Category: Opinion

News, Opinion, PoliticsLeave a comment

Doral: The Venezuelan-American Perspective   

Mimi Yao

By Mimi Yao In light of the Trump Administration’s recent capture of former Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro, this article explores SAS Social Studies teacher Maria Maldonado’s perspective on the Venezuelan community in Miami.    Each year, hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans attempt to cross the infamously hazardous Darien Gap in hopes of establishing a better future outside of their home country.   The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees describes Venezuela’s refugee crisis as one of the largest in the world, estimating that, today, there are nearly 7.9 million Venezuelan refugees and migrants around the world. These displaced individuals left Venezuela as a result of extreme poverty, high crime, and a … Continue reading Doral: The Venezuelan-American Perspective   

News, OpinionLeave a comment

Grades in Words

arielle0814

By Arielle Wang At the end of 2025, SASPD announced that grades will now come with descriptors, moving away from the precise numerical system students and teachers had long relied on. For those used to calculating down to two decimal points, the change quickly permeated hallway conversations…and sometimes debate. Grades have always carried enormous weight at SAS, and now the school suggests they should carry “clearer and more specific” meaning. But will adding words like meeting or approaching actually make performance easier to understand, or does it just complicate a long-established system? In this interview, we sit down with our … Continue reading Grades in Words

News, Opinion, Politics

Doral: The Venezuelan-American Perspective 

Mimi Yao

By Mimi Yao In light of the Trump Administration’s recent capture of former Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro, this article explores SAS Social Studies teacher Maria Maldonado’s perspective on the Venezuelan community in Miami.    Each year, hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans attempt to cross the infamously hazardous Darien Gap in hopes of establishing a better future outside of their home country.   The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees describes Venezuela’s refugee crisis as one of the largest in the world, estimating that, today, there are nearly 7.9 million Venezuelan refugees and migrants around the world. These displaced individuals left Venezuela as a result of extreme poverty, high crime, and a … Continue reading Doral: The Venezuelan-American Perspective 

Features, Opinion

Student Collectives: An Exploration of Literature Through Film

Nicole Lu

By Nicole Lu The 2025 school year has been, to say the least, very eventful—but not quite in the way one might expect. There has been a multitude of interesting decisions and changes made to the schedule, club rotations, the length of review week, and, of course, the ever-rising cafeteria prices. Aside from these administrative “edits,” there have been changes introduced by teachers, most notably the very welcome and appreciated modifications allowing juniors to take AP Physics C, among other courses. However, not every course has been as popular—or at least as well known. Literature Through Film is a new … Continue reading Student Collectives: An Exploration of Literature Through Film

Opinion

Who are the Real Teachers’ Pets?

Katelyn Lu

After months of investigation, Pudong Press and the Cuddles Intelligence Agency (CIA) have made a breakthrough discovery. Teachers across SASPD share a common weakness: their attachment to their pets. The following are profiles of the 5 furry suspects, containing data from various observational studies, MBTI personality tests, and surveys. Caution ⚠️ The following photos may contain dangerous levels of adorableness. Suspect #1. Pancake Owner: Ms. Peggy Age: 6 years Birthday: August 6, 2020 MBTI Personality: Includes SF (Sensing and Feeling) Hobbies: Being around people Fun Facts: She likes only 1 type of toy—her fabric crocodile with a squeaky squeak. Suspect … Continue reading Who are the Real Teachers’ Pets?

Opinion

Introducing Grameen

Kaylee Huang

By Kaylee Huang When we think of banks, we often picture big buildings, loans, and customers with steady jobs and savings. But what about people with no collateral, no credit history, and no regular income? This is where Grameen Bank enters.  Founded in 1983 by Nobel Laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus, Grameen offers an inclusive financing model through providing collateral-free microloans for people, especially women, in poverty. At the heart of its approach is the “five-member group” model, which relies heavily on developing trust within the community. Specifically for Grameen China, the organization now has over 1,500 members in rural areas … Continue reading Introducing Grameen

News, Opinion

 Searching for Identity in Yunnan’s Nascent AI Industry 

Mimi Yao

By Mimi Yao A symphony of celebratory clinks fill the restaurant. Meanwhile, alone in the office, Ma Meng Chen sits hunched over a plastic container of takeout noodles.  This was not the first time she had turned down her colleagues’ dinner invitations, nor would it be the last. As a member of the Hui（回族）, a predominantly Muslim ethnic minority in China, Ma follows the religious practice of abstaining from pork. Her life is a careful balancing act between adhering to the religious customs of Hui culture and conforming to mainstream social norms, which makes the question of whether to attend … Continue reading  Searching for Identity in Yunnan’s Nascent AI Industry 

Opinion, Teacher Profiles

Teacher Profiles: Michael Crachiolo

Mimi Yao

By Mimi Yao Since becoming an eagle in 2018, Mr. Crachiolo has worn many hats: English 9, AP Lang, and IB Global Politics teacher; Link Crew advisor this school year; and, affectionately, “Mr. C.” Less well known are his former role as the Grade 9 Head of Year and his previous teaching career at the international department of Huashi Fuzhong (华师附中) in Guangzhou. In this interview, Mr. C reflects on the decisions that have shaped his career in education, both at SAS and beyond.  For the previous three years, Mr. C has welcomed freshmen as Grade 9 Head of Year, … Continue reading Teacher Profiles: Michael Crachiolo

Opinion, Politics, Writing Competition

Between Frequencies

Gina Lin

By Gina Lin The sound comes first—the young American college student yells at the person sitting across her, in attempt to refute his argument in their “debate.” Their words tumble over each other, sharp, fast, incomprehensible. The sound is loud enough to drown out the meaning. I reach to turn down my volume of the TikTok. In my apartment, it’s quiet. The sort of quiet that almost has texture, like the air holding its breath. Outside my window, the lights of Shanghai blink in coded Morse—millions of lives moving at once, each operating at their own private volumes. The autumn … Continue reading Between Frequencies