Bringing Down the House (Points)
With Student Council’s introduction of the house system, students compete in activities to earn points and bring glory to their respective houses. As of time of publication, Athena holds the lead with an astonishing 1405 points! Apollo and Poseidon currently find themselves nearly neck-and-neck as Artemis falls behind. Upcoming competitions will allow for point gains; although your spirits may flag, do not lose hope!
Behind the Scenes of Spotlight’s A Million Dreams
Showcasing student talent and creativity, the 2022 Spotlight production, A Million Dreams, an homage to Disney’s The Greatest Showman, sold out almost every night this weekend.
Seniors Vicky Townsend, Chiara Galli, Lucas Balloni, Eira Torras, and Daria Anichtchenkova stole the show with their incredible acting coupled with stellar song and dance. Rave reviews abounded, with audience members lauding “Never Enough” (sung by Vicky) and “Saturday Night’s Alright” (sung by Mimi Newland) in particular. Twelfth grader Philippe Chornet agrees, adding “This year’s Spotlight performance was the best one yet. Everyone was so enthusiastic and cheerful, and it was so fun to watch!”
For many performers, actors, and stagehands, including Chiara Galli, “Spotlight is more than just a show, it’s a family that has given me such memorable experiences. The time, love, and passion that is put into it is what makes it so special and exciting. I’m so proud of The Greatest Showman this year and I couldn’t have asked for a better last performance. Reflecting upon the nostalgic experience of her final show, Eira Torras shares that forming part of Spotlight whether both onstage and backstage enables students to become part of a supportive whole in which initially overwhelming obstacles may be collaboratively surmounted. Says Vicky Townsend, “I think the directors of Spotlight Productions approach each show with so much love and an open mind to adapt the musical to our abilities, that they end up bringing the best out of everyone and train us to always put our best abilities forward with confidence. This creates a family bond not only with students and directors, but students with students, because it’s such a beautiful feeling to grow and put yourself out there and feel uncomfortable at times with a group of people, and it really does bond us all.”
Congratulations again to all of the actors, musicians, and stage crew including Vicky Townsend, Lucas Balloni, Eira Torras, Sofia Skeen, Catalina Raventos, Alba Pardos, Mimi Newland, Guille Muntadas-Prim, Maria Martinez, Emma Miranda, Mila Lacombe, Vaidehi Jatia, Rosa Guillen, Chiara Galli, Julia Cummins, James Brugal, Daria Anichtchenkova, Sofiia Shchubelka, Sofia Kragsterman, Daria Sidorova, Geya Ling Bu, Matilda Marcktell, Halia Simon, Andrea Fernandez, and Julia Requena!
Student Body Fundraisers and Volunteer Work for Ukraine
Especially in trying times, the ASB student body and community rises above expectations to aid those in need. At the suggestion of representative Josh Thompson, the Student Council will be selling yellow-and-blue ribbons in solidarity with Ukraine in the coming weeks. Each ribbon will cost 5 euros, with 100% of the proceeds going towards humanitarian aid in Ukraine. This fundraiser joins the commendable initiative begun by seniors Shaine Borukhovich and Katya Gorshunova as well as juniors Elisabeth Van Meer and Zachary Freer, who organized a donation drive (an exhaustive list of the supplies requested by the Ukrainian consulate may be obtained here). To further raise both funds and awareness, ASB has also partnered with the UNHCR to directly provide humanitarian aid in Ukraine and has set up a donation link for this endeavor.
Biden Their Time: StuCo Elections
As a changing of the guard looms, Student Council has begun preparing the polls for next week’s Executive Board elections. With a large number of applicants, ASB plays host to numerous aspiring leaders and politicians! Results will be announced on Wednesday, April 6th during the StuCo hosted high school assembly. Stay tuned to StuCo’s Instagram, @asb.stuco, for immediate updates.
The Lynx Den: Sporting Events
ASB’s Cadete volleyball team emerged victorious against the league’s top team, Mary Ward School, with a final score of 3 to 2. Captain Dvir Zioni notes the team’s overall improvements since the beginning of the year: “The game really proved how well our team does when we work together and encourage one another; we went from an almost immediate loss starting with 2-0 to winning three consecutive sets.”
Although ASB’s Juvenil team suffered a loss against Escola Súnion, the girls remain undaunted and cannot wait to return to the court post-spring break to resume their winning streak!
On Friday, April 1, ASB’s girl’s basketball team played against Infant Jesús and lost, 57-37. Outstanding moments included a liquid three-pointer from junior (and Blue & Read reporter) Giulia Schuster.
Furthermore, ASB looks forward to hosting the IBERIA basketball tournament for the Juvenil and Cadete boys’ basketball teams on Thursday and Friday (April 3rd to April 4th). This year’s Juvenil roster includes powerhouses such as Elouan Tokmak, Max Albinson, John Donahower, Darius Caland, Alex Volchok, Alejandro Whitehair, Iñaki Berberana, Pau Bertran, Pablo Alcaide, Fahim Hussain, Nikita Shikov, Josh Anderson, Liam Loftus, Jan Nevid, and Alp Sarici. The Cadete roster contains outstanding players including Lucas Saad, Kevin Kraemer, Alex Toppenberg, Alex Morales, Andrew Jenkins, Seif Akingbade, Hudson Fellman, Alican Cebi, Maxim Rogoff, Nico Cano, Rafael Horta, Paul Raunig, Erin Rubin, and Enzo Farinha.
Captain Josh Anderson, a senior at ASB, shared his thoughtful insights on the tournament and the team’s prospects: “We are very fortunate to have some of the most amazing coaches and committed team members. I am confident in my teammates, and believe that we will triumph in the IBERIA tournament just as we did at the ESC tournament recently.” Students and teachers, bring your school spirit and be sure to come to the New Gym during morning recess and high school lunch on Thursday and Friday to cheer on Lynx athletics. We look forward to ASB delivering a crushing victory; best wishes to all the players! Make sure to follow @asbbasketball on Instagram for play-by-play details.
Both the ASB boys’ and girls’ soccer teams are additionally participating in the IBERIA tournament in Salou on Thursday and Friday this week. The boys’ high school team boasts players such as Adam Basca, Francisco Aires de Sousa, Lucas Puigjaner, Lucas De Paula Ferreira, Andres Michel, Antonio Olserrati, David Sakal, Carl Von Ehren, Pascal Bonifacie, Moises Sakal, Matti Schifferer, Grant Shell, Cooper Shell, Basile Pozzi, Luca Jorritsma, Victor Setoain, and Jiaqi Tang. The girls’ team comprises the talented Mia Haanraadts, Sofia Kurt, Anais Palmero, Noa Pupkin, Zion Natarajan. Lena Boisseau, Eloise Franz, Mila Lacombe, Clara Escayola, and Sophia Agudo.
Not for the Paint of Heart: IB Art Exhibition
Come support extraordinarily prolific ASB seniors (including Blue & Read reporter Lisa Heikkinen as well as Kim Boisseau, Isabel Rodriguez, Chiara Galli, Celia Pelaez, Sofia Rubinchik, Maria Ji, Daria Anichtchenkova, Nalin Mattig, and Anastassiya Marchenko) as they display the fruits of their artistic labor at the IB Art Exhibition, opening April 6th at 17:30 located at the Nauart Gallery (C. Espronceda 154).
Will You Make the Cut? BISA Talent Show
On April 21 at 18:00, ASB will virtually host the BISA talent show in which eight different schools including BFIS, Bon Soleil, BC Gavà, BSB Castelldefels, ESAS, Deutsche Schule Barcelona, and SEK. The proceeds of this year’s talent show will be donated to the UNHCR Refugee Association. Interested in sharing your talents with a wider audience or helping organize the event? Contact student coordinators Nicholas Mifsud and Maria Martinez or faculty coordinator Ms. Bronwyn!
Diversely talented and incredibly driven, the ASB student body comprises a spirited, vibrant, and creative community. We look forward to the upcoming tournaments and eagerly await ASB victories on all fronts. To paraphrase Mr. Pingitore, “Goooooooooo Lynx Lynx Lynx!!”
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