The following stories first appeared in The Viking Saga, the student-run newspaper at East Lyme High School. The Lyme Times has recently forged a partnership with students in Jeff Beale’s journalism class to publish select pieces from each of the Saga’s editions through the end of the year.

Aditya Kabra wins plaudits for his community service and gpa

By ADAM DICKIE

Special to the Times

A $20,000 Coca-Cola Scholarship regional finalist, accepted Yale University student, recipient of a full ride scholarship to UConn, senior class treasurer ... those are just the top three lines of the resume.

Rumored to have the highest grade point average in school history, senior Aditya Kabra has exceeded any and all expectations that were set out for him.

Up to 100,000 students across the country apply for the Coca-Cola scholarship every year, but only 150 are selected.

“It’s a scholarship based on leadership and achievement within a certain field of interest … I selected a combined field of interest of both applied mathematics and biology,” Kabra said.

Mathematics has been a key part of his success dating back to early middle school where he was a member of competitive math teams. Excelling within our school’s math programs has shown colleges and those who consider scholarships that he has both talent and passion for the subject.

“He’s extremely dedicated. There was a colleague that used to work here that has since retired who said that when he first came in he was like an excited puppy, and that’s how he was in the beginning … he’s still that way four years later. He still has that excitement. As far as Math League goes, not only is he that excited, but he really wants other people to be successful and excited with him,” math teacher Lynne Hansen said.

Kabra’s success and dedication to his craft is one of the many reasons he was accepted into Yale University. He is waiting to hear back from all his potential schools before making a decision. It is still immensely impressive he accomplished this feat.

“Location definitely played a big role; Yale is close to home. It gives you that sense of independence, but if you ever need your parents for anything, they’re close. I felt like it was that perfect medium in some sense. Yale is also in a very underserved community. So I also saw that as an opportunity to extend some of my volunteering initiatives over there because it’s so close and nearby and it does have very similar circumstances to New London County in general,” Kabra said.

Kabra has racked up countless hours of volunteer work between the LEO Club, NHS, ELHS senate, and other opportunities that he has taken advantage of. He cares about the EL community and the surrounding communities. He doesn’t volunteer just to meet a requirement. He wants to make an impact.

“He sets a great example with his dedication to his community, his honesty, and his kindness. He truly is the model student,” senior class president Riley Walsh said. “When I’m having a bad day, he lifts me up with his positive energy and I gravitate towards it and appreciate it.

Get Educated with Cultural Awareness Club

By KYLEE JOHNSTON

Special to the Times

The Cultural Awareness Club is made up of students dedicated to educating people on racial equity.

“The purpose is to talk to teachers and younger kids to make sure they are aware of all of the disparities that are happening within the community,” junior and Cultural Awareness co-president Kenya Greene said. By educating younger people, these problems won’t continue to occur as they get older.

“During our meetings, we are thinking of ideas of things we can do to diversify the school and make everyone more openminded and accepting,” sophomore and club co-president Maheera Hassan said. Recently the club gave a presentation to the staff about microaggressions. Microaggressions are a serious matter and most trauma comes from your childhood, according to Greene. Since the pandemic, they haven’t been able to do much. Before COVID, though, they would put on events such as culture night, when people from different cultures and ethnicities come and make food, dress up, and talk. In the future, they hope to do a movie night or a food truck festival.

“The most important aspect about this club is to make sure people feel represented, have a voice, and make sure someone is looking out for them,” Greene said.

Victoria Thomson, club adviser, said she had to apply to be the adviser but was glad to do it. It is a very student-driven club, but she still helps out when needed.

All three said this can be a low commitment club and they encourage everyone to join. Every person who joins makes a difference, even if they aren’t the most upstanding people. Even if they don’t have prior experience with social justice, all are encouraged to join.

EL supports Ukraine through Week of Giving

By FIONA SAMUELSON

Special to the Times

Superintendent Jeffrey Newton approved a district-wide effort to raise funds for the humanitarian crisis affecting Ukrainian citizens as they seek refuge from Russian conflict in surrounding countries. The goal of this Week of Giving this month is to raise cash funds through donations.

“We’ll give the money we make to two or three reliable, reputable, and established organizations that already have the means and procedures to help people and just need the funds,” Latin teacher and effort organizer Cheri Meier said.

At ELHS, about 10 clubs and societies including the Red Cross Club and the Rotary Club will facilitate coin drives during lunch waves. The National Honor Society will also raise funds with a movie night and donate proceeds to the effort. Heart shaped yard signs with the Ukrainian flag will be sold to raise additional funds.

While themed days like pajama day haven’t been confirmed, organizers were hopeful the week will look similar to a Spirit Week.

“I see this as being bigger than the high school and reaching the whole community. If you’re wondering ‘what do I do,’ donate and participate,” Ms. Meier said.

EL fencing teams foil others’ dreams of winning ECCs

By WILL DUMOND

Special to the Times

In fencing, men’s foil and epee won the Division 1 conference and overall, and were crowned as ECC champs. Men’s epee, another category of fencing, won overall as well.

On the women’s side, the foil team came away in second in the division while the epee squad won the Div. 1 conference. Needless to say, EL men’s and women’s foil and epee showed southeastern Connecticut who is boss.

“We had so many new fencers join this season and they improved so much. One of our men’s foil novices even won the novice tournament,” co-captain of the women’s foil team Cora Muschinsky said. Benji Tan absolutely dominated for mens’ foil this season, going undefeated for the second straight season. These wins led to a dominant season in fencing.