By SHRUTI KUMTA

JP Stevens High School: Also known as the “Home of the Hawks,” stray geese, and decapitated owls.

Observing our school’s affinity for exotic animals and its very appropriate school colors (green and gold), we can conclude, as singer-songwriter Randy Newman would say, “it’s a jungle out there.” For an outsider, this may seem like the end of an amusing comparison, but as an indigenous inhabitant of JP, I can see, hear, feel, and breathe the jungle that is JP Stevens.

Let’s begin with the most obvious similarity: the occupants. JP, like a jungle, has a diverse population. The big cats—the leopards, the cheetahs, the tigers, and the lions—can usually be found playing outside or working out in the gym, flexing their muscles and honing their speed. Birds found flying high and fast over the jungle manage to be popular and smart at the same time. Meanwhile, the amphibians are very adjustable and able folk that can find comfort in nearly any situation; because of these traits, they are well-liked at social gatherings. On the other hand, the shy, camouflaging chameleons often need a little push to find a shade that they feel confident in. The reptiles, being the aloof individuals that they are, astonish even their closest comrades when they suddenly become the most dominating figures in their fields. And last, who can forget the sturdy trees and plants that uphold and take care of our jungle? They are older and wiser than the animals, and nurture them for success in life.

Upon close inspection, it is evident that the jungle inhabitants regularly engage in activities and events together. They frequently participate in chaotic stampedes at staged intervals in time, also known as “passing.” These stampedes very much reflect the intense atmosphere of JP; no one can disagree that the high level of stress and competition is aptly dubbed the “Survival of the Fittest.” Underneath the calm canopy of JP is an ongoing battle that often turns brutal as creatures fight tooth and nail to stay on top—sleepless nights, vicious behavior, growling, hissing, maniacal laughter, and bloodshot eyes are all part of the package. Yet, in the end, after natural selection has run its course, only the most proactive, diligent individuals rise to the challenge and survive these hardships.

The topography and climate of JP are as varied as its inhabitants. The jungle centers around the water hole, also known as the cafeteria, which houses the most important source of survival and happiness for the entire population: food. Various regions around the cafeteria have been claimed by their different inhabitants—one stretch of land houses the entities that eloquently voice a thousand thoughts through their beautiful calls. Another portion is dedicated to the curious minds of the habitat, providing them with enough room for experimentation and calculation as they attempt to unravel the mysteries of nature and numbers. Meanwhile, the pretty butterflies and songbirds have a wing dedicated to their artistic abilities. Strangely, every turn taken in JP brings a completely different climate—a flight upstairs leads you straight into a heat wave, while a step down another way reveals icy glaciers.

Harsh conditions may crop up at times, but they do not tarnish the habitat that these creatures call home. JP is a diverse environment where competition thrives, a setting in which legends are created, and, most importantly, a place where Hawks fly high.    

Image Source: http://www.step.org.uk/app/uploads/2015/08/environment.jpg