AHS Ponder Page

30/04/2021

Outrunning the Pandemic: Arlington High School's Half-Marathon Club
By Annika Hedlund

For most people, just going outside in the below-freezing months of winter is a chore. Now, imagine running over 13 miles in that weather. Sounds pretty baffling; right? Not for the students in Arlington High School’s Half Marathon Club, who ran every Saturday from December to March. The club started out running four miles, and each week they added another mile, with the goal of 13.1 miles—a half marathon.

On any given Saturday, about 18 club members showed up bright and early, awake and ready to run. However, running together was made more difficult due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Read More: https://ahsponderpage.wordpress.com/2021/04/30/outrunning-the-pandemic-arlington-high-schools-half-marathon-club/

By Annika Hedlund [Image courtesy of the Half-Marathon Club] For most people, just going outside in the below-freezing months of winter is a chore. Now, imagine running over 13 miles in that weathe…

02/11/2020

AHS Freshmen Attend an In-Person Orientation
By Jasper Zellmer

On September 8th, Arlington High School freshmen were supposed to wake up, get dressed, grab their backpacks, and go to their first day of high school. Instead, these students woke up on September 21; most students got dressed, grabbed their devices, and sat down at their desk or kitchen table for their first day of remote high school.

Read More: https://ahsponderpage.wordpress.com/2020/11/02/ahs-freshmen-attend-an-in-person-orientation/

By Jasper Zellmer On September 8th, Arlington High School freshmen were supposed to wake up, get dressed, grab their backpacks, and go to their first day of high school. Instead, these students wok…

18/06/2020

A Bittersweet End- The AHS Class of 2020
By Halle Snell

As a graduating senior at Arlington High School, you have certain expectations. Donning the maroon robes. Attending a graduation ceremony on the turf. Receiving your diploma in front of an audience. Shaking your teachers’ hands. Hugging your classmates—some of whom you’ve known since elementary school—for the last time.

This year, however, the Arlington High School class of 2020 experienced something very different.

Read More: https://ahsponderpage.wordpress.com/2020/06/18/a-bittersweet-ending-the-ahs-class-of-2020/

A decorated car during the caravan on June 7. [Wicked Local Staff Photo/John Walker] By Halle Snell As a graduating senior at Arlington High School, you have certain expectations. Donning the maroo…

14/06/2020

Students Enroll in Online Classes Through Coursera and edX
By Grace Walters

In light of school cancellation as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak, students find themselves with extra time on their hands. In an effort to keep busy and supplement their transcripts, many students have enrolled in online courses offered by Coursera.

The present reality of education is undeniably problematic; although the administration has done everything in its power to ensure an effective, equitable education for all students, staying focused and motivated has become a common challenge.

Read More: https://ahsponderpage.wordpress.com/2020/06/14/students-enroll-in-online-classes-through-coursera-and-edx/

By Grace Walters In light of school cancellation as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak, students find themselves with extra time on their hands. In an effort to keep busy and supplement their transc…

19/05/2020

The Best Recipes for Quarantine
By Lucy Spangler

The current state of the world is having an unusual effect on the population: yeast and flour are almost impossible to come by, and hourly trips to the kitchen are part of the new daily routine. In short, people are eating; like, a lot. Now, not that there’s anything wrong with that, but why settle for basic snacks? if you’re going to eat, at least do it in style. That’s why I’ve spent the past few weeks scouring the internet, reaching out to friends, and experimenting in the kitchen to produce the following list of recipes to calm the mind and fill the stomach. Food is good for the soul, and I hope these recipes can properly feed yours without the added stress of spending 3+ hours in the kitchen.

Read More: https://ahsponderpage.wordpress.com/2020/05/19/the-best-recipes-for-quarantine/

By Lucy Spangler The current state of the world is having an unusual effect on the population: yeast and flour are almost impossible to come by, and hourly trips to the kitchen are part of the new …

21/04/2020

John Mulaney and the Sack Lunch Bunch Netflix Comedy Review
By Caleigh Lyons

There always seems to be a new Netflix comedy special. If you are bored of the usual recording of a comic standing up with a microphone talking to an audience in a club or theater, then you should check out John Mulaney’s new format of a children’s musical comedy special, John Mulaney and the Sack Lunch Bunch.

This relatively Netflix special saw its debut on December 24th, 2019. The special takes the format of a children’s show, reminiscent of children’s film and TV in the 1990s— both funny and dark— similar to the 1985 comedy mystery film Clue. Mulaney and his “Sack Lunch Bunch” of talented children manage existential dread with scripted songs and skits.

Read More: https://ahsponderpage.wordpress.com/2020/04/21/john-mulaney-and-the-sack-lunch-bunch-netflix-comedy-review/

By Caleigh Lyons There always seems to be a new Netflix comedy special. If you are bored of the usual recording of a comic standing up with a microphone talking to an audience in a club or theater,…

27/03/2020

Student Directed One Act Plays A Success
By Vrej Keusseyan

The AHS one act plays on February 5th have everything a theatre goer could ask for from an amatuer production. Fully student directed, the plays showcased how hard the actors worked.

Ferris Wheel

The first play was directed by sophomore Paige Goodsell and sophomore Sierra Farrington. It was based on a woman named Dorie, who was played by sophomore Rachel Barglow. Dorie has a fear of heights, so every year on her birthday she rides a ferris wheel. She is accompanied by a man named John (senior Keziah Wilde.) While they are at the top of the ferris wheel, it has a malfunction and shuts down.

Read More: https://ahsponderpage.wordpress.com/2020/03/27/student-directed-one-act-plays-a-success/

By Vrej Keusseyan The AHS one act plays on February 5th have everything a theatre goer could ask for from an amatuer production. Fully student directed, the plays showcased how hard the actors work…

26/03/2020

Students Compete in the 14th Annual Battle of the Bands
By Connor Rempe
With Contributions from Grace Walters and Maya Krishnan

On Saturday, January 25th, six AHS student bands battled it out at the Regent Theater for a title and cash prize.

No Turn On Red, P.A.X., Gym Class, Senior Citizens, Obliviation, and Chicken Big performed for a vivacious crowd of fellow students, parents, faculty members, and other community members.

Hosted by S.T.A.N.D. club (Students Taking Action Now in Darfur), Battle of the Bands has been an AHS tradition since 2006. All of the proceeds from the show are donated to Save The Children, a charity whose goal is to improve education, health care, and economic opportunities for children.

No Turn On Red, Senior Citizens, Chicken Big, and Obliviation were newcomers to the Battle of the Bands stage; P.A.X. and Gym Class both performed in 2019.

The seven bands, including an additional faculty band called The Educated Guests, performed songs from a variety of genres. With last year’s champion, Error 404, out of the running, all of the bands sought the 2020 crown.

Read More: https://ahsponderpage.wordpress.com/2020/03/26/students-compete-in-the-14th-annual-battle-of-the-bands/

By Connor Rempe Contributions from Grace Walters and Maya Krishnan On Saturday, January 25th, six AHS student bands battled it out at the Regent Theater for a title and cash prize.  No Turn On…

21/03/2020

The Feminist Movement in Mexico: An Interview
By Darcy Coleman

In the United States, narratives shared about Mexico are often those of desperate families trying to make their way across the border. Frequently left out in such accounts are the prospective immigrants’ underlying motivations, as well as the efforts taking place in Mexico to strengthen the country. Senior Alexa Véliz Ríos, a student from the International Baccalaureate at Prepatec Querétaro in Mexico, shares insight on the feminist movement of her country in her own words. I met Alexa during the college admissions process. After we were accepted into the same school, we encountered one another in a group chat facilitated by other admittees of that college. Alexa gave permission for this interview to be published. (Warning: graphic imagery of violence).

Read More: https://ahsponderpage.wordpress.com/2020/03/20/the-feminist-movement-in-mexico-an-interview/

By Darcy Coleman In the United States, narratives shared about Mexico are often those of desperate families trying to make their way across the border. Frequently left out in such accounts are the …

19/03/2020

Aly Rodger On The Importance of Now
By Halle Snell

As a child, AHS junior Allison Rodger (Aly) loved animals. She made frequent trips to Drumlin Farm in Lincoln, and attended nature camps each summer. Camp leaders stressed the importance of conservation and environmental awareness, a message that has stayed with Rodger since.

During the summer of 2017, Rodger and her family tried to go waste free. “It was a cool experience,” she said, “but also frustrating.” She realized that “everything, […] especially food, comes in plastic packaging that needs to be thrown out,” making it very challenging to fully eradicate waste. While Rodger and her family were not able to completely eliminate trash, they tried a few things that they have stuck with, such as using only cloth napkins and eliminating plastic Ziplock bags.

Read More: https://ahsponderpage.wordpress.com/2020/03/19/aly-rodger-on-the-importance-of-now/

By Halle Snell As a child, AHS junior Allison Rodger (Aly) loved animals. She made frequent trips to Drumlin Farm in Lincoln, and attended nature camps each summer. Camp leaders stressed the import…

16/03/2020

The Future of Science Education at AHS
By Lauren Bain

Sam Hoyo has a problem. Her desk is snuggled into the back corner of a third floor office, and is well within earshot of teachers hemming and hawing about their packed curriculums, labs-gone-wrong, and, most recently, worries about the brand new Arlington High School. Chemistry teachers want new bunsen burners, biology teachers want movable lab tables, and 1,415 teenagers don’t particularly care.

Hoyo, the Arlington Public Schools’ new Science Director, came to the town at a critical turning point. Attracted by its nationally-acclaimed public school system, thousands of families have moved to Arlington in the past decade in search of educational opportunities and bright futures for their children. In the past five years, AHS’ total population has grown by 199 students. In the coming year alone, its population will grow by 105 students; in the next five years, the student population will further swell, increasing by 380 students. Now threatened by losing its accreditation due to dilapidated classrooms and insufficient space for the student body, few Arlingtonians question the town’s decision to embark on a $290.8 million rebuild of the high school. However, due to the project’s unique complications, the Science Department’s needs are vulnerable to falling through the cracks.

Read More: https://ahsponderpage.wordpress.com/2020/03/16/the-future-of-science-education-at-ahs/

By Lauren Bain Sam Hoyo has a problem. Her desk is snuggled into the back corner of a third floor office, and is well within earshot of teachers hemming and hawing about their packed curriculums, l…

06/03/2020

A Student's Perspective: Wellness at AHS
By Riley McKenna

As a junior at Arlington High School, I am fully aware of the stress that students face. Like most classmates of mine, I intend on going to college, having good grades, and doing well in sports, all the while being a friendly classmate to my peers. Mental health is a very important issue, especially in a high school environment. The New York Times wrote that, between 2007 and 2017, “teen depression has shot up 63%,” and su***de is one of the leading causes of teen deaths in America.

That’s why I composed a list of five things that could help a student survive harsh high school years, especially the transition from the winter season to spring. This transition can have a large impact on one’s mental health because the winter season’s effects on us combined with spring tests, exams, and end-of-year worries is really tough on humans. The winter side effects are known collectively as seasonal affective disorder and can bring depression, anxiety, and other mental health diseases with it. I decided that for the sake of myself and my peers, I’d conduct a light experiment to see which of my five ideas of stress reducers actually work and can successfully be applied to help with our health, especially at this time of year. I tried each idea for a minimum of four consecutive days throughout the months of January and February.

Read More: https://ahsponderpage.wordpress.com/2020/03/05/a-students-perspective-wellness-at-ahs/

By Riley McKenna As a junior at Arlington High School, I am fully aware of the stress that students face. Like most classmates of mine, I intend on going to college, having good grades, and doing w…

06/03/2020

Mid-Year Sports Update
By Maggie Sczupak

Wrestling is dominating the Middlesex League this year with a 16-1 record. They have two matches remaining in their regular season until the state tournament.

Girls hockey has had a fantastic start to their 2020 season with nine wins, one loss, and three ties. They have already notched a tournament bid and have six games remaining in the regular season. They are ranked #1 in the Middlesex League and have been featured in “The Boston Globe Top 20” teams for girls hockey.

Boys hockey has had a stellar season so far, notching ten wins, one loss, and two ties. Arlington has already claimed a spot in the state tournament, and they have seven games remaining in the regular season. They are currently ranked #1 in the Middlesex League.

Boys swimming has recently finished their dual meet season with a 5-5 record. The team is set to compete in the Middlesex League Championship in the next week and a half.

Read More: https://ahsponderpage.wordpress.com/2020/03/05/mid-year-sports-update/

By Maggie Sczupak Wrestling is dominating the Middlesex League this year with a 16-1 record. They have two matches remaining in their regular season until the state tournament. Girls Hockey has had…

26/02/2020

Arlington-Teosinte Sister City Project Presents Thought-Provoking Border Stories
By: Connor Rempe

Many Arlingtonians packed into Kickstand Cafe on Thursday, January 16th for a night of storytelling. However, this was no book reading or slam poetry open mic; these stories came from the southern border that separates the United States and Mexico.

Hosted by the Arlington Teosinte Sister City Project, “Border Stories” allowed a variety of people to share their experiences at the border. All of the speakers had either crossed or volunteered at the border.

Undoubtedly, the most powerful speakers of the night were those who had actually made the journey across the U.S. border. The first speaker identified herself only as Carolina. She had lived in El Salvador until she and her family could no longer afford to pay their rent. Carolina told her story while clutching her sleeping son to her chest. She and her husband had each taken one of their children and had crossed the border separately. As she described crossing the Rio Grande on a raft, Carolina became overcome with emotion and tears fell from her face. Her grasp on her sleeping son tightened as she insisted, “When you cross it is not because you want to… at least my children have opportunities here.”

Read More: https://ahsponderpage.wordpress.com/2020/02/25/arlington-teosinte-sister-city-project-presents-thought-provoking-border-stories/

By: Connor Rempe Many Arlingtonians packed into Kickstand Cafe on Thursday, January 16th for a night of storytelling. However, this was no book reading or slam poetry open mic; these stories came f…

17/02/2020

Forever Pat No More: LoneStarxx3 Hits the SoundCloud Scene
By: Anouk Donaldson-Gaul

In recent years, Arlington High School has become a hearth for independent artists. Today, aspirations to become a musician are much more common in light of social media. Music is a channel of expression; one can learn a lot about an artist through the lyrics and construction of their songs.

Formerly known as “Forever Pat,” LoneStarrx3 changed his musical alias as a step forward in mastering the vibe of his image. Inspired by ###Tentacion and Michael Jackson, sophomore Patrick Fahey of Arlington High School is hitting the Soundcloud rap scene with synth wave tracks and techno-inspired beats.

LoneStarrx3’s journey as an artist has not been easy. Despite bumps in the road, he spends his time dedicated to his music.

Read More: https://ahsponderpage.wordpress.com/2020/02/17/forever-pat-no-more-lonestarxx3-hits-the-soundcloud-scene/

By: Anouk Donaldson-Gaul In recent years, Arlington High School has become a hearth for independent artists. Today, aspirations to become a musician are much more common in light of social media. M…

06/01/2020

Social Media Activism at AHS
By: Caleigh Lyons

While clicking through your social media feed, it may seem like almost everyone is advocating for political issues by reposting images and links. Are these people taking advantage of their first amendment right to free speech as a catalyst for change, or are they just reposting and copying the links to feel good about themselves and to follow a trend?

Most students agree that reposting images and links through social media activism is a great tool for quickly raising awareness for social and political issues. Junior Melissa DeFabritiis pointed out that it helps “people who may not read the news to get involved [with activism].” With most students not watching the news every night, social media has become a way to keep people aware of political issues.

However, using social media as a news source has led to the spread of fake news.

Read More: https://ahsponderpage.wordpress.com/2020/01/06/social-media-activism-at-ahs/

By: Caleigh Lyons While clicking through your social media feed, it may seem like almost everyone is advocating for political issues by reposting images and links. Are these people taking advantage…

08/11/2019

AHS Welcomes a New Football Coach
By: Alisha Gandhi

Robert DiLoreto has made his return to the football coaching community. DiLoreto is the Fusco house dean at Arlington High School and has been a part of the staff for 24 years. Although DiLoreto is a “new” coach this year, he is no rookie to being the leader of one of Arlington’s most beloved teams. He led the football team to two successful seasons from 2002-04 and was the AHS athletic director from 2000-06. DiLoreto himself played football in high school and college at the University of Notre Dame. The experience helped him as a coach because he knows how hard it is to juggle school and football and how challenging the sport is.

Read More: https://ahsponderpage.wordpress.com/2019/10/29/ahs-welcomes-a-new-football-coach/

By: Alisha Gandhi Robert DiLoreto has made his return to the football coaching community. DiLoreto is the Fusco house dean at Arlington High School and has been a part of the staff for 24 years. Al…

17/10/2019

Hydro Flask Takeover at AHS

By: Riley McKenna

Over the past year, Arlington High School has adopted many trends that are spreading throughout the country. Social media apps that make a strong appearance in everyday life have a large impact on teenage lives and play a significant part in the increase of Hydro Flasks in high schools. People of all ages who participate in a variety of hobbies have recently started using Hydro Flask water bottles.

Created in Oregon in 2009, Hydro Flask was originally a small company. Their popularity has increased significantly and rapidly because they keep drinks cold for a long time and are an eco-friendly water bottle option. Hydro Flask water bottles are made of 18/8 stainless steel, so their durability is another reason why popularity is increasing. This product is also known to be aesthetically pleasing due to its smooth texture and solid colors. People all over the country know the brand and likely have their own Hydro Flask product. What is interesting about the product’s growth is that, like many other athletic and outdoor products, it is not usually used for its intended purpose, but instead for its popularity.

Read More: https://ahsponderpage.wordpress.com/2019/10/17/hydro-flask-takeover-at-ahs/

09/10/2019

Meet The "Sandwich Guy"

By: Caleigh Lyons

Many Arlington High School students buy their lunches every day from the “sandwich guy.” To give recognition to one of the many unsung heroes who works to keep our school running, meet Rich Khourie, the resident “sandwich guy.”

Khourie co-owned and cooked at the Arlington diner Bagels By Us for 22 years until 2018 when he sold the diner and retired. Now, he makes sandwiches during lunch at Arlington High School to stay busy. He always checks that he made the sandwich right by narrating how he assembles the sandwich. He enjoys meeting all the students, some of whom he knew from Bagels By Us, and seeing them smile because he “would not work here if it was a grouchy place.”

Read More: https://ahsponderpage.wordpress.com/2019/10/09/meet-the-sandwich-guy/

By: Caleigh Lyons Many Arlington High School students buy their lunches every day from the “sandwich guy.” To give recognition to one of the many unsung heroes who works to keep our school running,…

22/06/2019

AHS Garden Club Works to Beautify the School

By: Halle Snell

On a drizzly day in May, junior Molly Hankinson and the rest of the AHS Garden Club met outside Arlington High School with a box of flowers. Their mission? To replant the centerpieces that were used for junior prom.

Hankinson is the sole leader of the AHS Garden Club, which was founded last spring. Hankinson and her psych class were cleaning the courtyards during their final block when her teacher, Mr. Sandler, expressed his wish for a garden club. Inspired by the idea, Hankinson and made it her mission to start one.

Read More: https://ahsponderpage.wordpress.com/2019/06/15/ahs-garden-club-works-to-beautify-the-school/

Thank you for reading the last article of the 2018-19 school year, and for your support of the Ponder Page. We can not wait to continue writing next fall!

By: Halle Snell On a drizzly day in May, junior Molly Hankinson and the rest of the AHS Garden Club met outside Arlington High School with a box of flowers. Their mission? To replant the centerpiec…

13/06/2019

Class of 2019 Graduates

By: Riley McKenna

On Saturday, June 1, the 153rd annual Arlington High School graduation took place for the Class of 2019. Flowers were set up next to the podium where students and staff delivered speeches. The graduates’ seats were facing the bike path, where curious passersby stopped to watch.

The first couple of hours started out warm but ended with heavy wind. Excited family members and friends gathered on the bleachers, balloons and flowers in hand. As people arrived, the Arlington High School Band (directed by Sabatino D’Agostino) played music until 3:00, when the event started.

Read More: https://ahsponderpage.wordpress.com/2019/06/12/arlington-high-school-graduation/

By: Riley McKenna On Saturday, June 1, the 153rd annual Arlington High School graduation took place for the Class of 2019. Flowers were set up next to the podium where students and staff delivered …

06/05/2019

AHS Art Exhibition 2019

Video by: Grace Walters

https://vimeo.com/334452561?utm_source=email&utm_medium=vimeo-cliptranscode-201504&utm_campaign=28749

This is "Art Exhibition 2019" by Grace Walters on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them.

03/05/2019

National Champion Ryan Oosting Closes Out His High School Running Career

By: Halle Snell

Ryan Oosting began running on the AHS cross country and track teams as a freshman. He is now about to begin his last season of outdoor track. During a span of almost four years (eleven seasons) as a varsity runner, he has become an extremely accomplished athlete.

Oosting’s four year journey at AHS has been “rewarding, heartbreaking, and interesting” according to Justin Bourassa, who coaches the boy’s cross country and track teams.

Read More: https://ahsponderpage.wordpress.com/2019/04/24/national-champion-ryan-oosting-closes-out-his-high-school-running-career/

By Halle Snell Ryan Oosting began running on the AHS cross country and track teams as a freshman. He is now about to begin his last season of outdoor track. During a span of almost four years (elev…

13/01/2019

Glenn Doyle Flips His Way Through the Circus Smirkus

By Claire Kitzmiller

Most high school student’s extracurriculars consist of a varsity sport, student-organized club, an instrument, or musical theater, but freshman Glenn Doyle spent the summer creating and traveling with the Circus Smirkus as an acrobat.

Read More:
https://ahsponderpage.wordpress.com/2019/01/13/glenn-doyle-flips-his-way-through-the-circus-smirkus/

13/01/2019

Traditional Class Rank Ends to Improve Student Emotional Health

By Halle Snell

Academic grades can be one of the highest anxieties in a student’s life. There is competition and comparison between students in many schools, which increases already existing stress. Some U.S. high schools administer class ranks, or numbers assigned to students that rank them from the top to the bottom of their class. This tells students how their grades compare to those of their classmates and where they fall academically in comparison to everyone else.

Read More:
https://ahsponderpage.wordpress.com/2019/01/09/traditional-class-rank-ends-to-improve-student-emotional-health/

By Halle Snell Academic grades can be one of the highest anxieties in a student’s life. There is competition and comparison between students in many schools, which increases already existing stress…

08/01/2019

AHS Cracks Down on JUULS

By Louise Eddy

This past summer, administration increased the consequences of being caught with a JUUL in Arlington High School from being treated under the to***co policy, to being treated as drug paraphernalia. A JUUL is a type of e-cigarette that uses ni****ne salts for its key ingredients.

Read More:
https://ahsponderpage.wordpress.com/2019/01/07/ahs-cracks-down-on-juuls/

By Lulu Eddy This past summer, administration increased the consequences of being caught with a JUUL in Arlington High School from being treated under the to***co policy, to being treated as drug p…

08/01/2019

Global Goods Fair Returns
By Chloe Jackson

On Tuesday, December 11th, Arlington hosted the Global Goods Foundation in the main lobby. Global Goods sold handmade jewelry, purses, and other artisan products from 11:30 AM- 3:30 PM. Students and faculty were able to browse and purchase items with the knowledge that 100% of funds are donated to programs abroad.
Read More:
https://ahsponderpage.wordpress.com/2019/01/07/global-goods-fair-returns/

By Chloe Jackson On Tuesday, December 11th, Arlington hosted the Global Goods Foundation in the main lobby. Global Goods sold handmade jewelry, purses, and other artisan products from 11:30 AM- 3:3…

28/11/2018

In This Case, Snooze and Don’t Lose: Students Need a Later Start Time

By Eliza McKissick

In recent years, there has been great debate over the start time of schools. Many are advocating for a later start time in all schools— elementary, middle, and high school. The main argument is that currently, with schools starting at 8:00 am, adolescents are unable to get the proper amount of sleep.
Read More:
https://ahsponderpage.wordpress.com/2018/11/28/in-this-case-snooze-and-dont-lose-students-need-a-later-start-time/

By Eliza McKissick In recent years, there has been great debate over the start time of schools. Many are advocating for a later start time in all schools— elementary, middle, and high school. The m…

28/11/2018

Boys Soccer Defeated in State Finals

By Ellie Crowley

After completing a strong season by winning the North finals, the Arlington High School boys varsity soccer team was defeated by Nauset in the Division II State Finals. During the game played on November 18th at Marshfield High School, the team lost 3-0 against the champions of the South.
Read More:
https://ahsponderpage.wordpress.com/2018/11/27/boys-soccer-defeated-in-state-finals/

    By Ellie Crowley After completing a strong season by winning the North finals, the Arlington High School boys varsity soccer team was defeated by Nauset in the Division II State Final…