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by Harivallabhi Ganapathy ('24) SBHS’s Chess Club, a new club that began this school year, was a bigger success than anyone could have imagined. Seniors Om Janamanchi, Ishaan Sinha and Aryan Kashyap, first pitched this idea last year and sent out a Google Form to the school, seeking interest. After an overwhelminging amount of responses, the club was set in place for this year. “My journey with chess started at the age of 10 playing with my dad and, since then, I have loved the game, and when I saw SBHS did not have a Chess Club, I knew I had to make it happen which pushed me for all four years to get this club approved at SBHS,” said Janamanchi. The club’s board includes Janamanchi as president, Kashyap, Sinha, and senior Arya Motukuru as vice presidents and many others. The club’s team, the Viking Chess Team, includes Sinha as captain who leads other players like seniors Vignesh Sarvanakumar and Frederick Rajakumar. In the club, they work through the season and all the competitions. Members of the club practice hard so they can bring home the gold! In terms of accomplishments, the team did amazingly well. The team placed first in the Capablanca Division at the beginning of February and was then named Top 8 Playoffs. From there, the team was awarded the 3rd Place League Championship, a big accomplishment for a club that started this year. Individually, Sinha placed 5th in Place Mid-Season Tourney and 3rd Place 1st-Board LCT. Regarding his placementSinha said, “For me, it just increases my love and passion for the game! For the team and club, it shows that we are a competitive team that can beat anyone on a given day. We’re here to win.” The club also held many events this year to gather more members for the upcoming school year and for fun, especially after a long school day! In December, the club had a Chess Tournament where it was set up as a bracket-style tournament, just like how it usually is for chess tournaments. In this type of tournament, each branch represents a head-to-head matchup between individuals or teams. The winners of each matchup move inward until only two remain at the root to play for the championship. The event was a huge success, with a turnout of 100+ students! The club also had guest speakers from the New Jersey State Chess Federation, President Pete Tamburro and Vice President Anand Mishre, and held a workshop. With the help of these two, the club is planning a grand end-of-year event May 18th, a Chessathon! Everyone and anyone from the South Brunswick community is invited including little kids to adults! There will be mini tournaments and puzzles for everyone to enjoy! The SBHS Chess Club has an exciting future in store of them so look forward to more events and updates from them! Join them next year for a fun-packed and chess filled year! Math teacher Mr. Stephen Trainor said, “I love being advisor of the Chess Club, I think we have had an outstanding year and really appreciate all the support we have received, but truly I do not think Chess Club would be as memorable without the students I work with. They really make me look forward to do this for years to come.”

By Saesha Bhat ('24 Co-Editor-in-Chief) After nine seasons full of numerous achievements and records broken under former coach, Mr. Jeffrey Johnson, the Viking Girls Basketball Team started their 2023-2024 season with a brand new Head Coach, Mr. Ryan Murphy. No one fully understood how the team would play out with Murphy’s arrival, but with the season over after three long months, it is safe to say that the team has nothing to worry about in the future. After leaving his job of eight years, Mr. Murphy was looking for a new opportunity, and the Lady Vikings, who are one of the more accomplished teams in SBHS, posed as a great chance to achieve something amazing. He has been a teacher since 2015, now an English teacher at North Brunswick High School, and was constantly surrounded by sports his entire life, whether it was as a team player or as a coach. He spent some time coaching the Woodbridge Middle School Lady Warriors and the John F. Kennedy Girls Varsity Team before ultimately landing in South Brunswick, where he described he had an “outstanding” season. “Obviously our win-loss record wasn't as great as recent years, but the growth from the beginning of the season to the end was tremendous. We played a very difficult schedule and tested ourselves every day. We had a few crazy buzzer-beaters, an awesome Senior Night game, and nearly went to the Sectional Finals. This season was definitely successful,” he said. Apart from the numerous achievements Murphy was grateful for– defeating Colonia, defeating Monroe twice, and having two game-winning buzzer-beaters– he took note of the more intimate moments that made the team even more enjoyable such as the daily practices, the friendship between the teammates, the long bus rides, and of course, the pregame bagels. He also understood that even the losses, especially the one against Middlesex in the GMC quarterfinals, as frustrating as they are, are necessary to learn and move forward as a team. As for the future, Coach Murphy is determined to continue the Lady Viking’s legacy by encouraging more prospective players and advancing higher than this season could reach, possibly even earning them a photo on the wall. “For the program as a whole, a goal of mine is to establish a yearly summer camp for the younger players in South Brunswick, Kendall Park, and Monmouth Junction to build stronger connections with our youth programs. For the returning players, I really want to get back to the GMC Quarterfinals and avenge this year's loss. I'd like to get back to the Sectional Semifinals and advance to the Finals. We have so much talent in this school and so much support in the community, and I'd like to see us succeed at an even higher level,” he said. Team achievements were not the end of this wonderful season for many players had personal accomplishments that ended their high school careers on a high note. Senior and Co-Captain Meher Vig reached one of the most coveted achievements for a high school basketball player: 1,000 high school career points. She was bestowed this honor at the team’s second Monroe game where balloons, banners, and photographers crowded the room to celebrate her personal win. “Reaching 1,000 career points this season has been an incredible journey that started from the day I stepped on the basketball court. It’s a dream I’ve had since I was a little girl, and I’m extremely fortunate to have amazing teammates, coaches, and parents who’ve supported me to make this possible,” Vig said. Apart from this, Meher had other celebrated achievements such as first in all-time steals, second in all-time games, fourth in all-time points in girls’ basketball, being named to the GMC All-Red Division team, and being selected to the overall All-GMC team. Senior and Co-Captain Leilani Pinder also joins Vig with numerous personal achievements as she joined the 500 career rebounds club at the game against Woodbridge, finishing fifth in all-time rebounds. Some other personal achievements include first in all-time assists, second in all-time steals, being named to the GMC All-Red Division team, and a buzzer-beater that won them the game against Hopewell Valley. Recently, Pinder committed to William Paterson University to continue her basketball career and become an even more accomplished athlete who makes SBHS proud. With four seniors leaving the team this season– Saesha Bhat, Trisha Reddy, Leilani Pinder, Meher Vig– other younger star players are given a chance to follow in their footsteps. Junior Alexis Lease-Springer, who has been a varsity player since freshman year, can make her junior year one for the books. She ends the season with 754 points and averages nine points per game, allowing her the possibility of joining the 1,000 career points club in her senior year. She also was named Second Team All-Red Division. Although injured at the end of the 2022-2023 season, she made herself a promising team player this season through her killer defense and “clutch” threes. Lease-Springer said, ”I am feeling very thrilled going into my senior year of basketball because I will be back even better now from my injury that happened a year ago. I know what I will do or accomplish for next season and hope to achieve most of my goals. I am hoping to accomplish getting my 1000 [career points] and winning a state championship with my team or GMC finals too.” Although moving forward without major players on the team, there is no doubt that the Lady Vikings will be able to achieve just as great accolades. With a fresh coach dedicated to making the program better and a team with prospective star players, the team’s future looks very optimistic. Congratulations to the team’s exceptional 2023-2024 season!

by Manahil Zulfiqar ('26) Interested in Biology or Medicine and want to experience being a doctor? The Biomedical Futures Club has got that covered with their project, Case X which is a group project that allows students to become doctors and diagnose real-life patients. This project is a hands-on experience, where students form groups and work together from November to May, each year. Throughout those months, they get a new patient and work to diagnose them. On each video or graphic organizer that a group submits, the more points they get! BioMed board member & sophomore Harshitha Vijayshankar said that Case X is good for students who plan to pursue a career in medicine. Case X revolves around medical diagnoses and conditions and how a patient can get diagnosed. Students can also just learn how doctors work with their patients and how they figure out diagnoses for different patients. “It gives them the opportunity to view different diagnoses, as well as see how conditions can present differently in individuals depending on their age, gender, and/or other factors,” said Vijayshankar. Students don’t see or “meet” a patient in person. They see a patient in a unique way online. Vijayshankar said “Students see videos of real-life patients through a platform called OnlineMedEd. They get information on past medical history, symptoms, medication use, and other relevant data necessary to make an accurate diagnosis.” OnlineMedEd is a global medical education platform where medical students can watch videos and lectures to help with exams and medical education. With the amount of information and resources it has, OnlineMedEd is a great source for students participating in Case X. As students gather points throughout their work in Case X, they can also win additional points at the end of the year at Case X night and win the whole Case X. BioMed club advisor Mrs. Courtney Kestner said, “By the end of the year teams have rankings based on their score.  They put their knowledge to the test at Case X Night where they compete with other teams to diagnose patients based on the information they learned through the year.  The winners receive a grand prize.” Case X is also beneficial for students who genuinely want to become involved in the club and apply for a board position. “Case X is a great opportunity for BioMed members who may be interested in a leadership position because it shows that they are genuinely interested in learning more about biology and medicine. It shows commitment to our club values including teamwork, discipline and creativity,” said Mrs. Kestner. All in all, BioMed’s Case X is an innovative way for future medical students to get the experience of being a doctor and to get involved in the club more. “The best thing about Case X is getting to see future doctors in action,” said Mrs. Kestner.

Features Enjoy articles about students, teachers, alumni and more! Harivallabhi Ganapathy ('24) a few seconds ago 3 min SBHS’s Chess Club Third Place Win and Many More Accomplishments to Wrap The Season 0 0 Post not marked as liked Viking Vibe Staff Jan 31 2 min Empower Her 56 1 7 likes. Post not marked as liked 7 Viking Vibe Staff Dec 18, 2023 3 min Making Dancing Reels On Instagram Isn’t The Way To Fame But Crocheting Is! 104 1 3 likes. Post not marked as liked 3 Saesha Bhat ('24) Nov 14, 2023 4 min Jai Patel: SBHS Football Alumni Kicks off His Career at Rutgers 107 1 4 likes. Post not marked as liked 4 Harivallabhi Ganapathy ('24) Nov 3, 2023 2 min Sports Trinity: the organization that aspires to make everyone and anyone an athlete 66 1 3 likes. Post not marked as liked 3 Harshini Dinesh (‘23) Jun 12, 2023 3 min Thank You Mr. Diggs! Wishing You The Best Retirement. 66 1 3 likes. Post not marked as liked 3 Saesha Bhat ('24) Apr 25, 2023 4 min The Effects of CO2 on Cognition - Research by Victor Peng 114 1 2 likes. Post not marked as liked 2 Viking Vibe Staff Mar 17, 2023 3 min Checking out the Future Educator's Association Club! 91 2 5 likes. Post not marked as liked 5 Viking Vibe Staff Jan 26, 2023 4 min SBHS Class of 1976 Alumnus Actress: Karen Kahn 141 0 8 likes. Post not marked as liked 8 1 2 3

Career Articles Viking Vibe Staff Dec 14, 2023 2 min 21st Century Careers: Teacher of the Deaf 51 1 6 likes. Post not marked as liked 6 Viking Vibe Staff Dec 11, 2021 2 min 21st Century Careers: Physical Therapy 161 0 3 likes. Post not marked as liked 3 Viking Vibe Staff Dec 11, 2021 2 min 21st Century Careers: School Psychologist 97 0 2 likes. Post not marked as liked 2 Viking Vibe Staff Dec 11, 2021 2 min 21st Century Careers: Guidance Counselor 139 1 2 likes. Post not marked as liked 2 Viking Vibe Staff Dec 11, 2021 2 min 21st Century Careers: Biochemical Engineer 68 0 1 like. Post not marked as liked 1 Viking Vibe Staff Dec 11, 2021 2 min 21st Century Careers: Software Developer 78 0 2 likes. Post not marked as liked 2 Viking Vibe Staff Dec 11, 2021 3 min 21st Century Careers: Prosecutor 57 0 1 like. Post not marked as liked 1 Viking Vibe Staff Dec 11, 2021 3 min 21st Century Careers: Forensic Science 79 0 1 like. Post not marked as liked 1 Viking Vibe Staff Dec 11, 2021 3 min 21st Century Careers: Trauma Surgeon 88 0 2 likes. Post not marked as liked 2 1 2

Sports The Viking Vibe 's take on what is happening with Sports in the South Brunswick community and New Jersey Saesha Bhat ('24) 7 days ago 4 min Vikings Girls Basketball: A Triumphant Start to a New Era 46 1 5 likes. Post not marked as liked 5 Viking Vibe Staff Nov 19, 2023 2 min SB Boys' Soccer Team Plays the GMCs Against Monroe 48 1 2 likes. Post not marked as liked 2 Saesha Bhat ('24) Jan 23, 2023 2 min The Girls' Basketball Foul Shot Marathon 39 1 1 like. Post not marked as liked 1 Viking Vibe Staff Dec 10, 2021 3 min For The First Time In NJ: High School Girls Wrestling 205 0 Post not marked as liked Harshini Dinesh (‘23) Dec 10, 2021 2 min Go Get Your Goalie! 114 0 Post not marked as liked Gabriela Parker and Juliana Scannelli ('23) Nov 22, 2021 3 min We are Vikings! 103 0 3 likes. Post not marked as liked 3 Viking Vibe Staff Mar 29, 2020 1 min Cheer Team Dominates Their Nationals in Florida 59 0 1 like. Post not marked as liked 1 Viking Vibe Staff Mar 29, 2020 3 min Mic Drop: Students Announce at Football Game for the First Time 47 0 2 likes. Post not marked as liked 2 Viking Vibe Staff Jan 29, 2020 3 min Cross Country Girls Continue Winning Streak 122 0 Post not marked as liked 1 2