Category: Opinions

The Parkland Shooting, the Crystal Community’s Response

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By: Sarina D. (’20)
February 14th, 2018 will go down as the most memorable Valentine’s Day in American history – and not for its record chocolate and flower sales. Our nation will mark every Valentine’s day from now as another year passed since one of the most devastating and large-scale school shootings in our country’s history. It will mark another year passed since 19-year- old Nikolas Cruz hopped in an Uber on a warm Florida morning, headed to Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, and pulled out an AR-15 semiautomatic rifle to execute what would be one of the most infamous school shootings in global history. And most importantly, it will mark another year passed since seventeen families were robbed of their loved ones, and since seventeen students and faculty members were suddenly robbed of their lives and futures in the midst of a regular school day.

Why Track?

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By: Marlena B. (’20)
It’s no secret that track is a stressful sport. Most people have likely heard their friends complaining endlessly about the races, the training and all the pain and stress that goes along with it. So why do these people come back year after year despite these challenges? How do they deal with the stress to compete successfully? I decided to interview some current track members to find out.

Are Workout Classes Worth It?

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By: Caitlin R. (’20)
You’ve probably heard of fitness fads like spinning classes, hot yoga, and other exercises made into classes in fun, artsy environments. People who go to these classes claim to be addicted and praise them to no end. And, while there’s probably some truth to these allegations of greatness, classes like SoulCycle and Bikram Yoga come with a high price tag. A 45 minute SoulCycle class is $32, while a 90 minute Bikram Yoga class is $25. Although these classes are definitely fun and beneficial, are they really anything more than normal fitness classes made to look trendy?

Top 5 TV Shows to Binge-Watch on Netflix

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By: Meghna M. (‘21)
In the midst of tests, homework, and other stressful items popping up on our calendars, we know that Crystal students are always finding new ways to procrastinate. What better way to put off work for as long as possible than starting your next favorite TV show? To help speed up the process of choosing which show to watch next, I’ve come up with a list of the top five TV shows on Netflix to binge watch as procrastination.

Why I Write Stories

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By: Taylor H. (’21)
I always wish I could have two lives; one where I try my best to succeed and one where I can just do whatever I want. Coming from an Asian family, it’s always been expected that I would put forth my best effort in this life to succeed. This means always studying hard, always thinking before I speak. There’s never been an appropriate time to “mess up” or act on impulse.

Exposing Brandy Melville

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By: Georgie M. (’18)
One scroll through Brandy Melville’s perfectly curated Instagram feed will take you into the “ideal life” of most teenage girls. The tanned, skinny, and blonde girls on the site and even in store definitely do the job of selling and giving the clothes a desirable aesthetic to their many young customers. But it wasn’t until I stopped buying from Brandy Melville that I realized what was actually behind their hugely successful business model. A few years later, I went into the store with a friend of mine. Middle school memories came flooding back.

Transition to Crystal: Old Student v. New

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By: Maddie E. (’21) , Meghna M. (’21) , Sabrina H. (’21)
When I stepped off of the shuttle in front of the mansion on the first day of school, I was immediately struck with a sense of familiarity… but also a slight sense of nervousness. This was the first time since the earliest moments of 6th grade that I’d been on the Crystal campus without knowing what was about to happen next. For the past three years, I’d gotten used to my classes, teachers, and friendships; now, my beloved routine was about to be  kicked to the curb. I’ll be honest, my mind was prepared for the worst.

How to Reduce Your STRESS!

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By: Caitlin R. (’20)
Have you ever been stressed? Me too. Considering we go to Crystal, I wouldn’t be surprised if almost every student here has experienced feeling overwhelmed by homework, sports, and everything in general. In order to keep my stress levels down, I use some stress-reducing techniques that really help me and can help you too.

Words of Wisdom from Juniors and Seniors

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By: Ella R. (’19)
At Crystal, we are lucky to receive an excellent education while still being encouraged to try a huge variety of activities. Sometimes, though, it can be rather challenging to find a balance between everything we do. Searching for some words of wisdom from experienced Gryphons, I spoke with juniors Kevin C., Natalie H. and Tara A., and seniors Jennifer A., Eliana F., and Nicky M. to hear about their experiences at Crystal and what they’ve learned over the years. Keep reading to find out what they have to say about sports, talking to teachers, and the importance of taking time to relax.

Putting the “Fun” into Finals

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By: Amy Z. (’19)
Are you a first-timer freshman freaking out over finals? Or a seasoned junior proudly pulling that all-nighter on review weekend? Maybe you’re totally ready to slay that history multiple choice but still wringing your hands at the idea of four passage analyses in 25 minutes? Whoever you are, however you feel about finals, here are a few Gryphon-approved strategies for tackling finals.