The High School Student News Site of The American School in London

The Standard
The High School Student News Site of The American School in London

The Standard
The High School Student News Site of The American School in London

The Standard
Nick Zirinis

Nick Zirinis, Lead News Editor

Nicholas Zirinis (’23) is the Lead News Editor for The Standard. He initially got into journalism on the Middle School newspaper The Scroll, giving voice to those in the school community and being an asset to informing the student body intrigued him. Since then, Zirinis has taken part in several journalism classes while also attending NSPA and CSPA journalism conventions and participating in summer courses.

All content by Nick Zirinis
Grades 11 and 12 students engage in sexual consent workshops Jan. 30-31. Speakers from the Talk Consent organization educated students about consent and guided them in discussing possible real-life scenarios.

School holds sexual consent workshops

Nick Zirinis, Lead News Editor
February 2, 2023
The Standard wins multiple awards from the National Scholastic Press Association at the JEA-NSPA National Journalism Convention in Missouri Nov. 12. Members of the Editorial Board along with the Media Team traveled to Missouri for the convention, where they participated in journalism workshops and attended an awards ceremony.

The Standard celebrates NSPA awards at National Journalism Convention

Nick Zirinis, Lead News Editor
November 16, 2022
Members of the student body feel as if they have not seen significant efforts by the administration to improve sustainability. In response, faculty members reveal behind-the-scenes efforts to reduce the school’s carbon emissions.

Students, faculty reflect on sustainability, carbon neutrality efforts

Nick Zirinis and Antoine Warnery
June 17, 2022
Members of the Grade 11 and 12 class pose on the Waverley steps with their Crocs. The shoes have risen in popularity in the school community.

[Photo] Crocumentary: Community reacts to rise of Crocs

Antoine Warnery and Tristan Weiss
April 1, 2022
Computer science will officially become its own department as of the 2022-23 school year. The new department will receive additional funding from the administration and be able to host its own meetings, per Computer Science Teacher Livia Piloto.

Computer science to become its own department in 2022-23 school year

Nick Zirinis, News Editor: Online
March 28, 2022
As decided by the administration, spring Alternative Trips will no longer be going forward. Instead, High School students will participate in grade-level “bonding” activities throughout the week, per Director of Student Life James Perry.

Administration cancels all Alternatives, Ecology, sports trips

Clara Martinez and Nick Zirinis
February 10, 2022
St John's Wood United Synagogue is located right next to the school on Grove End Road. Four people were held hostage by Malik Faisal Akram in a Texas synagogue Jan. 15, serving as a reminder for the continued prevalence of antisemitism.

Jewish community members express concern for ongoing antisemitism after terrorist incident at Texas synagogue

Elena Alexander and Nick Zirinis
January 24, 2022
Bassel Ojjeh (’24), Clay Olson (’24), Christopher Lhuilier (’24) and Magnus Carlson (’24) construct a buoyant object out of foam, tape, metal and glue. Students enrolled in the “Sailing the Solent” Alternatives trip spent time in the Make, Innovate, Learn Lab Jan. 14 to learn about floating devices.

Students engage in Alternatives trip activities

Gabrielle Meidar and Nick Zirinis
January 17, 2022
Guillermo Basterra (’22) and Soham Bhavnani Thadani (’22) leave school from the Waverley entrance at the end of the day. Amid the integration of diversity, equity and inclusion work into the High School curriculum, students voice concern surrounding the media’s portrayal of these changes.

Students reflect on external media coverage of DEI work

Nick Zirinis, News Editor: Online
December 13, 2021
Sara Kim (’24), Ines Caillaux Diaz (’24) and Emma Symonds (’23) wear masks while working on the yearbook in the journalism lab Dec.6. Director of Operations Jim Heynderickx sent an email to members of the community to address a new mask mandate imposed Nov. 28.

COVID-19: Emergence of Omicron evokes concerns within community

Gabrielle Meidar and Nick Zirinis
December 6, 2021
The High School Concert Choir, directed by MS/HS Choral Directors Lisa Ross and Dustin Francis, performs its first in-person concert since 2019. Members of the school community were able to gather in the School Center and watch the live performance.

Choir concert returns with live audience

Nick Zirinis, News Editor: Online
November 1, 2021
Jack Cutler (’22) and Leyth Sousou (’22) shovel dirt and rake away leaves in order to set up fencing at Pace Fortune Green for Community Volunteer Day Oct. 17. ASL families volunteered at 13 different community volunteer sites on the day.

Biannual Community Volunteer Day returns for fall

Nick Zirinis, News Editor: Online
October 25, 2021
The math department invites upperclassmen girls to participate in the Math Olympiad for Girls taking place Oct. 7.

Math Olympiads for Girls to be held Oct. 7

Nick Zirinis, News Editor: Online
October 4, 2021
100 colleges and universities from across the world participated in ASL’s Virtual College/University fair Sept. 22, providing students and parents the opportunity to learn more about and engage with these institutions.

Upperclassmen, parents engage in virtual College/University Fair

Nick Zirinis, News Editor: Online
September 23, 2021
Human Rights Seminar plans to host their “The Death of Democracy” symposium June 7.

Human Rights Seminar prepares for upcoming symposium

Nick Zirinis, News Editor: Online
June 3, 2021

Staff members reflect on year-long impact of COVID-19

Amber de Saint-Exupéry, Tristan Weiss and Nick Zirinis
May 31, 2021
Community members garden at Kentish Town City Farm for Community Service Day. Groups of 6 attended various sites throughout London May 23.

PCA holds Community Service Day

Nick Zirinis, News Editor: Online
May 24, 2021
Rachel Brooks (’22) and Zein Blanks (’22) are the new co-presidents of the Social Justice Council. The SJC held presidential elections April 20.

SJC elects new co-presidents

Nick Zirinis, Staff Writer
April 22, 2021

Ellie Mankarious (’21)

Spencer Towfighi and Nick Zirinis
April 20, 2021
Students and faculty returned to in person classes March 8, following the government and ASL’s decision to reopen. Students and faculty were also provided with lateral flow tests prior to the reopening.

Students, faculty return to in-person school

Nick Zirinis, Staff Writer
March 8, 2021

[Video] VIDEO: Meghan Lang (’22)

March 4, 2021

[Video] VIDEO: Brian Lewis Jr. (’22)

March 4, 2021

[Video] VIDEO: Arjun Dhar (’22)

March 4, 2021

[Video] VIDEO: Sam Singer (’23)

March 4, 2021
Student-parent-teacher conferences took place for the first time over Zoom Feb. 25 and 26, and will continue March 1. Students were given a chance to reflect on their progress in class with both their teachers and parents present.

First Zoom student-parent-teacher conferences provide opportunities to reflect on learning

Nick Zirinis, Staff Writer
February 26, 2021
As decided by the administration, spring Alternative Trips will no longer be going forward. Instead, High School students will participate in grade-level “bonding” activities throughout the week, per Director of Student Life James Perry.

Campus to reopen March 8

Nick Zirinis, Media Team
February 22, 2021
The Standard Podcast Cover

The Standard Podcast: Episode 6, “Brain Tumour Research Club” with Harrison and Jack Cutler (’22)

Nick Zirinis, Staff Writer
November 10, 2020
Now that students are only permitted off-campus lunch a limited number of days each week, it can be difficult to decide where to eat. Experimenting with new restaurants and eating from old favorites can not only help support local businesses but will make off-campus lunch all the more enjoyable.

Students abide by new closed campus rules

Nick Zirinis, Staff Writer
November 5, 2020
There are 64 different countries represented by the school and 52 languages spoken in the community. Members of the High School share their relationship with language.

High School community showcases language diversity

Amber de Saint-Exupéry, Tristan Weiss and Nick Zirinis
October 16, 2020
The ASL Political Society, run by President Colin Bloom (’22) and Vice President Rodolphe Stern (’22), hosted a Zoom discussion with former Member of the European Parliament for South-East England Belinda de Lucy Oct. 8.

Former MEP Belinda de Lucy visits ASL Political Society

Nick Zirinis, Staff Writer
October 9, 2020
Five Grade 9 High Street favorites

Five Grade 9 High Street favorites

Calvin Jacobs and Nick Zirinis
December 10, 2019
Pete Grieg ('20) speaks in front of the crowd during the Halloween assembly. Grieg dressed up as the AP exams that were lost by College Board earlier this school year.

Assembly brings Halloween to High School

Nick Zirinis, Staff Writer
November 7, 2019
Load More Stories