Zohran Mamdani Wins Mayoral Election
Queens lawmaker becomes first Muslim and South Asian elected to lead the nation’s largest city.
Democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani concluded his New York City mayoral campaign with a decisive win in the election on Nov. 4, defeating Republican Curtis Sliwa and independent Andrew Cuomo.
The 34-year-old will be the city’s first Muslim and South Asian mayor, as well as its youngest leader in more than a century when he is sworn in on Jan. 1.
Early voting for the mayoral race took place from Oct. 25 to Nov. 2 across the five boroughs, giving New Yorkers more than a week to cast their ballots before Election Day.
On Nov. 4, polling sites opened at 6 a.m. and closed at 9 p.m. before the Associated Press declared Mamdani the winner at 9:34 p.m.
Mamdani finished with 50.4 percent of the vote, while Cuomo received 41.6 percent and Sliwa earned 7.1 percent. Mamdani secured 1,036,051votes across the city, compared with Cuomo’s 854,995 and 146,137 for Sliwa, according to NBC News.
A day before the election, President Donald Trump weighed in on the race, using his Truth Social account to endorse Cuomo and criticize Mamdani. In the post, Trump urged New Yorkers to support the former governor and warned that a Mamdani victory would threaten the city’s future.
“If Communist Candidate Zohran Mamdani wins the Election for Mayor of New York
Isabella athanasIou | nov. 6, 2025
City, it is highly unlikely that I will be contributing Federal Funds, other than the very minimum as required, to my beloved first home, because of the fact that, as a Communist, this once great City has ZERO chance of success, or even survival!” Trump said.
“Whether you personally like Andrew Cuomo or not, you really have no choice,” he added.
As results came in on election night, Mamdani took the stage at the Brooklyn Paramount, where supporters filled the theater to celebrate his win. The newly elected mayor thanked voters for their support and called the victory a turning point for the city’s politics.
“Tonight, against all odds, we’ve grasped it. The future is in our hands,” he said.
Mamdani responded to Trump’s comments from the day before, using part of his victory speech to address the president directly.
“In this moment of political darkness, New York will be the light,” Mamdani said. “After all, if anyone can show a nation betrayed by Donald Trump how to beat him, it is the city that gave rise to him.”
“Donald Trump, since I know you’re watching, I have four words for you: turn the volume up.”
On Nov. 5, Trump addressed the election results during a business forum in Miami, repeating his criticism of Mamdani and framing
the outcome as a warning for national politics.
“If you want to see what Congressional Democrats wish to do to America, just look at the result of yesterday’s election in New York where their party installed a communist as the mayor of the largest city in the nation,” Trump said.
The same day, Mamdani recognized Trump’s remarks during his first press conference as mayor-elect. Responding to the president’s prior threats, he dismissed the comments and said his focus would remain on serving New Yorkers.
“There are many things that he will say and do that will not actually bear out in the results within our own city,” Mamdani said.
At the press conference, Mamdani primarily discussed his priorities for the weeks ahead and introduced his all-female transition team to oversee staffing and policy planning. The team will lead preparations for his Jan. 1 ceremony, when he will formally be sworn in as NYC’s next mayor.
Jack Schlossberg Announces Congressional Campaign
Schlossberg is up for election in New York’s 12th Congressional District.
Political Commentator, Jack Schlossberg, announced his candidacy for New York’s 12th Congressional District, with hopes to fill Rep. Jerry Nadler’s (D-NY) seat, on Nov. 12 via Instagram. If elected, Schlossberg will serve the Upper West Side, Upper East Side and Midtown.
Schlossberg — who is the grandson of John F. Kennedy — is known for his divisive social media content, which usually targets rightwing politicians, specifically the Trump administration. Through his social media posts, he has gained large recognition from both the right and the left, for viciously different reasons.
When asked about Schlossberg’s congressio-
Celina Mullady | nov. 15, 2025
nal run, right-wing talk show host Ben Ferguson stated, “This is the new part of the democratic party that terrifies me the most,” and “It’s these socialist, communist, woke people that just wake up one morning and say I’m going to say America’s evil.”
After Schlossberg called RFK Jr. a “Rabid Dog,” U.S. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt responded, saying, “I don’t think such ridiculous comments are worth responding to.”
Known for his contentious personality, Schlossberg brings to politics what is currently missing in the Democratic party—a person who is not afraid to call out those in charge.
Schlossberg’s announcement of his campaign falls into line with a trend of younger
progressives coming to the forefront of politics and politicians building their campaigns on a more personal note.
“I’m not running because I have all the answers to our problems. I’m running because the people of New York 12 do. I want to listen to your struggles, hear your stories, amplify your voice, go to Washington, and execute on your behalf,” Schlossberg said.
His campaign will not only change the political environment and increase political discourse with the younger generation, but it will also continue the trend of young progressives coming to the center stage and fighting back against an unresponsive government.
Photo Courtesy / YouTube FOX 4 Dallas-Fort Worth
Rev. Brian J. Shanley Discusses Challenges With St. John’s Students
Issues of parking and federal involvement were cited in an interview with The Torch.
From student centers to parking, University President, Rev. Brian J. Shanley, discussed these essential issues in an interview with The Torch.
In light of the new practice facility eliminating all spaces in the Gate 4 parking lot, parking on campus has become a large issue for students. Rev. Shanley expressed that the University is dealing with the issue and attempting to accommodate students and faculty.
“We’ve already had parking issues, as we know. So we’ve tried to add more spaces on campus, and I’m told we should have enough spaces. It’s going to be a minor inconvenience, but I don’t think it’s going to be major.”
When asked what he thought was the biggest challenge facing St. John’s students, he pointed to a lack of community on campus. “We have two different populations of students at the undergrad level, residential students and commuter students; finding spaces for those two different populations has been a chal-
Celina Mullady
| nov. 13, 2025
lenge,” said Rev. Shanley.
Despite the need for student spaces, St. John’s campus appears to lack comfortable and accommodating areas for students. “The D’Angelo Center is partly classrooms, and half feels like a student center, but it’s not a dedicated building,” he said. “I see kids hanging out in their cars. I see people in the parking lots, any empty classroom that’s not being used, there’s probably a bunch of students there.”
“I think that’s the big challenge that St. John’s has, improving the sense of community and the sense of belonging among all students on campus.”
Federal involvement on campus has been a highly contested issue in the St. John’s community, and was heightened after the announcement of a new program with U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) on May 6. Students, faculty and community members signed a petition demanding the dismantling of this program.
When questioned about federal involvement on campus, Rev. Shanley said, “We’ve had to go through pretty much every document that we have to make sure we weren’t running afoul of the new administration.”
When asked about the program with CBP, Rev. Shanley said, “I get why people are concerned. We are going to tweak the agreement just so we get a firewall that our students and faculty will only be doing customs stuff, nothing having to do with immigration.”
St. John’s University’s Mock Trial Team Places Third in Tournament
The team celebrates its highest ranking since 2019.
On Oct. 26, the St. John’s University’s Mock Trial Team came in third place in a tournament sponsored by the American Mock Trial Association (AMTA). This would be the first time the team has won an award since 2019.
There was only one case going to trial at the tournament, but there were four rounds during the weekend where schools competed against one another as both prosecution and defense. Each team was to provide their own attorneys and witnesses who acted in their roles throughout the entirety of the tournament.
There were specific awards handed out as well. Junior theology major Liam Bolobanic won the award for Outstanding Attorney and junior economics major Abigail Bautista won the award for Outstanding Witness. This means that while every member is ranked during each round of the tournament, Bolbanic and Bautista placed as the top-performing witness and attorney.
The team gathered at St. Augustine Hall
on Nov. 3 to place their awards in a case and take pictures. While there, the team excitedly spoke to one another about their first win while at St. John’s.
The Mock Trial Team trailed behind two of the University of Massachusetts’ teams, who won first and second place. However, the win for St. John’s is historic and is fueling the momentum for the spring.
Senior government and politics majors Jaya Singh (President) and Chloe Ramdeo (Vice President) spoke with The Torch about the impact and expectations of the win.
“Since the team was inactivated for a few years and brought back in 2022, we have been working to build resources. We have been speaking with alumni and getting support from the University itself. We have also begun fundraising, which is a huge credit to how well we placed in the tournament,” Singh said.
Ramdeo agreed. “Since it was reactivated, many members of the team have experience.
Most of them have done this for at least one year, so they always know what to expect going into it and can help the less experienced members on the team,” she said.
Ramdeo and Singh are excited and confident that they can do even better during the spring tournament. The Mock Trial Team has a heavy turnout for tryouts, and while the team is always ready for newcomers, they emphasize the need for great public speaking skills and the ability to be an active listener when on trial.
For participants, the event was a culmination of a semester’s hard work. Although they are ready to celebrate their placement, there is plenty more work to be done. The Mock Trial Team had practice directly after taking their picture on Nov. 3, showcasing the dedication of St. John’s student body.
There is more to see when it comes to the Mock Trial Team. Keep a lookout this spring for their second tournament of the year.
Carlyann Carey | nov. 11, 2025
Torch Photo / James Williams
Unplugging From Technology This Semester
Is a digital detox possible for college students?
For many college students, the majority of their waking hours are spent looking at a screen. In fact, studies show that they spend upwards of seven hours per day on their cell phones. This excludes time spent using laptops and other devices for schoolwork, revealing just how online the average college student’s life has become.
Although technology is helpful in many areas, such as communication, research and news, it can also be a major hindrance especially for college students. Excessive phone usage particularly promotes stress, a lack of physical fitness and lower grades.
This begs the question: How can we set healthy boundaries with technology? And further, is it even possible to go offline in these conditions?
Despite the intense prevalence of screen time in our lives, it is still achievable to spend more time offline and in the moment, starting by making small changes and implementing new habits.
Take Your Notes on Paper
Although it is tempting and likely quicker to type your notes for your classes, writing in a notebook can pay off. Taking notes on your laptop is highly distracting, especially if it’s connected to your messages and social media. Unless you are extremely disciplined, it is inevitable that distractions will arise. Using a notebook instead eliminates this issue, allowing you to better focus on the content and limit extra screentime. Additionally, it is widely accepted that writing notes by hand increases retention and learning, which can help boost your grades.
Practice Being Bored
Whenever you are waiting in line, eating a meal or have general downtime, it is almost a reflex to turn on your phone and scroll to pass the time. This practice decreases boredom, providing instant gratification and engagement, wiring our brains to go on our phones as a default.
These quick intervals of phone usage add up, however. Instead of immediately scrolling whenever you have a free moment, challenge
yourself to simply be with your thoughts. You might find that stopping constant stimulation can lead to more creative thinking and improved problem-solving.
Sleep Without Your Phone
College students tend to use their phones right before they sleep at night, watching videos and scrolling on social media until their eyes grow tired. This before-bed phone time also quickly adds up, and hours can pass without you even noticing.
Using your phone as a way to go to sleep is counterproductive. The light emitted from the screen keeps your brain awake, slowing the production of melatonin.
Try to log off your phone an hour prior to the time you want to actually sleep, and if possible, sleep with it in a different room. If you live in a dorm, put it on a surface that is more than an arm’s length away, so you would need to get out of bed in order to reach it.
Invest Your Time in a Hobby
During busy college schedules, it is natural to want to use your phone as a way to unwind and distract from stress. In moderation, this is perfectly healthy, but it should not be the only activity you partake in during your free time.
There are many low-cost, relaxing hobbies you can start, such as reading, crocheting and coloring to improve your mental health. Or you can focus on your physical health, and attend free on-campus fitness classes. It doesn’t matter much what you choose, as long as it engages and relaxes you.
Starting a digital detox can seem impossible, but with discipline and focus, you can learn to unplug and have more balance in your life.
AlexAndrA Prettitore | nov. 8, 2025
Torch Design / Megan Chapman
A Thanksgiving Morning Tradition: Behind the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
This
century-old festivity is a holiday staple.
AlexAndrA
Prettitore | nov. 17, 2025
Most Thanksgiving traditions are centered around a family dinner, usually occurring in the late afternoon or evening. This structure leaves the mornings free for relaxation, especially for those of us who aren’t cooking.
Each year on Thanksgiving morning, millions of Americans tune into the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade to fill the early hours of the holiday with festivity and cheer as they await their tasty meal.
Last year, over 30 million viewers watched the parade on cable and streaming, while another 3.5 million people ventured to New York City to see it in person.
This beloved tradition celebrated its 100 year anniversary in 2024, highlighting the parade’s immense staying power and status as a cultural staple.
But how did it become so popular? And why is the department store Macy’s involved?
The first iteration of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade was actually meant to serve as a marketing device for the now iconic company. In 1924, Macy’s was opening a massive 1 million square foot location in New York City, so they decided to host a parade on Thanksgiving to commemorate the store’s opening and entice consumers to begin their holiday shopping at the new Macy’s store. In fact, the first Thanksgiving Day Parade was not even meant to celebrate Thanksgiving—it was a look ahead into the Christmas season.
Because the Christmas window display in Macy’s stores was themed around nursery rhymes that year, many of the first floats were classic characters, like Little Red Riding Hood and Miss Muffet.
There were also dozens of live animals, such as lions, from the neighboring Central Park Zoo included in the lineup. These creatures were swapped out in favor of balloons – now a mainstay of the parade—in 1927.
The first Thanksgiving Day Parade concluded the three hour spectacle with an appearance from none other than Santa Clause himself, ringing in the Christmas season in the most fitting of ways. This tradition continues even today, demonstrating the parade’s enduring dual purpose
as a Thanksgiving celebration and the official start of the holidays.
Following its success in 1924, the Thanksgiving Day Parade cemented itself as an essential component of Thanksgiving festivities, right alongside turkey and football. Over the last century, the parade has evolved into a more elaborate, star-studded production.
In the 1950s, the rise of television allowed the parade to be broadcast across the country, pushing it into the households of millions and extending it beyond an exclusively New York City tradition.
Throughout the years, there have been numerous memorable, and sometimes notorious moments at the Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Strong winds have been an obstacle for the balloons throughout the parade’s history. In 1971, the balloons were grounded due to the extremely windy conditions. And, most infamously, in 1997 a Barney balloon was destroyed in the middle of the street after being blown into a streetlight by gusty winds.
The positive moments from the Thanksgiving Day Parade outweigh the mishaps. Almost every year since 1980, there have been performances from Broadway casts, ranging from “Wicked” in 2003 to “Newsies” in 2011 to “The Outsiders” in 2024. This musical tradition connects the parade to its New York roots.
The upcoming 2025 parade will feature the casts of “Buena Vista Social Club,” “Just in Time” and “Ragtime.”
There are also appearances by celebrities each year. Stars such as Dolly Parton, John Legend, Leslie Odom Jr. and Ariana Grande have all performed in recent years.
This year, performers include the cast of “K-Pop Demon Hunters,” Shaggy, Matteo Bocelli and Lil Jon. There will also be over 34 balloons and 28 floats and various other entertainers.
Even over a century into its history, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade remains a cultural classic for Americans. Public viewing spots for the 2025 parade are free, but you will need to get there early if you want to get a decent view. After all, millions will be there.
Photo Courtesy / YouTube Ovation
Students Frustrated by Season Ticket Issues: ‘We Just Want to Sit Together’
From seat assignments to ticket transfers, students say the game-day experience isn’t living up to expectations.
Jason Petrucci | nov. 16, 2025
Imagine this.
You and your friends have been waiting all week to attend the first official St. John’s men’s basketball game of the 2025-26 season at Madison Square Garden, ready to show your school pride and cheer on the Johnnies. As usual, you all scan into the game without a problem, heading to the seats you paid $125 for through the student season ticket plan. What could go wrong?
When you reach the ticket checker, everyone gets through except you. “Sorry, you’re in G8. Go around to the other side of the arena,” they say. Suddenly, you’re forced to watch the game alone while your friends enjoy themselves across the arena.
For many St. John’s students, that’s the harsh reality.
Daniel Guerra, a sophomore student majoring in marketing, was one of the many who were met with this frustrating outcome.
“It’s silly, that’s the way to put it,” said Guerra. “If you have a student season ticket, you should be allowed to sit anywhere in the section, not relegated to one side of the court. I paid to sit with my friends, not around a random sea of students.”
Ed Kull, the athletic director of the university, has done an outstanding job at making ticket prices affordable for students, a $125 fee that’s placed on the market in July, which gives students access to all home games. However, prior to purchasing, students are unaware not only of where they will be sitting but also of whether they’re guaranteed to be with friends.
“What we’ve all thought about is how the students will have the same section as friends,” said Kull during an interview with The Torch. “The same row, same as the classmates, which all makes the chants become easier because you’re sitting there, like we’re creating a little bit of routine.”
For students early on in the season, this has been the exact opposite, finding the problems of sitting with friends, which causes unhappiness at basketball games.
But this isn’t the only voiced concern from students.
After Carnesecca home games were included in the student season ticket package, suddenly, this season, that’s no more. The system has now changed, making it a “first come, first serve” basis when logging online to preorder tickets during the week, making it a very limited and aggravating process for all students.
Quinlan Grawehr, a sophomore business student, faced these issues when attempting to get tickets for the Quinnipiac game. Since there was very little communication through the ticket program and students, Grawehr was unable to attend the game.
“Why would they not include Carnesecca games in our season tickets if we aren’t getting charged as students for the games?” said Grawehr. This leads directly to the idea of having the ability to transfer a ticket. In the past, students had the opportunity to transfer their tickets to other students, in case they were unable to attend the game. Suddenly, students now don’t have this option, leaving tons of confusion, especially for people who now don’t have the right to do what they want with the ticket they purchased.
Patrick Stern, a sophomore mathematics major at St. John’s, voiced
his frustrations after the failure of transferring tickets to his friends this past weekend.
“Last season, I had no issue transferring the tickets,” Stern said. “It seems like this year that option isn’t available. It is greyed out on the games I have tickets for with no clear alternative. I think it’s frustrating that students can’t transfer tickets to other students in the event they’re unable to attend a game.”
Because the school now directly links the student season tickets to the “Red Storm” app, students are now unable to directly call Ticketmaster when having issues with their tickets. When doing so, Ticketmaster says they’re unable to do anything, and the tickets have been disabled by the administration.
Now, what about the students who haven’t been able to purchase season tickets? Christopher Pastore, a junior student studying criminal justice, has had the opportunity to sit in nicer areas over his last two years of attending St. John’s. With the team now being successful, these opportunities are very limited for students.
“It would be nice if more tickets were available below section 300,” said Pastore. “It’s understandable that they have us high so they could make money, but we as students really shouldn’t be forced to sit with the retired numbers near the ceiling. More student tickets lower would be nice.”
Students faced a similar issue last season when gearing up to face UConn at the Garden last year. In response, Kull said to The Torch:
“We encourage all students to purchase season tickets at the beginning of the year to guarantee their seat. Student tickets are not a revenue generator for Athletics; the price maintains a value perspective on the ticket compared to being free and perceiving no value.”
Yes, making money is crucial and very important to the basketball team, especially as a fanbase, but students play a pivotal role in the fanbase, especially since it’s a college sport, where college kids can attend their team’s home games to cheer peers on.
Without students at the games, who’s going to make it truly feel like home? Who will make the chants that make games so memorable? Who will create a hostile environment for opposing teams? None of this is possible if students are unable to consistently attend games.
This isn’t the first issue the student body has voiced frustration over this year. The beloved tip-off event, which gets everyone excited while delivering a free concert from a headlining artist, was canceled.
The explanation provided promised a total revamp in the game-day experience, but where is that? A so-far empty promise that has left some students home while the Red Storm tip off their 2025-26 season.
Torch Photo/ Sebastian Zelaya
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The Historic Triumph of the Zohran Mamdani Camgaign
Micah Grayson | nov. 10, 2025
One year ago, I wrote an article titled “The Historic Blunder of the Kamala Harris Campaign,” detailing the shortcomings that led to Donald Trump’s reelection.
Over the course of the following year, despite the facts presented in the Op-Ed and by many leftists immediately after the loss, many Democratic Party loyalists just wanted to cover their ears. They boiled the result down to Harris’ identity as a woman, much like Hilary Clinton’s defeat in 2016.
If that reality ever had any ground to stand on, it’s gone now.
Not only did women such as Mikie Sherrill, the current U.S. representative and now governor-elect of New Jersey, do better than Kamala Harris, but Abigal Spanberger, the former representative who won the gubernatorial race in Virginia, outperformed the former vice president as well.
For how impressive those victories were, the most improbable campaign came from the most high-profile race. Verifying the largest issue the democrats have faced electorally.
New York Democratic Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani’s surge from two percent in primary polls to comfortably winning New York City’s mayoral race proved why centrism needs to be cast out of the Democratic Party for its longterm future.
It can’t be denied that the man has rare charisma and a social media presence superior to almost any mainstream political candidate. But the primary reasons for his unprecedented popularity are his leftism.
Instead of focusing on how he’s the lesser of two evils, he spent the majority of his campaign identifying the biggest problems New Yorkers were facing, and presented widespread, tested and popular
solutions to those issues.
Regardless of whether someone is racist, misogynistic, Islamophobic or bigoted in any way, if someone offers an objective improvement in their lives and clearly identifies how they will do so, they will more often than not vote for that person.
This is what the Kamala Harris campaign either didn’t understand or was too beholden to funding from billionaires to implement.
Fast and free buses could’ve been universal health care, universal childcare could’ve been student loan debt forgiveness, or free public college.
He also presented a perspective on Israel that was more representative of the broader population than any other candidate in the field. New York City voters viewed his condemnation of Israel’s genocide in Gaza as sincere and another indicator that he wasn’t beholden to the same corporate interests Kamala Harris was.
Democrats did well across the board of Election Day, whether the candidates were centrist or not. But not every election will be a referendum on what Trump is currently doing. The 2016 and 2024 democratic loses certainly weren’t.
Mamdani won the only major race where the majority of votes weren’t referendums on Donald Trump, beating out the more centrist Andrew Cuomo in demographics Kamala Harris lost ground in, such as Latino voters, and in districts she did worse than Joe Biden in, such as the Bronx. For long-term success, and to ensure a 2024-style loss will never happen again, campaigns with platforms similar to Zohran’s are essential for the Democratic Party.
Samantha Agoursalidis Syriana Pazmino
‘Moulin Rouge’: An Empty Spectacle
This Broadway adaptation makes up for a lack of substance with entertainment.
AlexAndrA Prettitore | nov. 16 2025
“Moulin Rouge! The Musical” opened on Broadway in 2019 and won ten Tony Awards in 2021. It is inspired by the 2001 musical film of the same title, directed by Baz Luhrmann, and the Moulin Rouge nightclub that actually existed in late 19th and early 20th-century France.
The show is still running, playing eight-performance weeks at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre. At the Nov. 1 performances, it starred Ashley Loren, who plays leading showgirl Satine, Christian Douglas as the male love interest, Christian and Wayne Brady, who portrays club owner Harold Zidler.
On Nov. 11, “Zombies” star Meg Donnelly joined the cast, replacing Loren.
The story follows the romance between the starring performer at the Moulin Rouge, Satine, and American songwriter-hopeful, Christian. Conflict arises when the nightclub is on the brink of closing, and a wealthy duke is the only one who can save it—at the price of Satine’s freedom. At its core, it is a tragic love story..
Like the film, it is a jukebox musical, meaning that the songs were not originally written for the production.
“Moulin Rouge” includes popular albeit somewhat outdated tracks such as “Firework” by Katy Perry, “Bad Romance” by Lady Gaga and “Raise Your Glass” by Pink.
This style of production is not new to Broadway, with shows such as “& Juliet” and “Buena Vista Social Club” following a similar format.
In “Moulin Rouge,” however, the tracks sometimes come across as gimmicky, taking the audience out of the more emotional aspects of the story.
The most egregious example of this
is when Satine sings “Firework” during her mental crisis; she is coming to terms with her illness and the club’s impending financial failure. The song does not match the gravity of the situation, lessening its impact.
The tracklist is extended in the Broadway adaptation, squeezing in as many hits as possible. This makes sense since it is primarily a musical; however, it comes at a cost, especially in the first act. Satine and Christian’s relationship is not fully developed beyond a surface level, making it difficult to feel much in the second act as they are torn apart.
“Moulin Rouge’s” book needs serious reworking if it wants to fully convey the story’s emotional plot.
However, it does not seem as if this is a priority for those behind the production. On the show’s official website, it is described as a “spectacular,” highlighting the emphasis on elaborate, eye-catching performance over an emotionally gripping story.
“Moulin Rouge” succeeds in this aspect. The set design is ornate and beautiful, transporting the audience to the nightclub atmosphere.
The costumes have a similar effect. Designed by Catherine Zuber, they emulate the outfits that would be worn at the actual Moulin Rouge, while still incorporating a modern twist. They shine on stage, glimmering in the lights to enhance each showgirl.
The most memorable aspect of “Moulin Rouge” is its dance numbers. They were hard-hitting, complex and plentiful, engaging the audience from the first scene.
The opening and closing numbers, and “Backstage Romance” are particularly impressive, emphasizing the show’s performance value and the cast’s dancing talent. They are intentionally flashy, once again highlighting the nightclub component to the production over its tragic storyline.
This is especially apparent in the closing scene. Right after Satine succumbs to tuberculosis, an upbeat encore of the opening number occurs. The heartbreaking event is immediately disregarded in favor of ending the show on an entertaining rather than thought-provoking note.
“Moulin Rouge” is certainly a watchable, enjoyable Broadway adaptation, meant to be appreciated by those with an eye for dancing, beautiful design and fun. This comes at a cost, though, leaving the plot’s emotional core by the wayside.
Photo Courtesy / YouTube Moulin Rouge
Torch Photo / Alexandra Prettitore
Imperfect Love, Perfect Storytelling: A Look at a Book By Bob-Waksberg Love is
What does love mean to you?
“Someone Who Will Love You In All Your Damaged Glory” is an emotional rollercoaster collection of short stories written by Raphael Bob-Waksberg, best known for his creation of the Netflix TV show “Bojack Horseman.”
Like “Bojack Horseman,” this book has insane stories but is littered with deep meaning. With random lists, weird science and games of taboo, this book is nothing short of crazy.
At 242 pages in length, this book was a relatively quick read. The short stories were fast-paced and to the point, leaving readers satisfied. Each short story is based on the central theme of love.
Starting the book off strong, “A MOST BLESSED AND AUSPICIOUS OCCASION” follows soon-to-be-married Peter and Dorothy. The couple is planning their wedding, and everyone they know has something to say or recommend that they do.
It starts normally with Dorothy’s best friend suggesting they line the aisles with candles. However, she then goes on to say, “Otherwise, how will the half-blind love-demon transcribe your names in the book of Eternal Devotion?”
At that point in the book, it is easy for the audience to get confused, but you have to roll with the weirdness, or you’ll get lost. This story continues to describe what should be a typical wedding, but it is marred by these supernatural circumstances.
These supernatural “traditions”
can be seen as stupid or silly, but that’s what Bob-Waksberg intended, showing readers that things like “The Book of Eternal Devotion” or goat sacrifices are not necessary to get married.
Much like how in real life, you don’t need to have the perfect cake or hundreds of flowers to make the occasion memorable. Readers can appreciate and relate to this chapter, even if there may be some initial confusion about what it all means.
“MORE OF THE YOU YOU ALREADY ARE” is the last formal story in the book, and it’s about a guy who works at a president-themed amusement park. We never learn his name, only that his job involves dressing up as the 21st United States President, Chester A. Arthur.
This story is written informally and feels like you’re having a conversation with a friend over text.
The narrator begins sentences casually, often starting them with “And he’s like,” or “So then you.” The reader feels very close to this
character as he takes us along on his mission to avoid getting fired from the park.
Of course, it wouldn’t be this book if there weren’t a funny twist and a gut-wrenching subplot involved.
Between the narrator’s attempts to save his job, we learn that the park has created a biologically modified creature from the combined bodies of the first ten presidents. They plan to make more of them to take the jobs of other presidents at the park. Our main character is freaking out, thinking he’ll be fired. However, his thoughts often stray, and he brings up “Ramona.” Through context clues, we find out that “Ramona” is his sister who is sick and dying. Our narrator needs this job to support “Ramona” and pay for her medical treatments.
It’s safe to say this book was an enjoyable read. It was hilarious, sad, thoughtful and bittersweet. If you enjoy lists, big fonts, and occasional drawings, this book is for you.
TOLEDO Offers a New Voice in Indie Rock
The indie rock duo is a beautiful example of friendship and music intertwining.
From the small coastal city of Newburyport, Mass. to Brooklyn, New York, the indie rock duo TOLEDO is made up of Daniel Álvarez de Toledo and Jordan Dunn-Pilz.
The longtime friends first met while busking in Newburyport at 10 years old. Though distance became a barrier between the two during their college years, the pair now live in close proximity to one another in Brooklyn.
Syriana Pazmino | nov.
8, 2025
As you have probably taken notice, the band’s name originated from Álvarez’s full name, “Daniel Álvarez de Toledo,” in addition to the Spanish town of Toledo, Spain. Álvarez’s Spanish roots don’t end here. On the band’s first EP, “Hot Stuff” (2019), they released a song titled “Qué Pasa?” Though the only Spanish featured in the song was the words “qué pasa,” a few years later, in 2024, the band released their third EP, “Popped Heart,” which included a track called “Lindo Lindo,” with a chorus entirely in Spanish.
In 2017, the band released their first single titled “On My Own,” where listeners can hear a slight surf rock influence alongside the clear alternative ones.
The following year, the duo released another single titled “Crane
Song” that slowly made its way as one of their top songs on Spotify.
Though the band went on for a few years creating music almost entirely about love and heartbreak, the duo began to make music about internal struggles and troubled upbringings.
These topics can be heard most prominently on their debut album “How It Ends” (2022), but listeners can also begin to find traces of them in “Sunday Funday” on their second EP “Jockeys of Love” (2021), which soon became their most popular song.
On Instagram, the band posted a video of them playing “Sunday Funday” in their backyard, accompanied by Carr Bonner and @not_gui. The video included text crediting Álvarez and Dunn-Pliz’s opportunity to quit their babysitting jobs to the success of the song.
As of more recently, the band released another EP titled “Inertia” and is beginning their headlining tour throughout the United States on Nov. 5, the duo will come to New York on Dec. 5.
For fans of The Marías, Clairo or Sufjan Stevens who want to try something different, TOLEDO is the band for you.
Photo Courtesy / Tyler, The Creator
Samantha agourSalidiS, | nov. 6, 2025
Torch Photo / Samantha Agoursalidis
Photo Courtesy / YouTube TOLEDO
Meet Libero Rashanny Solano Smith
The Johnnie reflects on her roots, her progress and whats to come
Very few things can beat the feeling of sitting down for a volleyball game at Carnesecca Arena, getting lost in the rally and watching libero Rashanny Solano Smith pick up attacking hits with ease. It’s the kind of thing that can fill anyone with excitement just from watching. For Solano Smith, moments like this are what she lives for on the court.
Solano Smith began her athletic journey playing both soccer and volleyball in her early childhood. She felt an attraction to volleyball due to both her parents being former players themselves, so when she was called to play for the Costa Rican national team, she felt she had to take the opportunity.
Volleyball was opening doors for her like she had never imagined.
While playing for Costa Rica, Solano Smith was recognized as one of the best. Playing in U19 tournaments, she won various awards like Best Libero, Best Digger, Tournament MVPs and even a Gold Medal at the U19 Central American Championship.
One tournament that she played while on the Costa Rican national team took her to Oklahoma. It was at this tournament that she met the St. John’s coaches and was recruited to play as a Johnnie.
Though she now plays for St. John’s University, she has not left Costa Rica behind. She chose to join her home country once again
in the 2025 U21 Pan American Cup, where she won the award for Best Libero. This tournament proved to be a valuable learning experience for Solano Smith.
“You learn so much from other liberos, or other people in general from other teams,” said Solano Smith. “Every country has their volleyball style, which is very fun to play against. The United States has its own volleyball style, which is fast volleyball. You have to move more and stuff like that, but I like it.”
Her achievements don’t stop with Costa Rica. In her career at St. John’s, Solano Smith has reached a milestone of 1,000 career digs even before beginning her junior year. According to her, it’s all thanks to her coaches.
She places emphasis on the importance of doing individual training in the spring with them to improve her technique. Once games become more frequent in the summer and fall, Solano Smith takes what she learns and applies it. This gives way to the great progress she has achieved since her freshman year.
Being a student athlete, Solano Smith recognizes the importance of balancing athletics with academics. Though it can be hard, she has found a support system in her advisors, coaches and peers to build a routine that works for her.
“I feel like here at St. John’s, they have very good academic advisors, and just like academic
Torch
Top-25,
Week Three
Week three of college basketball finally brought us something to lock into: consistent, ranked play. Throughout the week, the NCAA saw seven games where both teams were ranked in the top 25 prior to action, a treat for all fans with November basketball.
As we continue the series of the Torch Top 25, here are the latest rankings, with a scale of where teams fared last week
Torch Top 25:
1. Purdue(4-0) (-)
2. UConn(4-0) (+1)
3. Houston(4-0) (-1)
4.Duke(4-0) (-)
balance with sports, I think it’s very good, and they help us a lot with it, ” she noted. “So we just have class in the mornings, and then practice in the afternoons. I usually try to get my homework done in between after I’m done with class and between practice. And after practice, I just get a little done. I’m not really a night person. I just like to sleep a lot.”
The junior Johnnie now majors in Sports Management, with a clear idea on what she wants to pursue.
“I really want to play pro volleyball,” she tells The Torch. “I don’t know where. I don’t know with whom, but I just want to try and play pro.”
Volleyball became a passion that she stuck to. She found a goal that she can work towards here at St. John’s, and she owes it all to two people in her life.
“I really want to thank my parents. They’re a very big part of my life. My dad is my coach back at home in my club team. My mom used to play a lot of years. She had to stop playing because she got pregnant with me. So I thank them a lot. They’ve done so much for me.”
Her passion is evident every second she spends on the court because volleyball is more than just a game for her. It’s a connection to her family, her roots, and her future. From Costa Rica to Queens, Rashanny Solano Smith made her mark on all of us, and the best is yet to come.
5. Arizona(4-0)(+5)
6. Louisville(4-0) (+5)
7. Kentucky(3-1) (-2)
8. BYU(3-1) (-2)
9. Michigan(3-0) (-2)
10. Illinois(4-0) (+6)
11. Alabama(2-1) (-2)
12. Texas Tech(3-1) (-4)
13. St. John’s(2-1) (+1)
14. Iowa State(3-0) (+1)
15. Florida(3-1) (-2)
16. Gonzaga(4-0) (+3)
17. Michigan State(3-0) (+1)
18. Tennessee(3-0) (-1)
19. North Carolina(4-0) (+1)
20. UCLA(3-1) (-8)
21. Wisconsin(3-0 (+1)
22. Auburn(3-1) (-1)
23. Indiana(3-0) (+2)
24. N.C. State(3-0) (NR)
25. Vanderbilt(4-0) (NR)
Off Last Weeks chart
Creighton(2-1)- last week: No.23 Clemson(3-1)- last week: No. 24
Left off but in AP Top 25: No.21 Arkansas(3-1) No. 24 Kansas(3-1)
Biggest Riser: No.10 Illinois (+6)
Biggest Faller: No. 20 UCLA (-8)
Isabelle PImentel mIrana| november 6, 2025
Jason PetruccI | november 17, 2025
Torch Photo / Sebastian Zelaya
SPORTS
No. 13 St. John's Back On Track
In Win Over William & Mary
No. 13 St. John’s returned to Queens to face the William & Mary Tribe hoping to correct course one week after a loss to Alabama. The 103-96 loss to a top-25 opponent gave Coach Rick Pitino and his Red Storm much to learn and change before facing the Tribe.
Pitino opted for a drastic difference in the starting-five which saw both Ruben Prey and Dylan Darling, his first game back after suffering a calf injury, earn their first starts of the young season.
This new and much larger lineup was chosen to attack William & Mary’s lack of size; the two centers Prey and Zuby Ejiofor allowed the Johnnies to dominate the paint, out-scoring the Tribe 24-12 within the key in the first half.
The Tribe’s style of play was the exact opposite of the Red Storm’s in the opening half, their offense rarely ever drifted inside the three-point arc as 15 of their first 17 points came from three-point shooting in the first ten minutes.
Both teams turned away from their gameplans and the Tribe dragged St. John’s into a slugfest that William & Mary benefited from. They eventually evened up the scoring at 2828 before the Johnnies secured a narrow 39-34
advantage at the end of the first half.
If this commentary seems mundane, stagnant and without vision, that is exactly how St. John’s played in the first half. Despite a clear size advantage against an inferior team, the offense elected to not play through Ejiofor or Bryce Hopkins, who only combined for 13 points entering halftime.
If Pitino and his squad were to prevent a disastrous outcome, the offense and defense would need to completely change their play in the second half.
And out of the locker room, a new and energized Johnnies stormed the court. Headlined by Darling’s ability to turn defense into offense and Oziyah Sellers’ knockdown shooting, an immediate 34-8 scoring run over the first 10 minutes allowed St. John’s to avoid a potentially catastrophic upset.
“Certainly, Dylan was magnificent tonight at breaking any pressure,” Pitino said regarding Darling’s performance at the helm of the offense. “[He] did great things and made us such a better basketball team.”
Thanks to the leadership of Darling, the Red Storm played lightning quick in transition
(scoring 16 points off of turnovers during this run) and were patient in the half-court. Showing how dynamic this talented offense can be if they play to their full potential.
While the offense was succeeding at all levels, no one player stood out but instead the offense worked as a team. Five players tallied over 10 points and none scored over 15, an impressive balance that proves a score-by-committee approach may be best for this team.
At the 10 minute mark, St. John’s led comfortably 71-40, a far cry from the two-possession lead they held in the first 20 minutes of play.
The Tribe had no chance for a comeback and the Red Storm treated the closing minutes of this contest as an effortless shoot-around, maintaining the 30+ lead for the rest of the game. At a final score of 93-60, the Johnnies’ staggering 33 point win silenced all doubts that a lackluster first half may have created.
After being on the winning side of this tale of two halves, St. John’s improved to 2-1 on a young season. Their next chance for a victory will once again be in Carnesecca Arena, but against Bucknell University on Nov. 20. T
James Williams | November 16, 2025
Torch Photo / Sebastian Zelaya