Hastings Happenings - January 25, 2024

January 25, 2024

Winter Chorus Concert Wows Hillside Families

Led by new Music Teacher and Hastings alumnus Doug Friedman, third and fourth graders at Hillside Elementary School recently performed their Winter Chorus Concert for their parents.

Smiling and standing tall on choral risers in the front of the Multipurpose room, students were accompanied by Hillside's Occupational Therapist Anna Marie Epstein on the Kongos and Choral Activities Director Jon Riss on the piano. Two children were assigned to introduce each song using a microphone. One of the songs was Randall Thompson's "Velvet Shoes," which paints the picture of walking through soft snow in winter. Another was Katy Perry's "Firework."

"It means the world to me to support your children's music-making," Friedman said to families in his opening remarks.

For the entire concert, students reached for the stars, danced and confidently belted out all the lyrics, making their parents and their teachers very proud.

A Conversation with Jacob Goldman-Wetzler and

Justin Baldassarre, 2024 Regeneron Scholars

It was recently announced that two Hastings High School seniors–Justin Baldassare and Jacob Goldman-Wetzler–were named Scholars in this year's Regeneron Science Talent Search.

Communications Associate Jackie Saviano spoke with the two Scholars to learn more about their research projects, inspiration, and future plans. Last week's Hastings Happenings featured part one: her conversation with Baldassare.

This week, we feature part two: a conversation with the second Regeneron Scholar Jacob Goldman-Wetzler on his project "Investigating the Impact of Optimal Flashcard Creation Principles on Memory."

How did you learn about Regeneron’s Science Talent Search (STS)? What was the application process like?

I learned about the Science Talent Search through my Science Research class. Ms. Shandroff encouraged me to apply. The application process was long with lots of questions to write answers to. Some parts were fun, like

describing my aspirations as a future scientist.

Can you explain your project in simple terms?

My project titled "Investigating the Impact of Optimal Flashcard Creation Principles on Memory" had two parts:

I created an algorithm to automate the process of making computerized flashcards.
I tested different ways of making flashcards and found that flashcards using Piotr Wozniak's principles of optimal flashcard creation do work better, which is the first time that these principles have been empirically validated. In the future, this could help make flashcards and spaced repetition, a method of reviewing material at systematic intervals, more accessible.

What inspired you to focus your project on this topic?

Over the past few years, I have gotten really interested in spaced repetition memory systems. I've used them to dramatically reduce the time I study for tests and learn material for school. This made me want to study them further. Making the flashcards took up the most time for me, and so I wondered if I could automate it. The desire to create automated, optimal flashcards is what led to my project.

Do you have any advice for students who are interested in the STS?

I'd recommend filling out the application, even if it looks like a lot. The expected value of filling it out is high and you never know if you will be selected. It's okay to fill it out fast just to get your name in the pot. Don't let the need for perfection be your enemy.

What are your plans after high school?

Unless I find something better to do, I’ll probably go to college. After that, I want to help align superintelligent AI systems.

If you could have a conversation with a scientist, alive or deceased, who would it be?

I'd talk to physicist Richard Feynman. I've read his book Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman! so many times. He has taught me a great deal of life lessons and I would love to talk to him and learn more.

Please join us as we congratulate both Jacob and Justin on such a prestigious achievement.

Writing, Casting, Acting & Directing: Hastings High Schoolers Can Do It All!

On Thursday, January 11, and Friday, January 12, high schoolers in Hastings Theatre Program performed the Third Annual High School One Acts, a collection of short comedy scenes adapted from shows like Saturday Night Live that are directed, crewed, acted, and overseen entirely by students.

Equally as impressive as the show, which had audience members falling out of their seats with laughter, was the $2,400 raised for the Hastings Food Pantry and the Hillside Woods Restoration Project.

“A big thank you to Ms. Udice for her invaluable help and support, Mr. Adipietro, Ms. Hardesty, Dr. McKersie, Dr. Szymanski, and Ms. Saviano,” said Co-director Erik Ghalib. “We're so grateful for your support of the One Acts and the Theatre Program as a whole.”

Read reflections below from Co-directors Erik Ghalib, Lionel Muench, and Frances Kastner.

"Thanks to the work of our amazing cast, crew, and directors, the third-ever fully student-run High School One Acts was a huge success! This year, the show involved more than ninety students, three teacher actors, an elementary schooler, and a dog. And because of the incredible support of the Hastings community, we were able to raise over $2,400 for the Hastings Food Pantry and the Hillside Woods Restoration Project. Lionel and I are sad to be saying goodbye to the show, but we know that it will be in great hands next year with Franny Kastner and Isaac Volpe as co-directors."

-Ghalib

"It has been an amazing three years and that is because of the help of our endlessly supportive teachers, the trusting administration, faculty and staff, and our wonderful directors, cast and crew. We could not have asked for a better group of people to put on this show. It is thanks to them that we were able to put this show on and raise this money. I'm excited to see One Acts continue to grow long after our years at Hastings."

-Muench

"The One Acts is a great space for students to put on a show of their own, as this is the only fully student-run production offered at the school! It gives students the large

responsibility of working together as a whole cast and crew. Along with being incredibly helpful mentors to me throughout the past two years, Lionel and Erik have made the show such a welcoming space where everybody feels comfortable. This is especially true and often a difficult task in a show where students are being directed/managed by their peers."

-Kastner

Hillside Students Get a VIP Shopping Experience at the PTSA's Annual Used Book Fair

Hillside's elementary schoolers have a chance to shop early at the PTSA's Annual Used Book Fair this week.

Today, the children scurried throughout the small gym with their classmates. Mountains of books, donated entirely by district families, laid on various tables thoroughly sorted by genre. There was even an area to buy puzzles.

"You've got a lot of books there!" Communications Associate Jackie Saviano said to one student.

Popping out from behind a pile of books, the student said, "I have a whole 20 dollars, I'm buying as many as I can!"

More coverage about this community-driven, decades-long tradition will be provided in next week's Hastings Happenings.

The money raised from this year’s Family Carnival will be going directly into classrooms. Grant applications were submitted by district educators and awarded to all three schools.

Click here to read a recent letter from SEPTA, which includes the list of grants.