November 2012

November 2012 | Belmont High School | 221 Concord Ave., Belmont, MA. 02478

HIGHPOINTBHS Goes Pink: Students Raise Over $11,000 for Breast Cancer Month

�e Belmont High School Hot Pink Committee (HPC) raised a whopping $11,000--and rising--through their e�orts to support Breast Cancer Awareness Month. �roughout October, HPC hosted a variety of events to fundraise, raise awareness, and unite Belmont in the �ght against breast cancer. �e Hot Pink Committee is a subgroup of Belmontian, the BHS community service club, specialized in breast cancer awareness. Mem-bers from all di�erent grades devoted their time in October to organizing and running Breast Cancer Month at the high school. �e HPC achieved notable success last year, raising approxi-mately $5,000 total from its e�orts. With the addition of new events, HPC broke last year’s record by over $6,000.

By Jenny Kim

- BHS on Twitter (page 3)- Belmont Girls Swim to Victory (page 4)- Belmont Serves 2012 (page 9)- Interview with Mr. Richards (page 10)- And more!

HPC’s packed agenda included a variety of events leading up to the “All Day Pink Out” on October 19th. During “Pink Out”, formerly known as “Pinkapalooza”, students showed support by wearing pink to school, then to the football home game later that night. $1 donations were collected in class, which automatically entered the donor in a ra�e. Over 60 prizes were o�ered, all donated by local merchants. �roughout the month, students sold T-shirts that read “Dare to Cure” outside of the school cafete-ria during lunch mods. Several other goods were on sale, such as pink hearts and ribbons, stick-on tattoos, and bracelets. HPC also participated in out-of-school events. On October 14th, a group of students repre-sented Belmont in the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk in Boston. (Cont. on page 2)

Inside the Darkroom: BHS Photography

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By Eva V. Gallagher BHS photography is not merely about digital imaging and Photoshop. In Mr. Roy’s Photo I class, students go all the way back to the raw beginning: to light-sensitive �lm, black bags, chemicals, enlargers, contact sheets, and prints. �ese courses may require students to ask their parents to dig out their old �lm cameras and experience occasional moments of frustration as they shoot their �rst overexposed �lm. But photo students soon realize that by going back to the basics, they improve their overall digital skills of composition, shooting, expression. Ultimately, students develop their own unique identity through old-school photographs. �e intent behind the entire program is to create a student photographer who can use a wide variety of tools and techniques to create the images she/he wants to see whether it is for a college class, an art competition or even just her/his own pleasure. Mr. Roy designed the photography program at BHS to be a three year, intensive, accelerated program that would give every student a solid foundation in the technical and aesthetic concepts behind traditional photography (Photo I) and then build on that skill set through experimenta-tion and exploration (Photo II and Photo III Honors). (Cont. on page 7)

IN THIS ISSUE.

BHS chorus students in pink for Breast Cancer Awareness Month (photo: Audrey Barnes)

Night Photography, Lyle Analetto, Photo I

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Belmont High School Belmontian Community Service Club Co-Presidents Annabel Anderson (Left) and Laura Levitt receive a check for $1,127 from Belmont Car Wash Manager Charles (CJ) Jones. (photo: BHSprincipalsblog)

As of October 23rd, HPC Raised $8,300credit: Audrey Barnes

Making Strides is a national event that celebrates cancer survivors and advance the �ght against cancer by raising funds for the American Cancer Society. During the same weekend, HPC members dried cars at Belmont Car Wash to raise more money. �e team collected a dollar per car and tips, raising $1,127. �is was a new addition to Breast Cancer Month this year. Another new event was HPC’s fundraising at Shaws. Members sold T-shirts and collected dona-tions in front of Shaw’s supermarket in Waverly Square on Sunday the 21st. “Belmontian is trying to get the whole commu-nity involved in our e�orts,” said Laura Levitt, one of the club o�cers of Belmontian. “We have asked many businesses in Belmont to pitch in by donating gift cards for the all-day-pink-out ra�e, donating some percent of the proceeds from a day of business to our team, and putting up �iers in their store. A lot of businesses have been incredibly generous and we can't thank them enough!”�e T-shirt selling and the Pink Out were ideas that HPC worked with to mix school spirit with raising awareness for breast cancer. “[Class] Color Wars is a competition,” said Anna-bel Anderson, the other club o�cer. “But this is di�erent because we want the whole school to wear pink.” Levitt and Anderson agreed that the Making Strides Walk is one of their favorite parts of Breast Cancer Month. “I also love the selling we do because the school slowly becomes more pink with the ribbons and the bracelets and the shirts,” said Anderson. “It’s so much fun, but so, so inspiring.”

As of October 23rd, HPC Raised $8,300. (ABOVE photo: Audrey Barnes; BELOW photo: Maddie Zhang)

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As of October 23rd, HPC Raised $8,300credit: Audrey Barnes

Why #Homework Is TrendingBy Beth Young �is year, teachers began to use social media to increase connectivity with the student body, an idea linked closely to the school’s development. �e most recent addition to Belmont High School is the use of twitter to communicate between teachers and students. To encourage this communication between students and faculty, the new principal, Mr. Rich-ards, set the motion for a twitter account. “[Mr. Richards] understands the importance of communicating electronically” said Mrs. Cohen, the vice-principal. Maintained by Mrs. Bunyon of the main o�ce, the school’s tweets provide quicker updates and reminders for all of the high school. Such announcements include play auditions, football games, and even snow days. Mrs. Cohen mentioned that the school is considering making a Facebook for schools. How-ever, as the website is currently blocked by the school’s network, there are still many logistics to be sorted. To stay updated on the latest BHS events and reminders, follow @BHSNewsBlast on twitter and be sure to check out the school website for more information: www.belmont.k12.ma.us/bhs

The Face Behind the Morning AnnouncementsBy Jessamyn Biette

“Good morning. Please rise for the pledge of allegiance.” �is is the phrase that every Belmont High School student knows well. It comes every morning at 9:46 a.m., indicating a variety of things: time to pack up, a warning to teachers that class is ending But, despite all of this, who does the voice of the morn-ing announcements belong to? Maddie Snyder, a senior, is in fact the person behind these announce-ments. She has been responsible for the announcements from the begin-ning of this school year. According to Synder, getting the job was a “very informal” process, and did not require any applications or special require-ments. “It's passed on from announcer to announcer. Kind of like a dictator-ship”, she said. When last year’s announcer, Paul Green, asked her to do

it, she was very enthusiastic but at the same time a bit nervous. “It was really stressful at �rst, but then I got used to it and it didn't freak me out anymore. So now I enjoy it a lot,” said Snyder. Snyder’s favorite part is adding adjectives to the days of the week and speaking in di�erent accents. But, indeed, the task is not without its problems. “I have to leave class early. My teacher doesn't like it!” said Snyder. Snyder also said that the job has been a learning experience. “It helps me practice public speak-ing in a way, and I've learned to control my voice, even if I'm nervous.” For the remainder of the school year Snyder will continue announc-ing. Now, it is up to her to pick next year’s announcer!

source: facebook

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PAGE 4 SPORTSBelmont Swims to Victory: BHS Girls Team Finishes as Co-Middlesex League Champions

By Jessie Lu

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 24 - �e BHS Girls Swimming and Diving team �nish their season as co-Middlesex League Champions, alongside Reading and Lexington High. �e last home meet was against Lexington, a tough opponent that Belmont has not beaten for eight years. In an intense and energetic meet, Belmont fought hard, but Lexington ultimately won. Despite this disappoint-ment, the BHS still won the League Champion title. Perhaps the climax of the season, Belmont upset the powerhouse Reading on October 13, Reading’s �rst league loss in eight years. �is success propelled Belmont to the top of the Middlesex league as an undefeated team.

ABOVE. BHS girls swim team members gather for their �nal home meet of the season.BELOW. Belmont faces o� against Lexington.(Photos: Daphne Assimakopoulos)

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NOVEMBER EVENTS11/8~10 - BHS Fall Play “A Christmas Carol”11/11 - Veteran’s Day11/12 - No School11/14 - Early Release Day11/19 - Stringarama11/21 - Early Release Day, Thanksgiving Pep Rally11/22~25 - Thanksgiving Vacation11/26 - Singarama11/27 - National Honor Society Induction Ceremony

A List of Community Serice Opportunities for November and DecemberBy Vinutna Veeragandham

See Ms. Melnikoff for more information and signups!

BELMONT WORLD FILM FESTIVAL (Kids) : Sun 11/18 10, 11:30, 1, 2:30 At Belmont Studio Cinema

BURBANK BOOK FAIR Fri., 12/7 Details TBA

HELP SCAN & POST WWII PHOTOS on website honoring the Iron Men of Metz. Two volunteers at a time. 5-7PM during the week. Call Joanne Hartunian, 617-484-0776

BELMONT S.P.O.R.T. Bowling: Saturdays 9-10:30 at Lanes and Games beginning Oct. 13. Help keep score in this special needs program.

1:1 HELP WITH 6TH GRADE GIRLS at CMS Homework Club: MON & THURS til 3:30Belmont Fire Department S.A.F.E. program, Trapelo Rd. Fire Station needs data entry and packet assembly for the elementary school children. Contact Ross Vona, [email protected]

BEDP (Butler) “Homework Club, M-Th 1-1.5 hours

Belmont Media Center Crew needed: They will train you to be on the crew for their local cable TV shows. (Training counts as hours, too!). Flexible scheduling. Contact Yvonne Stapp, [email protected]

“Science for the Public” website (Belmont Media Center local cable show) needs help for uploads and site structuring for program videos to SftP YouTube and Vimeo sites and their google+ site. Flexible scheduling and location.

WALKS: For all walks you must raise a minimum of $10. Include your pledge sheet with your verification form. Bonus hours: For every 10 pledges OR $100 you raise, an extra half an hour!

Sat., 11/17 Give Thanks Walk (St. Jude’s Hospital)), The Natick Collection, 5K, 7:30AM www.givethankswalk.org Sun, 12/2 Winter Walk (End Homelessness) Boston Common, 2 mi. $100 fundraising minimum www.winterwalk.org

By Eva V. Gallagher BHS photography is not merely about digital imaging and Photoshop. In Mr. Roy’s Photo I class, students go all the way back to the raw beginning: to light-sensitive �lm, black bags, chemicals, enlargers, contact sheets, and prints. �ese courses may require students to ask their parents to dig out their old �lm cameras and experience occasional moments of frustration as they shoot their �rst overexposed �lm. But photo students soon realize that by going back to the basics, they improve their overall digital skills of composition, shooting, expression. Ultimately, students develop their own unique identity through old-school photographs. �e intent behind the entire program is to create a student photographer who can use a wide variety of tools and techniques to create the images she/he wants to see whether it is for a college class, an art competition or even just her/his own pleasure. Mr. Roy designed the photography program at BHS to be a three year, intensive, accelerated program that would give every student a solid foundation in the technical and aesthetic concepts behind traditional photography (Photo I) and then build on that skill set through experimenta-tion and exploration (Photo II and Photo III Honors). (Cont. on page 7)

According to Senior Captain Daphne Assimakopoulos, a key reason for this impres-sive record is the team’s depth: “We have really solid secondary swimmers that get second, third, and fourth place �nishes in races. Even though they don’t win events, they help us stack up points.” Assimakopoulos also says that strong relay teams contribute to Belmont’s wins. For example, “a win in the medley relay at the beginning a meet helps set the tone.” However, none of Belmont’s victories could have been achieved without strong swimmers. Freshman Jessie Blake-West broke the freshman 100-butter�y record with an impressive time of 1:00:09. Sophomores Eunice Lee, who swims the 100-freestyle and 200-Individual Medley, and Maya Nagashima, who swims the 100-backstroke, give Belmont strong �nishes in their individual events. In the freestyle events, Ana Pulak (Jr.) and Emily Butte (Sr.) dominate in sprinting, while Junior Haruka Uchida dominates in the 500- and 200-m. Juniors Angela Lee and Taylor Coutinho help �nish meets with their fast times in the 100-Backstroke and 100-Breaststroke, respectively. “As a Senior on the team, this year has been amazing. I feel closer to all the underclassman than ever. We support each other and help each other succeed,” says Kate Zolner. As Belmont �nishes their regular season strong and begins to prepare for Leagues, Sectionals, and States, this supportive team atmosphere and excitement for swimming will undoubtedly lead the team to more victories. Update: On November 1st, the BHS Girls Swim Team won the Middlesex League Cham-pionship meet.

Belmont girls come in for a huddle. (Photo: Daphne Assimakopoulos)

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PAGE 6 MAURAUDER LIFE

BHS SPIRIT1. Freshman Field Hockey: Harry Potter (photo: Anya Zhang)2. Swim Team: Animal Print (photo: Daphne Assimakopoulos)3. "All Day Pink Out" (photo: Anya Zhang)4. Cross Country: Fairy Princess (photo: Anya Zhang)

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By Jessamyn Biette

“Good morning. Please rise for the pledge of allegiance.” �is is the phrase that every Belmont High School student knows well. It comes every morning at 9:46 a.m., indicating a variety of things: time to pack up, a warning to teachers that class is ending But, despite all of this, who does the voice of the morn-ing announcements belong to? Maddie Snyder, a senior, is in fact the person behind these announce-ments. She has been responsible for the announcements from the begin-ning of this school year. According to Synder, getting the job was a “very informal” process, and did not require any applications or special require-ments. “It's passed on from announcer to announcer. Kind of like a dictator-ship”, she said. When last year’s announcer, Paul Green, asked her to do

it, she was very enthusiastic but at the same time a bit nervous. “It was really stressful at �rst, but then I got used to it and it didn't freak me out anymore. So now I enjoy it a lot,” said Snyder. Snyder’s favorite part is adding adjectives to the days of the week and speaking in di�erent accents. But, indeed, the task is not without its problems. “I have to leave class early. My teacher doesn't like it!” said Snyder. Snyder also said that the job has been a learning experience. “It helps me practice public speak-ing in a way, and I've learned to control my voice, even if I'm nervous.” For the remainder of the school year Snyder will continue announc-ing. Now, it is up to her to pick next year’s announcer!

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PAGE 8 MAURAUDER LIFE

cont. from page 1: BHS photography

�e intermediate and advanced classes work with traditional �lm and darkroom photography as well as digital imagery. Photography II (and Photography III Honors) introduce very old traditional techniques such as sepia toning and solarization as options for making creative work while students learn more modern digital methods to create a similar image. “It’s all about choosing the right tool for the job at hand as you work towards a degree of mastery of medium and con�dence in your artistic voice,” said Mr. Roy. In Photography III Honors students work on long term docu-mentary projects, introspective personalized images, and use medium format cameras to make more detailed negatives that allow for large prints as they further re�ne their digital skills. Mr. Roy said that the classes become progressively more challenging in the demands made on the student, but he hopes the rewards also increase as you progress through the program. “I want the whole program to be rigorous – to challenge you and push you to test your limits and persevere in the face of setbacks and failure,” said Mr. Roy. “But I also want students to have fun and enjoy themselves. So it’s a balanc-ing act for me as a teacher and it requires a certain degree of

self-motivation and organization for every student. Some students struggle with this and others embrace it.” But the challenges of photogra-phy varies for everyone. Some people struggle with technical steps. Others �nd composition and lighting more di�cult. “�e real challenge is to create meaningful work,” said Mr. Roy, “a photograph that has personal signi�cance and visual appeal for people who do not know the subject or story behind it is a worthy goal for any photographer of any age. �e inspiration to make this type of photograph can come all at once or not at all, so the secret is to keep looking, seeing, shooting, and editing so when inspiration comes you’ll be ready and able to make the beautiful image you envision in your mind. In my opinion this is the goal of photography and, like any medium, it can take a lifetime to master but it will be an interesting, engaging, and much more complex and rewarding life.” Mr. Roy believes that every class has potential for any number of outcomes, both positive and negative. ”Photographically speaking, the class of 2016 can and will make a lot of horrible photos, a bunch of mediocre photos, and a few masterpieces,” said Mr. Roy when asked about this years’ freshmen. “As long as they are working and learning from their mistakes, they can only improve, so the inherent talent they have is neither given nor is it pre-determined – like everyone else who

works with any creative e�ort, the more they put into it, the more they will get out of it. I’d like to help them learn the craft of photography and gain an appreciation of the art of photography – the rest is up to them.” However, the budget cuts at BHS have limited the photography program from reaching its full potential. “�e biggest impact has been the change from a year-long Photography I course to a semester-long Photography I course,” he said. “We can only do a little less than half of the assignments we used to do and it’s caused a shift in the curriculum for Photography II… I know this e�ect has been felt in the other visual arts classes as well and it’s something we’re working on changing back to the full-year curriculum for all levels. Hopefully, there will be enough money and support to make the change.” �e insu�cient supply of materials has also been an issue. �e school usually owns about twenty 35mm SLR cameras that are loaned out on a one-day basis to students. As of now, several cameras need to be repaired so only 13 cameras are available. In addition, BHS does not o�er a fourth year course for photography after Photo III . Mr. Roy used to have independent study courses so a student could do a fourth year of photography course work, but he has not run these in several years. However, Mr. Roy has been able to be an in-school advisor to students who want to take a photography course (usually a college class) or work on an independent study approved by BHS outside of school. Most of these classes allow students to learn new concepts, techniques, and use equipment that BHS does not have access to.

Yellowstone National Park, Sophie Burke, Photo III

"Adrian", Eva V. Gallagher, Photo II

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By �omas Zembowicz

MONDAY, OCTOBER 8 - Over 400 Belmontians gath-ered together to participate in a morning full of service known as Belmont Serves, annually organized by the Belmont Religious Council. Just as in previous years, events kicked o� at St. Joseph’s Parish Hall on Common St, where volun-teers enjoyed a generously provided breakfast before picking up their shovels, paint brushes, and other tools and heading into the commu-nity. Event organizers divided up volunteers into teams and dispatched them to various locations in Belmont to work on a wide range of projects. A large group of Belmon-tians helped collect bags full of food that volunteers had distributed in the week leading up to Belmont Serves. �e Belmont Food Pantry, which recently moved back behind the high school, was a beehive of activity on Monday morning while volunteers restocked shelves.

�ey also collected coats alongside cans of food, ensur-ing that there is plenty of warm clothing for needy fami-lies as winter approaches and temperatures plummet. Elsewhere in Belmont, kids and adults painted fences at Grove Street Field. Many did trail maintenance at the Rock Meadow Conservation Land, while others participated in gardening projects around the town hall, public library, and the Burbank School. A few people stayed indoors and managed to make 15 quilts, 12 more than last year. By 1:00pm, everyone had returned to the parish hall. Over a light lunch, volunteers swapped stories about their morning activities and re�ected on all the good they had done. �e event was a resounding success, and everyone left feeling proud of their work and more connected to their commu-nity. Belmont Serves will happen again next Columbus Day, and it’s sure to be another exciting day of service!

Belmont Serves 2012

Belmontians at work for Belmont Serves (photo: �omas Zembowicz)

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“I’m always reviewing and revising the curriculum and hoping to incorporate new ideas and concepts into the classes I teach,” said Mr. Roy. “It makes it more interesting for me as a teacher and it helps my students feel as though the work they are doing is unique and their own. While the mechanical and chemical processes don’t change, every photograph is a new opportunity to create something wonderful and beautiful or boring and ugly. �at’s what keeps it exciting and fun to teach photography.”

"Eye", Catie Osborn, Portrait-Photo II

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PAGE 10 VOICE

What is your vision for Belmont High School?First of all I want to back up a little bit about my vision. I was here for 7 years and I have a history of Belmont High School. What I don’t want to do is come in this year and use that history only. I want to sit back and talk to people first. So this summer, what I did before I came in with a clear vision based on history, because I was gone for one year (my gap year), I talked to close to 50 people about what has happened over the past year, where they see Belmont High School. I’ve talked to students, teachers, staff members, community leaders, secretaries, custodians and I’m developing a vision out of that. So I’m just about wrapped up with conversations- few more people want to come in and chat with me. I have “Principal’s coffees” coming up for parents to share their thoughts, and teachers as well. And it’s where they just come in and have coffee and chat, and that will also shape the vision. My immediate vision is to provide some clarity around things. Teachers needed some clarity about the handbook, about what’s expected of them. For students, you can remember at the class meetings, I was very specific. I tried to get as concrete as I could with clarity. That was theme a lot of people have told me so far: they want clarity- what are the boundaries, so I tried to do that.

Is there anything this year that is very different from the previous years?There’s nothing specifically different. What I’m tackling is this new teacher evaluation tool. It’s very different from last year. So on the teacher end of it, we’re all working on this together to implement a new evaluation tool with teachers- the entire state it. So that’s new for us and part of that, for example, is putting together the “SMART Goals”. It is in every school in Massachusetts.

What are SMART Goals?The teachers have to rate a teacher centered SMART goal, which is around their profession to improve their craft. And they also have to write a student centered SMART goal, which is focused around student achievement.

Interview: Mr. RichardsBy Sol Park

Mr. Richards is the new principal of Belmont High School.

What are you looking forward the most to this year?It’s already happening. I’m back at Belmont High School, which I call home. I’m back with the students and I’m back with the teachers and working with them. Belmont High School is a really unique place and I think when you leave here, you’ll see how unique it is- the kids are and the teach-ers are top notch teachers. I’m excited to be working with such talented group of teachers- I missed that last year. The students, believe it or not, are different at every high school, and the students here are: they’re talented: we have smart students, they’re involved in clubs, sports, activities and that makes them more well rounded students. I’m happy to be working with these types of students. I’d say, it’s happening. I’m happy to be back and everyone who has asked me, “How’s it feel to be back?”, the best way I can describe it is “It’s good to be home”.

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What are you hoping to accomplish this year?One thing that I have to tackle is the NEASC report. I have the report from last spring. Now I’m digging through it to make sure that they were dead on, that there isn’t anything written that they completely didn’t get. I want to communicate to the teachers, students and parents what our needs are- getting that report out and letting the greater community understand what our needs are. That is one of the things that I want to accomplish.

If you could reconstruct any part of the school, what would it be?The NEASC report sites this as well. I think what we do with what we have, we do really well. So I have to commend the teachers for getting the results that they do with what they have. I don’t think that there is just one area that I would focus on. There are the science labs we need to update, classroom sizes, we don’t have a lot of classrooms, the ladies’ room doesn’t have hot water. It’s the overall picture.

What are your long term goals?I plan on being here for a long term. I’m committed to Belmont High School’s people and community. I want to make this an environment that kids, teachers, administration are proud of. I’d like our community to be kinder. I’d like people to open the doors for each other, pick up papers for each other, a kinder environment. I want to promote student leadership, to give them more a voice, such as with the SLT and the captain’s council. And also the teacher’s voice. I want to provide outlets for teachers to join the school advisory committee and other committees to voice their opinions on how to shape this school. A lot of people think the principal comes in, the princi-pal says what to do, and they’ll do it, but that’s not the case. We all own it and we bring all those parties in, students, teachers, parents, and you bring in their voice, that’s the leadership that comes forward. I just kind of shape it and frame it. So it’s not a one person job. It’s everyone’s vision on where we want to go.

Do you have any expectations for the students?They’re set pretty high. Academics are the key focus. If I had to send one message out to all the students, it would be “BALANCE”. Please, please make sure that you balance things. I know that we focus on academics here but we have some great clubs, activities, sports, and it’s not just what your schedule looks like. Please take care of your mental state of mind, physical state of mind, and intellectual state of mind.

Speaking of activities and sports, many of us have noticed that you’ve been coming to many sports games. Do you have a particular favorite?I can say that I love them all equally but soccer has a special place in my heart because I was a soccer player in middle school, high school, and I went to college with a soccer

scholarship. So, I do not have a favorite but it holds a very special place in my heart.

Are there any other extracurriculars you are looking forward to?I just signed about nine new clubs. I’m fascinated by all of them. There’s the knitting club, anime club, Frisbee club. I’m impressed at the variety of clubs and how creative they are.

If you could give advice to the Freshmen, Sopho-mores, Juniors, and Seniors, what would it be?Each grade is very different. For Freshmen, take advan-tage of what’s going on and get involved. It’s a new sched-ule, frees. For Sophomores, it’s a big testing year for them. They get anxious over it – don’t get anxious. We’ll be fine. For Juniors, it’s such a tough year. You have so much going on with testing and getting ready for college. I’d say for them, find time for yourself, relax, you will get through it. For Seniors, you’re on the doorstep going on to the real world. And let’s wrap up what we have here at Belmont High School. Get you ready to take that first step. Each grade is so different but I’m going to go back to balance. Resilience.

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PAGE 12 VOICEInterview: Ms. BurnsBy Elaine Miao Ms. Kristin Burns is one of the new BHS teachers. This year, she is teaching sophomore chemistry.

How many years have you been teaching? This is the start of my eighth year as a teacher. I have taught chemis-try, biology and environmental science for seven years. I spent one year in a small city in Taiwan where I taught English as a second language to Taiwanese children.

What’s your favorite thing about Belmont High School? The people! The students are eager to learn; they share interesting ideas and ask great questions in class. The faculty and staff are very welcoming and very dedicated to the students and the profession. Why did you decide to become a chemistry teacher? I have always enjoyed learning about scientific phenomena. As a child, I had a home chemistry kit and spent most of my time outdoors. I find the study of chemistry intriguing and relevant to our everyday lives. I want to assist students as they make sense of the scientific world around them. Furthermore, I believe that a sound understanding of science will allow students to critically analyze the problems facing their communities and design creative and effective methods to solve these problems in the future. I became a chemistry teacher because I wanted to become part of that process.

Where did you teach that you enjoyed being at the most? I enjoyed teaching at each school for different reasons. One school had a very strong focus on the performing arts. There, I enjoyed being part of a diverse community, and attending the student open mic every Friday, as well as countless other perfor-mances. At another school, I was able to bring students to other countries as part of the curriculum. I believe travel provides students with invaluable firsthand experience and greatly enhances their learning. Some of my environmental science students traveled with me to the Galapagos Islands and learned about evolution biology. At another school, I was immersed in a culture very different from my own, while at another, I was working alongside my former teachers at my own alma mater.

What school did you teach at before coming here? Before arriving in Belmont, I was a student myself. I was attending the Harvard Graduate School of Education and completing a student-teaching practicum at Boston Latin School. Any hobbies?

Running used to take up much of my free time. I have run marathons and coached high school cross country and track teams. Now that I am in the Boston area, I hope I can get back to running again. I also try to travel often. I am planning a trip to Iceland soon where I hope to see the Northern Lights. Will you prepare any fun lab classes with your classes this year?

Yes, but I do not want to give anything away. I will say things will change color, fizz, pop, boil over, burn, freeze, “disappear” and “reappear.” In one of my favorite labs, students will watch silver crystals growing suddenly from a solution. What’s your teaching style like? I try to be the kind of teacher who answers a question with another question. I try to provide students with many opportunities to come to their own understanding. I encourage students to collaborate and work in groups often. Do you anticipate staying in Belmont High School? I would be very happy to stay at Belmont High School! I am looking forward to this year very much!

HIGHPOINT STAFFEditorsJenny KimEva V. Gallagher

Advertising/ PR ManagersJessie LuThomas Zembowicz

Format & DesignAnqi Wan

PhotographersAnya ZhangAudrey Barnes

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works with any creative e�ort, the more they put into it, the more they will get out of it. I’d like to help them learn the craft of photography and gain an appreciation of the art of photography – the rest is up to them.” However, the budget cuts at BHS have limited the photography program from reaching its full potential. “�e biggest impact has been the change from a year-long Photography I course to a semester-long Photography I course,” he said. “We can only do a little less than half of the assignments we used to do and it’s caused a shift in the curriculum for Photography II… I know this e�ect has been felt in the other visual arts classes as well and it’s something we’re working on changing back to the full-year curriculum for all levels. Hopefully, there will be enough money and support to make the change.” �e insu�cient supply of materials has also been an issue. �e school usually owns about twenty 35mm SLR cameras that are loaned out on a one-day basis to students. As of now, several cameras need to be repaired so only 13 cameras are available. In addition, BHS does not o�er a fourth year course for photography after Photo III . Mr. Roy used to have independent study courses so a student could do a fourth year of photography course work, but he has not run these in several years. However, Mr. Roy has been able to be an in-school advisor to students who want to take a photography course (usually a college class) or work on an independent study approved by BHS outside of school. Most of these classes allow students to learn new concepts, techniques, and use equipment that BHS does not have access to.