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The Journey to the post-season Photo by Stacey McCarthy The fall season is underway, and the Boys Varsity Soccer team is out of the gates strong with an impressive 8-1-2 record, just over halfway into the season. The boys’ team is fired up and feels confident going into some big matchups in the next coming week. Captain and herd leader Baze Kalisa recognizes Rivers and St. George’s as important future matchups, where the team needs to make sure they are dialed in. In the past 14 years, the boys have had a very even competition with Rivers, having a record of 6-6-2 against them. Last year, the boys unfortunately lost 4-3 in a high scoring thriller, so this year the boys are more than ready to bring the heat and get a win in this huge Class B matchup. After playing St. George’s twice last year and walking away with a tie in season and loss in the NEPSAC Class B tournament, the boys’ team is ready to get their revenge on Senior day, marking a massive win for the team and the seniors.  Baze points out how valuable their practices are to their success in these big games, saying the team just needs to “take it one game at a time” and focus on “intense practices to translate into games.” Baze addresses the need for each member of the team to not just do their own job, but do “the task needed in the moment,” creating an interconnected team that steps up for each other in times of conflict, where team members take accountability on the pitch. Also, Junior goalie Noah Browne touches on the importance of the team staying united and “true to [their] roots” to foster future success.  In practice, the boys focus on possession and keeping the ball moving on the ground, trying to avoid long balls in the air to then maintain control in games. The boys are able to generate more opportunities this way and create havoc in the final third as seen by Senior Bryan Mayhew’s 6 goals and 2 assists and Sophomore Adriano Valmora’s 12 goals and 7 assists in only 7 games, placing him at the top of the ISL Boy’s Soccer standings thus far into the season. However, a team is nothing without a strong defense and the boys have proved their dominance on defense as well with sophomore center backs Luis Lugo Canales and Will McCarthy, and freshman outside back starter Chris De Morais holding down the fort and limiting opposing offenses from getting in on their defense. Overall, the boys are excited with how the season has gone and can’t wait to make some noise in the playoffs. Coach Risley tries hard to not just create a strong, interconnected team to win games, but foster a family and, as Baze says, “a team that sees each other as a family, that sacrifices for each other, competes for each other, and is happy for each other, succeeds, and successes are keys to success.” The boys certainly seem to see each other as family now and hopefully they continue to. Stella Mourtzinos ‘26

Surprises, Busts, and More Photo by ESPN The NFL has had an extremely exciting start to the season, with more action undoubtedly to come. These are the biggest surprises, best teams, players, and disappointments so far. A major surprise to the whole NFL was the rise of the Indianapolis Colts, a team that had not touched the playoffs in five years. Their quarterback, Daniel Jones, had been labeled a bust by most NFL teams, but the Colts took a chance on him and it paid off, big time. His current NFL MVP odds are at +2700, but this doesn’t show his excellence as well as his 4-1 record so far this year. Another huge shock has been the re-emergence of Stefon Diggs of the New England Patriots, who once again solidified himself as a top-10 NFL wide receiver with back-to-back 100 yard games. In week 5, he played his old team, the Buffalo Bills, and put up 10 catches for 146 yards, the fifth-most yards in a single game so far this year. Another big surprise so far has been how entertaining the Thursday Night Football (TNF) games have been. Every game has been within 10 points and has gone down to the wire, such as the Week 5 Matchup between the Rams and 49ers, going to the very end of overtime. Some TNF matchups to look forward to include Week 8 between the Vikings and the Chargers, Week 12 between the Bills and the Texans, and Week 16 between the Rams and Seahawks. Many star quarterbacks have gotten injured early in the season, such as reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year (OROY) Jayden Daniels, 2024 passing yards leader Joe Burrow, and two-time MVP Lamar Jackson. Because of these injuries, there have been many quarterbacks to step up and vault themselves into MVP contention. Drake Maye is a major riser at the quarterback position, as in his second year in the NFL, he has led the Patriots to a 3-2 record to start the year with a gritty win against the division-leading Buffalo Bills. His stats on paper are great, but if you watch the games, there is something different about him. Baker Mayfield of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, a failed #1 pick turned revived superstar, currently has 1,283 passing yards and 10 passing touchdowns, both in the top five league-wide. But part of Baker’s current success is due to his rookie wide receiver Emeka Egbuka. Egbuka, in his first year, has already jumped into the top five for both touchdowns and receiving yards, cementing himself as an OROY candidate. Reigning MVP Josh Allen has also risen to the occasion, leading the Bills to a 4-1 record through five games, being his typical superstar self. Some non-QB candidates include wide receivers Amon-Ra St. Brown and Puka Nacua, who are both off to incredible starts to the season. The New England Patriots have had an incredible season so far, but one player has been completely phased out of their offense, wide receiver DeMario “Pop” Douglas. Despite him setting a record for most receiving yards by a rookie WR under Belichick two years ago, he has been disappointing this year, with only seven catches through five games. This is not entirely his fault, with the coaching staff being to blame for not including him in the gameplan. Another big bust is the Baltimore Ravens, who have been abysmal so far, getting blown out by the Texans in Week 5 by a massive margin and starting off 1-4. Lamar’s injury, paired with many other injuries on defense, have led them to struggle out of the gates. A disappointment to avid football fans has been the inclusion of commercials into NFL RedZone, a way to watch on Sunday afternoon that used to bring you “seven hours of commercial-free football”. This change, while small, has upset many fans like myself. Award Predictions : MVP: Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills; OPOY: Puka Nacua, Los Angeles Rams; DPOY: Micah Parsons, Green Bay Packers; OROY: Emeka Egbuka, Tampa Bay Buccaneers; DROY: Abdul Carter, New York Giants CPOY: Daniel Jones, Indianapolis Colts; COTY: Mike Vrabel, New England Patriots; Super Bowl Prediction: Lions vs. Patriots, 35-30 Lions It’s a great time to be an NFL fan, so tune in to a game sometime soon, and go Patriots! Jackson Winn ‘29 & Kiernan Patel ‘29

What really happens when a government shuts down?  Photo by SIA At 12:01 a.m. on October 1st 2025, the U.S. Government officially shut down.  A government shutdown occurs when Congress fails to approve funding for federal operations, forcing a temporary halt   of non-vital operations. In order to fund government agencies and programs, Congress must pass appropriated bills that are then passed and signed into law by the President. If this process is not completed by October 1st, the start of the fiscal year, many agencies and programs must suspend operations. Employees are either furloughed without pay, or required to work without compensation until funding is restored. The shutdown ends only when Congress and the President approve the necessary appropriation bills to fund the agencies and programs.  In this particular shutdown, a political disagreement over Medicaid and Affordable Care Act (ACA) prevented the Senate from achieving the minimum amount of 60 votes. Although Republicans currently hold majorities in both the Senate and the House, most legislations still require vast bipartisan support in the Senate, but the two parties failed to come to an agreement on key issues surrounding health care and budget policies.  So what remains operational during a shutdown? Programs funded through mandatory spending continue to function, such as air traffic control, national security, and law enforcement. Employees of the U.S. mailing will continue to be paid, but the national guard and active-duty military personnel will not receive paychecks until the shutdown ends. Once funding resumes, unpaid working employees during the shutdown will receive their pay, though without interest. The impacts of the shutdown vary depending on how long it lasts and the services individuals rely on. Non-essential operations including museums, national parks, passport and visa processing, origination of new loans, Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Department of Education, and Environmental Protection Agency will be required to cease activity. Employees of these agencies will face immediate impacts with delayed income or furlough. According to the New York Times  article “How the Shutdown Is Affecting Federal Services and Workers,” it’s estimated that “at least 600,000 workers will be furloughed.” On Friday, October 3rd, the Senate failed for the fourth time to pass the funding bill, extending the then three day shutdown. Unfortunately, the longer the shutdown continues, the more strain it places on workers, the economy, and the American public.  Although disruptive, shutdowns are not a rare or uncommon occurrence, including during the administration of President Reagan and President Carter. The longest recorded shutdown in history lasted for 35 days under President Donald Trump’s first term. Even though shutdowns have become relatively common, their consequences, from economic uncertainty, government division, to public frustration, endure long after the shutdown ends.  Mia Koopersmith ‘28

A peek into AZN’s Mid-Autumn Festival. Illustration by Lauren Chan On October 1st, AZN hosted its annual Mid-Autumn Festival celebration. The Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as the harvest festival, originated in China during the Shang Dynasty and is celebrated across much of Asia. Held in the chapel, the event invited all students who identify as pan-Asian to come together for a night of community and cultural appreciation. Attendees enjoyed lantern-folding, traditional music, and an assortment of mooncakes—the signature dessert of the festival, representing the shape of the full moon and symbolizing family reunion, unity, and completeness. To foster connections within the community, the meeting began with the introduction of senior AZN members, helping new students connect with familiar leaders at Middlesex. Later, new students met returning members through icebreaker games, including one where participants lined up in birthday order without speaking. This fun challenge allowed students to interact with unfamiliar peers and branch out from their existing friends groups. Junior Zoe Le ‘27 commented that the AZN meeting “was a great place to learn about the new members in our community.” Through shared backgrounds and experiences, new students quickly bonded with the returners. AZN head Michelle Cai ‘27 reflected that these gatherings “not only create new friendships, but also strengthen existing connections.”  The celebration drew a large turnout and uniting students from diverse yet connected backgrounds. What made the event particularly meaningful was its reach beyond AZN’s regular members. It not only raised greater awareness of the Mid-Autumn Festival celebration across the school community, but also extended the spirit of the celebration to faculty and dorm parents, who were invited to share in the mooncakes. AZN Head Sixing Wang ‘26 proudly reflected on the evening, calling it a “triumph of our affinity group.” Allison Luo ‘27

The primatologist had a profound effect on the way we think. Photo from National Geographic Jane Goodall was one of the world’s most revered conservationists, primatologists, and a landmark of environmental activism. Her life was built upon a love for chimpanzees, and a deep understanding of the natural world. Her chronicles on the distinctive behavior of wild chimpanzees in East Africa–primates that make tools, are carnivorous, hold rain dances, and engage in organized warfare–set her apart, challenging the dividing line between humans and the animal kingdom. Jane Goodall wielded her expertise of observation to teach us how to see, not just look . Dr. Goodall did not sugarcoat the behavior and lives of chimpanzees. She pointed out that in these Great Ape societies lie the presence of iniquity, including infanticide and inter-community raids. The tendency to commit atrocities in Apes is likewise present in human beings, for humans had engaged in massacres and genocides throughout history. Hence, these similarities in behavior led Jane Goodall to re-examined the concept of humanity, or, what it means to be human. Synthesizing the field of natural science with philosophy, Jane provided many insightful critiques of scientific conventions, evident within her iconic style of shaping the details of her research into a riveting adventure narrative about two primary subjects– the chimps and herself. Specifically, she shattered the long-established belief of human superiority. David Greybeard, a chimp she named, demonstrated the ability using a grass stem to “fish” for termites. Discoveries which made people understand that perhaps, man is not the sole inventor. Through Dr. Goodall’s years of documentation of chimpanzee behavior, ranging from subjects like “the confident Flo,” to “timid David Greybeard,” she proved that chimps are capable of experiencing happiness and despair, emotions previously claimed to be exclusively human. Dr. Goodall’s observations shed light on the complex social structures of chimps, one that human societies closely resemble. In a highly stratified social hierarchy, dominant males wield power over lower-ranking individuals who often act obsequiously to avoid persecution. In the “Gombe Chimpanzee War,” chimpanzee communities often battled intensely over territory and resources even to death, manifesting their capacity for lethal aggression within their own kind. The parallels that Goodall observed between chimpanzees and humans pointed out a humanity within chimpanzees, and all the basest primal qualities within us humans.  Extending from her passion for observation, Dr. Goodall began to spend less time observing chimpanzees and far more time investing in their environmental protection and their disappearing habitat. Her dedication was always met by action as she repeatedly denounced the capturing of chimpanzees for display in zoos or for medical research. She traveled around the world, inspiring large audiences with hope that the world would recognize the importance of preserving and protecting its creatures, spreading her passion to everyone she came across.   Dr. Goodall’s shift from an anthropocentric to a biocentric worldview was a new outlook to understanding the existence and purpose of human beings.  In fostering the intrinsic value of life, she argued that every living being holds a right to exist regardless of their value to humans. Dr. Goodall’s environmental activism enhanced the human conscience as global citizens to treasure nature, which created the conditions for civilizations to prosper, when often times global economic powerhouses such as the United States had compromised policies limiting coal burning to facilitate the investment needed for A.I development, while others manipulated environmental activism to consolidate personal status and support. As Jeanne McCarty, who previously traveled with Dr. Goodall, remarked, “She kept her own curiosity and energy and enthusiasm that we all have as children and sometimes lose. I never saw her lose that.” These qualities continue to thrive in the next generation, in the Jane Goodall Institute, which funds scientific research and conservation projects, and Roots & Shoots, a global program leading conservation and humanitarian projects. Indeed, the life work of Dr. Goodall is a multifaceted blueprint for appreciation of the natural world that is as much about hope and psychology as it is about research and policy. Lucy Wu ‘28

It’s not every day that a Middlesex student gets to speak with someone who was nominated by a President of the United States.  Judge Jeffery Hopkins ‘78 was appointed by President Joe Biden in 2022 to serve as a United States District Judge for the Southern District of Ohio. Before this, he served as a United States Bankruptcy Judge for the same district from 1996 to 2022, including eight years as Chief Judge.  So naturally, I was quite nervous as I prepared to interview him, expecting a stern, formidable figure who would be able to quiet a courtroom with his presence alone. Instead, when our call began, Judge Hopkins greeted me with warmth and ease, casually mentioning that he had just come from cutting his grass outside.  From there, our conversation flowed between reflections on his Middlesex years, the mentors who shaped him, and the lessons he carries from both the courtroom and our campus.  “I was very young when I knew I wanted to be a lawyer,” Hopkin says. Growing up during the Civil Rights Movement, he recalls watching people marching, sitting in, protesting for change, but what made the most impression on him was how the lawyers made those changes permanent, turning those ideals into law so that no one could discriminate on the basis of color. It was this vision of justice that first inspired him to pursue law.  Hopkins came in as an ABC (A Better Chance) scholar from Canton, Ohio, a small industrial town far removed from the elitism of New England preparatory schools. “My father was an auto worker,” he recalls. “My mother was a teacher and later a principal.” Coming from a modest, middle-class background, Hopkins entered Middlesex as a minority student surrounded by peers from families of wealth and influence. He was aware that many of his classmates had received educational advantages that he had not, and that, he admits, was one of his greatest challenges.  As a fourteen-year-old living 500 miles from home, feeling out of place was inevitable. But Hopkins vividly remembers the moments that made him feel seen. The first long weekend during his freshman year, then Head of School David Sheldon invited the few students who had stayed on campus to his house for dinner. That evening, Hopkins formed a lifelong relationship with Mr. Sheldon and began to feel like Middlesex was a place that he belonged to.  He also recalls a formative moment during his senior year, when he remembers struggling with a C average in math class. His teacher, Mr. Brad Kingman, refused to let him give up and pushed him to keep going until, in the end, Hopkins had pulled his average up to almost an A. Hopkins credits Mr. Kingman’s persistence and encouragement as one of the most meaningful parts of his Middlesex career.  By the time Hokpins graduated, Middlesex had given him more than knowledge. “Confidence,” he said. “A confidence in my ability to be able to succeed in an academically challenging environment with people from all around the country, all around the world.” That foundational conviction came to guide him, carrying him to Bowdoin, to law school at Ohio State, and ultimately to a long and distinguished career on the federal bench.  For all the distinctions attached to his name, perhaps what stands out most about Judge Hopkins is his conviction in where he wanted to go and his unfaltering belief that he could get there. Reflecting on his journey, Hopkins comments on how easy it is, especially in rigorous environments like Middlesex, to confuse achievement with identity. Though he was not at the top of the class, he always believed deeply in what he wanted to do. That belief became the ultimate force that carried him forward. His advice for current students is to hold fast to who they are amidst competition, to stay grounded in their values, and to “do it with the full gusto that you have.” Jessica Wu '27

Too many of us have woken up, disturbed by the blaring din of leafblowers. In class, our teachers have had to shut windows due to the disruption. The facilities team does a fantastic job of keeping our campus beautiful, but transitioning to electric leafblowers would allow the team to continue its great work, without the jarring racket. Middlesex was intended to be bucolic. The main driveway creates a sanctuary from outside commotion, and our orientation about the Circle, rather than a more utilitarian quadrangle, suggests a pastoral landscape—not to mention Estabrook Woods. Noise pollution from dawn until midday, evidently, contradicts Frederick Winsor’s high-minded intent. So does environmentally harming our campus: according to the California Air Resources Board, one hour of gas-powered leaf blowers emits the equivalent pollution of driving a modern car 1,100 miles. Cambridge, Mass., is phasing out gas-powered leaf blowers, with a full prohibition in 2026; many other communities have imposed harsher bans. Concord also has a phase-out plan, under which the town will prohibit offending devices starting 2030. Middlesex can do better than adhering to this comparatively feckless mandate. With electric leaf blowers, the benefits of tranquility in the morning and in the classroom are inestimable. GVT & GZ

NFL: Contenders, Surprises, and Offseason Shake-Ups The NFL season is just beginning, which means everyone is talking about contenders and which teams have changed the most since last year. Looking back on last season, there were definitely some surprises—teams that nobody thought would go far suddenly became big players, while others fell apart even with high expectations. Obviously, the Philadelphia Eagles deserve to be mentioned first. They finished the season on top, winning the Super Bowl with Jalen Hurts leading the way. Hurts was incredible, using his passing ability and his running game to keep defenses on their toes. Their defense was also lights-out, forcing turnovers and shutting down opponents when it mattered most. With that championship experience and a roster that’s still stacked, they head into this year as one of the top contenders. Another big story was the Washington Commanders. No one really expected them to be such a threat, but they shocked people by making it all the way to the NFC Championship Game. With rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, throwing for over 3,800 yards and rushing for another 500. His dual-threat ability gave defenses nightmares. The Commanders may not have made it to the Super Bowl, but their run showed how much they’ve grown in the past few seasons. And then, in the offseason, they doubled down—bringing in wide receiver Deebo Samuel and left tackle Laremy Tunsil to give Daniels even more support. That’s huge growth from a team that used to be considered an afterthought. On the AFC side, the Kansas City Chiefs were still the Chiefs. Patrick Mahomes led them deep into the playoffs again, although they fell short in the Super Bowl, they remain a constant contender. It honestly feels like as long as Mahomes is around, Kansas City is never really out of the picture.  The Baltimore Ravens also took a big step forward. Lamar Jackson was healthy and electric, winning games both through the air and on the ground. Baltimore gave him more options that turned into offensive weapons last season, and it showed—rookie Zay Flowers in particular became a star. In the offseason, they focused on keeping that momentum going by adding depth at receiver and solidifying their defense. And then there are the Detroit Lions. For years they were seen as a rebuilding project, but last season they finally won their division and made it into the playoffs. Jared Goff was consistent, Amon-Ra St. Brown became one of the most exciting receivers in the league, and their defense played with real grit. After so many years of losing, it felt like Detroit was finally turning into a real contender. Looking ahead, the Eagles are still the team to beat, but the Commanders, Ravens, and Lions all proved they can be dangerous. The offseason has made some teams even stronger, and that’s what makes the start of this new season so exciting. Last year’s surprises showed us anything can happen, and this year feels just as unpredictable. Emerson Gardner ‘28

image by: Lucy Wang '28 Jordan Reid-Strachan ‘26, an offensive lineman for the Middlesex football program, became a Zebra in 2024 as a new junior. Despite an unflattering 2023 season record and Jordan’s resulting hesitance to join the program, Jordan was ultimately drawn to Middlesex by “the vision Coach Woody had for the program.” Jordan describes being “moved” by his initial communications with Coach Woody that compelled him to take the risk and join the Middlesex community.  In Jordan’s one season of playing for Coach Woody, Jordan immensely impacted both the on-field success of the team and the team culture. In just one season, Middlesex football turned a losing record of 2-6 into an impressive 7-2 season culminating in the Joe Lang bowl coming home. It is no coincidence that this turnaround occurred in Jordan’s first season with Middlesex football.  Jordan best describes his role on the offensive line as the “protector of his quarterback, Luke Felago.” Jordan sacrifices his body absorbing hit after hit for the sake of his team’s success. Jordan is the ultimate team player; although he may not live in the spotlight scoring three touchdowns a game, his passion, grit, and skill are of paramount importance to the growing success of Middlesex football. When asked about how the football team managed such sudden improvement, senior captain Luke Felago said the offensive line was "undoubtedly a key ingredient,” and Jordan is undoubtedly a key ingredient of the offensive line.  As the 2025 season commences, Jordan proudly exclaims his ultimate goal: “ANOTHER RING!!!” Importantly, Jordan does not merely suggest this goal as a fantasy, but rather, he has the mindset and grit to make it a reality, and he believes his teammates do, too. Jordan notes a few valuable new players, Mekhi Eady, Nathan Keeler, and Roark Lick, who will contribute to the future success of the program, but perhaps most crucial to the team’s future success is their camaraderie. Jordan can “CONFIDENTLY say [MX football has] the best atmosphere of all teams at MX.” Despite the many challenges that will inevitably arise in a season of football, the Middlesex football players are dedicated to each other, Coach Woody, and the game. Jordan believes this culture to be the best part of playing football for Middlesex. Jordan’s signature chant, “What a Wonderful Day” symbolizes not only the team’s commitment to “BUSINESS,” as Jordan describes, but Jordan’s key contribution to cultivating this culture of positivity and buy-in from all the guys.  Jordan is beloved by his teammates and coaches’ alike not only for his passion and grit on the field, but for his incessant desire to protect those about whom he cares deeply. Jordan himself explains how the “protector ideal” of his role on the offensive line has informed his character off the field. Jordan is reliable, selfless, passionate, talented, and as senior captain Luke Felago states, “someone you’d want a hug from.” Middlesex Football is lucky to have Jordan on their side of the line, and the entire Middlesex community is looking forward to cheering on Jordan and his teammates as they chase a NEPSAC championship.  Avery Green ‘26

On Buckley’s centenary, his perspicacious public persona stands as a relic of a less vacuous age. Photo: USPS Running as a third-party candidate in the 1965 New York City mayoral race, William F. Buckley Jr., when asked by a reporter for his first action if elected, famously replied, “Demand a recount.” The 39-year-old Conservative Party hopeful with no prior political experience faced likely defeat to his Republican and Democratic opponents, who were both politically liberal, but his wit and charisma made the election especially captivating. By campaigning, Buckley—who was born 100 years ago and died in 2008—further raised the cresting profile of conservative Republicans: the year prior, conservative Barry Goldwater had defeated the liberal Nelson Rockefeller in the 1964 Republican presidential primary, ultimately losing to Lyndon Johnson. Educated at Millbrook and Yale, Buckley’s 1951 treatise God and Man at Yale , published a year after graduating, catapulted him to fame. Buckley criticized the pervasive influence of atheistic, collectivist, and anti-Western thought at Yale, advocating instead for a renewed emphasis on religion and capitalist individualism. The book attracted greater attention when McGeorge Bundy, paragon of the liberal establishment and then-dean of Harvard Law School, excoriated Buckley ad hominem  in The Atlantic . In 1955 at age 29, Bill Buckley founded the National Review , a conservative opinion magazine. As editor-in-chief until 1990, he burnished his celebrity with pugnacious critiques of a New-Deal-influenced liberalism in establishment politics and culture. While Buckley’s mayoral campaign ended in defeat, he managed to win 13% of the vote. But the exposure he got made his exhibitionist campaign worth it. With the Johnson Administration’s expensive, inefficient, and often corrupt “great society” programs, Buckley feared a prolonging of the New Deal-ism that had plagued his childhood. Should liberal Republicans trump the Party’s fledgling conservative wing, and accept  the economic and social overreaches of Washington Democrats, then America would lack a voice balancing out liberals. In 1966, Buckley started Firing Line , a weekly, nationally syndicated television show that would air over 1,400 episodes over 33 years. The structure of the show was simple: illuminating discourse between intelligent people holding not necessarily identical viewpoints. Buckley platformed conservative politicians like Goldwater and Ronald Reagan, but also brought on important figures in the Democratic Party and political left. He hosted public figures like Muhammad Ali; academics, like Noam Chomsky and Christopher Hitchens; and literary figures, like Norman Mailer, Louis Auchincloss, and Tom Wolfe. The underlying principle of Buckley’s Firing Line  was not to antagonize the guest, but to respectfully debate pressing topics in an entertaining and intellectually stimulating arena. In addition to Firing Line , Buckley wrote a nationally syndicated, semi-weekly column called “On The Right,” totalling over 5,500 columns by his death. He authored 57 books, sailed the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean, mastered the cello and the harpsichord, and possessed a thesaurus-obviating vocabulary despite English being his third language (after Spanish and French). The election of Ronald Reagan, the first true conservative president, was the apotheosis of his career. In honor of his centenary (he was born in 1925), the U.S. Postal Service this month launched in New Haven a commemorative stamp bearing his likeness. Buckley was not always “On The Right” side of history, unfortunately. He co-wrote in 1954 McCarthy and His Enemies , a book which defended Senator Joseph McCarthy for his anti-communism; McCarthy’s baseless insinuations of communism within the government would lead to his not-soon-enough denunciation. In 1957, he wrote the racist “How The South Must Prevail” in the National Review , arguing that the Black population in the South was “backward” and that therefore whites were “entitled to rule,” as if whites were not responsible for Southern socioeconomic inequality. He would later disavow this insupportable claim and advocated for affirmative action, drug law-enforcement reform, and eliminating discrimination in his 1965 mayoral bid. As his personal letters show, his about-face came as a result of conferring with his own Catholic faith and as a reaction to further horrific violence by whites toward peaceful civil rights demonstrators in the South. In light of today’s increasingly vulgar and vacuous political climate, Bill Buckley should be remembered for the grace he showed those with whom he disagreed—see for yourself and watch an episode of Firing Line on YouTube. In his central role in leading the modern American conservative movement, he worked to exclude far-right organizations like the John Birch Society from the mainstream G.O.P., and shut out isolationism and anti-Semitism where he could. Like his politics or not, the style with which he promulgated his message is worthy of praise. America today sorely lacks his brand of highbrow, substantive discourse across ideological differences, underscored by this decade’s hike in political violence. George Thornton '26

“Imagine” your own Middlesex experience, rather than someone else’s. image from: Linda Wang '27 Sitting in the pews for Middlesex’s opening chapel, My friends and I listened attentively to Mr. Bigelow’s rendition of “Imagine” by John Lennon, and begrudgingly understood that this word will define our year in every possible way; however, I wasn’t so sure if this was the word I  would choose to define my own year.  I could imagine Mrs. Speers coming up at announcements and telling us to imagine how amazing it would be if we all went on circle walks, or Ms. Swain telling us to imagine a circle without trash, or my advisor telling me to imagine how good it would feel if I finally got an A in math for a semester. And while I think these interpretations are generally important for the  Middlesex community, I’d like to offer some interpretations of my own.  As Middlesex kicks off orientation, try-outs, and other first week activities, I’m reminded of how it felt to be a freshman at Middlesex. Overwhelmed, scared, and confused about what a “psyche” was, I was personally imagining a way to get through the year as quickly as possible before I would just transfer back to my old school in New York. But giving Middlesex a chance, it became easier and easier to imagine this school as a place I could not only survive in but thrive in.  In every chapel, the same message got across: Try Everything. And I tried a lot. I tried out for the play and musical, and was rejected. I tried out for Varsity Basketball and was demoted to Thirds. But even in spite of these brutal rejections, it became easier for me to imagine what Middlesex actually was for me, and one thing it wasn’t was a place to be known as a star basketball player.  If freshmen can take any piece of advice from our school’s new mantra, I would tell them to stop imagining their peers’ Middlesex experience, and instead imagine your own Middlesex experience—pursuing what makes you happy, not taking yourself too seriously, and not getting caught up in the rigidity of friend groups.  By Sophomore year—now that I was no longer at the bottom of the MX food chain—I began imagining the year ahead. I could shake off the rejections from last year, try again and succeed. Be even better and even happier than I was at the end of freshman year. This time around, it didn’t feel so much as a rejection than a slight redirection. I tried out for Small Chorus and made SWAG; I tried out for the Main Stage Play and got into the Studio Play; I was cut from JV volleyball, but at least I was captain of Thirds!  I had needed a perspective change. I had to accept that rejection was actually infused into Middlesex. There are always going to people who tell you that you’re not ready for a part in the play, or a spot on the Varsity roster. My imagination—by measuring myself by the achievements of others—drew a picture of me that wasn’t realistic to who I was, and so I focused my energy into other activities, like Harvard Model Congress, The Anvil , friendships, English and History classes. I learned that if you put your energy into things you love, they will love you back—you just need to water the right seeds. Kat Stephens '27

The unseen impacts of the production that has shaped the Middlesex community over the years image by: Adam Richins Marking its 6th show this fall, the annual REP performance has always been a deeply valued and respected bedrock of the Middlesex community, shaping community values and fostering a sense of belonging. As a mandatory component of the new student orientation week, REP introduces incoming students to kindness and inclusivity. Originally known as the Racial Equity Project, REP was an artistic concept created by Tom Kane, former Dean of DEI, Erika Prahl, and the Sojourn Theatre company. After the murder of George Floyd in 2020 and the media presence of Black at Middlesex — an online collection of anecdotes revealing the Black experience at the institution — REP became an agent towards institutional change by using the power of the arts to arouse empathy, connection, and humanity in the community.  Today, REP is an abbreviation of REPresent , reflecting its extension to the greater inclusion of all identities and backgrounds since the Black Lives Matter movement. Performed at the commencement of the school year, REP acts as a proactive intervention. Indeed, in many ways, the impacts of REP are intangible. “You never know what instances of harm REP prevented,” explains Ms. Karlyn McNall. To the current cast, the production of REP has been an empowering and fulfilling experience. Being a student-written and performed show, it was the “amalgam of sincerity and originality coming from the cast” that made the project remarkably special, explains Stella Pham ‘28. Through rounds of drafting, discussions, and selections of scenes, the script is intentional and purposeful to create a realistic, resonating, and relevant show.  As performer Avery Green ‘26 affirms, “I think the most special thing about REP is just the fact that it happens.” As a faculty advisor and producer of REP, Mr. Sport explains that “students write the scenes with Middlesex in mind, and so the show is authentic to this institution.” Indeed, the scenes mirror the incidents of harm at Middlesex, a quality that makes the show invaluable for both the new students and the seniors watching the show.  A prominent example is the gender divide on campus. New students are encouraged to mingle with each other without gender segregation. The seniors are asked to lead by example and disrupt the divides in the community. Regardless of class, whether it is walking into the chapel, the dining hall, or the classrooms, each audience member of REP will walk away constantly noticing and contemplating the gender divide. This consciousness, with the courage to take action, is one of the many impacts of REPresent.  In addition to setting the community’s standards and values to new students, REP creates an immediate sense of belonging for students of color and of minority backgrounds. In many ways, REP almost serves as a source of comfort for new students who may come into a community not knowing how to fit in. “It’s heartening to know that [Middlesex] is a place where people work hard to make sure each student is included and cherished,” says Avery. With its proactive, preventative approach, REPresent wields a profound influence on campus culture by presenting the most harmful and pressing problems in the community to both new members and senior leaders of Middlesex. This deliberate configuration forces the community to confront the inequities and exclusions on campus, and cultivates a shared awareness that, when united with courage, makes real and genuine change in the Middlesex community.  Avery hopes that REP “never goes away from Middlesex.” Mr. Sport too muses on a lasting thought: “What are other ways we can make an impact? Better said, how can we keep REP going throughout the year?” After all, it is the commitment of the people of Middlesex that makes REP possible. How can that commitment and momentum continue into the school year? Sixing Wang ‘26