[The Stute] October 3, 2025 (Issue 4, Volume CXXIII)
BY MAYA MEETS , STAFF WRITER
On September 24, 2025, the Stevens Undergraduate Student Life office hosted a short seminar on the ba sics of investing: What it is, why someone should take interest in it, some basic terminology associated with investing, and why investing may be a better option for some people to reach certain financial goals.
The speaker, Professor Sven Esche, grew up in Ger many and came to the Unit ed States, building himself from the ground up. While he may not be abundantly rich, he is financially free, which he defines as having enough passive income to cover most living expenses. Essentially, this translates to not having to rely on a traditional 9 to 5 to sustain yourself. According to him, this should be a lot of people’s goals, because when you’re financially free, making money stops being a constant stressor in life.
We
Stevens receives $21 million donation from Clark Foundation
BY CHARLES BEALL, OPINION COLUMNIST
You may have more opportunities to work less, pursue work that is more fulfilling, or even simply have more time for family, friends, and hobbies. He argued that investing is one of the best
On September 9, Stevens Institute of Technology announced it had received the largest investment in university history — a $21 million commitment from the A. James & Alice B. Clark Foundation. The donation provides $10 million in endowed funds to directly support the Clark Scholars
Program, $1 million to initiate a Clark Philanthropy Challenge, and $10 million toward a capital naming project for renaming the UCC South Tower in honor of A. James Clark. Since Fall 2018, the Clark Scholars Program has provided financial aid packages, mentorship and networking opportunities, and a breadth of research and cultural experiences to its cohort of students.
According to Alida McKee, Director of Special Programs and Administration, the Clark Foundation’s recent donation will allow for a larger cohort size, as well as increases in stipends for research, study abroad, and funds for cultural passport events. Additional aspects of the $10 million in endowed funds include “being able to admit more Pell grant-eligible students to the program, […] a Clark orientation pro-
Professor of Practice Bill Windsor transforms classrooms into labs of discovery
gram for all incoming Clark freshmen, and an emergency fund for situations where a student’s family circumstances change, affecting their financial aid,” McKee wrote in an email response to questions from The Stute. President Nariman Farvardin also noted that the investment “focuses on deepening the transformational impact we’ve already seen rather than simply exSEE CLARK PAGE 2
The flu won’t wait. Why should you?
BY VINCENT OLIVIERI, STAFF WRITER
Whenever a new school year starts, there is always one thing present during every class, lecture, or test: sniffles. As September comes to an end and the fall finally creeps in, flu season likes to come along for the ride. Cold and sicknesses have no trouble spreading either, with tightly packed classrooms creating a gateway for one cough or sneeze to infect 10 or 20 people. Once the air begins to chill, viruses and infections will have a much easier time surviving and making their way throughout campus. Since cases of major respiratory illnesses like influenza seem to reach their peak between late November and December, the best time to take preventative measures is… right now. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), every person over six months old should be updated on their flu vaccine every season. With a range of 20 to 40 million flu cases and six to 50 thousand deaths in the United States each year, a
Research on the relationship between CEOs’ character traits and companies’ social impact
BY GAVIN MCCRARY, CONTRIBUTOR
Since its relaunch in 2023, The Semcer Center for Healthcare Innovation (CHI) has had “interdisciplinary research at its core.” The CHI’s mission to improve the patient experience through technology will now continue under the leadership of researcher and biomedical engineering professor Dr. Jennifer Kang-Mieler, who has long been involved in health research. Dr. Kang-Mieler’s NIH-supported research projects include ocular drug delivery, retinal imaging, and biomarkers, as shown on the Stevens Faculty page. Alongside her research record, she brings a strong focus on translational work, aligning closely with the CHI’s vision of advancing healthcare innovation and creating real-world impact for patients.
Dr. Kang-Mieler didn’t always know she’d end up in biomedical research. As a math major at Northwestern University, she first pictured herself taking a different path — until an
opportunity in a biophysics lab introduced her to modeling protein crystals. This experience pulled her toward lab work and eventually to a Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering, where she began focusing on vision science. Over the years, her research has grown to cover ocular drug delivery, retinal imaging, biomarkers, and blood flow, gaining recognition both nationally and abroad. Now Chair and George Meade Bond Professor of the Department of Biomedical Engineering at Stevens, Dr. Kang-Mieler is taking on the role of CHI director, where she hopes to expand lab opportunities and build stronger ties with clinical and industry partners to better serve patients. Outside of her research, she often engages with her personal hobbies, which include playing the ukulele, building Legos, and attending Broadway shows. She explained that these creative outlets help her stay balanced as she focuses on her goals as a researcher As the new director of the Semcer Center
BY SERENA PANUCCI, NEWS EDITOR
As a Professor of Practice in Stevens Institute of Technology’s Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Dr. Bill Windsor has turned classrooms into laboratories of discovery, mentoring dozens of young researchers and preparing them to thrive in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. His presence on campus illustrates how bringing industry leaders into academia can transform students’ experiences and create new opportunities for learning.
Windsor brings over 30 years of experience in pharmaceutical research with him, including leadership roles at Schering-Plough Research Institute and Merck. Over the course of his career, he helped advance six drug candidates into clinical trials, co-authored more than 45 peer-reviewed papers, and earned 11 worldwide patents. Among his achievements was Boceprevir, the first oral therapy for hepa-
titis C, a breakthrough that has helped thousands of patients worldwide. That deep industry background now fuels his teaching, giving Stevens students a rare chance to learn directly from someone who has been on the front lines of drug discovery.
The title of Professor of Practice isn’t given lightly. Universities reserve it for professionals with significant accomplishments outside academia — leaders who have shaped industries, developed innovations, or held influential roles. Unlike traditional tenure-track professors, Professors of Practice are appointed for their real-world achievements rather than for publishing or grant funding. At Stevens, they focus on teaching, mentoring, and providing practical research opportunities. For Windsor, that means developing courses like Biophysical Chemistry and Cell Signal Transduction, leading seminars on cancer immunotherapies and COVID-19,
BY TANYA AVADIA, OUTREACH CHAIR
A CEO is responsible not only for driving the top managerial decisions within an organization but also for the reputation and impact that organization has within the world. A CEO is always the reflection of their company, but the opposite is also true with the company being a reflection of their CEO. This begs the question of exactly how CEOs impact their firms. Many studies have been conducted with regard to this, however, mostly through a financial and profitability perspective. Stevens School of Business professor, Dr. Sibel Ozgen Novelli, felt that it was important to look at organizational impact through a different lens. This is what led to the study of CEO characteristics and social impact of their organizations.
The Stute had the opportunity to interview Dr. Ozgen regarding this research. Dr. Ozgen holds two PhDs, one from Florida International University in Miami and the other from
Universidad Rovira I Virgili in Tarragona, Spain. At Stevens, she teaches courses on strategy, organizational behavior, and leadership development. She is also involved in the First-Year Experience course for firstyear undergraduate students. The majority of her research centers around leadership, as shown in her study titled “CEO Characteristics and Corporate Social Responsibility and Irresponsibility: Mirrored or Distinct Correlates?” This article, a collaboration between Dr. Ozgen, Dr. Dasol Sim of Saint Louis University, Dr. Nathan Hiller of Florida International University, Dr. Yuyang Zhou of Bentley University, and Dr. Ronaldo Parente of Florida International University, was recently published in the academic journal Corporate Governance: An International Review. This paper looks into two key questions: • Do CEO traits influence a company’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
DELIVERY BOY.........................................JONATHAN LAI ‘28
ASSIS. LAYOUT EDITOR...........................SHREYA ROY ‘27
Staff & Contributors
Vincent Olivieri
Maya Meets
Charles Beall
Gavin McCrary
Aracely Candelaria
Paige Maston
Sofia Stoeckel
Sean Palermo
Atreyee Halder
Rishi Prabhakar
Robert Dietrich
Abigail Thomas Milagros Carabajal
Vedhesh A. Kamaraj
Claire Deans
Sam Strassburger
Christina Thomas Viktor Palmer
Disha Rana
Gavin Ruby
Tanya Zanes
Breona Pizzuta
Dominic Souza
Wesley Yu
Sydney Leung
Jacob Normand
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All members of the Stevens community are able to submit a standalone opinion piece (otherwise known as an Op-Ed) to be published in The Stute. Op-Eds must be between 400 – 800 words, but longer submissions will be considered on a case-by-case basis. To submit an OpEd please email eboard@thestute.com with your name and title (when applicable) or using our Google form (tinyurl.com/submit-t0-stute). For writers who wish to write an Op-Ed anonymously, please see our policy on anonymity.
The Editorial Board reserves the right to choose whether or not to publish a submitted Op-Ed based on a majority rule vote, and additionally reserves the right to edit Op-Eds for clarity or request authors to revise. Provided that the author approves the final version, The Stute reserves the right to edit Op-Eds according to our copy editing procedures, de fined in our policies.
ADULT
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methods to reach this state of financial freedom. The goal through investing is not to become filthy rich, but to become financially comfortable by having enough passive income to live on.
Investing, he defined, is the systematic deployment of capital in value, which creates economic activities. In simpler terms, this means putting money into something with the expectation of getting more money back in the future. There are several common investments, like stocks, index funds, and real estate. The goal of putting money into any of these things would most likely, over the course of 10-20 years, accrue significantly more value than what you originally invested.
Now, there is always the risk of losing that invested money, but the maximum you can lose is just what you originally invested, but without knowing the amount you could make. Historically, the average stock market yearly return rate
CLARK
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panding numbers.” This focus reflects the philosophy of A. James Clark, who “understood that when you invest in a student who has the talent, drive, and integrity but lacks financial resources, you don’t just change one life — you create ripple effects that transform families, communities, and industries.”
The Clark Philanthropy Challenge reflects the dedication to humanitarian service exemplified by Mr. Clark, an engineer who founded Clark Construction Group LLC—a leading US construction company—and whose philanthropy has led to the initiation of Clark Scholars Programs at 11 U.S. universities. Each year, the Challenge will involve scholars vetting and voting on a charitable organization in the local community to receive a $25,000 donation.
Even before this recent donation, the Clark Scholars Program had already evolved significantly since its inception. Fall 2024 saw the beginning of a living-learning community for a group of Clark upperclassmen. Clark alumni have returned to campus for the annual Clark Networking Day and celebrations around graduation season. Clark scholars from Stevens have also attended summits hosted by the broader Clark Scholars Program Network to connect with cohorts from other universities.
This program has greatly impacted its cohort of scholars.
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vaccine against influenza seems like a smart choice. Although some years only show a 30-40% effectiveness rate, others have boasted over 50%. Scientists are actively aiming to make the vaccine more effective, especially in more extreme cases such as in adults over 60, pregnant women,
is roughly 10%, which is far higher than any savings account. So, while savings accounts may be safer, it definitely pays in the long run to have an investment account. And, by diversifying your investments (having many different types of investments in different company stocks and index funds), you decrease the chance of your money plummeting.
So, how does one start investing?
The first step is to open an investment account. This may seem really intimidating due to the number of providers and account types. However, for the most part, any provider you choose to get a brokerage/self-directed investment account with will likely work out. Some widely used platforms include Fidelity, E*TRADE, Robinhood, and SoFi. With any of these providers, you may want to start with a Roth IRA, a retirement-focused investment account that allows you to invest after-tax dollars and withdraw your contributions (and earnings, under certain conditions) tax-free. This is great for long-term wealth building and beginners in investing. Another op-
Emory Wineland ‘25, a recent Mechanical Engineering graduate, especially enjoyed the ability to study abroad as part of the program. “I got to visit three new countries,” she said, adding, “it was amazing being able to live in completely new places and experience new cultures.” Asked if he could go back in time to complete his undergraduate studies as a Clark Scholar, President Farvardin observed, “the summer research stipend and international experience opportunities would have been transformative for me,” and “the cultural passport to New York City experiences would have been extraordinary.”
Wineland also served on the Clark Events committee, making plans to attend Broadway shows with her fellow scholars using their cultural passports. “I learned that I enjoy event planning and want to find a way to continue doing it outside of Clark,” she said.
McKee and Wineland both highlighted the program’s ability
tion is opening a simple self-directed brokerage account, which gives you the freedom to invest however you’d like and withdraw money at any time. Just be aware that any profits (capital gains) are taxable, and the IRS keeps a close eye on all earnings. From there, you can search for reliable stocks/index funds and buy shares of whatever you’d like. Just remember to choose stocks and index funds that are not reliant on one another, so if one drops, both don’t drop. For beginners, index funds like the QQQ are often considered safer because they track large segments of the market, like all major tech companies, so even if one company performs poorly, your investment is balanced by others that do better. The main takeaway from this seminar is that investing can be suitable for anyone who wants to build a better financial future. While there may be risks involved, the long-term benefits of investing have the potential to far outweigh the risks. Achieving financial freedom won’t happen overnight, but with some patience and just starting, investing can be a great method of reaching it.
to foster leadership and help students gain confidence. “From the freshman year Clark seminar to organizing events, I was able to grow and learn a lot more about the responsibilities of a leader than I would’ve outside the program,” Wineland said. McKee added, “I have seen students’ confidence grow from a combination of experiences that the program offers — whether it is conducting research that opens their eyes to new possibilities in their field of study or studying abroad and traveling on their own for the first time.”
While the Clark Foundation will sunset after this year, its commitment to Stevens ensures a continuation of Mr. Clark’s legacy of engineering prowess, personal integrity, and a humanitarian spirit. To emulate this legacy, President Farvardin advises all students to not just be technically excellent, “but develop your leadership skills, your ethical foundation, and your commitment to serving others.”
effectiveness, one aspect of the vaccine is prevalent across any year — availability. Anyone at any time and for any reason can go to CVS or Walgreens and receive a walk-in flu shot, and despite this, at Stevens, it is even easier.
Partnering with the Hudson Regional Health Commission and New Bridge Flu Clinics, students will be able to get their 20252026 season flu shots right on campus. The New Bridge clinic will be hosted in the Skyline Suite
building. This clinic will be open on October 6 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and again on October 7 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Students can register at newbridgehealth.jotform. com/team/ community-health/STEVENS to secure their vaccine for the season.
The second option for vaccination is even easier. Hudson Regional Health Commission will be hosting the Thrive Wellness Fair on Palmer Lawn on October 9from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., and a second clinic in the UCC Commons on October 22 from 12:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. Both events provide vaccination against the flu as well as COVID-19, and are walk-in welcome. It is important to get vaccinated against the flu before the peak season begins in November, meaning right now, in early October, is prime time to get a vaccine. The health and safety of everyone on campus is always of high importance, so if you can, you should get vaccinated. You should always be aware of any underlying health conditions that may interfere with a vaccine, so always ask your doctor or visit the Student Health Services, outside of Castle Point Hall, if you are unsure.
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for Healthcare Innovation, Dr. Kang-Mieler envisions CHI as a hub where interdisciplinary research can move quickly from lab to clinic. She hopes to expand lab capabilities, strengthen ties with hospitals, biotech, and pharmaceutical companies, and develop new opportunities for students to gain hands-on experience. Di
abetes, for example, is one possible unifying theme she sees for CHI, since it connects research at the cellular level to patient care and daily quality of life. By rallying faculty expertise around such challenges, Kang-Mieler sees potential in CHI and says that she believes that CHI researchers “move the needle” faster than individual labs working in isolation. Looking ahead, she also points to CHI’s student-led Next-Gen
New York–area institutions and businesses as ways the center can grow into a premier collaborative platform. For Kang-Mieler, the opportunity to lead CHI is not just about advancing healthcare technology but also about training the next generation of problem-solvers. By mentoring students and encouraging collaboration across disciplines, she hopes to make the center a place where innovative ideas can grow into real solutions
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and guiding senior capstone projects that give students hands-on lab experience before graduation. These courses allow students to see not just the theory behind science but also how discoveries move from the laboratory bench to clinical application.
In 2014, Windsor helped establish and expand a biochemistry and biophysics laboratory at Stevens, often sourcing donated and second-hand equipment to ensure students had access to professional-grade tools. Along with his wife, Mary, he has also donated funds to support undergraduate research, allowing promising projects to continue even when
resources are tight. His personal investment demonstrates a belief that students should have every opportunity to test their ideas and push their research further.
The results speak for themselves. Former students credit Windsor with shaping their careers and boosting their confidence. Over his 12 years as a Professor of Practice, Windsor has become more than an instructor. He is a mentor, a donor, and an advocate who has worked tirelessly to maximize student opportunities. His story illustrates not just his personal dedication but the broader importance of Professors of Practice. At Stevens, Windsor has proven how powerful that bridge can be, guiding students from curiosity to confidence and from classrooms to careers.
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CEO CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
(positive actions such as philanthropy, environmental sustainability) and Corporate Social Irresponsibility (CSI) (negative actions such as fraud, environmental damage, scandals)?
• Are CSR and CSI mirror opposites, or are they distinct constructs that can coexist?
In order to answer these questions, the researchers performed a meta-analysis looking into 420 studies and 425 independent samples. Data was collected from hundreds of papers, and correlations were examined between a specific CEO trait and CSR and CSI outcomes of firms. In terms of findings, the researchers concluded that CSR and CSI are not exact mirrors, meaning it is possible for a company to engage in both positive and negative behavior at once. In terms of values, the study linked traits such as political liberalism, religiosity, civic engagement, and ethical/transformational leadership styles to higher CSR and liberalism and female CEOs to lower CSI. A CEO’s educational background, such as completing an MBA or attending elite institu-
tions, displayed a positive correlation with CSR but no correlation with CSI. The most interesting find was that narcissism, a trait that has clear negative connotations, has a positive correlation with both CSI and CSR.
In terms of the implications of this research, there are many. For boards and investors selecting someone for the position of a CEO, it is important to understand traits and how they can be double-edged. For students and those who aspire to be leaders, this showcases that leadership traits are nuanced. From a societal point of view, this study highlights that CSR and CSI aren’t as black and white as they seem, and firms need to be more aware and accountable for their actions. When asked about how the ever-changing nature of today’s world influences the CEO’s actions on a company’s social impact, Dr. Ozgen shared that “institutional differences are important to consider,” and that “relationships may change” depending on the context.
When asked to share any concluding remarks on this work, Dr. Ozgen expressed gratitude for being able to work with two undergraduate students, Ethan Barnes and Parker Adkins, who are acknowledged in the manuscript of the article.
PHOTO COURTESY OF STEVENS.EDU
PHOTO COURTESY OF STEVENS.EDU
PUMPKIN SPICE
Kick off autumn: Hoboken Fall Arts and Music Festival
BY ARACELY CANDELARIA, CONTRIBUTOR
You know when Starbucks releases its signature Pumpkin Spice Latte, fall is right around the corner. What better way to transition from the summer heat than to kick into autumn with the Hoboken Fall Arts & Music Festival, celebrating its 29th annual year! Held on September 28 of this year along Washington Street, featuring local food vendors, displays of art, live music, and unique items from local businesses. A perfect way to spend a Sunday with family and friends to take some time off the screen and enjoy what the fall season has to offer.
Walking down Washington Street, it was exciting seeing many local businesses take their shops outside for the day and showcasing what they keep inside the store, while also seeing new popup stands on the streets featuring unique finds. This year, the live music performed was classic ‘80s, ‘90s, and 2000s hits performed by Dwayne Gretzky and 10-piece band while on their U.S. tour. Their reputation for fun and energetic performances, loved by their
audiences, brought a crowd together singing along and vibing together, creating a lively atmosphere all over.
The food options of local vendors were off the roof with a variety to choose from. Including savory bites ranging from crab cake, kabobs, BBQ, fresh lemonade, and so much more, you were able to smell the aroma from blocks away. They offered a wide range of tasty treats such as snow cones, kettle corn, funnel cake, and etc. Some popular treats were cake in a jar, healthy cookies, pickle on a stick, and chocolate-covered bacon. Akihi Bubble Tea offered 1,000 customers free bubble tea, which was a clear crowd favorite with lines that formed nearly instantly.
The festival was incredibly family-friendly and children had many activities to enjoy from bubble stations, make your own slime, bracelet stands, and crochet crafts. Furry friends were not left out: vendors catered to pets with gourmet dog treats and packaged snacks in shapes of macarons and customized cookie treats.
What was so unique about the event was the abundance of customizable items that gave visitors the chance to take home some-
thing memorable from this festival. Spending time with friends and family while choosing between customizable accessories, such as hats to bracelets, necklaces, and charms, added all the fun and an extra layer of excitement for the day. Taking home memories that will be carried beyond the season.
Getting ready for the fall season requires a cozy home and showcasing of home decor and artwork. Vendors displayed everything from handmade mugs, unique paintings, and colorful canvases. Each booth felt like a display of its own gallery show with artists who were more than willing to share their inspirations and ideas that brought their creation to life. One featured artist, Layes Hussain, has been in the art industry for over 13 years, showcasing remarkable pieces that drew visitors and delivering incredible pieces to happy customers featured on his Instagram.
The Hoboken Fall Arts & Music Festival was an incredible way to kick off autumn. With an array of tasty food, live music, captivating art, and different items, ensuring there was something for everyone to enjoy, the festival offered a perfect way to embrace the season in Hoboken.
Sipping through fall: the ultimate Hoboken pumpkin spice latte ranking
PHOTO COURTESY OF HOBOKEN GIRL
The Hive - 3/10
PAIGE MASTON FOR THE STUTE
Empire Coffee & Tea Co - 10/10
Empire is located at 338 Bloomfield St., offering a wide selection of coffee beans, tea leaves, and accessories. The shop itself smells like freshly brewed coffee and has cute outdoor seating. Their pumpkin spice latte was like autumn in a cup. The mix of pumpkin and cinnamon was perfectly balanced and left a sweet taste in my mouth. It was the perfect temperature and consistency. This latte blows away the competition. I wish I could get one every single day.
PHOTO COURTESY OF WHEREE.COM
Hey Coffee People - 6/10
Hey Coffee People is located at 103 Garden St. It opened in April 2023 and has since become a Hoboken favorite. A local bakery, Baking Mama, provides their pastries. Their pumpkin spice latte was not what I expected it to be. The espresso itself was clearly outstanding, but it did not have a clear pumpkin taste. It tasted like a good plain latte, pleasantly bitter and unflavored. On the bright side, their cinnamon roll was outstanding. It was sweet and very soft with the perfect amount of cinnamon and icing. The pastry and latte together were a great combination.
The Hive, located at 1000 Park Ave., opened in November 2020. It is a welcoming coffee shop that also has a play space for children. On the weekends, they have limited amounts of specialty cinnamon rolls that people line up around the block for. I usually love every drink I get from The Hive, yet their pumpkin spice latte disappointed me. There was clearly too much syrup in the drink — it was thick and overbearingly sweet, with an extremely strong artificial pumpkin taste. I assume it would be significantly better with less flavoring. However, this does not change the fact that The Hive is one of my favorite coffee shops in Hoboken.
Fall for these fall savings!
BY JOSEPHINE CHOONG, SECRETARY
Autumn, the season of cozy sweaters, pumpkin spice lattes, and fallen leaves.
However, for college students, it can be difficult to enjoy the wonderful season without breaking the bank. So, here are some fun budget-friendly activities to get into that mood!
Coffee Break
As always, the autumn season brings a range of seasonal drinks, from pumpkin spice lattes to apple cider. While not every cafe has released their seasonal menu yet, many offer similar drinks annually.
On 338 Bloomfield St. lies Empire Coffee + Tea Co. with their pumpkin spice lattes with cinnamon cold foam. They also have flavored pumpkin spice beans for purchase. Further down at 111 River St., Gregorys Coffee kickstarted September with pumpkin spice lattes, smashing pumpkin cold brew, and pumpkin spice muffins. Finally, Mojo’s Coffee at 230 Willow Ave. and 801 Bloomfield St. prepared for fall through their spiced brown sugar matcha and pumpkin cold foam.
Fall Foliage
areas in Essex County and connects 18 parks and 11 municipalities. Meanwhile, the Fairy Trail is a great starting point to access the park. The reservation is accessible by train on the Gladstone line to Millstone. It’s also accessible by taking the Newark-Penn Station PATH and then boarding the 70 bus to Essex Street at Holmes Street.
For those who prefer a more urban view, New York City, NY contains vibrant areas from Central Park to the High Line to visit during the autumn season. Its fall foliage period stretches from early October through early November. Some of the best places to view the changing leaves in Central Park are The Mall & Literary Walk, Hallett Nature Sanctuary, The Ramble, and the Reservoir.
Fall Festivals
Both Hoboken and Jersey City are filled with festivals this coming month. The latest festivals are the Cultural Diversity Festival and the Harvest Festival. Both are happening tomorrow, October 4, in Hamilton Park, Jersey City, NJ from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The former features pumpkin painting, arts & crafts, musical acts, and dancers. The latter has pumpkin decorating, arts and crafts & music.
With the cooling weather, now’s the perfect time to step outside and enjoy the changing leaves. Branch Brook Park in Newark is a great spot for picnics and has historical and horticultural tours, running paths, and a dog park. The 360acre park is chock full of history as the first county park for public use by the United States. To get there from Stevens, take NJ Transit or PATH Trains to Newark Penn Station, then board the Light Rail to either Branch Brook Park or Grove Street.
Next, the South Mountain Reservation, located in Essex County, has several historic trails. The Lenape Trail traverses through 36 miles of both suburban and urban
On Halloween itself, the annual Hoboken Ragamuffin Halloween Parade will be hosted at 3 p.m. Held on Washington Street, this parade features local live music, floats, and tons of costumes. It originated in New York City, NY, where it was a part of the Thanksgiving celebrations in the late 1870s. It has since expanded to other boroughs and cities, with Hoboken having the most well-known version.
Enjoy Autumn!
These are only a small sample of fun activities happening during the fall. There’s still plenty to discover both on and off campus. So go there and enjoy everything that autumn has to offer. After all, it only comes once a year.
PAIGE MASTON FOR THE STUTE
Jefferson’s - 2/10
The Jefferson family’s coffee roots date back to the 1880s, with ties to one of Constantinople’s first coffee houses. Sadly, their pumpkin spice latte was truly disappointing. It was lukewarm, watery, and overly bitter. There was also no pumpkin taste at all, leaving an unpleasant aftertaste.
Fall desserts around Hoboken you have to try!
BY SOFIA STOECKEL, STAFF WRITER
With fall having arrived, something everyone ends up craving is fall desserts. Hoboken has many places to choose from, from bakeries to ice cream shops, all with delicious fall treats for everyone. With Hoboken having so many different places for that, it’s difficult to decide what places to go, so we compiled a good list of treats to get you started.
PHOTO COURTESY OF STARBUCKS
Starbucks - 8/10
Starbucks was founded in 1971 in Seattle, Washington. It spread rapidly throughout the United States, now having countless locations. Starbucks is very popular and commonly visited for its expansive menu. In Hoboken, there are a plethora of local coffee shops, yet Starbucks is always busy. Their pumpkin spice latte was incredible. It was very sweet and had a good cinnamon flavor as well. It tasted just like the beginning of fall. While Starbucks doesn’t have the charm of the local businesses, it can always be counted on for a good drink.
of different drinks and flavor/topping combinations to choose from, it has something for everyone, with a few fall flavors to choose from: a pumpkin spice latte and pumpkin coffee, both classic and comforting drinks. Even if you don’t like those, they have many other warm drinks to choose from as the cold starts creeping in, like the hot coffee milk tea and hot toffee thai tea.
PHOTO COURTESY OF @BWEKAFE ON INSTAGRAM
Bwè - 7/10
Bwè kafe, whose name means “drink coffee” in Haitian Creole, is located at 1002 Washington St. They also developed a partnership with Little City Books, adding to their appeal. The shop has a very cute vibe and welcoming baristas. Their pumpkin spice latte was divine. Its flavors were perfectly balanced, creating the perfect fall drink, as if it were made for a crisp autumn day.
Mojo Coffee opened its first Hoboken location in June 2020 at 230 Willow Av enue with the mission of creating a wel coming and community-oriented space. After their original store on Willow, Mojo expanded to 801 Bloomfield St. Mojo is one of my go-to spots. However, their pumpkin spice latte did not live up to my expectations. It was quite bitter, lukewarm, had an unpleasant aftertaste, and hardly tasted like pumpkin. This latte was disappointing, considering how much I usually love their drinks.
Starting off with a well-known long-time bakery, Carlo’s Bake Shop has a number of different seasonal flavors, 10 different desserts for anyone to enjoy, regardless of their tastes. They don’t have just seasonal bakery treats, but seasonal drinks too, like the pumpkin spice iced latte and the s’mores iced latte. From a s’mores donut all the way to apple cider, Carlo’s has a wide selection of fall treats for your whole friend group!
Another bakery, on the opposite side of Hoboken from Carlo’s, is Paris Baguette, offering a wide selection of different bakery treats and some fun fall flavors to try, like the pumpkin pie custard tart and the pecan tart. Whatever bakery item you’re in the mood for, whether sweet or savory, they most definitely have it.
Having seven different flavors of donuts and many more toppings, Dipped and Smashed is a great place to get a different donut each time, but today we’re featuring the maple donut flavor. It’s festive and autumn-y, and with 12 different toppings and six different drizzles to choose from, you can mix and match any combos you want with your donut to make your perfect fall donut.
Next, we have a common place many students like to go for their drinks, Kung Fu Tea. With dozens
Mochitori, a Korean fried chicken and snack place, has multiple different mochi donut flavors to choose from, and some fall flavors they have for the donuts are salted caramel and s’mores. You can get donuts in packs of one, three, six, and twelve, and choose whichever flavor you’d like for each donut. They have many different types of food, from Korean corndogs to bubble tea, which you can order with your donuts.
If you decide to head over to Trader Joe’s this fall, you can pick up a multitude of fall-flavored treats, like some mini Hold the Cone pumpkin ginger ice creams. With a creamy pumpkin ice cream, coated in white chocolate, and a ginger cone with white chocolate chunks inside, this satisfies your craving for any ginger-flavored thing, as the cone tastes almost exactly like gingerbread. Another fall treat they have is the pumpkin-flavored JoeJoe’s, which are pumpkin-flavored sandwich cookies with pumpkin cream between both cookies. Extremely pumpkin-y, they’re for anyone who adores pumpkin. With all those different places to choose from, and even more that weren’t mentioned, you can get as many different fall-flavored foods as you could ever want. Hoboken has sweet treats galore for any occasion and any mood or craving you may have.
Personal bests beaten all day by men’s and women’s cross country in the Lock Haven Invitational
BY CAMRYN WINANT, SPORTS EDITOR
On September 27, the men’s and women’s cross country teams competed at the Lock Haven Invitational hosted by Lock Haven Invitational. Going up against 28 other teams, the men’s team landed 15th in the 8k Crimson Race and 12th in the 8k White Race, and the women’s team landed 17th in the 6k Crimson Race.
The men’s team kicked off the day at 10 a.m. with the women’s team following shortly after at 10:45 a.m. Starting with the Crimson Race, senior Mick Barbi led the Ducks, crossing the line at 66th place. First-year Jacob Nolan followed at 73rd, seniors Daniel Jutras and Caleb Stephen landed 89th and 107th respectively, and sophomore Joseph Ruben hit 108th, which ended the scoring for the Ducks in the first race. Despite the scoring being rounded out after Ruben, the Ducks had five more
runners in the Crimson Race. Junior Ryan Paradine and first-year Markus Soennichsen passed the finish line close together, with Paradine in 120th and Soennichsen in 122nd. First-years Ryan Shibles and Dylan Barrett came in 125th and 138th, respectively. Rounding out the Ducks running was sophomore Matthew Hodorowski, who ended in 161st. The top five scores from Barbi, Nolan, Jutra, Stephen, and Ruben gave the Ducks a combined score of 382 points.
The Ducks also had men running in the 8k White Race, with sophomore Kevin Medrow leading the Ducks at 24th. To finish off the scoring, first-years Max Thorn at 44th and Nelson VanMaaren at 66th, and sophomores Enrico Parrella at 76th and Cillian Griffin at 82nd crossed the finish line. The top five scorers gave the Ducks a final score of 276 points. Also running for Stevens in the White Race were first-years Divyesh Narravula, William Parker, Ryan Kro -
pac, Christopher Reyes, Christian Garofano, and Colin Fisher. Respectively, they placed 83rd, 89th, 103rd, 107th, 121st, and 128th.
There were a handful of personal best records being set this day, with Barbi, Nolan, Ruben, Soennichsen, Shibles, and Barrett setting records in the Crimson Race, and Medrow, VanMaaren, Narravula, Parker, Kropac, Reyes, Garofano, and Fisher all setting personal records in the White Race.
The women’s team ran in the 6k Crimson Race only, where the Ducks were able to finish at 17th overall. Junior Kaitlyn Adams was the first of the Ducks to cross the line at 41st place with a time of 22:59. This marked the program’s first time under 23:00 in a 6k since 2017. Sophomore Isabella Gabay followed at 45th with a time of 23:04.1, which cut her previous personal best by almost 27 seconds. Sophomore Catherine Bondi crossed at 144th, and senior Kate Cen finished close behind
Women’s soccer ties against TCNJ
BY RISHI KUMAR PRABHAKAR, CONTRIBUTOR
On Wednesday, September 24, the women’s soccer team went up against TCNJ. The match ended in a draw, with each side managing to score one goal before the game came to a close.
The game remained goalless for the first half. Sophomore Alina Friz made an attempt in the 14th minute with an assist from Senior Angela Dinh, but she was blocked by TCNJ goalkeeper Ellen Williams. Two minutes later, Senior Lauren Alley also attempted to score a goal, but was also blocked by the goalkeeper. TCNJ didn’t fare any better during that period, with only one shot being made on-target at Stevens’ goal, which was blocked by the goalkeeper, Senior Kenny Donley.
It looked as if the match might go without any goals at all until the 69th minute, when Stevens’ junior midfielder Molly McCann scored a goal by making an angled shot from the left side of the six-yard box. However, this lead didn’t last very long, as TCNJ fired back with an equalizer goal less than 90 seconds later. This deadlock re mained in place for the rest of the game, despite each team getting opportunities to score a second goal in the remaining 20 minutes.
The most notable attempt on Ste vens’ side was first-year Abby Da vis’ attempt to score from 25 yards away from the goal, but missed just high. The game ended in a draw, with a score of 1-1.
The women’s soccer team’s next upcoming game will be against King’s College at 4 p.m. on Satur day, October 4, in Wilkes-Barre, PA.
her at 146th. Also running for the Ducks were seniors Taylor Enes in 149th and Isabel Vogel in 153rd at 26:01.8, which was a new personal record for her. First-year Anya Sadowski landed at 162nd, and junior Annika Vallanueva finished off the runners for the Ducks at 170th place, improving her time by more than two minutes from the Aggie Invitational the week prior.
Both Adams and Gabay were successful in turning in the two fastest times in a 6k for the Stevens women’s cross country team since 2017. By the end of the race, the scores from the top runners gave the Ducks a total of 455 points, landing them 17th behind fellow Division III competitors Lebanon Valley College and Point Park University. The men’s and women’s cross country teams can be seen back in action at the DeSales University Invitational on Saturday, October 11, in Center Valley, PA, at 10:30 a.m.
SAT, OCT 4
MEN’S AND WOMEN’S SOCCER King’s College Wilkes-Barre, PA 4 p.m.
MEN’S AND WOMEN’S FENCING
USA Fencing North American Cup - Day 2 Salt Lake City, UT Time TBD
MEN’S TENNIS ITA Atlantic South Region Championship - Day 3 Fredericksburg, VA Time TBD
STEVENS SCOREBOARD
SUN, OCT 5
WOMEN’S SOCCER Penn State Harrisburg Middletown, PA 2 p.m.
MEN’S AND WOMEN’S FENCING
USA Fencing North American Cup - Day 3
Salt Lake City, UT Time TBD
MEN’S TENNIS ITA Atlantic South Region Championship - Day 4 Fredericksburg, VA Time TBD
MEN’S GOLF RPI Collegiate InvitationalDay 1 Loudonville, NY TBD
Science
BY ATREYEE HALDER, CONTRIBUTOR
Some dogs may learn in ways similar to how we, humans, did as infants! A team of animal behavior experts demonstrated that gifted dogs can apply the meaning of learned labels like “pull” and “fetch,” even to toys they had never seen before. What’s more, these brilliant pups accomplished this feat just by playing with their owners under natural environments, that is, with no prior training in captivity. This groundbreaking study was published in the Cell Press journal Current Biology on September 18 by the Department of Ethology at Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary.
“It’s like a person calling both a traditional hammer and a rock by the same name,” said study author Claudia Fugazza of Eötvös Loránd University. “The rock and the hammer look physically different, but they can be used for the same function. So now it turns out that these dogs can do the same.”
Human infants naturally learn new words and their associations — like the fact that forks are related to bowls, even though they look nothing alike, because both are used to consume food. Scientists call this mental trick “label extension,” which, in this experiment, was demonstrated by dogs too, indicating that some dogs can clas-
BY SEAN PALERMO, CONTRIBUTOR
In 1985, scientists discovered something quite appalling above Antarctica: the ozone layer formed a hole in itself, letting in harmful radiation from the sun. Now, 40 years later, according to a recent report released by the World Meteorological Organization, the ozone layer is finally on a steady course of repair as a direct result of global efforts to reduce the use of substances known to break down the ozone molecules (O3). The report reveals that the average ozone levels over the course of 2024 were higher than the average from 2003-2022 for the majority of the planet — save a strip near the equator and a piece of Antarctic coastline south of Africa, which still both fell short of the average. However, research has revealed that potentially even more promising results are yet to come.
The ozone layer is a broad region in the stratosphere, about 9-19 miles from Earth’s surface, where the molecule is concentrated. It is most commonly referred
sify objects by function, not just appearance. In a series of playful interactions with their owners, a group of Gifted Word Learner (GWL) dogs—six Border Collies and one Blue Heeler—was able to distinguish between toys used for tugging versus fetching, even when the toys in question didn’t share any obvious physical similarities, and then could remember those categorizations for long periods of time, all with no prior training.
“This was done in a natural setup, with no extensive training,” said Fugazza. “It’s just owners playing for a week with the toys. So it’s a natural type of interaction.”
First, the dog owners used two verbal labels, “pull” and “fetch,” to play with their dogs using groups of toys in their natural home environments. The toys did not share any similar physical features.
Then came the challenge: the researchers tested the dogs to see if they were able to extend the meaning of the functional labels of “pull” and “fetch” to new toys that they had neither seen before nor looked anything like the ones they had already played with. To carry out this test, the owners kept silent about the correct labels associated with those toys and let the dogs figure it out. Spoiler alert: they aced it!
When asked to select a toy for fetching or pulling, the dogs got it right more often than pure chance
to as “Earth’s sunscreen” due to its ability to shield Earth’s surface from ultraviolet radiation that can cause adverse health effects such as skin cancer. When scientists first discovered in the 1980s that a huge hole would develop in the ozone layer, an international treaty called the Montreal Protocol was adopted to phase out chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) in 1987. These molecules were used in refrigeration, air conditioning, insulation, and aerosol propellants due to their ability to break down ozone in certain conditions when drifting up into the atmosphere along with similar adverse substances after Susie Solomon, a chemistry and environmental studies professor, and other researchers, part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) determined their harmful effects in 1986. With the ozone layer now slowly recovering, how much of it really has to do with measures such as this?
Interestingly enough, this is not the first time the ozone layer has been identified as recovering. In 2016, Solomon took part in a
would allow. In other words, they weren’t barking up the wrong tree.
The authors note that the dogs’ ability to connect verbal labels to objects based on their functional classifications and apart from the toys’ physical attributes suggests that they form a mental representation of the objects based on their experience with their functions, which they can later recall. These findings provide insight into the evolution of basic skills related to language and their relationship to other cognitive abilities, including memory, the researchers say.
According to researchers, the exact mental process remains a mystery. Like any other breakthrough in science, this study raises some new questions, like what the scope and flexibility of dogs’ language categorization abilities are, and whether these skills could be found in other species.
The researchers suggest future studies to explore whether dogs that don’t learn object labels may nevertheless have an ability to classify objects based on their functions.
“We have shown that dogs learn object labels really fast, and they remember them for a long period, even without rehearsing,” Fugazza says. “And I think the way they extend labels also beyond perceptual similarities gives an idea of the breadth of what these labels could be for dogs.”
study analyzing the ozone layer and determined that it seemed to be shrinking, but there wasn’t enough evidence to suggest how effective the cuts on harmful substances like CFCs really were due to other factors such as year-toyear weather variability from El Niño, La Niña, and the polar vortex. In a new MIT study, however, a revolutionary new technique called “fingerprinting” pioneered by Klaus Hasselmann (who won the 2021 Nobel Prize in Physics for it), which focuses on isolating the influence of particular climate factors from natural, meteorological noise, was deployed. Solomon stated that “the atmosphere has really chaotic variability within it,” explaining how “what we’re trying to detect is the emerging signal of ozone recovery against that kind of variability, which also occurs in the stratosphere.” In order to perform the “fingerprinting” simulations of the same global atmosphere with different starting conditions, such as no increase in greenhouse gases or ozone-depleting substances, were used to enable the researchers to map and
BY RIYANA PHADKE, SCIENCE EDITOR
Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a condition of glucose intolerance that first manifests or is first recognized during pregnancy. Although it often resolves after delivery, evidence indicates that it may carry longer-term consequences for both the mother and her child. Some epidemiological studies suggest that GDM is linked with cognitive impairments in mothers during pregnancy and elevated risks of neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children.
On September 15 to 19, at the Annual Meeting of The European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD), a large systematic review pooling data from 48 observational studies, encompassing over 9 million pregnancies from 20 countries, presented the associations between gestational diabetes and cognitive outcomes in mothers and their offspring.
Among five studies assessing maternal prenatal cognitive function, mothers with a history of GDM scored on average 2.47 points lower on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA; out of 30) compared to non-GDM controls. In 43 studies of children (age range from birth to 29 years), offspring of mothers with GDM had average IQ reductions of 3.92 points and a 3.18 point reduction in verbal crystallized intelligence (language comprehension and verbal reasoning). Relative to unexposed children, exposed children had a 45% higher risk of developmental delays (total or partial), a 36% greater likelihood of ADHD, and a 56% increased risk of ASD. No consistent significant differences were detected in total brain structural metrics or in broad general cognitive scores across studies.
“Longer follow-ups across childhood are also needed to examine whether these associations persist or progress further to other worse outcomes,” noted Caitlin Por, a Medical Student at Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.
identify a key pattern of ozone recovery as a result of phasing out of substances harmful to it.a
This pattern was compared with satellite footage starting from 2005 to present day, with it becoming even clearer over time and most significantly in 2018 — allowing the team to conclude with 95% confidence that the ozone’s recovery was not only a direct result of the reduction of harmful substances but was the main contributor to its health. Future predictions have been even more promising, with some foreseeing the ozone layer recovering to its previous state
Additional research supports a link between maternal diabetes (pre-existing or gestational) and increased risk of neurodevelopmental conditions in children. For example, research by Kaiser Permanente’s Department of Research & Evaluation has examined maternal hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels in early pregnancy and later ASD risk in offspring. Children whose mothers had early-pregnancy HbA1c levels greater than 6.5% were nearly twice as likely to be diagnosed with autism within the first four years of life compared to children of mothers with HbA1c below the normal range. More severe forms of maternal diabetes (such as type 1) are associated with a higher offspring risk of neurodevelopmental outcomes than milder or gestational forms, suggesting a dose-response or gradient effect. The studies emphasize that maintaining good glycaemic control during pregnancy, and ideally before conception, may be an important preventive measure. While definitive data is still limited, several plausible biological pathways have been proposed to explain how gestational diabetes might influence maternal cognition and fetal brain development: Elevated maternal glucose may trigger inflammatory cascades and oxidative stress in maternal and placental tissues, which can affect development or synaptic pruning in the fetus. Additionally, dysregulated insulin and insulin signaling can influence neurotrophic pathways and energy metabolism in the developing brain, potentially disrupting neural growth or connectivity. Given the rising global prevalence of gestational diabetes, the observed associations with maternal and offspring cognitive outcomes carry significant public health concern. Early screening for and tight management of blood glucose levels in pregnant women or those planning pregnancy are more important than ever. Also, public-health strategies to reduce obesity, metabolic syndrome, and diabetes in women of childbearing age may have benefits down the line for neurodevelopment in the next generation.
in 1980 by 2040 over tropics and midlatitudes, by 2045 for the Arctic, and by 2066 for Antarctica. Solomon stated that if trends continue how the team has observed, the ozone layer will eventually be completely intact.
Looking at the very hopeful new results and predictions, Solomon has remarked that “by something like 2035, we might see a year when there’s no ozone hole depletion at all in the Antarctic. And that will be very exciting for me… And some of you will see the ozone hole go away completely in your lifetimes. And people did that.”
THE STUTE EDITORIAL
The numbers mean a lot more than what you see
Each Editor-in-Chief comes into their position with a main goal in mind. That goal stems from what the organization desperately needs. When I took on this position, our organization was undergoing a reset. Every consistent writer, editor, and manager of The Stute were seniors, ready to begin the next chapter in their lives. With them ending their Stute journey, it was time for mine to begin.
That turnover time was like a dark cloud hanging over all of our heads; we were only waiting for it to start raining. I did everything I could to prepare for the storm. I did the meetings, I did the trainings, I created the ideas, but nothing would work unless we stuck to the game plan we spent the summer perfecting.
Cut to the end of September, I am writing this article in my living room, smiling at my dramatic paragraph above, and happy that it all worked out. We needed staff
members like our lives depended on it! Every consistent writer we had moved up to MinorBoard, and they had barely anyone to take the articles in their sections. Luckily, the Class of 2029 truly impressed me with their enthusiasm and desire to be involved.
You may think, “So Jiya, if your goal as Editor-in-Chief was to replenish your staff, and you have technically done that, is that it? Is that all you had planned for The Stute?”
No! Absolutely not! Replenishing the staff was the immediate concern that has been taken care of; no more rain, just straight sunshine here! But a large part of my job is assessing why we were put in this time-constraining position in the first place. We stopped having “fun” general body meetings (GBMs), serving food at our events, advertising our GBMs effectively, creating engaging flyers, and connecting with other organizations.
OF A FRESHMAN
who Belly would choose — it was about who was willing to wait until she grew enough to finally choose herself.” The comments under this video all sang the same song of, “Omg!!! You’re so rightttt.”
Paris to see Belly, and after a whirlwind day (and night) in the city of lights, Conrad declares his undying love for Belly and the two of them finally end up together (for good this time).
Personally, this is the ending I wanted, and after scrolling on TikTok for a minute, it seems like the internet was satisfied. The fan favorite couple prevailed, and each character got their storylines wrapped up somewhat neatly. People were showing their love for the show through detailed analysis and edits alike. However, through all of these videos, one stood out to me above all the rest. The TikTok user wrote in their post, “Episode 11 proved one
THE LANGUAGE
Now I believe that this is nonsense for a myriad of reasons, ranging from how Belly treated both Jeremiah and Conrad to how she handled each breakup. And while I could write a three-season analysis proving this, I believe this take relates to a much bigger issue: the romanticizing of romcoms and the romance genre as a whole. Released in 2004, The Notebook is a movie adaptation of a novel by the same name. For those who don’t know, the movie unfolds as follows. Noah and Allie fall in love one summer but are separated when Allie moves away. Allie eventually grows up and is engaged to be married when she is reunited with Noah, who she learns has waited for her all this time. Allie then chooses Noah and breaks off her engagement, with the two living happily ever after.
Now, the intended moral of the story is never give up on true love and, when taken at face value, this is a fantastic lesson. However, if you examine the story, cracks in this moral start to form. Yes, the audience knows that
Must I go on? Our operations for getting the newspaper out every week are down to a science, but our engagement with the campus was forgotten. If you have attended any GBMs recently, I am proud to say we went from an astonishing attendance of four to an average of 27 people every Tuesday. Now the hardest part is keeping it that way. We have begun running an ad with Impostos in exchange for free pizza, so those are now popular at our meetings every other week. We also don’t do the learn-how-to GBMs as much anymore. We most recently had a speed dating event, instead of a GBM, with Mamouns and Impostos, and I got to meet most of the new members in The Stute! We plan on doing more collabs with clubs like SITTV and The Link, because we want to keep growing our community. We operate just fine on our own, but this isn’t just about the newspaper anymore — it’s about us. We are the
Noah and Allie are meant to be, but look at it from any other perspective other than the main two characters. Allie breaks off her engage ment to be with a guy she only knew for a few months as a teenager and hasn’t seen for years. Think about how Allie’s fiancé must feel once the scene shifts away from him.
This is the issue with so many pieces in the romance genre. The genre was created as an escape from reality — to imagine a grand love story where there is clear-cut good and evil, and where there is a right and wrong choice. The thing is, in real life, fiction al romance cannot exist. To try to make your decisions based on what you have seen in a movie is absurd.
faces behind it; we are all human, we are all friends joined together as part of something bigger, but in the end, all we want to do is share that with more people on the outside. Yes, we needed numbers, but the allure of The Stute has always been that we are a tight-knit family. Everyone knows everyone, and it’s a comforting home to come back to when you need it. With this in crease, it has been hard to get to know everyone. This is exactly why we’re doing more events where we get to engage and interact with ev eryone. It’s not a lecture but a con versation, where we can all kick back and relax.
My time as Editor-in-Chief is go ing by faster, and if you read my ar ticle last week, you know it’s taking its toll. But the best part is when you can stand on the edge of a room and just look at everything you want in front of you. Look out for those collabs and enjoy the food, just know, this is exactly what we wanted.
The Summer I Turned Pretty was a great show, no doubt about it, but I feel as if it should be another reminder of why we make and watch romcoms. This is an escape from the mundaneness of reality. This is not a blueprint for our own lives. Yes, it will always be possible to pull off a grand romantic gesture like Lloyd Dobler in Say Anything, but we shouldn’t base our entire lives around the hope of that potential gesture. Instead, we should admire romcoms for the spectacle they present but be wary of the actions they condone.
OF FLOWERS
Anne’s Lace
Jiya Jaisinghani ‘27 Editor-in-Chief
Running again
are contrasted by their dark glossy leaves. Native to East and Southeast Asia, the plant is primarily known for its beauty and landscape uses. Its blooms may not last year long but the bountiful leaves are just as
beautiful. In the Victorian Language of Flowers, Camellia symbolizes longing. As I’ve been finding my way in these past few weeks at Stevens, I’ve noticed a stark contrast in my life. It’s almost like the before and the after. Whether it be in or out of class, it’s just odd. I was sitting in one of my classes, the other day, when I started to miss my best friend, Mia. We would sit in physics class together in high school, and after each problem we completed, we would simply catch up. Talk about lunch or whatever stupid thing we saw. It made me miss her presence; her laughs, her smiles, her jokes and so much more. It’s difficult trying to find the balance of creating your new life and leaving your old. My life would be incredibly different if I had never met her, and now my only connection to her is through FaceTime and text messag-
es. I miss going over to her house and seeing her family. Eating her dad’s cooking while I yap with her mom. Going down to her room and sleeping with the pillow and blanket that I’ve claimed as my own. Taking a better nap than she’s ever had. I miss walking into what has been my second family since I was six. Now, when I was home the other day, I was reduced to tears as I passed her house, unable to stop in and give her a bother. I long to be with my best friend again. Camellia’s got their meaning from La dame aux camélias by Alexandre Dumas. In this story, there are two that are in love, the woman’s father frowns upon the budding relationship and does all he can to separate them. The woman, convinced, ends the relationship. She eventually gets incredibly sick and regrets the separation as she longs for her former beau on her
and some other reasons. My weekly schedule consists of two or three easy runs, maybe a tempo run or intervals, and the tried and true Saturday long run. This might be the year I race one of the cleverly named Hoboken 5ks: The HoBOOken 5k or The Jingle Bell. I’ve learned a lot so far as I’ve gotten back into running. I have a better understanding of fuel and am currently shopping for a new everyday trainer. But most of all, I’ve learned a lot about myself. I have the utmost respect for endurance athletes. They can do so much cardio for so long while making unbelievable time. I’ve been seeing a lot on social media about endurance sports. All the long-distance runners, swimmers, triathletes, and
marathoners can withstand extreme amounts of time putting their bodies through work. The most recent TikTok I saw was explaining that if you are someone who has gotten into endurance sports, you either (1) ran cross country in high school, (2) have anxiety or depression, (3) have gone through a vicious friend breakup, or (4) had your heart broken. I couldn’t help but laugh out loud at my screen when this creative 15-second clip flew across my For You page. Without sharing the exact category I find myself in, I can confidently say all the people I know who participate in endurance sports, especially running, have been in at least one of these categories.
Living right across the water from NYC, the views are unbeatable. I found myself on daily walks, sometimes twice a day too. By my sophomore year, I had asked for a pair of Hokas for Christmas and started to get outside to run. It was like the best relief I could’ve asked for. Running became something I craved and my body needed. I got back to campus for my junior year, and life started to do that thing. It wasn’t just being busy with school and things; there was a lot going on in my personal life that took away a lot of my “me time.” I found myself coming home for the summer after my junior year,
looking for that feeling I used to have “the itch,” if you will. After I started running again this past summer, I haven’t looked back.
Whenever my friends ask if I like to run, I compulsively utter out an excited “YES!” Then I quickly explain how I don’t love running, I love being done running. Runner’s high only lasts so long and it’s just genuinely difficult. I’ve always been told that it never gets easier; you just get better at getting used to it. I love this way of thinking. All jokes aside, I do actually love to run. I love knowing that my body can do hard things, and I can push myself to hit certain paces and distances. I love how cheap it is to just go outside and get a workout in. The views of NYC from the comfort of the Weehawken and Jersey City waterfronts are unbeatable. Most of all, I love being able to clear my head and work through my issues. I’ve been able to figure a lot out during my runs recently, which has been lovely. I can’t wait to get better at running and watch my pace and overall times improve. I’ve managed to keep my Strava account on the down low, and hopefully, after this article is published, it can stay that way (lol I’m on private mode)! I’m grateful for my rediscovery of running, and I look up to all of the endurance athletes out there.
deathbed.
Thankfully, my situation with my best friend is not nearly as dire. Somedays it feels like it, but I always know she’s a phone call away. Being apart from my loved ones is incredibly difficult. It often makes a person feel a bit depressed. In place of those small traditions at home, we are developing new ones now. My dorm has enough pictures of her for a small memorial service and my keys are adorned with a keychain from her school. We chat about all the chaos in our respective lives and come together to make each other happier. If she ever can’t pick up the phone, a Squishmallow stuffed animal that I got with her in a claw machine over the summer keeps me company. I long for the day I get to take a nap in her room again, but until then I am grateful for those memories to look back on. On October th from to PM @
MIND
A subversion of the hero genre with Vicious
ery, and Victor, one of the roommates, is imprisoned for their deeds. Ten years later, he swears revenge on his roommate, Eli, beginning a mission to destroy anyone with powers that he finds. Schwab creates an intricate story about revenge and betrayal through a dual timeline featuring Victor and Eli’s college years and their lives 10 years later,
is a foray into the popular superhero culture and creates an inventive spin on the classic themes we all know. Schwab creates a subversion of the hero genre through the characters of Victor and Eli, who are the protagonist and antagonist, respectively. How-
of cardamom, and the earthy warmth of black tea simmering with milk. Chai wasn’t just a drink in my house — it was a ritual, one that began before the day did.
When I was younger, I never cared for the taste. Too bitter, too strong, too grown-up. But I loved the process. I’d lean against the counter and watch my mom move with a rhythm that felt like music: crushing spices with the flat edge of a knife, stirring the pot until the liquid swirled like marbled silk, pouring the steaming tea into mismatched cups that never seemed to belong together, yet always did. She never measured anything, yet it always came out exactly right, as though the recipe lived in her hands rather than on paper.
By the time the cups reached the table, the kitchen had transformed into something else entirely — a gathering place. Chai was where conversations happened. My parents would trade stories from work, my siblings and I would complain about school, and somewhere between sips, the noise of the outside world softened. The tea didn’t fix problems, but it created space for them to be spoken aloud. In those
moments, the table wasn’t just a table; it was a stage, a confessional, a refuge. I didn’t realize then how much those mornings meant. At the time, I thought they were ordinary, the kind of moments you assume will repeat endlessly. But once I left for college, the absence of them became sharp. My mornings now begin not with the whistle of a kettle, but with the buzz of an alarm clock. The air in my dorm room carries no scent of ginger or cardamom — only the faint trace of coffee someone brews down the hall. Life feels faster here, less patient. Meals are eaten between classes, often alone, rarely with the kind of unhurried conversation that marked my family’s mornings. I don’t make chai for myself. It feels incomplete without the clatter of our kitchen, without my mom’s unspoken measuring, without the familiar chaos of voices around the table. Instead, I only drink it when I come home. The ritual waits for me, unchanged. The kettle still whistles, the spices still bloom in the air, and the first sip still reminds me that some parts of home can be tasted as much as remembered.
ever, neither seems to be particularly better than the other. Both characters have major and necessary flaws, which help further the story. This is a story of betrayal and revenge played out by two morally gray individuals who have no particular desire to be better people.
This novel is barely fantasy, which works all the better for it. Had Schwab leaned more into the fantastical elements of the story, it would have lost its charm and fallen into various tropes that a fantasy story entails. It is a story set in our world, occurring to normal humans. However, odd occurrences begin to happen to our characters; supernatural and fantasti
cal elements work together to enhance the story and elevate the tension between scenes. Vicious is an incredibly fast-paced book, and its sharpness lends itself to the dexterity of the story. It helps you feel the emotion and suspense created by Schwab throughout the novel.
However, one of the largest criticisms I have of the novel is that, despite the book solely focusing on the main characters and their relationships with each other, they did not seem fully fleshed out to the best of their ability. While there is a sequel where they are explored further, it was noticeable that their motivations
cur for the plot’s sake rather than any character choice. However, this is not necessarily a deep criticism, as it is barely noticeable while reading.
As mentioned before, the book’s pacing is quick. In fact, despite the book being slightly over 400 pages, it took less than a day to finish. Once the story hooks you in(which it will do quickly) the short chapters and sharp scenes will keep you reading until you reach the end. The relationships the characters have with each other and the dynamics at play in the novel are deeply intriguing and leave you wanting more, which the book promptly delivers. The novel is dark and dramatic and filled
to the brim with tension. Stress continues to build up throughout the story until it finally reaches its climax at the end. This is a novel I highly recommend to someone who wants to pick up a quick and captivating read while also exploring an interesting subversion of the superhero genre.
the drink — it’s about what it represents. It’s the way my family creates connections out of routine. It’s the qui et lesson that patience is its own form of care; you cannot rush chai, just as you cannot rush the conversations it in vites. And it’s the reminder that memory is stitched into small, ordinary details — the clink of a spoon, the swirl of milk in dark tea, the warmth of a cup passed from one hand to another.
For me, chai is not a daily habit but a homecoming. It reminds me that food is nev er just food; it’s the stories, the people, the moments it carries. Every time I sit down with a cup, I’m re minded that even in the rush of deadlines, expectations, and the pull of indepen dence, I have roots. I have a table waiting for me, voices ready to fill the air, and a family ritual that anchors me no matter how far I go.
Chai has taught me something simple yet enduring: belonging isn’t about geography — it’s about presence. It’s about the people who make space for you, the traditions that outlast distance, and the comfort of knowing that you can always return, even if only for a cup. And no matter how far life takes me, one sip will always bring
BY GAVIN
few standout pieces and the iconic Donatella Versace appearance at the very end. However, this runway was one of the most anticipated because of the new creative director, Dario Vitale.
Vitale had all eyes on him — he is the first person not born a Versace to take on the role of creative director. It was always a family-led position, with Gianni Versace being the head of the company up until his tragic death and his sister taking over afterwards. With big shoes to fill, Vitale had a lot to live up to. Prior
to Versace, he held the position of design director for womenswear at Miu Miu, which we will later discuss.
As someone who pays attention to fashion often, I acknowledge that I am not a Versace man myself, but I can appreciate the Versace customer from afar and respect the brand’s history. I would not usually care or write about Versace because it isn’t a brand for me, but I felt the need to give my two cents on this collection. The brand has always been loud, patterned, and metallic, typical codes of house,
trains, and mountains. In this week’s article, I will be summarizing the origin of the Blues and how the genre changed everything, recommending some comforting blues, bluegrass, and folk for anyone who may be interested in expanding their musical horizons this autumn.
Blues and Folk are genres heavily rooted in American identity and culture. The history of the blues is incredibly important to Western music and is the reason for most modern genres, making music accessible to everyone. The Blues formed from African American culture in the US, with places like Congo Square birthing not just the Blues genre, but everything that came after it. Don’t let Elvis take all the credit for a genre that was birthed by Black Americans. Bluegrass tends to feature a variety of harmonies and percussion accompanied by dancing violin and complex banjo riffs; these rhythms were inspired by a mix of the
but this collection was quite the opposite, and I am on the fence about how I feel. On one hand, it feels very inspired by the ‘80s and ‘90s from when Gianni held the role, but his designs then felt of the time. As contemporary style has evolved, I do not think Versace needs a blast from the past, but instead a new vision for the company. With this, I feel like Dario’s vision strays so far away from the namesake that Donatella made with her time at the brand. Each piece and look was so dull and lackluster,
blues and European Celtic
For anyone interested in the Blues, I would like to recommend three songs to get you started. “Dark was the night, cold was the ground” by Blind Willie Johnson is a song that feels eerie and cold while simultaneously comforting and beautiful. The wailing guitar over the deep humming vocals never ceases to give me chills. It’s the perfect song for a crisp, rainy fall night. “Hard Times” by Ray Charles and Downhearted Blues by Bessie Smith are other songs I can’t go without when the weather gets cold. One of my favorite artists this season is Townes Van Zandt, a singer-songwriter who penned and sang various cowboy-esque ballads. Songs like “Poncho and Lefty”, “I’ll be here in the morning”, and “Waiting around to die” capture darkness and death tied up in a folky bow. His vocals are raspy and clear, and in combination with his guitar playing, his music is perfect for fall. His musical style is so unique that his Rolling Stones cover “Dead Flowers” became its own. I prefer his version in honor of the falling leaves. Another folk cover I enjoy is Joan Baez’ version of “House of the Rising Sun”. It’s beautiful and completely rooted in the Blues, as earlier versions of the song were sung by Blues artists like Leadbelly. “Everybody Knows this is Nowhere” By Neil Young and Crazy Horse, “Chimacun Rain” by Linda Perhacs, “Place to be” by Nick Drake and “I’d like to walk around in your mind” by Vashti Bunyan (who’s entire discography I adore) are other songs that make me feel like I am curled up in an Autumn hug.
For bluegrass, I recommend “The Hobo Song”, specifically the Old and in the Way version. This bluegrass dream team featuring Jerry Garcia, John Kahn, Peter Rowan, Vassar Clements, and David Grisman plays “hillbilly” style jazz. This song has energetic banjo and fiddle, stacked with clear vocal harmonies that maintain good chemistry between the instruments. Garcia, who is best recognized from one of my favorite bands ever, The Grateful Dead, was heavily influenced by Bill Monroe and the Bluegrass Boys, along with blues artist Howlin’ Wolf. Another bluegrass song I really enjoy is “Ecstasy” by Crooked Still. The banjo in this song is dark and dynamic. Some of the best folk and blues songs acknowledge things like death and hardship while incorporating complex rhythms and instrumentation. Fall is my favorite season because it retains its beauty, despite the leaves dying and the weather getting colder. In Hoboken, we may not have many trees or mountains to admire, but there is beauty everywhere that I feel the need to mourn and acknowledge in a positive way during this season. The unnatural beauty of the city and the fog led me to admire these changes in more detail. To me, folk is defined by its connection to identity and whatever ‘home’ may be to the performers. I hope that everyone’s fall this year feels like home.
feeling more Prada-like than Versace. Some of the house codes were there in the prints, but this time, they weren’t loud and in your face, they were on a tie, or more muted. It wasn’t a focal point, but an accessory. It feels wearable and commercial. Even though I feel like it’s dull, Vitale’s took the brand back into the ‘80s and ‘90s in a refreshing way for which I have to give my props. It genuinely feels like a whole different brand, but I don’t believe this was the correct direction.
As previously mentioned, the collection felt more Prada-like, and honestly, when Prada group acquired Versace, I feared the house was going to become watered down and muted, and that it became. Considering Miu Miu is Prada’s sister brand, it just doesn’t feel like a coincidence that a Miu Miu design director and a Prada group acquisition came together to create something that Prada would have created in the 2000s. It all just feels calculated, and I don’t like that.
Another Folk Fall
PHOTO COURTESY OF AMAZON
RUBY ‘27
: something more than a children’s film.
family enters, reluctantly taking Paddington in. Mr. Brown is cautious, calculating the risks of having a bear in the house. Mrs. Brown embraces Paddington’s presence, inviting him and making him feel at home. Their divided perspectives on Paddington mirror our society. While some people see immigrants as dangerous disruptions, others see them as friends and neighbors. Although these themes may seem a bit extreme for a children’s movie, Paddington’s story of migration and belonging is woven into every scene.
dington’s attempts at fitting into a new environment— while only making things worse—is a relatable expe rience for many.
THE BIG QUESTIONS OF EVERYDAY
Tackling life like a scientist
kindness, belonging, and how a community chooses to treat an outsider. Even 10 years after its release, this message feels more important and urgent than ever.
After an earthquake destroys Paddington’s home in Darkest Peru, his Aunt Lucy sends him to London, believing that he will find a home in the city of the explorer who welcomed her. But when Paddington arrives at Paddington Station, he is not met with warmth and welcome. Strangers brush past him without consideration and he waits countless hours for someone to offer him a home. Beneath the whimsical charm of the first 20 minutes, the opening is devastating—the embodiment of innocence and hope is quietly overlooked as the world passes him by.
This is where the Brown
Then there is Nicole Kidman’s villain, a taxidermist who wants to stuff Paddington and display him in a museum. Her role seems cartoonish at first but thematically she represents the part of society that would rather pin down the outsider than accept them. Her obsession with Paddington opposes his beliefs of growth, change, and kindness.
The movie’s humor emerges from cultural tension. Even with good intentions, Paddington often collides with London’s orderliness and facilities. For instance, flooding the bathroom while freshening up and misunderstanding escalators in the Underground. When it first may seem like cheap slapstick, it reveals the clash between a warm, curious outsider and the cold, well-oiled machine of London. We laugh at these scenes because the mistakes are silly, but feel empathetic as well. Pad-
Paddington is filled with bright and original visual inventiveness. One scene that stands out is when the Browns’ house turns into a dollhouse, each room opening up as Paddington explains them. The doll house metaphor gives the film a storybook-like struc ture and embraces that the idea of a home is shaped by the people in it. Also, the warmth of Paddington’s blue coat and red hat bal ances London’s rainy bleakness as if the bear brings color into the city that has lost its vibrancy.
What makes Paddington linger with the audience beyond its plot is the bear’s sincerity. In an era of cynicism and pessimism, Paddington’s kindness is framed as a strength rather than a weakness. Whenever someone is at wits’ end with him, he continues to be nice and further extends his generosity. By the end of the film, Mr. Brown, who at first saw Paddington as a liability, recognizes that the bear only made their lives richer.
It’s easy to dismiss Paddington as a kid’s movie, yet its themes of immigration and the power of benevolence are delivered with clarity. Paddington doesn’t win over London with brilliance, money or power but with patience, trust, and jars of marmalade. He is a mirror to remind us that the smallest gesture of kindness can mean the most.
what if they were also a way to navigate life itself?
While trying to answer life’s big questions, I’ve found that curiosity is often the best place to start. If we want to understand life, we have to study it — which is why science has always drawn me in. As a sophomore in college, I’m far from an expert, but I realized: who better to consult than the experts right in our classrooms? So this week, I asked three of my professors one question: “From your experience in learning about your field and in the scientific community, what is one lesson or concept that has helped you navigate everyday life and decisions — something you would want to share with your students?”
Dr. Sesha Alluri (Chemistry) reminded me that failure is part of the pro -
cess. “I’ve learned to accept failures more gracefully,” she said. “I must have failed half the experiments I did … only the successful ones ever became papers. But failure isn’t the end. It’s about trying again, seeing what else works, and sometimes even cherishing the mistakes that teach the most.” For Dr. Alluri, mistakes aren’t obstacles but part of the journey toward discovery.
Dr. Paola DiMarzio (Biology) highlighted the idea of the scientific method as a “life method.” “Life is exactly the same as research,” she told me. “You observe, create questions, hypothesize, and test. Instead of experiments, you try different designs, different ways to achieve what you want.” For her, the method is more than a research framework, it’s a way to approach choices and uncertainty. Just as in science, we often don’t know the outcome of an experiment in advance. But by asking questions, experimenting, and learning from the results, we can move closer to a solution that works for us.
Dr. Samuel Hedemann (Physics) teaches us to follow the universe’s story, rather than try to impose our own. “My answer to that [question] is to accept life on life’s terms,” he said. “When I have a hypothesis, I don’t try to force the work to agree with me. If I’m wrong, I don’t take it personally — I take it as a clue. The more I try to listen to
the universe and describe it as it is, the more success I have.” Science teaches us that clinging to what we want to be true can prevent us from finding what is actually true. Life works the same way: instead of resisting or forcing outcomes to fit our personal narrative, we can find a sense of tranquility by accepting reality as it is, and letting unexpected results serve as clues towards clarity, rather than step backwards. When I first asked this question, I assumed their answers would differ drastically depending on their fields. But after hearing their perspectives, I realized that each of them, in their own ways, possesses the same curiosity towards life. Like true scientists, they see living as a process of continual learning.
Dr. DiMarzio encourages us to carry the scientific method into our choices. Dr. Alluri reminds us that failure is inevitable but also transformative. Finally, Dr. Hedemann teaches us to listen carefully to the clues the universe has to offer us. Together, their lessons suggest this: tackling life like a scientist doesn’t mean we’ll always get it right. But it does mean we will always be asking questions, testing possibilities, interpreting our experiences, and sharing whatever results come our way. And perhaps that ongoing process is the experiment we are all in on – a process that connects us all.
The myth of the “perfect” college girl: why balance beats burnout
BY BREONA PIZZUTA ‘27
If you’ve ever looked around campus and thought, “How does she have it all together?”, you’re not alone.
The “perfect college girl” myth, the idea that we’re supposed to be straight-A students, thriving socially, career-focused, stylish, and somehow still well-rested, has become an unspoken pressure for many women. On Instagram, it looks like everyone else is managing it effortlessly. But in reality, chasing perfection often leaves us stressed, burned out, and disconnected from what really matters: balance. College is often painted as the best four years of your life, but that rosy image
overlooks the weight of expectations. Between keeping up with coursework, applying for internships, joining clubs, maintaining friendships, and finding time for wellness, the to-do list feels endless. Many of us carry the added pressure of being role models, whether for younger siblings, our communities, or ourselves. It feels like there is never a win in all categories. If I do well academically, I feel guilty for not seeing friends. If I hang out with friends, I feel like I should be studying. This cycle is exhausting, and it highlights why the “perfect” image is unsustainable. When we push ourselves too hard, the cost goes beyond grades or resumes, it shows up in our health. Burnout isn’t just feeling
tired — it’s a state of chronic stress that can cause anxiety, depression, and even physical symptoms like headaches or insomnia. The irony is that striving for perfection often leaves us too drained to fully enjoy the very experiences we’re working so hard to make “perfect.” Studies show that college students, especially women, report higher rates of stress and anxiety compared to previous generations. Social media doesn’t help; when everyone posts highlight reels of their accomplishments and social lives, it creates a distorted sense of reality. Instead of trying to do everything perfectly, shifting focus toward balance can make life more sustainable and fulfilling. Balance doesn’t mean doing
less, it means doing things with intention and giving yourself permission to prioritize your well-being.
Here are a few ways to start:
Embrace Imperfection! Perfection is overrated and unattainable. Allowing yourself to make mistakes, miss a deadline, or have a lazy Sunday without guilt will remind you that growth comes from trying, not from being flawless.
Set Boundaries! It’s okay to say no. Protect your time and energy by setting boundaries with school, friends, or extracurriculars. Saying no to one thing often means saying yes to yourself.
Prioritize Mental Health! Treat mental health like physical health. Whether
it’s journaling, therapy, or simply taking breaks, prioritize practices that help you recharge. Even small rituals, like a daily walk or five minutes of meditation, can make a difference.
Redefine Success! Success doesn’t have to look like a 4.0 GPA or a jam-packed resume. Maybe it’s building strong friendships, discovering passions, or simply making it through a tough semester — let your definition of success evolve with you.
Building a Supportive Community! Balance also comes from community. Surrounding yourself with supportive friends, mentors, and organizations can help break down the myth of perfection. The truth is, none of us are doing it all alone and
none of us should have to. Building a community can empower women to share their voices authentically, without the filter of perfection.
The “perfect college girl” is a myth, and a harmful one at that. The more we chase it, the more we risk burning out and missing the joy of the present moment. By choosing balance over burnout, we give ourselves space to grow, to rest, and to thrive on our own terms. College isn’t about checking every box; it’s about learning how to care for ourselves while building a future we actually want to live in. So the next time you feel pressured to do it all, remember: balance isn’t just better than burnout…it’s the real key to success.
HER STEVENS
PHOTO COURTESY OF BBC
Puzzle Page
ROVING REPORTER
By Isabelle Villanueva and Jacob Normand
“If you could insert yourself into any movie, what movie would it be?”
Cryptolist
The following list has been translated using a basic substitution cipher. For example, if E represents T in one word/phrase, it will represent T in all the words/phrases in the list. No letter maps to itself. The list is alphabetized. Hint: start guessing things in the category and see if any of the letter patterns match up.
LWHHE GWXPU
VRBVBHXJW GXS
JQAZ
VXPIE VBSP
JQAYYHWSU
Hidden Links
Inspired by the British game show Only Connect, the goal of this puzzle is to find the hidden connection between four seemingly abstract clues. Each answer will use trivia, wordplay, logic, or some combination thereof. The solution is always more specific than “nouns”, “places”, etc. What do the following have in common?
Kings Tour
Traverse each square one by one in any of the eight directions (like a king in chess) to spell out the answer. The starting and ending squares are bolded. Every letter will be used exactly once. The clue below the grid designates the lengths of each word.
*Puzzle instructions by Stephen Pachucki
Chain Reaction
Each of the six clues on the right leads to a two-word phrase or compound word. Insert each answer into two of the boxes on the right. At the end, you will have an interlocking chain of six phrases.
*Puzzle instructions by Stephen Pachucki
Clues: 1-2. Structure commonly found in public parks 2-3. Notable discovery or innovation 3-4. Separating in a relationship 4-5. To add fixes and improvements to an application 5-6. Popular show on NBC
*Puzzle instructions by Stephen Pachucki
Sudoku
Difficulty: Hard
Humna Sultan ‘26
“Back to the Future. I like cars”
Vincent Menichelli ‘26
“Harry Potter, I feel like being a normal person in Harry Potter would be kinda sick.
Luca Simoniello ‘26
“The Lord of the Rings, I want to be a Hobbit.”
Ella Joseph ‘26
“Titanic!”
Ishita Balpande ‘28 Snow White.
Margaret Palmer ‘27
“Legally Blonde, I fear i want to be Elle Woods.”
William Smookler ‘28 “I’d probably say probably Cars lowkey, I would be a car ”
Ved Desai ‘29 “I would say The Hangover . . . I feel like I’d have a really fun time ”
Dominic Souza
*Puzzle instructions by Stephen Pachucki West Kilmer Conroy Bale
