Nov 27th - Dec 1st
A Review of Anne Frank: The Play and An Opinion On the Controversial Age Difference
Janni Rich White, 11/29/23
In the week back from Thanksgiving break, University Preparatory’s drama department put on the play The Diary of Anne Frank. Most of the student body attended the play on Thursday night and gave collective reactions throughout every scene of the play. The production had good casting, each student playing their role perfectly and the stage crew helping to execute the play into an enjoyable and educational night. Thursday night the play was also filmed by film club. What really added to the quality of the play was the audience’s reaction and engagement. The only negative comment about the night was the lack of quality in the microphones, making some parts hard to hear and leading to some confusion in plot. Although, perhaps the most controversial topic of the night was the age difference between Peter Van Daan and Anne Frank.
The real Anneleis "Anne" Marie Frank in May 1942, two months before her family went into hiding.
In the first act of the play it’s revealed that Anne and Peter have a age difference of nearly three years. It’s obvious from the beginning that there is meant to be a spark between the two, but the audience gives mixed reactions as the time of the play was 1942-44, when Peter was 15-17 and Anne was 13-15.
In the second act, Anne is in Peter’s room when they kiss. This receives screams from the audience and shock because of the pairs’ age difference. The kiss historically happened on April 15, 1944, making Anne 14 years old and Peter 17 years old, resulting in an unappealing feeling to many in the audience as it would be the equivalent of an 8th/9th grader being together with a 11th/12th grade. While I agree that the age difference was a bit strange for our time, the deeper meaning that can be found in their love also deserves special attention.
Peter Van Daan was Anne Frank’s first boyfriend, her first kiss. In living in solidarity from the outside world and from fear of being put to death based on who they were, Peter and Anne are able to build a deep connection amidst a war torn setting. Even if their age differences were off putting, their story of being able to be together in (even if it was out of proximity or solidarity due to the war) is heartwarming when you think about the fact that Anne was able to live like a normal teenager through him, in first loves and first kisses, since both never lived to see past eighteen.
Our Loved Local:
A Jaguars Favorite End of the Day Visit
Joanna Vance, 11/27/23
After a long day full of paperwork, writing, and possibly tests, a good cool-down could be the best part of the day. Every Jaguar knows the ice cream truck that comes almost everyday, but who really knows the person who runs it? Our Local ice cream man is dearly loved as he provides a smile on each face.
The Man Behind the Smiles
Behind all the love for the provided treats, is the provider himself. With such a kind heart and amazing work, our ice cream man makes sure to have all the options and keeps up with his customers.
Stated that "Being an ice cream man isn't my only job, but it is my favorite because I enjoy seeing people smile and making kids days brighter". Seeing that ice cream brings people together, having this job for our ice cream man is a fun experience
With a variety of not only different ice creams but also different candies and snacks, students are able to freely choose what they want to snack on. Our ice cream man has great memory so he continues to get what us Jaguars like to make sure we get what we want.
A Loyal Favorite
The interaction between student and man can make a great connection, even when it is least expected.
Our ice cream man has seemed to make a friendship with one of the students. It started off as just a buy for Takis but as visits continued, conversations grew. Our Ice cream man said Enzo Rafael Pabellano, Grade 8, is his " favorite loyal customer" as he has bought from him for a very long time.
Being a very friendly kid, Enzo said the ice cream man is one of his best friends as he has made such a good connection with him. "I've been going since last school year and for the most part, I buy Takis. I go every time hes here now not only to get a treat but to talk to him too. Hes such a nice man".
These visits aren't just purchases but are also the key to the smiles, and great friendships. Enzo now talks to our ice cream man with every chance he gets and lets him know he appreciates the work that he does.
Enzo Rafael Pabellano, Grade 8, by Joanna Vance
Being kind to everyone around is a important thing to do and can help with many things. Whether youre going out for a treat or just want to make a quick stop, taking a moment to appreciate the person can really change the way the connection is and can lead to a really good story. It is said to be that our ice cream man is also stocking up on new items and more Takis for Enzo.
University Prep Celebrates Thanksgiving with Heartwarming Toy Drive and Dinner
Bryanna Villalpando, 11/27/23
In a spirit of gratitude and community, Aja Jarvis and the lunch staff at University Prep recently organized a Thanksgiving Toy Drive and dinner that brought students, faculty, and staff together to make a meaningful impact. The toy drive was the first time University Prep students were asked to participate. As the campus buzzed with anticipation, the initiative aimed to spread joy and support to those in need during the holiday season.
The event kicked off with a heartfelt assembly, where students were inspired to contribute to the cause. The drive had a focus, encouraging participants to donate toys. The goal was not only to provide a warm meal for families but also to bring smiles to the faces of children who may be facing challenging circumstances.
Students enthusiastically brought in toys ranging from stuffed animals to educational games, ensuring a diverse array of options for children of all ages.
One of the most heartening aspects of the drive was the amount of volunteer time UP’s staff put into this drive. They not only facilitated the collection process but also took the initiative in making a dinner for these families.
As the collection period drew to a close, the University Prep community gathered once again for a celebratory event. The distribution of the donations ensured that families in need experienced the warmth of the holiday season, fostering a sense of unity and compassion within the broader community.
Reflecting on the success of the initiative, the University Prep administration expressed their pride in the students' commitment to community service. The Thanksgiving Toy Drive and dinner stands as a testament to the power of collective action, demonstrating that even a small act of kindness can have a profound impact on the lives of others. As University Prep marks this season of gratitude and giving, the Thanksgiving Toy Drive and Dinner serves as a shining example of how a school community can come together to make a positive and lasting impact on the world around them.
Girls Varsity Soccer Game
Caleb Frederick, 11/28/23
The Girls Varsity Soccer Game that took place on November 14 was their first game of the season. The girls soccer team was able to take the win with the score of 3-5. There were contributions from the entire team in the game and a lot of players played extremely well for one of the most intense games of the season. Not only did the entire team play well but they were able to make an amazing comeback in the second half. The girls soccer game established amazing chemistry with the players and excitement for the rest of the season of playing together.
With this amazing performance in this game the team grew even more chemistry together and confidence as a team. One of the players on the team is a freshmen named Serenity Murphy and she said this about the performance of the team, "I think we did pretty great for being our first time playing together", and she also stated, "Krystal was great because she got every ball that went in the air or that was in the middle, she would recover the ball really quickly and that helped us a lot., Ryan got pushed around a lot but she stayed on her feet and managed to score and she had great footwork." This game was truly a very eventful one to watch and came down to the wire and brought the team closer as well.
Girls Varsity Basketball Game
Caleb Frederick, 11/28/23
The Girls Varsity Basketball Game that took place on November 17th was amazing. The team was able to pull off a 20 point lead win against a very tuff opponent. After the tough losses the prior game it was nice to see a high scoring game by the entire team. There were lots of amazing performances from the entire team and players like Stella and Aubrey still making huge differences for the team. They were both able to score tough shots to keep momentum for not just themselves but the team as well. There were also a lot of contributions on the defensive end as well with multiple stops and rebounds on both the defensive and offensive end.
The key players in this game were Stella who made a multiple three pointers and was able to get inside the paint and draw fouls and get to the free throw line. There was also Aubrey who landed two three pointers and had multiple assists, not to mention on the deffensve end she had multiple stops, a block, and multiple rebounds that led to points on the other end. The bench of the team also did an excellent job of maintaining the lead throughout the game and secure the win. Overall an excellent performance by everyone on the team and an excellent game.
