• November 28Welcome back to school! The newsroom has reopened—stay tuned for future updates.
The student news site of Brimmer and May School | Chestnut Hill, MA

The Gator
AAPI Club Presidents Hebe Qiang 23 and Madeline Hsiao 23 pose.
Fall Marks Record Number Student-Run Clubs
November 15, 2022
Quizlet, one of the most-downloaded apps on the App Store, now includes a paywall.
Changes to Quizlet Cause Frustration
November 15, 2022
Nico Jaffer Wins NSPA Sports Story of the Year
Nico Jaffer Wins NSPA Sports Story of the Year
November 13, 2022
A student poses in front of the Taj Mahal during Winterim 2019. Photo courtesy of the School.
Community Members Anticipate Winterim’s Return
November 1, 2022
Poster design by Leni Hicks-Dutt 23.
Get Ready to Fly with ‘Peter and the Starcatcher’
November 1, 2022
Zak Adler 23, who recently recovered from COVID-19, returns to school with a mask on. Masks are more a common sight in the hallways this week.
‘Alive and Well in the Community’: COVID-19 Cases Continue
September 22, 2022
Prices have fluctuated on online shopping sites like Amazon. Photo purchased at BigStock.com
Op-Ed: The Supply Chain Crisis is Not Over
June 3, 2022
School Nurse Beth Escobar takes care of students and adults alike here. She hands a COVID-19 test to second grade teacher Angela Park.
School Sees Uptick in COVID-19 Cases
May 2, 2022
Zak Adler 23 and Alison Rimas 23 walk down a one-way hallway last year, one of many health restrictions we have moved past since the start of the pandemic.
March 12: A Day to Define Our Generation
March 12, 2022
Photo illustration purchased at BigStock.com
Op-Ed: COVID-19’s Impact on Teenagers is Deeper Than You Think
March 12, 2022
Poster courtesy of Michaeli.
Environmental Club to Host Laura Turner-Seydel
November 9, 2022
The Upper School band performs during the event.
Sun Shines for Harvest Fest
November 4, 2022
Photos courtesy of Brimmer and May School.
Kassim ’24, Williams ’23, Altschul ’25 Elected to Senate E-Board
May 23, 2022
Gator Wins NESPA Awards
Gator Wins NESPA Awards
May 12, 2022
Ugo Adiele 23, Enyi Adiele 24, Dieter Gartner 22, and Ray Park 22 play a song.
Band, Choirs Perform Spring Concert
May 2, 2022
A young Esports participant competes in Chinas Summer League of Legends playoff.
Op-Ed: As ESports Booms, Opportunity Looms
November 29, 2022
Just Stop Oil protestors threw soup onto a $110 million painting by Vincent Van Gough.
Op-Ed: We Need Climate Legislation, Not Distraction
November 28, 2022
Maura Healey poses during her 2013 campaign for Massachusetts Attorney General.
Op-Ed: Governor-Elect Healey’s Win Makes State History
November 23, 2022
Papas sports signature jersey in front of net. Photo provided by Papas.
Op-Ed: Outgoing Goalie Reflects on Final Season
November 17, 2022
J. K. Rowling has been the source of recent controversy for her comments on gender identity.
Op-Ed: You Can’t Separate the Art from the Artist
October 31, 2022
Lower School students created a pride flag collage for Pride Month this year.
Editorial: In Support of Northwest High School’s Newspaper
September 23, 2022
Zak Adler 23 and Alison Rimas 23 walk down a one-way hallway last year, one of many health restrictions we have moved past since the start of the pandemic.
March 12: A Day to Define Our Generation
March 12, 2022
Editorial: School Deserves Praise for Community Uplift
Editorial: School Deserves Praise for Community Uplift
December 14, 2021
The Editorial Board strongly encourages all members of the School community who are eligible to get vaccinated against COVID-19 as soon as they can.
Editorial: Students, Get Your COVID-19 Vaccine
April 20, 2021
Gator Announces Next Years Leadership
Gator Announces Next Year’s Leadership
March 31, 2021
Temperatures dipped below 10 °F on campus today. Faculty and staff are encouraged to keep windows open to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Comic: It’s Cold Inside
January 11, 2022
Comic: Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas
Comic: Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas
December 17, 2021
The U.S. Justice Department recently filed a lawsuit against Texas over curbing voting by mail.
Comic: Justice Dept. Sues Texas Over Voting Restrictions
November 5, 2021
Comic: Wanna Be My Friend?
Comic: Wanna Be My Friend?
November 3, 2021
Comic: Get Your Booster Shot
Comic: Get Your Booster Shot
October 26, 2021
Demonstrators protest in Melbourne for a safer climate. Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.
Summer 2022 Showcases Climate Crisis On Full Display
September 23, 2022
Leni Hicks-Dutt 23 starts a new 12th-grade tradition at the School.
Leni Hicks-Dutt ’23 Leads Community Mural Painting
September 21, 2022
Jeff Gates teaches a physical education class in the late 1990s.
After Nearly Three Decades, Athletic Director Jeff Gates Retires
May 31, 2022
Collage by Martin Maynard 22.
Alumni Basketball Players Bring in the Heat
May 17, 2022
The climate crisis is a human crisis. Photo illustration purchased at BigStock.com.
Op-Ed: Environmental Actions Speak Louder Than Words
May 6, 2022
Baking with Meera: Holiday Cinnamon Rolls
Baking with Meera: Holiday Cinnamon Rolls
November 30, 2022
In the woods, first-place finisher and league MVP Brian Gamble 23 takes a commanding lead at the 2022 league championships.
Podcast: XC Star Brian Gamble ’23 on Running, School, Life
November 17, 2022
Outdoor Ed Hikes 4,000 Foot Peak
Outdoor Ed Hikes 4,000 Foot Peak
November 7, 2022
Members of the Class of 2023 pose at Larz Anderson Park.
Class of 2023 Enjoys “Senior Sunrise”
October 18, 2022
Outdoor Ed Hikes Three States in One Day
Outdoor Ed Hikes ‘Three States in One Day’
October 14, 2022
Baking with Meera: Holiday Cinnamon Rolls
Baking with Meera: Holiday Cinnamon Rolls
November 30, 2022
In the woods, first-place finisher and league MVP Brian Gamble 23 takes a commanding lead at the 2022 league championships.
Podcast: XC Star Brian Gamble ’23 on Running, School, Life
November 17, 2022
Outdoor Ed Hikes 4,000 Foot Peak
Outdoor Ed Hikes 4,000 Foot Peak
November 7, 2022
Outdoor Ed Hikes Three States in One Day
Outdoor Ed Hikes ‘Three States in One Day’
October 14, 2022
GNN: From the Height of COVID-19 to Now
GNN: From the Height of COVID-19 to Now
April 7, 2022
Members of the Class of 2023 pose at Larz Anderson Park.
Class of 2023 Enjoys “Senior Sunrise”
October 18, 2022
10th-grade students enjoy the outdoors.
Upper School Camp Returns
September 12, 2022
Students created ribbon pins during break.
Photos: Tejada ’23 Starts Gun Violence Awareness Initiative
June 7, 2022
Spectators applaud the Bands performance.
Photos: Band Performs at The Street
May 5, 2022
Behare Goshime 22 jumps into double dutch.
Photos: Week of Apr 25
April 29, 2022
In the woods, first-place finisher and league MVP Brian Gamble 23 takes a commanding lead at the 2022 league championships.
Podcast: XC Star Brian Gamble ’23 on Running, School, Life
November 17, 2022
“The middle school gardening club and these awesome radishes we grew.” — Jared Smith
Podcast: (Almost) Anything Goes with Jared Smith
April 11, 2022
Photo courtesy of Greg Lewis.
Podcast: Former NBC Olympic Broadcaster, Greg Lewis
February 16, 2022
Digital illustration by Edan Zinn 23.
Podcast: Mahlet Woldemariam ’95 on Vaccine Development
April 7, 2021
Digital illustration by Edan Zinn 23.
Podcast: Fighting the Pandemic with Dr. Kathy Taylor
March 31, 2021
A young Esports participant competes in Chinas Summer League of Legends playoff.
Op-Ed: As ESports Booms, Opportunity Looms
November 29, 2022
In the woods, first-place finisher and league MVP Brian Gamble 23 takes a commanding lead at the 2022 league championships.
Podcast: XC Star Brian Gamble ’23 on Running, School, Life
November 17, 2022
From 18 Down to One Up, Boys XC Wins Threepeat
From 18 Down to One Up, Boys XC Wins Threepeat
November 9, 2022
Shyla Fernandes 25 rushes past a defender.
Despite Tied Games, Homecoming a Success
October 21, 2022
Jaime Lin was #15 on her high school volleyball team.
Coach Lin Serves Up New Girls Volleyball Program
October 20, 2022
Poster art By Amelia Dmytruk
‘Captain Fantastic!’ Promises to Live Up to Its Name
November 29, 2022
Photo courtesy of IMDb
Review: Cast Saves and Ruins ‘Don’t Worry Darling’
November 15, 2022
Poster design by Leni Hicks-Dutt 23.
Get Ready to Fly with ‘Peter and the Starcatcher’
November 1, 2022
Poster courtesy of NBC Studios.
TV Review: Let’s ‘BeReal’ About SNL Season 48
October 31, 2022
J. K. Rowling has been the source of recent controversy for her comments on gender identity.
Op-Ed: You Can’t Separate the Art from the Artist
October 31, 2022
Photo courtesy of IMDb
Review: Cast Saves and Ruins ‘Don’t Worry Darling’
November 15, 2022
Poster courtesy of NBC Studios.
TV Review: Let’s ‘BeReal’ About SNL Season 48
October 31, 2022
Dahmer: Monster in Disguise show banner courtesy of Netflix
Monster: Families of Victims Criticize Dahmer Story
October 30, 2022
Image courtesy of Marlie Kass ‘23.
Small Joys: Mochi Squishy Review
October 25, 2022
Photo courtesy of Century Media Records.
Music Review: Electric Callboy’s ‘TEKKNO’
September 21, 2022
Baking with Meera: Holiday Cinnamon Rolls
Baking with Meera: Holiday Cinnamon Rolls
November 30, 2022
Photo courtesy of Jared Smith.
Fashion Flash: Jared Smith, Science Teacher
November 16, 2022
Debbie OMalley hard at work with inventory.
Q&A: Debbie O’Mally, Kitchen Staff
November 14, 2022
Op-Ed: Where Do Black Cats Get Their Bad Reputation?
Op-Ed: Where Do Black Cats Get Their Bad Reputation?
October 29, 2022
Image courtesy of Marlie Kass ‘23.
Small Joys: Mochi Squishy Review
October 25, 2022
The student news site of Brimmer and May School | Chestnut Hill, MA

The Gator
The student news site of Brimmer and May School | Chestnut Hill, MA

The Gator
Zakkai Mares-Van-Praag 22 runs on dry seaweed.

Zakkai Mares-Van Praag, Journalist

Zakkai has been at Brimmer since 2016 and is a senior this year. Last summer, he worked on housing assistance at Revere City Hall. He is currently a cross country captain and enjoys acting and singing.

All content by Zakkai Mares-Van Praag

Gator Jeopardy: Librarians and Academic Support

June 3, 2022
See who wins our third and final round.
The Freestyle Love Supreme group standing on stage during a curtain call on their Broadway 2021 run. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia Commons

Review: ‘Freestyle Love Supreme’ Exhibits Improv Talent

April 26, 2022
'Freestyle Love Supreme' is a show like no other, featuring fast-thinking improv and hilarity.
Upper School Head Joshua Neudel and Class of 2022 homeroom teachers decided to shutdown the senior lounge Thursday, after students routinely leave behind a mess.

With Mess, Senior Lounge Loses Furniture

April 22, 2022
After months of sustained uncleanliness, Upper School Head Joshua Neudel and homeroom teachers ordered the removal of the Senior Lounge's furniture.
Photo purchased from BigStock

Op-Ed: Bracketology, My March Madness Obsession

April 7, 2022
I love to expect the unexpected, and when something happens that even I didn’t expect, it excites me even more.
AJ Naddaff 15

Gator Founder Lauds 1,500 Posts

March 9, 2022
AJ Naddaff '15 addresses the newsroom's success since its 2014 launch.
Librarian Elyse Seltzers Black History Month posters.

Photo | Students, Teachers Honor Black History Month

February 28, 2022

Librarian Elyse Seltzer's Black History Month posters.

Gator Jeopardy: Science and Math with Humanities Teachers

Gator Jeopardy: Science and Math with Humanities Teachers

February 24, 2022
Find out what humanities teacher knows the most about subjects outside of their expertise.
17th Annual Humanities Symposium Kicks Off

17th Annual Humanities Symposium Kicks Off

January 21, 2022
Carolyn Chou, the Executive Director of the Asian American Resource Workshop in Boston, tackled the "model minority" stereotype.
COVID-19 cases are surging in schools across Massachusetts, causing staffing issues and emptying classrooms.

Op-Ed: I’m Nervous About Being Back on Campus

January 11, 2022
With the Omicron variant of COVID-19 surging in Massachusetts, I can't help but wonder if in-person schooling is the right call.

Gator Jeopardy: History with Math and Science Teachers

December 15, 2021
How much history trivia do math and science teachers know? Take a break from studying and find out.
The stage is set before the 2019-2020 Ring Ceremony.

Ring Ceremony to Feature Major Changes

December 15, 2021
Past ceremony speeches were deemed hurtful and inappropriate, leading the event to change its format.
Ending Quarter One on a Positive Note

Ending Quarter One on a Positive Note

November 10, 2021
Students and faculty recall their proudest moments as the first quarter of the school year comes to an end.
Lil Nas Xs MONTERO Lives Up to the Hype

Lil Nas X’s ‘MONTERO’ Lives Up to the Hype

November 3, 2021
The long-awaited album dropped in September, featuring many hit titles.
Upper School tour guides pose at Open House. Photo courtesy of Brimmer and May School.

Open House Returns In Person

October 25, 2021
Tour Guides took many families through the campus in the first in-person Open House since the beginning of the pandemic.
CAP students at American Repertory Theater. Photo courtesy of Bill Jacob.

CAP Field Trips Return With ‘Ayodele Casel: Chasing Magic’

October 8, 2021
The CAP program kicked off their first field trip since the start of the pandemic with tap dancing and music.
Head Librarian Elyse Seltzer. Photo courtesy of Brimmer and May School.

Faculty Profile: Librarian Elyse Seltzer

October 1, 2021
The librarian is passionate about singing and fantasy books.
The lynching memorial at the Civil Rights Memorial Park.

Op-Ed: Reflections on Learning About the Civil Rights Movement

June 4, 2020
My trip to Alabama taught me more about the history that has disappeared beneath the surface today.
Photo illustration purchased from BigStock.com.

Faculty, Staff Provide Health and Wellness Resources

May 6, 2020
Instructional yoga videos, meditation resources, and more can be found on students' Canvas pages.
Brimmer the Panda.

Photos: Brimmer the Panda

March 11, 2020
Catch new glimpses of the cute creature.
Kitchen Prioritizes Dietary Needs, Sustainability

Kitchen Prioritizes Dietary Needs, Sustainability

February 19, 2020
The kitchen's effort to make healthy food is often unacknowledged.
Load More Stories
Click here to download our app and receive the latest news as soon as it's published.

The Gator

The student news site of Brimmer and May School | Chestnut Hill, MA
69 Middlesex Road
Chestnut Hill, MA 02467
617-566-7462
[email protected]
Newsroom Hours (EST)
Tues. | 11:25 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
Wed. | 8:00 a.m. - 9:10 a.m.
Thurs. | 11:25 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
© 2022 • FLEX Pro WordPress Theme by SNO • Log in
Menu
Activate Search
The student news site of Brimmer and May School | Chestnut Hill, MA
Zakkai Mares-Van Praag