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After Patriots owner Robert Kraft fired Bill Belichick in January, a new era begins. It was nearly nine years ago to this day. In Glendale, Arizona, the Patriots had clawed their way back from a ten-point fourth-quarter deficit to take the lead in Super Bowl XLIX. But with ninety seconds to play in the game, the Seahawks had 1st and goal with one of the most dangerous red-zone weapons to ever suit up, Marshawn Lynch. New England hadn’t won anything in ten years. They had an unfortunate stumble in 2007, after going undefeated, only to lose in the Super Bowl.  Then they lost again to the Giants in 2011. They’d started the season 2-2. They’d trailed their AFC Divisional playoff game by fourteen points on two separate occasions. It was a season, and really a decade, of adversity. But Bill Belichick had produced his Mona Lisa. His team answered every punch, question, and test with flying colors. But now, with 1:30 on the clock, it seemed as though they’d come up short. What happened next, well, that changed the course of the following decade. Dont’A Hightower stopped Marshawn Lynch on 1st & Goal, which is one of the best plays that’s rarely talked about. Conventional wisdom, at that moment, called for the Patriots to call timeout. There was about 1:00 on the clock, and they needed to conserve time for their offense should the Seahawks punch it in. Everyone, including every assistant coach on the New England sideline, was screaming for the timeout. But Bill didn’t call it. As time ticked down in the Super Bowl, and each precious second slipped away, Belichick calmly stared at the Seattle sideline. And he didn’t call timeout. He later explained that he noticed some chaos on the sideline, and he didn’t want to bail them out by calling a timeout. The next play, well, is probably the greatest, most dramatic play in modern football history. Everyone watching remembers as Malcom Butler picked off Russel Wilson at the goal line. It won a Super Bowl, and sparked a new dynasty. Any other football coach anywhere else in the world would call a timeout in that position. It just makes sense. But Bill Belichick has never been “any coach.” Bill sees the game differently than anyone that’s come before him. He has an uncanny ability to feel the rhythm of the game, trust his instincts, and win game, after game, after game. Robert Kraft fired Bill Belichick last week. With that, he’s losing 333 wins, and 8 super bowls, but most importantly, he’s losing Belichick’s instincts. Instincts that are irreplaceable, and can’t be taught. It feels, to me, like an overcorrection. It feels as though Mr. Kraft is making a change just for the sake of making a change. Things certainly got bleak in New England this season. It seems as though things may have been building up towards this point for a couple years now. The roster was one of aging veterans, an injury riddled offensive line, and zero playmaking ability on offense. For Kraft, the 4-13 record was his measuring stick. He saw a linear situation: the team was losing, and had been losing for multiple years in a row. He felt a shakeup was needed, and he made the daring call to fire the greatest coach of all time. And I think it’s the wrong one. There’s a moral aspect of this situation that can’t be ignored. If you’ve watched any of the recent press conferences with Kraft over the last few weeks, you’ve noticed a common sentiment: Kraft believes in building a strong culture in his organizations, which as he explained, comes from trust and camaraderie in the building. It all seemed hypocritical to me. The one man responsible for that culture was Bill Belichick. There was no Patriot Way or Do Your Job when Mr. Kraft purchased the team in 1994. Belichick built the culture, and for that matter, took Mr. Kraft’s organization from laughing stock to dynasty. Robert Kraft will be inducted into the Pro football Hall of Fame soon, and that’s solely due to Bill Belichick. What Belichick has done for Kraft and his family cannot be put into words. And everyone will say it’s a business, but to me, this situation is far more complicated than that. And if one man has earned loyalty in this business, it’s six time world champion Bill Belichik. The reason he’s earned that loyalty is because he’s a good football coach. And he still is, which is the most infuriating part of this whole thing. The personnel in New England is poor. The offensive weapons are incredibly bad, and while Belichick seems to be responsible for personnel, it's a situation that many are to blame for. The Patriots were 31st in spending this year, and while Kraft was busy cutting checks for his new lighthouse, his team was descending to the depths of football mediocrity due to a lack of talent. But even in this absence of talent, Belichick still fielded a competitive football team. After losing its two best players, the defense was still top 15 in the league. And, spare the Dallas and New Orleans games, they remained competitive in every game, even against some of the league’s best. To be clear, that’s not something to applaud at all- the team went 4-13. But what could be appreciated is that Belichick’s players continued to compete for him. For all that’s been said about Belichick being unable to connect with players anymore, it seems that no one inside of the building agrees with that. The players love playing for Belichick, as has been shown on occasion after occasion. Bill Belichick can and will still produce winning football teams. I respect Robert Kraft’s bravery in firing him. Kraft has grabbed a gun and stared directly at the barrel. He’s now responsible for whatever may occur in this new era of New England football. There’s no scapegoat or anything like that: if Jerod Mayo doesn’t work out, the blame lies solely with Kraft. I have a very hard time standing by his decision for the first time in my life. I don’t see the logic, and it simply feels like an overreaction. But that could be the nostalgia speaking. Who really knows. Bill Belichick gave New England the greatest twenty four years that football will ever see. In the end, no person is bigger than the logo. Tom Brady, Bill Belichick, anyone. We can be upset with their departures, and I certainly am, but my loyalty is with the organization. Mr Kraft: let’s see what you got. George Leness

The Story of the Prestigious Heisman and Jayden Daniels’ Unforgettable Campaign to Achieve Greatness The Heisman. The pinnacle of collegiate football and the most glorified personal award in college sports. Each year, college football presents the Heisman Trophy to the best player in the nation. The Downtown Athletic Club of New York City established the Trophy in 1935 and named it in honor of John Heisman, the club’s first athletic director. Since then, only the best of the best get to etch their names in history. This year Jayden Daniels joins the list of greats, as just the third LSU player to be given the prestigious award, and now he sits next to the highest college performers of all time. No different from any year, Jayden Daniels’ nomination sparked some resentment around the college football world. While the other two final candidates, Michael Penix Jr. and Bo Nix had similar passing stats to Daniels, all being within 100 yards of each other in the regular season, Penix and Nix had achieved a status Jayden Daniels was unable to achieve– they made pushes into the playoffs (ESPN). The University of Washington quarterback Penix Jr. helped the Huskies to an undefeated regular season in the Pac-12, while Bo Nix carried his team, the Oregon Ducks, to a regular season record of 11-1, only losing to Washington in a heated contest. Not only did Michael Pennix Jr. and Bo Nix win games, but they also set records. Penix threw for 4,903 passing yards, the most ever by a University of Washington quarterback and the runner up in Pac-12 history, whereas Nix’s 77.4% completion percentage is tied with Mac Jones for the highest percentage in college football history (Sports Reference). Both Michael Penix Jr. and Bo Nix had historical seasons to say the least, falling just short of being crowned FBS champions and Heisman medalists. Luckily for the winning Daniels, the Heisman is an award purely based on individual performance, not team success, and Daniels undoubtedly had the statistics to back up his Heisman title. The place where Daniels really shined the most this season was with his dual threat quarterback abilities. In addition to his already impressive 3,812 passing yards and 40 touchdowns in just 12 games, he also rushed for 1,134 yards, including 10 rushing touchdowns. His stats proved that he was clearly the best fit to win (Heisman). In comparison, Bo Nix only had 234 total rushing yards, while Michael Penix Jr. ran for only 8 yards in the whole season. Jayden Daniel’s ability to throw, scramble, and control an offense has proved instrumental in his college football career, but also makes him a projectable quarterback in the NFL. He is predicted to be drafted in the top five players in the upcoming draft, possibly looking to develop with the New England Patriots under new coach, Jerod Mayo. Now with the college football season officially wrapped up and a full year to go until the next Heisman winner is chosen, potential superstars and future champions are already being evaluated. Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe and Oklahoma State running back Ollie Gordon II are both rising juniors who finished 6th and 7th in the 2023 Heisman race (Heisman). They have shown their dominance this past season and aspire to follow the path of Jayden Daniels in 2024. As long as college football is around, the Heisman’s relevance will live on with the best young players being celebrated for their record breaking seasons, astonishing stat lines, and crazy highlights, each ultimately hoping to be crowned the best player to touch the field that season. Ryan Wolff

This week I’ll be looking around Landry to find the best pieces of decor I can find. This is Alex Clapp ‘25 posing in front of a photo commemorating one of the many Middlesex Football wins, and this game was the St. Marks under the lights one. Alex Clapp is an extremely average-height man who lives on the third floor of Landry and appears to have a gritty boo-boo under his eye, most likely from his amazing football season. This is Robbie Fawcett ‘26 who lives on the second floor of Landry. Robbie can be found messing around with the stock market leading the entrepreneurship club. However, Robbie is no generic finance bro. Here, Robbie appears in front of a Monsters Inc. character on fire. Don’t judge a book by its cover, because even the businessman Robbie can have a goofy side. Luke Falago ‘26. A trombone player, a wonderful backup QB, a tennis star, and a family man. This is a wholesome snap of Luke with his favorite part of his room, his family (aww). If you look in the background of this photo, you can also notice some other hobbies Luke enjoys. What a guy! Phillip Bolen ‘24. More commonly known as Phil, he points to his favorite out of many wonderful room decorations. Even though he has almost enough posters to cover his whole wall, Phil favors his Indiana Jones poster, his favorite film. Maybe Phil is an adventurous man? A treasure hunter? A wilderness guy? A secret archaeology geek? A man afraid of snakes? That is up to you all to decide. He also can be seen grinding Fortnite, so clearly, he is someone with their priorities straight. This good-looking fella is Nolan Marsters ‘25, also known as Sters. Sters is looking like a model in front of his favorite part of his room, his shoe shelf. He is a magnificent hockey player, but most talented at collecting hideous golf shirts. Above, Sters showcases his collection of New England-themed art. There is also a diffuser casually next to the Rob Gronkowski figure, so you know Nolan is always smelling good. A neat man, a good patriotic New Englander, and a good friend is what I get from this photo. This is just one of the many delightful dorms here at Middlesex with a handful of awesome students. Landry is clearly a great place to be with some lovely individuals, but Middlesex is full of different rooms all decorated uniquely. What dorm would you like to see next? Hudson Hinckley

Is FLIK hate really that deserved? With food being at the core of every student's day-to-day life, FLIK is arguably one of the most controversial topics among Middlesex students. While some say that they honestly enjoy the food, others are highly critical of many of the meal choices–and honestly, I don’t blame them, as I too once assumed a pessimistic attitude towards FLIK. It’s easy for one to let a few suboptimal meal choices override their true opinion of the dining service. Sure, FLIK has had its misses (chunky tiramisus, various fruits plopped on chicken, and a few instances where the meat was not fully cooked), but that doesn’t mean FLIK hasn’t had significant victories. In fact, their newest dessert addition, Taylor Swift's chai cookies, have rightfully been donned the title of “scrumptious,” a word one student exclaimed with tremendous vigor with two whole chai cookies stuffed inside her mouth. Not only has FLIK been stepping up its desert game, but the general quality of meals has improved immensely since last year, with cherry chicken now a rare sight in the servery and waffle fries becoming ever more prominent. So why do so many students adopt this fervent hatred for FLIK? In my opinion, it’s because it gives us something to bond over. After a rough day of classes, sometimes the easiest way to relieve your stress is to make fun of some peculiar piece of food that has found its way onto your plate. It’s not that the dining service as a whole is bad, it’s just that students decide to let a few unfortunate meals represent the service itself, because, in our eyes, it’s funny. Although I may not love every meal FLIK serves, I have to admire their tenacity and ability to cook for hundreds of students each day at the intense level they do–a fact not many consider when eating the meals FLIK provides. Junior Maggie Cabot is particularly enthralled with FLIK’s meals, remarking, “some meals are so delicious they combine the familiar feeling of a home-cooked meal with the intricate balance of flavors only a Michelin star chef could produce.” Such warmth and pure adoration for the craft of FLIK chefs is hard to find among the many critics at Middlesex, yet Maggie claims her love for FLIK is “from the heart.” Not only does the FLIK staff know how to make a mean chai cookie, but they are also some of the most caring and genuinely compassionate people you’ll ever meet. From beloved Antonio cheffing up fan favorite omelets every morning to Maria with her genuine kindness and dedication, the FLIK team is a rare combination of skill and benevolence that's hard to find. I think if the FLIK staff sent out more forms that ask students and faculty which meals they'd like to see more of, both parties would get more appreciation out of their meals. Although not everyone is going to love every meal that FLIK serves, it doesn't mean you can't appreciate how much effort it takes to make healthy, high-quality food for over 500 people every single day. So the next time you stick your fork into a potato and think it could use some extra thyme, just remember what Django said in Ratatouille: “Food is fuel, You get picky about what you put in the tank, your engine is gonna die.” Bon Appetit! Catherine Bain

Reach removes the headaches of Moodle This fall, Middlesex students returned to campus with a new student management system that replaced Moodle: Reach. According to its website, Reach can be used for grades, medication, wellness checks, and more. Nevertheless, the main function of both platforms is to allow students to report their current or future locations. There hasn’t been much change in terms of what students must do, with the notable exceptions being that day students must sign on and off campus and all boarding students must sign into their dorm (rather than the assumption being students were in the dorm unless otherwise marked). Although some students speculated that Middlesex’s decision to use Reach and implement new sign-in procedures was a response to the active shooter threat that occurred on campus last spring, Moodle was also due for a replacement regardless. Reach, although largely the same in function, is a more efficient and convenient system for students to use. Leave requests are easier to complete, as permission now takes the form of email requests rather than phone calls. Students no longer have to pester their parents to leave a voicemail with their head of house, and I’m sure dorm parents don’t miss sorting through voicemails every weekend. Likewise, SISOing (Sign in, Sign out) on Reach is far more convenient for students. Moodle’s interface was incredibly clunky and often confusing, especially on mobile devices. Perhaps Reach’s greatest advantage, however, is the fact that it doesn’t require the student to be on school wifi to sign out as Moodle did. Students who forgot to sign out while on campus are no longer unintentionally misrepresenting their location; conversely, claiming you “forgot” to sign out is no longer a viable excuse that can be used. The NFC SISO feature–QR codes that are printed out and posted inside different buildings on campus–seems pointless and has already been forgotten. In fact, since the second night of school, I haven’t seen one Atkins resident stop to point their phone at our NFC tag—most find it far more practical to simply select their location from the app on their phone. Nevertheless, regardless of which method is preferred, both methods are far easier to do rather than looking up Moodle online, signing in, and having to navigate the unwieldy interface to find the sign-out button. The Reach app has garnered notoriously low ratings on the App Store (1.2 out of 5 stars with nearly 400 reviews), largely from disgruntled students. Some notable reviews include comments about how Reach “gave [them] lice” and “makes [them] cry every day,” expressing their views that “this app has ruined boarding school [and now they] have no say [in] what [they] can do ever.”  While many reviewers complain about how Reach is slow, dysfunctional, and unreliable, it doesn’t seem as if the majority of Middlesex students share similar complaints about the app’s performance, most likely because students were already expected to report their location and Middlesex uses Reach in a more limited way. Ultimately, Reach is a welcome upgrade from Moodle for most students and it has made student life easier without dramatically altering the check-in system that was already in place. Jack Elworth

Picture yourself in Jecca’s English classroom. The winter sky is colorless, the Eliot windows are ice-cold, and piles of snow cover the campus. Yet you are cozily wrapped up in a statement sweater, drowned in a shiny puffer jacket, and warmly insulated in a pair of Uggs. This is my winter shopping guide gathered from diverse student opinions; this winter’s style direction is clear- to prioritize warmth and comfort first. To avoid making shopping mistakes (such as buying skinny jeans), here are some of the most-wanted fashionable items this winter: Wool sweaters. Whether it is cashmere or merino, sweaters will be a go-to in the cold. Beyond its thermal advantage and timeless nature, the many selections of knitwear allow tremendous creativity: play with necklines, darker colors, oversized fits, and mohair fabric. Lauren Chan ‘26 loves a fitted turtleneck as Amrita Tromge ‘26 adores a pop of neutral colors. Chic, right? This is also the opportunity to purchase that statement sweater you dreamt about all fall. Insulating outerwear. Puffers are more prevalent than ever, providing warmth with a lighter weight and cozier feel than those drowning long parkas. When purchasing a puffer jacket, take note of the thickness and amount of filling, which determines the insulating capacity. Also consider a cropped fit, and a glossy finish too, as beloved by Esme Coes ‘24. Another outerwear worth mentioning is big, long, elegant coats. As a trend of FW23, there is a return of the classics, and there is no better time to invest in an overcoat. With the right fit, you might just pass as a character in The Matrix, or just someone quite sophisticated. Checkered patterns, faux fur, and faux leather are all having big moments too- consider this when purchasing an outerwear. Uggs and boots. Embrace your inner It Girl and consider securing a pair of Uggs that are worth the purchase. Beloved by supermodels and Middlesex students too, they can be a true staple in the closet. Can they be more cozy? With various silhouettes, Nykarra Graham ‘23 personally loves the platform Uggs, pairing well with sweats, jeans, and leggings. On another note, boots are a winter necessity too: they can easily navigate through sturdy snow and be effortlessly flattering to an outfit. Sixing Wang

A stacked LSU roster looks to be crumbling under the pressure; can Kim Mulkey reign in her team for a repeat? This season has not started off the way the reigning NCAA champions LSU have wanted. A bizarre scene appears to be unfolding in Baton Rouge; women’s basketball fans watch in confusion as the team falls apart in real time. Tensions seem to be high on the team that looked so likely to repeat with ease. LSU won the national championship last year over Iowa 102-85. Despite losing point-guard Alexis Morris, LSU remained strong holding onto their star forward Angel Reese while obtaining Louisville transfer Hailey Van Lith. They also anticipated increased production from sophomore Flau'jae Johnson, and a new freshman presence from incoming five star recruit Mikaylah Williams. The Tigers were the overwhelming choice to win the National Championship, and an easy choice for the no.1 ranking. Just two weeks into the season though, the stable foundation on which the dominant program is built appears to be fractured. Players seem to be fighting, coaches are tightlipped, and parents are exchanging blows on Instagram. The season got off on a rough foot straight from the jump as No. 1 LSU lost its first game of the season in a blowout to No. 20 Colorado, 92-79. Kim Mulkey expressed her displeasure after the game, and wasn’t shy about voicing her disappointment in the veterans: "I’m disappointed and surprised in some players I thought would be tougher and have a little fight and leadership about them," Mulkey said after the loss.” Mulkey added that she wasn’t particularly frustrated with their playing, but she was appalled by their lack of heart. She thought her team lacked guts and physical play. Her speech pointed at the veteran stars who lacked fierceness and leadership during adversity and failed to give their team the boost they needed. Two games later, LSU faced off against Kent State, and while the Tigers won 109-79, all the attention shifted to the puzzling treatment of Angel Reese. Reese was taken out of the game 48 seconds in after taking an inadvisable three-pointer and never went back in for more than five minutes. It got stranger after halftime. Mulkey benched the star in the second half and Reese finished the game with 11 points and 5 rebounds in 14 minutes of the first half. When asked, Mulkey declined any explanation for benching her star claiming, "I could, but I won't. It was just a coach's decision." No reason was ever given as to why the star sat out in the second half. The following game LSU defeated Southeastern Louisiana 73-50, but Reese was nowhere to be seen. Her absence was not announced before the game and again Mulkey declined to offer an explanation afterwards. All Mulkey provided was "Angel was not in uniform. Angel is a part of this basketball team, and we hope she's back with the team soon. I'm not gonna answer any more than that." The situation got even weirder when the parents of the players began a very public fight on social media. Reese’s mother, Angel Webb Reese seemingly denounced LSU player Flau’jae Johnson for her grammatical errors on her Instagram story by posting "Folks pls do not send me long text msgs with a bunch of grammatical errors…It gives me a headache [facepalm emoji] how do I know you said what you said if I can't understand what you're saying [facepalm emoji] [cry-laughing emoji]". Johnson’s mother, Kia Brooks was not going to let that slide, firing back, "Stop being petty, fake and hateful and take responsibility for you and your daughter’s actions," Brooks posted on Instagram. "You’re just as responsible you raised her that way.” Brooks also added "You definitely know about grammar errors when your daughter got a 2.0-or-less grade point average," she said. This comment has fans speculating the possibility of Reese’s absence in part due to her GPA being too low to play. However, the posts are not exclusively for the mothers, with former teammates jumping in the mix to voice their opinions. Former LSU point guard Alexis Morris posted multiple obscure tweets where she appeared to take her old coach's side and hinted at internal grievances between teammates: “You can’t pay me to bash Kim!!!” posted Morris. “Can’t we all just get [along]? Heck no that's over with.” Former grad transfer Jasmine Cooper allegedly tweeted "Y'all better hope I don't say nothing" in a tweet that has now been deleted. Questions still surround the reason for Reese being benched and rumors continue to swirl on social media. A source told Glenn Guilbeau, an LSU sportswriter, that Reese is undergoing an “attitude adjustment,” while Brooks’ tweets point at Reese’s struggling academics as the explanation. Others cite the possibility of stardom clouding the celebrity’s judgment. Reese burst onto the scene last season and a whirlwind of fame soon followed. She gained recognition during her on-court dispute with Iowa’s Caitlin Clark, the drama over the white house visit, and her appearance in a Cardi B music video. Whatever the reason, it doesn’t take away from the consequences LSU is already facing. The team is currently 4-1, but they have already plummeted from no. 1 to no. 7 in the AP poll. Clearly, there are problems internally that need to be addressed if the Tigers want a chance to repeat. Whatever it is, the Bayou Barbie needs to do what needs to be done to get back on the court for her team. Grace Bishop

After the tragic death of former Pittsburgh Penguin player Adam Johnson, the hockey community debates whether neck guards should be required. On October 23, 2023, Adam Johnson walked in to play a professional hockey game for the Nottingham Panthers like any usual gameday. Unfortunately, this game turned out to be Johnson’s last. During the second period, Johnson was fatally hit in the neck by a skate blade from a member of the opposing team, causing him to die just moments later. Recently, the English Ice Hockey Association (EIHA) has decided to make neck guards required of all players starting in 2024. This tragic event has led the hockey community to debate whether or not players should be required to wear neck guards while playing. I think that NHL players should have the option to choose whether or not to wear a neck guard. However, I feel that neck guards should be mandatory for youth hockey players. An important element is that neck injuries caused by skates are extremely rare. Older hockey fans can remember a similar incident that occurred back in 1989 when goalie for the Buffalo Sabre, Clint Malarchuk had his neck cut accidentally, but fortunately survived. This incident over thirty years ago did not significantly swing the NHL's policies regarding neck guards. Washington Capitals forward, TJ Oshie, has recently decided to wear a neck guard following the incident. Oshie says he wears the neck guard for the sake of his children. Oshie is the only one on the Capitals to wear one and says he doesn’t care “whether it looks cool or not.” Unlike the NHL, junior hockey leagues such as the Western Hockey League (WHL) have implemented the requirement for its players to wear one. The Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL) has as of November 3, 2023, required players to wear one as well. Additionally, other junior leagues such as the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) and the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) already have required players to wear neck guards. Interestingly, USA Hockey has yet to require its players to wear one, but they strongly recommend it. When it comes to wearing neck guards some players can describe them as uncomfortable and restrictive to their breathing. Johnson’s death has helped the community realize the importance of safety and increased production of safer, less restrictive, and more comfortable guards to wear. At the end of the day, hockey is a fun, but dangerous sport. To limit these freak accidents from occurring again, youth leagues should require children to wear neck guards to ensure the safety of their players. Children should not have to worry about whether their next game might end in them getting hurt. Again, events like Johnson’s and Malarchuk’s are extremely rare and should not cause players to fear getting back on the ice. Therefore, I believe it should be up to NHL players to decide whether they should wear a neck guard or not. Jack Francini

Pros and cons of the current Weekend schedule Middlesex has offered a plethora of weekend activities for students which can be found in the official “Weekend Schedule” website, or, more recently, announced via Reach email. As a result, every Middlesex student is familiar with these offerings. Every weekend, Middlesex offers certain activities for students (unsurprisingly called the “Weekend Activities”). Some of these are present every time (e.g. Church Van), but others are more periodic (van to Boston). However, sign-ups are only available for certain predetermined time slots, making some of the activities impossible for students with multiple commitments to sign up for. The activities offered on Saturdays are especially inconvenient for students with athletic commitments. For example, the van to Natick Mall used to be 2 pm-5pm on Saturdays, meaning that people with a packed athletic schedule were unable to attend the mall trip each week. Thankfully, mall times have been changed to Sundays, making it more convenient for many students. Criticism of Activities Although the majority of the activities are already great, there is still room for improvement. For example, many students have been advocating for more supermarket trips (Trader Joe’s and H-Mart in particular), as trips to these stores are quite rare as of now. Also, students have been calling for more trips into Boston — I’ve heard many tales about students having to find their own sources of transportation there, mainly in the form of Uber. Especially for adolescent high school students, ubering alone can be dangerous— not to mention expensive. If Middlesex were to provide shuttles that made weekly trips to these destinations, this problem would easily be solved. Finally, an increased variety of events would be interesting. Some suggested activities are trips into different parts of Concord (not just the regular Town Shuttle one) and most importantly, Target. Suggestions for improvement Aside from the comments above, I also recommend that the school allows students to take more control in terms of making their own ideal weekend activities. One way this could be achieved would be through sending out forms to measure the level of satisfaction, create a suggestion slot for activities, provide a space for questions and comments, etc. Also, the current activities spreadsheet doesn’t include a slot that indicates the rendezvous point for pickup, so adding that section could help lessen some confusion. Conclusion Weekend Activities have been relatively satisfactory so far and have improved considerably since the start of the school year. However, certain things are still in the works— a need for more grocery stores and Boston trips in particular. In addition to these proposed improvements, I believe the school should create weekly weekend activities-based forms to allow students to take initiative in improving the Weekend Activities, as well as provide pickup locations on the current weekend activities sheet. Morgan Kim

Mixed Student Participation in Fall Dances Middlesex dances have been held for years and are welcomed by most students, especially those new to our community. They are a great opportunity for Middlesex students to socialize with both their friends and strangers while creating the lasting memories that define the Middlesex experience. Each of the dances is unique and fun in its own way. So far, we’ve had the “energetic” square dance, the “chaotic” Random Dance, and the less “popular” Fall Formal. What makes them fun is that each dance always generates unique stories that keep the student body talking for a while. They also help us unwind – perhaps a little bit too much at times. Middlesex takes the square dance to a new level. While the seemingly elegant origins of square dancing date back to France and the quadrille made popular during the reign of Louis XV, square dancing is a fun, sweat pit for us today. Most of us would not have known a “do-si-do” if it hit us on the head before the dance. Nevertheless, we made it work with most of the students present giving it a go. A large portion of the credit has to go to the square dance instructor, as while she spent a long time trying to get the dance going, in the end, her efforts paid off as we all left having had a great time. Square dance was a “great way to get to know people as a new student,” Caroline Wolford ’27 noted. In October, Middlesex hosted Random Dance. The outfits students created were incredibly unique and fashionable, ranging from a variety of neon and pastel colors to glitter and unconventional accessories. Our student DJ, Nailiah Hamilton ’24 also made the night more fun, playing student favorites throughout the dance. We may not be a mosh at an 80s hardcore punk concert but students had a fun time moshing. As a student noted, “The Random Dance was unforgettable.” With Autumn’s arrival, Middlesex then had its “Fall Formal.” As always, students made a big effort to dress for the occasion – as the photos of the event show. However, perhaps because everyone was dressed so nicely, attendance and participation were not the same as the prior dances. Most people came for pictures and left early, begging the question of whether people should rethink the “formal” next year. It seems that more unstructured and informal dances are more popular. However, there is a lot to be said for dressing and looking good with your friends.  In the end, what makes Middlesex special is coming together as a community to have fun, regardless of the event. Marina Sabater

Is Shakespeare Too Hard? Freshman year at Middlesex, I met Romeo, Juliet, and the rest of the cast from one of William Shakespeare’s most renowned plays. A romanticized story about romance, the tragedy also explores other themes such as youth, violence, and fate. In particular, I personally valued moments of enriching, poetic, and meaningful language about love, and fate, and the stars. But all too often, while reading Romeo and Juliet, I got bogged down dissecting sentences made up of dense and incomprehensible Shakespearean language. While there were times when I did manage to understand certain sections, I ultimately failed to make sense of the broader meaning. Although I usually annotated the works we read in English class, I failed to do so many times during my readings of both Romeo and Juliet and Hamlet, leaving the margins of many pages and sections blank. If Shakespeare was too hard, then why were we reading it? If the language did not make any sense or if a homework assignment lasted multiple hours, then why did I make an effort? Should works by Shakespeare be part of our English education? What is really the point? If you were to ask me these questions during my freshman or even junior year, I would’ve told you that we should stop reading Shakespeare. However, as I reflect on these questions today, I’ve come to realize that Shakespeare isn’t extremely hard or burdensome, but rather, it is good to learn. Digesting and comprehending the beginning of Romeo and Juliet may have been perhaps the hardest intellectual challenge of mine at Middlesex. Not only was it uncomfortable to read foreign Shakespearean English, but I gradually became more frustrated as I continued to struggle with it. My curriculum expected me to be able to read, comprehend, and analyze a text that I couldn’t seem to understand--there was a physiological toll on my mind as the extent of my capabilities seemed subpar compared to the high expectations set out for me. But I recently realized that I was never expected to completely understand the material–I was meant to struggle with it. In doing so, I’ve learned to cope with failure, find pleasure in intellectual struggle, and become comfortable with the uncomfortable. Furthermore, my initial lack of understanding fostered and developed my creative side. Whenever I encountered a passage that did not lead to a logical conclusion in my brain, I would often imagine multiple outcomes of meaning based on the context or the language I did understand. In class during discussions when Mr. Kester or Mr. Koelz prompted a difficult question, I would often take a chance and respond with the best answers my creativity could provide me with. To an extent, being creative increased my confidence and made me proud of my intellectual thoughts. The difficulty of Shakespeare has also encouraged me to seek out friends for discussion--it taught me about the importance and value of intellectual collaboration. Sometimes I spent time talking with peers who were already some chapters ahead, but I mostly discussed the current readings and passages with friends from my class. Together, we could make sense out of senselessness--I learned that minds are stronger when they work together. As I reflect upon the dense difficulty of Shakespeare, I can nevertheless be grateful for the gifts it has given me: conceptual grit that enhances my perseverance, creativity and imagination that make me confident, and a desire to collaborate with others. So yes, Shakespeare is hard, but it is worth it. Now, in the midst of taking a senior English elective class titled “Modern Tragedy,” I am inspired to revisit Shakespeare’s tragedies and discover others so I can use the gifts that have ultimately made me a brighter student. Luca Raffa

Uncovering some “bestsellers”, the philosophy behind the store’s arrangement of price, and delving into deeper aspects of our zebra den. Surrounded by the clamorous flurry of chattering students, a plain room, negligible at first sight, sits quietly amidst the hustle. Upon stepping into the room, however, one is immediately pervaded by brimming warmth and school spirit—the Middlesex school store. With the dryness brought upon by the chilly weather, Middlesex’s Burt’s Bees lip balm, formerly neglected, has quickly amassed popularity among students. Some favorite flavors are pomegranate and dragon fruit, bringing not only moisturized and softened lips, but also a tint of sweetness into the bland winter ambiance. Sweatpants have also been an item of popularity in our school store to the extent that most have already sold out. However, our beloved school manager, Mrs. Gleason says there is no need to worry, as new sweatpants of a variety of sizes are soon coming in. She also reveals (spoiler alert!) that blankets of fluffy material suited for the harsh cold of New England winter will soon be in stock–just the thing to curl up with in your bed to read a good book on a snowy night! However, as appealing as many of our school store’s products may seem, are the prices just as enticing? The central principle of a school store is to supply students with the freedom and convenience to acquire what they desire while maintaining school spirit by promoting its merchandise–if the majority of students are unwilling or unable to obtain items of necessity here because of the cost, then the purpose of a school store is defeated. I distinctly recall picking up a woolen hat in our store and almost instantly placing it back on its shelf, alarmed after seeing a price beyond my expected budget. However, one must also note that the cost of items meant for frequent use is quite affordable and relatively inexpensive: Middlesex notebooks, for instance, are only three dollars apiece. By keeping the price of products essential to everyday use at a modest level and slightly increasing the prices of non-daily items whose purpose is primarily for embellishment, our school store is working to find the balance between its needs and students’ needs. Mrs. Gleason further discloses the logic behind this arrangement in an interview, stating, “Our philosophy is not to gouge students. We raise the prices enough so we can cover the expenses, but not to make a profit.” Therefore, I think it's safe to conclude that despite a select few costly objects, one must admit that most items are reasonably priced and are within the limits of what we, as students, can afford. Apart from the price, some students also complain about the small size of our school store. Especially during times like the start of the school year and family weekend, the confined space can be packed to the brim with eager customers, leaving barely any room for people to browse. Many also argue that an enlarged space, in addition to providing a less-crammed shopping experience, can accommodate a more broad variety and quantity of items. While these critics may have a point, these ideas of a more roomy layout may not align with Middlesex's style. Changing our store into a luxuriously spacious shop deviates from its original purpose of providing a sense of comfort–a sense of home. In essence, a small campus store offers more than just merchandise; it offers an opportunity to foster a more intimate experience, providing an atmosphere that resonates with close bonds and familiarity, akin to that of home. Perhaps analogous to the Middlesex society, a small yet tight-knit community that fosters a familial connection between each individual, the Middlesex school store serves the same purpose. Jessica Wu