Student news and views, Woodstock School, Mussoorie, India

Student news and views, Woodstock School, Mussoorie, India

by Mikko Aoki Liu, Photographer

Creative + automated future: If one is to thrive

Fools Our junior year is coming to an end and so is life as we know it. How can we all be so foolish right now, how can so many schools be so foolish? We saw it coming, why didn’t we take notice of that critical practice AP question about creativity in English class when […]

by Veer Arya

Searching for the right response to hate

Say my name, it’s not that hard. Accents aren’t what bother me, except, I’m not sure it’s your accent that forces your pronunciation of my name to sound like a three letter word that starts with F and ends with ag. That’s not my name. My name begins with a […]

by Navya Sethi

Let’s work to stop these words: ‘I wish I wasn’t a girl’

Every year, on March 8, people all over the world celebrate International Women’s Day. It serves as a time to reflect on progress made, to call for change, and to celebrate acts of courage. It reminds people of the economic, social, cultural, and political accomplishments of empowered women. Nevertheless, as soon as the clock strikes […]

by Harsh Shyamdasani

Boys don’t cry … and other lies

“Act like a man, p**** a** b****!” This universal saying reminds every man that he has to be dominant in a society where he will be called upon to act according to stereotypes. This is for every father, every brother, and every son who has wet his pillow so many times because he has been […]

by Priyansha Agarwal

Time to consider a no-homework policy

It is yet another evening for an 11th grader down at dorms. This morning, I left at 6:45 a.m. since I had to attend a meeting regarding one of my internships. Then, during lunch, I met with another person to sort out a project plan. After school, I went for my journalism PASSAGE. Once that […]

by Hakyung Yi

Schoolwork leaves no time for playgrounds

When my mom was a middle school student, she spent a lot of her time at the playground. As soon as the school bell rang, she and her friends raced to a garden, hoping to find a sunflower with the tastiest seeds in it. They munched on the seeds, spat out the bitter ones, and […]

by Aarti Malhotra

Happy Valley’s eternal flame

Sixty years on, Tibetans continue struggle Lhamo Tsering was only eight years old when she and her four cousins escaped Tibet on foot. The only help they received was from four Nepali boys, paid and instructed by her mother to help them flee Chinese-annexed Tibet. Almost twelve years after the journey, Tsering recalls memories in […]

by Hyenjin Cho

Sandstone and marble create Indian history

On Feb. 14, 2019. 9:00 p.m, the Advanced Art and Indian History students rushed towards the buses with their hands full of luggage, heading to the Dehradun train station. Until Feb. 17, the Art trip was going to merge with the Indian history trip to observe the grand architecture of Agra. At about 11:00 p.m, […]

by Nupur Agrawal

Technician reveals importance of silent strength

While the science department experiences frequent change, with teachers coming and leaving annually, one face remains a constant. Vinod Tonk, or Vinod-ji, has been a part of Woodstock for 24 years and currently works as a lab assistant. He is loved among all students. “He always answers my questions, and he doesn’t judge me even […]

by Rohan Menezes

Trump impacts students’ college choices

Donald Trump lives approximately 12,000 kilometers away from the well-guarded gates of Woodstock, but the 45th president of the United States of America has managed to affect and influence the lives of students here nonetheless. The current incumbent at the White House in Washington DC is renowned for his Islamophobic rhetoric and abusive disdain for […]

by Chittish Pasbola, staff reporter

School works to make Hanson a field of dreams

Hanson Field has been an integral part of Woodstock since it was created in 1938. It was eventually named after the legendary school athlete, Robert Hanson, who was a member of the United States Air Force. After he was declared missing in action after he downed 25 Japanese planes, the Field was renamed in his […]

by Nalin Mahajan

New science teachers discover gravity of the hillside

With the departure of a few members of staff from the science department, this trimester, the school welcomed three new teachers: Ms. Louise Du Toit, Mr. Anthony Hyde, and Dr. Mayukh Banik. With many decades of experience in teaching, the new teachers are all looking forward to their Woodstock experience. Mr. Hyde discovered Woodstock “way […]

by Archita Aggarwal

First IBDP verification visit seems optimistic

The school had its very first IBDP (International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme) verification visit on Feb. 25 and 26. The school was examined by two IB trained educators, Mr. Sarewal and Mr. Nandan. Mr. Sarewal works for IB Career-related Programme, which is one of the four programmes that IB offers. He is also the associate DP […]

by Navya Sethi

Mrs. Bowling settles into new role

“When school started and the staff retreat happened, I was really excited,” Mrs. Renee Bowling said, on starting her new role as the Head of Upper Years. One of the biggest reasons that Mrs. Bowling was happy to get the role was to have the “opportunity to bring stability to the Upper Years.” It has […]

by Dhrubhagat Singh

Space cadets soar above competition

“I had six Red Bulls in one day just to stay awake and do my work. I was in operations,” Anirudh Aggarwal, Class of 2020 and co-founder of the NASA PASSAGE, said as he was reflecting on his team’s recent runner-up award at the Asian National Space Settlement competition in Delhi Feb. 10-14. In this […]

by Abdul Malik Ansari

CFI builds programs as renovation looms

With every new trimester at school, there sprouts a new series of events and opportunities at the Centre for Imagination for the community to share and enjoy. Ms. Amy Seefeldt, Director of CFI shared her hopes and excitements regarding what lies forward at the CFI for the coming trimester. Ms. Seefeldt said, “The CFI has […]

by Hyenjin Cho

Sports Spotlight: Rachel and Dorjee, 2019 Swish-A-Thon MVPs

“I definitely had times when I only played barely 2 minutes in a game in my freshman year, so that was really … an emotional time for me, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to continue playing, but I stuck it out,” Rachel Solomon, Class of 2019, the MVP for this year’s Swish-A-Thon, said. The […]

by Tala Bagh

Sports Spotlight: Diya Singh

12 years ago, while watching boys around her play football, a 5-year-old girl’s heart was captivated by the sport. That’s when Diya Singh, Class of 2019, decided to master this game, regardless of all the obstacles that she would face. Her journey started when she came across the boys in her old school playing football. […]

by Ryan Bajaj

The troll team that reached the finals

“Most of our players still do not know how to play zone defense,” Siddharth Bhandari, Class of 2020, a starting player on one of the Swish-A-Thon finalist teams: Bhandari Bois, said. Bhandari Bois comprised of a member of the Win Mumby team, three players in the senior team, and four players who have never played […]

by Hyenjin Cho

Swish-A-Thon 2019 exhibited exemplary sportsmanship

Feb. 21, 2019. The highlights of the 5th Annual Swish-A-Thon were the sportsmanship and mutual respect depicted by several teams. This year, the money collected will be donated to Project Burans, an initiative part of the Emmanuel Health Association that promotes mental health in rural parts of Northern India. The organization is currently working in […]

by Ryan Bajaj

The Swishathon team that shall reject them all

As the 5th annual Swishathon approaches, The Woodstocker has decided to forecast this tournament for all the basketball fans in our community. Disclaimer: These predicted scores are purely for entertainment Girls Pool Group A Scores Group B Scores LesBeHonest vs F.R.I.E.N.D.S 6-4 Ice Cream vs ADIDAB 14-12 LesBeHonest vs Sunnyside Up 7-2 Ice Cream […]

by Shivaansh Garg

Keeping up with Saira, part 2: She got away

Editor’s Note: This is the second segment of a two-part sports feature on Saira Mehra. Her extra-curricular schedule alone speaks for herself; Monday: basketball, Tuesday: cross country, Wednesday: basketball, Thursday: cross country, Friday: basketball, Saturday: cross country, then basketball. There’s also music practice and Community Engagement. Still, Saira Mehra, Class of 2020, is best known […]

by Archi Arunima

Learning beyond physical barriers

“The truth is, once you learn how to die, you learn how to live.” – Morrie Schwartz from Tuesdays With Morrie That is exactly what this book has to offer: a slow and steady journey between the realms of life and death; a dying old professor’s last words that sometimes ring so true that the […]

by Abdul Malik Ansari

Pressure builds momentum towards future

The golden-colored numbers hanging on the railing above Parker Hall flickers in front of my eyes, reminding me of the number of days until my graduation. The number takes me back to the time when this moment was all a future to be awaited. A time when I was intimidated by the horrifying stress resulting […]

by Shivaansh Garg

Johnny finds his sons: a Swish-A-Thon troll reflects

Talentless, jobless, and shameless people often tend to make troll teams… Or should I say: athletic, charitable, and entertaining people end up in troll teams. I happen to be one of those people who often show up in troll teams, not only the latter characteristics but a mixture of all those six traits. I […]

by Victoria Lee

In God I trust

Daeun-aa, You must be six-years-old by now. Although I am pretty sure that you would not even know how the “E” of English sounds like, just try your best to follow. Even though there is an eleven-years age gap between us, I do have something to say to you. It will be those normal days […]

by Tala Bagh

Fading away

I remember her. Looking at the pictures from my childhood, around nine years ago. She was all alone, sitting in the yard, holding her small, pink backpack, as if it was her armor against all these new faces. The first day, of course, did not seem easy for her. While the kids were running all […]

by Priyansha Agarwal

JSB downpour unites Adcresco

“Guys, it’s raining! Again!!” It seemed like a mess. Everyone was running around and trying to get things done. This was going to be quite an experience. Every year, one of the most awaited events is the Junior-Senior Banquet — JSB. Generally, the sophomores are responsible for organizing it, and the juniors and seniors attend […]

by Sanjana Singh, cartoonist

Wasting Time #4 (2/2)

Sanjana Singh is a cartoonist for The Woodstocker

by Priyansha Agarwal

She said, He said, She said: Rachel, Arpit, and Red

Rachel and Arpit are a couple, and Red is Rachel’s best friend. Arpit and Red were asked specific questions related to Rachel, to figure out who knows her better. Please note: No answers were discussed. What is Rachel’s all-time favorite Disney movie? Rachel: The original High School Musical. Arpit: High School Musical. Red: I’m gonna […]

by Archita Aggarwal

Review: Gully Boy

The first movie to break the 1 billion rupees box office record this year is Zoya Akhtar’s Gully Boy, which managed to do this within a week after the initial release. Inspired by the story of two Indian rappers, Vivian Fernandes and Naved Shaikh, the movie sets the stage for Indian youth to become […]

by James McGough

Kid vs. Adult: Mr. L and Aleksia

Mr. Luukkonen and his daughter (Aleksia) What is your greatest achievement? Aleksia: I eat a lot of chocolate Mr. L: Having Aleksia and running the Boston marathon Who’s your best friend? Aleksia: Rihanna probably Mr. L: Joely Joely Joely What do you like to do for fun? Aleksia: Eat chocolate Mr. L: Tell ghost stories […]

by Aditi Deswal

She said, He said, She Said: Riya, Perm, and Jiwon

Jiwon Chun and Phasin Laplamool, Class of 2020, have been a couple since Sept. 21, 2018. Riya Kohli has been Jiwon’s best friend ever since she came to Woodstock in July 2016. Kohli and Laplamool were separately asked questions about Jiwon to test who knows her better: What’s the name of Jiwon’s baby cousin? Riya: […]

by Nupur Agrawal

Friendships blossom on Valentine’s Day

Each year on February 14, many exchange flowers, chocolates, candy and declarations of love. This day, dedicated to love and romance, is named after Saint Valentine and dates back to the late 5th century. At school, STUCO members did their utmost to facilitate the festival of romance by acting as a middle man to buy […]