Singing its problems away, the NGJCL experimented with its first ever karaoke night. Having toyed with prospective social events for weeks, the executive board settled on a night filled with energy and off-pitch high school kids, electrifying sponsor Mr. Martin’s classroom. Originally planned for the spacious, luxurious, acoustic chorus room, things went awry as the audio and the speakers creased to function. Testing out the sound with the Soviet Union national anthem surprised several passing pedestrians, with such nationalism seldom seen (or heard, rather) within the school boundaries. When, eventually, a defeated executive board decided to abandon ship, the congregation of 35 wide-eyed, eager students migrated across campus to Mr. Martin's room, where the broken air conditioning and the densely saturated air proceeded to inconvenience all who entered. The adverse conditions, however, did little to curb the students' enthusiasm, however, as president Kevin Kim commenced the karaoke session with a few ground rules. There were to be, in order of importance, only the most fire songs (like All Star by Smash Mouth), with only the most clean and innocent lyrics (so as to preserve the purity of the untainted, precious freshmen), and only the most voluminous singing (no soft-spoken mumbling allowed here!). With that dredging, tedious speech out of the way, the karaoke session began with a special rendition of Grenade by Bruno Mars, performed by none other than president Kevin Kim. Three minutes of hoarse screaming later, the NGJCL gave its emotionally distraught, freshly-single president a hand.
Next to perform was a particularly ambitious group of freshmen, belting out the heart-wrenching ballad Too Good at Goodbyes by Sam Smith. Vocalizing with grief and sorrow unheard of in young, inexperienced freshmen, the performance left tears in many eyes. Some five or six songs later, the vice president, Daniel Lee, wooed the hearts of all in attendance by performing Classic by MKTO. Delivering a passionate, irresistible spectacle, Daniel joined the executive board in singing Chandelier by Sia. Such was the volume emanating from the classroom that it is said a tsunami formed off the coast of the Barbados. As the night died down and as the students prepared to say their goodbyes, one final performance stole the stage. Sponsor and famed high-school wrestler Jeremy Martin unleashed his sensitive side, singing Piano Man by Billy Joel. Pouring his heart and soul into the music, Mr. Martin's performance embodied what had been an incredible night.
excitement of the moment. Underclassmen got to enjoy the first ice-skating event with their clubmates while upperclassmen remembered the times they spent in previous years, skating in circles as a member of the NGJCL. Iconic NGJCL pictures were recreated and new memories flourished. As the final minutes of open skating were coming to a close, the fun climaxed as snowballs were made from the ice. Through the pain of falling on the ice, through the high time of racing around the rink, through the joy of creating new lasting memories, the NGJCL spent another great event with each other, this time, on the ice. Though not all got to enjoy the thrill of gliding on the thin layer of water that forms when ice is compressed by the blade of the skate, not a single member was left out in the fun that is always associated with the NGJCL.
KEVIN KIM
Freshmen class valedictorian Sarah Park converses with Mr. Martin’s daughter, Quinn.
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