back and forth as they gradually increased the distance. The team that made it the farthest won. The wet plank challenge had players endure chilling water being thrown upon them while planking. The last person planking was declared the winner. Jackson Fulkerson-Smith, having participated in all of the events, said that the sponge relay was his favorite because “was a fun mix of tossing a sponge over your head, screaming at your teammates to be faster, and sacrificing any thoughts of being dry.” During the wet planks, Dr. Guile, a faculty member and participant, had his birthday honored. He was cheered on by many students for his great performance.
Despite some flaws in organizing this first-of-a-kind event, it was successful according to both students and the committee. Elijah and Grace both felt that more time could have been spent on planning and organizing this event, however, they still felt this event had brought the St. John’s community together, and they had a great time in the process. As Grace stated, “I personally thought that the event was successful, especially since we haven't had an outdoor activity like this in a while. It really brought students and teachers together and created a fun, refreshing atmosphere!” In addition, Elijah thought that the event was “Good and engaging but we definitely can work to make more events fun and productive for other classes.” The students mostly enjoyed this event too. Alwyn Lin, a sophomore, commented, “I really enjoyed the water and sponge relay, as it was a unique twist to a rather simple STUCO event. By having the theme of the beach and implementing water related minigames, it allows the SJS community to share some long lasting memories.” Overall, this event served as a valuable memory and learning experience for what to expect in future STUCO events.
NJHS: Pre-K Easter Egg Hunt
By Mayumi Haruna
This year the National Junior Honor Society celebrated Easter with the Pre-K classes during their annual Easter Egg Hunt. The students were very excited to search for eggs that were filled with a variety of gummies, stickers, and other candies. The annual event took place on April 22 shortly before first period. Before the little kids got to run out to the field, NJHS members came together and spread out the eggs across the playground. Once the event started, the Pre-K students came dashing out to the playground to collect as many eggs as they could find. NJHS has been hosting the Pre-K Easter Egg Hunt for many years and has put smiles on many little kids’ faces.
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Finding the golden and silver eggs was an extra challenge for the students, and Ellie C. found both of them! She did a great job at finding the golden egg, which was hidden from most of the kids in the blue mats surrounding a pole. As soon as all the kids got to collect their eggs, the NJHS members came and helped count the eggs each kid collected. Some collected 16 eggs and others had 23! Katherine Jang, a new member of NJHS, says that “All of the little kids were so cute when they went searching for the eggs. I never had the opportunity to engage and talk to the lower school kids, but the Easter Egg Hunt really
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helped me bond with them. There were so many colorful eggs, and scattering them across the playground was very fun as we were able to get creative on where to put them.”
The NJHS advisor, Ms. Perez, says, “I love seeing the joy on the students’ faces when they see all the eggs and when they run for it. Something about their big smiles makes me so happy.” She also enjoys “stuffing eggs with treats and making little prize baskets. It might be the mom in me, but I genuinely enjoy this activity.” The Pre-K students’ happiness and excitement really make this activity worth preparing for. While the Pre-K students are definitely having fun, Ms. Perez says that she wants NJHS members to be able to enjoy this experience with them. NJHS President Isabella Rustick, an eighth grader, stated that “The best things about hosting the Pre-K Easter Egg Hunt every year are two things. One is being able to see how much the Pre-K classes enjoy the activity; it brings out their true, genuine smiles, which always warms my heart. The other thing is seeing how much everyone in NJHS contributes every year, whether it be in money, eggs, or prizes.”
This event is fun for everyone involved, however, it can be difficult to host it in the morning for the Pre-K students. Ms. Perez says that “What’s challenging is making sure we finish on time and before class starts. Also, sometimes the Pre-K students don’t come on time and that makes me feel so bad because we can’t wait too long for them to arrive.” It can be a challenge with the start of school time difference for the middle school and the lower school students. The Pre-K students, however, are quick at collecting eggs which can help a lot with the time. Katherine says, “This task challenged me to think from the lower school kids’ point of view. I had to make sure to be considerate of their height and to not hide the eggs in places that were too hard.” Isabella explains that the number of students involved decides how difficult the task will be. She says, “As long as we all cooperate, pitch in, and involve ourselves, it gets easier every year. Besides, even if it's hard, the adorable smiles on those kids' faces make it worth it.”
This event is fun for everyone involved, however, it can be difficult to host it in the morning for the Pre-K students. Ms. Perez says that “What’s challenging is making sure we finish on time and before class starts. Also, sometimes the Pre-K students don’t come on time and that makes me feel so bad because we can’t wait too long for them to arrive.” It can be a challenge with the start of school time difference for the middle school and the lower school students. The Pre-K students, however, are quick at collecting eggs which can help a lot with the time. Katherine says, “This task challenged me to think from the lower school kids’ point of view. I had to make sure to be considerate of their height and to not hide the eggs in places that were too hard.” Isabella explains that the number of students involved decides how difficult the task will be. She says, “As long as we all cooperate, pitch in, and involve ourselves, it gets easier every year. Besides, even if it's hard, the adorable smiles on those kids' faces make it worth it.”
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Katherine says, “Every single person in NJHS is so helpful and nice and really helped me adjust to NJHS when it was really intimidating and new for me. Overall, NJHS is very worth it and a great experience so far.” This experience was a great way to show how NJHS supports our community. NJHS is full of students working to help make our community better by maintaining and encouraging high standards of scholarship, service, leadership, citizenship, and character. Special thanks to NJHS for allowing the Pre-K students to celebrate Easter at SJS!
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Sports
Changing Waves
By Bea Mariano
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Once again the Knights have taken on the waves in the 2025 IIAAG paddling season. Paddling is a traditional sport with many variations across Asia and the Pacific, and both public and private schools from all over Guam have competed each year. St. John's team has a total of 29 members ranging from grades 9 to 12 with varying levels of experience. The team already had an amazing season last year when many new members joined, and great progress was made in their endurance, timing, and teamwork.
However, this year many of the sophomore boys did not return to the team and no new freshman boys joined, so SJS cannot participate in the junior varsity (JV) boys division (Manhoben Lalahi) or the JV mixed |
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division (Manhoben mixed). But this has not slowed the team down since now that the majority of members have prior experience, it has allowed for more focus on honing pre-existing skills and has allowed the varsity members to shine in a new way with their leadership skills.
The majority of the team consists of returning members, which meant that more individual time and attention could be given to teaching the few new members. Practices also began earlier than last season, which allowed for more time for improving form and stamina along with making more progress with teamwork.
For the new paddlers, it has been an exciting new experience taking on the waves. “My paddling experiences have been very new and exciting,” said freshman paddler Elise Magcalas. “I feel very blessed to be given the chance to try out such a challenging and fun sport while being at the beach.”
In terms of the unique experiences that the 2025 paddling season has brought, it can be characterized by both the words difficulty and accomplishment. In discussing the former, challenges started ever since the first days of practices with everyone having to face their own obstacles. New members had to learn to hold a paddle and stroke properly, and the returning members, whose skills were rusty due to inactivity in the sport, needed to get back into the groove of practice. One of the most pressing difficulties that any member of the team faced was that of endurance. Endurance is one of the most crucial skills in paddling, allowing one to continue pulling water while maintaining a good pace in order to get to the finish line first. However, it is one of the hardest skills to master because it is something that needs to be gradually built with much discipline, often being described as a “challenge against yourself.” The Knights mainly struggled with this during the long distance races in which JV teams paddle for two miles straight and varsity for four miles. But the Knights wouldn’t be Knights if it weren't for their perseverance, and they pushed through all the races they participated in.
Even with all the practices beforehand, actually sitting in the boat on the race day, the canoes of the other teamed aligned with yours, and everyone waiting and holding their paddles for that flag to be waved down to then be pulling with all your might, is simply something that one can only get used through repeated experience. Even then, there is an anxiousness that never quite goes away. As described by sophomore member Daisy Zhang, “Races are definitely a little more stressful than practices. Our team would always want to do our best at races and maybe get first place. We can try multiple times if we didn’t do well at a practice. But some of the races, like the long-distance ones, only have one round, so we have a little bit more pressure to do well on that one try.”
Paddling is not only a challenge for the team members themselves but also for the coaches. Coach Thomas Petra considers one of the most pressing issues that the team faced this year was attendance, stating, “Paddling is six people sitting in one canoe, so the same crew needs to practice together.” However, even though there are setbacks that hinder the team from making progress at times, there are also moments to be proud of. “I’m glad we have new people– new people that hopefully have a good attitude about showing up to practice and joining paddling,” said Coach Petra.
For the new paddlers, it has been an exciting new experience taking on the waves. “My paddling experiences have been very new and exciting,” said freshman paddler Elise Magcalas. “I feel very blessed to be given the chance to try out such a challenging and fun sport while being at the beach.”
In terms of the unique experiences that the 2025 paddling season has brought, it can be characterized by both the words difficulty and accomplishment. In discussing the former, challenges started ever since the first days of practices with everyone having to face their own obstacles. New members had to learn to hold a paddle and stroke properly, and the returning members, whose skills were rusty due to inactivity in the sport, needed to get back into the groove of practice. One of the most pressing difficulties that any member of the team faced was that of endurance. Endurance is one of the most crucial skills in paddling, allowing one to continue pulling water while maintaining a good pace in order to get to the finish line first. However, it is one of the hardest skills to master because it is something that needs to be gradually built with much discipline, often being described as a “challenge against yourself.” The Knights mainly struggled with this during the long distance races in which JV teams paddle for two miles straight and varsity for four miles. But the Knights wouldn’t be Knights if it weren't for their perseverance, and they pushed through all the races they participated in.
Even with all the practices beforehand, actually sitting in the boat on the race day, the canoes of the other teamed aligned with yours, and everyone waiting and holding their paddles for that flag to be waved down to then be pulling with all your might, is simply something that one can only get used through repeated experience. Even then, there is an anxiousness that never quite goes away. As described by sophomore member Daisy Zhang, “Races are definitely a little more stressful than practices. Our team would always want to do our best at races and maybe get first place. We can try multiple times if we didn’t do well at a practice. But some of the races, like the long-distance ones, only have one round, so we have a little bit more pressure to do well on that one try.”
Paddling is not only a challenge for the team members themselves but also for the coaches. Coach Thomas Petra considers one of the most pressing issues that the team faced this year was attendance, stating, “Paddling is six people sitting in one canoe, so the same crew needs to practice together.” However, even though there are setbacks that hinder the team from making progress at times, there are also moments to be proud of. “I’m glad we have new people– new people that hopefully have a good attitude about showing up to practice and joining paddling,” said Coach Petra.
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While, like any sport, the team faced their ups and downs during this season, it certainly has not stopped the love and dedication shown by the paddling Knights. However, whatever effort that they and the team have put in won’t be forgotten; Nico Flores, a senior member and long-time steersperson, recalls, “My greatest paddling accomplishment is helping others learn; there is no better feeling in a boat then watching everyone come together, especially during a final sprint where everyone’s pushing 105%, hurting, and paddling in sync.” Paddling is ultimately an experience of teamwork and camaraderie, so the senior leadership paves the way for the younger members to learn and grow into their skills in their own unique ways.
Like anything in life, improvements can be made such as better consistency and attendance, and the SJS paddling team continues to strive to be better and better. While some of the team’s most skilled paddlers will be graduating, that just means that there is more room for the younger members to become the new masters. The team itself grows stronger and more connected, with a sense of family and kinship always being present; the sport truly wouldn’t be what it is without the inherent nature of community. Although there will always be challenges like bad weather, leaving members, or the internal struggles one has to face against themselves, there is nothing that will stop the Knights from taking on the ever-changing waves!
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The Undeniable Drive - SJS Girls Varsity Soccer Team
By Sujin Oh
“In the game against St. Paul, I remember feeling confident for this upcoming season. We have a young team with so much room to grow, and we are exceptionally good at knowing how to exploit other team’s weaknesses.” Scoring 4 goals in the SJS vs. St. Paul game, Striker Allyana Li is confident in her team’s ability. Having played for 4 years and being a player on the Guam U17 National Team, she is just one of the powerful girls on the SJS Girls Varsity Soccer team. The St. John’s Girls Soccer team consists of 18 powerful players with Coach P.K. Harmon leading the way. With 2 seniors, 3 juniors, 6 sophomores, and 7 freshmen, this young team has a bright future ahead as they aim for a championship. They practice 1-2 hours a day, 5 days a week, and their dedication is evident in both their practices and their games. The 2025 season was made up of 11 challenging teams that stood in the way of the Knights' chance to make it to the playoffs.
The SJS Girls Varsity Soccer team may be young, but their experience on the field is unmatched. Many players also play on club soccer teams every weekend, and 6 of them have earned spots on the U17 Guam National Team. These girls may have less members compared to the other teams, but they stand out due to their effort and dedication. Before the season began, the girls had already started their conditioning practices. Their training was focused on exploiting the weaknesses of the opposing team and pressuring their opponents into giving up the ball.
Coach P.K. Harmon is the soccer coach for both the girls and boys middle and high school soccer teams. Under his leadership, the middle school girls teams achieved 3 consecutive championships in both the IIAAG Girls Middle School Soccer League and the Sugar and Spice Middle School Girls Football Festival. The same players from those teams are now part of his high school girls team. As the girls enter the playoffs, Coach Harmon believes they have a great chance of winning the championships “because when we enter the playoffs, there is not a single team in this league that wants to play us because they know that we mean business.”
Every year, Coach Harmon’s challenge is to make sure his players are developing and further improving their skills. “It’s just like teaching in the classroom, you know, everybody’s at a different level, so you have to give different kinds of attention to different players, and that’s always a challenge.” For the team, the biggest challenge this year is getting out of their own heads.
The SJS Girls Varsity Soccer team may be young, but their experience on the field is unmatched. Many players also play on club soccer teams every weekend, and 6 of them have earned spots on the U17 Guam National Team. These girls may have less members compared to the other teams, but they stand out due to their effort and dedication. Before the season began, the girls had already started their conditioning practices. Their training was focused on exploiting the weaknesses of the opposing team and pressuring their opponents into giving up the ball.
Coach P.K. Harmon is the soccer coach for both the girls and boys middle and high school soccer teams. Under his leadership, the middle school girls teams achieved 3 consecutive championships in both the IIAAG Girls Middle School Soccer League and the Sugar and Spice Middle School Girls Football Festival. The same players from those teams are now part of his high school girls team. As the girls enter the playoffs, Coach Harmon believes they have a great chance of winning the championships “because when we enter the playoffs, there is not a single team in this league that wants to play us because they know that we mean business.”
Every year, Coach Harmon’s challenge is to make sure his players are developing and further improving their skills. “It’s just like teaching in the classroom, you know, everybody’s at a different level, so you have to give different kinds of attention to different players, and that’s always a challenge.” For the team, the biggest challenge this year is getting out of their own heads.
Hope Hutapea, one of the co-captains of the team, is a midfielder who has captained both the U15 and U17 Guam Women’s National Teams. She has been playing soccer for as long as she has been at SJS and has participated in international tournaments in China and Saudi Arabia, helping her teams secure key wins and showcasing Guam’s rising talent. With such a young team, Hope believes that their energy and intensity are their biggest strengths. “The younger girls bring a passion and hunger to win that drives us through every tough practice and game. I make it a point to remind everyone of our end goals—whether it’s lifting a trophy or achieving something meaningful together. Clear communication is key to our success. We all need to be on the same page when it comes to positioning, decisions, and maintaining our shape. When we’re aiming for the same vision, it’s easier to stay connected, stay motivated, and play in sync. This collective purpose helps keep us united and focused on moving forward.”
Despite a great season, the team has faced some significant challenges. One of their toughest opponents was the Academy Cougars, known for their fast kicks and impressive lineup, which kept them in an undefeated position. Although the Knights fought hard, they lost 2-1, testing their endurance and team spirit. The team also faced internal challenges, including injuries sustained during rough games. Despite this, they managed to overcome these obstacles with motivation and resilience, pushing through to beat their next opponents and continue their journey into the playoffs.
Even with all the challenges the team faced, there were also many moments to be proud of. The game that they lost against the Academy team was even something to take pride in. As said by Coach Harmon “We lost last night to the number one team in the league, but we were clearly the better team. You could tell at the end of the game that they didn’t know how to celebrate their win because they know they got lucky. We know that we possessed the ball 75% of that game, and we know that in other circumstances, like a three-ref system, we win. So, yeah, the best team in the league right now, and I promise you, does not want to play us in the playoffs.”
The SJS Girls Varsity Soccer Team has shown what they’re truly made of. Despite being a young squad, their drive, passion, and teamwork have helped them overcome tough challenges this season. With Coach Harmon guiding them and Hope Hutapea leading on the field, they’ve managed to turn obstacles into opportunities for growth. The mix of experience and fresh talent, especially from the freshmen, has made them stronger and more unified. While they’ve faced some tough losses, those moments have only made them more determined to push harder. As they head into the playoffs, it’s clear that this team has the heart, skill, and spirit to go far.
Even with all the challenges the team faced, there were also many moments to be proud of. The game that they lost against the Academy team was even something to take pride in. As said by Coach Harmon “We lost last night to the number one team in the league, but we were clearly the better team. You could tell at the end of the game that they didn’t know how to celebrate their win because they know they got lucky. We know that we possessed the ball 75% of that game, and we know that in other circumstances, like a three-ref system, we win. So, yeah, the best team in the league right now, and I promise you, does not want to play us in the playoffs.”
The SJS Girls Varsity Soccer Team has shown what they’re truly made of. Despite being a young squad, their drive, passion, and teamwork have helped them overcome tough challenges this season. With Coach Harmon guiding them and Hope Hutapea leading on the field, they’ve managed to turn obstacles into opportunities for growth. The mix of experience and fresh talent, especially from the freshmen, has made them stronger and more unified. While they’ve faced some tough losses, those moments have only made them more determined to push harder. As they head into the playoffs, it’s clear that this team has the heart, skill, and spirit to go far.
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The SJS Girls Varsity Soccer team has shown what they’re truly made of. Despite being a young squad, their drive, passion, and teamwork have helped them overcome tough challenges this season. With Coach Harmon guiding them and Hope Hutapea leading on the field, they’ve managed to turn obstacles into opportunities for growth. The mix of experience and fresh talent, especially from the freshmen, has made them stronger and more unified. While they’ve faced some tough losses, those moments have only made them more determined to push harder. As they head into the playoffs, it’s clear that this team has the heart, skill, and spirit to go far.
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Miscellaneous
Book Report
By Apple Lu
It was an adventure of a book. Xiran Jay Zhao’s second novel, Zachary Ying and the Dragon Emperor, is a coming of age that blends history, fantasy, and science fiction. The author has a very clear love for both Chinese history and classic trading card games like Yu Gi Oh, and I feel this book combines the two in a really special way. The book also puts you through microaggressions and peer pressure that will be familiar to many Asian audiences. These themes resonated very personally with me as a Chinese teenager, and I love this book for unpacking that experience.
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Zachary Ying and the Dragon Emperor is a Canadian, fast-paced, middle grade novel following Zachary, a Chinese Hui Muslim boy living in America. He has never felt connected to his heritage, so imagine his surprise when he discovers the spirit of the infamous tyrant Qin Shi Huang trapped in his AR gaming headset, leading to his mother’s soul being kidnapped by evil spirits. Now he has to save the world before the underworld breaks open. He travels across China stealing artifacts to strengthen his superpowers, but Zach, upon learning about the tyrant’s past, starts questioning what he hopes to gain out of this.
I found Zachary and the emperor’s dynamic really interesting. I like that their bond is entirely out of trust since there is a clear power imbalance. I also found the |
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historical commentary to be very sharp-witted. I liked how the lens we viewed the commentary through was very obviously biased and did not in any way excuse the more controversial sides of his tyranny. It makes Qin Shi Huang seem very grounded. Most of the other historical and mythological figures were ones I already have heard about from my childhood, so I can’t really comment on how well they were explained to someone who is new to these concepts, but the plot points included a lot of characters I am familiar with, like the famous Tang Dynasty poet Li Bai or Wu Ze Tian, the only female emperor of China. The book also does not shy away from the treatment of ethnic and religious minorities in China. The displacement, discrimination, and genocide of Uyghurs and other Muslim groups is not a thing of the past, and I love the author for recognizing that while still celebrating Chinese cultural history, art, and people.
Zachary Ying and the Dragon Emperor combines elements of fantasy, history, and personal identity to create an adventure story you can’t put down. It offers a wonderful exploration of cultural heritage and complexity of trust through its narrative. One of my favorite quotes of the book summarizes the message of the story very well: “If you want true power over your life, you must stop caring so much about what others think.” This novel sheds light on important social issues while being extremely entertaining, making it a great read for adolescent audiences.
Zachary Ying and the Dragon Emperor combines elements of fantasy, history, and personal identity to create an adventure story you can’t put down. It offers a wonderful exploration of cultural heritage and complexity of trust through its narrative. One of my favorite quotes of the book summarizes the message of the story very well: “If you want true power over your life, you must stop caring so much about what others think.” This novel sheds light on important social issues while being extremely entertaining, making it a great read for adolescent audiences.
What Courses Should You Select and Why is it Important?
By Seah Lee
As we start to prepare for next year, one of the most important but difficult series of questions arises: What courses should I take? How do I know I’m choosing the right courses? Will this course help me in the future? These are seemingly straightforward and great questions to ask, however, many students battle with balancing the “fun” courses with the academically rigorous ones. Typically, the common trend in high school is that most students choose IB classes, AP classes, or a variety of electives to fulfill graduation requirements and, more frequently, to enhance college applications. This intense focus to think about the next steps has blinded many from the steps that are right in front of them which they still have to climb. This means it is crucial to build a platform for both growth but also challenge, development, and passion. Choosing courses means finding balance, not just for the future, but also today.
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At St. John’s course selections normally take place in the middle of fourth quarter, yet many students opt to switch out their schedules within the first weeks of the next school year. Ms. Emily, St. John’s School’s registrar, often oversees students and their course selections. This means that she is told first hand why students chase and change the courses that they do. She says that students often change their schedules because they initially wanted to enroll in classes they could share with their friends, but when the school year starts, they realize the level of workload and rigor, then scramble to switch it out.
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Ms. Emily (St. John’s School Registrar)
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According to the St. John’s School website, middle school students’ courses include religion, music, technology, life skills, sex ed, and drama as well as the core subjects of English, mathematics, science, foreign languages, and social sciences . In high school, students continue to have these core subjects, but they have a much wider plethora of electives such as Writers Workshop, Sports Exercise and Health Science, AP Psychology, and AP Statistics to choose from.
Different courses contribute to different credits in high school. Art, pottery, and drama are counted as electives that count as creative credits. At St. John’s, only one creative credit is required for graduation. Three credits are required for higher level English. Other credits include foreign languages, and similar to English, only three credits are required. However, many universities and teachers recommend a full four years of these credits, meaning thorough research is necessary before courses are chosen and committed.
Different courses contribute to different credits in high school. Art, pottery, and drama are counted as electives that count as creative credits. At St. John’s, only one creative credit is required for graduation. Three credits are required for higher level English. Other credits include foreign languages, and similar to English, only three credits are required. However, many universities and teachers recommend a full four years of these credits, meaning thorough research is necessary before courses are chosen and committed.
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In high school, students also have the option to undergo more academically challenging, college-level classes. Students can select both AP (Advanced Placement) or IB (International Baccalaureate) courses. IB programs are structured around six groups: Language A (English), Languages B (Japanese, Spanish, Mandarin), Individuals and Societies (History, Economics, Philosophy), Experimental Sciences
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(Biology, Physics, Environmental Systems and Societies, Sports, Exercise and Health Science), Mathematics (Standard and Higher levels), and The Arts (Band, Drama, Art, Pottery). The AP courses offered are U.S. History, Psychology, Biology, Chemistry, Physics 1 and 2, Calculus AB and BC, and Statistics. In St. John’s, students delve into AP courses beginning in sophomore year when students have the option to take AP U.S. History. St. John's School is the only high school in the Western Pacific authorized to offer the International Baccalaureate Program.
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What are the differences between the IB Program and the AP classes? Both teach challenging college level material. However, the IB Program has a more international focus as the AP program is centralized around the United States. The IB Program also allows students to become candidates for the IB diploma. To earn the IB Diploma, it is required for students to “enroll in at least one class from each of the six areas of study in the IB subject groups, take at least 3 higher level courses and 3 standard level courses during junior and senior year, complete the core components of the IB Diploma (Theory of Knowledge (TOK) class, the extended essay, and community service activities (C-creative, A-action, S-service) (“International Baccalaureate”). Mr Kelley also notes, “AP Scores are based on your performance on the AP exam, a three hour exam that has both multiple choice and essay
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questions. Your IB score is based on as many as 5 or 6 different components; an Internal Assessment, an additional paper (possibly), and as many as 3 separate exams given over 1 or 2 days.” Kaori Updegrove, a junior at St. John’s, compared her IB History (standard) class which she now takes with the AP U.S. History class she took last year. She states that the main difference was really the pace and depth of understanding. The AP U.S. History class was one year and an AP exam had to be taken in May, while the IB History course is a two year class. According to Mr. Kelley, most IB courses span over two years. This allows for deeper understanding of the subject yet also requires a lot of consistent reviewing. He also remarks that the IB courses are part of an entire set of courses that are linked by the TOK course, yet AP courses are independent of each other. This means that the IB program focuses a lot on the process and interdisciplinary thinking while AP courses focus on mastering ideas individual to a subject. Both come with benefits as AP students may be seeking academic strength while an IB student may be seeking reflective, transferable skills they can use in the outside world.
It is evident that these courses require a lot of dedication, but what follows dedication is the need for balance. Overloading schedules with academically rigorous classes may result in stressful workload management. Courses that are proven “hard” should be paired with courses students feel confident in. For example, Ethan Lee, a junior who wants to major in computer science states that he opted not to become an IB diploma candidate, so he could focus on extracurriculars with a lighter workload from his other classes. His classes also consist of mostly STEM subjects which he says are enjoyable and warrant less strain on his time, showing the importance of major and course correlation. Katherine Jang, an incoming freshman, chose her upper school courses based on what she believed would be first, important for her future major, second, enjoyable, and third, what classes her friends also wanted to join. This is a good mindset that students should start with when choosing classes. It may be really tempting to choose courses based on where friends are enrolling, yet it is important to remember that the academic path is not the same for everyone. Sharing a class with friends might make learning feel more engaging, but choosing a course purely for social reasons can sacrifice long-term goals for short-term comfort. Students must prioritize their individual futures when making these decisions.
Course selection is an extremely important part of a student’s journey, and understanding your personal goals, balancing, and actively reaching for growth and success is necessary. It is crucial to understand differences between the courses offered and choose wisely. However, it doesn’t mean you should give up all the hobbies and classes you enjoy, and you don’t need to start high school or middle school with a set plan. For middle school students especially, don’t think that high school or college is a lifetime away; it's closer than it seems. However, it doesn’t mean panic is necessary as part of school is to act as a guide throughout the journey. Therefore, choosing courses isn’t a straight line; it has many curves and twists that the student has to learn to navigate throughout their academic journey.
The Ultimate Guide to the Best Summer
By Jaein Kim
Can you believe that the school year is already coming to an end? After all those tests, quizzes, and projects, summer break is coming soon! Are you tired from all the studying and beyond ready for vacation or just unsure what to do? Do not fear! Here are some activities and new hobbies that you can do on your summer vacation.
1. Take a 100% Academic Free Vacation
Imagine yourself chilling on a sunny beach with wind blowing in your hair, calm crashing waves, and a rainbow parasol over your head. Whether this “vacation” is on island, at your grandparent’s house, or at a luxury hotel in another country, it’s a great idea to try to clear your head from all that studying. It’s important to not forget the things that you’ve learned, but it’s perhaps even more important to take a breather. An article from FLEX College Prep states that “a less demanding schedule allows students to make decisions for themselves and explore their interests without being assigned research or homework.” You can go to new places on the island—for example, you can go hiking on Lam Lam Mountain, go snorkeling on a beach, or even try a social activity like bowling. A nice, relaxed vacation has always made me feel good after a long, tiring school year.
2. Spend More Time with Your Family
Let’s be honest, how much free time have you really had during the school year? Did you get to hang out with your family? Even if you guys had a small chit-chat during dinner, did you really hang out? Well, now is the time to do so! Some simple ways are to lounge under a blanket with the lights dimmed and watch a movie until someone falls asleep, or play board games as you see the sun slowly go down, laughing and shouting at each other. There’s also sharing stories with each other, going for walks, playing sports, and so much more. The Highland Springs website states that “studies have shown spending time with family can help reduce stress and anxiety, lead to a healthier lifestyle and lengthen your life. Family gives you motivation to be the best version of yourself.” Spending time alone or with our friends can really be fun and all, but sometimes we just need to go back to the people we’ve always been with.
3. Start Some Healthy Habits
Sometimes when there’s a big exam coming up, you can begin to feel extremely nervous. That feeling could lead you to start biting your nails or picking at your hair. If so, don’t worry; you are definitely not alone. Since summer vacation is the time to say goodbye to all those exams and stress, maybe it’s time to say goodbye to bad habits as well. Although breaking habits are hard, it is certainly not impossible. One way is to try becoming more aware of those habits to develop strategies to counteract them. For example, if you have a habit of procrastinating, you can try putting your phone far away, using extensions to block websites like Youtube if you’re using your computer, and clean your workplace of all distractions. But here’s another way to break the habits: replace them with new, healthy ones. Once you know what you’ll be set on, like doing regular exercise, you should be ready to stay on track. You can try turning negative thoughts into productive ones and encourage yourself to continue to make beneficial changes to your current lifestyle. In the meantime, think about the future because even small improvements may lengthen and improve your life.
4. Try Something New!
Have you ever felt so bored during break that you just ended up wasting three hours of your day scrolling on Youtube or Instagram? Don’t worry, you are definitely not alone. I’m sure everyone has felt that at least once in their life. If you don’t know what to do, why not try something new? According to a NHS Inform article, “trying new things can lead to increased happiness, reduce stress by providing a sense of excitement, and allow you to learn new skills and gain new perspectives.” Remember, these days you can get almost anything on the internet. Want to learn drawing? Get a pencil, paper, and pull up a tutorial. Want to learn new tricks on the bike? William, an 8th grader, learned by watching Youtube. Some unique hobbies you could try are needlepoint, scrapbooking, crocheting, calligraphy, card stacking, or maybe volunteer work.
5. Summer Activities at St. Johns
Speaking of volunteer work, last summer, Newspaper Club president Bea Mariano worked with Pre-K kids for St. John’s summer school program. During the program she had to make sure the kids were being safe and getting along with each other, and it was very hands-on since the kids were little. Bea would recommend this if you can tolerate kids; it would be exhausting if you’re not up for it. However, there is also the option of working with older kids like fifth graders. “I think it’s a good way to give yourself a work routine,” she commented. This summer, the Summer Knights Program offers various courses for everyone, which include dancing, art, science, and much more. No matter what you choose, the most important thing is that you should be having fun!
Now that I’ve introduced some things to do during the summer, are you ready to plan the best break of your life? Good luck on your brand new adventures!
1. Take a 100% Academic Free Vacation
Imagine yourself chilling on a sunny beach with wind blowing in your hair, calm crashing waves, and a rainbow parasol over your head. Whether this “vacation” is on island, at your grandparent’s house, or at a luxury hotel in another country, it’s a great idea to try to clear your head from all that studying. It’s important to not forget the things that you’ve learned, but it’s perhaps even more important to take a breather. An article from FLEX College Prep states that “a less demanding schedule allows students to make decisions for themselves and explore their interests without being assigned research or homework.” You can go to new places on the island—for example, you can go hiking on Lam Lam Mountain, go snorkeling on a beach, or even try a social activity like bowling. A nice, relaxed vacation has always made me feel good after a long, tiring school year.
2. Spend More Time with Your Family
Let’s be honest, how much free time have you really had during the school year? Did you get to hang out with your family? Even if you guys had a small chit-chat during dinner, did you really hang out? Well, now is the time to do so! Some simple ways are to lounge under a blanket with the lights dimmed and watch a movie until someone falls asleep, or play board games as you see the sun slowly go down, laughing and shouting at each other. There’s also sharing stories with each other, going for walks, playing sports, and so much more. The Highland Springs website states that “studies have shown spending time with family can help reduce stress and anxiety, lead to a healthier lifestyle and lengthen your life. Family gives you motivation to be the best version of yourself.” Spending time alone or with our friends can really be fun and all, but sometimes we just need to go back to the people we’ve always been with.
3. Start Some Healthy Habits
Sometimes when there’s a big exam coming up, you can begin to feel extremely nervous. That feeling could lead you to start biting your nails or picking at your hair. If so, don’t worry; you are definitely not alone. Since summer vacation is the time to say goodbye to all those exams and stress, maybe it’s time to say goodbye to bad habits as well. Although breaking habits are hard, it is certainly not impossible. One way is to try becoming more aware of those habits to develop strategies to counteract them. For example, if you have a habit of procrastinating, you can try putting your phone far away, using extensions to block websites like Youtube if you’re using your computer, and clean your workplace of all distractions. But here’s another way to break the habits: replace them with new, healthy ones. Once you know what you’ll be set on, like doing regular exercise, you should be ready to stay on track. You can try turning negative thoughts into productive ones and encourage yourself to continue to make beneficial changes to your current lifestyle. In the meantime, think about the future because even small improvements may lengthen and improve your life.
4. Try Something New!
Have you ever felt so bored during break that you just ended up wasting three hours of your day scrolling on Youtube or Instagram? Don’t worry, you are definitely not alone. I’m sure everyone has felt that at least once in their life. If you don’t know what to do, why not try something new? According to a NHS Inform article, “trying new things can lead to increased happiness, reduce stress by providing a sense of excitement, and allow you to learn new skills and gain new perspectives.” Remember, these days you can get almost anything on the internet. Want to learn drawing? Get a pencil, paper, and pull up a tutorial. Want to learn new tricks on the bike? William, an 8th grader, learned by watching Youtube. Some unique hobbies you could try are needlepoint, scrapbooking, crocheting, calligraphy, card stacking, or maybe volunteer work.
5. Summer Activities at St. Johns
Speaking of volunteer work, last summer, Newspaper Club president Bea Mariano worked with Pre-K kids for St. John’s summer school program. During the program she had to make sure the kids were being safe and getting along with each other, and it was very hands-on since the kids were little. Bea would recommend this if you can tolerate kids; it would be exhausting if you’re not up for it. However, there is also the option of working with older kids like fifth graders. “I think it’s a good way to give yourself a work routine,” she commented. This summer, the Summer Knights Program offers various courses for everyone, which include dancing, art, science, and much more. No matter what you choose, the most important thing is that you should be having fun!
Now that I’ve introduced some things to do during the summer, are you ready to plan the best break of your life? Good luck on your brand new adventures!
St. John’s School Guam Instagram
