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Join us as we navigate the impact of Middlesex’s new schedule Come August, it was no surprise to Middlesex students that their freshly printed schedules would look somewhat foreign. What eventually surprised the Middlesex community, however, was just how beneficial the schedule change was in general. The new X-Block sleep-ins came as a welcome addition for sleep-deprived students, and the X-blocks during the day now serve as incredibly useful grading and planning periods for teachers.  Advisors and advisees now have a relegated block to meet–Advisor Block–but X-Blocks scattered throughout the day also offer more opportunities for quick check-ins and updates, which were previously only possible via email. The long blocks, while tedious, help to expand the attention span of the average Middlesex student, many of whom will experience classes much longer than 65 minutes in college. Furthermore, the announcement block on Tuesday maximizes efficiency for allotted assembly times. In addition, it allows students a designated block to promote their announcements from all school emails to in-person speeches.  However, despite my overall admiration of the new schedule, there are still possible improvements to be made. For example, both community time and advisor block should be reworked before the finalized schedule for next year. Community time–though often valuable and informative for Middlesex students when outside speakers come to give a lecture–can be draining, as it often leaves students tired and unprepared for their next classes. What should start to replace some unnecessary community times, I believe, are community events. Instead of community life meetings, Middlesex should incentivize bonding in these community events rather than simply forcing it. For instance, Middlesex could sponsor food trucks on the circle during community time, or host games to give students a break and motivate them to enjoy the campus we so often forsake to finish our work.  Advisor block could also use some work. Since they fall at the very end of the academic day, off-campus teams like crew and golf are often pressed for time at practice. These teams cannot leave campus until 3:45 at the earliest, which means that students get back later, and subsequently stay up later finishing work. If advisor block could occur during the academic day like it does on Mondays, sports teams would have more time for practice, and students would have more time to get the sleep they need to complete Middlesex’s seven-day work week.  While the schedule has already greatly improved the workload and efficiency of the Middlesex community, these small tweaks before next year could bring about even more positive changes; ultimately, change is a good thing, and we should look forward to seeing what the coming year’s schedule has in store.   Sofia Senunas

The Office of Admission remains deliberate and selective in shaping the student body. Photo by Sarah McLaughlin While teachers, the administration, clubs, and teams can heavily influence culture at Middlesex, the Office of Admission makes an indelible mark on the make-up of the Middlesex community. In the competitive world of boarding school applications, the Admissions Office brings a diversity of perspectives and life experiences to the student body. At the height of the Covid pandemic, Middlesex had an acceptance rate as low as 14%, where its test-optional policy resulted in a larger applicant pool. Across the nation, other private schools also saw an increase in enrollment, while public schools witnessed a modest decline. As most public schools shifted to remote learning, many private schools (especially boarding) held an advantage for continuing in-person classes, largely due to its smaller class sizes. This edge could have explained the increase in private school enrollment. Nevertheless, Middlesex admissions post-pandemic steadied to an acceptance rate of 18% for the past class of 2028. As institutions across New England returned to a standardized testing requirement, students either without a test score or are unprepared for testing may have withdrawn from application. Still, Middlesex received about 1250 applications in the past admissions cycle.  The international applicant pool, also, continues to be exceptionally competitive, with about 30% to 35% of total applications being international applicants. The easing of travel restrictions post-pandemic has also contributed to this high percentage. Beyond the general percentages in the past admissions cycle, there were other notable trends in the student body. In recent years, the office of admissions saw a growing number of repeat students, with about 25% of applications being students intending to repeat a school year. At the same time, there is also a growing number of applicants who sought for specialization—those having specific interests in athletics, the arts, or an academic subject—at Middlesex. Regardless of admissions data, Middlesex School continues to be deliberate and selective in choosing its student body. As the yield rate continues to grow for Middlesex, the institution remains a top choice for boarding school applicants.  After all, as the Dean of Admissions remarked, what really attracts students to Middlesex–to convince them to say ‘Yes to Middlesex’–is quite simple: it all comes down to the “strong academic program and the single, unified, warm community.” Sixing Wang

This past summer has been monumental for pop history, with albums like ‘The Secret of Us’ by Gracie Abrams and 'Short n Sweet’ by Sabrina Carpenter lining the billboard hot 100 all summer long. However, an artist whose work was the most different, interesting, and frankly “camp,” was Charli XCX’s Brat . Brat is an album different from what we’ve seen from pop in recent years. With artists like Olivia Rodrigo and Gracie Abrams, pop music has relied heavily on deep, sophisticated lyrics, with the expected semi-indie, semi-electronic production of Jack Antonoff. Contrarily, Brat is bringing back the messy club-culture of the pop industry we haven’t seen much of since the early 2000’s. The production of this album is heavily electronic, with little to no acoustic moments throughout. The lyrics of brat are catchy and fun, and aren’t trying to be something they’re not–no strung out, hidden meanings here; Charli XCX sings with attitude and sass, talking about how “she’s a brat when she’s bumpin’ that (beat.)” The ‘Brat’ album has some notable guest features, like Guess  with Billie Eilish, or Von Dutch  with Addison Rae; however, an overlooked gem of the album is Girl, so confusing  with Lorde. This song is about a friendship between two girls where they appear to be drifting apart as the artist thinks “sometimes she might hate her,” and wonders if her friend “wants to see her falling over and failing”. Fans speculated this song was about Lorde as the lyrics refer to how the two artists “look alike” and “have the same hair.” Charli was open about how this song was written for a  fellow woman in the industry in an interview with Bowen Yang and Matt Rodgers, telling them that “they probably have an accurate guess.” She then went on to talk about her take on this song from a feminist perspective, saying that she thinks “it's great where we live in a world where women support other women,” however she doesn’t “think you’re a bad feminist if you don't see eye to eye with every woman.” Fast forward to a few weeks after the song was initially released, Lorde collaborates with Charli on Girl so confusing version with Lorde , where Lorde literally “works it out on the remix.” Lorde talks about the struggles she's faced mentally and physically, saying “she's been at war in her body,” and was “trapped in a hatred,” but takes accountability for the hurt she caused, saying “she forgot that inside that icon is still a young girl from Essex.” The cultural implications of Brat are far more complex than some random pop-lore; Brat summer’s music has created iconic trends in the media that we will look back upon with fondness and nostalgia in 2025. The trend in question? APPLE DANCE. One could only scroll down five videos on their social media For You Page this summer before they were bombarded with the intellectual choreography of the Apple Dance. Because of its reach to the Tik Tok dance community, Brat’s popularity skyrocketed. Brat even dipped its toe in the 2024 presidential campaign, as Kamala Harris decided to affiliate herself with the Brat community, not only making Charli XCX a pop icon, but an influential figure in the Democratic party.   Brat has been a revolutionary piece of artwork not only due to its iconic lyrics and fun dance beats, but for what it has done for teenage girls everywhere. Brat enthusiast Marina Sabater has inferred that not only is Brat an album, “but a mindset.” When asked how one could become ‘Brat’, she stated that “Brat isn’t something you can choose, Brat chooses you,” and that “it’s a state of mind and only true baddies can really be Brat.” But for those who ‘converted’ to Brat, in what ways can it change one's perspective on life? “Brat really embraces the messy girl aesthetic, which makes me feel more comfortable, because I don't have to pretend I'm cutsie and coquette,” says sophomore Zoe Le. For the common teenage girl, Brat doesn’t always have to mean clubbing in Ibiza at Hi: for Alison Fiedler, it means working at the Windfall Market in Falmouth, Massachusetts. “Sometimes people would come in after they were out yachting and I would bag sandwiches for them, and if I was really lucky they’d tip me,” she reminisced. Fiedler’s story is proof that sometimes being Brat means getting your money up, NOT your funny up. Thus, we can conclude that not only is Brat a piece of cultural iconography, but also a lifestyle for teen girls across the world. Brat encapsulates the confidence and sass that teen girls should strive for. We can learn from Charli XCX not only to be better, but to be Brat. Kat Stephens

is what I would write,except that everything so beautiful about it (or so I’ve heard) is but a prelude to the dead of winter, the fall foliage being decay made glamorized. well, please do enjoy it while it lasts. Morgan Kim

A Deep dive into Olympic Fashion During Paris’ Opening Ceremonies The Olympics has always been a celebration of athleticism, competitiveness, diversity, and perhaps an excessive amount of patriotism for your favorite country. However, the Olympics isn’t like it was all the way back in Athens where athletes competed nude, free from the burdens of elaborate attire and dress. In this contemporary age, where fashion is becoming more and more accessible, top athletes have to not only perform at the highest level of competition, but also to dress to impress.  Perhaps the nation that catalyzed the entire discussion of Olympic fashion in Paris this year was the Mongolian team. Their awe-inspiring clothing spread like wildfire across social media, particularly  TikTok, for its traditional feel that fit perfectly in the modern and contemporary setting of Paris’ new athletic facilities. The white flowing robes, embossed with sigils reflecting the colors of the Mongolian national flag, reflect the nation’s beautiful history in the steppes while also adopting the modern flag of Mongolia. While Mongolia may not have been an athletic powerhouse, sporting only a single silver medalist in Judo, the nation certainly made its mark on cultural fashion and the general esteem of the public.  Contarily, the United States performed at the top of their class at the Olympic games, winning 126 total medals and tying China in their sum of gold medals. However, their ceremonial outfits were not as lauded as Mongolia’s, but rather heavily scorned and criticized. While U.S. athletes happily wore their blazers, with Lebron James leading the way with an American flag, fashion critics admonished the jackets’ design. Ralph Lauren, considered by many to be emblematic of American fashion, has provided American Olympians with their ceremonial garbs for almost two decades now. Yet year after year, the design ends up being the same concept: a blazer stylized with blue, white, and red; these beautiful patriotic colors simply do not make up for the unimaginative, overused design. While Ralph Lauren’s pieces are timeless, the suit and tie every four years is frankly boring; furthermore, in the light of the new “old money” trend exploding on social media, “preppy” styles are now becoming increasingly redundant and contrived. Nonetheless, no matter the ever-hurtful claims of Vogue or GQ, the United States still dominated the finish line.  Thus far, the clothing mentioned of both Mongolia and the US have only been ceremonial. As athletes don their athletic wear, the fashion game seems to change entirely. While some nations–such as the Uniqlo-sponsored Sweden–can rock cohesive and beautiful athletic wear, most athletes now lean towards favoring personally sponsored brand names, and practical, aerodynamic suits. Kim Ye-ji, however, managed to pull off a Fila bodysuit while earning a silver at the shooting range. Kim was also lauded for her technologically incomprehensible glasses, which while practical, looked like they came straight out of a science fiction movie. Her overall meticulous style, combined with her shooting stance, gained her fame across social media.  Overall, whether it be Noah Lyles whipping out a Yugioh card as an accessory or from Snoop Dogg in his extravagant fit for equestrian riding, the world came together this Paris Olympics to show off talent in both sports as well as style. We live in an age dictated by one axiom: drip or drown.  Ethan Yuan

Reflecting on the resounding implications of introducing All-Gender housing.  While many have heard the ‘buzz’ around All-Gender housing for a number of years at MX, the new gender-inclusive program has spurred the student body’s interest. Located on the 4th floor of BP, this space has given rise to both concerns surrounding mixed-gender engagement and an equal sense of excitement for its greater implications for inclusivity at MX.  The space, while heavily advocated for in recent years, is a product of countless years of dedicated work and consideration. All-Gender housing, in its essence, is an initiative derived from student voices and an attempt to emulate similar gender-inclusive structures in other boarding schools. While schools such as Andover adopted the housing structure in 2017, 2024 marks Middlesex’s first pioneering year with the all-gender space. With this, a number of logistical elements are in place to best facilitate the running of the program.  To better accommodate residents’ needs, the All-Gender housing floor underwent both structural and policy changes. It is different from other traditional dorms in that all dormitories are single rooms. Additionally, unique visitation policies apply to the floor: all-gender residents may not visit 3rd or 2nd floor dorms outside of permitted evening-visitation hours. However, residents of the 2nd and 3rd floor are free to enter the rooms of all-gender residents throughout the day provided doors are kept open. Similarly, bathrooms and their private usage are moderated using white boards and notice-signs to communicate privacy and shared use of common spaces. Indeed, successful management has largely been achieved by virtue of stellar management and leadership.  Namely, Steven Whitt, beloved Biology teacher and the floor’s all-gender housing coordinator, actively works to promote connections and engagement on the floor and across the dorm, regularly hosting all-gender housing residents for home-cooked meals and bringing delectable treats to BP.  All-gender housing resident Kenden Chan ‘26 states, “dinners together at Mr. Whitt’s house have undoubtedly brought us closer both as a floor and a pioneering community.” Similarly, dorm-resident David Yang ‘26 relates his experience in the dorm as a “space where a sense of belonging and companionship is both shared and embraced” by the dorm at large. While the floor has definitely faced a number of logistical challenges, members of the community work towards unanimous resolutions and improvement for the program and All-Gender housing for years to come.  Ultimately, the introduction of the all-gender housing program represents much more than just a new housing arrangement, but rather a pivotal step towards a more inclusive community at large. All-gender housing, while currently a smaller space, sets a precedent for much larger DEI initiatives on campus. Through shared space and identity, all-gender housing is a testament to student advocacy and representation at Middlesex. Bryan Dong

Maya Lloyd ‘25 is the senior co-captain of Middlesex Girls Varsity Soccer. Lloyd has contributed to MXGVS in countless ways since her freshman year when she first stepped on Chapel Field. Wearing jersey number eight, Lloyd is a force in the midfield: her speed combined with her impressive footwork is unstoppable. It is not uncommon to hear the opponents shouting from the sidelines, “GET ON 8! GET ON 8! SHE’S FAST!” However, even when the opposition can catch up to Maya, she has one last juke in her back pocket. Importantly, Lloyd is not only an individual contributor. Lloyd’s incredible field vision consistently creates opportunities for the forward line whether it be with a perfectly placed through ball that leads to an easy finish for the striker, or a well timed run to receive a pass from the striker. Lloyd always knows where to be on the field and often helps direct her teammates into optimal position.  Lloyd’s defensive contributions are equally notable. Lloyd never leaves a 50-50 ball unchallenged, and more often than not, she comes out of an aggressive battle with the ball. Whether there are one, two, or even three opponents challenging Lloyd, she fights fiercely and often beats the odds of the battle. Fans watching Lloyd may wonder how she can possibly so consistently come out of a jumble with the ball. Lloyd’s defensive success comes from a mixture of raw talent and relentless toughness.  Although Lloyd is typically a designated center-attacking midfielder, she willingly runs the extra yards to track back on a potential threatening counter attack in the defensive third. Lloyd covers for her teammates by picking up unmarked players in dangerous scoring positions. Lloyd’s defensive contributions are sometimes subtle, but nonetheless, are crucial to the success of MXGVS.  Lloyd’s talent and knowledge for the game of soccer are felt in every aspect of the game. She is one of the team’s top scorers and playmakers, as well as a defensive asset. Her game statistics speak for themselves. In MXGVS’s first scrimmage against Concord-Carlisle High School, Lloyd put her team on the board after skillfully dribbling through two lines of defense and finally, finishing in the low corners, directly passed CCHS’s goalkeeper. After putting Middlesex in the lead, Lloyd defended smartly and helped lead MXGVS to their first win on Chapel Field of the 2024 season.  Perhaps the most important aspect of Lloyd’s game is her spirit. Lloyd is truly the glue of the team. She brings all 21 players into her circle, making every single player feel valued both on and off the field. Lloyd pushes her teammates to be better by pushing the pace during fitness challenges and bringing others with her. Lloyd strikes the perfect balance between leading by example and leading by encouragement. During every drill of every practice, Lloyd holds herself to the highest standards. She corrects her mistakes and always looks to increase the work rate. In doing so, without even saying anything, Lloyd inspires her teammates to do the same. She is constantly aware of her teammates and is the first to reach out to someone who needs a pick-me-up. Lloyd is a rare teammate to find as she genuinely never gets upset with anyone no matter the consequences of their mistake. Lloyd’s immediate response to mistakes is “how can I help, and how can I help my teammates.” This incredible, rare quality is one that is of paramount importance to the positive team culture of which Lloyd is a key contributor. Lloyd often creates the happiest moments of laughter for the team with her crazy ideas, and can always remedy a tense situation with her unique humor. Lloyd has a remarkable ability to connect with both individuals and the larger group, as she is a role model and a friend for her teammates. With plans to continue her athletic career in the collegiate league, Lloyd will continue to showcase her talent well beyond the MX soccer field. Maya Lloyd is an incredible player, and an even better teammate - anyone is lucky to have on their side of the field.  Avery Green

Wonderkid This kid is a star. Lamine Yamal. He is 17 years old and was born in Barcelona, Spain. And at 17 years old he is competing at the world’s biggest stage. The biggest sport, on one of the biggest teams, competing for one of the biggest countries. You think the pressure of a high school soccer game is too much to handle? Imagine playing in the European Championship final against England while 24 million people sit behind a screen eagerly watching you play. That is pressure.  Lamine Yamal began his soccer career at FC Barcelona for the academy team called La Masia. La Masia is famous for developing young players into superstars at a very young age. At just six years of age was Lamine Yamal taken into La Masia and playing for FC Barcelona. Lamine’s talent was evident from the beginning as he played up two divisions, meaning that at 15 years old he competed against 17 year old men. His first introduction to the first team of FC Barcelona, the one we all watch on TV, came when he was just 15 years old. He was described after the game as an electric youth talent, and the coach at the time, Xavi Hernandez, told reporters that Lamine would be a star.  And Xavi was right. Lamine proceeded, in the following year, to earn a starting spot on FC Barcelona at just 16 years of age. He contributed seven goals and nine assists over the course of the season, a number not too large yet significant given the fact that he played at such a high level for his age.  It was this season where the name Lamine Yamal came on to the scene. The European Championship was this summer. It’s a tournament where all the top countries in Europe, like Spain, Germany, England, and France, compete for a chance to win and assert themselves as the best team in Europe. Representing your country is a big deal for any player, and to do so as a 16 year old while starting is a huge deal. And to be the top assister in the tournament and to go on and win it is a massive deal. Lamine scored a beautiful goal in the semi-final against France, a curler into the top left corner, to win the goal of the tournament, and he even won young-player of the tournament.  Some people think that it was just the performance of a lifetime and he will burn out too quickly. Others think he is the next Messi. What teams have learned from the past, however, is that playing young footballers too much is simply too exhausting for them, leading to injuries that only slow player development. Take the likes of Pedri, a young star who has been injured more games than he has played. Or Gavi, a 20 year old who tore his ACL and missed an entire year. Despite his dominance on the field, Lamine will have to spend more time on the bench than on the field to ensure his health for the future. Barcelona have a real gem on their hands, but it’s up to them on how they should spend it. Will Frank

America’s Most Beloved Game Isn’t Actually a Professional Sport Saturdays are not just Middlesex game days in Concord, Massachusetts. They are universal days designated to college football around the entire country.    The 2024-2025 college football season has changed drastically since last year. This season introduces the long-anticipated playoff expansion from four teams to 12 teams, providing colleges in weaker NCAA conferences the chance to compete on the big stage. After the NCAA selection committee prevented Florida State from entering the postseason last year, although having an undefeated regular season, it was clearly time for some adjustments to the playoff structure.   Similarly, NCAA conferences have gone through major alterations. The SEC added Texas and Oklahoma; the Big Ten moved westward to UCLA, USC, Oregon, and Washington; the ACC expanded to Stanford, University of California Berkeley, and SMU; and the BIG 12 added four new teams. With college athletes now able to get paid, universities are forming super conferences in which they incentivize athletes to commit to their school. For instance, the University of Alabama football team has an annual revenue of $130 million, giving athletes, like Jalen Milroe, $1.6 million in Name Image Likeness (NIL) deals. Additionally, Shedeur Sanders, University of Colorado Boulder’s quarterback, is the highest paid collegiate athlete ever, making $4.7 in one year. The huge amount of money in college sports has transformed the landscape of college football forever.  With aspects of the beloved game having been modified, the amount of stardom produced from college football remains constant, however. Quinn Ewers, the Texas Longhorn’s junior quarterback is the consensus favorite to win the Heisman Trophy with +550 odds. In the 2023 season, Ewers threw for over 3,000 yards with 21 touchdowns, led his team to a 12-2 record, and appeared in the CFB semifinal game. Texas is the team to beat, currently ranked 2nd in the country with two highly profitable quarterbacks on its roster, Quinn Ewers and Arch Manning, the nephew of Peyton and Eli Manning. Nevertheless, through week three of the season, quarterbacks like Jaxson Dart of Ole Miss, Cam Ward of Miami, and Carson Beck of Georgia are also in contention to win college football’s most prestigious award.  Unsurprisingly, football is the most popular college sport in America. Last season’s College Football National Championship recorded 25 million viewers, the most watched collegiate game since the start of the pandemic. Its seven-game playoff bracket averaged 15.1 million viewers, and its Monday night viewership rose 45% from the year before. So far this season, the television trends similarly remain up with the Michigan vs Texas game sitting around 10 million viewers. Ultimately, college football is sacred in many households. It is on Saturday that perseverance, grit, and dedication are shown on the television screens across the country. From 12:00 P.M. to 10:00 P.M. eyes are glued on ESPN, and it is not until January 20th that this will cease. And so with that, the long-awaited football season is underway. The playoffs may be organized differently, conferences may have new teams, and players may earn more money, but the tradition of college football will never die.  Ryan Wolff

A new school year is upon us and with that comes a lot of change. There is a new head of school, a new athletic director, new teachers in practically every department, and a brand new schedule. Change is difficult at times but it also brings room for growth. Middlesex is now in a new era and it is up to us to ensure that new era blooms into many good years ahead. The students are what makes this school so special and we have the power to decide what the future holds. This is the time to seize every opportunity that comes your way. Whether you’re a senior and every day is the last of something or a freshman wandering the halls and finding something new about Middlesex every day, now is the time to foster change within yourself and others in this community. Nick & Harrison

As the first month of this school year comes to a close, you might find yourself well-adjusted to the busy schedule and ready to take on challenges in and out of the classroom, and you might also have a tough time transitioning as you struggle to find breathing room between one commitment and the next. It is okay to be strong at times, but it is also okay to be vulnerable. To be vulnerable is not to be weak, but to have the courage to show your authentic self unapologetically. When you are open to yourself and the people around you, that is the moment when true connection and belonging start. Remember that you are not alone in this journey of exploring what makes Middlesex, Middlesex, and what makes you, you. Let us remember to reflect while putting forth our best, and let us not forget to take notice of the little moments of growth every day. Nick & Harrison

As fall turns into winter and the cold months of New England set in, many of us may feel dreary and tired, but let's try to find hope and joy in the small moments. For the seniors, early college applications were just due and we’ll hear back very soon. It seems like life is moving pretty fast and before we know it, we will be done with our high school careers, so try and slow down every once in a while and enjoy the jokes at dinner or the fun times at practice. For the juniors, school got pretty hard this year, huh? Lean into the classes you enjoy and try not to be too stressed. For the sophomores, have some fun, make friends, and live a little. And to the freshmen, Stop worrying about all the little things of high school, and don’t let it go too fast because it’ll be gone before you know it. Nick & Harrison