Month: February 2020

Dance like an Idol – Sem K-Pop Dance Club

By Cosette Zhou ’21

Korean popular music has gained global influence from Blackpink topping iTunes and BTS presenting at the Grammys. Because of K-pop’s cross-culture success, tons of K-pop fans have emerged all around the world, including at Sem. Recently, a group of fans at Sem has brought the eye-catching K-pop dance to campus! 

“K-pop dance has so many benefits that we’ve never realized before,” said one of the leaders of Sem K-Pop Dance Club, Jiayu (Allison) Luo ‘23. “It not only helps more Americans understand South Korean culture but brings happiness as well!” Dance does not only activate the sensory and motor circuits of our brain but also the pleasure centers. Synchronizing our movements with the beat will double our pleasure. But why K-POP DANCE, instead of any other category? When The Opinator asked Allison Luo this question, she gave us an answer from the perspective of the one who not only dances K-pop but other types of dance as well: “In K-Pop Dance Club, you don’t need to worry about your level or skill.” K-Pop Club leaders completed a survey showing that almost every K-pop fan at Sem has no experience but really wants to try the dance. However, the K-pop leaders are confident that everyone in the club will learn and progress together. “In some official dance classes in our school there are level 1 and 2, and sometimes only Level 2 dancers can get great opportunities. This is not gonna happen in the K-pop dance club,” Allison also told us, “because we will always make sure everyone has the same opportunities. If any member feels it is hard to catch up to our pace, we will not ignore her and continue for those who are better, but stop and help her, so that the whole group can dance the most efficiently and beautifully!” 

Also, the pleasure of K-pop dance also comes from how people would normally feel when they are dancing. One of the members of the K-Pop Dance Club, Chi (Callista) Pham ‘23 told us: “I’m always a big fan of K-pop culture, but at first I was not sure whether I could handle the intense K-pop dance. Only after I joined the club and learned the first piece of K-pop dance, I gained so much more confidence in myself.” When dancing K-Pop dance, the club will always be thinking about how K-pop idols dance for their fans. “We always imagine we are the K-pop stars dancing and shining on stage, which makes us dance K-pop so much better than any other dance!” said Callista. 

After Sem K-Pop Dance Club was founded, many students have expressed interest but hesitated because of a lack of dance skill. However, in the first tutorial of K-Pop Dance Club led by Xiaobu (Cosette) Zhou ‘21 on February 21th, all five dancers who attended have learned the chorus choreography of Blackpink Jennie’s solo and memorized all the moves, even though no dancer had prior experience. The K-Pop Dance Club will continue to be inclusive and to bring the best dance and pleasures to the Sem community.

By: Dominica Delayo ’22

You wake up in the morning and look out your window. Everywhere you look, you see white. You check your phone, and – yes! – it’s a snow day! You go back to sleep and spend the rest of the day doing anything you want.

The Opinator recently questioned students on how they spend their snow days. While some people love to sleep until noon and watch Netflix all day, other students use snow days to catch up on all the schoolwork they have been pushing off all week. Others want to spend time catching up with their friends: Gigi Ruggiero ’22 states, “I love snow days because I can get a break from school and hang out with my friend.” 

Some students believe snow days can be both positive and negative. Students can have a fun day off of school, but at the same time, they miss the clubs and games they were supposed to have that day. Max Liu ’21 explains, “Snow days are a good way to catch up on lost sleep and work, but sometimes they impede on scheduled activities.” 

According to students, snow days are also a perfect time to drink hot cocoa and bake cookies. Alyssa Shonk ’22 says her favorite snow day activity is “sleeping until noon and then snuggl[ing] in a blanket next to the fire drinking hot chocolate.” 

Even though we have only had two snow days this term, from what The Opinator can tell, the student body wants more before it is too late. With the term almost ending, spring is just around the corner, but, hopefully, there are many more fun snow days in the future.

By Mya Dobrowolski ’21

In this week’s edition of Faculty Highlights, get to know Russian teacher Mr. Lyvandansky!

Where were you born and raised?

I was born in a town called Leningrad. It was in the Soviet Union or the USSR, but as most Americans say, the CCCP.

 

How long have you been working at Sem?

I started in 1992. I’ve been here for 28 years. 

 

What is your favorite class to teach?

Russian 4, by far. The students are very mature and advanced. They even have some knowledge of Russian that is applicable in the real world when they travel to Russia.

 

What is your favorite football team?

The Cowboys because when I was little, I loved cowboy movies. 

 

If you could be an animal, what animal would you be?

A cat. When I was little, I read a story about a cat who walked by himself. I think Kipling wrote it. 

 

What is your favorite color?

Blue. It’s calm but at the same time warm. 

 

What is one place you’ve always wanted to travel to?

Well, I have traveled everywhere I have wanted to. I wanted to go to Western Europe and I did it. 

 

What is one object that you couldn’t live without?

Tik Tok. I spend hours on it. 

 

What is a quote that you live by?

I believe that everyone should “live, laugh, love.”

 

What is your favorite thing about Sem?

The sense of community here. It’s one big loving family 

 

What is your favorite sport?

Skiing. Love it. 

 

Any plans for summer?

Spend time with the family. I’ll teach my twins how to swim, ride bikes with Leo, and host a lot of BBQs.