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As winter arrives at Middlesex, many people will feel lost and stressed. Check out some cool things you can do to help. As the summer days leave us behind and the gloomy, stress-filled winter era begins at Middlesex, many people may subconsciously find themselves going down a dangerous rabbit hole. With a 3 week span of school, new sports starting up, and exams inching closer and closer, many students will start to feel more and more isolated, choosing to study, sleep, or engage in independent activities outside the Middlesex experience. With that being said, here's a couple of ways that students can entertain themselves if they are feeling down heading into exams.  School spirit during the winter athletic season is unquestionably the highest of the year at Middlesex. With both hockey and basketball being indoors and predicted to be strong contenders in the ISL, the atmosphere in the cage and the rink should be electric. If you're struggling for something to do in the late afternoon, stopping by a sports game is a great idea. Another very underrated winter activity is skating either on the indoor rink or Batemans Pond. The Pratt rink has open ice during the class days and even on Sunday, and once the Bateman Pond freezes, it is a great spot to have some fun with friends. You can even get your skates sharpened just by signing up in the Athletic Center.  Learning a new skill can also relieve stress heading into a stressful period of time. If you have a couple hours to spare and are sick of studying, check out the lower floors of the RCC. Sign out a room and learn a catchy song on the piano so you can flex on your family members during winter break. I have managed to learn over 30 of my favorite songs on my own by doing this. As people hunker down in their rooms or their selected study spots, they often shut out the outside world. One minor thing that everyone on campus can do is to get some sunlight. Numerous studies have shown that exposure to sunlight boosts productivity and mood. Study with your shades open, or find a study space with abundant natural lighting (The Library, RCC, Terry Room). You can also catch some rays by taking walks around campus and the Estabrook Woods. Middlesex is much bigger and much more beautiful than you may have expected. The biggest thing I’ve learned from 3 tedious and exhausting winters here at Middlesex is… don’t be so hard on yourself. Sometimes, when you try to push yourself to the brink, you end up actually hurting yourself. Everybody needs some time to relax, reflect, and recollect themselves. While this winter period may seem like a long, nonstop home stretch before the pure relaxation of winter break, if you put a little effort, there are plenty of ways to make a seemingly grim and ruthless time so much more gratifying.  Danny Cai

How the Middlesex dining experience could improve Every day, most Middlesex students go to the Dining Hall for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and maybe a snack before sports. Unfortunately, unlike day students who can leave campus when they want, if the food that day isn’t up to expectations, the boarders can’t just go home for an alternative option. Instead, they will need to resort to DoorDashing, which can quickly become expensive, or quick microwaveable meals like ramen that are unhealthy. What do the students at Middlesex think about the Dining Hall, and how can the Dining Hall improve? Sophomore Elizabeth Welles thinks that on Sundays, the Dining Hall closes too early, as it is only open for an hour for dinner, making it quite easy to accidentally miss the time slot or get hungry again at night. She hopes that they can extend the dinner time to be a little longer. Although Sunday dinners are shorter, the weekday lunches and dinners are the perfect length. In general, however, she thinks that this year’s food has improved from last year's, and her favorite meal served is chicken parmesan. Kat Stephens, also a sophomore, thinks that the Dining Hall has its “moments of yumminess” but it also needs to diversify its meal options as not everyone eats pork. Sophia Nguyen is an avid advocate of the Flik menu, especially the chicken, calling it “especially delicious.” Katie Tantillo, a junior, thinks that there is a good selection of food but says she wishes that “there are more foods for picky eaters.” Even though pasta is available for every meal, it can be hit or miss, with the noodles being either too overcooked or undercooked. One thing Tantillo always enjoys is the biscuits and she wants them to be served more. A lot of students also enjoy the fries, especially the waffle fries, along with the sugar cookies, and hope to see them more often. Many students have also expressed their happiness with the desserts served this year, such as the oreo balls and the mud cake.  Overall, students do hope to see more variety offered as even the fallback options of making a sandwich, salad or having some pasta can get tiring. Allison Luo

As winter approaches, the de rigueur  clothing for boys has never been so simple. Similar to many other trends and fads, fashion has evolved on campus in the past couple of years. From once abiding by the strict dress code which prohibited students from wearing sweatpants, leggings, athletic wear, shirts with big logos, and spaghetti strapped tops, the student body was fed up and demanded change. First brought up in congress (senate), the movement for free expression and the right to comfort took campus by storm. This heated discussion bred animosity and created division through conversations about professionalism versus comfort. After students corralled support from select teachers, the era of fashion and comfort inched ever closer to the Middlesex campus. Finally the work of the student body had paid off and legislation was passed.  For boys, fashion has never been easier. Most commonly, boys wear sweatpants and a hoodie. The standard is so relaxed amongst teenage boys that some feel no pressure whatsoever: “I just wake up and throw on whatever looks clean on my floor” says Max Linton 25’. Although Max is clearly already into college and his standards have fallen short of the average student, this mindset seems to represent the broader male student body adequately.  On the other hand, the first dilemma that splintered the golden image of free expression for girls was the pressure to fit in. Still very much an issue today, students are provoked by their peers to present themselves in only socially acceptable ways. This pressure has weeded out favorable brands such as Lululemon, Aritzia and Madhappy, which have all found themselves at the top of the teenage-girl-fashion-food-chain. Not only are clothing items critiqued, but footwear as well. Ugg, Adidas and Veja have likewise proven themselves worthy to the student body. The elevation of certain brands—examples of “conspicuous consumption”—has slowly eaten away at a once praised movement for comfort and expression.  Additionally, the social acceptance of seasonal options have become increasingly rigid. The first day of school especially acts as the pinnacle of Middlesex fashion. Many students spend the last few days of their well earned breaks formulating the perfect outfit for their debut. Consequently, the first week of school has been comically deemed Middlesex fashion week. Although jokingly said, the idea that Middlesex fashion week rivals the stress levels of cumulative exams week shows the underlying stress and anxiety that a no-dress-code system ensues.  All this excess stress and anxiety begs the question: Would the Middlesex student body benefit from reinstating the dress code?  Or would it inevitably divide students and teachers in arguments over freedom of speech and expression?  After inquiring with a large portion of the male population on campus, they feel one hundred percent satisfied with the current state of affairs and commonly agree on a no-dress-code system. And although some girls also feel as though they are able to express themselves freely and independently from what their peers think, there is a portion of the student body, who like the average teen, invests lots of energy into conforming to the expected perception of others. Has this new system of dress freed the Middlesex student from the once mandated dress code, or simply trapped them in an even more severe system of bowing to social pressures? Harper Edwards

Our new librarian brings enthusiasm, optimism, and a love of reading to the job. Before Jada Jones joined Middlesex this fall as the new Director of Warburg Library, she was already an experienced librarian. After earning both her degree and master’s in library science at the University of North Carolina, Jones gathered tremendous working experience through serving as the education specialist librarian at a public School in Arizona, where she had trained high school teachers and students to effectively use technology for academic purposes. Jada also worked for numerous U.S Air Force bases through her role as the supervisory librarian, overseeing academic resources and other operations within the army.  Although Jones is an expert in managing libraries, she remarked that “there were definitely adjustments” she had to make after starting her new job, since she realizes how unique Middlesex is compared to previous places she has worked at. Jones was especially struck by Middlesex’s academic rigor and its students’ pursuit of academic excellence.  In response to Middlesex students’ scholarly endeavors, Jones has proposed several ideas that would further benefit the student body through making the library a more comfortable place to study in. Jones aims to rearrange the studying area on the second floor by the book shelves , since she received comments from other students claiming that the set up on the second floor intervenes with them studying productively. In addition, Jones is adamant on making sure all students have access to finding the right resources in the Warburg Library that would set them up for academic success, as she is looking to hold informative sessions that guides students through how to utilize the library's tools to best optimize their studying efficiency in the future.  In the meantime, Jones hopes the Warburg will be viewed as more than a place to “just get your work done.”  Jones wishes to transform the library into a more sociable place for students to hang out with friends and bond with each other. With this objective in mind, Jones plans on remodeling some parts of the library to make it possess a more “modern appeal” that would evoke students’ desires to interact with their friends in the library.  Jones hopes that the Library can become the hub for clubs to meet. She hopes that the increased foot traffic from club meetings will cause students to pick up books from the shelf—it is Ms. Jones’s goal that all students to read for pleasure With her expertise in administrating libraries, Jones will endeavor to successfully promote students’ productivity while bringing more liveliness to the Warburg Library.  Sunny Qian

Students, however, mostly revile the arduous climb up to Middlesex’s Everest. Almost every student dislikes climbing the stairs to Eliot Hall’s notorious third floor. From a handful of student interviews, all reported immense dissatisfaction with the strenuous journey to get to class. Expecting more or less the same answer, The Anvil  investigated whether or not the teachers of the third floor—including Dr. Barber, Ms. Riz, and Hesh—agreed. However, contrary to what I expected, they reported quite a different opinion of the third floor. Surprisingly, they were–for the most part–happy with their treehouse classrooms. Dr. Barber, the Head of the Classics Department, stated that he appreciated the “seclusion of the third floor,”  and that “the views and the natural light are very pleasant.” Upon further reflection, I realized that in any given third-floor classroom, one can look out one of its almost skyscraping windows to grab a glimpse of the wonders of the natural world below. Ms. Hoar, the Head of the History Department known better as Hesh across campus, said that she enjoyed the sense of tranquility and calm across the third floor, as naturally provided by the seclusion of its location. Upon these reflections I did start to notice, and appreciate, the peacefulness of the space.  Especially compared to the first floor and the basement of Eliot, there is much less hustle and bustle on the third floor, as Hesh noted that only students who have classes come up all the way, as opposed to the perpetual stream of traffic for all purposes on the other floors. In particular, Hesh is partial to the outdoor hallway space spanning across the third floor; throughout the day, people come up to the third floor to study there for halcyon quietude.  Many students report being appreciative of this calming aspect. As for the main aspect of their contention—stairs—the teachers, surprisingly, did not seem to mind them as much. Dr. Barber stated that he’s gotten used to the stairs, and mentioned that “it’s proven that taking extra steps during the work day promotes long-term good health.” Ms. Rizzo, a magistra lingua Latinae , provided a particularly apt Latin quotation: Mens sana in corpore sano , a healthy mind in a healthy body. Their insights are corroborated by empirical findings; research done by the European Society of Cardiology reported stair climbing to be associated with a 24% reduced risk of dying from any cause. Apart from these salubrious benefits, there are also sentimental ones as well; Hesh stated that she actually loves  the stairs , as she gets to see the plaques alongside her as she walks up. Even as she commutes to her office every day, she notices new things often, details she has not noticed before. To Hesh, the daily act of climbing up the stairs is also a chance to look at all the history in the walls. As such, the teachers have come to love the third floor. From the vistas to the tranquility and even the stairs, Dr. Barber, Ms. Riz, and Hesh appreciate the many characteristics brought on by the unique location. However, interestingly, they were united with their students on one front: the lack of bathrooms! In amazing unity, they all expressed their desire for a more convenient location for the restrooms rather than having to go down four  flights of stairs and up all the way back, an endeavor which takes an unexpectedly long amount of time. Sadly, for now, that seems nowhere in sight, but at least one can find solace in the 24% reduced risk of dying each time one ascends Eliot Hall.  Morgan Kim

Three clubs on campus comprise the readily accessible service learning opportunities on campus. This year in particular, Middlesex has been striving to include more opportunities for community service and service learning for students. Mr. Harris has taken on a new role as Director of Service Learning in addition to serving as the Director of Student activities. Service learning is a specific approach to the more generic “community service” that seeks to apply the learning that students get in classroom settings to helping effectively in the real world.  Service learning has begun to take hold at Middlesex. In the beginning of the year, seniors participated in “a day of service” as a part of orientation. Groups of seniors traveled to help out at various organizations, such as Cradles to Crayons in Newton.  There are several different clubs on campus that focus on community service and giving back to neighboring communities, such as Helping Hands, Volunteer for Veterans, and Letters for Elders. Some of these clubs, including Helping Hands, prioritize service learning by physically participating in acts of service, whereas Letters for Elders and Volunteer for Veterans focus mainly on spreading encouragement to people in need of cheer by way of letters or other means.  When asked about her experience with service learning, Avery Green, a junior day student, shared that she has participated in community service over her past three years at Middlesex. However, while acknowledging that Middlesex has been putting a larger focus on service learning and community service opportunities this year than her previous years, Avery wishes that there was more community service integrated into her schedule and that students would get the opportunity to form relations with organizations in neighboring towns.  Additionally, another anonymous student offered up that they had participated in service over their years at Middlesex, including writing cards for Volunteer for Veterans and Letters for Elders, as well as volunteering for Cradles to Crayons alongside Helping Hands club. This student agrees with Avery that service opportunities are accessible, suggesting that they would go to a different club and ask about the prospect of volunteering at a specific organization. Additionally, this student referred to different alternatives to sports that revolve around partnering with nearby organizations in service learning as valuable opportunities, such as the Nashoba Brooks internship and volunteering at the Meeting House. This student believes that while Middlesex has vastly increased in its implementation of service learning and community service under the new leadership of Mrs. Spears, one can always give back more to their community. This is all to say that there can never be enough service learning opportunities, and we as a community should strive to seek out these experiences whenever we can. Caroline Barton

With an overall record of 65-12-2 in the last four years and four straight trips to the NEPSAC Class B finals, one might wonder what makes MXGVFH such a powerhouse team? One of the reasons that the team is so successful is because of the culture-fostering traditions that connect the team off of the field. They host “Chapels” late on Friday nights as chances for teammates to connect with each other and, being sworn to secrecy on what occurs behind the chapel doors, bond over shared experiences that only a member of Middlesex’s Girls Varsity Field Hockey team would know about. The players also see these secret gatherings as a point to grow as a team and cultivate connection through tradition and spirit.  Keeping in form with following tradition, at the very beginning of a new member of the Middlesex Girls Varsity Field Hockey team’s career, they are placed on a team: the Angels or the Devils. This team placement stays until the last practice of their MXGVFH career. In practices before every game, the players gather into their life-long teams and compete with and against their teammates, fostering competition and connection between the 17 players on the field. Even after their convincing 2-1 NEPSAC semifinal win against familiar ISL opponent Rivers this past season, the team and coaches stayed after the game and postponed their celebrations to play out one more Angels vs. Devils drill for the sake of tradition (and a bit of superstition).  Similar to the Angels vs. Devils drill, during the practice before every game, the team stands in a circle on the anvil in the middle of their home turf. They gather so closely that their feet touch and hold hands to send around a “pulse” for the sole purpose of connection. One player remarked that “it’s just sort of a way for everybody to come together and just feel everybody’s presence before the game.” With this being a grounding and focusing factor of their pregame practice to prepare for their competition the next day, the team also uses this time to reflect and cultivate their own personal motivations to win.  Beyond the physical commitment to practices, games and traditions, the team is so incredible because of their commitment to each other. Each player on the team is constantly committed to her teammates and their wellbeing on and off the field. Specifically, one player mentioned that their coaches, Katie Herter Bruch and Emma Rasmussen “are the foundation of why we are amazing because they care so much about us…I’ve never had coaches be so interested and care so much about the team.” With fearless and motivating leadership from the coaches and unparalleled commitment from every individual on the team, it is no wonder that the Middlesex Girls Varsity Field Hockey team is unmatched in their commitment, strength, heart, and play.  Thea Salem

The intensity of rivalry weekend in College football. The last week of regular games in college football is truly a unique spectacle. It's filled with numerous rivalries, history, bad blood, and passion flowing through the game, and this year was no different. With an eight-overtime thriller between Georgia and Georgia Tech, the brawls after the Michigan game, and the North Carolina State game, these games simply mean more, leading to the best weekend of college football. In the last weekend of guaranteed games, most schools end their season in a glorious battle against their arch-rival, as we continue the tradition here at Middlesex in our battle against St. George’s. College rivalries are steeped in history and long-standing traditions, like the Yale vs. Harvard game, which has been going on for 140 years and is famously known as The Game.  Some of the rivalry games this weekend include Georgia vs. Georgia Tech, which was a complete nail-biter as Georgia mounted a crazy comeback late in the fourth quarter to overcome a 14-point deficit and then win the game in the eighth overtime, breaking the hearts of Georgia Tech fans. This matchup has been going on for well over a century, filled with pure hate; the Head Coach of Georgia Tech, when asked about Georgia, said, "There is nothing that I hate more in this world." These words not only sum up the intensity of this game but reflect a common trend throughout most of these rivalry games. Another big game was Notre Dame vs. USC in the 95th meeting of these rivals. In an entertaining game, the Fighting Irish overcame the Trojans with two pick-sixes in the red zone late in the fourth quarter to put the game away and secure a victory for Notre Dame Coach Marcus Freeman, who has led Notre Dame back to the college football playoffs this year. Additionally, Texas vs. Texas A&M, a contentious in-state matchup, was played again for the first time in 13 years, reignited a rivalry that dated back to 1890, filled with passion as 109,028 fans piled into the Kyle Field, home of the “twelfth man,” cheering on their team with deafening noise, as the Longhorns completed stifled the Aggie's offense in a 17 to 7 win. Furthermore, Alabama played in one of the greatest rivalries in college football, the Iron Bowl, vs. Auburn. The Iron Bowl is the bitter instate game between these two historically strong teams, dating back to 1893. It has been historically one of the most captivating and hard-fought games, with truly iconic moments like the 2013 "kick-six" and many more. This year, Alabama surged to a commanding win over Auburn, establishing a five-year win streak. Likewise, there are other historic matchups, like Ohio State vs Michigan, which was the largest upset of the weekend, with Michigan being a 20-point underdog in this blue-blood and classic rivalry. In the final seconds of a close and entertaining game, Michigan nailed a field goal for a 13 to 10 win. But after the game, Michigan attempted to plant its flag in the middle of the Ohio State logo, which caused a brawl to erupt between players, with police using pepper spray to end the fight. This game is one of the greatest rivalries in sports because of the immense pride each team places on this game, the utter hatred each team has, and the intensity of play all contribute to The Game and the fight that broke out after this game.  These fights about planting a flag broke out all across the country, with another significant brawl as North Carolina state planted their flag in the UNC's logo; the same happened when Florida beat Florida State, and after Arizona State's win over Arizona, they planted a trident in ASU's logo, and tensions grew extremely high, but luckily no fight broke out. This situation with the flags is unacceptable and dangerous for the players; the NCAA needs to create harsh penalties to end this disrespectful behavior and mainly stop the fights that ensue because of this form of taunting. After the Michigan-Ohio State game, the star running back for Michigan sums up the situation very well: "For such a great game, you hate to see stuff like that after the game. Bad for the sport. Bad for college football." Timmy Hale

Football Playoffs are here Everyone's favorite time of the year is soon. Christmas? Nope, Easter? No again! Well some might say “What is it then?” The only answer I can think of is playoff football time. Something about watching a Sunday night playoff football game and watching your favorite team hopefully win brings joy to many of the 17.9 million fans who watched a regular season football game, and the other couple million who watch the nationally televised Super Bowl each year.  As of right now, we are entering week 13 of the 18 week extended NFL season. As we near week 18, you will see speculation all over the web as to whether or not your team is gonna make the playoffs or if they do, its always if they make the playoffs will they win the Super Bowl. I’m here to give you the scoop on all 32 teams.  Starting it off in the AFC East which consists of the New England Patriots (3-10), the New York Jets (3-9), the Buffalo Bills (10-2), and the Miami Dolphins (5-7). The Bills, as of Sunday with a win over the 49ers, clinched the division while also clinching a spot in the playoffs; however, the Jets, Dolphins, and Patriots are all heavily disfavored to make the playoffs right now.  The AFC North consists of the Pittsburgh Steelers (9-3), the Baltimore Ravens (8-5), the Cincinnati Bengals (4-8), and the Cleveland Browns (3-9). The Pittsburgh Steelers are currently in a tight race with the Baltimore Ravens, who are only one game back from the Steelers, and we will see these two teams battle it out in week 15. For the Bengals and the Browns, both of these teams are practically out of the playoff race at this point in time.  The AFC South consists of the Houston Texans (8-5), the Indianapolis Colts (6-7), the Tennessee Titans (3-9), and the Jacksonville Jaguars (2-10). Currently the Houston Texans are projected to win this division; however, after a nail biting win over the Patriots this week, the Colts are now vying for a wild card spot. Both the Titans and the Jaguars are not having superb seasons and some might even go as far to say they are having terrible seasons, which practically eliminate them from playoff contention.  The AFC West consists of the Kansas City Chiefs (11-1), the Los Angeles Chargers (8-5), the Denver Broncos (8-5), and the Las Vegas Raiders (2-10). Currently the Chiefs have clinched their division and will be a playoff football team, which leaves both the Chargers and the Broncos to battle for a wild card spot with the Raiders out of playoff contention.  Now moving onto the NFC, the NFC East contains the Philadelphia Eagles (10-2), the Washington Commanders (8-5), the Dallas Cowboys (5-7), and the New York Giants (2-10). With the Giants out of contention, the Cowboys practically out of contention, and the Eagles beating the Ravens on Sunday, the Eagles have clinched a playoff spot, and it also looks like the Commanders will obtain a wild card spot in the playoffs.  The NFC North consists of the Detroit Lions (11-1), the Minnesota Vikings (10-2), the Green Bay Packers (9-3), and the Chicago Bears (4-8). It looks like this division is a toss up, so only time will tell. I think all three of the Lions, the Vikings, and the Packers will all make the playoffs.  The NFC South consists of the Atlanta Falcons (6-6), the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-6), the New Orleans Saints (4-8), and the Carolina Panthers (3-9). I think that whoever out of the Falcons or the Buccaneers has a better record and wins the division will make the playoffs, however I think the NFC South will be underrepresented in the playoffs this year.  The NFC West consists of the Seattle Seahawks (7-5), the Arizona Cardinals (6-6), the Los Angeles Rams (6-6), and the San Francisco 49ers (5-7). I think, similarly to the NFC South, that the winner of this division will make the playoffs but that no one else will.  Time for my predictions for who will make the Playoffs and who will not. First, with the winners of each division I have the Bills, the Ravens, the Texans, the Chiefs, the Eagles, the Lions (this one will be really close), the Buccaneers, and finally the Seahawks.  Wild Card predictions: in the NFC I have the Commanders, the Vikings, and the Packers, and in the AFC I have the Steelers, the Chargers, and the Broncos.  Predictions for the Super Bowl?  Personally I believe we will see a highly competitive and highly intense Superbowl this year due to the sheer talent of both these teams. I think that the Super Bowl will be the Detroit Lions and the Baltimore Ravens.  Things to look out for:  1. The Chiefs making an early exit in the Playoffs, look for this team to lose to a team such as the Bills or even the Steelers or Texans.  2. Josh Allen will show the world why he deserves the respect and title as the best quarterback in the NFL.  3. The Packers are a true darkhorse in the NFC and have a chance of making a deep run in the NFC championship game or even maybe making the Superbowl. Oliver Gates

On November 15, 2024, former professional boxer Mike Tyson lost to former Disney Channel star Jake Paul after a thrilling 8-round fight. Does Paul deserve praise despite the 31-year age gap? Jake Paul found his initial fame on the social media app Vine, where he made short skits with his brother, Logan Paul, and amassed a massive following. Jake then transitioned into the YouTube path, where he filmed vlogs and pranks, gaining over 20 million subscribers. Jake then transitioned into boxing, where he has fought many retired professional boxers and UFC fighters. He beat retired UFC Hall of Famer Anderson Silva and has had knock-out victories against Ben Askren and Tyron Woodley. Jake holds an 11-1 record, with his only loss being against Tommy Fury. His successful career against a plethora of retired fighters has led fans to question the validity of his success—most notably, Jake’s most recent win against Mike Tyson. 50-7. That is Mike Tyson’s professional boxing record. He is considered one of, if not the best, athletes ever to walk the Earth. On November 15, Mike, 58, was a shadow of his original self. Immediately upon his walk out to the ring, fans seemed noticeably concerned about his knee brace. Not only did he seem to lack the mobility of his younger years, but he appeared exhausted throughout the fight. Mike’s age was beginning to show, and Jake took full advantage. Paul was the clear winner by the end of the 8th round. Netflix provided free coverage of this fight and estimated that over 60 million fans were watching the event live. Noticing Mike’s lack of offensive drive, fans began to speculate if the fight was scripted or rigged in Paul's favor. Though the claims are very far-fetched, I believe that fans are disappointed to see Mike’s age affecting his talent. Even before the fight, Jake was heavily favored causing fans to question the validity of the battle.  Still, viewers claim that Jake cherry-picks fights where he has the clear upper hand. Jake's success has been maintained through fighting retired fighters and non-traditional boxers. He will not take on a fight he cannot win to keep his image on the internet. Naturally, this is Jake’s strategy. He needs to uphold his public persona to continue to make money. Now, through his new boxing phase, he has been able to continue to create an exciting new image that his viewers love. Though his brother also had a brief boxing career, he has fallen out of mainstream internet popularity because of his lack of new and exciting content, contrary to Jake. Even though Mike lost, he was still paid 20 million dollars for the fight, noting that, “I’m still proud of myself.” Honestly, Mike was the real winner getting into the ring with a much younger opponent, with the odds stacked against him. He was able to withstand eight rounds, have fun, and get paid millions of dollars. What stood out to me the most was Mike’s humble character, as noted in the post-fight press conference, “I’m not one of those guys that looks to please the world. I’m just happy with what I can do.” I have no doubt that prime Mike Tyson would have destroyed Jake if he fought him at the height of his career. Jack Francini

Who will come out on top in this fierce competition? The 2024 NFL draft class is one of the best classes in recent NFL history, and this class is especially star studded at the quarterback position with an NFL draft record six quarterbacks were taken in the first round.  During the preseason, the generational USC signal caller Caleb Wiliams was the heavy betting favorite with the Heisman winner Jayden Daniels behind. As the season started it was clear that Jayden Daniels was a star, as the Commanders started off 5-1. They were led by Daniels’ 1135 yards passing, 4 passing touchdowns, and 4 rushing touchdowns through 6 games. Daniels continued this stellar play until he entered a three game skid in which the Commanders lost all three games, but he bounced back with a great game against the Titans, and he currently sits at 2800 yards passing, 15 touchdowns, 6 interceptions. As of week 13 the Commanders have an 8-5 record.  Caleb Williams so far has had a rollercoaster of a season with up and down performances and crazy losses due to terrible coaching and special teams blunders, yet also with wins due to Williams’ special plays. Caleb Williams is currently 4th in the betting market with 2600 yards, 14 touchdowns, and 5 interceptions, and the Bears have a 4-8 record.  Drake Maye was the 3rd quarterback taken in the draft and has been playing well, but he is a longshot for the award as he made his first start Week 6 after sitting behind Jacoby Brisset.  The tight end from Georgia, Brock Bowers, has been arguably the best tight end in the league so far this season as he leads the NFL in receptions at 84, is 4th in the NFL in receiving yards with 884, and has 4 touchdowns on the year, but is stuck on a struggling Raiders team.  Bo Nix entered the year with lots of questions as he was the last quarterback selected in the first round. During the first 4 weeks of the season, he struggled with 1 touchdown pass and 4 interceptions, but since then Nix has found his groove. The Broncos are 8-5 and Nix currently has 2800 yards, 22 total touchdowns, and 8 interceptions and has played himself into second in the betting market. The odds according to DraftKings are currently: Jayden Daniels, -220; Bo Nix, +180; Brock Bowers, +1000; Caleb Willimas, +6000; and Drake Maye, +10000.  James Millett

Have you ever been ironing your clothes and thought: I wish I was having more fun right now. Perhaps you thought: I wish I was hanging off a cliff right now. You could kill two birds with one stone, satisfyingly smoothing all of the wrinkles out of your beloved clothes while participating in a thrilling and impressive activity. Extreme ironing is the name of the game. In this extreme sport, athletes put themselves in dangerous conditions: cliff jumping, riding horses, flattening in the forest, kayaking, canoeing, skydiving, paddle boarding, scuba diving, and skiing. Invented in 1997, extreme ironing has now evolved into a national sport. In 2002, the first extreme ironing national championships was held in Germany, where 12 teams competed to be the most extreme ironer in the world. You might be tempted to mock these athletes, even thinking that they shouldn't be considered athletes. However, there are many skills that tie into this sport. The athletes are judged on their ironing techniques, creativity, and the difficulty of the activity they are participating in. While extreme ironing is not as popular as, say, soccer or football, it is a constantly growing sport for those who enjoy humor and adventurous action. So, next time you notice a wrinkle in your clothes, maybe, along with your iron and ironing board, grab your bike, a horse, or plan a hike or a ski trip to add a little extra fun to a simple house chore. Sophie Watson