Student news and views, Woodstock School, Mussoorie, India

Student news and views, Woodstock School, Mussoorie, India

by Dhrubhagat Singh

Saying ‘I do’ to arranged marriage

For half of my life, I have studied at Woodstock, an international boarding school. When I first arrived, I was completely shocked: students could speak against those older than them, they could stay up late talking to each other, and most importantly, they could date each other. In other words, everything that my parents disagreed […]

by William Raggett

Becoming aware of biases behind daily decisions

Over the recent winter break I, as well as all other AP Lang-Comp students, had to read two books. One from a list provided by my teacher, and another of our choice. From the list, I chose Seven Brief Lessons on Physics, which for the most part went right over my head. For the book […]

by Shyla Robinson

When it comes to animal welfare, seeing is believing

Correct me if I’m wrong but, for most people, the concept of summer holidays does not equate to bobbing up and down in a jeep at 6 o’clock in the morning, right? Yeah, me neither. But I learned the hard way that my parents aren’t most people. As far back as I can remember, I […]

by Swapnil Jhajharia

Alone is the new black

Every lunch, all of the students would be playing outside. All minus one. It was fourth grade, and I liked to spend my lunches by myself, in a corner of the classroom, because there would be no one there. Many times I would be “caught” by teachers, and I would be encouraged to engage more […]

by Muzhgan Noori

Identity crisis: expectations confuse even me

The immigration officer checked my passport one more time and asked me a few more questions than he had asked the other passengers, so it took a bit longer than it did with everyone else. He told me to put my veil behind my ears so they would be visible to the camera, and I […]

by Chittish Pasbola, staff reporter

Truth about India-Pakistan relations? Depends on who you ask

Note: As this article is going through a publication which is located in India, a teenage Hindu nationalist will be the peer editor for this piece. Editor’s note: I will keep this piece in check to make sure nothing wrong is portrayed about my nation, Jai Ram, Jai Hind! Thank you, I will try […]

by Shivaansh Garg

Humans of Activity Week: Gratefully a teenager

A group of 25 students and staff members reached Camp Hornbill, situated in a village called Kyari in Uttarakhand on the morning of Oct. 8, 2018. We were at Nainital to visit the famous Jim Corbett National Park. We were told that it will be like a resort, however, in reality, it seemed more like […]

by Rohan Menezes

Humans of Activity Week: Guiding the guileless

“Come on guys, let’s go!” Sanjeev Rai, the White Magic company’s main guide for Woodstock’s Friendship Peak expedition, shouted. But even though he easily outclassed his clients in terms of fitness and experience, Mr. Rai never charged ahead. Instead, he took the rear, carrying roughly twice the load of his wards with ease while constantly […]

by Chittish Pasbola, staff reporter

Faith, family, friends help Mr. Mark fight cancer

As the school got geared up for the annual basketball competition Win Mumby, a familiar face was back, standing on the main court with a microphone, looking as cheerful as ever, smiling and announcing the teams which were going to be taking part in the competition. It was Mr. Ajay Mark, head of sports and […]

by Mikko Aoki Liu, Photographer

Photo-Essay: Cycling Himalayas

Our cycling trip turned out to be a bus-riding trip. We drove for 30 hours, past Manali, past Rohtang Pass, until we were a third of the way to Ladakh. We biked for about a day and a half, out of seven. We were stopped by the snow. We biked again, and some of us […]

by Abiral Lamsal, staff reporter

Renovated classroom looks traditional yet modern

Coming back from a lengthy winter break, students encountered caution tape planted outside HS20 with construction work finishing up inside. Unveiled this week, the classroom was no longer cold and dark. The newly renovated room looks neat and clean. Mr Sanjeev Puri, the school’s chief operating officer, gave students a tour of the space, emphasizing its […]

by The Woodstocker staff

White welcome to Trimester 3

Students woke up to a winter wonderland Friday after an overnight storm dumped snow and ice on Mussoorie. Classes continued as scheduled, but the Upper Years’ advisor night has been postponed until further notice. Photos by Dhrubhagat Singh and The Woodstocker staff

by Rohan Menezes

Before moving on, Dr. Long reminisces

After seven years as Woodstock’s principal, the thoughtful and energetic Dr. Jonathan Long will move to new frontiers, effective at the end of the current academic year. Dr. Long originally joined as principal in 2011, coming from the United World College in Pune. He said, “While the UWC was a great school, students only came […]

by Navya Sethi

CIS team evaluation seems optimistic

A few weeks ago, the Council of International Schools (CIS) team visited Woodstock school. The team examined the school for a week and documented the information in the form of a report which was sent to the CIS Board of Directors. Woodstock is currently accredited with the Middle States Association (MSA), but the accreditation gets […]

by Rohan Menezes

Netflix themed talent show nets applause and admiration

Lights off, and I’m cozy in my pajamas, lying back with a pillow under my head. Just another night settling into bed? No! This was the 2018 student talent show, spilling over with good times and great performances, a memorable experience for everyone who was there. For days before the event, the Class of 2020 […]

by Dhrubhagat Singh

Some balloons, candy wrappers, and kids fill the gym

Every year, the National Honor Society (NHS) organizes an event called “Big-Brother Big-Sister Day.” During this time, older students, from grades 9-12, partner with a younger student, from kindergarten to grade 6, and engage in numerous, fun activities. The Woodstocker caught up with the event, capturing Candy Land in the gym. Photos by Dhrubhagat Singh […]

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 Navya Sethi

Keeping up with Saira, part 1: ‘A long story’

Editor’s note: This is the first segment of a two-part sports feature on Saira Mehra. However proud Saira Mehra, Class of 2020, is of her athletic accomplishments, when she initially joined the cross country team, she never reckoned that fate would get her this far. “I didn’t know that this would be something that I […]

by Victoria Lee

Participants run to cherish time

In the annual Inter-House Cross country race held on Nov. 19, Saira Mehra, Class of 2020, claimed the first position. Breaking the girls record — again — she was “satisfied” with the results. Faisal Qadir won the senior boys race. As the Grade 11 and 12 crowds headed up for their races, excited chatter about potential […]

by Dhrubhagat Singh

A Supportive Team

Four intense days with the Tigers at Win Mumby The final practice Nineteen girls huddled around the tiger logo in the center of the gym, all anxious. It was a ritual: to become a Tiger, one must devote herself to the eye of the logo, the eye of the tiger. As Mr. Steve Luukkonen, physical […]

by Chittish Pasbola, staff reporter

Sports Spotlight: Palden Dorji Gonsar

Palden Dorji Gonsar, Class of 2020, said that he abides by the quote: “Don’t aspire to be the best on the team, aspire to be the best for the team” whenever he plays basketball. Gonsar has been an integral part of several basketball teams. He has been part of the inter-school basketball team in fifth […]

by Anirudh Aggarwal, Staff Reporter

Teams finish near top at table tennis tournament

On Sept. 29, Woodstock held its first table tennis tournament, which invited five of the top schools from the region: the Doon School, Aryan School, Kasiga School, St. George’s College, and Wynberg Allen School. “[The tournament] is sort of like a league. Schools play against each other and there are four divisions. Based on how […]

by Victoria Lee

Someone’s suffering is sadder than my own

There is this one person I have come to admire the most. In the beginning, it was quite a challenge to understand her, since we basically spoke different languages. She spoke from the adult world, and I spoke from the short naive life that I lived. However, in the process of getting to know each […]

by Abdul Malik Ansari, staff reporter

Passport renewal a minor step for a new major

“Major or minor?” asked the man at the counter. “Uhh … uh … minor. Oh, sorry, major. Now,” I replied hesitantly, with an answer that left me fumbling with the identification papers in my hand. Left in shock, I could not comprehend the papers in my hand as I started handing out random sheets to […]

by Victoria Lee

Writhing to stop

Breathe in, breathe out. Forcing myself to regulate my air, I put pressure on all of the muscles in my diaphragm, forcing it to contract. I cry out in pain because of the lack of oxygen. Once more, I force myself to breathe properly. I sit in the crowd, letting the words of my homeroom […]

by Archita Aggarwal, staff reporter

Unconsciously crossing the road

Everything froze for a minute. No movement. No sound. My mother had already gone inside the house, while I was still wandering around, looking at the balcony. She was there a couple of seconds ago, talking to me, but now it was just me crossing the road with my brother on the other side, waiting. […]

by Archi Arunima, staff reporter

Why death cannot do us apart

When the 1971 Liberation War was going on in Bangladesh, thousands of young and hot-headed men walked out of their homes. Rising up to fight for the sake of their motherland and their freedom, they were selfless. Amongst the rabble of those men, stood a person who never chased any glory or personal gain, just […]

by Daeun Joo

Bitter conflicts bring sweetness to life

I always thought that I was able to differentiate “true friends” from “just friends.” Yet, an uncomfortable truth dawned upon me in grade eight, which made me realized that I was not able to. Making new friends has always been one of my favourite things, despite the fact that I have struggled so far to identify “true […]

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 […]

by Victoria Lee

Parker Hall transformed into ‘Island’ of songs

The globe lights dim and the crowd simmers down. Everyone’s eyes reach out to the stage, eagerly waiting for the play to start. As a response to their yearning, gods, peasants, and city dwellers creep out one by one, to present the opening night of Once On This Island. A musical, set on a Caribbean […]

by Priyansha Agarwal

People’s experiences of Sadie Hawkins

There was much anticipation for this year’s Sadie Hawkins. The theme was “Secret Garden.” People were all decked, dressed, and ready for the event on a cold October night. Many showed up in beautiful dresses and formal suits with dates or friends by their side. Despite the hype, not everyone had a pleasant experience. Some […]

by Shivaansh Garg

Sadie’s most deftly dressed

“Everybody is beautiful in their own way” is a cliche that accurately describes Sadie Hawkins 2018. With all the attendees looking absolutely stunning, here are some of the best-dressed people. “I liked the idea of it…” “Long and Elegant.” “I needed a dress…” “Unique and Classy.” “Maximalism at its best.” Edited by Nalin Mahajan […]

by Markhamsan Lyndem, staff reporter

Review: Supersize Me

Supersize Me is a 2004 American documentary directed and acted by Morgan Spurlock. In it, he explores the effect that fast food, in particular, food from McDonald’s, one of the largest fast-food chains in the world, has on an individual and on the U.S. community as a whole. Spurlock goes on a 30-day diet that […]

by Navya Sethi

Echoes from English Class: When Breath Becomes Air

A medium for students to pour out their vivid thoughts on the books assigned in their respective English classes, whether it be completely trashing it or applauding it, or something in between. “What makes life worth living in the face of death?” “What do you do when the future, no longer a ladder toward your […]