Zebra Morning Show

Wildcard Wednesday: Oscar’s Trivia Streak (12/17/25)

1 week ago

5 minutes 43 seconds

Zebra Morning Show

It’s Wildcard Wednesday at New Brunswick High School, and Mr. Nesi and Oscar kick things off by recapping Oscar’s appearance at the Board of Education meeting — including a standout performance by the NBHS Jazz Band that earned all the thumbs up. After a quick check-in on school updates (yes, including the cookie contest), the show pivots into a surprise trivia challenge.

Oscar goes on an absolute tear through geography, music, and history trivia, shocking everyone by starting off nearly perfect. From naming the world’s largest countries to identifying Michael Jackson as the King of Pop, Oscar proves he’s locked in… until a tricky folklore question brings things back down to earth. The episode wraps with encouragement, wrestling motivation, shoutouts from listeners (including Brazil!), and a tease that the long-awaited International Trivia Tuesday showdown is coming soon — just not quite yet.

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Maestro Monday: Mr. Dziuba on Teaching, Leadership & Why School Should Be Fun

1 week ago

10 minutes 58 seconds

Zebra Morning Show

On this special Maestro Monday edition of The Zebra Morning Show, Mr. Nesi sits down with Mr. Dziuba, NBHS’s 2025–2026 Educator of the Year and now a two-time winner of the honor. Mr. Dziuba reflects on what the recognition means to him as a first-generation college graduate and how it represents the “fruits of the labor” after more than a decade of growth at New Brunswick High School.

The conversation dives deep into Mr. Dziuba’s philosophy on teaching math, where numbers are the vehicle — but life skills, confidence, consistency, and vulnerability are the real lessons. He shares how math anxiety, discipline, communication, and showing up prepared all connect to success beyond the classroom. The episode wraps with a powerful discussion about why extracurricular involvement matters so much to him, how school “saved his life,” and why learning should always be fun.

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Celebrating Health, Weekend Plans & Our Educators of the Year (12/12/25)

2 weeks ago

9 minutes 27 seconds

Zebra Morning Show

It’s a solo edition of Feel Good Friday on the Zebra Morning Show as Mr. Nesi holds things down in the cafeteria — LED lights on, mic on, and vibes high, even if no students showed up today. After a few weeks of being sick and in and out of school, he shares how good it feels to finally be healthy again and back on a consistent routine.

Mr. Nesi also looks ahead to a fun weekend with a surprise 60th birthday party for his cousin and his usual Sunday indoor pickleball session. But the big highlight of today’s episode is celebrating the newly announced 2025–2026 NBHS Educator of the Year and Educational Support Professional of the Year. He gives heartfelt shoutouts to paraprofessional Ms. Conway and two-time Educator of the Year Mr. Dziuba, praising their dedication, commitment, and positive impact on students.

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Childhood Holiday Memories & Coffee-Induced Chaos (12/4/25)

2 weeks ago

4 minutes 58 seconds

Zebra Morning Show

Today’s Throwback Thursday on the Zebra Morning Show is brought to you by none other than Oscar, who chose the topic for the day: everyone shares their favorite holiday memory from age ten or younger. The crew delivers big, with stories ranging from family traditions to unexpected disasters.

Mr. Nesi kicks things off with a hilarious tale from the mid-80s when his entire family gave four-year-old him spoonfuls of coffee — resulting in a day-and-a-half of bouncing off the walls and a lifelong hatred of coffee. Oscar shares his visit to the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree (and the overcrowded chaos), plus the Italian food that made the trip worth it. Amir’s story takes a clumsy twist as he explains how a slip, a cart, and a busted chin turned Halloween into a hospital visit. And Mr. Alex reflects on childhood holiday parties at Bell Labs — and how visiting the site today brings back instant waves of nostalgia.

The episode wraps with talk about holiday light shows, jokes about electricity and sockets, and a preview of tomorrow’s Feel Good Friday show live from the cafeteria.

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Holiday Cheer & Chaos: Favorite Songs, Family Traditions (12/3/25)

3 weeks ago

10 minutes 37 seconds

Zebra Morning Show

It’s officially the holiday season on The Zebra Morning Show! Mr. Nesi, Mr. Alex, and Oscar kick things off with music, decorations, family memories, and plenty of friendly chaos. Everyone shares what they love most about this time of year — from Christmas music and lights to food, traditions, and the joy of giving rather than receiving.

Things take a hilarious turn when the crew talks about holiday songs. Oscar belts out “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree,” Mr. Nesi drops a surprise “Mariah Carey moment,” and Mr. Alex confesses he has a favorite holiday song… but refuses to name it on air because it’s “inappropriate.” The team also jokes about Julian’s deep hatred of Mariah Carey’s Christmas classic and shares stories about triggering him all season long.

The episode wraps with Mr. Nesi returning from being sick, students reacting to his absence, and Oscar suddenly being put in charge of planning tomorrow’s Throwback Thursday — a responsibility he absolutely did NOT see coming.

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Thankful Messages from Zebra Nation: Staff Shoutouts & Thanksgiving Wishes (11/26/25)

3 weeks ago

8 minutes 44 seconds

Zebra Morning Show

On this special half-day, pre-Thanksgiving episode of The Zebra Morning Show, Mr. Nesi and Oscar share a collection of heartfelt “thankful messages” submitted by teachers, administrators, and district leaders from across New Brunswick Public Schools. Earlier in the week, the show invited staff members to send voice notes expressing what they are grateful for — and the response was overwhelming.

Listeners hear warm Thanksgiving messages from Dr. Shields, Ms. Soriano (in both English and Spanish), Ms. Gozu, Assistant Superintendent Perez, Ms. Stillman, and Superintendent Dr. Johnson. Each speaker highlights the students, staff, families, and community that make NBHS special. The episode ends with Oscar sharing his own short Thanksgiving message for Zebra Nation before signing off into the long weekend.

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Trivia Tuesday: Turkey Gobbles, Charlie Brown Chaos & Cyber Monday Wins (11/25/25)

1 month ago

6 minutes 17 seconds

Zebra Morning Show

It’s a lightning-round Trivia Tuesday on The Zebra Morning Show! With a short schedule and advisory looming, Mr. Nesi, Hailey, Mr. Alex, and Oscar squeeze in a Thanksgiving-themed trivia session full of laughs, wrong guesses, correct guesses, and some genuinely surprising facts.

Questions include Thanksgiving traditions, football basics, Peanuts lore, and U.S. travel trends — and the student reactions are just as entertaining as the answers. Haley struggles with the football question, Oscar redeems himself with a big Cyber Monday win, and Mr. Alex gets tripped up by Snoopy’s Macy’s parade debut year. The show ends with reminders about the big upcoming International Trivia Tuesday against a high school in Brazil, plus a bit of fun about Oscar’s portrait in the school lobby.

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Oscar’s Thankful Top 5, Turkey Talk & Thanksgiving Week Vibes (11/24/25)

1 month ago

5 minutes 22 seconds

Zebra Morning Show

It’s Motivation Monday on The Zebra Morning Show, and with Thanksgiving just days away, Mr. Nessie, Mr. Alex, and Oscar kick off the short week by reflecting on gratitude, good food, and holiday traditions. Oscar shares his personal “Top 5 Things He’s Thankful For,” ranging from school leadership and safety to health, food, and the people in his life. The crew reacts, jokes, and adds their own thoughts along the way.

Things take a delicious turn as listeners are treated to a debate on donuts (coconut vs. apple crumb vs. classic glazed), and then a lively question from Julian sparks the big conversation of the day: What’s better for Thanksgiving dinner — turkey or ham? The team weighs in with humor, cultural context, and appetite-driven honesty.

The episode closes with a warm reminder about gratitude, family time, and the upcoming international trivia competition with a school in Brazil — plus a call for students to show up strong for Team NBHS.

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Feel Good Friday: Wins of the Week, Teacher Pride & Family Moments (11/21/25)

1 month ago

8 minutes 22 seconds

Zebra Morning Show

On this Feel Good Friday edition of The Zebra Morning Show, Mr. Nesi goes solo in the cafeteria and shares a heartfelt, reflective episode. With student hosts out and the week finally settling down after being sick, he keeps things short but meaningful.

He talks about the joy of reconnecting with classes, the fulfillment of nearly ten years teaching at Rutgers, and the emotional high of welcoming back six former students for an alumni panel. Mr. Nesi also shares his weekend plans — celebrating his niece Olivia’s second birthday with a rodeo-themed party — and reminds listeners about the importance of family, connection, and gratitude as the holiday season approaches.

The episode wraps with schedule reminders for next week and a warm send-off to the Zebra community for a great weekend ahead.

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Oscar’s Journey: Cross Country, Wrestling & Making the Most of Senior Year (11/20/25)

1 month ago

3 minutes 52 seconds

Zebra Morning Show

It’s a Blue Day at NBHS, and today’s Zebra Morning Show features a lively conversation between Mr. Nesi, Hailey, and Oscar — fresh off a big week that included Oscar’s board meeting appearance and updates on student activities. The episode dives into the Veterans Day parade, student leadership roles, fall sports banquet highlights, and Oscar’s reflections on wrapping up four years of cross country.

Oscar shares stories from GMCs, his best cross-country memories (including accidentally making Coach Andrews throw up!), the challenges of hill workouts, and his future running ambitions — including a dream of tackling the New York City Marathon. The talk then shifts to the upcoming wrestling season, where Oscar sets big goals for himself while Haley debates whether to join the girls’ team after a previous injury. The crew wraps up with marking period advice, cafeteria-show reminders, and plenty of laughs along the way.

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Wildcard Wednesday: Movies, Nostalgia & Killer Tarantino Talk

1 month ago

10 minutes 5 seconds

Zebra Morning Show

It’s Wildcard Wednesday on The Zebra Morning Show, and today Mr. Nesi and Mr. Alex take listeners deep into the world of movies — from Tarantino classics to childhood nostalgia films. The conversation kicks off with Mr. Alex explaining the upcoming Ultimate Kill Bill Collection and why fans are excited about the potential continuation of the story 20 years later. Things quickly expand into filmmaking, prequel ideas, and how analyzing movies becomes its own creative exercise.

The hosts also share personal stories about seeing iconic films in theaters, the joy of theatrical re-releases, and the power of nostalgia when experiencing a beloved movie on the big screen. As always, the episode is filled with friendly banter, laughs, and a teaser that Thursday’s episode may continue the movie talk for a Throwback Thursday.

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Acting, Creativity & Unexpected Lessons (11/17/25)

1 month ago

8 minutes 50 seconds

Zebra Morning Show

On this Motivational Monday, The Zebra Morning Show returns after a short break with Mr. Nesi and Mr. Alex holding down the studio. With no students or maestro guests, the conversation takes a creative turn as the hosts dive into acting exercises, filmmaking memories, and surprising stories about how actors discover their craft.

Mr. Alex shares how a simple “object interaction” assignment helped inspire well-known actors, while Mr. Nesi recalls theatrical experiences from both high school and college — including dramatic monologues, emotional scenes, and a bold reinterpretation of We Are the World. The episode becomes an unexpected lesson in creativity, resilience, and embracing opportunities you didn’t plan for. The hosts wrap up with reflections on how sometimes being in the “wrong class” leads you to the right path.

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Meet Amir: Gaming, Physics, and Life as a New Zebra

1 month ago

7 minutes 12 seconds

Zebra Morning Show

In this episode of The Zebra Morning Show, the crew welcomes Amir — a new 9th grader at NBHS — to the studio! Amir shares about his Guyanese background, his recent move, and his passion for electronics, physics, and esports. The conversation dives into favorite subjects, sibling dynamics, and video games like Street Fighter, Tekken, and Mario Kart.

Listeners will also hear a fun discussion about esports at NBHS, streaming on Twitch, and even a quick debate over which Mario Kart version reigns supreme. From academics to gaming and good-natured teasing between hosts, this episode perfectly captures the energy and spirit of Zebra Nation.

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Trivia Tuesday: Spooky Halloween Edition – Ghosts, Gabagool & Guinness Records! (10/28/25)

1 month ago

7 minutes 15 seconds

Zebra Morning Show

It’s Trivia Tuesday on The Zebra Morning Show, and this week’s edition is all about Halloween! 🎃 Chuckles McFunster hosts a spooky, laugh-filled trivia showdown with Mr. Alex, Francisco, and Oscar. From Ghostface and Freddy Krueger to Werewolves of London and The Monster Mash, the crew tackles Halloween-themed questions with plenty of humor, surprises, and a few wrong answers that are just as entertaining as the right ones.

The gang also learns some random facts — like how many seeds are in a pumpkin and how heavy the world’s largest pumpkin really was (spoiler: it’s massive). Plus, there’s a quick shout-out for NBHS seniors about tonight’s competition and reminders about this week’s testing schedule.

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Motivational Monday: Trust the Process, Take a Chance, and Just Keep Trying (10/27/25)

2 months ago

12 minutes 22 seconds

Zebra Morning Show

It’s Motivational Monday on The Zebra Morning Show! Mr. Nesi sits down with Jeffrey, Hailey, Francisco, and Oscar for an uplifting conversation about perseverance, effort, and trying new things. From “just keep trying” to “trust the process,” the students share their own words of wisdom — plus a few stories about sports, school, and taking chances.

Francisco reveals how trying something new led to becoming MVP in volleyball, Hayley reminds everyone that hard work pays off, and Oscar drops a timeless reminder to be patient with your goals. Mr. Nesi wraps things up with a reflection on living without regrets and embracing new experiences. It’s a short, positive episode that’s sure to start your week with motivation and a smile!

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Throwback Thursday: Floppy Disks, Beepers, and Mixtapes (10/23/25)

2 months ago

5 minutes 39 seconds

Zebra Morning Show

It’s Throwback Thursday on The Zebra Morning Show! Mr. Nesi challenges Francisco, Kevin, and Jeffrey to identify some old-school tech from “back in the day.” From floppy drives and Walkmans to beepers and fax machines, the students try to guess what these mysterious gadgets were used for — with hilarious results.

Along the way, the crew reflects on how easy modern life is with cloud storage, streaming music, and smartphones compared to the tech struggles of the past. The episode wraps up with a reminder about the half-day schedule and upcoming parent-teacher conferences.

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Is Social Media a Problem? | The Debate Club Sparks a Conversation at NBHS (10/22/25)

2 months ago

10 minutes 28 seconds

Zebra Morning Show

In this lively Wild Card Wednesday episode of The Zebra Morning Show, Mr. Nesi sits down with Haley, Francisco, and Kevin to tackle a question straight from the Debate Club: Is social media a problem? The conversation dives into how students actually use platforms like Instagram and TikTok — from posting soccer highlights to sharing sunsets — and whether social media helps or hurts in everyday life.

Listeners will hear authentic student perspectives on privacy, friendships, and the weird quirks of online behavior (“Because you’re weird… like Kevin!”). The crew also shares a shout-out to a listener tuning in all the way from Brazil — proof that Zebra Nation reaches far and wide!

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Trivia Tuesday: Pixar Showdown (10/21/25)

2 months ago

6 minutes 51 seconds

Zebra Morning Show

It’s Trivia Tuesday on the Zebra Morning Show, and today’s theme is Pixar! Chuckles McFunster hosts a hilarious movie trivia face-off featuring Sebastian, Leudy, Kevin, and Francisco. The teams—Jeffrey & Francisco vs. Leudy & Kevin—battle it out with questions from Toy Story, Finding Nemo, Coco, Cars, and more.

Between the competition, laughter, and good-natured teasing, listeners get to hear the excitement of first-time guests Francisco and Kevin as they step up to the mic. It’s a fun, fast-paced episode packed with energy, movie nostalgia, and plenty of school spirit. Whether you’re a Pixar fan or just love hearing students shine, this episode will have you smiling all the way through.

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Motivational Monday: Keep Trying, Keep Learning, Never Give Up (10/20/25)

2 months ago

12 minutes 6 seconds

Zebra Morning Show

It’s Maestro Monday — or at least, it was supposed to be! When the scheduled guest couldn’t make it, the Zebra Morning Show crew turned the episode into a powerful Motivational Monday instead. Mr. Nesi leads the conversation with heartfelt advice about courage, learning from failure, and the importance of trying new things even when success isn’t guaranteed.

The rest of the team—Mr. Alex, Oscar, and Jeffrey—join in to share their own words of wisdom. From keeping perspective when life gets hard to remembering that every day ends, this short but uplifting episode reminds listeners that growth comes from effort, not perfection. It’s the perfect way to kick off the week with positivity, humor, and Zebra Nation pride.

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